A Chance at Life

Mother Doesn't Know Best

Marty and Marcus return to Texas and I spend the rest of the morning thinking about what Shelby said. I take out my phone and pull up Teri's name.
"Toni?"
"Emily?"
"Do you want to play some basketball?"
"Uh not right now, I just have to make a call. I'll join you soon"
"Alright" I watch her run over to the court and start to play by herself.

I give it a couple minutes and then take a deep breath, pressing the call button. It rings through and I'm hoping she doesn't pick up.
"Hello?"
"Teri?"
"She's in the shower. Who is this?"
"Nobody"
"Okay nobody, can I take a message?"
"Just tell her to call me back thanks" I end the call and sit thinking about why I recognize the voice but brush it off and join Emily.

Within the next hour I hear my phone ring and I run over to answer.
"Hello?"
"Teri"
"Hey stranger, what's up?"
"I was just wondering if you wanted to come over..."
"Over where?"
"To my house"
"You're in LA! Of course, send me your address and I'll be over"  I end the call and send her my address.
"Who's coming over?"
"My little sister"
"Family reunions just how I like 'em" Emily shoots into the hoop and I clap for her as I grab my water and head inside.

I shower and change into something more casual for Teri's arrival. I clean up my room and go into the home theater to watch a movie while I wait. I hear the doorbell through the speaker system that flows through the house and I go back up to answer the door.

Rosa gets there before me and she welcomes Teri inside. "Toni!" She runs up to me and hugs me.
"Teri..."
"So what are we doing?"
"We should catch up first"
"Of course! Tell me how's your time in LA been?"
We walk into the kitchen and sit at the kitchen bar. Rosa makes us some drinks and we catch up about life for the next hour. We were talking about New York when I hear Shelby come in from work.

"Shelby?!" She walks in and opens her arms for a hug.
"Hey Teri"
"Shelby!"
"It's so good to see you again. You seem much brighter here in LA"
"Home is where the heart is" they laugh and I chuckle along.
"Toni, where's Eli? I wanted to give him this chocolate bar I bought"
"He's out with his friends, has been since this morning" I look up at the clock and nod to myself. "He should be back for dinner soon"
"Teri I hope you'll be joining us?" Teri looks at me and I nod again.
"Of course" Shelby walks off and leaves us to talk again.
"Do you want to help make dinner?"
"What are we making?"
"A chicken salad but if you want something-"
"Chicken is good. Chicken is great"

We spend the next couple of hours prepping and making dinner with Emily joining in midway. I start setting up the dinner table while dinner is being dished out and the doorbell rings. Hoping someone else answers I continue to finish up. I make my way back to the kitchen walking near the front door and hear a familiar voice along with Shelby's.
"Who are you again?"
I walk to the door and match the face to the voice.
"Mom"
"Toni..."
"Mom?" Shelby looks at me and I move her out the way and slam the door shut. "Why did you do that?"
"It's clearly Teri's fault she's here. TERI!" Teri walks out the kitchen wiping her hands on her pants and looks at me confused.
"Toni? What's wrong?" I open the door and she's still stood there. "Mom?"
"Teri"
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to make peace"
"No you can't be here. I told you not to follow me"
"Toni can you hear me out?" I feel Shelby tug on my arm and turn to see her nodding.
"We're having dinner Ms Shalifoe" Shelby interrupts us and welcomes her in.
"Are you sure?" I walk off and go into the kitchen leaving the three of them in the hall.

"What's going on out there?"
"Plate up another dish. My mom is here"
"Your mom? Didn't think I'd be hearing that from you"
"You and me both" I take two plates into the dining room and give them to the guests and Emily comes in with two more. I go back grabbing another two with Emily and she grabs the last two.