Downloaded from YTS.MX
(dramatic music)
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX
(rhythmic drums)
(film reel running)
(rhythmic upbeat music)
- [Sydney Voiceover] My great granddad surprised his family
by coming home on Thanksgiving after being forced
to be away for a really long time.
(upbeat music)
His surprise became a tradition
in our family almost every year.
It's called Thanksgiving surprise.
(upbeat music)
Everybody that comes to Thanksgiving dinner
has a surprise for family with something special.
It could be a great present for the whole family,
big news, or something small like cooking something
you've never made before.
(upbeat music)
Last year, I painted a picture.
It wasn't that great but I'm just a kid,
so they gave me a pass.
This year, I'm taking it up a notch.
(upbeat music)
- Well good morning Ja'Lady.
May I help you?
- Mr. Davidson, please.
- What's your name?
- Miss Sydney Carter.
- Do you have an appointment?
- No, but he won't want to miss this meeting.
- Oh, really?
You're so very interesting.
You need only go, a presentation?
- No, it's personal.
- Oh, I see.
Personal business.
How do you really know Mr. Davidson?
- He knows my mom.
- Oh!
Get it.
Okay, Miss. Carter, if you can go and take a seat
in the waiting area, I'll make sure I tell him
to see you today.
- Thank you. - Okay.
He may take a while, okay?
- [Sydney All right.
- Woe. (mumbling)
(soft music)
(keys tapping)
(soft music)
- Uh, who's kid is that?
- Girl, Juan's booty call, canceled. (mumbled)
I know.
- Hmm.
- Girl.
(soft music)
- These last appointments all sucked.
He can see her now.
- Okay, Miss Carter.
(soft music)
Miss Carter.
Mr. Davidson is ready for you now.
(soft music)
- Mr. Davidson? - Yes.
- Miss Carter for you.
- Thank you.
Well hello, Miss Carter.
I'm Jeffrey Davidson.
- Hi, I'm Sydney.
- Please have a seat.
(soft music)
Real cool chairs, huh?
So, what can I do for you?
- I'm a reporter and my first story is own life.
I'm about done with my research.
- Well that's a relief.
I thought you were gonna tell me you committed a crime
and you needed legal representation.
- My mom's an attorney too, so if I got in trouble,
she would defend me.
And then ground me.
- Your mom.
She's a friend of mine?
- Yes, her name's Erica.
- Erica.
Erica Carter.
Erica Carter, the Erica Carter?
That's your mom?
- Hmm hmm.
- Wow.
You know, of course, I know her.
Every attorney in the city knows her.
She's an amazing lawyer.
Wow, what a small world.
I didn't even know that Mrs. Carter had children.
Is she okay?
Did she send you?
- Yes, she's fine and no, I came on my own.
- On your own.
Why?
- Because I'm fact checking my research
and I'd like you to be my Thanksgiving dinner guest.
- Cordially invited.
This is,
unexpected.
And very sweet.
But why me?
And what do I have to do with your research?
- This is my birth certificate.
You're my dad, Jeffrey Davidson, born in Detroit, Michigan.
You're the only lawyer I could find from Detroit
named Jeffrey Davidson.
You're my dad
and I'd like you to be my Thanksgiving surprise.
- Follow me.
- But you're suppose to be my Thanksgiving surprise.
I don't wanna paint another picture.
I don't wanna go home.
- Look Sydney, sometimes our research
takes us down the wrong path.
But yes, I know your mom.
But almost every attorney in the city does.
But it's not me.
Keep doing your research.
Find your dad.
He will be very proud to have you as a daughter.
But you should really talk to you mom about this.
(car engine starts)
(soft piano music)
- You do realize I can't plead you out of here
if you keep getting yourself into trouble.
Why are you even in solitary?
- They let the prisoners smoke out there.
I got asthma.
I like breathing more than I like company.
- Okay, well, did they read you your rights?
Did they rough you up?
- Yes.
And yes.
I didn't resist though.
I'm not gonna give them a chance to kill me
over some minor drug offense.
- Minor, you call possession with the intent to sell minor?
Have you been read a list of charges that you're faces?
- I was in the middle of buying my first dime bag.
- Possession, distribution, trafficking.
- I didn't even get to smoke it.
- The guy that you named your dealer
said that he was the buyer.
And he's been very cooperative with police and questioning.
And he's even told them where you stash the weed.
So now it's your word against his cooperation.
And you Mr. Davidson were the only person in possession
with the substance.
So, your options are to take a plea deal or go to trial.
Which is it?
(Jeffrey scoffs)
- You know, I get it.
You know what they call you in here?
They call you the drive-thru plea deal.
Said that all you wanna do is plea deals.
So you can keep it moving.
Somehow, I was hoping you were different.
Are you different?
- Well, clearly you wanna go to trial
because that is the only way I would be able
to get this case thrown out on police misconduct.
And you won't take a plea deal, so.
- Cool.
- Cool?
In a state with 10 times more black convictions
with harsher punishments.
Still cool?
Look Mr. Davidson, um,
this may come as a surprise to you.
But, I do believe that you're innocent.
You are no dealer.
I mean, you haven't had a record for anything, actually.
And you're quite articulate and polished.
That comes from good upbringing.
- I grew up in the system.
Being polished was my protection.
But my sob story is not gonna convince
a judge of my innocence, is it?
- No, it won't.
But, learning more about you,
will help me better defend you.
- Okay, well my mom had mental health issues.
After my dad abused and abandoned her,
she ended up in Rock Cress mental ward.
And I ended up in the system.
And (laughs), I guess I was a stupid kid.
'Cause I convinced myself that,
if I was good at something, anything,
everything, I don't know.
That somehow she would miraculously get better.
- Hmm hmm.
- And she never did.
She...
She took her life in that place.
And...
After that, I,
I just hoped to get adopted I guess.
You know, rags to riches.
And then on my 10th birthday,
I overhead my social worker saying that,
kids over the age of seven have a 1% chance
of getting adopting.
- I see, so no cake or balloons, just statistics.
- That was the day I grew up.
After that, all I wanted was to get wealthy.
From the age of 10.
But fast forward,
Morehouse, Harvard Business School and I get this loan.
And I invested all of it in the stock market.
All of it, like I was living in my car.
And showering at the gym.
Until I paid back that loan.
And after that,
I just started balling out.
I mean, I would buy low, sell high.
I was making, I was unstoppable.
Until... - Stock market crashed.
Hmm. - And so did my life.
- Mr. Davidson, that was over a decade ago.
Why are you here now?
- The nice officer was kind enough to give me a lift.
When you start with nothing,
and you work your way to get everything,
and then you lose it all.
It is like,
it's like death.
So, I was messed up in the head for a few years.
And then, one day,
I just decided,
I tried getting high.
- And that's what the state will argue.
That, that was a quick way for you to re-establish yourself.
Look Mr. Davidson,
take the plea deal.
I don't wanna see...
- Let me tell you what I see.
I see an intelligent, competent woman
with a giant set of balls.
If you don't pick a fight every now and then (scoffs),
you wasting your power.
I get it.
The system is too big for average people to fight.
But I do have a question for you.
- And what's that?
- Are you average?
- Hello, Mr. Davidson.
- Hey Shawn.
Shawn, what are you working on right now?
- Right now, I'm working in your infidelity divorce case.
- Drop that for now.
I want you to find out,
why my name is on this birth certificate.
- Okay, boss.
I'm on it.
- [Erica] Whew, tell me about what happened last night.
- Girl, you should have came with me last night.
(faint chattering)
- Was it?
(faint talking)
What you mean?
- Girl, I made over $750 at the bar, just with tips?
- Are you serious?
- Yes, they tip they asses off.
- I see. - Girl.
You should have been there, like one lady,
rode the stripper like a cow girl.
(faint talking)
(women laughing)
- That is so nasty.
- Yeah, well we can't all be fashion dolls like you.
- Well okay.
- Guess who I seen in the parking lot with a stripper?
- Who? - Ms. Suede Pants.
- Oh my gosh, that place is insane.
I just can't, I can't.
- Girl, I love my job though.
- Oh I know.
- I mean, you're not the only one
that hates me working there though.
Jay's been trying to get me
to quit since we moved in together.
- Okay, moved in together.
So I've been missing a lot of things, huh?
- What you say?
Barbecue is paying the bills.
- Oh, I see, I see that.
Wow. - Yes, girl.
But um Thursday, speaking of Jay,
we are grilling Thanksgiving dinner.
- Okay. - So you will be there.
- Well, you know I'm not missing that for the world.
- Okay. - But is Sydney safe?
'Cause I need to know, okay.
Girl, here go my mom calling.
Probably about this damn potato salad.
- Oh girl, who the hell puts craisins
in potato salad anyway?
- Hey, hey, it's healthy, okay?
It's healthy. - Okay.
- Tell me Mrs. Angela I said hi.
- Will do. - All right.
- Bye. - Bye girl.
(phone ringing)
- Hey mom, what's up?
- What's up?
I wanted to hear my baby girl's voice.
What's up with you?
- Oh nothing, just finished grocery shopping
for Thanksgiving.
Last minute, I had court all week so.
- Hmm hmm.
- What's that, ugh.
- Just your dad.
You left those craisins in the store right?
And how is that mysterious boyfriend you've been hiding?
- Fine.
- Just fine?
Last month, he was a dream.
- Mom.
Stop digging.
- What?
- When I'm ready, you will know.
- I'm just pointing out
that if it's something you're hiding,
maybe it's something you shouldn't be involved in.
- I'm not hiding anything.
He's great, I'm great, we're great, okay.
I'm just, it's jut new and I just can't.
- Okay, great.
I'll add a place for him for dinner next to you.
- Okay mom, I'll invite him to Thanksgiving dinner.
Now where's my baby girl?
- She's outside playing in the neighborhood as usual.
- By herself?
- She's active and inquisitive.
Be happy she's not watching vowels
on the couch all day long.
- Well it's the inquisitive part that I'm worried about.
- It's a gated community.
- And rich people are crazy too, mom.
- You know what?
I was the same way with you.
The difference is, you can call her.
- I will.
- So I'll see you next Thursday, with your boyfriend.
- Okay, mom.
- And stick to your grandmother's
potato salad recipe this year.
We don't need any more healthy surprises.
(birds chirping)
(phone ringing)
- Hi mommy.
- [Erica] Hey pumpkin, how are you, what are you doing?
- [Sydney] Just investigating my source.
- You are going to be a great reporter some day.
I just finished Thanksgiving's shopping.
- [Sydney] I hope you forgot the craisins at the store.
- Nobody in this family wants to be healthy.
But yes, I left the craisins at the store.
- [Sydney] I like healthy mommy,
just not in the potato salad.
- Well, I promise to stick
to great grandma's recipe this time.
So, are you going to give me a little hint
on your Thanksgiving surprise this year?
Is it maybe a piece of artwork?
- [Sydney] Not this year mommy.
I'm working on something better.
And no hints.
- Okay, well I will see you Sunday night.
I love you little one.
- [Sydney] Love you too mommy.
- [Rob] I mean just pack enough to stay the night,
it's only Thanksgiving dinner.
- Okay, I understand that but do I wear a dress
or pants, I mean, what is appropirate
in your parent's house for dinner?
- [Rob] First of all, whatever you wear will be amazing.
Second of all, this is not sitting dinner.
This is like the most important family meal in our house.
So, I mean.
- So you no mean, no pressure?
Thanks, that just made this a hundred times more difficult.
- Babe, whatever you pick will be fine.
Just please be quick about it.
I'm pulling up now.
I don't want to wait all day to see you.
- All right, all right.
I'll be right there. (sighs)
(car horn honking)
I'm coming.
This dinner is no joke.
I'm trying to win over a mama. (mumbles)
(phone beeping)
- Got Robby Rob on the...
- Yo Mookie, what's good?
- What's up Robby Rob?
We got Thanksgiving prep popping over her.
Mom said you about to come on through
before you go to your mom's spot.
- Hey Robbie.
You better come get a plate boy.
I ain't playing with you.
- Yes ma'am, I'm coming through.
But I can't stay long though.
- I don't care.
I just wanna squeeze your checks one good time.
And I wanna see your surprise
before you take her over to your folks.
- Hey, we all wanna see your new boo.
Damn!
Oh wait, did I say that?
- Hmm hmm.
- Uh, yeah, you did.
Opal, this is Mookie.
- Hi.
- Best friends since like birth.
Hey Opal, now I know why this dude didn't introduce you
in person.
Yeah, me and Rob go way back like spider cords
and car seats and rocking chairs and cornrows
and beaded jackets and...
- Boy please.
- What?
- Hi Opal.
- [Opal] Hi, nice to meet you both.
- You too.
- Uh but, for real though.
If he step out of line,
I'm next in line.
Right?
- Okay, I'll keep that in mind. (laughs)
- But for real though,
I don't know what you done to this dude,
but you got him wide open!
That's a good dude, right there.
- Yeah, I know but thank you for the confirmation.
- All right, bro, we gotta roll.
But we'll see you around noon,
before I change my clothes.
I'm heading to my mom's.
You know how she feels about punctuality.
- What?
Remember we got that tag team but whoopin'?
Just for showing up to Sunday dinner late?
- Yeah, it was like WWF with an angry mom.
- My dude, hey, we'll see both of y'all.
Both of our eyes on both of y'all tomorrow, right?
Right?
- Bye.
We'll see you tomorrow.
- That doggone Opal pretty as hell though.
- So, your mom is pretty serious about being on time?
- (scoffs) My entire childhood, I heard my mom say
to be on time is to be late.
So, show up early 'cause someone's always waiting on you.
Her entire parental game plan was life skills training.
- But, you're grown now.
So, it's no big deal, right?
- This is worse, she can't whoop me.
But she can talk me to death, which is worse for everybody.
So, I do what I was taught and that keeps her happy.
It keeps us all happy.
- Is that your game plan for your kids too?
- I mean, I turned out great.
Why change the game plan?
(soft piano music)
- That's good to know. (laughing)
("Bust A Move" by Gr8tness)
♪ You heading out might as well let it go
♪ And bust a move
♪ Drive, shake, jump, step, slide
♪ Bust a move
♪ Twist, rave, dip, oh, glide
♪ Bust a move
♪ Drive, shake, jump, step, slide
♪ Bust a move
♪ Twist, rave, dip, oh, glide
♪ Gone get jiggy with it
♪ Gone get, gone get
♪ Gone get jiggy with it
♪ Gone get, gone get
♪ When I step up in the joint
♪ All eyes on me now
♪ I stepped in, I point (singing in foreign language)
♪ Not a care in the world
♪ She whisper, say she tree high
♪ She came about up out of section
♪ She not acting like a diva
♪ I can turn it up, whole club by my damn self
♪ Come get jiggy with me but I don't need no damn help
♪ Got the game running
♪ Got it spinning like a fan belt
♪ It's never too much
♪ Luther Vandross
♪ She seen me get live
♪ They stand when I looked away
♪ She right by my side
♪ Trying to hit my step, I shake then we slide
♪ To survive, don't try so hard
♪ Just let it glide
♪ Want some advice, read my book
♪ It's called the getting guide
♪ Came to impress tonight
♪ I look the best tonight
♪ Digging left and right
♪ Go hit your step tonight
♪ Don't lose your breath tonight
♪ Don't break a sweat tonight
♪ Who cares what you look like
♪ I'm here to tell you like bust a move
♪ Drive, shake, jump, step, slide
♪ Bust a move
♪ Twist, wave, dip, oh, glide
♪ Bust a glide
♪ Drive, shake, jump, step, slide
♪ Bust a move
♪ Twist, wave, dip, oh, glide
♪ Gone get jiggy with it
♪ Gone get, gone get
♪ Gone get jiggy with it
♪ Gone get, gone get
♪ This ain't no love ballad
♪ No romance song
♪ It's a dance song for you to get your dance on
♪ Mac Dre get your gig on
♪ Get your gig on, quit acting all booshie
- Mama.
- My baby boy.
Come here.
- Momma, this is Opal.
Surprise. - Hey.
- Opal, what a wonderful surprise.
We hug in this family.
So get over here.
- Rob, go find your daddy.
Opal, you can come with me.
- Okay. - Do you know how to cook?
- Oh I'm the best cook in my family.
- Good, 'cause my daughter is late.
And I need to get this dinner popping.
- My boy is home. - Dad!
(men laughing)
- So who is this lovely lady?
- Dad, this is my girlfriend, Opal.
- Opal? - Hmm hmm.
- Lovely name for a lovely, lovely young lady.
My son's got great taste.
And even better luck.
- Earl, go make me a gimlet or something.
Opal, you want something to drink?
- Oh no.
- You two, go on and let us ladies get to know each other.
- Anything you say, foxy lady.
- So how long have you two been married?
- 37 years.
We got married right after college.
And I got pregnant right after we got married.
- How do you do it?
He's still looks at you like he just found a treasure.
How do you keep it fresh like that?
- Oh I see.
- See what?
- You're in love with my son.
- (laughing) Yeah I mean, he is pretty great.
- Okay.
All right, well.
Our secret to our marriage,
it's just like cooking a great meal.
Before cooking, you have to agree on what you're cooking.
If you disagree about that,
your whole marriage will be a battle.
After that, you have to,
you and your husband have to agree
on the how to cook a meal.
The recipe and the ingredients.
If you disagree on the how,
you'll end up working against each other.
Like people add extra ingredients
into an already perfect potato salad.
- Now, that sounds like a real life example.
- It was, don't ask.
Just cross your fingers that we don't see any craisins
in the potato salad this year.
- Uh.
- After you agree on the meal,
and the recipe,
well then the real work begins.
You both have to know your role.
- Know your role?
- That's right.
You play a role and he plays his.
But never think that one role
is more important than the other.
Think of it like two people
holding the opposite sides of a pan.
Now, if we tried to switch places right now,
this turkey will crash and our whole dinner will be ruined.
- Okay, so Mrs. Carter,
know the meal, the recipe and then play your role?
This is making me hungry.
- And the most important thing,
never stop having great sex.
(Opal laughing)
- Mrs. Carter, you are wild!
Wild.
- I'm serious girl.
Mama got that snap back.
Matter of fact,
make that the first thing on the dinner plate.
- (laughing) Okay. - Whew.
So, Opal where you from?
- I was born in Cleveland.
But I moved around a lot growing up.
My father was a military man until he passed.
- Oh I'm sorry.
How long have you known my son?
- Uh, we've known each other for a while.
- And he's just now introducing you to his family?
- Well we just got closer about a month ago.
- And what changed a month ago?
- Me.
I guess, I changed.
So, we changed.
- What do you mean?
- My immediate past is a bit sketchy.
I promised Rob I wouldn't talk about it a lot
but I'd rather you get to know the real me
before you judge me.
- Honey, Robert brought you to meet us on Thanksgiving.
So unless you're on the lamb,
we can work through the rest.
- That's really nice.
I wish my family was that accepting.
- I'm nosy honey.
So spill the tea, lady.
Unless you don't want to.
And if that's the case, then I can respect that.
Either way, this is a judgment free house.
You love my son, he loves you.
And the rest we can work through.
- That really means a lot.
I use to be a stripper.
- Okay.
That's not the worse thing.
It's not the best but it's definitely not the the worst.
Is that how you met my son?
- Yes ma'am.
My first night at the club was his first time visiting.
He was sad and just wanted someone to talk to.
We hit it off right away.
I mean, I figured he was a regular before I started.
I didn't know until later that,
that was his first night there, too.
- Hmm, that's interesting.
- How do you mean?
- Well, on the one hand,
he's always been concerned about what other people think.
And then on the other hand, my son has always been a player.
- (scoffs) Like always, always?
- Girl, his whole life.
You got to know who your kids are.
And my son has always been a ho.
Oh, don't take it personal honey.
You are obviously special.
Didn't Robert tell you about this family and Thanksgiving?
We cherish this day.
And he's never brought a young lady home to meet us.
Was there a reason you chose to work at a gentleman's club?
- Yes ma'am.
I needed a lot of cash and quickly, so,
like other's I've known, I took the fast route.
I was only there for a year.
But, it was a necessarily plan for me.
And it's where I met Rob so,
it wasn't all bad.
- I've heard that can be a tough job.
- It was.
Lots of pervs, all the time.
A dancer even went missing.
- What? - Yeah.
I had to be really careful.
(timer bell rings)
Once the cash was no longer an issue, I quit.
Turns out, the only thing I missed about that job was Rob.
(soft instrumental music)
I'm curious about something.
Did you come into the club before my first night on the job?
- That was my first time at the establishment.
- And I was the first one you saw?
Why me?
I mean I know I don't have the biggest booty
or the prettiest face.
- You're beautiful.
- Don't get it twisted, I know I'm beautiful.
I'm just saying,
that club has lots of regular customers.
And I only had one regular face every week.
You.
I mean it's adult entertainment.
It's all about an escape.
Some guys are escaping their lives, their wives,
their lack of game,
or their lack of control in their everyday.
They want to try to imagine the dancer
that's performing for them in the real world.
But they don't wanna be bothered by the real world
behind those walls.
Nobody wants realness.
Nobody wants to hear about your real life,
your sore feet, your stomach ache.
They definitely don't want any real feedback.
Basically, nobody wants to have a real honest conversation.
- You expect to get a real conversation at a strip club?
- Of course not.
I mean I thought I knew what I was getting myself into.
And then after a while,
I realized I was gonna get exactly what I expected
from every man I met.
To play a role in his escape fantasy.
Every man but you.
- I don't know how to take that.
- Just take it.
(soft instrumental music)
- What you wanna do?
- We are sitting here.
Driving, talking.
Without loud music washing out our voices.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure.
- Wow, I, I don't know what to say.
I'm honored.
- See what I mean?
You're a real gentlemen.
You can't even help yourself.
- Don't let the light skin fool ya, I'm a G.
- Whatever negro.
Seriously though.
Answer my question.
- You asked a question?
Why you?
See, I was listening.
- (sighs) And you said, I'm beautiful.
Which is a bullshit answer men give
when they don't want to share their true emotions.
So, I gave you realness.
And I want the realness.
- Honestly?
- Yeah, realness.
- You were my escape.
I mean, you were a beautiful face.
And a great booty.
But, you also was an ear that listened and never judged.
- Go on.
- See, I admit.
I was in the club that night looking for
what every other guy is looking for.
For somebody to drop it low.
But. (Opal laughing)
When I first saw you,
it was a like a spotlight was on you.
And I admit, I had just had a bad breakup.
And I needed to feel some kind of real connection.
In a weird way, I might have been looking for that realness
without any knowing it.
Which is why I came only to see you.
'Cause it was like, we had our own little secret.
And everybody else was on the outside.
And you seemed to be exactly what I needed.
It's like, your energy was like,
medicine.
Why would I pop an aspirin when I need morphine?
- I'm glad you can tell.
Most people can't.
- Well unlucky for them, lucky for me.
So, what's your story?
- No story.
Just a regular girl with regular girl issues.
- Layers, she has layers.
- Everybody has layers.
- So why'd you quit your job?
- I lost my reason for doing it.
I just needed as much money as I could
as fast as I could.
And I figured a lot of people do unpleasant jobs
to support the people they love, so.
What makes me any different from them?
- Why?
- Why what?
- Why did you suddenly need the money?
- Last year, when my dad passed,
he left my mom with a couple of mounds of debt, so.
When she was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer,
I decided she was gonna need as much help
as I could get her.
Now the prognosis wasn't good, but,
they said they could extend her lifetime
and quality of life with an experimental treatment.
So, I just jumped in and
tried to raise the money without any real thought as to how.
She died a month ago.
I only stayed to cover her burial expenses and then I quit.
(soft instrumental music)
- You're amazing.
- Yeah, well what,
we're all just trying to find our way, right?
- You got that right.
- So, what's your story?
Tell me what makes you tick.
What makes you feel alive?
- Singing.
- Wait, wow.
You're a singer?
What kind of music?
- Mostly neo-soul.
- Hmm, how long have you been doing that?
- Professionally?
About one week.
- What? (laughing)
- Yeah, that was a life change.
- What were you doing before that?
- Teaching English.
And before that,
I was in the military, before that, college.
- Oh.
Okay, I get it, I get it.
So, how old were the kids you teached?
- Mostly between the ages of 35 to 40.
- Oh, a grad school professor.
- Nah, after high school, I went to college
and learned Mandarin.
And my father wanted me to go to med school
but I wanted to see the world, so I joined the Armed Forces.
Plus, I don't like the sight of blood.
So, after my short stint in military,
I went to China to live
and teach English as a second language.
(soft instrumental music)
Then there's my father.
He's so intense when he wants something.
He's a doctor and he wanted me to be one my entire life.
He pushed that, don't settle for mediocrity on me
until I took the damn admission's exam.
He filled out all the applications to medical schools
and I got accepted to most of them based on my scores alone.
- But. - But.
I've been passionate about singing since I was five.
My dad's profession is good but,
I'm not in no way passionate about it.
- Hmm.
- My entire life,
I've been working towards that fall back plan
and other people's plans for me.
And it hit me.
Why am I falling back when I should be falling forward?
- Okay, I'm trying to follow this, so,
you're saying singing is falling forward?
- No, what I'm saying is that,
I want the freedom to be able to pursue my passion
without worrying about where I'm gonna land.
I'm blessed enough to have the support
in place to be able to do that.
But I don't know,
if I do what everybody else want me to do,
am I really free?
I'm just a different type of slave.
- Well, you just go real deep on me.
- You asked for realness.
- Yeah.
But let me give you some realness back at you.
I respect the fact that you don't allow
anybody to put you in a box,
but don't do it to yourself either.
- Do it to myself?
- Yeah.
You can be more than one thing.
Like that guy, Ken Jeong, he's a doctor and an actor, too.
- Ken who?
- The guy from The Hangover movies.
Look, most people have multiple talents.
But they think they can only have one so,
they only cultivate the first one they discover.
Me?
I'm a creator.
I like to create art in so many different ways.
And I'm gonna keep creating and trying new things
and just doing as many things as well as I can.
You should too.
- How about this?
How about we do it together?
- I thought we already were?
I sit outside the club and waited for him one night.
This time, I asked him out.
It was our first real date.
He was so easy to talk to.
And we never talked about the club, again.
You raised a good man, Mrs. Carter.
A really, really good man.
- My son is smart.
And I'm sure he knows what kind of woman you are.
Because he needs a strong lady by his side.
(Errol laughing)
- Yeah.
I client bought me this.
1937 bottle of scotch.
- Is that the brand?
- (laughing) No it's not the brand.
That's the year it was made.
- Hmm.
- [Errol] It's $1000 a bottle.
- You should have told him to give you the money. (laughing)
- (laughing) It was a gift.
It was a gift of appreciation,
for the surgery I performed on him.
Let's talk about you.
You come home from overseas.
With no Chinese gifts of appreciation.
But you did well on the MCAT.
And you got accepted into several medical schools.
(Rob sighs)
And then you start a band?
A band?
- All facts, and?
- And the band is why,
why are you throwing away your future?
- I'm not dad.
I'm living my dream.
- Your dream?
Being successful is a dream.
Being in a band is a hobby.
- It wasn't a hobby for Prince and the Revolution.
- (laughing) Prince recorded his first album at 18.
He was a one man band.
You're 35.
And you don't even know how
to play an instrument. (laughing)
- Why do you even know that?
- Because I mean...
- Anyway, I'm learning guitar.
I write my own songs.
Plus, I have a gig, at the Black Bottom on Sundays.
- Boy, boy, boy.
Ain't nothing good ever happened at the Black Bottom.
I hope you the change that that place needs.
- It would mean a lot if you and mom came to see
in the band.
- Do you know,
how much I sacrificed for you?
To get that education?
That's carried you all around the world?
Do you know how hard I worked so that you can have options?
Do you?
- Yes, I do.
I also know that you made those sacrifices
so that we could be free to follow our dreams.
I'm going exactly what you worked for.
- Your dreams?
As long as they don't leave you broke and on the street.
- You'll never leave me on the street.
(Errol laughing)
- Oh yes I would.
Yes, I would.
See, that's your problem.
That's your problem.
You think your mom and I are gonna be around forever
to take care of you.
You're too comfortable.
But I got a newsflash for you.
Eventually, you're gonna have
to take care of yourself. (laughing)
- That's what I'm trying to do.
I don't wanna be one of those people that wish they did.
If the band doesn't work out, I'll go to med school.
- What if you get Opal pregnant?
- I will immediately go to med school.
- Okay, okay.
That's good enough for me. (laughing)
(glasses clinking)
Oh.
- Uncle Rob! - Baby girl!
- Hey grandpa. - Hey.
Hey sweet pea.
- Hey! - What up sis!
- How you doing? - All right.
- All right, hey dad.
- Hey there. - How are you?
- I'm doing great, I'm doing great.
Your mom's in the kitchen. - Okay, okay.
- With Opal.
- Opal, so I get to meet her, huh.
Okay, we'll let me get on in there now.
- Come here you.
Oh! (playful yelling)
Whew!
- So why did you teach her that?
- What, the red choke? - Yes.
I don't want my grand baby to be caught up
in your war stories.
- War stories, dad?
- She's trying to follow in your footsteps.
- What's wrong with the military?
- Your grandfather said the military
ain't no place for a black man.
- It was a different time then.
- But has it changed that much?
- You said you was proud of me.
- I am proud of you, I am.
You served honorably.
And you came back alive.
See all I'm saying,
is I want more for my granddaughter.
- I'm gonna be a reporter.
- Oh, a reporter.
That's a great profession for you my little curious one.
- Okay, reporter.
I'm curious now, why a reporter?
- Because the news is the only way people know
what's happening in the world.
Once, I got sick at school and the nurse let me lay down
until my mommy came.
Her TV was on the news.
It made me so sad.
So I asked her, who tells the happy stories?
She said, no one.
Maybe reporters think nobody cares about the happy news.
So when I grow up, I'm gonna start the happy news network.
- Hey Erica. - What?
- Can I adopt your daughter? - Um no.
You need to have some of your own.
But you can borrow her for a minute.
(men laughing)
- So, how's school?
- Good, kind of, boring.
- [Errol] Boring?
- I wanna play soccer but mommy says I can get hurt.
- Y'all gonna get enough
to treating this girl like a baby doll.
Erica played sports.
- And got hurt.
- And survived.
This girl is tougher than what y'all think.
Look.
I will teach you how to play soccer
while we work on your mom.
And, I'll teach you how to get a YouTube page
where we can record you reporting on some happy news.
How's that sound?
- You're the best uncle, ever!
- I know.
My high school football, you kept it.
And my trophies.
- Of course, I did.
When you have children of your own,
if you have kids of your own,
you'll cherish every little thing that they do.
Little, no matter how little, or how small.
And the thing is, though and this is very important,
never celebrate mediocrity.
Say it.
- [Both] Never celebrate mediocrity.
- You see.
I wanted you to always know the difference
between winning and losing.
Because I knew, as soon as you walked out that door,
life would teach you that lesson in a much harsher way
than I would.
- Wanna throw the ball around?
- I thougth you'd never ask. (laughing)
(faint talking)
(rhythmic hip hop music)
- Hi, is the Carter residence?
- Yes, yes, it's the Carter's residence.
How can I help you?
- I'm Dante Parks.
I work with Erica Carter.
- Oh, Dante.
Dante, you're Erica's boyfriend.
Welcome to my home.
- Thanks.
- I'm Errol, Erica's father.
This is my son Robert.
- Nice to meet you.
- Same here.
- Hey, Erica's busy right now.
She's in the kitchen helping prepare dinner.
But, uh, why don't you hang out with us for a little while,
till she's free. - Okay.
- You like football?
- Uh, sure.
I guess.
- Hmm.
Good to see you though, it's a pleasure meeting you.
- Thanks.
- Hey, hold my jacket.
(Errol laughing)
- So Dante.
Tell me, how did you meet Erica exactly?
- My father owns Mahogany Cosmetics.
And I met her in the office shortly after she was hired
as in-house counselor.
- Oh, so, do you all get to talk about the government a lot?
- Rob. - What?
- Erica went from criminal defense attorney
to corporate attorney, it's a fair question.
Especially with it being black owned.
- No, nothing like that.
At least, as far as I know.
I think HR was being precautionary.
And thought that she had the right combination of skills
and experience.
- Hmm, fair enough.
So exactly how did you two meet?
Did you like run up on her in the board room or what?
- She was introduced to me at an annual board meeting.
We met, spoke and we agreed
to a series of after hours meetings.
- It's like that, huh?
Like a business transaction?
- Believe me, merging our social schedules
has taken serious scrutiny and work.
I mean, I didn't kick game to her or anything like that.
I just seen a benefit to my company
and both of our social situations and thought,
hey, we should get to know each other better.
Of course, Erica agreed and we spent time,
gradually merging closer until I began to trust her.
- (laughing) Trust her?
That sounds like a really prude beginning.
So Dante, tell me, what do you do for fun?
- I golf.
(Errol and Rob laughing)
- Yeah, sis hates golf.
- She'll learn to enjoy it.
(Errol sighs)
What?
- Sounds like you got it all laid out, player.
- I'm not a player, but I am old school.
I believe a man should provide for his woman.
- Amen to that.
- Protect her.
- Speak on it brother.
- And teach her how to follow him
so she knows her place.
(loud slamming) - Oh!
Dag gone it.
(faint chattering)
- Dante!
- Hello Erica.
- Ice, Ibuprofen, first aid kit.
- [Opal] Oh my gosh.
- What did y'all do to him?
- Nothing just played football.
- Played football? - Not even football.
Just catch. - Okay, where's Sydney?
- She's outside.
- Okay good, baby, you'll be fine.
My dad is a doctor, okay.
I need to know if you feel nauseous.
Are you feeling nauseous?
- Why would he feel nauseous?
It's just a bloody nose.
- Yeah, but he has a condition
and pain causes him nausea.
- Okay, Dante.
Dante, your nose is broken.
(Dante moaning)
And on the count of three,
I'm gonna reposition it.
- Reposition it? - Oh that's gonna hurt.
That's gonna hurt a lot.
(Dante moaning)
- Babe. - Oh, I can't watch this.
- I can't stop watching it.
- It's gonna be good.
- Two! (Dante moaning)
Three! (Dante grunting)
- Are you all right?
- Okay.
(Dante grunting) - You okay?
Do you feel nauseous?
(Dante hurling)
- Oh.
- Oh, what the hell did you eat?
- I am not cleaning this up.
(light knocking)
- Hey. - Hey, Mrs. C.
- Hey Omar.
You're right on time.
Come on right over here, Omar.
- Thanks Mrs. C.
- You're welcome darling.
- Omar. (laughing)
Everyone, this is Omar.
Omar is my mentee.
He's gonna be a great doctor one day soon.
So let me introduce you.
This is Opal, Rob's girlfriend.
That's Dante, Erica's boyfriend.
- Omar is basically our little brother.
He spent more time with us growing up
than he did his foster family.
- Yeah, it takes a village.
- Well, I learned a lot from this family.
My foster parents, they're cool.
But you guys are like black royalty.
- What makes you different?
- Where I was born, I guess.
- Where you were born?
Where you were born and how you were raised,
none of that determines what you can be.
What matter is,
is what you believe you can be.
I believe you can be much more successful than me.
So what do you believe?
- Honey, you putting him on the spot.
Have some eggnog, Omar.
- Thanks Mrs. C, but I don't think Mr. C's gonna let me
off the hand without answering his question.
- You're a smart man.
- Well, I believe I'm as good as any other man
who's chasing his dreams.
So, if I'm as good as any other man,
I can do anything else another man can do
if I just work hard and focus.
I mean, that's what you always taught me.
So I do believe I can be as successful as you.
I just don't think I can be more successful than you.
- So why is that?
- Well, you always taught me that
every man finds success is what makes him happy
and what makes a man truly happy is
things that money can't buy.
Like family, friends and whatever you can do
to leave your mark on this world.
So from where I stand,
there is no more successful than you.
I'm just trying to get there.
- Damn, this kid's definitely gonna
be the president one day.
- I can see that, for sure.
- Dad, did you burn this dude
with cigarette butts or something?
(group laughing)
- All I can say is,
is that you're my third great success story Omar.
And if you plan on catching up with me,
you better get started right away. (laughing)
- And that don't mean, get somebody pregnant bruh.
(faint talking) (Errol laughing)
- Definitely not.
- I get it.
- Grandpa Errol. - Hmm hmm.
- I don't think I can deliver
my Thanksgiving surprise this year.
- [Errol] Why not?
- I was working on a project.
But it kind of fell apart.
I really wanted to honor great granddad.
Do you think he'll be disappointed?
- No, sweetheart.
I don't think he'd be disappointed.
The Thanksgiving surprise was never meant to be a chore.
It's a gesture of love from you
to your family.
Your great grandfather, Robert Carter,
was forced to be away from his family
for a very long time.
At the end when he returned,
it was Thanksgiving.
For his family,
that was the greatest surprise
that we could ever receive.
That's how the tradition started.
Recognizing that the greatest God giving gift,
is family.
It's family.
- But why?
- [Errol] Why what?
- Why was great granddad gone for so long?
- My niece is a reporter.
- You see pumpkin,
your great grandfather was sent to prison for 10 years
for a crime that he didn't commit.
And once they found the real criminal,
they sent him back home.
And that's why your mom became an attorney.
- See your mom is a real American hero, kiddo.
- Yeah, I know.
- Well Dante,
I know you met my daughter at work,
so, I'm just gonna skip right to the good stuff.
Why do you love about Erica?
- Mom.
- Wow, straight to the point, huh?
- Dante, you do not have to answer that, okay.
- She's well accomplished, polished,
we make a well-structured union.
She's perfect in almost every way.
- I'm sorry, did you say almost?
- Yes.
(Erica scoffs)
In almost every way.
- What's almost about me?
- I'm glad you asked.
- Wow um.
- Erica Carter, will you marry me?
- Um.
Could you guys excuse us for a minute?
- Phew, well, there's that.
- What was that?
- I am trying to solidify this merger.
Profess my love for you in front of your family.
I thought you'd be honored.
- Yeah Dante, yeah, if,
maybe if it was a year from now, but,
you don't propose to a person
the first time you meet their family.
- I'm contributing to the Thanksgiving surprise theme.
- Oh, I'm definitely surprised.
- I'm surprised, too.
I thought we had an understanding.
- We do have an understanding.
- Then what's the issue Erica,
because from where I stand,
you're the only disruption.
- Me? - Yes.
You don't appreciate what you have.
- What I have?
Don't you mean what we have?
I mean, Dante, we've been out on a few dates.
And a few photo ops and things like that, but,
look I understand that it's important in our business
to have somebody, the right person on your side.
But... - But what Erica?
What?
- What's my daughter's middle name?
- [Dante] What kind of question is that?
- What does she like to eat for breakfast?
- Come on, that's not a fair question,
I can learn these things.
- You don't even ask about her.
- That doesn't mean I don't care.
- Okay then, paint me a picture.
Paint me a picture of what it would be like
to be married to you.
And if it's a good plan, I will walk out there
with that ring on my finger.
And I will tell my family that we're getting married.
- The fairytale wedding in Martha's Vineyard.
A dream honeymoon.
We move into that big house you've always wanted.
We travel the world,
as I conduct deals and you do all the paperwork.
- (sighs) Yeah, that, that sounds like a fairytale.
- See?
- But what about my daughter, huh?
What about my daughter?
- Deerfield Academy for girls.
- A boarding school? - It's the best thing.
- I am not sending, for who Dante?
- For me.
I mean... - You mean what?
- For all of us.
- Okay.
Look.
I see now.
I mean, you and I, it's for the optics.
And prestige of your brand.
I get it.
You, I and Sydney?
We don't fit into your lifestyle.
Admit it.
- Okay, I admit it.
It is inconvenient.
But I'm willing to work it out for you!
- Look, my daughter is not a deal for you to work out.
- All I'm trying to say is that...
- You know what?
My family is waiting and we've been here far too long.
So, let's just go out here
and have a good Thanksgiving dinner
and we'll talk about this later.
- Okay. - Okay.
- I'm play nice for now.
But keep in mind, this!
This is an offer.
Not a negotiation!
There are plenty of eligible women right now
waiting in line to take your position!
- Let's go.
- [Rob] So what you think's going on in there?
(faint overlapping chattering)
(Erica clears throat)
- Who wants another drink? (laughing)
- I thought you'd never ask.
- Oh, can I have one?
- Uh, very funny.
- No, seriously, why not?
The drinking age in Switzerland is 16.
- Oh you Swiss now.
- I can change my nationality.
- Okay, when you learn how to make chocolate and yodel,
then we'll talk.
- Chocolate is made from the beans of the cocoa plant.
It originated in South America but 60% of it
is made in West African countries like Ghana
and Ivory Coast.
The beans get chopped from the trees by machete.
Then they dry them in the sun, roast it in the oven,
grind it into cocoa butter, add milk and sugar,
where they ship it over Switzerland,
where they throw a Lindt in,
mark it up 1000% and they ship it back to us.
- Hmm, I'm about to make this man a drink.
- [Errol] No you're not Rob, sit down.
(faint talking)
Wow.
- Hmm.
- Since you know all that about the chocolate,
how are your French classes going?
- Tres bien, monsieur.
- I don't recall seeing a report card.
- I got a B in it.
- A B? - A B?
- Uh oh.
- Is that,
is that bad?
- Why a B? - How is that bad?
- We don't celebrate mediocrity.
- Oh, what my son is trying to say,
is that we don't celebrate mediocrity in this family.
- Oh, Mr. Carter.
- Errol, Errol, please.
- Okay, Errol.
Is a B really mediocre?
- [Errol] It is for Omar.
- See that's why, I don't understand.
I mean no disrespect.
From where I was born and how I was raised
or in pointed factor, considered,
I mean, the mere fact that I can speak another language
beyond mediocre.
- But Omar, you're brilliant.
You're brilliant.
Not doing your very best is mediocre.
I know, I know you,
you watch social media long enough,
you start to think that we're all the same.
Hmm, in principle and genetically,
yeah, you're right.
But you?
You must be above reproach.
Above reproach!
Because everywhere you turn,
they're going to be multiple factors going against you.
And most of those factors, unfortunately,
are going to be based on your perceived race.
Hmph, so it's not enough.
It's just not enough to be good enough.
'Cause one day,
you may be competing for a job
with someone whose family is well connected
through generations of network.
And in that moment,
in that moment!
I want you to think about this moment.
- And what if I don't get the job because
he's more connected than me?
- Then you, then you make the job with the skills you have.
The skills you have like French,
like being a doctor or being a lawyer.
But see, now is the time,
this is where,
you make successful a habit for your life.
Accepting good enough is what?
- Yeah.
- Is mediocre, mediocre.
- We're still proud of you son.
- I can help you with your next French exam.
(group laughing)
- Sis, what kind of multi-vitamins you giving her?
Can I get some? - Me too.
- Shit, give me some too!
- [Errol] Come on now. (laughing)
That Angela.
Well this conversation,
is a good segway for me to unveil my Thanksgiving surprise.
- Okay. - Are you ready?
You ready? - Hmm hmm.
- This summer,
our family is going on a European vacation. (laughing)
- Yes!
- [Errol] Did you hear me!
- We heard you.
- A European vacation.
We're going to France, Germany and Switzerland.
Italy, Spain, Portugal.
England and Ireland.
Surprise! (laughing)
(family clapping)
And Omar.
If you get all your grades to all A's,
I'm gonna take you with us. (laughing)
- I don't know what to say.
- Don't say anything, just do it.
- I love your parents.
(family)
- Boy, when we get to Switzerland,
I'm gonna get you lit.
(guys laughing)
- Dante, Dante, you can show us
the best places to go, right?
- Uh. - Keep us out of trouble?
- [Dante] Uh.
- You are going to come with us, right?
- Well, sure.
I guess.
It depends.
(doorbell rings)
I'll get it.
- Did you invite someone else?
- Saved by the bell.
- [Errol] Our entire party is already here.
- Admit it sis, you owe us some potato salad
with some nuts and walnuts and raisins
and trail mix. (family laughing)
- Oh wow, okay.
- I'm saying, right.
- You know what?
I make a different receipt one time
and then I get branded for life.
Seriously.
- [Errol] I mean, I mean it was pretty good.
- Don't say that, dad.
(family laughing)
- [Errol] It was, it was!
- I mean, did you really think so because I actually got it
out of a vegan cookbook and I put...
- Mommy.
- Yes, sweetie.
- You know how you always love my artwork?
- I love your artwork.
- Well yeah, you only love it because it's mine,
not because it's all that great.
- Sydney, that's not true.
- Well that's why grandpa Errol was doing my house.
- Well damn.
(family laughing)
- It's a lot work having a smart kid, huh?
- Yeah, tell me about it.
Well, okay.
Well I stuck to the recipe this time.
Under protest.
- Well why under protest?
- Because half of the ingredients aren't healthy.
You should know that dad.
- Hmm. - Hmm hmm.
- [Errol] Healthy is relative.
- (scoffs) Are you serious?
I mean carbs, the lactose...
- Here we go.
- Not to mention, here we go?
You can go look it up.
- Sis, I looked it up.
I looked up the side effects of fried foods.
And diary, red meats, meats as a whole.
You know what I found out?
- [Erica] What?
- If you eat all that, all day, every day,
you gonna die.
But if you work out, you eat healthy most of the time,
I mean you can enjoy some soul food here and there.
- Well, I just think that we can make soul food healthier.
- Then it wouldn't be soul food.
- Well, it's not African food.
- But it's as Africans as we are.
(Erica scoffs) (family laughing)
- Okay, okay guys, listen.
Your brother does have a point sweetie.
But so do you.
Yes, it's true, that traditional soul food cooking
is one of the ways that our ancestors passed
down their traditions.
And it's also true that a lot of the ingredients
that's used in soul food,
comes from the scraps that were given to slaves
by their masters.
So, you see our ancestors,
they took something undesirable and they turned it
into something delicious.
And many of those recipes,
like your great grandmother's potato salad for example,
that's just one of the traditions that's been passed down.
And those traditions,
forever connect us because traditions
are what binds us together as a family.
So, that's what I think,
that's what's Thanksgiving is all about.
Being grateful for everything that we are
and everything we can be in the future.
- Amen. - Hmm.
- You've made me real hungry.
(family laughing) (overlapping chattering)
- I've got this.
It'll be ready when it's ready.
Next year, you can cook something.
- I'll pass.
- That would be so sexy.
- Give me the recipe.
(family laughing)
- Look, I like this girl.
- He can't cook girl, don't worry.
- What is taking Dante so long?
- You came, you came.
Everybody, the Thanksgiving surprise is here.
- So we have a visitor.
What's your name young man?
- Jeffrey Davidson sir. - Jeffrey Davidson.
My name's Errol Carter.
- Pleasure, these are for the house.
- Very nice.
Very nice.
You're a man of good taste.
Jeffrey Davidson?
If my granddaughter invited you for Thanksgiving dinner,
you must be a special person in her life.
And I'm looking forward to getting to know you.
So, dinner will be served soon.
But in the meantime, we're having cocktails
and catching up.
- Sounds good.
Hi Erica.
- Oh.
Oh, you know Erica?
You know Erica?
Oh, oh great, great. (laughing)
Well let me introduce you to my wife.
That's my wife Angela. - Okay.
- That's my son, Robert.
His girlfriend Opal.
And that's Omar.
Omar is gonna be a great doctor someday.
And I believe you've already met Dante,
Erica's fi.
Uh boyfriend.
- Yes.
We're acquainted.
- Sweetheart, why don't you bring a chair
from the living room for your friend Jeffrey?
- That won't be necessary.
I'm leaving.
- Wait, what?
Dante.
I mean, you said that we would talk about this.
I mean, compromise.
- When you figure out if you ready to live in my world,
you give me a call.
Maybe I'll answer. (scoffs)
Maybe not.
- Um.
I'm sorry. (murmuring)
(Erica sighing)
I just need a minute please.
- You know who you talking to?
- (Erica sighing)
- I'll be fine
- I'm your brother.
If you ask me to, I'll go and put that dude's head
through a window right now
and be back in time to cut the turkey.
- Hey, don't tempt me okay?
- I'm saying sis, that dude doesn't deserve you anyway.
What was that him talking about living in his world?
- That was Dante.
I mean he wants Sydney to go
to an expensive boarding school.
So she can become more refined.
And him and I travel the world together.
Without her.
- And you told him to kick rocks?
- Honestly.
At first I didn't.
It just seems like a fairytale to me, you know?
And, I've always wanted to be somebody's princess.
And it felt like a second chance, you know?
I mean, don't get me wrong.
Sydney is my world.
And I would never trade a life with her
for a life without.
But, I can't lie, like sometimes,
I don't, feel like I missed out on something, you know?
I see people living their fantasy lives all the time
on social media and,
I often wonder if,
I wanna live my mine.
I know, it sounds silly but.
- Sis, I've been joking you since I've been able to talk.
And you've always been an easy target.
A nerd that plays the violin and speaks foreign languages.
And you wore them coke bottle glasses until you was 30.
But no, I don't think it's silly to want what you deserve.
- Yeah.
- And you definitely deserve better
than Dante's funky ass.
- Thanks.
- You keeping me from my liquor now.
Let's go get it.
- (laughing) Okay.
- And who is this, who the hell is this dude,
this new dude?
- Hmm, uh, yeah, that's a long story, so.
I don't think you wanna know about that.
- Oh I'm gonna need to know more about that regardless.
(Erica laughing)
- [Erica] Let's go.
- Yeah, so like I'm saying,
that's pretty much the story on me.
I've been doing criminal defense work for a while now
and mainly just helping the poor.
I have some bigger plans too but it's pretty much just um,
a passion for me.
- Erica, Jeffrey was just telling us
that he was a defense attorney.
Like you use to be.
- (laughing) A defense attorney, huh?
How did that happen?
- I was inspired by a great attorney
who helped me out when I was in a pinch.
- That's where I know you from.
You have a commercial.
Let Jeffrey Davidson get you off!
(family laughing)
- Yeah, snap, that's your slogan?
(family laughing)
- Not anymore, I have a better publicist now.
- Well I certainly hope so.
- Nah, I think you should bring it back.
That's the best slogan
for a lawyer I've ever heard right there.
(family laughing)
- [Errol] So Sydney.
Why don't you tell us how you and your mom know Jeffrey?
- I've been researching my own happy news.
- Researching?
- Well, mostly online.
But I'm getting pretty good at it,
especially in investigating research.
- Girl, this child is amazing.
- Yeah, tell me about it.
- So my mom always told me that my dad was lost,
missing in action.
So I researched
and found three people named Jeffrey Davidson.
One was too old.
One was a priest.
And one was an attorney.
So I went to his office and asked him for...
- Wait, you did what?
Sydney, mom!
- Wait, what?
Erica, is this man Sydney's father?
- No. - Erica!
- I mean, this is not your father, I'm sorry.
- But it has to be.
- What did I say!
- Excuse me.
- Is it my imagination?
Or did a strange man just walk into my house,
hugged up with my granddaughter?
- Uh, what in the baby mama drama is going on, sis?
- [Angela] Sweetheart, who is that man?
- Honey, I use to be a stripper.
I am not about to judge you.
- You obviously know this man, right?
- Yes.
I mean, um.
I was assigned to be his public defender eight years ago.
- Wait, what?
We just got the felon chase after my niece.
- He's not a felon.
You know, he was just,
he wasn't like some hardened criminal or anything.
He just was a guy that fell on hard times.
And um, he was in jail for some trumped up marijuana charges
before it became legalized.
And they were just trying to turn something minor
into a life sentence.
- So, let me guess.
My baby girl worked a miracle?
- Honestly dad, God worked a miracle.
Um, I got an inside tip
on you know the judge that was taking kick backs
from privatized prisons across the state.
And um,
I mean his record spoke for itself.
If you were black and had a drug offense,
no matter how small,
he was going to try to find a way to put you in jail.
So, I don't know, I just,
the crazy part is,
I just knew Jeffrey was innocent, you know.
So I fought hard for his defense.
- Wow.
- I had a friend over at the Justice Department.
And he gave me the tip.
And he told me that I couldn't tell anybody.
Except for the judge himself.
- [Judge] Mrs. Carter.
- Hello.
- What can I do for you?
Is um,
is this in regard to one of your cases?
- Hmm, sort of a social call really.
Here to give you some information.
- Oh uh, well ah.
I'm intrigued.
- You should be.
I mean you have what most people call a stellar record.
You're tough on crime.
- And um, well you are a intelligent public defender
who will no doubt find her way to a corner office
of a large legal defense firm in oh I'd say,
two years or less.
- Hmm.
- Ambitious.
Sometimes to a fault. - Oh.
- But a word of advice.
Tread lightly amongst giants
when you're still trying to grow.
You might get crushed before you uh,
make it up the bean stalk.
- Hmm.
Well, I'll take that under advisement. (scoffs)
- You do that.
- Thank you.
- Now, what was this important information
that you had for me?
- Uh, well um.
You see judge,
I have a few giants of my own protecting me,
cultivating me if you will.
And one of those giants works for the Justice Department
and they're investigating your relationship
with Aaron Capital.
The company funding privatized prisons across the state.
And um, I'd be happy to feed you more information
that has any value to you.
- Blackmail?
- More like an olive branch.
- Well, let's have it.
What's it gonna cost me?
- Cost.
I don't want your money.
My daddy taught me better than that.
- Then what?
- You be my giant.
You forget about your kick back with Aaron Capital.
And you decide my cases fairly in your court room.
That's my price.
- Wait.
How do I know that I can trust you?
- Well, if you go to jail for corruption,
that means I have to find a new giant.
Who has time for that?
Good day.
So, the next day, he threw out Jeffrey's case
for a lack of evidence.
- Wow.
My sister's a shark.
So did you continue to feed the judge information
to win your cases?
- Heck no.
No, I recorded the conversation.
And that recording was seen as admission
to send him to prison with the so called criminals
that he sent there over the years.
- So called?
If he broke the law, then he is a criminal baby.
- Well mom, what she saying is that,
they made laws like to make it easier
to lock up poor people.
And what that judge was doing was criminal.
- Hmm hmm.
- I mean like,
I mean smoking a little bit like,
what's wrong with that?
(Erica scoffs) What?
(family laughing)
- Honey.
I'm not trying to interrogate you on this, believe me.
But is there a chance?
- He wants to know if Jeffrey hit it.
- Babe! - What?
That's my sister-in-law.
(Erica sighs)
- Mom, can we talk about this privately?
- Baby, this is family.
And you know we all live in different places
and we only see each other at the same time once a year.
Now, I don't know if this
is what your grandfather had in mind
for the annual Thanksgiving surprise,
but what I do know,
is that everybody at this table loves you.
Well except for Opal and she seems to like you a lot.
- That's true, Mrs. Carter.
- So baby, just tell us.
It's not that hard of a question.
Is that man my grand baby's father or not?
- No.
I mean. (sighs)
Okay look.
Jeffrey was very happy about me saving him
from not going to prison.
And so, somehow he looked up my address.
And came by my house.
- Hmm, stalker girl.
- And he had flowers and champagne.
And um, I let him inside.
One thing led to another.
- Stop, stop, we're good.
We know the rest, okay.
- I was venerable, you know,
I had just broken up with Craig and...
- Craig, the booshie millionaire?
Dude was an asshat.
- Yeah, and it was the day after
he told me that he was married.
(sighs) Towards the end of the relationship,
you know, we always had unprotected...
- Whoa, whoa, whoa! - Okay, okay.
All right, we get it. - No.
- So once I became pregnant,
I just assumed that it was Craig's you know,
and that I didn't want to tell him
and blow up his little life and,
he didn't love me.
And he didn't want Sydney.
And honestly, I didn't love him either.
I just,
I just um.
- [Errol] You wanted what?
What, what?
- I just, I wanted to be like you and mom.
You know, accomplished, secure, distinguished couple.
And um.
- And it never occurred you that Sydney could be Jeffrey's?
- No, I mean, it was a one night stand.
That's it. - Psst, no.
- What?
What?
- Sis, you're lying to yourself.
You didn't want Jeffrey to be the father
'cause he didn't fit into your perfect little plan.
I mean you wanted the millionaire to be the father
and even though he didn't love you
and you didn't love him.
Now, I grew up in the same house as you,
and we was not raised like that.
- How dare you.
You know, there is a big difference between being an uncle
and being a mother.
Okay, yeah, you show up, tell a few jokes,
spend a few hours with her.
But then you send her back to me again.
You don't know what it's like,
to carry a life inside of your body.
Have her growing inside of you and then,
once she's born,
it's like your heart is outside of your body,
just exposed to the world.
So no, I will never apologize for wanting the best
for my child nor will I apologize
for being very selective
on who I have to take part in her life.
She is my life force.
And until you have one of your own,
you will never understand.
- Well I can.
So I can sweetie.
What did we ever do to make you think you had
to be so perfect all the time?
Well.
Maybe we didn't say it enough
when she was growing up.
We didn't want you to be complacent.
But,
you were perfect from the day you were born.
In his own crass kind of way,
that's what your brother is trying to say.
- What I'm trying to say is,
if you just remember where you come from,
you won't be confused about where you're going.
- Amen baby.
That was deep.
Now look, I know I'm suppose to be a fly on the wall
and everything.
Why don't you just do the math to figure it out?
- (sighs) I don't know.
That was a long time ago.
- Now, I know that's an excuse.
'Cause my nerd sister keeps a record of everything she does.
She probably wrote down every time she...
- Rob!
Robert.
Please stop talking?
Would you please stop?
Just stop talking please, stop.
- Look, come on girl, I'll help you out.
- Okay.
Excuse me.
(water splashes)
- You know.
You and I have a lot in common.
- Like what?
- Like,
I spent a lot of time looking for my dad, too.
He was with us for a few years.
Fought with my mom all the time.
So when he left,
I was glad. (phone ringing)
I just wanted my mom to be happy.
But eventually, it felt like something was missing.
The point is,
I never saw a good dad.
In action.
Up close, my whole life.
Which is probably why I never wanted to be one.
(phone ringing)
- I get it.
- When you walked into my office that day (scoffs),
it was like you painted my whole black and white world
with these beautiful colors.
I mean imagine,
out of the clear blue,
this brilliant charismatic little angel
is claiming me.
It felt good.
Too good to be true apparently.
Sydney.
I really hope you find your dad.
And I really wish it was me.
(phone notification beeps)
- You don't have to wish.
Um.
I lied.
I lied okay.
I just didn't expect all of this, you know.
My daughter, she's taken Thanksgiving surprise
to a whole 'nother level.
But um.
Yes, Sydney.
Jeffrey is your dad.
- But mommy, you told me never to lie.
And you just lied twice.
- I know.
It's just that,
sometimes, adults make mistakes too.
Okay?
- Well who puts you on punishment?
- You see when you're a grown up,
God puts you on punishment.
And um, sometimes, it's in ways that you can't control.
And this time,
I robbed my sweet daughter ever growing up with her dad.
- I'm not mad at your Erica.
You raised a beautiful sweet little girl.
And she was smart enough to put the pieces together.
I would say,
we've got a lot of catching up to do.
- So let's start with dinner.
- I really should be going.
I don't wanna cause problems with your fiance and...
- Nonsense.
Thanksgiving is for family and now that it includes you.
So let's get your hips on in this house
so you can get to know your people.
- Okay.
- You ready?
- [Sydney Voiceover] This Thanksgiving,
we all got a surprise.
I'm surprised to find out my family isn't perfect.
And I realized,
everybody needs a push in the right direction,
even grandpas.
But if there's one thing the Carter's know how to do,
it's love each other.
That's why, no matter what we go through,
somehow, we always find our way back home.
(upbeat music)
- Hey sweetie.
(faint talking)
What's going on?
- You know I love you.
- I love you too.
- Um.
It's kind of important.
- What's up?
(upbeat music)
- I'm pregnant.
- You serious?
You pregnant?
- Yeah.
- Are you serious? - Yeah!
- Oh my God!
(upbeat music)