Original subtitles

-(metronome ticking) -(plays chord)

(strained humming of scales)

-(clears throat) -(plays chord)

(strained singing scales)

(clears throat, hums)

(plays chord)

(strained singing scales)

(clearing throat)

(plays chord)

(singing scales)

-(clears throat) -(plays chord)

(strained singing scales)

(clearing throat) Mm.

-(plays chord) -(strained singing scales)

(clearing throat)

(sighs heavily)

(discordant notes)

Well, I bet I know what put that smile on your face.

♪ ♪

Coffee, bagels--

all the faves.

Breakfast for the family,

unprompted?

We better enjoy it

before he unleashes the bad news.

Why's it got to be bad news?

Maybe I just want to spend quality time with my dads.

Let's eat first.

This must be really bad.

Fine.

There is something.

How excited are you about the Essence magazine article?

That was insane.

And Tokyo this fall.

Girl, I'm so jelly.

Not sure I'm going.

Wait, why not?

You know the 'rents-- school, school, school.

Wouldn't traveling teach me more?

I mean, look at my Aunt Dani.

She's so smart and worldly.

Ooh, maybe I can ask Grandma to go to...

-support Aunt Kat. -Mm.

And with a built-in chaperone,

you think your dads will have to say yes.

It's worth a try, right?

Those home fries ain't gonna eat themselves.

I'm not that hungry. I just needed some fuel.

(laughing)

You gonna say what's up to your niece

and her friend?

I don't want to interrupt.

Busy day?

Uh, I'm gonna swing by the clinic,

see if Noah needs some help.

Mm. He hanging in there?

He did great his first day,

but there's still a lot to figure out.

So, Leslie made a good hire, then?

Sure.

I just know from personal experience

stepping into a new gig can be hard.

This is about last night.

You're still in your head.

But you don't have to be, Eva.

Okay? Not for me.

So why don't we talk about it?

How do you feel?

Eh.

The radiation is taking less of a toll on my body

than the chemo did, that's for sure.

Mm. Rest is probably key

to long-term recovery.

Music can wait, can't it?

So much time is slipping away.

I mean, last year, I had a spotlight and a set list.

Has it been a whole year since then?

I hadn't realized.

Nearly slipped my mind, too,

till I got a message from Tracy and Sharon

saying "happy anniversary."

That upset you?

Well, the-the sentiment was pitch-perfect.

But I am nowhere near ready to go into the studio

and honor Barbara.

I know you're chomping at the bit to do that, my dear.

But your lungs took quite a beating from the chemo.

But the recording session with Devon...

If that's your concern, we can reschedule.

You take a step back for now.

Give yourself enough time to ease your voice back into shape.

Okay. Quit stalling.

I've been exploring different arrangements

that will help with me and Jessica's relationship.

And spending every waking minute together this summer

isn't accomplishing that?

Quality time is good,

but I've got to be strategic about...

About what?

Me being at Banneker

and her being at UCLA.

Well, Banneker is only less than a hour away from us.

You're gonna be bringing us your laundry,

eating us out of house and home.

It's a time-honored college tradition.

I think he'll be back.

Early September?

At the latest.

Not possible.

'Cause I'm gonna be spending every weekend with Jessica.

Ugh, I so wish I could be there front row and center

to watch ChelseaKat make their first international debut.

You can still go, Jessica.

In fact, all of you fans out there can attend.

Uh, how?

Did you just score big?

Mm. My big score is working with the ChelseaKat brand.

And now our whole ChelseaKat fam gets to experience the event

because it will be live streamed

at #TokyoFashionCollective.

See you there, fam.

And it's posted.

You rock as a team brand ambassador.

Thank you for being my guest.

Your Japanese recs were great content.

And I love doing it.

Then why do you look like I'm making you take

another cotillion class?

Just reminding me that there's so much more world out there.

And?

And...

Okay, don't get me wrong--

I love being in this summer love bubble with your brother, but...

-Bubbles burst. -Yeah.

I feel like I've been ghosting my own needs

because I've been focusing so hard on Tyrell.

Like last week, when I went to visit UCLA

and met my soon-to-be roomie.

Just made me realize how small I've made my universe.

It feels like I'm losing me.

Can we table the discussion about my surgical scars

for another time?

Sure.

So, what's next on your agenda for today, boo?

There's some stuff I would like to catch up on

at my dad's practice.

It's so badass how much you take on.

It's one of the things I love most about you.

My multitasking tops your list?

Nah.

Nah, your strength.

Like I said last night,

the way you survive whatever life throws at you,

no matter how insanely challenging it may be.

I love you.

You know that?

Yeah. Yeah, I know.

But I love you more.

Mwah.

What a lovely surprise running into you.

Early morning pickup game with Andre and Ted.

That smile on your face because you finally got some rest?

Oh, I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.

Mm.

Well, when are you down for that date

that we took a rain check on?

I'm free now.

Wow. I see that Kial gets nights

and poor Carlton here is relegated to, uh,

brekky-breks.

Yeah, you know, that worked for me and Teddy Bear

once upon a mattress.

I have no idea what you are prattling on about, Leslie.

Have you met Kial's son Noah?

Sweetie pie.

And he's the new manager at my clinic.

Now, while we were discussing work,

he mentioned that, uh,

while he's been staying at his dad's,

his dad has been staying at his girlfriend's every night.

Yeah. So, apparently,

while he's crashing there to get the lay of the land...

...meanwhile, Daddy is getting laid by darling Nikki

at the Comfort Inn and Suites.

This just happened to spill out of your employee's mouth

in the middle of talking about payroll and supplies?

Okay, whatever this is,

I don't have time for it.

I have a consult.

Yeah, well, I have a meeting with the club prez myself.

So, ta-ta.

Can I call you later?

Find a better time for our date?

Of course.

Okay, we know

how much you care about Jessica.

We also know that this is your first serious relationship.

Those can be...

intense.

Does she even know your plans for the two of you?

So, without running this past your girlfriend,

you're planning to sacrifice your time, energy,

and a full shot at a college experience?

The math ain't mathing.

Why can't you get it?

I love Jessica.

Why do you guys keep treating me like a dumbass kid?

I know how I feel,

and I know what she needs.

When I hear someone planning something

for someone else's life,

my antennae go up.

Look, we're just trying to protect you.

I don't need protection.

Wrong, son.

Right now, your heart could use a full set of armor.

-Here you are, ladies. -Thank you. -Thanks.

Enjoy. You're so welcome.

So, tell me what went down in Cali.

I met my roommate. Super cool.

A student athlete on a scholarship.

And we went to a party together.

Mm. The dudes, though--

super hot?

I knew it.

Those west coast boys have swagger.

Hold up. Did you cheat on my brother?

No.

Good.

Because even though you're my girl,

Tyrell is my brother and fam is fam.

And I never ever want to see him get hurt.

There's that look again.

What gives, Jessica?

I had a great time out there.

And, come on, going out to parties

with my roomie's friends-- athletes.

That's so not Tyrell's thing.

Oh. So you're worried that your 'ship won't fit.

What's got you ignoring the outside world?

AI is telepathic.

I'm convinced.

And it's creeping me out.

You know, you think something once

and then your phone loads up a shopping cart.

Mm. Turn off your notifications if it bothers you that much.

Mm. Unfortunately,

some things can't be ignored in real life.

Oh. I am so glad I ran into you.

I wish I could say the same.

Oh, damn, Vern. Here I am trying to be neighborly over here.

We're no longer neighbors.

You have an empty lot.

Ah, yes.

That tornado nearly took out everything from me.

Quite a bit.

Even my daughter, almost.

Well, I'm glad Eva pulled through.

Oh, thank you, Vern.

That's very kind of you.

Now you can thank me.

For?

Well, you will be pleased to know, Mr. Squash Player,

that the Leslie Thomas Sports Complex

is back up and on schedule.

And I'm also glad to share that construction will begin

on my shouse...

posthaste.

The inspector stopped that, remember?

Ah, yes, that encroachment violation that you maneuvered.

Ooh, glory.

But there is a silver lining to every cloud.

-How so? -Well,

the twister knocked everything down,

which means there's no structure over your property line anymore.

So now I can begin my

new plans and specs

to resume.

How wonderful, Leslie.

For you.

And you wanted to open up your door

and look at an empty, vacant lot

when you could see a whole work of art.

-Art. -Mm.

You do stretch the meaning of so many words.

Well, be that as it may, Vern,

construction will begin soon.

Full force.

♪ ♪

(door shuts)

Glad to see your radiation appointment went well.

Phone call wasn't enough? You had to come see for yourself?

Among other things.

-Where's Daddy? -He went to the club.

So, I'm all you got.

What is it, Nicole?

I need your help.

I wasn't surprised about you calling

and asking me to squeeze you in.

A lot of people do that.

But why don't you want your dad knowing

about whatever it is that's going on?

I've got my reasons.

It's because I'm the better plastic surgeon, isn't it?

It's okay. You can say it.

I think both of my bosses in the practice are top-notch.

Okay, well, all kidding aside, my dear...

...what's really going on?

I know that you've performed miracles for burn victims

and trauma survivors.

And you've helped them feel like themselves again.

And, um, that-that's what I need, Carlton.

I need people to see me--

the Eva who takes names and she kicks ass

and she loves to rock a crop top on occasion while doing it.

It's your liver transplant scar.

Which is difficult on a number of levels.

What you tell your patients--

not all scars can be seen...

...I'm living it.

Like-like, most of my scars

I consider to be badges of honor,

like, from scraped knees to ice burns from skating.

But this one...

This one stares at me when I look at it in the mirror.

And every time,

it-it takes pieces,

it takes pieces of me with it.

Like, I avoid the mirror until it's covered.

Like, I never used to hide from my own body like this, Carlton.

Okay. Okay.

Let's see the scar.

Okay.

It's actually healing very well.

Dr. Arnold did a fantastic job,

especially given the circumstances.

The fact that I almost died?

Well, as far as scars go,

I have seen a lot worse.

Great. So-so you can help me?

I'm afraid not.

Enough is enough.

Take the insurance money,

sell the land,

cut your losses and move elsewhere,

preferably out of state.

I have family and community ties here.

Then don't subject them or the rest of us

to some ridiculous display.

Nothing about my studio-slash-house

is ridiculous.

This is just a waste of time.

I've got appointments.

Hey. Vernon, I will not be ignored.

And I am here to stay.

Yo.

Y'all seen, uh, Senator Dupree?

Mm, I-I haven't.

Neither have I.

Excellent.

Last thing I want to be is late.

-You got a second, join us. -ANDRE: Mm.

Yeah.

So, uh, how are you holding up?

-Honestly? -Mm.

Being back in this building kind of trips me out.

Mm.

I've been trying all summer not to hurt Tyrell.

I mean, you know I thought breaking up would be best,

but...

things heated up and, like...

I don't want to hear about you two's sex life.

Period.

How am I supposed to say goodbye now?

Maybe by reminding yourself that by standing still

it's gonna hurt worse.

For the both of you.

Yeah.

Right.

Look, it's easy to get caught up in something

that you care about so deeply.

But that shouldn't be your sole focus.

My plate's full.

I've got Jessica and school

and a side of a family.

Tyrell, you're not half-assing your way through college.

And being a part of this family is not some side dish.

It comes with honor and responsibility.

You know what?

I'm tired of listening to what everybody's telling me to do.

I'm 18. Grown by law.

I should be able to buy a plane ticket to see and visit

my girlfriend.

Yeah, but you need money.

And how are you gonna get that?

You gonna be a flight attendant on the first red-eye to L.A.?

You know, I thought if I were to explain to you two,

you would understand. My bad!

Oh...

(door shuts)

You just said you've seen worse scars.

I have.

Okay, so why the hard pass?

Because there is no quick fix for a situation like yours.

Okay, why not?

Because you are still healing.

From two things: your damage control surgery

and your liver transplant.

Okay. Shouldn't we be able to fix it while it's still fresh?

That's not how it works.

Any potential scar revision has to wait

until your body has fully healed and the tissue has settled.

Okay, well, can't we just speed it up?

I mean, I mean, I'm young.

And before this, pretty healthy.

Doesn't that count for something?

Of course it does.

In general.

Now, once your transplant team signs off on your recovery,

then we can look at our options.

Okay. Like-like what?

Well, there are advancements in laser, stem cell treatments

that we can explore based on your progress by then.

A-And so those procedures will get rid of the scar?

The goal is to minimize the appearance.

So, no promises.

Just honesty.

Well, what am I supposed to do in the meantime, Carlton?

I feel so disconnected to my body.

Okay, that is more complicated.

Eva,

you've just survived a life-saving surgery.

It's-it's not uncommon for organ transplant recipients

to explore and discuss their new normal with a professional.

I don't need therapy, Carlton.

I-I need to feel like myself again.

Okay.

You're more than welcome to get a second opinion.

But any reputable MD is going to agree with me, Eva.

I know for a fact that your father would.

The night of the tornado was sheer terror.

No shame, still got me shook.

Yeah. That's all of us.

A game of pickup ball--

that can only get you but so far.

Emotionally, that is.

Well, when Kat and Eva were missing,

when Martin was missing

until we managed to find him under a freaking tree.

Word. Man, that...

that got to be one of the worst nights of my life.

In the end, everybody made it through.

Yeah.

So, how's my cousin been?

The last time I saw y'all, she looked great.

-Uh... -LESLIE: Don't you dare

walk away from me, Vernon Dupree.

(stammering)

-Not it. -Not it.

(chuckling): You-you...

-Okay. -Mm.

LESLIE: You are being rude

right now. Come on.

I've heard all the bluster I can stomach for the day.

Senator Dupree.

Leslie. Uh, can I help?

Just a neighborly spat.

-Hmm. -Hmm.

Wonder if it can wait.

Uh, Senator Dupree has a real tight window

with his busy schedule, and he and I have a meeting.

It's very important to me.

Oh. What biz do you two have with each other?

Banneker. Specifically, internship opportunities

for my students.

Oh. Well, I think I should be a part of that convo,

considering that I funded the very clinic

that actually has an arrangement with Banneker.

Do you never tire

of announcing the money you spend to bleach your reputation?

-Okay. I-- -Any-any clinic meeting

should involve Eva.

Why don't you swing by the apartment

and we can talk about that later?

I would love that.

It's nice to be somewhere that I'm actually wanted.

If you decide to change careers,

I'll put in a good word for you at the UN.

'Cause you clearly have a knack

for brokering the peace, son.

You okay, bro?

I was.

Until the 'rents shot down my plan

to fly out to L.A. to see my girlfriend every weekend.

Say what?

Got to go. Yep.

It's a good plan.

School here two days a week,

and then I have Friday through Mondays to be with you.

I'm sure you worked that out on paper,

but that is so not gonna happen.

Why not?

Uh, you don't know my schedule

or what activities I'll be into because I don't even know yet.

I assumed you would want to spend time with me

instead of auditioning for a play.

Wrong.

I mean, I-I love spending time with you,

Tyrell, but, no, I'm not going to miss out on stuff

because of your desperate attempt to try

and, like, keep us together.

-I'm desperate now? -Uh,

that's not what I meant.

All I'm saying is I won't know what I want until I get there.

And so, no, I'm not going to be closed off

because you decided on your own to make

weekly commutes to the west coast.

And I don't want you skipping out on amazing opportunities

at Banneker, like-like joining chess club

or a frat or the robotics club.

You're just softballing because you believe we won't work out.

I can't predict the future.

But I hope we do.

Hope?

That's your plan?

Jes-Jessica, we have to make our futures happen now

or this would be some BS cop-out.

Say what you really mean.

Okay, fine.

I think we should break up. Starting now.

I know as well as anyone

how that woman can get under your skin.

But Leslie lobbing Leslie-isms is nothing new.

I know, but...

Do you think I have it all wrong when it comes to men?

You have not one but two fine gentlemen courting you.

You're doing just fine.

You just aren't ready to commit to anyone.

Not after the way my marriage ended.

I spent so much time mourning that relationship.

I have been determined to never offer my entire heart

to anyone ever again.

I'm done with love.

A professional would have a field day with that.

Okay. I know. Classic avoidance.

You think?

Sometimes it's the best way to shield ourselves.

After Ted's betrayal,

understandably, you would assume that position.

For a while.

I have been very intentional

about keeping everything casual and fun.

-And are you? Having fun? -I am.

Or at least I was.

Do you think I'm just setting the stage for disaster?

Agreed. Tyrell's plan is ludicrous.

But we need to figure out

a better way to get through to our lovestruck teen.

Ooh! Lox and bagels.

-I'm starving. -Watch out.

I'm pretty sure it's laced with teen rage.

I assumed you ate at Orphey Gene's with Jessica.

She sprung for a drink.

We didn't get to breakfast.

Tyrell showed up.

I heard about your chat before I dipped.

We are concerned about Tyrell's unrealistic expectations

when it comes to Jessica.

And your brother is fast approaching a world of hurt,

the way he's whooshing through his life.

That's not new for him.

He was the speed chess champ, remember?

It's his M.O.

What do you mean?

When he lets someone in like this

and the warning light turns yellow,

instead of slowing down,

Tyrell steps on the gas.

Okay, look, I could use your advice on something.

Well, it's more of an answer to a hypothetical question.

Okay, hit me.

If you could've...

if you could've told Nicole everything about Leslie

-early on, -Hmm.

way back when,

would you?

I still go back and forth on that.

I don't know.

I mean, for sure, I wish I would've been there for Eva.

Okay, well, let's take the baby part out of the equation.

I'd like to think that Nicole and I could weather it,

but that's wishful thinking.

Odds are I just would've got kicked to the curb earlier.

Where's this question coming from?

I'm worried my past is...

catching up with me.

I've been stumbling towards making a decision,

and I don't want to make the wrong one.

I know what it feels like to have the rug pulled out

from underneath you,

and I would hate to do that to somebody I care about.

And I really care about both of them.

Okay.

How did all of this start?

I gravitated towards Carlton because

he was familiar, and I felt safe.

And I knew he'd been crushing on me for a while

and he'd fit in with Dupree events.

Yes, he would.

And then with Kial...

He was unexpected.

A complete stranger.

But there was this attraction.

And you could be carefree.

So much.

And do you know, after all of this time,

I still feel that easy, carefree way with him.

Kial is sensitive and seems to know me better than anyone.

Better than me, sometimes.

Well, it sounds like you have your answer.

Your heart is leading you there,

but your head is getting in the way.

So what do I do?

Analysis leads to paralysis.

Who is the shrink here?

Today, me.

And I don't believe you're anywhere near finished

with having love in your life.

You know where my grandpa is?

Ted won't be in until later.

And my grandma?

I'm pretty sure Nicole's off today.

Do you have a minute?

(knocking, tapping)

Hola, mamacita.

-Hey, Mama. -Mwah. Hey.

Just a warning: I'm not in a good mood.

Aw.

Where's my baby's usual fire?

Are you packing Izaiah's things?

What did that boyfriend of yours do?

It's nothing like that, okay? It's not him at all.

It's me, Mama.

Mama, this scar from the surgeries is really doing

a number on my head.

Like I'm never gonna feel like myself again.

Oh, honey.

You are the most beautiful person in the world.

You are light and love.

And maimed.

Hey.

I know I haven't been the best role model.

I put appearances and...

...how people saw us ahead of everything else.

And I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, baby.

But the only thing that I see in front of me right now...

...is that you are here.

My beautiful, bright baby girl.

Alive and healthy.

And I know for a fact, honey, that Izaiah loves you.

Oh, gosh.

That's the only thing he is looking at you with,

is-is complete love.

Do you know that when we were at that hospital,

that man sat there

with me, waiting patiently and...

praying.

And, baby, he did not even leave your side.

Not for a minute.

He doesn't care about some dang old scar.

That's what he kind of said last night.

Okay. Come on. Then believe it.

Believe him.

Hmm.

Because he loves you almost--

almost--

as much as I do.

So you just lean on your mama

and you lean on your man

and you take whatever punches this world hands you, baby,

and you break through right to the other side.

Huh?

I didn't know you were a Jim Morrison fan.

I know. That's 'cause I never told you, boo.

So are you gonna be letting go of appearances, too?

Mm. Maybe a little...

teensy-weensy bit.

Just a bit.

Yeah.

I love you.

I love you too.

Oh.

Samantha, we're not pushing you

to talk about anything upsetting.

It's okay.

I deal with things differently than Tyrell.

But while we were waiting to get placed,

Tyrell ran away to look for June.

I remember reading about a couple AWOL incidents.

They were more like prison breaks.

Lots of them.

He felt cornered

and fought for a way out.

Because he's been hardwired not to trust

that life's just gonna work out.

Even though we ended up in the most perfect place.

But the impact of all that fear--

it doesn't just vanish because the circumstances change.

SAMANTHA: The day that Tyrell realized that getting to June

or her coming back for us was never gonna happen...

...there was a power outage inside him.

I should've seen it sooner.

I mean, we've talked.

But I didn't really take in the death grip he has

to clinging to the people he loves.

This isn't really about Jessica.

It's about old wounds.

(phone chimes)

Oh, this is Jessica.

"Broke up with T.

Be there for him, please."

Oh, crap. This is not good.

I know this is probably weird,

but thanks for listening.

Thanks for the trust, man.

But I got to say, when you go in,

you go all in.

Jessica and I are endgame.

I know that.

Why can't she just see what's in front of her?

Pop said I made all the concessions, and I did.

Why can't it just be a win-win for her?

You think it would be, right?

The equation lines up, but...

only when you're willing to exclude certain variables.

Like?

Some of your needs.

You're saying the formula itself could be flawed?

At least one person in this scenario will get hurt,

and that is one too many.

Such is life.

All you can do is be open and honest.

As you have.

So have Kial and Carlton.

In their own way.

Which is why I think it's unfair to keep either one of them

at arm's length, especially Carlton,

who I've known almost my entire adult life.

I reiterate,

adult men are responsible for their own feelings.

I'm not ignoring that.

Just because you're not choosing one doesn't mean

you're committing to the other.

May I make a suggestion?

Something I wouldn't typically offer.

And this is specifically for you.

This would not work for your sister.

All right. Lay it on me.

You have always thrived under pressure.

So I have heard.

But I don't feel like I'm thriving right now.

You, my type A, straight-A analyst--

you need a deadline.

A self-imposed one.

Your two paramours don't need to know anything about it.

This is for you alone.

You just need to choose your moment.

You actually think so?

Well, all of this ad infinitum arrangement

is just muddying the waters.

Okay.

Thank you, Mother.

By this time next week,

I will have my answer.

I was hoping I could place some students as interns with you.

I got two in mind that may be great future political minds.

I love the notion of mentoring the next generation.

Enacting change

was always a calling.

Yeah, I-I didn't always know what my passion was.

But helping young people discover their own unique paths

just does it for me.

There's fire in you.

It reminds me of myself when I began.

What are you even talking about?

Did you step out on Dani?

You're tripping.

Never.

This is from when I was hopping around Europe,

being a nomad.

After your parents passed away, huh?

Let's just say...

some things happened abroad that, uh,

I've omitted from my bio.

Sometimes I damn near forget that it happened myself.

Mm. Well, I'm not the best guy

to dole out that kind of advice.

But whatever happened before Dani

is kind of irrelevant now.

Do this one thing:

be better than me.

Be honest.

And whatever happened then

will not derail what you and Dani have got going now.

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