Brianna struggles with the news of her father’s relapse and feels torn about how to support him. Chanise steps into the role of stepmom—ready or not. Meanwhile, Hope’s mother arrives in town, bringing emotional baggage and unexpected truths to the surface.
SEASON 3: EPISODE 23 ( It's Your Time, Sis)
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Episode 23: It’s Your Time Sis
SCENE 1
INT. RESTAURANT
FX: HOPE SITS IN A BEAUTIFUL COURTYARD, TAKING IN THE BEAUTY.
HOPE: (V.O.) I just came from the most amazing church service. I had to thank God for all of my continued blessings. My mom is always saying I need to call out His name not only in my time of need but when He shows up and shows out. Hallelujah. (beat) So, I’ve definitely spread the word, and Olivia set up a lunch date with me. I guess I finally got the pass for the next level. Ever since she made it, she hasn’t been as engaged. I’m not tripping, though; sometimes it’s just how it is. I mean, like tax brackets hang out with like tax brackets and like minds with like minds…wait, what am I saying?
OLIVIA: Hey Hope, I’m sorry I'm a little late. I’m so glad you could get out today. And I brought you a little something.
HOPE: Girl, you didn’t have to.
OLIVIA: It’s nothing big. I just wanted to congratulate you.
FX: HOPE OPENS THE GIFT.
HOPE: A pen?
OLIVIA: Not just any pen. That pen belonged to Scarlett Jones, the writer of Sweethome.
HOPE: Shut up! She won an Oscar for best writing with that script. I’ve followed her entire career.
OLIVIA: Yep. Read the inscription.
HOPE: "It's never too late to be great." Omg! I say her quote all the time.
OLIVIA: Well, I figured I could pass the torch. Now you have something to write a check with when you go to the Women Write charity luncheon next week.
HOPE: You mean that $1,300-a-plate luncheon where every top writer in the business goes?
OLIVIA: I have an extra ticket.
HOPE: (V.O.) Now I know I made it. I’ve been wanting to go to this luncheon since I moved to Hollywood. I was able to sneak in one time at the end of the ceremony when I worked for Alter Ego, but they booted me right out. This is the crème de la crème. You never know who you’ll end up sitting next to.
HOPE: Oooooo, thank you.
OLIVIA: I take that as a yes.
HOPE: Hell yes.
FADE
INT. CHANISE'S HOUSE
FX: BANGING ON THE DOOR. A CRYING KID.
CHANISE: One minute. One minute.
FX: CHANISE SWINGS OPEN THE DOOR.
CHANISE: Lionel?
CHANISE: (V.O.) I opened the door, and Lionel is standing out front, looking pitiful with a crying one-year-old little girl in his arms.Please don’t ask me to babysit.
CHANISE: Lionel, what are you doing here? What is she doing here?
LIONEL: Are you going to let us in?
CHANISE: Oh, come in.
FX: THE DOOR SHUTS. THE KID IS STILL CRYING.
LIONEL: Chanise, Anette left last week and hasn’t been back. I don’t know what’s going on, but her family hasn’t been any help. I haven’t been to work in days, and I have to work. I need your help.
CHANISE: What do I look like, Daddy Warbucks?
LIONEL: Look, I didn’t want to come here because I know how you feel about me. Us. You're the only person I can depend on. (beat) Please, will you keep her? Just during the nights until I figure out what’s going on with Anette.
CHANISE: Now, I’m playing stepmom to your mess. Give her here. What’s her name?
FX: THE LITTLE GIRL IMMEDIATELY STOPS CRYING.
LIONEL: LaNisa.
CHANISE: That’s the name we picked for our little girl.
LIONEL: I figured since we weren’t going to use it, you wouldn’t mind.
FX: THE LITTLE GIRL STARTS TO CRY.
CHANISE: It’s okay, LaNisa. Sssshhh. Look at this.
FX: SHE PLAYS WITH A BELL.
LIONEL: I know she’ll be in the best hands with you and I don’t have to worry about her when I’m at work. Anette’s family isn’t too fond of me; they feel she settled. So, I just want the chance to do the right thing this time.
CHANISE: I got her. Leave her stuff here.
LIONEL: Yeah?
CHANISE: Hurry up before I change my mind.
LIONEL: I’ll pick her up right after work.
FX: LIONEL KISSES HER CHEEK AND LEAVES.
CHANISE: Hey, lil girl. You are so pretty.
CHANISE: (V.O.) The way he held on to this little girl and carried her into my protected arms. I see a whole new side of Lionel. Now Anetter, I don’t know what’s going on, but you just up and leave such a sweet baby like this. Now, I wonder what was in that big box she had at the post office, after all.
FADE
INT. BRIANNA'S DAD'S HOUSE
FX: BRIANNA’S DAD BRINGS HER A BOWL OF ICE CREAM
BRIANNA’S DAD: (slurs as he speaks) Two scoops of chocolate and one vanilla, just how you like it.
BRIANNA: Thanks, Dad. I feel 7 years old all over again.
BRIANNA’S DAD: So, what do I owe this special visit? I can’t find my checkbook.
BRIANNA: I didn’t come to ask for money. I came to check on you. (beat) I’m sorry it took me so long. I just have so much going on. I know you are still off the wagon, and I want you to get back on.
BRIANNA’S DAD: Why does it even matter?
BRIANNA: You matter.
BRIANNA'S DAD: I lost it.
BRIANNA: It?
BRIANNA'S DAD: My willpower. My want to live.
BRIANNA: Dad, my babies will be here soon. Your grandbabies. I want them to meet you, spend time with you, and love you. (beat) Dad, I can’t remember one time that you ever spanked me. I mean, never. Only one time I can remember you threatened to spank me when I walked outside with no shoes on. You scolded me from the front door. I was terrified and just froze right where I was. Then you marched over to me and picked me up high in the sky over your head and took me back inside. I was so tickled. That's probably the most protected I’ve felt in my entire life. (beat) So, you have to be here. (beat) How about I help you make your first step? Let’s go to AA together.
BRIANNA'S DAD: No. You don’t want to do that. It’s a lot. Trust me.
BRIANNA: If that means you get your will back, I can stomach anything.
BRIANNA'S DAD: You never did take no for an answer.
BRIANNA: So, next week at 7, it’s you and me, Jack.
BRIANNA'S DAD: Jack Daniels—that’s what my bowl needs. Just a little swig.
BRIANNA: Dad!
FADE
INT. HOPE'S HOUSE
FX: VACUUMING
HOPE: (V.O.) My mom is visiting, and she’s been cleaning all day. Is she sending me subliminal messages? She makes me feel like I don’t clean my house. If I didn’t know any better, I would be offended. She claims she came to visit me, but I’m not a fool—I know Tre’s wedding is next week. Well, I’m not worried about Tre and his stupid wedding any longer. Nicholas and I are going strong. He’s been keeping me hella busy, and it seems like we’ve been celebrating my promotion nonstop. He still hasn’t been to my house, and I guess I’ll have to hold off on that now since my mom is here. Tonight, I’m going to the women writers' event that Olivia invited me to. Nothing could ruin this night.
FX: HOPE WALKS INTO THE LIVING ROOM.
HOPE: Well, how do I look?
MRS. PAT: You look amazing, baby. A little pudgy, but still so pretty. Suck that tummy in.
HOPE: I’m sucking it in.
MRS. PAT: Like I said, you look so pretty.
HOPE: Thanks.
FX: HOPE WALKS OVER TO THE REFRIGERATOR.
MRS. PAT: Do you want me to fix you something before you go?
HOPE: No, Mom, they’re feeding us. I just want a quick snack to go. I hate going to these types of events hungry. Then when the food comes, I’m looking all greedy.
MRS. PAT: You can't help that look—you get it from your dad.
HOPE: I better go before I’m late. I’ll be back right after.
MRS. PAT: I know that. Where else would you go?
FADE
INT. BRIANNA AT AA
FX: CHURCH BASEMENT. SOUNDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WALKING AROUND.
BRIANNA: It’s held at a church? Are you sure this is it?
BRIANNA'S DAD: Yes, I found an open meeting, so it’s okay.
BRIANNA: (V.O.) As promised, I came to an AA meeting with my dad. As I walked downstairs to a basement and passed huge banners that listed the famous 12 steps, I knew this was serious. We entered the full room and were greeted warmly. I was struck by the diversity in the room. Blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians. Doctors, lawyers, students, truck drivers, teachers, business owners—you name it. After the opening remarks, guests started standing up and sharing briefly about their lives. The details were so intimate: what their lives were like before alcohol, the struggles they faced during addiction, and how they are maintaining sobriety. Most of the stories were pretty similar, involving drinking, some drugging, many arrests, and broken homes. One guy, a young father of two precious children, stood up and said he was grateful for a second chance at life. Just 100 short days ago, he was considered “dead.” Rock bottom was a constant description of life during their lowest times, and for the first time, I got to hear my dad speak his truth.
BRIANNA'S DAD: Hi, my name is Jarrett.
EVERYONE ELSE: Hi, Jarrett.
BRIANNA'S DAD: I was sober for 15 years, and one day at a mixer with my girlfriend at the time, I had one drink and fell right off the saddle. My alcohol of choice is Jack Daniels. Soon after, my girlfriend left me for a younger man, but who could blame her? I was an old sloppy mess. My sobriety didn’t come easy; she gave me something to live for. I hadn’t been in love for many years. After my wife divorced me, I stayed in a negative space for a very long time. So, finally feeling like I could release the monkey off my back and having someone who had my back was important to me. Now, I feel all alone in this world again. But my daughter has allowed me to see things through a different lens. So, I decided to come today for her—my daughter. She’s pregnant. Well, I guess you can see that.
FX: LAUGHTER
BRIANNA'S DAD: She’s having my grandbabies, and Pop Pop wants to be there for them. Thank you. Today, I am celebrating 24 hours without a drink.
FX: APPLAUSE.
GUEST: “Today, I am celebrating 18 years without a drink.”
FX: APPLAUSE.
HOST: Anyone else? (beat) Well, let’s pray. Everyone grabs hands.
EVERYONE: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
FADE
INT. WOMEN WRITE EVENT
FX: BEAUTIFUL EVENT. BANQUET HALL. SERVERS.
FX: PULLS UP AT EVENT.
HOPE: (V.O.) I just arrived at the event, and it’s so fancy—just how I remembered. But it looks even more heavenly from this view. Because that view I had from the break room that time I snuck in was pretty bad. It smells of fresh white roses, lilies, and orchids everywhere. Servers stand with trays of glasses of champagne.
SERVER: Champagne, Madam.
HOPE: Yes, please.
FX: HOPE GRABS GLASS FROM TRAY.
HOPE: (V.O.) Once inside, I could smell success. I even smelled it on me. Waves and waves of women—strong, powerful, and oozing luxury. There’s no one I didn’t recognize. I spotted Scarlett Jones and thought about walking over to say hi, but she was surrounded. I need to find Olivia.
INT. TABLE - LATER AT WOMEN’S EVENT
OLIVIA: I really needed this night tonight. Derrick and I haven’t been seeing eye to eye about anything lately. I think we’ve gotten into such a routine, we have lost what brought us together.
HOPE: You need to fix it. Derrick has always been pretty awesome.
OLIVIA: Yeah, in your face. Try behind closed doors.
HOPE: What?
HOPE: (V.O.) Derrick and Olivia are all the hope I have left in love and happiness ever after. I really don’t need her spoiling it for me. I am always rooting for her and Derrick.
HOPE: Maybe you guys just need a break. Step away to separate corners until the air clears.
OLIVIA: Are you hearing me, Hope? The oxygen—as soon as he walks in the room, he sucks it all out. We’ve been talking divorce.
HOPE: Excuse me.
HOPE: (V.O.) Now was my chance. In my eyeline across the room was Scarlett Jones. She was literally 10 steps from me. Okay, go, Hope.Suddenly, she made a u-turn and as I followed she was met by a friend. Marinating in a personal conversation, I decided I would try another time. .
INT. BACK AT THE TABLE
HOPE: (V.O.) Meanwhile, the auction was starting. Anything that kept me from discussing Olivia’s relationship issues, I was so down for.
HOST: We have a trip to Fiji with butlers and private excursions throughout. Valued at $6,000. Who’s ready to go to Fiji and live their best life?
HOPE: Me!
HOST: Starting out with $3,000. $3,000 over here. Can I get $5,000? $5,500 here. That goes to number 113. What’s your name, young lady?
OLIVIA: Hope, do you know what you’re doing?
HOPE: Playing the auction game.
OLIVIA: This is not a game. You better have real money.
HOPE: What do you mean?
OLIVIA: I mean you bid, you buy.
SCENE 6 A
LATER - BATHROOM
HOPE: (V.O.) It’s the end of the night, and I’m sitting in the bathroom checking my bank account online. And guess who appears alone in the bathroom? Scarlett Jones applying her lipstick ever so gracefully. She looked like a gladiator in heels. This was my chance to say everything I’ve been wanting to say. So, I walked over to her. .
FX: HOPE WALKS OVER TO HER.
HOPE: Scarlett… J.
HOPE: (V.O.) She turns to me and looks at me with kind eyes.
SCARLETT: That’s me.
HOPE: It's never too late to be great.
SCARLETT: You took the words right out of your mouth.
HOPE: (V.O.) I froze. My mind went blank. Then she turned and walked out. On my way home, I kept coming up with all the clever, funny things I could have said to her. I mean, what the heck, Hope? You really blew it.
FADE
INT. SPA
FX: ZEN NOISES FOR SPA.
CHANISE: Whoever's idea this was to have a spa day, I love you.
HOPE: Not only was it my idea. I paid.
BRIANNA: You should have, after you ruined my belly mold.
HOPE: How’s it my fault? Chanise touched it too.
CHANISE: You touched it first, Hope. You are so damn rough.
FX: CHANISE LAUGHS.
CHANISE: This right here is for me, because, baby, when I tell you I haven’t been able to sleep well for nights. I’m still helping Lionel out with LaNisa, and she doesn't sleep at all. She loves sleeping in the daytime, but at night… nope.
HOPE: I didn’t realize you still had her.
CHANISE: Yeah, most evenings while Lionel is at work.
BRIANNA: No word on the Anette?
CHANISE: Nothing.
HOPE: She probably ran away to some Mexican beach town for a break. Most first-time mothers get overwhelmed.
CHANISE: I’m about to run away. I told Lionel he’s gonna have to hire a nanny because I need my nights. Mikal is starting to get antsy; he’s not used to sharing me with anyone. Although, he did a great job rocking her to sleep the other night. It was so cute.
BRIANNA: Made you want another one?
CHANISE: Hell naw!
BRIANNA: Well, I hope I’m okay when I have my babies. I don’t want to go through postpartum or anything like that. I want to enjoy them. That’s why I have to get all my business stuff settled; I can’t have any lingering stress when they come.
HOPE: That’s all my mom ever reminds me about when it comes to my childhood. She always says how lucky I am to be here. Like the time she thought about putting me in the washing machine. I always wonder what would have happened.
CHANISE: You would have been dead. That’s what.
FX: THEY COLLECTIVELY LAUGH.
BRIANNA: You never know what a parent has been through completely. I mean, I look at my dad and his struggles with alcohol. I went to his AA meeting and learned so much about him—not to mention so many others who were courageous enough to stand and share.
CHANISE: Sounds hauntingly familiar. (beat) I didn’t tell you guys, but my mother is out.
HOPE: Where?
BRIANNA: When?
CHANISE: Your guess is as good as mine. But one thing for sure, my plate is so full right now, I’m just staying away from that.
BRIANNA: Chanise?
CHANISE: No.
HOPE: Well, I participated in my first auction the other night.
CHANISE: That writing money burning a hole in your pocket.
HOPE: I was just thinking, do either of you want to go to Fiji? I have a luxury VIP trip for sale.
CHANISE: Girl, you just paid me back the $500 you owed me. I’m out.
HOPE: Brianna, maybe you and Jamie can go for your honeymoon.
BRIANNA: That does sound…
HOPE: I’ll take payments.
BRIANNA: Let me discuss it with Jamie. (V.O.) Let me discuss with Jamie? Who am I?
FADE
AAA MESSAGE