Original subtitles

-[phone buzzing] -But if there is a chance

in a million that the inheritance is legit,

and you have money coming your way,

why not answer that call?

Hmm. Everybody who knows me

and needs me is in this room, all right?

Bad news and bill collectors is all that's looking for Leslie.

Mm.

[laughs]

Huh.

You know, I used to think you were fearless,

but you're scared of a phone.

-I am not. -Mm.

-[phone buzzing] -Oh. -Oh.

Okay, Miss Einstein, mm-hmm,

since you, um, you want proof,

I will give you proof, okay?

Hello.

MAN: Leslie Thomas?

This is.

We've been trying to contact you for some time.

Well, I guess today's my lucky day.

I'm looking at your account, and here's my proposal.

He wants to ask me to the ball.

A payment of $10,000 today

would significantly reduce your outstanding balance, and...

You owe over $10,000?

Yeah, well, debt is nothing but a number, honey.

And it'll get paid.

Oh, with no job, no prospects.

Amazing what a winning smile

and the right DNA can accomplish.

You mean me getting Ted to cut you another check?

That's the ticket.

[humming]

That's the ticket, baby. Ooh!

That's the ticket.

Son of a...

Please stop this before it goes any further.

Matter of fact, I'm surprised

you've allowed things to come to this.

Good evening, Ted.

What's the problem?

Nicole filed for divorce. I just got the papers.

Sorry to hear that.

Did you know about this?

First we're hearing.

ANITA: I'm not sure

what you expect us to do.

We're not the ones you should be speaking with.

She is.

? ?

You need anything, June?

Maybe a minute to acclimate.

Being in a new environment?

About to meet my children.

I never dreamed this day would come.

My dreams don't come true, so this is bound to be a disaster.

Hey, look at me.

Take a breath. It's going to be okay.

[June exhales]

-They don't want to meet me. -They asked to meet you.

Because they don't know me yet.

Not... this way.

And someone was nice enough to raise them polite.

That's manners.

Proud of 'em already.

They're real good kids.

Nice house. Good neighborhood?

I'm a past they should forget.

Don't say that.

Nobody is thinking that.

I'll see it in their eyes.

They'll take one look at me, and I'll see the shame.

I know that look real good.

Any tale they told themselves about who I might be?

That'll all be dead the second they see the skin I'm living in.

I can't do this.

They'll be disappointed.

It's better to break their hearts

while I'm still a mystery

than to crush them while they're right in front of me.

No, ma'am, I won't do that.

Not to my heart or theirs.

Got to do what's right,

even though they're not my babies anymore.

But we've come this far, June.

I can't.

Let's admit, you've made some bad choices.

I'm not about to let you make another one.

I have a plan.

Naomi said that she would bring June over

as soon as she finishes.

Finishes what?

We're not sure, but it gives you time,

time to change your minds

if you're having second thoughts.

Your dad and I know

that all of this is coming out of left field.

Completely unexpected.

And no one saw this coming.

And this won't be easy for any of us,

especially now that everything is unsettled.

But...

we will make it through.

Call us when she gets here?

I still can't believe the kids agreed to meet that woman.

That woman is their...

The woman who gave birth to them.

And then abandoned them.

Aah. I shouldn't have said that.

Forgive me.

Who am I, company?

I know you, and I know you don't mean any of it.

It's been a long day.

Including the part where Samantha tricked me

into coming for dinner,

and you had no idea that you invited me.

It's a damn good thing she did.

Right.

I'm happy

that you're here.

Telling the story

about how Naomi dropped the bomb

in finding the kids' birth mother

would have lost some of its shine in the retelling.

Hey, don't censor yourself. What is it?

If I hadn't been here,

you still would have told me, right?

Of course I would have told you about June.

Those kids are ours.

And June's.

But...

we have full custody.

Then why do I feel like we could lose them?

Probably because I felt like I've already lost you.

And I'm not looking for answers.

I'll bring it up in therapy.

I'm sorry. Did you just say...

It's new, but it feels restorative.

It's with my mother.

That's good.

No, she's... she's good.

Maybe you can finally talk about what happened that night.

That, and I want to be a better man

than the man you married.

That's...

Thank you.

You do look more relaxed.

Thanks.

Temporary truce?

It's a start.

-Better? -Definitely.

-Me? Terrified. -I'm just as scared.

You're better at hiding it.

It hurts to remember what I wanted to forget about her.

I remember she would tell us these complicated stories

about whatever she was watching on TV.

Always knew what was going to happen next.

Too bad she couldn't predict

when we were going to be taken away.

What do you remember?

I remember her leaving us alone to watch after each other.

Being so scared that I thought she'd never come back,

and we'd be alone forever.

It's not like she didn't care. She had a problem.

She didn't have a problem with the drugs.

We were her problem.

She loved them way more than us.

That's not true.

You don't remember that night she went to get us dinner,

came home hours later, no food or money,

so high she didn't even know how she got there?

That's the mother I remember.

You were right about my choices,

but I can't go back.

If you could?

There was one night things could have been different.

Money in my pocket.

It was going to change the landscape.

Pay bills, buy groceries,

a toy or two.

Never a manicure.

You'll have the softest hands in town.

When I reach out to touch them

for the first time all over again?

No rough spots.

My life since them has been full of rough.

Tell me what happened that last night.

Went out for groceries, came back high.

The kids were usually asleep

by the time I made it across the threshold,

but not that night.

I guess the hunger got too bad, couldn't sleep.

The girl saw.

What's she call herself?

Samantha.

"Cecile" back then.

Such a sad, scared look in her face,

and I knew what she was seeing.

Monster Mama.

Broke something inside of me.

And I knew the best life

that I could give them was a life without me in it.

It must have been a really difficult decision.

Oh, to forget all over again.

But you're doing good now,

been clean for months.

Otherwise, this meeting wouldn't have happened.

I don't want nobody like the old me around those babies.

I had to give 'em up.

This is the way I used to do with Cecile.

Their skin used to glow so sweet after a bath.

It's been a minute since you've treated yourself,

too, hasn't it?

Those memories come back with thorns.

The look in Cecile's eyes.

Little Ronald- all he wanted was love.

The most perfect,

beautiful part of me.

-You ready? -Nope.

No, I don't want to scare 'em.

You want to take a look?

Ah...

What do you think?

-Now that's somebody's mother. -[chuckles softly]

If you'd prefer to go elsewhere?

No, Ted and I work together, so we're cool.

We had breakfast just the other day.

I think tonight might be different.

And why do you say that?

He just got served.

Oh.

Time to move on.

Well, I hope I didn't have anything to do with that.

In a way, you did.

If you'll excuse me.

Sit, Ted.

Sit.

She's made a decision, Ted.

This is it.

We were finding our way back to each other.

Is this what you want for your legacy?

Two divorced daughters who've never...

Bound their lives to men

who don't believe in the sanctity of marriage?

Who weren't worthy of them?

Is that a conversation you want to have, Ted?

'Cause I'm available.

Nicole is slipping through your fingers, Ted,

and there's nothing you can do about it.

[both laughing]

The past few months have been

very trying on every front.

I felt betrayed, ignored, denied.

Feasted on bitterness and regret.

You start expecting it,

and you get used to the darkness.

Hmm. It's dangerous territory.

But breakfast with you took me out of that place.

I felt alive again.

I wasn't dissecting problems,

or looking for faults in my family or myself.

Being with you was a much-needed reminder

that there are things out there that I have been missing,

that I've been denying myself.

And I want that back.

And you deserve it.

If you want to fix your marriage, fight for her.

TED: I have.

I've apologized, sent flowers,

-hundreds of cards. -Cards.

To save a decades-long marriage

to a woman who was too good for you to begin with?

You put less effort into saving your marriage

than you did into building a relationship

with the child who tried to destroy it.

? ?

I am not asking Ted for more money.

Someone is jumping through hoops to find you

and Invincible Leslie Thomas is terrified

of a voice on the phone.

Well, whatever is hounding me down

can keep on stepping, okay?

Everybody who is family to me is either dead or dead to me.

And no good can come from that letter.

You're all I got.

So I guess you are just going to have to be enough.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I love you, too.

Bequests from wealthy, dead relatives are

for spoiled little rich girls,

not survivors who had to fight.

Let your guard down, okay?

Life is actually not that bad here.

You've been affected

by that blue blood in Fairmont Crest.

You can afford to live in fantasyland

now that I've connected you to your roots.

But I have to scrape by

in that cold, cruel world out there,

where you used to live.

[humming]

You are incredibly sexy.

If there's something you want to try or never try again,

I just want to make you happy.

-And there are positions. -Stop. If...

If you really want to make me happy,

you'll stop asking questions.

You're right.

Wait. What's going on?

You're a tough one, but I'm going to figure you out.

You're leaving?

Wait. Are-are you mad at me?

Not at all.

I like a challenge.

And we are too good together to not be together.

And I promise you,

once I find the right combination

of you and me,

and the right atmosphere,

there's no way you'll let me walk out that door.

Well, I... look forward to that.

Are you sure we're cool?

Prepare yourself.

Because I'm going to sweep you off your feet.

-Looking good. -Thanks.

Are we sure we're doing the right thing?

Why start now?

-[knocking] -Too late now.

Are we good?

Let's do this.

Dad?

-[door closes] -NAOMI: Hi, guys.

Um, I want you to meet someone.

Ronald...

and Cecile?

Uh, um, hi. It's nice to meet you. Um,

I'm Samantha.

Tyrell.

Uh, let me guess.

You must be Martin?

Correct. Pop.

Pop. Okay.

And so that must make you...

Their dad.

You can call me Smitty.

Shall we sit?

What a nice home you have here.

Thank you. Yeah.

I can't stop myself from staring.

You're all grown up.

I've missed... everything.

Not everything, I'm sure.

I guess you're too big for stuffed animals?

You should have seen the way

she took care of those teddy bears and dog babies.

A lot of time has passed since then.

True.

You're different people now. I see that.

What about you, little man?

Let me guess.

Math and science?

Tyrell is in Advanced Placement Calculus.

You don't say.

You hear that?

Advanced Placement in math?

I don't know where you get it from,

but I'm grateful for the gift.

NAOMI: You know, Samantha's just

as brilliant as her brother.

I don't know if I'm allowed to say this.

-I think it's still top secret. -SAMANTHA: Oh, about

-the purse line? -NAOMI: Yeah.

It's okay. You can tell.

So Samantha's cousin is launching a purse line,

and Samantha is the spokesmodel.

She'll be all over social media, in stores and videos.

Isn't that something?

The public is going to love you, baby girl.

You've done an incredible job.

It's the hardest thing I'd done, giving them up.

But this?

This is the life that I wanted for them...

when I made that call.

It's the only pipe dream I've ever had that's come true.

I wanted more for you than what I could give.

You understand that, don't you?

I never would have been able to give you the things

you have here with your Dad and your Pops.

But we didn't want anything fancy.

We only wanted you.

TYRELL: Always wondering

when our mom was going to come home.

But you were gone.

Always gone or locked in your room.

All we wanted was a hand to hold.

For you to tell us that everything was going to be okay.

-And... -Tyrell.

And it wasn't okay.

Nothing was.

Thank God we met Dad and Pop.

We weren't invisible to them,

or else we would have been stuck in the system.

Baby...

...I am so sorry that I hurt you.

I stopped being a baby the day you left us.

I don't have a mother.

That isn't true.

I'm here... now.

Well, what about then?

When we needed you?

When you were out on the street,

leaving us with an aunt, or whatever friend

that you found at the corner store?

And then after you left us

to be swallowed up by the system...

did you ever even wonder what happened to us?

Now you're supposed to be making sweet, sweet love with Tomas.

-We went dancing. -Mm.

That was supposed to be like a vertical expression

of a horizontal desire.

Low-key foreplay, right?

I am not wrong about that.

You would think a man who dances the way he does,

that would easily translate

to horizontal hijinks of the highest order.

You said he's the king of charisma.

Well, he's a bore in the bedroom.

Oh, no. It couldn't have been as bad as the first time.

No, it was worse

because now he knows that I kind of wasn't into it.

Oh, my God, no.

We've waited so long to get to this point,

and we're finally here,

and I hate the view. Help.

What do you want me to do?

Well, you know relationship stuff.

How long do I have till he gets tired of it

and leaves me for someone who knows what they want?

This is a surprise.

Yeah, I'm surprised they're even open.

There was some kind of dance class here.

Did you...

Yup, salsa class.

-Oh. -What you been up to?

Yet another discussion

with my mother about her money mess.

The possible inheritance?

If she could just return a simple phone call,

it could definitely improve the quality of my life,

where adulting includes

supporting my able-bodied mother.

I get it. I send money back to PR every month.

Wow. That's so sweet of you.

But I'm pretty sure

our situations are completely different.

My family works hard,

but they still can't make quite enough money to make ends meet.

I'm lucky, I don't need much.

Mm.

Bet they have a picture of you back home

with flowers all around it and little candles.

You're such a saint.

[chuckles] Very funny.

Every Friday night is Saint Tomas night

at the salsa club.

[humming]

-[speaking Spanish] -Eh...

Must have been fun tonight.

Is Kat a good dancer?

She is...

trying very hard.

-Mm. -Best foot forward.

Well, I'm surprised you're here without her.

Frankly, so am I.

-Hmm. -Hmm.

Hope you brought the extra plum sauce.

Oh, my sweet baby Jesus, no.

This is not happening.

-What the actual? -Mm. Rude and loud as always.

No improvement.

How the hell did you find me?

You thought you could outrun me? [chuckles]

You got older.

Didn't slow me down.

You got meaner.

Hmm.

So then you'll actually understand when I ask.

What the hell are you doing here?

Oh, you think I wanted to come?

They told me how you've been ignoring

all those phone calls and letters.

Lord, typical Dana. Trouble.

And after all these years,

I thought you would have mellowed.

Wait. Rewind.

-You're the one who's been hounding me down? -Oh.

Paid a special agent to find you.

Would have paid twice the price

to keep from seeing my...

heartless... thankless...

daughter.

It's hard to see this.

It was hard to live through.

I lost the apartment.

Small wonder.

I lived where I could.

I got mixed up with the wrong people,

got deeper into drugs.

Lost everything,

including my memory.

[inhales]

I blamed it on the drugs,

but I just think I couldn't handle what I did.

Why you weren't with me anymore.

And after a while, I couldn't

remember much of anything at all.

But...

But I had this.

A picture of two angels.

And they were my everything.

The faces are worn from...

from me touching it all the time.

But I can still see those smiles with my heart.

Uplifted me,

gave me hope.

Couple of weeks back, the city came through

and moved people off the street,

carted away their belongings,

Took my picture.

It was awful.

And we looked everywhere.

Sent Jacob out to see what he could do.

Miracle of miracles, he found it.

That's amazing.

So you're saying you lost us to the system,

and then you lost a reminder of us

when they were cleaning up on the streets?

Goes to show

-you're actually... -Tyrell!

She forgot us!

Okay, well, maybe that's not the whole story.

Right?

How did you remember?

You see, I got real sick,

and they had to cure my heart.

So I had to stop doing the things

that I was doing that got me in a bad situation.

You understand, don't you?

We think we do.

And then things started coming back to me.

Memories.

And Naomi brought me my sister Regina.

And Regina brought me a box of things I kept.

Important things.

And one of those things was a letter

that I wrote about you.

And how I wanted you to have a better life.

NAOMI: Jacob and I

put the pieces together.

Now, I realize...

this was a closed adoption,

and none of us were expecting something like this.

It... does my heart good

to see how you've turned out.

Such a gorgeous group.

Make a beautiful family photo.

You think you might have room in that photo?

For me?

Carlton, you mind if I have a minute

with my wife... alone?

It is up to you.

I'll do whatever you want.

It's wonderful of you to ask,

but this will only take a minute.

I will go order us another round of drinks.

This about the paperwork?

It's more than the papers.

It's the end of our marriage, Nicole.

Thanks to your mistress and secret love child,

our marriage ended the night of our anniversary.

The papers just make it official.

Nicole, we can still

work our way towards something good again.

I am working my way towards being happy

without you.

With Carlton?

Move on, Ted.

Huh. Feels remarkable.

While it's been interesting to meet you.

I'm not sure...

I think what my husband is trying to say is,

whether we make plans for the future is something

the four of us have to discuss privately,

as a family.

I understand.

Take your time.

Excuse me.

I have to study.

He's always studying.

It's nice to meet you.

Bye.

Uh, my manners.

It's...

-Thank you. -It's all right.

I... I know this was a lot,

but it has meant more to me than you know.

Let me get you home.

Thanks again, you guys. We'll see ourselves out.

Well, that could have gone worse.

[door closes]

I think it's best if I move back home.

Looked better than the last time.

You remember what life was like before Pop and Dad?

How scared we were?

Not knowing if we get to stay together?

Some.

I remember.

They loved us on sight.

That day, they asked us if we wanted to live with them

and be happy together forever?

That day was the best day of our lives

because I knew we were going to be safe.

We didn't even know what safe was

until they found us.

Two parents who kept their promises.

Treat us like we're wanted and valued.

All I'm saying

is that this family raised us

to be the kind of people that June needs

in her life right now.

Maybe you and Tomas are just better off as friends?

-Or maybe you're... -I am not gay.

Good. Less competition.

What about ace?

Are you asexual?

Not even.

I want sex. I just...

I don't know.

Tomas is convinced he's going

to figure out a way to drive me wild.

Sexual experimentation is fun.

Okay, but what if I'm on permanent pause

from waiting too long,

and I'll never get started again?

Ugh.

I could be broken forever.

Did something happen when you went dancing?

I know what I'm doing on the dance floor.

I've danced all night. Dips, flips.

I've got moves that'll make you scream.

You've been dancing for years.

It could be scary learning a new dance.

You're right. Huh.

Maybe there is hope for us after all.

It makes sense now.

God, it's crazy how you just get me.

Crazy.

You better get out of here with that mess.

I was the only mother you had, and I was good at it, too.

And how did you repay me?

Trying to steal that man?

Hey, I did you a favor, okay?

'Cause that man was no good, all right?

I brought his darkness into the light.

Seduced a man to save a life.

Hmm. Maybe you do deserve a medal.

Ought to thank me because you were too good for him.

Now if you're finished blaming me,

I need you to go on over there and sit down

so I can get a good look at you.

-Been ages. -Mm-hmm.

LESLIE: Yes, it has.

It's good to see a familiar face, Peaches.

Oh. These people here?

Ooh. They've been grinding me down.

It's like everybody is shutting me out.

But at least I've got you again,

-sour as you are. -[laughs softly]

Well, maybe it's a blessing you wouldn't take those calls.

-Why is that? -I needed to see your face, too.

One last time.

What are you talking about, "one last time"?

Baby...

I'm dying.

But somebody up there must like me,

for them to turn out so good.

Must have been a little disappointing.

They're not ready to let you back into their lives.

They have every right to turn their back on me.

But I believe in fate.

I know I'll see them again.

If you think I'm using June's arrival

to try to force a reconciliation...

Yeah, you'd never.

I want to be here for the kids.

They need us.

-Martin, I... -[footsteps approaching]

Pop, good. You are still here.

Hey, what's up?

We've made up our minds.

About seeing June again.

Oh, no, no.

There has to be some kind of mistake.

You're too young.

My body doesn't give a damn.

It is wearing out on me.

Peaches, I'm... I'm sorry.

I don't even know what to say.

Something finally shut that mouth up of yours? [laughs]

Oh, I wish I had known that years ago. Oh.

You can't go, not now.

God knows... I need you.

I finally get to do things right.

Tie up all the loose ends.

You're the biggest one.

I don't want to leave you

alone in the world.

Then don't.

It's time I told you who your mother is.

Think we were too hard on him?

Broke our daughter's heart.

No punishment is severe enough.

Here comes the cavalry.

Nicole, I'd like to have a word, if I may?

We were in the middle of a conversation.

And Nicole was in the middle of dinner.

Good night, Ted.

You heard about the divorce?

I'm sorry it has come to this.

But all I ever want is your happiness.

Me, too.

It'll come again.

I raised strong, independent women.

Not too independent to thank you for coming to my rescue.

I will always be there for my children.

It's what a parent does.

That instinct to protect?

It never goes away. Not ever.

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