Original subtitles

[instrumental music]

-Ooh, this is gonna be good. -Mm-hmm.

Uh, Cora, what y'all doing?

Oh, I'm over here making a special breakfast for Leah.

She's not feeling well.

Oh, I want some special breakfast.

Well, I'm making a special breakfast

-for somebody who's pregnant. -Oh, that cancel me out.

Cora, he looks like he could be.

[laughs loudly]

What's funny? I want to laugh now.

Nothing, Mr. Brown, Just that you probably can

have some of this special breakfast.

Yeah, you can have some.

Oh, OK. Well, yeah, thank you, Cora.

You're always looking out for your daddy.

Hey, what's in the special breakfast?

Oh, well, Mom's craving pancakes,

but I know the doctor wants her to eat really clean.

Right, right, right, and we're gonna do both.

-We're gonna do both. -Well, how's that?

Yeah, how's that? Because don't nothing healthy taste good.

It tastes like cardboard.

Now, don't say that. That's not true, Mr. Brown.

She made me a veggie burger the other day.

Ooh, I tasted that veggie burger, and I bit into it,

and a little juice came up, and I just...

[dry heaves]

-Mr. Brown! -It was nasty!

Now, don't do that. Now, I mean, you can't judge

before you even taste it.

Well, I tasted it, and it was nasty.

Oh, see, 'cause I'm finna make these pancakes.

I got wheat flour, I got fresh maple syrup,

and I'm gonna have some fresh fruit. It's gonna be good.

Ms. Cora, she's not gonna like those.

Why not?

No, she likes her pancakes Southern style,

like how they make them here in Georgia or in Mississippi.

Yeah, yeah, that's the way I like mine,

like they make in Mississippi, with plenty of butter, sugar,

honey, scattered, smothered, covered in syrup.

Oh, Mr. Brown. OK, OK, Mr. Brown.

-Now, y'all just calm down now. -We ain't calmed up.

Well, I want you to calm down,

because y'all ain't even had it yet.

Now, my friend Gwen I grew up with

taught me how to make a healthy breakfast that tastes good.

-Y'all just watch. -Gwen yo friend?

-[Cora] Yes. -Have you seen her?

-Yes, I've seen her. -That girl done let herself go!

-Oh, Mr. Brown! -She ain't eating no wheat.

That girl eating butter, sugar, flour.

-She eating just everything. -Oh, Mr. Brown.

She got the "can't help its."

You can't help but eat everything.

-Hey. -Hey, Mr. Brown.

Hey, Jeremy. Did you find everything you was looking for?

-Yep. -OK.

Is Leah up?

No, well, I haven't seen her yet,

because I think she's still not feeling well.

Yeah, she don't like to tell me what's going on,

but I can always tell when something's not right with her.

-She been real tired lately. -Yeah.

Yeah, I stopped in to ask her what she wanted for breakfast.

-She was still in bed. -Still in bed? Really?

I better go check on her.

Yeah, but her appetite's good, though.

-We're making her pancakes. -[Jeremy] OK, good.

-Nasty pancakes! -Now, how you know they nasty?

Come on, Mr. Brown. If Cora made it, you know it's good.

Everything she make is delicious.

Thank you, baby.

Oh, Cora made me a veggie burger,

and I taste that veggie burger, and it just makes me want to...

-[dry heaves again] -Oh that was make me just nasty.

-I don't believe that. -[Mr. Brown] You do believe.

-Good morning, Philip. -Oh, good morning, Dad.

Did you have time to think about our college talk?

Not really. I'm not feeling college.

Oh, you're not feeling college?

Yeah, I don't want to talk about it.

Oh, you don't want... He don't want to talk about it!

Philip! Philip, I--

Jeremy, Jeremy, would you like some breakfast?

-Sure, I'll have some. -All right, I'm off to work.

Yeah, but we're going to talk about it later.

OK, Dad.

Hey, Jeremy, you know if you just push the issue,

he definitely ain't gonna want to go.

Yeah, I hear you. I hear you.

But don't worry about Leah. I'm going to go check on her.

[Cora] OK.

Hey, and Philip may not know it,

but his behind is going to college.

Leah and I work way too hard. Way too hard.

Yeah, you're right. You're right.

-This is a nightmare. -What? What's a nightmare?

Oh, pray, Ms. Cora,

because this is gonna be an all-out war.

♪ No matter what you do, I love you ♪

♪ No matter where you go, I'm behind you for sure ♪

♪ Always remember, blood ain't never water ♪

♪ We'll make it if we stay together ♪

Just try to stay positive, Kiki. I'm praying for you.

Oh, I love you, girl.

I'm going to come and see you, OK?

OK. Bye-bye, sweetie.

Is everything OK?

My dear friend Kiki is fighting cancer.

Oh, no. I'm sorry to hear this, Anastasia.

I'm sorry, too. She is the sweetest,

most vibrant person I have ever known.

Well, we pray that she beats this.

I'm afraid the doctor's only given her three weeks.

Oh, no. Does she have a family?

A husband, three beautiful kids, and six grandkids.

Oh, wow. That's glorious.

-Hey. -Hey, princess.

Hey, Sandra. How is Leah? I heard she wasn't feeling well.

Yeah, she's been really tired lately.

But Ms. Cora and I made her a super healthy breakfast.

Oh, that is nice.

Are you doing homework, Mr. Efe?

-I am, oh. -Well, how is it?

Do you know, I can't believe I'm back in school.

Did you make the right decision?

I did. I just, I felt I needed something

at this time of my life. I was tired of sitting around.

Well, thanks to my wellness class.

Ah, and thanks to all the support I got from all of you.

-Do you like your teacher? -I love her.

Maybe you should talk to Philip.

What is wrong with young Philip?

Look, Philip and Dad are going to war.

Dad wants Philip to go to college next year,

and Philip is not having it.

Oh, no. I wonder why he doesn't want to go to college.

He says he hates school.

I don't understand people hating education.

Well, not all American schools excite students about learning.

One day I hope I can excite mystudents about learning.

You will.

I think when the teacher cares, the students care.

I don't know if anyone could have

excited Philip about learning.

He says he hates most of his classes,

and he says he hates most of his teachers.

He was getting better, I thought?

Yeah, he won the "Diamond in the Rough" award

for being the most improved student.

No, no, no. That's because my dad's been on his head 24-7.

It's not 'cause he likes school,

-it's 'cause he has no choice. -Oh, this is terrible.

We have to do something to excite young Philip again.

No, Efe. Not everyone wants to go to college.

Maybe Jeremy's going to have to respect his decision.

When it comes to college, I don't think the answer

is getting excited about school.

The answer is getting excited about yourself.

[instrumental music]

-Hey, you up? -Hey, yep.

Just trying to get my day started. Getting on up.

Why get up? Why don't you just relax, babe?

I can't believe I slept this long, Jeremy.

Well, you're obviously not feeling well.

Why don't you ever tell me when you're sick?

Jeremy, I do tell you when I'm sick.

No, no, you don't. You always lie about it.

OK, Jeremy. I think I'm coming down with something.

-So you are sick? -I'm fine.

I just feel really drained and tired.

Well, that's what happens when you're feeling sick. Come on.

-I'm fine. I'll be OK. -Look, baby, look.

Look, I need you to let me know when you're not feeling well,

so I know if I need to call the doctor or not. Come on.

I got a doctor's appointment next week.

Look, it was really sweet of Sandra

to make breakfast this morning, right?

Yeah, yeah. I saw her and Cora. How are the pancakes?

Ooh. Um, different. [laughs]

No, they were pretty good, though.

How is my son?

-[sighs] -That boy.

What now?

I had to talk to him about what he's going to do next year.

Mm-hmm. And what'd he say?

Because every time I ask him, he try to curb me.

Yeah, he didn't want to talk about it, tried to put me off.

-But I told him to make a list. -Oh, did he do it?

-Yeah. -Well, what's on the list?

You're not going to get this.

-Number one on the list. -[Leah] Uh-huh.

To be a gamer.

Stop it. Jeremy, you better stop.

I'm serious.

He said they're making millions of dollars these years.

That boy did not say he wants to be a gamer.

[Jeremy] Yeah.

Wait, those people making millions gaming?

Yeah, that's what he said. But don't worry. Don't worry.

I'm about to take that game. I'm going to break it,

and I'm gonna wring his little neck.

Uh-uh. Please, don't do that, baby. Don't. Don't do that.

-[Leah] You can't do that. -Why?

Because then he'll definitely be a gamer or something crazier.

You just need to tell him that you support him.

Nah, I'm tired of that boy.

Look, we have worked way too hard for Philip.

Hey, look at me. I need you to calm down, OK?

Right now, he needs to know that you'll support him

as long as he's trying to figure it out.

I just don't understand that boy sometimes.

Jeremy, whatever he does next year needs to be his idea,

or at least he needs to think it's his idea.

He does not need to think

that you are forcing him to do something.

Ah, you sound like Efe. I guess you're right.

Mm-hmm. OK, good. Oh, you and my son, honey.

God help us. It's going to be a sure enough war up in here.

Well, don't worry about that. I need you to get some rest,

because you're not looking too good.

OK.

I mean, you look beautiful and everything.

Talk to me nice.

But, um, I want you to really, really get some rest, baby.

-OK. -[Jeremy] All right?

-Thank you. -[Jeremy] All right.

Let me worry about Philip.

[instrumental music]

[groans in pain]

-Oh, good, Jeremy. -Hey, what's going on, Efe?

Hey, I hope I'm not stepping out of bounds,

but Sandra was telling me that

Philip is not excited about school?

Yeah, she's right, and I'm really disappointed about it.

Oh. I feel college is represented to young minds as if

it's going to be an extension

of the horrible experiences they had in high school.

Yeah, I think that's what happened with Philip.

Sandra was telling me that

the American schools can snuff out young lights.

Yeah, well, he needs to turn his own light on.

See, kids don't realize how privileged they are

-to have free education here. -Oh. I agree with you there.

Many people in my country would give everything

to afford an education.

See? That's what I'm talking about right there.

I want him to make the decision on his own,

but I feel like I might have to force him.

Oh, no, no, Jeremy. You cannot do that.

He's almost an adult, and you cannot force an adult.

Would you mind if I spoke to him?

Not at all. Please talk to him.

Maybe you can get something through that thick skull.

-Jeremy, we need to call 911! -What's going on?

It's Leah. She needs a doctor.

What? What? No, I'll take her. I'll take her.

Hey, look, don't say nothing to the kids, OK?

All right, let me find out what's going on first.

What?

[instrumental music]

-Any word from Jeremy? -I spoke to Leah.

They're running tests, but she appears to be OK.

And the baby?

The baby appears to be perfectly healthy.

-Oh, thank God. -Yes, thank you, God.

So I'm going to do some housework around here

so that when she gets home, all she has to do is rest.

Oh, that is a good idea. What can I do?

Oh, you can start in the laundry.

-Oh, OK. I got it. I'm on it. -OK, thank you.

Hey, young Philip? Hey. How are you?

Hey, Mr. Efe.

-Can we chat for a minute? -Sure. What's up?

So I was talking to your father, and he's very concerned

about what you're going to do next year.

And I was wondering if you don't mind me

sharing my honest opinions if you're willing to hear me out?

Uh, yeah, I'm not feeling college.

So I heard. So forget college.

-Forget college? -Forget college.

-You don't mean that. -[Efe] I do.

But are you OK if I speak with you candidly?

-Please. -[Efe] OK.

But I don't want you to think I'm going against your parents.

I just want to give you my honest opinions.

Hey, look. Me and my parents don't see eye to eye

most of the time, so it's fine.

OK, but now I want you to understand that I think

-you have exceptional parents. -They a'ight.

We have a saying in my country.

"The butterfly does not know it can fly

until it emerges from a cocoon."

Ah!

Uh-uh. No, I'm not following.

OK. Before the butterfly enters a cocoon, it is a caterpillar.

-With me? -Yeah, right.

OK. After remaining there for some time, it emerges.

Beautiful. Colorful. With wings. And then it can fly.

Yeah, because it's a butterfly, I get it.

Exactly.

People go to college because it is a cocoon for most people.

I never thought of it that way.

But school is whack if you ask me.

Well, I can agree with you there.

From what I heard of most of these American schools,

but you cannot compare college with high school.

School is school, Mr. Efe.

OK. So, what do you want to do to support yourself in life?

I want to be a gamer.

A... I'm sorry, I don't understand. A gamer?

I want to play video games.

And you... This is how you make money?

See, this is the same way my dad looked at me.

No, no, no, no. I'm not judging it.

Honestly, I'm not judging it.

People make a lot of money playing video games, Mr. Efe.

Yeah. Well, if you want to do that, do that.

Do you really mean it?

Uh-huh. The goal in life is to be happy.

Once we're happy, we excel in life.

Well, gamingdoesmake me happy.

Ah. Then you are ahead of most of us.

I am?

Philip, you already know what makes you happy.

Look at me. Look at my age. It took me years to discover

that being an educator made me happy. Ha.

But you, you already know your life's passion.

You're a blessed young man.

Thanks, Mr. Efe.

Wait.

How do I tell my dad that I don't think college is for me?

Talk to him. He'll have to accept it eventually. Hm?

Thanks, Mr. Efe.

Wait. Can you actually talk to him for me?

Uh, sure.

Thanks.

But, um, but, Philip?

Why do you think college is not for you?

I don't like school.

Philip, college is not like high school.

You can study anything that you want.

-But-- -No, no, there are no buts.

You have a major.

You can major or minor in anything that you like.

There are hundreds of majors.

Look, college is for people that know what they like.

If you like gaming, study that.

Study gaming?

Philip, you are good at the Internet, are you not?

You said it is a career, is it not?

And that you love it, do you not?

-Yeah. -Then study gaming.

-Wait. Study gaming in college? -Yes, Philip.

Look, are you not good at the Internet? Do your own research.

Look for schools that will allow you to study gaming.

Look, there are people that, that love photography.

They study photography.

People that love film, they study film.

People that even love painting, and they study painting.

I don't know who has convinced you young people that, that

college is like high school. It is not.

College is a cocoon where you go

to emerge beautiful, strong, and magnificent.

[instrumental music]

OK, I prepared my mom's room.

And I have pre-made meals for her.

And Reginald and I did all the laundry.

Oh, and Grandpa got the place spotless.

Yeah. So now when Leah gets here, she can just rest

and not have to worry about anything here.

I picked up some things from the pharmacy

that Jeremy said they needed.

Hey, thank you guys for all chipping in

and helping out my mom.

Oh. That's what, that's what family does.

You know, for, to me, family is very important.

I always say that. Don't I, Cora, say that?

No, you don't say it all the time.

See, some people think family is all about blood,

but family comes in many forms.

Mr. Brown, are you saying you're part of my family?

You better be glad I claim your ugly shelf.

I'm just kidding.

Oh, I thought you was trying to cut for me.

No, that was a lovely thing you said, Mr. Brown.

-That is nice, Mr. Brown. -Yeah, that's what I do.

You know, in my culture, family is a tribe.

It is not about blood ties.

It is about connections we make, in community and in love.

-Oh, that is so beautiful. -Hey, hey, hey, everybody!

-[everyone greets Leah] -Come on, have a seat.

Hey, how are you?

Why didn't you tell us you weren't feeling well?

I didn't want you and Philip to worry.

-Yeah, I knew I was OK. -So you sure you're all right?

Yeah, the doctor said I had a blood infection.

-He gave me some antibiotics. -But he has put her on bed rest

for the remainder of the pregnancy.

-[Cora] Oh. -What does that mean?

It means exactly what it says.

I'm stuck in the bed for the next month and a half

until your baby brother or baby sister

decides they want to arrive.

Oh. Well, y'all don't know if y'all having a boy or girl yet?

Nah, nah, we old fashioned.

-Why, when you can know now? -Well, I like waiting.

Oh, and that's just part of the excitement.

Exactly, Efe.

Well, you know what? And Leah, we ain't playing,

you gonna be in that bed until that beautiful baby gets here.

But we absolutely feel the love.

And thank you guys so much for stepping in and stepping up.

Well, you're welcome. You see, we rallied the troops.

OK, we got a laundry crew. We got a cleaning crew.

-Oh, we got a cooking crew. -And a running errands crew.

[Leah] OK.

You don't have to do anything but have a healthy baby.

That's right.

Wow, this means so much to us, man.

-Thank y'all. -You're so welcome.

[instrumental music]

Hey, Son.

Oh, no, please come in, Dad. No need to knock. It's fine.

Oh, yeah. You know I don't even know why you keep saying that.

I'm going to come in. Is it safe to sit here?

Nowhere is safe.

-Man. What is wrong with you? -Definitely not the towel.

Ugh!

Well, Sandra was telling me that Mom wasn't feeling well.

She's OK. The doc just wants her to take it easy.

OK.

So did you think about our college talk?

Yeah, I'm thinking about it.

You're thinking about going to college?

Maybe.

OK. Well, what opened your mind to that?

Well, I know it'd make you and Mom happy, so.

Well, Son, we wantyouto be happy.

We're going to support whatever decision you make.

Yeah, you don't have to lie.

I know you don't care about my happiness.

Nah, man.... eh, I'm lying.

I don't.

Your mom told me to say that, but whatever.

Nice.

Well, look, Son, at the end of the day, I do love you.

And I want you to make the decision that's right for you.

And I know that college is not for everyone.

No, but it could be in my plans

if I study something that makes me happy.

Oh, of course, Son. Nobody expects you

to study something that doesn't make you happy.

Yeah.

And I didn't see college as a place to help people develop

before they get thrown into their career.

Yeah, that's a good way to look at it.

Where'd you get that from?

Mr. Efe. I'm super excited. He was telling me about

all the different majors I could take in college.

I mean, I could study gaming. There's a school in Vancouver

that has a really great gaming program.

-Vancouver, Canada? -Yeah.

-To study gaming? -Yeah.

OK. Well, that's great.

I love that for you, Philip. Hm.

And I love you. I love you, man.

I'm proud of you for taking some initiative

and finding something that might work for you.

Thanks, Dad. Hey, love you, too.

You're not a bad kid all the time.

But you really,

you really got to take it easy on yourself, Son.

I mean, you've gone through

two bottles of lotion in the last week.

-Hey, Mom. I ran you a bath. -Oh, thank you, Sandra, baby.

Yeah, and I know the doctor said you had to be on bed rest,

so I'm going to come keep you company.

-Really? -Mm-hmm.

I'm going to talk your head off every day.

OK. Well, that makes me happy.

-Oh, yeah. You're stuck with me. -Well, come on in, girl.

-God is so good. -I love you too, Mom.

[instrumental music]

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