What?
[Zac]Previously on Zatima.
She popping up everywhere and stressing Fatima out.
I was gonna tell him.
You was taking too damn long, girl, and he needed to know.
[Gladys] This ain't for you, son.
Mama?
You're carrying my addiction.
Mama!
The kids was in the back room when the fire broke out.
You're in some pretty serious trouble.
-Like what? -Like child endangerment.
Before we go home, babe, can we stop by the office?
No, no; I think you're putting the baby's life at risk.
That's what I think.
[smooth music] [sighing]
Hey, girl!
[sighs] Not today, Deja. I'm not in the mood.
Girl, you ain't never in the damn mood.
What's wrong? Baby had a long day?
Yes, I did.
Is that a hospital bracelet?
Yeah, I was in the hospital.
Oh, sh*t. Are you okay?
I'm standing here, ain't I?
That don't mean sh*t. Damn, you mean.
Look, I just wanted to say thank you for not saying anything
to Zac today about, you know.
What?
You know...
What are you talking about?
Are you... Are you serious right now, the soccer b*tch?
The... What is wrong with you?
What? [scoffs]
Well, between the neck injury that you gave me,
by the way, that I haven't quite recovered after, um,
and falling off the pole headfirst a couple times, girl,
honestly, sometimes I just black out.
Might even be a concussion. sh*t, f*ck if I know.
All right, whatever.
Look, Zac knows anyway, so... it's whatever.
-He's really pissed. -Oh, damn. I'm sorry.
Well, what I won't forget is
that you like them big and husky.
[cackles]
-What? -[gasping]
Girl, your side piece.
Deja, what are you talking about side piece?
I don't...
I mean, he's... he's cute.
He kind of look like Ruben Stoddard,
just givin' that, but... I...
What ever happened to Ruben Stoddard?
Did he...
Deja, what the hell are you talking about?
Girl, I'm talking about your man.
Yeah, and Zac is not big and husky.
Oh, okay. Oh, I get it.
This is like the stalker b*tch thing, right?
Like, I don't know nothing? Okay, girl, you're right.
I don't know nothing. I didn't see nothing.
-I ain't heard nothing. -Yeah, Deja,
I don't know what you're talking about.
-I'm going inside. -[Deja laughs]
Don't worry. You ain't got to worry about me telling Zac
about your side man.
-[Deja chuckles] -Deja, I don't have a side man.
* I'mma keep your secrets *
* Because your secret's safe with me *
* I'm going to keep your secrets *
* Because your secret's safe with me *
Deja, take your a*s in the house.
You're lowering the property value down.
-[Deja laughs] -[Fatima] This girl...
What the hell?
You must be Fatima.
What the hell are you doing in my house?
I...
You ain't answering quick enough.
Who are you before I k*ll you?
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm Charles, your new bodyguard.
I'mma k*ll Zac.
[upbeat music]
* Love ain't perfect, but we still workin' *
[cameras click]
* May not be what we see on TV, but it's damn sure worth it *
* Uh-huh, love ain't perfect, but we still working *
* Don't gotta be what we see on IG *
* 'Cause we still worth it, uh-huh, yeah, yeah, *
[upbeat music continues] * Yeah, yeah *
* Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do *
* We still workin' *
[smooth music]
[sighing]
I look forward to keeping you safe.
-[Deja] Hey! -Close the door.
[door clicks]
I had to make sure you weren't being followed.
I wasn't... At least, I don't think.
The thing with threats is you never know where they're going
-to come from. -Mm.
But my job is to do whatever it takes to keep you
and that there baby safe.
[gentle music]
Okay... You know what?
[clears throat] I'm not supposed to be...
I'm not supposed to be stressed out.
You can relax when I'm around, ma'am.
[Fatima sighs]
[tense music]
Can I?
Yeah.
So, uh...
Charles.
Charles...
What's your hours?
I'm with you whenever Mr. Taylor is not.
I'm sorry. What?
Or whenever he tells me I'm relieved of duty.
[sighs] Okay.
[line trilling]
[faint upbeat hip hop music]
Hey, Connie. What's up?
Hey, Zac.
You busy?
[Zac]I'm actually busy at work, but...
You sounded mad weird when you called me.
Oh, nah. Um... I could... I could call you back.
No, no, no, no, no. Connie... You good. What's up? What's up?
Um... It's not about Jeremiah.
[Zac]Yeah, it better not be.
It's about me.
Oh, sh*t. This must be real serious.
What's up?
What?
I got cancer.
[gentle music]
What?
[Connie]I got breast cancer. Stage two, Zac.
I'm on my second round of chemo.
I don't know if it's working.
Maybe.
Connie, why didn't you say anything?
They took my kids.
[sighs] I don't have a place to live.
I'm... The fire took everything.
The fire? Connie, where are your kids?
Social Services, they came and got 'em.
They said that...
they think the kids started the fire
because I wasn't watching them.
[sighs] Oh, f*ck... Connie...
I'm... I ain't want to tell you.
I ain't want to be no burden on you or nobody.
The only person I told was Tony. And I told Tony,
"Don't tell nobody."
Well, you told Tony and he didn't tell...
Connie, that's messed up.
I know.
I-I just... Ain't wanna be no burden.
All right. Um... Where are you at right now?
I'm at the building.
Okay. Okay. Don't move.
I'm coming to get you right now.
Okay.
All right.
Oh, f*ck.
What about Fatima? She's gonna be pissed.
Hey, babe.
Hey, what's up? Uh... You still mad?
I'm not mad at you, Zac.
All right. Well, then don't get mad.
Zac, I'm not mad about the bodyguard.
Even though I am gonna punch you in the arm when you get home.
Okay. Um...
I'm not talking about the bodyguard.
I'm not gonna be able to make it home tonight early.
Zac... What?
We're supposed to be spending time together.
I know, but I really gotta go see Connie.
[scoffs] Are you serious right now?
She's in trouble, Fatima.
Zac, I just got out of the hospital.
[Zac]I know.
What is Connie in trouble for?
It's a lot... All right?
I'll just tell you when I get home.
All right.
But... Don't worry. Um... Charles is still gonna be there.
He's my proxy while I'm not there.
So... He'll make sure you're safe.
You know what?
I actually like having him around more.
He talks less.
Yeah. All right. You trippin'. I'll see you in a little bit.
f*ck.
f*ck!
[line trilling]
[phone rings]
Hey, girl. How you doing?
I just got home not too long ago.
What you doing?
Nothing. Just being lazy.
You hungry?
Uh... Yeah. What you got going on?
Nothing... I was cooking for me and Zac, but...
What?
He's not gonna be home for a while.
Girl, you need us to ride out somewhere.
[Fatima][scoffs] Oh, nothing like that.
Just come over. I need to vent. Besides, we gotta catch up.
Okay... I'll get dressed,
and I'll be right there in a second, okay?
All right... Bye.
I can have company, right?
Oh, yeah.
Okay.
But I will neutralize any threats.
Oh, God.
[upbeat music]
Sir, are you okay?
Yeah.
What are you doing here?
My brother had paid for me to get some help,
but I wasn't ready then.
But I'm ready now.
Yes... Uh, Mr. Taylor?
-Yeah. Do you remember me? -Yeah...
Yes. Yes. Of course I do.
I'm sorry about last time, but I'm ready now.
I mean, that's not how it works.
Unfortunately, when you left,
you lost your previous payment and deposit.
Oh, man. God. I gotta figure something out.
I can't live like this. Thank you.
[knocking on door]
-Can you-- -Already on it, ma'am.
-Oh. -Miss Angela?
[scoffs] Yeah? Uh...
This... is what I wanted to vent to you about.
Oh! [chuckles] Oh, you the bodyguard.
Yes, ma'am.
[giggles] Girl, Zac is really on one,
but I am not mad about this choice.
Sorry, but... I'm gonna have to pat you down.
Pat me down?
Okay, Charles. You don't have to pat her down.
No, no, no. Fatima...
The man is just trying to do his job.
You do what you gotta do, Mister, uh...
-Charles. -Charles.
Mm. That is my dream man's name.
Oh, my God. Angela...
Oh. Don't forget the back, Charles.
Be thorough.
-Really? -Mm.
[gentle music]
Hey... Jeremiah.
I was just... I was just thinking for a second.
I'm gonna be on my way.
Listen, I think I can pull a few strings to get you admitted.
Okay?
-Yeah. -But listen...
It won't be all the glitz and glam.
It won't be the program that your brother had you on, okay?
Not the slow progress to wean you off strong drugs.
But they have a few, okay?
But it'll be like giving aspirin to a b*llet wound.
Okay. I want... I wanna do it. I wanna do it.
Okay... Can I be transparent with you?
Oh, please.
[Dr. Solas] It's gonna be hell.
And-and-and every day,
you'll have the keys to walk out that door.
And if you do, you have to choose to stay there.
Well, Doc, with all due respect,
there's no hell worse than the one that I'm living
in right now.
Do you have a support system?
No.
Your brother Zac, is he still on your emergency contact?
Yeah, you can put him down,
but I'm determined to do it this time.
I don't need his help. I'm gonna do it on my own.
You're not gonna have to call nobody... promise.
I believe you.
Okay.
Come on.
Okay, ma'am. Thank you so much. I really appreciate this.
No problem. You're gonna be just fine.
-[Jeremiah] Yeah. -[Dr. Solas] You're just fine.
Get you taken care of.
Okay, that's enough patting down sh*t.
Oh... Yeah.
Besides, the only weapon I got is this pus--
-Angela! -Shup bra.
What?
Am I being inappropriate, Charles?
I'm on duty, Miss Angela.
Okay, my bad. I'm being unprofessional.
I always get like this after : P.M.
-After
-Mm-hmm.Mm-hmm... -Oof. Girl, what you cook?
Being hot and bothered makes me hungry.
Mm-hmm.
Oh, I just whipped up something real fast.
Um, Charles, could you grab the hot sauce off
the counter for me?
-Yes, ma'am. -Thank you.
Wait a minute; that is not what a bodyguard is for.
Well, it is now.
'Cause I don't need a bodyguard.
Zac is tripping. Thank you.
No. Leslie is tripping.
[sighs] Yeah.
She's crazy, girl.
And Zac is just trying to protect you without having
to track her down and beat her a*s.
He is. I know.
And, plus, he said he was gonna do this,
so you can't really be surprised.
I just didn't know he was gonna go this crazy.
I mean, it's extra, but... it is nice, though.
-Angela.... -And you know,
I don't even normally like the big old swole type, but he...
-[Fatima] Mm-hmm... -Ooh!
Leave the bodyguard alone.
Okay, girl. Okay.
Well, where is Zac anyway?
Uh, he's, um... with Connie.
What? Why?
He said that she was in trouble
and he just rushed off the phone.
I don't know.
[scoffs] Okay, let me get this straight.
You just got out of the hospital with a very scary situation,
and your fiancé ran off to go play Captain Save-A-h*
for his ex-girlfriend?
Okay, nope. Mm-mm. We're not going there.
-We're not going there. -Going where, Fatima?
See, you planting seeds,
making me think he's doing something he ain't got
no business doing.
Look, I don't need to be stressed.
Besides... I did kind of push him away.
He ain't supposed to go, though. Especially not to his ex-b*tch.
[sighs] It's true.
Well, you know where she lives, right?
You wanna go do a drive-by?
A drive-by?
[scoffs] Not a drive-by, pew pew, but like a roll pass.
See what's up?
Angela...
-What? -How is that less stressful?
I don't know.
I just don't see how you could be cool with some
of the sh*t he do.
[sighs] Just... trying to see the bigger picture.
I guess you're right.
Well, at least he left you with a backup option.
First of all, Zac did not leave me, okay?
He's just checking on his friend,
and I just hope she's okay.
You hopeshe's okay?
Yeah, I mean, it had to be bad for him not to come home.
[scoffs] Wow.
What?
You sure you don't wanna go do a little quick drive-by?
Just...
Why would he be doing anything with her when he got me?
You asking me why n*gg*s do what they do and I have no clue.
Angela, you're supposed to be keeping me calm.
-That's why you're here, okay? -[Angela] Okay. You're right.
I don't wanna see nobody play in your face, okay?
Look, I'm sure it had to be bad, okay?
Hmm.
And it's all innocent.
Okay...
And he'll be right home to love on me and our baby.
-Hey. -Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Charles, don't hurt him!
-[Fatima] Sheesh. -Sorry, Mr. Taylor.
Nah, you doing your job. That's why I paid you.
-[Fatima] Mm-mm. -[Zac winces]
Don't come here talking that mess.
We still gotta talk about this.
[chuckles] That's a non-negotiable.
Zac, you can't tell me what's non-negotiable.
I know... Let me ask you a question.
What's up?
[Zac clears throat]
Can Connie stay here tonight?
Ah! [door clicks]
-[Zac clears throat] Hmm? -Whoa.
Mm-hmm. [tense music]
[door clicks]
Hey, Fatima.
Mr. Matthews, how you feeling?
It's getting bad, Doc.
It's the shakes.
You're beginning withdrawals already.
I know...
You are approved for us to give you some Protatrol.
It's an opiate antagonist to kind of help you.
I don't want that; I don't want no meds, no nothing.
It's not a narcotic, Mr. Matthews.
I... I don't want it. I don't want it.
I've been through this before.
And you're gonna keep going through this.
I just want to be clean.
Mr. Matthews, it's to help relieve the symptoms.
-It is? -Yes.
I don't do well with that kind of stuff.
You already have the shakes.
I know.
Okay... I'm afraid it's gonna get so bad that we'll have
to call emergency care.
And they most certainly will medicate you there.
I don't want that.
I know.
So trust me.
[Jeremiah winces and groans]
I just want to be clean.
I know, you already have the shakes.
[Jeremiah sighs]
Can you... promise me something while you're here?
Just promise me when it gets really bad,
you'll give it all you got.
I will.
And that, Mr. Matthews, is how I know you're gonna make it.
You believe in me?
I do. I believe you.
Thank you. So you're my support system?
You have more than just me, I promise.
Can you, uh...
Can you give me your hand while I pray?
[Dr. Solas] Yeah.
God, please help me. Please help me.
Zac, what the hell is going on?
Hey, you can say no if you want to.
I can say no? You already brought her here.
Just for tonight. She down bad.
Zac, what is going on?
She got cancer.
Wait, what?
Yes. And she been knew.
[somber music] Oh, my God.
Yeah, the other night, she fell asleep after chemo.
And what?
She was going through chemo and she fell asleep.
She was making dinner for the kids.
It set the house on fire.
-Oh, sh*t. -[Zac] Yeah, it's bad.
Like, non-repairable.
Social Services came and took the kids and everything.
Oh, my God. Why didn't she tell us?
She didn't want to be a burden to nobody.
She don't have any money.
[sighs] I really feel like sh*t.
I know... But, hey, this is why I just wanted to help her.
So can she just sleep on the couch?
Zac, that's not even a question.
She has cancer. Yes.
Thank you. Thank you.
Baby, you don't have to thank me.
Look, I love who you love. It's fine.
Is this going to be comfortable enough for you?
Anything is better than the streets.
Look, I'm not trying to pry or nothing,
but you know my girl is a good one for letting this happen.
[Connie] I know... You think I want to be in this position?
I really need them.
It's really that bad?
It's a lot.
Hmm.
Yeah, cancer is a lot.
Huh?
I just saw your port in your shirt.
You don't have to hide it. You're fighting the good fight.
[sighs] My aunt beat cancer five years ago.
Really?
Yeah... And she said her family and her tribe,
that's what helped her get through it.
[gentle music]
Let's call a truce, okay? I'll back off.
Check this out: I don't need your pity.
I can handle it.
Look, I know you can.
And b*tch, I ain't say forever.
But just for a little while while we get you better.
Thank you, b*tch.
You got it.
I really want to help her get the kids back.
Zac, it can be tough.
I know.
I mean, we already know this dealing with Michael.
I know. That's why I want to help.
So... you think you can help her?
Zac...
I know. I'm asking for a lot. I know.
Yeah, you are.
Okay. But she's down badly.
All right... Look, Zac, I'll see what I can do, all right?
Thank you.
Is there any food left? Did y'all eat already?
I mean, I was only making it for you and I.
I got to see what we have left.
We got the bodyguard here, too, right?
He big as hell.
But I'm going to send him home anyway, because I'm home now.
So...
Okay... We'll make it enough.
I love you.
Me, too.
You still want to hit me?
What?
On the phone...
Remember, you said you were going to punch me
because I hired Charles.
Remember that?
Yeah. I do have one question.
-Mm-hmm? -How the hell did you hire
a bodyguard so fast?
You think you're the only one who know people?
I got my ways.
Mm-hmm... Zac, you better not be a criminal.
Really? You judging? You about to marry a criminal.
-[sighs] You're right. -[Zac] Mm-hmm.
Not going to lie, though.
I kind of like having him around.
-Uh-oh. -Mm-hmm.
What does that mean?
It means the trash can get taken out and I don't have to wait.
It's kinda...
He ain't hired to do no chores.
He not supposed to be doing no chores.
He is now.
But--Fatima, don't you waddle away from me!
'Tima!
n*gga, you doing chores?
-You okay? -Yeah.
You want to sit?
I'm good.
Sit.
Fatima, thank you for letting me crash.
It's okay.
Connie, I want you to know you're not a burden.
It's just I'm so used to doing everything on my own.
I know... And it can be hard to ask for help when you're used
to carrying the world; I got it.
Right.
But the good news is you don't have to carry the load anymore.
Because we got you.
And in the morning,
the first thing we're gonna do
is handle this Social Services situation.
-Okay? -All right.
Okay...
Oh, it seems like y'all got y'all plates full.
So I'ma take mine to go. All right.
Go on, girl.
-All right. -Thanks, Angela.
[Angela] Sure.
-Zac. -[Zac] Hm?
Let me know if I can do anything for you.
Huh?
I'm just trying to help.
Connie, if you don't sit your a*s down...
I'ma try.
Thank you. I got you. Like, for real, I got you.
Hey, Charles.
Yo.
Good job on day one.
Thank you. Appreciate that.
Yes, sir; Hey, she, um, leaves for work tomorrow
at eight o'clock.
Uh, I'll be here at : A.M.?
No, no; you don't got to be there that early.
That's a bit much.
It's my job.
Yeah, but I pay you by the hour.
So if she leaves at eight o'clock, you'll be here ::.
Save me some money.
-Okay. -All right?
All right.
'Tima?
-[Fatima] Yes, baby? -Charles is leaving.
-[Fatima] Oh. -[Angela] Oh!
Charles is leaving? Wait, already?
Angela...
What? You just said he was off duty.
He can't just walk me to my car for protection?
Man...
What?
I'll see you at work tomorrow, girl.
Okay.
Come on, Charles. Thank you. Thankyou , Zac.
That's a good one.
-Bye, Angela. -[Angela] Good; thank you, boo.
-Be careful, Charles. -Mm.
That's your friend.
I know.
Connie, you hungry?
-[Connie] I can eat. -Come on.
-You okay? -Yeah.
Wait, you should sit up there.
Yeah, y'all can sit down. I'mma go get the food.
[Zac] Don't get the food by yourself, babe.
Okay. I got you.
-Got you. -I'm coming, baby.
Okay.
[upbeat music]
[objects clatter]
[glass shatters]
-Zac, what was that? -What?
[suspenseful music]
[g*n clicks]
[Fatima] Uh-uh! Zac, put some damn clothes on.
Connie downstairs.
[Zac] Stay here.
I'm going down, too.
[Zac] You stay here.
[Fatima] Come on.
[Zac] You stay back.
[suspenseful music] [objects clatter]
What's going on?
[objects clatter] [Zac shushes]
[suspenseful music continues]
-[Fatima gasps] Zac! -[Zac] sh*t!
-[Zac] Connie? -[Fatima] Oh, my God!
-[Zac] sh*t... Oh, sh*t. -[Connie gurgles]
[Zac] Get up, get up, get up, get up.
No, no, no. I got you. I got you.
I got you... Come on... Come on.
-It's okay. -[Zac] Come on.
-[Connie groans] I'm fine -[Zac] Come on.
-It's okay. -[Zac] No, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no. You're not. You're not.
[Fatima] It's okay. It's okay.
[Zac] I'm gonna get a towel.
[Fatima] Just get a cold one, baby.
It's okay. I got you. I got you. I got you.
-[Connie retches] -I got you. It's okay.
-It's okay. -[Connie whimpers]
Connie, how progressive is this?
-It's okay. -It's bad.
Just breathe. Just breathe. Just breathe... Zac?
It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
I ain't gonna make it.
[Fatima] Yes, you are. Do not say that.
-Come on. -[Fatima] Okay?
I don't understand... My mother had it.
My grandmother... And they didn't make it.
Connie, listen. They did not have us, okay?
We got you. You're gonna make this, okay?
-Go on, sit up. -It hurt, y'all.
-It's okay. -[sobbing]
-It's okay. It's okay. -[sobbing intensifies]
[Fatima] It's okay.
[rousing music]
[upbeat music]
[gentle music]
[upbeat music]