Behold the Dreamers: Family Loyalty vs. Job

• Jende finds Winston eating dinner and learns that Winston intends to visit his ex-girlfriend, Maami, in Texas.
• Winston believes he can win Maami back from her "little white thing" boyfriend.
• Jende and Liomi argue, prompting Neni to intervene.
• Winston expresses his desire to settle down with a Cameroonian woman, dismissing Maami's current relationship.
• Cindy's power to influence Clark is recognized by Neni and Winston, which prompts them to encourage Jende to comply with her demands.
• Jende hesitates to reveal Cindy's drug use out of pity and fear of Clark's reaction, torn between loyalty to his family and the Edwardses' approval.
• Neni and Winston urge Jende to prioritize his family's well-being over Cindy's troubles, saying that Cindy will be the one who cries, not them, if she decides to fire him.
• Winston warns Jende that Cindy might invent a story to get him fired if he doesn't cooperate, to which Jende is starting to understand.

Clark and Jende's conversation

• Clark offers Jende a perfunctory birthday greeting.
• Jende informs Clark that Cindy is curious about his whereabouts.
• Clark permits Jende to disclose "everything" except information about the Chelsea Hotel.
• Out of fear of losing his job, Jende expresses his loyalty to Clark, which Clark thanks him for.
• Clark inquires about Cindy's well-being and dismisses Jende's concern, but suggests he tell Cindy that she's lost weight, and she would be glad to hear that.

Jende's fabricated notes for Cindy

• Jende meticulously records Clark's activities, locations, and names, using elaborate language to impress Cindy and mask his lies.
• He substitutes "gym" for the Chelsea Hotel in his notes.
• Jende invents scenarios such as traffic jams in the Holland Tunnel or Clark rushing to meetings, to explain away Clark's absences.
• Cindy seems satisfied with Jende's notes, becoming more cheerful and ceasing her calls to friends about Clark.
• Jende's lies aim to protect Clark, preserve the Edwardses' marriage, and secure his job.

Thanksgiving and the Gala

• The Edwardses enjoy a happy Thanksgiving with family, bringing Cindy joy because family is her greatest source of happiness.
• Cindy and Clark attend a gala at the Waldorf Astoria, appearing happy and radiant.
• Seeing the Edwardses so happy surprises Jende.

Tabloid Story

• A tabloid publishes a story alleging that Clark is a client of an escort who claims Barclays clients are paying her with bailout money, which threatens the Jongas' American Dream.
• Leah sounds cheerful after having been miserable due to professional struggles recently.
• Jende worries about advising Cindy and prepares to deny any knowledge of Clark's involvement with prostitutes.
• Cindy remains silent and refuses to take notebook, signaling the end of their arrangement.

Mighty's distress

• Mighty reveals that the Edwardses' Christmas plans have been canceled and that his parents had a fight, causing Jende to worry about their marriage and his job.
• Mighty asks to visit the Jongas, but Jende declines, fearing his parents' disapproval.
• Jende offers to have Neni make Mighty puff-puff and fried plantains to cheer him up.

The birth of Amatimba Monyengi

• Jende and Neni welcome their second child, naming her Amatimba Monyengi, signifying "she has returned" and "happiness."
• They hold a gathering to celebrate her arrival.
• Clark grants Jende time off work.

Jende's deportation notice

• The Jongas receive a letter from Immigration stating deportation proceedings against Jende for visa overstaying, jeopardizing their American Dream.
• The Jongas likely did not receive the "gift" from the Edwardses, but from Anna herself.
• Bubakar assures Jende that this is typical and that they'll continue appealing.
• Winston criticizes Bubakar and suggests finding a smarter lawyer.
• Jende and Neni decide to stick with Bubakar, but have nightmares about being separated.

Neni seeks help at Judson Memorial Church

• Neni attends a church service and connects with the pastor, Natasha, who welcomes her and her children.
• Jende is skeptical and accuses Neni of not fighting hard enough to stay in the country.
• Natasha invites Neni to discuss her situation.
• Neni confides in Natasha about Jende's deportation case and her fear of returning to Limbe.
• Natasha offers the church's support, giving Neni hope.

Christmas

• Christmas at the Jongas features a blend of Cameroonian traditions and American customs.
• The family watches "It's a Wonderful Life".
• Jende is happier than his first Christmas in America because he has his family with him and he's less nostalgic.

Clark's departure and Cindy's struggles

• Jende discovers that Clark has moved to a hotel and Cindy is increasingly isolated and drinking heavily.
• Mighty reveals that his parents fought and that Cindy mentioned someone should "get rid of him right now."
• A call with encouragement from Winston doesn't ease Jende as he is sure Cindy was talking about him, and reminds him of his current dread and despair

Jende's firing

• Clark fires Jende, citing complicated reasons and guilt, despite praising his work.
• Jende is convinced Cindy is behind the decision and accuses Clark of lying. A check is handed to Jende as his final paycheck and more.

Aftermath of the firing

• Neni tells Jende about Natasha’s sermon, but does not say that she believes it herself.
• Jende is unable to find another job as a cab driver and resorts to washing dishes, earning significantly less and being away from his family constantly.
• Neni offers to return to work, but Jende refuses, citing the cost of daycare.

Jende's hearing

• Jende attends his immigration hearing with Bubakar, who provides most of the answers.
• A future court date is set.
• Jende feels as though he's just "postponing the inevitable."

Neni's visit to Cindy

• Neni visits Cindy to ask for Jende's job back, but Cindy refuses.
• Neni blackmails Cindy with a photo taken in the Hamptons, demanding cash.

The blackmail

• Jende gets angry at Neni for blackmailing Cindy over the photo she took
• Neni sees Cindy as someone who thinks that she can use them because they're African, while Jende sees Cindy as having been good to them.
• Jende is shocked that Neni could be so strong.
• Neni feels no guilt as she thinks as Cindy would have died whether or not she gave Neni the money, and donates the ten thousand dollars that Cindy gave her to Judson Memorial Church

Neni's achievements at school

• Neni's entrance to Phi Theta Kappa is not only an opportunity to get a scholarship, it’s also an acknowledgement of her hard work and her talent as a scholar
• Neni imagines Dean Flipkins will be "a kindly old white man".
• Dean Flipkins tells her that he doesn't nominate by request and that, though Neni has excellent grades, she hasn't been very involved.
• The dean asks if it’s the right career path for her, given how expensive pharmacy school is

Jende's Father Dies

• While Neni attends the ceremony, Pa Jonga dies
• Family tried to treat with traditional medicine
• Jende sends money for the funeral
• One of Jende’s co-workers refers him to a cash-only doctor in Jamaica
• She and Jende should divorce so that she can marry him

Jende's Decision to Return

• Feeling unable to succeed in America, Jende tells Neni that he's ready to go home.
• Winston offers to pay the rest of Bubakar’s fees, allowing them to keep the money that they saved.
• Department store where Arkamo was working closed down, and he found out two days later that he lost his house.

Neni Refuses to Return

• Since she was in her late twenties, all she could think about was leaving her father’s house and moving to America
• Winston was buying him a ticket to New York.
• She started watching American movies to prepare her for a future in New York

Fatou and Betty

• She must stand behind her husband and not say no to him.
• She will regret returning and asks her about using the money that she got from Cindy Edwards.
• tell Jende that she wants to stay and keep trying.
• Neni stares at her face in the mirror While Jende brushes his teeth, Neni mentions Betty’s cousin
• and never to say something so foolish again Bubakar agrees to petition the immigration judge Jende needs to leave by the end of September. The Jongas had been in America where the system had been cruel - so they return back home to Cameroon.