01x111 - Episode 111

[bunniefuu]

That's a dangerous amount
of brooding.

I thought you were ghosting me.

You know how sad
that would look--

me dancing solo like some

rejected telenovela hero?

Oh, please.

And miss my chance to channel
my inner Celia Cruz?

Mira.So you know
la Gran Señora.

Sí, papi.

I went through a whole
Latin phase, it's...

not worth getting into.

But I want to apologize
for my t*rd.

I had a situation
with my closet.

I wanted to get this right.

Well, you definitely
did that, for sure.

Thank you.

Now, I hope this dance
instructor lives up to the hype.

My mom didn't spend
all those years entering me

in cotillions
for me to learn subpar salsa.

Well, from what I hear,
she's supposed to be the best.

June is Samantha
and Tyrell's mother?

All this time?

But Jacob, this isn't some small
secret we're sitting on here.

You're thinking
we should tell June?

If she were less upset about
having to give them away

or less concerned about
where they've ended up,

I wouldn't even consider it.

But she's wrecked by this.

To spend the rest of her life
not knowing is...

we have to run this
by Martin and Smitty first.

It was a closed adoption.

The final decision
about any information

we share with June
has to be theirs.

Yeah, but think about
what this news could do to them.

They're already
barely holding it together

after what happened
with that busboy.

Hell, Martin isn't
even living in the house.

Yeah, and Smitty's been
super protective of the kids.

He and Martin fought like hell

to give Samantha and Tyrell
a good life.

After everything
they've been through,

there's no way they won't feel
some type of way about this.

This news could destroy
their family.

All right, Samantha, one more
book and we put them to bed.

-You ready?
-Born ready, Pop.

I thrive on any team
that I'm on.

No way they got this.

Peep this, Dad. We're about
to go viral with this move.

I've been watching the board.

Now who's talking
across the table?

That's how I do it.

Oh, no, whatever shall we do?

Oh, good job, Tyrell,

'cause I got nothing.

Sorry, Tyrell.

Ooh! Should have saved
that big joker, big brother.

Hey!

Another book.

Game over.

Hey!

Man, I hate y'all.

Okay, uh, it's getting late,

and, uh, you guys have
those school forms to fill out.

Come on, we're not
even in the school year yet.

That feels like homework.
One more game.

Yeah, Tyrell and Dad
need to redeem themselves.

Well, mainly Tyrell.

How about a game of charades?

A game that you can
actually win?

You hear the disrespect?

Come on, Dad, she's throwing
down the gauntlet.

Well, I guess you have
no choice than to pick it up.

Maybe you guys can get
a head start on your chores

and help us with the dishes.

-Does it have to be now?
-Please.

You wash, I'll dry,

and we will give Pop and Dad
time to...

discuss the rematch.

Look at them, Smitty.

They miss this. We miss this.

That is exactly
why I was concerned about

you coming over
in the first place.

Why are you so resistant
on me wanting to see my family?

Because I know exactly
what you're doing, Martin,

and it needs to stop.

Oh, so I'm "bae" now?

There's my favorite doctor.

Hi. How was work?

You look way too beautiful
for me to waste time

talking about my day.

Well, thank you.

I wasn't sure
you were gonna come.

It just feels like we're doing
this elaborate dance lately.

Yeah, I felt it, too.

The distance
starting to creep in.

Madison, I don't want us
to drift apart.

Well, good.

Look, we'll diagnose it

and figure out
what's causing this,

and we'll make it better.

I mean, that is my specialty,
after all.

There's no one else here.

Maybe I should have
been following the hashtag?

Do you think she canceled class?

I doubt it. From what I hear,

this Santi
lives and breathes salsa.

Apparently,
she's like the Beyoncé

of the Latin ballroom scene.

But what if we're the only ones
that signed up?

I am not trying to be the girl

that shut down salsa class
at Uptown.

Then you, mi amor,

will have the privilege
my undivided attention.

Santi is here, mi amor,

and tonight, we make magic.

Wait, you're Santi?

-But the guys at the firm
made it seem like...
-Like what?

That Santi has
the best hips in D.C.?

Your coworkers
weren't exaggerating.

We lucked out.

Tonight, it's about you.

Are you two ready
to work those hips

like your love life
depends on it?

You want my what? My Social?

Oh, now you want my birthday?

My mother's maiden name, too?

Oh, no. Mm-mmm.
Child, please.

I ain't new to this, baby.
I am true to this, all right?

And no smooth-talking
and recycled lines

is enough to play me.

Oh, no, you listen
to what I have to say,

because I don't have to tell you
anything about a damn thing.

What you think about that?

Stupid.

Told you that was pointless.

All that work you had me do
for nothing.

Cinco, seis,

siete, vamos.

Left foot, right foot.

Smooth and natural.

Feel it in your body like
waves crashing on the shore.

Sí.Forward, back.

-Hips rolling like honey.
-Ooh...

No. No, no, no, no. No.

Where's the passion?

Hmm? The fire?

You're dancing salsa,
you're not filing your taxes.

Okay?

Now, again, before I question
my career choice.

I thought you said
you've done this before.

I have, but salsa
is about partnership.

You have to trust my lead.

I would if your lead
made more sense.

My eyes cannot
take this anymore.

Stop.

Stop!

Before you hurt someone.

Can we just have a minute?

I could give you a lifetime
and it still wouldn't help.

Do you want to do this again?

Look at you, mi reina.

Such natural grace, such fire,

being wasted on a partner
who moves

like he's got cement
in his shoes.

Let me show you
what it feels like

when a real man leads.

I feel like I'm on lockdown,

and I'm only allowed to visit
my family during visiting hours.

I need you
to respect our boundaries.

I have boundaries, too,

and they involve
seeing my family.

It's Naomi.

She only calls
when something's up.

-I probably should take this.
-Do it.

And then, afterwards,
I think it's best

that you say good night
to the kids.

-Fine.
-Fine.

Hey, 'cuz.
Is everything okay?

Where are you?

At home with Smitty
and the kids.

I mean at Smitty's.

Good.
I need to see you, ASAP.

Both of you.

What's going on?

Just be there, together.

Naomi's on her way over.

Picture this:
a full social media rollout.

Influencer packages,
pop-up shops

and Kat's marketing strategy
is insane.

She's got all of these
viral challenges planned.

Okay, show me
the hospital tote again.

The one with all
the secret compartments.

I've been thinking about it
during rounds.

For all your doctor essentials,
of course.

You see, this pocket
is perfectly sized

for your stethoscope.

Oh, my God,
I'm already picturing it.

I get to work, and all
the doctors are gonna be like,

"That bag is everything,"
and I'll get to say,

"Mm, sorry, you can't have one.

My girlfriend designed it
just for me."

You would tell them that--
about me being your girlfriend?

Of course I would.

Chelsea, I'm so proud
to be with you.

Well, then I better
make it extra special.

I can't have my girl
carrying anything less.

Aw.

That's so sweet.

Allison.
Last I checked,

a membership here was exclusive.

How'd you get past the gate?

Don't be so elitist, Chelsea.

Some of us
have connections, too,

and my trainer Diego
was kind enough

to get me a guest pass, so...

you'll be seeing
a lot more of me around here.

Let's be clear about something.

A trainer's guest pass
is not a connection,

it's a courtesy.

And yours is about
to be revoked.

I'm texting management about

-staff overstepping
their priv...
-Okay, before you do that,

I'm trying to offer you

an amazing marketing
opportunity, Chels.

Look, okay, I know the investor
of the next social media site

that's about to blow up,

and I can get you in
for an exclusive deal

before anyone else.

Let me make sure I understand.

You crashed my date,

interrupted what was
a lovely evening,

to pitch me, what?

This is big, Chels.

You really think
I'm desperate enough

to take advice from someone
who can't lock down a meeting

or send over
a simple prospectus?

This isn't personal, Allison,

it's business,

and you are clearly not ready
to operate at this level.

Now, you can either leave
on your own

or I can have someone
escort you out.

Either way,
this conversation is over.

How long before they get here?

You're that desperate
to get rid of me?

You know how hard this is
on the kids.

I can't let them think
things are just gonna go back.

I'm not gonna
give them false hope.

You mean about you
ever forgiving me?

About us ever being
these people again?

Don't worry.

I'm not expecting forgiveness.

Not anymore.

But you can't blame me for
wanting more moments like these,

or just pretending that, one
night, I still have my family.

That's Naomi.

I'll get it.

Right, because this is
not my home anymore.

Can you please just stop
with the guilt trip, Martin?

Seriously.

-Hey.
-Hey.

- Thanks.
- Yeah.
- How's it going?

Glad to see you two
spending time together.

Everything good?

As, uh...

yeah, as good
as can be expected.

What's up? Why'd you need
to talk to both of us?

Are the kids around?

They probably
shouldn't overhear.

They're upstairs, probably
lost in their playlists.

I was actually just
headed out, so...

There's so no way
to ease into this.

We found Tyrell and Samantha's
biological mother.

I did all the work. All of it.

Got-- H-Hit up my friend,
got the whole game plan,

then tried to help you
help yourself.

Here we go.

What did you do?

You just dialed a phone number,

then you gave up
before it even got started.

Questions and empty promises

about some magical pot of gold

waiting at the end
of a fake-a*s rainbow.

Girl, please. I've been
through and around the block

way too many times
to know better than that.

I was standing right here,
listening to every word.

When I said be careful

about giving away
sensitive information,

I didn't mean treat them
like they were trying

-to steal your soul.
-Oh, for the love of...

Nothing I do pleases you.

Hmm? No matter what it is,
it's wrong.

It's always wrong.

-But Mama, you couldn't...
-Oh, don't you dare
"but Mama" me.

I don't even want
to hear it, honey.

I did what you asked me to do,

and I picked up the goofy phone
and made that phone call,

and now it's over.

And so is this.

Mama.

No.

Follow my body, princesa.

Let it teach yours what to do.

You see how it's done?

When you dance like this,

a woman feels it in her soul.

Oh. Wow.

You're a really good teacher.

Oh, some of us are blessed
with rhythm in our blood,

but not everyone can understand
the language

of Latin dance.

Just hear me out, okay?

I really think
this marketing opportunity

would be incredible
for your launch.

Do you really think
I'm that naive

that I can't see whatever game
you're trying to play here?

You are literally
the last person on earth

I would take help from,
the absolute last.

I am just trying
to contribute, Chelsea.

You're not trying.

You're plotting.

This is just another one
of your calculated,

pathetic attempts to drive
a wedge between Madison and me.

But here's what
you don't understand.

We're real.

We're solid.

And whatever manipulation
you're trying to run here,

it's not going to work.

Look, I get
you're angry with me,

but how could you be so cruel?

You know, Craig is doing
a fine job of that on his own.

Please don't go.

No, I'm not going anywhere,
babe, okay?

I'll be right back. I just got
to take this work call.

It'll be a few minutes, tops.
Okay?

I still got your back.

You really don't care, do you?

How Craig's treating me?

I don't understand.

Why were you looking

for Samantha and Tyrell's
biological mother?

That's the thing, Martin.
She wasn't.

June found me.

A closed adoption means closed.

We didn't spend a small fortune
on lawyers

so our past could come knocking.

Best laid plans, right?

June, Huh?

Who is she?

What's her story?

Do you remember that homeless
woman I came to you about,

and you so generously helped me
find her a hotel room?

That's June.

And I can't believe
that it was by coincidence.

- Not for something like this.
- Homeless.

Can't say I'm surprised,
given what I saw.

I was doing a story
on the foster care system.

And it was just an assignment,
just like any other.

And then I met those two kids.

Their mother's addiction had
stripped everything from them.

Everything except for...

what they had in each other.

And the way that they...
they looked out

for each other
was something else.

Especially Samantha. She was...

She was like
this little princess,

standing guard
over her big brother,

like she was nine feet tall
instead of nine years old.

And she's still
a miniature mama bear

when it comes
to protecting Tyrell.

I went looking for a story,

and instead, I found the
missing pieces to our family.

They didn't need parents.
They needed us.

And they still do.

Mind if I cut in?

Ready?

You've been holding out on me.

Just took me a little time
to get warmed up.

What's this really
all about, Eva--

you being too good
to lend your mama money

now that you got
your little fancy job

with Papa Ted Richardson?

You forgot
where you came from that quick.

Mama, if you needed $100
or $1,000,

I'd Cash App you before you can
even finish the sentence.

You know why?
Because you are my mother.

Then why are you acting
like this?

Looking at me all sideways
and side-eyed

like you weren't raised right?

Because what you're asking
for isn't regular money, Mama.

It's so much
that I have to go to Ted.

Well, that man has more cash
than the devil can offer him.

Probably spent more on lunch
than what I'm asking for.

Do you know
how many nights I spent

staring up at the ceiling,
wondering about him?

Wondering if he ever
thought about me?

Imagining him showing up
at my graduation,

or that-that little
father-daughter dance

when I was 12.

And now...

Now I finally have what that
little girl wanted so badly.

A chance to know my father.

And to be his daughter,
not just his mistake.

I know
that's what you wanted, baby.

And-and I'm the one
that helped make that happen.

But just when we're starting
to build something real,

something
that feels like family,

you want to come in here
with all this...

This what?

Mama, all this Leslie drama!

And you...

you drop it in the middle
of everything like a b*mb!

Leslie drama?

Yes.

Oh, no, baby,
you must have for...

Unknown caller.

Not even ten minutes
since I told these scammers

to kick rocks.

But don't you at least
want to see if...?

No, I don't. No. All I want

to do is finish talking

about why my daughter
chooses Ted Richardson

over her own mother.

Mama, this isn't
some kind of competition.

Is this about Nicole?

You still blame me
for everything

that happened with her family,
don't you?

I love Nicole.

And yes,

I feel bad that her family
has been going through it.

Why are you always
making me choose sides?

Because there is only one side
to choose.

You love Nicole.

I carried you for nine months.

I raised you by myself, since
Alan was worthless as a father.

You got all these
bougie-a*s people in your life.

But in the end, little girl,
you know what?

It is all about you and me

-against the world.
-Against the world.

Yeah, that's right.

And that's the way
it's always been.

Now, since you're so good

at handling
other people's problems...

...maybe next time
I'll give them your number.

For real, though, where'd
you learn to move like that?

My family used
to get together all the time.

All my tíos,my primos.

Even the ones
that couldn't stand each other.

I love hearing about your time
back in Puerto Rico.

Abuelitawould be
in the kitchen all day,

starting at sunrise.

Sofritoand garlic
would fill up the whole block.

Then Abuelitowould bust out
his vinyl collection.

The real stuff.

Not that commercial nonsense
Santi was playing.

I'm talking Héctor Lavoe,
El Gran Combo,

music that speaks to your soul
before your feet.

Speaking of which...

Abuelitaused to say,

"When you find
the right partner,

you don't need music,
just chemistry."

Maybe your abuela
was onto something.

Yeah, that lady never lied,

and neither do I.

Here's what you need to do.

Go to therapy, go to your
friends, go anywhere else.

But you need to stop coming
to me with this.

I am not
your emotional support human.

How can you be so cold?

You know, after everything
that Craig has put me through?

Don't you care?

Girl, I obviously care.

But you've got selective memory.

I told you exactly
how to handle him.

-You told me to get out.
-Yes.

That was my advice then
and that's my advice now.

But you don't want advice.

You want attention.

You know, leaving is
a lot easier said than done.

And it's not fair
for you to judge me

when you have no idea
what I'm going through.

You know what's not fair?

You showing up here,
trying to manipulate your way

in between me and Madison.

I got to take this.

And when I come back,
please be gone.

Your timing is everything.

I needed an escape
from this Allison situation.

She's still playing games?

You already know,
but forget her.

Why are you calling so late?
Launch stuff?

Actually, I was thinking
of having Tomas over,

and wanted
to see if you'd be home.

Why would you need to know

if I was home?

Unless...

Katherine Richardson,
are you and Tomas about to...

Can you not be so loud about it?

But since you asked,

I'm considering it.

We just had this salsa lesson,
and it changed everything.

The way he moved,
the way he held me--

it was like seeing him
for the first time.

That's amazing, Kat, for real.

And there was this moment
when the instructor was trying

to show off,
and Tomas just stepped in,

not on a ego trip,
but pure confidence.

Oh, and the way he looked at me
while we danced.

Sounds like you caught
more than just rhythm, huh?

You caught feelings.

I know, I know.

But this time felt different,

like maybe we both were
trying too hard before.

And now...

I got to go.
Just don't overthink it.

Relax this time,
and you'll be fine.

Sometimes, the second time
hits different

with all the first-time jitters
out the way.

Thanks, Chels.

Go handle your business.

I love you, cousin.

And, um,
text me the details later.

Okay.

How'd that emergency
business call go?

-Crisis averted.
-That was quick.

Well, I think I'm gonna
call it a night.

All that dancing made me sweaty.
I need to shower.

Well, how about
you shower at my place?

Why are you telling us this now?

What do you hope we'll do
with this information?

It wasn't an easy choice,
trust me.

We debated about it.

The last thing we want to do
is bring any more problems

to your family.

Lord knows you already
been through enough.

And when we figured it out,
we knew we had

to come to you first before
mentioning anything to June,

since it was a closed adoption.

You all didn't plan to be faced
with this possibility.

And because you are
Samantha and Tyrell's parents,

it has to be your call.

Well, what exactly
do you want from us?

Would you consider
letting the kids meet June?

Uh, no.
Knee-jerk reaction, no.

We don't know this woman,
and what we do know...

Our family right now
is very fragile.

Take your time.

There's no pressure
to make any decisions tonight.

Yeah, family decisions
like this shouldn't be rushed.

I'm not completely opposed
to the idea,

but we need
to discuss this together.

We need to talk to the kids
about it first.

Of course. Of course.
We completely understand.

Think on it.

We're here, whatever you decide.

Thank you.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

-Thanks for telling us.
-Of course.

Um, how much did you guys hear?

They... found our mother?

I want you to know
that this blindsided both of us.

Just as much as you, maybe more.

We thought that we had
all the time in the world

to prepare you
for something like this.

Prepared for what?
For our mother to finally decide

- we're worth knowing?
- Tyrell,

-maybe we should just...
-Maybe we should just what?

Go look for our mother
who literally abandoned us?

When she had me taking care
of you,

growing up way too fast
when I was only a child myself?

When she should have been there
doing that?

Nobody, not me, not your dad,

no one is pushing you
to do anything.

You two are old enough to make
your own choice yourselves.

And with everything
our family has been through,

the last thing we want to do
is to add more pain.

And whatever you decide--

either or both of you--

we are still here, okay?

We are your parents.

And nothing or nobody
is going to change that.

Not even her.

Can Samantha and I
talk about this alone?

Of course.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

We'll... we'll give you
some privacy.

I have to say, the way
you handled Allison earlier--

so composed, so clear--

it was like watching a surgeon
with a scalpel.

You would know.

I'm so sorry
this evening got hijacked.

I mean, tonight was supposed
to be about us.

No, you don't need to apologize.

You have got to be kidding me.

Now, what are you still
doing here?

Last time I checked,

the country club wasn't named

after the Duprees
or the Hamiltons.

And don't get it twisted,
Chelsea.

I'm not here for you.
I'm here for her.

-Me?
-Yeah, you seem like

you have a good head
on your shoulders,

so I figured I'd do you a favor.

A little PSA
before you get in too deep.

You know, Chelsea is a selfish,
two-faced b*tch,

and she'll dump you
the second it serves her.

Hey, she's not worth it.

Remember who you are,
remember where you are.

Don't worry, babe.
I'm not about

to let this psychodrama queen
make me lose my cool.

But keep coming at me,

and I will get
a restraining order.

And trust me,
with my family's pull,

- it'll stick.
- A restraining order?

For what? Trying to save
your new girlfriend

from making the biggest mistake
of her life like I did?

If I'm such a terrible mistake,

-why are you always...
-Because.

Because you and I are meant
to be together, Chelsea.

You don't know
what you're missing.

Don't worry.
You'll find out soon enough.

Ooh.

That woman isn't just messy.

She's actually unhinged.

Certifiable.

What are you gonna do?

I don't think we should do it.

We deserve answers, though.
Don't you want

-to know the whole story?
-What story?

That our mother could just
abandon us like we were nothing?

Well, maybe that's just how
it seemed and not how it was.

Maybe we meant more to her
than what we think.

Then where was she?

No letters, no calls.

It's been years
of nothing from her.

These are the people
who showed up,

chose us, period.

I dream about her sometimes.

Not the villain
that we built up in our heads,

but just the woman
that was going through it.

That's how I try
to think of her.

She left us, Samantha.

Okay, well,

Maybe she thought
she was doing the right thing.

And look at our lives now.

We have June to thank for that.

You can't be for real right now.

Pop and Dad gave us everything.

-They als...
-Not her.

Okay, well, they also taught us
about grace and understanding.

Don't you want to at least
know the whole story?

Maybe there's more to it
than what we know about.

Or the truth can be worse
than we imagined.

I don't know what we should do.

Me either.

Best idea ever.

That shower was exactly
what my body needed,

though some of my muscles
are still tense.

Oh, I know how to fix that.

And here I thought

all your talents were
on the dance floor.

Did you learn that move

at those family dance parties?

Nah, this is
a private performance.

Invitation only.

Madison, I am so sorry
this night turned into

-a total disaster.
-No. Hey, look at me.

You don't have to apologize for
Allison's hurricane of crazy.

And tonight was perfect.

I got to be with you.

And the way you stood up to her?

That was something else.

I won't let Allison
come between us,

not when I have finally
found something real.

Something real, huh?

I love being with you, Madison.

When I'm with you,
it's like everything,

all the noise, all the drama--
it just fades away.

I love being with you,
too, Chelsea.

And I love being the woman
you love.

Damn, that was something else.

It certainly was.

God, you're so beautiful.

And the way
your body moves with mine.

It's like
we never left the dance floor.

Yeah, it was great.

Mm. If you knew
what you've done to my life.

Complete invasion.

I can't get you out of my head.

All I want is to rush back here
for more of you.

Really?

You should see me
sitting in meetings,

picturing us like this.

I never want
to stop touching you.

Your skin.

Intoxicating.

God, you drive me crazy.
You know that?

Yeah?

Is everything okay?

You're kind of... quiet.

Oh, what could be wrong?

I knew I must have
been imagining things.

Because we're so
on the same page. You feel it?

Who wouldn't?
We're so... close.

So close, we're having

the same thoughts.

-Are we?
-And I concur.

Round two coming up.

You want
to do that again already?

Uh, where'd they go?

Outside.

This late?

You know, whatever they decide,
we have to support it.

You understand that, right?

Yeah, I do.

We have to be prepared.

And we will be.

Martin, we have spent years

preparing them
for every possibility.

And sure, this one came out
of nowhere,

but... we'll deal.

There's something else.

What if they meet June
and have this sudden connection,

this biological pull
that we can't compete with?

What if they forget about us?

That is not going to happen.

Are you sure?

-I mean, they're not actually...
-Don't!

Do not finish that sentence.

They are actually ours

in every single way
that matters.

Well, with you,
they have a special bond.

Samantha always
comes to you for advice,

and Tyrell-- he lights up

when you're proud of him.

But for me...

Sometimes I just wonder
if I'm not just the other dad.

Okay, after some

intense debate,

we reached a decision.

Samantha and I agreed.

We want to see our mother.