Where are you going?
I thought you said we could go shopping today.
-I ain't say that. -You did.
Okay, maybe I did, but we can't go today.
Now, go on in the house!
You going with him?
He's gonna give Mama some money so I can take you shopping.
That's why I got all dressed up today. Look.
When will you be back?
I'll be back in a couple of days.
Take this, put it in the house.
(ENGINE STARTS)
JOANIt's amazing how life can form patterns
that have a way of showing up in the behavior of our offspring.
Erica Moses was a beautiful girl,
raised in Washington, D.C.
Before I met Erica,
she had dreams of one day being an acclaimed ballerina.
But quickly found that the classical arts
didn't always cater to girls like her.
She had used her mother's attitude
as a way of transforming herself.
"Use what you got to get what you need, Erica."
Those were the echoes of her mother.
And that was the start of her metamorphosis.
Desperate to fit in, she traded tights for miniskirts
and ballet slippers for stilettos and...
Black skirt, step forward.
JOAN: Eventually, a star was born.
She thought she scored big
when she snared a hot, talented artist with plenty of money.
I'm Trey.
Hi.
And you are?
Erica.
Well, it's nice to meet you, Erica.
I look forward to working with you.
Me, too.
JOAN: In Erica's mind, her mother would have been so proud of her.
Erica became a leading lady
-in the world of music and entertainment. -(RAP MUSIC PLAYING)
The lights flashed and cameras rolled
and...and the people never slept.
What Erica came to realize
was that she was becoming a reflection of how she really felt on the inside.
Broken, discouraged and living out a revised dream
full of fantasy and disappointments.
(HIP HOP MUSIC PLAYING)
Hi.
(BEEPS)
I'm sorry, the card is declined.
Okay.
Uh, try this one.
(BEEPS)
I'm sorry, that one's not working either.
Okay, can you...can you try this one again please?
(PHONE RINGING)
Tyiese Studio.
Uh, excuse me. You need to sign in.
I'm Trey's girlfriend.
I've heard that before. You still need to sign in.
(SIGHS)
(HIP HOP MUSIC PLAYING)
(MOUTHING)
Trey!
Trey, I need to talk to you.
-Trey! -(MUSIC STOPS)
I need to talk to you. It's important.
Okay. My cards were declined today.
(LAUGHS)
That's what happens when you don't pay the bills.
You been drinkin' or somethin'?
Have you?
Look, are we in trouble?
Oh, it's "we" now?
Hold on, dawg. I'll be right back.
Come with me.
ERICA: What's the point of coming out here?
You couldn't say it in front of everybody else?
I don't want everybody in my business.
Whatever.
Come here!
So, it's "we" now, huh?
It wasn't "we" when you spent up all my money.
You said I didn't have to work!
What can you do? Huh?
I...
I can find something to do.
Well, go find it then. Bye.
I got to go to work.
I wasn't through talking to you!
TREY: I'm done listening.
ERICA: Excuse me, I need some money.
Cue the track, dawg.
Cue the track!
-I need some money. -(MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
I'm hungry, I need some money.
-You know what? -Whoa, whoa, whoa. I got this.
Look...
Here, just take this and go.
Thank you.
You know, I'm getting sick of this, Erica.
You ain't nothing but a gold digger anyway!
Trey. Trey, I do care.
It's not about the money.
I promise, I'll do better, please.
What do you want me to do?
I just need you out by tomorrow.
But I have to tell you something!
Erica, I'm done.
You're gonna grow up to be a pretty girl
and you can use that pretty to get yourself a good man.
And make sure he's got money.
A man with no money ain't no man at all.
Remember that.
Hey.
-What's up? -Oh, what's up with you?
Uh, nothing much. (SNIFFLES)
Uh, you...you doing okay?
Not really.
I mean, you know me and Trey broke up.
Oh.
Oh, I really just need to talk to him.
If I... If I hear from him, I'll tell him to give you a call.
If you need anything just... just call me, okay?
-(SHUSHING) -(LALA CRYING)
No.
(SHUSHING)
Quiet now.
I'm trying as fast as I can.
Don't cry for Mommy.
Don't cry.
I'm trying. I'm trying real hard.
I'm gonna find us somewhere to sleep tonight, okay?
Oh.
We're over capacity. We can't take any more.
I was here last night. Remember me?
Look, somebody is in there holding my space.
We're over capacity. I'm sorry.
We have nowhere to sleep and we have no more food.
Okay, I got... I got... I got some money. You can have it.
Okay, it's not enough for a hotel.
Please. I have a baby.
So do half the women in here. I'm sorry.
You got to get here early. Sorry.
WOMAN: You looking for a place to squat?
Come on, I know a place.
It's a real clean place, too.
Come on!
It's all right. It's all right.
Come on.
Excuse the place. I didn't get a chance to clean up.
CHARLIE: Hey, hey, hey, hey! That's my corner.
(LAUGHING) I'm just kidding with you.
You're new around here, ain't you?
Charlie, leave her alone. She's having hard times.
I'm gonna take care of her.
I'll even share my private stash.
It's okay. He's harmless.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Charlie, get on out of here.
Listen, you and your baby is gonna be all right, I promise.
You're gonna be fine.
You just got one night, okay?
Hey, little girl.
You wouldn't happen to have any change, would you?
A couple of dollars?
Thank you.
It's for your rent. (CHUCKLES)
Well, make yourself comfortable.
We're at home.
We are at home.
ERICA: See, you got a crib.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
(BABY TALK)
Go to sleep. Go to sleep.
Go to sleep. Okay?
Go to sleep.
(EXHALES)
(BLOWING)
(GASPING)
I ain't never seen nobody sleep for two days straight!
Yesterday, I thought you were dead.
I put a glass on your nose and you fogged it up.
I left you alone.
You hungry?
I got big boxes.
Big boxes.
(RATTLING)
No?
That's fine. More for me.
What's your name?
You got legs like a dancer.
I used to be a dancer.
A backup dancer.
I took ballet and everything.
Uh, we got a dance group here. Stacy over it.
But I guess you'll meet her one day.
Yeah.
I heard they found you out by that old cotton mill.
What you was doing out there?
You homeless?
Hello?
Hello!
You don't talk?
You slow?
That's all right, dancer. You ain't got to talk to me.
I talk to you.
This is Joan's house.
Take in homeless girls and runaways.
She cool.
But she got a lot of rules.
She got the six-month rule.
But me, I've been here for years.
On and off. Off and on.
JOAN: So, listen. My friend, Joe,
you know, who works for the city.
He found her and brought her in.
Uh, she's got a really bad burn and some cuts.
I bandaged her up,
but she's still out of it.
Hmm.
And... And you say that there's nobody missing fitting her description?
(SIGHS) Okay.
All right. Thanks, sweetie.
You have a blessed one, too. Okay, bye.
TINA: I'm gonna get my own place soon.
'Cause look...
Look, I'm pregnant.
You can't really tell yet though.
(SOBBING)
JOAN: Hello?
Hello.
I'm glad to see you're awake.
I think she a retard or something.
-JOAN: Tina! -Hmm?
Could I see you for a minute please?
I'm not gonna argue with you today. All right?
Now, you and I have been going back and forth for a while
and we are on good terms now
and I'd love to keep it that way.
I'm just asking you to keep an eye on this one. All right?
I think she needs it.
What about what I need?
You ain't give me a roommate when I came!
Who gonna look after me?
I just have some cereal and a DVD, The Color Purple.
(IMITATING SOFIA) "You told Harpo to beat me?
"You told Harpo to beat me?"
You didn't want a roommate.
You didn't want anyone looking after you.
I forgot.
-Excuse me? -I forgot!
Why don't you pay me? And I'll watch her for you.
I'm not paying you.
I go above and beyond to help you, Tina, and you know that.
Please. Yeah, yeah. Oh.
I'm serious, Tina. Look out for her, all right?
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
My name is Joan and this is my house.
A friend of mine found you a few days ago and brought you here.
Do you understand what I'm saying?
(JOAN SIGHS)
I need for you to communicate in...in some way.
Uh, do you write?
Oh, this isn't a prison.
I'm here to help you, but only if you want it,
and if you don't, you are free to leave.
I need to know if you are on any medication
or any substance, any substance.
While you are here,
there is absolutely no drinking and no drugs.
Do you understand what I am...
(COUGHS)
(EXHALES)
Good morning.
If you didn't want help, you wouldn't have come back here.
Now, quit pretending and let someone help you.
(SCOFFS)
I know you understand English.
Now, I need to figure out why you're not speaking.
Have a seat.
I started this place seven years ago.
I only take in women and children and I don't take everyone.
This is a six-month program.
You must stay here every night and I lock my doors at 9:00 pm.
If you want to kill yourself, go do that someplace else.
This is my house, my home, not a shelter.
I'm not rich. Do not ask me for money.
If you stay here, you will get a job.
You don't have to pay rent and I provide one meal a day.
I'm here to help you.
But only, and I mean only,
if you want to help yourself.
Do you understand that?
ROBYN: So, what good is God
if he's not around when you really need him?
-That's my issue. -Hmm.
Okay, well, Robyn, I think part of the problem
is that we want God to just show up when we want him to show up
and just fix everything.
Yeah.
Well, he might be fixing everything and we don't even realize it.
What, you're serious?
FAE: Quite.
(LAUGHING)
Cheers, you're doing good.
Hey, listen, God's timing is not our timing, okay? Period.
-(COOING) -Hey, guys!
-Oh, Morgan! -ALL: Morgan!
Oh, my goodness!
Aw!
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
Oh, my goodness.
-ERICA: I want to hold him. -What's his name?
Was that Erica?
I want to hold him.
I want to hold him!
-She said something. -I'm sorry? What's that again?
-Wait a minute. -TINA: Relax, dancer.
Yeah. You... You just ask his mama
if it's okay if you can hold him.
Let me hold him, please.
Oh, she talks now.
-Okay? Okay. -Okay.
All right. It's okay.
It's okay.
Say hi.
Hello.
Here you go.
Just be careful, watch his head, okay?
Okay. That's okay.
-I'm going to get her some water. -Okay, okay.
(SOBBING)
You're hurting... You're hurting my baby. Give me my baby.
-Give him to me. Joan! Give him to me. -No. I want to hold him. No.
-FAE: What's going on in here? -I wanna hold him.
Hey, hey, hey!
She has... She has my baby.
-Okay, okay. -Erica, give back the baby.
Give her back the baby.
MORGAN: Just give me my baby.
-FAE: Okay, let's go. -No, don't.
-Stop it! I want to hold him. -(ALL GASP)
-Right now. -(SOBBING) He's mine! I wanna hold him!
-(LAUGHING) -Hey, no, no. No, no, no.
That's not funny.
What was that? Huh?
I don't like surprises.
Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.
It is way too late for you to keep playing mute!
You start talking, and I mean right now.
I want my baby.
That is not your baby!
I want my baby.
(JOAN SIGHS)
So, your boyfriend took the baby and... and then just disappeared?
You called the police?
No. They don't listen to people like me.
Do you have any family?
No.
Mother?
Dead.
-Father, cousins, aunts, siblings? -(SNIFFLES)
-Somebody? -No.
And you haven't spoken to the baby's father at all?
No.
He was always threatening to throw me out on the street.
And then he just sold the house and left.
So, I stayed in hotels until my money ran out.
And then?
I was at shelters.
Are you an addict? Do you have a drug problem?
I'm gonna ask you one more time.
Are you an addict? Do you have a drug problem?
I drink.
We didn't find any identification.
Do... Do you have I.D.?
It's in my bag.
-What is your name? -(SNIFFLING)
Erica...
Renee...
Moses.
I'm from Washington, D.C.
All right, well, that's a start.
Who are you callin'?
My friend, Carrie. She's an investigator and she can help.
Wait, why are you calling an investigator?
I don't... I don't want to do that.
Because we have to file a missing person's report on your baby.
But what if they think like...like I had something to do with it
because I didn't report it?
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
No, I don't want to do that.
We have to file a report on your baby.
Fine.
Go ahead.
You fooled everybody.
Even old, old Joan.
I knew you could talk.
Why you act all crazy when you saw Morgan's baby?
I miss my baby. That's all.
Where is she?
Gone, and I don't want to talk about it.
All right.
You ain't gonna be able to take care of that baby if you move out.
It's hard work.
Yeah, well...
See, me and Jerome, we been together for a minute.
He say he want us to be a family.
He say he like my aura.
It bring good energy.
I mean, I don't know what he be talking about all the time.
He into that kind of stuff.
But, I like it.
I like the way he look at me.
He make me feel pretty.
That's nice.
Yeah, we weren't that happy at first
because we ain't married and we thought about it,
but we can do that.
Plus, he say I deserve to love somebody
who gonna make a difference in this world.
I ain't never think about it like that.
Me, neither.
I'm gonna do right this time. Watch.
You know how to braid hair?
Can you braid mine?
You got nice hair.
Why don't you never fix it?
Why you don't never fix yours?
Why do you do that?
Do what?
You jump like you getting an electric shock.
Oh, is it noticeable?
Is that noticeable?
I mean, you asking me about my business?
I was a crack baby.
I mean, when your body used to one drug,
they keep giving you more until your body wean itself.
I'm sorry.
Ain't your fault.
And then when I turned six,
they start giving me different drugs
and that's when the ticks started.
I've been having them ever since.
They can't give you nothing for that?
I've been on all kinds of different drugs.
When I was 13, I stopped taking them drugs.
I found my own.
I been in and out of this system for years.
When I was 20, I got my own place.
That ain't last for long.
So, I came here a few years back.
You finished high school?
Mmm, but I got my G.E.D.
Joan made me.
Said if I ain't finish class, she was going to kick me out for good.
(DOORBELL RINGING)
Who are you?
Trey.
Is Erica Moses here?
-Who? -Erica. Erica Moses.
Brown skin.
Dancer! Dancer!
What you say your name was again?
Trey.
And what you do?
Hello? What you do?
-And why you here? -I want Erica.
I'll take it from here.
How did you find me?
You called the studio from here.
Get away from me.
No, Tasha told me you had a baby.
-Tasha don't know what she's talking about! -Where is my child?
You left me!
So you leave!
Erica, listen...
-No! You... -That's enough!
Get in the house.
Sir, this is private property and you are trespassing.
-Tell her I have a right to see my child. -If you don't leave right now,
I will knock you across my yard.
Tell her I want to see my child.
And don't come back again.
JOAN: Get your tail in the house!
Erica, this ain't over with.
Erica will call you.
But if you ever come on my property again
to bother me, Erica, or any of these women...
TREY: This ain't over, Erica.
I want my child.
You got my child. I want him.
Where is your child?
(SOBBING)
She's dead.
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
Lala? Lala?
What'd you do with my baby? What'd you do with my baby? My baby.
Lala!
Where's my baby? Where's my baby?
Don't touch me!
(WAILING)
Oh. Oh. Oh.
Lala!
(SOBBING)
Okay. (SHUSHING)
I'm telling you.
It's always something going down in this house.
Man, it's like a reality show in here.
Hmm. How you feeling?
Me? I'm fine.
No, I mean, are you in a good place right now?
I'm at Joan's place.
I mean, I don't really know how good this is.
T, you still taking all that medication?
Look, I got these herbs, right?
And I... I been doing some research
and I really think this is gonna help you with your nervousness.
You trying to change me.
Oh, I'm... I'm not...
I thought you said you liked me for me.
(SIGHS) Babe, I love you for you.
But you shouldn't be on all that medication while you pregnant.
-I mean... -Fine.
I stopped drinking, too.
I'm joking. (LAUGHS)
Look, baby, I... I really want us to be a family.
But I need you to trust me.
Okay, Jerome.
Then you need to start by eating better.
You can't eat cereal all day long.
We going to the farmer's market.
I mean, you need to eat some fruit.
Matter of fact, where's your list?
-There you go. -Okay, that's what I'm talking about.
Made it this morning.
So we got "apple loops".
Apple loops.
"Banana nut raisin."
Mmm-hmm.
And "Grape-O's."
(SQUEALS)
(STOMPING RHYTHMICALLY)
Grape-Os.
You know you want to laugh.
No, I don't.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Come on, man.
Wait, wait, wait.
Are raisins fruit?
Yes.
Good.
Let's put raisin crunch on there, too.
-(SIGHS) Come on. -(LAUGHS)
Wait, wait, wait!
Got to get our cereal. (CHUCKLES)
CARRIE: I really wish you hadn't lied the first time.
I know.
I'm sorry.
It only makes it worse.
What do you think you can do?
I have to talk it over with the D.A.,
and maybe they can reduce the charges to negligence.
I can't promise you anything.
Do the best I can.
Thank you.
Excuse us, Erica.
Joan, why do you keep doing this to yourself?
Doing what, Carrie?
Stressing over these girls?
You need to get out and get yourself a life.
You know this is my life.
Look, I... I told you before
that what you're doing here is amazing,
but you need to get some help.
You cannot save the world, Joan.
Okay, you're right. You're right!
But maybe... maybe I can save one life.
Maybe two.
Maybe even three.
(LAUGHING) My friend Joan.
Tell you, girl, there's a special seat in heaven just for you.
-Well, it's right next to yours. -Oh, whatever.
But anyway, I'll... I'll get back to you on her court date.
-Thanks, Carrie. -All right.
Love you.
You live here, too?
I live across the street.
I just come here after school because my mom works at night
and Miss Joan didn't really like the idea
of me being home by myself.
Oh.
-I'm Erica. -I'm Chloe.
TINA: Who told to read my Bible?
ERICA: I'm not reading it.
-Hey, Chloe. -Hey.
Just looking for this scripture
I'm supposed to read in the next group session.
Fae is serious about this stuff.
I don't see what the big deal is.
I heard what happened to you. Mmm-hmm.
You only got probation. You lucky.
Yeah. Joan knew some people.
But look, I still got charged with negligence.
TINA: But you ain't locked up.
Joan like you.
(LAUGHS) No.
-She like you! -(SCOFFS) No.
I'm just part of Joan's mission.
You know her mission to save the world.
You actually read this stuff?
Yeah, I read that!
They got some good stories in here.
I read it at night.
It make me feel better.
Let me show you my favorite one.
Luke 15.
What's this about?
Forgiveness.
Read it.
There you are.
Joan say you going to work with Fae tomorrow.
Where we working?
At Register Lett law firm.
-What we doing with a law firm? -(CHUCKLES)
You gonna be cleaning it.
(CHUCKLES)
She's such a popsicle stick.
FAE: Hey, how's it going?
ERICA: I'm not used to doing this much cleaning.
Believe me, honey, you'll get used to it.
It's a blessing just to have a job.
Why are you always so optimistic?
Listen, if you had the life that I've had,
you'd be optimistic, too.
You don't even look like you supposed to be hanging around Joan's house.
Yeah, well, me and Joan go way back.
She took me in...
Just after I did 10 years in prison.
Ten years... For what?
Killed my husband.
Why?
Didn't like the shirt he was wearing that night.
I'm sorry. I'm... I'm being way too nosy.
-No, no, no. -I'm just...
-Don't even worry about it. It's okay. -I mean...
Um...
I married young. You know?
Turns out my high school sweetheart
wasn't exactly as sweet as I thought he was.
We used to fight a lot.
And one night things kind of got out of control.
Stuff start flying through the house.
And he broke my arm.
And I don't know, I just...
I snapped.
I stabbed him.
At first, I was just trying to get away, you know. I wasn't...
But then it started feeling good.
And I wasn't thinking, you know.
I was not trying to kill him. I wasn't...
I didn't want to murder him.
I just wanted him to...
I wanted him to be in pain.
I wanted him to know what it felt like.
And, you know,
six stabs later, he, um...
Well, you know the rest.
Listen, if you wipe in a circular motion,
you won't leave streaks. Okay?
♪ Life can be cruel
♪ When you're trying to make it, yeah
♪ And though you paid your dues
♪ You just keep on taking
♪ But you won't lose
♪ If you hold on to
♪ Every bit of your dreams
♪ No matter how hard it seems
♪ You're gonna to make it
♪ Yes, you are
♪ Make it
♪ You're gonna... ♪
Thank you. Shake that.
Go make it.
STACY: Got to get it right. Got to get it right.
Okay.
-I'm here! -Six, seven...
How y'all gonna start without me?
(SIGHS) Tina, we already told you you can't be a part of this.
Why not? I'm a dancer.
Five, six, seven, eight. Step up.
(SIGHS) What...
-Why don't you do the music? -'Cause I'm a dancer,
-not a DJ. -(SCOFFS)
Five, six, seven, eight.
Step up, step back.
I think you need to help Stacy out.
I hear you over there talking about me.
Five, six, seven, eight.
I mean, you should give them a formation first.
Does anybody have any formal training?
Five, six, seven, eight.
Step up, step back.
Roll with kick.
Five, six... Come on.
(WHISTLING)
Excuse me.
Erica, right?
I've been checking you out around here.
You don't really hang with too many people, huh?
Is that because you don't want to be bothered or you're just quiet?
Both.
Oh.
Well, if I was to ask you out, what would you say?
Maybe do lunch?
I don't think so.
Well, you go ahead and think about it.
I'll see you around, Erica.
Mmm-hmm.
Hey.
-I got paid today. -(CHUCKLES)
Congratulations.
And she gave me cash. I mean, the money.
That's my money.
I know that.
I keep it for you. It's part of the program, Erica.
All right? It teaches all of you girls how to save and budget.
Here's some for you.
I want my money.
Hmm, you don't scare me, Erica.
Now, take the $40 before I take that back.
You know, if my mama hadn't been so crazy,
my life would have been real different.
Mmm, so you blame your mom
for the way your life has turned out.
Yes!
Maybe not for everything.
But I ain't never had it easy.
Those of us with the hardest struggles have the biggest purpose.
Hey, maybe it's time for you to start walking into your destiny
and stop using excuses.
What's my destiny?
What does that even mean?
Your purpose.
-What's my purpose? -(LAUGHS)
And that, my dear girl,
is the million dollar question.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(WHISPERING) Dancer.
Dancer.
What are you doing on the roof? You are pregnant.
Why didn't you just go through the front door?
Because I don't want Joan to see me.
Why aren't you at Jerome's house?
I been from over there.
Him and them incense been getting on my nerves.
Okay, well, just come inside then...
No!
Not right now.
Not till Joan accepts me.
Just come inside.
Stop it.
I'm not coming in right now.
Are you hungry?
You're... Stay right here. I'll be right back.
(SIGHS)
Okay.
Look, here.
This bag has got food, food stamps, a towel and some money.
Um, yeah, let me wipe.
Wait, wait.
I got you something.
You like?
I think it's your size, you like it?
Where did you get this?
Guy gave it to me.
Okay, he didn't really give it to me, but he spoke to me.
And he said you should have it, so I got it.
You... You not high, right?
No, no.
I'm not taking nothing.
Not even my medication.
It's why I keep twitching.
I don't want these drugs to get into my baby.
Okay. Okay, you need to take them.
Well, who says?
I'm not going to take anything.
I want my baby to have a clean start.
Sit down.
Look, I'm... I'm worried about you.
Don't worry about me.
Don't waste your worry on me.
I'm good.
Well, here, take this.
No, I ain't got nowhere to put that, it's too heavy.
Just take the book.
And read the one about the rich boy,
who had got all the money and ran off,
lost it all and the thing about...
Something about the pigs.
-The one you read all the time. -(LAUGHS)
Look at you trying to save me.
(LAUGHS)
Dancer.
Look, promise me you'll call me if you need me.
Scout's honor.
(LAUGHS) I promise.
(ERICA MUTTERING)
You take care of that baby.
FAE: Okay, all right, girl.
Hey, what's up, Erica?
Hi, uh, Charles.
Hey, how are you doing?
-I'm good, how are you? -I'm great.
What you doing after work? Maybe me and you could go grab something to eat.
I can't.
You don't have no boyfriend, so why not?
I just got to get home, that's all.
Well, maybe I can escort you home.
(LAUGHS) It's okay, I'll... I'll talk to you later.
FAE: Bye.
-Bye. -FAE: Boyfriend.
Hush.
(KIDS PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
-It's real nice out here. -Yeah.
-Yeah! Right? -All right.
Oh. Let's pray.
Amen.
It's nice to see you outside of the office though.
Yeah.
I've been doing security for four years.
Now I'm getting ready to study for the police academy exam.
Ain't you a little too old to be starting a new career?
Hold up, who you calling old?
Please, girl, I'm in my prime.
No, I probably was a knucklehead back in my time,
but I'm just making up for lost times, that's all.
But you always wanted to be a policeman?
That and a photographer.
That's different.
Good different, but different.
Right.
-Maybe we should do a photo shoot. -Hmm...
I don't know.
I... I'm not that photogenic.
Erica, do you listen to the words that come out of your mouth?
Like, why would you say that about yourself?
(CHUCKLES)
Wow.
This is one of the reasons why I hate coming to the park.
I mean, look at this, it doesn't make sense.
Like why...
You know, it's not that simple for everyone, Charles.
Whenever I have to give it, I do.
Okay, but you don't understand...
No, let's just not talk about it...
Okay?
Wow.
So, do you go out with all the girls in the office?
No, why?
I'm just wondering why you wanted to go out with me.
Look, are you serious, Erica?
You remind me of the women that raised me.
If it wasn't for my mom and my aunty,
honestly, I don't know where I'd be right now in my life.
Baby girl, where you been? I ain't seen you around.
Sir, I don't mean to be rude, but could you please not bother us right now.
-I... I know her. -All right.
-I ain't gonna do nothing but speak... -Listen, she doesn't know you.
-Tell him I know you. -She doesn't know you, just...
Stop, stop! Don't push him like that, okay?
This... Man!
Are you okay?
I'm doing what I can.
Your baby...
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
I ain't never going to forget that.
Look...
(INAUDIBLE)
Thank you, dear.
God bless.
So, you know him?
I come to the park a lot.
Look, I got to go.
Bye.
Erica, come on.
Now, let me at least take you home or something.
Erica!
Who is marching up my steps like that, don't have any sense?
What's the matter with you?
Nothing.
-You need me? -Yes, actually.
Hang on, I got something for you.
So, you have officially been here...
Okay, so, Joan, this guy at work has been asking me out.
Well, we've been going out to lunches
and he seems okay, you know, a little judging,
but everybody is, right?
-Well, I mean... -Right, so we were eating lunch in the park
-and I saw this guy I know. -Mmm-hmm.
He's homeless.
He's not... He looks really bad, but he's not a bad guy.
And then Charles nearly tries to assault him
'cause he was trying to keep him away...
You know what? I don't even want to talk about it.
Okay, so... (CLEARS THROAT)
See, that's exactly why I don't like to get close to people
because if he knew who I really was, he wouldn't like me.
Well, you can't run from your past. You know that.
-But I'm not proud of it. -I know.
I know.
But that's why you got to keep working,
keep working to make sure that you have a future that you are proud of.
You say that like it's so simple.
(CHUCKLES) Well...
The decision, that is simple.
Ooh, but that effort, mmm, that's a whole different story.
You know.
I'm done.
I don't want to talk about it anymore.
(CHUCKLES)
Okay.
So, you have officially been here for three months
and this is one of the biggest rewards.
We will go to the bank and open a bank account for you.
But...
I still will be monitoring and helping out with your funds
and your finances so no... no shopping sprees
and no trips to Kabul or girls night out to Scotland.
Well, can I at least get my hair done?
Oh.
Want to look all cutie-cute now, huh?
(LAUGHS)
I know how much is in there.
(DOOR OPENS)
Thank you.
(DOOR CLOSES)
And five, six, seven, eight.
-Okay, we have two more rehearsals. -(SIGHS)
We need to get this together.
We are not a professional group.
This is hard.
(SIGHS) But we're going to look like one.
What we need is somebody to sing this live. That'd be cool.
That'll be nice.
Hello?
I know somebody.
-You know somebody? -Mmm-hmm.
Okay then. (CHUCKLES)
But, in the meantime, back to formation, please.
-Hey, Erica. -Hey, Charles.
Look, I'm here on my break so wait up.
-I got to clock in. -Just wait up, just wait up.
All right, look, look, look. Okay...
I really like hanging out with you.
Okay? I'm really digging your new style.
So, what's up with this weekend?
No.
Well, I thought we was having fun?
Look, there's a lot going on right now, it's just bad timing.
Well, but you don't... You don't...
Charles, you don't even know me.
Won't you give me the opportunity to get to know you?
You... You got some issues.
I got issues?
Hold up, hold up.
Look, all I do is give you nothing but respect.
If you would stop interrupting me.
It's stuff going on that you can't even begin to understand.
Why don't you talk to me, okay?
You at least owe me that.
I don't owe you anything.
Erica.
All I'm saying is I'm digging you.
That's all I'm saying is I'm digging you, baby.
Look who's happy.
I don't even really know what that feels like.
But I do know for the first time in a long time,
I don't feel like crying.
What's this one?
I'm planting this for Lala.
It's a memorial.
You okay with that?
Whew!
Why are you doing this?
Because in order to move forward, you have to have peace.
And in order to have peace, you have to accept the past.
Thanks.
No, don't thank me. Thank your pal, Tina.
This was her idea.
ERICA: What?
Why am I being fired?
They do a security camera check
just to make sure everything is as it should be in the office
and we caught you
taking a bottle of champagne from one of the executives.
It was...
It was reported to me and I have...
I have to let you go.
It wasn't me.
They have you on camera.
But it was a different me.
I'm not that person anymore.
Look, dock my pay or...
Just don't fire me. I need this job.
I'm sorry.
(BOTTLE CLINKS)
Okay.
Okay, I know that this is my fault, but you have to...
After this... Please listen.
Please, listen, I messed up,
but I'm not the same person I was when I moved in this house.
I need to thank here. (SNIFFLING)
Okay, this is what I'm going to do.
I'm gonna thank her and then I'm gonna tell her I messed up.
ERICA: What are you doing?
Finding out the truth.
You told me that you were done!
I... I have.
At least, I'm trying to.
Joan, please believe me.
Believe you? Erica, clearly you are still drinking?
You don't think I want to stop?
At least I can admit that I need help.
You know the rules.
I know you're not kicking me out.
If I let you stay, what is the point of making rules?
Forget the rules!
How many more chances am I supposed to give you?
People make mistakes.
We should be allowed to be forgiven.
If you take us in, then you need to deal with our imperfections.
You need to leave by tomorrow.
(DOOR CLOSES)
No!
Whew.
That's all you have?
For now.
I don't have anywhere to keep my stuff
so I left some in Stacy's room.
Please don't kick me out, Joan.
I'm not ready.
I can't help you here.
I've done all that I can.
You give them a call...
Attend the meetings, second number is a rooming house.
You can stay there for a while.
I'm not drinking anymore.
Please, just give me another chance.
-You let Tina come back and forth. -I'm sorry, I can't.
You have your job and you'll be fine.
-But I don't even have... -Goodbye.
I have three more months.
(SIGHS)
I have three more months!
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(COUGHS)
(SNIFFLING)
Lord...
I don't know what to say.
(SOBBING)
(CELL PHONE BUZZING)
-Hello? -(ON PHONE) Hey, Erica,
you didn't come to rehearsal last night.
The show is tonight.
I know.
We can't do it without you.
Look, Joan even asked where you were.
I don't live in the house no more.
But you're still one of us.
The show starts at 6:00.
(SIGHS)
SUNSHINE: Hello, everyone.
My name is Sunshine.
(SNIFFLING)
Everybody loves sunshine.
(SNIFFLING)
If you'd told me a few weeks ago that I would be here
in this theater doing a performance,
I wouldn't have believed you.
I'm homeless.
I sleep down near the shelter
that receives money from this foundation that's putting this event on.
So, I really want to thank each and every one of you for coming out here.
I especially want to thank my friend, Erica,
who asked me to give the gift of song.
I love to sing.
I love singing. That's how I survive.
And through my music I'm able to uplift others.
And I know my purpose.
I thank God for everything I have and I don't have much,
but I know he's present right now
because I'm standing here.
My name is Sunshine. I don't want y'all to forget that.
Me and the ladies,
the Joan's house, we gonna try to do something for you.
It's called Starting Today.
♪ I feel the weight ♪ The weight
♪ The pressure
♪ I feel the hate now closing in
♪ Got to be smart ♪ Smart
♪ And stronger
♪ I know in my heart I'm gonna win
♪ Sometimes it hurts
♪ Hurts won't last
♪ Sometimes it rains
♪ Storms will pass
♪ When it gets hard
♪ As it may
♪ These are the words that I'll say
♪ Starting today
♪ Nothing gets in my way
♪ Nothing, nothing, nothing
♪ Right now I choose
♪ Never to lose
♪ I'm gonna be okay
♪ Starting today
♪ Today
♪ Starting today
♪ Whoo
♪ It's getting bright ♪ Bright
♪ The future
♪ I see the light shining free
♪ I feel a change
♪ Change
♪ I rearrange
♪ Priorities
♪ Sometimes it hurts
♪ Hurt won't last
♪ And sometimes
♪ Storms will pass
♪ And when it gets hard
♪ As it may
♪ These are the words that I'll say
♪ Starting today
♪ Nothing gets in my way
♪ Right now I choose
♪ Never to lose
♪ I'm gonna be okay
♪ Today
♪ Starting today ♪
(ALL CHEERING)
(MUSIC PLAYING ON TV)
(MOBILE BUZZING)
(TURNS OFF TV)
Tina.
No, it's Jerome.
Tina went into labor and she won't go to the hospital.
We're here at the apartment right now.
I'm not that far away, I'm on my way.
Joan, Tina just went into labor,
but she won't go to the hospital.
Yeah. They're at their apartment. 150 Walker Street.
Please, come on, come on, Tina.
Come on, Tina. Come on, Tina.
Please. Please, please.
(ENGINE STARTS)
You hang in there.
(SCREAMING)
Did you call 911?
Then why they not here yet?
-Dancer! -Hey, hey. (SHUSHING)
Don't talk. Okay, the paramedics are coming, okay?
I'm not going to the hospital.
You have to go.
(MOUTHING)
(GROANS)
Hey, the paramedics are coming.
You have to go.
We're not going to argue about this, okay?
TINA: Please, can you pray?
ERICA: I don't know any prayers.
TINA: Say what's in your heart.
ERICA: Um, God, God,
please take care of my friend.
(GROANS)
She needs it right now.
She's in bad shape.
I just need for you to look after her.
I'm Erica Moses, by the way,
and I know that you make miracles.
-(GRUNTING) -And...
And all we have to do is ask for it and have faith.
Keep going, please, Tina.
And that baby needs its mama, so we're going through this.
ERICA: I don't want to... I don't want to seem too selfish,
but this is my friend
and I just really need for her to be okay and the baby to be okay.
Okay?
(TINA GROANING)
Fight, Tina.
(SIREN WAILING)
She's on her way to the hospital.
(GRUNTING)
What's wrong?
Let's go, Joan. Why isn't the car moving?
I need a minute.
She came to see me a couple of weeks ago,
I knew I should have told you,
I knew she was in trouble.
-I knew, too. -How?
A mother knows.
FAE: So I just wanted to gather everybody here today
to see if...if anybody wanted to talk about how they felt.
Y'all know Tina got on my nerves,
I'm just...
You know, I'm gonna miss her.
I know.
-I'm gonna miss her. -I know, I know.
ERICA: You should stop beating yourself up.
You have helped so many people.
Couldn't help the one I did it for.
She's your sacrificial lamb.
It's a person that you love the most...
Who will sacrifice, so that you could help hundreds of others.
You got to give your testimony.
We all have our crosses to bear, Erica.
This is how it is.
But will you carry the weight
or will you give it over to God?
That's your million dollar question.
FAE: Anybody else want to talk about Tina?
Two days before I...
I turned 19, I gave birth to Tina.
I had already been on drugs for at least four years by then.
When I first got pregnant, I tried to stop and...
Two months in,
my body started going through withdrawals and I gave in.
I gave in to the...
To the cravings.
Her father was...
He was a musician.
Right after Tina was born,
I went on the road with him.
And...
Oh, just a few weeks turned into months and then a year
and then a couple of years
and then seven years and then...
Then Tina was 10.
She wanted to live with me
and I decided I was going to get clean and I worked so...
So hard.
I knew it was... It was too late...
It was too late.
She didn't stay to see my hard work. She left.
And...
I created Joan's house
to try to right some of the wrongs
that I...that I had done.
I've... I've done some good things,
but they've... they've been out of guilt.
They've been out of guilt, they haven't been from love
and I need to do things out of love.
I have to ask God to forgive me.
I have to forgive...
I have to forgive myself.
(SOBBING)
Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!
How are you?
(SIGHS)
I'm fine.
-I've called you. -I know.
-Several times. -I know.
I'm sorry.
Look, you cool and everything, Erica,
but I don't think I can do this.
Look, I came to apologize
and to ask that you just bear with me.
I've tried to bear with you.
And to be honest, I'm just not fit for this arguing stuff.
I just think it's better off if we be friends.
Here.
I hope you can make it.
(ERICA SNIFFING)
ERICA: So, it was my abuse of alcohol
that ultimately led to the death of my child.
(SOBBING)
And I wanted to die.
For real, I wanted to leave this place.
Because I knew that God couldn't forgive a bad person.
The bad mother.
(SIGHS)
But I'm not a bad person.
(SNIFFLING) I'm just a person with a problem.
(SNIFFLING)
My everyday struggle is just trying to keep sober.
But a good friend once said,
"Happiness is having the courage to endure."
So, I am an alcoholic...
And my name is Erica Moses.
(ALL APPLAUDING)
FAE: What about Mima?
JOAN: Mima, no, no.
There's the princess.
Hi, honey pie.
Yes.
We were just thinking about what you should call me.
JEROME: The doctor says she's as healthy as can be.
Well, of course she is.
Oh, you need to be changed now, don't you?
Don't you? Don't you? Don't you?
She knows Grandma.
She knows her special friend.
(LAUGHING)
Let's get changed. Come on, Daddy.
-Help me change her. We'll be right back. -Okay.
Okay.
That's a sweet baby.
You've come a long way.
Mmm-hmm.
Still a ways to go.
-Well, that's why it's called a journey. -Mmm-hmm.
(SIGHS)
What is that grin about?
(CHUCKLES)
I have a date tonight.
You...
Okay.
(CHUCKLING)
Talk to you about this date.
Um, he doesn't have a lot of money,
he barely has a car, but he's nice.
Nice wasn't even a quality I used to look for in a man.
I don't hear any glasses,
any forks or any of that stuff.
Just be patient, okay?
Just be patient.
You know I got to trust you to let you blindfold me.
And you can trust me, okay?
Trust me.
These are really good.
CHARLES: I have you to thank for that.
I think we should give them titles.
Okay.
What do you want to call this one?
"Stepping into destiny."
I like that.
"Take control."
"Thinking of Lala."
And this one?
"I surrender."
Why?
Well, Erica, I waited all my life
to have my own exhibit.
And I waited all my life to meet someone like you.
To me that's the best of both worlds.
It certainly is.
JOANI opened my home to create a sanctuary for women
trying to get back on their feet.
In the process, I was blessed to help a beautiful woman, a bright star.
She taught me that our journeys will forever be full of twists
and turns and sacrifices,
but in the end, life will never offer a cross too heavy to bear.
(HIP HOP SONG PLAYING)