Original subtitles

Hey. Hey, Barbara Jean.

Where you been for the last couple of days, and when you going back?

Forgive me for not dropping by as much as we would both like, but since the

hurricane, I have been swamped with my volunteer duties as head of the Save the

Dog campaign, or as I like to call it, STD.

So how's your little foster puppy working out? Oh, great.

He's so cute.

Jake's been playing with him all morning and being so jealous that he put bacon

fat behind his ears.

That's how I got Brock.

Listen, we got a problem.

What's up? The dogs' family saw the picture I put online, and after the

hurricane, they were bused here to Houston, so they're going to be here in

ten minutes.

Oh, well, we knew it was going to happen. It just happened sooner than we

expected.

We better go break the news to Jake.

This thing will be easy.

I think I'm going to call him Jake Jr.

I love him so much, I want him to be my son.

Oh, Lord.

Reba, this is the most painful part of STD.

Hey, Jake.

We have some great news about the dog.

You know how we talked about the best situation would be if his family found

and could come get him?

Well, they have, and they're coming by to pick him up today.

You going to be okay with this?

Mom, it's not about me.

Jake Jr. is going to be with his family.

That's why we did this.

My sweet, sweet little man. You understand charity.

Even though it's hard on us, we always help those in need.

You get that.

Which reflects well on me.

It's them.

Okay, now remember, these people have had a tough time.

Let's make sure that we stay upbeat and positive and not dwell on everything

that they've been through. Got it, Van?

Hi, I'm Ruby Jackson, and this is my grandson, Darnell.

Oh, you poor, miserable wretches.

You were almost swallowed up by the sea.

Farm team, let them go. They suffered enough.

Hi, I'm Reba Hart.

Hi, Reba.

Grandma, it's Jambalaya.

This is so kind of you, Reba. Well, Ruby, actually, the kindness was mine.

Hi, I'm Barbara Jean Hart, and I'm the face of STD.

Well, thank you all for taking care of our dog. Well, we were very happy to.

We're very glad that Jambalaya gets to go home with his family.

Well, unfortunately, he's not.

We're staying down at the shelter and they don't take pets.

But a kennel has volunteered to take him. A kennel? You mean doggy jail?

No, a shelter like the one that we're living in except for dogs.

But thank you for pointing out the similarities to jail.

Come on, baby. We got to get back to the shelter now.

Okay, you know what?

We have plenty of room. Why don't y 'all just stay here with us, all of you?

Oh, no, Reba, that's asking too much. No, it's not, really.

Really, we can make room.

Stay with us. Don't go back down there to that shelter. Yeah, it's horrible and

cold and full of homeless people.

Does she live here?

No. Then we'll stay.

stupid copy machine breaks down every other day, and so I took the flyer and I

put it in the fax machine, but then the fax machine jammed, so we don't have any

flyers for our open house tomorrow.

You think you had it rough? I had to listen to you all the way home.

I'm sorry, Van. I'm just in a terrible mood.

I really shouldn't be around people today.

This is H.

Do you see him, too?

is changing fast. Who I am is who I want to be.

A single mom who works too hard, who loves her kids and never stops.

Oh, Ruby girl, you're so crazy.

Yo, Reeves, man.

What's up?

Hey, Barbara Jean.

What is going on here? A miracle.

Grandma Ruby finally got in touch with her family, and she was going to meet

at the shelter, but I said, that's silly.

There's tons more room at Reba's house.

Barbara Jean, did you do something with your hair?

Yeah, yeah. Do you like it?

Felicia did it. I won't have to wash my hair for a month.

Something smells great and I'm hungry.

What an awesome convergence of circumstances.

I feel you, V.

There's food in the kitchen, you know what I'm saying?

No. No, I don't. I do.

Word.

I don't have enough room here for all these people. First off, they're called

peep.

And they're only here for dinner, so chill, girlfriend.

I love that.

You're the whitest person in Texas. Stop talking like that.

Oh, no, she didn't.

Aren't you going to ask me why I have 20 black people in my living room?

I noticed you had a lot of people. I didn't notice the color of their skin.

There he is.

There's my little piece of white chocolate.

Oh, good, Barbara Jean. You did your hair.

And just in time for our formal dinner at the club.

That's right.

I got to get my bling bling.

Keep it trilly, y 'all.

Later.

Oh, I totally know what you guys must be going through. I have been through some

really hard stuff myself.

First, I got pregnant in high school. And on top of that, I got myself a

drinking problem.

You know, but I guess every family has problems like that.

Hey, girls, take that into the other room and make sure that everyone has

to eat.

And keep away from her.

This is so good. What is it?

Jambalaya.

What?

Why would you do that? I love that dog.

Van, the dog's outside in the yard. Then what dog?

I went to the store and bought some food and cooked it.

Oh.

Well, it's really good.

So you got to wear the same clothes for two weeks? Yep.

That's awesome.

The most I've ever gone in three days. That's when I was at my dad's.

You know, Reba, I want to thank you for everything, but we're all going back to

the shelter tonight, including Darnell and I.

Oh.

Are you sure you're going to be okay?

Oh, yeah. Yeah, now that my family's back together, we're going to be fine.

Mom, can't they stay?

Well, honey, it'll be a little crowded if everybody stays.

But remember what you said about charity.

Even though it's hard on us, we always help those in need.

Did I say that?

Yeah, yesterday.

Yeah. I did say that.

You remembered to change shirts for three days, but you remembered that.

So, can they all stay?

Yeah, Grandma, can we?

You know, Jake, honey, your mama's already done enough, and who knows how

this might go on.

That doesn't matter. She does it all the time she took me in, and I've been here

for four years.

What am I going to say, no?

Can I say no?

Of course I can.

Yeah, this is going to be great.

Hey, wouldn't it be fun if your family stayed here for four years?

you talking about?

The line for breakfast forms are right here.

Honey, I don't have time to wait in line.

Oh, yeah.

Whitey jumps to the front.

Get over here.

Save my spot.

Look, I'm sorry, but I've been late for work because I couldn't get in the

bathroom because there was such a line. And then when I did get in, all the

towels were wet, so I couldn't take a shower.

Oh, that's a very sad story.

If it only had a dramatic ending, like, and then I was pulled off the roof from

my submerged home by a helicopter.

I'm not trying to be difficult. It's just that I've been late for work for

last three mornings.

Oh, that is a very sad story, Mrs. H.

If it only had a dramatic ending, like, the next thing I knew, I was floating

down Main Street in a laundry basket.

Knock it off, Van.

Oh, thank you, Aubrey.

I brought you a plate. We were running out of sausage. I wanted you to have

some. Oh, man, it's my favorite.

Darnell. Sorry.

You can have it, Mrs. Hart. We're very grateful.

Yeah, well, thanks, Ruby, but I'll just get a bagel on the way to work. Thanks.

Dibs. Hey. Shut up, Darnell.

You can practically taste the South and the Cajun influence.

What do you call them?

Eggos.

That is so cute.

Here we call them waffles.

Okay, guys, if you need me, I'll be at the office. I really got to get going.

Oh, okay. You want me to call you a cab or are you going to take the bus?

I was thinking about taking my car, but is there a line for it, too? Yeah,

kinda. Yeah, I lent it to Cassandra and Felicia. They have to go downtown and

file a claim with the government, pick up a temporary cell phone, and then on

the way back, I'm treating them to hair extension.

Mom, it's very important for their self -esteem.

Hey, you should get some.

Shut up, Van. I have gorgeous hair.

Okay, the bus it is. I'm going to be late for work again.

Oh, it's a very sad story.

If it only had a dramatic end... Van!

I will pull your tongue out.

Dog food is so gross.

I know.

It's like you cooked it.

I don't know what it is, but I've got a horrible headache.

Get back!

Get down!

Look, there's a cat!

Barbara Jean, how come I've got a whole house full of people and all you've got

is just a yard full of dogs?

Well, I invited Ruby and her family to stay with me, but they...

You know, Cheyenne, maybe you, me, and the baby should stay over here for a

little while. What are you talking about? Oh, you know, because living at

house is hell.

It is not. It is, too, Mom. There's way too many people.

I can never get to the bathroom. I can never watch what I want on TV. And Van's

been snoring.

You think this has been easy on me?

They're killing me at Domino's.

Well, I, for one, am disappointed.

I think you two should take a page from your mother's book and learn how to be a

good person. I want them gone.

What? I can't help it. I've got people everywhere in my house and they're all

thanking me.

And the whole time I'm thinking to myself, you're welcome. Now get out.

I think, is it because we're black?

Barbara Jr., you're white.

You're the whitest person in Holland.

You know, this charity thing is so much harder when you have to live it. I mean,

why can't I just write a check and go on about my business?

Because you don't have any money, Mom.

Just kick them out of the house, Mrs. H.

I can't do that. Not after everything they've been through.

Well, then do something that'll make them want to leave. Play that country

you like so much.

me to kick those poor people out of my house because we're not comfortable?

People, are we all really that shallow?

Some of us, yes.

Well, I can't do it. Even though it's going to make us miserable, we're going

help those people and we're going to be happy doing it. I agree with Reba. Oh,

stick a sock in it, Snoop Dogg.

Don't be a hater, Rebizzle.

big this place is until you see it empty.

I know.

Send everybody down to the park so kids can play.

Oh, that's a nice idea.

Nice ain't got nothing to do with it. They were driving me nuts.

You know, Reba, ever since that hurricane, all I've heard is noise.

Every day, all day, just noise.

Do you know what that's like?

Have you met Barbara Jean?

Yeah, that whole new wife hanging around all the time situation.

Is that a white thing, or are you just crazy?

I guess I'm just crazy.

Well, if you wasn't, you wouldn't have 18 strangers moving in on you.

So I thank God that all your screws aren't tight, Reba.

Hey, Ruby, we need to talk.

This is what you miss.

What? This picture of your family.

Now, it might sound crazy, but it's not the house or the furniture or all that

big stuff that you miss.

It's the picture.

That little old jewelry box that Donnell made me out of tongue depressors.

Well, that and my lazy boy recliner.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Jake once made me a potholder made out of paper towels.

Bet you saved it. No, it burst into flames.

What do you want to talk to me about, Reba?

Nothing, I'm fine.

Reba, you got 18 people living in your house and there's nothing you need to

talk to me about?

Okay, I'm not fine. I'm losing my mind.

I should be happy doing this. I should have joy in my heart, but I'm miserable.

Of course you are.

Girl, if Uncle Tyrone leaves one more wet towel in a bowl on the floor, I'm

going to slap the black off of myself.

So it's okay that this isn't easy?

Honey,

we had a good laughter.

Tends not to be easy.

But I got something I need to tell you.

What? That's why I sent everybody down to the park.

We're leaving.

No, no, it's not that tough on us. You got to stay.

Reba, my son called.

He's coming tonight.

And we're going back to New Orleans. He's going to work for that Habitat for

Humanity. We're going to rebuild our city.

So you're going back.

It's going to be hard.

Well, it ain't no harder than living with a crazy white family.

You know, the problem with all this is there's no instruction manual.

Really? No.

Come here, Reba.

Read your Bible right there.

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.

I was a stranger.

And you invited me in.

Oh, Ruby, I'm going to miss you.

I really am.

I'm going to miss you too, Reba.

Blonde with the braids, not so much.

Here's a picture of your crazy

white family to go in your new home.

Well, I'm guessing that your neighbors have noticed the 18 black people down at

the park.

Hey,

Reba.

Barbara Jean, it's been three weeks.

When are you going to get rid of those silly cornrows?

Reba, I like how this looks.

I like what it says about me.

And plus...

out to the garage and get my weed whacker.

Don't!

Hey, Mom.

We got a letter from Ruby. Oh.

Read it.

Dear Reba, we're back in New Orleans and working with Habitat for Humanity.

It's so beautiful seeing hundreds of strangers pitching in and building house

after house.

You should come down here.

It's something to see. Plus, we miss you.

Reba, we should go down there.

I would really love to help out.

Oh, Barbara Jean, I don't think that's a good idea.

Well, why not?

I'm going to say this as delicately as I can.

She didn't like you.

But if you do come down, please be sure to bring Barbara Jean with you.

See?

I told all these people about her, and no one believes me.

We can rebuild one family at a time. Thank you, and God bless.