With James getting a better job in Mississippi, the Evans family begins to pack up their things in preparation for their big move. Michael falls in love for the first time and is reluctant to leave Chicago.
Thelma invites her favorite teacher to the apartment and while she is there she is fascinated with JJ's artwork. She and JJ soon develop an instant attraction to each other, which disturbs Florida, who can't accept her oldest son carrying on with a woman who is fifteen years older.
History repeats itself as one of the Evans boys is coerced into joining a gang, only this time it is Michael as he is forced into joining the Junior Warlords. After witnessing an assault where his best friend Tommy is beaten and suffers a fractured skull in the process, he runs home and hides his gang jacket in the oven. Unfortuantely Florida and the rest of the family find out that he is a member during an anti-gang meeting when his jacket nearly catches fire. Michael then vows to quit the gang even though he might suffer an even worse beating than Tommy.
A local politician wants JJs help for his campaign. Since JJ does not like the man, he refuses. The politician threatens to have them evicted from their apartment.
When J.J. loses his job, the family is short on rent and threatened with eviction. J.J. cannot find work at the unemployment office, unemployment compensation is at least three weeks out, so he needs to make some tough decisions.
Once J.J. accepts a job as a bookie, he begins making good money, and Thelma does not have to take a semester off from college to work. Florida eventually finds out though, and she does not approve at all.
Florida and the children are looking forward to James' father's visit. He arrives with a loud-talking woman, and he is not acting like a grandfather typically acts.
The Evans and Willona buy lottery tickets since the prize money is high. They are excited when JJs ticket is the winning number, and they win $2,500. Thelma tells her friends the good news, and the next day, school mates visit with guns.
The Evans children forego their social outings to stay at home and keep their recently widowed mother company, but she shocks them by agreeing to join Willona for a night on the town, which includes a stop at a singles bar.
JJ gets Michael's band a job at a tavern. While the pay is good, Florida does not want Michael to be playing in a bar. When JJ is at the tavern, he hears another singer (Judy Cohen) and knows that she has real talent to make it big.
JJ borrows money from a loan shark, intending to pay it back as soon as his new find performs in a local comedian competition. When Tyrone gets cold feet, JJ goes on stage to perform in hopes of winning the money to pay the loan sharks.
Florida is always in a bad mood lately. The children are tired of her crankiness, so they decide she needs to get away for a vacation. JJ finds a way to earn money so they can afford a trip.
The cafeteria at Thelma's college is in disrepair. Thelma and her friends picket the college. She meets Ibe, an African exchange student. They date, and he asks her to move in with him. Thelma is suspended from college because of the picket
When Thelma announces she plans to move in with Ibe at college, Florida emphatically says no. Ibe then asks Thelma to marry him and move to Nigeria with him. She accepts, but then finds out that Ibe believes in polygamy.
Willona's ex-husband returns to town to help celebrate her birthday. He says he has changed, and is ready to be with her again. She starts to accept him, but then Ray starts flirting with Thelma, proving he is still the same sleaze.
Florida reluctantly agrees to go on her first date since James died. She goes to a restaurant with Carl where they have a rude waiter. Florida does her best to be forgiving of the waiter, but this upsets Carl and he walks out.
Michael's school is holding a father/son dinner. JJ assumes he will go with Michael as a father figure. Micheal tells JJ that he has already asked Carl to be his stand-in-father.
JJ has another money-making idea. He starts a greeting card business and has the whole family involved in making up messages. He has the business plans are laid out, but does not have the financing.
Carl tells the children he plans to propose marriage to Florida, so they are surprised when he suddenly leaves town. Turns out Carl had an appointment with his doctor and received some bad news about his health.
Carl confesses to Florida he has been diagnosed with lung cancer but he still wants to marry her even though he does not know his future. Florida accepts his proposal.
