😳 “You Won’t Believe What Happened When Anthony Came In Without Knocking!”

 😳 “You Won’t Believe What Happened When Anthony Came In Without Knocking!”

Amber: “Girl, you look like you haven’t slept. What’s going on with you lately?”

Shayla: sighs “Same old, Amber. Anthony won’t leave me alone. He still shows up here like he owns the place.”

Amber: “Wait, what? I thought you told him it’s over. He’s still coming around?”

Shayla: “Yeah. He still has a key, Amber. He walks in whenever he feels like it. No call, no knock — just shows up.”

Amber: “Are you serious right now? Shayla, why does he even still have a key?”

Shayla: “Because when he left, I was just trying to keep things peaceful for Kai. I didn’t want more drama. But now it’s like… I gave him space, and he turned it into permission.”

Amber: “Girl, that’s not peace. That’s control. You can’t live like that.”

Shayla: “I know. Last night I was in the kitchen, and I heard the door open. I thought it was a noise outside, but it was him. Just standing there like it was normal.”

Amber: “Did you say anything?”

Shayla: “Of course I did. I asked him why he came without calling, and he said he just came to grab Kai’s backpack. But Amber, the way he said it… like I was the one overreacting.”

Amber: “He’s testing you, Shayla. Trying to see how much he can still get away with.”

Shayla: “Exactly. And you know what? Tomorrow, when everyone’s here, I’m going to say it out loud. I’m done pretending. I’m tired of walking on eggshells.”

Amber: “You sure you wanna do that? Anthony doesn’t take embarrassment well. He’ll flip it right back on you.”

Shayla: “Let him. I’m not scared anymore. I’m just… done. He needs to know he doesn’t have control here anymore.”

(Amber nods slowly, watching Shayla’s trembling hands.)

Amber: “You’ve really been carrying all this by yourself, huh?”

Shayla: “Yeah. And it’s heavy, Amber. You know, sometimes I still remember how he used to make me laugh. And I hate that part of me still misses that. But every time he walks through that door like it’s still his home, it just reminds me how much I’ve lost.”

Amber: “You didn’t lose, Shayla. You survived. There’s a difference.”

(Before Shayla can answer, the doorknob rattles. The door opens. Anthony walks in without knocking. Both women freeze.)

Amber: under her breath “See? Didn’t I tell you.”

Shayla: firmly “Anthony, seriously? You can’t knock?”

Anthony: “Knock? Why should I knock? I’ve always walked in here. It’s not like I’m a stranger.”

Shayla: “You’re not a stranger, but you’re not supposed to act like this house still belongs to you.”

Anthony: “Relax, Shayla. I just came to pick up Kai’s tablet.”

Amber: “Then you could’ve called. It’s about respect.”

Anthony: “Amber, no offense, but this is between me and Shayla. You don’t need to jump in.”

Shayla: “No, she does, Anthony. Because clearly, you don’t listen when it’s just me talking.”

Anthony: frustrated “I’m not here for drama. You’re always making things bigger than they are.”

Shayla: “You don’t see it because you’re not the one feeling violated. Every time you walk in like this, it reminds me that you still think you can come and go as you please.”

Anthony: “You act like I’m some kind of threat. I’m just trying to be there for my son.”

Shayla: “Being there for your son doesn’t mean ignoring boundaries. You can co-parent without barging into my house.”

Amber: “Exactly. She’s not saying you can’t be a dad. She’s saying you can’t just walk in here like you still live here.”

Anthony: “You think I want to be here? Trust me, I don’t. But everything in this house still reminds me of what I built — of what we had.”

Shayla: “Then maybe that’s the problem, Anthony. You keep holding on to a version of us that doesn’t exist anymore.”

(A silence falls between them. The tension fills the room.)

Anthony: “So what, you’re just gonna lock me out of my own past?”

Shayla: “No. I’m locking you out of my pain.”

(Amber looks down, wiping her eyes. Shayla’s voice trembles but stays strong.)

Shayla: “Tomorrow, I’m telling everyone the truth. That you still come here like nothing’s changed. Maybe then you’ll realize how much it hurts.”

Anthony: “You really want to embarrass me like that?”

Shayla: “I’m not trying to embarrass you. I’m trying to heal. But I can’t heal in a house you still treat like your own.”

Amber: “She’s right, Anthony. Sometimes letting go is the only way you stop breaking what’s left.”

Anthony: “You both think I’m the bad guy. But you didn’t live in my head. You don’t know what it feels like to lose your family and walk past the same walls every week pretending it’s fine.”

Shayla: “You didn’t lose your family, Anthony. You pushed them away. You shut me out long before I locked the door.”

(Anthony stares at her, his jaw tight. He looks at the floor for a long moment.)

Anthony: “Fine. You want me to stop coming here? Say it.”

Shayla: “I already did.”

(Anthony reaches into his pocket, pulls out a small key, and places it on the table.)

Anthony: “There. You got what you wanted.”

Shayla: quietly “It’s not what I wanted. It’s what I needed.”

(Anthony stands still for a second, then turns toward the door.)

Anthony: “Tell Kai I’ll call him tomorrow.”

Shayla: “I will.”

(He opens the door and leaves. The sound of it closing echoes through the quiet house. Amber slowly exhales, tears in her eyes.)

Amber: “Girl… I know that hurt.”

Shayla: voice cracking “It did. But sometimes hurting is the only way you know you’re finally healing.”

Amber: “You did the right thing. Don’t doubt that.”

Shayla: “I know. It’s just strange, you know? For so long, he’d walk in and it felt normal. And now, him leaving… it finally feels real.”

Amber: “Real doesn’t always mean easy.”

Shayla: nods slowly “No, it doesn’t. But at least now, I can finally lock my door and breathe.”

(Amber reaches over and squeezes her hand. Both sit quietly, the sound of 

rain starting to fall outside. For the first time, Shayla doesn’t rush to check the door. She just lets the silence be.)