Original subtitles

Oh my god.

Wow.

Wow, wow, wow, wow.

Baby, I don't think we're gonna get too much out of here.

Yeah.

If it's not burned up, it's smoke

damaged or drenched in water.

We don't have too long anyway because we have

Calvin Jr. at the hospital.

I'm just glad you were in the living room.

Thank god that CJ got here when he did.

Baby, the fire was right there.

It was right there.

I promise I was gonna come back for Calvin Jr, but I--

I couldn't-- I couldn't see--

Baby, baby--

--and I did my best.

Look, I apologize for the stuff

I said to you in the hospital.

I tried.

I just couldn't get to him.

Are you sure that you don't blame me?

No.

No, baby I don't blame you.

I blame myself.

I should've got that smoke detector

fixed like you asked me to.

Oh, good.

I don't know what I would have done

if Calvin Jr. didn't make it.

But he did.

And the doctor said he's gonna make a full recovery.

Baby, what about Tracy?

I'll talk to Tracie.

Tracie is just a whole different person when she's mad.

She'll be fine now that she knows Calvin Jr. is fine.

Was she serious about not letting us see him ever again.

No, Tracy knows not to take my son away from me,

and she knows that I'll follow her

to earth's end to get him back.

Will insurance even cover all of this?

They better.

We pay enough for it.

We better get going.

We better get going.

But you know one thing this fire taught me?

What?

We might have lost everything-- our whole life--

but none of it matters.

Not the clothes, not the flat screen, none of it.

The only thing that matters is that you, and Christian, and

Calvin Jr. got out of here OK.

Baby, I love you.

I love you, too, baby.

We're gonna be all right.

OK.

I found some of Calvin's old clothes in the garage.

Yes.

Oh, good.

He need those because I'm tired of seeing

him wear the same outfit.

Honey, don't do that.

You know Calvin's clothes were all burned up in a fire.

And so I have to suffer?

[inaudible].

Mom, she took him.

What?

I hate her!

OK, wait, wait, wait.

Calvin, calm down.

What's going on?

She took him.

OK, she who? Took who?

She checked Calvin Jr. out of the hospital

without telling me?

- She who, Tracie? - What?

Yes.

I've always been there for my son.

OK, OK, OK.

Calvin, we know that.

Well, let me just call her mother, baby,

and find out what's going on.

Miss Ella, she said that she wouldn't do this.

Mom, she's trying to take my son from me.

She keeps pushing me.

She keeps pushing, and soon I'm gonna push back.

No, no, no.

You just need to calm down, baby.

Miss Ella, I'm gonna go in the back and-- and lay

Christian down, OK? ELLA: OK, baby.

Come on.

OK, well her mother is not answering.

[baby crying]

I know. I know.

I know.

OK, instead of all of this running around,

huffing and puffing, Calvin, I want you to go--

what you need--

Mom, I don't want to hear one of your sermons right now.

OK, don't walk away from me.

And I was not going to give you one of my little sermons

right now.

What I was going to say is you need a lawyer.

- Yes. - OK, wait a minute.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

So where'd you find this guy, anyway?

Oh, sister Mildred recommended him.

Mildew Mildred?

Baby, she don't need an attorney.

She needs a-- a wet wipe.

Curtis, this lawyer helped her Son get his baby

back from the custody battle.

Is he any good?

He better be.

He's charging $200 an hour.

What?

$200 an hour.

You know what?

See, I don't trust anybody that charges

like a prostitute, Ella.

And how do you know much a prostitute charges?

You're gonna really straight up ask me that question?

Curtis, how? No, no.

Don't answer. - No.

I-- I understand, baby.

You want to forget the past.

Go on, forget it.

Forget your past, baby.

But you know every time you pass a corner you jump.

And you married it.

Hey.

They said you can't, but I did.

Who said it?

Mr. Gardner.

Hi, I'm Ella Payne.

Come on in.

That's my husband, Curtis Payne.

Well, it's nice to meet you both.

Hey, good to meet you.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

ELLA: Curtis-- yes.

They're right--

You can start the clock now.

And you got 15 minutes.

So, when we got there, he wasn't

there because she checked him out without my knowledge.

And she left me a crazy message, which I saved, by the way.

So what do you think?

Yeah?

It's not good.

Oh.

You know, custody battles never are, OK?

Well, do you think we have a chance?

Yes.

I'm on your side.

Look, I specialize in paternal rights.

Now, the system is skewed towards the mother no doubt,

but they do their best to try to even it out.

I-- I just want to be in my son's life.

And I can't win cases based only on passion.

You're going up against a woman that is very determined

with a lot of resources.

And we're ready to fight.

Yeah.

Great.

I will make this as painless for you two as possible.

OK, so how do we get started?

Yeah.

Look over this.

That's the contract, and I'll need a $3,000 retainer.

Um, uh, does that cover everything?

No, that just covers me being your attorney.

Oh.

Well, will we need much more?

You're going to need a little more.

Uh, listen.

There's going to be depositions, declarations, discovery.

It's not going to be that bad.

We'll get through it.

I'm not giving up on my son, no matter how much it costs.

Uh, could you excuse us for a moment, please, maybe?

Certainly.

Thank you.

Baby, how are we gonna pay for this?

We'll find the money somehow.

[doorbell ringing]

Oh, baby, baby.

That must be the police.

Hey, come in.

Hi.

CALVIN: Calvin Payne.

Officer Walker.

And this is my wife, Miranda Payne.

- Hi, how are you? - Ma'am.

- And those are my parents. - Folks.

Hello, sir.

Evening, officer.

Hey, you were, uh--

you were the fire chief.

How are you doing, Chief Payne?

I'm good. I'm good.

Man, the city hasn't been the same without you.

That's funny you say that.

[inaudible] baby.

You know, we were just talking about that the other day.

As a matter of fact, they was talking about how the-- all the

plans that I implemented. - Excuse me.

- They're still using them. - Excuse me.

Excuse me.

We're in the middle of a custody battle

with the mother of my child.

Right.

And she's taken him, and we don't know where he is.

Uh, what's, um-- what's your son's name?

Calvin Payne Jr.

And his mother?

Tracie Evans.

Now, this will also launch a police investigation

into your ex wife.

They were never married.

OK.

Uh, I just need you to understand

that this cannot be undone.

Call it in.

OK.

Just, uh, give me a second.

I'm gonna go out to the car and put this in the database.

Right. OK.

All right.

You take all the time you need, officer.

We'll be right here.

We'll be right here.

CALVIN: Pop.

[inaudible] he's missing.

- Good. - Missing.

It's about time you start thinking about the baby.

Missing-- thank you.

Can you believe that?

They miss me.

They actually miss me.

I told 'em!

[inaudible] baby, I'm telling you,

when I first came in the force, I put it to 'em.

I made sure there was a fire truck in every neighborhood.

Curtis.

To this day, they try to live up to that,

and they still can't do it.

ELLA: Curtis.

They need me.

OK, listen, listen, listen.

They are gonna find Calvin Jr, baby,

and they are gonna bring him back.

Don't worry.

Miranda is right.

We just need to stay positive and let

the authorities handle it.

They really miss me.

Yeah, well when they find him, I promise I'm never letting him

out of my sight again. - Here he comes.

Here he comes.

[knocking]

Mr. Payne, I can't file this report.

What?

Why?

I checked the database, and, uh,

Tracie Evans has obtained a temporary restraining

order against you.

You can't come within 1,000 feet of your son,

and, uh, you can't come within 5,000 feet.

Calvin, you want something to eat?

No, I'm not hungry.

Son, you need to eat something.

OK.

No, I left you a piece in the kitchen.

Listen, baby, I just spoke with Tracie's mother.

OK, well, what did she say?

Is Calvin Jr. all right?

Where is he?

OK, wait, wait, wait, baby.

She wouldn't tell me where he is,

but she did tell me that Calvin Jr. is fine.

Good.

I can't believe she took a restraining order out on me.

Mom, she's trying to hurt me.

Calvin.

No, what did I ever do to her?

Calvin, once the restraining order goes before the judge,

they're gonna drop it.

She's ruining my life.

I'm missing work, and now I can't see my son.

Curtis.

Handle this.

I'm gonna check on Miranda and the baby.

Calvin, come sit down.

Come on.

Pop, I feel helpless.

I know I know.

Look, at least you know Calvin Jr. is OK.

That's what matters right now.

And you know whatever you need, we got you.

I need money for the lawyer.

I know.

Look that way.

Secret stash.

Look over there.

I'm gonna need that back 5% quarterly.

Just trying to lighten the moment.

Thank you.

Annually.

Don't tell your mama.

Don't tell your mama what?

Father, son business.

Father, son business.

Stay out of it.

I'm going to the kitchen.

All this drama is making me hungry.

Oh, it's the drama that's making you hungry, baby?

Right.

Calvin, come on.

You know my speech.

We are family, and I will do everything I can for you.

I have something here for you.

This is my secret stash.

I know your daddy never gonna check in the Bible.

[inaudible] it's in Jeremiah.

There it is.

OK.

- Mom, thanks, but-- - Wait, wait.

Wait, wait, wait.

Did your daddy just give you a check?

Mm-hm.

Let me see it.

That's what he told you not to tell me about.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Give me that check.

Yes.

Why is it wet?

Hold this.

OK, and 0, 3, 1, 9, 2, 9, 4.

Thank you.

I'm gonna put this in here.

He'll never check.

I have been trying to get this account number for years.

Sorry.

I had to put the baby down for his nap.

Well, Ms. Evans has filed her first motion.

Don't think a thing of it.

This is standard operating procedure.

What does this mean?

It means she's accusing you of child

neglect and child endangerment.

CALVIN: Wait, what?

She is so vindictive.

I can't believe she did that.

I need to prepare you two for what

it's gonna be like when we go to court, OK?

Sure.

Please, Calvin, take a seat.

Mr. Payne, how much do you make a year?

About $30,000.

And how many people do you support?

My family.

You support your wife and your newborn child, yes?

Yes, that's right.

How are your finances?

I mean, they're tight, but we're making it.

Do you have a bank account and a college

fund set up for Calvin Jr?

No, but--

Do you have a savings account in case,

god forbid, something happened, and you need a cushion?

No.

Yet you want to bring another child into your house?

It's my son.

Where were you the night your second child was born?

Please answer the question.

Jail, but I--

No further questions.

But I was--

No further questions.

Ms. Payne, your turn.

Oh, he's not gonna get me like that.

Ms. Payne, how are you dealing with your newborn son?

I'm fine. He's fine.

We're all fine.

Really?

Yes.

You know, a lot of women would say they're tired.

They're exhausted.

They're worn out, but you're fine.

I mean, it's--

it's challenging, but I'm handling it.

You're handling it so well that you went home.

You sat down on the couch.

You fell asleep, and when you woke up,

your condo was burning to the ground.

CALVIN: Hey, hey, hey.

OK, you know what?

That was not how it happened.

Have you ever been in jail?

What is--

Will you please answer the question?

Yes, but--

No further questions.

No, that's not fair.

You're not giving us a chance to explain.

You're right, and that's exactly how it's gonna happen

when we go into the court.

CJ, we really appreciate this.

Yo, no problem, man.

Whatever you need.

You know, family's got to stick together

during times like-- wow.

Look at that.

More bags, huh?

This is stuff I got from my mom's.

Um, Calvin, did you get my bags?

Yeah, I'm about to get them. MIRANDA: OK.

Hey, it looks like you don't need my help, so.

Wait a minute, Calvin.

CJ, go get her bags.

Come on, baby.

So, uh, what burned up?

CJ.

OK, so what did the lawyer say?

He said we're in for a fight, and it could get expensive.

I'll just take these on upstairs to the guest room.

Oh, well, wait. Can we stay in the basement?

Because it's a little cooler.

Well, I mean, we've already got

the guest room made up for you.

Oh, well, then we can stay upstairs.

You sure?

Well, actually, no.

Baby, the basement's actually better.

Can you take it downstairs?

Are you sure?

Yeah.

CALVIN: Hey, hey, thanks, CJ.

MIRANDA: Thank you.

Anything for family!

If there's anything you need from us, just let us know,

all right?

Our house is-- [crashing]

What was that?

CJ: Nothing!

I tripped, and everything should be good downstairs.

Yo, we'll be gone in a week.

The insurance company said they'll have

our temporary housing soon.

Listen, you can stay as long as you need.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Thank you. You'll never know we were here.

Cool.

Who put the breast milk in the beer compartment?

Um, I did.

It's the coldest place in the refrigerator,

so I put the beer on the bottom shelf.

Oh, baby, look over there by my-- my leftover,

um, crab meat enchiladas.

Oh, no.

I had threw those out.

Come again?

They smelled horrible.

You threw out my [inaudible].

Anything for family, baby.

Anything for family.

Look, look, we'll buy you more enchiladas and beer.

Whatever you need. It's the least we can do.

I was just really looking forward to those enchiladas.

Oh, what-- what did you say?

I said anything for family is great.

We're blessed our family is OK, son.

You're real quiet over there, cuz.

What are you looking at?

It's a picture of Junior.

Man, this is wrong, man.

She's somewhere with my son, and I'm here feeling helpless.

I'm gonna go get them.

No, no, no.

Hey, man.

- Let me, go, CJ. - No.

CJ, let me go.

Calvin, what, do you like being in jail?

No!

Then why are you trying to go back?

Because it's my son!

What would you do in this situation?

Huh?

I'm supposed to just let her take my son.

- No, I'm going. - Calvin.

No.

Don't-- let me go, CJ!

Pop, what am I supposed to do?

Do the right thing!

I'm tired of doing the right thing.

Welcome to manhood, Calvin.

Lord, please watch over my son and bring him back to me.

Please.

[music playing]