01x112 - Episode 112

[bunniefuu]

But if there is a chance

in a million
that the inheritance is legit,

and you have money
coming your way,

why not answer that call?

Hmm. Everybody who knows me

and needs me is in this room,
all right?

Bad news and bill collectors is
all that's looking for Leslie.

You know, I used to think
you were fearless,

but you're scared of a phone.

I am not.

Okay, Miss Einstein, mm-hmm,

since you, um, you want proof,

I will give you proof, okay?

Hello.

Leslie Thomas?

This is.

We've been trying to contact you
for some time.

Well, I guess
today's my lucky day.

I'm looking at your account,
and here's my proposal.

He wants to ask me to the ball.

A payment of $10,000 today

would significantly reduce
your outstanding balance, and...

You owe over $10,000?

Yeah, well, debt is nothing
but a number, honey.

And it'll get paid.

Oh, with no job, no prospects.

Amazing what a winning smile

and the right DNA
can accomplish.

You mean me getting Ted
to cut you another check?

That's the ticket.

That's the ticket, baby. Ooh!

That's the ticket.

Son of a...

Please stop this
before it goes any further.

Matter of fact, I'm surprised

you've allowed things
to come to this.

Good evening, Ted.

What's the problem?

Nicole filed for divorce.
I just got the papers.

Sorry to hear that.

Did you know about this?

First we're hearing.

I'm not sure

what you expect us to do.

We're not the ones you should
be speaking with.

She is.

You need anything, June?

Maybe a minute to acclimate.

Being in a new environment?

About to meet my children.

I never dreamed
this day would come.

My dreams don't come true, so
this is bound to be a disaster.

Hey, look at me.

Take a breath.
It's going to be okay.

-They don't want to meet me.
-They asked to meet you.

Because they don't know me yet.

Not... this way.

And someone was nice enough
to raise them polite.

That's manners.

Proud of 'em already.

They're real good kids.

Nice house. Good neighborhood?

I'm a past they should forget.

Don't say that.

Nobody is thinking that.

I'll see it in their eyes.

They'll take one look at me,
and I'll see the shame.

I know that look real good.

Any tale they told themselves
about who I might be?

That'll all be dead the second
they see the skin I'm living in.

I can't do this.

They'll be disappointed.

It's better
to break their hearts

while I'm still a mystery

than to crush them while
they're right in front of me.

No, ma'am, I won't do that.

Not to my heart or theirs.

Got to do what's right,

even though
they're not my babies anymore.

But we've come this far, June.

I can't.

Let's admit,
you've made some bad choices.

I'm not about
to let you make another one.

I have a plan.

Naomi said
that she would bring June over

as soon as she finishes.

Finishes what?

We're not sure,
but it gives you time,

time to change your minds

if you're having
second thoughts.

Your dad and I know

that all of this is coming
out of left field.

Completely unexpected.

And no one saw this coming.

And this won't be easy
for any of us,

especially now
that everything is unsettled.

But...

we will make it through.

Call us when she gets here?

I still can't believe the kids
agreed to meet that woman.

That woman is their...

The woman
who gave birth to them.

And then abandoned them.

Aah. I shouldn't have said that.

Forgive me.

Who am I, company?

I know you, and I know
you don't mean any of it.

It's been a long day.

Including the part
where Samantha tricked me

into coming for dinner,

and you had no idea
that you invited me.

It's a damn good thing she did.

Right.

I'm happy

that you're here.

Telling the story

about how Naomi dropped the b*mb

in finding
the kids' birth mother

would have lost some of
its shine in the retelling.

Hey, don't censor yourself.
What is it?

If I hadn't been here,

you still would
have told me, right?

Of course I would have told you
about June.

Those kids are ours.

And June's.

But...

we have full custody.

Then why do I feel like
we could lose them?

Probably because I felt like
I've already lost you.

And I'm not looking for answers.

I'll bring it up in therapy.

I'm sorry. Did you just say...

It's new,
but it feels restorative.

It's with my mother.

That's good.

No, she's... she's good.

Maybe you can finally talk
about what happened that night.

That, and I want
to be a better man

than the man you married.

That's...

Thank you.

You do look more relaxed.

Thanks.

Temporary truce?

It's a start.

-Better?
-Definitely.

-Me? Terrified.
-I'm just as scared.

You're better at hiding it.

It hurts to remember what
I wanted to forget about her.

I remember she would tell us
these complicated stories

about whatever she was watching
on TV.

Always knew what was going
to happen next.

Too bad she couldn't predict

when we were going
to be taken away.

What do you remember?

I remember her leaving us alone
to watch after each other.

Being so scared that I thought
she'd never come back,

and we'd be alone forever.

It's not like she didn't care.
She had a problem.

She didn't have a problem
with the drugs.

We were her problem.

She loved them way more than us.

That's not true.

You don't remember that night
she went to get us dinner,

came home hours later,
no food or money,

so high she didn't even know
how she got there?

That's the mother I remember.

You were right about my choices,

but I can't go back.

If you could?

There was one night things
could have been different.

Money in my pocket.

It was going
to change the landscape.

Pay bills, buy groceries,

a toy or two.

Never a manicure.

You'll have the softest hands
in town.

When I reach out to touch them

for the first time
all over again?

No rough spots.

My life since them
has been full of rough.

Tell me what happened
that last night.

Went out for groceries,
came back high.

The kids were usually asleep

by the time I made it
across the threshold,

but not that night.

I guess the hunger got too bad,
couldn't sleep.

The girl saw.

What's she call herself?

Samantha.

"Cecile" back then.

Such a sad, scared look
in her face,

and I knew what she was seeing.

Monster Mama.

Broke something inside of me.

And I knew the best life

that I could give them
was a life without me in it.

It must have been
a really difficult decision.

Oh, to forget all over again.

But you're doing good now,

been clean for months.

Otherwise, this meeting
wouldn't have happened.

I don't want nobody like
the old me around those babies.

I had to give 'em up.

This is the way
I used to do with Cecile.

Their skin used to glow
so sweet after a bath.

It's been a minute
since you've treated yourself,

too, hasn't it?

Those memories come back
with thorns.

The look in Cecile's eyes.

Little Ronald--
all he wanted was love.

The most perfect,

beautiful part of me.

-You ready?
-Nope.

No, I don't want to scare 'em.

You want to take a look?

What do you think?

Now that's somebody's mother.

If you'd prefer to go elsewhere?

No, Ted and I work together,
so we're cool.

We had breakfast
just the other day.

I think
tonight might be different.

And why do you say that?

He just got served.

Time to move on.

Well, I hope I didn't have
anything to do with that.

In a way, you did.

If you'll excuse me.

Sit, Ted.

Sit.

She's made a decision, Ted.

This is it.

We were finding our way back
to each other.

Is this what you want
for your legacy?

Two divorced daughters
who've never...

Bound their lives to men

who don't believe
in the sanctity of marriage?

Who weren't worthy of them?

Is that a conversation
you want to have, Ted?

'Cause I'm available.

Nicole is slipping
through your fingers, Ted,

and there's nothing
you can do about it.

The past few months have been

very trying on every front.

I felt betrayed,
ignored, denied.

Feasted on bitterness
and regret.

You start expecting it,

and you get used
to the darkness.

Hmm. It's dangerous territory.

But breakfast with you
took me out of that place.

I felt alive again.

I wasn't dissecting problems,

or looking for faults
in my family or myself.

Being with you was
a much-needed reminder

that there are things out there
that I have been missing,

that I've been denying myself.

And I want that back.

And you deserve it.

If you want to fix
your marriage, fight for her.

I have.

I've apologized, sent flowers,

-hundreds of cards.
-Cards.

To save a decades-long marriage

to a woman who was too good
for you to begin with?

You put less effort
into saving your marriage

than you did
into building a relationship

with the child
who tried to destroy it.

I am not asking Ted
for more money.

Someone is jumping through hoops
to find you

and Invincible Leslie Thomas
is terrified

of a voice on the phone.

Well, whatever
is hounding me down

can keep on stepping, okay?

Everybody who is family to me
is either dead or dead to me.

And no good can come
from that letter.

You're all I got.

So I guess you are just going
to have to be enough.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I love you, too.

Bequests from wealthy,
dead relatives are

for spoiled little rich girls,

not survivors
who had to fight.

Let your guard down, okay?

Life is actually
not that bad here.

You've been affected

by that blue blood
in Fairmont Crest.

You can afford
to live in fantasyland

now that I've connected you
to your roots.

But I have to scrape by

in that cold, cruel world
out there,

where you used to live.

You are incredibly sexy.

If there's something you want
to try or never try again,

I just want to make you happy.

-And there are positions.
-Stop. If...

If you really want
to make me happy,

you'll stop asking questions.

You're right.

Wait. What's going on?

You're a tough one,
but I'm going to figure you out.

You're leaving?

Wait. Are-are you mad at me?

Not at all.

I like a challenge.

And we are too good together
to not be together.

And I promise you,

once I find
the right combination

of you and me,

and the right atmosphere,

there's no way you'll let me
walk out that door.

Well, I... look forward to that.

Are you sure we're cool?

Prepare yourself.

Because I'm going
to sweep you off your feet.

-Looking good.
-Thanks.

Are we sure
we're doing the right thing?

Why start now?

Too late now.

Are we good?

Let's do this.

Dad?

Hi, guys.

Um, I want you to meet someone.

Ronald...

and Cecile?

Uh, um, hi.
It's nice to meet you. Um,

I'm Samantha.

Tyrell.

Uh, let me guess.

You must be Martin?

Correct. Pop.

Pop. Okay.

And so that must make you...

Their dad.

You can call me Smitty.

Shall we sit?

What a nice home you have here.

Thank you. Yeah.

I can't stop myself
from staring.

You're all grown up.

I've missed... everything.

Not everything, I'm sure.

I guess you're too big
for stuffed animals?

You should have seen the way

she took care of those
teddy bears and dog babies.

A lot of time
has passed since then.

True.

You're different people now.
I see that.

What about you, little man?

Let me guess.

Math and science?

Tyrell is
in Advanced Placement Calculus.

You don't say.

You hear that?

Advanced Placement in math?

I don't know
where you get it from,

but I'm grateful for the gift.

You know, Samantha's just

as brilliant as her brother.

I don't know
if I'm allowed to say this.

- I think it's still top secret.
- Oh, about

- the purse line?
- Yeah.

It's okay. You can tell.

So Samantha's cousin
is launching a purse line,

and Samantha is the spokesmodel.

She'll be all over social media,
in stores and videos.

Isn't that something?

The public is going
to love you, baby girl.

You've done an incredible job.

It's the hardest thing
I'd done, giving them up.

But this?

This is the life
that I wanted for them...

when I made that call.

It's the only pipe dream
I've ever had that's come true.

I wanted more for you
than what I could give.

You understand that, don't you?

I never would have been able
to give you the things

you have here
with your Dad and your Pops.

But we didn't want
anything fancy.

We only wanted you.

Always wondering

when our mom was going
to come home.

But you were gone.

Always gone
or locked in your room.

All we wanted was a hand
to hold.

For you to tell us that
everything was going to be okay.

-And...
-Tyrell.

And it wasn't okay.

Nothing was.

Thank God we met Dad and Pop.

We weren't invisible to them,

or else we would have been
stuck in the system.

Baby...

...I am so sorry
that I hurt you.

I stopped being a baby
the day you left us.

I don't have a mother.

That isn't true.

I'm here... now.

Well, what about then?

When we needed you?

When you were out on the street,

leaving us with an aunt,
or whatever friend

that you found
at the corner store?

And then after you left us

to be swallowed up
by the system...

did you ever even wonder
what happened to us?

Now you're supposed to be making
sweet, sweet love with Tomas.

We went dancing.

That was supposed to be
like a vertical expression

of a horizontal desire.

Low-key foreplay, right?

I am not wrong about that.

You would think a man who dances
the way he does,

that would easily translate

to horizontal hijinks
of the highest order.

You said
he's the king of charisma.

Well, he's a bore
in the bedroom.

Oh, no. It couldn't have been
as bad as the first time.

No, it was worse

because now he knows
that I kind of wasn't into it.

Oh, my God, no.

We've waited so long
to get to this point,

and we're finally here,

and I hate the view. Help.

What do you want me to do?

Well,
you know relationship stuff.

How long do I have
till he gets tired of it

and leaves me for someone
who knows what they want?

This is a surprise.

Yeah, I'm surprised
they're even open.

There was some kind
of dance class here.

Did you...

Yup, salsa class.

What you been up to?

Yet another discussion

with my mother
about her money mess.

The possible inheritance?

If she could just return
a simple phone call,

it could definitely
improve the quality of my life,

where adulting includes

supporting
my able-bodied mother.

I get it. I send money back
to PR every month.

Wow. That's so sweet of you.

But I'm pretty sure

our situations
are completely different.

My family works hard,

but they still can't make quite
enough money to make ends meet.

I'm lucky, I don't need much.

Bet they have a picture
of you back home

with flowers all around it
and little candles.

You're such a saint.

Very funny.

Every Friday night is
Saint Tomas night

at the salsa club.

Must have been fun tonight.

Is Kat a good dancer?

She is...

trying very hard.

Best foot forward.

Well, I'm surprised
you're here without her.

Frankly, so am I.

Hope you brought
the extra plum sauce.

Oh, my sweet baby Jesus, no.

This is not happening.

-What the actual?
-Mm. Rude and loud as always.

No improvement.

How the hell did you find me?

You thought you could outrun me?

You got older.

Didn't slow me down.

You got meaner.

So then you'll actually
understand when I ask.

What the hell
are you doing here?

Oh, you think I wanted to come?

They told me
how you've been ignoring

all those phone calls
and letters.

Lord, typical Dana. Trouble.

And after all these years,

I thought
you would have mellowed.

Wait. Rewind.

-You're the one
who's been hounding me down?
-Oh.

Paid a special agent
to find you.

Would have paid twice the price

to keep from seeing my...

heartless... thankless...

daughter.

It's hard to see this.

It was hard to live through.

I lost the apartment.

Small wonder.

I lived where I could.

I got mixed up
with the wrong people,

got deeper into drugs.

Lost everything,

including my memory.

I blamed it on the drugs,

but I just think
I couldn't handle what I did.

Why you weren't with me anymore.

And after a while, I couldn't

remember much
of anything at all.

But...

But I had this.

A picture of two angels.

And they were my everything.

The faces are worn from...

from me touching it
all the time.

But I can still
see those smiles with my heart.

Uplifted me,

gave me hope.

Couple of weeks back,
the city came through

and moved people off the street,

carted away their belongings,

Took my picture.

It was awful.

And we looked everywhere.

Sent Jacob out
to see what he could do.

Miracle of miracles,
he found it.

That's amazing.

So you're saying you lost us
to the system,

and then you lost
a reminder of us

when they were cleaning up
on the streets?

Goes to show

-you're actually...
-Tyrell!

She forgot us!

Okay, well, maybe
that's not the whole story.

Right?

How did you remember?

You see, I got real sick,

and they had to cure my heart.

So I had
to stop doing the things

that I was doing
that got me in a bad situation.

You understand, don't you?

We think we do.

And then things started
coming back to me.

Memories.

And Naomi brought me
my sister Regina.

And Regina brought me a box
of things I kept.

Important things.

And one of those things
was a letter

that I wrote about you.

And how I wanted you
to have a better life.

Jacob and I

put the pieces together.

Now, I realize...

this was a closed adoption,

and none of us were expecting
something like this.

It... does my heart good

to see how you've turned out.

Such a gorgeous group.

Make a beautiful family photo.

You think you might have room
in that photo?

For me?

Carlton, you mind
if I have a minute

with my wife... alone?

It is up to you.

I'll do whatever you want.

It's wonderful of you to ask,

but this will only
take a minute.

I will go order us
another round of drinks.

This about the paperwork?

It's more than the papers.

It's the end
of our marriage, Nicole.

Thanks to your mistress
and secret love child,

our marriage ended the night
of our anniversary.

The papers just
make it official.

Nicole, we can still

work our way
towards something good again.

I am working my way
towards being happy

without you.

With Carlton?

Move on, Ted.

Huh. Feels remarkable.

While it's been interesting
to meet you.

I'm not sure...

I think what my husband
is trying to say is,

whether we make plans
for the future is something

the four of us have
to discuss privately,

as a family.

I understand.

Take your time.

Excuse me.

I have to study.

He's always studying.

It's nice to meet you.

Bye.

Uh, my manners.

It's...

-Thank you.
-It's all right.

I... I know this was a lot,

but it has meant more to me
than you know.

Let me get you home.

Thanks again, you guys.
We'll see ourselves out.

Well, that could
have gone worse.

I think it's best
if I move back home.

Looked better
than the last time.

You remember what life was like
before Pop and Dad?

How scared we were?

Not knowing
if we get to stay together?

Some.

I remember.

They loved us on sight.

That day, they asked us
if we wanted to live with them

and be happy together forever?

That day was the best day
of our lives

because I knew
we were going to be safe.

We didn't even know
what safe was

until they found us.

Two parents
who kept their promises.

Treat us
like we're wanted and valued.

All I'm saying

is that this family raised us

to be the kind of people
that June needs

in her life right now.

Maybe you and Tomas are just
better off as friends?

-Or maybe you're...
-I am not g*y.

Good. Less competition.

What about ace?

Are you asexual?

Not even.

I want sex. I just...

I don't know.

Tomas is convinced he's going

to figure out a way
to drive me wild.

Sexual experimentation is fun.

Okay, but what
if I'm on permanent pause

from waiting too long,

and I'll never
get started again?

I could be broken forever.

Did something happen
when you went dancing?

I know what I'm doing
on the dance floor.

I've danced all night.
Dips, flips.

I've got moves
that'll make you scream.

You've been dancing for years.

It could be scary learning
a new dance.

You're right. Huh.

Maybe there is hope for us
after all.

It makes sense now.

God, it's crazy
how you just get me.

Crazy.

You better get out of here
with that mess.

I was the only mother you had,
and I was good at it, too.

And how did you repay me?

Trying to steal that man?

Hey, I did you a favor, okay?

'Cause that man was no good,
all right?

I brought his darkness
into the light.

Seduced a man to save a life.

Hmm. Maybe you do
deserve a medal.

Ought to thank me because
you were too good for him.

Now if you're finished
blaming me,

I need you to go on over there
and sit down

so I can get a good look at you.

Been ages.

Yes, it has.

It's good
to see a familiar face, Peaches.

Oh. These people here?

Ooh.
They've been grinding me down.

It's like
everybody is shutting me out.

But at least I've got you again,

sour as you are.

Well, maybe it's a blessing
you wouldn't take those calls.

-Why is that?
-I needed to see your face, too.

One last time.

What are you talking about,
"one last time"?

Baby...

I'm dying.

But somebody up there
must like me,

for them to turn out so good.

Must have been
a little disappointing.

They're not ready to let you
back into their lives.

They have every right
to turn their back on me.

But I believe in fate.

I know I'll see them again.

If you think
I'm using June's arrival

to try
to force a reconciliation...

Yeah, you'd never.

I want to be here for the kids.

They need us.

Martin, I...

Pop, good. You are still here.

Hey, what's up?

We've made up our minds.

About seeing June again.

Oh, no, no.

There has to be some kind
of mistake.

You're too young.

My body doesn't give a damn.

It is wearing out on me.

Peaches, I'm... I'm sorry.

I don't even know what to say.

Something finally shut
that mouth up of yours?

Oh, I wish I had known that
years ago. Oh.

You can't go, not now.

God knows... I need you.

I finally get
to do things right.

Tie up all the loose ends.

You're the biggest one.

I don't want to leave you

alone in the world.

Then don't.

It's time I told you
who your mother is.

Think we were too hard on him?

Broke our daughter's heart.

No punishment is severe enough.

Here comes the cavalry.

Nicole, I'd like
to have a word, if I may?

We were in the middle
of a conversation.

And Nicole was in the middle
of dinner.

Good night, Ted.

You heard about the divorce?

I'm sorry it has come to this.

But all I ever want
is your happiness.

Me, too.

It'll come again.

I raised strong,
independent women.

Not too independent to thank you
for coming to my rescue.

I will always be there
for my children.

It's what a parent does.

That instinct to protect?

It never goes away. Not ever.