pipeline scene

Was failing. Not anymore. They divided us into four different sections. We’ve been doing much better. And that’s about student accountability and the school board. That’s not the staff here. Not all of us. There’re some good teachers here. He knows them. He’ll be comfortable. He’ll be here and under my watch.

You can’t watch him all day

Neither can you

But I can give him a better surrounding

Better.

Don't do that. I'm not making judgments. Let's not make it about that. Let's keep it about O.

It is about O

You do what you can. I know that. I'm not suggesting you've done anything wrong. But you resist... you and him... the offers I make. I'm not— You can be proud You can ride or die for this hood all you want. That's good for you. But that's not good for our son.

And you know? You know what's best? Sending him away to Fernbrook ... it didn't stop the rage. You can't solve him from the outside in. Don't you see that?

What does that mean? Ourside in? I'm working with the parts I get, Nya. That's all I get access to. He doesn't let me in. That doesn't mean I'm not still active. I work from whatever way he dictates. He always dictates. But he's the son.

Our son

And he can't always be the dictator. It can't always be a democracy. Sometimes we have to-and I try but you.. it's like we're running two different governments.

I thought it was co-parenting

Sometimes it's time-and I'm not saying you don't do your part-but I'm the man. Not you. And he needs a firmer hand.

That isn’t/blame

Maybe not always have a choice in the matter. Maybe he's had too many damn choices and he doesn't know how to follow a leader. He thinks it's him. But where is he going.

And you don't think a firm hand will make him suffocate? You think I'm too loose so he's slipping down the pipe? Which grip is best? Please show me. Please. Show. Me

You always have to do this

Do what?

Make this personal. Make parenting our son a personal battle between you and I.

It IS between you and ME. We made him.

It's not you and I. It's you and him. Me and him. Us and him. That's the deal. You and I without him does not exist.

Ouch

No. Not ouch. You don't get to say ouch.

I don't get to be hurt? I can't feel pain?

No. You don't get to do that.

Okay. That's fair. It was partly my fault—

I'm not looking backwards.

I’m not asking you to

You broke this. Not me. YOU. (Pause. Catches breath) I'm moving on and that doesn't make me a bad father.

I didn’t say it did

You also didn't tell our son who the real villain is. And he thinks it's me.

I never let him think you're the enemy.

He thinks it anyway. And now he won't hardly listen to me.. won't respect me anymore.

That's not on me. I never ...... I never bad-talk you. If you're upset with me because of.....That's fine. That's fair. But you and him and whatever is broken— that is not me.

Then let him come. Let him live with me. Give me that authority.

I haven't any to give you. You think forcing him is going to save him, then do it. You want to dictate, try it. You'll have a great rebellion on your hands.

I can handle rebellion. It's you. You're the barricade. When you resist, he can sniff it. And then I become the enemy.

I won’t resist

I'll talk to the school. On Monday. First thing. That's what I'll do. Pull him out of school and ask them not to press charges.

Maybe they’ll listen

And then he comes with me. That's the deal. That's how we fix this. You agree?

How did we get here?

Ask yourself.

I miss you

I can’t…

He will hate us both

Or maybe just you this time

If it saves his life I’ll be the devil

Okay

But we wait. Until Monday. Until I can tell him myself. Until I can effectively release him.

You call me before you do. I want to be on my way. I want him to have nowhere to disappear to. You understand?