Original subtitles

Morning, Sleeping Beauty.

How you feeling?

Much better.

Hi.

Good news, Mrs. Dupree.

After your latest test results,

Dr. Bauer has determined that you are ready to be discharged.

-She can come home. -Mm-hmm.

And before you leave, I'm gonna walk you through your meds

and make sure you know what to do when you're settled.

After feeling so much pain and fatigue

that I was ready to give up on life itself,

I can't believe how quickly things turned around.

Or why.

It only took one phone call this time

for you to agree to breakfast.

It's almost like my youngest son has started

to enjoy spending time with his mother.

I love you, Ma.

-And I love hanging with you. -Mm.

Mm-hmm. Could've fooled me.

As long as Pops is nowhere around.

I have had it with you and your father always putting me

in the middle,

making me pass messages back and forth

like you're in grade school.

What does Pops want to complain about now?

Actually, this is something we're both concerned about.

-Uh-oh. -Your father said

you're being rushed down the aisle by the mother of this...

Eva girl you've been seeing.

Are you actually thinking of marrying someone

you've only been dating for five minutes?

You are looking great today, Peaches.

Well, it's the, um, clinical trials

-and that rehab facility. -Mm.

Yeah, well, looking at you, honey,

they have earned every one of those five stars.

-Mm-hmm. -Yeah, and I bet

you are getting some good rest on those Egyptian cotton sheets.

I sprung for only the best.

I'm grateful.

Ooh, I wish I could've had a taste of this

when I was younger.

But it's made a difference.

Oh, it better, as much as I pay those folks each month.

Pipe down, Dana.

You're Little Miss Moneybags

thanks to that trust fund you got.

Mm. Well, those bags are a lot lighter

since I've been cofinancing the clinic.

Free to the public but certainly not to me. Mm.

Aren't you proud of her for doing something so selfless?

I am.

But it's so completely unlike her.

♪ ♪

Mom said Gran's doing better.

I get why they didn't want to have a lot of visitors,

but it's hard not seeing her for myself.

Well, I was able to see her briefly at the hospital.

How was she?

Uh, frail but, uh, her feisty self.

She told me you moved in with them?

Yeah. Um, it's only temporary.

Still, finding out about a major change in my daughter's life

from someone else really brought home the distance between us.

I wasn't deliberately hiding it.

I know that, honey.

It's on me for letting the lines of communication deteriorate.

This is my coffee catch-up

to attempt to begin to repair the damage, huh?

How's Max?

Safely out the DMV.

And if he's smart, he'll keep moving until he's off the grid.

If they find him and figure out we helped him escape...

We're safe.

For now.

But what happened to Max shows us

just how much danger we're both in.

I'm already risking what's left of my marriage and career.

I don't want to end up getting stabbed like he did.

-You think I do? -Well,

if we share information, then we'll both be safer.

So what do you know about the organization?

It's been ages since you've asked me to breakfast.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I just wanted to see how you're doing

with everything that's going on.

What do you mean?

Well, I know your grandmother's in the hospital.

Yeah.

Mom called me and told me last night.

-Mm. -But how do you know?

From your mom.

Yeah, she saw how concerned I was

after I saw Anita the other day,

and she wanted to fill me in on how unwell she seemed.

I just didn't know it had gotten that bad.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Her decline is shocking.

You know? This kind of cancer, it doesn't take any prisoners.

And I just thank God that you and your sister

didn't inherit that genetic variant.

So what's going on with you?

Mm, well, not too much. Everything's pretty good.

But, you know, seeing Anita laid so low

just made me realize that I won't be around forever.

Dad,

you know I hate it when you talk like that.

You got all morbid when you had your stroke,

and you came out of that just fine.

Baby, I'm just being realistic, okay?

Your old man can outwit anybody except Father Time.

And one of these days, my time will be up.

But as much as I hate that the world will go on without me,

at least I know that both my girls

will have wonderful partners who'll support them.

Chelsea has Madison,

and Jacob will always be there for you.

Can't count on that.

Since you think sharing information is the way to go,

you first.

Who helped you get Max out of town?

-A friend. -Right. A friend.

So if you get in a jam, your friends in high places

can pluck you out. Me?

I'm all alone except for my mom,

and she's in no position to help me.

-What about Ashley? -I'm not gonna let her

-get mixed up in this. -Good answer.

So I guess that means you finally decided

to end things with her.

You want to sign right there.

Gladly.

To think an infection caused all this.

ASHLEY: Yep. Well, chemo can weaken the immune system,

making patients vulnerable to infections.

Urosepsis, which is what Mrs. Dupree had,

can cause an intense amount of pain.

You don't have to tell me.

Well, fortunately, that first round

of antibiotics you received

last night seems to be working well.

Any side effects?

Hard to say.

I guess the...

clearest answer I can give is I...

feel awful,

but ordinary awful,

the way the chemo usually makes me feel.

Well, that's an improvement.

-Mm. -Now, remember,

being discharged does not mean you go home

and you resume your usual activities.

You'll need to rest.

I'll make sure she does,

no matter how much she fights me on it.

And I will relish every minute of the battle.

I forwarded your prescription on to your pharmacy.

I want you to contact Dr. Bauer immediately

if you experience any new symptoms, okay?

I will.

Thank you, Ashley.

You are most welcome.

Thanks.

Well, I have never been more excited

about the prospect of lounging around the house

and doing absolutely nothing.

Funding the clinic isn't out of character for Mama,

at least not anymore.

Her heart has grown right along with her bank account.

Well, don't make it sound like I had a teeny, tiny heart

to begin with.

I'm sorry. I'm just explaining to Peaches how you've changed,

how you're trying to make amends for all the damage you did

when you first came to town.

All right, look, she is making it sound worse

than it was, okay?

I just wanted her to develop

a strong relationship with her father

and have the kind of life that she was entitled to.

Dana,

nothing can hide the fact that you are vindictive as hell

when you feel like you've been wronged.

But even when she gets a little extra--

just like when she tried to get my boyfriend to propose

so she can throw this big fancy wedding-- her intentions

are good. She just wants to help the people

that she cares about.

I hope you're not pressuring Eva to get married.

Weren't you the one who wanted her to walk down the aisle

before you kick the bucket?

That was a wish, not a demand.

Well, you would be telling her to lock it down

if you laid eyes on Izaiah.

Mmm.

IZAIAH: Ma,

I am nowhere near ready to marry Eva.

Okay, I put Leslie in check and she's backed off.

-Thank goodness. -I am

a little surprised by your attitude, though.

I mean, don't you want me to settle down like Jacob?

Do the whole wife, kids, picket fence thing?

Of course I want you to get married.

Eventually.

When you meet the right girl.

Why do you assume Eva isn't?

In my experience,

the apple doesn't usually fall far from the criminal tree.

The PD has been after Leslie Thomas for a year now.

She's an attempted murderer.

Whatever her mother did or didn't do,

Eva is nothing like her.

She's a kind, caring person.

Mm-hmm. You might like to forget it,

but this family is law enforcement through and through.

Better for you to find a nice girl from a law-abiding family.

Why do you-- You're always down on Eva.

You haven't even met her.

Whose fault is that?

If you're so concerned about what I think,

maybe you should bring Eva by the house

so I can get to know her.

Ha. I'm not about to inflict

my dysfunctional relationship with Pops on Eva.

I want to make you happy, Ma.

But if you're dreaming

of me just dropping by for Sunday dinner,

that's not about to happen.

So why did you say that Jacob wouldn't be around for you?

He's just been away getting specialized training,

and I just miss him is all.

Hmm.

I'm sensing there's more to it than that.

Hey. Hey.

You know you can use me as a sounding board.

Right? So if you and Jacob are having problems,

just tell me.

Dad,

Jacob and I are rock-solid.

I don't know why you keep assuming we're having problems,

Well, because none of this is sitting well with me.

Listen,

in all my years of criminal defense work,

I've never heard of any police department

sending officers out of town

for training for this long.

I mean, what exactly is Jacob training for?

[phone chimes]

Look, it's good news.

Mm.

Anita is being discharged.

That's wonderful.

As much as I want to run right home to see her,

I know this text will lead to a horde of Duprees crowding her.

-Mm. -And I don't want to add to the stress.

I can wait.

You're very sensitive to her needs, huh?

Well, I was all about my own needs

when I went to see the grands about moving in, but...

it turns out I can help Gran and Granddad a little bit.

You're not trying to help Rowena cook?

Ha!

As if Rowena would let me meddle in her kitchen.

-Yeah. -Uh...

Since Gran isn't up to much right now

and Granddad limited his commitments

-to be available to her, -Mm-hmm.

I've been a good distraction.

And it's been nice spending time with him.

I like this side of you.

You mean the side who isn't a self-centered little princess?

Who called my baby girl that?

I'll take 'em out.

I will.

No, I...

I know I've spent a lot of time and energy

hating Leslie and Eva.

You had every right to feel neglected.

I made building a relationship with Eva a priority

to your detriment.

And I apologize for that.

EVA: Here he is,

my man, my man, my man, my man.

Ooh.

Now, he is handsome.

I can see why you'd want him as a son-in-law, Dana.

That's all I'm saying.

Fortunately, Izaiah and I were able to persuade Mama

to back off the wedding talk and refocus on the clinic.

Oh, well, tell me more about that.

Well, Mama was thinking of how things used to be for us

when she funded it.

She wanted to help people who were struggling

to pay for health care, just like you did

when you started suffering from your heart condition.

I hate that I wrecked my relationship with you, Peaches.

If I hadn't, you wouldn't have been as alone and sick

as you were.

Uh, you know, I was this very angry young woman

striking out at someone who showed me nothing but love

and kindness.

And you know what?

I never thanked you properly for that.

It's not necessary.

I wanted to be your mother.

Hard as you were at times,

you were worth it.

Excuse me.

-Yes, ma'am. -Um, hey, Lynn,

I'd like to order

your most expensive caviar

for my wonderful mother.

-Right away. -Thank you.

Caviar?

Mm-hmm.

I don't want to intrude on your day,

but could you come by the house today?

As soon as you can would be great.

Oh, and, um...

...don't mention this to Vernon.

Sweetheart, there's a visitor in the foyer.

I thought I was supposed to take it easy today.

Trust me, this is someone you'll want to see.

Come on in.

Sharon. I had no idea you were in town.

I wanted to surprise you.

And you did.

Come. Sit, sit.

Sweetheart, isn't it time for your weekly squash game?

Oh, I can postpone it. Yeah.

I don't want to leave you alone,

-especially since you just-- -But I'm not alone.

Sharon is here to keep me company,

and we have catching up to do.

Well...

You'll call if you need anything?

-Of course. -Mmm.

I won't be long. Okay?

Enjoy your girl time.

My guess is you were the one

really surprised by my...

latest look.

Frightful, isn't it?

You're alive, Anita.

That's all I see.

Don't make it sound like you and your father

are always duking it out.

There's been some civil moments.

Have you forgotten Jacob's wedding?

Have you forgotten last Christmas?

Not a cross word between you.

Well, nearly none.

I had my two boys with me

and then Luke video-chatting in.

It felt so good to see all of you happy and safe.

I wish I knew when that could happen again.

Life can change so fast.

You're worried about Jacob being undercover, aren't you?

How did you know about that?

Jacob told me he was gonna do it.

And then I ran into him in some sketchy part of town

wearing clothes I ain't never seen him wear.

And what were you doing in this sketchy part of town?

Picking up take-out Chinese food, Ma.

I told him to watch his back.

Yeah, those people out on the street, they don't play.

I trust that Jacob knows what he's doing.

But I've been the wife of a cop many years.

Things can go wrong

in the blink of an eye.

Ashley is the best thing in my life.

There is no way I am ending things with her.

I keep telling you Ashley's sharp.

She's gonna find out you're lying to her.

It'll be easier on both of you if you just walk away now.

She won't know I'm hiding anything

as long as you keep your end of the deal.

Our arrangement is that we watch each other's backs,

and that's exactly what I'm doing.

So you think giving me relationship advice

-is having my back? -Yes, it is.

Being with Ashley is a risk to both of us.

I'm being straight with you, Grayson.

That's why you can trust me.

-Hey. -Hey.

You must not have heard-- your grandmother was discharged.

No, I know.

And I'm so grateful.

I'm here to talk to you.

What's wrong?

It's just the secrets that I've been keeping from my family,

they're...

starting to suffocate me.

Hey.

Did something happen?

Well, I nearly slipped up

about Jacob when I was with my dad.

-Okay, but Jacob's okay, right? -No.

Maybe.

I-I-I don't know.

We talk so seldom,

I have no idea what is going on with him.

I just keep telling myself that no news is good news.

Well, at least your grandmother is doing better.

Yeah, thank God.

But Gran being hospitalized

just reminds me of the time bomb in my own DNA.

Maybe you'd feel better if you shared the truth

with your family.

That you are a carrier of this gene.

And after all that, it turned out to be an infection.

A painful and dangerous one, but...

treatable, thank God.

Oh. Thank you, God, for that.

I could not have prepared for that level of anguish

if I tried.

But you are winning this battle.

You are home.

And I can see in your eyes

that you are yourself.

So, what can I do

to help you with the rest?

You have already done it by being here.

I should've known my Articulette sisters

would know that I would need 'em right now.

Tracy and I tossed a coin to see who would visit this time.

I won.

You both have been a godsend,

holding my hand through every step of this journey.

You know, it does my soul good to be around the women

who knew me when we were just girls from around the way.

So, tell me about this tour.

Is Tracy leaving a trail

of broken hearts?

You know it.

Oh, here we are,

a hundred years old...

Oh...

...and she's still got it.

Shoot, all Tracy has to do is bat them eyes

and men fall at her feet.

-Mm-hmm. -A man once dropped

to his knee and proposed from the front row.

Stop it.

I'm sure she milked that for all it's worth.

You know she did.

You know, I, um...

I wish I had gone on the tour with you.

I mean, if I had known that cancer was on the horizon,

I probably would have done it.

You were dealing with personal matters.

Your family needed you right after the reunion show,

and we understood that.

Well, if I am ever

out of this cancer hell

and in the land of remission...

Which we are all praying for.

...I am going to reach out to Devon Winters

and accept his offer to record the Articulettes

incorporating Barbara's voice.

-Thank you for saying that, Dad. -Mm.

I was so upset because it felt like people were gaslighting me

about what I had seen with my own two eyes. So...

it means a lot to hear you admit

that you were putting Eva first.

Unfortunately, I have a great deal to make up for with her,

but that doesn't justify me spending less time with you.

Well, I'll always think you were wrong for...

letting Eva get away with destroying our family,

but...

...Gran's illness has reminded me

that life's too short to hold on to resentment

with people that you love.

I agree.

And I want to give you your flowers now.

I admire what you're doing with Anita and Vernon.

There's not many people your age

who would be willing to sacrifice their social life

to spend time with an ailing grandparent.

You're the most loving

and dedicated person I've ever known.

Peaches, how do you like the caviar?

I could've done with some pancakes.

I mean, why do rich folks like this so much?

Quiet as it's kept, I don't like it either.

But do you remember when we used to

ooh and aah over the rich people we'd watch indulge on TV?

Oh, my, yes.

This and-- What was that other stuff?

-Foie gras. Mm. -Mm.

LESLIE: Oh, girl, please. All that

highfalutin fuss over some fish eggs and some duck liver.

But, listen, I just wanted

you to have a chance to try it.

Okay?

Now for your next luxurious experience--

-a full body massage, hunty... -EVA: Mmm.

-at the spa. -Oh.

-That sounds nice. -EVA: Mmm. It's better

-than you can imagine. -LESLIE: Mm-hmm.

We are going to fix you up with some hot stones

and an even hotter masseur.

Ooh.

Eva, can you go book Peaches' session?

-Mm. -I, uh... I need to take care of something.

I'll be right back.

-What's going on? -Just Mama

about to backslide and cause a scene.

Leslie.

Excuse me.

I've reserved a squash court.

I only need a minute.

I wanted to ask you to have the inspector...

just please withdraw that order

shutting down construction on my house.

Please.

Okay.

No way.

My family is already a wreck about Gran.

Mom told me that Granddad fell apart

at just the thought of losing her.

Yeah, of course he did.

They've been together most of their lives.

And Gran's condition is making my hyperconfident dad

freak out.

He even told me how relieved he is

that I don't have the variant.

I can't tell him that I do have it. Not now.

That'll just make everybody even more worried.

Okay, look, I don't want to make this harder on you. I don't.

But I have overheard

members of your family talk about how grateful

they are that you do not have the BRCA gene.

And I had to stand there

-and stay quiet about it. -Ash,

I'm so sorry that you're caught

-in the middle of all this. -No.

This isn't about me.

This is about you letting your family help you through this.

Well... I can't tell them before I tell Jacob.

And I'm not gonna lay this on him

while he's working undercover, so...

I'm just gonna have to keep my mouth shut

until his case is done

and until Gran is out of the woods.

Yes!

And it does my soul good to hear

that you want us all to reunite again,

even if just in the studio.

And you know Tracy will be thrilled, too.

But, sis...

...you need to forget

this "if your cancer goes into remission" talk,

because you will definitely recover

and record again.

I have faith.

[doorbell rings]

You want me to get that?

No, no. Rowena will get it.

I asked someone to come by before I knew about your visit.

-Oh. -So would you mind giving us

a little privacy for a few minutes?

-Sure. -And, listen, don't, um...

Don't mention this to Vernon.

Oh.

It isn't like you and Vernon to keep things from each other.

Have we forgotten the secret singing lessons?

I think a little turnabout is fair play.

Fine.

I'll just make myself busy in your closet.

-Be right back. -Mm-hmm.

Well, I certainly didn't expect to get a call from you today.

A few weeks ago, I never would have imagined

asking you for help.

How times have changed.

Ma, even if Jacob's assignment is dangerous...

...he's too smart

and responsible to take any unnecessary risks.

Okay, your golden boy is gonna be just fine.

It's not just him being out there that keeps me up at night.

If those criminals figure out he's a cop...

Just who or what is he trying to infiltrate?

Did Pops tell you?

I can't say anything that might compromise the investigation,

but it's safe to say

he's with some violent people.

If your father had told me before

that Jacob was gonna be this deeply involved,

I would've done my best to put a stop to it.

I'm sure that's exactly why he didn't tell you.

When Elon would go out on a new assignment,

I would always give him a long hug

and wish him good luck.

I know it's superstitious, but...

it worked every time.

Made me feel sure he was coming back home.

I didn't get a chance to do that with Jacob.

I may know a way to give you a little more peace of mind.

I'm looking out for both me and you.

-You know that, right? -Yeah, yeah. I-I get

that you went out on a limb to get Max out of town.

That could've put you in the hot seat.

I didn't want the guy's death of my conscience.

All Max wanted was to get out.

But at this point, we both know that's not an option.

This isn't just an extra way to make cash anymore.

No, it's not.

And the only way we make it through this thing

is if we lean on each other.

I just wish I knew from the start how far things would go.

Yeah, don't we all?

But we still don't even know who's running this thing.

And that's what concerns me.

Man, if I could just find out who we're actually working for,

then maybe I can devise a plan to get us both out.

So I'm gonna ask you again, Grayson,

do you know anything about who else is involved?

No.

I'm sorry.

You have no one to blame but yourself

for the construction ban.

You should've paid closer attention.

That one-inch violation is bogus,

and you know it.

You know, I wouldn't be surprised

if you and Shrek the attorney found

some way to fix the maps just to shut me down.

You don't get to play victim here.

Not after the noise

of your construction has been torturing my sick wife

while she's fighting for her life.

Don't even.

You Duprees have been pushing me out of Fairmont Crest all along.

So using Anita and her cancer as a way to justify your actions,

Vernon, mm.

That's low.

That coming from the queen of hitting below the belt.

Every minute that my construction crew isn't working

is another dollar that I have to eat in overages.

Here's an idea--

you can recoup your losses

by selling the property altogether.

Nice try, Vern.

But I'm sure you realize by now

the more you try to get rid of me,

the more I am determined to stay.

Uh, I was...

with Naomi when she got Vernon's text

about you having some kind of an infection.

And, uh, Dani told me last night

about you being hospitalized.

I-I know that you've...

had a tough time of it.

Well, I'm much better now.

But that whole terrible experience has made me realize

I need to see to any and all unfinished business.

Which is where I come in, I presume.

-Correct. -Okay.

Well, I'm happy to do whatever I can to help, you know.

And I hope there's not a problem with the stop work order

that I got on Leslie's construction.

Oh. No.

We haven't heard a single drill

since you worked your magic.

No, I asked you here

to discuss the, um, living trust

that you drew up for Vernon and me some years back.

I'd like to make a few amendments.

Okay. Yeah, sure. Of course.

You know, those kinds of things

should be regularly updated anyway.

I happen to be making a few changes to documents of my own.

But I don't understand why you don't want Vernon

to be a part of this meeting.

Because this is a conversation

I need to have with you alone.

You can't take all the blame for the distance between us.

When I was your office manager,

we naturally spent time together.

I didn't even have to think about updating you on my life.

Yeah, I heard about it in real time.

Yeah.

When I left to start ChelseaKat,

it didn't even occur to me that I would have to fight

to communicate with you.

Are you making this a mutual blame society?

Absolutely.

Because good or bad,

I'm just like my dad.

No.

You're better than me.

And from this point on...

...I will be more present for you.

Okay, I guess I see why you feel like you need to keep your...

BRCA status a secret until Jacob gets home.

-Thank you. -But then once he's home...

-I'll reevaluate. -Naomi.

I'm making you a promise I can keep.

All right.

If it makes you feel any better,

you can give me a deep, dark secret to hold on to in return.

I don't have any.

After what Derek and I put each other through last year,

my goal is to live a life of complete transparency,

especially where my relationships are concerned.

[phone vibrates]

Uh, one sec.

Hey. Izaiah?

Naomi. Hey.

I need to ask a favor.

Not for me.

For my mom.

Well, is Darlene okay?

Emotionally, she'd be a lot better

if she could talk to my brother.

I know it's asking a lot, but...

is there any chance I could borrow that burner phone

Jacob gave you?

Sweet treat

for the sweetest person I know.

Mm.

Well, that's a little corny, but...

I'm always in the mood for chocolate chip.

I just want to thank you for being so...

patient and understanding about the situation with my mom.

It's kind of my specialty.

I know I've been sending you mixed signals,

but that's only because I care about you.

And I don't want you to get hurt.

Okay, so I booked your massage appointment through the app.

It's gonna start in 15 minutes.

Uh, well, I don't know if I should go before Dana gets back.

Trust me, that conversation's gonna take a while.

Mama won't mind.

Mm, should we go and help?

The only way to help her now is to let her get it all out

of her system.

Have you forgotten that the only reason

you were able to buy this property in the first place

was because my wife set up a trust

for Barbara's descendants?

Have you no sense of gratitude?

Oh, I am honoring my mother

by living the kind of life she would want me to have.

By frittering it away on frivolous things.

Financing a free clinic is not remotely frivolous,

and neither is buying a house.

But that hideous remodel is.

I've seen those statues being delivered.

Idris Elba. Shemar Moore.

Unbelievable.

Morris Chestnut is on a truck waiting to join them

as soon as this is lifted.

Vern, I am surprised,

'cause I thought you'd appreciate my tribute

to Black men.

You did this for yourself.

I'm beginning to think that the only thing

you truly enjoy is the ability to annoy and alienate others.

Because you were all so welcoming to me.

Mm. I must have missed that.

We've been honest, Leslie.

Which is more than you can say.

You've made revenge into a design choice,

and that won't do anyone any good in the end.

Has your diagnosis changed,

and you just don't want to tell Vernon

and the rest of your family about it?

Th-This meeting does fall under attorney-client privilege.

So whatever you tell me,

it will remain between the two of us.

There's no need to worry.

What Vernon told the family about the infection

-is all there is to tell. -Mm.

My prognosis remains unchanged,

and I need to be realistic.

I don't know what the future holds.

And I put Vernon through hell

when I was ready to give up the fight against this cancer.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Dani mentioned that.

I'm sorry that the pain was so intolerable

that you were considering that.

It has been...

...a trying time for all of us.

So you can understand why I don't want to subject my husband

to more talk about my mortality.

Yeah. Yeah, I understand.

And of course I'll respect your wishes.

Okay.

I'm ready.

What would you like for me to do?

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