Original subtitles

You don't have to say anything.

You should say something.

Uh...

What should I say?

Nothing.

This is just temporary, right?

Just taking some distance?

Calibrating?

Uh...

Right.

Do you know where you'll go?

Excuse me.

What?

Nothing.

You're ticking.

I'm not ticking.

You have a tick.

How's Jeremiah?

Good.

Is that your story?

Yes.

Okay.

Hey, no, wait.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

What?

You're old enough to know.

Oh, my God.

What are you laughing at?

I don't do it all the time.

And when I do, I do it in my

car.

But since my converter's broken,

we're using your car.

I guess drug tests aren't

mandatory.

We administer them.

We don't take them.

Besides, hospital be cleared

out.

Half the staff are prescription

addicts.

Can I stay with you awhile?

I thought you were okay.

I am okay.

We're just taking some days off.

I thought couples were

supposed to take vacations

together.

We're at a pause.

A couple of days.

I need my personal space.

That's all I need.

Oh, God.

I'm the embodiment of a

stereotype.

Well, I can't face them

sober.

They're not nice people.

No, they're not.

Put this out, put this out.

What?

Just put it up there. Oh, my God.

Just look straight ahead. What? Here she comes. Put this out.

No, no, no. Don't look at her. Don't look at her.

Girl, we can't ignore her. Yes, we can. Hi, Grandma.

Why you two sitting out in front of my house like common criminals?

Jean. Hmm?

Why your car smell like reefer?

It's the new air freshener. Both of you are liars. And drug addicts.

Nice to see you, too, Mom. You becoming a drug fiend now?

Oh, my God. It's marijuana, not heroin.

You two are a bad influence on each other.

You think? Isn't it great, though?

You don't look right. What do I look like?

Like a spindrift. It's not nice. I don't look like a

spindrift. I don't even know what a spindrift is.

Pull your socks up. Thought you were supposed to be

some sort of a big shot, a writer. I'm a multicultural

wunderkind according to The New Yorker. You shouldn't believe what

other people say about you. Your man so big he can't come to dinner?

Hi, Mom. Why do you look like that? Everyone's got commentary

today. I'm fine. I'm talking about that

turban. What's wrong with it? André Leon Talley wears one all

the time. You pregnant? No.

Oh, Mommy. Well, if I don't ask, who will?

I mean, you know, there are so many babies in the trash. Children are a dream, but better

live than dead. Maybe I should have a kid. When people ask me what I did

all day, I could tell them I swung by the Montessori. People respect those kinds of

activities. You're really not very smart, are you?

You want kids? Yeah. Mm-hmm. He ask you to get married?

We've talked about it. I don't know what kind of mother you'd make.

You know, you were always rude and badly dressed. You'd sneak in extra clothes in

your backpack in kindergarten. And then you come home mismatched like a motherless

child. You know I basically raised her.

And who raised you? I raised myself. You're the youngest.

You're supposed to feel special. No one's special. I'm certainly not.

Always trying to get sympathy. When is dinner ready?

I'm hungry. Can't you ever change? It's been washed.

Call Janet. Ow.

If we wait on Janet and her husband and her whole trailer load of kids, we're gonna be

waiting all night. Two counts as a trailer load? Don't talk back.

Jean, call your Auntie Janet. Why do I have to call her? No one is invited back here.

We're here. Oh, look at those babies! There they are!

Ohh, so good to see you. And here's the little one. Oh, my goodness. Don't hide.

Hi. Girl. Hey, hey, hey.

Hey, Janet. Mm-hmm. You girls go be good and put

coats in the other room, okay? You did drive here, correct? It's just one.

Why you so late? I had a class.

How can you coach losers when you are one? Always a supportive mother.

Yeah, she supports Maureen. Of course she does. And they are not losers.

The people who come to my seminars want to take control of their lives.

Hey, Jean, you should really come. Me? Why?

I'm not a loser, am I? You could be. Ow.

Hey, you know what? You are abusive. It's child abuse.

My fourth grade teacher, she actually offered to call Child Services 'cause she says

that I was under duress to do well in life. It was abuse then.

It's abuse now. Under duress. Duress.

I bet you poison the food. That woman is gonna drive me to drink.

I'm serious. The only way I can get through these dinners.

You know I saw that doctor again, right? And?

The usual. Except this time it was in the work room.

Okay. Hey, hey, hey. I got it. Doctors are tricky.

In what way? I think they know too much. He's always talking about

himself. He talks about Canadian healthcare being better than

Obamacare. He talks about his workouts. He talks about what he...

I don't care about this. I can't stand it. So this isn't going anywhere?

Thanks a lot. You're such a...killjoy, man. I'm trying to get some hope from

you here. You're not reading that? Ohh. Sorry.

I thought writers were supposed to be imaginative. Mnh-mnh. Not this one.

Clearly. You know what else makes me sick?

She never puts pictures of me and my boyfriends up on the fridge.

Probably because they're all married. Hey!

That was just one! And I didn't know he was being lent out...at first.

Actually, it was kind of convenient. Convenient?

You don't mean that. Doesn't matter. This one is not.

You know Jeremiah's too old for you, right? Okay, but he looks young for

his age. Really? And, you know, she only likes

him because she thinks he's lightening up the line. 'Cause she thinks interracial

kids are cuter. I blame British colonization. You know, you look like a

spindrift. Come on, let's just go enjoy the family.

What the hell is a spindrift? Who's going to say grace? Jean?

Hmm? Dear Lord -- Close your eyes.

Thank you. Thank you for the food we are about to eat and for the hands

that prepared it. And for baby Jesus. And for baby Jesus.

All: Amen. That was beautiful. That's such a sweet child.

Aw, yeah. Yeah, she is. It's good that somebody is.

She's much better than you were when you were a child. She really is.

Everybody was much better than I was when I was a child, Mom.

I'll get it. At least somebody in this

family's going to heaven. And we know who's not going to

heaven. I'll take these. Thank you.

Does Daphne still live here? Grandma!

Uh, sir? Oh, my God.

Uh... Grandma.

Grandma!

I'm really sorry. Uh, were -- were you guys close? I didn't know him.

You just came along for the ride, or...? You said someone should go.

Yeah, 'cause I thought you knew him. Nope.

Maybe he's a Jehovah's Witness. Was that even your place? One of my aunts, and she's a

nurse. She pretended to tend to my grandma.

Well, her pulse was plenty strong when we left. My great-grandma lived to be

99, okay? Daphne has decades left. And that faint?

Let me tell you something. That wasn't real. That was -- That was a

dramatization. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Are you saying she fake fainted?

Yep. Why would she do that? Avoidance.

Those women have a lot of secrets. What kind of secrets?

Wouldn't be the first man they killed. All this one had to do was ring

a buzzer. I'm scaring you. No, no.

Maybe a little. Um...

Is it weird that I want to ask you out right now? Yes, considering there's a

dead body in between us right now. Can I get your number?

Really? Uh-huh. Kind of seeing someone.

"Kind of"? It's a gray area. Well...

In case it becomes black and white.

Gordan Christopher Jones? Jones? Talk to your family, then

come back. I, uh, I'll call you. Who is that man?

Who? The man that died on our front step.

Gordan Jones? Oh, God! Is he dead?

Yes, he's dead. Is he ours? What the hell do you mean by

"ours"? A Jones? Oh, God.

Jones is a very common name. Well, is he on our branch? He's but a twig on our

branch. Oh, my God. I'm not sure you're

comprehending what I'm saying. Maybe we're not. Lisa.

Yes, Mom? Your grandfather has passed away.

Mmm. This isn't normal. He's got a lot of nerve dying

on my doorstep, after all the 20 years missing in action. I thought you said he went

back to Jamaica. So I heard! Maybe he came to make amends?

Highly unlikely. Okay, so one of you needs to go to the hospital.

Well, it's not gonna be me. Hello! What do you want from me?

Um, acknowledgement of what's going on? He disappeared.

Now he's dead. If you're not gonna help me clean up, get out the kitchen!

What is someone not telling me?! I think I have a lump in my

breast. You don't. You haven't even checked.

Which one? Left. Raise your arm.

Nothing. The other left. Which is it?

Right. Raise your arm. Big boobies.

Oh, my God. Not even close. Nothing.

Maybe I should get a mammogram. You cannot afford a

mammogram. This is technically my lunch, and I'm billing your test to a

person who actually has healthcare. The doctor stopped calling.

No more house calls? I think he's seeing another

doctor in the hospital. He's a cheater and a classist.

No, he is a bitch. A B-I-T-C-H. Ouch!

You're the classist. Your blood pressure's too high.

You're skinny, but you're fat inside. Is this how you treat all

your patients? Maybe you're too aggressive with the doctor.

Maybe that's why he moved up in the hospital food chain. And I'm not fat on the inside.

I have stress. About what? You live rent-free.

And I am not aggressive. You're very aggressive. Maybe we should hold off on the

blood sample. You're too preoccupied to be using needles.

What are you talking about? Stop being such a baby.

Come with me to the hospital?

Come with me to collect Gordan. First of all, he is not a tax return.

Second of all, no. Planning a funeral for him. For what?

It's cathartic. Is that supposed to be some writer term I should know?

He was your father. He walked out! He doesn't deserve a funeral.

I'm not wasting any more time on this. I have more pressing issues,

like my bladder. I'm pregnant.

Excuse me? Are you deaf? I said I'm pregnant.

The doctor's? What are you gonna do?

I'm not sure. Damn, Anne. No protection?

Aren't you supposed to be a health professional? I don't even know who this

guy is when I think about it. He could be a...psycho. Mm-hmm.

I got to check him out before I make any decisions. What do you mean, check him

out? This is ridiculous. You're stupid.

Who spies on people? It's not sane. Jean, if you are not gonna be

supportive, you don't have to get involved. I'm not supportive.

I don't want to be involved. You made me drive here. I can't make you do anything.

You threatened to kick me out. I think you're diverting your

energy away from real-life decisions you desperately need to make in your life.

What decisions? I am doing background. This is pathetic.

You know what? What is pathetic is that everything you own fits in your

trunk. Oh... There he is.

That's him? This is really anticlimactic. He is loved up on some

redhead, and I'm having his child? I mean...

In his defense, he doesn't know. It's all just so pedestrian. Look at her.

You can't be with anyone acting like this. If I were to have this baby

and it's a boy, he'd be some -- some loser blonde boy that's, like, a womanizer and...

Stupid. If it's a boy. If it's a girl, she'll

probably be loose. Unfortunate. You should confront them.

What would I say? You better let that ho know. You know what? Forget it.

Just drive away. You better! You just do it!

You better! Go tell 'em, Anne. I'm gonna do it.

Go do it. Go do it. Go. I will let that ho know! Go get 'em, Anne.

I'm gonna. Okay.

Hey! What is this? What are you doing?

Excuse me! I need to have a conversation with him, if you don't mind!

Oh, yes, you're welcome, too! Who what? I mean, what do you think this

is? "Grey's Anatomy"? Anne.

Oh, my -- My father is dead! I hear -- You know, you're here

with -- I'm so sorry. I don't...

Um... Okay.

Okay.

Okay. Okay.

I am having an abortion. Don't say anything to your mother.

I never tell her anything anyways.

Jean! What, Anne?!

Jean. Aren't you supposed to give these things back?

Why you going through my things? That was like three years

ago. Why are you counting my years?

I'm not counting your years. Relax. Don't tell me to relax in my

own... Jean, are these my clothes on the floor?

I'm sorry. You know, you are always setting yourself up for an

apology! I feel like I've been babysitting you your entire

life! I feel like I'm still babysitting you!

...Anne! Get your...out of my closet! And when are you leaving?

That is my bag.

The air mattress is in the closet. Don't touch anything.

I keep my clients' furnishings in here. Thank you.

Don't be ungrateful. Mm-hmm.

Jean? Hey. What are you doing right now?

So... This is your mom's place. I don't live here.

Yeah, I figured. I think you're cute. Like...

young Eartha Kitt cute. Like, kind of crazy cute.

Okay, I don't know how to take that.

Oh, God.

Did the mattress just pop?

Whatever. Oh, my God.

Um, okay. What are you doing tomorrow? Huh?

Tomorrow night? Uh, maybe we could go, I don't know, to the park or --

I don't know about tomorrow night. Oh, wait, then -- then

Friday. There's this deejay that plays --

Ray. I don't know about any night. Let's not make this an every-day

thing. Oh. Right. Okay.

Uh, why again? Feeling displaced lately. And I have certain commitments.

Right. You're seeing someone. It's tricky.

Tricky? Yeah. Hmm.

You're either seeing someone or you're not. It's never that black or

white. There's a purple label. Maybe it is for him.

Maybe what is for him? Black and white. Maybe it's over for him.

Okay. You don't know what you're talking about.

I am not the one sleeping on an air mattress. I don't know.

Okay, this is a bad attempt to get me to like you. Well, I'm not attempting

anything, so... Y--

You must be a guest of

Jean's, I take it. Uh-huh. Um, hi. It's nice to meet you.

Jean, who is this black man in my hallway?

Ray. Ray. It's getting a bit late.

Yeah. Uh... Sorry, ma'am.

Jean. Yes, Maureen?

How are you?

Good. Jean. God, you caught me, okay?

I'm... You look good, though. You've always been a

depressive. You can't be a depressive. You act like you hate your

life. I do. And the worst part is, there are

people who hate me more than I hate me. And I'm not talking about my

mom. God, Jean, you're -- No! No!

The other day, I read somewhere that someone said I was overhyped.

I didn't even know people still use "hype." I don't want to talk about me.

Can we talk about us? I don't think that's possible right now.

Why? Are you seeing someone else? No.

And if I was, it -- it wouldn't be about that. Does that mean you're seeing

someone else? You're probably halfway to marrying another woman.

You always jump to the worst scenario.

Well, are you? No! No!

I want to get back together. Not now. When?

I don't know. I need a timeframe. You're acting hysterical.

So what? Maybe I am. You used to love that about me, remember?

Jean, please, just... I'm pathetic. You are not pathetic.

Yes, I am. It's fine. I've come to terms with it. I got to go. I got group.

Therapy? I'm glad you're working on your issues.

Ha ha. It was, uh, it was good to see you.

Don't lie to me. Don't. Great times.

See, you know, the reason why I brought it up is because I was

doing this interview with this family about a week ago for my book, and it was incredible what

they knew about their history -- ...I mean, how they --

how they came north. And, uh, during the Civil War, see, they were going through

some -- I mean, obviously some -- some -- some trying times.

Yeah. But the amount of information that they knew about their own

history just blew me away. So... You got something you want to

say, Jean? I mean, there has to be another story.

We managed to make it out of the big house. Luckily it wasn't jail this

time. Don't you ever get tired of this?

Tired of what? Tired of writing about the same thing.

You trying to say that slavery is redundant? Does everything have to be

about slavery, poverty, a man in a dress? Come on, guys.

We come here to discuss our ideas, talk about our progress, to write.

Progress. Progress. That's a good exam-- What's your progress there,

Jean? I mean, you come here every Monday afternoon and you don't

contribute... What are you writing? Tell us what you're writing.

We want to know. I don't know, but not that.

I'm out of here. You know, you're sick, really.

It's self-hatred.

This is supposed to be a positive place, place to write.

Hey, I'm positive.

Someone's in here.

Give me a minute! Jean!

Is this supposed to be ironic? How'd you know I was here? I got you this job.

What kind of agent are you? When I signed you out of Columbia, I thought you'd be the

next Zadie Smith. British. The New York Times book

review said that your short-story collection had promise.

Had. And you shouldn't believe what people say about you.

They're expecting me to write the next quintessential black experience, and that's just too

much pressure. I'm no Solomon Northup. You play the race card more

than anyone I know. It's an important issue. I should have pitched you for

that Al Roker bio. The weatherman? Your publisher paid you for

your second novel two years ago. Only thing that's gotten better in the last two years is

my wardrobe. I'm like some sad rapper who spent all their money on diamond

friends. I didn't even get my pair. I'm broke.

Receipts always go in here. Okay. Okay. Can you grab me that bottle

with the red label?

� You're no good � � Yeah � � Well �

� For what you have done to me � � Yeah � Who was that?

My mom. She seems nice. Sure, if you can ignore her

callous indifference to both the living... and the dead.

I thought we came to America so you didn't have to sell food on the side of the road.

It's just part-time. So, what are we gonna do about the body?

"We"? Yeah, hospital needs an next-of-kin to sign papers.

And why would I go? Because you're next-of-kin. Hmm.

If that counts for kin. Jean, do you like this lamp? Your father is laid out like

the last pope. If -- If he stays in the morgue another night, they're gonna

start calling him James Brown. And there isn't even any money to fight over.

Wait. Is there? No. I don't owe him anything.

So, are you gonna come or not? So, if you could just sign

up on there, please.

Thank you. Was Grandma still married to

Gordan? That is none of my business. Ray.

Wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Jean.

You know I work here, right? I know that. Jean, let's go!

Got to go.

I don't know why I'm here. You're good at events. Events I want to attend.

Now, did Mr. Jones have any burial preferences? I don't think so.

Buried. Are you planning something small or big?

Small. Since no one's going to attend. Something small.

Like 5 or 10? 10. What kind of man was he?

What do you mean? Well, was he a modest sort of man or was he more ostentatious?

I don't know.

He liked to put on a show. He was a musician.

Was he famous? No, I wouldn't say that. But he had a few albums.

He played on the road. At home, he -- he kept mostly to himself.

He would play records. Uh... Sometimes he would -- he would

let me listen.

This is one of our more modest caskets. It's very reasonably priced.

This is cardboard. He'd wake up and die again if you buried him in this.

Now, this is the classic. Cherry wood.

Ooh. What do you want, Anne?

Why do you sound like that? What are you doing? Nothing much.

You need to drive me to the doctor. It's the least you can do.

You kicked me out. You're a bad house guest. Yes or no?

Yes.

Just up here.

This is a very secluded plot. You'll have the, uh, shade from

the sun in the summer when you visit. It's actually a, uh, double

plot.

Oh! Ooh! I'm okay.

Are you sure? I'm fine. Oh, you hit your head pretty

hard. Maybe a little dizzy.

Are you the only paramedic in Brooklyn? Okay, so this is my turf.

It's not my fault you're clumsy. Also they said you mentioned my name to Dispatch.

I'm sensitive about my clumsiness, and I already know you.

Uh-huh. Usually it's a little late for paramedics at a cemetery.

Oww. Okay. Here. Calm down. Look.

Look at my finger.

Okay, I think you're gonna be fine. You almost done with your

shift? Yeah. Uh, some of the other paramedics

are throwing me a party 'cause today is my last day. How will you pick up girls

now? I'm starting at NYU. So you'll date younger.

Medical school? Nursing. Gender progressive.

You're making fun of me. No. No, yeah, you're making fun

of me. It's a very admirable profession.

Huh. Well, thank you.

Drive. I said drive!

Hold on. God, he treated me like I was some loose teenager!

So you're still pregnant. He told me I was definitely pregnant, which I already knew,

and that if I wanted to terminate the pregnancy, I would have to come back.

Yeah, that's what they had my friend Jeannette do when we were in high school.

That I need to think about whether or not I'll have another opportunity to get pregnant.

There will always be an opportunity. Who's he to talk to me like

that? Maybe he wanted to just make sure you were sure.

I know what my options are. I know what my options are, okay?!

So if you're gonna take sides -- Okay, I'm not taking sides. I'm sideless.

You are totally taking sides. I'm neutral. But you should be sure.

About what?! Another fatherless black baby?! Okay, when you put it that

way... Can we drive now?

Jean. Maureen's daughter Jean. Mrs. Morrison.

I haven't seen you for years. How old are you now?

Are we planning on getting dressed? We get dressed here.

Dad still gets mail? Excuse me? Dad still gets mail.

Are you going back to Jeremiah? What?

When are you going back to Jeremiah? You should.

I'm not sure who else will marry you.

I was leaving today.

What do you think this is? A B&B? If you're gonna stay here,

you'll have responsibilities. Such as? I need you to pick the girls

up after school tomorrow. Can I trust you? I'll have to push back

cocktail hour. School ends at 2:30. I'll still have to push it.

Also, my liquor cabinet is lighter since you got here. I'm worried that you're an

alcoholic. Me, too. Where's Uncle Michael?

People who don't pay rent don't get to ask questions. 2:30.

You should pick us up every day.

Normally Daddy drops us off and Mommy picks us up. Daddy's on a business trip.

If I wasn't picking you guys up, you'd be latchkey kids. How long are you staying with

us? I don't know. Are you homeless?

Kind of. Today at school, Mrs. Johnson told me that Mr. Obama being

president means there's two big O's. Jean.

What? I'm sorry, Lisa. What did you say? Obama and Oprah, the two big

O's. Sounds like your teacher's hung up on alliteration.

Alliteration? Be careful, Lisa. There's Auntie Laura's house.

Who's Auntie Laura? Mommy's sister. Mommy doesn't have a sister

named Auntie Laura. Uh-huh. We met her last week.

Mommy says that she's our long-lost aunt. You weren't supposed to say

anything, Lisa.

Hi. You look like a twig.

Excuse me? Hi, Auntie Laura! Hi, girls!

Come on in.

You're gonna be late for work. I know. Baby, this is Jean Jones.

More family? Well, I'm gonna be late for work.

Promise you'll come back? Mm-hmm. Okay.

I guess Gordan was a bit of a rolling stone.

So you never met him, either? I met him a couple of times as a kid, but that's about it.

My mom got remarried, and I didn't even know that he had another family.

Do you have kids? No. I can't.

I met Janet a couple of weeks ago. She found me.

I haven't met the others. She found you? Yeah.

Right before he died.

You didn't know?

Janet didn't tell you?

Don't let people abuse your time. Prioritize yourself first.

Don't take on other people's problems in lieu of your own. Yes.

I feel like I always let people mono-o-o-polize my time. Always.

Oh. Yeah. I'm Piper. We met in the hallway.

I love your blog. Oh, thanks. You're welcome.

Bye, Miss Jones. Thank you so much. Thank you. See you next time.

See you. What are you doing here? We came to see you speak.

What are you doing here? What do you know about Daddy?

Other than he's dead? He had another daughter. What?

What? Is she younger than me? Laura Simmons. No.

Laura? Laura from Queens. How did you find out?

I overheard Mom tell someone when we were younger. Why didn't you say anything?

He lived in Harlem.

What is he doing here? Hi, Michael. Don't wave at him.

He's your husband. I know he's my husband.

Daphne's a...liar.

Hello, Grandma.

Hey!

Oh, my God. I'm so sorry!

At the end of your message,

press 1.

[ Beep ]

Hey, Jeremiah.

Um, you said we could talk.

I could stop by.

Um...

I'm just...

Oh, my God.

Ooh. I believe all dates should take place in the home.

For safety reasons. Okay, well, I wasn't expecting your call, but I

appreciate impromptu dates. Where are your glasses? There.

Found them. I don't really drink whiskey. Every man should drink

whiskey.

Cheers. Cheers.

Uh-huh. Okay, if you're gonna drink that, you should take off your

coat. All right, come on. Be careful.

It's Versace. Wow.

It's comfortable. Oh, leave me alone.

What? Who am I to judge? I'm homeless. You are not homeless.

Yes. Don't want to infringe on the truly impoverished, but I'm in

between places, sleeping on a small couch. At least you have a comfortable

bed. You have a comfortable bed, right?

You know what? I do have a comfortable bed. Okay.

Oh, my...

What? What? What kind of girl do you think I am?

I haven't even finished my second drink yet. I go to church.

Really? Yes. Abyssinian Baptist.

I'm more like a bedside Baptist. I usually watch online, but I plan on going

tomorrow.

Do you want me to stop? No.

Are you trying to sneak out? No. Yeah, you are.

I'm not sure how these casual things are supposed to go. Some people like their space in

the morning. No, I don't. I was talking about me.

Hey. I was hoping for more of an encore performance.

You'll have to catch me at the next tour stop. Do you have somewhere to be?

Church. Oh, oh, okay.

I thought you were joking.

It's Sunday. I'm black. I have an obligation.

Um, do you want to get breakfast? Coffee?

Pop? See you later? Where's my purse?

I got it.

Bye.

Okay.

Jean, it's Maxine. Where have you been?

I've been trying to get ahold of you for days. I didn't want to leave this

over the phone, but I-I don't know how to reach you. Vantage Publishing has decided

to cut their losses on your book deal. They're tired of chasing you.

I'm sorry, Jean. Call me when you get this.

It's for later.

� So I'll cherish the old rugged cross � � Till my trophies

at last I lay down �

� I will cling to the old rugged cross �

� And exchange it someday for a crown � This is the last time I'll

ask you to drive me to church. You were late. And you're not a good driver.

I'm just tired today. That's all. We're in the balcony.

What's wrong with the balcony? It's farther from God.

It's technically closer. We're with the tourists.

Look how they're dressed. Do you think they dress like

this at the Vatican? I'm really not sure when church became a tourist attraction.

Like we're animals. They came to worship. Hmm. I'm sure.

Come to Harlem, watch them sing and dance. Good morning, Miss Jones.

� For a world of lost sinners was slain � You're both very ungodly.

But at least Jean and I are here. Your true heathen children

didn't even come. And you didn't come home last night.

Shh. And you smell like sex. Please stand.

We will do the call to worship. It can be found on page 59. The Lord is my light and my

salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of

my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? Come, my heart says.

Seek this face. Your face, Lord, do I seek. Oh, Lord God of our

salvation. We worship and adore you. We will sing your praises

forever and ever. Amen. Please sit.

You want some food? This ghetto food? Are you crazy?

Grandma, it's soul food. What's so soulful about grease?

Good morning. How are you today? I'm fine, thank you.

I thought you might not come. Listen, um, we really have to go do something, so --

Is there gonna be a funeral for Gordan? Yeah.

No. Uh, something private. That's nice.

Is it? Come on. He knew Gordan?

Sounds like. Who is he? No idea.

Member of the church. I mean, Gordan went here before. Stop digging.

And I'm not going to a funeral.

What? Who ordered the limo?

Jean. Did you order the limo? It was a waste of money. Are we going to a funeral or

a family reunion? What? What did you say?

Nothing.

Will you shut that baby up?!

So, what are we supposed to do at a wake, anyway? Make sure he's dead.

I read it on Wiki. We're supposed to make sure he doesn't wake up.

You need to read better things. Grandma, did you know Gordan

was living in Harlem when he died? Who has time to keep up with

Gordan's low-class whereabouts? Who's that?

Who? Her. Laura Simmons.

Who is she? Gordan's other daughter. What did you say?

Oh, this is becoming one hell of a show. Where you drag her out from?

I invited her.

Oh! What are you crying for? It is a wake.

I feel kind of funny. Sad? No, not sad.

Just...funny. How long must we stay here?

We have it till 8:00.

She's my sister. Half-sister. I was planning on easing her

into it, but Jean invited her. Janet found her. Jean, did you think about

your grandmother and how she would feel? Well, Grandma lied to me.

About what? The other day I saw her going into a man's apartment.

And then we were at church and we saw him again and she acted like she didn't know who he was.

What did he look like?

Looks good on you.

What the hell is he doing here? Uh, it looks like your husband.

Legally. What the hell are you doing

here, Michael? Cammi told me where you were. Cammi tells me I can't pick my

own daughters up from the babysitter without your permission.

Yeah, that's right. You told the babysitter I was a crackhead, Janet!

Well, it seemed to fit. You got all the symptoms. Lying, disappearing, fiending.

Fiending. You need a...psychiatrist. I need a...psychi--

Why don't you just go away? Get out of here! You can't just keep them.

I can do whatever the...I want. You're...crazy!

You're... crazy! And you're a liar and you're a loser!

And you know what else? They're not even your kids! They're my kids!

Okay. So I'm gonna keep them! You lost all your rights,

mister, when you left! You lost your rights! You can't do --

Just get out of here. I think you should leave, Uncle Michael.

Get out of here. She needs to grow up. Don't you talk to my niece.

Just walk away. Yeah, run away, bitch! Go!

You run away! Get out of here! Bitch!

Yeah! Bitch! Bitch.

Go on! What's going on?

Nothing.

He's an... Uh... Hey, Jean.

Hello. We'll be right inside. Hey, Ray.

Thanks for coming.

Did you go to Harlem, to that address?

Not yet. Is that where he was living? Think so.

He was so handsome. His only good characteristic.

Was he living there all this time? I don't know.

He looks skinny, though. What? He looks skinny.

Why are you inspecting the damn body, Mom? Why are you asking so many

questions?

He never called? Why would he call? Did...he...ever call?

Yeah, maybe. When? What does it matter?

This is...unbelievable. You are really something.

You said he went back to Jamaica. What happened?

Did you run him off? Mom. He lived over the...bridge.

And now what? You gonna go chasing after that -- that other man?

The same one Daddy caught you with before he left? I don't know what you're

talking about. No, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

Jean saw you with him last week. His name is Cecil. I'm not the only one who

acted illegitimately. It's not Laura's fault. Why didn't you tell me that

he died? It didn't seem like the right time.

The right time? It was a very awkward conversation to have so early

on. Why did you look for me? I was working up to Gordan.

This is so disappointing. Mom. Did he live here this entire

time?

Yes.

So, because you two couldn't forgive each other... for all of your...

we didn't have a father?

Yes. This is all your fault with

your digging! You are hysterical.

This is a private event! Yes. I am hysterical and I am homeless and I am tired.

Why does everything in this family have to be so secretive?

Stop it, Anne! Do not yell at me! Stop it.

This is a wake. And leave Anne alone. She's pregnant.

That was not yours to tell. I'm sorry, but you keep

acting like it doesn't matter, like it means nothing. Why does everyone in this family

act like nothing's ever happening? Gordan is dead, and I'm having a

really hard time with it. You didn't even know him! And I blame all of you for

that, and many other things. My father is dead, Mom. He died of cancer.

He didn't abandon you. Well, he's not here. You haven't talked about him

since he died. Why can't we talk about him? Why are there no pictures up of

him? Jean, there's nothing to talk about!

What am I allowed to know in this family?! You don't know anything!

You're just what he left behind!

That's exactly how you treat me. Like I'm so burden.

Jean is not marrying the Ken doll big American dream boyfriend!

Yeah! He threw her out!

Now we can all be single. I have a husband. I'm sorry.

Were we not just outside? Who is that boy back in the third row?

That is Ray. Tell him to come back some other time.

I am done! Maureen.

Grandma.

Uh, I would have left, but I brought some of Gordan's stuff. Yeah.

Thanks. It wasn't much. No one picked them up.

Um, I read it. Your book. It's -- It's really good.

You don't have to say that. No, it's -- Well, it was sad. It's supposed to be funny.

"I can't be sure how long Joseph and me will last. It's like there's this

expiration date chasing our relationship that only I know about"?

Not a very funny first line, Jean. It's dark humor.

Do you really feel like that? Like you're destined to end up alone?

I don't know. Maybe.

You should keep writing. Ray, thank you, okay? It's just -- It's not a good

time for me in general.

It's not a curse or some family tradition. It's a choice.

Hi. Hey, you. I, uh, I know you.

I, um, wasn't aware that you were coming over tonight.

Neither was I. You have to stop popping by. You watch me.

I do not watch you. Jean, I see you. You drive by the park.

You spy on me. I don't spy. Okay, maybe I watch.

You look really pretty. No, I don't.

Yeah. Yeah, you -- you do. Thanks. Are you going out?

Yeah. Yeah. Are you going out with someone else?

Okay. I feel sick. You turned me into a psychotic.

I feel guilty. Why? I don't think we should get

back together. Why not? You just seem so lost right

now. You weren't like this when we met.

You -- You were almost cold, like you didn't care one way or another if we stayed together.

No. You went from complete apathy about me to -- to absolute

dependence. Jean, I don't think you're happy with me.

No. I'm not happy with myself. There's a difference.

And you're the one trying to sneak out of this. I'm sorry.

Are you? Yeah. I am. Really sorry.

Well, that's comforting.

I have nowhere else to go. That's not true.

The funeral's tomorrow. Shh. There are no words.

You can enjoy the performance with a little commentary. I raised you to have a

greater appreciation for the arts. You've never offered to buy

us anything. You're using Alvin Ailey to manipulate us into a

conversation. I'm not ashamed of that. I'm supporting modern dance.

I'm not going to the funeral. A man is only buried once. Why should I go?

He wasn't my father. Although he beat me sometimes like he was.

Is that true? No, it's not. How do you know?

He could have been. Is it? No.

Does anyone have anything they want to say? I will.

"I have accomplished a lot in my life, but failed at what was most important.

I let egos and resentment dictate my actions. As a father, I have been MIA,

I've been AWOL, missing from the lives of my children. I'm saying this knowing that

I've made mistakes and I'll continue to make more, wishing that I could have been at home

for my girls and my wife. I abandoned my responsibilities acting like a boy instead of a

man. My family is weaker because of this."

That was Gordan.

Goodbye, Daddy.

The funeral director said there's an open plot next to Gordan if you want it, Grandma.

Not even for Jesus.

Your mama's mean. But she loves you.

I miss your daddy.

I know.

I knew where Gordan lived. And I knew about Laura.

Sometimes when you don't know what to do, you do nothing. Bye, Mommy.

You can waste an entire life being lazy, refusing to apologize.

Why did he leave me this house? What am I going to do with it? You could sell it.

I should keep the baby.

The father is suspect.

He doesn't want it.

But it'll be ours.

Where are you going to live? I could live with you.

You can stay at Gordan's. Oh, thank God. You have to pay rent.

So they're publishing Gordan's memoirs. Vantage asked me to write the

foreword. Really? What will you say?

Nothing true. My mom made me promise. So you're writing again.

About love and other misfortunes. Any misadventures?

Mnh-mnh. Not with anyone that doesn't make me want to curl up in the

past. I didn't feel that way with Ray. Have you talked to him?

He called a few months back, but it was charity. He's the patron saint of the

neurotic. Let the crazy out up front. You know, vulnerability is a

good thing.

What are you doing here? Making a choice. What kind of choice?

To be with you.

What's our expiration date?

Very long shelf life.

How's nursing?

It is an admirable

profession.

Is that a rental?

No.