Tish and Fonny have been friends for as long as they have known, but they now feel it is time to become romantically involved. Living in New York City, the couple tries to rent an apartment. However, it is the 1970's, and the owner of the apartment building does not want to rent to them because they are African American. Eventually they find an apartment building that is pretty run down, but open to rent to them. The owner's name is Levy, who is Jewish.
The couple goes shopping at a grocery store later that day, and bumps in to a rather pesky white man. He attempts to assault Tish in plain view of Fonny, but Fonny gets into a fight with him, throwing him out of the store. A white police officer sees what happens, and almost arrests Fonny for his act of self defense. However, the grocery store owner vouches for him, saying that it was not Fonny's fault and the officer was clearly making a racist accusation.
This little incident sticks in Officer Bell's mind, the one from the grocery store. Later, Fonny is accused of raping Victoria Rogers, a white woman, and Officer Bell is the one in charge of investigation. There is no clear evidence that Fonny could have even raped the women, because there is proof that he was somewhere else at the time of the incident. Nevertheless, he is arrested and sent to jail by Officer Bell, because of the policeman's "strong evidence."
When visiting Fonny in jail, Tish reveals to him that she is pregnant with his baby. Fonny is shocked and excited, but saddened at the fact that this baby might be born while he is in prison. Tish also tells her parents about the pregnancy, and thinks that they will be upset with her. However, they are very supportive and talk it over with Fonny as well. As the movie closes, the four of them are sitting in prison, waiting for Fonny to be released, although viewers are never actually told whether he was released or not.
