The Christmas Gift

what happens

Robert and Brianna return to their impoverished hometown of East St. Louis for the Thanksgiving holiday. This tradition annoys Brianna, who worked hard to leave this city behind, and wishes that Robert's widowed mother LaBelle would come to their safe and wealthy neighborhood instead. Monica and Tess watch unseen as Robert welcomes in the season with a beautiful carol played on his treasured trumpet. When a local homeless man named Gabe is drawn to the music, LaBelle welcomes him in for dinner, much to Brianna's chagrin. LaBelle tells Brianna that she is happy in East St. Louis, where she knows her neighbors and volunteers at the soup kitchen. After the holiday, Robert and Brianna work hard to afford their home by selling water filters. Though money is very tight, Robert buys LaBelle a cell phone for safety reasons. She calls him late one night to tell him that a vandal has broken a window in her home, so Robert promptly leaves for East St. Louis. Hours later, Andrew, a policem

who made it

directed

Stuart Margolin

guest cast

Billed for this episode only — the turn people remember an episode for.

• Suzzanne Douglas as Brianna Springbelt
• Ossie Davis as Gabriel
• Cleavant Derricks as Robert Springbelt
• Ruby Dee as LaBelle Springbelt
• RRaVaughn Nichelle Brown as Denise