Original subtitles

I'm thinking that maybe I should get back with Laura.

Oh, he wouldn't do that. Curtis.

If she makes him happy, there ain't nothing we can do.

[Janine] Previously onHouse of Payne...

-Got me flowers. -Yeah.

-Huh. You did good. -I tried.

-Calvin. -I missed you.

What are we doing?

[banging on door] Who is that?

-Mom, I'm okay. -See, babe?

Calvin just needed time to figure it out.

Good.

Well, I just want him to figure it out without... Laura?

-Y'all having dinner? -Yeah, we just sat down.

Oh, that's great. What you got to eat?

Oh, no, no, Curtis. Theyare having dinner.

All the times he ate at our house?

I'm sure there's enough for you.

-Thank you, Laura. -Oh, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no, no. We don't want to interrupt.

We just came by to check on Calvin

because we hadn't heard from him.

Oh. Is that so?

Oh, well, yeah.

Like I said, I've been running around with the boys,

taking them here.

Oh, so you know how it was then when I was running around

with the boys and everything.

I do.

Well, it's good to see you, Laura.

-Yeah, Laura. You look nice. -Thank you, Mr. Payne.

It's good to see you, too, Miss Ella.

How are things down at the church?

Well, things at the church got me running as usual.

Well, you are a dedicated member.

They are so lucky to have you.

And how's your barbecue business going, Mr. Payne?

Good. Floyd and I are looking to expand.

And you should.

It's only the best barbecue in the city.

You really feel that way, Laura?

-Yes, I do. -Okay.

-Well, you alright with me. -How have you been, Laura?

You know, I've been managing.

So who cooked?

-Curtis. -What, Ella? I'm hungry.

I'd be eating dinner at home

if you hadn't dragged me over here.

Okay, well, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Hm-hm-hm-uh.

-Who cooked? -Calvin cooked.

-Uh, I lost my appetite. -No, Mr. Payne,

don't underestimate your son.

His baked chicken be smacking.

Smacking?

The only face you'll be smacking is me.

It's just a figure of speech, Mr. Payne.

Your son's baked chicken is amazing.

I bet it is. I'll pass.

Well, good, because I only cooked for two.

So, you two are back talking again.

-Yeah, I guess. -When did that start?

I mean, I'm so excited for you.

-Oh, you gonna do that? -Curtis, what?

-Just lie like that. -Curtis?

Uh-uh. I think it's great

that you two are trying to work things out.

Yeah, well, you know, I was saying to her,

we learned from you two.

And we learned a lot from my parents too.

Mm-hmm.

And what was that y'all learned from us?

Oh, you don't give up on love.

That you stick to it and work through things.

Right?

Right.

[music]

[opening theme]

[birds chirping]

[airplane flying overhead]

[car alarm blaring, horn honking]

[sirens wailing]

[helicopter blades whirring]

Well, Mom and Dad, thanks for coming by.

So sorry that you were worried about me.

-I hate that you have to go. -Wait a minute.

I wasn't worried about you. You know I don't care.

Bye now.

And don't worry, Miss Ella. I got him.

Likewise.

[exhales] Ooh.

Calvin, did you see your mother?

She looked like you saw a ghost when I came out of that room.

Oh, babe, they were just surprised.

They didn't know anybody was here.

They sure as hell didn't know that I was here.

Your mother looked like she needed a chair.

-Did you see her? -Look, Laura, can you stop?

-What? -My mother loves you.

No, she does not, Calvin.

Laura, my mother loves everyone.

Except me.

Okay, look, she's not the type of woman

that spends time disliking people, Laura.

She's a church lady. That's beneath her.

Ha! Them be the worst ones.

Will you stop it?

Oh, so what, I struck a nerve?

Look, Laura, I'm just tired of you keeping up this beef.

I'm not keeping up no beef, Calvin.

And I don't start any beef.

Okay, I'm sorry that I said beef.

-There's no beef. -Oh, no, no.

See, there is beef.

And I just don't understand how you don't see that there's beef.

It's like you just don't want to acknowledge shit.

You just want to just pretend like the shit ain't there.

And that's why we didn't work.

Laura, can we just calm down and finish our dinner, please?

Why do we need to finish dinner, Calvin?

The issues that we have are still staring us

right in the face.

I don't feel safe and I don't feel appreciated in your world.

You know, that's ridiculous, Laura.

Oh, so how I feel is ridiculous.

I wouldn't-- I wasn't saying that.

Oh, that's exactly what you just said, Calvin.

And your people don't rock with your girl.

No, you don't rock with my people, Laura.

[exhales]

[banging on door]

-Look, Mom. -What's up with you?

So that's what we're doing, Calvin?

You just not going to answer your phone, dog?

Yeah, you know we're going to pull up.

Look, Calvin, me and P, we're your folks.

And we're not going to let you get weak

and go back to that gold-digging,

broke-looking-ass Laura.

What?

-Hey, hey, hey, Laura... -Hey...

Did you hear... Hey...

Calvin, I'm going to go.

-Look, Laura, wait. -No, Calvin.

Because it's obvious that your family and your friends

are really concerned about you.

-Look, Laura, stay. -Thanks for dinner.

You look nice, Miss Laura.

Yeah, I hope it ain't nothing we said,

because everybody said. I can do it.

Hey, you really can cook.

And you really can eat. I got it.

-Oh, my bad. -No, no. It's fine.

I love when people like my food.

Chicken, the cornbread, the rice.

Hm! You threw down.

[laughs] I wanted to do a little something.

I appreciate it.

This was better than going to some restaurant.

We're college students.

Restaurant prices are not friendly to us.

Anyway, I never lie. So, Jazmine, I got to say,

I can't believe I'm sitting here with you.

To be honest, I can't believe

I'm sitting here with you either.

Thank you for giving me another chance to show you who I am.

You're welcome.

Dad?

Yes. Look at this.

What are you... [nervous laughing]

Listen, you said that I could have dinner uninterrupted.

-And that's what I'm doing. -Is it?

Yes, it looks like the dinner is over.

So it means that homie here can go home.

Dad, what do you need?

I just needed to get a cold drink out of my refrigerator.

That's all. You know?

I mean, this is still my house, right?

-Is it my house, Jaxon? -Yes, sir. It's your house.

Do you have a problem with me getting a cold drink out

-of my refrigerator? -No, sir.

-Get two drinks. -See?

Jaxon, you don't have to kiss up to my dad.

-Yes, I do. -Yes, he do.

Good answer. All right.

Are you two having a wonderful evening?

I was, up until like 30 seconds ago.

Ooh, ouch. My own child. Hey.

Okay, it's a good thing I have thick skin.

-I'm gonna say goodnight. -Okay, goodnight.

Mmm, okay. Y'all have a good night.

Always a pleasure, Mr. Payne.

Pleasure is mine, Jaxon. And you're welcome again.

[laughs]

You're not gonna get your cold drink?

Oh, no, I didn't come down here for that.

I'm so sorry about that.

It's all good. I like your dad.

I look up to him.

I, uh, I lost my dad when I was younger.

Right. Well, I'm really lucky.

You are.

So, Jazmine,

can I just say that you're, um,

you're beautiful.

[CJ] Time for you to go home, Jaxon.

Daddy!

You start talking about people beautiful,

then it's time to go home.

Good morning, Mom.

Well, good morning, babe. This is a surprise!

Yep. I came to check on my old lady

since you think you haven't heard from me in a while.

Well, your old lady appreciates that.

You want some breakfast? Come on.

Oh, that isn't what I came for, but, uh, sure.

Fix you a plate, baby. Come on. Oh, boy.

So, what's on the agenda today?

Absolutely nothing.

And when I say absolutely nothing, I mean nothing.

There is a meeting down at the church today,

a committee meeting. But I told them, I pass.

-You're not gonna go? -No.

Calvin, I'm tired, baby.

And I just decided that I just want to be around

my house today and do nothing.

-Whew. That sounds great. -[Ella] Don't it?

Hey, you know, having two kids, that's mine.

[Ella] Mm-hmm.

Having two kids, I understand you and pops

more and more every day.

So, Calvin, how was dinner?

It was, um, a disaster.

Calvin, no, don't tell me that.

-Did we ruin it for you? -I don't know, Mom.

I feel like it was gonna be ruined either way.

Why you say that?

Well, Lord, I mean, she's just holding on to too much.

Okay, but holding on to what, Calvin?

The thing that happened over here?

Well, there's that. And the way I reacted to it.

Okay, Calvin, I got a question.

-Are y'all back together? -No.

So, are you trying to get back with her?

Do you want to be back with her?

-Yes. Yes, I do. -Okay.

So, now can I ask you a question?

Yes, Calvin, you answered mine. I guess so.

Mom, do you like Laura?

Now, Calvin, why you askin' me that? [laughs]

-Mom, just... -Calvin!

Just answer the question. Do you like Laura?

Forgive me. No, Calvin.

I don't. I don't like her one bit.

-Mother... -What, Calvin?

That's not even like you. I mean, you like everybody.

Calvin, you better get to know your mama.

Okay? I will always be your mother.

And when you see me, you see your sweet old church woman.

But there's another lady living on the inside of me. Okay?

So, you don't like her one bit?

Well, Calvin, now that may have been a bit harsh.

Well, that's what you just said.

I know. That's what I just said.

You all better stop asking me questions,

asking me stuff, when you don't really want to hear the truth.

Truth about what, baby?

I just asked Mom if she liked Laura.

Oh, she can't stand that narrowhead.

You know how you say that? That narrowhead.

Curtis, don't do that. I did not say that.

Babe, I don't like her either. What'd you cook?

Yes. Do that. Fix you a plate. How about that?

Mom, so you really don't like Laura?

Calvin. [exhales] Okay, how can I say this?

-You know. -Well, just say it.

I don't like her for you. Okay?

Of course I like her

because she's my sister in Christ.

I do. I love her. I pray for her.

And I want the best for her.

But you just don't mess with her.

Listen, Lord knows I have prayed about this.

God knows I have. And if she makes you happy...

She does make me happy, Mom.

You're going to have to do a lot more praying, baby.

Hush, Curtis.

I mean, he said she makes him happy.

Okay. All right. Well, just hush and eat. Okay?

Why don't you do that?

Don't be mad at me because you don't like your son's fiancée.

I ain't got nothing to do with you and Laura's beef.

-So you really do have beef? -Calvin.

Listen, I prayed about this. I really have.

If Laura makes you happy,

then me and everybody else in this family,

we're going to be okay.

We're going to love her

and we're going to wrap our arms around her.

-Choke the hell out of her. -Come on, don't do that.

-Hey, Mom. -Hey, Jaz.

Where you going?

I am getting ready to head out for a spa day.

-A spa day? -Yes, ma'am.

Well, thanks for the invite.

You're more than welcome to come if you'd like.

Wait, get out. You serious?

Yeah, really, really. And my treat.

-Your treat? -Yeah.

Why you being so nice?

I am nice all the time, thank you very much.

But to pay for my spa day?

You're usually like, if you want to go to the spa,

then you need to go to work and get some spa money.

That's who you usually are.

-I say that? -Yes, you say that.

And I sound like that.

You sound exactly like that. So why you being so nice?

I have ulterior motives.

About what?

Come on, don't play dumb with me.

-You know I want to know. -Mama, you want to know what?

-How did it go with Jaxon? -Oh, that.

Oh, that. Oh, no. Was it bad?

It was bad. I knew it.

If he hurt my baby, I would have--

Mom, hold on now. Hold on. Assuming the worst.

-It was actually really good. -[squealing] Really?

I knew it. I knew it!

Okay, you're coming with me, yeah?

Yes.

Okay, go get ready so you can tell me all the details.

-Okay. -Wait, Jaz, Jaz, Jaz.

Did he like the food?

-Oh, he loved the food. -Yeah?

He even got seconds.

See, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

I keep trying to tell you.

I'm gonna put you on to everything.

[upbeat music]

Everything okay with Junior?

Yeah.

Uh, I just wanted to make sure Tracey stayed on him

to get his report done.

Then he got on the phone and started talking my ear off.

Aw, he misses his daddy.

-Ain't that crazy? -No, not to me.

Not to me at all.

Because I have an amazing son.

Well, thank you, Mama. You're great, too.

Thank you. But this is not about me.

It's about you, so hush and listen.

[laughs]

Calvin, I pray every day for you.

I see you with those boys,

and I'm just so proud, so grateful.

You are a great man. A great father and a great son.

And I love you, baby.

And I will always be right here to support you no matter what.

Do you hear me?

Yes, ma'am.

Calvin, I know things with Junior have been rough.

But keep on doing what you're doing.

I have seen a light come on in that boy.

And every time he comes through that door,

it shines brighter and brighter, and brighter.

Yeah, well, that boy is a handful.

Okay, it's on.

You were. [laughs]

Okay.

-Bye, son. Bye. -Wait, wait, Mom.

Look, you know I respect your opinion a great deal.

I know you do.

And up until now,

you never gave me your opinion about the women I date.

Calvin, I've always given you my opinion, a little bit...

Yeah, but it's very subtle.

Well, either that or you've just been too aloof sometimes.

You know, the big, airhead.

Well, you know I'm sitting right here.

-I can hear you. -Okay, okay.

Well, Calvin, sometimes, baby,

I don't want to weigh in on certain decisions.

You have to decide what and who is good for you.

Okay, but yeah, Mom,

have you ever been confused

about what would make you happy?

Sure, I've been confused.

So sometimes you want the opinions of people

who know and the people who love you.

Right, Calvin,

but sometimes those opinions can taint your opinion.

Mom, why don't you like Laura?

Since you asked.

I think Laura is about Laura.

Now, I don't judge no woman,

but this one was dealing with my son.

And since I have seen you all together,

your light has dimmed, and I don't like that.

I want a woman for you, Calvin,

that's going to lift you up,

that's going to push you and love you,

be patient and kind.

And I'm talking about the kind of kindness

that lives on the inside of her that dictates her every action,

especially towards the Black man that she loves.

That's what I want for you.

-And that's not Laura? -No. I don't think so.

Okay, so Mom, I got another question for you.

Ah. Come on, baby.

How do you feel about Miranda?

Calvin, in my opinion,

Miranda is as good as gold.

She loved your dirty drawers. You hear me?

And baby, it just hurt my heart when you two called it quits.

-Wow. -Yeah. Wow.

Thank you, Mom. I love you.

And I love you too, Son.

[soft music]

Alright.

[sighs]

[banging on door]

-What do y'all want? -Don't act like that.

Calvin, let me tell you what we not going to do.

We not going to let you sit up

in here and just waste away, dog.

Yeah, we got something you're going to like.

Watch this. Watch this.

-Uh, meet, uh, Deja. -Deja.

[exhales]

-Meet Tamara. -[Pookie] Tamara.

-That's number two. -[Pookie] Yes. Yes.

-And, um... -[Pookie] Uh, uh...

-Uh, uh, Kenyetta. -Kenyetta. Yes.

See, we just came over here to,

you know, hang out with you for a little bit.

And Kenyetta here,

she has been dying to meet you, Cal.

Uh, yeah. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Guys, y'all got to leave.

But we got the whole evening planned.

Look, Kenyet-- Kenyetta, yeah?

Deja. Tamara. Yeah? You guys gotta go. Everybody.

-Right now. -What did you do?

-Do you see 'em? -I see 'em. Yes, I see you.

I see you, but you gotta go. I'm gonna see you walk outside.

-Thank you. Bye bye. -Now what do you do?

-Oh, yeah. High five? -Yeah, high five.

Low five.

You said that, what you doing?

-Enough. -Calvin, you tripping.

Kenyetta was gonna give you some.

OK, you take tripping. You tripping.

No, that was for you! That was for you, Calvin!

We did this for you!

[music]