You, man, come on!
Eighteen to party,
Have your IDs ready.
Eighteen to party,
Have your IDs ready,
ladies.
Eighteen to party,
Oh, my God.
Goddamn,
I say I love my job!
Come on now, let's go!
Now where are all
my sexy Sagittarian ladies at?
Man, where your dollars?
Where your dollars at?
Man, she doing' it, y'all.
Chill, chill.
What did you come here for?
Oh, come on, baby,
I'm not going to bite.
Sorry, excuse me, sorry.
Come on now, let's go.
Yeah, it's your girl K-Sty.
You know you're rocking
with your girl K-Sty.
We're live
at the Catnip Lounge.
Give it up for your girl Maine.
Maine's in the building.
Come on, we're late.
Huh?
I got to go.
Hold on a minute.
Why you tripping'?
What?
I got to go.
Why are you tripping'?
I'm going to get in trouble.
Let me dance with shorty right
quick and then I'll be ready.
What?
Stop pulling on my clothes, you.
Sorry.
How many numbers
you get? One?
I could've gotten more,
but your moms was holding' me up.
That's messed up.
How many you get?
How many you get?
Oh. Let me see.
Tonya, Denise,
Shelley...
Oh, wait, that's an old one,
I could delete that one.
So, Tonya...
Hold up. Liar.
Isnt Shelley that chick
from your math class?
Give me!
Denise?
You, hold up, these are your damn
study group numbers, you.
Why you fronting', huh?
I don't see you
with no list of numbers.
I'm not the one looking
for a girlfriend, man.
You the one still a virgin!
Trying to help your ass,
you know what I'm saying?
I don't know what you
waiting' on. Shit.
Still kicking' that quiet shit from
sixth grade, nigga.
I don't need to press,
I gets plenty. You feel me?
Wa-wa. Look, I get more pussy
than your daddy, nigga.
What? Okay, you got me
with that one.
You got me with that one.
Yeah, I know. I know.
You need to pop
that damn cherry, you.
Shut up.
That's what
you need to do.
Quit playing.
Your stop.
Huh?
Your stop.
Time to get off.
Nah, I'm going to roll with you
a few more stops, alright?
Why are you going to go all the
way up to come back down?
Make sure
you get home safe.
I don't need
your protection.
You arent big, nigga,
get off. Hey, you!
That's alright, man.
You, you, you.
Next stop.
Alright? Would you
get off the bus?
You, what you pushing' me for?
Why're you besting?
I'm not beast in'.
Just get off!
Tsk.
You got a problem.
You, call me.
I'll call you. Bye.
You're late.
Be quiet.
Where you been
this late? Movies.
Movies ended
at midnight.
Shut up.
Don't push me.
I know what stays open
past midnight.
Good for you.
Go to sleep.
Goodnight, Lee.
Lee?
Nice to know
you still live here.
What are you doing home
so late, anyway?
Lost track of time.
You know what time
your curfew is.
Where were you?
Movies.
The movie ended at midnight
and your curfew's at 12:30.
I lost track of time.
Well, at least
you were cute.
I like that shirt.
Where'd you get that from?
Angel.
It's old.
Really compliments
your figure.
You know, maybe we can go shopping.
I saw one just like it...
Goodnight, Ma.
You know what?
I don't like that young lady
that you run around with.
Yeah, okay!
Yeah, okay!
And tie up your head.
It's your head.
And wash your face, too!
I don't have makeup on.
Wash your face, anyway!
Mom, I'm seventeen years old.
Can you please...
You need to
watch your tone!
It's your skin.
All right, as I promised, people,
these will be graded
on a curve.
So, you're not going to get
a whole lot of help unfortunately
because the highest score
on the test was a 98.
Very good job.
This wasn't even in the study guide...
Guys, I gave you
all the answers
and the questions
on the review sheets.
It was on the test.
I didn't say that.
Y'all have a good lunch.
I'll see y'all tomorrow.
Study, people.
Hey, girl.
Hi.
How you doing?
Talk to me.
You eat that shit?
I do. I don't know about
what you eating'.
Tastes good.
You should try it.
Yeah, listen, hummus will
keep me alive longer than that.
So, where's
the new stuff?
Here you go.
Hmm.
Do you see the one
in the back?
I'm going to... I'll probably do
that in class.
Hmm.
So?
So what?
So what'd you think?
Yeah, they're okay.
Okay?
Well, they're lovely.
I mean, of course
your descriptiveness
and your use of alliteration
are beautiful and all, but
you know that.
But I don't know,
is it your best?
No.
I thought it was good.
They're okay.
Not great.
I think you can
go deeper.
I'm not able to
take your call.
Please leave a message
at the sound of the tone.
Peace.
Hey, this is Lee,
I'm not able to take your call...
How's it coming?
It's good.
Let me know
if you need me.
I don't see why we can't just
watch TV like usual.
Shut up.
You shut up!
Girls!
I was expecting a call.
ARTHUR: Hello?
Yeah.
It's your father's night off.
Straighten up.
So, Homecoming got
moved up this year.
It's actually going to be
in September instead of October.
Really? Yeah, which means
that I can actually
go to the Autumn Ball
and the Homecoming Dance.
Who're you going to go with?
I don't know, uh, maybe Derek,
if he asks me.
Or maybe Parrish.
But I know for Homecoming
that I definitely want to go with Craig.
And who are you going
to go with, Lee?
I'm not going.
What do you mean,
you're not going?
It's your junior year!
Leave her alone, Audrey.
If she doesn't want to go,
she doesn't have to go.
But she's a junior.
She's not going to have any memories!
I don't like
all those boys
buzzing around my daughters anyway.
Nobody's buzzing around Alike.
That's right, and it better
stay that way.
Matter of fact, I'm not sure if
I'm going to let you go.
Dad!
Shut up!
So what are
your memories, Mother?
I got plenty of memories.
Like?
I'm just saying,
share with us.
Did you go to prom?
Yes, I went to prom.
Who'd you go with?
Are you comfortable with this?
I'm fine.
She asked you.
Did you have sex at prom?
Hey, hey, hey!
Relax.
I'm definitely
having sex at prom.
Oh, my God!
No, you're definitely
not going to prom.
You're not having sex
for 10 more years, so...
Ten years?
At least.
That's like 25!
Exactly.
That's early for me.
That's an inappropriate
question.
Is that how old you were
when you first had sex?
That's how old you'll be
when you find out.
This isn't dinner conversation.
Okay.
Guys...
Oh. Oh, my God.
That's just
embarrassing, girl.
You have not got
no range either!
Well, at least I hit
the backboard, damn.
Help!
I'm getting mugged!
Girl. Come on,
what's the score?
One up.
One?
Yup.
Girl, I got at least three.
Definitely three, come on.
You trying to cheat me, too?
Help me!
Hey! Hey, hey.
Mind if I sit here?
Sure, go ahead.
Help yourself.
Oh, thank you.
What you got there?
You been shopping?
Mm-mmm.
Just some yogurt.
Some vanilla yogurt.
No, I mean in the bag.
What do you got in the bag?
That big red thing?
Oh...
I don't know where my mind is.
That's okay.
Um...
Yeah, let me...
Let me show it to you.
Okay.
Can I get your opinion?
Oh.
That's really nice.
Isn't that cute?
Yeah! Is that
for your daughter?
Yeah, yeah.
It's for Alike.
Oh, the youngest one.
No, the oldest one.
Oh, the other one.
Oh. Okay. Yeah.
Why, you think
it's too young?
Oh, no! For some reason
the youngest one
just popped into my head first,
that's all.
Oh, but I think
it'll be fine.
Oh, it's really nice.
Thank you.
Yeah.
And you know what,
it'll compliment her figure.
You see, that's what I thought.
Yeah.
For some reason,
Lee just doesn't like
anything I pick out
for her anymore.
Oh, girl, please.
My oldest has banned me
from buying her any more clothes.
I just get her
gift cards now.
Trust me,
we're both happier for it.
She needs to
go on a diet. Anyway...
Hey, Brenda!
Hey!
Audrey, you got
me a present!
No, I didn't.
What y'all in here
talking about?
None of your damn business.
Let me know
how it goes, okay?
Okay, I will.
Hey, Bren...
This is the article
I was telling you about.
Oh, no.
Is that her?
I told you! Look how big
she done got!
Oh, my gosh,
that's a shame!
Isn't that crazy?
So, it was,
like, seven of us.
Me, Khalil, Misha,
Tamara...
Tamara Marks?
Hell, no.
Fat Tamara.
Oh, I was about to say.
Tamara Marks is a...
Uh, I can't stand her.
Anyway, it was all of us,
and oh, Laura.
You know that girl
from the restaurant?
She was there with
one of her friends.
The gay chick?
Y'all be hanging out
like that?
Anyway, there's a couple of them.
She's mad cool though,
so she come out with us every now and...
Man, y'all be doing it
big on the weekends.
Let me know!
I told your butt to come.
But anyway...
You, some of them AGs
are kind a cute.
I'm not saying I would,
but I'll holla.
I don't know about all that.
You, isn't that one
of them over there?
What's her name?
Amika? Alisha?
Alike.
Yeah, Alike.
She's cute, too.
I don't be looking
at them like that.
Look, I'm not gay, but if I was gay,
I might talk to her!
She's in the middle anyway.
Yeah, I know, if she was just
a little bit harder...
'Sup, ladies.
Oh, hey.
Hey, what's up?
What's going on?
Hey.
What's good?
What's good with that party?
What's good with this hat?
Don't play me.
You!
Oh, Mika, you act like you
bi or something.
I like girls.
I love boys.
I can't tell!
Whatever!
So what do you think?
Watch out, it's slippery.
I already told you
what I think.
But you know her.
I know of her, but I don't
"know her" know her.
Okay, you know her friend.
Can you hook us up?
You, put that stack
over there.
Um...
You, pass me that rice.
Are you listening?
Yeah, I'm listening, man!
All I'm saying is
that I don't think
you should be putting yourself
out there like that.
Especially if you don't know
she like you like that.
She does.
She does?
How do you know she does?
I just know she does.
Hmm. We'll see.
What are you doing?
Thought I felt a drop
of pig shit.
Shut...
Shut the fuck up!
All I know is I've been trying
to get you
to talk to chicks for the longest
in the club.
I don't want to holla at girls
at the club.
Obviously.
So, why are you so pressed
about this one?
I wanted to ask you
something else, too.
What?
I need you to get
something for me.
What?
What?
Just for my image.
What?
You trying
to strap, you?
Oh, my God, you!
What are you
going through?
By next Friday, please.
Next Friday?
Please.
All right.
Okay, whatever.
I mean...
Oh, my God, you!
She better be cute
for this, you.
That's all I know,
she better be cute.
I think it looks natural.
I'm serious, I mean,
it doesn't look that bad.
I can't believe you.
What?
Laura, this looks stupid!
It doesn't look right!
Well, first of all,
it's not supposed
to be over your
underwear like that.
I'm not putting this thing
next to my skin.
It already pinches!
It's supposed to fit like that.
They didn't
have brown?
I didn't have time
for all of that!
And plus the brown ones
are too big for you anyway.
It's not funny!
Here, you got to
take it back.
I can't take it back.
No, here's the receipt!
You, I'm not
going back in there.
One time was
embarrassing enough. No.
You grow!
So what?
What if someone see me in there?
No, I'm not going back!
Then where's my change?
Lee, where'd you
put my makeup.
Ooh, I'm telling.
Hey! Hey, get off of me!
Stop! Stop!
Get off of me
with that thing, geez!
Be quiet!
Okay. Be quiet!
I'm telling you got that!
You can't tell.
I'm telling!
Shut up!
Gosh, it looks nasty!
See, I told you so!
Yeah, whatever. Where's my makeup case?
I know you've got it.
I just borrowed it.
Okay, well,
give it back!
Take it.
Promise you won't tell.
Just give it back!
Promise you won't tell.
All right! All right,
all right, all right.
All right,
I won't tell. Okay?
Geez.
I'm still telling.
Telling what?
She took my makeup again!
Lee, please stop with the...
Oh, hello, Laura. I didn't see you
standing over there.
Hello, Mrs. Freeman.
How's your mother?
I haven't spoken
to her in a while.
She's fine.
I hope so.
And I was glad to hear that your
sister finally got back on her feet.
Mom! Mom! She's good,
she's good.
No, I don't think so.
We leave
this door open.
Let a little fresh air
circulate in here.
I was just about to
leave anyway, so...
Mom?
Just try it.
Chill, you just got to
get used to it.
Stop touching it like that,
people going to think
you got something.
The string hurts.
I'm going to take it off.
You're not going
to take it off.
I'm going to take it off.
Where you going to take it off at?
In the bathroom.
Then where are
you going to put it?
You going to walk around
the club with a dick in your hand?
I mean, chill, man,
you're straight blowing me right now, you.
Then I'm out.
No, you're not!
You're about to
go through with this.
You're the one that
wanted to meet her, not me.
Okay, then come on then,
let's go.
All right, man, chill.
Hey.
Where are my AGs at?
Where are my butches at?
Throw your hands
in the air. Let's get it.
You all right?
Yeah, um, I think there's
a spring in the cushion or something.
You want to switch seats?
Nah, I'm good.
And you don't want to dance?
Hey, you, we going to
go dance, alright?
Nah, I'm not really feeling
the music.
Well, look,
you don't mind, right,
if I go dance
with somebody else?
Nah, do your thing.
If you change
your mind, we...
Nah, it's cool.
Turn that mess off!
Sharonda!
Sharonda,
stop lollygagging!
Lee! Are you ready?
Yup.
I said off.
And I thought you said
you were ready?
I am ready.
You're not going
to church in that!
What's wrong with this?
Where's that blouse
I bought you?
What's wrong with this?
Dad!
Do what your mom says.
Are you hungry?
Here, let me heat this up for you.
That's okay. Oh, it tastes
so much better.
Just leave it.
Dad...
Lee!
Leave me out of it.
Now go get changed.
Dad, what's wrong
with this outfit?
Nothing.
See.
I'm not going to
argue with you.
Do what she says.
Dad!
And put on a skirt!
Give me a beer, please.
It's Sunday morning.
It goes with the spaghetti.
Too much lip gloss.
Did you talk to her?
Sharonda's fine.
I'm talking about Lee.
Alike.
And I don't see that
there's a problem.
I'm tired of this whole tomboy thing
she's been doing.
And Laura.
You said that you were going
to handle it.
Mm-hmm.
She needs a male point of view!
I said okay, damn it.
Do you have to work tonight?
To put food on the table
and clothes on our backs, no.
To go out to restaurants and keep
designer sneakers in the closet, yes.
Are you forever
going to be mad?
Are you forever
going to be happy?
You made that decision
a long time ago.
We both made sacrifices.
You look beautiful, baby.
Tuck your blouse in.
This isn't me.
Tuck it in.
Leave it out.
I think it's fine out.
Are you coming with us?
Nope. Sleep.
We could do a later service.
Maybe the one o'clock.
I said no!
I'm ready!
Sharonda, Alike,
you look beautiful.
Everybody looks
beautiful, okay?
Well, fine then.
Stop hitting me.
Put this one in then.
"God's love"? I don't think so.
Put it in.
Stop!
Put in that one.
Audrey, hey!
Hi!
How're you doing, girl?
All right.
I'm not touching you.
Stop!
I'm not touching you!
Sharonda, stop!
Ouch!
Lee, there's somebody
I want you to meet. That's just mean.
Huh? Here's somebody
I want you to meet.
Oh, hi.
Get down out of the car
and come speak!
What's wrong with you?
All right, Mom.
You'll have to
excuse my daughter,
she's been
feeling rude lately.
Oh, don't worry about it.
I understand how it is.
Hormones, you know.
It's just a phase.
Alike, this is Mrs. Singletary,
one of my coworkers,
and her daughter Bina.
Hi.
And that's my youngest
daughter Sharonda.
Hey. Hi, there.
Nice to meet you.
Lee, Bina goes
to your school.
Cool.
Yeah, I think
I've seen you around,
um, Mrs. Alvarado's class?
AP English?
Yup.
Well, now that we're all
acquainted with one another,
let's not be strangers.
Oh, no, no, we won't.
Right, honey?
Bina, you know,
I think you two
even go to school
the same way.
Oh! Well, you know,
there's something to be said about
safety in numbers, right?
Yup.
Yeah.
Well, you know, we need
to be pushing off.
I'll call you about
the VBS workbooks.
All righty. All righty.
Take care. All right?
Great. Come on, honey.
Bye!
So, where you want to go?
Um, I want to
get those pancakes.
Oops.
You're funny.
I don't know
what your problem is.
Mom, can you
put this in please?
I don't know what you think this
is going to change.
I know God doesn't
make mistakes.
I know that.
Now, you may not like Bina,
but you're going to be spending
a whole lot less time
with that Laura person.
Mom, can you just put this in?
I can guarantee you that.
No, Shh, be quiet,
I'm not putting anything in.
I'm going to listen to what I want to
listen to for a change.
Look, I just don't like lying
to my mother, that's all.
So then don't, she doesn't
have to know.
Yes, she does,
she asks me every day!
So, then, tell her yeah.
No! I don't want to lie just to
cover for you.
So don't!
Look, Alike, or Lee or whatever
it is you want to be called,
I'm really not trying to hang out
with you either, okay,
but I'm not about
to take an L for it.
So just stop dodging me!
Let's just go
to school together and then...
Then it's over with, we don't have to
hang out with each other after that.
You know what, whatever!
She asks me again
I'm going to tell her,
and then she's going to
tell your mother,
and then it's
whatever for you.
Hey!
Hey, look, I'm sorry!
Look, I'm sorry!
Hello,
I said I'm sorry!
Yeah, you sorry
your mother's about to bug out.
No, for real,
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean
to be that way, it's just...
Okay, look, I am concerned
my mom will find out,
but it's...
But...
It's not like that,
it's just that she's...
Look, if you knew my mother,
you'd understand.
She's...
Overprotective?
Yeah. Yeah, I know,
I've seen her.
I see what she's like,
but lots of people's parents are like that.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Yeah, but
not like mine.
Anyway... Anyway, like I said,
let's just walk.
Thank you so much
for bringing that.
No problem.
You done studying yet?
No.
Did you start
studying yet?
I'm on chapter nine.
Now, stop.
Get them fucking cards
out of here.
No, we going to
study these words.
I am not studying.
We can play them like Tonk.
We can play Spades with
these vocabulary cards.
Get outta here, you.
I'm about to deal you in.
I'm going to deal you in.
So, listen, I'm going to
work some more hours so we could...
"Listless, apathetic, having no interest
in anything." That's yours.
Listen!
I have a job.
I'll work some more hours.
I don't need school.
"Clandestine, secret,
hidden, undercover." Not you.
Annoying, you annoying me.
Like, really.
"Turbulent, violently
disturbed... Come on, you.
"...agitated, unruly."
That's yours.
Anyway, how much
we paid him last time?
Six twenty-five.
So, that's another 275 for
the rest of the month.
Electric?
Half.
Phone?
Let it ride.
Gas?
How much is it?
Eighty-five.
Half.
No, mmm-mmm.
Let it ride.
I could get some more hours.
No.
You know what you need to do.
Nah, Candy, I can't just dip out
on you like that, man.
Please, I was doing just fine
before you moved in, remember?
You working was
only supposed to be temporary.
Remember that?
I'm only going to work
for a little bit.
Ma would've wanted you
to be done with... Who?
Who?
You, don't even...
Just... Just stop.
Mom would have
wanted you to be done by now.
Look, I'll get the money orders
in the morning.
I'll look into it.
The next test is
coming up soon.
I said
I'll look into it.
Without them and
their courageous efforts,
we wouldn't have been able
to pull this off.
Look, it's on again.
Check it out, Free.
Channel Five
and Channel Two.
Look who's big time.
Oh, yeah, but my brother
looked clean though.
Yeah, you look like,
you look like, uh, that guy on TV.
Oh, yeah...
There's been more of that
since they opened up
that new club 'cross the way.
Excuse me, Miss?
Miss?
On certain Fridays
they got this, you know...
Special party
going on. Miss?
Or should I say, "Sir"?
Sir?
Sir?
Hello?
Chill out, Sock.
Hey, my man, you hear me
talking to you?
Hey.
Mind your business.
Hey!
And a pack of Kool.
Say, I've been trying
to get your attention.
Do you go by sir or miss?
Will that be all, ma'am?
Yeah.
Look, I just had a simple question
I wanted to ask.
$67.05.
See, I just want to know,
how does pussy taste?
You know, I just want to know if
you go with women
for the taste,
or is it because you too dry,
crusty, and ugly,
so don't no
man want you?
I can't lie.
The pussy do taste good.
Oh, yeah?
Maybe you should
try it sometime.
Or better yet, ask your wife
how much she like me.
Fucking bull dagger!
He-she dyke!
Yeah.
Hey, ask you' wife!
She told you.
She did not tell me shit!
What the fuck y'all
niggas are laughing for!
Oh, shut up, man,
your big mouth
got you in trouble as usual.
Thought you was
my friend, Mack.
Oh, man!
But I guess I didn't
expect you to defend me, Free.
Way your daughter's running
around here bull-dyke. Say what?
Say what? Hey! Hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey!
Come on,
he don't mean nothing'.
What? He don't know
what he talking about, man.
He isnt moved
outside of a two mile radius
of where he crawled out
his mama's pussy.
He don't know shit!
I been to Poughkeepsie!
Yeah, well, get your
Poughkeepsie ass out my store!
Fuck y'all!
I should arrest your ass.
Man, fuck y'all!
Come, come on, Free.
Don't pay him no mind,
he just talking trash.
...had you all mad.
I wasn't mad.
Yes, you was.
You, Candy, I'm home you.
Getting all crazy.
Damn, this
your color, man.
So what's the deal,
in cog-negro?
Ma has me hemmed up.
Your phone isnt broke.
You could called a nigga.
My bad. She's got me
hanging out
with this chick from church.
It's crazy.
Well, is she making you?
I mean, you a
grown-ass woman, buh!
Here, put these on.
So I guess the piers is out
for this Saturday, huh?
Uh... I don't know
if that's me anymore.
That's hot, you,
you should rock that.
I was thinking maybe we could do
something different.
Different like what?
I don't know.
Like, maybe
check out an open mic
or something.
Open mic? Nah, man,
there's plenty of chicks at the piers.
You just got to be
more confident.
I mean I haven't even wore this,
you could rock that.
If you want.
But I understand if you got
better things to do.
No. I'm down.
I don't want you getting all hemmed up.
No, seriously...
I'm down for whatever.
Real?
Promise.
Alright.
Im take Saturday
off at work,
it's going to be on
and popping', you feel me?
It's going to be mad tight.
We going' get that Punani, you.
Feel me?
They look fake.
No, I think they're happy.
Now, that looks fake.
You should wear
your hair down more often.
Your father likes it up.
It looks nice down.
Maybe.
Give this back
to Bina's mom
when you go over there
tomorrow night.
Saturday night?
We talked about this.
No, we didn't!
Lee. I had plans
this weekend!
Well, you don't have
to go to Bina's.
You can stay here
with me on Saturday night.
God!
Come on.
So you like Destiny's Kids?
Mm-mmm.
JP?
Nope.
What about Fiddy?
No, I don't like
any of that commercial bullshit.
Okay, so who do you like?
Just some underground stuff.
None of that crap
they play on the radio.
Okay, like who?
You know, people you probably
never heard of.
Conscious stuff.
Okay, like who?
Like Trees, Black Circle,
Far Front.
Far Front? Girl, I know
Far Front.
Really?
Yeah!
What about, um,
Trade, or Brawls?
Or what about,
um, Mama Dobia?
Uh-oh. What do you know
about Mama Bodia?
Let me find out.
See. You don't
even know me.
Oh, hi, Audrey.
Yes, she's here.
Yeah, yeah.
No, no, I understand.
Sure.
Not a problem.
What about rock?
It's cool.
All right, I'm out.
Wait, oh, hey, wait, hey.
You got to check this out.
Wow.
Hello!
Hey.
You look nice.
Oh, um,
is Lee home?
No, she's not,
she's out with a friend.
Oh, do you know what time she'll be back?
She won't be back.
She's out with a friend
the entire evening.
Oh, 'cause, we was going to...
You take care.
Goodnight.
The love is gone
but the memory lingers...
You, this shit is hot.
Oh, don't you got to go?
It's cool, I'll...
I'll cover for you.
Nah, I want to stay.
Hey, this is Lee,
I'm not able to take your call.
Please leave a message
at the sound of the tone. Peace.
Hey, you,
where you at, Lee?
You, hit me up when you
get here, alright?
Alright?
Come on, man,
let's go, man. Alright, you.
What happened?
She didn't fucking show up, man.
Well, you stressing
that shit too much.
Uh, Mrs. Alvarado's trying
to get me to check out one of these places.
Oh, hell, no.
This is for old people.
You know what,
I'll write down some places for you.
And maybe you can read
some of my stuff, too?
Definitely.
You, y'all remember
when we used to
come out here all night?
Shit, used to.
You staying
with your sister now, huh?
Yeah.
Lucky as hell, man.
Think?
My sister be home by six,
so, you got to be out by then.
Alright, good-looking.
Yeah, there's some
lunch meat in the fridge if you want some.
I appreciate you.
Yeah.
Okay, easy, easy.
Watch the right hand side,
watch the right.
I am!
Okay.
Oh, careful of the curb!
All right.
Okay.
Good, good.
See.
I did it. Can I drive
back home? Please?
Uh, I don't know
about all that girl.
You're shaky.
You're shaky. Please?
Here, here, get us some chips and
we'll think about it.
Come... Give me some time
to consider.
Careful.
Hey, Mack!
Hey there.
Hey, Mr. Ferguson.
How you doing?
I'm good, how you doing?
I'm all right,
I'm all right. Thanks.
eh, I see where Alike
been running you around again, huh?
Oh, little bit, little bit,
but you know,
I still got it, though.
Yeah, I remember that crossover
you used to have.
You got to come out
there with us
so I can show her
what it's like in the fifties.
Get in the car.
Wait, I'm driving!
You said I could... Get in the car.
Look, um...
You know you're
daddy's girl, right?
"A butterfly,
briefly suffocated
"on the mucus
of its own change,
"imprisoned by the
membranous chaff
"of its own
underdeveloped wings
"and cramped in the darkness
"of the too tight cocoon
of its own creation,
"pauses, thinking
death inevitable,
"prepares to die
in the absolute solitude of swollen husk.
"A crack appears,
"a thin, jagged light connecting
the inner to the outer world,
"a butterfly, briefly paralyzed by
the imminence of death,
"discovers life is possible."
Comments? Critiques?
Julie, tell me
what you think.
I like how she described
the butterfly.
I could almost
see her...
I liked your story though,
it was tight.
Yeah, which one?
The one about the...
Karma. About how things
come back to you.
That one, it was tight.
For real? Thanks.
Yeah.
I wasn't going to
say anything, but...
I liked yours, too.
Why?
Why wasn't
I going to say anything,
or why did I like it?
No, why did you like it?
I don't know, it just...
It felt real.
Okay.
Didn't you have
a different shirt on earlier?
What?
Nothing'.
No, say what you're
going to say. Nothing'.
Yeah, I had on
a different shirt.
That's cool.
So how come you weren't
going to say anything about it?
About your shirt?
About the poem.
'Cause you're moody.
Moody?
And quiet.
I'm not moody!
Yeah, right!
What?
This is me.
Hey, it's not so bad
when there's a little conversation!
You want to come up?
Who gave you this?
The bear?
My dad. No, this.
Girl, my stupid
ex-boyfriend gave me that.
Oh, cute.
Not really.
But I guess it was at the time.
So this is the artist
I was telling you about.
Her stuff is like...
I don't know, dense.
Yeah, this is straight.
You burn me a copy?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Good. Thanks.
I got some other stuff
for you, too.
Cool.
So who do you
hang out with?
'Cause I never really
see you with anybody.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it
to come out like that.
I was just curious 'cause
I don't really like
anybody that goes there either.
No, my, my friend Laura
used to go there.
Not now, but she's
coming back.
Cool.
'Cause I was going to say,
I'm going to this house party
and, you know,
you can come if you want to.
They play like
this kind of music.
Sure.
How am l supposed to dress?
You don't got to dress,
you just come however.
Come as you are.
Okay.
Can I see?
It's... It's mostly
old stuff, though.
Oh, this is the one
that you did earlier.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's nice.
Here you go.
Take it.
You play too much!
Just take it.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
So, what's so private?
Nothing.
It's just my writings.
Why'd you do that for?
I'm sorry.
I thought...
No, I'm sorry,
I just got to go.
But I thought that...
I'm sorry.
We going to get y'all
on the board, God damn it!
Okay.
Let's play, keep it rolling,
keep it rolling!
Isnt giving you
no stupid-ass hand.
You going to get that?
Yeah, I got it.
There you go. Cut that!
Come on, bring it out,
bring it out.
Ooh!
We went in the hole one time.
Y'all went in the hole twice!
You, whats up.
You, whats up, Lee!
You, what you got, Ty?
Pick them up! Nasty!
Oh! We going' to eight!
We going' to eight!
Uh, can I talk to you
for a second?
You, I'm busy right now,
I'm doing something.
Holdup, holdup!
That was my jack! I cut! I cut!
Laura, I really need
to talk to you.
Laura, I really need...
You, man.
I told you
I'm fucking busy! Shit!
Nah. Nah, nah.
I'm busy.
Goodnight.
Get home safe!
You... I thought that
was your girl.
Mind your business!
I'm her girl!
Exactly. Exactly.
This will...
You go ahead.
That's what I'm talking about.
Y'all niggas don't know.
You know, boo.
Get the fuck outta here, you!
Dad!
Come on, now, you know that's
not what I want.
That's not what
I'm saying!
Lis... Listen to me.
Are you going to listen to me?
Dad?
Listen, I got to go.
I got to go, my daughter's...
My daughter's up!
Dad?
Talk to you later, bye.
Who was that?
What you doing up?
Just wanted to talk.
Dad, the plate!
Don't trash the plate.
Aren't you hungry?
No.
Ate already.
You ate at work?
Grabbed some takeout.
Oh, where?
Why you asking me so many
goddamn questions, girl?
What's wrong with you?
You don't question me.
Sorry.
Hold up, Alike.
Come on back. Look.
I got patties.
Beef? And chicken.
Come on.
Listen, um...
Your mom was worried
that uh...
She's been wanting me
to ask you,
that, uh...
How's school?
Straight As?
Probably.
That's right.
Want to sip?
I said a sip! A sip!
What's on your mind?
Nothing'.
What if...
What if say...
Somebody liked you?
They like you?
Or they "like you" like you?
They "like you" like you.
Uh-huh.
They haven't said
anything yet but...
But what if...
All right, what if the person
is kind of like a friend,
but you know they like you
more than that?
Well, I think that's the best way,
to start as friends.
What if...
What if the person is...
What if the person...
What's his name?
What grade is he in?
I'm going to look his ass up in the system.
Wait till I tell
your mama.
She'll be
so goddamn happy.
Yeah.
Say, uh...
There's this new, uh,
women's club
up there
by the liquor store.
Do you...
Have you... You haven't heard
anything about it, right?
Called the Kitty Litter,
Cat Box, something like that?
Nah, never even heard of it.
Good.
'Cause it's a...
That's a rough neighborhood.
You know that, right?
I had a case over there.
You want to be careful.
Stay away
from that element.
In case it ever comes up.
I'll be careful.
Good.
I know you will.
Dad, when you were
on the phone earlier...
Uh-huh.
It sounded like...
I mean...
I guess you're headed
back to work, huh?
Yup.
Your mama still up?
Probably.
Tell her I had to work.
Love you.
Hey.
Hey.
I'm real sorry about
the other day.
It's cool.
Things have been crazy.
But look, I'm really sorry
I bugged out.
It's just, I didn't know
that you... I wasn't expecting that.
First kiss?
It's cool.
You still coming' to the party?
Um... I don't know.
I need to try to catch up with Laura.
Oh, okay.
No, but I do want to hang,
but I mean, maybe we could do both.
Cool.
Uh, do you want to
spend the night?
You know, maybe avoid
that whole curfew thing?
Oh, you're home?
Hey.
I must have dozed off.
How long you been in?
Hour.
Did you see the plate over there?
This is fine.
Why don't you come
sit over here? There's room.
You could see the TV better.
This is fine.
Thank you.
Just alike.
Say what?
You and your daughter.
Did you talk to Lee yet?
I told you she's still...
I talked to Alike.
You did?
Everything's fine,
like I told you.
Matter of fact,
she's got a boyfriend.
A boyfriend?
Just give her some space.
Space?
She's never around as it is.
And you're just like her!
Creeping in all hours
of the night.
Running around like you got
something to hide.
Both of you!
And acting like
I'm the big bad witch!
What about me, huh?
I'm here alone
by myself all the time.
And Sharonda's getting older and she's
starting to go out,
and pretty soon...
I don't have anything to hide.
Look, I told you,
I talked to Alike.
Everything's fine.
Did you ask her?
No, because
I don't have to.
Besides,
I would know, okay?
I know my daughter
better than anyone else. "Your daughter."
So all of a sudden
now she's your daughter?
And I'm telling you, she's fine.
Well, I guess then I just shouldn't say
anything else about this!
That's your damn problem.
You're too much of a damn worrywart.
Well, let's hope
you're right, detective.
Will you shut the fuck up?
An hour? Really?
I'm not your
damn dumb floozy on the street
and you will not
talk to me like that!
Dammit, Audrey,
you're making a scene!
I'm not making a scene.
You're the one making a scene!
You're all paranoid and sick!
You're never here!
I know you're not scared.
I'm not.
Lee...
Hmm?
I hope you know
it doesn't matter to me.
I know.
And she ran like blood
Through the corridors
of your mind
Into a brand new future
One without the likes of you
You are mad fun
to hang out with, I have to say.
Are you serious?
Yeah!
Whatever!
I'm just playing.
About... About six months ago.
What's good?
What's up?
How you doing?
Good.
So what do you think?
She's cool, right?
She's hot, right?
I told you!
Right? I told you!
It was so... You, I'm right here.
Oh, my bad!
I thought you were
right beside me.
No. Anyway,
I was thinking next weekend,
the three of us,
we could, you know, go out.
I'm sorry about
all the drama.
Nah, it's cool.
I mean, I should have... No.
You know.
What I'm saying is,
I probably overreacted.
I mean...
But then, I don't know,
seeing the two of you together...
I'm glad you're finally
happy though.
Come on, man, you know you're
my best friend.
I'm not, no one's ever...
You don't have to say anything, you.
I just want to
get this off my chest, all right?
I'm glad she
makes you happy.
I'm happy for you.
Alright?
'Cause I love you.
Hey.
Hey!
Come on, let's get out of here.
So...
Wait! Laura.
Come on, let's go,
I know some... Laura!
What up, boo?
Come on, let's go.
I'm not sleeping.
Yes, you are.
Are there any more
brownies left?
Nope.
What?
Nothing.
What?
Nothing!
What's wrong?
This is...
I never...
I'm sorry,
I'm tripping'.
It's okay.
We don't have to.
Oh.
I thought you
went out for something.
How you been?
You know me and Candy
doing real good.
We might even get
a bigger place.
She working'
at the hospital now.
You'd be real proud.
She might even get her RN.
How's...
How's pops?
You look good.
You look real good.
You know, we miss you
and everything.
I don't, I don't want
to take too much of your time
or anything like that.
I just...
I got my... I'm getting my stuff
together, too.
You know?
So I did it.
I got my GED.
Nah, nah, I did it!
I got my GED!
Good morning.
Hey.
You're up already.
Actually, it's after
one o'clock.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
I'm just trying
to clean up, that's all.
Okay, let me help you then.
No, it's all right, I got it.
What's wrong?
Nothing!
Look, um,
last night was...
It was amazing,
and thank you.
Last night was just
playing around, all right?
Look, we can
slow things down.
People don't have to know
that we're together.
Together?
Whoa.
No, uh-uh.
Look, if you don't want
to call it that, that's fine,
but don't act
like nothing happened.
I'm not like "gay" gay,
I'm just...
I'm just...
You know, I'm just doing my thing,
that's all.
I'm just, I'm not ready
for all of this, okay?
Excuse me.
Hey, Lee, Lee!
Hold up.
What?
You don't have to
tell anybody, okay?
Where in the hell
have you been?
You hear me talking to you?
You left Bina hours ago!
I am not Dad!
I'm not your husband,
so stop coming at me like I am!
I'm not your companion
and I'm not your friend!
You made that
abundantly clear!
I'm your daughter!
And I have my own shit to deal with!
You must have
lost your damn mind!
You wait till your father
gets home!
I would be something else
if it wasn't for you!
I'd be a lawyer maybe!
Oh, you wouldn't be shit because
I made you!
I made you!
You couldn't even
get a damn B...
Always thinking
about yourself!
...on a test until I helped you!
We'd have more money!
We'd have a damn brownstone
instead of living in the basement of one!
You the one who's making a scene!
Doing all this paranoid shit!
You're never here!
I'm not paranoid.
I can't take
this shit anymore!
Will you stop saying that!
It's the truth!
Audrey, stop it!
Alike, go back to bed.
You have a slut on the side!
Nothing's going on!
I'm not paranoid!
I'm not paranoid!
I can't take this shit anymore!
You are paranoid!
Alike, baby, go back to
your room!
Lee, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Go upstairs.
Don't leave me,
please! No, No!
Go in my room and lock the door.
Keep me company, please?
Do not come out the room!
Go upstairs in my room
and lock the door. Please!
I'm not paranoid!
You are paranoid!
All you do is break!
All you do is break!
When do I see you?
When do the kids see you?
I just need to get outta here!
You don't want to
face the facts!
You don't want to face the facts!
No dammit, that's not true!
It is true! Look, would you
stop saying that?
It is true!
Audrey, stop it!
Alike go back to bed.
Your daughter is turning
into a damn man right before your eyes
and you can't even see it!
No, you take that back!
Shut the fuck up about that, Audrey!
Mom, Dad, stop! Please!
Tell him!
Tell him where you hang out!
Tell him about your butch-ass girlfriend!
Laura is not my girlfriend!
What the hell are you
talking about?
Alike, please, just go back
to your room, baby.
Tell him! Tell him!
Tell me what?
Tell him you're a
nasty ass dyke! No! No! No!
Alike, you tell your mama
that's not true!
Baby, tell her!
You see! You see!
Will you shut the hell up?
You tell her.
Dad.
You tell your mother
that's not true.
You already know.
No, I don't know.
You tell your mama it's just a phase.
It's not a phase!
See, you should
have done something!
You should have done something!
What's wrong with you?
There's nothing wrong with me!
This is your fault!
Shut the hell up!
Let me talk! If you had been here!
Yeah. I'm gay!
You say it again.
Say it again!
I'm a lesbian! Yeah, I'm a dyke!
Audrey! Audrey!
Get off! Get off!
Audrey! No, you're not!
You get off of me!
Come on! You cheater!
You get off me!
Get off of me!
Come on, we got to go!
Okay.
Okay.
Would you care to say grace?
Heavenly Father,
we thank you for this food.
We pray for your
continued blessing.
We pray...
We thank...
Amen.
Amen. This food should
be delicious.
I got the recipe
from a magazine.
And I made your green beans
that you like so much.
Sharonda, could you
pass me the green beans?
This is yummy.
Dad, you know where she is.
You, Lee.
Where's Mom?
She...
Your mother couldn't make it.
You remember our old place?
Way out in Queens?
It was our first apartment.
We were so proud.
It had all those trees
around it.
In October, the whole block would
be covered with leaves.
You remember?
Couldn't have been
more than two years old.
When that wind would blow,
those leaves would
come rushing down the street at us.
You thought they were alive.
You'd get so scared.
You'd cry and scream
and beg for us to pick you up.
I would try and tell you,
"They're only leaves, baby,"
and make you stay
on the ground,
but your mother
would always pick you up.
She always picked you up.
Remember how we used
to race to the phone when it rang?
I've been accepted
into an early college program.
It starts in the spring.
It's in Berkeley.
It's a 10-week
writing workshop.
Boot camp, then I could start
summer semester.
We can talk
about that, okay?
I need you to meet
with my guidance counselor,
so you could sign the paperwork,
so I can graduate early.
I'm sorry, all right?
I'm sorry
I let her hurt you.
I just need to know if
you'll sign the paperwork. Yes or no?
Can you forgive me?
Yes or no?
You can always
come back home.
Things are going to
be different, I promise you.
Dad...
I'm not running'.
I'm choosing'.
I'm not going back home.
I know.
And you could tell Mom
she was right.
God doesn't make mistakes.
You should tell her yourself.
Mom.
Lee.
Alike.
How have you been?
Fine.
Did Dad tell you?
Yeah. He told me.
How you been?
I sure hope you've
been keeping yourself safe.
I love you, Mom.
I said I love you.
I'll be praying for you.
"Heartbreak opens
onto the sunrise
"For even breaking is opening
"And I am broken
"l am open
"Broken to the new light
without pushing in
"Open to the possibilities
within pushing out
"See the love shine in
through my cracks
"See the light shine out
through me
"I am broken
"I am open
"I am broken open
Be careful.
"See the love light
shining through me
"Shining through my cracks
"Through the gaps
"My spirit takes journey
"My spirit takes flight
You just better
fucking call, man.
"Could not have risen otherwise
"And I am not running
"I am choosing
"Running is not a choice
from the breaking
"Breaking is freeing
"Broken is freedom
"I am not broken
"l am free"
Yeah.
Yeah.