You must be Fatima.
[Zac] Previously on Zatima .
I'm Charles, your new bodyguard.
I'm gonna kill Zac.
-I got cancer. -What?
-Oh, you the bodyguard? -Yes, ma'am.
[Angela] Zac is really on one, but...
Don't forget the back, Charles.
... I am not mad about this choice.
[Jeremiah] My brother had paid for me to get some help.
[Dr. Solas] Promise me when it gets really bad,
-you'll give it all you got. -I will.
Can Connie stay here tonight?
Huh!
OK, we got you. You gonna make this, OK?
-Oh, shit! -[both moan repeatedly]
Oh, shit!
[funky, upbeat music]
-Hey -What?
Want some of this morning wood?
What? Oh, my God...
Come on, let's do it before the alarm goes off.
-You gotta be quiet. -I'ma be quiet.
Connie downstairs.
-I forgot. -You ain't forget.
I did. I just started thinking about something else right now,
You know what I'm saying? Hm? Yeah?
Mm-hmm. Zac, you better be quiet.
I'm gonna be quiet. You gotta be quiet.
[upbeat music]
[screams]
Wait, wait, wait, I'm not even in yet, why are you screaming?
-[Fatima] It's my belly. -I forgot it was that big.
-Zac. -[Zac] My fault. My fault.
[Fatima] Just do it from the side.
-Hold on, do it from the side. -[Zac] OK, watch.
Why'd you put the leg up? Watch the baby.
Oh, my God.
-Be quiet. -I'm going to be quiet.
-[both moaning] -Oh, shit! Chris! Chris!
-It's Charles! -Oh, Charles? Oh damn, Charles!
[alarm sounds]
Zac, stop, stop, stop. I'm not feeling it. Stop.
-What? -I'm sorry.
It's fine.
I mean, you can, you know, when you get in the shower.
Thanks for the permission.
Hey, you think Connie heard us?
[Connie] It's OK. I barely heard y'all.
-See? -What? I just.
[Connie] But if you need more time,
I can put on my headphones.
-Zac! -Don't worry. I'ma fix it.
You better.
But first, I'm fixing myself.
I'm sorry, babe.
Sorry!
* Love ain't perfect *
* But we still workin' *
* May not be what we see on TV *
* But it's damn sure worth it Uh-huh *
* Love ain't perfect *
* But we still workin' *
* Don't gotta be what we see on IG *
* ' Cause we still worth it, Uh-huh *
* Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah *
* Do-do-do-doo-do-do-do-do We still work it *
[Fatima groans]
-Good morning. -Good morning.
Connie, what is this?
Oh, I was trying to make y'all,
like, a nice breakfast or whatever,
but I realized I'm not really good at breakfast.
-Connie? -[Connie] Yeah?
I don't mean no harm, but you just burned down your apartment.
-Stay out of my kitchen, boo. -Yeah. I want to do something.
-Last night was a lot. -A lot for who?
-Not a lot for family. -You mean that?
Yes.
-All this mess for some cereal? -Yeah, I got tired so I gave up.
But I'ma to clean up. I promise you that.
You better.
Can I get you some orange juice?
Yes, thank you.
-Thank you. -[Connie] You're welcome.
So while you're at work, do you need me to run any errands?
-You need me to do anything? -Connie, no. You need to rest.
Look, Zac told me that you were gonna get an Airbnb.
You don't want to just stay here?
Uh-uh. That fancy-ass couch over there?
Uncomfortable. Knots in my neck and my back.
Ugh, I get it.
[Connie] But I appreciate it, though.
And that's why I want to do whatever I can to help.
Connie, you're good, OK? You just need to rest. All right?
And Zac and I, we're glad to help you.
Oh, speaking of, do you have the CPS order?
Oh, oh.
[Fatima] I'm going to get you a suitcase
and some more file folders today.
Yeah. Because that's a mess.
Yeah, and that will not go over well in court.
-I know. -You lost everything, huh?
I ain't really have much, but I lost the most important thing,
my kids.
Wait, Connie, you have an emergency hearing today.
-Wait, wait, I do? -[Fatima] Yes.
Shit, I ain't ready.
And I ain't gonna lie to you, CPS can be hard to navigate.
I know. That's a nightmare.
Your case, it honestly doesn't look that bad.
Really?
No, I mean, you're not an addict.
You're not abusive. I mean, it's really just circumstance.
So you think the lawyer that the court got me,
you think he gonna fight for me?
Connie, I'm going to be honest with you.
Those court attorneys,
they don't spend a lot of time on cases.
Most of the time, they try to get it over quickly.
I'm not never going to get my kids back.
Connie, you can't think like that, OK?
-This was an accident. -It was.
Right, and honestly,
they have no other reason to take your kids.
And after seeing how you are in the kitchen,
I honestly see how you can start a fire.
-Yeah. -But it was an accident, right?
-Right, it was. -OK, so accidents happen.
And let's thank God it wasn't tragic.
Look, I tried my best to get my kids out of there safely.
I know you did.
Tell you what, why don't you let Zac and I get you an attorney?
Nah, I couldn't. Y'all done enough.
Connie, please do not say no.
-Thank you. -Of course.
-I'm glad we can help. Hey. -Morning.
Good morning, baby. Connie made us fresh cereal.
Did the refrigerator throw up everything?
[Connie] No, no.
See, I was trying to do something fancy like an Italian.
-French toast? -French toast?
Yeah. That's a meatball.
-In the? -Mm-hmm.
-OK. -Yeah.
But we're going to get back to basics. Cereal.
-Can I get you a bowl? -No, no, no, no, no.
Baby, baby, baby, baby. Let her do it, OK?
-[Connie] Yes. -OK.
-That's an Ethiopian breakfast. -Oprah, who you calling?
I'm calling to take a half day off work.
Why?
Because, look, she has a court hearing today,
and she needs support.
Yeah, but you're supposed to be resting.
Nobody's answering. I'll text them. Hold on.
-Here you go, Zac. -Thanks.
Just want her to have the best chance, you know?
Thinking we can get her a lawyer.
Until then, I'll support her.
-Fatima... -Is that OK?
I mean, yeah. I didn't think you'd want to do that.
Well, she's my friend too, now.
OK, sure. I mean, thanks.
-Of course. -I appreciate that.
And thanks for the soggy corn flakes.
-Zac? -Yes?
Just eat it.
Connie, if you need something to wear, we can go up to my closet.
I do.
OK, hopefully I can find something that fits you.
I know, because you got all the thickness.
Well, we don't have a lot of time, so.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, where you going?
[Connie] I have to clean up.
Zac, stop.
Y'all can't go nowhere right now.
You gotta wait for your bodyguard.
-Are you serious right now? -Hell yeah, I'm serious.
You and her at the courthouse,
I can't have nothing happen to you.
-OK, Zac. -[Zac] Let me call Charles.
Calling Charles? What he gonna do?
[dials phone]
-[phone ringtone] -What?
[ringing continues]
Shit, Charles, wake up. Your phone, it's after 8.
-Damn, it's Zac. -Oh, shit, don't answer.
I have to. I'm late.
Hello?
-Yo. -[Charles] Sorry, boss.
-[Zac] Where you at? -Um, I'm on my way.
What do you mean you're on your way? Get here fast.
-They're trying to leave. -Yeah, sorry.
-That's mine! -Oh, sorry.
-Wait, hold on. Angela? -What? Angela?
-Huh? -Is that Angela?
-[Zac] Nigga! -That was my mother.
-Yo mama? -That's Angela.
Ooh, Angela! You freaky, sneaky...
I can't believe you're sleeping with the bodyguard!
-[Fatima] Angela, seriously? -Hey, girl. I'm sorry.
Sorry? Wow.
No, you can't say sorry about this, man!
It just happened, boss.
Just happened? It's the second day!
Don't fire me, boss.
Don't fire you? You not even here, bro!
I can do better. I'm on my way.
Wow.
[Zac] Forget about it, man. This is too important.
I'm on my way.
Fire his ass.
That's your friend. Fire your friend.
Well, you the one that hired him.
Find better people and vet them.
Clearly you didn't do a good job.
-Clean that up. -Who are you talking to?
Did he fire you?
No, not yet. But, I think he will.
-Shit. I'm sorry. -Oh. No, it's not your fault.
Our chemistry was just off the chain.
It's not like we did it while you were on duty.
No, but it made me late.
Yeah, but we didn't do it while you were on duty.
-You just overslept. -True.
I don't think that's going to help, though.
You're probably right.
But if he does fire me, I won't be mad.
You my silver lining right now.
-[Angela laughs nervously] -What?
Charles, I'm not really looking for a relationship right now.
Oh. No, it's just... man, don't fire me too!
-Fire you? -[Charles] From being your man.
I thought...
I thought I did a good job.
Charles, you did an excellent job.
-But you're not my man. -Give me a chance, Angela.
Look, I'm not even really in a position to be--
[knock on door] Oh.
-What the hell is that? -I'll get it.
[Angela] Wait.
I can make you come three times and I can keep you safe.
Wait, Charles. Shit.
That nigga really did make me come three times.
Shit.
What the hell?
[Charles] Oh. I don't know who you are.
-I don't know who you are. -Bryce, Bryce.
-You know this cat, Angela? -Yes. You can let him in.
Angela. What's up? What's going on?
Bryce. What are you doing here?
Wanted to stop by and bring you breakfast.
That's nice, but it's too early.
OK. Well, I'm sorry.
You probably should have called first.
Yeah, well, I didn't know you'd have company.
Shit. I didn't either.
-Angela. -[Angela] What, Bryce?
-I already told you. We're over. -[Bryce] But--
Hey, lady said she ain't interested.
OK. Angela--
Listen. I'm not looking for a relationship.
And that goes for the both of you. OK?
Me? You ain't even give us a shot!
Wait. You're giving him a shot?
[Angela] No. Nobody's getting a shot.
I'm not looking for a relationship!
In fact, let me call Shawn
and get rid of all three of y'all asses.
Wait, wait, wait, wait. You're still seeing Shawn, too?
I think she wants you to leave, bro.
[Bryce] Hey, listen. I'm not talking to you.
Whoever you are. You're just a fling.
Angela, you want me to kick his skinny ass out?
Chill.
Kick my ass? You want to kick my ass?
Yeah. Come on. I dare you.
-Bryce. -You dare?
[Bryce] Yeah. Do something about it!
I'm not going nowhere. You leave!
Bryce. Bryce! Shit.
Uh Charles, can you maybe go try to save your job
with Zac and Fatima?
Oh, shit.
-Oh, man. -Bryce, what the hell?
Who was that?
Bryce, you do not have the right to ask me that question.
Angela, I just...
What? I keep trying to tell you we're done.
Why can't you just get through that?
Because I'm not gonna give up on us. All right?
Even if it's just a friendship. I need you in my life.
Bryce, we already tried that. We already tried all of it.
I know, but...
Look, and every time we've tried a friendship or relationship,
you violate it.
But I didn't mean to.
You don't have to mean to, Bryce. You do.
-And now you're manipulating me. -I'm...
I'm not. I just...
I don't... I don't know how to navigate these feelings. OK?
-[Angela] Bryce. -What?
What feelings? We're done!
I'm not looking for a relationship.
Why can't you just accept it?
Because I love you. And I want you to be my wife.
Bryce. Don't say that.
What? Isn't that what you want to hear?
No!
Angela, I...
I'm not looking for a relationship, Bryce.
I know. I hear you. But, wait. You mean it's over?
Like, it's over? It's over?
-[Angela] It's been over, Bryce! -Like forever?
I... I'm not going to keep doing this.
[Bryce] No. No, I hear you. I...
OK. Fine.
I don't take back anything I just said, though.
-You don't? -No, because it's all true.
So you actually see me as your wife?
[Bryce stammers]
I don't know. Like... I want it. I want it if you want it.
[Angela groans]
OK. OK. OK. I'm sorry.
I'm being, whatever. I'm being a wuss.
Yes. Of course I want it. I want it bad.
Well, Bryce. I don't want it. OK?
Yeah. Yeah.
Can you please just stop trying, Bryce? It is stressing me out.
Yeah. OK.
I'll leave you alone.
Whatever. I mean, you still have your breakfast, though. OK?
Thank you, Bryce. That was sweet.
-Whatever. -Bryce! Bryce!
Yeah?
Maybe we can try this friendship thing one more time.
Are you sure?
Yes. But you can't do it with ulterior motives.
OK. Yeah. OK, OK, OK, I swear.
And you cannot go all crazy when you see me dating other people.
OK. OK, I won't.
You can continue searching for your soulmate.
Good.
It was crazy how you got all up
in that big old man's face like that. Damn.
-That was... That was crazy. -Yeah.
You know, I'd do anything for you.
Bryce.
As a friend.
-As a friend, Angela. -I believe you.
In the matter of case number C-2251-221,
this is an emergency hearing.
It looks like we have
four children in temporary custody.
That is correct, Your Honor.
-Right. And you are? -Ms. Wilson.
Here to support as a friend and character witness.
-OK. -[Melinda] Your Honor, Ms. Adams
is currently enduring chemotherapy treatments.
And with a house fire
that caused her children to be taken away,
she hasn't been able to secure counsel yet.
Not yet. But I'm going to make sure she gets it.
Well, we could always postpone until--
[Connie] I need my children back!
I don't want to postpone nothing.
-I need my kids back. -Connie.
Well, I certainly understand the circumstances, Ms. Adams.
And where are they?
Your Honor, I can provide the defendant with that information.
But until our investigation is complete,
I recommend she doesn't see them.
-What? -Unless it is supervised.
Have there been any findings in the fire investigation?
No, Your Honor.
We are preparing to interview the children.
I didn't give them permission to do that.
Your Honor, I would like to request that there
is counsel for Ms. Adams when these interviews take place.
The case hasn't been open long.
That is correct, Your Honor. But we have reason to believe
that these children are being neglected.
-No! No! -Connie...
Look, Your Honor, this worker
entered a dwelling without a warrant or without permission.
-Yes, that's true. -[Melinda] What?
Yeah, you just came right in my place.
As soon as I found out
that the children were involved in a house fire.
I got my kids out!
Your Honor, these children have been seen wandering
their bad neighborhood alone.
That's how we got involved in the first place.
I have reason to believe that it wasn't Ms. Adams
who accidentally started the fire,
but instead it was the children who were left
to fend for themselves.
[Judge] Ms. Adams, unfortunately,
I do find reason for the court to grant
Child Protective Services to perform a full,
thorough investigation into the neglect accusations.
Yes, Your Honor.
[Judge] And I will also allow counsel for Ms. Adams
to be present during the interview with the children.
-Thank you, Your Honor. -Your Honor.
[Judge] You violated Ms. Adams' Fourth Amendment right
if you did enter her home without express permission.
It was burned down, Your Honor.
Well, either way, we abide by the rules.
Yes.
[Judge] We will reconvene in this matter
after the interview with the children.
In the meantime, they will remain in state custody.
Ms. Adams, please begin working with your caseworker
and counsel in order to come up with a plan.
Yes, Your Honor.
What you're going through is tough,
but you need all the support you can get.
I don't even have...
Your Honor, Connie is a very strong woman.
She is battling cancer,
and her children, they are her rock.
But she does have a very strong support system.
[door creaks open]
And all her friends will be there
to support her every step of the way.
I want nothing but to see the children
in a happy, healthy home with a parent that they love.
So, make it happen, Ms. Adams.
I will, Your Honor.
[gavel bangs] Court adjourned.
It's gonna be OK.
Zac, baby, can you help me with this?
Oh, yeah, I got you. No, no, no, no, I got you.
-Thank you, baby. -Yes.
-You OK? -Yeah.
So, did she win? You win, Connie?
We're just getting started, Nathan.
It's gonna be a long road.
I know you feel better now that you got some people here,
rather than doing this by yourself.
I do.
[Zac] And we all would have been here sooner if
- somebody would have told us. -Come on, man.
I get it, I get it, I get it. I'm messing with you.
[Fatima] Connie, I do have one question.
What actually happened before the fire?
-Tell us the truth. -I fell asleep.
Hakeem was making something for his brothers and his sisters.
Oh, damn.
Connie, you should have told me that.
They don't know. Social Services,
they don't know. They don't gotta know.
Oh, my God. The kids know, or at least Hakeem does.
Hakeem ain't gonna say nothing.
No, Connie, you can't force the kid to lie.
So then what am I supposed to do?
[Fatima] You know what? We're gonna get ahead of this.
This is all an accident due to your illness.
It was.
-Yeah -That's good.
-I'm on chemo, I fell asleep. -Right. And your social worker?
-She knows I'm on chemo. -She's known since you started?
Yes, yes, she do.
OK. Has she offered you any services?
No, I asked for help. I asked for after-school help.
I asked for daycare, and he said that they couldn't
do nothing for me.
-Damn, the system's failing you. -No, no. Guys, we can use this.
Yeah, Fatima, you're right. We blame the system.
It's the system's fault.
Nathan, calm down, we not blaming the system, all right?
Connie is going to be accountable, all right?
And we're gonna figure this out.
I'm so happy I got y'all. All y'all.
Yeah, but what you don't have is our couch.
We gonna help you move into an extended stay.
-Thank you. -Yes, we got you.
-I love y'all. -We love you, too.
-[Zac] Don't hug me, man. -[Tony] We was all huggin'.
[Zac] Hold the bag.
[Tony] OK, fine, I'ma hold the bag. Take that.
Excuse me?
Who owns the Black Jeep Cherokee out there?
Uh...
He does. Why?
-Nate, man, shut the hell up. -What?
Y'all, he just asked a question. He ain't even say nothing.
-Tony? -Um...
Uh, yeah?
Sir, I'm gonna need you to come with me, OK?
-Hold up, you for real? -Wait, wait, what?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Um, why is he being arrested?
-I didn't do it. -What?
I didn't. But it was an accident, though.
What?
I'm trying to make things right.
-Hey. Shh. Stop talking. -Man, if you did something,
you need to shut the hell up right now.
-Plead the Fifth. -It was an accident.
Tony, Tony, be quiet, OK?
Officer, can you tell me
the reason why you're arresting him?
-It's, uh-- -Don't tell them!
-Just take me away. -[Fatima] What?
I don't want them to know I'm a monster.
All right, let's... Come with me.
[somber piano music]
[music]
[outro music]
[music]