When Love Comes Knocking (2021)

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic music)

(logo whooshes)

- [Announcer] Here's the definition of perfection.

A condition, state, or quality of being free

or as free as possible from all flaws or defects.

Hey love, I saw you standin there I had to meet you

Just a magnificent creature with extraordinary features

Our conversation is somethin I'd like to extend

The possibilities of you and I becomin friends

Your appearance is tantalizing, your smile hypnotizing

With a figure like that I bet you're exercising

You're particularly beautiful, definitely sensational

So appealin and real and the feelin seems very magical

Can I call ya for dinner, maybe a movie instead

And vicious thoughts of you and I together

Encased in your head

No disrespect is given and I hope none's taken

The situation's amazin because you're so fascinating

And it's obvious your interest in me was unexpected

So I gotta count my blessings

'Cause I'm thankful for your presence

Your rafters are pleasant, venom just like a snakebite

So here's my number, baby won't you call me priest tonight

I'm lovin who you are, who you are you're perfection

Yeah

And I know you're the one, you're the one that's for me

You're the one for me, baby

I'm lovin how I feel when you give me affection

I'm on my way, on my way

Yeah, I'm down tonight, I'm down tonight

You're the one that I need, perfection for me

Boy with the tray, I see you got much game

Intellectual, I love the type with much brain

Let's rule the world, you're the queen I'll be the king

You'll get the coolest crown no one has ever seen

You the GL*CK type, you the one that pop right

Back to back, bedroom, lookin like a motorcycle

Love the way you get it in, then again

Got me thinkin you and me becomin senior citizens

Let go of that fantasy, too scary

You want some real sh*t, I'm your Huckleberry

No elves, no wizards, no fairies

I'm Braveheart, count on me when sh*t gets scary

Don't want to rush you girl

Because I'm a firm believer that you gotta treat her right

And hold her tight if you gonna keep her

Keep your love comin in my direction

'Cause you're nothing but perfection

I'm lovin who you are, who you are, you're perfection

And I know you're the one, you're the one that's for me

You're the one for me, baby

I'm loving how I feel when you give me affection

I'm down tonight, I'm down tonight

You're the one that I need, perfection for me

P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N

P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N

P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N

You're perfection baby, so you gotta win

P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N

P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N

P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N

You're perfection baby, so you gotta win

I'm lovin who you are, who you are, you're perfection

And I know you're the one, you're the one that's for me

I'm loving how I feel when you give me affection

I'm down tonight, I'm down tonight

You're the one that I need, perfection for me

Perfection for me

- I just can't understand how these numbers

aren't matching up to my report.

This is crazy.

How is this even possible?

(cellphone ringing)

Great, she never ceases to amaze me.

Yes, mother, what is it?

- Excuse me.

Now I know I raised you better than that,

Veronica Denise Richardson.

And don't be over there making ugly faces

and talking under your voice either, smart tail.

- What do you mean Momma?

I wasn't doing that.

- I'm your mother and I carried you for?

- Nine months, six hours, three days and 32 seconds.

I know Momma.

You never seem to let me forget it.

- And you shouldn't forget it either.

Now the reason I called you was.

- Because you need more money.

Yeah Momma, I know.

How much is it this time, huh?

1200, what?

You need a hip replacement this time?

How much is it?

- Well I'll be.

- You'll be what Momma?

Calling me next week asking for light bill money

or money for bingo, so you can look good for the Chambers.

I'm not a cash cow that you can just milk,

whenever you want.

- Dammit Veronica.

Now I don't know who pissed you off or what your problem is,

but I am your mother and I refuse, do you hear me?

I refuse to allow you to talk to me in such a nasty tone

and a disrespectful manner.

- Momma, just I don't want.

- Momma, my foot.

Don't you sit there all high and mighty on the throne.

Baby before there was a throne, there was me, your mother.

I'm out here busting my a*s,

trying to put you through the best, you Veronica,

to the best of schools, clothing you, feeding you.

And even when your father couldn't find work,

Jesus, God, rest his soul, it was me, it was me.

So who the hell

do you think you talking to like that little girl?

- Momma, I,

I am so sorry.

I know I shouldn't have said those things.

I'm sorry, Momma, I'm just so stressed

and the pressure from work and my accounts aren't adding up

and time seems to be ticking away so fast.

- Baby, I understand.

You see your father and I have tried to teach you

that the pressures of life will come,

sometimes during the worst of worst times.

But baby, during those times you have to be firm

and strong during those times.

Baby girl, you are a Richardson.

You are the daughter of a strong and fighting king.

Pressure don't burst pipes in this family,

it builds up and we overcome it.

Hold your head up

and you face that situation head on with authority,

It'll be all right.

- I know, Momma.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

- Baby it's okay.

Sometimes we have to be reminded of who we are.

- You're right, just,

I just wish daddy were here, you know, I miss his presence

and his protection.

- Honey, your father's presence

will be with you for always.

(laughing)

Oh, you look just like his old, ugly self.

(laughing)

Now that you are feeling better.

My reason for calling

was because I had to ask you something.

- What's that?

- Well, baby, do you remember Ms. Harris,

that lives next door to me?

- Yes, I remember her.

I love Ms. Harris.

Wait, did she pass away?

- No, no, no, baby, she is just fine.

- Oh I was scared.

- No, no, baby, no need for that.

In fact, she ask about you all the time.

Since her husband, Jeffrey, passed away last year,

she really hasn't had anything to do over the holiday.

So I wanted to ask you,

would you come home for Thanksgiving?

And we invite her over to celebrate with us.

- Momma that's a great idea, I'd love to.

I'll start making arrangements this week

so I can come home a few days early

and help you prepare the food.

- Oh, you are the best Ronnie, thank you baby.

Ms. Harris will be so happy to see you.

- Well I'll be happy to see her

and thanks again, Momma,

I really appreciate everything you do for me.

- Baby, you are my only child,

I love you Veronica.

Thank you for accepting the Thanksgiving invitation.

- No problem, Momma.

Well, I got to change the situation at work,

so I'll call you tomorrow, okay?

- Okay baby good, I'll tell Ms. Harris

and Marcus the good news.

- Marcus.

Wait, Momma. - Oh baby.

Baby wait a minute, Momma's food is sticking.

- Momma, no Momma, Momma wait-

(laughing)

- This Thanksgiving is gonna be so good this year.

(laughing)

- Damn, I knew I shouldn't have picked up the phone.

Oh.

(gentle music)

Ooh

Feels like the smile's there

- Oh Ronnie, I really miss you being here with me.

I miss you and your father being here.

Steven, our little girl

has grown up to be such an amazing woman.

Wish you were here to see all of her accomplishments.

You would be oh so proud.

I try to guide her

and teach her just as you would have if you were here.

But like you always said,

I put myself in the path

by interfering in all the wrong times.

I just hope this is not one of those times.

It's rainin down on me

Come drown in my sorrows

So I'll say my needs

So hard to smile with your face against a wall

You say no to me, but I can't say nothing at all

Everything is

- Chamberland versus McCormick.

McCormick seems to be winning by a landslide, but.

There's something fishy about the way they're operating.

I'll have to keep an eye on their movements.

(door knocking)

Mr Daniels.

- Hey Veronica.

- Hi.

- I brought over the paperwork on the Klein and Tate case.

- Oh, okay.

Thank you.

- Oh, that's no problem.

In fact reason I'm here is to say you did a great job.

- Thank you.

What for?

- Well, I took some time to look at the statistics

on the Klein and Tate case

and well, let's just say, the numbers were all wrong.

- Well, Sir.

- Yeah, Samantha and I,

we went over that case and over that case

and we just couldn't figure out why.

The numbers were off.

Yeah, we spent over two months on that case

and we just, we couldn't figure it out.

- Wow.

- Yeah, yeah. - Two months, hah.

- Yeah, wow, that's what we said.

Two months, night and day

and well, we just didn't have a clue

until we read your report.

Then we realized that Klein had gone into the computer

and changed the numbers to favor him.

- Yeah, well it was only a matter of time.

Yeah, what's done in the dark always comes to light.

- You're absolutely correct.

And with a head of the department, such as yourself,

I am confident that this law firm will rise to the top.

You know, I can, I can feel it in my bones.

- Mr. Daniels, you do know I'm only a case manager, right?

- Oh, not anymore.

Now you are the new head of this entire department.

When you get a chance, go down to HR,

they're expecting you and give you that salary increase.

Congratulations.

- Thank you, Sir, I won't let you down.

- Oh, I know you won't.

Oh and by the way, that time off that you requested

for the Thanksgiving holiday,

well, that's been approved along with an additional week off

at the higher salary increase.

You enjoy yourself, you earned it.

- Thank you, Sir.

Thank you God.

You know I love what's mine

Get a chill up my spine every time I think about you

Oh, sister girl, you so fine

Stimulate my mind, can't see me without you

And plus you about the business all the time

Sign on the dotted line, how could I ever doubt you

Together we be makin' dollars outta dimes

Turnin water into wine, can't see

- Girl yes.

That party was crunk, honey yes.

- Excuse me.

- [Woman] Yes.

- Excuse me.

- Girl, let me call you back before I hurt somebody.

- Hurt somebody?

Anyway. - Yes.

Sir, what can I help you with?

- My check, it is not in my account,

I don't know what's going on.

- Well you have to go the accounts office,

I don't handle your check.

- Account. No, no, it say come to HR.

- [Ingrid] No, no, I don't handle this.

- You don't handle this.

- Well you have to go to the accountant's office, Sir.

I'm not the one that handles your check.

- You don't handle my check and you're in HR.

Come on, man, something ain't right.

- Yes, we're about to get ready and close,

so you have to go to the accountant's office.

- No but you're HR,

you're supposed to take care of my check.

- Well the accountants office.

- It's not in my account.

- Hi Veronica, come on around.

- Veronica. - Veronica.

- [Woman] We've been expecting you.

- Hi.

I thought for sure I'd be waiting in line all day,

for all these people.

- Usually you would have, but Mr. Daniels

wanted to put you first priority.

- Wow, thank you so much.

- Not a problem at all.

Well here's your paperwork, you're all set.

And is there anything else I can help you with?

- No, just have a nice day.

- You do the same.

And congrats on your new position, love.

- Thank you.

- Yay.

- I don't know what that was about, but look,

I need my check. - Oh you back?

- Yes, I'm back.

(Veronica laughing)

- I don't know, accounting,

I don't know anything about that.

- [Woman] Okay, well you have to go the accountants office,

I don't handle your check.

- It's not in my account

and I need to know what's going on with my check,

simple as that.

- Did you take care of my girl?

- Yes. - Veronica was here?

- She's amazing yes,

she's amazing. - I knew it,

she's something special.

- Oh my goodness.

Yeah, who's this guy, who's he?

- They're talking about some check in HR's office, I don't.

- Okay great, anyway,

listen, I need my check,

I don't know what's happening, please tell me,

'cause I need to pay my bills,

I have kids, wife, family, I don't know what's happening.

- [Man] And our paycheck's a little short.

- Yeah, I need my check.

- You guys need a little cash?

- Yes, I didn't get paid.

My Bentley's outside, it needs a wash and a wax,

do you think you could do that?

- His Bentley. (both laughing)

that's funny. - He's a comedian.

- Yeah.

Anyway, I need to know what's going on with my check.

Who's this guy, who's he?

- Comedian, that's who he is.

- Yeah that's what's up. (man laughing)

Listen, I need check

and you need to tell me what's going on.

Account.

- Did you tell him to go to accounting?

- Yes. - Go to accounting.

- What is going on around here?

I think I'ma put my two weeks in.

I don't like the way you.

- I tell you what, I have a bad day.

(laughing)

- He upset.

Let me call my girl back.

(laughing)

Hello.

Yeah.

Oh I'm ready to go outside.

I'm tryin to see what's up with you baby

Can I see what's up with you baby

I'm tryin to see what's up with you baby

Baby girl can I see what's up with you baby

I'm tryin to see what's up with you baby

Can I see what's up with you baby

I'm tryin to see what's up with you baby

Baby girl can I see what's up with you baby

Why in the hell you keep playin round with those scrubs

I'm tryin to move on down to your pretty legs and rub

You're doin a few things for you but it ain't enough

I'm tryin to get intimate with you up in your

- Little Marcus.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Yeah, girl, I'm packing for Chicago right now.

Oh, we decided to take that trip back home, I see.

- Unfortunately.

Trust me, this is nothing that I'm looking forward to.

- Girl come on.

You needed to get away.

Everyone needs a break from work, sometime.

- A break.

No, no, no, no, no. A trip to Miami is a break.

A cruise somewhere exotic is a break.

Hell, even a trip to the zoo

is better than going home

and having to face the bully that you hate.

- Veronica, that boy might not even be there

when you get there.

sh**t, he might be in someone's prison,

from what you told me about him.

(laughing)

- It wouldn't be surprised if he was locked up.

Damn demon.

(laughing)

- You know you're crazy, right?

- Girl, I am serious.

I'm telling you if Marcus tries to bully me,

I'm calling the police on him.

- Well, let's just hope you don't show up then.

(door knocking)

Girl, let me call you back when I get to Chicago,

someone's knocking on my door.

- Oh all right, I'll talk to you later, girl.

- Okay, bye. - Bye.

(door knocking) - Who is it?

(door knocking)

Who is it?

(door knocking)

Who is it?

- [James] It's me.

- Me who?

I'm gonna need you to be a little more specific,

if you're going to come knocking on my door.

- Baby, it's James, let me in.

- Why are you at my door, James?

- Baby, let me explain.

- No, James there is nothing

and I need nothing that belongs to you in my house.

When you cheated on me, that was it.

- Baby, let me explain.

- Okay, James, you stand right there,

while I call the police

so you can explain to them,

why the hell you're at my door harassing me?

What, you still wanna explain, James?

- Sorry. I'm so sorry.

Look, I didn't mean to hurt you, okay, I really did.

- See James, that's where you're wrong.

You didn't hurt me, you helped me.

You helped me to understand

that I didn't need your approval,

nor your mental and emotional abuse anymore.

Times have changed, James,

and so has my ability to allow any man

to make me feel less of a woman.

The truth is, James, you wouldn't even know

what a woman worthy to be loved and accepted in all areas

would even look like,

even if she was a dog and bit you

in your stinking Black a*s.

Now get the hell away from my damn door, you creep,

before I call the cops.

- [James] Really, Ronnie, really.

- You have five seconds and I'm calling 911.

- All right, if that's how you're gonna act, I'm gone.

You ain't gonna never see me no more, okay,

I'm outta here.

- Cool, awesome, bye.

- Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie.

Ronnie open the door.

Ronnie.

- What James?

- Look, I really need my toothbrush.

- You're serious right now?

- Yeah, it's my toothbrush and I need it, I'm serious.

(laughing)

- Show him.

I can't believe you are really at my door

asking for a damn toothbrush.

- Look, you the one that said you was done with me.

And I don't see no need for my toothbrush

to be somewhere where I ain't needed or wanted.

- So I guess that you haven't brushed your teeth in what?

Three months then.

- You got jokes right now, Ronnie?

- I'm just saying,

I kicked your lying, oh, and cheating

and a*usive a*s out of my house, three months ago,

- You gonna give me my toothbrush or not.

- Here.

And stay away from me and my house

before I have you arrested.

- See, that's why I can't love you.

It ain't even worth it.

- Your momma.

(Veronica crying)

I hate him.

Hey love I saw you standing there

I had to meet you

Just a magnificent creature

With extraordinary features

A conversation is something I like to extend

With possibilities of you and I becoming friends

Your appearance is tantalizing

Your smile hypnotizing

With a figure like that I bet you're exercising

You're intriguingly beautiful

Definitely sensational

So appealing and thrilling

The feeling seems very magical

Can I call you for dinner

Maybe a move instead

Ambitious thoughts of you and I together

Engaged in your head

No disrespect is given

And I hope none is taken

The situation's amazing

Because you're so fascinating

And it's obvious your interest in me was unexpected

So I gotta count my blessing

'Cause I'm thankful for your presence

Your raptures are pleasant

Venom just snake bite

So here's my number baby won't you call me

Call me tonight

I'm loving who you are, who you are, your perfection

Yeah

And I know you're the one, you're the one that's for me

You're the one for me baby

So love me, and I just can't take

Walking without you next to me

Stimulate my mind every time I think about you

I can't see me without you

You know I love what's mine

Get a chill up my spine every time I think about you

Girl you so fine

Stimulate my mind can't see me without you

(indistinct)

- Come here little girl.

(laughing)

- Daddy, why'd you stop running?

- Ronnie baby, I can't play like I used to.

- Daddy, I have a question.

- What is it, Ronnie?

- Why was Momma fussing at you last night?

- That was nothing, I love your mother

and your mother loves me.

Sometimes when people don't see eye to eye,

things can get a little heated, that's all.

- But she was really angry.

- Yes she was.

But I promise you, she's fine now, don't worry about it.

I tell you what,

come on, take a walk with me.

It's a beautiful day today isn't it?

- It really is.

- You see that flower?

- It's beautiful.

- It reminds me of your mother.

- A flower?

- Not quite.

But a beautiful flower and the love and care for it.

You understand?

- Yes.

- That flower right there's a special flower.

Just like your mother.

Loved, nourished and understood.

- So, with gardener.

- Like a gardener.

I gotta make sure that that soil is fertile

and on solid ground and loved.

- So that's how it works?

- That's how it works.

And I want you to promise me one thing.

- What is it?

- That when you get a man,

he treats you just like that flower.

I don't care how much you love him.

- I promise.

- Then come get your father a hug.

- Veronica, Veronica, what you doing back here?

- I was just remembering the good times

Dad and I had back here.

- Well baby, can you remember in the house,

it's cold out here.

Won't you come in the house.

- Okay, Momma.

- Now, I don't know why you were back there

in that yard like that.

It's cold out there Ronnie.

- It wasn't cold to me, Momma.

- Now, I don't need you come up here getting sick.

Chicago weather's not like that good old Atlanta weather

that you're used to.

- Atlanta gets cold too.

- Baby pass me that bag.

- Yes, Momma.

- You know, Ms. Loretta's gonna be here in a minute

and she's gonna help us with the food.

- Oh great, I can't wait to see her.

(door knocking)

Hi, how can I help you?

- Hello, I have a pan of food for Ms. Richardson,

is she home?

- Yeah, yes she is.

Momma there's someone at the door named.

I'm sorry what's your name?

Oh.

- I'm Daniel.

- Hi Daniel, I.

I, I am Veronica

and my mom is in the dining room, come on in.

- Oh, so you're Ms. Richardson's daughter huh?

- Yes I am.

Momma, it's Daniel.

- Oh, come on Danny baby,

leave this pan up right here.

I wanna thank you for dropping this dressing off to me.

- Oh, it's no problem.

My mom said send you her love.

- Well you make sure you tell Virginia, thank you very much.

- Will do, happy Thanksgiving.

- Happy Thanksgiving to you too, baby.

And you take care of now, okay.

- Here, I'll walk you out.

- It's a pleasure meeting you Veronica.

- It's a pleasure meeting you as well.

- [Daniel] Hope to see you soon.

(Veronica laughing)

- Take care.

Bye.

No.

- What? I didn't even say anything Ronnie.

- You don't have to, it's written all over your face.

- Daniel is a good boy, he got a good job and everything.

- Doing what, Fight Club?

- Really, Ronnie.

- I'm just saying, I need to go put my clothes away.

- Well just remember, you still gotta do the potato salad.

- [Veronica] Yeah, yeah, whatever.

- Your momma's gonna get you a good man yet.

Need some grand babies,

gets lonely around here.

And you're meant to be happy.

- I am happy.

- Whatever.

- I need a break.

Let me call Ronnie, I can't do nothing right now.

(cellphone ringing)

- Hey girl, what's up?

- Hey Ronnie, so spill it, how's the trip going so far?

- The trip is going okay.

- What?

You didn't run in the Marcus, did you?

- Girl, no, but I did kinda have a scare though.

- Girl, what, what happened?

- Well I was in the kitchen, cooking dinner with mom

and someone knocked on the door so I answered it.

- So who was it?

- Girl, I don't know.

It was some guy with a black eye, holding a pan.

- Damn, what happened to him?

- Girl, I don't know,

he came in here looking like something from Fight Club,

I swear.

(laughing)

But apparently, he's just a nice guy

who comes by and helps my mom from time to time.

- Oh, that's nice of him.

- [Veronica] Yeah, I guess.

- So, what's the problem?

- Well, I think he likes me.

- Well, duh,

have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately,

girl you are fine okay, of course he likes you.

(laughing)

- Whatever Tasha.

- But you know what?

Don't even worry about it.

You're there for your Momma, right?

- Yeah.

- Okay.

And you needed this break

so just enjoy yourself, all right.

Don't even worry about that other stuff.

- I'll try to keep that in mind.

- Thank you.

I know what I'm talking about.

- [Ms. Richardson] Veronica.

- Girl, let me call you back, my mom's calling me.

(laughing)

You got kitchen duty.

- Yes, girl, you already know,

she will not stop talking about this potato salad.

(laughing)

- Oh, I miss your mom's potato salad.

Let me get off this phone 'cause now I'm getting hungry.

I'll talk to you later, girl.

- Bye, girl.

Coming, Momma.

(door knocking)

Hello, how can I help you?

- Hello, I'm here to see Ms. Richardson.

- Is that so?

- Yes it is?

- Are you sure about that?

- Last time I checked, I was.

- Well Veronica don't just have him standing in the door,

let him in.

- Sorry, come on in. - Thank you.

- Hey Marcus, you can take that peach cobbler

right on in the kitchen.

Oh, wait a minute, where's your mother.

- Oh she's at home, just had to grab a few things.

- Oh, okay good, good.

- Veronica baby, could you take Loretta's peach cobbler

and put it in the oven.

And baby you can give that right over to Veronica.

- Okay.

- Ronnie, I know you're not being rude to our guest.

- He can go to hell.

- It's okay. Ms. Richardson,

I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it.

- And how can you be so sure about that?

- 'Cause I haven't done anything to offend you.

- Oh, you've done more than enough, trust me.

- What's that supposed to mean, Ronnie?

- My name is Veronica.

- Veronica what is your problem?

We're out here trying to enjoy Thanksgiving

and you're acting like Marcus really did something to you.

- He did.

- Well, hell, I couldn't tell the way you answered the door,

smiling ear to ear, being flirtatious with him,

you could have fooled me.

- Go to hell.

- Veronica, Veronica,

I know you hear me calling you.

- It's okay Ms. Richardson,

I'm sure she didn't meet anything by it.

- No, it is not okay, Marcus.

Please forgive me for my daughter's actions.

I don't know what has gotten into her.

- Look, she's probably just having a bad day.

- Marcus, when your mother comes, please let her in,

I have to get to the bottom of this mess with Veronica.

- Yes ma'am, I'll let her in.

- Thank you, excuse me.

- No problem.

- Girl, if that would've been me

and I would've caught my man with that other woman,

oh, I would have had a serious fit.

- I don't know if I would have even said anything.

- Are you serious.

Oh honey, I'm would have went crazy.

- What would that solve though?

A dog is a dog, no matter how you dress it.

He's still gonna do what he was gonna do anyway.

And now you look like a fool,

embarrassing yourself in a public place.

- Tasha, since when have I ever been embarrassed

about embarrassing myself, okay.

I mean, girl, they would've

had to shut that whole restaurant down, okay.

This man woulda had pasta and noodles all over him,

from head to toe, by the time I got finished with him.

- Girl, come on, you'd stay getting cheated on.

- Really, Tasha, we going there, really?

- No, but yeah.

Look just hear me out, okay, it happens,

and people react differently.

Plus, that was TV,

so girl, you know those reactions were fake.

- I don't care, honey, I would have been fake chicken.

(laughing)

- Anyway, I wonder what it'll look like

if those cameras had been able to follow Veronica around

when she found out about James.

- Girl, speaking of,

I saw James' old nasty, flea and tick infested,

filthy muck with worms looking behind,

stuff the other day girl,

and he wanted to ask me about Ronnie.

And I said, what the heck you want with Ronnie?

He said, "Where she at, what she doing who she with?"

- I said don't worry about it,

'cause she ain't here in ATL no way.

I told him she in Chicago for Thanksgiving

so mind your business.

Then he went on somewhere.

What?

Why you looking at me, like I did something?

- 'Cause you did.

- What?

- You told James where Veronica is.

- Okay, you act like he gonna go.

Damn.

You think?

- Ah, yeah I think.

sh**t, now we gotta pack up and fly to Chicago.

You know what? You talk too damn much.

- Sorry. - We gotta warn Veronica.

This is ridiculous.

I told you about this mess.

- sh**t, oh. - I don't have time for this.

You know how cold it is in Chicago at this time of year?

- [Ingrid] Don't remind me.

- You know what?

At least Mrs. Richardson has some good food.

- [Ingrid] You right about that.

- [Tasha] Get that bag up.

(Veronica screaming)

- Great, here we go.

- What is your problem, Veronica?

- I don't have one.

- Apparently you do.

I'm gonna tell you, like it or not,

you need to check your nasty attitude,

and I mean right now.

- Momma, how do you expect me to act?

I hate him.

- Like you got some sense

and like I raised you with some home training.

I didn't raise you to be rude nor hate anyone.

Where is this coming from?

- From him.

Momma, that man downstairs tortured me my entire childhood.

He's bullied me and pushed me in the snow

and he even called me a ugly troll.

(Ms. Richardson laughing)

Momma, that's not funny.

- Baby, I'm not laughing at you

because of what Marcus has done to you.

I'm laughing because your father did the same things to me.

- My father?

- Yes, your father.

When I first met Steven, he'd get on my last nerve,

all the time.

- Momma, but how?

And you never said anything.

- Well, baby, he did.

He used to pull my hair,

he made me fall

in the front of the whole seventh grade class,

he even glued me to the seat before.

(both laughing)

- What? No he did not, get outta here.

- Oh baby, yes he did.

He used to do all types of things to me.

- But why?

- Because he loved me, Ronnie.

- Love.

That's not love.

You don't do that to nobody.

- Baby it's the only way he knew how to show it.

- Momma, that's crazy.

Why would you hurt someone that you're trying to love?

- Baby, men are a little different.

They act like they don't like you when they really do.

- That's stupid and childish

and wrong and hurtful.

- Yes but, you know,

that's how they deal with their emotions.

Now, is it right or fair to a woman?

No.

But that's how they deal with it, Ronnie.

- So are you trying to tell me

that Marcus did those things to me

because he was in love with me?

- I didn't say that, you did.

Baby look, I gotta go finish cooking dinner.

But Ronnie, you might wanna think about it,

Marcus just might not be the same person he was back then.

He just might really love you.

But what do I know?

(Ms. Richardson laughing)

(lighthearted music)

- Oh no, no, Jimmy.

Look, this is the move.

You slide to the right, clap your hands two times

and spin to the left and dip.

- All right, all right.

- Ay, get off me.

- Man, ain't nobody trying to do this with you.

You have somebody tied up in knots with men.

- Don't mess with all that sliding and slipping.

Man, we out here to punk, no throw up with some man.

- Listen, I'm coneographer right.

(men laughing)

What's funny, that's funny?

- You mean a choreographer.

- Look, you know what it is, whatever it is,

is cornoriffic.

So that being said, I'm the leader of this group

and y'all are the backup people in here,

so just back up, just a little bit,

we gonna take this from the top.

And one, and two,

and one, two, three

and slide to right,

now clap, spin to the left.

- Hey, hey, hey, you all right?

- I'm all right. Get your hands off me boy.

I meant to do that.

- You gonna stand there and tell that lie huh?

- Ain't nobody gotta lie to you.

Them is my moves, ain't they Jimmy.

- Moves.

- You mean to tell me,

you intentionally trying to break your damn neck?

- Come on Tim, man,

the man almost hurt himself.

- Get your old drunk a*s to a nursing home somewhere.

- Ay man.

- What's wrong with the rest.

- Don't you selfish this.

- Wait, wait, wait, we ain't even gotta go there, man, okay.

He say that's his moves, that's his moves man.

- Yeah, that's my moves and I know what I'm doing.

- Just go in the store man, go ahead.

- Yeah, don't break your damn neck.

- Break your neck doing the moves.

- I'm sorry y'all, okay.

- It's okay young blood you all right,

but you gotta check your homey,

'cause see I'm old school

and normally I don't walk around without no knife and no.

- Strife.

- We ain't even gotta go there all right man.

Again, I'm sorry, all right.

Y'all take care now.

- All right, well go on.

- That boy look like he quiet.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

- That boy was gonna whip your a*s.

(all laughing)

- I'ma tell you something,

I went to pat for my p*stol right,

and I figured out that my cassette was still in the car.

(all laughing)

But wait, but wait, but wait, but wait,

let's get up outta here

before them young gorillas come back out the store.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

- The hear real good.

- [Man] Walk on their knuckles.

(all laughing)

- Marcus, Marcus.

(upbeat music)

I was born in the summer

I been here every summer

And when they ask me how to come up

I tell 'em, "Grind for 31 summers

Spit and shine for 31 summers

Grit and grind for 31 summers"

Yeah

- Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,

it'll be okay man.

Everything's gonna be all right little bro.

- All right, all right.

What you talking about, "It's gonna be all right?"

I don't even know you.

- Look, man, I'm sorry man, all right.

My name is Marcus, okay.

Just hear me out man.

- Hear you out?

Who are you, the police?

- No, man, I'm not the police, okay.

But just hear me out.

- Marcus, why do you care?

- 'Cause I was just like you man, okay.

I was once a teen who had nobody loves me, man, all right.

While my mom was paying the bills,

my dad was out there drinking his life away, man.

You know what he did when he got angry?

He took it out on me, man, okay.

I went to school without the name brand shoes,

the name brand clothes, okay.

They was making fun of me, man.

I ain't had no lady,

I had nobody to talk to, all right.

But you know what?

You right man.

Aint nobody love me neither, right?

Ain't nobody love me.

- Marcus you don't have to do this.

- [Marcus] No, no, no, why do you care?

- Please, you don't have to do this.

- You hate me, well, I hate me too.

- Please.

- Man, you don't care, you don't even know me.

- You don't have to do this man.

Why? Why shouldn't I do this?

You don't know me.

- You don't have to.

- Man.

- Come on man, you don't have to do this, bro.

- Look, look,

I know life, sometimes deals us a bad hand, okay.

But it's not the hand that's dealt that matters, all right,

it's the way we play the game, okay.

And that's our decision

to choose if we wanna come out fighting

or just let it be a defeat, okay.

- Promise me, you won't tell anybody about this man.

- Man, I got you, all right, I got your back.

From here on out, it's me and you.

Get off this roof, man.

- Marcus, Marcus, man, everything all right?

Good thing you doing for shorty and all but,

you had me scared, I thought you gonna jump for real.

- Had you scared, huh?

- Yeah.

You know, I didn't even know your pops was a drunk

and used to mistreat you like that either.

- You never knew because it never happened.

I was born in the summer

I been here every summer

And when they ask me how to come up

I tell 'em, "Grind for 31 summers

Spit and shine for 31 summers

Grit and grind for 31 summers"

Yeah

When they ask me how to come up

I tell 'em die for 31 summers

- Hey.

- Hey.

Hold on, Momma.

- No, Marcus, I'm actually here to see you.

- See me?

- Yeah.

- Wow, okay, what did I do this time Veronica?

- Nothing.

You've done nothing wrong.

- I don't understand why you need to talk to me.

I think you said enough at your mother's house already.

- I know.

Look in order for me to move past,

well, the things in my past,

I need to talk to you and just.

- Veronica, you all right?

- No.

- You tripping me out right now.

- Well just let me say what I came here to say,

and then I'll be out of your hair for good, okay.

- Okay.

- Okay, okay.

Marcus, I hated you.

Just let me finish, okay.

- Go ahead.

But don't like where this is going.

- Look, Marcus, I've hated you since we were kids.

I mean, honestly I have really hated you.

- Okay, Veronica, get to the point, all right.

I'm not sure if, how much you telling me you hate me,

I can take.

- Marcus, when we were kids, that stuff you did,

it was so hurtful.

And it was mean and rude and uncalled for.

It damaged me.

And I haven't been able to keep a relationship with a man

because of you.

- Because of me?

- [Veronica] Yes, because of you.

- How did this happen?

I never meant for any of this to happen.

- You were supposed to be my friend.

But you treated me so horrible in front of everyone.

- Wait a minute, I.

- No, you pushed me down the stairs,

you shoved me in the lunch room,

you called me names.

And you know what, Marcus?

I forgive you.

I forgive you for me.

I forgive you so that I can be free

of a life full of hurt and pain and neglect.

And you know what?

There is a man out there somewhere

who's gonna love me for me and treat me the right way.

- You're right.

- No Marcus, you don't understand.

- No, Veronica, you're right.

I'm right here.

- Marcus, I.

- Look, I haven't been able to keep a relationship either

because of you, okay.

I never seen the sparkle in my eyes

that I see every time you looked at me.

- Marcus.

- You made me smile from my soul.

No woman has ever made me feel like that.

So no, I forgive you Veronica,

I forgive you so that I can love,

I forgive you so that I can be the man,

that a great woman needs.

I forgive you.

I forgive you for making me wait so long,

not knowing how you really felt about me.

- I don't understand.

- I forgive you for making me wait all these years,

just to tell you that I love you.

(lighthearted music)

Feels like the sky opened

- Damn, it's slow out here.

We gotta get these demos off something.

- It's gonna pick up, bro,

just gotta be on point when it do.

- Yeah, I hear that.

- What? We just standing on the corner.

(men laughing)

Y'all act like somebody gonna walk up

and give us some bread or something.

- Yeah, well watch his this dude walk up

and give us some money.

- Who's that, your mans?

- No, it's your dad.

- All right playboy,

don't smoke it all up in one time.

Hey y'all gotta go, we up man,

come on let's be up.

- [Kenny] Dude who car is this?

- It's my car.

- Hey man, why you gotta ask so many questions?

I'm starting to think you hanging out is not a good idea.

- What, I just never seen you ever drive a car before.

- Man, you bugging for real.

- Hey, Kenny, man, you wanna drive.

- No, no, no.

- Man, shut up Reggie, man, I'm talking to Kenny.

Kenny, what's up man?

You down on the team or what?

- I'm down.

- He don't even know how to drive.

- Man listen, he finna learn today, Drivers Ed 101.

And since you wanna act so scared,

you in the back, you drive.

Come on, let's go.

(car engine revving)

(cellphone ringing)

You know I love what's mine

Get a chill up my spine every time I think about you

Listen girl, you so fine

I made up my mind, can't see me without you

- Hello.

- Yo Marcus, you have to get over here right now.

- What, what's going on?

- I just saw Kenny get in a car with two troublemakers, bro.

These the same dudes that been in the neighborhood,

dealing drugs and carjacking.

- Where are you at right now?

- I'm on,

66th and Willard.

Get here right now, bro, I'm here.

(birds chirping)

- All right, man, I'll be on my way.

Just stay there, okay.

- Marcus where are you going?

- I gotta take care of some business real quick.

- Take care of some business?

- Yeah, I'll tell you later.

What kind of business do you have to take care of?

- Look, Veronica,

I'll tell you everything when I get back, okay,

I promise. - But we just.

- Damn, look, there's a key on a desk, okay,

make sure you lock up before you leave, all right.

But I have to go.

I have to, I'll tell you everything,

I promise you when I get back, when I get back,

I promise you, Veronica.

- I knew it.

I knew he was still the same selfish as*h*le

that I knew in school.

"Maybe he's changed Veronica.

"Maybe he was only mean to you because he loved you."

Oh my God.

You are such a fool.

- Hey Kenny, man.

Go to my crib real quick, bro.

- What's happening at your crib Derrick.

- Nothing.

Just got a little something I need to take care off.

But I'ma need your help though.

- I got you, bro.

- What do you need to do.

- Just need you to keep the car for a little bit

then when I hit you, come pick me up.

- Keep the car?

- Yeah, keep the car,

you can handle that can't you?

- Yeah, I can handle it.

- Hey man, you serious.

This dude just learned how to drive today.

I haven't even got a chance to push the whip yet.

- Yeah, so what, is you jealous?

Come on, man.

- No, man.

- Dude, look man, stop acting jealous.

Matter of fact, Kenny, come on man,

pull over right here man, I gotta go to the store.

- Okay.

- You gotta to the store too Reggie.

- No, I'm good bro, no.

- Yes, Reggie, you gotta go to the store.

- No, I'm good bro.

- Reggie, come on man.

(car engine revving)

(brakes screeching)

(car horn honking)

- Hey, why you let Kenny take the car?

- Man, did you see that car that pulled up behind him?

- No, what car?

- Dude, the same car that pulled up behind him

is the same car that been following us all day.

- That's the police.

- Now you get it.

- So you gonna let him go to jail for a car that you stole?

- So?

- So?

That's our boy, you tripping, dude.

- Correction, that's your boy.

Matter of fact, man,

I don't even wanna talk about it no more, man.

We got packs to settle man.

- That ain't right dude, that's our boy, man.

(truck engine revving)

- Hey.

- [Kenny] What you doing?

- Who's car is this man?

- [Kenny] It's my friends car.

- Friend.

Let me ask you something man.

- [Kenny] What's that?

- Why don't your friends car have any keys in the ignition?

- I told you this is my friends car

and he broke his key.

- You know what? Pull over man.

Pull over right now, we finna get out.

- I'm not gonna leave my friends car sitting here,

he left me responsible for it.

- He is not your damn friend, Kenny.

Okay, you're gonna be sitting your responsible a*s

in a jail cell.

Now pull over now.

(car engine revving)

Take your seat belt off and switch with me.

All right, Kenny, just do what I tell you to do

and keep your mouth closed, man.

- [Kenny] Man, that's the police.

- Don't worry about it man, stay cool.

Don't say nothing.

Oh sh*t.

- Where are you two guys headed?

- Oh, we were just going to the store to get a few things.

Is that so?

- Yes, sir.

- Sir, can you please step out of your vehicle

with your hands up for me please, slowly.

Let go, you too, come on, let's go.

Right here. - Put your hands on the hood.

- Put your hands on the hood.

- Spread you legs. - Do you have anything on you?

- No. - No, sir.

- No, sir. - Your going to jail.

- You got him partner? - I got him partner.

Behind your back.

- [Policeman] Sit down, cross your legs, sit down,

right here. - Yes, sir.

- Sit.

- Oh yeah, yeah, this a nice car, a Benz,

where these young boys getting cars like this from partner,

what they doing?

Something up in here.

I know there's some drugs, some g*ns,

something up in here.

Something up in here.

Mercedes Benz huh, okay.

- I'm sorry. - Man, shut up.

Don't say nothing else man, just be cool.

- Shut up. Didn't I tell you to shut up?

- Oh, look like I found something.

Yeah, oh, the steering column busted.

Hey look, look, I found this screwdriver

and the steering column busted.

- Oh, oh, oh, look what we got here.

I'm gonna call it a partner.

- Yeah, call it in.

Oh yeah, y'all, oh, y'all stealing cars, huh?

What y'all finna go joy riding or something,

that's what y'all were doing?

- [Marcus] Real funny.

- [Policeman] Yeah, it's funny huh?

It's real funny when you go to jail.

You see this is a nice car.

And I was like,

I know why y'all didn't want to ride around like this.

What y'all, get some dope boy?

- [Kenny] No, sir.

- [Policeman] You a dope boy?

Where y'all get money like this from?

Use a screwdriver to park the car?

- [Officer] Yeah, partner, we got a hot one right here.

- Oh, this one hot huh?

- Yeah, aha.

Come on get up.

Get up.

Let's go.

- Wait, wait, wait, don't take him.

sh*t, I stole the car,

he didn't have nothing to do with it.

Don't let him go to jail for my mistakes.

- Shut up, shut up.

- Damn man, Veronica gonna k*ll me.

I should've just stayed in that bed, man.

I knew I shouldn't have got out that bed.

Damn.

- Hey, bro, how old are you?

- 17. - 17?

- Yes, sir.

- Don't you know you can go to prison

running around with stolen cars with these clowns.

Hey man, where you know this dude from?

- He be in my neighborhood.

- Hey man, next time your neighborhood,

make sure you be around somebody your own age

or you gonna end up in joint.

Stand right here, hold up.

We gonna let you go, man, we take them cuffs off you.

If we see you again, it's gonna be some issues,

serious problems, you understand me.

Take off.

(upbeat music)

I was born in the summer

I been here every summer

And when they ask me how to come up

I tell 'em, "Grind for 31 summers

Spit and shine for 31 summers

Grit and grind for 31 summers"

Yeah

When they ask me how to come up

I tell 'em, "Die for 31 summers"

- No one's in the back girl.

Oh hey.

- Hey, Mrs. Richardson.

- Hey Tasha, such a surprise to see you.

- It smells so good in here.

- Oh girl, you know how I get down.

I think Veronica's in the dinning room

getting the food together now.

Come on in, she's gonna be so happy to see you,

come on in here girl.

Come over here girl.

- Oh, what are you doing here?

- Ronnie.

Be careful the questions you ask.

- I'm happy that you are here

and we have plenty of food.

- Thank you Mrs. Richardson.

- Oh baby, you're welcome.

Now I'm gonna go in the kitchen and finish cooking food

so you girls can handle things up here, right?

- Yeah, we got it Momma.

- Okay, it's so good to see you, baby.

Oh my gosh.

- Bye Momma.

- She's so sweet.

She's is amazing.

- All right, Tasha, spill.

- Whatever are you talking about,

I have no idea what you mean.

- Girl, I know you do not come all the way to Chicago

just to have my Momma's cooking.

So what is it?

- Of course I did.

I told you your Momma's potato salad is amazing.

It's great.

- Tasha.

- All right, girl, dang.

Okay, so the other day Ingrid came over

and we were just talking, you know, having a girl time,

it was great.

And she mentioned that she had come across James.

That was all right though.

You know, of course he asked about you,

but she told him where he could go.

- Well, good, I'm done with his a*s.

What else?

- And then she told him

that you were in Chicago.

Is that pecan pie I smell? - What?

Tasha.

Ingrid did what?

- Yeah, she did. I'm sorry.

But it's okay because I left her trifling behind

down there in Atlanta,

so she didn't think about what she did.

And that's why I flew up here to be with you,

just in case he shows up here.

Girl, I got your back, I got you.

- You think he's coming here?

- I don't know.

(door knocking)

- I got it.

I heard everything. Momma, got it.

I got it.

- I can't do this.

(door knocking)

- Come on Izzy, come on.

Well hello young man.

- Hi, is Veronica home.

- Yes she is, may I ask your name.

- My name is Kenny.

- Kenny? - Yes ma'am.

- Oh, well come on in and I'll get her for you.

- Thank you.

- [Ms. Richardson] Close the door

and wait right here for a moment.

- I cannot believe Ingrid told James where I was.

- Of course everything slipped out of her big mouth.

- Oh, excuse me, ladies.

But Veronica there's a young man

by the name of Kenny at the door for you.

- Kenny?

- You got another one?

- Girl, no.

- He's a little boy and he's here to see you.

- Okay.

Hi, I'm Veronica.

- Hi, I'm Kenny.

- How do I know you Kenny?

- [Kenny] I'm a friend of Marcus.

- Marcus?

Okay.

So Marcus thinks he can see you here

after he left me in the bed

to go run the streets with some side chick?

No, I don't think so.

No, no. I'm done.

- Excuse me.

- Marcus can go to hell.

- Veronica wait a minute.

Are you okay?

- No Momma, I'm not.

- Well what happened, what's going on?

- I'll tell you what's happening.

Marcus sent this little boy here

to try to get me to go back with him.

- Veronica, Kenny is this true?

- No ma'am.

Well why are you here baby?

- I just got Marcus into a lot of trouble.

- Trouble, what kind of trouble?

- I really didn't mean to do it. I didn't know.

- Kenny, what are you talking about?

Kenny?

- Go ahead Kenny. Tell her about Marcus, go on.

- Well I was hanging out with some friends,

and long story short, they left me with a stolen car.

- What does that have to do with Marcus?

- Marcus saw me driving the car

and he got into the car with me.

He tried to get me to pull over and get out, but.

- But what? - But what?

- Marcus didn't want me

to mess up my chances graduating this year so.

He made me switch seats with him.

Police pulled us over

and they took Marcus to jail.

- Kenny are you serious?

- Oh wow.

- How'd he even know you were in a car?

- Well I did call Marcus this morning

and tell him I saw Kenny in the car.

- So that's why Marcus left earlier.

Wait, how do you know Marcus?

- So go on.

- I was about to jump off a roof and try to k*ll myself.

- What?

- And Marcus saw me and he ran up to the rooftop

and talked me out of it.

He showed me that he cared about me.

Now this is how I repay him.

- Don't beat yourself up, Kenny.

We'll fix this.

We just, we have to get him out of there, Momma.

- I'm gonna go get my purse

and you call Ms. Harris,

let her know we going down to the police station,

and to meet us down there.

- Okay.

- Y'all go ahead and go.

Mrs. Richardson, I'll stay here

and I'll stay with them just in case anything else comes up.

- Okay baby. Thank you.

And don't burn my food now.

- I won't, I promise.

Okay, just walk through me again,

just one more time and don't leave anything out.

(gentle music)

Feels like the sky opened

It's rainin down on me

I'm drowned in my sorrows

- So what happened?

- I made a promise to this kid

that I just, I couldn't break, you know.

- But you know, you could have told me,

I wouldn't have told anyone.

- Veronica, I know but it meant too much to this kid

for me to just break that promise, you know,

I couldn't do that to him,

he's been through too much.

- Well, baby, your Momma would be so happy to see you.

- I hope so.

- Now that you're out.

And you think I can get some grandkids out y'all now?

- Momma.

- I'm sorry, Steven, I'm sorry but,

maybe wedding plans, maybe?

Okay, Veronica.

- I'm sorry about her.

- It's okay.

It is okay.

- But I'm glad you're home.

- Me too.

- Well we gotta go,

'cause I gotta finish cooking, come on, let's go.

Hey love I saw you standing there

I had to meet you

Just a magnificent creature with extraordinary features

A conversation is something I like to extend

The possibilities of you and I becoming friends

Your appearance is tantalizing

Your smile hypnotizing

With a figure like that I bet you're exercising

You're intriguingly beautiful

Definitely sensational

So appealing and real

The feeling seems very magical

Can I call you for dinner

Maybe a movie instead

Ambitious thoughts of you and I together

Engaged in your head

No disrespect is given

And I hope none is taken

The situation's amazing

Because you're so fascinating

And it's obvious your interest in me

Was unexpected so I gotta count my blessings

'Cause I'm thankful for your presence

Your (indistinct) is a pleasant venom

Just like a snakebite

So here's my number baby

Won't you call me priest tonight

I'm lovin who you are, who you are, you're perfection

Yeah

And I know you're the one that's for me

You're the one for me baby

I'm lovin how I feel when you're givin me affection

I'm on my way, on my way

I'm down tonight, I'm down tonight

You're the one that I need, perfection for me

More with the track, I see you got much game

Intellectual, I love the type with much brain

Let's rule the world, you the queen, I'll be the king

You get the coolest crown, no one has ever seen

You the GL*CK type, you the one that pop right

Back to back bedroom, lookin like another sight

Love the way you get it in

Then again, got me thinkin you and me

Becomin senior citizens

Let go of that fantasy, too scary

You want some real sh*t, I'm your Huckleberry

No elves, no wizards, no fairies

I'm Braveheart count on me when sh*t gets scary

Don't wanna rush it girl, because I'm a firm believer

That you gotta treat her right and hold her tight

If you gonna keep her

Keep your love comin in my direction