01x115 - Episode 115

[bunniefuu]

-Glad you could make it.
-Wouldn't miss being here

with you guys for the world.
You know that.

-Hey, Pop.
-What's good?

Yesterday was difficult
for all of us.

A lot of conflicting feelings
must have come up.

No, we were pretty cool with it.

You didn't give that impression.

Meeting your mom again
for the first time--

no one saw that coming.

Oh, we thought you were talking

about Pop sleeping
at the grands' again last night.

-No.
-SAMANTHA: It would be nice

if he came home again.

Bring the pack back together.

He's here now because we thought

that it was important
that we are both supportive

of whatever you choose to do
about seeing your mother.

-We saw her.
-MARTIN: In the future.

SAMANTHA:
June-- she came,

and she said
what she had to say.

She got it all off her chest.

She saw that we're safe
and happy.

That should be enough.

I sure hope it's enough.

But she did a very good thing

for herself and for our family,
and we need to remember that.

We don't need another parent.

Tyrell and I already have
the best.

Laying it on a little thick,
aren't you?

She's right.
We got lucky. We know that.

I pass people like that
all the time on the street.

-People who are less fortunate.
-Like June.

And I know that we don't
say it enough, but thank you.

Everything that we are,
we owe it to you.

I think they're saying
we're the perfect parents.

Nobody said anything like that.

But you are perfect for us.

And if you were worried
about last night

or maybe before you left,
you were talking

about whether or not
we'll stop loving you,

or whether or not we'll want
to move in with June...

-This child was listening.
-Are you surprised?

You don't have to worry.

We like it here.

It's where
we keep all our stuff.

And we'll be coming back
for years and years.

TYRELL:
And we'll probably
never move out.

Ever.

-[phone ringing]
-Oh, um, we almost forgot.

Oh. June's supposed to call.

Oh. We have
to give her our answer?

-It's going to be okay.
-Just be firm.

Naomi?

I hope you're recovering

after our impromptu reunion
last night.

We are.

We're well.

Thanks again
for accommodating us.

How is everyone?

Probably along the lines
of whatever you're imagining.

Have Tyrell and Samantha
made up their minds

about seeing June again?

MARTIN:
They have.

Please tell June
that they have decided

that they would like
to keep things

as they are,
without further visitation.

I see.

Well, thank you so much.

Talk to you later.

And sorry
it isn't the answer she wants.

I'll handle everything.
Don't worry.

I love you.

Love you, too.

Well, what did they say?

♪ ♪

Mama, I got us some coffee,
so...

Welcome, dear. Enter and behold.

What is all of this?

I have arrived, and now I reside

in the land of milk and honey,
hunty.

Ah, where the nouveau riche
speak in bad British accents?

Hmm.
Well, there has been a change.

Can't you feel it?

Um, everything looks the same.

Okay, maybe to
the uneducated eye, perhaps.

But for me, the air is crisper,

this coffee will taste
as of sunshine,

and everything
in the world is right.

And look at me.

I'm smiling,
and actually meaning it.

You're really happy.

Ecstatic.

For the first time,
there are two things I know

that will take me places.

What do you know?

Where I come from
and where I'm going.

Oh, okay, okay.
I'll play it along.

-I'll play it along.
-Oh, play. Oh, play.

What's your next step?

Well, to check on
a friend of the family.

Miss Anita Williams-Dupree.

See, if it weren't for her,

my mama wouldn't be
where she is today.

Tyrell and Samantha
have decided.

Um...

And their answer is "no."

What do you mean, "no"?

No, not today?

They-they won't see me today.

We can make it happen
some other time.

Tomorrow, the next day.

-I'm flexible.
-June, I think

what Naomi is trying
to say is...

I know how much this meant
to you,

and I'm so sorry,

but they don't want
to have another meeting.

I can't see them?

Just one last time, even,
just to...

to say goodbye?

I'm afraid we'll have
to leave things as they are.

But just one last time...

Was it something I did?
Was it something I said wrong?

No. No, nothing like that.

My manners are not good anymore.

They're living
in that beautiful house.

Maybe I was too much.

I was just so happy.

I scared them?

If they can just
give me a second chance...

I'm sorry, June.

Well, I got to see them
that one time,

and that's...

all there is to it.

I thought
I heard you on the phone.

We're expecting company.

Leslie Thomas.

Oh, not her again.

What's she up to now?

Better to know the answer than
to be caught off guard again.

Which is why I am allowing her

to drop by and see us.

Well, I have this video meeting
with the history chair

at Banneker,
but I can reschedule it.

Oh, I forgot about that.

But no, no,
no need to change your plans.

And leave you alone
to fend for yourself

with a woman whose go-to
is stirring the pot?

Well, since I know
you have neither slept with

nor fathered a child
with Leslie Thomas,

there's a limit
to the damage she can do, so,

have your meeting.

I don't need a hall monitor.

Perhaps she's coming to beg you
to stop blackballing her.

I have done nothing of the kind.

If she has been kept out
of polite society,

-that's her doing.
-Hmm.

She could want an autograph,
I suppose, huh?

Saw you up on that stage

and realizes how close
to greatness she is.

Well, as long
as she is not coming here

with designs
on snatching my man.

Oh, he's not available.

Apparently, that's her type.

All the more reason
for you to leave her to me.

I'm only suggesting
we should take things slower.

Lord, here comes Grandma.

Why the rush?

And why is Anita Dupree the
first person you need to see?

Because I can feel my mother's
hand guiding me from beyond,

showing me the way,
making things right.

Motherless child no more.

But you have more
important things to do, Mama,

like contacting
the estate attorney

so you can have a better idea

of what this inheritance
really means for your future.

I don't need anybody
to tell me that.

All I need right now...

...is this piece of paper.

Is that the notification letter?

Proof, evidence,

and the only artifact
from my past that has any value.

-Can I see?
-Ah. Mm-mm, it's not for you.

Barbara didn't want me,
but Peaches did.

Took me, loved me,

raised me
to stand up for myself.

Peaches knew
that this day would come for me,

when I could look at my life
in the right light.

God bless that woman.

You know,
there's a certain peace

that comes with clarity.

You seem so different.

Like, I've never seen you
act this way.

Today I have been reborn.

A brand-new Leslie,

never before seen on this Earth.

Yeah, I don't think I like it.

You'll get used to it,
'cause I'm not going anywhere.

I just wish
she'd hurry up and get here

so she can hurry up and leave.

I have better things
to do with my day.

We weren't exactly welcoming
the last time she popped by.

Which makes you wonder,

has something changed?

Every encounter with
Leslie Thomas feels like a test.

And being prepared
is never an option.

Breakfast dishes are done.

Want to hit that new board game
café in Adams Morgan?

-Sure.
-Samantha?

Yeah. Yeah, that'd be great.

Okay, what's wrong?

She's rethinking about
saying no to seeing June,

acting like I forced her
into it.

You didn't. I just...

I keep thinking about
how her feelings must be hurt.

Samantha, you can
change your mind on this.

It's not etched in stone.

What do you think?

That doesn't matter.

This is your decision.

It's not about what your Pop
and I want or what June needs.

We know that.

Right?

MARTIN:
Talk us through.

What's hanging you up?

I just wish
that it wasn't a thing.

That the closed adoption
stayed closed.

Do you regret seeing her?

If I hadn't, then I would be
wondering about her forever.

But now that I have,
I-I feel bad

because I know
how much it meant to her.

Bottom line is, she messed up.

She couldn't take care of us
and gave us away,

which worked because
Pop and Dad adopted us

and gave us everything
that she wanted us to have.

And more.

She got to see that.
It's all good.

MARTIN:
Samantha?

We don't want
a relationship with her.

We already have two parents
and a family that loves us.

And we're not changing
our minds.

As long as you're sure.

And you don't have
to see June ever again,

if that's what you want.

Thanks.

But now that we're discussing
life choices,

next on the agenda
for this family meeting is...

what are we doing here? Really?

We, uh, going to
Adams Morgan or what?

Sure.

Yeah, uh, be right back.

Okay.

That's really something,
how smart they are,

making big decisions
for themselves...

but they couldn't
tell me to my face?

JACOB:
I'm sure there's no doubt

some shame is involved.

They ashamed of themselves
for cutting me out?

Or they ashamed of me?

They're only children.
They don't understand.

Then somebody has to tell them.

If they're angry with me
because I gave them up,

their life is so much better
than anybody I know.

And you should be proud of them
and the choice you made.

They just don't want me
around as a reminder.

Throw me away and forget,
like trash.

No, I'm sure they never intended
for you to feel this way.

So, what are you going
to do now?

You gonna pack me up

and drop me off
a few hundred miles away

so I can't remember
how to get back to their house?

June, I-I know
you're hurting right now,

but we would never do that.

No, it doesn't matter.
Nothing matters.

[mutters softly]

Hmm.

They're living the life.

Dream come true.

Not my problem anymore.

"Forget you, forgot you,
never thought about you."

NAOMI:
June, June,

I know you didn't
mean to do that.

How would you know?

It's all worthless.

Don't say that.
You might want that later.

You did this.

This is all your fault.

-Now, wait a minute--
-No.

Let her. Let her.

JUNE:
You the one got me hoping
for things I'll never have.

Dreaming dreams.

I wish I'd never seen
their faces.

I'm so sorry this didn't work
out the way we wanted it to.

Now, if you could just sit,
we can talk about this.

-NAOMI: Please.
-Wasting my time.

I was fine till you came along.

Why did you do this to me?

I never hurt anybody.

I was just living my life,
and you ruined it!

All of it!

What would you say
to a sleepover?

I'd say yes.

Is that an invitation?

You sure
you'll be comfortable here?

Of course. I'll be home.

It's just for the kids.

There's nothing
I wouldn't do for them.

And you.

What was that?

Thanks for letting me stay.

Do not look at me
with those stars in your eyes.

-Was I?
-This is just for tonight.

I'm sure the kids will
be glad to have you here.

-MARTIN: I am, too.
-Me, too.

We were only trying
to help, June.

That's the problem.

You come along
and you give people hope.

You make them want things
they didn't want before,

and you didn't help at all.

Well, what about your heart?

She helped save your life.

Saved me for what?

Children who don't want me?

A world who doesn't care?

His eye is on the sparrow...

but ain't nobody watching me.

What about me, June?

Temporary.

Your sister, Regina,
she cares about you.

You should have left me
where you found me.

I was doing just fine before.

Where are you going?

You've got no reason
to look for me.

Just leave me be.

June?

June.

Let me take you to Regina's.

She'll find her own way
out of this.

We have to do something
to help her.

You've done all you can.

Let her go.
She'll blow off some steam.

-I have to find her, okay?
-And when you do,

then you can help put her
on a different path.

Come here.

And what did I do
to deserve this?

Soothing chamomile.

I think we should
start a new tradition

of taking sherry
in the afternoons.

-[both chuckle]
-Oh. Sorry about this.

Five points if it's good news.

Well, you'll enjoy hearing this.

-Hmm.
-Martin is spending the night

at the brownstone.

-[gasps]
-Just for the night.

Well, it's a step
in the right direction.

It's a good thing.

I'm gonna savor this feeling.

Life isn't perfect, but...

things are good for us
right now.

They are.

That's why I'm so invested

in everything working out
for Martin and Smitty.

You're happy. You want
to share it with the world.

Mm-hmm. Maybe it's the afterglow
from the concert.

-Mm.
-I'd forgotten

how our music
touched so many lives.

Something to think about.

Gold, or...

am I silver?

Mama, I really think you should
reconsider visiting Mrs. Dupree.

She isn't exactly
your biggest fan

after what you did to Nicole.

Don't worry
about a thing, honey.

I am Barbara's baby girl,
and it will all be handled.

I don't get it.

Okay, stay with me, boo,
all right?

Anit Dupree is the center

of the Articulettes universe.

Yeah. And...?

Mm. Well...

All right, I'll tell you.

My birth mother, Barbara,

is the one who brought them
all together

like the little stars
that they were.

And she handpicked
each of them, okay?

My mama did that.

And you think
Anita Dupree owes you?

[chuckles]: Baby, if...
if it wasn't for Barbara,

Anita Dupree wouldn't be
the celebrity that she is today.

Hmm.

Ooh. Ooh.

Okay, so, finding out
your mother was an Articulette

is making you take
a second look at your life?

-Of course.
-Okay. And you think

Anita Dupree can help you
put together the pieces?

Can help you understand
who your mother was?

Yeah. Mm, something like that.

Whatever happens, just please
make sure you tread lightly.

Why start now?

♪ Big girls don't cry, mm♪

♪ Big girls don't lie, ooh♪

[singing softly]

-Well?
-You look beautiful and classy.

-Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.

For the first time
since I fell for your father,

my real life has been way better
than my dreams could ever be.

That's a good feeling.

The last thing you should
want to do is ruin everything

by starting a feud
with the Duprees.

No, they started the feud.

Mm-kay?
Did everything they could

to squeeze me out
of polite society.

That doesn't mean
you should retaliate.

If you go over there looking
for a fight, you'll get one.

-You don't trust me, do you?
-Because I know you.

Oh, gosh.

Do you want me to be happy?

What about that? This is mine.

Please, just let me
have a piece of the pie

without you raining
all over my parade.

Damn.

You're just so extraordinary.

Oh, and do you hate
that I'm happy?

That I can have whatever I want
whenever I desire it?

Not at all. I'm happy for you,
but I only worry...

Good. Everybody ought to worry,

because I finally got mine,
and they are going to pay.

Is that really the face
you want to show the world?

Oh, honey.

They are not ready
for Miss Leslie.

This is a brand-new day.

Vengeance is mine.

And it is going to be delicious.

-[grunting rhythmically]
-[fingers snap]

Never seen her
this upset before.

She'll be all right.

Put her life
back together for her

and I've only made things worse.

-Babe, why do you think that?
-Did you see

the way she stormed out of here?

-It was hard news to hear.
-Right.

And she needs someone
to help her process.

Process?

Naomi, listen.

That woman has managed
to live on the street

-long before you found her.
-I know that, but...

And the daily hell she's had
to endure just to get to today?

She has processes
we will never comprehend.

Did you see the look
in her eyes?

-I put that there.
-No.

Life did that.

You gave her hope.

I broke her heart.

Hope does that sometimes.

What have I done?

No, this is my fault.

And I should have
stayed out of it.

Martin, Smitty, the kids,
I turned their lives inside out.

And June is spiraling, probably
getting herself into trouble,

starting fights
just to stop the hurt.

Yeah, sure.

Thank you, Jacob. Just...
look for her under the overpass,

and then there's that
hidden area by the waterfront.

-I'll find her, okay?
-Yeah.

And I'll stay here
in case she comes back.

June's gonna be okay.
Don't worry.

What about the people
she comes across?

They're the ones
I'm worried about.

-Thank you.
-Don't worry, babe.

-[knocking on door]
-Are you expecting someone?

Uh, it's probably Phil.

I let him borrow
the backyard speaker.

-[door closes]
-SMITTY: Martin?

I think we have a situation.

I guess I should have
called first.

But I-I don't have
your numbers, see, and...

well, I don't have a phone,
either, so...

June?

I am not sure why you're here.

Didn't Naomi tell you
that the kids decided

not to have any further contact?

Yes, I just thought...

I-I'm so sorry, June,
and I mean that,

but this is Tyrell
and Samantha's home.

And if they don't want you here,

you simply can't be here.

-Leslie.
-That is my name.

[laughs softly]
Well, well, well.

So lovely to see you both again.

And thank you
for welcoming me into your home.

I apologize for leaving
you ladies like this,

but I have a video meeting.

Oh, so sorry
that you won't be staying.

Uh, keep this brief,
my love, huh?

Remember,
we have that thing later on.

Yes, sweetheart.
Thank you, I will.

-Love you.
-Mm-hmm.

Well, I'd offer you a drink,
but you won't be staying long.

Oh, well,
what makes you think that?

Shall we just cut to the chase?

What I'm here to tell you is--

and listen,
you can pass this on along

to all your family and fans--

[laughs softly]

I have arrived.

And now that I'm here,

I am planning on staying
a long, long time.

I'll order you a car and take
you wherever you need to go,

and I'll wait with June outside.

Hold on, hold on.

There is something else

that my kids
need to hear from me.

-I really think that you should
let us be...
-When I close my door

for privacy,
my girl used to be right there

on the other side
waiting for me.

Remember? I do.

Trying to listen in
on conversations

to pick up a crumb or two.

I wonder if she still does that.

Look, this really
isn't a good time.

Everyone's still
trying to handle

what happened last night.

They got reacquainted
with the mama

they never thought
they'd see again.

It must have felt like
an earthquake.

Y-You think I'm trying
to tear up everything you built,

and I just want you to know
that that is not

what this is about.

Call Naomi.

I'm not here to hurt anybody.

Please.

I just want to tell Samantha

that I know what she sees
when she looks at me.

Had that same look in her eyes

nights I'd come home
high and empty-handed.

I know she remembers that.

Looked like the monster
underneath her bed

wasn't just something
in her nightmares anymore,

it was real,

with the same eyes
and the same smile as mine.

I-I know how scared
you must be, baby.

I won't scare you anymore.

I'll leave.

No need to bother Naomi.

It's okay. I'll listen.

TYRELL:
Say what you came to say and go.

Hey, Regina, this is Naomi.

Have you heard from June
in the last few minutes?

Well, there's a chance
she might be headed your way.

If you hear from her,

just let her know
that I'm looking for her.

Oh, okay. Let me let you go.

This might be Jacob
saying that he found her.

Yeah, I'll let you know. Thanks.

Please tell me
you have good news.

I haven't laid eyes on her,
but I do know where she is.

-Where?
-The brownstone.

She went to see her children.

Martin and Smitty's children.

Um, yeah, I'll go.

Well, if you think
you'll need backup,

-I can...
-You know, this is

a high-pressure situation,

so it might be better
if I go alone?

You're sure about this?

Yeah. Meet me back
at Orphey Gene's.

Thanks, Jacob.

ANITA:
You're a fan
of the Articulettes?

Who isn't?

Soundtrack for a generation.

And that concert blew me away.

Oh, well, that's nice to hear.

My favorite Articulette
was Barbara.

Is that right?

Interesting choice.

That's exactly what I said when
you did that little tribute.

-You found it interesting?
-Mm.

You all seem to love her.

I mean, all the...

tears and the memories.

We love her very much.

But that wasn't
always the case, was it?

There was bad blood
and resentment.

Something like that?

Now, what would
make you say that?

The three of you on that stage

making a big show of remembering
how good Barbara was.

But what a shame it is
that she wasn't there

to share that night with you.

All right,
explain what you want,

or I will happily show you out.

You can fool
the rest of the world,

but I have a feeling that
you haven't changed one bit.

Just as nasty as you were

when you kicked her out
of the group.

Excuse me?

All y'all.

Y'all can never be
as good as her

because she-she burned brighter,
she sang better.

You don't know anything
about Barbara.

I know she died by suicide.

Because of what you did to her,
how you treated her.

Oh, yeah.

I know plenty.

I saw you look at me
like I was reflecting

your future, and it scared you.

Just because I gave you life,
it doesn't mean that your life

will turn out like mine.

No, I wasn't afraid.

JUNE:
I used to be real pretty

before the addiction.

Could have been a model,
people used to say.

And Mr. Tyrell, you got
your math prowess from me.

You expecting me
to say thank you?

You got your edge from me, too.

Okay, um...

What I came here to say is that

I want you to know
that there is good in me.

The addiction? That's all mine.

There's no history of it
on either side of the family.

I-I didn't want you
to worry about that.

That's all.

I'm sorry I bothered y'all.

You had to be a good person
to give us up.

It's...

It hurts too much
to think about that.

But you kept a picture of us
from when we were little.

That meant a lot.

I wish I still had it.

What happened to it?

Accident.

But Regina can give me
another copy of hers.

Uh, that one's kind of outdated.

Yeah?

You don't have to ask,
sweetheart.

It's your house.

So beautiful.

For me? For keeps?

Thank you.

[knocking on door]

That'd be Naomi.

I have to leave you, again.

But this time,
I know that you are safe...

...and loved,

and you know that you have

a mama out here
who is so proud of you.

Thanks.

A-And remember,

n-nobody has to remind you
of how beautiful you are.

You just make sure
they never forget how smart.

Same goes for you,
Miss Samantha.

No. She didn't.

-Oh, she's got jokes.
-[soft laughter]

JUNE:
You're going to need
a sense of humor

out here in this world.

You've got one.

Use it.

I'll do that.

Thank you.

For everything.

Take care of yourself, June.

Good luck, with everything.

[sighs]

♪ ♪

[door closes]

♪ ♪

You have no idea
what you're talking about.

Hmm.

Well, I'll tell you what.

You tell me
what happened to Barbara.

You owe me that.

-I don't owe you a damn thing.
-You owe Barbara.

You broke her heart,
and she was in so much pain.

You know-- don't talk about
what you don't know about.

She did it because of you,
didn't she?

Yeah. She was so tired
of fighting you, so she gave up.

Everything just had to be
your way, Anita.

[laughs softly]
Like I said,

you haven't changed a bit.

All right. I've had enough.

It's time for you to leave.

Mm, well, I'm not as easy
to get rid of as my mama.

I will leave
when I'm good and damn ready.

-Your what?
-You heard me.

Barbara was my mother.

We were so proud
of you guys today.

The way we flip-flopped
on seeing June?

That's a good thing.

Being able to change your mind
about a person,

to allow them some grace?

I'm glad she came back.

I definitely needed that.

-To say goodbye without anger.
-Or guilt or fear

or any of the other
millions of emotions

that are going through me.

It was a gift for all of us.

Closure is good.

We'll probably see her again
when she's ready.

I think she'll be
all right this time.

Right, Tyrell?

Yeah. She'll be okay.

What happened?

Well, Smitty said they'd call
and bring us up to speed later.

June. Everything okay?

What can we get you?

You said you could get me
a bed, in a shelter?

You mean it?

Yeah. Yeah, for sure.

Do you want me to start looking?

The sooner the better.

A-And do you think
we can get me a job, too?

I have skills.

I'm actually good at things.

But I need something quiet
where I can keep to myself.

You know, until I'm ready
to be among the living again.

-I-I'll see what we can drum up.
-JACOB: Yeah.

I need to start building
the next chapter of my life.

Sounds like you got big plans.

Big ones.

One day,
those kids are gonna need

somebody like me in their lives.

And when they do,
I want to be ready.

And I want to make them proud.

LESLIE:
What am I supposed
to be waiting for?

Recognition?

Isn't that why you came in here

claiming to be
Barbara's daughter?

-I am Barbara's daughter.
-Yeah,

-well, we'll see about that.
-[phone vibrating]

Yes, Leland.

And the DNA?

Forward the materials.

Attorney confirmed it.

I still have my doubts.

Well, you know, there is always
this birth certificate that...

If Barbara had a baby,
I would have known.

Oh, yeah,
I would have known, too.

This way: surprise.

This-this can't be happening.

You are nothing like her.

Because you say so?

Barbara died by your hands.

You better watch your mouth.

Afraid of the truth, Anita?

If it wasn't for you,
my mother would still be here.

The woman I knew
would be ashamed of you.

Latching onto a married man,
having his child,

destroying his marriage?

What about you,
destroying Barbara's dreams?

You don't know anything
about Barbara.

You don't know her life.

Who gives you the right
to even speak her name?

My mother gives me the right.

Left me with proof that
your $1,000-an-hour attorneys

cannot disprove.

I am Dana Leslie Thomas,

daughter of Barbara Mitchell.

Inheritor of her trust.

Oh, no, that trust belongs
to Barbara's family.

-Her sister is...
-Gone.

You are looking at all
that's left of Barbara's family.

The trust...

...goes to you?

What are you getting all bent
out of shape for, Anita?

It ain't like it's coming
out your pockets.

Yeah.

It is.