It's prom night for Micah (Nicholas L. Ashe) and KeKe (Tanyell Waivers). Everyone except for Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) has gathered at Charley's (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) to send them off--Nova (Rutina Wesley) is even there. (I guess we've forgiven her?) Charley is delighted. She's taking pictures of the young couple with Micah's camera. Nova toasts her nephew who is headed to Harvard in the fall and his lady love who will be going to Tulane. Everything seems lovely and carefree until Charley receives an unwanted phone call from Jacob Boudreaux--the rival for her City Council seat and a member of her family's longtime rival family. Though she doesn't answer the phone, the levity of the moment for Charley has sank. After Hollywood (Omar J. Dorsey) tells Micah to be responsible, he and Aunt Vi (Tina Lifford) head home leaving Charley and Nova alone.
Charley begins to fret about the forthcoming town hall against Jacob that is set to be held at Vi's Prized Pies & Diner. She's very worried about her position in the polls. Nova, who frankly owes her sister, has a bit of leverage that Charley can use against Jacob. Several episodes ago, Nova went on the Finding Your Roots-type show, Lineages. At the time, one of the show's producers revealed a hidden secret about the Bordelon family tree. Nova shares that secret with Charley.
Elsewhere, Ralph Angel has dropped his son Blue (Ethan Hutchinson) off at his girlfriend Deesha's for Blue's playdate with her daughter, Joi. This is the first time RA has seen Deesha since he stood her up for their date in last week's episode. Ralph Angel doesn't offer any explanation except for saying that things are "complicated." Deesha is understandably frosty with RA. However, she tells him that she will happily look after the kiddos for the day before dismissing him from her presence.
At Vi's diner, Nova and Charley are prepping for the town hall. Nova is trying to make sure that Charley can control the narrative and not be easily thrown off of her game. Though Charley seems uncertain--Nova urges her to use the secret leverage from Lineages to her advantage. In the midst of their prep work, Nova gets a text from her formerly-married, now-single boo Calvin (Greg Vaughan) and her face lights up. He's headed her way from Baton Rogue for a belated birthday celebration. Nova and Charley giggle about it together before Nova heads home to prepare for her date. (Okay, so we're REALLY forgiving her?!) Charley continues practicing for the town hall.
At Nova's house, she's just finished freshening up when Calvin knocks on her door. He comes bearing gifts (smart man) which include balloons, a fruit basket and a necklace. Nova is absolutely giddy about it. They even have reservations at her favorite restaurant but then thunder roars and the sky opens up. The two decide to stay in with Calvin cooking dinner instead.
Continue reading at Shadow and Act.