Wounded Healer (2024)

[bunniefuu]

["Baby Maybe Someday"

by Sensitive Detective]

Circumstances have changed

Things will never

Be the same again

God knows that we've tried

And we lied

Through our teeth

By the light of day

We'll be far away

From here

Don't leave a note

Just grab your coat

We'll learn to fly

Or sail a boat

Baby, maybe someday

Baby, maybe someday

[birds chirping]

[grunts, inhales sharply]

[exhales]

[glass slams down]

[sighs]

-[knocking]

-Mama! Come on, I don't wanna

be late for school again.

I'm coming.

Just make sure your brother's

up for me, please.

What? Mama, I'm not his mama.

Time to save the world, Doc.

[phone pings]

[scoffs]

Good morning, my loves.

Good morning, Mama.

Little girl.

-I said good morning.

-Hey.

Can we please go now?

I'm not trying to be the last

person in Mr. Berry's class.

It's embarrassing.

Can you be quiet?

You're making me lose my game.

It's not my fault you suck.

You too old to be

playing that game anyways.

Anyways, can we please

move back to North Carolina?

I miss my old friends,

and I just don't like Atlanta.

Absolutely not.

This is our home now.

Let's go.

You're such a baby.

All right, you guys.

You all buckled in?

Oh, my God. I swear you guys

are obsessed with those phones.

She's the same with her laptop.

You know she can hear you,

right?

Hey, guys, you know, maybe we'll

go to the aquarium this weekend.

You know,

it's only five miles from here.

Don't get your hopes up.

She gonna be taking notes

all weekend.

Hey. I heard that.

She can't whisper.

[sighs] Look, guys, I know

I've been working a lot.

But I promise this weekend

we're gonna spend some time

together, okay?

No phones, no tablets,

no distractions.

Yeah, okay.

-[R&B song on radio]

-Hey, you guys remember

this song?

[exclaims]

[giggles]

[sighs]

[gentle music]

[indistinct chatter]

[sighs]

[exhales]

[exhales]

-[crinkling]

-[sighs]

[knocking at door]

[chuckles] Let me guess.

You weren't sleeping,

you were praying?

-No, I-- I was meditating.

-It doesn't matter.

I got a million meetings

this morning.

-Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry.

-[music stops]

Okay. [clears throat]

Manda, is there something

you wanna tell me?

What? No, I just have

some coffee jitters.

Never had too much

caffeine before?

Manda...

I mean, come on.

Look, you're a therapist.

Let's explore

the deeper meaning here.

Deeper meaning of what?

Okay.

Uh, the meditation music,

the stress ball thingy.

God, the overflowing

garbage can of coffee cups.

You know what?

Let's get right down to it.

The late notes for billing.

Okay?

You know, the other therapists,

they're-- they--

The-- the company is

gonna be making some

adjustments soon, okay?

And you're a great therapist,

Manda, but...

it just-- it seems... [sighs]

as though you are experiencing

what we in the biz call

"burnout."

Burnout?

I know what burnout is.

I'm not experiencing that.

I've been with

this company for five years.

Actually, I was up for your job

before you even got here.

Okay, hey, you know, let's just

take it down a notch, okay?

Calm down. No need to go

all Angela Davis on me, okay?

I'm here to support you.

You know, I know

you're a single mama still

building your career.

It's hard out here, kiddo.

Unfortunately, you won't be

getting a raise this year.

But you know what?

You keep trying. Next year...

I'm gonna email you a list

of improvements you can make.

Mama, you don't look so good.

Are you okay?

Uh...

-You have no couth.

-Spell it.

-C-O-U-T--

-[Manda] Hey, hey.

That's enough.

I'm fine.

Okay? Uh, homework folders.

On the table.

It's time for bed, okay?

OMG, Daddy, I'm so excited.

Mom and I picked out

the perfect dress

for Daddy-Daughter Dance

this weekend.

I miss you so much.

I can't wait to see you.

Ah, I miss you, too, baby.

Hey, you know

I love you, right?

Yeah, I know.

So, I gotta leave

out of town again this weekend.

You know I'd be there

if I could.

You say that every time.

Is that Ainsworth back there?

-Yeah.

-What's up, son?

[Ainsworth] Hey.

-[beeping]

-I know you're really

busy, Dad.

So what about

the week after next?

Can you come to Atlanta

to see us then?

Another call is coming through.

Hey, look, let me, uh--

let me check my schedule

and I'll get back to you, okay?

I'll call you later.

[phone beeps]

People just think

they can run over me.

And then when I take up

for myself, I'm the problem.

I'm tired of it.

-How tired are you?

-What do you mean?

I'm tired. I'm over it.

Okay, but we've had

this conversation before

about how people

only do what we allow.

About being assertive,

but not aggressive. Assertive.

Oh, trust me, I am not going

to let them label me

as the angry Black woman

at work.

-[sighs]

-You know, it sucks,

doesn't it?

Being labeled

the angry Black woman...

-Oh, my God!

-...and being misunderstood.

Oh, my God.

Yes, exactly, girl!

[laughs] I'm sorry.

It's just--

it's like I'm talking

to one of my homegirls.

You understand me. You relate.

More than you know.

So... same time next week?

Yes. I am not missing my weekly

session for nothing or nobody.

[both laughing]

All right, well, see you, girl.

[exhales] Sorry, I just...

I had a million and one things

to do, I couldn't wait for you.

I'm a little bit winded,

I'm-- [clears throat]

I'm gonna sit for a sec, but...

[exhales]

I gotta go pick the babies up.

On a session because...

[panting]

[exhales]

I'm sorry. [clears throat]

-I'm sorry. Just out of nowhere,

my chest is really tight.

-[heart beating]

[exhales]

Manda, you're experiencing

burnout.

I'm not burnt out.

I don't have a choice.

I-- I have to keep going.

Manda, breathe.

See, this is what I'm talking

about. You're doing too much.

No, if I had help,

if their father was here,

I would take a break,

but I can't.

[panting]

Manda.

[Manda]

Something's happening.

-No, I can't see.

-What do you mean

you can't see?

Okay.

I'll be right there, Manda.

[panting]

Babe?

I mean, she does have a point.

I'm not doing that.

You should at least

consider it, Manda.

Damon and I will help you out

with the kids.

Everything happens for a reason.

Okay, but I'm not taking

that much time off of work.

Like, I get that she's a doctor,

but I just can't.

-I can't with her.

-Burnout is real.

Stress kills, Manda.

I get that you're

trying to help me. I do.

But the truth is that

you have a husband. I don't.

You have help and I don't.

I have two kids with mouths

I have to feed.

Yeah, and your kids need you.

Your Crohn's disease

flareups are back.

Pride comes before a fall.

I mean, how can you talk to

your patients about self-care

and you don't even

take care of yourself?

At least accept John's offer.

The short-term disability

payments will help.

Plus, now you can start coming

to the group therapy session.

They won't even cover

half my bills.

I mean,

you could always downsize.

-Absolutely not.

-[chuckles]

I can't believe she really

wants to start me on

the medication fusions again.

And she wants me

to go to therapy.

Sounds about right.

You know, if John knew about

this, he'd have a field day.

He's been trying to stop

my promotion for the longest,

so this is just great.

Okay, Manda.

You are my best friend,

and I want you here, healthy.

I need you.

Your kids need you.

But most importantly, you.

You need you, Manda.

All right.

[whooshing]

[indistinct shouting]

[man] Don't!

Don't you touch that phone.

Unless you want a whoopin'.

Now go back to bed.

[man]

Why'd you make me do this, huh?

Why'd you make me

do this to you? Huh?

[woman] I didn't make

you do this to me.

-Baby, call 911--

-[man] Shut up!

Can you believe you did this?

You feel okay?

Just breathe. Relax.

You gonna be okay. [chuckles]

Hello, hello!

-Hey, Dr. Francis!

-[Dr. Francis] Well! Hi!

So welcome to

the Wounded Healer Group.

We're gonna go over the group

rules and then introductions.

Okay? So, does anybody have any

updates from our last session?

I just found out that

one of my clients overdosed.

She was doing so good.

I don't understand

what happened.

-I'm sorry.

-[Dr. Francis] So sorry.

-Ugh, that's horrible.

-[Dr. Francis] That's tough.

I'm ready to start

my own private practice.

It's time to do something

different. I'm tired of working

at the community agency.

I can make

way more money on my own.

These student loans

are k*lling me.

-Yeah.

-[Dr. Francis] I understand.

Manda.

Oh, sorry.

I-- it's just my job.

I got this new supervisor

who's determined to

keep me out of the loop.

-I gotta send this--

-Well, they're keeping you

out of the loop

because they don't

want you in it.

But we want you here.

Yes, we do.

So, I'm-- I'm Manda.

I am a PhD, uh, LPC, CC--

But who are you?

Not your credentials.

Oh, um... right.

Um, so I'm Manda.

I already said that. Um...

I'm originally

from North Carolina.

I moved here, it's been about

five years with my two children.

And, um... yeah! [chuckles]

Welcome to Wounded Healers,

Manda.

Thank you.

I'm sorry. This is just,

you know, my first time.

I haven't been to therapy

since college,

so this is my first time

on the other side of the table.

[giggles nervously]

Seriously, though, um,

I-- I run a state-mandated

therapy group.

She's used to being

in charge, y'all.

[all chuckling]

It was hard for me, too.

You know, making the transition

from therapist to client.

-But it changed my life.

-Yeah. Mine, too.

You know, I'm used to--

you know, it helps me

to be a better therapist.

I can relate to my clients

way more, 'cause most of the

stuff that they've been through,

I'm either experiencing it,

or I, you know, have

experienced it at some point.

I can understand that, but...

I don't like the idea

of my clients thinking

that I'm crazy too.

-You know we are not supposed

to say the word "crazy."

-[Dr. Francis] Thank you.

[male counselor]

Okay, okay. I got it.

I'm just saying, I don't

want my clients thinking

I won't be effective because

of my own stuff. You know?

I understand that,

but that's why we're here,

right?

So that we can

lean on each other,

we can talk about things.

This is an open forum.

And as you tell your clients,

you're safe here.

-[Manda exhales]

-[Dr. Francis]

Let's take a breath.

-Rule number one. All right?

-Okay. [clears throat]

Does somebody have a pen?

[chuckles]

-[sighs]

-Bye, Rayon.

So, what'd you think

about the group?

-Uh, it was better

than I expected.

-Yeah?

You know, I just--

I was just really anxious.

It just felt like

every time I was talking,

the spotlight was on me.

That's because,

technically, it is. [laughs]

For that moment,

it's all about you.

You get to share how you feel.

Well, now I know

how my clients feel.

-Mm-hmm.

-I don't know, I'm gonna have to

be a little bit more lenient

in my sessions, because...

this was a lot.

-[both laughing]

-Told you.

You did.

-I'm glad you came, though.

-I am too.

-[somber music]

-[machine beeping]

[man] Come on, baby girl.

You need to wake up now.

She'll wake up

when she wanna wake up.

Well, she need to wake up now.

This is costing a lot of money.

-[woman] You talking

about the money?

-[man] Yes, I am.

Do you see my baby's

in the hospital?

-Yes. She my baby, too.

-Then act like it.

[sighs] Come on, baby girl.

Wake up.

-Leave her alone.

-[man sighs]

Look...

we can't afford for her

to stay in here another day.

I ain't thinking about

no damn money right now.

[man]

I ain't giving you no money.

-[woman] Something

from the cafeteria.

-[man] Matter of fact,

she need to get up

out of this bed anyway.

-[woman] Oh, my God.

-Daddy?

What are you doing here?

You're better now.

We gotta get you home,

get some weight on you.

-But what the doctor say?

-[man] Come on, now.

-Earl, just wait.

-No!

She-- she better now.

-She might need a wheelchair.

-Nah. No.

She can do it.

Come on, baby girl.

[woman] Take your time.

Let me know if it hurt, okay?

[Earl] Push. Push through it.

-Come on. Don't give up.

-Don't push her.

Take your time, okay?

-Take your time.

-Push through it.

Come on. One good push.

-There you go. Come on.

-Take your time.

[Earl]

It's just a little pain.

Push through it.

I know it hurts.

You gonna be all right.

That's my girl. That's my girl.

All right,

so let's talk codependency.

Have you felt the need

to be there for people,

or everybody around you?

Yeah? Yeah.

Do you have resentment because

you give yourself to everybody

with very little in return?

Yeah. Codependency.

So how's it shown up

in your life?

I think, um...

I think codependency showed up

in my life as a child.

I, for whatever reason, felt

the need to protect everyone.

And it started with my mother.

And...

I have nightmares

to this very day because of it.

[exhales shakily]

Yes. Just breathe.

And if you don't mind sharing

more about those nightmares?

Well, there's, um--

there's always a little girl,

and she's watching

her parents fight violently.

Well, who is the little girl?

Who is she?

She's me.

I'm the little girl. I--

You know, growing up...

[sighs] my parents

used to fight all the time,

but then there was

one time where...

I came in the room and my father

was choking my mother.

She was screaming

for me to-- to save her.

And I just, um--

I just froze up.

Well, you know,

unresolved childhood trauma

lingers to adulthood.

So how are you

dealing with that now?

Uh, well...

I guess I just, um...

I compensate for it

by doing for others,

by making sure

others can depend on me,

and doing everything

I can for them

and just neglecting

my own health.

My own mental health

has suffered, and...

I don't take time for me,

and now I sound like

my clients...

[laughs]

who come into my office.

You know, we work so hard

to help our clients heal,

but we have a lot of

healing to do within, too.

Uh, Dr. Francis, uh,

I was just wondering if I could

maybe schedule some one-on-one

appointments with you.

I've been waiting for you

to ask me that.

[chuckles] But I'm only

taking motivated clients now.

As you know, the group sessions

can only do so much.

Those individual sessions,

we can go a lot deeper. Right?

But are you ready?

I think so. [laughs]

Um, yes. I am ready.

Let's do it.

[Dr. Francis] All right.

Well, call the office

and set up an appointment

for next week. Okay?

-Okay!

-All right?

-Thank you, Dr. Francis.

-Absolutely.

I'm looking forward to it.

You take care.

[Dr. Francis]

Ten years in the field, huh?

[Manda]

Yeah. Yeah, I've dedicated

my life to helping people.

[Dr. Francis] Okay. Well,

what I didn't hear is that

you love to help people.

[Manda] I do!

You know? It's just, um...

I'm exhausted.

[Dr. Francis]

Well, therapists become

exhausted of helping people

when they're doing too much.

And there are

no boundaries being set.

Manda, what are you doing

for self-care?

You know, what

I tell my clients to do.

Journaling, meditating.

I work out whenever

I have the chance.

Well, we gotta take it back

to the very beginning.

And tell me about

your childhood, parents.

-Not my childhood.

-Yeah.

-I don't wanna go back there.

-You know the drill.

Um, childhood was...

it was rough.

My parents, they violently

fought all the time.

Mmm.

And then I practically

co-parented with my mother.

I helped raise my brothers.

Where was your father?

You know, he was in and out.

You know, he was there

and he wasn't there,

if you know what I mean.

No. Explain.

He was there when he absolutely

had to be, but...

he wasn't there to protect me

from certain situations.

Certain situations?

Delve into that more.

Um...

so, you know, I witnessed

domestic violence growing up,

and then I ended up

in the exact same situation.

It's, um...

it's hard for me

to admit this...

and sometimes

I question it myself.

-[tense music]

-[baby gurgling]

Who you texting?

Oh, my God!

We're just roommates.

I don't bother you about

where you've been all day,

so don't bother me.

You got my baby,

so you belong to me.

Don't even play like that.

Me and the baby are just

here for another week,

and then we'll have

our own apartment.

You're not taking

my baby nowhere.

You ain't going

nowhere either.

So let's just say I, uh...

I moved out of his house...

[exhales]

pregnant with my daughter.

Two kids...

19 years old,

and a high school dropout.

Look, Ronald, okay,

we've been doing really good

the past few weeks.

Okay? Look, I appreciate

you and your dad

letting me and the baby

stay here, and...

[Ronald] I don't care

about none of that.

-No, please--

-I don't care about that.

-We're just supposed

to be co-parenting.

-We're supposed to be a family.

[Manda] Stop! Stop!

I said stop. Please!

So what you just described

was partner r*pe.

I mean, I guess, but...

I don't like to use that word.

I'm nobody's victim,

Dr. Francis.

You know,

that embarrasses me.

I mean, I understand, but it

wasn't your fault, you know?

You don't have to be-- don't

have to feel embarrassed by it.

But I'm glad

you're talking about it now.

I mean, but the embarrassment

that comes from--

when you're in a situation

like that, Dr. Francis,

-you feel powerless.

-Mm-hmm.

Well, I felt powerless.

I felt like

he took everything from me.

And when somebody

takes your body...

it's like they take your life.

which explains the anxiety.

The mistrust of others.

And lack of security.

[Manda sniffles]

-Yep.

-Yeah.

I suppose. [sniffles]

Would you like to explore

this trauma a little further?

And, Manda,

it's not going to be easy.

But I think with

cognitive behavioral therapy...

we can definitely reach the goal

that you're looking to reach.

[Manda sniffles]

This is great.

I will, um-- I'll call you

to get on your schedule.

-I appreciate you.

-Make sure you do that.

-Yeah.

-Okay.

Have a good one.

[music on TV]

[laughing]

[laughing]

You had a rough day?

[sniffles] No, fine.

Hey. Talk to me.

Mom...

why doesn't he love me?

I feel like maybe since

we live so far away, um,

he doesn't wanna see me,

but... [sniffles]

maybe if we lived close by,

he would wanna hang out more.

Here you go again,

crying over that man.

He don't care.

You think Atlanta's

far from North Carolina?

Man,

his whole family lives here.

He comes here all the time.

-Honey, that is enough.

-You know how many

games he's missed?

How many times I've needed

someone to talk to

and he wasn't there?

All we have is Mama.

I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry. But...

I'll always be here for you.

I love you.

Mmm.

I got you.

[phone buzzing]

Manda speaking.

Manda. Hey, it's John.

Um, is this a good time?

Yeah, sure. It's a good time.

How's everything going?

Um, you know.

I, uh-- [stammering]

I got some--

I got some good news

and some-- and some bad news.

Um...

okay, well, good news first.

Right, yeah.

No, um, the good news is your

clients are doing wonderful.

Yeah, they've, um,

really transitioned well

to their new therapist.

Oh, okay.

Yeah, I knew they would.

My clients are highly motivated

and I more than encouraged them

to continue to do the work

with the new therapist

until I returned.

Yes. No, they, um--

their-- their new therapist said

they're doing really well,

making a lot of progress, so...

Why do you keep saying

new therapist?

Um... look, Manda.

Come on, let's--

let's be honest here.

It's just, um, not a good fit.

I-- I don't understand.

What--

what is it-- what is it

that you're saying?

Manda, I'm really sorry.

Um, we are gonna have

to let you go.

Uh, yeah, we certainly

wish you the best,

uh, and hope

you continue to focus

on your own mental health.

-Uh--

-[scoffs]

[phone beeps]

-[Dr. Francis] Whenever

you're ready, I'm here.

-[Manda sniffles]

[Manda]

I'm sorry, I guess--

I'm just shocked.

And just, thank you

for squeezing me in.

I didn't want my kids

to see me-- [clears throat]

see me like this. [sniffles]

Tell me what happened, Manda.

They fired me.

After everything I've done

for that company, they just...

they fired me.

[sniffles]

I'm very sorry. I really am.

You mentioned shocked.

Were you thinking

of a different outcome?

Yeah. I mean, I don't know.

I just--

I don't know what I expected.

I just didn't expect this.

-[sniffles]

-Breathe. Breathe through it.

[exhales]

I think I just thought

that if I did the work--

you know, that by me coming

here, by me working at it,

that I would be able

to go back to work.

It wasn't supposed to

just end like this.

I understand your frustration.

But there's a saying:

"Every ending

is a new beginning."

And you gotta ask yourself,

"What is it that I want

to do besides counseling?"

Think about that.

There's something inside

of you

that will open up

an entire new world for you.

You gotta tap into it.

-You're right.

-You got it.

["Jell-O" by Egozi]

Somewhere on the scene

It got a little longer

So it seems

I burned out, so to speak

Now come a little closer

I feel a little lie

In the lie track

I felt a bit of bad

But I came back

There's still a little light

In the light crack

Still a bit of good,

So good

And I know just what to say

What to do

And I know just what to do

Do, do, do

And I'm so sick of pain

Well, dang!

All right, look.

It's my new book cover.

-I like it.

-You do?

Do you see how they did,

like, the little--

the little jewel here?

And then I wanted to give,

like, this bold--

Mom, I gotta go

call my friend Hannah.

Wait! Okay. Dang.

No, I'm happy you have

new friends.

Yeah. Finally.

But I do miss my friends

in North Carolina.

Yeah, but, babe,

life is about evolving.

Okay?

We're making changes every day.

You know, before you know it,

you're gonna be in college,

and making even more

new friends.

College? No, I'm way

too young for that.

Yeah, I actually don't wanna

think about that either.

[laughs]

Um, you know, there is something

that I wanna talk to you about.

Mama, I said I'm okay.

We talked. We had this

conversation with Dr. Francis.

Right?

I'm not mad or angry at you.

Actually, I'm proud of you.

-Proud of me?

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Even though Daddy

did that to you,

you still went back to school

and took care of

me and Ainsworth.

Right? You never made me

feel like I was a mistake.

That's because

you're not a mistake.

You are literally

one of the best things,

one of the best blessings

that has ever happened to me.

Now, if I had to do it

all over again...

I would.

Just so that I could

end up with you.

-I love you.

-I love you, too.

Mmm.

See? I told you therapy

was going to change your life.

Yeah, it's changed

my life drastically.

You know,

I feel like I'm meeting myself

for the first time ever.

-So you're really done, huh?

-Yes.

I am done with

traditional therapy.

But I think the beauty

of being a counselor

is that we can operate

from so many arenas.

Politics, public policies,

or corrections, or...

-You could do something in

the entertainment industry.

-Yes!

I could see you now on

one of those reality TV shows

where celebrities come

to meet with you and stuff.

-[chuckling]

-I-- that's not really

what I'm aiming for.

Oh, no? Okay. Well, at least

you're free from the paperwork.

And you get to

write what you love.

And you get to get

your hair and makeup done

every day before you film.

-That sounds exciting.

-Yeah, you know, I suppose

that's the fun part.

[both giggling]

So how do your kids

feel about all the change?

They love it. You know, I think

it's really bringing us closer.

Aw, I'm so proud of you!

You've come a long way.

And your book is gonna

inspire so many people.

-Aww.

-And for that,

drinks and dinner

are on me tonight.

-[both chuckle]

-Yes, girl. I know.

I'm the best.

You don't have to say it,

but...

-I love you lots.

-I love you, too.

Okay, but it's my truth.

I can share whatever I want to.

People share

their stories all the time.

I'm not the first person.

And you won't be the last.

I'm thinking about

writing a book, too.

People think our lives

are so perfect because

we're therapists.

Actually, guys, there's nothing

wrong with sharing your truth.

-Right!

-Right? However, we have

to be prepared,

mentally and emotionally,

for the outcome.

Well, I think you're brave.

I mean, you address

so much in the book.

Sexual abuse, single parenting,

living with Crohn's disease,

witnessing domestic violence

as a child. Like, that's deep.

Ain't no way. If I ever

told my family's business,

they would disown me forever.

Yeah, well, my family,

they're in North Carolina.

My life is here.

So if they wanna disown me...

so be it.

Okay, this-- this segment

is gonna be about--

this segment...

[phone buzzing]

[sighs]

-Hey, Javon.

-Sis. Where you been at?

-I been trying to call you.

-[indistinct chatter]

What is going on?

What is all that noise

in the background?

Um... [sniffles]

They found Grandma.

She's gone.

What do you mean, she's gone?

No, look, I know--

I know, um...

[sniffles] Yeah, it's...

I can't believe

both of 'em gone right now.

What happened to her?

Mama having a hard time with

this. You need to be down here.

Ain't you some

type of counselor?

-I am.

-[Javon] Look, look.

It's-- it's getting crazy

over here. I'ma just--

I'ma just go get a drink,

a'ight?

[brother] Me too, bro.

Roll the blunt up.

[tense music]

[mother sniffling] Manda.

I just need you to

get on down here, okay?

[exhales shakily]

These people done gave me

all this paperwork stuff.

I just need your help.

I-- I can't believe

that they gone.

[sniffles]

And everybody wanna argue

and fight about everything.

Can you please just--

just come down here

and help me with this, okay?

Yo! Is that my little

niece and nephew?

Y'all done got so big.

Oh, they have.

It's been a minute.

How y'all doin'?

Lil' sis. What's going on?

[Manda] Ah, what--

where y'all going?

Gosh, mom.

We're gonna make a video.

I'm bored.

[Ainsworth]

Yeah, it's way too hot out here.

I'm going in to play my game.

[Manda] Okay,

but you guys stay together,

and just make sure your phones

are charged this week.

Wow.

You still dressing your kids

like white folks, I see.

-[chuckles]

-I don't get why you think

you're so much better than us.

Hey, she from little

Shel Town too, y'all!

Okay, yes, I'm from here,

but that doesn't mean that

I have to act like it.

Okay. The problem is...

you didn't have to struggle

like me and Javon did.

In them foster homes,

in them prisons.

You didn't have to sell drugs

to survive when we was kids.

-Okay,

you didn't have to sell drugs.

-Would you just chill, bruh?

Like, just wait till

we get the house, man.

Look, all you did was

sit at home, reading books,

playing with them

little baby dolls, and then...

you just appeared pregnant.

So I went to school.

I have a full-time job.

I don't have help.

I'm not on government

assistance anymore.

I have no child support help,

and certainly no family help.

[sighs]

Look, sis. Hey, hey.

Don't even worry about him,

a'ight?

You know how he gets,

especially right now.

No! He probably just wants

to be high. Like always.

No, this is why

I don't come around.

Just don't go back

to Atlanta yet, a'ight?

We got a meeting

with the lawyer at, like,

-eight in the morning tomorrow.

-Okay, that's not my problem.

-What you mean,

it's not your problem?

-It's not my problem.

Sis. Sis, you gonna

be there, right?

You just gonna

leave your family hanging?

[scoffing]

Hello, everyone.

My name is Derek Evans.

I'm an estate attorney.

Uh, your grandparents

and my grandparents

were childhood friends.

Now, my family sends

their condolences.

I'm volunteering my services

for the next 30 days

to assist in saving the home

from foreclosure.

Unfortunately, this happens too

often to too many of our people.

Wait, wait. Foreclosure?

No, no.

What you mean, foreclosure?

According to

the document here,

there haven't been any payments

made on the home

in almost 24 months.

Okay, there has to be a mistake.

That can't be right.

You know, they were always

on top of their bills.

They had great credit until...

Well, I understand,

but as you can see,

the mortgage company

hasn't received a single payment

in almost 24 months.

The numbers don't lie.

Okay, so who was in charge

of the finances?

[man] Man,

this don't make no sense.

[overlapping arguing]

Y'all likely to blame me

for this.

-[arguing continues]

-Everybody, shut up!

Hey! Hey, everybody!

Everybody, shut up!

-Shut up! Really?

-[arguing stops]

Hey. I mean, didn't you

just write a tell-all book

about all of us?

[woman] Yep. That part.

And if you care so much,

why don't you just pay off

the money for the house?

Well, if it is my understanding,

Miss Manda is a Georgia

resident. Is that so?

Yes. I've been a Georgia

resident for five years now.

Okay,

so according to estate laws,

the successor of interest must

be a North Carolina resident.

So then why don't you

pay off the house then, Bianca?

Save the house.

You know, matter of fact,

weren't you the one who

had access to their accounts?

Okay, listen.

The bank is willing to do

what is called

"loss mitigation"

if a family member

is willing to step up

and complete

the probate process

and become an estate

representative assigned

by a probate judge.

Okay, let me put it this way.

Someone needs to

step up immediately,

get all the signatures

of the deceased's children

and the heirs of the deceased,

file a court date to meet with

the probate judge so that way

this person's name can be

added as a representative.

This means you'll be able

to sign for payments,

make transitions at the bank

under your grandparents' name,

and most importantly,

the mortgage company will speak

with you regarding payments due,

possibly set up a payment plan.

Nah. I don't think we ought to

mess with this house like that.

It's almost $15,000

behind on payments.

I mean, have y'all seen

this house?

It's in bad shape.

It's gonna cost an arm and a leg

just to do the remodeling.

I mean,

and Daddy wouldn't let us do

no fixing up on it for years.

Ah, that's too much work.

Just let it go back.

Ain't nobody got

that kind of money for that.

And I ain't signing nothing.

So y'all are really gonna

let them take our grandparents'

house?

Like, really?

You know, after Mawmaw,

she worked in cotton fields.

And Pawpaw worked for 31 years.

Thirty-one years!

They paid for that house

cleaning toilets

and scrubbing floors.

They paid off their house,

but they refinanced it.

For what?

For air conditioning units.

For new cars.

So that y'all

can buy y'all houses.

They paid for that house

three or four times.

And y'all are just gonna

let them take the only thing

that they left behind?

I can't stand y'all.

Dr. Francis speaking.

How may I help you?

My grandparents' home

is in foreclosure.

Okay, the only way I could save

the house is if I was

a North Carolina resident,

and I can't just move back

to North Carolina.

That wouldn't be

fair to my kids.

Well, hello.

I'm doing very well.

Thank you so much for asking.

I'm sorry, Dr. Francis.

Mm-hmm.

Now, you're absolutely right.

It would be unfair

to your children.

Is it also unfair to ask

yourself to do such a thing?

I'm doing it again, huh?

Listen, everyone makes

choices in life, Manda,

and you are not and have

never been responsible

for the outcomes.

Not even those

of your grandparents.

You know, it's like

the little girl in me

is tired of having

to be responsible, but...

you know, it's still just

a little hard to just let go.

[laughs]

Remember your boundaries.

[Manda] I know.

You're right. As always.

So I think

I'll head back to the hotel

and just pack up my stuff.

-[laughing] What?

-Yes!

Hotel, no, ma'am.

Why aren't you

with your family?

Avoiding the book

conversation?

No, I'm cutting the cord

for good this time.

There's some pretty intense

things in that book.

This might be a perfect

opportunity to work through

some of those things

with your family.

Right. I really, really, really,

really do not want to.

And you don't have to.

But you will at some point.

It's either now or later.

You choose.

You have more power and control

than you allow yourself

to believe.

Manda, own your truth.

Hey, Mama. What you doing?

[sniffles]

What am I doing?

The question is,

what are you doing?

I read your little book.

I can't believe you

put that stuff about me.

I mean, why didn't you

just write about you?

Lord knows what

the people in church gonna be

thinking about me now.

Okay, so you're worried

about the wrong things, Mama.

Did you even

read the whole book?

I mean, I ain't read

the whole book yet, but I read

the first chapter.

Now everybody gonna be staring

at my earlobes,

knowing your daddy

snatched my earring out.

I mean, Jesus, Manda!

Family business

is family business.

You don't go out and write

a whole book about our business

and share it with World.

Do you even know what

I went through as a child, Mama?

It was a lot.

I'm in therapy now.

Listen, girl,

everybody goes through

stuff in life, all right?

Do you understand that

my mama and daddy is dead?

That we about to

lose this house?

You need to be grateful

that I'm still here.

You know,

I don't even know why I expect

anything different from you.

You know, I guess

I thought that since

I've been gone for so long

that maybe, I don't know,

you would have time to look at

things from my perspective

and maybe... apologize.

-[scoffs] Apologize?

-Yes.

Girl, ain't nobody

did nothing to you.

See, 'cause I had to give up

my job just to take care

of you and your brothers.

But what did

your daddy do, huh?

-'Cause you just praise him.

-No, I don't.

I'm gonna ask you this, then.

Did your daddy stop working

for you when you got sick?

See, again,

I had to give up my job

just to take care of you.

But you ain't put that

in your little funky

little book, now, did you?

Actually, I did.

Why do you act like I owe you

for being a mother to me?

-Owe me?

-Yes!

You act like I owe you!

You know, Mom,

I'm sorry that I got sick.

I really am. You know,

I wish I didn't. I wish--

sometimes I wish I wasn't even

born because you act like--

like I'm a burden to you.

Did I ruin your life, Mom?

Ruin your life plans?

Listen...

I ain't got time

for this today, okay?

I ain't got time for it.

[sniffling]

My mama just died.

I'm about to lose this house.

So forgive me.

I got more important things

going on right now.

[tense music]

Well, I guess you're

not mad at me anymore, so...

Missed you too, bro.

Hey, bro said pull up.

He wanna see you.

[sighs] All right,

but I-- we can't stay long.

I really don't

wanna be there late.

[chuckles]

Oh, yeah. I forgot.

You been out the hood

for a while.

Turn left right here.

So how many kids is it

that you have again?

The last time I talked to Javon,

he had about seven.

I only have one set of twins.

That's it.

A couple of girls claiming

that they pregnant by me, but--

but you know how that go.

Yeah. You just be careful

out there, bro.

You always buying

a cheap a*s bit, man.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Bro.

-What it do?

-We're good.

-You good?

-Yeah, how are you?

Big lil' sis. How you doing?

Good.

How long you staying?

Oh, sh*t, man. Move!

[Manda] Headed back

to Atlanta on Monday.

Just came for the funeral

and to hear the will.

[exhales]

I can't believe this, man.

We really about to lose

Grandma's house like this.

Yeah. Yeah, it's really sad.

I bet you glad you ain't

gotta deal with all this

at-home stuff no more, huh?

Yeah, I'm pretty

out of sight, out of mind.

You know, you really should

come visit Atlanta

and get away from here.

Nah. You know I can't

leave the state right now.

-Oh, your probation.

-Probation, yeah.

How much longer

you have on that, anyway?

They said if I, you know,

stay out of trouble,

keep my hands clean,

six months.

Okay, that's not too bad!

It'll fly by. You just

gotta keep your hands clean.

I mean, I'm trying,

but not everybody has

a nice office job

and a nice car

and everything.

You're really doing it, sis.

I'm proud of you. For real.

Well, thank you.

Bro, I wonder what she put in

that book about us, though.

I remember when we was younger,

she couldn't stand me.

You know what?

I hope it wasn't nothing

too bad, of course, right?

It's not.

Yo, Mama was talking about

she need to pay us for

talking about the family.

No, literally.

'Cause truthfully,

I do need help

with some child support

and probation fees.

I could use a new car,

for real.

-I got--

-Yeah, you know, I think

it's been kind of late.

-Mm-hmm.

-So I think we should go.

-You can go. Yeah.

-All right, you be safe, sis.

-Wait.

-Tell Mama I'll see

her tomorrow.

[Manda]

You're not riding with us?

[chuckles] Nah, I'm good.

I don't like to be over there

on Saturday nights, so...

-[Manda] What?

-I'll pass. Yeah.

-Okay, why?

-Um, well, you know,

Mama, she likes to throw

those little kickbacks, right?

And your boy Daddy

is gonna be there, so...

Wait, what?

[Javon] Chill. Go say hi.

No, I don't wanna see him.

-Well...

-How do you know that?

...he's been asking about you.

And he been asking

about that book, so...

Yeah. I'll see you guys.

[Javon] See you.

Come on, man.

Let me get a sip.

What's in that cup, bro?

Give the man a beer.

[overlapping chatter]

Manda.

Daddy.

[sighs]

What are you doing, girl?

Come on in.

Come on.

Your mama's cooked.

Let's eat.

[friend on phone]

Oh, wow.

I'm so sorry you're going

through that, and alone.

I wish I was there with you.

[sighs] Nah, I'm picking up my

kids tomorrow and I'm leaving.

Well, I have an idea, but...

-Oh, God. What is it?

-I'm just thinking,

since you're already

there with your family,

-why don't you guys try

a few family therapy sessions?

-What?

That sounds like a good idea,

but that would never work

with my family.

Oh, Manda,

don't be no hypocrite.

You said the same thing about

the group before meeting

Dr. Francis.

But it changed your life,

right? Right.

Right. So maybe it's time

to introduce therapy

to your family.

Okay, but how would

I even get them to do it?

Come on, Manda. Put on

your therapist hat, honey.

[brother]

What's going on? You know

how to play Spades, sis?

I don't know how

to play Spades.

You done lost your Black card

for that one.

-[laughing]

-Don't think I ever had it.

[both laughing]

But I did hear you had

a blowup earlier.

[brother]

And we tried to warn you, bro,

but we had to be here tonight.

Couldn't miss this.

So, I was actually thinking...

Oh, lord.

...that, you know,

maybe, um, while I'm here,

that we could

all go to therapy together.

-[all scoff]

-[brother] That ain't for me.

I ain't down there

and telling people my personal

business, Manda.

-It just ain't gonna happen.

-Okay, but, you guys, it--

honestly, it would

really mean something to me.

-It's very important.

-Sis, I get all that.

You wanna tell your story

and everything, but that's you.

That's not really us.

More your thing.

[snickering]

[Manda] You know,

not everything is funny.

This is not a game.

We need this.

[brother]

We? Oh, it's "we" now?

I thought you ain't

like your family.

I never said that.

-I just, you know--

-You just what? Huh?

Move states, never call,

never come around?

Yup. Sound about right.

Daddy?

Those people can't teach me

anything about me.

You know what? Deal me in.

[scoffs]

-Deal you in?

-[Manda] Deal me in.

[mother]

Are you serious right now?

No, deal me in.

[brother] Now, sis,

you know you can't play.

Bless her heart.

Just bless her whole heart.

Okay, so, just deal me in,

and-- and if I win...

you guys have to

come to therapy with me.

-[brother] All right.

-[Manda] Deal?

-[brother]

What y'all think about that?

-[Javon] Hey, I'm down.

-I don't know about that.

-[Javon] We don't have to go!

-[mother] All right.

-[brother] You not about to be

on my team, though.

-She on your team.

-You would do that.

But a'ight, bet.

Okay. I'm gonna get

all the royal flushes.

[overlapping talk]

-Somebody deal these up.

-[mother] Oh, my goodness.

-You sure about this?

-No therapy for us. [laughing]

I'm Dr. Nura. I'm hearing

you're all interested in

a family therapy session?

-I wouldn't say all that.

-Earl! Really?

I'm just saying.

I don't need no help.

I'm just here so we can

stop talking about all this.

It's not uncommon for families

to reject family therapy,

especially families of color.

Counseling is still

considered a tad bit taboo.

But I can assure you,

I am here to help.

As a Black therapist,

it's my goal to be

culturally competent

and provide sensitive treatment.

Um, culturally what?

Ma, she just means, like,

she's Black and we're Black.

We can relate to

each other, right?

That's correct.

-So, how does all this work?

-Glad you asked.

First, for today,

we're going to identify

some problem areas

and then find some solutions.

I'm going to be taking

some notes during the session.

For starters,

why did you all decide you

wanted to begin family therapy?

Um, I think we're

a little bit dysfunctional.

Dysfunctional?

Nah. I'm not dysfunctional.

Maybe your mama's

side of the family.

[mother] Ah, no, uh-uh.

Don't blame this on me.

See, 'cause we all done

made some mistakes up in here.

Ain't no family perfect.

And we not gonna sit here

and act like that.

Okay, Mama, I-- I wasn't

trying to blame you

or-- or make anybody feel bad.

I just really wanted us

to connect and just talk

to see if we can

get some things out.

Just get better.

[Dr. Nura] Have you all

heard of family goals?

Earl, if you'll take

one of these and pass it down

and make sure, everyone,

you read what's on the sheet.

Hmm.

I think I'd be

the family hero for sure.

[laughs]

What makes you the family hero?

Um, well, you know,

I kind of have it all together.

Successful, college graduate.

I have two kids,

I live in a big house.

But you only have family

to you and yours.

Uh, like, if you make it out

the hood and actually become

somewhat successful,

you're supposed to

help your family out.

There's no other way.

That's an interesting

perspective.

Which role do you feel?

Oh, I feel like

I'm definitely the scapegoat.

[brother]

Nah, bro. I'm the scapegoat.

Y'all blame everything on me.

And sometimes I feel like

a complete failure.

[Javon] Okay, well, um...

If you're the scapegoat,

I guess I could be clown, maybe?

Um, 'cause I find myself

trying to laugh more

instead of, like, uh, cry,

and, uh... [clears throat]

Just-- just hard, you know,

being a black man,

trying to stay out of prison,

take care of your kids.

I don't know.

I just don't wanna be like...

[Earl]

Be like me, son?

So you blaming me too?

Ain't nobody blaming you.

I'm just saying,

but out of everybody here,

I'm the only one

that read Manda's book.

You read my book?

I didn't know that.

Yeah, sis. I think you forget

we only one year apart.

Everything that you've seen,

I seen.

We just--

just went different directions.

You ran away.

I ran towards.

So, how does talking about

the past gonna help with

anything, Dr. Nura?

Sounds like there's a lot

of resentment

and childhood trauma

to work through.

If you all

are open and willing,

healing and creating a healthy

family system is possible.

What do you say?

Can y'all believe

Manda really got us here

in therapy right now?

[all laughing]

-No, I can't.

-Nah.

[gentle music]

-[Manda] Hey.

-[all] Hey.

What's up? Why y'all sitting

here looking suspicious?

Sit down, sit down.

Come on, guys.

Go on. Show your mom

what you made her.

Go ahead, big brother.

What you so scared for?

[Ainsworth] You go first.

Ladies always go first.

Somebody. Come on, come on.

Um... I bought

this for you, Mama.

Congratulations on your book

and interview today.

Thank you. It's beautiful,

just like you are.

Go, big brother.

Well, I just wanted to

write you a letter, Mama.

-Guys, you gotta be chill.

-Okay.

"Dear Mama,

I love you so much.

I know you gave up your life

for me and dropped out of high

school when I was born

just to take care of me.

No matter the struggle,

you always found a way.

After all the experiences

we've been through,

you were still there

no matter what.

You always encouraged me

to be confident,

even though I'm small

and was a preemie baby.

Even though you're stressed

some days,

you've never given up on the

things you wanted to achieve

and the goals

you wanted to achieve.

You strove your hardest

to be the best you can be.

I know we've had some

tough times over the years,

but you fought through it

to provide for us

everything we need.

Even though Daddy wasn't here,

you still managed on your own,

and we thank you for that.

One day I'm going to

college like you.

I'm going to become

a good man, a husband,

a father, and an engineer.

I promise to

make you proud of me

the way I'm proud of you."

Good job, big man.

Oh, thank you.

-That was so beautiful.

-You think?

-Thank you, guys.

-[Javon] Of course.

Thank you so much.

We just wanted to--

you know, got your interview

and everything,

but, you know, we wanted

to send you off right.

Thanks. I gotta go get

my hair and my makeup done.

I was gonna say,

I hope you don't go like that.

No, I'm gonna go like this.

-Oh, okay.

-Okay.

I love you guys.

Y'all be good, okay?

All right.

[soft music]

[music continues]

[Manda]

Yes. Let's do this.

[host] Today we are joined

by best-selling author,

producer, and therapist,

-Dr. Manda Beemer.

Welcome, Manda.

-Thank you.

You know, it's an honor to

be here in my home state.

[host] Well, we know

that North Carolina's

definitely welcomed you.

Tell us a little bit

about the inspiration

behind this book.

Well, you know, I spent years

helping my clients

work through

their traumas as a therapist.

Sharing my story represents

breaking generational curses.

Healing, freedom,

and silencing shame.

[music continues]

Hey, Javon.

Big lil' sis.

What you up to?

Oh, just getting back inside.

I was out playing with

the kids for a little bit.

[Javon]

You know you a star now, right?

-[laughing]

-I was walking in

the store the other day,

and I seen you on

another cover of a magazine.

[laughs]

Well, I'm no star, but...

I guess

I'm doing pretty well.

But I'm saying though, sis.

You know, I've been doing

my therapy and stuff...

and my probation.

I don't know.

I think it might be time

to write my book now.

["Columbia Nights"

by The Rhythm]

Do-do-de-ah

Do-do, do-do-do-de-ah

Do-do

Do-do-do-de-ah

Do-do

Do-do-do-de-ah

Do-do-do-de-ah

Created as the rhythm

Is seeping in your dreams

Dancing in your day

Thoughts imprinted in memory

Seeking manumission

In the movement of your feet

Take it from the inside

And release it on the street

It's just the music

It's just the rhythm

It's just the lyrics

It's just the beat

It's just the movement

It's just the timing

It's just the flow

That's living in me

It's just the music

It's just the rhythm

It's just the lyrics

It's just the beat

It's just the movement

It's just the timing

It's just the flow

That's living in me

Holding onto notes

As they are freed

Into the air

Entangled so deep

In your thoughts

You comb them

Through your hair

Losing sense

Of when and why

And who and what

And where

Just know you're in

A safe place

When the music

Takes you there

It's just the music

It's just the rhythm

It's just the lyrics

It's just the beat

It's just the movement

It's just the timing

It's just the flow

That's living in me

It's just the music

It's just the rhythm

It's just the lyrics

It's just the beat

It's just the movement

It's just the timing

It's just the flow

That's living in me

Sounds filling

The silent, naked space

Grounding you

And lifting you away

Let the music play

[vocalizing]

[music fades]