01x70 - Episode 70

[bunniefuu]

[Dani moans softly]

[chuckling]

This is definitely not
a rude awakening.

- [chuckles]
- Mmm.

I pride myself
on being courteous.

Mm.

But I wasn't sure
if I was gonna wake you at all,

the way you tossed
and turned all night.

But you're so beautiful...

Mmm.

They call that "model sleeping."

- Ah.
- They teach it along with runway walking.

- [chuckles]
- Mm.

I'm sorry if I disturbed you.

Worrying about Bill, hmm?

Which is nonsense,

because I'm sure he'll be fine
if he follows doctors' orders,

- which is a big if in this case.
- Mm. Mm.

There was this one time
when we were married--

I don't remember
what we were doing...

[laughs]

[scoffs]

- [chuckles]
- He threw out his back.

- Yeah, I can see how that went.
- [chuckles]

You are quite the star athlete.

And every time he winced,
Bill would go...

[gasps]
"Gas."

I mean, the man would rather die
than admit a weakness.

The way you still care
about Bill

after everything
he put you through.

Man, you... you have one of the
biggest hearts I've ever seen.

For real.

Okay, Chelsters,
this is Dr. Montgomery.

Not only does she have a bunch
of letters after her name

but doesn't she have major rizz?

Okay, I want to see
all the heart eyes

for that gorgeous face.

Please, I thought I was here
to talk about medicine.

Madison is
a brilliant neurologist

who's taking care of...

a lot of patients
here in this hospital.

Okay, Dr. Montgomery,

so how are you already
a neurologist at your age?

Are you a genius or what?

No, not at all.
[chuckles]

I'm kind of boring,
to be honest.

All I ever wanted to be
was a doctor.

So I graduated high school early
and doubled up on courses

- in college and med school.
- Hmm.

So I guess you didn't go
to a lot of parties, huh?

Uh, try none.
[chuckles]

I was basically the nerd
with her nose always in a book.

Very few friends, no dates.

Come on, I've never seen
a bookworm as beautiful as you.

Show 'em another copy
of the deposition,

and that'll get 'em
to raise the offer.

Yeah.

- Mr. Hamilton.
- Okay, okay, listen,

since when have you been
this formal with me?

It's "Bill."

Remember? Your bestie's dad?

Within these walls, I am a nurse

- and you are a patient.
- Ooh.

Okay, Bill,
if you want to get better,

how 'bout we start working
on getting some rest

instead of working on work?

'Kay?

Rest is for the weak.

Okay? What I need to do
is start walking around.

Well, that's
Dr. Montgomery's call.

You can ask her
when she comes in to see you.

I don't need a doctor's
permission to walk.

Hospital protocols.

Now, listen,
you pressed the call button.

Was there something else
you needed?

Yeah, I-I dropped my Bluetooth
headset on the floor somewhere,

but-- Oh, here it is.

I-I think I can reach it now.

ASHLEY: Uh, okay.

- Okay! Careful, careful,
careful, Bill. - [groaning]

Okay, take it easy.

Well,

somebody's feeling better.

♪ ♪

Closing the door
on the Articulettes reunion

and the past so soon?

The way I ordered Sharon
and Tracy out the door

the other day, I think
I slammed the door on that

with a vengeance.

Anita Williams Dupree,

you never give up that easily,

especially for something you
want as badly as you want this.

Well, it's not up to me, Vernon.

Anyway,
we need to focus on Dani.

I can only imagine
what she's going through

after Bill's stroke.

Why don't we just go check up
on her now?

Okay.

Oh, and along the way,

we can talk about--

Remind me to call the front gate

and have them revoke
those temporary passes.

You can kick us out
of Fairmont Crest

if you choose, Anita.

But first,
I'm gonna have my say.

Thank you, baby.

What's all this?

I am revising
a motion to dismiss.

I thought of an argument

that's gonna knock
the judge's socks off.

Nice.

You know, you seem to have
a lot of energy,

despite the fact that you were
tossing and turning last night.

I know how worried you are
about your dad.

Just a bad night's sleep.
Everybody's got them.

Okay. So what time should we
head to the hospital to see him?

Oh, I'm not going.

In the hospital room yesterday,

with Chelsea and Naomi
and Hayley...

...we were all so connected.

We were all worried about
this arrogant, exasperating man.

And at one point,
I looked over at my daughters,

and I honestly couldn't remember
why we hated Hayley so much.

It makes sense to me.

It's only natural that you would
find common ground with...

- Hayley's husband being sick.
- Mm.

"Hayley's husband."
I see what you did there.

Yeah, and I see how you feel.

It's okay
to worry about him, Dani.

After all, the man got you
to take vows with him,

so he can't be all bad.

Sometimes you surprise me
so much.

- Hmm?
- You are too good in bed

- to be this sensitive.
- [laughs]

- Stereotype much?
- [chuckles]

Let me show you what a, uh,

complicated and creative man
I can be.

- Hmm? Come here.
- All right.

Mm.

- [giggles]
- [chuckles]

Sensitive.

[both chuckle]

You should check on Dani
without me.

- Well, if you're sure...
- I'm not.

But we know she's more
of a wild card than they are.

All right, I'll go.

I'll let you know
what I find out.

[sighs]

Can we make this quick?

Way to make folks feel welcome.

I see no point
in rehashing the past.

It is very clear
where we all stand.

Reuniting was a...

pleasant dream, but not every
dream is meant to come true.

But some are.

You and Sharon have
each said your piece.

Now it's time for you
to hear mine.

So you might as well
take a load off,

because I'm not leaving
this house

until the two of you stop
talking and listen for a change.

- [grunts]
- [groans]

Mm. No, no, no, no.

Don't let me interrupt.

This isn't
remotely what it looks like.

Oh, oh, oh, yeah, baby, this
is exactly what it looks like.

This hot,
beautiful young nurse here

was putting the moves on me.

Now, I demand

to be released
from here immediately

or...

or I'll sue this hospital
for ruining my marriage.

Nurse Morgan,

I thought Dr. Montgomery said

there were no signs
of brain damage.

Oh, I don't know
if his unique perspective

is a result of the stroke
or something he came in with.

[chuckling]

- Morning, baby.
- Hey.

- Mwah.
- Mmm.

From the looks of it, you seem
to be recovering nicely.

Are you getting some sleep? When
you're not assaulting nurses.

- He has been on work calls
since 6:00 a.m. - BILL: Hey!

Whose side are you on?

I thought you liked me.

I like my job more.

The last time I checked,

there's only one side when
it comes to you and me, baby.

[chuckles]
Now you're speaking my language.

- Mmm.
- [chuckling]

To my complete
and utter amazement,

that livestream was fun.
[chuckles]

- And you were a natural.
- I don't often get a chance

to chat with that many people.

- And at the same time?
- [laughs]

That must sound
hopelessly lame to you.

Why would you say that?

You're this social media guru.

You post your life to millions

like it's the most natural thing
in the world.

My carefully curated life.

My followers think that
they know everything about me,

but they only know
what I choose to reveal.

You're really something
different.

Is that bad or good?

I'm still deciding.

- Hmm.
- In the meantime, I've got to go.

Rounds.

Well, I hope to see you soon.

Same.

- [sighs]
- [grunts]

Can I be honest?

As long as it doesn't bruise
my male ego.

Oh, please.

You know exactly how good
you are in that department.

[chuckles softly]

I want to say something serious.

Okay.

Everything inside me
is screaming that I want you.

I'm liking where this is going.

Honest me some more.

But something inside me broke
when Bill...

Let's just say it.

When he dumped me.

And I want to fix it.

But I can't figure out
how to fix it.

Well, let me help you.

I can try.

VERNON:
Dani?

Sweetheart?

[quietly]:
Daddy?

Be right there, Daddy!

Do... not... move.

[phone buzzing]

Jacob.

Vernon. Hey. I, uh...

I need your help.

Naomi's acting kind of off.

She says it's nothing,

but I think it has to do
with her concern for Bill.

I'd ask her mother, but--

Dani already has enough
to deal with.

Where is Naomi?

We're at Orphey Gene's.

On my way.

Sweetie, I got to run!

I'll try to stop by later on!

[shushing]

[panting]

Are you sure I can't get you
a cup of coffee?

He's gone.

He's gone!

Oh, thank God. [groans]

Coffee?

With that shot of adrenaline?

[stammers]
No.

The last thing I need is
for my father to walk in on me

in bed with someone.

You're allowed to have lovers.

Yes. Yes, I am.

Just nowhere near
where my father can see,

hear, or suspect anything.

I love being with you.

But this, this feels so weird,

- especially with--
- You don't have to say his name, okay?

I get it. I get it.

I don't know if you've noticed,

but the woman you're sleeping
with is an ungodly mess.

Wait, who snuck all this in?

Tomas or Caroline?

Uh, I...

refuse to answer on the grounds

- that my sources might dry up.
- [scoffs] You know what,

you don't need
all this annoying legal stuff.

I'll bring you
some infant parenting books.

You know, since your daughters
are old enough

to make you a grandfather, you,

you know, might not remember
what you need to do

- to raise a baby.
- [chuckles softly]

They'll remind you, okay?

[chuckles]
Well, I'll have you know

that I happen to be
an excellent father.

Oh, I know.

Why else do you think
I'm having your baby?

Hmm.

How are you holding up,
sweetheart?

I mean,
I hope all of this hasn't

caused any undue stress on you.

I'm fine. But it'll be wise

- not to scare me
like that again. - Mm.

[chuckles softly]

Hmm.

There's been enough fighting.

None of us behaved perfectly
all those years ago.

Some a little more imperfectly
than others.

But beating each other up about
the past won't change anything.

And it certainly won't bring
Barbara back.

So you're saying we should
just forget about Barbara?

- Is that what you're saying?
- As if we could.

TRACY:
No.

But even though we collectively

put Barbara
through a lot of pain,

she loved us once.

And I don't think
she would want us going on

hurting each other. So,

how do we move past the past?

Is there any future
for the Articulettes?

Even if it's
just one last performance?

ANITA:
I don't know

if we can ever get past
the pain.

For once, Anita and I
agree on something.

TRACY:
Well, I don't agree.

And I will prove
both of you wrong.

Yesterday, you were shattered
about your father's stroke.

And now, today, you're back at
work and don't want to see him?

- What's up with that?
- Jacob, connect the dots.

My father's getting
the best care.

I have work to do.

He doesn't need me.

VERNON:
Nonsense.

Hi, Granddad.

VERNON:
What's that supposed to mean--

your father doesn't need you?

Because I'm the reason he's in
the hospital in the first place.

It's all my fault.

[grunts] Why don't we head over
to Orphey Gene's

for some of that famous
breakfast casserole?

I'm more of a country club
kind of gal.

- [chuckles] True.
- [chuckles softly]

But, uh, that works, too.

Hey, rain check, okay?

I got to--
I got to go to the hospital

and check in on Bill.

Okay. Um, not to sound
like a stalker, but...

I need to go there, too.

Yeah, the hospital board wants
me to bring over the raw footage

- of the nursing documentary.
- Oh.

We could ride over together.

I thought we were keeping
our situationship a secret.

Right.

You just say the word,
Miss Dupree,

and I'll make an honest woman
out of you.

[chuckles softly]

Too late for that.

[chuckles]

Come here.

[grunts]

Four little colored girls
growing up in the projects,

bonding over our love of music

and our desire
to be somebodies one day.

Remember the way
we loved each other?

The loyalty between us?

I remember.

If one of us had a beef
with someone,

we all had a beef.

To get to you,
they had to go through me.

And me.

[chuckles softly]
And I had y'all's back, too.

So did Barbara.

More than any of us.

I remember how devastated
I was when I lost my father.

Didn't leave my room for days.

Until the three of you literally
dragged me out of my bed,

back into the world.

Our world.

The best world.

The love was real.

The sisterhood was real.

And it's still here.

All we have to do is reclaim it.

I'm willing
to put the past behind us

and walk into the future
with my sisters again.

I know...

that we cannot be
the same girls in this picture.

But we can be
the women in this room.

We can put our differences aside
and be friends again.

There's nothing I'd like more.

But we can't seem to do that.

- Because some people
make it difficult. - I know

- you're not talking about me.
- TRACY: None of that.

Okay?

Today is a new day.

This could be our last chance
to be as close as we once were.

And...

grab some applause
while we're at it.

[chuckles]

Isn't that at least worth a try?

Talk to your granddad, baby.

I'll go take some calls
from the station.

Ah. So, now

what's all
this foolishness all about, huh?

You can't possibly
blame yourself

for your father's stroke.

But I saw the signs, Granddad.

I know my dad better
than anyone.

Certainly better than Hayley.

And I knew something was wrong.

The way he was dropping things
and losing his words.

And I didn't make him
get it checked out.

I just... I just let it happen.

Now you stop that right now.

I am not going
to let you take blame

for something
that was in God's hands,

not yours.

That kind of guilt
can eat you alive, Naomi.

Hmm.

Someone close to me

blamed herself
for her friend's death.

She carried that guilt
for years.

Until it snuck up on her
and nearly broke her.

Well, thank God
Daddy's stroke didn't...

...didn't have
worse consequences.

I agree.

You ask me,

man's damn lucky
you and your sister

are still willing
to be in his life.

MADISON:
All right, close your eyes.

- Raise your arms out in front.
- [sighs]

All right, hold them up
for a count of four,

three, two, one,

zero. Okay.

That's better
than the last time, right?

- He's improving?
- Your right arm and leg

are still weaker than your left.

Although your wife's right--

there's a slight improvement.

And I can hear that your speech
is no longer impaired.

It'll take time and treatment,

but I think we're looking
at a full recovery.

Wait, no. I thought the TNK
treatment and the thrombectomy

were supposed to make me
as good as new.

She's a doctor, Dad,
not a miracle worker.

[chuckles softly]

Your daughter's right.

While the treatment
and the procedure

tend to have
a high success rate,

you're gonna need to make
a little more effort.

Wait, like what?

- Isn't it your job to cure me?
- HAYLEY: Bill.

[stammers, sighs]

The doctor obviously knows
what she's doing.

Yeah, she's very good
at what she does.

[door opens]

[door closes]

BILL:
Just what I need.

- The Dani show.
- Sorry. I'm not here

- to interrupt.
- HAYLEY: Mm.

- Since when?
- I don't want to cause

any trouble. I just...

- I'm checking in.
- CHELSEA: I'm glad

you came, Mom. Madison--

Dr. Montgomery-- was just giving
Dad his marching orders.

If you want to get better,

you're gonna need rehab.

[sighs]

I have been on
an emotional roller coaster

ever since the reunion idea
first came up.

What are you feeling now?

Hopeful.

I know
I may not have acted like it,

but the Articulettes
have always been my first love.

They say wisdom comes with age.

And I know
we had something special.

I know that bond
may be a little tattered,

in some ways broken, but...

if there is any way to salvage

even an iota of that sisterhood
that we shared,

I am certainly willing to try.

Thank you for that.

Tracy is right.

Oh, hush.

Carrying around
all that anger is exhausting.

Huh.

You know,

for years,

I thought,

"Just wait until I tell Anita
what I think of her."

And then I did.

And then it didn't make me
feel any better.

Not really.

For now, at least, I'm willing

to try and see if we can get
back some of what we lost.

Maybe it'll work.

Maybe not.

But we'll never know

unless we give it a shot.

At friendship or...

a reunion?

Come on.

You know how we do.

No half-stepping.

We tackle both.

I like the sound of that.

I like the sound of that, too.

ALL:
Better together,

sisters forever,

Articulettes strong!

[chuckling]

Oh, this feels so good.

So damn good.

Believe me,

I know what I'm talking about
where guilt is concerned.

I can't imagine
you'd do anything

- to feel guilty about, Granddad.
- [chuckles softly]

That's because young people
think they invented mischief

and bad behavior.

Okay, I am officially intrigued.

Did I ever tell you
about my Uncle Cornelius?

Yeah, he was pretty active
in the movement, right?

The man often walked
alongside Dr. King.

They were very close.

After the assassination,

Uncle Cornelius' health
began to decline.

I swear, you could see him age
right before your eyes.

[scoffs] You know what folks
say-- it's mind over body,

but I think
it's spirit over body.

One evening,

summer of '69,

Uncle Cornelius came home
to spend some time

with our branch of the Duprees.

So we were sh**ting hoops.

Uh, playing HORSE, as I recall.

Suddenly, in the middle of
the game, he fell to his knees.

And I-I ran to see
if he was okay.

And he brushed me off, said

it was just a-a long day
at work.

He was tired. And...

And I didn't tell anyone.

Oh, no.

[Vernon sighs]

Later that night,
I was awakened by an ambulance

outside my bedroom window.

I pulled back the curtains
to see

them take my uncle out
on a stretcher.

Turns out he had a stroke.

Kept him hospitalized
for months.

Couldn't walk,

couldn't speak.

Eventually, Uncle Cornelius
made a full recovery.

But throughout that entire time,

I couldn't help but feel guilty

for not letting the family know

what had happened
that afternoon.

But, Granddad, there's no way
you could have known

a stroke was imminent.

No.

There wasn't.

After his recovery...

...I told Uncle Cornelius
how I felt...

[chuckles]

...and how I promised God

I would never play ball again

- if only he'd pull through.
- [chuckles softly]

That must have hurt you
to your heart, Granddad.

- Oh, you know it did. [chuckles]
- [chuckles]

Mm. He assured me that
his stroke had nothing to do

with our game that afternoon,

that it was a long time coming.

Uncle Cornelius and I

played many more games
after that.

Now go tell your father

to focus on getting better.

You two have
your own ball games to play.

You know, I was really hoping
to go home today.

Well, that's not gonna happen.

But the good news is you can
start your PT at the hospital

and continue it at home
after you're discharged.

Do you have anyone
the hospital can recommend?

[clicks tongue]

MADISON:
We have an excellent physical therapist on staff.

Before her promotion,
she was my go-to.

I worked with her myself
when I threw out my back.

Oh. Can she start immediately?

Ask her yourself.

She's right outside.

Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton,
I'm Shanice Johnson.

BILL: Yeah, we know
who you are, Shanice.

MADISON:
Well, I'll leave you

in Shanice's capable hands.

CHELSEA:
Excuse me.

I have an important call
to make.

I'm confused.
I thought you were a nurse.

- Supervisor of nurses.
- [door closes]

But I started my career
as a physical therapist.

How many years has it been
since you've been hands-on

in rehabilitation?

Two days ago.

I've never really stopped.

I continue to do PT part-time

at multiple rehab centers
in the DMV.

I'm happy to share references
if you need them.

- Oh, that won't be necessary.
- BILL: No,

they sure as hell
will be necessary.

I'm not gonna have some nurse
working on me.

Bill.

Remember that Dunlap boy--

had the, uh,
neck injury last year?

Yeah. Diving accident.

Mm-hmm. Thanks to Shanice,

he's walking again.

He worked very hard.

Took my advice word for word,

and now he's fully recovered.

I'm so glad to see you.

- You, too.
- Mm.

Though I hope that doesn't mean
something's wrong.

- No. No. Thank goodness.
- Good.

I'm actually here
to drop off the drive

with the raw footage
from the documentary.

Um, but the hospital admin
secretary's not at her desk,

- and I don't want
to just leave it, so... - Hmm.

...could you please give this
to her?

Come on. Please?

- No problem.
- Thank you.

Though I hope...
I can't help

- but wonder if their request...
- Hmm?

...to see all the raw footage

has to do
with the Leslie Thomas case.

I don't know.

I didn't think about that,
but it certainly could.

Thank you for using your skills
to help my dad.

While I'd like you to believe

I'm giving your father
extra special care,

I treat all my patients
the same.

Wouldn't expect anything less.

Bill fully intends
to be fit enough

to teach our little Hamilton
to swim, play T-ball,

ride a bike, and every other
wonderful thing daddies do

with their kiddos, right?

- Absolutely.
- SHANICE: You should do well, then.

I'll be back in a little while
to start our first session.

You and I will be seeing
a lot of each other.

Oh, joy.

- That wasn't personal.
- [Shanice chuckles]

I'm not offended.

Thanks for stopping by, Dani.

Would you mind giving us
a private moment now?

Of course.

- BILL: Dani?
- Yeah.

Thanks for checking on me.

I appreciate it.

I'm glad you're doing better.

- [door closes]
- HAYLEY: She was surprisingly

well-behaved.

Yeah,

- she can be.
- Hmm.

Hey.

I'm cashing in my rain check

on that Orphey Gene's
breakfast casserole.

Okay. Sure.

Sure.

ANITA:
Vernon,

there you are.

Tracy and Sharon have agreed
to the reunion concert!

- That's wonderful!
- [laughing]

Wonderful!

Oh, these are your bags.

We're rehearsing in Chicago
right away.

We need time
to remember the old material,

get our harmonies back,
not to mention the choreography.

- You're leaving for Chicago now?
- I promise

to come back as often as I can.
You'll hardly miss me.

And I tried to let the family
know what's going on,

but nobody's picking up
their phone.

Can you please explain to them
why I have to do this?

I know. I know. I'm so sorry.

I know this is happening
really fast.

Well, you know how eager I've
been for you to do the concert.

Mm, even when I wasn't.

And I was thinking
maybe you could come with me.

But then I checked
your calendar.

[sighs]
Yeah, I do have teaching

and speaking commitments
this month.

- But you can get away
on the weekends. - [chuckles]: Oh,

- it'll be like the old days,
uh... - [laughs]

- ...me grabbing time with you
in between rehearsals. - Mm.

[Vernon chuckles]

Why Chicago, hmm?

Why can't you rehearse here
in Maryland or D.C.?

We-we-we talked about that.

And you realized you all had
to get back to where it began.

Mm-hmm. Exactly that.

- Mm.
- I have to get back to my roots.

I have to reconnect
with the past

and stop pretending that I came
out of the womb fully formed,

- Anita Dupree...
- Mm.

...and everything that happened
between then and now

was some kind of fever dream
that didn't matter.

It matters.

Tracy and Sharon and Barbara...

matter.

I have to confront
what I've buried

and look at it up close
and personal...

...and try to make things right.

If I don't,
I'll be carrying around the past

and the mistakes I've made
for the rest of my life,

and I just can't carry
that weight any longer.

I understand.

You always do.

[Vernon chuckles softly]

Be honest with me, Madison.
Do you really think

that my father
will make a full recovery?

I'm pretty confident he will,

- if...
- Rehab.

He'll hate that.
[chuckles]

Does he listen to you?

Sometimes.

I promise I'll do what I can.

But if you haven't
already noticed,

Bill Hamilton
doesn't do anything

- that he does not want to do.
- [chuckles]

Well, Shanice is
a force of nature,

so I'm sure she'll give
your formidable dad

a run for his money.

And plus,
I'm no wallflower myself.

Copy that.

I'm glad you're my dad's doctor.

So am I.

Catch you around?

Around.

I can't remember
the last time I was here.

Yeah, that's your loss.

Orphey Gene's has the best
soul food in all of D.C.

Maybe even the whole DMV.

Uh, you're hyping it up
a bit much.

- Nah. You got to order
and judge for yourself. - [chuckles]

Well, eh.

Should we be doing this
in public?

[Andre scoffs]

That's the least of my concern.

Dani, the only thing that
I'm concerned about right now

is to make sure
you're not in any more pain.

It's easier said than done.

Ah.

Was it seeing Hayley and Bill?

Bill and I were so kind
to each other,

and it-it felt...

the way things used to.

Minus Hayley as a spectator,
of course.

- [chuckles softly]
- I'm-I'm so sorry, Andre.

I-I'm sure I sound
like some pathetic woman

- yearning after her ex.
- No,

there's nothing pathetic
about you.

All right? I just wish that
there was something I could do

to stop you
from hurting so much.

You're doing it.

Trust me.

In more ways than you know.

The question is whether I can
keep myself from hurting you...

...the way Bill hurt me.

So good to see you, sweetheart.

Good to see you, Bill.

- Feeling better?
- BILL: Ah.

This is a big to-do
about nothing.

JACOB:
Hope so.

I'm gonna get out your way,

let you and Naomi have
some father-daughter time.

Are you trying to kick me out
of my husband's hospital room?

I, um...

I haven't had the chance
to thank you

for taking care of my dad.

We all owe you
a debt of gratitude

for getting him here so quickly.

Thank you, Naomi.

From you, that means a lot.

So, Bill, I'm about to go
to the cafeteria

- for an herbal tea, okay?
- Oh, you don't have to leave

- on my account.
- No, no, no, no.

Jacob is right.

You and your father
need a little time together.

And remember--
Shanice will be back any minute

for your physical therapy.

Okay?

[clears throat]

So...

- [door closes]
- How are you feeling?

Really feeling, Dad?

Well, you know,
other than the fact

that they're forcing
physical therapy on me,

I feel fine. You know?

The doctor expects
a full recovery.

Well, thank God.

Mm. [chuckles]

Now will you promise me
you'll take your PT seriously?

Aw. Maybe. I'll do my best.

And this reminds me--

you're overdue
in preparing my will.

Oh, I don't want
to talk about that.

- You're not going anyplace.
- Yeah, I know.

I don't plan to.
But, you know, as a lawyer,

you have to understand

that we have to plan
for all eventualities.

We all live with death
riding right beside us, so...

Is that for me?

Or you saving it
for somebody else?

Well, it is fresh
Orphey Gene's banana pudding,

so you tell me.

I'm telling you
to give it to me right now.

- Come on.
- [laughing]

- [chuckles]
- [door opens] - SHANICE: Hey.

- Ah-ah-ah-ah. Not so fast.
- [door closes]

- That is not what the doctor
ordered, Mr. Hamilton. - No. That...

So much for that.

Ready for physical therapy?

It's going to be
a bit of a challenge

to tell the family
that you decided

to head to Chicago overnight.

There's a lot of backstory
they don't know.

Yeah, I know.

But...

it's what you need.

So go, my love,

with my blessing
and full support.

And don't worry.

I'll hold down the fort here.

How did I get so lucky
to find you?

You always understand,

even when I know

- deep down inside
you really don't. - [chuckles]

[chuckles]

I love you, Vernon Dupree.

[sighs]
That's one thing I'm sure of.

And I love you
more than life itself.

You take good care of yourself
in that Windy City, hear?

Oh, you know I will.
[chuckles]

I'll be thinking about you
every day that you're gone.