ANTHONY TAKES OVER KAI’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
SCENE 1 — ANTHONY’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON
The house is quiet.
Soft afternoon light comes through the windows.
Shayla stands near the couch, holding her phone in one hand.
She looks stressed.
Anthony sits across from her, calm but serious.
Shayla takes a deep breath.
Kai’s birthday is coming up, Anthony. I need to start making arrangements. There’s a lot that needs to be done.
Anthony looks at her.
He shakes his head.
Shayla, you don’t need to worry about all that.
What do you mean?
Anthony leans forward.
His voice becomes firm.
Kai is my responsibility. You don’t have to worry about everything concerning him.
Shayla stares at him.
She clearly doesn’t like what she’s hearing.
I’m his mother, Anthony. Of course I’m going to worry about his birthday.
Anthony sighs.
I’m not saying you can’t care about him. I’m saying you don’t need to arrange his birthday party.
Then who is going to do it?
I will.
Shayla’s expression changes.
You?
Yes. I’ll arrange Kai’s birthday party myself.
Shayla looks at him in disbelief.
So you’re telling me I don’t have to do anything?
Exactly.
And you don’t need to ask me for money to arrange Kai’s birthday party either. I’m taking care of everything.
Shayla’s eyes widen.
His words hurt her pride.
So now you’re acting like I can’t do anything for my own son?
That’s not what I said.
It sure sounds like it.
Anthony stands.
Shayla, I just want to make sure Kai has a good birthday. That’s all.
Shayla grabs her purse.
She is visibly angry.
Fine. If you want to handle everything, then handle everything.
She walks toward the door.
Anthony watches her.
Shayla—
She stops for a moment.
She doesn’t turn around.
I don’t want to hear it.
She opens the door and walks out.
The door closes behind her.
Anthony stands silently in the living room.
He exhales.
SCENE 2 — ANTHONY’S HOUSE — LATER THAT EVENING
Anthony sits at the kitchen table.
His phone is beside him.
He opens his notes and begins writing down ideas for Kai’s birthday.
Party decorations.
Cake.
Food.
Music.
Games.
Guests.
He wants everything to be perfect.
His phone suddenly rings.
It is Denise.
Hey, Denise.
Hey. What’s going on?
Anthony smiles slightly.
I’m planning Kai’s birthday party.
Really?
Yeah. Shayla was going to arrange it, but I told her I’d take care of everything.
Do you need help?
Anthony looks at his notes.
Actually, yeah. I could use some help.
Then let’s make sure Kai has the best birthday ever.
Anthony agrees.
SCENE 3 — PARTY VENUE — DAY
The next day, Anthony and Denise arrive at the party venue.
The room is completely empty.
Anthony looks around.
Denise carries several bags filled with decorations.
Where do you want these?
Anthony points toward the tables.
Put them over there.
Denise starts setting everything down.
Anthony begins hanging decorations.
They work together.
Balloons fill the room.
A large birthday banner is placed behind the main table.
A cake table is arranged near the center.
This is actually looking really good.
Kai is going to love it.
You really wanted to make this special for him, didn’t you?
Anthony nods.
He deserves it.
They continue working.
Soon, the room looks completely different.
Colorful decorations cover the walls.
The tables are filled with food.
A beautiful birthday cake sits in the center.
Anthony checks everything one more time.
I think we’re ready.
I think so too.
SCENE 4 — ANTHONY CALLS SHAYLA — EVENING
Anthony steps outside.
He takes out his phone.
He scrolls through his contacts and calls Shayla.
The phone rings several times.
Finally, Shayla answers.
Her voice is cold.
What do you want?
Anthony ignores her attitude.
Kai’s birthday party is ready.
Shayla stays silent.
I wanted to let you know you should come.
You want me to come?
Yes. It’s Kai’s birthday. You should be there.
Shayla hesitates.
She is still angry about their earlier argument.
Fine. I’ll come.
Good.
The call ends.
Anthony looks relieved.
Inside the venue, Denise watches him.
Was that Shayla?
Anthony nods.
Yeah. She’s coming.
Denise becomes quiet.
She knows this could become complicated.
SCENE 5 — PARTY VENUE — NIGHT
The party is in full swing.
Music plays softly in the background.
Kai is surrounded by decorations and presents.
He is smiling from ear to ear.
Anthony watches him proudly.
Denise stands nearby.
She helps Kai with his birthday gifts.
Suddenly, the entrance doors open.
Shayla walks inside.
She looks around.
At first, she smiles when she sees Kai.
Her expression softens.
Then she notices someone standing beside him.
Denise.
Shayla freezes.
Her smile disappears instantly.
She stares at Denise.
Denise looks back at her.
Anthony notices Shayla’s reaction.
He walks toward her.
Shayla, I’m glad you came.
Shayla doesn’t answer.
Her eyes remain fixed on Denise.
Why is she here?
Anthony looks at Denise, then back at Shayla.
Denise helped me put the party together.
Shayla’s face tightens.
Of course she did.
Anthony can hear the anger in her voice.
Shayla, please. Today is about Kai.
Shayla looks toward her son.
Kai is happily playing with his presents.
She takes a breath.
But the jealousy and anger inside her continue to grow.
You told me you were handling everything yourself.
Anthony nods.
I did.
Shayla points toward Denise.
Then why is she here?
I was only helping Anthony with Kai’s party.
Shayla gives her a sharp look.
I didn’t ask you.
Anthony immediately steps between them.
Enough.
Shayla looks at him.
We are not going to ruin Kai’s birthday.
Shayla looks at Kai again.
He is completely unaware of the tension.
She forces herself to calm down.
But her eyes keep drifting back toward Denise.
Anthony notices.
Please, Shayla. Just enjoy the party for Kai.
Shayla takes another deep breath.
I came here for my son.
Anthony nods.
And that’s exactly what matters.
Shayla walks toward Kai.
She hugs him tightly.
Kai smiles.
Mommy!
Shayla kisses his forehead.
Happy birthday, baby.
For a moment, everything feels peaceful.
But when Shayla looks over her shoulder, she sees Denise standing beside Anthony.
Her expression changes again.
She knows this birthday party may be far from over when it comes to the tension between them.
The music continues.
Kai laughs.
Anthony watches Shayla carefully.
Denise remains quiet.