("Black Harlow" by Sada Baby playing)
♪ Hey, Nas, this that wave ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Huh, pop a Perc, throw up my set ♪
♪ Hang the yopper out the ride, I can't give a fan no hug ♪
♪ If they don't understand my five, they don't ♪
♪ Understand my side, they don't understand my pride ♪
♪ Me and my niggas out for blood ♪
♪ You and your niggas about to die ♪
♪ I can't show a nigga love, he ain't ready for the slide ♪
♪ Said I can't show a nigga love ♪
♪ If he ain't ready for the slide ♪
♪ He ain't turnt up like me ♪
♪ He ain't on tip like I ♪
♪ Get a burnt-up white tee ♪
♪ Get to fucking with my squad ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh... ♪
(panting)
(over earbuds): ♪ Get your bitch booty... ♪
(music stops)
-(clears throat) -(video playing indistinctly)
Bronwyn? You here?
I can't find my keys.
Why is he still here? Where's Sylvia?
I don't know.
Been trying to reach her all morning.
-Has he eaten? -Uh, I ordered us some coffees
from Balthazar and I got him an eggs Benedict.
-He wouldn't touch it. -All right.
-(phone chimes) -Hmm.
MILES: Hey, Bash? Bud?
Hey, can you, um, can you try the bread?
I don't like that.
-Why not? -It's bland.
What-- Do you want me to put something on it for you?
Spicy curry mango?
What?
(video continues indistinctly)
-Yeah? Okay. -(phone buttons clicking)
Keep eating, please.
(sniffs)
(grunts, coughs)
Mm.
Oh, my God. (inhales sharply)
Oh. How is that "slight pepper"?
-Could you take him? -(grunts)
I have to help Simon prep a presentation before 9:00.
I-- No, I... Oh, shit, that stuff is really spicy.
Oh, my God.
-(phone ringing) -Fine. I already missed yoga.
Mm.
Hello?
-BRONWYN: Hey, Bash. -MILES: Yes?
I'll take you to school today.
Really?
Uh-huh.
Eat, Bash.
MILES: Uh-huh.
-Of course. -(whispers): What is it?
Of course.
-Sylvia died. -(gasps)
W-What, what happened? How?
They don't know.
(knocking on door)
(soft crunch)
SEBASTIAN: Mom, where's Sylvia?
BRONWYN: Oh, honey, I already told you,
she is not gonna make it today.
SEBASTIAN: Is she gonna pick me up?
No, honey, Mommy or Daddy will pick you up.
But I want Sylvia.
I know, honey.
Are you sad because you missed your yoga class?
Do you need an ocean breath?
Oh, honey.
(both exhale)
Everything is gonna be okay.
Hugs.
(bell tolls)
-Mommy? -(exhales) Yes, Bash?
Sylvia walks me to my class.
Oh. Okay.
(FaceTime ringing)
MILES: Hey, how was your day?
Mm, it was okay.
How was yours?
-Fine, under the circumstances. -Mm-hmm.
You know, I gave the doorman that envelope
that was addressed to Sylvia.
Told him return it to sender.
He said he has no idea who left it at our door.
-Strange. -It's weird, right?
How's Sebastian doing?
Good. Playing with that coding thing you got him.
(gasps softly)
Hey, you know, his teacher asked me
why we weren't at family picture day, in front of him.
What? I mean, we couldn't have been the only parents.
Right? I mean, seriously.
It was ridiculous.
So...
...how do you want to tell Bash?
Yeah, yeah, I was thinking about that, too. Um...
Do we want to tell him?
Absolutely.
I mean, we don't want to lie to him.
She was a really big part of his life.
If we don't say anything,
he's gonna think death is a bad thing.
Well, it isn't the best thing.
What did Dr. Lipschitz say about teachable moments?
You remember?
Yeah, okay, I'll see you soon.
All right. Bye.
Bye.
-Hey, Bash. -Hey.
-Hey, hey, hey. -Hey.
-Hey, buddy. -(clears throat)
-What you playing? -Wow.
Look at this.
BRONWYN: What's this one?
That... This is a Kosmocertops.
-Whoa. I love it. -MILES: Wow.
So cool.
Hey, Bash.
You remember that old dog
-we used to have when you were... -Mm, no. Mm-mm, mm-mm.
Well...
you really love dinosaurs, don't you, Bash?
Uh, did you know
that some things go extinct...
-Yeah. -...like dinosaurs
and woolly mammoths.
Like, a meteor hit them?
-Maybe. -Mm-hmm.
Yeah. Maybe.
Or sometimes,
they... might fall asleep
and not wake up.
Can that happen to me?
-No. Mm-mm. No way. -No. No.
That only happens when you're really old.
Can that happen to you?
-No. No, no, no, no. -No, no, no. No.
But you're both old.
Sylvia died.
Can she come back and say goodbye
and then go back to being dead?
I don't think so, Bash.
But sometimes, when people die,
they have a special ceremony to celebrate their life,
and it's called a funeral.
Can we go to there?
-We can... -Maybe. Maybe.
Me and Daddy just need to talk about it first.
O-Okay?
(knocking on door)
Maybe it's that foam roller?
I'll check.
-Mm-hmm. -Where did she go?
Oh...
Nobody knows, baby.
Maybe Sylvia went back to Trinidad and Tobago.
(door opens)
(door closes)
I just never realized how many things
she had lying around the house.
I mean, bags... (grunting)
...wigs, dresses.
We'll contact her family.
(sighs)
We should've hired somebody younger.
Yeah, you know, hon?
I think we should take him.
No, that-- It is, it is too jarring for a kid
-in kindergarten. -Okay, listen.
I thought about it.
I think this could be a real teachable moment.
I mean, he said he wanted to see her.
-I think we should honor his wishes. -(groans softly)
You know, I was reading about how we as Americans
have commodified death to the point
where it's become this, like, foreign, scary thing.
I mean, it used to be that the living room--
the living room, in your house--
used to be the death room.
I mean, it's where you would house the body
of the dead person and people would come and go for days
just to, just to look at-at the dead person.
Ew.
I'm gonna call her phone.
Maybe we can return these things to her family in person.
I think her daughter said the service starts at 10:00 a.m.
I don't know. It was hard to understand her.
Maybe this next person
can be a bit more...
metropolitan.
(laughs softly)
Mm-hmm.
Sounds expensive.
Sylvia wasn't cheap.
No. Sylvia wasn't expensive.
Babe, you know what would be so great?
-Hmm? -If Sebastian
could become fluent in Mandarin.
(gasps)
Look, you know how hard it is to find a Chinese nanny right now.
Why? No, you're just not asking the right people.
You don't know where to look.
If you want him to be in business, he needs to learn
the language of busin-- (shouts)
I'm scared.
Oh, you were so quiet, Sebastian.
I didn't, I didn't see you, baby.
Sylvia sits in my room when I'm scared.
Sometimes she rubs my back.
In a circle.
And then, she sits in the rocking chair and sings
the "Sweet T and T" song.
What?
♪ Sweet, sweet, T and T ♪
♪ Trini to the bone. ♪
Oh, um, well, I don't know that song.
But I do know...
♪ Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea ♪
♪ Swims so wild and he swims so free ♪
♪ Heaven above and the sea below ♪
♪ It's a little white whale on the go. ♪
We're all here and we are all safe.
So you don't have to worry.
I feel worried.
Well, that is okay.
BRONWYN: You okay, Bash?
Yep. We are out there.
Hmm. Practically in the islands.
(hip-hop music playing)
Hi, guys. Hi.
Uh, we're looking for Sylvia Hosannah's funeral.
Is it... Is this it?
-KHADIJA: Are you Miles? -I am.
Yeah, we met on the phone. I'm Khadija.
-Sylvia's daughter. -Oh, really nice to meet you.
-Our condolences. -Thank you so much.
She was so much a part of our son's life.
-KHADIJA: Oh, I know. -MILES: Yeah.
You know, we-we have
some of her belongings here from our apartment.
-We want to make sure we get those to you today. -Oh.
Oh, yeah. Great, thank you so much.
RICHARD: Cockroach.
Richard. Stop it.
Trust me, it's not as bad as it sounds.
"Cockroach has no place at fowl party."
A'A, and I bet you know what that means.
-(Miles chuckles) -You must be Sebastian.
Mommy used to call you her little curry mouth
because you love her roti and ate it plenty.
(laughs) I heard so much about you, all of you.
So all are staying for the wake later, right?
Yes, we is family now, and you have to stay for the wake later.
Right? And you'll have plenty food.
It will have pelau, corn soup,
fish broth, doubles, roti.
And as Mommy used to say, it's better belly bust...
BOTH: ...than good food waste.
-You know me heart. -A'A.
-But it's a little Trini all here? -(laughter)
-Wow... -Oh, my gosh.
Thank you so much, Sebastian. You made me laugh today.
-Thank you. -That's great.
Um, so c-- am I okay here?
-Can I pull... -Oh, just follow me, I'll show you where to park.
-Oh, I'll take Sebastian out and wait for you. -Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Great.
Um...
Am I gonna be able to, uh, like, get out of here?
Oh, yeah, yeah, just rest the car keys on the hood
and Richie will take care of you.
-Oh, okay. -Mm-hmm. Richie.
All right. Okay.
Hi, Richie.
-Hi... Okay. -KHADIJA: It's fine. It's fine.
(organ music playing)
-Thank you. -Thank you. I'm good, thanks.
MILES: Okay. Hey.
Take my hand.
(people crying)
I'm gonna lift you up so you can see, okay?
Okay?
Good job, buddy. Let's go find a seat.
Excuse me. Can we take these? Thank you.
-(softly): Thank you. -You sit here.
I'll sit next to you.
Good job, bud.
Hey, y'all must be the Warners.
Sylvia did love your family.
She really did.
I'm glad you're all here.
MILES: My condolences and thank you.
You're her brother?
(chuckles): Nah, her comparé.
Oh.
My name is Devon.
Now, if you guys are in the market
for a new childcare service,
I'd like to offer my assistance.
I-I've been a Little League coach,
spiritual therapist
and I install televisions when I can.
-Wow. -Just hit my line.
WOMAN: You don't have shame?
Know your place.
Hey. Psst.
My name's Curtis.
Hi. Miles. Hi.
Uh, this is my wife and son.
Yeah, man, nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you.
So, how you know Sylvia?
Well, Sylvia used to care for Sebastian.
Oh, serious?
You know, Sylvia was my babysitter, too. Ha.
-Wow. -Yeah, it's a sad day.
-But she'd be happy we're all here, you know. -Yeah.
So, um, you grow up in Trinidad?
Or Jamaica?
No, it's Trinidad and Tobago.
And no.
I'm from Tribeca.
Oh. Your-your accent is so... strong.
Yeah, everyone says that.
(both laugh softly)
PREACHER: Sorry I'm late.
As they say, any time is Trini time, eh?
-(laughter) -Let the church say "amen."
ALL: Amen.
PREACHER: Welcome to the homegoing service
of the beloved Sylvia Lucille Hosannah.
Bow your head and close your eyes.
Psalm 34:18 says,
"God is close to the brokenhearted...
-ALL: Yes. -...and loves those who are crushed in spirit."
-SEBASTIAN: Yes. -That mean,
even if you may not feel his presence,
the Lord is close to you.
-CONGREGATION: Yes. -SEBASTIAN: Yes, Lord.
PREACHER: And if the Lord is close to you,
Sylvia is close to you, amen?
-ALL: Amen. -Let the church say amen, amen?
-ALL: Amen. -Let me just say "amen."
ALL: Amen.
-Amen. -PREACHER: We have come here today
to celebrate the marvelous life
of Ms. Sylvia Lucille Hosannah.
-WOMAN: Oh, yeah. -Born in Trinidad
on June the 8th in the year 1957.
She is survived by her beautiful children,
Princess Lee, Khadija Lee, her son Steven Lee Jr.
and her grandchildren Wesley and Zachary.
She was a passionate childcare professional.
-WOMAN: Yes! Yes! -MAN: Yes.
A nanny and nurse to many, many children
right here in New York City.
And she always loved children, eh?
But she didn't just take care of children, right?
CONGREGATION: No.
Before settling down and having children of her own,
she was a ballet dancer with the Alvin Ailey
dance company in Harlem for several years.
CONGREGATION: Yes.
PREACHER: Mixing Trinidadian and traditional African dance,
she brought a confidence and a freshness
to her rich and vibrant dance milieu.
-WOMAN: Yes. -WOMAN 2: Oh, yeah.
Sylvia was the first in her family to move from Trinidad
to New York and always sent money to her family.
(clears throat)
She tried her best to get all her brothers and sisters
to the U.S. as well.
-(crying) -Including her sister Nancy,
whose son Oswald is doing his thing
as wide receiver for the Patriots!
(cheering, applause)
Except last week.
Sad as he lost me some money, boy.
Oswald James was related to our nanny?
-Yeah, I heard. -PREACHER: She will be extremely missed.
God deals with death as he knows it to be true.
Isaiah 41:10 says,
"Fear not, for I am with you.
-CONGREGATION: Yes. -Yes.
PREACHER: "Be not dismayed,
-"for I am your God. -Yes.
-"I will strengthen you. -Yes.
-"I will help you. -Yes.
"I will uphold you with my righteous hand!
-Yes. -(wailing)
PREACHER: With my righteous hand."
(phone chimes)
CONGREGATION: Yes.
PREACHER: And she is upheld
with His righteous hand.
And she is with God, sitting where?
-CONGREGATION: At the right... -At the right hand of the Father.
-May she rest in peace. -What was that?
(quietly): Uh, nothing. Nothing.
PREACHER: And may God bless her sweet, sweet soul.
(congregation murmuring)
All right, that done.
Now, as per the deceased Mrs. Hosannah's wishes,
we are asked to celebrate her life.
I think one thing we can all say about Sylvia,
is that she believed in tradition...
(chuckles)
...but she was not at all traditional.
-(laughter) -This is true.
She asked that there be limbo dance,
in tribute to Julia Edwards,
before being taken to the burial site.
We have some students and alumni here
from the Hillcrest High School
after-school dance program-- started by Sylvia, by the way--
to help us fulfill this ask of Mrs. Hosannah.
We will also be playing one of Sylvia's favorite songs,
-"Trini 2 De Bone." -WOMAN: Yes!
So, if all you could please join us in remembering Sylvia
in the way that she wanted to be remembered.
(congregation murmuring assent)
MAN: Yes. Amen. Amen.
-WOMAN: There we go, now. -(whooping)
(song intro plays)
♪ Islands in the sun ♪
♪ Islands in the fun ♪
♪ Mm ♪
♪ Welcome, welcome one and all to the land of fete ♪
♪ Trini to the bone, Trini to the bone ♪
♪ When it come to bacchanal ♪
♪ Well, they can't beat we yet ♪
♪ Trini to the bone, Trini to the bone ♪
♪ Look, sweet women parade abundantly ♪
♪ The brethren, they full of energy ♪
♪ Some people say God is a Trini ♪
♪ Paradise and all convincing me ♪
♪ God gave us a spirit firey ♪
♪ But nothing in the world don't bother we ♪
♪ But look, a smart man gone with we money ♪
♪ We still come out and mash up the party ♪
♪ Sweet, sweet T and T ♪
♪ Oh, how I love up this country ♪
♪ Sweet, sweet T and T ♪
♪ No place in this world I'd rather be ♪
♪ Oh, how I love up my country ♪
♪ Sweet, sweet T and T ♪
♪ All this sugar can't be good for me, oh... ♪
-(microphone feedback) -All yah!
Stop all of this bacchanal. Stop it!
-(music stops) -DEVON: How-how she reach up there?
-Here we go. -PRINCESS: Everyone here
-loved this woman. -KHADIJA: Princess!
I've heard about her sacrifices, her selflessness,
but who do you think she sacrificed, hmm?
To take care of those children, hmm?
-STEVEN: She did the best she could, Princess. -Yeah?
Where was she when we needed her, Steven?
Where was she when you got jumped uptown,
and I couldn't find you for a whole day?
Where was she when they broke into our house
and stole my laptop?
Where was she?
Where was she at your finals, Steven?
She was providing for us.
She was with other people's children.
She should've been taking care of her own!
KHADIJA: That's enough, Princess. Stop.
I needed you, Mommy.
And where were you?!
Where were you?! Huh, Mama?!
You've always been crazy, Princess!
Hey, but what you really doing here?
-A'A? -A'A?
(overlapping shouting and screaming)
Whoa.
(shrieking)
KHADIJA: It's a church! Stop!
(overlapping shouting)
I'm coming with you!
(clamoring)
Stop it! Stop!
Worldstar! Worldstar! There's a fight going down...
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Hey!
Hey! You all need to calm down right now!
Look, you're scaring the white people.
Uh... No, no, no, no.
No, uh...
We just have to go.
Hey, small man. Are we scaring you?
It's okay.
We're just sad.
This... is how we're sad.
♪ Sweet, sweet T and T ♪
♪ Oh, how I love my country ♪
♪ Sweet, sweet T and T ♪
(sniffles)
-MILES: You okay, Bash? -Yes.
Well, if you want to sleep with us, you can.
SEBASTIAN: I'm okay.
Okay. All right.
Well...
Well, good night.
I love you.
Good night. I love you, Dad.
Good night, Sylvia.
MILES: Wow.
Oh, my gosh.
Hey, hon, you know the origin of the limbo dance?
It's fascinating.
I mean, apparently,
slaves would do it to mimic going down in the hold
-of a slave ship. -Did we do the right thing?
What?
Of course we did.
Well, I just...
I mean, people were screaming.
-And-and the way that that woman was yelling... -All right, that...
...at her mother.
I just, I never... want Sebastian to feel that way.
-Like we weren't there for him. -(scoffs) No.
We were there for him today, when he needed us.
We were there for him. We are there for him.
Look, I know Sebastian, and I know
that he can handle what he saw today.
I know he'll be fine.
(exhales)
You know, when I was putting Sebastian to bed tonight,
I asked him, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
and he said, "I want to play steelpan like Uncle Samuel."
I don't even...
Honey, wha... U-Uncle Samuel?
I don't know what that is. Who's Uncle Samuel?
-I don't know. -Was he there today?
I don't know.
-(rapid knocking on door) -(Miles groans softly)
-(knocking continues) -(sighs)
(knocking continues)
(knocking stops)
(sighs)
(plastic crinkling)
♪ Mm-hmm-hmm ♪
♪ Oh, how I love my country ♪
♪ Mm-hmm-hmm ♪
♪ No place I'd rather be ♪
♪ Mm-hmm-hmm ♪
♪ Trini to the bone ♪
♪ When it comes to bacchanal, they can't be beat ♪
♪ Trini to the bone, Trini to the bone ♪
♪ Sweet, sweet T and T ♪
♪ Oh, how I love up my country ♪
♪ Sweet, sweet T and T ♪
♪ All this sugar can't be good for me ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Trini to the bone. ♪
♪ ♪
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org