Teaghan
THREE MONTHS LATER
“Honey, you’ve got to contact the new one. I don’t know if they didn’t tell you, but I haven’t been in that position for a few weeks now.”
“I know, I know, but this is personal. I’ll explain everything once you get here.”
Tossing the blanket from my lap, I unwrapped my hair and slid my Puma slides on.
The sound of urgency was laced in Elisha’s voice.
I wanted to ask questions, but the helper in me was die-hard.
So with limited answers, I took off for the school.
The thirty-minute drive would only intensify the several questions I had.
But I hit the highway and floated as if I was on a carpet to the school.
In the parking lot, there were several cars, and tonight they were having a play.
I read the marquee. I still wasn’t aware of exactly what I was doing here and why I was personally being summoned for the school play.
Exiting the car, I entered the theater, and Elisha and Ms. Norwood were waiting for me.
“Will one of you tell me what’s going on?” I hissed as I approached. They seemed to sigh from relief, and I didn’t understand what was so pressing to call me at home when this wasn’t my jurisdiction.
“Teaghan, it’s Malone. He’s been doing great and having great days, but today it’s like a switch has been flipped and he won’t speak to anyone but you, he said. We called as soon his father gave us permission. Please help us, we have a major play, and we need to move things along.”
“I still don’t understand. Why me? I haven’t seen him or his father in months,” I replied, scratching my head in confusion. If this was an ambush someone would pay. These last few months, I have made sure to mind my own business and not try to fix anything or anyone but myself.
“He said you are the only one that’s honest with him and that understands him.
Please, I’m begging you to help us out. I was wrong about Malone, and I owe that understanding to you.
he has such a bright future, and I can’t allow him to ruin it.
We need you, and so does he,” Ms. Norwood reasoned, holding my hand.
“What’s the play about?” I asked, figuring something triggered him. I wouldn’t be happy about him thinking so much of me until I confirmed he was ok.
“It’s the Mother’s Day play. He has the first part, but he refuses to go on stage without you here.”
“Ok, I’ll talk to him. Where is he?” I took off for the back and found Malone. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him being a part of a play that he couldn’t relate to. I knew they couldn’t leave him out, but damn, they could have found something else to involve him in. “Malone, hey baby.”
“Ms. Tea,” he said, running into my arms. I hugged him and held him as tightly as I could.
My Friday night had been uneventful until now.
I missed his little face and his smarts.
It was always a good time playing trivia with a genius.
I learned so much from him and I hoped I gave him something to carry on also.
“Now would you like to tell me what’s going on? I thought you and your dad made a deal?”
“We did and he broke the deal when he broke up with you over nothing. But really I’m scared to talk about my mom in front of everyone. What if I say something wrong about her? Dad said we have to protect her memories and legacy. I don’t want to mess up my poem or for people to laugh,” he admitted.
My heart beat rapidly at his revelation and fears. I grabbed his body and hugged him again.
“Listen, Malone, I know how hard it is not to have your mother and wanting to do everything right. But you will never go wrong talking about how you love your mother and what she means to you now and what she meant before. I’m sure she’s watching from heaven, wishing you would be brave and courageous. Can you do that?”
“Why can’t you just be my mom now?”
“Malone, you will only have one mother, and I’m not her. But I can stand in and be a good friend. Would that work?”
“I mean, you could always be his stepmom, sweet tea. I know I fuc-, I mean messed up. Being without you has been the hardest situation I’ve dealt with in a long time.
I’m waving the white flag, Teaghan. I don’t want to fight my feelings and what I know is real and true.
You are right for Malone and for me. There is no doubt in that.
Here is me saying I apologize, and I want you to give us another chance.
I concede. I’m yours, and you are mine. I am not better without you.
I thought I was, but I’m not. I’m not ready to start over and learn to love someone.
I want to love you, all of you, just how you are,” I heard come from behind me.
Slowly turning around, Houston was on one knee with a shiny chocolate solitaire in his hand.
Before I could respond, I heard the crackle of the microphone and Malone’s little voice come over the speakers.
“Today I have a poem I’m supposed to read for Mother’s Day, but I’m not going to read some made-up poem that doesn’t fit for me or tell my story.
I used to get picked on because I didn’t have a mom to come to these things, and I didn’t have a mom to pick me up.
I used to get mad until I understood why I didn’t have one.
My mom passed away a few years ago, and I didn’t understand the craze about having a mom because I’ve always had my dad.
But then I had Teaghan, it was out of nowhere.
She came, and she tried to understand me and help me work through my feelings.
Teaghan is the best, and I can’t imagine sharing her with someone.
She’s the one who gives you ice cream before dinner because who needs rules after a long day?
She’s the one who makes me and my dad happy.
She also makes the best pasta I’ve had in a long time.
She’s like my mom reincarnated. My mom made good spaghetti, and Teaghan’s is up there.
We haven’t had her in our lives for a long time, and we miss her.
Now I can say I have been blessed with two moms. So I win!
Ms. Tea, we don’t want to lose you again. Be my stepmom.”
This was all a trick to get me here, and I just shook my head and turned back to Houston, still on his knee with tears in his eyes, also. I nodded yes and felt my torso being hugged.
“Yes, if you ask me, I’m ready,” I replied as I cried harder than I did when I cut the rope on my business.
Houston came in for a kiss, and I couldn’t imagine my luck.
From the very minute our paths crossed, I knew something about him was going to change me, change how I viewed love, and how I viewed my journey.
Miley Cyrus said it best: it was about the climb.
This time apart was hard, but I knew it had to be done in order for me to get to a point where I loved myself enough to love someone else.
I couldn’t buy love, and I couldn’t buy the attention of those around me.
Every time I seemed to give myself without any effort from others, I got hurt.
It was on me, and now that was done. That part of my life was over.
I would continue to give love, but not expect it to put me at the top of the list. I was blessed to be a blessing - nothing more or nothing less.
My heart could extend to those in need, but it didn’t mean they had to extend it to me.
It was about selection. No longer did I seek out those who were in need.
I didn’t look towards anyone but me. My construction was over, and I was in a newly renovated skyscraper that touched the ceiling of success, divinity, and courage.