Anthony and Dnisha’s Home — Living Room — Day
The living room is quiet. Too quiet. Dnisha sits on the couch, scrolling through her phone. Her expression is calm at first, but then something catches her attention.
Her eyes narrow. She slowly sits up. A message reveals that Anthony gave Shayla money to help pay for Kai’s party.
Dnisha stares at the screen. Her face immediately changes. Confusion turns into disbelief. Disbelief turns into anger.
She lowers the phone and looks toward the kitchen. Anthony is standing near the counter, completely unaware that Dnisha has discovered the truth.
Dnisha slowly rises from the couch. She walks toward him.
DNISHA: Anthony.
Anthony turns around. The moment he sees her expression, he knows something is wrong.
ANTHONY: What?
Dnisha holds up her phone.
DNISHA: Is this true?
Anthony looks at the phone. His expression changes. He hesitates. That hesitation is enough for Dnisha.
DNISHA: You gave Shayla money?
ANTHONY: Dnisha, listen—
DNISHA: No. I asked you a question. Did you give Shayla money for Kai’s party?
Anthony looks down for a moment. He knows there is no point in lying.
ANTHONY: Yeah. I gave her some money.
Dnisha takes a step back. She cannot believe how casually he says it.
DNISHA: You actually did it.
ANTHONY: It was just for the party.
Dnisha lets out a frustrated laugh.
DNISHA: Just for the party? That’s what you’re going with?
ANTHONY: I was only trying to help.
DNISHA: Help her? And you didn’t think you should tell me first?
Anthony tries to stay calm.
ANTHONY: I didn’t think it was a big deal.
Dnisha looks directly into his eyes. Her voice becomes quieter. But the anger behind it is impossible to miss.
DNISHA: That’s exactly the problem, Anthony. You didn’t think about me at all.
Anthony takes a step closer.
ANTHONY: That’s not true.
DNISHA: Really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you had no problem giving Shayla money and making plans for Kai’s party. But somehow, I’m the last person to know about it.
ANTHONY: There were no secret plans.
DNISHA: Then why didn’t you tell me?
Anthony opens his mouth. But no answer comes out. Dnisha nods slowly. His silence tells her everything.
DNISHA: Exactly.
She turns away. Anthony quickly follows her.
ANTHONY: Dnisha, don’t do this.
Dnisha stops and turns around. Her eyes are filled with disappointment.
DNISHA: Don’t do what? Be upset because my man is giving another woman money without even talking to me about it?
ANTHONY: Shayla needed help with Kai’s party.
DNISHA: Then fine. Go help her.
Anthony looks confused.
ANTHONY: What are you talking about?
Dnisha points toward the front door.
DNISHA: Go ahead. Bring Shayla into this house. Since you’re so comfortable taking care of her, you can take care of her here too.
ANTHONY: Dnisha, come on. You know it’s not like that.
DNISHA: I honestly don’t care what it’s like anymore.
She walks away from him. Anthony follows her down the hallway.
ANTHONY: Where are you going?
Dnisha does not answer. She enters the bedroom. Anthony stands at the doorway.
Bedroom — Moments Later
Dnisha opens the closet. She pulls out a large suitcase and places it on the bed. Anthony’s eyes widen.
ANTHONY: What are you doing?
Dnisha begins folding her clothes. She places them inside the suitcase.
DNISHA: What does it look like I’m doing?
ANTHONY: You’re not seriously leaving.
Dnisha continues packing.
DNISHA: Yes, Anthony. I am.
ANTHONY: Over some money?
Dnisha suddenly stops. She slowly turns toward him. Her disappointment is now mixed with anger.
DNISHA: See? You still don’t understand. It’s not just about the money.
Anthony remains silent.
DNISHA: It’s about respect. It’s about trust. It’s about you making decisions that involve another woman and expecting me to just stand here and act like nothing happened.
ANTHONY: I wasn’t trying to disrespect you.
DNISHA: But you did. Whether you meant to or not.
She turns back and continues packing. Anthony walks closer.
ANTHONY: Please don’t leave.
Dnisha closes her suitcase.
DNISHA: Maybe leaving is the only way you’ll understand how serious I am.
Anthony gently reaches for the suitcase. Dnisha immediately pulls it away.
DNISHA: Don’t.
ANTHONY: I’m not trying to fight with you.
DNISHA: Then you should have thought about that before you gave Shayla that money.
ANTHONY: I can fix this.
Dnisha shakes her head.
DNISHA: You can’t fix everything with an apology, Anthony.
She picks up another bag and begins placing her personal belongings inside. Anthony watches her in silence. The reality of the situation finally starts to hit him. She is really leaving.
ANTHONY: Where are you even going to go?
DNISHA: That doesn’t matter.
ANTHONY: It matters to me.
Dnisha stops for a moment. She looks at him. Her voice softens slightly.
DNISHA: Then you should have acted like I mattered before this happened.
Anthony looks hurt. He steps closer.
ANTHONY: You do matter to me. More than you know.
Dnisha closes the second bag.
DNISHA: Right now, I don’t feel that way.
She walks toward the bedroom door with her bags. Anthony quickly steps in front of her. Not aggressively. Just desperately.
ANTHONY: Dnisha, please. Don’t walk out on me.
DNISHA: Move, Anthony.
ANTHONY: We can talk about this.
DNISHA: We already did. And all you keep saying is that it wasn’t a big deal.
Anthony looks down. He realizes how much those words hurt her.
ANTHONY: I’m sorry. I should have told you.
Dnisha takes a deep breath.
DNISHA: Yes. You should have.
Anthony looks into her eyes.
ANTHONY: I made a mistake. But please don’t leave because of it.
Dnisha grips the handle of her suitcase. Her eyes begin to fill with emotion, but she refuses to let herself break down.
DNISHA: Sometimes, Anthony, people don’t leave because they stop caring. Sometimes they leave because they get tired of feeling like they have to fight to be respected.
Anthony is speechless. Dnisha walks past him.
Living Room — Moments Later
Dnisha drags her suitcase toward the front door. Anthony follows closely behind.
ANTHONY: Dnisha, wait. Please.
She keeps walking.
ANTHONY: I’ll call Shayla right now. I’ll tell her I shouldn’t have done it.
Dnisha stops at the door. Sh