In the '60s, every boy dreamed
of having a treehouse.
A place where he could get away from it all and be a kid...
read comics, eat candy, shoot spitballs,
and have secret make-out sessions with the girl
no one can ever know he's making out with.
Dean, what are we doing?
I thought we were kissing.
Am I doing it wrong? Was that your nose?
What if Broderick finds out?
I know. I do feel bad for cheating on him.
I'm cheating on him.
I'm his girlfriend.
You're just his friend.
His best friend, but okay. Whatever.
Up until three months ago, he thought your name was Gene.
I thought you said no one was home.
I don't know why you're getting mad at me.
That judge was treating me like some sort of thief.
- Because you stole a car, Jackie! - Allegedly.
You're supposed to say "allegedly." I learned that from Dragnet.
Baby, come here!
- Boy, get out! - No, come, come.
Come to Aunty Jackie. Oh, look at you!
Man, did I love my Aunt Jackie. She was what you'd call "the fun aunt."
Mostly because she had no kids of her own to spoil
and no idea of what was appropriate.
If there's anything you don't understand,
please ask me, not your mom.
I mean, she's still blaming me for the time you said
"throbbing manhood" at dinner.
Mama loved her sister, too.
But their relationship was a little more complicated.
We didn't have the expression "drama queen" back then,
or "hot mess."
But Aunt Jackie always seemed to be on the verge of some emotional crisis.
Well...
lucky for you, your boyfriend decided not to press charges.
Ex-boyfriend.
And Keith should have given me that car, the way he was stepping out on me.
Listen, Jackie, you have to stop living like this.
We can't keep bailing you out.
Think about the example you're setting for the kids.
You know what?
You're right.
I can't keep doing what I'm doing...
going from man to man, job to job, city to city...
man to man.
- You said "man to man" twice. - I said what I said, Bill.
But now it's time for me to turn over a new leaf.
Yeah, stop all my bad habits and get right.
Well, that sounds wonderful.
Y'all are such a good influence on me.
I mean that.
In fact, if I'm going to turn my life around,
I gotta be closer to y'all.
- Wait, what now? - I'll move to Montgomery.
Get my own apartment.
- How much is this going to cost me? - Nothing.
This is one of the new leaves I'm turning over.
I am self-sufficient.
'Course I'll have to stay with you
just for a little while until I get on my own two feet.
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Jackie doesn't mean it.
I've heard this "new leaf" song before, and I ain't buying it.
$68. $68 I've given your sister since she got here!
How many times has she done this?
She makes a mess of her life,
and then expects me to swoop in and pick up the pieces.
I am not some machine with buttons she can push that spits out cash whenever she wants it.
And she never even thanks me.
In fact, she resents me for being the responsible one.
And is that something I'm supposed to be apologizing for?
Then she makes that crack about me being cheap.
Bill, there's only room for one of us to be upset,
and it's the person whose ponytail she cut off in the fourth grade.
Right.
So, did you bring me anything?
Say, the sequel to Low Lies the Heavy Heart?
Oh, no, baby. I promised your mama I'd turn over a new leaf.
And those romance novels will mess with your head.
What? But I have to read it.
I have to know if Ricardo the stableboy
finds true love with the Duchess.
Or will society keep them apart?
What's going on?
You know you can tell me anything.
- Well, I have a girlfriend... - Sweet!
who has a boyfriend
who's also my friend.
Yeah, it's... it's complicated.
Been there.
But I also kind of dig it.
Falling for someone who you know you shouldn't...
that's called "forbidden fruit."
Yes! Like that one book about the maid
who falls in love with the prince.
What's it called?
- Forbidden Fruit. - Right.
I once dated this guy. we were from very different backgrounds.
He would never introduce me to his friends.
I wanted him to take me to his country club,
but of course, that was out of the question.
He was always wearing khakis and polos.
Okay, clearly Aunt Jackie was talking about sleeping with a white guy.
But that went right over my head.
All I could think was, "My life's just like a romance novel."
How cool is that?
- But we can't. - But we must.
- But we can't. - Must!
- And if they find out? - Let them talk.
Very well, m'lady.
I just had an idea.
I'm going to invite Jackie to attend church with our family on Sunday.
- You think she'll come? - Of course not! I'm just calling her bluff.
Calling her bluff or showing her up?
I'm saving us time.
She's going to crack eventually and return back to her old ways.
You're right about that.
I'm going to ask her tomorrow.
And watch the excuses start rolling in.
"I don't have a bible."
"I didn't bring any church clothes."
"I slept with the pastor."
I ain't pack any church clothes.
But you know what, who cares?
The good Lord will understand if I'm dressed a little sexier
than those frumpy old church ladies.
I'd love to join you.
Wait, what's the pastor's name?
Singleton.
Okay, let's go to church!
Yes, yes. Say "amen," everybody.
- Amen. - Now, if you are wanting
salvation on this morning,
you're in the right place.
- Say "amen," somebody. - Amen.
We should play a game.
Do a shot of communion wine every time he says "salvation."
"Amen" will get us drunk faster.
Jackie! You could at least try to present a good example
for your niece and nephew.
Now, before I start my sermon...
- Wait, that wasn't the sermon? - let me just take...
- Jackie. - this opportunity to ask if there are any...
first-time visitors with us this morning.
If you're here, come on, stand and introduce yourselves.
Is there one?
Yes, sister.
- Hi, I'm Jackie. - Hi, Jackie.
I'd like to start by giving honor
to the pastor and the first lady,
the deacons and the elders and the what-nots...
I also want to thank my older sister, Lillian Williams...
Amen.
who has put me on a path to righteousness.
Amen.
She knows Satan has been very busy in my life, yes he has.
And I've fallen victim to that demon alcohol.
I get that from my mama.
She would hide a little flask in a bag of flour.
You know how that goes.
And I have consorted with countless loose men...
which Lillian warned me against.
Amen, sister.
Although, Bill was no saint when you met him.
Ain't that right, Bill?
But like the good Lord,
- Lillian was always by my side. - Amen.
Of course, I don't think the good Lord would have taught me
how to sneak all those boys into the house
the way that Lillian did.
That's right, she was fast, y'all.
But now, she saves her body for Bill and Jesus.
All right, can I get an amen?
Amen.
That was good.
See you next Sunday.
I like going to church with you, Aunt Jackie.
You kept me awake almost the whole service.
Thank you, sweetie.
"See you next Sunday"? What is she up to?
Look, I'm skeptical, too,
but just in case she is serious about getting her act together,
wouldn't it be nice to get her out of our house and off our payroll?
What are you up to?
I heard you mention there's an opening in the secretarial pool at your office.
You want me to work with my sister?
We are still on holy grounds,
so I will just say that will not happen.
Hi, there. We're Vivian and Cliff Long.
We're friends of the Williams family.
A-And we look forward to hearing all the dirt
about Lillian back in the day.
I couldn't do that, unless you ask me real nice and buy me a drink.
Actually, maybe you all should come over for supper tonight.
- Oh, good. - Hey, look, we're there.
Now, warning, I like my drinks strong.
So do I.
- You know what I'm saying? - Oh, please, Cliff.
She don't want you. Come on.
All right.
You stirring that thing.
Stir it up.
Jackie, I thought you were giving up alcohol
on your "path to righteousness."
It's a grasshopper, just a milkshake with a little kick to it.
Be cool.
"Be cool"? That's my thing.
Can you believe her? Talking about some "be cool."
How long I've been saying "be cool"?
I only have a few minutes to spare, m'lady.
- Eww, don't say that. - Yeah, too much.
But as I learned from my favorite book,
it's hard to resist that forbidden fruit.
I hope they have breath mints in hell, 'cause we ain't stopping.
That was it. So I moved to Montgomery, and now all I need is a job.
Oh, you looking for a job?
I'm surprised Lillian ain't tell you.
Tell me? Tell me what?
They just told us about an opening in... in...
an opening in the... in the Treasury Department.
Lillian, what's wrong with you?
What... Is something stuck on your finger?
What... Oh, I-is a bee in here?
Wait, Treasury... Isn't that where you work, Lillian?
Yes. But no, I don't think there's a job open.
In fact, I'm surprised you mentioned it,
considering all the layoffs that have been happening in our department.
Say what? Nobody told me that. Who they laying off?
Are you keeping something from me?
No! Girl, I just didn't think that working for the State
would be exciting enough for you.
Is that it? Or are you afraid that I'll embarrass you?
Is it me? Am I the one getting the boot?
Tell it to me straight, Lillian. Come on.
If you're really serious,
I'll call Personnel first thing Monday
and see what they have available.
Thank you!
Lillian, Lillian, Lillian, Lillian,
you're not answering me. You're not answering me back.
Lillian! Li... Lord!
I know it's a lot, so don't worry if it takes you a while to get it.
I got it.
It's a lot to remember.
Incoming memos go in these envelopes.
The bottom name tells you which inbox.
Outgoing memos get sorted by department,
then put on the cart to go out before I leave.
Too bad you couldn't remember to put some clothes on.
Oh, come on. Let me at least have these two buttons.
You are hiding my light under a bushel.
- That's a Bible reference. - I know.
And you better be taking this seriously.
I put myself on the line to get you this job.
I get it. You saved me, you're the hero... again.
But don't worry.
I know what I'm doing.
You've only had one office job.
I've had 14.
Oh, Mr. Davidson? Hey.
I-I'd like you to meet my sister Jackie.
She's gonna be joining the secretarial pool.
Welcome aboard, Jackie.
We're a pretty happy crew here, but I still run a tight ship.
Aye-aye, captain.
I do love a man who knows how to take command.
Jackie.
Never would've thought the two of you were sisters, Lillian.
She's a real firecracker.
Ka-boom!
- Boom, boom, boom! - Oh, my.
- What? - Jackie.
So I told him, "I don't know about your other girlfriends,
but you're gonna have to buy me a bottle of champagne
and a boatload of flowers if you want me to do that."
Lillian, your sister's a hoot!
Wait, you're Lillian's sister?
You're nothing alike.
Now, you know that promotion Lillian just got?
I could've had that, you know. But I wanted to let her shine, you know.
I'm all about my Black queens.
Well, you can call me "Your Majesty."
Clifford, here are the papers you wanted.
Clifford? What you talking about?
The "fun police" is on patrol.
Mr. Davidson asked me to handle his personal correspondence.
Ooh, sounds like everyone loves you.
And who wouldn't love this?
Hey, you two should come down and visit me one of these days.
Jackie, you've been there for one day.
You can't be inviting visitors.
I just thought it'd be fun.
The State of Alabama did not hire you for fun.
- And frankly... - "Frankly"?
Professor Killjoy is starting another one of her lectures.
You are too familiar with your superiors and your peers.
I've been working there for 12 years,
and it can be a challenging environment.
And that's what it is, isn't it?
You've been there forever, and in just one day,
- I'm more popular than you. - What? No!
I am not trying to win a popularity contest.
- Mission accomplished. - I'm trying to keep you
from losing your job during the first week.
That's how you see it.
But I'm trying to change.
And maybe that's something you can't see, or don't want to.
Kim, can you help me pick out a work outfit?
Your mama made me dress like a virgin today.
She makes me dress like a virgin, too.
Like a virgin?
Come on, Bill. Get with the times.
- Yeah, tell him, Auntie. - I mean, as long as she's 15...
Good Lord.
The next day, I went downtown to run an errand for Mama.
But before I could do that, I ran into...
- Dean. - Keisa!
Hey, you wanna meet at the treehouse later?
- We can... - Dean!
Long time no see, man.
Broderick, hi!
I-I haven't seen you since I got back from New York.
O-Or Keisa. I haven't seen Keisa either.
How crazy is that?
I'm taking Keisa to get ice cream. You want to come?
And be a third wheel? No, sir.
But y-you two have fun, and don't do anything I wouldn't do.
Well, that was... disturbing.
And confusing.
Because I actually did want some ice cream.
I needed to talk it over with somebody.
So I went to the one person who always understood.
- Hey, Aunt Jackie. - Hey, baby.
Let me finish this, and then I'll get you a snack.
You know, there's free stuff in the kitchen.
And by free, I mean don't let anyone see you take anything.
- Jackie? - Keith?!
- Dean? - Mom!
- Who's he? - Oh, that's Keith. He came back.
Just like Rodrigo in the stables after the Duke's hunting party.
- How did you find me? - Your sister called me.
- Lillian? - Jackie, Keith.
When you first came back, I made a few calls to Atlanta,
just to see what you were up to.
- I didn't think he would come. - It don't matter what got me back here.
Jackie, I know I'm not perfect...
- That's an understatement. - But after you left,
I realized I made a big mistake letting you go.
And then I heard you got a job, and you're trying to turn your life around,
and, well, it inspired me to try to be a better man.
Like those men in those books you love.
So, I'm gonna get a job, too.
And if you want to live in Montgomery, then I'll come to Montgomery.
Just so long as we can be together.
Oh, boo star!
I couldn't believe this was happening.
It was just like a romance novel!
The poor, ne'-do-well scoundrel
on the run from the law reforms for the woman he loves.
Yes, I realize that I have just dangerously stereotyped
this Black man that I know nothing about,
but let's see how this goes.
Lillian.
I know she's your sister,
but this behavior's inappropriate.
She's turned the bullpen into some kind of New York hootenanny.
Not a thing. But point taken.
I'm so sorry.
I thought she was gonna be more like you.
But now I'm afraid I have to,
make the tough decision to let her go.
- I understand, Mr. Davidson. - Good.
Let me know when you tell her.
Sorry you lost your job, Aunt Jackie.
It's okay, baby.
Your mama let me down real easy.
I mean, she gave me so many martinis last night before she told me
that I didn't even realize I was fired 'til this morning.
Do you have to go back to Atlanta?
Yeah, I want to give Keith another chance.
Especially since he didn't send me to jail.
Now, that's true love.
Man, relationships are tough.
You are preaching to the choir, son.
But, you know, sometimes maybe people like you and me...
people who feel really deeply...
maybe we just make things a little more complicated than they need to be.
You think I'm doing that?
Yeah.
Look, I get how exciting "forbidden fruit" is.
But maybe you're better off being honest with your friend.
Then you can have a real relationship with that girl,
like you deserve.
Well, I am tired of sneaking around.
Trust me, that gets old real quick.
Like, one time, I was dating this guy,
and he said he wanted to be with me,
but, of course, we only met at my house.
And God forbid I call his place.
So many rules.
Clearly Aunt Jackie was talking about sleeping with a married guy.
But, again, it went right over my head.
All I could think about is that she was right.
Keisa and I needed to tell Broderick the truth.
Thanks, Aunt Jackie.
I'm gonna miss talking to you.
Well, maybe next time, talk to your mom.
I mean, she's had more successful relationships than I have.
And I'm talking about the relationships before your dad.
Oh, Jackie.
Hey...
I figured you might want this.
_
- Hey. - Wait.
Before we do, you know, kissing stuff, I have to say something.
I can't keep sneaking behind Broderick's back.
We have to tell him.
I just broke up with Broderick.
Seriously? Problem solved. Pucker up!
And I'm breaking up with you, too.
What?
I'm not ready for all this relationship stuff.
It's too hard.
I don't want to be the reason somebody's happy or sad.
I just want to be me for a while.
But...
I'm sorry, Dean.
Anybody know what a stableboy does when he's not kissing?
Bill, I told you, you don't have to drive me to the station.
I do if I want to save $4 on cab fare.
Again, I am sorry.
Lillian, stop apologizing.
- I know your heart was in the right place. - No, it wasn't.
I always said to myself that you would never change.
But then when you actually tried to change,
turns out I'm the one who couldn't change.
- I always just thought of you as... - Black-sheep Jackie?
The screw-up? The train wreck?
Yes.
But also, Jackie the fun sister.
The popular sister. The one everybody loves.
It hasn't been easy growing up in your shadow.
Aww, I had a shadow?
Thank you.
Well, here's what we'll do.
You be more fun.
You know, unbutton that blouse a few buttons
and let them things breathe.
And I promise I will get my together.
Well, you could start by losing the cuss words.
There you go again, hiding my light under a bushel.
Now, are you sure about Keith?
I don't want you wasting your time with a man who cheats.
Well, to be fair, I cheated first.
He just doesn't know.
But new leaf, here I come.
All right, let's go.
Bill, I got paid for my three days at the State,
so here's the $68 that I owe you.
Oh, I didn't think you'd...
Thank you.
Oh, wait. I need $15 for the bus.
That's a $20.
What, I can't buy myself a couple of beers with my money that I earned?
Lillian, I do not know how you put up with him.
I told you you should have married Edgar.
Bill.
Come on. I don't wanna be late.
Edgar? Who's Edgar?
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