03x06 - New Normal

[bunniefuu]

[ALARM PINGS]

Mm...

Mm...

WOMAN: ♪ Hold on when
you think that it's over ♪

[ALARM PINGS]

♪ Troubles are a thing
you can't get around ♪

♪ One step, just a little bit closer ♪

Ahh.

- [ALARM PINGS]
- WOMAN: ♪ Don't let anything stop you now ♪

[ALARM PINGS]

♪ Weight of the world
laying on your shoulders ♪

♪ Oh, when you think you lost your way ♪

♪ And it's more than you can take ♪

♪ You'll walk through fire ♪

♪ Come out a fighter ♪

♪ Hold your head higher ♪

♪ You're a real-life survivor ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ♪

♪ Real-life survivor ♪

♪ Ooh ooh ♪

[GASPS]

[PANTING]

Oh...

[MICHAEL MINELLI'S "EYE TO EYE" PLAYING]

[DOOR OPENS]

NATE: Hi.

Please tell me you're not
still obsessing about Cam.

It's been two days, and
he still hasn't responded

to any of my messages.

Well, when your man gets a shot

at writing hooks for
a big-time producer,

you can't become Miss Clingy.

It's just, things have
been off since homecoming.

Did you tell him that?

Of course I did.

He keeps saying that everything's fine.

Well, then stop borrowing trouble.

We have enough.

- Hmm.
- How was the rally?

I'm sure Ezra's relieved that
his attackers were caught.

Watching Ezra step into his power

and speak out about his
attack was hella inspiring,

and, even though his
attackers apparently have

some new hotshot lawyers,

this case is gonna be a slam dunk.

[CHIME]

Mm... whoever is on your phone this late

is definitely not your man.

No. It's OK. It's nothing, nothing.

[DOOR OPENS]

I can't sleep.

Oh, tomorrow you find out your stage,

and this diagnosis becomes real.

If you could sleep, I'd be worried.

Yeah. Well,

they said I'm probably stage one, but...

what if they're wrong?

OK. I'm gonna need you to take

the worst-case scenario off repeat.

You won't know until you know.

And when you do,

your village is here for you,

minus a few VIPs.

Look. I know you don't
agree with my decision,

but Auntie is putting in work

for HBCUs at the White House.

My mom is lead attorney on a
huge case in Japan. I just...

I refuse to interrupt their lives

until I know what I'm dealing with.

I hear you. I do. I just...

Simone should probably
try and get some rest

because tomorrow ain't gonna do itself.

Yeah,

especially since it's including tennis.

You're going to practice?

Nate, I want things to
be as normal as possible

for as long as I can.

- Oh, but...
- Which we completely understand.

Now you should try
and go get some sleep.

Just try.

OK. Good night.

- Good night.
- Good night.

I love you.

Love you, too.

Stop, stop. I know
what you're gonna say.

Well, then let me say it
out loud with emphasis.

- None of this is normal.
- Nate...

She needs to accept the fact

that her life is going to change.

[CELL PHONE CHIMES]

Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh.

- We only got room for one distraction right now.
- Babe,

- it could be important. Wait.
- Ha!

I just got an interview with
T.L. Robinson and Associates.

Really? That's the top
engineering firm in Atlanta.

And they're considering me for
the design engineer position.

Well, baby, that's amazing,

but why... why didn't
you tell me you applied?

I don't know. I mean, you've
been really busy with classes

and baseball training,

plus it seemed like a long shot.

Ah, that ain't a longshot.

They know the real
deal when they see it.

Thanks.

OK. My head is spinning.

I got to go prep for this interview.

Boom. Let's do it. Let me help you.

No. Don't worry about me.

You study, and I'll see you later.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Hey, are you OK? I noticed...

Dragging. I know.

I'm just sore from my biopsy,

- and I just didn't sleep well.
- Your appointment is today.

The lack of sleep isn't surprising.

If you saw me dragging, then
Coach Loni will see it, too.

Especially since it's Hell Week.

Don't tell me you've forgotten.

Huddle up. Huddle up.
Huddle up. Come on.

Let's all welcome Thea
Mays back from the pro tour.

She'll be spending this week with us

observing and sharing her experience.

This week, you will be tested in
a series of timed fitness drills.

Your performance will help us solidify

the season lineup, so it's do or die.

Simone, why don't you run
them through their paces today?

Um, Coach Loni, if
Simone's cool with it,

can I just do it, for old times' sake?

I think it's a great idea.

OK, then.

Thea, practice is all yours,

but everyone stay ready.

You'll receive a text
with the day and time

of your test, all right? Get to it.

THEA: All right, guys. On the line.

LANDO: Nate.

- Yo, Nate.
- Hmm?

I've been calling your name. You good?

Not... not really.

I keep thinking the Good Lord

won't give me more than
I can handle, but then...

Your best friend got cancer.

Right.

If that weren't enough,

my cousin Val wants to go get coffee.

I take it, this cousin is
of the long-lost variety.

Well, it wasn't always that way.

I mean, despite the age
gap, we used to be tight.

We dreamed of going to law school

and changing the world.

Why don't you tell her you're busy?

Life is too short to do
things you don't want to do.

The last thing I need are my aunties

blowing up my phone asking

why I'm not showing up for family.

Then I guess you're
just gonna have to trust

that the Lord is not giving
you more than you can handle.

DR. SANDOVAL: I have good news for you.

Based on your biopsy results
and the size of your mass,

your cancer is most likely stage one.

My recommendation is that we schedule

a lumpectomy to remove the tumor

and confirm there are no
cancer cells remaining.

Um, what about chemotherapy?

Fortunately, I don't think
chemo will be necessary,

but optimal treatment will
include hormone treatments

and 5 weeks of radiation therapy.

Simone, you OK?

I know this is a lot,

but I'm quite confident
you will be fine.

And what's the timeline?

How long will it take
until she's fully recovered?

Post-lumpectomy, best-case scenario,



- 6 to 8 weeks?
- Yes. That's correct.

No. That... I can't.

That timeline is well
into my tennis season,

and not even counting the training,

I'll miss the tennis season altogether.

J.R.: Simone's appointment
must have been intense.

Is she OK?

No, but she will be.

It's a lot to take in...

cancer,

losing tennis.

How are you?

Couldn't have been easy on you, either.

I'm fine. I'm not the one with cancer.

What I'm curious about
is why you texted me

asking me for recommendations
about 5-star restaurants.

- I got to step it up with Gabby.
- What'd you do?

- I didn't do nothing.
- Yeah, you did.

- No, I didn't.
- You're lying.

That's the problem. I
haven't done anything.

I've just been so focused on myself,

I haven't realized how
distant we've become.

Man, I might be guilty
of the same thing.

Cam says that we're good, though.

Gabby said the same thing.

It just don't feel good because you...

You could still lose somebody,
even if things are good?

Yeah.

I don't want that for either of us,

so... guess what... I'm
gonna help you plan your date.

- Hmm?
- Yeah.

Dinner at an overpriced
restaurant where portions

are so small, you can't even see them

- on the plate is not the move.
- All right. Slow down.

- I got feelings.
- Pop quiz... her favorite food,

favorite color, favorite dessert.

Italian, red, carrot cake.

Does she have any guilty pleasures?

Ooh, now, that's what
she might k*ll me for,

but she is obsessed with
this romance book series

called "Fire and Silk."

The O.G. trilogy or the prequels?

Is she Team Cravenhart,
or is she Team Gregmoore?

Oh, no. She's definitely
Team Cravenhart.

The question is,

how didn't I know this about you?

No. Seriously, you...
you don't have to do this.

I know. I want to.

It'll be fun.

- Nathaniel.
- Valerie.

Oh, my goodness. Hee hee!

Oh, my, why, you're
stunning, fabulous. I...

I can't believe I
haven't seen you since.

This look really suits you.

It's not a look. It's who I am.

Well, and I think that's great.

I really do.

Uh, so how is lawyer life?

Some days,

it sucks, but other days,
it's just how we imagined.

Oh, last year, my boss said he
wanted a friend to consult on my case.

Guess who it was. Sherrilyn Ifill.

Where is this firm, and how do I join?

She said she appreciated

how thorough my brief was...

- OK, period.
- then quickly schooled me

on everything I did wrong.

Girl, someone telling you you're wrong

- must have been something else.
- It was...

until she said she loved
watching strong Black sisters

make their mark,

and I said, "Just you wait.

My baby cousin is on the come-up."

- You spoke about me?
- Of course.

I told her you were
applying to law school.

She said she'd be happy to connect.

Why would you do that? We
haven't spoken in years.

We're family.

I love and miss you.

I don't even know why we lost touch.

Seriously? I do. You're looking at her.

It was all fun and
games when I was playing

with heels and dresses,
but when things got real,

you made it very clear how you
feel about nonbinary people.

When and how did I do that?

You know exactly what you did.

Can we take a beat and rewind?

Nathaniel, I honestly don't know

what you're talking about.

You cut me off cold.

You know what?

This was a mistake, but enjoy your trip.

Nathaniel!

Keisha said I might find you here.

Well, I spent today

learning all the ways
cancer is destroying my body.

Well, I saw the group chat.

I'm really happy your prognosis is good.

Me, too.

Still have a tough decision to make.

Wait. What...

I thought you didn't need chemo.

Why are you thinking
about freezing your eggs?

Well, after treatment,

the cancer could come
back but more aggressive.

I might not have time
to freeze them later.

So doing it now is like
an insurance policy?

A very expensive one.

I have to use my financial
aid just to pay for it.

You know, I should be
worried about my backhand

or whether my footwork is solid,

but instead, I have to worry

about pumping hormones into
my body to harvest eggs.

Hey, a lot of women
our age are doing both.

Women on the circuit
are freezing their eggs

so that they can play
as long as possible

without sacrificing their future.

I mean, I've even
thought about doing it.

You want to be a mom?

- I'm gonna choose to ignore your tone.
- Ha ha!

I... I don't know if I want kids,

but I do want the choice.

You know, I had to give
Baby Shay up when I was 17,

and I'm so grateful
that his adoptive parents

let me have a relationship with him, but

I'm not raising him.

I want to get married one day,

have more children,

- raise a family...
- Hmm.

and I can't risk cancer
taking that dream from me, too.

It's already taken tennis.

I've worked so hard to get
back here, and it's just

so many delays and setbacks.

Hey, you will fight
your way back here again.

It just won't be this season.

Thea, what if it could?

Simone, where are you going?

[KNOCKS ON DOOR]

I have a question, and I need
you to be brutally honest.

OK. Ask away.

Am I crazy to think that I can

fight my cancer without
giving up tennis?

You can't ignore that you're sick.

- I learned that the hard way.
- I'm not ignoring anything.

I have a treatment plan and 3 months

before we have to compete, but

if I have the chance to play
in the spring, shouldn't I try?

Simone, when I got sick again
at the end of sophomore year,

I wasn't sure if I'd ever
be able to play again.

I thought I had more
time to figure it out,

but then the program got
cut, and my dream died.

Well, that's why I'm here.

J.R., if you could do things
over, what would you do?

I'd fight like hell to get
back on the field sooner.

You ain't crazy.

NATE: What? Val said what?
I did not throw a fit.

I have class.

No. Please don't call back.

Damn.

I'd ask how the cousin meet-up went,

but if the aunties are
activated, it can't be good.

Val was acting like she
has no clue why I'm upset.

Which you clearly are.

You want to talk it out?

You and I don't do that.

True, but

I know you well enough to
know that you don't want

to burden your crew with this,

given everything happening with Simone.

She needs their support
more than anything right now.

My... my drama is
inconsequential compared to that.

But it's not inconsequential to you,

so how about a trial run

with me as a sounding board?

[EXHALES]

OK. We'll see if you're
temp-bestie material.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Uh, well, basically, when I was 14,

I was still figuring out who I was,

and Val, she reposted this meme

mocking nonbinary people.

That's what devastated me.

Did she ever explain why she shared it?

No. I never talked about it.

She was at college,
and I had so many things

that I had to figure out,

I just stopped talking to her,

but the thing is, she
wasn't just my cousin.

She really was my best friend,

and in one of the most
challenging times of my life,

I felt like I couldn't even go to her.

Did you ask her about it, today?

I kind of lost my temper

and then bailed before
we could even get into it.

Our friend was just
diagnosed with cancer.

We don't know what life
is gonna throw at us.

Don't let things go unsaid.

OK, Orlando,

and here, they said
pretty people lack depth.

Mm, nah. I got layers.

See ya.

OK.

All right.

- You like it?
- I love it.

- Oh, good.
- This is dope,

Oh, I'm glad. I'm glad.

I talked to my friend
who works in the lounge,

and it looks like they don't
have any bookings for tomorrow, so

- the whole place is yours.
- Ha! Oh, man.

Ooh, and...

I may have gotten some
Regency-era costumes

- from the Drama Department.
- Ooh, heh heh.

Well, Gabby'll love this,

but if there's any tights
in here, you're dead.

I make no promises.

- Look. Cravenhart can rock a pair of tights.
- Ha!

Can't thank you enough.

- Yeah. No, really, it's no big deal.
- Yes, it is.

This morning, you was at the
doctor's office with Simone,

which clearly left
you drained and upset,

even though you're trying to hide it,

and now you're here helping me?

- Keisha, talk to me.
- It's really not a big deal.

- Let's just drop it.
- It's OK to be scared.

I'm scared, too, but
Simone's prognosis was good.

Look. She's gonna be OK. We just
got to keep telling her that.

Um, I actually got to go.

We're helping make
Simone dinner tonight,

so I'll talk to you later.
I'll finish decorating tomorrow.

- Well, at least finish talking about...
- I'll see you later.

WOMAN: ♪ It'll be all right ♪

- Hey.
- Hey.

WOMAN: ♪ Let's get a date ♪

♪ I just want to party ♪

♪ Can't get away ♪

♪ I see you... ♪

Keisha, are you OK?

- Yeah, girl. I'm fine.
- Are you sure?

Because it looks like you're having

a little bit of a moment over there.

I'm OK. I'm good.

OK.

[BOOP]

THEA: Hi. What's wrong with you?

Considering Mercury's in
retrograde, I'm right as rain.

OK. I'm so happy I don't live here.

Remember, everybody, positivity

and being as upbeat as possible.

Why do I get the feeling
that was directed at me?

No. That was for me.
Apparently, I need to chill.

Mm, look at all of us on the same page.

- Hi.
- Hi.

What is all this?

Spaghetti Bolognese for our girl.

- It's your favorite.
- You know carbs make everything better.

THEA: We know you've
had one hell of a day,

- one tough blow after another, so...
- About that,

I, um...

I found a solution to one of the blows.

I'm not giving up tennis.

Have you lost your damn mind?

KEISHA: Simone, you heard
your doctor's schedule for you.

I did,

which is why I got them
to move up my lumpectomy

to Thanksgiving week.

Guys, they can fast-track my
radiation, 3 weeks instead of 5.

Which means you'd be dome with treatment

- in time for competitive play.
- Exactly.

My doctor says this
is a legitimate option

that they do all the time.

My radiation dosage would be higher

since it's a shorter treatment span,

but I can handle that.

I even managed to get a
fertility appointment for tomorrow

so I can start the process
of freezing my eggs.

I'll have just enough of a window.

Everything really is aligning for me.

THEA: Whoa. What did Coach Loni
have to say about all of this?

Because...

Oh, wait. Who am I talking to?

You haven't told her,
and you don't plan on it.

Thea, I cannot risk her redshirting me,

and besides, if this works, I
don't have to tell her anything.

OK. I guess I'm gonna have
to be the one to say it.

Simone, I know you want
things to be normal,

but they're not.

You have cancer.

I'm very well aware of that, Nate,

but I need something to hold
on to and fight for right now.

Well, then you should be fighting
for your life, and not tennis.

It is the same thing.

I don't support this.

Then I'll do it without you.

OK. You do you, girl.

So, what, you think I'm crazy, too?

No.

Simone, if anybody can
pull this off, it's you.

Nate'll come around.

I'll go check on her.

You're abnormally quiet.

[CELL PHONE CHIMES]

- Ohh...
- What? What's wrong?

I just got the time
for my fitness test...

tomorrow at 2 P.M.

That is the same time as
my fertility appointment.

If you miss your fitness test,

you forfeit your spot on the team.

So it's either give up
tennis for the season

or I risk never being a mom again?

Why can't I catch a damn break for once?

I'm glad you texted.

I didn't like how things ended.

I didn't, either.

I want you to know why
I've been so upset with you.

Do you remember sharing this?

Ohh...

I was a kid

struggling with so many big
questions about who I was

and who I wanted to be,

and my favorite person in
the whole world made it clear

that when I accepted
who I was, she wouldn't.

I think I blocked that post out.

It was my freshman year.

You were still Boy Nate.

You hadn't even hinted
about any questions

or struggles with your gender identity.

That's your defense?

I'm just saying, there
was so much about the world

that I didn't know.

Well, in case the grown
woman in front of me

needs an education,

you do not choose to be nonbinary

because you want to be different.

You are nonbinary because it's
the only way to live your truth.

I know that now.

I'm ashamed that I was ever that person.

Nathaniel, I love you.

I'm so sorry I hurt you.

I'm sorry I hurt anyone
by sharing that post.

I'm a different person.

I really want to believe that.

I've carried this for so long,

and the truth is, I've missed you, too.

Well, I want to keep talking about this

and anything else that's on your mind,

because there's something
else, isn't there?

One of my best friends has...

She has cancer...

- Oh, Nate...
- and I want to support her through this,

but the way she's going
about dealing with it...

- Uh-uh, uh-uh.
- Hey, hey, hey,

um, I have meetings for
the rest of the day, but

can I see you tonight?

We could talk about all of it.

OK.

Um, dinner at my place?

I'll cook, but you bring the wine.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Don't you have class?

Yeah.

I was on my way, but
I just needed a minute.

Heard things got a
little intense with Nate.

Oh, yeah. Group chat is
definitely working overtime.

Do you think I'm being foolish

for wanting to hold on to tennis?

It doesn't matter what I think or Nate.

This is your life.

It is my life...

and I have to decide between tennis

or my health and my
future, and right now,

as crazy as it sounds,

I don't know which
one I can live without.

What I'm about to say is
relevant, OK? Just go with it.

I told you my mom is a
plastic surgeon, right?

No. I thought she was a painter.

That's her hobby.

Medicine is her calling.

Helping people is her purpose.

After residency, she went on to work

for a thriving plastics practice.

For years, she helped grow the practice

while battling insurance
companies and... [SCOFFS]

turning away patients
who needed her help

for various reconstructive surgeries
but couldn't afford treatment.

So she had to choose between

helping the practice
and helping her patients.

- Yeah.
- Which one did she pick?

Both. She opened her own practice

and got grants and donations

to help those who need it most.

So the takeaway for me is to keep

my fitness test and my
fertility appointment.

Yes.

Lando, as amazing as I am,

there's no possible way I
can be in two places at once.

Simone, you are the type of
person who deserves to have it all.

You just got to figure out how.

Well, if I'm gonna make my treatment

and recovery timeline,

I can't move my fertility appointment.

OK. Then the fitness test needs to move.

Coach Loni is not about
to let me reschedule.

To her, there is nothing
more important than this test.

There's got to be something.

You are right.

You know what?

You're kind of a genius, Lando.

I... I feel like the friend group
is just starting to figure that out.

Hey.

Hey.

Well, judging by the look on your face,

you actually managed to convince
Coach Loni to move your test.

What's the one thing Coach Loni
cares more about than tennis?

- Uh, academics?
- Exactly.

I told her I had a study group that
conflicted with my fitness test.

So you lied.

- I did what I had to do.
- Simone,

you were dragging during
warmups the other day,

which is why I covered for you.

Now, how are you gonna make
it through your fitness test,

and what about after your surgery

or radiation? I mean,

- the exhaustion's gonna be next-level, so...
- I'm aware.

I've done the research, you
know. I'll figure it out.

Well, you know who else
is gonna figure it out?

Coach Loni.

- How are you gonna hide this from her?
- I don't know.

Well, "I don't know"
isn't a plan, Simone.

Well, I didn't plan to get cancer, Thea.

I'm doing the best that I can.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I
have an appointment to get to.

[CELL PHONE CHIMES]

[PEN DROPS]

WOMAN: ♪ It's like a
hundred moves so easily ♪

♪ I move in like a... ♪

VAL: My name is Valerie Hardin.

I'm a lawyer with Parker,
Wright, and Associates,

the attorneys for the young men

accused of assaulting Ezra Hayes.

While this case has received a
great deal of media attention,

we ask the public to reserve judgment

until the defendants
have their day in court.

Thank you.

[EXHALES]

[TYPING]

[SMOOTH JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]

J.R.: I got to be
honest. I had my doubts,

but I look damn good in these tights.

The lasagna's in the warmer,

the carrot cake is in the fridge,

and I already sent you the playlist.

- Keisha, we got to talk.
- Gabby'll be here soon.

How many people told
you your mom would be OK?

After she got cancer,

how many people told
you that she would be OK?

Everyone...

doctors, my dad.

Even my mom said that she would be fine,

and then 6 months later, she was gone.

I realized Simone's prognosis
wouldn't make you this upset

unless it reminded you of your mother.

I was really young
when she was diagnosed.

I didn't understand what
she was going though.

So now through Simone,

you get a front-row seat.

How am I supposed...

How am I supposed to help Simone

if every time I look at her,

I just see my mom?

By leaning on me, Cam, Nate, Lando,

same way we told Simone to.

We lean on each other
so she can lean on us

and have faith that
everything is gonna be OK.

Ain't nothing gonna happen to Simone.

I got your back, OK?

Thank you.

[SNIFFLES]

Now be honest with me.

Hmm?

My speech was giving
Gregmoore and Ariella.

Ha!

OK. Did you already
read "Fire and Silk"?

Of course not.

Reviews and recaps are
a man's best friend.

- Ha ha!
- Now, now, I do have a question.

- What?
- How can anyone not be Team Gregmoore?

Boy, do not start a fight
that you are bound to lose.

I might like losing that one.

- You...
- [GASPS]

Oh, this is amazing.

OK. This looks like the dinner scene

when Cravenhart finally seduces Ariella.

- Yes, girl. Yes.
- Yes.

J.R., you did all this?

- I had a little help.
- No, he did not. I am not even here.

Well, you make a dapper Cravenhart.

- Well, thank you...
- Oh.

Lady Ariella.

Why'd you do all this?

- This to celebrate the interview?
- Nah.

You deserve to be celebrated.

I know that between baseball

and trying to get my
future back on track,

you've gotten lost in our relationship,

but that ends tonight.

- Mm.
- [CHIME]

You're something else.

- Let me help you to your seat...
- OK.

J.R.: like how a queen's
supposed be treated.

- Oh.
- There we go.

Thank you.

Hey, girl.

Hey.

How was your fertility appointment?

It was good.

The doctor said,

based on my cycle, I can
start hormone injections today

and complete my egg freezing
right before surgery.

Girl, your plans be planning.

Yeah.

Medication I have to take has
to be mixed together first.

The nurse gave me a tutorial because

she said it has to be perfect...

the mix, the timing.

WOMAN: ♪ Others say I cannot wait... ♪

I have to take two injections a day.

- Keisha, what if I can't do this?
- You can.

You can.

WOMAN: ♪ Change, yeah, yeah... ♪

Simone,

your future child is going
to be so lucky to have you,

just like I was with my mom,

who stood strong

in her battle against cancer

just like you already are...

WOMAN: ♪ Oh, I cut myself loose... ♪

and, lucky for you, I studied
premed in another life, so...

[BOTH LAUGH]

I got you on mixing these meds.

WOMAN: ♪ I didn't want to ♪

♪ I'm ♪

♪ Haunted by dreamer's age ♪

♪ I cannot say ♪

♪ Say ♪

Let me know when you're ready.

WOMAN: ♪ 'Cause I changed... ♪

There's a lot that's happening right now

that I want to run from, but I can't.

I have to do it.

WOMAN: ♪ Through it
all, I'll find a way ♪

♪ I will survive though I ♪

- ♪ Change ♪
- Breathe.

Ohh...

I cannot believe I almost
let you back into my life.

What are you talking about?

Our entire childhood, we talked about

helping the vulnerable,
and here you are,

representing the
people that target them.

You saw the press conference.

Who you choose to represent
is a reflection of who you are.

You assume I had a choice.

I'm a junior associate. I
take the cases I'm given.

Guess you haven't changed.

You're still the same freshman

that shared that post that has

so much to learn about the world.

Really sorry you feel that way,

but here's the truth, Nate.

Everything isn't black-and-white,

and being a good lawyer means

living in that gray area sometimes.

Does that include hitting up your cousin

to get dirt on the victim of the case?

I came to Atlanta for work.

I came to Bringston to see you.

I know you probably don't believe that.

- I can't say that I do.
- Believe this.

Sometimes people are gonna move in ways

you don't like because that's
what they need to do to survive.

If you don't learn to accept that,

you're going to keep
hurting the people you love.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[SOBBING]

What's up with Alexis?

Well, she just failed her fitness test

and is now out of the lineup.

Coach Loni is showing no mercy today.

Hope you know what you're doing.

Thea, I can pull this off.

OK. I just think you're
gonna get yourself hurt.

Wow. Thanks for the support.

Simone, you're up next.

MAN: ♪ I'm runnin' the gauntlet ♪

♪ I'm runnin' the... ooh ♪

- ♪ I'm runnin' the gauntlet ♪
- [WHISTLE BLOWS]

♪ I'm changing the game ♪

♪ When I'm at the top,
yeah, remember my name ♪

- [WHISTLE BLOWS]
- ♪ I come for the battle and stay for the fight ♪

♪ Takin' what's mine,
and I'm doing it right ♪

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

♪ Givin' my all, yeah,
got mo' in the tank ♪

- [WHISTLE BLOWS]
- ♪ Let's get down to business, you know I don't play ♪

♪ I'm somethin' to witness,
so legendary, yeah ♪

♪ I'm runnin' the gauntlet ♪

♪ I'm runnin' the... ooh ♪

[PANTING]

Coach, how'd I do?

I want to see you and Thea
in my office right now.

I just got some interesting news,

so we need to discuss what the rest

of your preseason looks like.

VAL: Sometimes people are gonna move

in ways you don't like

because that's what they
need to do to survive.

If you don't learn to accept that,

you're going to keep
hurting the people you love.

[TYPING]

[BOOP]

At first, I thought what Thea
was proposing was unacceptable,

but she was quite persuasive,

so, Simone, I will allow her coach

to train you for the rest of preseason.

I'm sorry. What?

Thea didn't tell you?

I wanted to clear it
with you first before...

Well, I do see the
value in having someone

as highly regarded as your
coach training my star player,

whose times were good
but down from last year.

I'm sorry, Coach.

Don't slack on your cardio.

You're representing Bringston.

Show Thea's coach what we're made of.

- I won't let you down.
- Good.

Now get out of here.

[CELL PHONES CHIME]

Do you know what this is about?

No. You want to head out together?

Sure, after you tell me
what that was back there.

OK. That was me lying to Coach Loni

to give you a plan for how to get

through treatment and
recovery without her knowing.

Yeah, but why?

Because I thought
about what you said and,

I mean, you've worked really hard

to find your way back to the court

and cancer shouldn't get to take that,

so I knew if I could

help you hold on to your
season, then I have to try.

Can I hug you?

Can I stop you?

No.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

J.R.: Hey, I got your text. What's up?

All in due time.

Just make yourself useful
in the kitchen for once.

- A'ight now.
- Ah ah ah.

- Hi.
- Hey.

How was your date?

Ah, it was perfect.

Got a chance to reconnect with Gabby.

- I can't thank you enough.
- Mm, yeah, of course.

I'm really happy for you.

Can I be happy for you?

Did you get a chance to talk to Cam?

Um, yeah.

- He texted back...
- OK.

but it's the kind of
text you send someone

when you don't want
them to text you anymore.

But, look, I'm sure
y'all gonna figure it out,

you know, just like me and Gabby did.

- You think so?
- For sure.

All the things that was putting distance

in between us and the people
that we love is all gone.

Y'all gonna be good.

Let me try a piece of
that chicken, though.

It is. It look like it.

I'm sorry to hear about Val.

At least now you know who she really is.

True, but she did help me see
that I need to make amends.

[DOOR OPENS]

Well, I know, and that was awesome.

- What is all this?
- Take two on family dinner

and an apology.

This may surprise y'all,
but I'm not always right...

- Oh, my.
- Really?

- That's actually crazy.
- I mean, honestly, I could write a list.

But when I am wrong,

I try to be the person that admits it.

Simone,

I don't know what it's
like to be in your shoes,

and I shouldn't have judged how
you choose to handle having cancer,

so I don't care if
you want to play tennis

or climb Everest.

I've got you...

I needed to hear that.

KEISHA: I told you she
was gonna come around.

NATE: And I'm ready to
help kick cancer's a*s,

which is why I have created a
schedule for your treatments.

You'll need us to get
you to your appointments,

and I've created a meal-prep schedule

so you'll be eating good...

This is really dope.

Thank you.

NATE: But that's not all.

I know you are fighting cancer,

but you're still that girl.

- Ooh.
- Period.

Nate, you know Simone is
not doing chemo, right?

Absolutely,

but radiation is no joke,

so on days you're not
feeling like yourself,

these bad b*tches will
help give you strength.

SIMONE: Well, I have
always wanted an alter ego.

You know I wanted so badly

for things to just be normal...

but, Nate, you're right. They're not,

and I finally realize I have to accept

and embrace my new normal.

Well, you see, the thing is,
your new normal is our new normal.

I love you guys.

I love you.

[GASPING]

- She's hugging?
- Oh, my God, that means I'm getting in.

- Don't make it a thing.
- You need to hurry up, then.

- Don't make it a thing.
- Oh, wow.

THEA: Come on, Lando.
That's really great.

KEISHA: Yeah. Look at this Black love.

[LAUGHTER]

MAN: Greg, move your head.