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00:00BEYOND THE GATES
00:04Previously on Beyond the Gates...
00:06I'm proud of you.
00:08And I forgive you.
00:10I've been diagnosed with breast cancer.
00:12Cancer picked the wrong damn family to mess with.
00:16Joey, you're the one taking my dad's place.
00:19Joy to the world!
00:22I've been secretly taking singing lessons for months.
00:25People act like you've never seen a miracle.
00:28How about we focus on what I want right now?
00:37These last few days with you have been unreal.
00:41Is this real?
00:44Or this?
00:47As real as it gets.
00:50I feel it too. In and out of bed.
00:53Same.
00:55But when the inevitable slowdown happens...
00:59No harm, no foul.
01:01Whoa.
01:02Where'd that come from?
01:04Are you trying to shut this down?
01:07Well, I'm just being realistic.
01:09When your big job at Banneker is heating up,
01:12like it'd be a lot less time for sneaky links.
01:14You're nobody's sneaky link.
01:16And this brother can chew gum and see the finest woman in the DMV at the same time.
01:20I can have a girlfriend and a career.
01:23Whoa.
01:25What did you just call me?
01:27I thought we were on the same page.
01:29Yeah, I thought so too.
01:30Before you leapt off the couch like you were Simone Biles.
01:33I mean, it's just that we've been hooking up.
01:36Like getting to know each other better.
01:38All satisfaction, no strings.
01:41What if I'm okay with a few strings?
01:50Hi.
01:51Hello.
01:52How was your holiday?
01:53Good.
01:54I'm glad to be back at the club.
01:55Busy season.
01:56But what is this?
01:58No book, no case file, no tablets?
02:02Nope.
02:03Just lunch.
02:04I'm trying something new.
02:06Mind if I join you?
02:07Don't mind if you do.
02:28You.
02:29You.
02:30You.
02:31You.
02:32You.
02:33You.
02:34You.
02:35You.
02:36You.
02:37You.
02:38You.
02:39You.
02:40You.
02:41You.
02:42You.
02:43You.
02:44You.
02:45You.
02:46You.
02:49Tables closed.
02:50You're interested in a game?
02:51Leave your number upfront.
02:53By-ins 500.
02:55That low.
02:56I'd pay so much money for,
02:58for the pleasure of your company.
03:01There's nothing like going all in
03:03when you know that the deck is stacked against you.
03:09Mr. Armstrong, Leslie Thomas,
03:12we met at Doug McBride's memorial.
03:16Vanessa sold me the Jarvis property.
03:18Never forget a face or a name.
03:21What can I do for you?
03:23Actually, it's what I can do for you.
03:28I have a business proposal that you want to hear.
03:33Forget waiting for the new year.
03:35You fast-tracked to new you.
03:37Mocktails, married, and look at that holiday glow.
03:41Disruptive Dani is safely put away,
03:44and I am so thankful that I haven't needed her.
03:46But I want to hear about you.
03:48How are those babies? How are their holidays?
03:50They're good, all things considered.
03:53They even went on a ski trip with their friends,
03:55and Donnell has given me his blessing
03:59to move on with my life and with Joey.
04:02It's a Christmas miracle.
04:04Joey's charmed the whole fam.
04:05I didn't need his permission,
04:07but I can breathe easier
04:09knowing one of my kids can accept Doug wasn't perfect,
04:12and it's okay for me to take a step forward.
04:15And Deanna?
04:16Where is she on the grief meter?
04:19We're all still dealing,
04:20but my girl, she's fragile.
04:22She is.
04:22She's always been the more sensitive of the two.
04:24She's seeing a counselor?
04:26Good.
04:28And, um, what does she have to say about Joey?
04:31There used to be a time where you'd tell one twin something
04:33and the other one would know by osmosis.
04:35I don't want Donnell keeping a secret,
04:37but we agreed I have to ease into the Joey of it all with her.
04:41You know you're a good mom, right?
04:43Used to be my only absolute.
04:45It should still be.
04:46There's this lesson that sacrifice is the heart of mothering,
04:52but claiming space for yourself, that's mothering too.
04:58Do Nicole and I wish that you had chosen any other hot man in town?
05:02Yes, but your heart's set.
05:05Your begrudging support means the world.
05:08Now, enough me.
05:09Tell me all about the picture-perfect,
05:11decidedly un-messy Dupree Family Christmas.
05:13You are talking about Dupree Family Christmas' past.
05:16We are no longer mess-free.
05:18Oh, no.
05:19Did Rowena burn the dust?
05:21You know.
05:22Naomi, like every other Dupree woman before her,
05:26would not suffer a dud present from her husband.
05:29What did Jacob do?
05:32It's called a chan-gipo.
05:35Yeah, that's what he got for my daughter.
05:37Someone needs to teach that boy about foreplay.
05:39Fortunately, it was just the appetizer.
05:41The real gift was a trip to Mexico City, so, you know.
05:43He was just teasing her.
05:44Yeah.
05:46And how did you and your new mystery fare at Chez Dupree?
05:49My hubby and I spent the most magical day of the year
05:52with the most magical couple in existence.
05:57VPs look good.
06:00Temperatures are normal.
06:03Dr. Powell will be here any moment.
06:05Thank you for taking such good care of my bride.
06:10Senator and Mrs. Dupree, it's an honor.
06:20Poor thing almost curtsied.
06:22Do you hate being recognized here?
06:25Oh, goodness, no.
06:26All I could hear was the word normal.
06:30Helps me believe that this is just some huge mistake.
06:35I know it doesn't work like that, but...
06:37It doesn't stop my mind from playing tricks.
06:43How many friends' hands have we held
06:45with a diagnosis like these?
06:48Too many.
06:48But there are many success stories, too.
06:53Now it's my turn.
06:56And I just can't believe
06:58that there is an aggressive cancer growing inside me.
07:07Come here.
07:08I dig you.
07:17You dig me.
07:18It's simple.
07:19So what's the problem?
07:20I appreciate your confidence.
07:23But my life has been paved with very few sure things.
07:26Come on.
07:27You can't deny how good this is.
07:29I walk out of here,
07:30and the whole day I got you all over me.
07:32My body remembering what we just did.
07:35And my mind can't stop thinking about
07:36when I get to see you again.
07:38No one has ever said anything about me like that before.
07:42Then why bother with the will they or won't they be us?
07:45Okay, so we moved kind of, sort of fast.
07:48So what?
07:50Yeah, like, LeBron is kind of,
07:52sort of good at playing basketball.
07:53And Octavia E. Butler is kind of,
07:55sort of a literary genius.
07:58You read the book I gave you.
08:02A girl can't live on Carl Ivatty alone.
08:06Kindred is a masterpiece.
08:08Look at us rubbing off on each other in the best way.
08:12Stop searching for reasons that's slow to good, Eva.
08:15Lean in.
08:17Feel it out.
08:19And enjoy it.
08:19Thank you for the Christmas text.
08:24Thank you for responding.
08:26How's your mom doing, by the way?
08:28Mom is better.
08:29Still healing, you know.
08:31And your mom and dad?
08:32Couldn't be better.
08:34All right, paint the picture for me.
08:36Candles are lit.
08:37Eggnog is flowing.
08:38All the Dupree stockings dangling from the hearth.
08:41Pretty much exactly that.
08:43We definitely know how to do Christmas.
08:45And Danny and Andre's street trimming party was a lovely addition.
08:49I am so happy that she has found this level of peace after such a hard year.
08:54And the best present is always mom and dad's on Christmas.
08:58It wasn't just magical.
08:59It was exactly what we all needed.
09:01Sounds like something out of a storybook.
09:03Except for the Omo scandal that would erect the holidays and the whole year after.
09:10Vernon Dupree.
09:11King among men, stepping out on Anita with one of her articulette sisters.
09:15Ted seriously thought that was true?
09:16Or was he using it to get closer to the family by playing Nicole's hero?
09:20Your former brother-in-law's desperate enough to concoct a crazy story like that?
09:25I don't want the deep-bunk story getting into the wrong heads.
09:28Or worse, becoming a Shade Room headline.
09:31You still follow the Shade Room?
09:33You might just be cooler than me, and that's saying something.
09:37OMG, do you remember when you thought Kiki was one of Chelsea's friends?
09:41Okay, that was a minor blip, which we swore to secrecy, remember?
09:46So, Daddy was actually doing the sweetest thing.
09:50He and Sharon were sneaking away so that Sharon could teach him to sing to Mother on Christmas.
09:55Oh, that is sweet.
09:57How did that even get misconstrued?
09:59Straight from the devil herself.
10:02Leslie Thomas.
10:02Don't just take my word for it.
10:06All that's good is right here in black and white.
10:14You want me to fund a free clinic with you.
10:19Why in a million years would I want to do that?
10:22Consider this an opportunity for reimagining.
10:26Rebirth.
10:27Just for you.
10:28Oh.
10:30Did I die?
10:32Is this hell?
10:35Mr. Armstrong, we're both fine, rich, and sexy.
10:41But we're missing the exact same thing.
10:44A heart?
10:45Cute.
10:45Cute.
10:46Cute.
10:47The respect that comes with legitimacy.
10:53Ms. Thomas, I have more zeros in my account than Fairmont Crest's finest.
10:59Do you see me imitating that life?
11:01No, you do not.
11:02I gave up looking for approval shortly after I left my mother's womb.
11:09And you would be a lot more interesting if you'd stop worrying about external validation.
11:14I've never been one to engage in magical thinking, but I find myself wishing and looking for signs.
11:24Like on the ride down here, did you hear that Articulet song playing from the car next to us?
11:29A part of me wanted to think it was telling me everything's going to be okay.
11:38Sweetheart, you've never been here before.
11:41However you respond, it's just your mind's way of protecting itself from the reality you're facing.
11:48Let's call it what it is, cancer.
11:52And it's moved into our lives.
11:54It's moved into my body.
11:55And it lives with us now.
11:59It's going to dictate what we do and when.
12:03Filling our days with doctors and treatments and tests.
12:07For the first time in my life, something else is telling me when to jump and how high.
12:13Nothing rules Anita Dupree.
12:16Now who's magically thinking?
12:20Sweetheart, are you ready for this?
12:23Because I'm not sure I am.
12:25You're mistaken.
12:33I don't need validation.
12:35I just don't reject applause when it shows up.
12:39And tenacity doesn't always win the day.
12:41Now, these doors are closed to you because you'll forever be the woman who crashed into the Dupree dynasty.
12:49Why can't you torture yourself when they're never going to respect or accept you, no matter how many businesses you open?
12:56You don't care about respect and you claim that legitimacy doesn't have a draw.
13:04Well, maybe I read y'all wrong, but one thing I do know, you're curious.
13:11Call me Joey.
13:12Call me Leslie.
13:13Well, answer me this, Leslie.
13:14Why don't you tell me why you've really come here to honor me with opening a clinic with you?
13:28I read an article that said it takes half as long as a relationship lasts to get over it.
13:36And we all know everything on the internet is true.
13:38What's this about?
13:40Your half-sister's man, Tomas?
13:42Or it's about you and Yolanda.
13:44Yeah.
13:45I mean, you were together for a while, right?
13:47In a committed relationship?
13:48Yeah, but we were also over long before you showed up.
13:52Maybe we took too long calling time of death, but let's be real, we were flatlined long before
13:56that.
13:57Maybe.
13:58But it still hasn't been very long since you broke up.
14:02Can you honestly say this sudden burst of excitement about me has nothing to do with your ex?
14:09Go Senator Dupree.
14:11How do you do vocal wires?
14:14She shocked us all.
14:17There were waterworks from Anita Dupree herself.
14:21I don't think I have ever seen her that moved.
14:24Beautiful.
14:25And you, sir?
14:28How did you spend your Christmas day?
14:30I FaceTimed with the folks to make sure they were settling in and enjoying the Christmas feast
14:34that I had delivered.
14:36Otherwise, business as usual.
14:38I wanted some of the doctors who have children to have some time off so they could enjoy the
14:42holiday too.
14:43That was very noble of you.
14:45Hardly.
14:46Now I get to play hooky till after New Year's while they're grinded out.
14:50Correct me if I am wrong, but hooky doesn't exactly mean hitting the gym every day.
14:56It does if you happily sleep through your alarm for 5 a.m. laps in the pool.
15:01I am sure your body needed the rest.
15:04Or my body was too busy enjoying the dream that I was having about you.
15:11How's my girl?
15:18Couldn't be better.
15:19Ready to climb Mount Kilimanjaro after this.
15:23Though we know your sense of humor is intact.
15:27Where on earth would I be?
15:30Except by your side.
15:31Oh, I don't know.
15:33Maybe out on the road with the articulettes with those newly trained vocals of yours.
15:38That was a one night only performance just for you.
15:43Never to happen again.
15:45Except if you make a really big case for it.
15:50Anita, do you realize that we have defied every single odd to have the life that we have now?
16:04Do you think we can't take on one more fight?
16:08How do I fight my own body?
16:11With science and prayer, will and love.
16:17And when you don't have anything left to give, will pull from reserves in my tank.
16:34Senator, Mrs. Dupree, I'm Dr. Bauer, Head of Oncology.
16:39We're glad you're here.
16:41I understand Dr. Hahn went over the results with you.
16:43Yes, triple negative breast cancer, which sounds positive, but it's not.
16:49I'm going to talk you through your options.
16:51Once you decide, we'll move forward.
16:53But I want you to understand we'll be moving with urgency.
16:56Because the cancer will be moving that way too.
16:59Triple negative, metastasizes quicker than other cancers.
17:03Lucky me.
17:04Even my cancer's a thoroughbred.
17:06Only the best for Anita Dupree.
17:08You're lucky.
17:11The earlier the detection, the greater your odds.
17:14Bottom line it for me, doctor.
17:17Will any of these options save my life?
17:19Me hang gliding and running with the bulls?
17:27No doubt that was a dream.
17:29Technically, I was the one running with the bulls.
17:31Incomplete matador regalia.
17:33You were the one dressed as Eva Perón on the balcony.
17:36And I had to brave the bulls to rescue you.
17:39Did I at least sing Don't Cry For Me, Argentina?
17:41Oh, you hit all the high notes.
17:43It was one of those dreams you just don't want to wake up from.
17:46And don't do that thing where you ask me what it means just because I'm a therapist.
17:53I will not.
17:54I already analyzed it.
17:56And it means that you are more than capable of handling yourself.
18:01Glad you know.
18:02But, since you are literally the woman of my dreams,
18:07you should know that I scaled walls, walked through fire, and fought the bulls just to get to you.
18:14Because you, Nicole and Preet,
18:17are worth fighting for.
18:24I came on fast because I like you.
18:26A lot.
18:27And I like you a lot.
18:30Which is why we need to talk about these things early so we don't flame out.
18:34Look, I don't want to skip ahead to relationship status and end up disappointed.
18:37I want to be wooed.
18:40Okay, Jada Pinkett.
18:41I can woo you.
18:43I can worship you, too.
18:45See?
18:46No.
18:46I want it to be a reciprocal wooing.
18:49A weeing.
18:50Whatever, okay?
18:51I just want it to be done right.
18:54I hear you.
18:56Really.
18:56Really.
18:57Why don't we just keep getting to know each other and see where the chips fall?
19:02I like that.
19:07Good.
19:08Good.
19:11If only you weren't so irresistible.
19:13Good.
19:13Good.
19:13Good.
19:14Good.
19:14Good.
19:14Good.
19:15Good.
19:15Good.
19:15Good.
19:16Good.
19:16Good.
19:16Good.
19:17Good.
19:17Good.
19:17Good.
19:18Good.
19:18Good.
19:18Good.
19:18Good.
19:18Good.
19:19Good.
19:19Good.
19:19Good.
19:19Good.
19:20Good.
19:20Good.
19:20Good.
19:21Good.
19:21Good.
19:21Good.
19:22Good.
19:22Good.
19:22Good.
19:23Good.
19:23Good.
19:23Good.
19:24Good.
19:24Good.
19:25Good.
19:25Good.
19:26Good.
19:26Good.
19:27Good.
19:27Good.
19:28Good.
19:29Good.
19:30Good.
19:31Good.
19:32Good.
19:33Good.
19:34Good.
19:35Good.
19:36Good.
19:37Good.
19:38Good.
19:39Ooh, this is fashion.
19:47You could rock this faux fur with nothing but your birthday suit and then boom, drop it like it's hot.
19:52Joey has vision.
19:54We like presents we can mutually enjoy.
19:56So what'd you get for the man who has everything but can't tell you how he got it?
19:59I found the exact right thing to light him up Christmas morning.
20:02A deck of cards once owned by Al Francesco, the godfather of blackjack.
20:07It was the perfect gift, if I must say so myself.
20:11I'm glad you had a good Christmas, babe.
20:14You deserve it.
20:19Be still my married heart.
20:21What?
20:23Oh!
20:24Be still indeed.
20:28Don't tell me you're saving that for later.
20:30Maybe.
20:31But I'm also sending it to Pamela.
20:34Uh-huh.
20:35Two thumbs up.
20:35She said he could be the next Tyson Beckford.
20:38You want to doom that poor, gorgeous man to a life without carbs?
20:42You think he'd be a better match for your side hustle?
20:44He'd make good money, eat what he wants, and have fun while doing it.
20:48Like anyone would choose the escort life over being a model, darling.
20:52There's only one way to find out.
20:54I bet I can get that barkeep on my payroll by the time I see the bottom of my glass.
20:59I'll take that bet, and then I'll take that fabulous coat.
21:02So you would be the face of the clinic while I exist in the shadows?
21:08I heard you light the shadows.
21:13Yeah, that you're the strong, silent type.
21:17And I fit into this equation because?
21:20With all the attention on me and my generous philanthropic efforts, you can be in the background,
21:27tidying up all the other revenue streams.
21:32Oh.
21:32While you're replenishing your own golden goose, right?
21:36Do me a favor, Joey.
21:39Think about it.
21:40But don't take too long.
21:45I'd hate to miss an opportunity for us to get to know each other better.
21:53Much better.
21:56Ciao.
22:00I can't guarantee a survival rate,
22:03but I can make sure that we're on the same page about the next steps in your treatment.
22:09Go ahead, doctor.
22:11We'll start by shrinking the tumor so we can make removal easier.
22:16Chemotherapy or radiation?
22:19Chemotherapy.
22:22Chemotherapy.
22:25We won't know exactly how your body will tolerate it until you're undergoing the treatment.
22:30But this approach has shown to be the most effective option,
22:33especially when hormonal therapy or HER2-targeted treatments aren't applicable.
22:37So what is the process?
22:42We'll place a port in your chest,
22:44which will allow the chemotherapy to be administered directly into your bloodstream.
22:48It'll stay in place for the duration of your treatment and be removed once therapy is complete.
22:53It's the size of a quarter with a self-sealing opening.
22:58A small catheter will connect it to a vein near your heart.
23:02A port is something you use with computers or chips or that sweet wine from Portugal that you have with dessert.
23:11Not something that makes a hole in my body to pour medicine.
23:16You'll never get used to it, Mr. Dupree.
23:20But you'll learn to appreciate it as a tool to help you fight this thing.
23:23Now you can see here what it looks like as the tumor shrinks.
23:33Wow, look at it go.
23:40After the tumor has shrunk,
23:42I'll see the scope of the cancer and what it will take to remove it.
23:46A lumpectomy or mastectomy.
23:49Exactly.
23:52I know it's a lot to take in.
23:56How are you doing with this so far?
24:00Terrified.
24:01That's completely understandable.
24:03But we're here to guide you through each step.
24:07I'll let you have a moment while we get your port placement scheduled.
24:19No, don't you do it.
24:22I see that beautiful, dank craning to get above this.
24:27Don't you dare try to shoulder it all on your own.
24:32Give it to me.
24:33I lied when I said I didn't care if that nurse recognized me.
24:48Actually, I savored it
24:50that she still saw me,
24:54Anita Dupree,
24:55before the cancer and chemo
24:59devour everything.
25:00We're not going to let that happen.
25:02We've got a plan.
25:04A plan is a shot in the dark,
25:06not a guarantee.
25:07We've made more of less.
25:10I've always
25:11taken up space.
25:14I learned to
25:15hone and honor
25:17what I think are the best parts of me,
25:19my strength, my confidence,
25:21my passion, my love.
25:22And I passed that on to my children,
25:26my grandchildren,
25:27and all the people
25:27who came to see me perform.
25:31But this disease takes
25:32Vernon.
25:34And who am I
25:35if I become a fragment
25:36of everything I've ever known?
25:38Who am I
25:39if I lose my voice
25:40and my dignity?
25:41Who are you?
25:42You are always and forever
25:44Anita Dupree.
25:46Nothing
25:46can take that away.
25:49You are the woman
25:50I vowed to love,
25:51to cherish,
25:53and to honor
25:53in sickness and health
25:56till death do us part.
25:59And I swear
25:59for everything that's in me,
26:01I am not going to let death part us,
26:03my love.
26:04So what are your
26:11New Year's plans?
26:13Wow.
26:14I haven't had to plan
26:16a New Year's
26:17in decades.
26:18It was always Ted and me,
26:20and then us and the kids.
26:23But now...
26:25Why don't we watch
26:28the ball drop together?
26:31What's your name?
26:32Rick?
26:33What a powerful,
26:35virile name.
26:37Excuse me?
26:38Tell me, Rick,
26:39have you ever thought
26:39about becoming a model?
26:41Oh, I'm kind of awkward
26:42in front of the camera.
26:43I own a modeling agency
26:44and I can help you
26:45get past that
26:46and connect you
26:47with a sports brand
26:48today.
26:49Could you?
26:50I mean,
26:50it's really more of a startup
26:51when you say,
26:52do you know who I am, Rick?
26:54Yes, you're Danny Dupree.
26:55I remember you
26:56from my dad's old
26:57sports illustrated mags
26:58from back in the day.
26:59Exactly.
27:00A man like he was thinking
27:01current,
27:01now immediate gratification,
27:03which I can offer you,
27:04Vanessa McBride.
27:06Offer in what way?
27:07Picture it.
27:08You rolling in money
27:10and rolling in the company
27:11of beautiful,
27:12voluptuous women.
27:15Are you talking
27:15about sex work?
27:16Think about dear old
27:17daddy, Ricky.
27:19Is that what he would
27:20want for his son?
27:20It's an escort service,
27:21not a brothel.
27:22A heart attach
27:23provides companionship.
27:25I don't have anything
27:26against sex work
27:27or modeling.
27:28It's just that
27:29my fiance and I
27:30have goals of our own.
27:31I'm in law school
27:32and she's studying
27:33and become a surgeon.
27:34So I don't have much
27:35time for modeling.
27:37Lawyers.
27:38Doctors.
27:38Well,
27:39can't blame a couple
27:40of girl bosses
27:41for trying,
27:42can you, Rick?
27:47It was the name,
27:48right?
27:48I almost had him.
27:49Don't you dare change
27:50that name.
27:50It's perfect.
27:52You two having
27:53a good time?
27:54We were.
28:00Far be it for me
28:01to come between
28:02Thelma and her Louise
28:03and whatever
28:04you've got cooking on.
28:05We can link up later.
28:07No!
28:07Stay.
28:09I've got to get going anyway.
28:10Drinks again soon,
28:13yeah?
28:13Count on it.
28:14Kisses.
28:16Joseph.
28:17Danielle.
28:24You want to tell me
28:25what you did
28:25to that bartender
28:26to make him look over here
28:28every five seconds?
28:29We were scouting
28:29for new talent.
28:31Danny thought he had
28:32the bone structure
28:32of a model.
28:33Oh,
28:34and you thought
28:35that he would lead
28:36the ladies of Fairmont crest
28:37salivating, right?
28:39Can you believe
28:40he turned us both
28:40down flat?
28:41I can believe
28:42that you probably
28:43both hit on him
28:44hard and heavy
28:45and that scared
28:46the poor kid off,
28:47which means he's not
28:48ready for that kind
28:49of spotlight anyway.
28:50You always know
28:51how to work an angle,
28:52don't you?
28:53I'm nothing
28:53if not considerate.
28:57Leslie Thomas
28:58came by the casino today.
29:01That woman,
29:02what did she want?
29:03A backer
29:04for a non-profit
29:05clinic,
29:07of all things.
29:08Oh,
29:09I've heard all about
29:09the free clinic.
29:11How so?
29:12Leslie and her daughter
29:13wanted me to help
29:13find a location for them.
29:15What'd she want from you?
29:16She sees me
29:17as a silent investor,
29:19among other things.
29:21That'd be brilliant.
29:23I hope you told her yes.
29:27Whew,
29:27that was...
29:28amazing,
29:30mind-blowing,
29:31phenomenal.
29:33All of the above.
29:34Is it moving too fast
29:36to ask what you do
29:36on New Year's Eve?
29:37Well, hopefully
29:38spending time with you.
29:40Say less.
29:51Well,
29:52hello, darling.
29:53Mama, stop it.
29:55Hey,
29:56I'll call you.
29:57Okay.
29:58Nice to see you,
29:59Miss Thomas.
30:00Nice to be seen.
30:04Do you have
30:06a chill setting
30:07like ever?
30:08Get in here.
30:09Every time I see
30:10that man,
30:11I cannot help
30:12but admire
30:12my daughter's
30:13excellent taste.
30:15I'm so sorry,
30:20sweetheart.
30:21This isn't just
30:22happening to me.
30:23How are you?
30:25Like you.
30:26Just trying
30:27to grasp it all.
30:29I can imagine
30:30this life
30:32without you.
30:35Your voice
30:35is my favorite song.
30:37And that song
30:38will continue
30:39whether the Lord
30:40calls me home
30:41or not.
30:42it lives on
30:44in our children,
30:45our work,
30:47our home.
30:49And it's up to you
30:50to keep it alive.
30:51Vernon,
30:52I want you
30:53to promise me
30:54that if it is
30:58my time,
31:00you will hold
31:02yourself together
31:03for the sake
31:04of this family.
31:06You know I will.
31:08But I need you
31:09to promise me.
31:11What is that?
31:13That you will
31:14fight this monster
31:16with every ounce
31:17of strength
31:18and stubbornness
31:19you've got.
31:21I promise.
31:23I am nowhere near
31:24ready to lead
31:25the people I love.
31:32Good news.
31:33I've moved
31:34some things around
31:34and we can get you
31:35scheduled port placement
31:36later this week.
31:39you know I'm
31:45always grateful
31:46for a food drop-off
31:47but can you
31:48start giving me
31:48the heads up?
31:50Because you
31:51got a new man?
31:53Eva and Isaiah
31:55sitting in a tree.
31:57K-I-S-S-I-E-G.
31:58Mama,
31:59please stop it.
32:01Okay,
32:01but also,
32:02yeah,
32:02kind of.
32:03We're getting
32:03to know each other.
32:05I bet you are.
32:06I wanted to
32:08surprise you.
32:09Turns out
32:10I was the one
32:12who got surprised.
32:14But good for you,
32:15baby,
32:16for locking down
32:17that fine man.
32:18We are just
32:20friends.
32:21Mmm,
32:22well that friendship
32:23sure seems to come
32:25with grade-A benefits.
32:29So,
32:29how is he?
32:32Uh,
32:32yeah,
32:32no,
32:33absolutely not.
32:34Okay,
32:34we're not going there.
32:35Boo.
32:36What did you
32:37do today?
32:38Oh,
32:39well I had a meeting
32:40with a potential
32:40partner
32:41for my new clinic.
32:43Your clinic?
32:45Yours,
32:45mine,
32:46our,
32:46same thing.
32:47Alright,
32:47your mama
32:47is making progress,
32:49baby girl.
32:50Okay,
32:51so who did
32:51you meet with?
32:52Oh,
32:53no,
32:53I am not
32:54going to jinx him
32:55until he signs
32:56on the bottom line,
32:57alright?
32:58But trust me,
32:59whew,
33:00his pockets
33:00run deep.
33:03Mm-hmm.
33:04Philanthropy
33:05could be just
33:06what you need
33:06to change
33:07your public image.
33:09You go from
33:09being feared
33:10to being celebrated.
33:11She wants me
33:12as a silent partner,
33:13remember?
33:14Like there are
33:15any secrets
33:15in this town?
33:16Your involvement
33:17would go public
33:18even if I had
33:18to leak it myself.
33:20Why does everyone
33:21assume that I give
33:22a damn about
33:23how unperceived?
33:24Fine.
33:25Do it for all
33:26the uninsured
33:26people in the DMV
33:27who genuinely
33:28benefit from the access.
33:30You're trying
33:30to turn me
33:31into a regular
33:32Robin Hood,
33:32aren't you?
33:34Just tapping
33:35into who I know
33:35you already are.
33:37Mm-hmm.
33:38You know me too well.
33:40Mm-hmm.
33:43So,
33:44New Year's Eve?
33:46I can't think
33:47of anybody
33:48I would rather
33:48ring in 2026
33:50with.
33:50It is a date.
33:52I should go
33:52while I'm ahead.
33:53Don't want to give
33:54you a chance
33:54to change your mind.
33:55If you leave,
33:56you will miss
33:57the best part.
33:58Which is?
34:06Now,
34:07you're ahead.
34:08Mm-hmm.
34:10Mm-hmm.
34:11Mm-hmm.
34:11Hey, sissy.
34:27What's shaking?
34:29Me.
34:30I just kissed
34:31Carlton.
34:32Ooh,
34:33lucky Carlton.
34:34That's becoming
34:35a regular thing.
34:37And I told him
34:38that I would go out
34:39with him
34:39for New Year's Eve.
34:41Yes,
34:42Nicole is getting
34:43her groove back.
34:45First with the
34:46handsome Dr. Kyle
34:47and now with
34:48the equally charming
34:49Dr. Carlton.
34:51She chooses well.
34:52Is it too much?
34:53You are asking me
34:54if my very single
34:56sister choosing
34:57to explore her options
34:58is too much?
34:59Honey,
34:59it might not be enough.
35:02I am enjoying
35:04my newfound freedom.
35:06I do have a favor
35:08to ask, though.
35:09Anything.
35:11All of my clothes
35:12are reminiscent
35:13of New Year's past.
35:15I am a new woman.
35:17Damn straight you are.
35:18I need new looks
35:19to celebrate.
35:21Then we will go shopping
35:22and find you
35:23the perfect dress
35:24for the perfect
35:24New Year's Eve.
35:25Something that's
35:26both flattering
35:27and easy to remove
35:28should the moment
35:29call for it.
35:32I am so proud
35:33of us, sissy.
35:35Me too.
35:37Things are looking bright
35:38for the Dupree sisters.
35:46Later this week,
35:47I thought I had
35:48a little more time
35:49before I went
35:49under the knife.
35:50As I've said earlier,
35:52this type of cancer
35:53is aggressive,
35:54so we're going
35:54to be moving quickly.
35:56I understand.
35:58I'll have the nurse
35:59print out your paperwork.
36:11It's time, love.
36:14We have to tell the kids.
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