“You Have $10,000 For Her Mom, But Nothing For Us!”
Shayla Finally Checks Anthony
THE HOOK — “TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS?!”
Shayla had been trying to stay calm all week, but everything was starting to pile up.
The house rent was due, her son’s birthday was only days away, and she still had not
figured out how she was going to pay for everything.
Anthony had told her several times that money was tight and that she needed to give
him some time.
But when Shayla walked into the room and heard Anthony talking about
ten thousand dollars, she immediately stopped.
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Shayla:
“Wait a minute. Did I just hear you say ten thousand dollars?”
Anthony:
“Shayla, what are you doing standing there?”
Shayla:
“Answer my question. You gave D’Nisha’s mom ten thousand dollars?”
Anthony:
“Yeah. I helped her out.”
SHAYLA IS FURIOUS
Shayla stared at Anthony like she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
She stepped closer to him, clearly frustrated.
Shayla:
“You gave that woman ten thousand dollars in cash?”
Anthony:
“Yeah. She needed help.”
Shayla:
“And I don’t?”
Anthony:
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
Shayla:
“Then tell me what you are saying, because I’m confused.”
Shayla pointed toward Anthony.
Shayla:
“I’ve been talking to you about our house rent.
You keep telling me to wait. My son’s birthday is coming up,
and I’ve been trying to figure out how I’m going to make everything work.”
Anthony:
“Shayla, I told you I was going to handle it.”
Shayla:
“When? After the landlord puts our stuff outside?”
Shayla:
“You can give her mom ten thousand dollars,
but when it comes to our rent and my son’s birthday,
suddenly there’s no money?”
THE REAL PROBLEM
Anthony tried to explain himself, but Shayla was no longer arguing only about money.
She felt like their family was being pushed aside.
Shayla:
“It’s not even about the ten thousand anymore. It’s about priorities.”
Anthony:
“Shayla, that’s not fair.”
Shayla:
“How is that not fair?”
Shayla:
“You made somebody else’s problem your emergency,
but mine can wait?”
Anthony:
“I never said your problems don’t matter.”
Shayla:
“Then why does it feel that way?”
Anthony became quiet for a moment.
Shayla could tell he was holding something back.
ANTHONY TRIES TO EXPLAIN
Anthony:
“I gave her the money because she needed it immediately.”
Shayla:
“And I don’t need anything immediately?”
Anthony:
“I never said that.”
Shayla:
“Your actions said it.”
Anthony took a deep breath and tried to calm the situation.
Anthony:
“I was planning to take care of the rent.”
Shayla:
“Planning doesn’t pay bills, Anthony.”
Anthony:
“You really think I would let you and your son struggle?”
Shayla:
“Right now, that’s exactly what it feels like.”
THE BIRTHDAY SECRET
Shayla grabbed her purse and started walking toward the door.
Anthony:
“Where are you going?”
Shayla:
“To figure out my son’s birthday myself.”
Anthony:
“Wait.”
Shayla:
“For what?”
Anthony:
“Because I don’t want you thinking I don’t care.”
Shayla:
“Then stop making me feel like everybody else comes first.”
Anthony suddenly pulled out his phone.
Anthony:
“You want to know why I wasn’t worried about the birthday?”
Shayla:
“Why?”
Anthony:
“Because it’s already handled.”
Shayla’s expression changed.
Shayla:
“What do you mean it’s handled?”
Anthony showed Shayla his phone. He had already arranged and paid for
the birthday celebration.
Shayla:
“You already paid for everything?”
Anthony:
“I told you I had it.”
THE END-LEVEL TWIST
Shayla’s anger started to fade, but she still had one question.
Shayla:
“Then what about the rent?”
Anthony smiled and reached into his pocket.
Anthony:
“You think I forgot that too?”
He handed Shayla an envelope containing the money for the rent.
Shayla:
“Then why did you let me believe you didn’t have money?”
Anthony:
“Because I wanted everything handled before I told you.”
Shayla shook her head, still frustrated.
Shayla:
“You had me stressed all week!”
Anthony laughed, but before Shayla could respond, his phone suddenly rang.
Anthony looked at the screen.
It was D’Nisha.
Anthony quickly rejected the call.
Shayla:
“Why is D’Nisha calling you right after you gave her mom ten thousand dollars?”
Anthony didn’t answer.
Shayla stared at him and said:
“Anthony… now I really want to know what that $10,000 was about.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
