Bethany Questions Sharra About Larry’s Puerto Rico Trip

Summary

The afternoon sun shines through the living room windows. Bethany walks back and forth, unable to stop thinking about Larry’s trip to Puerto Rico and the time he spent there with Sharra.

A knock echoes through the house. Bethany opens the front door and finds Sharra standing outside with her handbag.

SHARRA

Hi, Bethany. Is Larry home? I came to see him.

BETHANY

Come inside, Sharra. We need to talk about something first.

Sharra notices the seriousness in Bethany’s voice. She steps inside and places her handbag on the sofa.

SHARRA

What’s going on? You look like something is bothering you.

BETHANY

There is something I have been wanting to ask you, and I need you to be honest with me.

SHARRA

All right. What do you want to know?

Bethany takes a deep breath before finally asking the question that has been troubling her.

BETHANY

When you and Larry were both in Puerto Rico, did anything happen between you two?

Sharra raises an eyebrow, confused by the question.

SHARRA

What exactly are you asking me?

BETHANY

I’m asking whether you and Larry did anything in that hotel room. Were you two alone together? Did something happen between you that I don’t know about?

Sharra’s expression immediately changes. Her eyes widen in disbelief, and her jaw tightens.

SHARRA

Excuse me? Did you seriously just ask me that?

BETHANY

Yes, I did. I have a right to ask questions about my husband, especially when he travels with another woman.

Sharra lets out a bitter laugh and shakes her head.

SHARRA

You invited me into your house, and this is what you want to talk about? You want to interrogate me about a trip to Puerto Rico?

BETHANY

I’m not interrogating you. I just want the truth.

SHARRA

The truth? Or do you simply want me to say something that confirms whatever suspicious story you have created in your head?

Bethany’s face reddens with frustration.

BETHANY

Don’t twist my words, Sharra. I asked you a simple question. If nothing happened, why are you getting so defensive?

Sharra takes a step toward Bethany, her expression growing colder.

SHARRA

You have absolutely no right to accuse me of sleeping with Larry!

BETHANY

I didn’t accuse you of anything. I asked whether something happened between you two.

SHARRA

And what makes you think you can speak to me like that?

BETHANY

Because Larry is my husband! If there is something going on between you and him, I deserve to know!

Sharra clenches her fists, struggling to control her anger. The room grows tense as the two women stand face-to-face.

SHARRA

You should be asking your husband these questions instead of standing here treating me like I’m some kind of homewrecker!

BETHANY

I will talk to Larry, but right now, you’re standing right in front of me. So answer me. Did you and Larry do anything in that hotel room?

Sharra’s breathing becomes heavier. She feels insulted by Bethany’s repeated questions.

SHARRA

That’s enough, Bethany! I have listened to your nonsense long enough!

BETHANY

Then tell me the truth!

SHARRA

Stop questioning my character!

Bethany folds her arms and refuses to look away.

BETHANY

If you have nothing to hide, you shouldn’t have a problem answering me.

Those words push Sharra beyond her limit. She suddenly raises her hand and delivers a sharp slap across Bethany’s face.

The sound echoes through the living room. Bethany’s head turns to the side as she freezes in shock, slowly raising one hand to her cheek.

For several seconds, neither woman moves.

BETHANY

Did you just slap me?

Sharra stands there, breathing heavily, with anger still visible in her eyes.

SHARRA

Maybe now you’ll understand that you cannot disrespect me and expect me to stand here quietly.

BETHANY

You came into my house, and you slapped me because I asked you a question?

SHARRA

You accused me of having an affair with your husband! What did you expect me to do?

BETHANY

I expected you to answer me like an adult! You could have denied it. You could have walked away. But you chose to hit me!

Sharra looks away briefly, but her anger remains.

SHARRA

I am not going to stand here and let you question my dignity.

BETHANY

And you think hitting me gives you dignity?

Bethany points toward the front door.

BETHANY

You need to leave my house right now.

SHARRA

You’re throwing me out?

BETHANY

Yes! I will not allow you to disrespect me in my own home.

SHARRA

Believe me, Bethany, I have no intention of staying here another second.

Sharra grabs her handbag from the sofa and turns toward the door. Before leaving, she stops and looks back at Bethany.

SHARRA

If you have problems with Larry, take them up with him. Don’t blame me for every doubt you have about your marriage.

BETHANY

Then stop giving me reasons to question what is happening between you two!

SHARRA

You’re going to regret treating me this way.

BETHANY

And you are going to regret putting your hands on me.

The two women exchange one final furious stare. Sharra pulls open the front door and storms outside.

Inside the house, Bethany closes the door and leans against it. Her hand remains pressed against her cheek as anger slowly gives way to hurt and confusion.

She walks back into the living room and sits on the sofa, replaying Sharra’s reaction in her mind.

BETHANY

Why would she get so angry over one question? If nothing happened between them, why couldn’t she simply tell me?

Her eyes fill with tears, but she quickly wipes them away. She reaches for her phone and opens Larry’s contact.

For a moment, her thumb hovers over the call button. Finally, she presses it.

The phone rings several times before Larry answers.

LARRY (ON PHONE)

Hey, Bethany. What’s going on?

Bethany straightens her back, her expression turning serious.

BETHANY

Larry, we need to talk. And I need you to tell me the truth about your trip to Puerto Rico with Sharra.

A brief silence follows.

LARRY (ON PHONE)

What are you talking about? Why are you asking me that now?

Bethany narrows her eyes. His hesitation only makes her more suspicious.

BETHANY

Because I just asked Sharra whether anything happened between you two in that hotel room, and she completely lost her temper.

Larry says nothing for a moment. Bethany grips the phone more tightly.

BETHANY

Larry, listen to me carefully. I want the truth. Did something happen between you and Sharra in Puerto Rico?

The silence on the other end stretches longer than Bethany expected. Her heart begins to pound.

BETHANY

Larry? Are you still there?

The call continues, but Larry’s answer does not come immediately. Bethany stares at the phone, her face filled with fear, anger, and uncertainty.

She wanted answers about Larry’s trip to Puerto Rico, but now she has even more reasons to question her marriage.

Whatever Larry says next could change everything between them.