This Is Us

Previously onThis Is Us...

Today's bulletin,

it's kind of going viral.

I'm doing this for William Hill.

Because you all were his family.

"My name's Hai Lang, and I live in New Orleans.

"I believe I knew your mother, Laurel.

"I was by her side when she died

in May of 2015."

What?

I wish I could show you

the places she lived,

the things she loved.

Hey, what if we were to come out there?

If that's what you could do.

You okay, babe?

You haven't said much since we got in last night.

I'm just thinking about the last time we were here.

Mm. Our fifth anniversary.

Oh, we tried absinthe for the first time.

That was a good night.

Five-hour man.

It was six.

-Don't short-change a brother. -Oh, okay. My fault.

We were here for... what?

-Five, six days? -Mm-hmm.

Could've walked right past her and wouldn't have even known it.

Randall.

Welcome.

It's nice to finally meet you in person.

It's a pleasure.

Thank you for agreeing to this.

And thank you for testing and quarantining.

-I know it's a lot to ask. -Not at all.

You remember my wife, Beth?

Your place is beautiful.

It's, uh, actually yours.

Excuse me?

This house,

this land...

it was your mother's.

And now it's yours.

Come in.

: I'm gonna need some absinthe tonight.

You must have a million questions.

A million is in the ballpark, yes.

I'll tell you what I know,

from the beginning.

Your mother was a Dubois.

They were the most distinguished family in town.

I think that was always a lot of pressure on Laurel.

Oh, stop.

I'll check the guest list, but I think we should go.

Elizabeth, I said I'd think about it.

I don't want to think about it right now.

Hilda, my briefcase.

You're going to the bank on Sunday?

It's such a lovely day out,

I thought we might take a stroll after lunch.

Laurel...

What is it I always say?

You need to start paying more attention during Mass,

young lady.

Jackson...

"To whomever much is given,

much will be required."

Luke 12:48.

Very good.

Um, Elizabeth, honey.

If I get back before supper,

maybe we'll take that stroll.

Mwah.

You two, mind your mother.

I've got to lay down.

I do not want to hear the television set

until homework is finished, you hear me?

Yes, ma'am.

You can't let Daddy ruffle your feathers.

Cover for me while I go visit Aunt Mae?

Again?

Well, if you're so worried, come with me.

Then who would sneak you back in when you got home?

Ah.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Mind my peppers.

I forgot, you have eyes in the back of your head.

No, I just know you.

There are two kinds of people in this world.

The ones who look before they leap,

and the other ones, who throw their arms out

and plunge into the void,

not the least bit worried about what's below.

And you, my darling, are the latter.

How do you know?

'Cause I'm the latter, too.

I was fixin' to go for a swim.

-You want to come? All right. -Mm-hmm.

Help me get those tomatoes inside.

I know. I know I'm late.

Mama's gonna have a fit. Come on.

Laurel, where have you been?

And don't you even fix your mouth to tell a lie.

Aunt Mae's.

After I forbade you?

I'm sorry, Daddy.

I will not tolerate a disobedient child.

If you even think about going over there again,

you will get a lashing you will not soon forget.

Am I clear?

Yes, sir.

-Ow! -Sit still.

I'll comb the wild out you if it's the last thing I do.

Can I hide out in here?

Only if you promise to be quiet.

Don't you have any Marvin Gaye?

Mahalia Jackson sang for MLK.

She's an American queen.

You all right?

Yeah.

Just still don't understand

how Daddy could hate his own sister.

Aunt Mae's his blood.

I could never hate you, Jackson.

Other than Aunt Mae, you're the only one who understands me.

I don't understand you.

Ow.

All right. You ain't even holding this right, okay?

Let me show you.

Laurel hated being away from Aunt Mae.

But she had Jackson.

And when he went to fight in Vietnam,

she said she never felt so alone.

I can't believe he's gone.

Jackson is really gone.

What am I gonna do without him?

God can take your pain...

...my sweet Laurel.

But you have to let it go.

I don't know how.

There.

I go in there,

and let it all out.

Hmm.

Go on.

Yeah.

Go on.

Is it too much?

No, I'm sorry. I, uh...

I just met and lost an uncle in the course of five minutes.

Hmm.

I, uh, I didn't realize that

you'd know quite so much about her.

How did you know her exactly?

If I'm being honest,

your mother was the love of my life.

After the war ended, my family and I became refugees.

The church helped bring a lot of us here.

The weather, the water...

made it a perfect home for us.

I decided to become a fisherman to care for my parents.

It was out there where I saw Laurel for the first time.

Or should I say,

heardher for the first time.

Yeah!

W-Whoa, whoa!

What are you doing?!

Get off of me!

Get away from me!

I'm not drowning.

Hmm.

I couldn't stop thinking about the woman

who wasn't drowning.

That's what I called her before I knew her name.

Before I knew anything.

Oh, Mae, let me get that for you.

These old bones appreciate the help,

but I don't want to get in the way of you spending time

with that handsome fellow of yours.

Marshall's busy at the bank with Daddy. As usual.

That's not a complaint.

Any woman in New Orleans

would be lucky to have him.

Mm, so he's a dud.

Aunt Mae, quit!

You go and take these over to Marcel.

If he tries to pay for 'em, don't take his money.

-Yes, ma'am. -Mm-hmm.

-Hi, Mr. Leblanc. -Good morning, Miss Dubois.

Morning.

Hey.

It's you.

It's you from the lake.

What?

Aah!

You. "Aah!"

: Yeah, that was me.

But I wasn't drowning.

I'm Laurel.

Hai.

Hello.