SHAYLA CONFRONTS ANTHONY AND DNISHA
SCENE 1 — OUTSIDE KAI’S HOUSE — AFTERNOON
The afternoon sun shines over the quiet neighborhood.
A car pulls up near the house.
Anthony is in the driver’s seat, focused on the road. Dnisha sits beside him, looking out the window.
They are on their way to pick up Kai.
ANTHONY
We should probably get there before Kai starts wondering where we are.
Dnisha smiles slightly.
DNISHA
He’s probably already waiting by the door.
ANTHONY
Knowing Kai, he’s probably ready to leave before we even get there.
Dnisha laughs softly.
But the mood suddenly changes.
As Anthony slows the car, he notices Shayla standing outside.
His expression becomes serious.
ANTHONY
Oh, man.
Dnisha looks toward the window.
DNISHA
Shayla?
Anthony parks the car.
Shayla watches them closely. She looks hurt, angry, and emotional.
ANTHONY
Let’s just keep this calm.
Dnisha nods.
They both step out of the car.
Shayla immediately walks toward them.
SCENE 2 — OUTSIDE KAI’S HOUSE — CONTINUOUS
Shayla stops several feet away.
Her eyes are fixed on Dnisha.
SHAYLA
So this is what you two are doing now?
ANTHONY
Shayla, what are you talking about?
SHAYLA
You know exactly what I’m talking about.
Dnisha remains quiet.
ANTHONY
We came here to pick up Kai. That’s it.
SHAYLA
No. It’s never just that anymore.
Her voice begins to crack with emotion.
SHAYLA
Every time I turn around, Dnisha is there.
DNISHA
Shayla, I’m not trying to fight with you.
SHAYLA
You don’t have to fight with me. You already took everything from me.
DNISHA
What?
SHAYLA
You took my husband from me.
Dnisha’s eyes widen.
SHAYLA
And now you’re taking my son from me too!
ANTHONY
Shayla!
SHAYLA
What?
ANTHONY
How can you talk to Dnisha like that?
SHAYLA
You’re defending her?
ANTHONY
I’m not defending anybody. I’m telling you that you don’t get to disrespect her because you’re angry.
SHAYLA
I’m angry because I lost my family!
ANTHONY
You haven’t lost Kai.
SHAYLA
Then why does it feel like I have?
There is a long silence.
Dnisha looks down. She clearly doesn’t want to make the situation worse.
SCENE 3 — THE CONFRONTATION
Shayla wipes a tear from her cheek.
SHAYLA
You don’t understand what this feels like.
ANTHONY
Then tell me. But don’t attack Dnisha.
SHAYLA
I used to feel like I had a family.
Her voice trembles.
SHAYLA
I had my husband. I had my son. I knew where I belonged.
SHAYLA
Then everything changed.
DNISHA
I never asked for this.
SHAYLA
But you accepted it.
DNISHA
Anthony is an adult. He makes his own choices.
ANTHONY
Exactly.
SHAYLA
So you’re saying this is all my fault?
ANTHONY
No. I’m saying you need to stop blaming Dnisha for every problem between us.
SHAYLA
You don’t care how much this hurts me.
ANTHONY
I do care.
ANTHONY
But caring about your feelings doesn’t mean I’m going to let you disrespect someone else.
DNISHA
Shayla, I understand why you’re upset.
DNISHA
But I would never try to take Kai away from you.
SHAYLA
Then why are you always around him?
DNISHA
Because I care about him.
SHAYLA
And what about you?
ANTHONY
Kai is my son too.
SHAYLA
I know.
SHAYLA
That’s what scares me.
ANTHONY
What scares you?
SHAYLA
That one day Kai won’t need me anymore.
The anger disappears from the moment.
Dnisha looks sympathetic.
Anthony’s expression softens.
SCENE 4 — KAI COMES OUTSIDE
The front door suddenly opens.
Kai walks outside carrying his backpack.
KAI
Mom?
SHAYLA
Hey, baby.
KAI
What’s going on?
Shayla kneels down and hugs him.
SHAYLA
Nothing you need to worry about.
Anthony watches quietly.
Dnisha stays back.
KAI
Are you guys fighting?
ANTHONY
No, son. We’re just talking.
KAI
You okay?
SHAYLA
I’m okay.
KAI
I love you, Mom.
SHAYLA
I love you too.
Anthony looks emotional watching them.
KAI
Are we going?
ANTHONY
Yeah, buddy.
Kai walks toward Anthony.
Shayla stands up.
She looks at Dnisha.
For a moment, neither woman says anything.
SCENE 5 — A FINAL WARNING
DNISHA
I’m not your enemy.
SHAYLA
Maybe not.
SHAYLA
But I’m still trying to figure out where I fit in all of this.
DNISHA
Then figure it out without hurting yourself or anybody else.
ANTHONY
Shayla, you and I may have problems, but Kai should never have to feel like he has to choose between us.
SHAYLA
I don’t want him caught in the middle.
ANTHONY
Then let’s keep it that way.
SHAYLA
Okay.
Anthony opens the car door for Kai.
Kai gets inside.
Dnisha follows.
ANTHONY
We’ll talk later.
SHAYLA
Yeah.
Anthony gets into the car.
The car slowly pulls away.
Shayla stands alone on the sidewalk, watching them disappear down the street.
Her eyes fill with tears again.
She looks down at her phone.
“I love you, Mom.”
Shayla smiles through her tears.
SHAYLA
I love you too, baby.
She puts her phone against her chest.
The camera pulls back as Shayla stands quietly in the afternoon sunlight.
The conflict may not be over.
But for the moment, everyone has walked away before things could get worse.
FADE OUT.
THE END
