The Perfect Mother (2024) Movie Script
(ominous music)
(birds chirping)
- Jeremy.
- Hey, Detective Stokes.
So what brings you
on this half of town?
- You lied to me.
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
- You know exactly
what I'm talking about.
- This might not
be a good time...
- You are under arrest.
- To be talking about this.
- Put your hands
behind your back.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey.
- In front of my family man.
- Let's go.
- Don't grab him like that.
- You have the right
to remain silent.
Anything you say could be held
against you in a court law.
Hey, back up, back up, back up!
- Don't worry about.
- Dad.
- [Stokes] You have the
right to an attorney.
- [Ahmad] What happened.
- [Stokes] In a court of law.
- Hey watch it.
- Take Ahmad in the
house. I'm coming back.
- [Linda] Oh he's
losing. Watch it!
Babe where are you going?
- [Jeremy] Be back.
Just taking a ride.
(slow dramatic music)
(upbeat music)
Been trying to figure it out
So you keep on searching
You've been trying to find
the answer through it all
But if you open your eyes
You would see it
That's it's been right
in front of you all along
So what you waiting for
You know what you gotta do
You've been here before
What are you afraid to lose
Don't go back just let go
Let it go
- [All Together] Welcome home.
- Aww man.
- Here you go.
- Wow.
Y'all too much.
- Got some things for you.
- Just got you a
little something.
- It's good to see you.
- Thank you.
- I'm gonna let y'all
have some family time.
Then we'll see y'all soon.
- All right.
- Let me hold that
for you honey.
- Aww thank you baby.
What's up boy?
- Hey.
- You still remember that?
- Yup.
- Yeah, yeah.
God, let me get a
good look at you.
You getting bigger than me.
I missed you.
- Missed you too.
- Let me go help your auntie
in the kitchen. Excuse me.
- Come on let's eat.
- Yeah.
- And the party was so fun.
There was so many snacks.
I mean there was, what do you
call it? There was this...
- Hey Ahmad, what happened here?
- Oh...
- Nothing happened.
Since my research lab is
in the basement now, we,
decided it'd be best if I did
his transfusions from now on.
How were they about your
treatments in there?
Did they feed you okay?
- Well, I made it back
to my wife and son.
Yeah.
- Well we can't ask
more than that, right?
- [Linda] That's right.
- Right.
- All right. Let's eat.
Glad to have you back.
- Thank you darling.
- Oh, and Daniel didn't
have a birthday party?
He brought me a space kit
and helped me build all the
planets for my birthday.
- Oh man, that's nice of him.
You know, speaking of
birthday, did you enjoy it?
I'm really sorry I missed that.
- Oh yeah.
Well mommy ordered one
of those big jumpy things
and Aunt Ebony made everyone
s'mores over the fire.
Uncle Ryan dressed up
past the Black Panther.
- And there was a lot of kids
and a lot of late parents.
- [Ebony] In fact, two of
the kids stayed behind.
- All right.
So did you make sure
that you thank your mother
and your Ebony and Uncle Ryan?
- [Ryan] Absolutely.
You know we teach
manners here, right.
- Right. All right.
- So babe, did Ebony tell you
that she's having a baby boy?
- What? Sis.
- [Ebony] You are
gonna be an uncle.
- I'm so happy for you.
Wow, man. You gonna
be a cousin, man.
And Ryan, man, congrats
to you as well.
- [Ryan] Thank you.
I just hope to be a great
father like you someday.
- Right. Right.
(washing plates)
- You know Linda,
I was thinking,
I think Ahmad should lay
off the dairy for a while.
He seems to get bloated
anytime he has cheese or milk.
- His stomach is fine.
Kids get gas all the
time. He'll be all right.
- Okay. It was
just a suggestion.
- Thanks.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Got you these for you today
as a little welcome home gift.
- You know you remind
me of my mom so much.
Oh.
I know.
You know I see myself
acting like her too.
Even though I swore
I never would.
- Hey, see mama you always said
she was gonna find
out one day, man.
Hey look sis, I really
want to thank you for
looking after the family
while I've been away.
I promise you, as soon
as I get myself back
on my feet, I'm gonna
break you off of something.
- Oh man. I don't need
anything from you,
but just for you to stay
off the street, all right.
No more drugs, no more jail.
Ahmad needs his father.
- I know.
I beat myself up enough
every day I couldn't see him.
All right.
But I promise you, I'm
done with the trapping.
No more drugs. No
more jail. All right.
- All right.
- Yeah.
(knock on door)
- Hey.
I wasn't sure if you were
done with your plate,
so I wrapped it up and I put
it in the microwave for you.
Okay.
- Thank you.
Sorry about earlier.
I know I was a little sensitive
about the dairy comment.
You were right.
- I usually am, but
it's okay. (laughing)
No, apology needed.
I'm gonna let y'all get settled.
I know you happy
to see your honey?
- And he does.
(Ebony laughing)
You so exceptional
I'm not responsible
I never played the game
- You gonna jump in the shower?
- Yep. And I'm going
right to sleep.
- Not tonight.
- Watch me.
- No you watch.
Hey, um, why you let that dude
do Ahmad's blood transfusions
down in the basement too?
It's kind of weird.
- Look, I know it's weird,
but he's been able to
monitor the iron that's going
in and out of Ahmad's body,
now with these treatments.
Plus we haven't really been
visiting the hospital at all.
So it ain't matter.
- I hear you.
Ryan just be doing too much.
Always wanna be seen.
- Oh, he does the most.
But he loves Ahmad
and he is working on
this treatment for him.
Especially since he
got that study grant.
- Grant for what?
- It's for hematologists
who dedicate their
research to finding cures
and treatment for people
with blood diseases.
Yeah.
I wanna make it easy
- So probably gonna have
to start getting my
treatments again too.
So that might make sense.
But I ain't letting
Ryan's cocky ass touch me.
I'm going straight
to the hospital.
- Boy bye.
Easy for you
I won't be
(upbeat background music)
Sometimes I feel
you just screw up
- Hey, welcome to Tech.
Can I offer you a 15% discount
on the repair of two devices?
- How much to get
one of those built?
- Those for our basic
model, which should be good
unless you're a gamer or editor.
No. Okay, so they
start off about $2,000.
- You know what I'm all right.
I'm sorry. Is there anything
else I could help you with?
You wanna inquire
about anything?
No.
Have a good day.
I had a dream about
you last night
We getting drunk
at the local bar
- All of this stuff
should not be in sight
when customers arrive.
Please clean this up.
Would you gimmie a sign
or maybe write me a letter
I just wanna get close to
feel the heat of your sweater
Though I, why can't
you just fall in love
- Who's hungry?
- I am.
- Oh, I had leftovers.
But thank you.
Hey, I was about to ask
you about your interviews.
- Another time sis.
Y'all enjoy them.
- Ahmad, come on it's
time to take a shower.
- But I'm hungry.
- By the time you get
out this shower this food
is gonna be done.
Come on.
- But...
- I'm pretty sure you had
a bag of chips already.
- Ahmad, your mother says
it's time to take a bath.
Go ahead it's only gonna
take you a few minutes.
- When I grow up, I'm only
taking one bath a week.
That way I can eat
whenever I want to.
- Hey, if you wanna be stink,
that's on you. Now let's go.
You stink still. I can
smell you from here.
(mysterious music)
(Jeremy mumbling)
- You ain't taking
me away from...
You're not taking me away.
You're not me away
in front of my son.
- Babe.
Babe.
Honey.
Hey, listen, you're
at home okay.
(Linda kisses)
You're home.
- [Jeremy] Oh I'm sorry babe.
- It's okay.
Look at me. Look at me.
You're home okay.
(Linda kisses)
- Good morning.
- Morning.
So what's the game plan?
- What you trying to be funny?
- No, I'm genuinely asking
what you have lined up
and wondering how
things are going.
- I've barely been out
for two weeks Ryan.
- More than enough to
have a good game plan.
Nothing definitive, but I don't
know at least a good guide.
- And if you've been
paying attention,
I've been out every
day since I've been
back looking for a job.
- That's it?
And looking for a
job, that's your plan?
- That's where I'm starting.
Hey look man, when you got
a felony on your record,
jobs don't happen as easily.
They expect you to
get out there and just
make an honest
living for yourself.
But it's damn near impossible
when you got a record.
- You know, a job, it's just
gonna help you pay the bills.
But a plan that's gonna put
you on a path to be successful.
- I don't know what
world you living in,
but we take it day
to day over here.
- How's that
working out for you?
- How's that working out.
Hey man, what's going on boy?
Good morning.
- Hey uncle Ryan.
- Hey.
- Can I have some
peanut butter toast?
- Oh, no, no, no.
That's gonna drive
your iron up remember.
I'm gonna make you some oatmeal.
- Actually, he can have some.
We've been working in the
lab to keep his iron down.
- I said no.
Hey Ahmad, why don't you go
grab your book bag and stuff
man and I'll get that oatmeal
together for you, okay.
- Okay.
- All right.
- He is such a good kid.
- Look man, don't you ever
undermine my authority
in front of my son.
- Your son.
I have been taking
care of your son
since you thought it
was more important
to be out in those streets
than being his father.
- You know I appreciate
everything you've been doing
for my family, but
that's my child
and he always will be.
- Fair enough.
Sounds like you have a plan.
You have two weeks to
get outta my house.
Care for a smoothie?
- I'll pass.
I've been dreaming about you
Wish I knew what
you were up to
Wish I can hit you up
- I'm gonna tell you right
now, you can't reason
with a man that overly
needs to feel important.
Tired of working on
this job thing too.
I think I'm gonna just
figure it out on my own.
- What you gonna do babe?
- Thinking about
taking the truck.
Go around the neighborhood and
see who needs they trash dump.
I've been noticing people
just got stuff like piled up
in their garage
or in the corner.
Nobody wants to load all that
stuff up and take
it to the dump.
So I've been thinking about
that for a little while.
So I'm gonna drop you off
and hit a few of those
neighborhoods by your job.
Thinking of, I can
just go house to house
and somebody gonna hit.
And look, Paul lives
close over there too.
So I know a few
people on his block.
I think I can get a few clients.
- You wanna know what I think?
- Yeah.
- I think that's the dopest
idea I've heard all year.
- Word?
- Yeah.
- What you want me to do?
- Keep Ryan away from me?
- No, you need to
stay away from Paul.
I'm going to get ready.
Truth is I'm a little bit
hesitant to hit you up
I get more scared
as I then grow up
This ain't a good cup
it'll just burn up
I feel you so closer
I'm so serious
- How much to haul
all this stuff?
- Just throw me a
hundred. New client deal.
- 100 for all that work?
You make more than
that working for me.
At least about a stack a day.
- Nah man. It's
too risky for me.
- You know you want to.
- You hate struggling.
- Yeah. And I hate even
more being away from my son.
It's not worth it.
- Nah, you just
gotta be smarter.
- You know what?
Go ahead and get the full load.
Put an extra tip
for my boy in there.
So you can put gas in the truck.
(upbeat music)
Yeah yeah
Whoa
Yeah
Whoa
Smooth and true is how
I move upon the track
Upon the woods I moved into
I put aside the feeling blue
If it feels right and I feel
good, that's what I choose
To my delight I pick up light
I'm in the sky jet setting
Don't mind if I do
Or I might just teach
you with my leisure
Show the people life
ain't always bout moves
No life ain't
always bout moves
Yeah
Life ain't always
bout moves, yeah
Life ain't always bound
Sitting lonely in my room
Mind racing bound-ward do-do
Underneath there's
a simple me and I
I,
Just want to hear the tune
Just one
Who kind is it really
We can pass the motion with us
(music fades slowly)
- It's always some shit today.
Damn truck went out on me.
- It's running hot.
- Yeah.
I thought the cooling was
gonna work but it didn't.
I think the engine locked up.
Look I think imma just hit
Paul and take my chances yo.
This shit ain't it.
- No you're not.
Look, we're gonna figure
something out, okay.
But Paul is not an option.
- Right now, really ain't
the time to righteous.
- You're being emotion
and irrational.
We'll figure something
out, I promise.
- Something like what?
You gonna get another
minimum wage ass job?
How you think that's
supposed to pay the rent?
- Do you know what? Whatever.
- Babe, I'm so...
I'm sorry about earlier, okay.
- Sure you are?
Look, so I ordered some
stuff for the daycare.
You know the one we've
been talking about?
- Yeah. Yeah.
- So I think all I gotta do
now is I'm gonna reach out
to the parents
that I babysit for.
I think we'd be good to go.
- That sound good.
So what else you need to
get that going like asap?
- What if we do some flyers?
- Yeah, no, that sound good.
We could probably pass
'em out at Ahmad school.
Nah, let's get that
going like tonight.
- Like tonight, tonight?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Yeah. I think we could do it.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
(lively music)
I've been dreaming about you
Wish I knew what you up to
Wish I can hit you up
Just to say
- [Linda] Hey, Jarret.
- [Jarret] Hey Linda, right?
- Yeah we spoke
about 30 minutes ago.
- Right, yeah.
- Com on in. How are you?
- I'm all right.
- Thanks for coming.
Yeah. So it's close
to your job, right?
- Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Not far at all.
- Oh, very good.
Good, good, good.
Hey don't judge us.
We're not done just yet,
but it's coming along.
- It's fine. It's fine.
- So, how many kids you
thinking about enrolling?
- Well Linda, my office had
received a phone call saying
that you were running
an illegal daycare.
I mean it's okay though.
It doesn't look like you really
up for business right now.
So you don't have to worry
about any fines or anything.
It's okay.
However, you will need to
file the proper licensing
and pass an inspection before...
How you doing?
Before we even move forward.
So, but look, between
me and you all right.
This place doesn't really
look suitable for childcare.
You know they're not
going to tell you that.
But just, just a heads up,
just looking out for you.
- You just couldn't
wait to come over
and on shit on a young couple
trying to make an honest
living, could you?
I hope this made your day.
(Jeremy mumbling)
Yeah.
- I'm going.
(door closes)
I need a shot and a chase
My girl need one in the state
My mom need a
house with a lake
So I got some money to make
They told me I
got what it take
So I gotta take it all back
I told 'em I need my pay
I need my 50 for tax
I don't rely on my patience
Make sure my time isn't wasted
I told 'em all
that I've been real
- You strapped?
- Nah. I wanna know
shit if I want in
Throw me the K-9
Telling me happy related
Got too much shit on my mind
- Give one to the driver too.
I told my girl
that I'm stressed
But imma make it on time
I pray to got for these signs
You know hard that I try
- What you getting me into man?
- You chose this.
You can run a brick
and have all the money
you need in two days.
You want to run a brick?
- Nah. It'll be cool.
- Because this ain't
one you can fumble on.
- I said it'll be good.
My mom need a
house with a lake
- I hope so
They told me I
got what it take
So I gotta take it all back
I told 'em I need my pay
I need my 50 for tax
I need a shot and a chase
My girl need one in the state
My mom need a
house with a lake
So I got some money to make
They told me I
got what it take
So I gotta take it out back
I told 'em I need my pay
I need my 50 for tax
(upbeat music)
- The PEP rally was so fun.
There was this one dude
and he had to remember
like 75 handshakes.
He would say "Come
here," and then he would.
- I need to talk to you.
- Okay.
- I'm listening. Go ahead.
- Then, when he would
do the handshake,
he had to like two
seconds to do it.
He was like, go. Go.
He was so cool.
And he remembered all of it.
- He remembered all of it?
- I could never.
(slow dramatic music)
- Hey.
- Look, I'm gonna need you to
make a run with me tonight.
- I thought you
were done with this?
Jeremy, we have a son now.
- I'm not making a drug run.
All right, I got some
guns in the trunk.
I just need you to go with me
so you can keep our eye on the
guns in case they search me.
All right.
Ebony can watch Ahmad,
and we'll be back
in a few hours.
Look, hey, just this one time.
- You can't just ask your
sister for some money?
At least until we get
ourselves on our feet.
- Look babe, it's
75K for one run.
All we need is one.
So what's your plan, Linda?
But your job don't make enough
to support this
family right now,
and I'm not gonna
find some real money
with me having a
felony on my record.
Like if we want to be able
to provide a good life
for Ahmad without me
getting caught up,
all we gotta do
is make this run.
It'll give us enough time
for me to figure things out.
Look, get yourself together
while I go talk to my sister.
We gonna bounce in 10 minutes.
- Weather ring is breaking down.
Weather ring is breaking down.
- Which ring you
talking about, boy?
- Just a song.
- All right. You okay?
- Mhmm.
- No doubt.
So I need you to go in the back
and get ready for bed
with your mom, okay.
- Okay.
- All right. Come on man.
- Love you dad.
- Oh, I love you too man.
- Good night.
- Night.
- So what's Ryan been up to?
- Working.
But what's up?
Because I feel like you
have some real hot stuff
going on right now.
- Nah. Me and Linda, we just
gotta make a quick move.
Think you can watch
Ahmad for a few hours?
- No, I can't.
Because I feel like you
about to do some real stupid
that's gonna put you
right back in jail.
- I'm not. Trust me.
Okay, me and Linda, we just
gotta make a quick money move
and we'll be back in a few
hours to put Ahmad to bed.
Look, I ain't trapping no more.
You ain't gotta
worry about that.
- Whatever it is, you
have to ask yourself,
is this a life that I
wanna expose my family to?
- Look sis, if you
don't wanna watch him,
then we'll just
take him with us.
- [Ebony] Go ahead.
- Thank you.
And is Linda okay with this?
- Look Ebony, once you
to have a child one day
you'll realize that not
everybody has the luxury
of direct deposit
every two weeks,
or a man that pays
for everything.
(slow dramatic music)
(car starts)
Hey, what the fuck.
- [Linda] No, no, no.
(slow dramatic music)
Man, I knew this
wasn't gonna work.
- Hey babe. You heard
from your brother yet?
- Yeah, both of their phones
are going to voicemail.
- I hope everything's okay.
- I don't know.
(knock on door)
I don't even wanna
speculate at this point.
Yeah, let me get
Ahmad fed and situated
and then I'll give
you a call back, okay.
(knocks on door)
Ahmad?
- Yes ma'am.
- Get ready baby.
It's time to eat.
(knocks on door)
- Where's Jeremy, Ebony?
- Look, Jeremy isn't here.
- I see his truck outside.
- Paul, I have nothing to do
with whatever you have going on.
Now please leave.
- Look, Jeremy has my shit.
He was supposed to
be back last night.
Now where is he?
(slow dramatic music)
- Oh, God.
(slow dramatic music)
Oh God.
(Ebony breathing heavily)
- I can take it from here.
But you've been a
tremendous help. Thank you.
- Ryan, Ebony, thank
you so much for waiting.
- Thank you, doc
for saving my wife.
- We're just thankful that
Ebony is even still with us.
She lost a lot of blood and
she almost didn't make it.
- So when can we try again?
- Well, I would say it's likely
that she won't be
able to bear children,
but she will recover
in a few weeks.
We just need to keep her
blood pressure monitored
and make sure that her
bowels do move properly.
Did you have any
questions for me?
- None at this time.
Thank you doctor.
- If you need anything, just
please don't hesitate to ask.
- Thank you doc.
- This is all your
brother's fault.
(slow dramatic music)
- He finally went to sleep.
- Did you speak to your sister?
- Look, so this was gonna
have to happen from here.
Paul's either gonna want his
merchandise or his money,
and I ain't got either one.
So I'm gonna need to sling
a few bricks from him.
- Paul came into our home
and hurt your sister
while Ahmad was here.
- And he's gonna come back
for more than my sister
if I don't give him his money.
Look, hear me out.
All right.
I'm gonna need to make
some strategic moves that's
gonna require me to be out
of town for a little while.
- I dunno Jeremy.
What's a while?
You already been
gone for a while.
- I can't give you a
definitive on that.
A few weeks, a couple months.
I gotta do this my way.
All right, when I get back,
we'll just get outta the country
and we'll start over fresh.
I have enough money stacked
up to last us for a few years.
- Stop picking to seem like
this is some type of fantasy.
I knew this was
gonna be messy man.
And now you are about to
leave me and Ahmad, for what?
Paul to come get us.
You sound real crazy.
- Lemme tell you something.
Paul took life away from my
sister in front of my son.
I'm gonna handle Paul.
You don't have to worry
about him or any of his crew?
- Handle him how?
- My way.
- Look, now ain't the time
to be breaking Linda, okay.
I need you to keep on holding
it down until I get back.
And I need you to
clear out our spot.
Find a new one, and
move everything in
there that you can.
Like even the safe, like asap.
I know Paul gonna
come looking for me
if I don't find him first.
So I need to make
some fast moves,
but I need to know that
you can hold it together.
Look, we gonna be good.
Man I got you.
I just need you to keep
holding it down like
you've been doing.
(somber music)
I got y'all.
- Are we close yet?
- We're just as close as
we were 40 seconds ago.
What's the matter? You hungry?
Here.
Drink some of that.
- Okay. I'm ready now.
- You ready?
Come here.
I'm so proud of
you. You know that?
- Would dad be waiting
for us when we get there?
- Not quite, but
we're gonna make it so
that he can find us
when he gets back.
- When is he coming back?
- I don't know but he'll
come back soon. Come on.
Come on.
Okay.
- Will they be mad at us
for putting this here?
- Who's they?
- The people at the park.
- The people at the
park don't matter.
Nobody matters.
Okay.
- But, what if we
get in trouble?
You don't need anyone's
permission to do anything, okay.
This world, the country,
they don't care about
little black boys like you
and you don't have
to care about them.
Understand?
Good.
Now time to plant the seeds
so that this way we'll be
able to find our flowers.
Hey, you wanna do the water?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
(pouring water)
Oh, okay. Here put the top on.
Okay, now come on so we
could go to Auntie Ebbs.
I can't wait to see
what she cooking huh?
- Yes.
- Good morning.
- That's 500 to account for.
- Gwen.
If possible, can you
give me some more hours?
Just a few next week.
I really, really
need more hours.
- Everyone is
asking me right now.
- Gwen, all you do
is hire teenagers.
They don't need this money.
I'm over here trying to survive.
I could barely pay my rent.
Gwen, I have a son.
I barely have food at home.
- I see.
Let's revisit the conversation
before I do the
schedule next Thursday.
Thanks Gwen.
- Ah, it looks like
your mom is here.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I just knew you wouldn't
be asleep by now.
- I don't know why.
- Thanks for watching him.
- Yeah, of course.
- What you cook?
Ahmad, you made your
auntie make orange chicken?
- It was so good mom.
- Ahmad, why don't you go
find your uncle for me.
Tell him it's time to eat.
- I can eat his if
he doesn't want it.
- Why you gotta be so greedy.
- Yes, ma'am.
- So have you heard from Jeremy?
- No.
He'll be back.
- You know, like I said
before, it's not a problem
for you and Ahmad to move here.
That way you can
stack your money
and you don't have to
worry about running Ahmad
around everywhere by yourself.
- I'm okay.
I truly appreciate it though.
- Think about it.
- He said he is
coming in a minute.
Are you still making brownies?
- Good question. I don't
know. Do we have time?
- Please.
- Maybe next week, okay.
We have to get home
and get to bed.
- Can we just stay here tonight?
- Ahmad, go get your
stuff and get ready.
- Yes ma'am.
- Thank you.
You like this one
better or that one?
Yeah, the big rollie.
I'll be back, okay.
You not paying me no mind.
What's up my boy?
- Hey.
- How are you feeling?
- I'm good. Just reading a book.
- Oh, look at you
reading. What you reading?
Did you remember to put your
homework in your book bag?
- Mhmm.
- What's the capital of Canada?
- Ottawa.
- Ooh, my boy smart man.
(knock on door)
All right.
(Ahmad laughing)
(knocks on door)
- Good afternoon.
We're looking for
Ms. Linda Burrows.
- I'm Linda. How can I help you?
- Ms. Burrows, we've
received some concerns
regarding the treatment
of your son Ahmad.
And we're gonna have to do an
investigation for a few days.
So he is gonna need
to come with us.
- Wait, what?
- Where are you getting
this information from?
- I'm not authorized
to give you that.
- No. And I'm not authorized
to let you in my house.
- Ma'am.
What's gonna happen
now is we're gonna
take custody of your son.
If you resist or
try to fight us,
that will increase the chances
of you losing custody
of him in the future.
Do you understand?
Are you going to open the
door or are you gonna resist?
- Can y'all get me
just one moment please?
(Linda crying)
Ahmad, can you come here
for a minute please?
(somber music)
The officer outside
and his colleague,
they're gonna take you
down to the office, okay.
And they're gonna
ask you questions,
but I promise you I'm gonna
come get you later, okay.
- Why? What did I do?
- You didn't do anything wrong.
You didn't do anything wrong.
- Can you come with me?
- I wish I could, but I can't.
I am going to come
get you. I promise.
Come on, let's go.
(Linda kisses)
- All right.
Come on honey. You
gotta come with us.
- Ahmad, you're not
in trouble, okay.
We're just gonna go for a short
ride up the road. All right.
- Sorry, Ahmad
mommy's, sorry okay.
I love you so much.
- You have to let go.
- Ma'am you have to let him go.
- Let go now.
- Sorry Ahmad. I'm sorry.
- Ma'am please.
Please, ma'am. Ma'am.
- Ahmad.
- Ma'am. Ma'am. Ma'am.
(somber dramatic music)
- You call CPS on me and my son?
- I had to do what I felt
was right for the child.
- Do you know how hard it is
to look your son in the face
and tell him that
people he barely knows
is gonna take him away from me?
Call them back right now
and tell them you
made that shit up.
I ain't got shit lose Gwen.
- Linda!
- Shit!
(slow dramatic music)
(Linda sobbing)
(phone ringing)
Hey, hey, have you
heard from Ahmad yet?
- He just got in bed.
- Oh Linda, I know.
I know it, but just think it
could be a lot worse, right.
He could be staying with
a family he doesn't know,
and we gotta count our wins too.
- I'm gonna be in here
for the next five years
for aggravated assault.
Ahmad is gonna be a senior
by the time I get outta here.
I'm gonna miss his entire life.
Hey, if you see my mom, could
you tell her I'm in here?
She might be unrecognizable
at this point,
but you are the only
way I could get to her.
- Don't you worry about that?
I'll be able to
make out who she is.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know she has a birthmark
on the side of her neck.
- Thanks Ebbs.
(Linda sobbing)
I am so sorry.
Please, please send
me pictures of Ahmad.
Pictures, report
cards, school projects
and have him write me.
- You know in order
to avoid foster care,
Ahmad has to be
permanently placed with us.
- Promise you going to
come see me every week?
- Of course, I will
bring him as often
as they will allow me to.
Linda, we're gonna make sure
we find you an excellent lawyer.
- Thank you.
And tell Ryan I
said thank you too.
Y'all have definitely
been my angels.
- I will.
(Linda sobbing)
(birds chirping)
(doorbell rings)
(slow dramatic music)
- Hey sis.
You look good.
I got Linda's message.
- You got Linda's message?
So Jeremy, you just
disappear out of the blue
and that's all you have to say
is that you got her message?
- And I get it.
Had to lay low for a few weeks
but I got everything
situated now
and I'm ready to take
Ahmad off your hands.
- There's an order
to things Jeremy.
We have a hearing later on
today to gain permanent custody.
- Oh, hearing.
- No, I'm back now.
So you ain't gotta
worry about all that.
You can tell him that his
dad is here to claim him
and that should
work everything out.
And once I take Ahmad I'm
gonna have to dip out with him
for a little bit 'cause
I still gotta lay low.
- And take him where?
- Away, off the radar.
- And you think the streets
are fit for a child?
You don't think it's a bit much
to completely remove
him from everything
that he knows, from his school?
Jeremy, you don't think
he's been through enough?
- Look, we already
talked about it.
I'm gonna homeschool
him. Keep him active.
Teach him how to
plant his own food.
It's gonna be better
for him in the long run.
- Not one time did you
ask me how I was doing
after I lost my baby?
Not one time.
No apology.
You didn't even stop
at the hospital.
Come on man, you know
better than to be out here,
like mother didn't
raise you right,
and now you wanna
drag your son into it.
- Look, I get it sis.
I couldn't face you
after all that shit.
I was angry. I was embarrassed.
But I should have
been there for you.
And that's on me. I'm sorry.
- And as much as you
know he could be lurking
around our house,
plotting to kill us.
- No, no, you ain't
gonna worry about that.
I can assure you.
- So I'm just supposed to
be okay with you taking him
while you out here rolling
dice with their life?
- Come on sis, you
know we gonna be back.
Our lives ain't
built like yours.
- You know I'm sick of you
and Linda with the same excuses.
Your life could be
if you quit running
back to the streets man.
- [Jeremy] Like I got some
type of choice now, huh?
- Oh, you got a choice.
You got a choice.
- Sis, please just tell me
where y'all having the
hearing later today.
- It ain't the hearing Jeremy.
You are not even thinking
about me and Ryan, are you?
Hmm?
It's at the same courthouse
where you had yours.
And if you're gonna come,
you need to come early
because all of this
was so unexpected.
There's no guarantee.
- I'll be there.
All right. I just gotta
go back to our spot first
and make sure stuff
is cleared up,
'cause the people,
they sneaky like that.
I'm trying to keep it
straight, but I'll be there.
- Okay.
- See you a little bit.
- You keep coddling him.
- Oh please.
- That's why he thinks he
can just do whatever he wants
and show up when he feels,
and you can't see that
you are enabling him.
- Ryan, please.
He just needs a
little guidance, okay.
- And there it is.
The same excuse you've been
using for the past 10 years.
He didn't have our
mommy and daddy.
When are you gonna realize
that he is a grown ass man
that needs to figure
out his own life
and deal with his own traumas?
It is not your job to fix him.
- Ryan, you don't
have any siblings.
And both of your parents are
alive and still doing well.
- You got me there,
you're right.
I don't have siblings.
But if I did and one
of them was the reason
why I lost the one thing
that I wanted most in life,
and that one thing
that I dreamed
of was literally
ripped from my own body
because of their
own selfishness.
I can assure you there
is no way in heaven
nor hell they could
show up at my door
with a handful of
excuses and demands.
He took my son, Ebony.
- He was my son too Ryan.
- I'll see you and
Ahmad at the meeting.
I need to wrap my head
around some things.
- Take as much time as you need.
- You said that you were...
Oh, I'm sorry, this
must be him walking up.
- Oh no, that's my husband.
I was speaking to
my brother Jeremy.
- Sorry, I'm late.
- Oh, so Ahmad's
father is your brother?
- Yes.
- I misunderstood.
Okay, just so I'm
clear, your desire is
for Ahmad's father, Jeremy, to
be able to take custody today
so that you don't have to go
through with the adoption.
Are we on the same
page about that?
- Mhmm. Yes.
Yes.
- Where is my dad?
- Oh yeah, he
hasn't made it yet.
But what we're gonna do
is we're just gonna go
through the process
as we planned,
and then if he shows up,
we'll take it from there.
- [Ryan] Right. Let's do it.
- Okay.
Okay, sign here, here,
here and initial here.
You are so strong and brave
to be going through
this journey.
Okay. You guys are
officially a family.
- Listen, I know that
you must be going through
a whirlwind of
emotions right now,
but I want you to know
that you are loved,
you're safe now, and
you are not alone.
Do you understand me?
All right.
- I am so glad that
you're my son now.
We love you and I'll do
anything to protect you.
You know that right?
- Baby, why don't you go
upstairs and get some rest?
It's been a long day.
- Okay.
- Come on now.
- Good night.
- Good night.
You know, I was thinking
after I pick up Ahmad
from school tomorrow, maybe we
can stop by and see his mom.
- I don't think
that's a good idea.
Ahmad's been through enough.
You know, Ahmad's our son now
and we have to do
what's best for him.
- Yeah, but that doesn't mean
we disconnect him
from his parents.
I mean that's part of
his wellbeing too, right.
Plus I promised Linda
that I would take him
- Ebony, no.
His parent's are always
thinking about themselves first.
Their actions
affect other people,
specifically us and Ahmad.
- So you just want to act
like they don't exist?
I mean, Ahmad knows who his
parents are and he loves them.
- Did his father love him enough
to show up today of all days?
No.
All that, I got a plan
and don't tell me how
to raise my son talk,
and his sorry ass
couldn't he be bothered
to show up on the most
important day of his son's life?
- Well baby, that's
easy for you to say.
I mean, you've never been a
victim of the system before.
Honey once your
caught in that system
it's hard to get out.
Especially when making
an honest living only
gives you scraps.
I mean, he was trying Ryan.
- Baby, he was trying to
get a fast come up, okay.
He didn't wanna put in the time
and do the work to build
from the ground up.
And you're sitting
here defending him
like he didn't go do
some business with
the guy who hurt you
and caused us to lose our baby.
- What are you,
what are you saying?
- The other day, Ahmad
asked me if his father
was hurt by the same
man that hurt you
and I asked him, I said,
"What made you think that?"
You know what he told me?
He said he overheard
his parents talking
about doing more
business with Paul.
That's his name, right? Paul.
- So that explains why
Jeremy wants to leave.
That's why he just left.
- Baby you keep making excuses
and I'm sitting
right here with you.
We practically raised Ahmad,
so I do think we have
some say in Ahmad's life.
So now it's our time
to make the decision
for what's best for us.
And baby, I need you with me.
I need you to stand
with me the same way
that I stood with you
for the past 20 years.
- And I do. I do.
- Okay. So if you stand with me,
then don't take our
son to that jail.
No phone calls, no letters.
It'll confuse Ahmad more and
he's been through enough.
And Linda, she can
get a public defender
and fight her own battles.
I'm done paying for it.
Jeremy,
wherever the hell he is,
he can fight his
own battles too.
I'm sure he has a plan.
The way they've
been carrying on,
it'll take them a few years
to get themselves together
so they can build a
relationship with Ahmad then.
We've worked so
hard to be parents
and we both love Ahmad so much.
So trust me, this is
what's best for him.
- But what do we tell that baby
when he asks about his parents?
You know he's going to
ask about his parents.
- The truth.
You trust me?
(light-hearted music)
(upbeat music)
Oh something
- Happy Mother's Day.
- Oh, wow.
What a surprise. Thank you.
- Open it. Open it. Open it.
- Oh wow.
What do we have here?
- That way when we play, you
can use your own controller.
- And you think
you're ready for me?
- Mhmm.
- Mhmm.
- Here you go.
- Okay.
Oh wow. This is
a beautiful card.
- [Ahmad] Thank you.
- And a gift card.
Must be my lucky day.
Let's see.
"You are my shero. Love Ahmad."
Oh wow. Look at your drawing.
Looks pretty professional now.
I don't know dad, we might have
to do something about that.
- [Ryan] It's nice.
- Might be able to make some
money off of you someday.
- Oh, and by the way,
the only reason we
got you a gift card is
'cause last time we brought you
clothes, you never wore 'em.
- I thought we were
supposed to be partners.
How you gonna call me
out in front of him?
Oh my, yes.
I see that.
And I can count.
Good job. Thank you.
- [Ryan] All of this and you
go straight for the money. Wow.
- Well I appreciate
that too. Thank you.
- Well we can finish
celebrating after the event.
What time do we
need to be there?
- Probably about two hours.
- Do we have to be
there all day again?
- No, not all day.
So think about this.
What if you didn't have any food
or clothes when you want
someone to help you?
- Yeah.
- Yes. So that's why we do it.
And I'm gonna drive separately
because you two are slow.
But this is wonderful. Thank
you. You guys did a good job.
- Thank you.
(metal door clangs)
(officer clears throats)
- Inmate 3926. You are
ordered to transfer.
On your feet.
On your feet.
- Where?
- On your feet inmate.
- That's how they treat
mothers on Mother's day.
(police radio)
- And then, and
then I turn around
and their baby is
standing there covered
in pink frosting
from head to toe.
I swear that girl
hasn't given me a day
of peace since the
day she was born.
Oh, I miss those days.
- I don't.
I mean, come on, endless diaper
changes, sleepless nights.
Girl, I don't think I
got a full night's rest
like the first 14
months with Noah.
- Oh, I can't relate. Bailey
slept through the night.
She loves her sleep.
Just like who? Her mom.
(all laughing)
- What about with you,
Ebony? How was it?
- Oh.
- Oh it's all right.
But he's, he's great.
Baby I cans see your lies
- You know what?
Here's to motherhood
and to being of service.
- Yes.
Devils in the skies
I can see right
through your eyes
Baby I can see your lies
(la, la, la, la, la)
Here I am trying to
stand out in the crowd
(police radio)
- Get up inmate.
- Get your...
- Get up!
- Ass up and stop playing.
- I gotta pee.
- You should have
went back there.
- I gotta pee man.
- I'll take her in the woods.
- I don't think
that's a good idea.
- I wish she would.
- Okay.
- Don't be trying any of that.
(birds chirping)
(somber music)
What the hell!
You gone stop this
shit. I am tired of you.
(taser shocking)
(officer screams)
(intense dramatic music)
(police radio)
(intense dramatic
music continues)
- That guy I was
telling you about BJ?
Girl, I quit mess
messing with him.
Why did he have a chick
at my house at two o'clock
in the morning
knocking at my door?
Do you know BJ?
I'm like, girl, he here aint he.
She looking at me
like she want me.
- Good day ladies.
- Right.
- I'm looking for
an Ebony Jones.
- Yes.
Are my husband and son, okay?
- They just pulled up.
- Okay, thank you.
- Could you excuse us?
Thank you.
Now this is in regard to
your sister-in-law, Linda.
She's escaped custody.
She's considered extremely
dangerous right now.
We believe that she's armed.
So we need to get you to
a safe location right now.
As far as I know,
we get you home.
We have a security
contingency standing by.
But the moment we identify
any additional threats,
we will need to move you
to either a safer
location, different state.
But in order for us to
effectively protect your family,
ma'am, we need to
leave like now.
- Okay. Let me
just get my things.
(ominous music)
(workers talking)
(ominous music continues)
(crickets chirping)
- Ebony, baby, come
watch a movie with me.
Ebony.
Ebony.
- I'm sorry babe.
You know, I think I'm
just gonna take a shower
and try to get some rest.
- All right good. I
think you need that.
- Ryan, we have security
outside of a house right now.
- And do you realize
you have your man right
in here with you?
Baby, everything
is gonna be fine.
All right.
(Ryan kisses)
(slow dramatic music)
(door creaks open)
(Ryan typing)
(suspenseful music)
(heavy thud)
- Ryan.
Ryan.
Oh my God.
(car alarm)
Get up. Get up. Get up.
Get up. Get up.
Listen, I said I'll
explain you later,
but I need you to
move quickly, okay.
Call my phone.
Call it. Come on.
- I have no idea
where my phone is.
- Look, look, look.
- I might have
left it downstairs,
- Okay, okay. One sec.
All our phones are missing.
Listen, I don't
know what day it is,
but we need to run to the
car as soon as possible.
Come on, come on,
come on, come on.
Come on. Come on. Come on.
It's all right.
Go wait for me in the car.
I'll meet you there, okay.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Go baby. Go. Go.
(suspenseful music)
(Ahmad locks door)
(slow chilling music)
(intense dramatic music)
(loud punches)
(Ebony screams)
Oh God!
(intense dramatic music)
Oh God!
(intense dramatic music)
- You didn't write me.
You didn't even bring
Ahmad to come see me.
(loud punch)
Where's Ahmad?
- I don't know.
- Look at me. Look at me.
Where's Ahmad Ebony?
Fuck!
(suspenseful music)
(Ryan breathing heavily)
(Ebony exhaling)
- Oh God.
(suspenseful music)
- Dad.
- Oh, God.
Oh, it's good to see you man.
I thought I'd never see you.
Yeah there's a large chain.
Ahmad can you grab those
keys from the water.
Right here. That's
it. That's it.
(Ryan breathing heavily)
All right.
(Jeremy walking in pain)
All right, let's
pause right here.
I need you to go
find some help okay.
- Okay.
Oh baby.
- Oh my God.
(slow dramatic music)
Okay, I'm gonna go get the car.
I need you to come.
Just sit. Be careful.
Sit back. Sit back.
Okay, be careful.
- [Jeremy] Okay.
- [Linda] Watch if...
- He's been down here
this entire time.
- [Ebony] I didn't know.
- You knew.
- I promise you I didn't know.
- You're lying.
You lie.
You mean to tell me you
sit upstairs every night
and you don't know it's
a man in your basement.
- I didn't know you
were this person.
- Like I would do that
to my own brother.
- She's lying.
- Hey, look at me.
I didn't know.
- She's lying.
- I didn't know.
- [Ahmad] No.
- Ryan, what are you
doing? Put the gun down.
- Ahmad is our son Ebony.
- Ahmad get back. Get back.
- Jeremy go. Jeremy go.
- They are not taking
my son anywhere.
The police will be here any
minute to take your ass back
to jail where you belong.
- Ryan, put the gun down.
Just put the gun down please.
- But if you choose him over me,
I might not be so
loyal in the morning.
- Uncle Ryan.
- I'm your father!
Now choose, him or me!
(gunshot)
- Ryan!
(intense dramatic music)
No. No. Ryan get up.
Get up baby, get up.
Oh God damn. Get up.
Get up.
Please.
(Ebony screams)
(slow dramatic music)
- We ran outta creamer,
but we have a few
packs of sugar left.
So Ebony, I know this
is very difficult
and there's a lot to process
and I do wanna represent you
to the best of my ability,
but I need you to be
completely honest with me
because, well, I'm having
a hard time piecing
some things together.
Where is Ahmad?
- Again, I don't know.
- [Detective] You don't
know where your son is?
The son that you sign
to love and protect?
- Yes, that's correct.
Well, wherever he is,
I'm sure he's safe.
- With his fugitive
mother, Linda.
Is that what you mean by safe?
- No, what I meant
is he's a smart kid
and I'm sure he'll make
his way back to us.
- That's what you say.
But you also said that Linda
never came to your home.
Because I'm finding it
hard to trust anything
that you're telling
me right now.
I talked to your neighbors,
they said that they saw Linda
and they described
her perfectly.
- Are you trying to blame
the state's inability
to secure their own
prisoners onto me?
I mean, I must have missed
that part, but I have
no idea how the person who
broke into my house looks.
But when they find them, it
will bring me a lot of relief.
- You said that you shot
your husband in self-defense.
What exactly were you
defending yourself from?
- From him?
- You were protecting
yourself from
your husband who you'd been
married to for 14 years
and you adopted a child with?
- My husband was
holding someone hostage
in our basement for
his experiments.
And when I confronted him,
he threatened me
with a loaded gun.
- [Detective] You also
live in this home, correct?
- Yes.
- So in all the years that
you lived in this house,
you never suspected
that anything may be
going on in the basement?
- I think you're forgetting
that we're dealing with a man
with extensive accolades
where a man's been treating
for blood diseases.
What reason would I have
to go into his space
that he considers his work lab?
Especially, where
there's nothing in there
that pertains to me.
- [Detective] Also, you
said that the intruder
was after your husband.
So why would you have to
defend yourself against him?
- Can you imagine what it's like
to look your husband in the
face after he just assaulted you
and almost to death,
and then for him to tell you
that your son is missing?
And at the hands of someone
who's clearly insane.
- Thank you Ebony.
(light-hearted music)
- Hello.
Hey.
I told them you
would call back soon.
One moment.
It's your auntie Ebbs.
- Happy Mother's Day.
Did you like the
gifts we sent you?
- Oh yeah. That's
why I'm calling.
I just wanted to thank you
for all my wonderful gifts.
Yeah, especially my painting.
- Actually, mom
printed out those.
When are you joining us?
- Soon. I promise.
And hey, I want you
to finish telling
me about this new thing you
wanna try with your hair.
- Okay, I will. Hold
on. Here's my dad.
- Hey sis. How you doing?
- Hey Jeremy.
Yeah, I'm hanging in there.
How are you?
- Oh, you know we holding
up. We holding up.
- You a hard man to reach.
You ready to talk?
We both have
something in common.
Neither one of us
want Linda free.
So, when you ready to talk,
it will benefit both of us.
Much sorrow comes from women
Who know not honor and truths
Here I am just
trying to be myself
It's a crazy world
Looking to find my
place and all they do is
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
Here I am just trying to
run the race in a slow pace
All I'm trying to
do is run, not win
And all they do is
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
Mirror mirror tell me
What is it about them
Living like it's their game
Come and set it better than me
You'll just end up loosing
(loosing)
We're in the house
made of glass
Devils in disguise
I can see right
through your eyes
Baby I can see your lies
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
We're in the house
We the uprise
Devil's in disguise
I can see right
through your eyes
Baby I can see your lies
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
Here I am trying to
stand out in the crowd
Have my own sound
How is it that the fakes
ones are always so loud
All they do is
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
Here I am, I'm
doing my own thing
(birds chirping)
- Jeremy.
- Hey, Detective Stokes.
So what brings you
on this half of town?
- You lied to me.
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
- You know exactly
what I'm talking about.
- This might not
be a good time...
- You are under arrest.
- To be talking about this.
- Put your hands
behind your back.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey.
- In front of my family man.
- Let's go.
- Don't grab him like that.
- You have the right
to remain silent.
Anything you say could be held
against you in a court law.
Hey, back up, back up, back up!
- Don't worry about.
- Dad.
- [Stokes] You have the
right to an attorney.
- [Ahmad] What happened.
- [Stokes] In a court of law.
- Hey watch it.
- Take Ahmad in the
house. I'm coming back.
- [Linda] Oh he's
losing. Watch it!
Babe where are you going?
- [Jeremy] Be back.
Just taking a ride.
(slow dramatic music)
(upbeat music)
Been trying to figure it out
So you keep on searching
You've been trying to find
the answer through it all
But if you open your eyes
You would see it
That's it's been right
in front of you all along
So what you waiting for
You know what you gotta do
You've been here before
What are you afraid to lose
Don't go back just let go
Let it go
- [All Together] Welcome home.
- Aww man.
- Here you go.
- Wow.
Y'all too much.
- Got some things for you.
- Just got you a
little something.
- It's good to see you.
- Thank you.
- I'm gonna let y'all
have some family time.
Then we'll see y'all soon.
- All right.
- Let me hold that
for you honey.
- Aww thank you baby.
What's up boy?
- Hey.
- You still remember that?
- Yup.
- Yeah, yeah.
God, let me get a
good look at you.
You getting bigger than me.
I missed you.
- Missed you too.
- Let me go help your auntie
in the kitchen. Excuse me.
- Come on let's eat.
- Yeah.
- And the party was so fun.
There was so many snacks.
I mean there was, what do you
call it? There was this...
- Hey Ahmad, what happened here?
- Oh...
- Nothing happened.
Since my research lab is
in the basement now, we,
decided it'd be best if I did
his transfusions from now on.
How were they about your
treatments in there?
Did they feed you okay?
- Well, I made it back
to my wife and son.
Yeah.
- Well we can't ask
more than that, right?
- [Linda] That's right.
- Right.
- All right. Let's eat.
Glad to have you back.
- Thank you darling.
- Oh, and Daniel didn't
have a birthday party?
He brought me a space kit
and helped me build all the
planets for my birthday.
- Oh man, that's nice of him.
You know, speaking of
birthday, did you enjoy it?
I'm really sorry I missed that.
- Oh yeah.
Well mommy ordered one
of those big jumpy things
and Aunt Ebony made everyone
s'mores over the fire.
Uncle Ryan dressed up
past the Black Panther.
- And there was a lot of kids
and a lot of late parents.
- [Ebony] In fact, two of
the kids stayed behind.
- All right.
So did you make sure
that you thank your mother
and your Ebony and Uncle Ryan?
- [Ryan] Absolutely.
You know we teach
manners here, right.
- Right. All right.
- So babe, did Ebony tell you
that she's having a baby boy?
- What? Sis.
- [Ebony] You are
gonna be an uncle.
- I'm so happy for you.
Wow, man. You gonna
be a cousin, man.
And Ryan, man, congrats
to you as well.
- [Ryan] Thank you.
I just hope to be a great
father like you someday.
- Right. Right.
(washing plates)
- You know Linda,
I was thinking,
I think Ahmad should lay
off the dairy for a while.
He seems to get bloated
anytime he has cheese or milk.
- His stomach is fine.
Kids get gas all the
time. He'll be all right.
- Okay. It was
just a suggestion.
- Thanks.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Got you these for you today
as a little welcome home gift.
- You know you remind
me of my mom so much.
Oh.
I know.
You know I see myself
acting like her too.
Even though I swore
I never would.
- Hey, see mama you always said
she was gonna find
out one day, man.
Hey look sis, I really
want to thank you for
looking after the family
while I've been away.
I promise you, as soon
as I get myself back
on my feet, I'm gonna
break you off of something.
- Oh man. I don't need
anything from you,
but just for you to stay
off the street, all right.
No more drugs, no more jail.
Ahmad needs his father.
- I know.
I beat myself up enough
every day I couldn't see him.
All right.
But I promise you, I'm
done with the trapping.
No more drugs. No
more jail. All right.
- All right.
- Yeah.
(knock on door)
- Hey.
I wasn't sure if you were
done with your plate,
so I wrapped it up and I put
it in the microwave for you.
Okay.
- Thank you.
Sorry about earlier.
I know I was a little sensitive
about the dairy comment.
You were right.
- I usually am, but
it's okay. (laughing)
No, apology needed.
I'm gonna let y'all get settled.
I know you happy
to see your honey?
- And he does.
(Ebony laughing)
You so exceptional
I'm not responsible
I never played the game
- You gonna jump in the shower?
- Yep. And I'm going
right to sleep.
- Not tonight.
- Watch me.
- No you watch.
Hey, um, why you let that dude
do Ahmad's blood transfusions
down in the basement too?
It's kind of weird.
- Look, I know it's weird,
but he's been able to
monitor the iron that's going
in and out of Ahmad's body,
now with these treatments.
Plus we haven't really been
visiting the hospital at all.
So it ain't matter.
- I hear you.
Ryan just be doing too much.
Always wanna be seen.
- Oh, he does the most.
But he loves Ahmad
and he is working on
this treatment for him.
Especially since he
got that study grant.
- Grant for what?
- It's for hematologists
who dedicate their
research to finding cures
and treatment for people
with blood diseases.
Yeah.
I wanna make it easy
- So probably gonna have
to start getting my
treatments again too.
So that might make sense.
But I ain't letting
Ryan's cocky ass touch me.
I'm going straight
to the hospital.
- Boy bye.
Easy for you
I won't be
(upbeat background music)
Sometimes I feel
you just screw up
- Hey, welcome to Tech.
Can I offer you a 15% discount
on the repair of two devices?
- How much to get
one of those built?
- Those for our basic
model, which should be good
unless you're a gamer or editor.
No. Okay, so they
start off about $2,000.
- You know what I'm all right.
I'm sorry. Is there anything
else I could help you with?
You wanna inquire
about anything?
No.
Have a good day.
I had a dream about
you last night
We getting drunk
at the local bar
- All of this stuff
should not be in sight
when customers arrive.
Please clean this up.
Would you gimmie a sign
or maybe write me a letter
I just wanna get close to
feel the heat of your sweater
Though I, why can't
you just fall in love
- Who's hungry?
- I am.
- Oh, I had leftovers.
But thank you.
Hey, I was about to ask
you about your interviews.
- Another time sis.
Y'all enjoy them.
- Ahmad, come on it's
time to take a shower.
- But I'm hungry.
- By the time you get
out this shower this food
is gonna be done.
Come on.
- But...
- I'm pretty sure you had
a bag of chips already.
- Ahmad, your mother says
it's time to take a bath.
Go ahead it's only gonna
take you a few minutes.
- When I grow up, I'm only
taking one bath a week.
That way I can eat
whenever I want to.
- Hey, if you wanna be stink,
that's on you. Now let's go.
You stink still. I can
smell you from here.
(mysterious music)
(Jeremy mumbling)
- You ain't taking
me away from...
You're not taking me away.
You're not me away
in front of my son.
- Babe.
Babe.
Honey.
Hey, listen, you're
at home okay.
(Linda kisses)
You're home.
- [Jeremy] Oh I'm sorry babe.
- It's okay.
Look at me. Look at me.
You're home okay.
(Linda kisses)
- Good morning.
- Morning.
So what's the game plan?
- What you trying to be funny?
- No, I'm genuinely asking
what you have lined up
and wondering how
things are going.
- I've barely been out
for two weeks Ryan.
- More than enough to
have a good game plan.
Nothing definitive, but I don't
know at least a good guide.
- And if you've been
paying attention,
I've been out every
day since I've been
back looking for a job.
- That's it?
And looking for a
job, that's your plan?
- That's where I'm starting.
Hey look man, when you got
a felony on your record,
jobs don't happen as easily.
They expect you to
get out there and just
make an honest
living for yourself.
But it's damn near impossible
when you got a record.
- You know, a job, it's just
gonna help you pay the bills.
But a plan that's gonna put
you on a path to be successful.
- I don't know what
world you living in,
but we take it day
to day over here.
- How's that
working out for you?
- How's that working out.
Hey man, what's going on boy?
Good morning.
- Hey uncle Ryan.
- Hey.
- Can I have some
peanut butter toast?
- Oh, no, no, no.
That's gonna drive
your iron up remember.
I'm gonna make you some oatmeal.
- Actually, he can have some.
We've been working in the
lab to keep his iron down.
- I said no.
Hey Ahmad, why don't you go
grab your book bag and stuff
man and I'll get that oatmeal
together for you, okay.
- Okay.
- All right.
- He is such a good kid.
- Look man, don't you ever
undermine my authority
in front of my son.
- Your son.
I have been taking
care of your son
since you thought it
was more important
to be out in those streets
than being his father.
- You know I appreciate
everything you've been doing
for my family, but
that's my child
and he always will be.
- Fair enough.
Sounds like you have a plan.
You have two weeks to
get outta my house.
Care for a smoothie?
- I'll pass.
I've been dreaming about you
Wish I knew what
you were up to
Wish I can hit you up
- I'm gonna tell you right
now, you can't reason
with a man that overly
needs to feel important.
Tired of working on
this job thing too.
I think I'm gonna just
figure it out on my own.
- What you gonna do babe?
- Thinking about
taking the truck.
Go around the neighborhood and
see who needs they trash dump.
I've been noticing people
just got stuff like piled up
in their garage
or in the corner.
Nobody wants to load all that
stuff up and take
it to the dump.
So I've been thinking about
that for a little while.
So I'm gonna drop you off
and hit a few of those
neighborhoods by your job.
Thinking of, I can
just go house to house
and somebody gonna hit.
And look, Paul lives
close over there too.
So I know a few
people on his block.
I think I can get a few clients.
- You wanna know what I think?
- Yeah.
- I think that's the dopest
idea I've heard all year.
- Word?
- Yeah.
- What you want me to do?
- Keep Ryan away from me?
- No, you need to
stay away from Paul.
I'm going to get ready.
Truth is I'm a little bit
hesitant to hit you up
I get more scared
as I then grow up
This ain't a good cup
it'll just burn up
I feel you so closer
I'm so serious
- How much to haul
all this stuff?
- Just throw me a
hundred. New client deal.
- 100 for all that work?
You make more than
that working for me.
At least about a stack a day.
- Nah man. It's
too risky for me.
- You know you want to.
- You hate struggling.
- Yeah. And I hate even
more being away from my son.
It's not worth it.
- Nah, you just
gotta be smarter.
- You know what?
Go ahead and get the full load.
Put an extra tip
for my boy in there.
So you can put gas in the truck.
(upbeat music)
Yeah yeah
Whoa
Yeah
Whoa
Smooth and true is how
I move upon the track
Upon the woods I moved into
I put aside the feeling blue
If it feels right and I feel
good, that's what I choose
To my delight I pick up light
I'm in the sky jet setting
Don't mind if I do
Or I might just teach
you with my leisure
Show the people life
ain't always bout moves
No life ain't
always bout moves
Yeah
Life ain't always
bout moves, yeah
Life ain't always bound
Sitting lonely in my room
Mind racing bound-ward do-do
Underneath there's
a simple me and I
I,
Just want to hear the tune
Just one
Who kind is it really
We can pass the motion with us
(music fades slowly)
- It's always some shit today.
Damn truck went out on me.
- It's running hot.
- Yeah.
I thought the cooling was
gonna work but it didn't.
I think the engine locked up.
Look I think imma just hit
Paul and take my chances yo.
This shit ain't it.
- No you're not.
Look, we're gonna figure
something out, okay.
But Paul is not an option.
- Right now, really ain't
the time to righteous.
- You're being emotion
and irrational.
We'll figure something
out, I promise.
- Something like what?
You gonna get another
minimum wage ass job?
How you think that's
supposed to pay the rent?
- Do you know what? Whatever.
- Babe, I'm so...
I'm sorry about earlier, okay.
- Sure you are?
Look, so I ordered some
stuff for the daycare.
You know the one we've
been talking about?
- Yeah. Yeah.
- So I think all I gotta do
now is I'm gonna reach out
to the parents
that I babysit for.
I think we'd be good to go.
- That sound good.
So what else you need to
get that going like asap?
- What if we do some flyers?
- Yeah, no, that sound good.
We could probably pass
'em out at Ahmad school.
Nah, let's get that
going like tonight.
- Like tonight, tonight?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Yeah. I think we could do it.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
(lively music)
I've been dreaming about you
Wish I knew what you up to
Wish I can hit you up
Just to say
- [Linda] Hey, Jarret.
- [Jarret] Hey Linda, right?
- Yeah we spoke
about 30 minutes ago.
- Right, yeah.
- Com on in. How are you?
- I'm all right.
- Thanks for coming.
Yeah. So it's close
to your job, right?
- Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Not far at all.
- Oh, very good.
Good, good, good.
Hey don't judge us.
We're not done just yet,
but it's coming along.
- It's fine. It's fine.
- So, how many kids you
thinking about enrolling?
- Well Linda, my office had
received a phone call saying
that you were running
an illegal daycare.
I mean it's okay though.
It doesn't look like you really
up for business right now.
So you don't have to worry
about any fines or anything.
It's okay.
However, you will need to
file the proper licensing
and pass an inspection before...
How you doing?
Before we even move forward.
So, but look, between
me and you all right.
This place doesn't really
look suitable for childcare.
You know they're not
going to tell you that.
But just, just a heads up,
just looking out for you.
- You just couldn't
wait to come over
and on shit on a young couple
trying to make an honest
living, could you?
I hope this made your day.
(Jeremy mumbling)
Yeah.
- I'm going.
(door closes)
I need a shot and a chase
My girl need one in the state
My mom need a
house with a lake
So I got some money to make
They told me I
got what it take
So I gotta take it all back
I told 'em I need my pay
I need my 50 for tax
I don't rely on my patience
Make sure my time isn't wasted
I told 'em all
that I've been real
- You strapped?
- Nah. I wanna know
shit if I want in
Throw me the K-9
Telling me happy related
Got too much shit on my mind
- Give one to the driver too.
I told my girl
that I'm stressed
But imma make it on time
I pray to got for these signs
You know hard that I try
- What you getting me into man?
- You chose this.
You can run a brick
and have all the money
you need in two days.
You want to run a brick?
- Nah. It'll be cool.
- Because this ain't
one you can fumble on.
- I said it'll be good.
My mom need a
house with a lake
- I hope so
They told me I
got what it take
So I gotta take it all back
I told 'em I need my pay
I need my 50 for tax
I need a shot and a chase
My girl need one in the state
My mom need a
house with a lake
So I got some money to make
They told me I
got what it take
So I gotta take it out back
I told 'em I need my pay
I need my 50 for tax
(upbeat music)
- The PEP rally was so fun.
There was this one dude
and he had to remember
like 75 handshakes.
He would say "Come
here," and then he would.
- I need to talk to you.
- Okay.
- I'm listening. Go ahead.
- Then, when he would
do the handshake,
he had to like two
seconds to do it.
He was like, go. Go.
He was so cool.
And he remembered all of it.
- He remembered all of it?
- I could never.
(slow dramatic music)
- Hey.
- Look, I'm gonna need you to
make a run with me tonight.
- I thought you
were done with this?
Jeremy, we have a son now.
- I'm not making a drug run.
All right, I got some
guns in the trunk.
I just need you to go with me
so you can keep our eye on the
guns in case they search me.
All right.
Ebony can watch Ahmad,
and we'll be back
in a few hours.
Look, hey, just this one time.
- You can't just ask your
sister for some money?
At least until we get
ourselves on our feet.
- Look babe, it's
75K for one run.
All we need is one.
So what's your plan, Linda?
But your job don't make enough
to support this
family right now,
and I'm not gonna
find some real money
with me having a
felony on my record.
Like if we want to be able
to provide a good life
for Ahmad without me
getting caught up,
all we gotta do
is make this run.
It'll give us enough time
for me to figure things out.
Look, get yourself together
while I go talk to my sister.
We gonna bounce in 10 minutes.
- Weather ring is breaking down.
Weather ring is breaking down.
- Which ring you
talking about, boy?
- Just a song.
- All right. You okay?
- Mhmm.
- No doubt.
So I need you to go in the back
and get ready for bed
with your mom, okay.
- Okay.
- All right. Come on man.
- Love you dad.
- Oh, I love you too man.
- Good night.
- Night.
- So what's Ryan been up to?
- Working.
But what's up?
Because I feel like you
have some real hot stuff
going on right now.
- Nah. Me and Linda, we just
gotta make a quick move.
Think you can watch
Ahmad for a few hours?
- No, I can't.
Because I feel like you
about to do some real stupid
that's gonna put you
right back in jail.
- I'm not. Trust me.
Okay, me and Linda, we just
gotta make a quick money move
and we'll be back in a few
hours to put Ahmad to bed.
Look, I ain't trapping no more.
You ain't gotta
worry about that.
- Whatever it is, you
have to ask yourself,
is this a life that I
wanna expose my family to?
- Look sis, if you
don't wanna watch him,
then we'll just
take him with us.
- [Ebony] Go ahead.
- Thank you.
And is Linda okay with this?
- Look Ebony, once you
to have a child one day
you'll realize that not
everybody has the luxury
of direct deposit
every two weeks,
or a man that pays
for everything.
(slow dramatic music)
(car starts)
Hey, what the fuck.
- [Linda] No, no, no.
(slow dramatic music)
Man, I knew this
wasn't gonna work.
- Hey babe. You heard
from your brother yet?
- Yeah, both of their phones
are going to voicemail.
- I hope everything's okay.
- I don't know.
(knock on door)
I don't even wanna
speculate at this point.
Yeah, let me get
Ahmad fed and situated
and then I'll give
you a call back, okay.
(knocks on door)
Ahmad?
- Yes ma'am.
- Get ready baby.
It's time to eat.
(knocks on door)
- Where's Jeremy, Ebony?
- Look, Jeremy isn't here.
- I see his truck outside.
- Paul, I have nothing to do
with whatever you have going on.
Now please leave.
- Look, Jeremy has my shit.
He was supposed to
be back last night.
Now where is he?
(slow dramatic music)
- Oh, God.
(slow dramatic music)
Oh God.
(Ebony breathing heavily)
- I can take it from here.
But you've been a
tremendous help. Thank you.
- Ryan, Ebony, thank
you so much for waiting.
- Thank you, doc
for saving my wife.
- We're just thankful that
Ebony is even still with us.
She lost a lot of blood and
she almost didn't make it.
- So when can we try again?
- Well, I would say it's likely
that she won't be
able to bear children,
but she will recover
in a few weeks.
We just need to keep her
blood pressure monitored
and make sure that her
bowels do move properly.
Did you have any
questions for me?
- None at this time.
Thank you doctor.
- If you need anything, just
please don't hesitate to ask.
- Thank you doc.
- This is all your
brother's fault.
(slow dramatic music)
- He finally went to sleep.
- Did you speak to your sister?
- Look, so this was gonna
have to happen from here.
Paul's either gonna want his
merchandise or his money,
and I ain't got either one.
So I'm gonna need to sling
a few bricks from him.
- Paul came into our home
and hurt your sister
while Ahmad was here.
- And he's gonna come back
for more than my sister
if I don't give him his money.
Look, hear me out.
All right.
I'm gonna need to make
some strategic moves that's
gonna require me to be out
of town for a little while.
- I dunno Jeremy.
What's a while?
You already been
gone for a while.
- I can't give you a
definitive on that.
A few weeks, a couple months.
I gotta do this my way.
All right, when I get back,
we'll just get outta the country
and we'll start over fresh.
I have enough money stacked
up to last us for a few years.
- Stop picking to seem like
this is some type of fantasy.
I knew this was
gonna be messy man.
And now you are about to
leave me and Ahmad, for what?
Paul to come get us.
You sound real crazy.
- Lemme tell you something.
Paul took life away from my
sister in front of my son.
I'm gonna handle Paul.
You don't have to worry
about him or any of his crew?
- Handle him how?
- My way.
- Look, now ain't the time
to be breaking Linda, okay.
I need you to keep on holding
it down until I get back.
And I need you to
clear out our spot.
Find a new one, and
move everything in
there that you can.
Like even the safe, like asap.
I know Paul gonna
come looking for me
if I don't find him first.
So I need to make
some fast moves,
but I need to know that
you can hold it together.
Look, we gonna be good.
Man I got you.
I just need you to keep
holding it down like
you've been doing.
(somber music)
I got y'all.
- Are we close yet?
- We're just as close as
we were 40 seconds ago.
What's the matter? You hungry?
Here.
Drink some of that.
- Okay. I'm ready now.
- You ready?
Come here.
I'm so proud of
you. You know that?
- Would dad be waiting
for us when we get there?
- Not quite, but
we're gonna make it so
that he can find us
when he gets back.
- When is he coming back?
- I don't know but he'll
come back soon. Come on.
Come on.
Okay.
- Will they be mad at us
for putting this here?
- Who's they?
- The people at the park.
- The people at the
park don't matter.
Nobody matters.
Okay.
- But, what if we
get in trouble?
You don't need anyone's
permission to do anything, okay.
This world, the country,
they don't care about
little black boys like you
and you don't have
to care about them.
Understand?
Good.
Now time to plant the seeds
so that this way we'll be
able to find our flowers.
Hey, you wanna do the water?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
(pouring water)
Oh, okay. Here put the top on.
Okay, now come on so we
could go to Auntie Ebbs.
I can't wait to see
what she cooking huh?
- Yes.
- Good morning.
- That's 500 to account for.
- Gwen.
If possible, can you
give me some more hours?
Just a few next week.
I really, really
need more hours.
- Everyone is
asking me right now.
- Gwen, all you do
is hire teenagers.
They don't need this money.
I'm over here trying to survive.
I could barely pay my rent.
Gwen, I have a son.
I barely have food at home.
- I see.
Let's revisit the conversation
before I do the
schedule next Thursday.
Thanks Gwen.
- Ah, it looks like
your mom is here.
- Hi.
- Hi.
I just knew you wouldn't
be asleep by now.
- I don't know why.
- Thanks for watching him.
- Yeah, of course.
- What you cook?
Ahmad, you made your
auntie make orange chicken?
- It was so good mom.
- Ahmad, why don't you go
find your uncle for me.
Tell him it's time to eat.
- I can eat his if
he doesn't want it.
- Why you gotta be so greedy.
- Yes, ma'am.
- So have you heard from Jeremy?
- No.
He'll be back.
- You know, like I said
before, it's not a problem
for you and Ahmad to move here.
That way you can
stack your money
and you don't have to
worry about running Ahmad
around everywhere by yourself.
- I'm okay.
I truly appreciate it though.
- Think about it.
- He said he is
coming in a minute.
Are you still making brownies?
- Good question. I don't
know. Do we have time?
- Please.
- Maybe next week, okay.
We have to get home
and get to bed.
- Can we just stay here tonight?
- Ahmad, go get your
stuff and get ready.
- Yes ma'am.
- Thank you.
You like this one
better or that one?
Yeah, the big rollie.
I'll be back, okay.
You not paying me no mind.
What's up my boy?
- Hey.
- How are you feeling?
- I'm good. Just reading a book.
- Oh, look at you
reading. What you reading?
Did you remember to put your
homework in your book bag?
- Mhmm.
- What's the capital of Canada?
- Ottawa.
- Ooh, my boy smart man.
(knock on door)
All right.
(Ahmad laughing)
(knocks on door)
- Good afternoon.
We're looking for
Ms. Linda Burrows.
- I'm Linda. How can I help you?
- Ms. Burrows, we've
received some concerns
regarding the treatment
of your son Ahmad.
And we're gonna have to do an
investigation for a few days.
So he is gonna need
to come with us.
- Wait, what?
- Where are you getting
this information from?
- I'm not authorized
to give you that.
- No. And I'm not authorized
to let you in my house.
- Ma'am.
What's gonna happen
now is we're gonna
take custody of your son.
If you resist or
try to fight us,
that will increase the chances
of you losing custody
of him in the future.
Do you understand?
Are you going to open the
door or are you gonna resist?
- Can y'all get me
just one moment please?
(Linda crying)
Ahmad, can you come here
for a minute please?
(somber music)
The officer outside
and his colleague,
they're gonna take you
down to the office, okay.
And they're gonna
ask you questions,
but I promise you I'm gonna
come get you later, okay.
- Why? What did I do?
- You didn't do anything wrong.
You didn't do anything wrong.
- Can you come with me?
- I wish I could, but I can't.
I am going to come
get you. I promise.
Come on, let's go.
(Linda kisses)
- All right.
Come on honey. You
gotta come with us.
- Ahmad, you're not
in trouble, okay.
We're just gonna go for a short
ride up the road. All right.
- Sorry, Ahmad
mommy's, sorry okay.
I love you so much.
- You have to let go.
- Ma'am you have to let him go.
- Let go now.
- Sorry Ahmad. I'm sorry.
- Ma'am please.
Please, ma'am. Ma'am.
- Ahmad.
- Ma'am. Ma'am. Ma'am.
(somber dramatic music)
- You call CPS on me and my son?
- I had to do what I felt
was right for the child.
- Do you know how hard it is
to look your son in the face
and tell him that
people he barely knows
is gonna take him away from me?
Call them back right now
and tell them you
made that shit up.
I ain't got shit lose Gwen.
- Linda!
- Shit!
(slow dramatic music)
(Linda sobbing)
(phone ringing)
Hey, hey, have you
heard from Ahmad yet?
- He just got in bed.
- Oh Linda, I know.
I know it, but just think it
could be a lot worse, right.
He could be staying with
a family he doesn't know,
and we gotta count our wins too.
- I'm gonna be in here
for the next five years
for aggravated assault.
Ahmad is gonna be a senior
by the time I get outta here.
I'm gonna miss his entire life.
Hey, if you see my mom, could
you tell her I'm in here?
She might be unrecognizable
at this point,
but you are the only
way I could get to her.
- Don't you worry about that?
I'll be able to
make out who she is.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know she has a birthmark
on the side of her neck.
- Thanks Ebbs.
(Linda sobbing)
I am so sorry.
Please, please send
me pictures of Ahmad.
Pictures, report
cards, school projects
and have him write me.
- You know in order
to avoid foster care,
Ahmad has to be
permanently placed with us.
- Promise you going to
come see me every week?
- Of course, I will
bring him as often
as they will allow me to.
Linda, we're gonna make sure
we find you an excellent lawyer.
- Thank you.
And tell Ryan I
said thank you too.
Y'all have definitely
been my angels.
- I will.
(Linda sobbing)
(birds chirping)
(doorbell rings)
(slow dramatic music)
- Hey sis.
You look good.
I got Linda's message.
- You got Linda's message?
So Jeremy, you just
disappear out of the blue
and that's all you have to say
is that you got her message?
- And I get it.
Had to lay low for a few weeks
but I got everything
situated now
and I'm ready to take
Ahmad off your hands.
- There's an order
to things Jeremy.
We have a hearing later on
today to gain permanent custody.
- Oh, hearing.
- No, I'm back now.
So you ain't gotta
worry about all that.
You can tell him that his
dad is here to claim him
and that should
work everything out.
And once I take Ahmad I'm
gonna have to dip out with him
for a little bit 'cause
I still gotta lay low.
- And take him where?
- Away, off the radar.
- And you think the streets
are fit for a child?
You don't think it's a bit much
to completely remove
him from everything
that he knows, from his school?
Jeremy, you don't think
he's been through enough?
- Look, we already
talked about it.
I'm gonna homeschool
him. Keep him active.
Teach him how to
plant his own food.
It's gonna be better
for him in the long run.
- Not one time did you
ask me how I was doing
after I lost my baby?
Not one time.
No apology.
You didn't even stop
at the hospital.
Come on man, you know
better than to be out here,
like mother didn't
raise you right,
and now you wanna
drag your son into it.
- Look, I get it sis.
I couldn't face you
after all that shit.
I was angry. I was embarrassed.
But I should have
been there for you.
And that's on me. I'm sorry.
- And as much as you
know he could be lurking
around our house,
plotting to kill us.
- No, no, you ain't
gonna worry about that.
I can assure you.
- So I'm just supposed to
be okay with you taking him
while you out here rolling
dice with their life?
- Come on sis, you
know we gonna be back.
Our lives ain't
built like yours.
- You know I'm sick of you
and Linda with the same excuses.
Your life could be
if you quit running
back to the streets man.
- [Jeremy] Like I got some
type of choice now, huh?
- Oh, you got a choice.
You got a choice.
- Sis, please just tell me
where y'all having the
hearing later today.
- It ain't the hearing Jeremy.
You are not even thinking
about me and Ryan, are you?
Hmm?
It's at the same courthouse
where you had yours.
And if you're gonna come,
you need to come early
because all of this
was so unexpected.
There's no guarantee.
- I'll be there.
All right. I just gotta
go back to our spot first
and make sure stuff
is cleared up,
'cause the people,
they sneaky like that.
I'm trying to keep it
straight, but I'll be there.
- Okay.
- See you a little bit.
- You keep coddling him.
- Oh please.
- That's why he thinks he
can just do whatever he wants
and show up when he feels,
and you can't see that
you are enabling him.
- Ryan, please.
He just needs a
little guidance, okay.
- And there it is.
The same excuse you've been
using for the past 10 years.
He didn't have our
mommy and daddy.
When are you gonna realize
that he is a grown ass man
that needs to figure
out his own life
and deal with his own traumas?
It is not your job to fix him.
- Ryan, you don't
have any siblings.
And both of your parents are
alive and still doing well.
- You got me there,
you're right.
I don't have siblings.
But if I did and one
of them was the reason
why I lost the one thing
that I wanted most in life,
and that one thing
that I dreamed
of was literally
ripped from my own body
because of their
own selfishness.
I can assure you there
is no way in heaven
nor hell they could
show up at my door
with a handful of
excuses and demands.
He took my son, Ebony.
- He was my son too Ryan.
- I'll see you and
Ahmad at the meeting.
I need to wrap my head
around some things.
- Take as much time as you need.
- You said that you were...
Oh, I'm sorry, this
must be him walking up.
- Oh no, that's my husband.
I was speaking to
my brother Jeremy.
- Sorry, I'm late.
- Oh, so Ahmad's
father is your brother?
- Yes.
- I misunderstood.
Okay, just so I'm
clear, your desire is
for Ahmad's father, Jeremy, to
be able to take custody today
so that you don't have to go
through with the adoption.
Are we on the same
page about that?
- Mhmm. Yes.
Yes.
- Where is my dad?
- Oh yeah, he
hasn't made it yet.
But what we're gonna do
is we're just gonna go
through the process
as we planned,
and then if he shows up,
we'll take it from there.
- [Ryan] Right. Let's do it.
- Okay.
Okay, sign here, here,
here and initial here.
You are so strong and brave
to be going through
this journey.
Okay. You guys are
officially a family.
- Listen, I know that
you must be going through
a whirlwind of
emotions right now,
but I want you to know
that you are loved,
you're safe now, and
you are not alone.
Do you understand me?
All right.
- I am so glad that
you're my son now.
We love you and I'll do
anything to protect you.
You know that right?
- Baby, why don't you go
upstairs and get some rest?
It's been a long day.
- Okay.
- Come on now.
- Good night.
- Good night.
You know, I was thinking
after I pick up Ahmad
from school tomorrow, maybe we
can stop by and see his mom.
- I don't think
that's a good idea.
Ahmad's been through enough.
You know, Ahmad's our son now
and we have to do
what's best for him.
- Yeah, but that doesn't mean
we disconnect him
from his parents.
I mean that's part of
his wellbeing too, right.
Plus I promised Linda
that I would take him
- Ebony, no.
His parent's are always
thinking about themselves first.
Their actions
affect other people,
specifically us and Ahmad.
- So you just want to act
like they don't exist?
I mean, Ahmad knows who his
parents are and he loves them.
- Did his father love him enough
to show up today of all days?
No.
All that, I got a plan
and don't tell me how
to raise my son talk,
and his sorry ass
couldn't he be bothered
to show up on the most
important day of his son's life?
- Well baby, that's
easy for you to say.
I mean, you've never been a
victim of the system before.
Honey once your
caught in that system
it's hard to get out.
Especially when making
an honest living only
gives you scraps.
I mean, he was trying Ryan.
- Baby, he was trying to
get a fast come up, okay.
He didn't wanna put in the time
and do the work to build
from the ground up.
And you're sitting
here defending him
like he didn't go do
some business with
the guy who hurt you
and caused us to lose our baby.
- What are you,
what are you saying?
- The other day, Ahmad
asked me if his father
was hurt by the same
man that hurt you
and I asked him, I said,
"What made you think that?"
You know what he told me?
He said he overheard
his parents talking
about doing more
business with Paul.
That's his name, right? Paul.
- So that explains why
Jeremy wants to leave.
That's why he just left.
- Baby you keep making excuses
and I'm sitting
right here with you.
We practically raised Ahmad,
so I do think we have
some say in Ahmad's life.
So now it's our time
to make the decision
for what's best for us.
And baby, I need you with me.
I need you to stand
with me the same way
that I stood with you
for the past 20 years.
- And I do. I do.
- Okay. So if you stand with me,
then don't take our
son to that jail.
No phone calls, no letters.
It'll confuse Ahmad more and
he's been through enough.
And Linda, she can
get a public defender
and fight her own battles.
I'm done paying for it.
Jeremy,
wherever the hell he is,
he can fight his
own battles too.
I'm sure he has a plan.
The way they've
been carrying on,
it'll take them a few years
to get themselves together
so they can build a
relationship with Ahmad then.
We've worked so
hard to be parents
and we both love Ahmad so much.
So trust me, this is
what's best for him.
- But what do we tell that baby
when he asks about his parents?
You know he's going to
ask about his parents.
- The truth.
You trust me?
(light-hearted music)
(upbeat music)
Oh something
- Happy Mother's Day.
- Oh, wow.
What a surprise. Thank you.
- Open it. Open it. Open it.
- Oh wow.
What do we have here?
- That way when we play, you
can use your own controller.
- And you think
you're ready for me?
- Mhmm.
- Mhmm.
- Here you go.
- Okay.
Oh wow. This is
a beautiful card.
- [Ahmad] Thank you.
- And a gift card.
Must be my lucky day.
Let's see.
"You are my shero. Love Ahmad."
Oh wow. Look at your drawing.
Looks pretty professional now.
I don't know dad, we might have
to do something about that.
- [Ryan] It's nice.
- Might be able to make some
money off of you someday.
- Oh, and by the way,
the only reason we
got you a gift card is
'cause last time we brought you
clothes, you never wore 'em.
- I thought we were
supposed to be partners.
How you gonna call me
out in front of him?
Oh my, yes.
I see that.
And I can count.
Good job. Thank you.
- [Ryan] All of this and you
go straight for the money. Wow.
- Well I appreciate
that too. Thank you.
- Well we can finish
celebrating after the event.
What time do we
need to be there?
- Probably about two hours.
- Do we have to be
there all day again?
- No, not all day.
So think about this.
What if you didn't have any food
or clothes when you want
someone to help you?
- Yeah.
- Yes. So that's why we do it.
And I'm gonna drive separately
because you two are slow.
But this is wonderful. Thank
you. You guys did a good job.
- Thank you.
(metal door clangs)
(officer clears throats)
- Inmate 3926. You are
ordered to transfer.
On your feet.
On your feet.
- Where?
- On your feet inmate.
- That's how they treat
mothers on Mother's day.
(police radio)
- And then, and
then I turn around
and their baby is
standing there covered
in pink frosting
from head to toe.
I swear that girl
hasn't given me a day
of peace since the
day she was born.
Oh, I miss those days.
- I don't.
I mean, come on, endless diaper
changes, sleepless nights.
Girl, I don't think I
got a full night's rest
like the first 14
months with Noah.
- Oh, I can't relate. Bailey
slept through the night.
She loves her sleep.
Just like who? Her mom.
(all laughing)
- What about with you,
Ebony? How was it?
- Oh.
- Oh it's all right.
But he's, he's great.
Baby I cans see your lies
- You know what?
Here's to motherhood
and to being of service.
- Yes.
Devils in the skies
I can see right
through your eyes
Baby I can see your lies
(la, la, la, la, la)
Here I am trying to
stand out in the crowd
(police radio)
- Get up inmate.
- Get your...
- Get up!
- Ass up and stop playing.
- I gotta pee.
- You should have
went back there.
- I gotta pee man.
- I'll take her in the woods.
- I don't think
that's a good idea.
- I wish she would.
- Okay.
- Don't be trying any of that.
(birds chirping)
(somber music)
What the hell!
You gone stop this
shit. I am tired of you.
(taser shocking)
(officer screams)
(intense dramatic music)
(police radio)
(intense dramatic
music continues)
- That guy I was
telling you about BJ?
Girl, I quit mess
messing with him.
Why did he have a chick
at my house at two o'clock
in the morning
knocking at my door?
Do you know BJ?
I'm like, girl, he here aint he.
She looking at me
like she want me.
- Good day ladies.
- Right.
- I'm looking for
an Ebony Jones.
- Yes.
Are my husband and son, okay?
- They just pulled up.
- Okay, thank you.
- Could you excuse us?
Thank you.
Now this is in regard to
your sister-in-law, Linda.
She's escaped custody.
She's considered extremely
dangerous right now.
We believe that she's armed.
So we need to get you to
a safe location right now.
As far as I know,
we get you home.
We have a security
contingency standing by.
But the moment we identify
any additional threats,
we will need to move you
to either a safer
location, different state.
But in order for us to
effectively protect your family,
ma'am, we need to
leave like now.
- Okay. Let me
just get my things.
(ominous music)
(workers talking)
(ominous music continues)
(crickets chirping)
- Ebony, baby, come
watch a movie with me.
Ebony.
Ebony.
- I'm sorry babe.
You know, I think I'm
just gonna take a shower
and try to get some rest.
- All right good. I
think you need that.
- Ryan, we have security
outside of a house right now.
- And do you realize
you have your man right
in here with you?
Baby, everything
is gonna be fine.
All right.
(Ryan kisses)
(slow dramatic music)
(door creaks open)
(Ryan typing)
(suspenseful music)
(heavy thud)
- Ryan.
Ryan.
Oh my God.
(car alarm)
Get up. Get up. Get up.
Get up. Get up.
Listen, I said I'll
explain you later,
but I need you to
move quickly, okay.
Call my phone.
Call it. Come on.
- I have no idea
where my phone is.
- Look, look, look.
- I might have
left it downstairs,
- Okay, okay. One sec.
All our phones are missing.
Listen, I don't
know what day it is,
but we need to run to the
car as soon as possible.
Come on, come on,
come on, come on.
Come on. Come on. Come on.
It's all right.
Go wait for me in the car.
I'll meet you there, okay.
- Okay.
- Okay.
Go baby. Go. Go.
(suspenseful music)
(Ahmad locks door)
(slow chilling music)
(intense dramatic music)
(loud punches)
(Ebony screams)
Oh God!
(intense dramatic music)
Oh God!
(intense dramatic music)
- You didn't write me.
You didn't even bring
Ahmad to come see me.
(loud punch)
Where's Ahmad?
- I don't know.
- Look at me. Look at me.
Where's Ahmad Ebony?
Fuck!
(suspenseful music)
(Ryan breathing heavily)
(Ebony exhaling)
- Oh God.
(suspenseful music)
- Dad.
- Oh, God.
Oh, it's good to see you man.
I thought I'd never see you.
Yeah there's a large chain.
Ahmad can you grab those
keys from the water.
Right here. That's
it. That's it.
(Ryan breathing heavily)
All right.
(Jeremy walking in pain)
All right, let's
pause right here.
I need you to go
find some help okay.
- Okay.
Oh baby.
- Oh my God.
(slow dramatic music)
Okay, I'm gonna go get the car.
I need you to come.
Just sit. Be careful.
Sit back. Sit back.
Okay, be careful.
- [Jeremy] Okay.
- [Linda] Watch if...
- He's been down here
this entire time.
- [Ebony] I didn't know.
- You knew.
- I promise you I didn't know.
- You're lying.
You lie.
You mean to tell me you
sit upstairs every night
and you don't know it's
a man in your basement.
- I didn't know you
were this person.
- Like I would do that
to my own brother.
- She's lying.
- Hey, look at me.
I didn't know.
- She's lying.
- I didn't know.
- [Ahmad] No.
- Ryan, what are you
doing? Put the gun down.
- Ahmad is our son Ebony.
- Ahmad get back. Get back.
- Jeremy go. Jeremy go.
- They are not taking
my son anywhere.
The police will be here any
minute to take your ass back
to jail where you belong.
- Ryan, put the gun down.
Just put the gun down please.
- But if you choose him over me,
I might not be so
loyal in the morning.
- Uncle Ryan.
- I'm your father!
Now choose, him or me!
(gunshot)
- Ryan!
(intense dramatic music)
No. No. Ryan get up.
Get up baby, get up.
Oh God damn. Get up.
Get up.
Please.
(Ebony screams)
(slow dramatic music)
- We ran outta creamer,
but we have a few
packs of sugar left.
So Ebony, I know this
is very difficult
and there's a lot to process
and I do wanna represent you
to the best of my ability,
but I need you to be
completely honest with me
because, well, I'm having
a hard time piecing
some things together.
Where is Ahmad?
- Again, I don't know.
- [Detective] You don't
know where your son is?
The son that you sign
to love and protect?
- Yes, that's correct.
Well, wherever he is,
I'm sure he's safe.
- With his fugitive
mother, Linda.
Is that what you mean by safe?
- No, what I meant
is he's a smart kid
and I'm sure he'll make
his way back to us.
- That's what you say.
But you also said that Linda
never came to your home.
Because I'm finding it
hard to trust anything
that you're telling
me right now.
I talked to your neighbors,
they said that they saw Linda
and they described
her perfectly.
- Are you trying to blame
the state's inability
to secure their own
prisoners onto me?
I mean, I must have missed
that part, but I have
no idea how the person who
broke into my house looks.
But when they find them, it
will bring me a lot of relief.
- You said that you shot
your husband in self-defense.
What exactly were you
defending yourself from?
- From him?
- You were protecting
yourself from
your husband who you'd been
married to for 14 years
and you adopted a child with?
- My husband was
holding someone hostage
in our basement for
his experiments.
And when I confronted him,
he threatened me
with a loaded gun.
- [Detective] You also
live in this home, correct?
- Yes.
- So in all the years that
you lived in this house,
you never suspected
that anything may be
going on in the basement?
- I think you're forgetting
that we're dealing with a man
with extensive accolades
where a man's been treating
for blood diseases.
What reason would I have
to go into his space
that he considers his work lab?
Especially, where
there's nothing in there
that pertains to me.
- [Detective] Also, you
said that the intruder
was after your husband.
So why would you have to
defend yourself against him?
- Can you imagine what it's like
to look your husband in the
face after he just assaulted you
and almost to death,
and then for him to tell you
that your son is missing?
And at the hands of someone
who's clearly insane.
- Thank you Ebony.
(light-hearted music)
- Hello.
Hey.
I told them you
would call back soon.
One moment.
It's your auntie Ebbs.
- Happy Mother's Day.
Did you like the
gifts we sent you?
- Oh yeah. That's
why I'm calling.
I just wanted to thank you
for all my wonderful gifts.
Yeah, especially my painting.
- Actually, mom
printed out those.
When are you joining us?
- Soon. I promise.
And hey, I want you
to finish telling
me about this new thing you
wanna try with your hair.
- Okay, I will. Hold
on. Here's my dad.
- Hey sis. How you doing?
- Hey Jeremy.
Yeah, I'm hanging in there.
How are you?
- Oh, you know we holding
up. We holding up.
- You a hard man to reach.
You ready to talk?
We both have
something in common.
Neither one of us
want Linda free.
So, when you ready to talk,
it will benefit both of us.
Much sorrow comes from women
Who know not honor and truths
Here I am just
trying to be myself
It's a crazy world
Looking to find my
place and all they do is
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
Here I am just trying to
run the race in a slow pace
All I'm trying to
do is run, not win
And all they do is
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
Mirror mirror tell me
What is it about them
Living like it's their game
Come and set it better than me
You'll just end up loosing
(loosing)
We're in the house
made of glass
Devils in disguise
I can see right
through your eyes
Baby I can see your lies
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
We're in the house
We the uprise
Devil's in disguise
I can see right
through your eyes
Baby I can see your lies
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
Here I am trying to
stand out in the crowd
Have my own sound
How is it that the fakes
ones are always so loud
All they do is
(la, la, la, la, la, la)
Here I am, I'm
doing my own thing