( Instrumental
music playing )
morning, mama. Whoo!
Something smells
good in here.
Morning, baby.
I made you
some toast and coffee.
You're getting up rather
early this morning
- for a meeting.
- I wanted to ge an early start today.
- You know what they say.
- No.
They say the early bird
catches the worm.
And in this economy,
I need all the worms
I can get.
( Laughs )
I know. That's right.
Well, you call me when
you're on your way home
and I'll have
dinner ready for you.
Oh. See, mama,
this is why I don' need a husband.
'Cause I've got you--
the sweetest lady in
the whole wide world.
Oh girl, go on
and get out of here.
You already got a husband
that you too selfish
- to work things out with.
- ( Sighs ) oh mama.
You oughta be
kissing him, not on me.
Whatever. Whatever.
Well, you know
I'm telling the truth.
So go on,
get out of here
and call me later.
( Groans )
goodbye, mama.
Have a good day.
- Oh bye, baby.
- Bye.
Oh, they're calling already.
( Loudly )
okay, monica, she's gone.
You sure
she's gone, granny?
'Cause you know
mom'll have a fi if she sees me here.
It's all right, baby.
She's gone to work.
- Did you sleep well?
- Yeah, granny,
that was the best sleep
I got in a long time.
Oh, I'm glad.
I told you she wouldn' even know you were here.
She never goes
in that guest room.
I don't know why
she's got this big old house
with all these rooms
that she doesn't even use.
( Scoffs )
well, you know mama.
It ain't abou if you use 'em;
it's all abou just having them to her.
( Chuckles )
I guess you're right.
I wonder where
my daughter got that from.
- ( Gate squeaks )
- hear that, grandma?
- ( Footsteps approaching )
- I think mama's coming back in.
- I gotta get out of here.
- Shh shh! Hide in the closet.
Ooh, it's nippy out here.
I can't believe I forgo my briefcase.
- Hey, mama.
- Grandma: hey.
Hey. Whoo. What you doing
in here smiling like that?
Well, what you
doing back so soon?
Can you believe
I walked out of here
and I lef my briefcase somewhere?
And it's chilly outside.
I'm going to the hall close - to get my wrap.
- Oh, it's not in that closet.
It's in your bedroom closet.
I saw it when I was
putting your things up.
- Check there.
- You sure?
- Yeah.
- Okay, I'll check.
Mama, I didn't see I in there. I was--
oh, here it is, gina.
- It was in there all along.
- ( Sighs )
( chuckling )
you were right.
Now there you go again.
Better go on
and get to work.
- You don't want to be late.
- What's wrong with you?
Oh oh, nothing.
It's just I got a lo of work to do this morning
and I don't have time to be
standing around talking.
Well, I don't either.
I gotta get to work.
Oh, there's my briefcase.
Oh boy.
Okay, bye, ma.
Bye, baby.
Have a good day.
Wait a minute.
Okay, monica,
she's gone.
Now you be sure
and call me
on my cell phone
later on today
and let me know tha you're okay, all right?
- All right, granny.
- And you make sure you use
the money I gave you
for food and no for no drugs, monica.
I will, granny.
I promise.
- Okay.
- Thanks, granny,
for everything.
- I love you so much.
- Oh, and I love you too.
- I love you.
- ( Both chuckle )
- okay, bye granny.
- Bye, baby.
Oh, baby,
you're forgetting
your bag.
- ( Screams )
- uh-huh! Mama, I knew you were
acting strange for a reason.
Monica, what are
you doing in my house?
Granny told me
I could come home, mama.
Home? Oh, no no no,
you destroyed home
when you started
borrowing things
around here
and having yard sales
to support your habits.
Regina,
stop yelling at her.
Mama, what on
the other side of heaven
is she doing here?!
Now did you actually--
did you really
tell her she could
stay here in my house?
- In my house, mama!
- Well, I did, actually,
- because-- just until--
- until what?!
Until what?!
I don't believe
that you disrespected
and disregarded
my position on this.
You know how
I feel about this.
I don't believe you.
I don't believe
either one of you.
Just the nerve!
Regina,
I am your mother,
not the other way around.
Now I'm saying this
as nicely as I can:
do not raise
your voice at me.
- Now you listen to me.
- That's okay, granny.
I'm gonna go.
I forgot my bag
in the bedroom.
I'ma get I then I'm gone. Sorry.
I don't believe you.
That's your daughter,
your flesh and blood.
She is hurting
and in need of help,
and this is
how you treat her?
This is all the love
you have for her?
Mama, listen,
I am not even trying
to hear all this.
I cannot believe
that you invited her back
into my house again!
You know how I feel
about her being in my house.
And now I gotta go
and look and see if there's
anything new missing.
Look, regina,
you keep throwing
this phrase around--
"my house."
The only reason I'm here
is because
you didn't wanna be alone
after you
and marcus split.
- What?
- Had I known that this
would not be our house,
I would've stayed where
I was in my own house
and then monica would've
had a place to stay with me.
Okay, mama,
you're right,
this is your house too.
And that is
why I don't understand
why you have
her back up in here!
Mama, listen, you know
she's gonna try to take
everything tha isn't nailed down.
And we have a lo of things to lose here.
She's like a magician.
She just makes things--
poof--
disappear into thin air.
Well, mama, guess what--
I'm tired of it.
Do you remember
that time she took
that 42" television?
Walked right up out of here.
Nobody noticed.
She's like a houdini.
She does escape acts,
but with my stuff!
Stuff can
be replaced, regina!
Lives can't be replaced.
This is a life
we're talking about here.
Your very own
daughter's life.
Now I'm not saying
you give her free rein
to come here and take
whatever she pleases.
She came to me
asking for help
and I'm not abou to turn my back on her
for stuff--
anybody's stuff.
Well, let me
tell you something, mama.
I've worked really hard
for my stuff, as you call it.
And I'll be dog
if I'ma let somebody
walk up here
and haul it all away.
It's not going down like that.
Well, that somebody,
as you call it,
is your daughter--
your own flesh and blood.
You can't put things
before family
and expect to be blessed.
That's the same
as putting stuff before god.
And you got a lo to learn, missy,
and you gonna
learn it the hard way
if you don't change.
Mama, I'm not putting
stuff before god.
When you value
things in your life
more than people,
then yes you are.
"That that you do unto
the least of my brethren,
- you do unto me."
- There you go with
the bible scripture, mama.
Anything happens,
you've got a scripture.
A light bulb
blows out and you've go a scripture for it.
What about me, mama?
I am tired of people
doing unto me
what I don't want done.
And I'm tired of monica
coming up in my house,
using it like
it's some kind of
bed and breakfast,
all tired and weary
from all that meth
she's doing ou on the street.
And then come up in here
when she's
all full and rested,
then she's gone off again--
but not without taking
a little souvenir
to remind her
of her stay.
I know people
who take towels,
but furniture, mama?
Why can't she
be more like kevin?
Look at kevin.
He got drafted.
He's out there
playing pro football.
He's making
something of his life.
Over there-- monica.
We spent all that money
to put her up in art school,
so she could use
her god-given ability.
And look at her--
just wasted all our money.
I swear
I don't understand this.
Honey, you have
got to turn monica
over to god.
And then release
all your anger
and allow god to step in
and heal all these wounds
and fix you.
That's all you can fix.
You can't fix her.
Only her and god
can fix her.
Well, god had better
hurry up and fix me,
'cause I'm getting weak
and I'm about to snap.
I can't take
any more of this, mama.
I'm leaving now.
Look, mama,
I know you don't think
much of me right now,
but I'm gonna make you
proud of me one day.
I promise you that.
- ( Door closes )
- don't you ever let her
back in this house again.
Man:
hang on, I'm coming.
( Crying )
daddy, I need help.
- I can't do this anymore.
- Come on in here.
You look really bad.
How did you let yourself
get like this?
I don't know.
It's time for me
to get you some help, okay?
- We're gonna
check you into rehab--
- no no no no no, daddy.
I don't like those places.
Don't bring me there.
Monica, I'm not asking.
Okay, I'll get you one
you'll like this time.
Okay?
Everything's gonna
be fine, baby.
I know.
Who is it?
It's michelle jenkins.
I'm regina's boss
from the magazine.
Oh. Hello.
Come on in.
- Thank you.
- I'm so glad
to meet you finally.
I've heard
so much about you.
- Oh wonderful.
- Regina's not here right now.
She had a meeting
to go to this morning.
Oh, that's right.
I forgot about that.
She's supposed to mee with some of our advertisers
for the magazine today.
Now I don't know wha time she's getting back.
Would you like for me
to have her call you
when she gets in?
Well, just do this:
let her know that I'm gonna
go away for a while--
I'm going to the bahamas
for at least a week.
- Oh.
- So she's gonna be in charge
of all the company decisions
until I get back.
Just this whole
trying to find
a new office
location and space
is just too much for me.
I just need
to get away for a bit.
Plus while I'm gone,
I'm gonna do
a little conference
so I can write
this whole thing off
as a business trip.
- Mm-hmm.
- Can't waste money
in this economy.
Well, you know regina
and you know she knows how
to take care of business.
- Absolutely.
- So you don't have to worry
while you're away relaxing.
Everything will be
just fine when you get back.
- Okay.
- I'm home.
- Oh hi, baby.
- Regina: hey, girl,
what are you doing here?
You know what?
I was just talking
to your mother
and sharing with her--
I'm going away for
a conference
and I'm leaving everything
in your trustworthy hands
until I'm back.
- So how was
the meeting this morning?
- Oh, michelle, it went so well.
I got a chance to share
some of my ideas
about how they can expand
their exposure in the magazine,
then maybe how we can boos some of our subscriptions
and get our circulation up
even further.
You know we gotta ge those ad revenues up
and I think I've go some good ideas.
- The meeting went so good.
- Okay, great.
Well, listen, I want you
to tell me all about it,
but I have got to go.
I don't wanna miss a plane.
I'm gonna be late.
I've gotta go to
this conference.
I'll be back.
And in a week, you'll have
even more to tell me.
- Okay, great.
- Okay? All right.
Tell me--
what conference
are you going to?
- You never mentioned
anything before today.
- I know.
I hadn't really
planned on going,
but I just really need
to deal with all the stress
I've been under lately.
It's just been
too much for me.
Between trying to find
a new location
for our office
and then,
of course, breaking up
with my boyfriend,
I just really need a minute
to get away and unwind.
Wait a minute,
wait a minute.
A boyfriend?
You never said anything
about a boyfriend.
I didn't know you were
serious about anybody.
You know with you
they're coming and going--
you don't know
who's what with you.
Yeah, well,
this one was special.
But it doesn't matter
because you know what?
I'm going to drown
my sorrows in the bahamas.
- ( Laughs )
- and after a couple
of bahama mamas,
I'm not gonna be thinking
about him anymore and I migh even find somebody new.
( Jamaican accent )
all right then. Then go ge your thing on then, girl.
- ( Laughs )
- have a good time. You know
I got this under control.
- Just go have fun.
- Thank you. You sure?
Absolutely.
I got this.
- Thanks so much, regina.
- I got this.
Go get your groove back,
miss stella.
- That's right, girl.
- Go on now.
- Thank you!
- Have fun, michelle.
Don't even think about us.
We got this.
- ( Laughs )
- girl, why are you encouraging
that girl to go and drink?
And what kind
of silly accent was that--
"go on, do your thing then"?
( Laughs )
mama, come on.
Now michelle
is a grown woman.
I'm not encouraging her
to do anything
that she doesn't already
have in her mind to do.
Plus I know the difference
between how you talk
to a friend
in a personal situation
and then how you talk to
your boss in the workplace.
I do know the difference.
And I didn't say I like that.
That accent that you used?
It wasn't the way I did it.
Yours was ghetto.
Well, she doesn't seem
to be very concerned
about her business.
She didn't even
want to hear about wha happened at the meeting.
I don't think she's
a very good businesswoman.
Mama, come on, now.
Michelle is young.
You know
she's more interested
in her lifestyle
than she is her workplace.
And plus she's smart.
She's ambitious.
She'll get it together.
She'll put her priorities
in place when it's time.
Well, she knows
that you're more
business-minded
than she is,
so that's why
she relies on you
because she knows
that you won't stop
until you get the job done.
Like I said, mama,
she's smart--
real smart.
( Both laughing )
I'm gonna go put these up.
- What you gonna do?
- I'm gonna take my shoes off.
The dogs are barking.
I'm gonna let 'em cool off.
I'll catch up with you
a little later, mama.
I'm pooped. Whew!
Oh boy! It was a hard day
today out there, mama.
Whew!
- ( Knocks )
- ( sighs )
just when I was
getting some rest.
- Who is it?
- It's me-- marcus.
( Sighs )
why are you here, marcus?
I'm fine, regina.
How are you?
Oh, stop all
the formalities, marcus.
What do you want?
Come in, sit down.
- Nothing. Nothing.
- ( Sighs )
I just came by to give you
a piece of mail that was
delivered to my place.
So why is it coming
to your apartment?
Maybe it's
because you used to
live there, remember?
You still can
if you'd like to.
I didn't leave you.
You left me.
I'm sorry,
did you say something?
- I wasn't paying attention.
- ( Chuckles )
I see some things
never change.
- Wait a minute. Excuse me?
- What does it say?
Oh, this is
some letter that--
oh, what is this?
This is about--
( laughs )
this is abou that job opportunity--
an application
I put in a while ago.
See, back then
they didn't have
any openings.
Now today they wan an interview.
Huh. Go figure.
Well, I don't need
this job anyway.
I have a solid position
at the magazine
and I am doing good,
as I'm sure
you can see, marcus.
So that's the reason
you came over here,
to bring me
this letter?
Yeah, mainly.
Mm-hmm.
Unless you'd like to talk
about our daughter.
See, I knew there was
something else.
Look, let me
tell you something.
I just got into I with mama this morning
over monica and I do not plan
to get into it again
with you, marcus.
- Now just drop it, okay?
- Well, just so you know,
regina, I'm checking
monica into rehab...
- ( Chuckles )
- ...so she won't have any
of her usual distractions.
I've been looking
at some local places.
I also have a friend who owns
a facility out of state.
I feel monica really
needs help and I though you should know.
Okay okay,
here we go again, marcus.
Money, right? Well, let me
tell you something, marcus.
You're gonna foot the bill
for this because I'm not.
I am done with her.
She doesn't respect me.
She doesn't respect anything
that I've worked for.
And trust me--
I have given her
enough already, marcus.
So you wan to put her in,
you put her in.
But you pay for it.
No, I'm not asking you
for money, regina.
I just though you should know tha she is asking for help.
- ( Chuckling )
- she's still your daughter,
you know.
I would think
this would matter to you.
Oh, she wants
to do better?
Well, that remains to be seen,
doesn't it, marcus?
I mean let's see how long
this little vacation
lasts this time.
You remember the last time
we sent her away
and she got out early?
She's lied to us before
about wanting to stop.
Oh please.
I'll believe I when I see it.
I tell you--
I want nothing
to do with that girl.
Now you wanna
throw your money away?
You do what you wan with your money.
But I got a whole lo of other things
to do with mine,
and it ain't monica.
Why are you
always so negative
when it comes to monica?
Because I call I as I see it.
All I can go by
is everything tha she's done in the past.
And until she proves
otherwise-- hey.
( Both sigh )
- marcus.
- Hey, mama g.
- Oh marcus.
- ( Laughs )
to what do we
owe this visit?
That's jus what I asked.
And I'm sure you didn' say it nicely either.
I just came by to drop
regina some mail that was
delivered to my place
and to tell her
that monica's checking
into rehab in a day or so.
I've been looking
at some local places
and I have a friend who has
a facility out of state.
He said he can get her in
without putting her
on a waiting list.
And, mama g,
it was monica's idea...
- Oh praise the lord.
- ...to go in this time.
- I am so proud of her!
- Oh, that's such good news.
Well, on that note,
I'm outta here.
Mama, you can let marcus ou when he's done talking.
She's been really upse about this monica situation
for some time now,
and you two separating
just made things worse.
I know, mama.
I thought by us separating
it would make her wake up
and want to change,
but I can see that it's no working out like that.
Oh, but it's working.
She's just too stubborn
to admit it.
We gonna see in time.
Oh, you tell monica
to hold her head high.
This is jus what she needs.
Oh oh, and give her
a kiss from her granny.
( Chuckles )
I'll give you a call
to let you know
how everything goes once
I get her checked in.
- We're gonna check ou a place tomorrow.
- Oh, that's good.
Now you take good care
of my grandbaby.
And you call me
if you need anything,
and I mean anything.
I will. Thanks, mama.
I'll call you later,
regina. All right?
- All right?
- Whatever!
Sometimes I wonder why
I used to love her so much.
Oh oh, well,
I feel the same way
and I'm her mother.
Oh, but you know
we gonna pray and god is
gonna fix this here thing.
You gonna watch and see.
Look, I told regina
she ain't gonna find
nobody as good as you,
and I meant that.
You've always done
right by her, marcus.
Thanks, and you've always
been the best to me.
( Chuckles )
- ( sighs )
- bye now.
Oh good, he's gone.
( Sighs )
I don't know why you're
being so mean to marcus.
He's a good man.
I wish I had been so lucky
in the man departmen with your father.
Well, mama, if you think
that much of him,
why didn' you marry him yourself?
Oh, I'm starting to see
why it was so easy
for marcus
to let you go.
Keep on and you'll be
in this house alone too.
And you'll be jus another miserable, lonely
old woman in this world
if you don't change
your selfish ways.
Sitting all alone
in this house er' day
da da da da dah
'cause I was
so mean and ornery
I drove
my whole family away
now I'm a lonely,
miserable old woman
yes, I am,
and, lord, what I'd do
if I ever got me
another man.
Oh!
I think my mama
has lost her mind
da da da da dah.
( Birds chirping )
look, I really don't know
much about this place,
but it's no so far from home,
so I figured
it would be okay.
All right?
Come on,
let's go check it out.
- Excuse me,
are you mr. Silvan?
- Oh, yes yes.
Hello, folks,
here, have a seat.
Have a seat. Have a seat.
Welcome welcome welcome
to shady rest rehab.
S.r.r. We like to call it.
Here we try to provide
our patients
with a comfortable,
friendly environment,
a place that fosters
a chance to find
a new internal
hope and direction
for their lives.
So what particular demons
have brought you here
to see us today?
Yup, we do smoking,
drugs, liquor--
anything that has
you addicted.
We have program packages
of all sizes.
We have a two-week special
quick rehab package
for a tight budget.
We have from
one month to one year
for those who feel
that they need and can
afford a little longer.
Of course, we always
recommend the longer ones.
The longer you're here,
the more you get, if you
know what I mean.
So what is
your particular problem?
- ( Screams )
- look, you're gonna
take these pills
even if I gotta cram 'em
down your throat.
Why is it the same thing
with you every day?
You'd think after six months,
you'd know the drill by now.
- Orderly.
- ( Woman crying )
okay okay.
I'll take 'em.
I'll take 'em.
- Okay, I'll take 'em.
- Hey, we-- we just playing.
All right, we'll get lydia
back to her room now.
( Grunts )
see you guys later.
- So what can
I put you down for?
- ( Clicks )
dad.
Monica,
I'm really sorry.
I really should've checked
this place out first.
Look, I have a friend.
I've known her for years.
She has an addiction
recovery center,
- very well run
and well known.
- ( Sighs )
I know she'll
look out for you
and she'll give you
the best she's go to make you comfortable.
Okay?
It's far out there,
but I don't care
about the drive.
All right?
Come on, okay?
Let's go.
I'll give her a call.
Okay, baby?
( Knocks )
- who is it?
- Hi, I'm spencer harris.
I'm here to drop off
my portfolio for submission
to the fashion
editorial department.
Michelle told me to come by.
I honestly don't even know
if I'm supposed to be here.
Oh, come on in.
( Door opens )
hey, how are you?
( Chuckles )
hello.
How are you?
- I'm good, thank you.
- Please have a seat.
I didn't even
know if this was
the right place.
- You're in the right place.
- ( Both laugh )
so this must be important,
because I knew nothing
about this meeting.
Michelle didn' tell me about it, so--
I'm sorry.
Did I catch you
at a bad time?
I need not stay long.
I really just wanna
drop off my portfolio.
I can come back another time
when you're not busy.
Oh no no no no no,
I'm fine. I've got some time.
So you have
a portfolio to show me?
- Yes, I do, in fact.
- ( Zipper whirrs )
so I basically jus brought over my most recen fashion editorial work
for you to see.
Wow. Hmm.
Well, this looks very nice.
But I've gotta tell you
you look a lot more
like a model...
- ( Laughs )
- ...than you do
a fashion photographer.
Well, I've been known
to model on occasion,
but I'm a fashion
photographer now
and much happier
on that side of the camera,
let me tell you.
- Mmm.
- So anyway...
( Clears throat )
michelle was thinking
about having me shoo the next fashion spread
for the upcoming issue,
but of course I had
to check in with you,
make sure it is a go.
( Chuckles )
well, it looks good to me.
It looks very good.
So I tell you what--
michelle and I will
take a look at this,
we'll go over I and make a decision
and get back with you
in a day or so.
Well, thank you
very much, ma'am.
- You are so welcome.
- Oh, you know what?
Let me give you my card
so that you can contact me
whenever you like.
I'm pretty confiden you'll be calling me
because, if I do
say so myself,
I'm quite good
at what I do.
Mmm, I bet you are.
- I'm sorry. Excuse me?
- Oh, I just--
I was just saying that--
that everything looks
really good so far.
- Ah.
- Mm-hmm.
So-- yeah, so that's--
that's what we'll do.
We'll go over this,
I'll talk to michelle
and we'll get back with you.
It was so nice
to meet you, mr. Harris.
Please call me spencer.
- Okay. Spencer.
- ( Both laugh )
what?
Is there something else
I can do for you?
You know, maybe there is.
Okay. What?
Well, I'm actually
looking for a model
for my next photo shoo and I think
you would be perfect.
I mean your hair
is perfect.
You have
the most gorgeous eyes.
Hey, are those real?
I think it's time for you
to go now, mr. Harris.
I don't take
pictures like that.
- Oh no.
- I am so no that girl, mr. Harris.
No, I apologize.
I think there was
a misunderstanding.
I was actually
referring to the diamonds
around your neck.
I would never be
so crude
as to reference to your--
i-i-- I'm sorry,
'cause I thought you--
- what-- you know what--
- yeah, i-- exactly.
- You know what I thought.
- ( Both laugh )
no, okay.
And you know something?
Why do you wanna know
if they're real, anyway?
- What, are you gonna rob me?
- Well, if they are,
I'm sure
they're quite expensive
and if you agree
to do the photo sh**t,
I was just gonna
tell you not to wear 'em--
the jewelry of course.
The costume jewelry
that we have is excellent,
by the way,
and it photographs
just as well.
I would not want you to lose
those pretty diamonds.
Oh, I wouldn't wan to lose them either.
- ( Both laughing )
- thank you very much,
but I still don't wanna
answer that question.
- Understood.
- Okay.
And I did notice,
of course,
the diamonds around your neck
but none on your left hand.
Does that mean
you're unattached?
Well, it means
that I'm semi-detached.
Semi-detached.
- Exactly what does that mean?
- ( Both laugh )
I know. Let's see.
It means
that I am separated
from my husband
and soon to be divorced.
But that's not something
I want to talk abou with you either,
- not a complete stranger.
- Understood.
Okay, so like I said,
we're gonna go through this.
I'll think abou that photo sh**t.
I will think
about this portfolio.
I will talk to michelle
and we'll get back with you.
Okay, fair enough.
Well, I look forward
to hearing from you soon.
- You have a great day
and take care.
- Yeah, you too.
Uh, I'll keep
the portfolio.
Oh yeah. I'm sorry.
- I know. Where are
our brains today?
- I don't know.
You have a great day.
Thank you so much.
- You have
a great day too, spencer.
- ( Door opens )
- ( door closes )
- spencer.
( Chuckles )
looks like my life
is looking up.
Mama, I am no a dull old woman.
Hmm. I got my groove on.
Spencer.
What a cutie.
So how do
you feel, honey?
- I'm scared.
- Why?
- What do you think
is gonna happen?
- I don't know.
Didn't you see what happened
at that other place?
Yeah, I guess I could
kinda feel ya there.
- Yeah.
- But everything's
gonna be okay.
I promise.
I have good people
on the inside
to look out for you.
- You'll be fine.
- Thanks, daddy.
So I don't know
if I've ever asked you
this directly,
but why did you star using drugs, monica?
I mean what happened?
You never asked me
directly or indirectly.
Actually, you never said
anything about it until now.
You travel.
You provide for me.
You treat me good
when I see you.
But you don' even know me, dad.
And mom-- I'm jus a thief and a druggie--
basically,
a throwaway to her.
You saw what she did.
She wouldn't even talk to me.
She's more concerned
about her own stuff
and her house
than her daughter.
And it hurts.
That's why
I took her things--
to get back at her.
Look, I know this
is hard for you,
because it's hard for me
to ask you again,
but why did you start using
in the first place
instead of talking to us
and telling us how you felt?
I just told you!
Neither of you had
time for me,
and all
the wrong people did.
I felt like
I mattered to somebody.
And they helped me--
lead me to where
I am right now.
( Crying )
and nobody paid attention
while it was happening.
You didn't even see me!
And it hurts, okay?
Look.
Well, I'm here
for you now, monica.
And I won't stop
until you know how much
you matter to me
and how much I love you.
( Loudly )
regina, I'm home!
Hey, you forgot to pick up
the mail yesterday!
It's nothing
but bills anyway.
Hmm, I wonder
where she is.
- Her car is in the driveway.
- ( Knocks on door )
- who is it?
- It's michelle,
regina's boss
from the magazine.
I know who you are.
You don't have to keep
introducing yourself
like that, honey.
Come on in.
Regina's no here right now,
but I think she'll
be back pretty soon.
Her car is outside.
- Was she expecting you?
- No, she wasn't.
I got in yesterday
from my trip,
so I just though I'd stop by,
check on the magazine,
see how things are.
- Uh-huh.
- Don't wanna
lose touch on things.
- Uh-huh.
- What I'm gonna do right now
is leave her
my new cell number.
I don't know
what happened to mine.
I lost my cell
in the bahamas.
I've got a new one
and a new number for her,
so she can reach me
on my new cell.
But why a new number?
Aren't you in business
and don't you have
customers that need
to get in touch with you?
Well, I figured a new cell,
a new start.
Besides, if someone
really wants to reach me,
they can call me
at my office.
Well, it's grea you got it like that,
but I'm gonna go on
a little trip of my own
to the toilet.
I've got a little
something I'm gonna lose.
Could you excuse me
- for just a minute?
- Please, go right ahead.
No problem.
Oh, I see spencer has
dropped off his portfolio.
What's this?
This is a letter
from spencer.
It's addressed
to regina.
Hmm.
"Thank you.
Hello, regina.
I wanted you
to know I enjoyed
our encounter last week.
It was shor but sweet.
My offer is still open.
I think you're jus what I'm looking for.
Your hair, your eyes--
you're the total package.
I can't wai to hear from you.
Spencer harris."
( Chuckles )
whoo. Hey, michelle.
What are you doing here, girl?
I didn't know you were
gonna stop by today.
- How was it?
- ( Both chuckle )
I guess that's
the question I oughta
be asking you, right?
Why? I didn' go anyplace. You did.
Mm-hmm. What is this?
Do you have something
you need to tell me?
What is it?
It's a card, okay?
And it's addressed to me.
What are you
doing going through
my personal mail
- on my desk?
- Read it, regina.
Michelle, mr. Harris stopped
by here when you were gone.
He left the portfolio
and I said when I had a chance
to take a look at it,
I would get with him.
"Get with him"?
What exactly did you need
to get with him on?
I mean get with him
on my decision, michelle.
Because you're
the complete package, hmm?
Everything he wanted, huh?
Girl, I don't know
what happened to you
down there in the bahamas,
but don't come up
in my house tripping, okay?
What are you
doing snooping through
my personal things anyway?
Now I'm gonna say this
one more time.
Again, spencer stopped by--
spencer?
So what happened
to "mr. Harris"?
Are you all on
a first-name basis now?
You just got I like that, huh?
So what exactly
did mr. Harris--
excuse me, spencer--
offer you that you needed
to get with him on?
Wait a minute, michelle.
I don't owe you an explanation
for my conversation
with mr. Harris--
oh oh, wait,
excuse me-- spencer.
Oh yes, you do,
because that right there
is my man, see?
I didn't tell you,
but now you know.
- Oh, you sure didn't.
Your man?
- Mm-hmm.
Well, as I recall, you were
breaking up with somebody
before you went down
to the bahamas.
Oh, wait a minute.
Was that spencer?
Yes, it was and I did no break up with him.
He broke up with me
over something stupid,
so as far as I'm concerned,
he is still my man.
I am back here to work
things out with him.
You know something?
I really cannot believe
that somebody so intelligen would say something so dumb.
So if he broke up
with you, michelle,
it means it's over.
It doesn't matter
what you think.
It's done.
But you know what?
That's your
little personal drama.
Just don't come up
in my house putting it on me.
- Wait a minute.
- Get your hands off
of me, michelle.
- We're not finished yet.
- Oh yes we are.
Oh no we're not.
You're not gonna sit up
here and call me stupid
and just think
you're gonna walk away
and get away with that.
I didn't call you
stupid, michelle.
I said what you said
was dumb. Get it right.
- Same thing.
- You know what?
You don't even know
the whole story.
I guess this is jus another one
of your dumb
misunderstandings.
Oh, I know exactly
all I need to know,
miss my-man-left-
me-and-now-i'm-trying-
to-steal-yours reynolds.
( Chuckles )
I mean, you saw
how fine he was
and you tried to ge with him behind my back.
I can't have anybody
like you working for me
that I can't trust.
I mean first you tried
to take my man, and then
it'll be my magazine.
So at this point,
your services
as my executive editor
of my magazine
- are no longer needed.
- Wait a minute.
You can't jus up and fire me
for no reason, michelle.
I'll sue those
fake knock-off guccis
right off your feet.
Oh no, sweetie.
I'm not dumb or stupid.
I'm not firing you.
I'm demoting you...
- To the mailroom.
- What?!
Mm-hmm. That's right.
You know that contract--
you've worked with me
for such a long time,
you probably haven' checked it out.
But you might wanna go
dust it off and read it.
It clearly states
that i,
stupid, dumb--
whatever-- michelle,
can reserve the righ to assume the role
of executive chief
and editor of my magazine
as I so choose to do so.
And currently,
I so choose to do so.
So, love, you're demoted.
Well, that's just fine,
michelle, because lemme
tell you this--
you can take
your mailroom job,
you can take
your lousy magazine and--
I won't say wha you can do with it,
- but I tell
you what-- I quit.
- Oh, that's fine,
but just so you don't ge yourself in a little pickle,
there's also something
in that contract that states
that you cannot work
for another magazine
for one full year.
So I hope tha you've got some really nice
fast-food job in mind,
'cause you'll be taking
orders over the phone.
Oh, and maybe spencer will
drive past your window.
Who knows? I jus hope you do something
with that hair, love.
I'd hate for him
to see you like this.
It's a mess.
Wait wait-- what?!
Wait a minute.
What's the problem?
Now I guess you can say
who is the dumb
and stupid one now, regina?
Gotta go. Anyways, toodles.
Have a nice life, love.
God bless. Peace.
Tell your mom she's a hoot.
Have a nice life.
Or then again, maybe not.
What's going on out here?
- What are you two
carrying on about?
- Mama, I just quit my job
- and I don't know wha I'm gonna do, literally.
- What?
Oh my god.
Lord have mercy.
What have you done?
Oh, this is
too much drama
for one week.
Well, here we are again.
We should go inside.
Are you ready?
Yeah, I guess.
Come on, baby.
Everything's gonna be fine.
I promise.
Okay?
Okay.
I'm marcus reynolds,
this is my daughter
monica reynolds
and we're here to see
rochelle richardson.
Oh, we've been
expecting you,
mr. Reynolds.
Please fill ou these forms
- and she'll be
right with you.
- Thank you.
Marcus.
Hello, old friend.
It's been such a long time.
Good to see you.
Good to see you, rochelle.
How you doing?
I'm great. So is
this your daughter monica?
- Yes.
- Really nice
to meet you, young lady.
Your dad and I have
known each other
for years, okay?
We go way back--
all the way to college.
I remember
those years well.
You were always so popular,
pretty and smart.
Oh, well,
thank you very much,
but you're making me blush.
So please stop.
I'm trying to be
professional here.
Why don't we go back
to my office and finish up
the paperwork?
Come, monica.
I don't want you to worry
about anything, all right?
Your dad and I
are like family,
and so you are to me too.
We're gonna take really good
care of you. Trust me.
Oh, there's sarah.
Monica, you're gonna
go with sarah.
She's gonna help
finish admitting you.
Monica: okay.
It's very nice
to meet you.
I'm gonna finish
getting you checked in
- and then we'll ge started on your program.
- Okay.
Rochelle:
marcus, would you like
to grab a cup of coffee
- while they're doing that?
- Sure, great.
Follow me.
Right this way.
( Laughs )
marcus, marcus, marcus.
Wow. You haven' changed a bit.
Well, neither have you,
rochelle.
You know, I never should've
let you get away from me
when I had my chance
back at school.
- I know.
- ( Both laugh )
but I was so stupid.
You know, I ended up
with that knucklehead
from the football team.
Henry johnson?
Really? Him?
- Really, him.
I know, I know, I know.
- Oh no no.
I know, I know.
We got married righ after we graduated.
- Yes, and henry kep being henry.
- Mm-hmm.
My goodness.
When we split,
all I ended up with
was a whole lot of debt.
Wow. I'm sorry
to hear that.
It's okay.
It is long over
and I've paid off
all my bills now.
Thank you very much.
( Giggles )
marcus, forgive me,
'cause you know i--
I don't know wha your situation is now,
but I'm just gonna ask you.
Are you available?
I mean can you go ou to dinner with me
- and see what happens?
- Wow, rochelle.
( Chuckles )
oh, I'm very flattered.
( Clears throat )
and I would definitely
take you up on it,
but I'm still married
and in love
with regina.
We are separated,
but I'm trusting
god's gonna work it out.
- I'm sorry.
- Me too.
Hi, baby.
Hey. Mmm!
I'll see you later, okay?
Everything's gonna
be fine. I promise.
I know, daddy.
Thank you.
Come on, monica.
Let's get you settled in.
- Come on, baby.
- Good seeing you, marcus.
So, self-worth.
Who are we allowing
to put a value on us?
Who gives you
that self-worth?
What value do
we allow other people--
oh, you must be monica.
Everybody,
I would like you all
to welcome miss monica
to our little family.
She'll be starting here
with us today.
You wanna tell us something
about yourself, monica?
No, not really.
There's nothing to tell.
Oh! She broke your face
worse than it's broke.
( People laughing )
you wanna know
about my face?
I was doing coke,
like most of you in here do,
and had a stroke.
I woke up and my face
was like this.
So now I'm here
to make sure
people like you
don't look like me.
People: ooh!
Now back to wha I was saying.
Just listen in and whenever
you feel comfortable,
whenever you wanna
jump in with us, feel free.
- ( Softly ) okay.
- Now where were we?
We was about to leave.
We're done for the day.
Look at the time, man.
Well, you're absolutely right.
I guess you can all go.
I'll see you guys tomorrow.
Monica.
I know this is
all new to you,
so it may feel
a little weird,
but it's okay.
You just need to open up
and share a little.
It'll help you
bring out some things
and you can get past them.
We've all had
to do it. Even me.
You've been through
rehab too?
Yes, I have.
We couldn't work here
if we didn't.
I mean how else
could you trust us?
So just go ahead and relax
and come back.
We'll try again tomorrow.
- I guess I have
no choice.
- Nope.
All right,
see you tomorrow.
( Jazz music playing )
( music continues )
( sighs )
( beeps )
hello. Yes, this is
regina reynolds.
I'm calling
about the application.
Yes, the job application.
You were--
you were advertising--
oh.
Okay. No no,
thank you for your time.
Mm-hmm. Bye.
- ( Clatters )
- hi, baby.
- Hi, mom.
- How's the job hunt?
Mama, it's been
four months since
I lost my job.
You mean since
you quit your job.
Oh, mama, I wasn't gonna
work in the mailroom.
Come on. Hm-mmm.
I'd rather suffer first.
Well, now you're suffering.
Are you happy?
I don't get it.
I've done all of
these job interviews,
I've taken
all of these calls,
made all these calls
and I can't ge anybody to hire me.
I can't get a job.
You know what I think?
I really believe tha that witch blacklisted me.
Yes, I do. I wouldn' put it past that witch.
She'd stoop
that low for a man.
Honey, people will do
some crazy things
when they're upset,
but there's no magic
blacklist to put you on.
You just shouldn't have
called that woman stupid
- and got with her man.
- Mama, I didn't call
her stupid.
I just said tha what she said was dumb.
And I didn't ge with her man either.
I just told her tha just to make her jealous.
I'm not even
interested in him.
He's not even my type.
He's too young.
And, mama,
remember, I am married.
Well, I'm glad to know
that you haven't los your mind
and your morals.
No, mama, I'm still a good,
old-fashioned church girl,
but even church folks ge into trouble sometimes.
They have problems too,
you know, and we don' always handle it right.
But it doesn't mean
we're not trying to do
the right thing.
We fall down
and mess up sometimes.
You're right,
but it's gonna
be all right.
It will all be
all right.
Now I can help you
with your messed-up finances.
I told you I have
a little money in the bank
and you're welcome
to all of it for as long
as I have it.
But your messed-up
relationships?
I can't do nothing
about that.
That's all on you.
Thanks,
but I got this, mama.
Plus all of this is
my fault anyway.
This is your
retirement money, mama.
I can't take that.
This is for you to live on.
I should be taking care
of you at this time
in your life,
not the other way around.
Well, there's nothing
I have that's
too good for my baby.
But I'm no a baby anymore, mama.
- Hello?
- Well, you may no be a baby,
but you'll
always be my baby
and there's nothing
in the world that you can
do about that.
So what do you need
from mommy, baby?
I don't need
anything, mama.
I got this.
I've got this, okay?
I have money
in my savings account.
I got this under control,
- at least for now.
- ( Door opens )
regina:
vanessa, how did you
get in this house?
The door,
you left it open.
I could've come in
and k*lled all y'all.
Vanessa, who'd you come
to see, me or your sister?
- Regina, mom.
- Oh good.
Now you all talk.
I need a break
to rest my brain.
I can't deal
with you right now.
Oh, now move.
- Hey, sis!
- Vanessa, what do you want?
Hey, sis,
how you doing?
I'm doing great.
You still not working, girl?
You are either lazy
or unemployable.
- Which is it?
- Look, all right--
a'ight! You know, we never
really talked about it,
but what's up
with you and marcus?
What do you mean,
what's up with me and marcus?
Nothing's up
with me and marcus.
I'm here and marcus is
wherever marcus is.
How you gonna
let a good man
like marcus get away?
Girl, you know how many
lousy men you have to go
through to find a marcus?
Even at my age,
I am still looking
for a good man.
You let me follow marcus.
He ain't never gonna get away.
You can mark
my words on that.
You my sister,
but you stupid.
Vanessa, is this wha you came here to talk about?
Nope, I came here
because I got a hot date
with a really nice guy
and I need to borrow
some clothes.
I knew it. Go on in there
and get something ou of the close - and get out of my life.
- Whatever.
- But you're still stupid.
- Girl, if you weren' my sister, I swear--
if I weren' your sister, what?
Sounds to me like
you still love the woman.
You know, alex,
I never really stopped
loving her.
I just had
to let her do her.
- Huh!
- And I just hope
she finds herself.
- Huh.
- I had to accep the fact tha I didn't really
have her if she didn' want to be here anymore.
She got all caught up
in her career,
felt that she outgrew me
'cause she was making
more money than I was.
- Made you feel small.
- Yeah, she lost respect for me
as a husband in the family.
And there was nothing
I could do to change her.
And then-- check this out--
she hit me
with that "I'm a strong,
independent black woman
- and you can't handle me."
- Oh boy.
- Can you believe that?
- Yeah.
All right, where am
I supposed to go from there?
I got that record
at home.
So I just let her go.
- Mmm.
- But the sad par about it was
that she started
detaching from monica.
Man, it tore
the whole family apart.
Man, you been going
through this a long time.
I feel bad for you, man.
No, really. Really.
But you know what?
I'm gonna tell you just how
you can get your woman back.
You're gonna tell me
how to get my wife back?
Yup, that's right.
And you listen up,
young brother,
because I'm about to impar some wisdom on you.
- I'm all ears.
- See, the first thing
you've got to do
to get your woman back
is that you have got--
- you're talking
about regina, right?
- Yeah, the woman I love,
- regina.
- Regina, okay.
To get regina back
you have to--
oh, that's not gonna work.
No, hold on, brother.
Hold on, hold on.
I got this. I got--
i-i-- I'm thinking.
Man. You know,
on second thought, brother,
I'm gonna have to
let you handle this
by yourself.
- That's what I thought.
- We talking about regina.
Man, there's not much
we can do here.
Ooh, brother,
you should've picked you
an easier woman.
- I know.
- Ain't got no answers
for this one.
Whoo. Maybe we can go
on "maury" or something.
( Laughs )
no, not this brother.
- ( Phone rings )
- hello.
Yes, this is regina.
Who? From where?
What do you mean
my account is overdrawn?
Nuh-uh. No no no no no,
I have overdraft protection.
That's overdrawn too?
Well, what abou my savings account?
Oh no, nuh-uh, there mus be some kind of mistake.
I-- I will come down there
and I will straighten
this out right away.
Yes, uh-huh.
Bye-bye.
Gina, let me
help you, baby.
- Help who what, mama?
- Look, you got wha you wanted.
- Could you get out?
- Okay, fine. Bye!
( Sighs )
I got this.
I got this, mama.
But--
oh.
I'm just gonna
go down to the bank
and get this stuff
straightened out.
Ooh! Who are you?
- Hi, are you
miss regina reynolds?
- Yes, I am.
- And how can I help you?
- Come on, guys, we've go the right house.
- Let's go. Come on.
- You can't just walk in
my house like this!
- Come on, let's move
this stuff. Come on, y'all.
- Move my stuff?
- You can't move my stuff!
- We're not just moving it,
we're taking it, okay?
This is a repossession.
This is what happens when
you don't pay your bill
for three months.
Don't take it personal.
It's just what we do.
Excuse me. Get the couch.
Yup, get all this stuff
right here. All of this.
See, when you came down
to papa joe's fine
furniture emporium,
you signed a contract.
Listen, right here
it says clearly that after
two months of non-payment,
papa can come in
and take his stuff back.
And papa was nice to you--
he gave you an extra month.
- No.
- Oh baby. See,
this is a repossession.
And you know what?
Papa-- h*!
Papa don't take no mess.
Hey! Papa don' take no mess
- papa don't take no mess.
- Well, does papa take checks?
- 'Cause I could
write you a check.
- ( Laughs ) no no.
Papa don't take
no checks!
You know papa ain' taking your check.
How about-- can you jus give me a little bi more time, please?
Look, I was on my way
to the bank. I was jus about to go get in my car--
- where's my car?
- Come on, man. Get all
this stuff out of here.
- Oh my-- where's my car?
- Come on, faster.
Mama! Somebody stole
the car, mama!
Call the police! Oh no.
Georgia:
I would like to repor a stolen car.
What else could
happen to me, okay?
What else can happen?
I lost my job,
you have taken
all of my furniture
- and now my car
has been stolen!
- Oh man.
Wait a minute.
Was that your blue mercedes
parked out front?
- Yeah, did--
did you see it?
- Oh, actually I did.
It was a tow truck
that pulled up
with "r.j. Imports"
on the side.
- All right.
- He just hooked it up
and left.
Wait a minute,
so r.j. Imports stole my car?
No, I don't think
they was stealing it.
I think they was
repossessing it!
- Hey! A repossession.
- Oh no.
- Oh my gosh.
( Laughs )
- mama!
- Ooh! This jus ain't your day.
- Mama!
They repossessed my car!
- Back up.
- What am i--
what am I gonna do?
I guess r.j. Don' take no mess either.
Georgia:
never mind, we found it.
- Ain't gonna take
your checks neither.
- ( Crying )
hey, be careful.
Watch out there now.
Ma'am, listen, you try
and have a nice day,
okay? Mm-mm-mmm.
All right, be careful.
Don't move it too hard.
Don't break it.
- Mama!
- Step back. Mm-hmm.
Mama, what we gonna do?
They repossessed my car!
Oh, regina,
why won't you
let me help you?
I don't understand
why you think you have to
do this all by yourself.
Let go
of your foolish pride.
Let me help you.
I didn't want to depend
on anybody, mama.
I thought I could handle
all this myself.
I didn't want anything
from anybody.
But there are times
in all our lives
when we have to depend
on someone for some help.
That's life.
There's nothing wrong
with needing
a little help sometimes.
But I don't understand.
I mean why is god
doing this to me?
I pay my tithes.
I pay my tithes when I have
the money to pay my tithes.
Regina, you may not wan to hear this right now,
but maybe god is trying
to get your attention.
Sometimes god has
to slow us down
and take us to a place where
we can't make it without him
so that we can be humbled.
What am I
supposed to do, mama?
How am I going
to live?
Maybe it's time for you
to take an inventory
in your life--
not jus the materialistic things,
but the things
that you really have.
Anything tha you put before god
he will-- he will remove
to get you back to him
so that you can be humbled.
God cares more
about your soul
than your lifestyle.
It ain' that important to him.
Maybe he has a work
for you to do for him
or for other people.
You need to pray
and ask god wha he's trying to say to you.
I don't feel
like praying, mama.
I don't feel
like talking to god
or anybody else right now.
Lord, please don't hurt her.
She's jus a little upset right now.
She'll-- she'll come
to her senses
in a few minutes.
Lord, you gotta
help us through this.
Oh, I'm trying
to be strong for my daughter,
so I can't let this
get me down too.
Don't break that.
All right.
( Crying )
what happened?
Well, look at I this way-- since we moved
all the furniture,
you can
clean up this dust.
Have a nice day.
( Sighs deeply )
hey, I never
introduced myself.
- My name's rakwan.
- Monica.
Yeah, I know.
( Chuckles )
hey, that's kinda dope,
what you working on there.
- Thanks.
- Yeah, you seem
really cool too.
Way cooler than any of
these other lames in here.
We should be friends,
you know what I mean?
- I mean it's cool.
- Cool then.
All right, I'll ge at you later then.
Oh my.
Monica, this is great.
This is really lovely work.
I'm very impressed.
My goodness.
I have a friend
who has a gallery
and is a dealer.
If it's all right with you,
I'd love to call him
and maybe he could
set something up,
look at your work.
- If that's all right with you.
- Yeah, that would be
really cool.
- I would like that a lot.
- Great. Well, do you
have any more?
- I could easily
make more pieces.
- That's wonderful.
Well, consider it done.
I'll give him a call
and maybe we can
set something up
for next week.
- That sounds good.
- Great. Great. Wow.
This is really wonderful.
I'm gonna head back
to my office,
- but keep working.
- Okay. Thanks,
miss richardson.
- You're welcome. Thank you.
- Jack: isn't it great?
- Rochelle:
it's really wonderful.
- ( Squealing )
it looks good.
What's up? What's going on?
Oh my god,
I can't believe
what just happened!
Miss richardson's gonna
have an art dealer
look at my work.
- Isn't that cool?
- Yeah. Yeah, I guess so.
I'm-- I'm not really
into that.
You wanna check ou a movie later?
Yeah yeah yeah,
that would be cool...
I guess.
How about after dinner?
Yeah okay. Cool.
I'll get with you
then after dinner.
- Later.
- All right.
- Congrats.
- Thanks. Yes!
( Squeals )
man on tv: in this time,
have you ever known me to be
with any white girl?
- Woman: no.
- Man: no.
This house here--
who bought it?
Let me answer that
for you, tonya.
This house you live in--
I bought it,
and all
the furniture in it.
- And now I live
in a bigger one.
- Just-- just--
man:
let's not even talk
about the car
and the monthly
alimony check.
You don't even remember
the last time you worked.
And you and your
angry little crew are gonna
call me a weak black man?
Why? Just because
I like to come back home
- to a peaceful house
at the end of the day...
- St--
...instead of going
back to the drama
like I had with you
for four years?
Rakwan, stop!
Are you crazy?
What's wrong with you?
We're just supposed
to be watching the movie
and that's it.
I think you should go.
- I really
don't care what you...
- You know what?
...and your little
angry crew are saying,
but let me set
the record straight.
Forget this. You know,
I don't need this crap.
You ain't nothing
but a tease.
- I'm tired of dealing
with angry black women.
- I'm out of here.
Now where is
my daughter?
Monica,
I'm so sorry, honey.
We came in and we found
this place a mess like this.
No one's been able
to find rakwan.
We think he's run off
with your pieces.
I've already called
the police.
But do you have any idea
why you think he might do
something like this?
Yeah, I know why.
Oh, sweetie,
I'm so sorry.
- ( Crying )
- I'm gonna go
check on things.
( Hip-hop music playing )
monica? Monica.
What--
what is all this?
I mean when did
you do all this work?
I've been
staying up all night,
working to replace everything
that was destroyed
as my own therapy
just so I can cope
with all the stuff
that's been going on.
Wow.
This is amazing.
It's unbelievable.
- You like it?
- I love it.
Do you have
any more of this?
Yeah, I've got a lo of it in my room.
I'm gonna talk
to miss richardson.
I'll be right back.
Well, praise the lord,
praise the lord.
Lord, I thank you
for another beautiful day
that you have given me.
I thank you
for waking me up
this morning
and starting me
on my way yet again.
Lord, in the mids of this barren land,
you are still god,
and I will continue
to thank you
and praise you
because you are good
and worthy
to be praised.
"I will bless
the lord at all times;
his praise shall
continually be in my mouth.
Oh, taste and see
that the lord is good!
And blessed is the man
that trusteth in him."
What you so excited
about this morning, mama?
- Can you see me?
- Yeah, I see you.
- What you talking about?
- Can you hear me?
I think
the whole neighborhood
can hear you, mama.
Well, that is
all the reason I need
to wake up praising god--
because he let me
breathe another day.
Well, it's a good thing
all that breath you
breathing is free.
'Cause, mama,
if it cost anything,
you'd be in a lo of trouble right about now.
There you go,
worrying about money.
Don't mess up my day
with your negativity.
Is that all
you think about? Money?
Yes, all I think about--
money. Look at my roots.
I can't even get 'em fixed
'cause I ain't got no money.
Money is everything, mama.
If you don't have money,
you don't have nothing.
Well, maybe you should've
thought of tha before you let pride
get in the way of your job.
Proverbs say
"pride goeth before a fall."
And what is tha supposed to mean?
You haven't figured
it out yet, regina?
You let your pride
get in the way
when you had that argumen with michelle.
That's why you qui your job and ended up
where you are now.
You should've cleaned up
that misunderstanding
right then and there,
but you didn't.
Now look where you are.
The whole thing
is ridiculous,
and I'm tired
of keeping quiet about it.
It wasn't pride, mama.
I quit my job
'cause I'm no gonna stand there
and be accused
of something
that I did not do.
It wasn't pride?
Then what do you call it?
You should've cleaned up
any misunderstandings
and kept your job.
It's just that simple.
During these hard times
when millions of people
are struggling,
you're just gonna
quit your job
over some man
that you don't even know
or have a relationship with?
Are you crazy?
Again, if that's not pride,
what do you call it?
You know
the scripture that says
"a fool and his money are
soon parted," right? Huh.
Well, where's your money?
- Are you calling me a fool?
- Did you quit your job?
- Yes, I did.
- Do you have any money?
- No.
- Well, then I rest my case.
I'll let the evidence
point where it points.
I don't believe
you just called me a fool.
Oh, don't get your panties
all up in a bunch.
I'm just saying sometimes
we make our bed and then
we don't wanna lay in it.
You brought a lo of this on yourself
and now you're making
everybody pay for I by being so mean and bitter
to everybody around you.
You've been chasing
the almighty dollar
all your life
and putting everybody
and everything
on the back burner
to do it.
Now look where
you've ended up,
and it ain't rich.
Mama, I am so sick
and tired of hearing
your rundown
about how I neglected
my family for my job.
I did what I though I had to do so tha I could be independen and not have to
rely on anybody else,
just like
you taught me to do.
I did a good job, mama!
And I raised my kids!
No, regina,
your kids grew up!
That's a law of nature!
Don't get growing up
confused with being raised!
If it hadn't been for marcus--
oh, here we go
with marcus again!
How good marcus is
and how bad I am.
What is so wrong
with wanting something
for myself?
Look at me, mama.
I didn't sleep my way
to the top.
I didn't steal.
I didn't k*ll nobody.
No, you know what I did?
I worked, mama,
and I worked very hard.
And I am sick
and tired of being made
to feel bad for that!
I did it for myself
and for my family,
but I guess that's hard
for you to understand, mama.
You know why?
Because you never wanted
much out of life.
So I guess
it doesn't bother you
that we ain't got nothing.
No, I don't need much
in life.
Maybe that's because
that was the way I was raised.
My parents didn' have much either,
but we had family
and we had love.
I remember
my first car.
I don't even know
how old that car was
when my mama
bought it, but it was
all she could afford,
and I was grateful for it.
The odometer didn't work
and the gas gauge didn't work.
I had to stick
a yardstick in the gas tank
to figure ou how much gas I had
before I could go anywhere.
I got to know
that I could go
to and from school
on one inch of gas.
I remember
the first time I turned on
the windshield wipers.
The wiper
on the driver's side fell off
and I had to drive
down the stree looking through
the passenger side
of the windshield.
And the headlights
were c*ck--
one shined up in the sky,
blinding the airplanes,
and the other shined
into the faces
of the people
walking down the street.
When I drove through
the neighborhood at night,
the people though that the cops were
raiding their homes,
because it looked
like searchlights
shining in their windows.
Oh, and I said
to myself
I wanted more
for my kids.
That's why I gave you all
stuff that I never had,
but I was never
able to satisfy
your champagne tastes.
And when I gave
you a car for your
high school graduation,
you got mad
because you wanted a honda,
but I bought you
a hyundai.
You've been trying
to keep up with the joneses
all your life.
Well, newsflash, sweetie--
your name is reynolds
and before tha it was knealy.
And you ain' never been no jones,
- so get over it.
- You'll never get it,
will you, mama?
You just don't understand.
If it makes me ac the way you've been
acting all your life,
- I hope I never get it!
- Whatever, mama!
And you know how
you're always giving me
those bible scriptures
and those quotes
from famous people?
Well, here's a bible
scripture for you--
"the wealth of the wicked
is laid upon the righteous."
Well, I am
the righteousness of god.
- Why didn't you give me
that scripture, mama?
- Oh. Oh.
God, forgive her.
Oh, give me the strength.
Hold me back, jesus.
Hold me back.
( Car alarm beeps )
hey, it's me-- marcus.
Marcus! Come in.
( Sighs )
regina just left,
which is probably
a good thing
considering how she's
been acting these days.
Yeah, I just saw her
flying out of the house
for her morning jog.
I called after her,
but she just kept running.
- Oh.
- Kind of like she does
in life in general.
Georgia:
well, she probably
couldn't hear you
because she's go on her ipod.
It's a good thing
she got out of here
when she did.
Things were getting
a little heated in here.
- What happened?
- Well, we had a little tiff
about regina and her taste
for the good life.
Well, that's nothing new.
I meant what happened
to all the furniture?
Oh, I'm not surprised
that she didn't tell you.
She lost her job
about six months ago.
- What?
- She's broke,
stubborn and won' let me help her.
And they repossessed
her car too.
And today
we got a foreclosure
notice on the house.
Now I've gotta do
something,
because I am not going
to be homeless
because of her
bad decisions.
Well, I was coming over
to tell her some good news,
but I guess she won't be
in the mood to appreciate it.
Oh, give it to me,
because I do need it.
But just don't tell me
you found a new woman,
because that won't be
good news for her or me.
No, mom.
Close but it's no what you think.
What? What are you
talking about, marcus?
Relax. I'm talking
about monica.
- Oh.
- She's doing really well.
Yeah, and she's like
a new person next to how
she was when she went in.
And she's coming home soon.
Oh, that's wonderful news.
I can't wait to see her.
Yeah, and the good news is today
is her pre-release evaluation.
So say a prayer that they feel
she's ready to come home,
because I miss her.
And monica also had some news
she wanted to share
with all of us,
but she wouldn' tell me what it was.
Oh, that's wonderful,
marcus.
Yeah. I wanted to share
the news with regina.
I was hoping that it would
make her feel better abou monica and things,
but I guess it's no gonna happen today.
I know this is no the right time for her.
Well, I wouldn't ge my hopes up if I were you.
She does have
a lot of feelings
that she has to deal
with about monica.
And we won't even talk
about this new mess.
I know it's been hard
for regina
when it comes
to dealing with monica
and this situation,
but I also know she loves
her daughter very much.
Okay, we're all gonna ge through this, okay, mom?
And I gotta go,
all right?
Mama, what's wrong?
You don't look good.
Marcus, what really happened
between you and regina?
- Oh.
- I know you let her go
to make a point,
but couldn't you have
held onto her
and made your poin in another way?
Your family has
fallen apart, son.
I did what I though was best at the time.
Regina knows how
I feel about her.
But our marriage
wasn't important enough
for her to make
the compromises
she had to for the family.
It was all about her career
and not about us.
She wanted more,
so I let her go and find it.
How long and how hard
can you hold onto someone
who is selfish
and wants to be free?
She's a grown woman, mom.
I can't hold onto her
against her will.
I understand, marcus.
But whatever you do,
don't let her divorce you.
Try and hold onto her
for all of our sakes.
The ball is in her cour and she knows it.
She's always known
that I'd take her back.
She just has to say
the word and I'll act as if
none of this ever happened.
I hate seeing her this way,
but I can't make her want me
or want a life with me.
I love her
with all my heart,
but I can't stand in her way
if she wants to be free.
Okay? But really,
I gotta go, mom.
( Marcus sighs )
bye, marcus.
Oh lord...
( Crying )
thank you
for my granddaughter.
Oh please,
let her make
a fresh star and let it stick
this time.
This whole family needs
a fresh start.
And send my silly daughter
home to her husband.
Lord, if I'd have had
one like him,
I wouldn't have had
to raise my girls alone.
Well, monica, it's time
for your evaluation.
You know jack, of course,
and this is mr. Charles.
And we're just gonna
evaluate you today.
I know this can be scary,
but please just try to relax.
We all want you to be able
to leave the center.
We do. We just wan to be sure you can do tha without coming back here.
Our main concern is
where you'll be staying
if your mother won't let you
back into her house.
Well, my dad said
that I could stay
at his house.
He said I'm--
I'm welcome there.
Well, that's great.
That's wonderful.
But he travels a lot,
so who's gonna be there
to monitor you,
make sure you don't ge back with the same people
and end up here again?
Yeah, that just doesn' seem too stable to me.
I would like
to hear of a better plan,
for your protection.
We're just not sure
that you're ready
for that much freedom yet.
I'll be fine.
I'll watch myself.
Just give me a chance
to prove myself.
I'm different now.
Really.
I'm ready.
I can do this.
Okay. That's the kind
of confidence
- we've been waiting to hear.
- ( Monica chuckles )
yes. Okay.
We will.
We'll give you
a chance.
We're gonna start ou with two weeks
and then we'll
check in on you.
And if that goes well,
then we'll give you two months.
And then if that goes well,
- you'll be free.
- Yeah, two weeks. Yeah.
Okay. So you can
leave here tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?
- Yes.
- ( Laughs )
- listen, I really
believe in you.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
So go out there
and make us all proud.
Make yourself proud.
- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.
Good luck, monica.
- Mr. Charles.
- Charles: goodbye.
We've got to do
something about your--
- your issue.
- Your narcolepsy.
What?
( Footsteps approaching )
- you're going running again?
- ( Softly ) yeah.
That seems like that's
all you do, regina.
You need to be ou looking for a job.
Stop trying to run away
from your problems.
What?! Come on, mom.
What are you talking about?
- Oh.
- Excuse me.
Well, if you
can't hear me,
maybe I need
to write it down
so you can read it.
( Emphatically )
you need a job, regina.
Tell me something
I don't know!
Don't you ever
raise your voice
and use that tone
to me again.
( Sighs )
I am your mother
and I will be
until the day I die,
and you will no disrespect me.
Yes, ma'am.
I'm gonna go
run now, ma'am.
Do I have
your permission?
Go on, regina.
Lord, I ain't slapped
nobody in 20 years.
God, you may have
to give me the strength
to slap the devil
out of my daughter
if she ever talks
to me like that again.
Oh, let me read my word.
Let me find that scripture
about "thou shalt not k*ll."
That should work
right about now.
Jesus. ( Sighs )
( both laughing )
- baby.
- ( Squeals )
daddy!
- You look wonderful!
- Thank you.
- How's mom?
- ( Groans )
not good.
See, a lot has been going
on since you've been away
and none of it's making
your mother a happier person.
What, dad?
Really, is she okay?
Yeah, she's okay,
but nothing around her is.
She's been out of work
for six months now
- and even worse--
- wait. What, daddy?
I wasn't even gone
for that long.
How much could happen
in six months?
A lot. You mother never
really had savings.
She's been living
at her means.
And she lost her car
and all of the furniture.
The house is
completely empty.
- What, daddy?
- Yeah.
I know how much
that stuff meant to her.
How is she doing?
Come on, monica.
You know your mother.
I mean not good at all.
I don't even know wha to say to her.
I've been helping her
with the house while
taking care of my bills,
but there's only
so much I can do.
I mean she was
making more than me.
( Sighs )
I really hate
to see her like this.
Know what, dad?
I forgot--
I need to go
make a phone call.
Can you watch my bag?
- Baby, just use my phone.
- There's probably no service.
Sure enough,
she's right.
Hmm.
( Panting )
hoo.
How was your run, regina?
It was good, mother.
Well, any other time
it'd be "mama."
You still mad,
but that's okay.
- You'll get over it.
- Mama, I really don't wanna
go through this again.
- You know, your nagging
is getting real old.
- ( Knocks on door )
now before you go storming off
to your room like usual,
do you mind getting
the door this time?
It's your shift.
I've already done mine.
( Sighs ) oh god.
I don't know why you're making
me come over here and do this.
She doesn't wan to see me anymore
and I don't wan to see her either.
Look, I'm not gonna keep
arguing with you about this.
Michelle,
you need to fix it.
- You don't need to keep--
- you need her.
Don't need
to keep what?
Hi, regina.
So what do I owe
to this displeasure?
You know what?
I told you this wasn' a good idea. See?
I'm sorry
to bother you, regina,
may we please come in
for a second?
We will not stay long.
I promise.
Well, my day couldn' get any worse.
Come on in.
Get going.
( Sighs )
so I brought michelle here
because I think
we all have some things
we need to clear up.
Michelle told me
what happened and--
and I'm sure
she gave you
her twisted version
of things.
Look, regina, I am tired
of you disrespecting me.
First I'm stupid,
now I'm twisted?
- You know what? Let's go.
- First, regina--
shh-tch!
First, regina,
I want to apologize
for any misunderstandings
I may have caused.
I really didn't come
off professional
or right the first time
we met and I'm very sorry.
Michelle and I have had
a long conversation about this
and we've got things
straight between us.
We are a couple
and now I think
it's time that you two
get things straight.
Michelle is here
to offer you your job back.
Yes, regina, you can
have your job back
if you want it.
- I mean, you two
have worked so hard--
- regina: no no no no no.
Let's get this straight--
I have worked very hard.
Oh, regina,
right now the power
of life and death is
in that tongue of yours.
Now don't choose
death again.
Choose life, dummy.
I got this, mama.
Could we have
just a minute?
- We'll be right back.
- Certainly.
Regina,
we're in a recession
and your bank accoun is depleted to the poin that it's inside out.
Now if you won't listen
to a bible verse,
will you please
at least listen
to a famous movie one?
"Stupid is
as stupid does,"
and right now you're
behaving very stupid.
Now get over there
and get your job back
and save this house.
- Michelle.
- Michelle: yes?
Can I think about this?
Sounds like
a great idea to me.
Spencer, let's go.
I've done my part.
As much as she hates
to admit it,
the magazine really
needs you, regina.
- ( Regina chuckles ) oh.
- Oh come on, spencer, please.
I am not gonna
keep apologizing
- to someone who wants to keep
an attitude with me.
- Okay.
- Let's go sit down.
- Thank you.
Oh, I'm sorry.
There's nothing to sit on.
- Georgia: yes.
- Please consider it.
- Good night.
- Good night.
Oh god, what a mess.
Now what are
you gonna do, gina?
I'm gonna think
about it, mama.
That's what I'm gonna do.
She's not thinking
about getting me back.
She's just trying
to impress spencer.
She doesn't want me
working with her.
Oh, what do you care abou whether she cares or not?
She's offering
your job back
and you haven't worked
in six months.
We're in trouble here.
- ( Mutters )
- where are you going?
I gotta go take a walk.
I gotta go clear my head.
( Door opens, shuts )
oh. Oh god.
Well, with all this
running and walking,
at least she'll be
in good shape.
- ( Adults chatting )
- ( kids playing )
girl:
mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher!
( Echoing )
mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
Mommy, mommy,
push me higher.
( Kids playing )
( crying )
- ( knocks on door )
- georgia: oh, who is it now?
- I'm coming.
- Hey, mom, it's marcus.
- Oh marcus!
- ( Both laugh )
- oh. Oh.
- And me, grandma.
- Monica!
- ( Laughing ) hi.
Oh, is it really you?
- Yes.
- Oh, you look wonderful.
Yes, grandma, it's me,
the new
and improved monica.
Oh oh, I always knew there
was a beautiful young lady
in there jus trying to get out.
And you just look marvelous.
- Are you home for good now?
- No, grandma.
I'm only home
for a few days
as a trial.
My counselors--
they thought I was
sort of ready,
so this is
a test run to see
if I can handle things
and not slip back
into my old habits again.
Well, speaking
of handling things,
I don't know how
your mother's gonna handle
seeing you after the way
you two parted.
Oh, she's been going through
a very rough time lately.
But seeing you like this
is gonna make her happy.
- I know it is.
- I don't know, grandma.
We haven' spoken in months
and you know she wasn' really that happy with me
the last time
we saw each other.
Well, like you said,
that was months ago.
We'll just have to see
how she handles things today.
Oh, she-- seeing you
is gonna make her happy.
- I just know it.
- ( Both laugh )
( regina panting )
( knocks on door )
mom, let me in.
I left my keys.
Oh, y'all go and hide
in the hall closet.
I'll see how she's feeling
before you come in.
( Knocks )
mom, let me in.
- Where's your key?
- I don't know. I forgot 'em.
- Oh.
- Hey, mom,
so, ma, is tha marcus's car out there?
Well, there's a lot of cars
that look like marcus's car.
So that's--
i-i-- I thought--
you know, I though it might be him.
Oh. Well, what happened?
Did you come to any
conclusions about anything
while you were out?
Mmm.
I'm okay, ma.
I'm really okay.
- You sure?
Talk to me.
- I--
I just feel like--
remember saul on the road
to damascus.
Of course. I used to
read you that story.
Do you remember
when god struck him
and he went blind?
- Yes. Yes.
- He went blind
for three days
and then when
he came back,
you remember how he saw
the error of his ways?
Mm-hmm, yes.
Well, I was
running today...
- Mm-hmm.
- ...and I was trying
to clear my head.
I was trying
to hear from god, mama...
- Oh.
- ...and I just started
looking at people going by.
I saw this mother.
She was playing
with her kids.
She was pushing
her child on the swing.
And, mama, that--
the mother looked like
she was having so much fun
with that little girl.
And then I saw the father,
and he was flying a kite
with his son.
They were having fun.
And there was a couple--
a couple about my age--
and they were
on a blanke in the middle of the park,
just laughing,
enjoying each other.
And I though about the fac that I have never been
on a blanket...
- Oh.
- ...with marcus.
- Oh.
- I think I just passed
so many opportunities, ma.
I-- I haven't been
a good mother.
- I haven't been
a good wife.
- Oh. Oh.
I want those chances back,
and I think it's too late.
I never sat on a blanke and had a picnic.
Oh, regina.
I never had fun
with my child.
I never-- I never
pushed monica on a swing.
- Oh.
- Mom, I wanna
change my life.
- Oh.
- I'm so sorry, mama.
It's all right, baby.
It's all right.
You know,
we gotta ask god's will
in your life,
and he'll change things.
I think he talked
to me today.
I'm sure he did.
Oh, regina.
Oh, baby.
- Oh, look at me.
- ( Cries ) ma.
Now you know, like saul,
you can pick yourself up,
dust yourself off
and go on forward.
You know?
And listen,
I owe you an apology.
I don't ever
want you to think
that I'm not proud of you,
because I am.
You're a very
ambitious woman
and a very strong woman.
You're my daughter
and I love you dearly.
( Crying )
I want my daughter back, ma.
I owe her
so many apologies.
- Oh baby.
- I don't know what to say.
I think I have missed
every opportunity.
I-- I'll never
have a chance
to be a good mother.
- Oh yes, you will.
- And I lost the man
that I love.
Oh regina,
it's not over.
And I'm gonna
apologize to you, mama.
- For what, baby?
- I have not been
a good person, mama.
I put everything
in my life before you,
before my daughter,
before the man tha I love-- my husband.
Yes, well, we can
just put god's will
back in our lives.
I've lost everything, mama--
everything.
But like saul,
you can get it back.
Mom, I just--
I think it's too late.
- No. No, it's never too late.
- Yes, I don't think--
- yes, it is.
- You'll see, regina.
It's never too late.
- I'm right here, mama.
- Oh my god!
- See? See?
- Oh my baby!
- Oh my baby.
- I'm so sorry, mama.
Oh marcus,
look at our baby.
Look at you.
Oh, sweetheart,
will you ever forgive me?
- Please?
- No, mama, you were forgiven
the minute
I walked in the house.
It's me who
you need to forgive
for doing
all those things to you.
And then after
that we can go swing
and go to the park.
- Oh baby.
- I missed you so much.
I missed you too,
my darling.
I've missed you too.
We're gonna do that.
We're gonna swing.
We're going to be
a family again.
Always.
Marcus,
will you take me back?
( Sighs )
well, I don't know.
- That's all right.
- I need to think about I a little bit.
- Oh. Oh.
- Regina: see, I told you.
- I though about it. Yes.
- ( Gasps )
( georgia
and monica laugh )
oh marcus. Oh!
( Sobbing )
oh. Mom.
( Knocks on door )
oh, y'all go on.
I got this.
This house is busier
than grand central station.
- Who is it now?
- Man: papa joe's
furniture emporium.
Well, what you want?
We don't have anything else
for you to take.
Mama, you let them
come in here and take
whatever they want,
because everything I need
I already have right here.
- Come and take it all.
- No, ma'am, I'm not here
to take anything.
I'm here to bring
something back.
Just sign right here
and I'll bring it in.
I don't have any money.
I didn't order anything.
You of all people
should know that.
Ma'am, it's already
been taken care of.
Just sign and I'll
bring the stuff in.
It's got my name
and address on it, baby.
Well, bring it on.
All right, fellas,
move it in. Come on.
- What?
- What is this?
Oh, it's your furniture.
Oh my goodness.
How did this happen?
- Who did-- mama, thank you.
- Oh, I didn't do it,
but I'll take the hug.
I need one about now.
Mama, this is
all our furn--
marcus, you did this.
Baby, thank you.
Sorry, babe, I wish
I could take the credit,
but I didn't have
anything to do with it.
Well, then who did this?
How did this happen?
- It was me, mama.
- ( Gasps )
- monica?
- You?
Wait a minute.
Monica, how did
you do this?
Well, when we were
on our way home from rehab,
dad had told me
what had happened,
so I just wanted
to make up
for all the bad things
I've done,
so I called papa joe's
and I made arrangements
with my debit card to have
your stuff back.
- Regina: oh my god.
- ( Giggles )
regina:
wait wait, but--
but how did--
how did you do it?
I don't understand.
Well, mom, dad,
I've been painting again
since I've been in rehab.
And the director
saw my stuff
and he thought I should
have an art show
and I did
and I sold all my artwork
and I made enough money
to get mom's stuff back.
- What?
- Yeah.
Oh, baby,
I'm so proud of you.
I am so proud
of you, monica.
I've missed you so much.
I've missed all
those things about you
that make you so special.
And I'm gonna be
a good mother to you--
I promise you that--
if you'll just let me.
I told you I was
gonna make you proud
of me one day.
- ( Chuckles )
and you have.
- I hope I did.
- Oh yes, you have.
- I have.
Oh my baby.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
( Whispers )
thanks, god.
Push me, mama.
Push me!
Oh, you are too big
and too old for that.
- Whee!
- But you know what?
I owe you one.
- ( Grunts )
- ( both laughing )
mom-- okay, mom.
Never mind, mama. Stop.
Never too late,
girlfriend.
Okay, I didn' mean it, mama.
( Instrumental
music playing )
( classical score
playing )
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A Mother's Love (2018)
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