A Chance at Life

A Pasta Plan

"I don't have any siblings"
"You also haven't seen mom for years"
"Who the fuck are you?"
"Your-"
"No you're not. What do you mean she's in LA?"
"She's in LA"
"Toni? Did she just say she's your sister?" I put the phone back up to my ear and ignore the newbie.
"I don't know what's going on right now, can I call you later?"
"My dad will be home, I'll come over tomorrow when he's at work"
"Okay, I love you goodbye"
"I love you bye" I turn back around and see that she's moved closer to me.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you here? In Texas, my workplace"
"I wanted to see you"
"You've been here long enough and you've not said anything?"
"I didn't know how to"
"But stalking me and creeping on me at work is okay?"
"No..."
"What's your real name, I doubt it's whatever the fuck that says"
"Teri"
"Of course it is. Fuck this" I go back inside and continue working around her.

My shift ends at 9 and I sit in my car, taking in the whole day from this morning and tonight. My car door opens and I freak out, scrambling for my phone. "What the fuck are you doing in my car"
"You remind me of mom, her car looks like this" she picks up an empty bottle and throws it into the trash bin.
"You still haven't told me what you want"
"To see my big sis"
"If you're really my sister then why isn't mom here too?"
"She doesn't know I'm here, she thinks I'm with my dad. It took me a while but I tracked you down. Your friend Fatin is very open about everything she does"
"Stalking confirmed"
"Can I try this again?"
"What?"
"Hi, I'm Teri" she holds out her hand and I leave her hanging.
"Toni"
"Nice to meet you Toni"
"When do you go back to LA?"
"In a few months, I'm leaving Wednesday for the summer to see my dad"
"Were you ever going to tell me?"
"I don't know, I was hoping you'd ask"
"Ask about someone I don't know exists or someone who's been in and out of my life and I haven't seen since I was 10?"
She sighs and starts to play with her rings. "Mom had me during her rehab days and I was taken to live with my dad. I've only lived with her for a few years"
"So you get to live with her but she never came back for me? Cool"
"It's not like that"
"Then how is it like? I would love to know because I've been in and out of foster care with CPS on my back, my whole life. The only break I got was when I was taken in by my best friends parents"
"I'm sorry Toni..."
"Look, I don't care who you are or what relation you are to me. You need to get out my car and leave me alone" she looks at me for a final time and I can see how I've been ignoring that she reminds me of my mom, which is why I've probably been so hostile towards her. "Get out" she leaves my car and I reverse out to leave.

I get home and go straight to my room. Marty comes in smiling until she sees me. "What's wrong? Bad shift?"
"I have a sister"
"What?"
"She's been working with me for the last month"
"The newbie?"
"She's so alike to my mom that she has to be. I didn't see it at first until she told me" Marty sits next to me picking up Helsby from his spot.
"What did she say?"
"That she's been searching for me and thanks to Fatin she found me"
"Does your mom know she's here?"
"No. She thinks she's with her dad for the summer. She leaves on Wednesday"
"What's her name?"
"Teri..."
"Of course..."
"That's what I said. Marty this is crazy, she also said mom's in LA"
"Small world. What are you going to do?"
"I don't know...She's not here for long"
"You've not seen your mom in forever"
"Fuck her, fuck them both"
"Toni, don't be like that. You just need to get to know her. Why don't you talk it out over dinner? Or invite her here?"
"No way, she's not coming here. I don't trust her, I wouldn't even invite my mom here. If she's anything like my mom..."
"She might not be"
"Mart, I know you see the good in everyone-"
"And you see the bad in everyone so I can be here if you need to me to be" I sigh and lie down.
"Fine" She kisses my head and leaves my room.

I get undressed and turn on a movie. I spend most of the time overthinking everything. I finally fall asleep early hours into Sunday.

I wake up to the sun beaming on my face and Helsby licking my face. "Ergh Helsby" I sit up and he continues to lick me. "What are you doing, you weird cat" he jumps off and sits at the door. "Oh, it's closed" I get up and open it for him. I stretch and get into some comfy clothes. I get ready for the day by brushing my teeth and hair and replying to any messages I had. Shelby was at church so I had to wait around to tell her about my 'sister'.