A Chance at Life

Marcus, Marty and a Movie

We got home and I spent the night watching The 100. It was around 11pm when I heard Mrs B come home and I went downstairs to say hello.
"Hey, did you have a nice shift?"
"As best as it could be, honey, how was your game? I'm sorry I couldn't make it"
"It was good" I watch as Mrs B sits down on the couch, sinks into to it and sighs. "Are you okay?"
"I just need some rest, don't worry. What happened with the scouts?" I sit next to her as she turns on the tv.
"I got an offer for UCLA and NYC haven't gotten back yet"
"That's amazing Toni, I'm so proud of you" she hugs me and kisses my cheek. "Super proud. Where's Marty?"
"Thanks. I think she's in bed, I don't know if she's asleep" she flicks through channels and the streaming apps. "I'm helping Shelby babysit tomorrow night"
"That's nice of you, Mrs García's granddaughter?"
"Yep. I'm going to head off to bed so I'll see you tomorrow, goodnight"
"Goodnight"

I walk off back up the stairs and walk past Marty's room when I hear her laugh. Confused, I slowly open her door and see her holding Helsby up so he's stood up and her phone propped up. "Hey Toni"
"Hello...? You're awake?"
"I'm on facetime to Marcus, I'm showing him how cute Helsby is"
"He's like a cuter version of Puss In Boots" I hear Marcus say as I walk in and sit on Marty's bed with her.
"I was saying how dad thinks he's a mini version and calls him Puss In Boots all the time"
I get into the camera and wave. "Hey Marcus"
"Toni! You look great, I heard about your college acceptance. UCLA is the big leagues, looking forward to it?"
"I'm just excited to get away"
"What's wrong with Marty! She can't be that bad"
"Nothing! I love Marty B. It's so I can be with my girlfriend"
"Marty mentioned her family not being supportive, I'm glad you've found your escape"
"So when are you coming over?"
"When Martha here allows me to come say hi to Mrs Blackburn"
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"What time would you like me for?"
"Mrs B has work tomorrow night and I'm not doing anything until late. What do you say Marty?"
"Alright, why don't you invite Shelby too?"
"Perfect, it's a date"
"I like your sweater Toni, it's very you"
"Thanks Marcus, it's Shelbys. It's a short story of I had no clean clothes"
"I'm excited to meet this Shelby"
"You'll like her, anyways I have to go sleep so I'll leave you both to it. Goodnight Marcus"
"Goodnight Toni" I get up and walk to the door. I turn around seeing Marty smile at Marcus and stick my thumbs up, she looks up and smiles.
"Goodnight Marty"
"Night Toni" Helsby follows me out into my room and gets into his bed.
"You aren't sleeping with me today?" I pat his blanket and he jumps onto it. "Thought so, let's watch Finding Nemo" I turn on my laptop and put it on, eventually falling to sleep.

Shelb wakes me up getting into bed and snuggles up to me. "I love this but where's your phone"
"I left it at home, I got this" she shows me another phone.
"It's connected to my iCloud but doesn't have find my iPhone activated so unless he's at home, he'll think I'm there" I smile and look around for Helsby. "He's downstairs with Marty"
"So...it's just me and you?"
"Mm hmm" We kiss until there's a knock at my door.
"Come in!" We both sit up and Marcus comes in.
"Marcus!" I get up and hug him.
"Toni, it's nice to see you. And you must be-"
"Shelby, it's nice to finally meet you" he pulls her in for a tight hug and I grab Shelby's hoodie putting it on.
"Let's go downstairs"

Me and Shelby are sat together on the big couch with Marty while Marcus sits on the single couch. "So what are we doing today Toni?"
"Uhh..."
"Why don't we go to the movies?"
"Good idea Shelby, I'll go get ready" I get up and go upstairs to get dressed. I walk in my room and scream as I see a bird on the floor. They all come rushing in my room and see the bird too.
"Poor thing" Marty goes over to it and picks it up as it starts flapping about. "Where's that cat" She checks it over on the bed and then lets it go out the window. "Lucky escape"
"Marty you're a sweetheart you know that?"
"Thanks Shelby. I'm gonna go find that cat of yours, Toni" Shelby sits on the bed as Marcus and Marty leave the room.

I finish getting ready and start to make my bed. "Cats give gifts to their owners usually live or dead prey to show you how they see you as family. Natural instinct."
"What?"
"Helsby"
"Oh, interesting"
"In his eyes you're a terrible hunter"
"I'm amazing! Come on, let's go" We get ready to leave and we bump into Mrs B on the way out.
"Hey guys. Marcus!"
"Bernice!" They hug as Marty gets her shoes on. "It's so lovely to see you"
"Look at you all grown up, I didn't know you were back in town"
"Moved back in with my parents for college. Do you need some help?" I look behind her and she's got bags full of groceries.
"I'd love some" Marcus, Shelby and I helped bring the bags in while Mrs B and Marty unpacked.

"So Marcus, how is your family?"
"They're good, my sister just got back from college and my brother is a doctor in England. My parents have just adopted a new dog"
"Busy family"
"I'd say so. How's Russell?"
"He's in France, right now. He's just been promoted and he's good. Toni, honey, can you pass me the milk?" I give her the milk and continue to unpack. Shelby stands next to me and I put my arm around her waist and whisper in her ear.
"I love you..." she smiles and whispers it back.
"What are you two whispering about?
"Nothing for you Marcus" we finally finish unpacking and head out to the movie theater.

"What are we watching?"
"You guys pick, me and Toni will go get the popcorn" I walk over with Marcus getting in line for the food. "I have something to ask"
"Alright, what's up?"
"Is Marty seeing someone?"
"Like a boyfriend? No why?"
"Just wondering"
"She was seeing someone but she broke it off"
"Why?"
"The thing with Ted?"
"The doctor? I see, she's still not doing great?"
"I trust if you do go there you'll take good care of her?"
"Toni, you know me. I want nothing but the best for you all, even Shelby. She seems amazing, I noticed her cross necklace though"
"Marty didn't tell you?"
"She only said about them not being supportive not that they're religious"
"Her dad is a handful, I punched him once that felt great"
"I bet. How long have you been together?"
"Seeing each other since November but I asked her to be my girlfriend in December" We get to the front of the line and order our food. "Excuse me do you have any skittles?"
"Sorry we're all out" I look behind her and see a box of skittles sat on the counter. I look her in the eyes and ask again. "We are out, there's a delivery in an hour" she smiles and I was about to argue with her then Shelby comes up behind me and holds my hand. I look at her, take a breath and smile.
"She'll just take these, thank you" we walk off and Marcus looks at me confused.
"What just happened?"
"What do you mean?" Shelby looks over with a bucket of popcorn in her hand.
"The Toni I know would of already had her head on a stick by now"
"Shelby happened" I smile and squeeze her hand.
Shelby walks off to join Marty and I'm left walking with Marcus again.
"She makes you soft"
"She calms me down"
"You used to scare the fuck out of me"
"I don't now?"
"I don't know..." we join up with the girls and we walk to the room where our movie was showing. I sit at the end next to Shelby, Marty sits next to Shelby on the other side and Marcus is next to Marty on the other end. We sit and enjoy the movie which was some romance movie that they picked out. I hated it but it was time spent with Shelby so I didn't mind. We get an hour into it and I look over and see Marcus with his hand round Marty's shoulder and she's snuggled as close as she can to him.

"Psst Toni"
"What?"
"Do you think they'll get together?"
"I hope so, Marcus knows Marty better than most"
"Does he know about..."
"Ted? Yeah...he was one of the people who supported her through the worst of it before he left"
"So he knows that..."
"Mm hmm" She sits back and holds my hand.
When the movie finally finishes, we leave the theatre and head home.

We're all sat in the living room watching something when Mrs B brings us snacks. "Here you go guys"
"Thanks mom"
"Yeah, thank you Bernice"
"How was your day Marcus?"
"It was good, I hope we can do it again?" We all nod as we scoff the food.
"It was nice being with the girls again like old times and Shelby of course" I look up at the time and it's getting pretty late and tap Shelby's arm.
"Should we go?"
"Oh Lord, look at the time. Yeah let's go"
"Where are you going?" Marcus asks as we stand up.
"To babysit" He laughs at me and then pulls a serious face.
"Oh you're serious...enjoy?"
"Thanks" I go upstairs to pack a bag and we stop at Shelby's house for her phone and clothes before we start the journey to Rami's house.