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Nathaniel
brings home the wrong backpack from school to find there is a gun
inside. Russell takes Nathaniel to Billy Sims' house to return the
backpack and tell his mother what they found in her son's backpack.
Billy admits he took his mother's gun without permission to show off
at school. He apologizes, saying he never took it out or showed
anyone. We later discover that Billy was covering for his older
sister, Erica, who's on probation for jacking car stereos. She's
been trying to get out of a gang and has been carrying the gun for
protection. Erica is being pressured by her gang pals for focusing
on school and distancing herself from the gang life. Vanessa and her
crew (Kyra and Simone) inform Erica that one of their homegirls
(Pinky) got busted for selling drugs, and that the rival gang
responsible for putting her there is gonna have to pay the price. LT
and Josh, who happen to be on
campus
at the time, see Erica getting knocked around and try to break up
the fight. Once inside Claire's office, Erica gives a different
picture of what happened, contradicting LT and Josh's version of
things. LT follows Erica out to her car to find out why she's
protecting Vanessa and her girls. Erica plays it tough, she can take
care of herself. But when they reach her car, they discover it's
been vandalized (by her gang). LT offers to give Erica a lift to
work, and sees Erica retrieve a gun from her car. LT tries to
convince Erica of the risk she's taking if she's caught with a gun,
but Erica explains she has to carry the gun for her own protection.
Later that evening, the Sims are having dinner when Simone and her
crew do a drive-by, shooting up the Sims' house. The next day,
Russell stops by the Sims' house to find out what can be done. The
cop says little can be done since Erica is still refusing to talk.
Later, Erica confronts Vanessa and her girls about the drive by.
Vanessa tells her that Pinky got knifed in prison, that's it's time
for Erica to step up. Erica agrees to cooperate, until she finds out
she has to "cap" La Shon Wilson (the rival gang member who
ratted out
Pinky)
to get out of the gang. The plan is for Erica to go, dressed as a
guy so she won't be recognized, to the party where La Shon will be.
LT pays a visit to the cemetery and runs into Vanessa who is there
visiting her brother's grave. LT and Vanessa's brother (Danny) were
friends. But Vanessa's icy demeanor returns once she realizes LT's
still trying to convince her to let Erica out of the gang. LT tries
to convince her of the senselessness of killing their own brothers
and sisters. But Vanessa can't hear through her own pain -- pulls
her gun on him until he leaves. Russell eventually finds out that
Erica was responsible for putting the gun in Billy's backpack. He
confronts her. But by this point, Erica's defenses are securely
entrenched. Erica assures Mr. Greene she'd never bring the gun to
the Ridley Center, but defends her right to carry one. And for every
logical reason he puts forth for not carrying a gun, she undercuts
him. The night of the party arrives and Erica is dressed down in
hooded sweatshirt and dark clothes. She approaches, gun in her
pocket, ready to make the hit, but when the moment comes, she can't
follow through. Erica runs back to the car and returns the gun to
Vanessa, ready to accept whatever reprisals may come of her
decision. Vanessa drives off, leaving Erica to fend for herself in
enemy territory. The following night, Vanessa waits in her car in
the alley outside the burger joint where Erica works to settle the
score. LT tries once more to get through to Vanessa, reminding her
of her own pain when Danny was killed. Vanessa draws her gun and
shoots -- but the chamber is empty. She drops the bullets at their
feet and drives off into the night, leaving Erica and LT shaken but
grateful.
Josh
wants to buy a pair of earrings for Bobbie's anniversary gift, but
he's fifty dollars short. Josh puts his grandfather's watch on
consignment in order to make up the difference. Bobbie is initially
reluctant to accept the earrings, expecting a simple gift from the
heart. But Josh convinces her to reconsider. Josh eventually
realizes the mistake he made in selling the heirloom and tells his
parents. Russell loans him the money to buy back the watch, but by
the time Josh returns to the jewelry store, the watch has been sold.
The following night when Bobbie stops by to pick up Josh for
bowling, she surprises him with the watch. She went to return the
earrings, feeling they were too extravagant, and the owner told her
about the watch.
Dinah
introduces Margot to Harold "Ross" Weller, a sophisticated
seventeen-year-old from her dance class who seems a perfect match
for Margot. Margot is reluctant but when she learns Harold is a
dancer, she assumes he is "safe." Margot meets Harold and
sure enough, he is all that Dinah promised, charming, educated,
sophisticated. Margot goes on a double date at a Swing club with
Harold -- along with Dinah and her date. When Harold tries to kiss
Margot, she pulls away, explaining she thought he was -- a dancer.
Harold is surprised that someone of Margot's caliber would be so
quick to stereotype. Flustered and not ready to deal with the
prospect of romance, Margot runs off with the proverbial
"headache." Dinah takes Margot to task for rebuffing
Harold's advances. Margot is resistant, content to remain in the
safe haven of her "friends" -- members of the Algonquin
Round table. Dinah urges Margot to embrace life, particularly now
that her mother is making progress with her agoraphobia. Margot
takes Harold's call -- agreeing to keep an open mind for what may
come.
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