Naked Sharp Truth
658 Words
It was a sunny morning on Saturday, with the warm rays of the sun peeking through the windows of the Reynolds' household, Mrs. Reynolds was sitting in the living room, sipping a cup of coffee. She was dressed in a comfortable pair of slacks and a white blouse, and her eyes were fixed on the clock on the wall. It was 10 am, and she was starting to get worried. Carol, her daughter, had left the house early that morning, without saying anything. But when Mrs. Reynolds tried to call her a few minutes ago after James phone call, Carol's phone went straight to voicemail.
Mrs. Reynolds' brow furrowed with concern as she set her coffee cup down on the coffee table. She got up from the couch and walked over to the kitchen, where she had left her phone. She picked it up and scrolled through her contacts, looking for Melissa's number. Mrs. Reynolds knew that if anyone knew what was going on with Carol, it would be Melissa.
Meanwhile, at Melissa's apartment, the scene was quite different. Melissa was sitting on her couch, staring blankly at the TV. She was still in her pajamas, and her eyes looked tired and puffy. She had been up late the night before, studying for an up coming test, and she was still trying to wake up.
The room was cluttered with books and papers, and the TV was playing a rerun of a popular sitcom. Melissa was not really paying attention to the show, though. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Carol and their strained friendship. They had been friends since childhood, but lately, things had been tense between them. Melissa was still hurt about the way Carol had lied to her and used her to cover up her own mistakes.
Just as Melissa was starting to drift off into a daydream, her phone rang, shrill and insistent. She groggily reached for the phone and answered it, not expecting to hear Mrs. Reynolds' voice on the other end.
Mrs. Reynolds: Hello? Melissa, it's Mrs. Reynolds. I hope I'm not disturbing you.
Melissa: (pausing, hesitant) Oh, hi Mrs. Reynolds. No, you're not disturbing me.
Mrs. Reynolds: (concerned) Melissa, I'm trying to reach Carol, but she's not answering her phone. And James just called me, complaining that he can't get through to her either. He's getting worried. (pausing) Is Carol there with you?
Melissa: (hesitant, trying to avoid the truth) No, no...I haven't seen her today, Mrs. Reynolds.
Mrs. Reynolds: (firmly) Melissa, this is unlike her. I need you to be honest with me. I know you and Carol are close. (pausing) Is everything okay?
Melissa: (nervously) I...I don't know, Mrs. Reynolds.
Mrs. Reynolds: (sternly) Melissa, don't play dumb with me. I know something's going on. Carol's been acting strange lately, and I need to know what's going on. (pausing) Is it something to do with James?
Melissa: (sighing, reluctantly) Okay, fine. (pausing, taking a deep breath) Carol's been...playing games with James. And I think she's seeing someone else.
Mrs. Reynolds: (shocked, concerned) What? Who is she seeing?
Melissa: (hesitant, not wanting to betray Carol's trust) I...I don't know his name. But he works near the tailor shop. He's a construction guy, I think.
Mrs. Reynolds: (angrily, disappointed) Oh, Carol. How could she be so reckless? (pausing, composing herself) Thank you for telling me the truth, Melissa. I appreciate your honesty.
Melissa: (relieved, guilty) I'm sorry, Mrs. Reynolds. Carol will be very angry with me, but I am caught up in between.
Mrs. Reynolds: (firmly) You've done the right thing, Melissa. I need to talk to Carol and get to the bottom of this. (pausing) Thank you again for your honesty.
Melissa: (tearfully) You're welcome, Mrs. Reynolds. I'm sorry again.
Mrs. Reynolds: (softening) It's okay, Melissa. I know you're coming from a good place. (pausing) Take care, dear.
Mrs. Reynolds hangs up the phone, leaving Melissa feeling guilty and anxious.
- Writer
