Original subtitles

Wow, Nicole Dupree. Hmm.

Psychologist extraordinaire. Do I have that last name right?

Or-- you're not going by Richardson anymore, are you?

Am I correct about that?

Correct. Thanks to your never-ending machinations.

Well, at least they won't confuse the two of us.

Confuse us?

How on earth would anybody ever do that?

Well, once I take the Richardson name for myself,

you know, it's bound to happen.

And now that that ink is dry on your divorce, well,

it's about time, don't you think?

But this Mrs. Richardson is going to be

a lot more stylish and vary her look.

Quite... a bit more

than that one.

You want me to make you an equal in this partnership of ours?

I don't suppose anyone could really be

your equal, Joey Armstrong.

But I'd like to come as close as an ambitious girl can get,

-though. -Well,

I wouldn't keep saying it if it weren't true.

Our partnership doesn't need fixing.

Your risk is low. Our profits are high.

Sometimes, Vanessa, enough is enough.

It's never enough for you. Why should it be for me?

Vanessa--

I'm smart, resourceful,

a killer when I need to be.

And right now you're getting, oh,

maybe ten percent of all that ability from me.

I have a lot more possibility than I think you realize.

Use me, Joey.

Use me to my full potential and you'll never look back.

♪ ♪

Remember to sign the paperwork I left

on the corner of your desk and--

IZAIAH: Damn it.

Work. Work.

Come on.

-Come on. -[drops pen]

Oh, my bad. It's this pen.

It just won't work when it's supposed to and seems

to leak when it's not supposed to.

You still use those?

[exhales] Well...

Me, too.

Here.

Thank you.

[Izaiah laughs]

You know what?

Maybe that's fate telling me

to stop working so hard

and pay more attention to my surroundings.

-Jacob... -I need a minute.

Okay.

[sighs]

Okay, I admit,

I do feel a type of way because you're not pregnant.

A type of way? Can you be more specific?

I'm not a lawyer, Naomi.

I don't have all the words you do just on standby.

Okay, you're mad. I get it.

I guess...

I guess I'm just as sad as you are happy,

but what makes me even more sad is the fact that you didn't feel

like you can tell me you weren't pregnant as soon as it happened.

We're supposed to tell each other everything,

especially something that's important as this.

We've just had a lot of tough conversations lately and

I wasn't sure I was ready to have another one.

I tried to put it off as long as I could,

-but now... -We can't avoid it.

You mean we can't avoid the fight?

You know, after the last few days,

the last thing I want is to keep fighting

-with you about-- -Something that's not happening.

I get it.

There's nothing to fight about. Okay?

I'm not angry.

You explained yourself, so now

I understand why you were so hesitant about sharing the news.

And what about the way I went off on you the other day?

Well, I promise to not treat you to another spa day again.

I'm joking. All right? I'm joking.

I'm just trying to find a way to lighten the mood.

Sometimes all we have to do is just slow things down,

take our foot off the gas and crack a joke.

I won't object to that.

Good, 'cause you'd be overruled.

One more thing, though.

I know you're disappointed.

I mean, you got your hopes up about us

having a baby and suddenly those hopes disappeared.

And you haven't even had a minute to process it all.

So I will not be offended if you need to take a minute

to mourn that.

No one knows me the way you do.

Drinks are hardly enough to say thank you, Rosamund.

Next time you come, we'll do dinner.

Rowena can make the most delicious

peanut stew you've ever tasted.

Yes, it's the least we can do for such a generous donation.

I'm the one that's grateful. Our donations are essential.

So thank you for all the great work that you have done

and will continue to do.

And of course, you as well, Anita.

VERNON: Until next time, then.

-It won't be soon enough. -[chuckles]

VERNON: Oh, I second that emotion.

Vernon, that woman has always been overly

enthusiastic with you, but you don't need to encourage her.

Of course I do.

Because after all these years,

a jealous Anita Dupree is the biggest turn-on I know.

Mm.

[chuckles]

Just to be clear, you actually stopped me here to

announce your intentions to marry Ted again,

as if I didn't already know

your braggadocio-filled words by heart.

Oh, that's right, you are a shrink,

so listening must be your strong suit.

Too bad it isn't yours.

In any case, all I have to say to that is...

Good luck. Marry Ted.

Don't marry Ted. It's all immaterial to me.

I don't believe that for one minute.

Then you've never signed divorce papers and told

your husband you forgive him for breaking your heart.

Things are different now, Leslie.

You used to get under my skin.

I will give you that.

But things have changed. I've changed.

In fact, I don't think there is a single thing

that you can do that will ever bother me again.

You must be Leslie's mother. I heard you were in town.

I wish I could say we met under more pleasant circumstances,

but I do hope you enjoy your dinner.

I just want to make one thing perfectly clear, Senator Dupree.

There is nothing, not one thing about that woman

that makes me jealous.

She is not worth the time or energy it would take to

summon up any kind of emotion, except maybe annoyance.

-Are you sure about that? -Positive.

This is my annoyed look. Can't you tell?

I don't understand then. Why am I so turned on?

I don't know.

Does annoyance make me seem hard to get?

You up for a little chase? Let's find out.

-[chuckles] -[door closes]

Mother, Daddy, I hope I'm not interrupting.

Oh, Nicole, of course not. Not one bit.

Nicole.

Eldest light of the two lights of my life.

After your wonderful mother, of course.

Well, I'm glad I caught you. Especially you, Mother.

What's going on, honey?

I came by because I need to give you

an apology that is long overdue.

Nonsense. I don't recall anything

you've done that merits an apology.

Not what. Who.

Oh, her.

Is yours all right?

Because I do not mind

sending both these plates back to the kitchen.

Mine's delicious, Dana.

And I can't imagine main course being any better.

I mean, who is in the kitchen tonight?

I'll tell you one thing though, as soon as I see that server,

I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind and that is for sure.

If this is what the whole dinner is going to be like,

I'd rather have takeout back at the apartment.

You want to leave?

This isn't really that enjoyable, is it?

Well, I brought you here because,

you know, I wanted you to relish in some of the good life.

You've earned it. We both have.

I can see this place is very exclusive.

It is, but I thought you'd like the history of the place,

the photos on the wall and all the people that they honor.

I do,

but money doesn't buy you class, Dana.

All this bad behavior isn't about food.

Then what's it about?

Because I can tell you right now,

this salad is inedible.

You're angry because you wanted to humiliate

that woman and she wasn't having it.

You don't know what you're talking about.

Oh, Dana, I surely do.

Save your breath and all your little endless lectures

about what I'm so angry about, why I'm so frustrated

and how I need to take it out on somebody else.

You do. [scoffs]

Because you think you're less than.

I most certainly do not.

You know what? I got more wealth than anybody up in this place.

You know I'm right.

Okay. You don't believe me?

I'll tell you what. Here.

Try it for yourself.

All right? No, no, no, no.

-Try it. Please. Go ahead. -I don't want your salad, Dana.

No, no. Please taste it so you can see how bad it tastes.

-Just go ahead and try-- -[coughing]

Peaches, Peaches. Peaches, are you okay?

EVA: Are you going to give me my pen back?

After I broke it?

Maybe I can get it to work and you can go back to...

test prep for GREs.

I'm Eva, by the way.

Izaiah.

I clocked that I was annoying you,

but too late, I guess.

I get kind of lost in my own world when I'm working.

You're taking the GRE to get into grad school?

-Aren't you a little... -Old?

There, I saved you from having to say it.

But you're right. I'm long past my grad school days.

Although in my mind, it's never too late to go.

I've known people who go to school into their 70s

to get their master's degree.

Never too late to learn, I say.

Now I help other folks

get in school and get their own advanced degrees.

-You're a counselor? -I am.

Hmm. So do you work at one of the schools nearby?

I hope to.

I got an interview at Banneker coming up.

Oh, the DMV is great.

I think you'll like it here.

Actually, I'm from here originally,

but I've been living in the Pacific Northwest for a while.

Then you got the shot at Banneker.

Kind of warming to the idea of a homecoming.

Well, so much for me thinking I was going to

have to clue you in on all the hot spots.

I guess you're local then.

You're as wrong about me as I was about you.

I haven't been here very long,

but sometimes it seems like I have.

Let's just say it's been eventful.

Was that a work text you were dictating before?

Is that what brought you to this area?

You could say family brought me here.

And that text was to my boss, who also happens to be my dad.

You work for your father? Interesting.

[chuckles] Actually, I love it.

I guess you don't get to do that in your line of work, though.

The best part of my work is helping kids

pursue their dreams instead of...

Instead of what?

I don't know, crushing them.

Naomi, what's wrong?

Jacob?

We both need to realize that this can't

be the answer to everything. Not anymore.

You know, ever since I met you, you're like...

you're like a kid on an adventure,

hanging around just for the thrill of it,

pushing boundaries, hoping that they'll move for you.

You think you know what you're asking, but you really don't.

Don't patronize me.

Maybe what you need is an education.

I should call Randy back from the job I just sent him on.

You can tag along.

Some of our customers have fallen behind

in their debts, and Randy is going to politely--

probably with a pair of brass knuckles--

remind them of their obligations.

It can get a little rough, but...

you should be able to handle that.

I mean, after all, you're a killer

when you need to be, right?

You've heard of metaphor, right?

And when I said I wanted a bigger role around here,

it didn't mean I wanted to be another Randy.

I was asking to be another you.

And you think that gives you a pass

on the more unpleasant aspects of my work?

Well, if so, you need to think again.

Going on a collection call is kindergarten

compared to what you want to know.

It can get dark, Vanessa.

A lot darker than you'll ever want to know.

You are not, nor will you ever be

responsible for any disruption

that woman has caused this family.

You're not the one who brought her into our lives.

-That would be your ex. -And don't you even think

about apologizing for that ex-husband of yours.

I have just been so indignant and defensive

about all of this, lashing out.

I even asked you to stop contributing

to the trust that Leslie benefits from

after we found out that she was Barbara's daughter.

Yes, I do remember having words on the subject.

We didn't just have words.

You told me it was your business and none of mine.

Given what Leslie had done to me and my marriage,

I insisted that you were wrong, but you put me in my place.

And I have to say, I have thought long and hard

about that conversation.

Funding that trust was the choice you made to

atone for what happened to Barbara.

It didn't matter who benefited. You needed to do that.

I had issues with that woman and I couldn't see past them.

But I really regret what I said to you.

I came by to tell you that... things have changed.

Changed in what way?

I feel like I have more clarity now.

The divorce is final.

I have a newfound normal with Ted,

and I am not going to let that woman get to me anymore.

[truck beeping outside]

Lucky you.

-[coughing] -Okay, what do I do, Peaches?

Do I get an ambulance?

Maybe see if there's a doctor? Is anybody a doctor?

Is there a doctor in the house? Please, she needs some help.

It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.

-This happens. -Are you sure?

But no doctors.

-Just get me home. -Okay. Okay, okay.

So, family "crushing dreams," huh?

Is that something you've gone through with your family?

[laughs softly] I just met you.

I'm sure not gonna dump all my family drama on you.

Point is, I like what I'm doing,

even if there's not a lot of money in it.

Oh, was that one of their criticisms?

That whatever you do, you should be doing it for the money?

That was part of it.

Mostly it was about people having dreams for me

that I didn't have for myself. You know?

I've had some experiences with that.

What I do now is cool and fulfilling in a lot of ways.

Just as well I'm not in it for the green, which is

probably not something a younger me would ever have said.

[both chuckle]

Right now, all I care about

is making enough to put gas in the car,

a roof over my head, and a load of fresh pens when I need them.

And then enough left over for recreational purposes.

Like exploring some of those hot spots

you were talking about before.

Especially if the company's good.

Well, maybe I'll see you at one of those hot spots.

Maybe you will.

[phone chimes]

Excuse me.

That your dad?

Uh, no, actually, it's my mom.

Um, I have to go.

Don't forget.

It may not work, but it's still yours.

Give it to me next time.

Joey Armstrong, I never figured you for the melodramatic type.

You've tried to shake me of my interest before

by playing the dark card.

But I've told you it's the danger that I find exciting.

It's alluring, and it's what I want.

[sighs] You know, I hate to admit to a weakness, but...

...damn, I get turned on when you're demanding.

-You are gorgeous. -What I am is perceptive.

When you're trying to change the subject,

you always appeal to my vanity.

All right, I won't change the subject.

I'll just be more clear

about how you don't want what you think you want.

Really. Do I have to draw a picture of what

-it's like to be me? -Please do.

I live life with a certain amount of risk.

Part and parcel of what I do, comes with the territory.

But you're very Zen about that risk,

very chill about the people you deal with.

Well, that takes practice.

I'm not someone who likes to

look over his shoulder, so I'm careful.

What you see as Zen is vigilance.

You have to be still to see 360 degrees around you.

And when a threat does arise, I eliminate it.

Meaning?

I am never going to prison.

Because I'll never allow anyone

to be able to make that happen, period.

Who are we talking about exactly?

Vanessa, did you think that I was

speaking about someone in particular?

I'm not sure what I think,

but there was a time you thought Doug was

the exact kind of threat you were just talking about.

We both know that Doug died in a car accident.

It was tragic, but not suspicious.

You asked me in Puerto Rico if I was involved.

I looked you in the eyes. And what did I say?

-You said no. -Exactly.

If you don't believe me now, that's another conversation.

It's not that I don't believe you.

It's just that you had a way of

saying things before that seemed curious, veiled.

I speak in generalization so you understand my situation,

the discretion that this life requires.

I don't think you have that kind of caution.

It's really important to me that you understand

what it is you're asking to be a part of.

Actually, there is something that we should talk about,

probably for both our sakes.

About?

Your son Donnell.

You know, the one who wants

to know everything about what's going on.

-Mama. -Thank you, baby,

for coming home as fast as you did.

You have my heart pounding. You just said "come home now."

-What's the matter? -Peaches got sick.

I mean, she's resting in her place now.

But... Well, okay.

I took her to dinner at the club,

and for a minute there,

I thought I was going to have to call an ambulance.

Oh, my God.

What happened? Is everything all right?

Yeah, yeah. She's better now.

But she started coughing and-and then she couldn't stop.

And she was coughing so hard, it was like,

it was like her lungs were about to give out on her.

Okay, so let me get this straight.

You were just having dinner and the coughing started?

Like, out of the blue?

No, not exactly.

I mean, not out of the blue.

We were fighting when it started.

It appears Miss Leslie slipped a little extra cash

in with the foreman's paycheck.

For him to extend work hours.

She what?

Ignore that outburst.

I said I was not going to let that woman

get under my skin anymore, and I mean it.

How did you get them to stop?

Well, I reminded them that Fairmont Crest has rule

about when work should cease for the day.

A rule that the security force

will be reminding them about each and every day.

My hero.

But for the record, you're not the only one

who asked me to stop funding the trust.

Your daddy brought it up as well,

and I've decided it's time.

-Really? -Now, it's not like

Leslie won't have plenty of money.

I funded that trust well, built it to last,

but at least that woman won't get another nickel more from me.

Oh, I'm so pleased to hear it, dearest.

So am I.

But I should get going,

let the two of you enjoy the rest of your evening.

I really just came by to apologize.

All we really care about is that you are okay.

Ted and I talked.

It was the first real conversation that we've had

since the night of the party.

We're both moving forward.

It's sad, I will admit, but it's something I need to do.

And it actually feels good to know

what direction I'm headed in

and that I'm not letting that woman

get to me is really freeing.

Being so reactive to her was like a kind of bondage.

-I love you, Mother. -Love you.

-Daddy. -Love you, baby.

-She is so, so strong. -Mm, I agree.

Just not as strong as you think.

Okay, what just happened?

I love you and I love being with you.

But sometimes with us,

sex can be used as a way of avoiding what needs to be said,

-even when-- -Even when

you're not sure what to say?

After I got the results,

and I felt that relief, like I dodged a bullet,

the very next thing I thought about was us, you and me.

And the bigger question: Would we be able to go back

to the way things were before this happened?

Could we remember that we love each other

and nothing else counts?

Or did we open up some kind of Pandora's box?

And now we have this new reality that we cannot escape?

And Jacob, I am really, really afraid

-of that second reality. -Why?

Because becoming a father was dangled in front of your face.

And you are always going to wonder

what that would have been like.

And no matter how hard you try, there's going to be the tiniest

bit of resentment that that is not going to happen.

And I'm afraid that resentment will fester.

Remember when we were on vacation that one time

and I wanted to get a tattoo?

You remember what you told me?

What if you change your mind later?

I didn't think I would, but you insisted I at least

consider the possibility.

So what are you saying? That I could change my mind?

Because one thing this whole experience has made clear

is that I am not going to change my mind.

And I'm seeing it now.

Neither will you.

Okay, hang on. We both feel strongly about this.

We're strong-willed people who have strong convictions.

Fine.

But can we talk about this festering resentment thing?

Because I don't buy that.

It doesn't have to go that way, Naomi.

I refuse to believe that this is something

that's going to be a huge disaster for us.

You know why?

Because I don't see this as something

-you're taking away from me. -But how can you say that?

You won't be a father for the simple reason

that I will not and do not want to be a mother.

Why is everything so black and white with lawyers?

You're either innocent or guilty, prosecution or defense.

And my job in the real streets, it's a lot more gray.

Okay, how is this situation anything but black and white?

We'll either be parents or we won't.

There is no middle ground here.

And you're working damn hard to tell me

that we're going to be okay. And I love you for it.

And you can definitely believe that.

I'm not taking anything away from you,

but you cannot deny this.

By being with me, you are giving something up,

something that you...

you realize that you really want.

She got upset with me because I chose to

make a scene with Nicole.

And so you argued with her.

An old, frail, dying woman.

And now you're surprised at how it turned out?

I told you a thousand times to leave her alone.

I am trying to come clean here, Eva.

Okay? This isn't all that easy for me.

And it isn't about fighting.

It's about what came out of it,

what I realized because of it.

The terrible coughing fit.

We both know she's sick.

And you and I know that it's...

only so much time that we have with her.

But seeing her that-that frail.

That weak.

It's like, I knew she needed to see a doctor,

but she just refused.

I mean, I had to lay her in the back of the seat flat.

I practically carried her to her place.

And I put her in her bed.

And that's the part...

that's the part that got me right there.

Was tucking her in like a parent tucks in a child.

She's too sick to take care of herself.

Peaches, my mother.

We switched places.

I am the parent and she is the child.

And soon I will outlive her.

Mama.

That is the way of it.

Children outlive their parents mostly.

But more than that, you are not alone.

Okay? I've got you.

And we will see this through together.

-Okay? -Okay.

Okay.

Are you saying I misread our eldest daughter?

No, I'm just... I'm just saying that you always

took the lead with Dani when the girls were growing up,

and that's because of her personality.

That's what she needed,

a strong but loving father figure,

much more than Nicole did.

Nicole was always so together.

She was, but she practiced that.

So she always had a way of seeming to have

it all together, even when she doesn't.

I'm sad to say it, but I believe that's what we're seeing now.

And it should be no surprise after what Ted

and that witch Leslie did to her.

Our Nicole may seem all right, but she's got a ways to go.

Hi, Nicole. I don't think I've ever seen you in here before.

It is always a lovely change to see you away from work, Shanice.

And it is clear those blue scrubs don't define you.

I guess work really never stops for you, huh?

I'm just catching up, enjoying this great glass of burgundy.

It is a beautiful October night out there, isn't it?

It is.

Maybe I'll find a handsome somebody

to enjoy walking with me.

Well, good luck. You have a pleasant rest of your evening.

You, too. See you later.

How did Donnell become part of this conversation?

First you tell me how far you'll go to protect yourself.

Then you bring up my son.

What I'm saying is, if I give you what you want,

you have to think about more than your own gratification.

The business we've done has so far been opaque enough

that no one's raised any eyebrows.

But if you, as you like to put it,

step up, or in your words, become my equal,

honey, you are going to get a reputation,

and that will get back to your son.

-You done? -Actually, no.

Donnell...

has already had to confront hard truths about his father.

But being at school, he didn't have to witness

the worst of Doug's behavior-- the drinking, the gambling.

But he's here now.

How long do you think it will take him

to sense a change in his mother

if I give you what you're asking for?

What then?

He's already lost faith in one parent.

Are you willing to cause him to lose faith in you?

I hear everything you're saying about my son,

but that's the thing, he's my son.

So you let me worry about him.

As for the rest, I want what I want, Joey.

Nothing's changed.

So...

maybe you should go home and consider that.

[door closes]

Parenthood is my destiny?

I don't even know how to think like that.

But you want to know a word that means a lot?

How about "love"?

It's a short word, but it means something.

When we got married, I meant every word in my vows.

-I did, too. -For better or for worse, right?

Along with all those other things.

We're supposed to be there for each other,

through the good and the bad, the hard and the easy.

The day I put this ring on your finger,

I signed up for the full ride.

That's all I know.

-That's all I know. -Me, too.

I got your text,

something about needing a friend?

Something like that.

No, exactly like that.

I certainly wish I had the same insight into Nicole that you do.

Sometimes I feel like we're operating on

two different frequencies.

Well, that's not necessarily a bad thing, Vernon.

We each have our roles in this family, our areas of expertise.

You are and always have been the Dani whisperer,

and I've always had a particular insight into Nicole.

I don't know, maybe it's the way I grew up,

having to get a quick read on people,

seeing when they were hiding something about themselves and

looking carefully to try to figure out what it might be.

So, this is what reading Nicole told me.

If she needs to think that we think she's getting better,

then we should let her, and she'll get there.

I have no doubt about it.

Because she's your daughter, Anita.

You gave a whole lot of love to her.

I'm just so glad that there was a little left over for me.

A little?

Okay, maybe a lot. Let's check.

Looks like somebody is still a little turned on from earlier.

Tell you what, let's find out.

Let's take the elevator. It's faster.

[Vernon chuckles]

-Oh. -[Anita laughing]

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