Isaiah’s Mom’s Living Room — Afternoon
The house is quiet. Isaiah’s Mom sits on the couch, scrolling through her phone. Suddenly, a new message appears.
BROOKE: Hey, I think you need to see this.
Isaiah’s Mom frowns and opens the message. It is a TikTok video. Isaiah and Mariah are dancing together, smiling and enjoying themselves.
The phone screen reflects in Isaiah’s Mom’s eyes. Her expression slowly changes. Confusion turns into disbelief. Disbelief turns into anger.
ISAIAH’S MOM: What in the world is this?
She watches the video again. Her jaw tightens.
ISAIAH’S MOM: I told that boy to stay away from Mariah.
She immediately remembers every warning she gave Isaiah. Every conversation. Every chance she gave him to tell the truth. She had told him again and again that she did not want him getting involved with Mariah.
ISAIAH’S MOM: And he looked me in my face and acted like he was listening.
Her hand tightens around the phone.
ISAIAH’S MOM: So he thinks I’m a fool now?
She stands up quickly. Her anger is growing with every second.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Isaiah!
No answer.
ISAIAH’S MOM: ISAIAH!
Footsteps can be heard coming from down the hallway.
Hallway
Isaiah walks into the living room. He immediately notices the look on his Mom’s face. Something is wrong.
ISAIAH: What?
His Mom holds up her phone.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Come here.
ISAIAH: Why?
ISAIAH’S MOM: I said come here.
Isaiah stops in front of her. She turns the phone screen toward him. The TikTok video is playing. Isaiah’s eyes widen for a brief moment. But he quickly tries to hide his reaction.
ISAIAH’S MOM: What is this?
Isaiah looks away.
ISAIAH: I don’t know.
ISAIAH’S MOM: You don’t know?
ISAIAH: No.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Isaiah, that is you in the video.
ISAIAH: I said I don’t know what that is.
His Mom takes a deep breath. She is trying to control her anger.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Let me ask you one more time.
She holds the phone closer to him.
ISAIAH’S MOM: What are you doing dancing with Mariah?
ISAIAH: Nothing.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Nothing?
ISAIAH: Yeah. It’s just a video.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Just a video?
She shakes her head in disbelief.
ISAIAH’S MOM: I told you to stay away from that girl.
ISAIAH: Mom, you’re making a big deal out of nothing.
ISAIAH’S MOM: I am making a big deal?
Her voice rises.
ISAIAH’S MOM: You’re the one who lied to me!
The Confrontation
The tension fills the entire room. Isaiah folds his arms. Instead of apologizing, his attitude gets worse.
ISAIAH: I didn’t lie.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Then what did you do?
ISAIAH: I don’t have to explain everything I do to you.
His Mom goes silent. That answer hits her harder than she expected.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Excuse me?
ISAIAH: You heard me.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Don’t you ever talk to me like that.
ISAIAH: Then stop asking me questions about everything.
His Mom stares at him in shock.
ISAIAH’S MOM: I’m your mother.
ISAIAH: And I’m not a little kid anymore.
ISAIAH’S MOM: That does not give you the right to disrespect me in my own house.
ISAIAH: I wasn’t disrespecting you.
ISAIAH’S MOM: You are doing it right now.
Isaiah rolls his eyes.
ISAIAH: Whatever.
His Mom’s face hardens.
ISAIAH’S MOM: What did you just say?
ISAIAH: I said whatever.
The room becomes completely silent. Isaiah’s Mom slowly puts her phone down. Her disappointment is now stronger than her anger.
ISAIAH’S MOM: I have given you chance after chance.
Isaiah says nothing.
ISAIAH’S MOM: I warned you about Mariah.
She points toward the phone.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Then I find out you’re dancing with her on TikTok.
She takes another step closer.
ISAIAH’S MOM: And when I ask you about it, you lie straight to my face.
ISAIAH: I’m not lying.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Then you start talking to me like I’m one of your little friends.
Isaiah looks away again.
ISAIAH: I’m done talking about this.
He turns as if he is about to walk away.
ISAIAH’S MOM: No, you’re not.
Isaiah stops.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Turn around.
Slowly, Isaiah turns back.
The Final Warning
ISAIAH’S MOM: You think you can do whatever you want and then come back into this house and disrespect me?
ISAIAH: I never said that.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Your actions said it for you.
Isaiah shakes his head.
ISAIAH: You always think you’re right.
ISAIAH’S MOM: This is not about me being right.
Her eyes fill with frustration.
ISAIAH’S MOM: This is about you refusing to listen to me.
ISAIAH: Maybe I don’t agree with everything you say.
ISAIAH’S MOM: You don’t have to agree with me.
She pauses.
ISAIAH’S MOM: But you will respect me.
ISAIAH: And what if I don’t?
The question changes everything. His Mom stares at him. She cannot believe what she just heard.
ISAIAH’S MOM: What did you say?
ISAIAH: I said, what if I don’t?
His Mom looks around the house. Her anger reaches its limit.
ISAIAH’S MOM: You know what?
She walks toward his room.
ISAIAH: Where are you going?
ISAIAH’S MOM: You’ll see.
Isaiah’s Room
Isaiah follows his Mom into his room. She opens the closet.
ISAIAH: Mom, what are you doing?
She grabs a bag.
ISAIAH’S MOM: I’m done.
ISAIAH: Done with what?
ISAIAH’S MOM: Done with the lies.
She begins gathering his belongings.
ISAIAH: Stop.
ISAIAH’S MOM: Done with the attitude.
ISAIAH: Mom, stop touching my stuff.
ISAIAH’S MOM: And I am definitely done with the disrespect.
She carries some of his belongings toward the front door.