The front door opens slowly. Brooke walks in, tired, and drops her bag by the doorway. Larry sees her and immediately stands.

Larry
Brooke? What are you doing back here?

Brooke
I came back from Baton Rouge.

Larry
I know you came back. I’m asking why.

Brooke
Because of Isaiah.

Larry’s face turns serious.

Larry
What happened with Isaiah?

Brooke
He’s not answering me. I’ve been calling him, texting him, trying to figure out what’s going on.

“I don’t know what’s happening, Dad.” — the moment Brooke’s composure starts to crack.

Larry
What makes you think something is wrong?

Brooke
I have a feeling he’s involved with somebody else.

Larry
You sure?

Brooke
No. That’s the problem. I don’t know anything because he won’t talk to me.

Larry
Then we’re going to find out what’s going on.

Brooke
Dad, what are you going to do?

Larry
I’m going to ask him myself.

Brooke
Please don’t make this worse.

Larry
I’m not going there looking for a fight. I’m going there for answers.

Larry’s car pulls up. Brooke sits nervously in the passenger seat.

Larry
Stay calm.

Brooke
I’m trying.

They walk to the door. Larry knocks. Isaiah opens it, surprised.

Isaiah
Brooke?

Larry
We need to talk.

Isaiah
About what?

Larry
About why you’ve been ignoring Brooke.

Isaiah
I’ve been busy.

Brooke
Busy enough to ignore every call?

Isaiah
I told you, Brooke. I’ve been dealing with a lot.

JB walks in, hearing the raised voices.

JB
What’s going on?

Larry
I’m trying to understand what’s happening between these two.

JB
Isaiah, what’s the problem?

Isaiah
There isn’t a problem. Brooke just keeps making everything bigger than it is.

Brooke
What?

Isaiah
She’s always checking on me, always asking where I am, who I’m with, what I’m doing.

Brooke
Because you stopped communicating with me!

Isaiah
That’s exactly what I’m talking about.

JB
Just be honest with her.

Isaiah
I’m tired of everybody acting like I’m the bad guy.

Larry
Nobody called you the bad guy. We’re asking you a simple question — why did you stop answering Brooke?

Isaiah doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he turns it on Brooke.

Isaiah
Because Brooke is always causing problems.

Brooke
I cause problems?

Isaiah
Yeah. Everything turns into drama with her.

Larry’s jaw tightens. JB notices.

JB
Isaiah, watch what you’re saying.

Isaiah
She thinks everybody owes her an explanation. She doesn’t understand that people get tired of dealing with her.

“Dad…” — Brooke’s eyes fill with tears as she looks for someone to stand up for her.

Larry
Isaiah, that’s enough.

Isaiah
I’m just telling the truth.

Larry
You can tell the truth without disrespecting her.

Isaiah
I’m not disrespecting anybody.

Brooke
You are!

JB steps between them. Larry points at Isaiah.

Larry
You don’t have to be with Brooke if you don’t want to be. But if you’re going to talk about her, you better show her the same respect you expect from everybody else.

Isaiah
I don’t care what anybody thinks.

Larry’s expression changes. He steps forward — and his anger gets the better of him. He throws a sudden punch. The room goes silent.

Brooke
DAD!

JB immediately steps between them.

JB
Larry! Stop!

Larry stands there breathing heavily, realizing what he’s done.

Brooke
Why did you do that?

Larry
Brooke…

Brooke
I didn’t come here for this!

Larry
I know.

JB
You had every right to be angry, but you can’t let your anger control you.

Larry
You’re right.

Brooke
I just wanted him to tell me the truth.

Larry
And you deserved an answer.

Brooke
Now I don’t even know what to believe.

Brooke walks outside. Larry follows. Neither speaks for several seconds.

Larry
Brooke, I’m sorry.

Brooke
I know you were angry because of me.

Larry
That doesn’t make what I did right.

Brooke
I just wanted Isaiah to talk to me.

Larry
I know. But whatever happens between you and Isaiah, you don’t have to chase someone for basic communication.

Brooke
Maybe I need to step back.

Larry
Maybe that’s the best thing you can do right now.

Brooke
I came back from Baton Rouge because I thought I needed answers. But now I have even more questions.

Larry
Then take your time before making any decisions.

Brooke nods. They walk toward the car. Behind them, Isaiah stays inside with JB, and the situation between him and Brooke hangs unresolved.