God, give me the Serenity to
accept the things I cannot
change, the courage to change
the things I can, and the wisdom to what?
The wisdom to know the difference.
Good. Good.
[ Baby crying ] Okay. It's okay.
Here he is.
He is so precious.
[ Chuckling ] Oh, my goodness.
I can't believe he's ours.
Is the birth mom doing okay?
She's doing fine.
He has the cutest little birthmark on his shoulder.
Let me show you.
[ Baby cries ] [ Chuckling ] Oh, I know.
I'm so happy.
[ Baby crying ] [ Echoing ] Sometimes, you
Just gotta encourage yourself.
No matter what the circumstance, I'm gonna be all right.
[ Normal voice ] Yeah.
* I'm all right * I'm goin' through, but
I'm-a make it to the other side of y'all *
* I'm okay * I might bend under the
pressure, but I'm not gonna break *
* I got faith * I'm-a keep on believin' and
dreamin' I can do anything * * o-o-o-o-h
* I'm all right... How was treatment today?
Well, the dialysis went fine, but it's just...Sitting in that
little room all day, doctor.
It's time-consuming.
I know.
You know it takes a while to find a match, so...
We'll find one.
Any good news?
Not really, Douglas.
[ Sighs ] You know, we all here are
looking forward to the day when we can call you all and tell you
that we found a kidney for your mom.
We'll all sleep a lot easier when that day comes, and I'm
hoping it'll be soon.
Now Dr. Sperry, you know better than that.
We're not hoping -- we're praying, day and night, and it
ill happen, sooner rather than w later.
You know, we appreciate everything you're doing, but I
don't want her to be in a -- he just doesn't want us to
run out of time.
And I keep telling Douglas it's not in my time, not in your
time, but all in god's time.
I know, ma. I know.
Well, he's just always been so impatient, but he's coming
around.
[ Chuckling ] I'm sure.
So, haven't there been any new donors?
Not really.
It's been pretty quiet on that front, but don't stop sending us
people, though.
Remember, we only need one match.
That's right.
Okay, okay. Will do.
All right, well...Let's go.
[ Clears throat ] Again, thank you for everything.
You're more than welcome.
And you and your wife are gonna have to come by the
restaurant for dinner sometime.
Yes.
Yeah, I'll come in and cook for you myself.
[ Chuckles ] Well, you know, I may have to
take you up on that offer.
You know we have an anniversary coming next month.
Oh, lovely.
But in the meantime, please take care of your mother, and
I'll see you two next week.
Thank you so much, Dr. Sperry.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
That was a good sign.
I think so.
Just day after day, you know -- grandma!
Oh!
Hey.
Goodness.
[ Chuckles ] Didn't I tell you I didn't
want you hanging out at this stinky old hospital?
Grandma, it's okay.
How'd you get here?
Miss Linda brought me.
Plus, dad said we'd get ice cream afterwards!
[ Gasps ] Oh, okay.
So you were bribed to come here.
Now, that makes more sense, hmm?
Well, I told him we'd pick him up after we left here, but,
you know, he's grandma's boy.
Did you finish your homework?
Listen, don't you pay him any mind because he's a mama's boy,
so you got it honest.
I heard that.
[ Chuckles ] Douglas, you see that gentleman
Down there?
You know, he's been working here since I started dialysis, and, I
mean, I don't know what he did to go to jail, but he seems to
be so nice -- says hello all the time and has that little twinkle
in his eye.
[ Sighs ] I was thinking that maybe we
could find something for him in the restaurant if...You...
What do you think?
I'll talk to him.
Okay.
Excuse me.
How you doing?
My name is Douglas rivers.
Benjamin sparks.
Uh, nice to meet you.
You, too.
Um, I'm here with my -- my son and mom over there.
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
I've seen her around here before.
Nice lady.
Well, thank you. Thank you.
Yeah, she's going through dialysis right now.
Well, I'm sorry to hear about that.
Yeah, well...We're hopeful.
Can I do anything for you?
Well, I came to tell you I own a restaurant off linley.
It's called Connie's.
Oh, I never heard of it, but, uh, I'm not from around here.
Well, we've worked with ex-convicts before, and I
believe in second chances, so once you're released, give me a
call.
Okay, thanks.
I actually stay at a transition house not too far from here.
I may be able to get an offsite job in about a month.
Well, good, good.
Well, then, give me a call.
Maybe we can work something out that'll help us both.
But no violent crimes.
That's the only rule I can't budge off of.
We can work around just about anything else.
Okay. All right, thanks.
All right. Good meeting you.
Same.
All right.
This might work out.
I don't think he's gonna call.
His whole mood seemed to change when I told him I can't work
with anybody who committed violent crimes.
Well, maybe he didn't -- mom, mom, mom.
There's no exceptions.
I have you, Jacob, as well as the staff to consider.
It's just not an option.
I tried.
What do you think he did, dad?
We don't know, we don't judge, and it's none of our
business.
Maybe he robbed a bank, or maybe he --
son, son. Look.
It's not our business, okay?
You understand?
Yes, sir.
Come on. Let's go.
[ Sighs ] Grandma, wake up. We're here.
She's had a hard day.
We'll just get her something, and she'll eat it later.
She likes butter pecan.
I know what she likes, boy.
She's my mom.
[ Baby crying ] [ Sobbing ]
[ Crying stops ] [ Baby crying ]
[ In distance ] Mom.
Mom.
Mom, we're home.
Wake up, sleeping beauty.
Oh. Whoo!
Can't believe I went to sleep that quick.
Y'all get the ice cream?
Mm-hmm.
Of course. Butter pecan.
Mmm.
I think I'll take a hot bath and have mine at bedtime.
Okay.
[ Groans ] [ Sighs ]
All right, so...Just come and see me before you leave.
Okay.
I'll come and check on you in a bit.
[ Smooches ] All right.
Have I told you lately that you're the best son in the whole
world?
That's not what you said the other day when you were on the
phone with miss Linda.
We-- I wa-- [ Grunts ]
Hmm. Is that so?
Well, mom, you can be as mad as you want to be.
I'm not gonna let you go to no Hawaii with miss Linda until we
get this transplant business out the way.
Well, honey, I've never been to Hawaii, and I need some sun
and some fun, and maybe there's a tall, dark, handsome man down
there waiting for me.
What you think?
[ Chuckles ] Ma! Ma, just be patient.
Once we get you all straightened out, I will take you anywhere
you want to to go.
You know, sometimes in life, you just have to get up and go.
You can't wait for the right time.
And would you please stop telling my business?
Sorry, grandma.
A-ha.
I want grandma to get better soon.
Can I give her my kidney?
That's sweet of you, son.
You know, I wish I could give her one of mine, but I'm not a
match, and you need both of yours.
She is going to be okay, right?
She just -- she just needs a kidney.
That's all there is to it.
I've been praying about it like grandma always taught me
to.
[ Sighs ] Yeah, I know, son, but...
But what?
[ Sighs ] Nothing.
Look, uh, go upstairs and start your homework.
I'll be up there in a minute.
All right.
[ Cellphone rings ] Douglas speaking.
Hi, Douglas.
It's hope from the travel agency.
Oh, hi, hope.
Yeah, I'm just giving you a call because I thought you were
gonna call me last week to confirm the dates for your trip.
Oh, yeah. I was, wasn't I?
Uh, oh, I'm so sorry.
I -- I've just been swamped between the restaurant and just
life in general.
Mm.
Well, it sounds like you need a personal assistant.
[ Chuckles ] I need more than that.
[ Sighs ] Uh, well, so...How's business?
Oh, it's been real busy lately.
Um, okay, so, did you want to stick with the December dates?
Mm. Look, um...
Christmas in Hawaii would be great, but I think we're gonna
have to move it to September.
My mother's birthday's the 15th, so let's see what you have
around that time.
Okay. Not a problem.
Look, look, hope, i-i-i owe you one.
I know you're tired of moving around all these dates.
Oh, no. Anytime.
You know what?
I'll give you a call a little later this week with prices and
dates, and, uh, until then, you get some rest.
Yeah.
Hey, um, what -- what was your, um, your address to your office
again?
Oh, we're at 121 victory drive.
121 victory.
Oh, yeah, yeah.
That -- that -- that's, uh, right -- right in the center of
town, right?
Yeah, I've been meaning to get down there sometime.
Douglas!
Can you come here, baby?
Uh, hey, hey, I gotta go.
Make sure you call me if you don't hear from me first, okay?
Will do, Douglas. Take care.
You, too.
[ Receiver clicks ] Good girl.
Come.
Sit, sit.
Good girl. Good girl.
Up. Up. Up.
Good girl.
Sit. Stay. Platz.
Good girl.
Catch.
Good girl.
Come on. Sit.
Good girl.
[ Door opens ] Mm. Something smells good.
Boy, sure is good to have a break from my chef-ly duties.
Well, you got lucky.
Woke up in a cooking mood.
Thought I'd, uh, try some of my new recipes out on you guys.
Well, it sounds good.
[ Chuckles ] Qué pasa, George?
Oh, nothing much, Benjamin.
Just another long day.
What's up, petey?
Hey.
Hey, Benjamin.
Evening, gentlemen.
Looks like you had a long day, Luke.
Yeah, spent all day looking for a job.
You know, petey's gotta cut me loose in a couple weeks.
Told you can stay till you find something, Luke.
I already told you that.
I don't want to be a burden.
It's no burden.
If I couldn't do it, I wouldn't have offered.
Look, man, you're not the only one that's scared.
Scared?
I didn't say I was scared.
You don't have to.
We all are.
I mean, scared to get back out there, scared to fail -- I mean,
that's -- that's -- that's normal.
I'm not going back to my old ways.
I promised my mom I wouldn't.
Mm. Failure is not an option.
You got to say it, mean it, and believe it, and you're gonna do
fine out there, Luke.
[ Chuckles softly ] It's my own fault.
I could be playing for the n.B.A. Right now and making big
money.
You know, coming out of high school, I was being recruited by
u.c.l.a., Duke...
All: Kentucky and purdue.
[ Laughter ] Yeah, yeah.
We were all on our way somewhere before, you know, we got
sidetracked, man, but you can't concentrate on that.
You know, you gotta build from where you are.
Hmm, sounds like you learning something from that counselor.
A little something, you know?
Now that I have that anger behind me, I think I'm ready to
build.
I've never seen you mad.
You know what? Me either.
I've been here almost seven months, and you've always been
the exact same way -- steady Freddy.
Man, when he first got here, he had a big old chip on his
shoulder -- [chuckling] A log.
Walked around here mad to the world.
Yeah, but, uh, petey straightened me out.
I sure did. I told him.
I said, "the world don't owe you nothing.
It was here first.
You can either add something to it or not."
Yeah, that made sense to me, so after that, he never had a
problem out of me.
I remember, boy, he had that look in his eye.
He was angry and scared to death, and we sat down, and --
and we talked, and he's right.
I didn't have to tell him but one good time.
[ Chuckles ] I'm hungry.
Uh, where's Jonas?
Eh, I don't know, but that boy's a trip.
Nothing I say seem to get through that thick skull of his.
But he ain't fooling me, and them streets ain't fooled,
either.
He gonna get just what he looking for -- a hard way to go.
You know, I'll talk to him.
Yeah, I appreciate that, 'cause I done tried about
everything.
[ Door closes ] Sorry, petey. I was just --
save it, son.
I don't hardly want to hear your mess tonight.
Forget you, then, petey.
You're always trying to make somebody feel bad.
In fact, I done lost my appetite altogether.
[ Sighs ] Hey, Jonas. Come on, man.
Let's, uh, step outside.
[ Sighs ] [ Sighs ]
Look, man, don't mess this up.
Mess what up?
This, this -- this opportunity.
Don't you realize that being here is a privilege that can be
taken away?
Man, petey takes everything so seriously, man.
I came in late.
What's the big deal?
I ain't never had a daddy, and I don't need one now.
Look, nobody's trying to be your father, man.
All I'm trying to say is get it together or you won't be here --
period.
You threatening me?
Look...jonas, I didn't bring you out here for the
conversation to go this way, man.
I-I brought you out here to help you, okay?
I-I see what's goin' on, all right?
I been there.
Those cats that are out there in the street calling you, trying
to get you to carry the next package o-or run the next
lick -- those are not your boys, man.
Now, you make a decision to go out there, and you may never
come back.
Well, that decision is mine.
I'm sick of it!
I can't find a job.
Nobody trusts me to find a place to live.
I could hit the streets and make two grand a day easy.
But what is two grand if you end up back in the cage or in a
box?!
That's all I got!
It's not all you got!
Your life is worth more than that, man.
I kno that.
But look, man, nobody can live it for you, man.
This is a decision that you're gonna have to make.
You're right.
That's a decision that I gotta make, so you stay out of my way,
and I'll stay out of yours.
[ Scoffs ] Good night, Jonas.
Yeah, sleep tight.
[ Gospel music plays ] [ Sighs ]
Hey, girl.
* when...Gets you down * so, stop worryin' and
Stressin' * * 'cause there's a blessin'
behind closed doors * * there's a blessin' behind
closed doors * * trials and tribulations
come to * * enter everything that you're
tryin' to do * * then you may believe it's not
blessing you first * * but god will open all the
doors to take their place * * you ought to rejoice and
praise him even more * * he has so much in store
* there's a blessin' behind closed doors *
* there's a blessin' behind... Benjamin, how's your sleeping
these days?
It's okay.
I just can't seem to get this one dream out of my head.
Mm. Tell me about it.
I'm running as fast as I can, and I'm wearing all black.
Some days, it's beautiful outside.
Other days, uh, it's raining.
When it rains, I reach out my hand to try and catch the
raindrops, but nothing touches me.
It's like it's raining all around me and...I'm not there.
And what do you think these dreams represent?
[ Chuckles ] If I knew that, I wouldn't be
here.
You know, a study says a child's first memory is recorded
before his first birthday.
Hmm.
And sometimes we tend to -- to block things we don't want to
remember.
Sometimes memories are painful, and our minds protect us from
them.
So you're saying you think that I'm blocking bad memories?
No, what I'm saying is your dreams could be your mind's way
of...introducing you to a memory that was too traumatic for you
to confront at one point.
Hmm.
I just want to know what I was running from.
Maybe it's not what you're running from, but what you're
running towards.
Hmm.
So, have you finished your restitution list?
As a matter of fact, I have.
I have five things on it, and three of them, I think I already
completed.
'Kay, number one, I want to "plant a garden at the
transitional home"...And that will represent the growth that
I've had since I've been released from prison.
"Number two -- an idea for an expandable business."
I chose dog training because it's what I like to do.
Good.
Number three is "take a yoga class," and I'm still sore from
that one.
[ Chuckles ] Number four -- "learn a new
language," and number five -- "give someone a gift."
Okay, well, what language and what gift?
I need you to be as specific as possible.
The language is definitely mandarin.
[ Speaking mandarin ] [ Both chuckle ]
What does that mean?
It means, uh, "excuse me, do you speak english?
My mandarin is not so good."
[ Chuckles ] Well, that was good.
[ Chuckles ] And then, as far as the gift is
concerned, it can be a gift for you or for juno.
Um, I'll know it when I see it.
Well, that's a great list.
So, have you made a decision as far as finding your biological
parents?
I don't know.
I'm still, uh -- I'm still back and forth on that one.
I mean, sometimes, I wake up and I feel like, uh, it's all I can
think about, and then other times, I just feel like maybe
it's better to leave well enough alone.
Hmm.
Well, you'll know when it's time.
Hmm.
My goodness.
We're done for today.
Can you believe we only have a few more sessions left?
Yeah, I know.
[ Chuckles ] Thanks for all your help.
I'll see you in two weeks.
All right.
See you in two weeks.
You're still saying your Serenity prayer?
Every morning, every night.
God, Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot
change...
The courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to
what?
The wisdom to know the difference.
Oh, so you have been listening.
I listen to you all the time, grandma, and you've been
teaching me that poem since I was little.
Then why don't you know the rest of it, knucklehead?
And it's not a poem -- it's a prayer.
I only know the first part 'cause it's the easy part.
But the words just have so much power, and they -- they
take some of the worry out of life, you know?
Would you please turn the light out -- the big one -- and close
the door for me, please?
[ Groans ] And...Don't forget to say your
prayers -- on your knees.
I don't want any of that lazy-boy praying.
Okay. I will, grandma.
Night, grandma.
Good night.
Hey.
Won't be too late.
We just have a small wedding party at the restaurant tonight.
Oh.
I can't wait until I go to your wedding party.
Yeah, dad.
When are you gonna find me a nice lady?
Yeah, dad!
Maybe when I'm not busy running the two of you all over
Savannah.
[ Chuckles ] Don't you worry.
She is gonna come along sooner than you think.
Ooh! Just you wait and see.
Okay. Whatever, whatever.
Good night, mom.
[ Chuckles ] Good night.
[ Smacks lips ] [ Sighs ]
Night, old girl.
[ R&B music plays ] You've got a visitor.
Lorraine, which one do you like better -- this one or this
one?
The bigger one.
Bigger one it is.
Oh, hey, Benjamin.
Surprised to see you.
Hey. Nice place you got here.
I like it.
Oh, thank you. Thank you.
This place has been in my family for a long time.
Yeah, well, uh, I came by to tell you that I might be able to
start an onsite job a little sooner than I thought.
Hmm.
My probation officer put in a request based on my performance
at the hospital.
It looks like I might be able to --
hey, I remember you from the hospital.
Say "excuse me," son.
Excuse me. I'm Jacob.
Benjamin sparks.
Nice to meet you.
You gonna work here?
Are you going to work here?
I mean, are you going to work here?
[ Chuckles ] Well, I'm not sure just yet.
Well, son, he's gonna start working here some day next week.
Cool. My dad's the best boss.
[ Scoffs ] He's all right.
[ Chuckles ] Oh, she's -- excuse me.
Uh, folks, your dinner's on the house.
Son, congratulations on graduating.
Keep up the hard work.
It really pays off.
Thank you. I will.
You enjoy your evening.
Well, that was nice.
That was cool, man.
Oh, it -- it's nothing.
I mean, I feel it's my job to encourage these young brothers
any way I can.
You know it takes a village.
Yeah.
Son, take this back to Jonathan.
Tell him to void it.
Come on.
So, Benjamin, I have to ask.
What was your crime?
Uh [clears throat] I mean, is this a-a requirement
for the job?
Well, it actually is a requirement.
I have to be confident I can keep this environment safe.
I have my family as well as the staff to consider.
[ Sighs ] Vehicular manslaughter.
Was it on purpose?
[ Exhales sharply ] No, no, no. Nothing like that.
So, you -- you actually killed someone.
Two people -- a couple coming home from the movies, from what
I was told.
So was it drunk driving?
No.
I fell asleep at the wheel.
I was working two jobs at the time, trying to buy a house,
and...
Hmm.
That's pretty unfortunate.
You were working hard, trying to get ahead.
Yeah, now, I-I don't want to steer you wrong, you know?
I-I was no angel.
I was a menace to society in most of my 20s, but I was making
a change, and...In a split second, it was gone.
Hmm.
So, how much time did they give you?
They sentenced me to four years.
I was angry through most of it, fought through half of it.
I ended up doing seven.
How long you been out?
11 months.
So now, I have to live in the transitional home for the next
month, and after that, I guess, I'm free to live my life.
Well, Benjamin, like I said earlier --
I-I get it.
Everybody deserves a second chance.
I'll do whatever I can to help you out.
[ Chuckles softly ] Well, uh, you know, just so
we're on the same page, um, I don't want any handouts.
Mm-hmm.
You give me a job and an opportunity and some hours, and
I'll do exactly what's expected of me.
A-and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty.
Okay, well, I need a dishwasher.
Dishwashing's good.
Okay.
Well, so, on Monday, we'll fill out your paperwork, and you make
sure you bring your I.D. As well as your court documents and your
probation papers.
Oh, yeah, uh, also, too, i-i need you to sign this to verify
that I, uh -- I'm out interviewing for a job.
Oh, okay. Okay.
No problem. No problem.
All right.
You know, Benjamin, my son and mom really like you, and they're
really good judges of character.
Wow.
[ Sighs ] Well, uh...Guess I'll see you
next week.
Next week, then.
Glad to have you on board.
Thank you.
All right.
Good night, Mr. Benjamin.
Good night.
[ Sighs ] Dad, did you know
Mr. Benjamin trains dogs?
No, I didn't know that.
Can we get a -- we ain't getting a dog.
We're not getting a dog.
[ Chuckles ] [ Dog barking in distance ]
You know, son, someday this'll all be yours.
That's only if you want it.
I want it.
[ Groans ] How does it appear on your
Driver's license?
All right, well, then, that'll work.
Well, I encourage all my clients to get the travel insurance.
Yeah, you never know.
Uh...you know, why don't you, um, think about it, and, uh,
I'll call you back?
Okay. Bye-bye.
Hi.
Hey. Are you hope?
I am.
Oh [chuckling] okay.
Uh, I was just admiring your flowers.
Did your, uh, husband send them?
Oh, no. I'm single.
[ Chuckles ] Hmm.
They're actually from a client.
He made my day.
Well, I'm...Douglas rivers.
You're Douglas?
Yeah, yeah.
[ Laughs ] Um...
You [chuckles] oh, you probably thought -- well --
well, look, my -- my phone voice is a little extra-proper, and
so, sometimes people think -- uh, no.
[ Chuckles ] I just -- I didn't expect to see
you here.
That's all.
Oh.
Uh, thank you for the flowers.
They're beautiful.
Well, it was my pleasure.
You know, it's not every day that I get flowers.
[ Scoffs ] W-well, you should...
Because, you know, flowers are good.
I was just really, um, sorry for, you know, changing the --
the, um, reservation so many times, and so I just wanted to
send you the flowers and -- and I wanted to come down here, and
I knew your name was hope, and, you know, I wasn't expecting...
W-- I just wanted to say hi.
[ Chuckles ] Hi.
Okay, well...
[ Chuckles ] [ Sighs ]
Could I take you to lunch -- if you don't have any other plans?
Oh, uh, no, actually, I was just gonna eat something I
brought from home.
Well, that's no fun.
Let me take you to lunch.
Okay.
I know a good place.
Let me just go get my purse.
All right.
So, flowers, huh?
Yes, flowers.
I've been so busy, and you've been so wonderful keeping up
with me, I figured this was the least I could do.
[ Chuckles ] [ Chuckling ] God, I can't
remember the last time someone sent me some flowers.
That's sad.
Yeah, tell me about it.
[ Both chuckle ] You know, I'm glad you came.
Well, this is so not like me.
I usually need time to talk myself out of things like this.
Yeah?
Mm-hmm.
Why do women do that?
[ Smacks lips ] We can't help it.
You know, it's just one of those things.
Yeah, me and my girlfriends, we -- we talk about it all the
time.
So, where are you from?
Savannah.
Really?
No one's actually from Savannah.
Uh, yeah. I am.
Born and raised.
Hmm.
How 'bout you?
Yeah, I was -- I was born in Brooklyn.
My father died when I was 3, and when I was 10, my mother and
I moved up here, and we've been here ever since.
Well, how do you like it?
I love it.
It's a great place to raise a family.
Do you have any children?
Uh, kids? No. No kids.
It's just, uh, me and my cat.
A cat?
Mm-hmm.
[ Chuckles ] I don't like cats.
I mean, eh.
What?
Why wouldn't you like cats?
Well, they're just creepy.
They're just creepy.
I mean, and it's like you work for them, you know?
Well, but she's so sweet.
She's so loving.
She cuddles up with me, and, you know, she's really more like a
dog than she is a cat.
You know, my -- my son's been pestering me about a dog, and
I've been trying to hold him off, but I think I'm gonna lose
that fight soon.
Yeah, you probably are.
You should probably just go ahead and -- and get him a cat.
A cat? Mm.
Mm-hmm.
I think, mm, nah.
[ Chuckles ] So, how old is he?
Jacob's 9.
He's a good kid.
So, where do you work?
What do you do?
I own a restaurant.
It's called Connie's.
It's on the corner of Baxter and --
and linley?
Wha-- what?
I love that place.
Really?
I've never seen you there.
Okay, well, I haven't been there in a while because, um, I
just recently moved over to the other side of Savannah -- you
know, near tybee island?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, well, um...And I just haven't gotten over there as
much as I used to.
Well, we'd love to have you back.
Well, I would love to come on back.
[ Both chuckle ] So, um...I assume that you're
single.
I am.
Why?
Why am I single?
Well, how much time do you have?
30 minutes. Go.
[ Chuckles ] Well...You know, to be honest
with you, I haven't been that open to love.
And, I mean, it went really bad with Jacob's mom and I.
She just -- she just changed, you know?
I mean...She wound up giving me full custody, and she moved out
of the country with some guy, and...Jacob never hears from
her, hasn't seen her in years.
I've dated from time to time, you know [chuckles] usually with
one foot out the door already, but I-I think it's, you know --
I think it's time in my life where I'd like to share my -- my
time with somebody special.
Uh-huh. Sounds good.
What do you mean it sounds good?
I mean, I'm just sayin'.
I guess that's just the way players play, right?
[ Both chuckle ] I mean, you say you want
somebody special, but as soon as you find that person, you back
off, right?
Well, you know, I don't know.
I mean, I guess it's just the guys that I meet.
Well, maybe it's time you leave those guys alone and give
a real man a chance to appreciate you.
Well, in all fairness, I mean, men and women do the same thing.
We say that we want someone, and when we find someone we like,
we -- we get scared and start picking them apart, and then,
before you know it [chuckles] we've, uh, sabotaged the whole
thing before the relationship even had a chance.
I mean, with me, I mean -- oh, my goodness.
I mean, my deal breakers are probably ridiculous to most
people.
Oh, no, no.
They can't be any worse than mine.
Oh, no. Trust me.
I mean, if your second toe was longer than your big toe, you
out of there.
[ Scoffs ] Mm-hmm.
[ Chuckles ] [ Chuckles ]
But, you know, I'm...Probably gonna have to be a little bit
more flexible.
Yeah, I think so. Mm.
For example, one of my deal breakers was women with cats.
Until when?
About five minutes ago.
Mm.
[ Chuckles ] Good answer.
Really?
The second toe bigger than the...?
They look like [growls] yeah, that -- oh, that's
real.
Like the claw.
Right. Oh.
[ Chuckles ] [ Chuckles ]
* do you believe in love, girl? *
here we are.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I really enjoyed myself.
Me, too.
Thank you for inviting me.
And the flowers, they -- they made me feel very special.
Flowers are good.
[ Chuckles ] Hey, listen, I-I was
wondering if you could come by the restaurant for dinner one
night.
I'd like that.
Good.
Well, check your schedule and let me know.
Okay.
Cool.
Take care, Douglas.
Take care, hope.
[ Chuckles ] [ Laughs ]
[ Telephone ringing ] [ Sighs ]
Hello.
Hey.
How's my favorite lady this afternoon?
Well, I'm feeling pretty good.
Well, that's perfect 'cause I'm gonna come home and change
for work, and then I'm gonna take you somewhere.
Well, where are we going?
Just be ready in 20 minutes.
I love surprises.
You know that.
Bye-bye.
Okay, mom.
* ...Back with your own * with the battlefield with all
the bombs explode * * explode
* yeah that boy.
* put you in the light oh.
Oh, my. Ooh.
* you never got to worry about... *
go ahead, ma.
* I've never seen such chemistry from the likes of two,
two strangers * * to fall so fast could be
dangerous * my...This is fancy-schmancy.
[ Bells chime ] Well, this must be really
expensive.
I don't think we need to be giving people all our money...
Ma, ma...
Just relax. Relax.
You deserve it, okay?
You're always running behind me and Jacob.
Let me do something nice for you.
But, sweetheart, you know I'm kind of funny.
I do not like people I don't know touching all on me and
rubbing me.
And, you know, I never liked that kind of stuff.
These -- these people are the best.
And I booked you the -- the royal package.
It's got the facial, the -- the body wrap, and the -- the feet.
Excuse me, but what are you trying to say?
I mean, I don't think I'm looking that rough and raggedy.
I mean, my home remedies work pretty well, I thought.
I'm not saying that, mom.
Oh, my home remedies don't work -- is that what you're saying to me?
No, no. But they're professional.
They're -- they're -- what?
Okay?
Gonna be fine. Gonna be fine.
Just...
Go ahead.
All right.
* I want to be epic I'll see you in three hours.
Three hours?
It's the royal package.
Oh, lord.
Need all that to be a queen.
[ Bells chime ] Hey, hey.
Hey.
Douglas, how you doing?
Yeah, just came back from a -- a lunch date.
Oh, that explains the pep in your step.
Pep in the step.
How'd it go?
Yeah, it went -- it went -- it went great.
It was totally unexpected.
You know, I decided to, you know, surprise my travel agent
with -- with some -- some flowers, right?
Mm-hmm.
And, you know, I never -- never met her, but I know -- I
know her name is hope.
"Hope" is usually a fat-girl name, and so I didn't really
think any-- anything about it.
But, so, I go -- I go down there, and she's this
gorgeous -- and, well, we ended up going out for -- for lunch.
And it was -- it was -- it was -- it was cool.
It was real cool.
I guess that sounds good.
No, that ain't good.
That ain't good at all because it ain't gonna never work.
We tried to hook him up for years with a woman.
But it ain't gonna work.
Know why?
Because he's Mr. Particular.
That's what he is -- Mr. Particular.
You're too particular -- that's what it is.
You're gonna end up an old man in a house with a number of
cats -- about 15 cats.
I'm talking about with cat food and litter everywhere.
You're gonna be a -- a cat hoarder.
That what you want to be -- a cat hoarder?
That's what he gonna be -- a cat hoarder.
Let me just stop this.
See, h and his wife tried to set me up a couple times, right?
You know, one woman was, like, crazy, and the other ones on
medication needed medication, and the other one looked like
sasquatch.
Oh, okay, okay.
Really.
But the sasquatch -- okay, she had a little facial hair,
but what woman you know don't have facial hair?
See, your problem is, if you wouldn't have been looking at
her face and you'd have been looking at her heart to see what
she had on the inside and see what her heart got, you would
have never seen all this on the face.
You got to look at the heart -- that's what you got to do.
Yeah, remind me never to let him hook me up -- period.
You ain't got to worry about that.
Mm-hmm. Yes, sir.
[ Cellphone buzzing ] Uh-huh.
Who's that -- your new friend?
Maybe.
Mm.
L-look here, boss man.
Um, I need to holler at you about something.
I wanted to talk to you about my days off.
Mm-hmm.
You know, I'm going to Florida for this retirement.
And Teresa, you know, wanted to leave early, because we got the
grandbabies with us.
Mm-hmm. Now, you act like I got a choice in the matter.
I mean, what -- what -- what am I gonna do?
If I say you can't have the time off, Teresa gonna come up here
and give me a hard time.
That's what I'm saying -- she gonna give you a hard time.
You want her to come up here?
[ Chuckles ] Man. Man.
I can't believe you're leaving me at the end of the month.
And, you know, we're -- we're still trying to find your
replacement.
How's, uh, how's Benjamin working out?
Oh, Benjamin?
Benjamin cool, man.
I'm gonna tell you -- he got it together.
Benjamin's stuff is together, my man.
But you got to remember -- I'm the best you have ever had, that
you got, and that you're gonna ever, ever have.
That's what I'm gonna tell you -- that's who I am.
Hey, hey, hey.
Um, Johnny, listen, I'm gonna -- I'm gonna -- I'm gonna close
down the restaurant on Thursday after -- after lunch.
E-everybody's will get paid.
It's -- it's gonna be like a paid day off.
Close the restaurant?
But what you closing the restaurant for?
Uh. I -- nothing.
Oh, no, no, no.
Spit it out.
What you closing the restaurant for?
Well, I'm -- you know, gonna do a little -- little something
for, uh, you know, the -- the travel agent, you know?
Ohhh.
Look at you!
[ Laughs ] Mm, look at you.
Boy got him a little girlfriend.
Yes, you do.
You got you a little girlfriend.
Go on, player.
[ Stammering ] I mean, you know, I ain't gonna,
you know, get ahead of myself -- you know, just kind of take
it...slow.
Take it slow.
No, no.
I'm happy you got one, 'cause for about a couple of weeks
[laughs] You had me nervous there, player.
Look at him -- he got him a girlfriend.
That's all right, boy.
Okay, boss, I'm out.
All right, all right, all right.
Hey, uh, listen, I'm, uh, I'm closing down the restaurant
Thursday after lunch.
It'll be a paid day off, though.
Oh, good. Good.
Yeah.
Uh, you do know I took that weekend off.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, I know.
Yeah, it's -- it's cool.
Okay, good.
How's your mom and, uh, Jacob?
Oh, they're -- they're good.
They're -- they're really good.
I just dropped off mama at the, uh, spa around the corner.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah, yeah.
She's -- she's feeling better, yeah.
Getting stronger and better, right?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, so, I just needed to get her out of the house, you
know?
She's not sitting around, thinking all the time.
Right.
Yeah.
Well, uh, it'll all work out, man.
Mm. Yeah, yeah.
L-let's hope so.
Yeah.
So, I'll -- I'll tell Jacob and mom that you -- you asked about
them.
Hey, hey, hey.
Don't forget about Sunday dinner -- door's always open.
I'll, uh -- maybe I will pop in there one day.
Okay.
I'm gonna hold you to that.
All right.
[ Cellphone ringing ] [ Sighs ]
Hey, doc.
What you got for me?
You know I get nervous every time I see your number pop up.
Douglas...we've got a match.
[ Chuckles ] Oh, oh. Thank god.
Wait. Wait.
Are you sure?
I don't want to get too excited unless --
it's okay. It's okay.
You can jump up and down.
You can yell and scream from the rafters, if you like.
But we do have a solid match for your mother.
Now, listen.
Things are gonna start moving pretty fast.
We are looking to get the transplant done in about a week
or so.
We're just finishing coordinating with the donor.
Whoo!
Yes!
Oh! Oh, my god!
I'm happy, too.
I want to see your mother well.
Uh, well, can -- and can I tell her?
Sure you can.
We're supposed to send a notification through that buzzer
that you've been holding onto for the last month, but I wanted
to call you.
Okay. Okay.
Hey, hey, hey, doc, look, I'm gonna pick up my mother in -- in
a little bit.
Uh, can you send it around 5:00?
I want to see the look on her face.
Thank you, Dr. Sperry.
T-thank you so much.
You're welcome.
I'll talk to you soon.
[ Sighs ] [ Sighs ]
Hey, ma.
How was it?
Well, how do I look?
You look great.
Those ladies treated me like I was a queen.
You were right.
Just -- royal -- it was fantastic.
[ Pager buzzes ] Oh.
Where's that buzzing?
I don't know.
Oh, do you know what?
What time is it?
We should be there to pick up Jacob right now.
It's...
[ Buzzing continues ] Oh, no.
[ Gasps ] Oh! [ Laughs ]
It's the kidney buzzer!
Oh, my lord, we got it!
Oh, lord!
I told you.
Didn't I tell you?
Walk by faith and not by sight.
I am so happy.
I have my bag all packed for the hospital already.
Let's go.
And I'm looking pretty.
[ Laughing ] I'm gonna be the prettiest patient in that
hospital.
Hey, just one second -- one second.
Mama, be strong.
I'll be right here when you get back.
All right, sweetheart.
Okay.
[ Smooches ] Love you.
I love you, too.
[ Chuckles ] You all are so nice.
This hospital has just been so sweet.
I wish somebody would -- y'all might need to go and give my son
something, 'cause he's looking...
I tried to tell him this is good news.
It's all the beginning.
It's not the end -- the ending.
Look down there like he's going to a funeral or something.
For my fears * * but a still small voice
speaks to me * it's gonna be all right.
* and calms the current of my raging sea *
see you.
* I shall live * I shall live
and not die * * I shall live
* live and not die
* I shall live * oh-oh-oh-oh-oh,
oh, oh-oh-oh-oh * you're going too quick.
Well, I just get tired so easily.
That can't be good.
No, no.
It's just part of the recovery process.
[ Breathes deeply ] And if you feel anything too
out of the ordinary, just give me a call, and I'll -- I'll call
Dr. Sperry.
I'm fine -- fine.
Okay?
Yeah.
* I'm holding on for dear life *
you know, I think I'm gonna lay down...
Oh, okay.
...and just, um, take a nap.
Wait a minute.
How did they say to do this?
On the left side.
Okay.
Yeah. This side.
Ohh.
Okay.
I'm gonna sleep, and when I wake up, Jacob will be home, and
we'll do our crossword puzzles.
Okay, if you want to.
Don't worry about Jacob.
He's fine.
You just worry about getting better.
All right.
I'm fine. Thank you.
Okay, I'm gonna -- I'm gonna leave a -- I got my cellphone
on me.
Yes. I know. Please.
Call me if you need anything.
Okay.
I'm fine.
All right. All right.
Close the door.
All right.
Love you.
Love you, too. Bye-bye.
[ Sighs ] * ...And not die
[ chuckles ] * I shall live
and not die * [ Groans ]
* I shall live * I shall live
[ music ends ] [ Knock on door ]
Come in.
[ Door opens ] Douglas.
Benjamin.
What are you doing here?
Well, I knew you had a couple of days off, so I came by to
check you out.
[ Sighs ] A lot of people take days off,
Douglas.
So, what's the occasion?
I had some personal business to take care of.
Mm. Is that right?
Yeah, that's right.
Now, why do I feel like I'm being questioned?
Because you are.
Well, fill me in.
Last I checked, I do my job at the restaurant.
And from what I remember, you gave me these days off, so we
shouldn't have a problem.
Benjamin, I know what you did.
Look, I don't know what you're talking about, but if
somebody's blaming me for something, you know, I don't
have to come back.
You were a match.
How did you know?
How would you know that?
Who told you that?
Somebody can be fired for telling you I'm a -- I'm a
donor.
Hey, look, it was me, okay?
I just had a feeling, and i-i just wanted to know for myself.
[ Sighs ] Why?
Why what?
Why did you do it?
I don't know. Because.
Because?
B-because what?
I mean, there's not a whole lot of good samaritans running
around, doing this type of stuff.
Because it was the right thing to do.
Thing to do.
Look, Benjamin...
I came to say thank you.
Look, I don't want to be thanked.
I didn't do it to be thanked.
To tell you the truth, I'm not even happy you know.
Benjamin, you saved my mother's life.
And I'm glad to help.
Help? [ Scoffs ] Benjamin, you -- you did what I
couldn't even do -- a total stranger.
You know how that makes me feel?
I mean, I'm ecstatic.
I'm -- I'm ecstatic.
I'm confused.
I'm -- I'm nervous.
I'm a little jealous and overjoyed at the same time.
You can't tell your mother, all right?
I don't want her to know.
What? What?
Listen, promise me -- at least respect my wishes on that.
Okay, I guess that's fair.
Now, if you don't mind, I'd -- I'd like to get back to
my rest.
[ Sighs ] [ Creaking ]
Dinner Sunday?
Thanks for the invite, but, um, I'm okay.
I'm back to work on Monday, and I probably won't be, uh, getting
out much before then.
Look, take three days off with pay.
No, no, no. I insist.
It's the least I can do.
[ Sighs ] All right.
Thanks.
See you next week.
[ Sighs ] [ Sighs ]
[ Mid-tempo music plays ] Perfect.
Hey, there.
Hey.
You know, I thought that I may have gotten the place mixed up.
Wait. Are you guys closed?
Well, sort of.
You're sort of closed?
Yeah, we're closed this evening.
Mm.
I gave everyone the night
off.
Are you serious?
Mm-hmm.
You closed the entire restaurant for us?
No. For you.
[ Chuckles ] Well, I don't know what to say.
Right this way.
Thank you.
You look beautiful.
Thank you. So you do.
Thank you.
Oh, wow.
Look at this.
So, wait.
Um, if you're closed, who's cooking?
I am.
As a matter of fact, let me check on our food.
I'll be right back with the first course.
[ Chuckles ] The first course?
Here you go.
Oh, wow.
That looks amazing.
I hope you like it.
Mm.
And I hope you brought your appetite.
Oh, I am starving.
Mm.
Father, we thank you for the food and fellowship.
We ask that you continue to lead us and to guide us in the way
that you would have us to go.
Amen.
My mother suggested the shrimp cocktail.
It's one of her favorites.
Mmm.
Douglas, this is delicious.
Uh, you tell her that this was a good pick.
Sure will.
[ Chuckles ] Mmm.
[ Music continues ] I think it's in the blood.
You know, it's -- it's kind of like a thing.
Everything's cold before it gets warm, right?
Yeah.
[ Music continues ] Mm-hmm.
A gentleman -- he opens the door for me.
He cooks for me.
I love it.
Oh.
[ Laughs ] I had an amazing time.
So did I.
Mm.
I hope you'll allow me to keep making you smile.
Mm.
Well, I don't see why not.
Mm.
[ Insects chirping ] Wow.
Cook for you anytime.
[ Chuckles ] Bye, Douglas.
I'll see you soon.
Hope so.
[ Chuckles ] [ Birds chirping ]
Sit, juno.
Good girl.
Who is it?
Good girl.
It's Mr. Benjamin and his dog.
Tell him to come in.
Hi, Mrs. Rivers.
Hi, Benjamin.
We're so happy to see you.
Hey, Benjamin.
We're glad you changed your mind.
Well, it looks like I could have showed up earlier to help.
Oh.
No, no, no.
You're company, but I may take you up on that the next time.
All right, sounds good.
Can I go outside and play with juno?
Is it okay?
Oh, sure.
Look, uh, dinner's soon, so don't go too far.
Everything looks so nice.
Thank you.
It's just so nice to have company.
You know, in my old neighborhood, everybody knew, if
they wanted a good Sunday dinner, they needed to come to
my house.
And then Douglas had to take over for me when I got sick.
Yeah, but it's my pleasure, though, ma.
You have cooked plenty of Sunday dinners in my lifetime, so it's
the least I could do for you.
The least I could do for you.
Benjamin, I wanted to thank you for those beautiful flowers.
Oh, please.
Oh, thank you.
I'm glad you liked them.
That was from everyone at the restaurant.
I'm just glad to see you're doing so well.
You know, I feel like a new woman.
Well, you look like a new woman.
All right, now.
[ Both laugh ] You know, I'm just so happy to
be done with all that dialysis, and I can spend more time with
my family and no time at that hospital.
Yeah, well, uh, this is nice.
I mean, very rarely do families sit down and eat dinner and
actually spend some quality time together -- that's for sure.
Where's yours?
Goodness, mama.
What?
What, Douglas?
Well, I'm sorry.
You will soon find out that I'm not known for my subtlety.
[ Chuckles ] No, it's okay.
To tell you the truth, I don't know where they are.
When my adoptive parents got divorced, I ended up back in the
foster system.
So I got bounced around a little bit.
Well, you have us now.
Well, I appreciate that.
Must have been very...
Difficult for you, though.
Well, it was difficult when I was younger.
But I think after I got locked up, I had a lot of time to
think, and, um, I just basically came to peace with the fact that
I'm...somebody's child.
[ Clicks tongue ] Of course you're somebody's
child.
So, Benjamin, want something to drink?
Uh, soda's good -- any flavor will do.
Oh, no.
You, too?
That one over there is a fool for soda.
Yeah, right.
Yeah, that -- that happens to be one of my weaknesses.
Yeah, you and me both.
Thanks.
Yeah.
So [clears throat] I was telling mom how good you're doing over
there at the restaurant.
Oh, yeah.
It's easy to work with good people.
I mean, they keep me laughing all day -- I mean, especially
Johnny.
[ Laughs ] Oh, yeah, Johnny's crazy.
Johnny is crazy, but you better watch out before he gets
you in trouble.
Well, listen, as you know, we're looking for a new head chef.
And I know you can make the menu, and I've tasted things
that you've made just messing around in the kitchen with
Johnny.
So, as far as we're concerned, the job is yours if you want it.
I'll be around to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
So...what do you think?
Now, you know, Johnny has been our head chef since
forever, so it's a hard act to follow.
[ Chuckles ] Well, um, I love a challenge,
and I'm definitely up for it.
So, you don't need any time to think about it?
No time at all.
They say success happens when preparation meets opportunity,
right?
Mm-hmm.
That's what they say.
So [clears throat] welcome, our new head chef.
Cheers.
This is very exciting.
Yeah.
Ah.
[ Chuckles ] Mmm.
So...as you know, the new job comes with a raise.
So, next week, we'll talk about the particulars and, you know,
get you all situated.
You know, if somebody would have told me three months ago
that this would be happening, I never would have believed them.
[ Juno barking ] Juno, no!
Juno, juno! No, girl!
Aah! Oh!
Just take him -- take -- take the dog outside.
Take -- take him out.
Sorry, dad.
Hey, look, I'm -- I'm sorry about all this mess.
I'll get you another shirt.
Okay, thanks.
Juno, girl.
Told you about leaving that door open.
Sorry, grandma.
My goodness.
Let me put that in the washer for you.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
I can just take this and -- and put it in the bath.
No, no, no, no.
I will take this.
It will be washed, dried, and folded.
I'm not promising ironing, though.
[ Chuckles ] [ Door closes ]
Ohh. [ Sighs ] Now, I have never been much
for animals in the house and everything, and I told that boy
always to keep the door closed with...
But, uh...
I got you a shirt here.
Oh, my god.
Mom! Mom, mom, mom!
[ Gasps ] You okay?
Mom, are you -- are you light-headed?
Mom, you're doing too much.
Mm.
Oh! Um.
I told you not to run around and be doing all this stuff
already.
I know.
I think you're right.
I think I need to -- just cover that up for me, please, and
I'll -- I think I need to take a rest.
And it's really nice having you here, son -- Benjamin.
Uh...
I'm sorry.
I need to get some...
Enjoy the meal, though.
Okay.
Good night.
Okay. Uh, I'll check on you in a minute.
You hungry?
Always.
Ah.
[ Birds chirping ] Oh, girl.
[ Sighs ] Juno.
Did you walk here?
Yeah.
I'll give you a ride home.
No, no, no, no.
We're good.
No. No, no.
I won't take "no" for an answer.
Jacob, I need you to look after your grandmother.
She's upstairs, laying down.
I'll be right back.
Okay. Goodbye, Mr. Benjamin.
Be good.
Hey, Douglas, I'm sorry, man, about the dog.
Oh, it's okay.
[ Chuckles ] Okay, no, Linda.
I'm telling you, I saw it as clear as day with my own two
eyes.
I did.
Benjamin's my son.
Connie, a lot of people have birthmarks.
In fact, doesn't everybody?
No, no.
When I gave him to the nurse, I just looked over his little
body, and I saw that birthmark.
I saw it, and I knew right then that I would never forget it.
Benjamin is my son.
I'm telling you -- I know.
You know mothers know.
I'm telling you.
Okay, okay.
Now, don't get all worked up.
Just calm down.
I have to tell the boys.
Yeah. Yes, you do.
I do.
I don't know when, but I've got to tell them.
You can't wait for the perfect time, because that's
never gonna happen.
Connie, you've just got to do it.
Douglas is going to Atlanta tomorrow with his new
girlfriend.
But as soon as he comes back, I'm gonna tell him, and then
we're gonna go, and we're gonna tell Benjamin together --
I promise.
All right, now, you keep me posted.
Get some rest.
I love you.
God bless you.
Thank you, Linda.
[ Sighs ] [ Chuckles ]
Oh, lord.
[ Sniffles ] [ Birds chirping ]
How are you, Mrs. Rivers?
Well, this is a pleasant surprise.
Douglas asked me to check on you.
Benjamin.
Brought your little juno.
[ Laughs ] Yeah, I left her outside.
How are you feeling?
Um...
Well, I got to say, I've felt better.
But, you know, I think it's just my body trying to get back to
normal, you know?
Douglas, um, doesn't want me doing very much while he's gone,
so Jacob's been taking care of himself.
And...well, I don't...
[ Chuckles ] I just came to check on you
and Jacob, uh, see how you were doing.
Is he here?
Mm.
Yes, he's upstairs, playing those crazy video games.
Oh, yeah.
All right.
Can I go see him?
Please, go on upstairs.
He's up there.
[ Footsteps ] Thank you, Jesus.
[ Voice breaking ] Thank you.
Oh, thank you so much.
[ Knock on door ] Come in, grandma.
Hey, what's up, man?
Hey, Mr. Benjamin.
What are you doing here?
Uh, I just came by to see if you wanted to help me walk juno.
Yeah.
Bye, grandma.
Bye, honey.
We're gonna be at the, uh, park up the block.
Do you need anything?
No, just have fun.
Okay.
[ Door opens ] Thank you.
You're welcome.
See you in a bit.
Do you want to give her a walk?
Yeah.
Okay.
She's the best dog ever.
Yeah. [ Chuckles ] She wasn't always this way,
though.
Took a lot of training to get her like this.
What kind of stuff did she used to do?
She was just hardheaded, wouldn't listen to anything.
But I think the people who had her before me must have abused
her, because she was really scared of everybody.
That's sad.
I don't want anything bad to happen to juno.
[ Chuckles ] I'm glad she's your dog now.
Yeah, me too.
So, you think you're ready to help me train her?
Yeah.
All right. Good.
So, the first thing we need to do is get her used to taking
commands from you.
So what I want you to do is walk her a little bit, tell her to
sit down a couple of times, and when she does, I want you to
reward her by saying, "good girl."
Okay?
Sit, juno.
Sit, juno. Sit.
Good girl.
Okay.
Mm-hmm.
Grab it with the other hand.
There you go.
Okay, let's go.
Sit, juno.
Sit.
Good girl.
[ Chuckles ] Good girl.
Okay, again.
Sit, juno. Sit.
Good girl.
* a one-of-a-kind love, my love *
come on.
Good girl.
I hope my dad's having a good time.
They went to Atlanta.
I'm sure he is.
I wanted to go.
He's taking her to the aquarium.
I've already been there a bunch of times, so I was okay with
that.
So, you like animals, huh?
Yeah. I think maybe, one day, I'm going to be a veterinarian.
Is that right?
* and the clouds... So, you did really good with
her.
The way you gave her the commands was perfect.
Mrs. Rivers.
Mrs. Rivers?
Mrs. Rivers.
Jacob, did your grandma take any medicine today?
I think so.
Mrs. Rivers.
Mrs. Rivers!
Call 911.
Mrs. Rivers.
[ Monitor beeping ] What happened?
Is she okay?
[ Breathing heavily ] How long's she been sleeping?
They just came in to give her some meds so she can get some
rest.
Okay, I'm here, mama.
Everything's gonna be okay.
[ Sighs ] T-thanks for bringing her.
Well, what happened?
I took Jacob to the park.
When we came home, she was laying on the couch and she
wouldn't wake up.
Well, I-I need to call Dr. Sperry.
H-has he been in here?
No, he's on his way, but, uh, there's something I need to tell
you.
What's that?
Uh, come on.
Let's, uh, step outside.
[ Telephone ringing in distance ]
[ Sighs ] They really don't know what's
wrong.
Most likely, her body's rejecting the kidney.
Dr. Sperry said that everything's should be fine,
considering.
Yeah, I know.
[ Sighs ] And there's more.
When I was alone in the room with her, she started telling me
a story.
I'm so sorry.
I made a lot of mistakes...
When I was a young girl.
And when I had Douglas...
I had twins.
Two kids?
Two kids.
Then she said that...
And they asked me...
Which one I wanted to give up for adoption.
They told me I'd already committed -- I could only keep
one.
Well, I had to see my babies.
I had to see 'em.
And they brought 'em -- so beautiful and so...Innocent.
And one of the babies had a birthmark behind his left
shoulder...Very different than
anything I'd ever seen.
And I knew that that birthmark was a sign...I'd always be able
to find you.
And I knew I'd look for you.
Benjamin...
You're my son.
I'm your mother.
[ Crying ] I know you went through so much.
Benjamin...
It's over now.
Can you -- can you accept me?
[ Sighs ] I'm so sorry.
[ Breathes deeply ] But it's over now, baby.
You're my brother?
[ Sighs ] There's a letter at the house
she wants you to read.
It describes everything I told you in her own words.
[ Sighs ] [ Sighs ]
[ Monitor beeping ] [ Rapid beeping ]
Mama. Mama.
Nurse! Nurse!
Come help her.
Is she gonna be okay?
Help her!
Where is she?
What's going on?
Sir...you can't be here.
Mom!
You need to leave.
We will take care of her.
We will do everything we can.
[ Beeping continues ] [ Chuckles ]
Yeah.
You know, that makes sense.
What's that?
I was at work, and I was putting your information into
the computer -- noticed that we had the same birth date.
And I-I thought that, you know, I was working too hard, and I...
Mistakenly put my birth date in.
I guess it's clear now, huh?
[ Sighs ] Why didn't she tell me?
[ Sighs ] She was probably waiting for the
right opportunity, Douglas.
But all these years -- all these years.
I mean, she told me she was going through some stuff.
I mean, she was young and...
[ Sighs ] Yeah, she told you, right?
Seems she told you a lot of stuff, didn't she?
But she hid it from me.
It was probably difficult for her.
Just because she didn't tell you doesn't mean she loves you any
less.
Look, mom was a good woman.
Mom was a good woman.
Hey, hey.
She would eventu-- who are you to tell me about
my mother?
You don't even know her.
You've known her for -- what? -- A matter of weeks.
I've been with her for 37 years.
So don't you tell me about my mother.
At least you had her for 37 years.
If it wasn't for a simple twist of fate, you'd be standing in my
place right now.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
There was nothing we could do.
[ Crying ] [ Sniffles ]
Thank you all for coming.
[ Birds chirping ] It's hard to believe she's
gone.
Yeah, I can't believe it.
To tell you the truth, it hasn't even set in yet.
I wanted to show you this.
"Read the Serenity prayer every morning and every night.
It takes the worry out of life.
Love always, cmr...
Mary."
Mm.
That was her middle name.
And this is definitely mom's handwriting.
I can't believe you've been able to keep on to it this many
years.
Me, either.
My adoptive mother says she found it in one of my socks when
they brought me home from the hospital.
Mm.
I'm sure it was the best she could do.
[ Chuckles softly ] You know...I always wanted a
brother.
[ Chuckles softly ] So did I.
She must have been so happy to realize it was you.
Yeah.
Mm.
It was like she waited for all of us to be together again.
Yeah, she probably did.
[ Sighs ] Mom was right about Hawaii.
Man, she was so right.
Sometimes, you just have to -- sometimes, you just have to live
life.
Man, I wish I had hope just book that ticket originally, you
know?
Hope's been great through this.
Yeah, she has.
You gonna make her your wife?
[ Chuckles softly ] Remember what Johnny said.
[ Chuckles ] "Don't be too particular."
"...too particular."
[ Both laugh ] Yeah.
Well, you got my blessing.
Well, thank you.
[ Chuckles ] You know, I like hope better
than I've liked anyone in a long time, you know?
And I definitely want her in my life.
Hey, you know when you -- when you're dating a girl and -- and
sometimes, you just -- you just want your personal space and you
just want to be left alone sometimes?
Definitely.
Well, I never feel like that with her.
[ Chuckles ] You know, man, I-I really
think I might have found her.
Mom seemed to like her, too.
Mm.
That's a good sign, knowing how particular mom was.
[ Chuckles ] Yeah.
I've been dating somebody lately.
Really?
Yeah.
For how long?
Not long.
I met her at the grocery store about three weeks ago.
Oh. Well, you got to bring her by the restaurant sometime.
No, it's too soon for that.
Well, what's her name?
Sintera.
[ Chuckles ] I used to date a sintera.
Yeah, well, hopefully, it's not her.
Yeah, you better hope not.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Why you say it like that?
Well, this girl was...
[ Scoffs ] W-well, you know, it's -- it's
probably not the same one.
No, no, no, no, no.
'Cause I-I don't like the look on your face.
I mean, you know, I mean, like, it's -- it's kind of serious.
I mean, could it be that bad?
[ Chuckles ] Uh, yeah.
No.
Yep.
One of Johnny's hookups?
Medication.
Oh, no.
Oh, no. Oh, no.
Hey, but it might not be the same one.
I-I just -- I don't even want to take the chance.
Look, i-I'm supposed to go out with this girl to -- what --
what -- what am I supposed to do?
Well, just tell her that you -- you want to introduce her
to your big brother, and we'll find out if it's the same one.
That's -- all right, that's good.
That's good.
Wait a minute.
What -- what makes you think that you're my big brother?
Well, I just believe that I am.
[ Laughs ] That's it.
[ Chuckles ] [ Chuckles ]
Man, I have dreaded this day my entire life -- losing my mother.
I never thought I could even handle it.
[ Sighs ] We'll get through it...
Together.
Well, we have to.
Sometimes, life just doesn't give us a choice.
* I know a place... "Dear boys, if you're reading
this, it means I'm no longer with you.
I pray that you've found comfort and strength in knowing that I
am with my creator.
Benjamin, please forgive me for the decisions I made.
But I'm so happy that I got to spend some time with you.
I never wanted to live without you, son.
Douglas, I apologize for taking you away from your brother.
You have each other forever now.
And I know that you'll both guide Jacob in the way he should
go.
Now, Douglas, I don't want you to sleep too long on a good
woman like hope.
And, Benjamin, you're gonna be a great husband and father one
day.
Be good to one another...
And remember, your mother loves you.
Constance Mary rivers.
P.s. -- Benjamin is the oldest by 17 minutes."
* ...All right
* because only in him are we
alive *
* oh, and I