The house is unusually quiet.
Anthony sits on the couch, scrolling through his phone. Across from him, Danisha stands near the doorway, looking nervous.
Anthony notices her expression.
He puts his phone down.
You look like something’s bothering you. What happened?
Danisha hesitates.
She looks away, avoiding his eyes.
Wayne gave me some money.
Anthony’s face changes immediately.
He leans forward.
Wayne gave you money?
Danisha nods slowly.
Anthony studies her face.
Why?
Danisha remains silent.
Anthony waits.
The silence makes him more suspicious.
Danisha, I’m asking you a simple question. Why did Wayne give you money?
Danisha looks toward the floor.
Her fingers nervously play with the edge of her shirt.
I don’t know what you want me to say.
Anthony stands.
His voice becomes more serious.
I want the truth.
Danisha looks at him but still refuses to answer directly.
Wayne just gave it to me. That’s all.
Anthony shakes his head.
That’s not an answer.
Danisha takes a step back.
Anthony grabs his phone from the table.
Fine. I’ll ask Wayne myself.
Danisha suddenly looks worried.
Anthony notices.
That only makes him more suspicious.
He dials Wayne’s number.
The phone rings.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Wayne finally answers.
What’s up, Anthony?
Anthony doesn’t waste time.
Why did you give Danisha money?
There is a long pause.
Wayne breathes heavily on the other end.
What are you talking about?
Anthony’s eyes narrow.
Don’t play with me, Wayne. Danisha told me you gave her money.
Wayne remains quiet.
Anthony waits for an explanation.
So why did you give it to her?
Wayne avoids the question.
I had my reasons.
Anthony’s jaw tightens.
What reasons?
Wayne doesn’t answer.
It’s not something I want to get into right now.
Anthony laughs bitterly.
So you give Danisha money, but you can’t tell me why?
Anthony, just leave it alone.
The call suddenly feels heavier.
Anthony stares at the phone.
That’s exactly why I’m not leaving it alone.
Wayne says nothing.
Anthony ends the call.
He slowly lowers his phone.
Danisha is still standing across the room.
You knew Wayne wasn’t going to tell me.
Danisha stays quiet.
Didn’t you?
Danisha looks uncomfortable.
I didn’t know what he was going to say.
Anthony walks closer.
Then tell me the truth yourself.
Danisha takes a deep breath.
I already told you. He gave me money.
But you haven’t told me why.
Danisha looks away again.
Anthony realizes she’s hiding something.
He picks up his phone.
If Wayne won’t tell me, maybe Lauren will.
Danisha’s eyes widen.
Anthony—
But Anthony has already dialed Lauren.
Lauren sits on her couch when her phone rings.
She looks at the screen.
ANTHONY.
She answers.
Hey, Anthony.
Anthony’s tone is direct.
Lauren, I need to ask you something.
Lauren sits up.
Okay. What is it?
Anthony takes a breath.
Why did Wayne give Danisha money?
Lauren becomes quiet.
She clearly knows what he’s talking about.
Who told you that?
Danisha told me.
Lauren looks away.
I figured she would eventually.
So you know why he gave her the money?
Lauren pauses.
Yes.
Then tell me.
Another uncomfortable silence.
Lauren finally speaks.
Anthony… Wayne and Danisha are in a relationship.
Anthony freezes.
For a moment, he doesn’t say anything.
The words hit him harder than expected.
What?
You heard me.
Anthony slowly stands.
You’re telling me Wayne is with Danisha?
Yes.
Anthony’s face turns red with anger.
And everybody knew except me?
Lauren doesn’t respond.
Anthony walks across the room.
His frustration grows with every step.
That’s why he gave her money?
That’s part of it.
Anthony stops.
How long has this been going on?
Lauren hesitates.
I don’t know exactly.
Anthony runs a hand over his face.
He is struggling to control his emotions.
So Danisha stood right there and couldn’t tell me the truth.
Maybe she was scared of how you’d react.
Anthony lets out a bitter laugh.
Scared?
He looks toward the doorway.
Danisha is standing there.
She has heard enough.
Anthony slowly turns toward her.
Their eyes meet.
Danisha’s face drops.
You knew.
Danisha says nothing.
You knew Wayne was with you, and you still let me sit here asking questions.
Danisha wipes a tear from her cheek.
Anthony, I didn’t know how to tell you.
You could’ve started with the truth!
His voice echoes through the room.
Danisha flinches.
Anthony immediately looks away, trying to calm himself.
I didn’t want things to become complicated.
Complicated?
He shakes his head.
You and Wayne were already keeping secrets from me.
Danisha takes a cautious step forward.
It wasn’t supposed to hurt you.
Anthony’s eyes are filled with anger and disappointment.
Then why hide it?
Danisha struggles to answer.
Because I knew you wouldn’t understand.
Anthony looks at her in disbelief.
Maybe I would’ve understood if you had trusted me enough to tell me.
Silence fills the room.
Danisha looks down.
Anthony turns away.
His phone is still in his hand.
He looks at Wayne’s name on the screen.
His anger returns.
I’m calling him back.
Danisha looks frightened.
Anthony, please don’t.
Anthony stops.
He turns around slowly.
Why?
Danisha has no answer.
Anthony stares at her.
Because you know he has more to explain?
Danisha remains silent.
Anthony presses Wayne’s name.
The phone begins ringing.
Danisha watches nervously.
Anthony waits.
No answer.
He calls again.
Still nothing.
Anthony lowers the phone.
His expression becomes cold.
He’s avoiding me.
Danisha says nothing.
Anthony looks toward the window.
Outside, cars move down the street as the afternoon fades.
Wayne gave you money.
He pauses.
Then he refused to tell me why.
Another pause.
And now I find out you’re both in a relationship.
Anthony turns toward Danisha.
What else don’t I know?
Danisha’s eyes fill with tears.
She opens her mouth.
But no words come out.
Anthony watches her carefully.
The silence says more than words ever could.
He shakes his head.
I can’t believe this.
Anthony walks toward the door.
Danisha follows him with her eyes.
Anthony…
He stops without turning around.
I’m sorry.
Anthony closes his eyes for a moment.
He is hurt, angry, and betrayed.
Finally, he turns.
Sorry doesn’t explain why everyone felt the need to lie to me.
Danisha looks down.
Anthony walks out.
The door closes behind him.
Danisha stands alone in the quiet room.
Her secret is no longer a secret.
Anthony steps outside.
He takes a deep breath.
His phone buzzes.
A message from Wayne appears.
Anthony looks at the screen.
“Can we talk?”
Anthony stares at the message.
His anger slowly turns into determination.
He types a response.
“Yeah. We need to talk.”
Anthony puts his phone away.
He looks toward the road.
Whatever happens next, he knows one thing.
The truth about Wayne and Danisha has changed everything.
Anthony walks away.