
Growing up in racially segregated Birmingham, Alabama, during the 1960's, Rene and Mary Elizabeth manage to stick together despite community intolerance of "mixed" friendships. Many years later, following the death of her father, Rene returns home and reunites with Mary Elizabeth. The women realize that despite their career and family differences, they can help each other find happiness.

M.E. and Collier refuse to baby-sit; René takes a case examining the civil rights of the dead; young René sports an Afro.

M.E. is in the crossfire of a school shooting; René has heart palpitations; bullies pressure young Collier to end his friendship with René.

M.E. writes about the importance of the Confederate flag; René handles a case involving nursing-home residents; René and Judge "Turk" Terhune try to figure out where their relationship is going; young René and M.E. explore feminism.

M.E. discovers that Kelly and Ajoni have bills to pay when Kelly's car is repossessed; mounting stress causes Rene to collapse.