A new neighbor girl, 10-year-old Penny Gordon, becomes friends with Willona and the Evans family. Later, they discover a horrifying secret - that Penny is viciously abused by her mother.
Willona becomes frustrated in her attempts to report her suspicions that Penny is being abused. Things become complicated when the Gordons suddenly move from their apartment.
Willona becomes heartsick with worry about Penny's apparent fate ... when she turns up at the Evanses' apartment. She's run away from home, and this time, her mother doesn't want her back.
After several arguments with JJ and Michael, Thelma decides she has had enough and moves to an apartment on campus. However, Thelma soon wishes she was back home when her roommates prove to be even more irritating than her brothers and soon they all wish that she was back home.
After Penny calls her 'Momma' for the first time, Willona decides to make her happy by paying for her ice skating lessons. She takes an extra job at the store by watching women in the changing rooms through two-way mirrors to catch shoplifters; but her new job leads to a debate over the invasion of shoppers' privacy.
Bookman hides a CB radio in the Evans' apartment and everybody uses it; Michael, pretending to be J.J., starts a conversation, with someone who identifies herself as Fun Girl. Michael goes to meet Fun Girl at her apartment but is shocked to find that she is handicapped.
As always, Bookman is avoiding his job and the tenants are tired of his excuses, rusty water, no electricity, plumbing problems and more. Winona starts a petition and everyone signs it. Bookman gets fired.
A homeless man returns to the Evan's apartment building after having been away for awhile. Later, they hear he died in an accident and hold a wake. Turns out, Fishbone's wallet was stolen and another man died. Fishbone finds he has friends.
Everybody's excited about Penny's first Christmas with Willona as the official adoption draws close; but when her money is stolen, Penny steals a necklace for Willona's Christmas present, is arrested, and her social worker starts to seriously reconsider allowing Willona to adopt her.
Michael is falling behind on his homework and chores. J.J. is lenient on him. But when Michael and Penny are arrested for carjacking, J.J. puts his foot down.
Willona's former boyfriend calls her. He is back in town from Alaska and wants to marry Willona. She turns him down because she now has Penny to consider. When Penny finds out, she runs away because she thinks she is ruining Willona's life.
JJ has a new assistant at work, but does not realize the attractive woman is the daughter of his boss. JJ starts to brag how he has control of the office and the boss has no idea of what is going on.
Willona visits the Evans while Florida is out, and she smells smoke. The couch cushion is almost thoroughly burnt. JJ, Michael, and Thelma each have different stories as to how the couch caught fire.
JJ feels like he is not going anywhere at his job with responsibilities or a promotion. He thinks it is because he is black. He dreams he is white and we see what he thinks can happen for him.
JJ decides to rent out a room in their apartment for the extra money. They then find out the man is a witness to a crime and a hit-man might be looking for him.
Willona tells JJ he might be getting an upset stomach all the time because of his relationship with Barbara. Barbara is still married, but tells JJ she is going to get a divorce. It just seems the divorce is never going to happen.
Willona gets a promotion to a buyer at work. It means better pay and more prestige. She is excited about the opportunity. But then Frank returns and wants to marry her - and she has to give up her job.
Thelma writes a play, and the local theater is interested in producing the play. She is excited, until the owner tells her to change the characters, dialogue, and the setting. Also, Penny is going to play in the Easter pageant.
A child-care center in the neighborhood is scheduled to close due to lack of funds. To keep it open, the Evan's plan a show to raise money from the neighbors.
