Original subtitles

We were getting ready to celebrate Granddaddy Clisby's 75th birthday.

The man had seen it all. He lived through two world wars, the Great

and the invention of airplanes and television.

But all that really meant was that Granddaddy had 75 years of things to

about.

He's going to hate it all.

Bill, it's going to be fine.

He won't...

What I do know is that he's gonna love his gift. Can't go wrong with new

poles. My dad was determined to give granddaddy Clisby a great birthday. And

was determined to show him that he could count on me to help.

He's here.

They're here. Uh, places everyone.

Y 'all waiting on Jesus?

Kim, we rehearsed this. The surprise is coming from over here.

If you want to surprise me, Comb your hair. Quit with all that grumbling.

They just wanted to show you how much they appreciate you, honey. Well, they

save it for my funeral.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy. Who is that? We didn't rehearse it.

Surprise. Uncle Melvin.

He was dad's older and very successful brother who didn't come around much. But

when he did, dad was different.

Happy birthday, dad.

Melvin, get on over here.

Granddaddy Clisby hadn't hugged my dad since his wedding.

I thought you were just going to call like you always do. Are you kidding me?

There's no way I was going to miss my dad's 75th birthday.

We were on a father -daughter college tour for Cassie, and I made sure we were

able to work it around the celebration of the century.

Lord knows I'm used to siblings that push you out of your element. But I

used to seeing my dad have his own kryptonite in the family.

Now, that's how you surprise somebody.

Now we got ourselves a party.

Where's that cake?

Williams Insurance.

Where you can be sure.

That's a good look for a family name.

Yes, yes, yes.

Oh, man. Well, enough about me.

Finally. Let's talk about my brilliant daughter.

Do you all know that she got into five colleges already?

Go ahead. Tell them, Mommy. Tell them.

I got into five colleges.

Tell them about all the scholarships.

Dad. Cass, let's go hang out in my room.

It's time for guests.

Yes. That's a great idea.

Now, it's hard picking the right thing for someone like you, Dad, but... Oh,

wow.

I can't wait to take this

down to old man Johnson's lake and try this out.

Thank you.

Oh, sounds like my present got here just in time.

I hope you like it, Dad. I wasn't quite sure about the color.

Oh, a car?

For me?

Hey, let's try it out, Dad.

I told you Dad's not allowed to drive anymore. What's all these buttons?

Hey, Dad, let me drive you around so I can show you how it all works.

See, I got it all under control.

This is the greatest gift of my life.

Thank you.

The fishing poles were nice, too. That was the whole gift, right?

I was just checking in case a boat came with it or something.

No?

But you have a thing for Jason

in your life. I don't like those getting pretty serious.

It's complicated.

Anyway, I want to hear about Kwame.

How is your militant squeeze?

Don't even get me started.

Thank the Lord I finally got over him. Well, let me tell you, he was so good.

Girl, look what I found.

This picture from when the two of you were little and Cassie stayed with us.

That's when you started calling each other sister -cousin.

Yeah, we were cute.

But now look at the two of you, going off to college so soon.

I guess you don't want me doing your hair anymore.

No, Mom, again.

But I was going to ask Cassie if she wanted to go to a pool party at Alice's

house later.

You two have fun.

Well, I don't have a bathing suit.

You can borrow one of mine. I'm sure we're still the same size.

Actually, I think I'd like to stay here and catch up with Aunt Lillian.

Really? Yeah.

I'd love to talk to you about pledging Tal Omega Epsilon.

I'm thinking about pledging myself next year.

Really? Kim has made it very clear that she has no interest in following in my

footsteps. Well, y 'all go with that.

Before you go, I want to see the swimsuit you're going to be wearing.

Now show me the one in your purse you're going to change into when you get

there.

Oh, you can look, but do not touch.

We ain't going dressed like that.

Well, I figured Dad might get a kick out of driving his new wheels to his

favorite juke joint down by the river. I stopped Clisby from going there ever

since the fight broke out over a card game.

And he came home smelling like Birmingham.

I'll look after him, Mama.

No, I'll look after him. Because that's how I worked the 364 days you're not

here for his birthday.

He's not going down there drinking. See, see, that's what I've been trying to

tell you. You've been treating me like I was some child.

You literally lost your lunch money down there last time. But I'm treating you

like a child.

Come on, Bill, let the man have some fun. He can be like you when he gets

If he wants to go out, we can go to the jazz club on Cherry Street instead.

I know a few fellas playing tonight, so I can get us a good table near the

front.

You know, sitting closer to something boring doesn't make it less boring.

fine. But I am not wasting my good shirt on jazz.

You haven't been in a while, so you wouldn't know this, but Dad's going to

appreciate good music.

If you start clapping in the middle, they'll stop playing.

Hey, Bill.

Joe.

I know the band would love to have you sit in with them for a number. Well, I

guess I could do one song.

Being ditched made my dad feel bad.

But not half as bad when he realized they hadn't paid the tab.

Oh, I was the tail dog, which means I got to bring up the end of the line. You

are looking at the best stepper to cross.

That's spring.

What? Am I doing it wrong? Yes.

And that is not for you.

That is only for the young ladies who cross the burning sands.

It would be so nice to have someone to pass all this down to.

Kim,

I didn't see you there.

I was just showing Cassie some steps from my probate show.

Join us.

Oh, no, no. I'd hate to ruin all the fun you're having.

I'll just go to my room.

What's this for?

For people who ask too many questions.

You are on the street, Dad.

I can't believe you left in the middle of my seat.

That was just the middle.

Melvin, this is exactly what Mama told us not to do. Bill, it's our dad's

birthday. Let the man have some fun. The last time he came here, he slept for

three days straight. And as happy as Mama was, by day two, she was worried.

Hey, fellas.

Billy, it's only one night, man. That's the point. You're only here for one

night. I've been taking care of him for years. Oh, here we go again.

Hey, hey, hey.

Y 'all need to take this outside.

Someone complaining is y 'all bringing a drink down.

Who's complaining?

The man in the hat.

Kathy said she let her English

teacher go over her application essays.

I think it's a good tip for you. Sorry, I'm not as perfect as Kathy.

Well, she did get into five colleges.

Was there something that you ate?

On the road?

Well, your Uncle Bill should have your father home soon. No.

Please don't tell him. But if you're sick, I think your dad needs to know.

Aunt Lillian, you can't tell my parents.

Cassie, honey.

Are you pregnant?

I'll take that as a yes.

This should settle your stomach.

So how long has it been since you had your monthly visitor?

You can say period, Mom.

I don't know how it happened.

I peed after sex like I was supposed to.

Oh, child.

Five colleges, huh?

You're going to have to tell your parents eventually.

Well, maybe not. There are other options.

Kim, stop.

She is not a white girl in Minnesota. This is Alabama.

Have you thought about what you're going to do? Yes, of course.

I'm going to do what I always was going to do.

I'm going to finish high school, and I'm going to go to college next year, and

I'm going to major in biology.

Please, please don't tell my dad.

He will kill me.

I won't say anything.

If you promise to tell your parents yourself, I'm sure they'll be more

understanding than you think.

Oh, please. Like you'd be so understanding if it were me.

Kim, hush.

Cassie, why don't you sleep on it?

We'll talk about it tomorrow.

We'll come up with a plan.

You got something you want to say to me? Yeah.

I got something to say, but you don't want to hear. No, go ahead. Try me.

start with you showing up unannounced after I spent the last month planning

Daddy's party. Oh, I didn't think I needed to announce myself to my family.

announce everything else.

You're always bragging about your job, your house, your daughter. Come on,

it. You're just jealous that I got Dad a car and you didn't. It ain't about

that. It's not? It's about everything.

I'm tired of being the one doing all the work and you getting all the glory.

Come on, just stop it with the pity party, Billy.

Making it sound like you were left to do all the work. You had every opportunity

to leave like I did, but you were too damn afraid and I wasn't.

No.

You were afraid to stay.

Because you couldn't handle the hard stuff.

No hard conversations, no hard decisions.

Didn't want anybody to see you for the sorry joke that you are.

What was that?

I can handle whatever.

I've got the keys. I'm driving him.

Oh! Oh, you want the keys, Billy?

You want the keys? Take them. Know what, Melvin?

We too old for this. Oh, too slow, Joe.

That's what I think about that stupid car that nobody needs. You threw my keys

in the river. Well? You still petty. Well? So damn petty.

Oh. That's where I get it from.

Hey, hey, hey!

We gotta get out of here fast!

Get the keys! Get the car! Yeah!

Y 'all come on in here and eat now.

Come on, now. Right now.

I've been here since 6 this morning. Are we going fishing or not?

Why don't you have Melvin take you in that fancy car?

Since he's never here.

Well, I think you should go with Bill.

Since Dad can't seem to do anything without you. Would you boys stop

You're ruining my birthday celebration.

Do you remember what we made the boys do when they were little?

And couldn't get along.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Come on. Bill, Melvin, we're waiting.

You can't be serious. We're not kids anymore.

Hold it.

Well, Bill probably doesn't even remember the words.

And I remember better than you.

Yeah, well, we'll see.

I used to start with, like the wallpaper sticks to the wall. No, I went first.

No, I believe the oldest went first.

Fine, whatever you say.

I did the jazz hands.

Then you came in. Yeah, you would say that. Then I sing what's supposed to be

your part.

If you're going to sing what's supposed to be my line, at least get it right.

Fine. Fine.

Like you'll never get rid of your shadow, Millie. You'll never get rid of

Let all the others fight and fuss.

Whatever happens, we...

I like to see.

Hey, well,

I've got some news.

I've decided to go to Uncle Bill's school for college.

And maybe I can stay in Montgomery with them. But you haven't finished looking

at the schools yet. Well, think about how much of a convenience it would be.

And we would save money for dorms. We don't need to think about money.

You got into much better schools. There's no reason for you to settle.

Excuse me, I teach at that school. I don't like that, but Bill, she's got

really good schools. She can get just as good an education here. You don't got

to leave Montgomery to do well. Would you stop making this about you?

But you'll never get rid of your shadow.

Not now, D.

I can't believe I ever thought he would change.

Uh -huh.

You may need to cut him some slack.

What do you mean?

Hey, sister cousin.

Hey, sister cousin.

So, when my mom said to come up with a plan...

I don't think she meant you moving in with us.

Anything to put up telling my parents.

You know you're going to have to tell them.

One time, I skipped vacation Bible school to ride with my friend Pam to a

in Mobile.

We almost got away with it, but we ended up in a ditch somewhere between

Greenville and Bowling, and it was getting dark.

Pam refused to call her parents. So I walked to the nearest pay phone, said a

prayer, and called home.

My dad answered.

I just knew he was going to be mad.

But he stayed calm.

Then he came to pick me up.

So he wasn't mad?

He was serious.

Daddy made me clean the whole house and the church for three weeks.

But when he picked me up, he said he was glad that I called him.

And that I can always go home.

I realized I should have come clean earlier, before things got scary.

In spite of what I said before, I know they'll always be there for me.

No matter what I do.

And I... I will be there for you.

We can talk about them together.

Thank you.

But I... I need to do this by myself.

I mean, I was going to do it, but I was not going to be helpful.

Are you sure you have to leave so soon?

Yeah, you know, I thought they could survive without me in the office for

days, but apparently everything has fallen to pieces.

I know it wasn't easy.

I'm proud of you.

And proud of Kim for not spilling the beans. That's like a junkie not stealing

hubcap.

Promise me we'll keep writing.

And I promise not to leave anything out next time.

Bye, Mr. Cousin.

Glad to have seen you for as long as we did. I haven't had so much fun in a

while. You know, I'm sorry you couldn't keep the car, Dad.

I'm sure if it was up to you, I could have. Yes, that's right.

Well, we got to get going.

Cassie has three more schools to see before we get home.

At that moment, my dad was tempted to bust him about their secret. I mean it

with the perfect opportunity.

It's a big decision.

I know it's going to work out for the days.

Sure enough.

But Daddy chose to take the high road.

Superheroes always come back around and do the right thing. And about that stuff

from earlier.

Maybe I do get a little jealous sometimes.

But I'm proud of my big brother.

You know, I appreciate that, Bill.

And since we're coming clean, you know, nobody

does jazz hands quite like you.

Kids have no idea just how much adults are still figuring things out.

I'll see you guys later. Right.

They deal with all the things kids deal with.

Jealousy, insecurities, sibling rivalries.

I had no idea what was going on with my cousin Kathy until a few years later

when I saw her and she introduced me to her little brother.

That's right.

Uncle Melvin and Aunt Patrice raised him while Kathy went away to college.

for the people who did know what was going on, that trip left an impression

them.

Do they thank God for another day?

My dad finally realized that his role in Granddaddy Clisby's life was just as

valuable as his brother's role, and that it's okay to step out of that role

every now and then.

Those are looking good.

Mom realized it was best to give Kim space.

In her own way.

Watch. And I learned that sons never stop wanting their father's approval.

Whether your father's 75 like Granddaddy Clisby or...

However old Daddy was, I don't know, like 70?

He's never going to get to my fraternity if he can't do a simple step.

Maybe he needs to find out what the paddle's for.

Get ready for another blast from the past.

The Wonder Years starts now on ABC.