My, my, Senator.
You're insinuating that I have no class,
yet you're standing here tearing down a woman
in the very club that your father established
for people to be built up in.
You know, your daddy just must be...
he must be rolling over and over in his grave.
My father was a magnanimous man.
But one of the earliest lessons
that Paul Cheeks Dupree instilled in me
was never to suffer fools.
I'm sure he'd be proud of me for putting that into practice.
All very moderate, Anita.
I mean, the way you were talking and doing this without Vernon,
I was expecting something a little more radical.
Well, there is a final, more significant change
that I'd like to make.
Okay. Of course. What's that?
Well, as you know, Vernon is the executor of my estate.
BILL: Mm-hmm.
I would like to...
name you coexecutor.
Our mother...
-Thank you. -NICOLE: Thank you.
...the Anita Williams,
who not only survived her tough childhood
but went on to become an EGOT,
considered giving up.
Those are words I never thought I would say.
Thank goodness it was only an infection.
Treatable.
She's got a long way to go, though.
But I will take the win.
Hear, hear.
After we left Mother and Daddy, you disappeared.
Where'd you rush off to?
When I answer, you will nod your head and say you understand.
-I understand. -That's very good.
[both chuckle]
Bill caught wind that Mother was in the hospital
and I thought he deserved to hear from me directly
that she was feeling better.
I do understand.
Not just because I'm following instructions.
Really.
Of course. I told Ted right away.
Our exes still care deeply for our parents,
and Mother's illness has shaken everyone.
It's even got Bill looking at his own life.
As in?
Second thoughts about having a baby with Hayley.
He's worried he's too old
and won't be around to raise another child.
Is this about more than Bill facing his mortality?
-Here we go. -Think about it, Dani.
He didn't have to share that with you.
Maybe he wanted you to know
because he's wondering if there's a chance
the two of you can get back together.
How do you feel about that?
TOMAS: Muffins? [laughs]
You're tempting me.
LYNETTE: Let yourself be tempted.
TOMAS: Not sure I can do that.
I spend a lot of time trying to stay fit.
-I can see that. -[chuckles]
I'm glad you stopped by, Lynette.
Why is that?
Wasn't sure I'd get to see you again.
I had to come by.
And thank you for working so hard on my case.
You-- and, of course, Bill--
you all worked so hard on my case.
You made me feel really special.
Because you are.
♪ ♪
Hey. What's the word?
I'm making progress with Grayson.
Well, that's great. How?
By asking him to help keep Max safe.
And he had to trust me in order to do that.
So now, we've both taken a risk, and it's paid off.
And then what's next?
You offer another secret
that neither of you can afford to get out?
-That's the plan. -And then you'll have proven
that both of you value human lives
more than the work that you're doing
for the red market. Smart.
It's promising, but I still haven't gotten
any solid info out of him.
You'll get there. Just...
keep building on the foundation that you've laid.
Yeah. You know, the truth is, Smitty,
it's been great having somebody out here
to bounce all this off of.
So thanks for hanging in.
Yeah.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
What is it?
I'm thinking about how complicated
this has gotten for you.
Now you're juggling two aliases.
You're Rashad with Ren,
and you're a dirty cop with Grayson.
Ah, don't worry about it.
It's handled.
And maybe with a little more time,
Grayson will finally open up about who his contact is
at the hospital.
I'm glad to hear you don't want me to get my feelings hurt.
But is there some reason you feel like
you need to tell me that now?
I just meant that I'm under a lot of stress,
like with work and everything,
and I'm... I don't always handle it well.
I'm not as available as either one of us would like.
But I never want to let you down, because...
...I think we got a really good thing going.
I feel that way, too.
A burner? What do you mean?
IZAIAH: Don't pretend, Naomi.
Hey, I know Jacob gave you a burner
so you two could keep in touch on the DL.
He told me when we randomly rolled up on each other.
You told me you hadn't seen him.
'Cause Jacob asked me not to say anything.
Well, did he say you could use the burner?
No.
Okay? But our mom is really worried.
And she just wants to hear Jacob's voice, you know?
Tell him she loves him, in case...
In case he doesn't make it home, right?
No, Naomi, that's not going to happen.
You know, if you really believed that,
you wouldn't be calling me right now.
You know, it's pretty ironic that the very thing you want
could get your brother hurt.
Or worse.
You cannot possibly
be asking me this.
Wonder what's got her so pissed.
Uh...
it's probably just one of her cases.
You know, Naomi's really passionate about her clients.
IZAIAH: I'm so sorry, okay?
I didn't mean to stress you out.
I get that this is a big ask.
I just-- I'm hoping that we can make an exception
this one time for our ma.
Izaiah, please don't make me the bad guy.
If Jacob wanted you or Darlene to be able to reach him,
he would have given you a way to do that.
This burner is my lifeline.
It is the only way that I know that he's safe
and there's not a chance in hell
that I'm going to jeopardize that for anyone.
If Darlene needs reassurance,
she should talk to her own husband.
I'm not trying to keep Vernon out of the loop,
but I see no point in asking him to consider this
if you're not willing.
I... I mean--
Before you answer,
I'd also like to make you...
...the cotrustee.
Of the joint trust Vernon and I share.
[stammers] Well, that's certainly something.
Uh, is there anything else?
No.
But if you don't want to take on
either of these responsibilities,
then the point is moot
and Vernon will never hear of this conversation.
If you need some time to think about it...
Oh, no, that-- that's not necessary.
I'd be happy to take on both roles,
but I don't think Vernon will sign off on it.
If the worst happens, Bill,
Vernon is going to need someone
to help him navigate this.
I've seen the impact this illness has had on him.
And he has told me that he doesn't know
how he's going to go on without me.
Now, I considered going to Nicole and Naomi,
but I think...
...it's asking too much, when they'll be dealing
with their own grief.
Mm.
You are an excellent attorney, Bill.
And I know you will remain objective and clearheaded
at what will be an emotionally fraught time.
Mm-hmm.
-And... -[sighs]
...on a day when Vernon is up to dealing with
the endless phone calls and paperwork,
you watch out, 'cause he'll give you a run for your money.
[chuckles] I know that's right.
I'm honored, Anita,
that you would entrust me with something as important
as your last wishes.
Your children are my grandchildren, Bill.
-We have a common goal here... -Yeah.
...looking out for this family.
I know I can count on you for that.
Well, I won't let you down.
I will be in touch.
And when you do have that conversation with Vernon...
good luck.
[Anita chuckles]
Thank you.
I'm going to need it.
You can spit venom my way, but I will rise above it.
Now, I get that you're under a boatload of stress
because your wife is sick.
But I won't be as understanding
the next time you get all up in my face.
You instigated this conversation.
And the larger fight, by building that eyesore
across from Anita's and my home.
Well, one man's eyesore is another woman's delight.
Leslie, that spite house will never delight anyone but you,
so you can set aside your manufactured indignation.
You will never have the moral high ground.
I am becoming a pillar in this community.
Now, if you're not careful,
you'll find yourself looking up at me
instead of the other way around.
If you believe that,
then you are nuttier than that fruitcake
you gave Anita and me.
Good day.
I'm sorry I got your hopes up, Ma,
but my idea to get you in touch with Jacob was a bust.
I wasn't thinking about the position it would put Naomi in.
That's who you were speaking with?
Yeah. Jacob set up a way for Naomi to reach him,
and I was hoping you could contact him the same way.
And she didn't take too kindly to that.
[sighs] Nope.
But I had to try.
Look, I know it's tearing you up
that you haven't heard from him since he started
working this case. And...
I know it's his first high-stakes undercover case.
I just wanted to set your mind at ease.
You know what they say,
intention doesn't erase impact.
You shouldn't have done that, Izaiah.
I was trying to help, okay?
I didn't stop to think.
I was just venting,
not asking you to put me in touch with your brother.
It's too dangerous.
Naomi was right to shut you down.
Whatever Jacob arranged with her was just for them.
I would never impose on that.
I have another pickup at Garland today.
I'll grab some more time with Grayson after
and see if I can make more inroads.
It's tricky knowing the right amount of pressure to apply.
Without the guy getting skittish.
-[phone chimes] -Hopefully, he'll embrace the idea
of somebody having his back.
It's Naomi.
Trouble?
She wants to meet with me this afternoon.
You look worried.
-I told her I can't meet. -[phone chimes]
And she...
Is she all right?
So she says.
But it's not like her to ask to see me.
Anita took a bad turn for the worse.
-She had to go to the hospital. -Oh, no.
Everything's fine now.
I just hate that I can't be there for Naomi.
I just hope there's nothing else
that's happening in addition to that.
How about I check on Naomi?
I can take care of her, and you look out for you.
Okay. Yeah.
It's a pretty big leap, Sissy,
to go from Bill wanting
to pull back from having baby number three
to wanting us to be reunited.
Think about it.
A child with Hayley
would lock Bill into that relationship.
Maybe there's a crack forming in the marriage.
Haven't we all wondered how long
the Bill-Hayley honeymoon would last?
And I know, deep down, you would love
if Bill admitted that getting with Hayley
was the worst mistake of his life
and he would do anything to have you back.
The dream of millions of scorned wives.
So, hypothetically,
how big are you dreaming?
If I weren't with Andre, I would probably be all over it,
even if I didn't actually want Bill back.
But I am with Andre and I love him very much.
Yes, but closing the door completely
on someone that has been such a big part of your life is hard.
I don't see why I have to.
But you just said--
One of the things I miss most
is being friends with Bill.
And lately, there have been moments
that have felt very close,
but not in a husband-wife kind of way.
If I zoom back and put on my big-picture glasses, I...
...kind of have Hayley to thank.
Okay. You're cut off.
You have plans, now that you're free
and able to do what you please?
I always have ideas. Plans, though?
-Maybe. -Want to share?
What do you like to do when you party?
-I'm kind of a foodie. -Mm.
And I'm into dancing.
My salsa's sinful.
[laughs]
Does that line actually work?
You tell me.
Don't try to play a player.
Is that what you are?
A player?
You'll never know.
This stops right the hell now.
I want to talk to Naomi before she takes off, and then
I need to check on a patient.
Are you okay to hang a little longer?
-Sure. -'Kay.
Hey.
You all right?
You seemed a little upset about that call.
I, uh, I don't really want to get into it, if that's okay.
Sure.
I got to stop by the office, and then I'm
grabbing a bite with Smitty.
Oh, good.
You know, I bet you could use the distraction.
-Yeah. -Talk later?
Grayson. You have a moment?
I've got a job for you.
The drops are rescheduled for this afternoon.
This would be in addition to your other courier duties.
I need you at that new free clinic.
You already had me scope it out.
As a potential supply source.
Now I need you to start volunteering there.
Are you kidding me?
Learn the clinic's system
and their procedures for...
blood collection and distribution.
I assume they won't be tracking things
as closely as Garland does,
given that the clinic's all volunteers.
Not really. Derek Baldwin's the general manager.
And...?
And I'm dating his ex-girlfriend.
You know that.
He-He's not a fan of mine.
I'm not the right person to be operating right under his nose.
You manage fine here,
surrounded by people you know.
You'll manage there.
I'm sure you won't disappoint.
So what happened with Peaches?
I got her to the spa for a massage.
Ooh! I could use one of those, too.
Those people get on my last nerves.
So why didn't you wait for her?
Because I didn't know how long
you'd be going off on Vernon Dupree.
Did you even hear the way that man was talking to me?
Okay, his father may have built this club,
but that does not give him the right
to be ugly to the other members.
I can't imagine that man being ugly to anyone.
Yeah, I didn't raise you to take people at face value,
especially self-important ones like the Duprees.
Okay? That is not happening on my watch.
Them trying to push us up out of here and Fairmont Crest.
All right? Not today. No, ma'am.
SHARON: All right.
Anita...
You're not looking so hot. Come on.
I'll help you upstairs so you can rest in your room.
No, I don't-- I don't want to go upstairs.
Maybe we can just...
just sit together.
Okay. I have a better idea.
Lie down.
Rest your head here.
Girl, do it.
I'm not putting up with your stubbornness,
Anita Williams Dupree.
I came all the way here to offer you some help.
So come on. Let me do my thing.
Come on. Come on.
Yeah.
There you go.
Ah...
Get some rest.
[Sharon humming]
[humming]
[mouthing]
[humming continues]
This feud between you and the Duprees is ridiculous.
You have no argument from me there.
Okay? I mean, I'm just trying to build a house.
Vernon is the one who hauls in the big guns,
trying to shut me down
over a teeny, tiny construction violation,
and he is the one who's acting petty.
You bought a house across the street,
had construction crews going all hours of the day and night,
even when you knew Mrs. Dupree was sick.
Okay, I didn't know that when construction started.
And I did cut back on the hours.
Only after they made you cut back.
Okay, well, maybe if they had asked me more respectfully,
I would have done it on my own, right?
But, I mean, come on. Look, I have put a lot--
a ton, in fact--
of money in that place.
And I belong there.
I deserve to be there.
But they are the ones who refuse to accept it.
I-I sponsored this, this new sports wing in this club,
which every single one of them are going to enjoy.
I also helped put together
that free medical clinic for the local community.
But...
nothing satisfies the Duprees.
I understand your disappointment, Mama.
It's just... a little diplomacy wouldn't hurt.
Why do you always gotta poke the bear?
Oh, baby, obviously you didn't realize.
I am the friggin' bear.
How was your squash game?
[whispering]: I got held up, so someone else took my slot.
[quietly]: Oh...
Sorry to hear that.
You needed something to clear your head.
Well, just seeing my beautiful wife relaxed
and so well cared for...
it's a balm to my soul.
Hmm.
Hey, sleepyhead.
You're home.
And you sleeping like a baby.
Well, Sharon makes a fine pillow.
Reminds me of the old days, back when we were girls.
Ah.
When Anita and I were in high school,
junior high school,
my mother and I got into this big fight.
And that didn't happen often,
-so I was pretty upset. -Hmm.
I went running to Anita's place in tears.
I mean, I was so hurt and angry, I could hardly speak.
And Anita...
she took care of me.
Well, Sharon and Tracy
have returned the favor many times.
Just like the sisters they've always been to me.
And always will be.
There's no need to swipe my wine
before I've had the chance to explain.
By all means, please explain.
Now, I am not saying that I'm going
to send that woman a thank-you present
for sleeping with Bill and blowing up my marriage.
I'm just pointing out that if Bill and Hayley had never
had an affair, I wouldn't have ended up in bed with Andre.
And that crazy, reckless choice
set me on the path I'm on now.
Happily married to an amazing, faithful man,
reenergized by my return to modeling,
the face of a huge campaign,
and thrilled with the new me.
Color me amazed.
My little sister, embracing what she has gained
instead of obsessing over what she's lost.
That's me.
The picture of personal growth.
[Nicole laughs]
What is it that stops now?
A friendly send-off to a charming former client?
Too friendly. You crossed a line.
We'll have to agree to disagree.
I did a decent amount of work on Lynette's case
before Bill got the charges dropped
and she's brought in a beautiful thank-you basket.
Nothing indecent about that.
Still, not a good look, Tomas.
Interesting.
Say more.
You, having such strong opinions
about mixing business with pleasure,
since you were very married Bill's paralegal
before becoming his second wife.
You have an office of your own.
I suggest you head back there. Okay?
What the hell were you doing?
I'm just having fun.
It's nice to see Tomas in casual mode.
All I'm used to ever seeing
is a young partner eager to score points with his boss.
Junior partner.
And, okay, Tomas may look like a Goody Two-shoes,
but you definitely aren't
and he was acting way too interested in you.
Meaning?
He's dating Bill's niece
and he would never flirt with anyone in Bill's office
unless he was trying to gain your trust
or get you to slip up.
But my case is closed.
There's nothing to go dig up anything up on me.
Wait...
Which means he's trying to get something on you.
And he's using me to do it.
That's the last thing either of us needs.
[gasps]
I'm not interested in your complaints.
I'm looking at your schedule now,
and I will make sure your boss in the lab
accommodates your volunteer schedule.
It's important that Garland support the clinic.
That's what Derek said when he made his pitch
about our partnership.
I look forward to developing our work together.
If you're thinking about recruiting Derek
for our side hustle, think again.
He's a real stand-up guy.
Used to be a firefighter before he got sidelined.
He's not all about this... street life.
I'm not ready to count him out yet.
Everyone has a price.
You're proof of that.
Let me guess.
Lia was coming down on you
for spending time on this floor
and fraternizing with the nurses?
She's the kind of person that likes people
to know who's in charge,
Call the shots.
You know, she never used to be like that.
When I first started here, she was warm, friendly,
always cracking jokes with the staff.
[phone chimes]
I gotta get back to the lab. Uh...
But before I do, everything all right with Naomi?
Yeah. Yeah, it was just one of her cases, like I thought.
Hope things start looking up for her.
So do I.
Hey.
Thank you for saving me from eating alone.
Vice versa. You know, I...
-I needed this. -Rough day?
Oh, rough couple of days.
Because of Anita?
Yeah, partly... because of Gran.
And I've been under so much stress
because of work, and Jacob's been away and it feels like
he's been gone for forever.
-And... -I can only imagine.
And I am just so...
...tired and I feel like I'm constantly
-worried about everything and... -Hey.
[sniffles]
I can barely see over the wall
that seems to have sprung up between us.
I don't think you'll be thrilled with what I have to say.
Try me.
With all due respect, Ma,
I don't get how I became the bad guy in this scenario.
Okay? I was only trying to help connect you with Jacob.
I might have been a little harsh.
Comes from a lifetime spent with your father.
He guards the details of his cases
like state secrets.
But I know what you were trying to do for me
and I appreciate it, Izaiah.
-Thank you. -No, thank you.
I know you can come at things
a little differently from the rest of us.
Nice way of saying I'm the outsider in this family.
That's old news.
But I'm proud you were strong enough
to walk away from your pop's expectations.
You are an extraordinary, independent person,
and that's who you were always meant to be.
IZAIAH: That's me.
-DARLENE: Well... -[Izaiah chuckles]
Oh.
EVA: Uh, sorry to interrupt.
I just wanted to say hi.
Hey, you.
Eva, this is my mom, Darlene.
Ma, this is Eva.
I recognize you, Mrs. Hawthorne, from Izaiah's pictures.
It's nice to finally meet you.
Eva.
I've heard so much about you.
Thank you, Sharon, for taking such good care of me.
-Body and soul. -SHARON: Hmm...
You've been a godsend.
I... I only hope you can stay longer next time.
Aw. Always wonderful to be in your company, too, Vernon.
And you, my sister...
...while your singing voice is recuperating,
you remember you have a song
deep down in your soul.
You listen to it.
And you let it guide you to strength and to health.
I will.
[silly voice]: I love you.
I love you back.
I'll see myself out, okay?
Okay?
All right.
Ah...
Can I do anything for you, my love?
No, sweetheart. I-I just need you to come sit.
We have something we need to discuss.
What's wrong?
Nothing's... nothing's wrong.
I-- This is a matter of personal business.
I realized I shouldn't...
put off updating my trust.
And this is a-a good time to do that,
now that everything is calm again.
Agreed.
Not something you do in crisis mode.
Mm-hmm.
It has been a while
since we had everything drawn up
and I'll fill you in on the minor changes later,
but there is one thing
that I will not put into effect without your okay.
Sweetheart, it is...
unfair to burden you with my wishes.
So I would like to name
a cotrustee for my individual trust
and an alternate trustee for our joint trust.
Who would you like?
Well, before you make up your mind,
I want you to hear me out.
Okay.
Who is it?
Bill.
Now, I know you may need some time to process this, but...
Actually, I don't.
You have my full support.
Really?
Frankly, I thought you would push back. A lot.
All your points about Bill
and why you want to do this make sense.
Well, thank you for making this easier.
Bae...
I hope to have many more years with you.
But if you are no longer with me...
...those will be hard days for all of us.
And if I had to make a choice
between helping our daughters and grandkids through their loss
versus dealing with a bunch of administrative paperwork...
we both know who wins that contest.
It's wise to have Bill lend a hand.
Thank you for your understanding.
Hmm.
As much as I hate to admit it, I...
I'm not a young man anymore.
And yet...
all I see is a dashing,
timeless heartthrob.
And I an extraordinary, beautiful woman
who turned my world upside down.
Beautiful. [wry chuckle]
Yes.
Beautiful.
Now and forever, my love.
Now that we've analyzed Bill and me,
you should hear how Hayley reacted
to Bill's lack of enthusiasm for starting a family with her.
-Do tell. -Evidently...
she understood.
-Well, that's a 180. -Isn't it?
I expected to hear she pitched a fit.
Let me give Hayley the benefit of the doubt for a moment.
Why would you do that?
-Training. -Home or professional?
Both.
Speaking from experience,
having had so many miscarriages,
maybe Hayley is scared
of suffering another loss like that.
May I suggest a...
less generous angle?
What if she's just...
pretending to go along with it for now, thinking that
she'll convince Bill later?
Or...
what if she's realized that she's fine without a child
as long as she has Bill's piles of money
to keep her company?
I mean, it's a serious possibility.
After all, it is Hayley we're talking about.
Who knows where her head's at?
I'm afraid to find out.
Just trying to convince Lynette not to run up a bunch of charges
now that you've managed to get her out of hot water.
I can't believe I walked into just the right place
all those months ago.
-Must be my guardian angel. -Aw.
Well, Bill is certainly mine. Isn't that right, honey?
Well, listen, I don't want to hold you up.
I know you have some errands to run.
And thanks again
-for the gift basket. -Yeah. Oh...
-HAYLEY: Bill, did you see? -Yeah.
Yeah, I did. Thank you, Lynette.
You're most welcome.
Oh, and let me know if Tomas bothers you again, okay?
I will.
What was that about Tomas?
Ugh. I caught him flirting with Lynette.
I hope he's not tipping out on your niece.
He wouldn't be that stupid.
Huh. Wanna bet?
Why don't you sit with us?
EVA: Oh, I'm just here to pick up takeout.
My dad and Carlton wanted to treat the staff
to Orphey Gene's greatest hits.
I don't want to step on your mother-son time.
IZAIAH: No, you wouldn't be.
I mean, we finished eating, but we can wait and sit with you.
Talk over coffee. Ma?
Uh, I so wish I could,
but I have to take care of a few things before my shift.
-You sure? -Yeah.
I really do have to go.
-Um, maybe another time. -Of course.
And nice to meet you.
Okay, then.
What?
Did you feel that chill in the air?
Ma was perfectly polite.
Exactly.
You aren't fluent in girl-speak.
Uber-polite is not the goal.
Uh, she just needs to get to know you.
Hey, also, she's worried about Jacob.
He's dealing with a lot of work, so just give her some time.
Sure, I get it.
I don't know what came over me.
Pretty sure everything you just told me came over you.
What do you say we go in and grab a table
and act like I didn't just embarrass myself in public?
Hey, hey, no.
First of all, you didn't.
And second of all,
I have a proposition for you.
Well, rather an open invitation
for you to come to Martin's and my place
whenever you feel like you could use the company.
I'd have to start paying rent.
I'm serious.
The kids would love it,
especially with the cotillion coming up.
Samantha was so happy
that you went to the dress fitting with her.
And Martin is always happy
to see one of his favorite cousins.
And you?
I...
could use a friendly face around the house,
now that Martin is on the road so much with the campaign.
[sniffles]
Wait a second, I'm supposed to be the lawyer here.
Why are you making such a good case?
Because it's a good deal for all of us.
So, please...
...let us help fill the gap while Jacob's away.
♪ ♪
Hey.
-Hey. -Man, you cannot get
-enough of me today. -You know it.
I have to take these upstairs. You want to take a ride with me?
Sure.
Oh, how I wish I could be one of you self-righteous do-gooders.
Politicians and all those dead bodies.
Literally.
You know I didn't do this.
My wife says otherwise.
Are you calling her a liar?
If this is a dream...
my subconscious has great taste.
You're putting me in a difficult position.
I will blow your plan sky-high.
Please welcome Jennifer Holliday.
-Happy Easter, everyone. -Happy Easter!
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