04x12 - Babies and Fools

[bunniefuu]

[MAN SINGING INDISTINCTLY]

Yo, man, it's been a few days, and
I still ain't heard from the cops.

- PREACH: OK.
- COOP: OK?

Man, Ms. Baker said
they found new evidence

linked to Mo's m*rder, evidence
that could be traced back to me.

SPENCER: Or you, Preach. Y'all
need to get in front of this.

Ain't nothing to get in front of.

Look, the cops are bluffing.

That's just their way
of keeping us shook.

Why would Mrs. Baker tell Coop
to come home if that was true?

PREACH: 'Cause they playin' her.

Laura Baker will always
be known as the D.A.

who had the cops that
k*lled Tamika Pratt indicted.

And now those same cops
handing her new information?

- Come on, y'all.
- SPENCER: No,

you cannot brush this off,
man. There needs to be a plan.

COOP: Yeah. I'm with Spence.

I could be looking at
some major time, man.

PATIENCE: Yeah, something
that could have been avoided

had you and Preach just
been honest from the jump.

You right, but we past that.

Look, if they had something on Coop,

they would have already scooped her up,

but they don't 'cause I got rid of
all the evidence from that night.

Trust me. If Coop stays
true to her statement,

we good.

SPENCER: Morning, beautiful.

Now that I got your attention,

the floor is all yours,

so get on all fours,

hips up, toes down.

[EXHALES SLOWLY]

[SIGHS]

Hey, what's up, baby?

Why are you talking to yourself?

I'm not talking to myself.

I'm listening to JJ's "Nimble
as a rubber thimble" podcast.

- Oh.
- Today,

I'm learning how to use my
outside voice for inner chi.

- By talking to yourself?
- By talking to myself, yeah.

[CHUCKLES] Say what you want about JJ.

He is an amazing zentor,

and that cat cow pose was on point,

especially after these past few days.

You worried about Coop?

Not knowing what's next for
her is stressful as hell.

I'm sure, but, I mean,
we're all worried about her,

you know, but until the
alleged evidence drops,

there's nothing we can do.

- SPENCER: Yeah.
- There is something you and I can do.

- What you thinking?
- Why don't we go for a hike,

you know, just unplug
from our stressful lives

- for, like, a couple of hours?
- SPENCER: OK, I'm down.

One problem, though. I
ain't got no hiking shoes.

It's a hike. You can
literally wear anything.

Yeah, anything not named Yeezy,

- or Air Force One or Cortez.
- OLIVIA: OK, fine.

We will stop by your mom's
house, and we will get you

- an old pair of shoes.
- SPENCER: OK.

But first, this, um...

Cat cow pose.

Well, what's up? You need a zentor?

Depends. You gonna have
me talking to myself?

- If I do my job right.
- [GIGGLES]

- AMINA: Hi, Ms. Grace.
- GRACE: Hi. Uh,

Preach, Amina, hey.

To what do I owe this
early-morning visit?

I thought you said
she was cool with this.

Um...

Mr. Preach had a early-morning meeting,

and Amina needed a ride to school, so

I, just, um,

told her she could ride with us.

My bad. That's the problem with kids

having their own cell phones now.

I'll take her. Coach Baker
won't mind if I'm a little late.

GRACE: Oh, no. Don't
be silly. It's fine.

Billy sure love his
early staff meetings, huh?

[CHUCKLES] Look, I don't mind.

I'm just happy to be working.

This tutoring gig has
changed the game for me,

which reminds me. I'm, uh,

organizing a art installation

to raise money for our tutoring program.

Little function to bring
the community together.

Yeah? That sounds fun.

Hey, D., uh, Amina was telling me

about your comic book, "King Crenshaw."

Uh, man, I would love
to use some poster art

for the exhibit, if that's cool.

Yeah, that would be dope!

- Mom, can I?
- GRACE: Uh,

O-OK, sure,

but right now, we need
to finish getting ready.

- DILLON AND GRACE: OK.
- PREACH: OK. I got to head out, 'Mina bean.

Daddy, wait. I made this for you.

[CHUCKLES] Oh, I love it, baby girl.

What's up with the penguins?

- AMINA: I just wrote a report about emperor penguins.
- PREACH: Oh.

After the mommy penguin lays an
egg, she leaves for two months.

While she's gone, the daddy
penguin has to protect the egg,

keep it warm, and starve himself
until the mommy gets back.

Fathers are
ride-or-die,

always there for his baby.

Yep, just like you. Have a good day.

- [CHUCKLES]
- I love you.

I love you, too, 'Mina bean.

MAN: ♪ We are just people
that control a purpose ♪

♪ We got a saying
underneath the surface ♪

- ♪ Important to the... ♪
- [SINGING CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

[TURNS OFF MUSIC]

- LAYLA: Yeah, he's amazing.
- JP: Right?

- What's his name again?
- That is, uh, Tony Wilder.

He's, like, next greatest
thing coming out of Detroit.

He's been k*lling it on the
indie circuit for a while now.

- Mm-hmm.
- You should definitely meet with him.

- Uh, you sure?
- Yeah, and listen,

Tony's not the only one. Here.

Here is a list of, um, at least others

that would be perfect
for your label, too.

All right, what...
what's, uh, what's up?

Nothing. Why?

Exactly how many times
did you let me win

- at Monopoly when I was a kid?
- JP: Oh, a bunch of times.

- [CHUCKLING] All right, twice, OK?
- Mm-hmm.

You're the most competitive
person I know, Dad.

- Yeah.
- You don't just hand things over,

definitely not a list of musicians.

What's going on?

Listen, I am, uh,

I'm gonna be stepping away from
some of my duties at the label.

- But you're retiring?
- Not retiring,

just, uh, reducing my role.

Look, I have been doing
this for years, Layla.

Between the tours, the
countless hours in the studios,

it's a lot. It's a
lotta tread on my tires,

so it's time for me to
take a b*at from the grind

and, um, pour into myself,

like you've been telling
me to do for years now.

There's no other reason for
this sudden change of heart?

- JP: Well...
- [CELLPHONE VIBRATES]

Oh, sh**t. I'm sorry, sweetie.

I'm gonna have to take this. Um,

look over that list. Let
me know what you think.

No rush, all right? Love
you. Hey, this is JP.

[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]

- BILLY: Hey.
- GRACE: Hey.

Grace and Mrs. Lawson.

Just the person I was looking for.

After all, a principal is only as good

as their lead counselor. Am I right?

- Actually, Billy...
- One second. Um, Ms. Lawson,

I forgot to mention this
at the staff meeting.

Do you know of any students
that may have some art work

that they can submit
for Preach's fundraiser?

- I might know a few.
- Obviously, we need

for the students to be talented.

[CHUCKLING] Nobody
from Mrs. Woods' class

because have you seen the pictures
that she's got on her door?

We don't need stick
figures and rainbow...

So Regina is the search
committee's choice

as your permanent
replacement as principal.

BILLY: Oh... Well, you
coulda led with that.

- I tried. Yeah.
- OK.

MRS. LAWSON: I've been
working with these kids

for over two decades, Mr. Baker.

I have experience as a counselor
and assistant principal,

plus I grew up a few blocks from here.

Oh. Me, too. Funny story, actually.

Me and the wife, we just moved into
the house that I grew up in, so...

- GRACE: Seriously?
- BILLY: Yeah, seriously.

I said I'm here for the long haul.

By long haul, you mean
one, maybe two weeks?

Because we both know I'm
coming for those principal keys.

Ha ha ha ha!

I like her. I like you.

I like you. You are gonna make
a great assistant principal,

so let me know if you're interested.

OK, shut the door when you leave.

- JABARI: Hey, yo, Coach. Hold up.
- BILLY: Hey, there they go.

- What's happening?
- Hey, Coach...

- Yeah.
- Before we forget,

we had a few ideas about
the art installation.

- PREACH: Yeah.
- BILLY: OK, walk with me.

PREACH: Yeah.

[LOCKER DOOR CLOSES]

What's going on here?

- Can we help you, Detective?
- POWORSKI: I'll make this quick.

Cardell Simms,

you're under arrest for
the m*rder of Monique Moore.

- PREACH: What?
- BILLY: No, no, there must be...

there must be some
misunderstanding here.

Hold up.

I'm sorry, Coach Baker.

- Amina.
- I'll pick her up from school.

OLIVIA: Hey, what about these?

Oh, that is perfect,

and I am almost done.

- OLIVIA: OK.
- [DOOR OPENS]

Hey, Liv is my witness, Ma.

- I brought my own detergent this time.
- GRACE: Did you get my voicemail?

No, my phone's charging. What's up?

Preach got arrested at
school today for murdering Mo.

- Oh, my God!
- Wait, hold up. Preach was arrested?

This is exactly why I warned Billy

not to bring Preach into the school.

Look, it was still self-defense, Ma.

Preach was trying to save Coop's life.

I am not judging him for his past,

or for even trying to protect Coop,

but Billy's actions meant that Preach

was on school property
when he got arrested!

Jabari was traumatized,
God knows who else!

OLIVIA: No disrespect,
Ms. Grace, but I... I mean,

there's no way that my dad could
have known that this was gonna happen.

This is just Preach's
past catching up with him.

This is the last thing
these kids needed to see,

was another Black man being
dragged off to jail by the cops.

Excuse me, while I go tell Amina

why her father isn't
coming home tonight.

SPENCER: Yo, what happened?
Did a witness come forward?

COOP: After all these months?

I mean, that's how it works
sometimes in cases like this.

Man, witness or no witness,
it was self-defense.

Unless the witness saw it different.

Yo, whose side are you on?

Seriously?

Are you... are you really
asking me that right now?

I am on your side, Coop.

I have always been
here, and the facts are

your lie has been exposed,

so we just have to
figure out what's next.

Look, I just want to make sure
Amina's straight, all right?

She didn't ask for any of this.

She's with my mom right now.

Does Preach have any family?

- COOP: I am Preach's family.
- PATIENCE: Mmm.

Yeah, well, there's no way that
you'll be able to raise Amina

- if Preach goes down for this.
- SPENCER: All right, look,

he needs a damn good lawyer.

The sooner Preach gets out,
the sooner Amina's gonna be OK.

Do you... do you think your...
your mom would defend him?

I... I don't know,

but, I mean, she's familiar
with the case, so...

SPENCER: It can't hurt to try.

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLANGS SHUT]

[SCOFFS] Let me guess.

Coop hit you with the sad-ass
puppy-dog eyes, and here you are...

the mouthpiece that's gonna
get these shackles off me.

"Thank you" would be
a good place to start.

Come on, man. You know that
sh**ting was self-defense.

- I should be outta here by dinner.
- LAURA: Not so fast.

At best, it was justifiable homicide.

At worst, you're looking at to life.

- How?
- Because a witness came forward,

recorded you sh**ting Mo.

PREACH: He's just now saying something?

He just got arrested for
possession of narcotics.

So he makes a deal,

snitches on me in
exchange for his freedom?

I'm still waiting for the
evidence to be released to me,

but based on what I'm hearing,

the photo is just of you
pointing the g*n at Mo,

and the video only
picked up one g*nsh*t.

- You mean g*nshots.
- One.

Singular.

The video only shows you
sh**ting Mo from the alley.

There's no evidence she sh*t Coop first.

Exactly,

and that is enough for the
prosecution to push for m*rder.

Of course it is.

I'm the wrong complexion
for the right protection,

plus I got two strikes.

LAURA: Well, that's where I come in.

I'm gonna do my best to get you cleared.

No.

This is on me.

My whole life, I prided myself

on protecting Black women.

[SCOFFS] And what'd I do?

Hell, a man is only as good as his code.

Where I'm from, you're
either a asset or a liability.

I been a liability way too long.

I mean, if it's my time to

do all them years, then I guess it's...

My time.

But I need a favor.

Amina.

I need to finally tell her
the truth, no matter the cost.

Can you bring her here?

[DOOR OPENS]

[HUMMING A TUNE]

Crap. Uh, you caught me.

You do your laundry here?

[SIGHS] Yeah. Your
dryer sheets are awesome.

They make my shirts feel
so soft, they're like...

- they're like pillows for my pecs.
- LAYLA: Ooh,

- please tell me you didn't just say that.
- Oh, I did,

- and I own it.
- [OPENS REFRIGERATOR]

So, um, what's up
with you? New musician?

Uh, more like retired producer.

My dad is taking a step back

from his daily duties at the label.

Good for Mr. Keating.

- I... I mean, bad for Mr. Keating?
- LAYLA: Something's up, OK? First...

first he hands me all the
masters to my mom's songs,

which was awesome, OK, but
then he hands me this list

of new artists that he thinks
I should sign to my label.

And you should hear some of these
artists, Jordan. They're amazing.

That... that's
incredible, Layla. What...

- I mean, that's not incredible?
- LAYLA: JP Keating

has never been one to
just hand over an artist...

- So he's clearly dying.
- JORDAN: Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Hold on a second.

Let's rewind, OK, because
that just took a turn.

- [SIGHS]
- Hey.

Did he tell you that he's dying?

No, you know, not yet, OK?

It could be his heart or, like,
a... a rare blood condition

or worse, hypertension, which
they call the silent k*ller...

OK, yeah, or... or... or...

Or maybe he's perfectly healthy, right?

Your dad is older, Layla.
He's making life changes.

People do that, you know.

It doesn't mean that he's dying.

- You're right. OK.
- Right.

[SIGHS] It's just he
loves being a producer,

and...

you don't give up something
you love that much without

- something major going on.
- So talk to your dad.

Ask him for the truth.

I mean, it could...
it could be anything.

LAYLA: Yeah...

- Like dying?
- JORDAN: OK, you know what?

I don't know about you, but
I could really use a meal

not cooked by a microwave, so,

what do you say me, you, and
your dad go to dinner tonight?

Look, I'll just be there
for moral support, all right?

You can ask him the questions
that you're scared to ask,

and whatever the answer is, we'll

deal with it together, OK?

[INHALES DEEPLY] OK. Yeah. Deal.

- Keep that closed.
- Just...

- let me just...
- No, no, we're good.

Some day.

Who you telling? Been trying to get
up out of here for the past hour.

I just dropped Amina off with Laura.

How's, uh, how's she holding up?

A lot better than I expected.

No tears... [SIGHS]

No outburst...

Just silent.

There's a chance she might lose

both of her parents in less than a year.

There's nothing good about that.

No.

I gotta go. Uh... [SIGHS] ...

I'm actually here for emergency
meeting with the search committee.

Right. I had, uh, I had heard
that through the grapevine.

We're making our final vote
for principal in a few weeks,

then we're turning everything over

to the school board for their approval.

BILLY: I heard that, too.

From one friend to another,

it's not looking good for you, Billy.

I mean, from your lack of experience,

- from Preach's arrest...
- BILLY: Which I had nothing to do with,

and whatever happened to
innocent until proven guilty?

- It's all about the optics.
- Oh. I feel you.

Know the optics don't look
that good, but... ahem...

if there ever were a time
when the kids needed me,

that time would be now.

And I'm the best person for the
job, so I'm just letting you know

I'mma do whatever I need to
do to remain principal, so...

[SIGHS]

- [DOOR CLOSES]
- SPENCER: Hey, I got dinner.

Hey. Uh, thank you, baby.

How'd the meeting with
the search committee go?

Tough, but necessary.

So it's a done deal?

We'll know in a few weeks.

My two cents, Mom...

you're making a mistake.

Coach Baker's the best thing
for South Crenshaw right now.

You do know I had to trick him
into taking this job, right?

Wrong, wrong.

I mean, yeah, I had my doubts at first,

and maybe she had to
twist my arm a little,

but once I landed in that hallway,
it was like something clicked.

OK. So what... what... what clicked?

- I don't know. It don't matter.
- What? Of course it matters.

No, not really.

The school board's gonna want
somebody like Regina Lawson.

They're gonna want one of their own,

somebody with more
experience, somebody...

- GRACE: Who is not him.
- SPENCER: Why?

- Why ain't Coach right for the job?
- GRACE: Dependability.

Do you think being a
principal means more to him

than coaching college football?

- Or even the NFL?
- BILLY: I think that it is.

- Really?
- Yeah.

So being principal
is... is endgame for you?

I finally feel heard, Liv.

Like, all my life, I've
been an athlete and a coach,

but now I get to be

an educator, too, and...

It's like a different
muscle to flex. It's...

it's a muscle I never even knew I had.

To be honest, a part of
me kind of feels like...

like my mom's had
something to do with this.

His mother was an educator.

- Coach might surprise you.
- We can't risk a surprise!

These kids need someone
that's committed to them!

Which he is.

If he wasn't, he wouldn't have
started a financial literacy course,

or be thinking outside
the box and finding a tutor

to connect with these
kids! You know this.

What's the real issue here, Ma?

I need to eat my food.

BILLY: Maybe it's not supposed
to happen at South Crenshaw.

There's just so much
stacked up against me.

I should probably step away. Yeah.

I'll finish Preach's art show,

and then I will step
down as interim principal.

Nope. Nope.

Now is not the time for self-sabotage,

- OK?
- [BILLY CHUCKLES]

Me and Spencer, we will handle

the art show with Jabari,

and you need to focus
on keeping your job.

I mean, that's the whole
reason why you and Mom moved

back here in the first place.

Please don't lose faith, Dad.

And you and I both know

- that Grandma Mary would not go for that.
- [BILLY CHUCKLES]

PREACH: Um...

Listen, 'Mina bean,

can you give us, uh, some privacy?

No, please stay. I don't
want to be alone with him.

[WHISPERS] OK.

Um...

Uh...

Look, I was... I was, um, I was wrong.

I should have told you the truth

about what happened to your, uh...

[SIGHS]

Your mom did a bad thing...

And I had to do a bad thing

to save your aunt Coop's life.

[VOICE BREAKING] I'm sorry, Amina.

I know that I can never
make this up to you,

- but I promise...
- AMINA: Can we go now?

LAURA: Um... Of course, yeah.

[DOOR OPENS]

[PREACH SOBBING]

[DOOR CLOSES]

COOP: Look, Ms. Baker, I
appreciate you calling, but

last time I seen Amina,
she made it very clear

she never wanted to see me again.

LAURA: Her whole world
is falling apart, Coop.

She just needs someone
that isn't a stranger,

even if that's somebody
that she's mad at.

This is all on me.

I'm the one that convinced
Preach to keep the lie going.

- And how is the case looking?
- LAURA: Not great.

The video clearly shows
Preach sh**ting Mo.

Wait, no. That... that's
not all that happened.

Yes, I know, but that's
the footage that we have.

Mo literally sh*t me

two seconds before
Preach let off his sh*t.

Well... are you sure

that the g*nshots occurred
that close together?

, %.

OK, can you watch Amina for a bit?

- I need to go handle something.
- COOP: Hey, trust,

she's not gonna want to stay with me.

Amina? Sweetie, can... can
you come here for a second?

I'm sorry. I have to step
out really quick for a bit.

Um, I can drop you off
at Ms. Grace's or...

- AMINA: I'll stay with Coop.
- LAURA: Yeah? OK.

You lied to me about the sh**ting.

Look, can we go somewhere a little
more private and talk about this?

Either you tell me right now

or I'm gonna scream.

[SLOW MUSIC PLAYING]

Yummy sprouts.

Wow, um, that's good, that's good.

Yeah? Oh.

This is quite the spread.

Yeah, you know, um, I've
just been on a health kick

since I got back from the
Vegas tour with Patience, so...

Oh, OK, or you think I'm dying.

- Did you tell him?
- No,

- but the food might have... ahem.
- JP: I mean, the food,

the questions from today,
all the checking-in texts.

I had a feeling that mind
of yours was gonna go there.

Can you blame me, Dad? You
put so much into the label.

This isn't some knee-jerk
decision, sweetie. It's, um...

- I met someone.
- LAYLA: And you're always meeting someone.

JP: Well, this one is different,
and she's kinda special.

Her name is Erin,

and, uh, we've been together
for about a month now.

And she is smart, she is funny, and, uh,

check it out... we're
the same age. Well,

she's years younger, but at
least the same decade, right?

I mean, it's an improvement. [CHUCKLES]

Well, that... that's
awesome, Mr. Keating.

- Oh, thanks. Thanks a lot, Jordan.
- Mm-hmm.

Uh, I agree. You, uh,

- you seem happy.
- JP: I am.

- Good for you, Dad.
- Ahem.

LAYLA: Um, do you have
any... any pics of... of Erin?

- Yeah, yeah.
- OK.

- Check.
- OK.

She's pretty.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

Me and your dad were just
trying to protect you,

and instead, we hurt you, and I'm sorry.

Was my mom that bad?

Your mom was...

- She was complicated.
- AMINA: What does that mean?

Well, she had different sides to her.

But she was a great
mother to you, right?

The best.

But she was also a grieving sister,

who could not deal with the pain that

she felt from losing your uncle Tyrone.

She said they were best friends.

Yeah, and she felt bad

leaving him behind
when she went to Philly.

She thought that if
she would have stayed,

his life would be different.

He'd be alive.

And then who did she
blame for his death?

Me.

But you didn't sh**t
him. That old woman did.

It didn't matter.

She blamed me,

and...

That's honestly why she sh*t me.

Which is why my dad
sh*t her, to save you.

A decision that...

That has changed his life forever,

a... a decision I know
Preach ain't proud of,

but he did that out of love for me.

And truthfully speaking, it could
have been anyone standing there,

and he would have saved their life.

That's the difference between your pop

and most people.

I was so mean to him today.

What if he never comes back?

We got to find a way
to be strong for him

and keep the faith.

You know... [CHUCKLES]
my pop used to always say,

"keep your chin up

so your crown don't fall."

You think you could do that for me?

Man, hands down,

Mr. Preach was the
dopest tutor I ever had.

Hey, the fight isn't over.

Think that's all of 'em.

Hey, me personally, I think we
should postpone the art installation.

It just doesn't feel right
doing it without Mr. Preach.

Yeah, you could, or, in honor of
Preach, we can make it about him.

I don't know if he would go for that.

The fundraiser is about the
school and the community,

- the folk who make it go.
- OLIVIA: Exactly,

- and folks like Preach.
- SPENCER: Look, man,

it don't matter if he's in jail or not.

You said it yourself. Preach is
the dopest tutor you ever had,

so give that man his flowers.

[CHUCKLES] Yeah.

- Yeah, you're right.
- Right?

Can y'all help me make some calls?

Walk away, Mrs. Baker.

We both know I'm not
b*ating these charges.

- What's that?
- These are photos from the witness' phone.

Talking to Coop sparked something.

Poworski only heard one
g*nsh*t in the video,

but the witness took a photo
right before you sh*t Mo.

So I hit the live button

on the photo, which, as you know...

Turns it into -second videos.

I had the forensics analysts confirm

that the first g*nsh*t was
not from you, it was from Mo,

which proves, once and for all,

that this was a justifiable homicide.

Now, possession of a firearm
is a violation of your parole,

so I have to make a deal
and have one more year

added onto your probation,

but other than that, you're good.

What you mean, I'm good?

Cardell Simms,

you are officially a free man.

[SNIFFLES]

[KNOCKS ON WINDOW]

There he is.

How you holding up?

Good. Thank you for everything, Coach.

And a special shout-out to Mrs.
Baker. I'm not here without her.

I just stopped by to get my stuff.

You, uh, got a good
group of kids here, man.

They'd be a whole lot better
with somebody like you.

I'm... I'm trying to say,

uh, this doesn't have to end now.

Job is still yours if you want it.

PREACH: I can't.

It's bad enough I got arrested
in front of my students,

and last thing I want to
do is be a distraction.

You're not a distraction.
The kids love you.

I appreciate you, Coach.

Look, you been solid from the rip,

but I can't come back,

not right now.

OK. How's Amina?

Uh, OK.

Apparently, she, uh,
stayed with Coop last night.

- I'd love to see her...
- BILLY: Mm-hmm.

But I know she's gonna
need a few more days.

- I'mma be patient.
- BILLY: Yeah.

- I'm sure things will work out.
- PREACH: Yeah.

Uh, one last thing. Your art
installation is still going on today,

so I know a lot of
students are gonna come,

so you might want to
consider coming through,

you know, just to say
your last good-byes.

[QUIETLY] Yeah.

MALE SINGER: ♪ Love is patient
and passionate pursuit ♪

♪ Say hello to the newest
ambassador for truth ♪

♪ Nobody could do this all alone ♪

♪ So as I go out and
secure another recruit ♪

♪ Danny Glover was a
w*apon, I'm legal as ever ♪

There he is. Good to see
you, man. Thanks for coming.

You, this is so good, young man.

I'm very proud of you.
Keep up the good work.

You hear me, right?

- Wait. What?
- Yo, I found this dope local artist,

man, who used one of our
old pics to paint this.

Oh, my God, yeah. I remember this pic.

- Wow!
- COOP: Yeah, it's one of my favorites...

I mean, just two girls at
choir rehearsal, clowning,

- Mm-hmm.
- making our own ratchet gospel trap music.

- Ha ha ha ha!
- PATIENCE: Oh, my God, yes!

- Ha ha! Yeah, we were a mess.
- Yeah.

- Ha ha!
- Hey, look, I know things have been crazy between us

since the sh**ting, all right?
But now that Preach is out

and all that is behind us,
I'mma make it up to you.

- No, no, Coop, it's...
- No, no, I'm serious, OK?

- Mm-hmm.
- Talking fresh start,

clean slate, me and you.

The world is ours.

[MAN SINGING INDISTINCTLY]

Wow! I mean, this exhibit is awesome.

You know, just when I thought
I had Preach all figured out,

- he surprises me.
- JORDAN: Kinda like your dad did last night?

Was it that obvious?

[CHUCKLES] Well, I
mean, maybe not to most,

but my lay-dar is pretty accurate.

- Your laydar?
- Just... just roll with it.

OK. [CHUCKLES] Um, no,

I'm... I'm genuinely happy for my dad.

I'm just a little surprised he
hasn't introduced me to Erin.

They've been dating for
over a month, and he's had

no trouble introducing me
to girlfriends before, so...

Yeah, well, those
girlfriends were seasonal.

By seasonal, you mean...

OK. Um,

Layla, when it comes to dating,

- there are seasons.
- LAYLA: Oh. OK.

OK, there is... there's teasing season,

OK, there's pleasing season,

and then there's cheesin' season,

and last but not least,
we have squeezing season.

OK, remind me to unpack those later,

but I see where you're going
with this. You think it's serious.

- I do, yeah.
- I mean, it must be.

He's prioritizing her over the label,

and, um...

He hasn't... he hasn't been
serious with anyone since my mom.

Which is why you haven't met her.

He's waiting for your permission.

To date her? [CHUCKLES]

- It's a little late for that.
- No, no, no, your permission to meet her.

Look, no matter how much
your dad might be into Erin,

you're still the most important
woman in his life, Layla.

He's not gonna introduce the two of you

until he knows you're OK with this.

- Right.
- [WHISPERS] Right.

BILLY: OK, OK, can I get
everybody's attention, please?

I got, uh, I got some good news.

Thanks to y'all, the beautiful
people of the Crenshaw district,

we have raised over $ ,
in donations and sales.

All right, yes, yes. Look,
I'm just the messenger.

Just let me say right quick
this beautiful fundraiser

could not have happened were it not

for our amazing new tutor, Mr. Preach.

Preach and I, we haven't
worked together that long,

but I can say that he has made

just as much of an impact

on my life personally
as he has his students'.

Oh, there you go, right there.

My mother was a teacher,

so I can appreciate the importance,

and I can tell you firsthand

that Preach shares her heart,

her patience, and her ability to connect

with students in a way
that not many people can,

- so... so thank you, Preach.
- MAN: Yeah!

JABARI: Mr. Preach is the man.

He stayed pushing me, but I love it.

You see, we cut from the same cloth.

He showed me that I don't have
to be defined by my mistakes.

Just 'cause I spent time in the system

doesn't mean that the
system is my future.

He also showed me the possibility
of what my future could look like,

despite my past,

and I'mma carry that
forever, thanks to him.

- MAN: Yeah. All right.
- [APPLAUSE]

- Come on.
- Whenever you're ready, sweetie.

My name is Amina, and
Mr. Preach is my daddy.

My dad is a lot like an emperor penguin.

He's smart, he's
protective, and he's loyal.

He'll always put those
he loves before him,

no matter how crazy it gets.

That's what makes him
the king of all daddies,

and I'm so proud to be his daughter.

So to my dad, I say stand strong

and keep your chin up.

That way, your crown doesn't fall.

[APPLAUSE]

This came together.

- It did.
- Yeah.

Sucks that we didn't
get to go on our hike.

I know, but it was good
to be home for a few days.

OLIVIA: Yeah. [KISS]

- BILLY: Hey, hey, hey.
- GRACE: Hey.

- Where's Dillon?
- SPENCER: He's with Coop and Patience.

- He said he was gonna text you.
- GRACE: Oh.

- BILLY: What's up?
- PREACH: So I was thinking...

Yes, you can have your job back.

- Ha ha ha! My guy.
- Aw.

Man, I appreciate you, Principal Baker.

- Oh, well, I appreciate you.
- Yes, sir.

- Ready to go home, 'Mina bean?
- Yep.

- Let's go.
- Up.

- There we go.
- PREACH: Heh heh heh!

- SPENCER: Great night tonight.
- BILLY: Yeah.

Far exceeded my expectations.

Mine's, too.

Listen, I was wrong;

you've clearly done a great job.

These kids have really responded to you

and everything you stand for.

- Thank you, Gracie.
- Mm-hmm.

Do I got your vote now,
finally? [BILLY CHUCKLES]

I'm sorry. I...

I still don't think you're the
right person to be principal.

[FOOTSTEPS RETREAT]

And you're totally cool with me

- pursuing these artists?
- JP: Yeah, of course.

OK, great, 'cause I'm a little obsessed

- with Tony Wilder's album.
- Yeah. Heh.

Look, um...

It's... it's clear that Erin
brings out the best in you,

so whenever you're ready,

I would, uh, I would love to meet her.

- Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.

I mean, that would be amazing.

You know, I'm pretty sure that you two

are gonna vibe anyways, you know?

OK, wow. This is happenin'.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

It's just been a long time
since I felt like this.

- LAYLA: I can tell.
- I've been blessed to feel this way

twice in my life, and I

almost didn't get this
second chance because, um,

I closed my heart off for so
long after your mom passed.

- I want better for you, Layla.
- Me?

How'd we get on me?

We Keatings have a way
of protecting our hearts

by hiding in our work, so just saying

don't be like me, you know, so caught up

in being a mogul that
you put your life on hold.

It's OK to put yourself out there again,

take a chance.

[SIGHING]

- Look, Ma...
- Spencer, please.

- If this is about Billy, I...
- SPENCER: You know it is.

Something else is going on with you,

and honestly, I'm a little concerned.

Spencer, it's simple.

I'm thinking like a parent.

Yes, you no longer go to South Crenshaw,

but Dillon will be starting there soon.

Let's say Billy is the principal

and the school is doing well

and Dillon is prospering,

and then, all of a sudden,
out of nowhere, some college

or pro team makes an offer
to Billy that he can't refuse,

and then poof! He's gone,

and then the school's
back in shambles again.

You expect me to believe
you fighting this hard

over something that
ain't even happened yet,

at a school that Dillon
don't even go to yet?

Ma, I don't think this has
anything to do with Coach.

This is about all the changes
happening in your life.

- Wait a minute...
- Just hear me out.

Hear me out.

I finally left home for college.

Dillon is older now,

and he's doing his own
thing with his friends more.

Principal Carter is pursuing
his political dreams,

which is cutting into
y'all's time together, right?

Life's changing faster
than maybe you ready for,

so you trying to
control any little thing,

and unfortunately for Coach,

it happens to be this,

and I'm sure the fact
that he's another man

who is important in your life

complicates it a little more.

I hear you, baby, but... [CHUCKLES]

Uh, I think I would know

if I'm having some crazy reaction

because I'm becoming a...

- Empty-nester.
- SPENCER: Would you?

Sometimes we don't know what's
going on until we talk to somebody.

So what you saying, I
need to talk to Dr. Spears?

If he's the one that can help you
process all this, then why not?

[DOOR OPENS]

[VIBRATING]

[JORDAN GRUNTS]

- [SIGHS] Uh, Layla?
- Hi. Uh, I just wanted to...

to call to say thank you
for, um, for everything.

You know, your time, your friendship,

um, the advice, no matter how

unique and off-base it sounded.

[CHUCKLES] Um, thanks, I... I think.

LAYLA: And the other
reason I'm calling...

JORDAN: Ooh, the seasons of
dating, right? OK. OK, listen.

There's teasing season,
right? Now, teasing season

is whenever you meet someone
and you vibe with 'em,

but it's almost summertime and,

you know, you want to stay single.

So, you tease each other and
you keep it casual up until...

LAYLA: Pleasing season, when, you, um,

you realize what you had was just
a fun hookup, no strings attached.

[CHUCKLING] Exactly. Wow, you're good.

Next, we have cheesing season, right?

Now, cheesing season's
whenever you're so in love

that you just can't stop smiling.

Uh, kinda like, uh, you and Simone.

[CHUCKLING] Facts, yeah. That's...

that's us to a tee.

Now, squeezing season.

Squeezing season is simply the best one

because, I mean, you're
past all the seasons now.

COOP: Yo, you really did not
save me a "King Crenshaw" poster?

DILLON: Hey, thanks to
the post on the 'Gram,

we sold out within an hour.

But I'll see what I can do.

Maybe my people can get you one.

Yo, did this dude
really just "people" us?

[CHUCKLING] Yup, he
definitely just "peopled" us.

- POWORSKI: I hate to interrupt.
- COOP: Then don't.

I mean, haven't you tried to
do enough damage for the year?

Yo, let's get up outta here, yo.

Yeah, not so fast, Tamia.
I'm actually here for you.

PATIENCE: The case is
closed, Detective. Like...

For the m*rder of Monique Moore, yes.

Remember our conversation
at the hospital?

You confessed to a
crime you didn't commit.

That's a whole other
case, so, Tamia Cooper,

you're under arrest for
obstruction of justice.

- Wait. What? No, no, no.
- They can do that?

- Hey, no. What are you doing?
- Patience, chill. Patience...

No, that's not fair. Stop.
I'm good. I'm fine. No!

Call Ms. Baker, OK?

I'm... I'm sorry, babe.

Greg, move your head!