A/N – I'm sorry about the long delay with getting this chapter out. Life gets in the way and I've been travelling and things like that. But I've got another chapter for you all and I hope you enjoy it. I'm having a lot of fun with this little story and I'm glad you all are coming along for the ride.
Thank you all so much for your reviews and notes and questions. I appreciate it so much. Your feedback means a lot to me.
Disclaimer – I don't own Glee.
Eugene and Sally stood on the porch with coffee mugs and watched as Shelby stopped and a little girl darted out of the car. They'd heard them approaching and came out onto the porch to greet the pair. A few seconds later Shelby also got out of the car and started to run after the girl.
"Rachel, wait!" Shelby yelled. Rachel was already at the fence and climbing to the top.
"I want to see the horses," Rachel yelled back.
Shelby got to the fence and grabbed Rachel around the waist and lifted her up just as she was trying to jump down into the pasture with the horses.
"Shelby!" Rachel whined.
"I will show you the horses later, but you can't just jump in there with them," Shelby said. "They are a lot bigger than you."
"I want to ride one," Rachel said. She started squirm so she could be let down because Shelby was now walking back towards the house with her. "Shelby."
"Stop it now," Shelby said. "We can meet the horses in a little while. Right now I want you to meet my parents."
"Okay," Rachel said with a labored sigh that made Shelby roll her eyes.
Eugene and Sally shared a look and their eyes shown in merriment at the scene before them. They knew Shelby could do this, but they also knew their daughter had no clue just how hard having a child would be.
Rachel studied the new adults as Shelby carried her towards them and she could see that they were watching her as well. The moment Shelby set her on her feet, Rachel moved so she could stand slightly behind her foster mother.
"Rachel, you don't have to be shy," Shelby said as she tried to coax her back out. "These are my parents Sally and Eugene. Mom and Dad, this is Rachel."
"It's very nice to meet you, Rachel," Sally said. She stepped forward and leaned down while putting her hand out for Rachel to shake.
"Hi," Rachel said softly as she shook Sally's hand half-heartedly. This was how most meetings with new foster parents went.
"Hello," Eugene said as he too stepped forward to get a better look at the little girl.
"Hi," Rachel said. She shook Eugene's hand too.
"Are you hungry?" Sally asked. "We've got lunch all prepared."
"It depends on what it is," Rachel answered honestly.
"Rachel," Shelby scolded gently, but her parents just laughed.
"I think you'll like it," Sally assured her.
A few minutes later everyone was around the table and Rachel was enjoying a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk. She'd been thrilled when they walked into the kitchen and she saw the peanut butter out and ready to go. Eugene had a sandwich too while Shelby and Sally opted for salads. Rachel smiled when Eugene winked at her like they were sharing a secret that the other two just couldn't understand.
"Rachel, can you tell us a bit about yourself?" Sally asked.
"I don't know," Rachel shrugged. "I like peanut butter and jelly."
"I can see that," Sally said. "Shelby said you two went and saw Wicked. How did you like that?"
"I loved it!" Rachel gushed. "Shelby said we can see it again. And she said there are other shows like that that we can see. Did you know she did stuff like that?"
"Yep, I knew that," Sally said.
"Lots of people were asking to take pictures with her and she said it's because she's famous, but I've never heard of her," Rachel said.
Sally and Eugene couldn't help but laugh while Shelby shook her head with a wry smile.
Rachel looked over at Shelby and her eyes shown as a new idea came to her.
"Can we go and see Wicked again tomorrow?" Rachel asked. "Or one of the other shows you said I'd like? Can we do that?"
"Sorry, kiddo, but you've got to go to school tomorrow," Shelby said.
"But I don't like school," Rachel whined. "It would be more exciting to see Wicked again."
"Tomorrow will be exciting because it'll be your first day," Shelby reasoned.
"I don't like the first day," Rachel said. She'd had too many of them for her liking.
"I really think you'll like this school," Shelby said seriously. "And you need to do your best because school is important. Definitely more important than Wicked."
"I don't believe that," Rachel sulked. What could be more important than something like Wicked?
"It's true," Eugene said. "School is important. What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"I'm going to be in a show like Wicked one day!" Rachel said with so much enthusiasm she had to sit up on her knees. "It's so magical and exciting."
Eugene and Sally looked at Shelby in surprise and Shelby nodded in conformation to Rachel's declaration.
"That's what she said she wants to do," Shelby told them.
"Well, it's a good goal," Sally said to Rachel. "But you still have to go to school. Shelby went to college and got two different degrees." Sally was so proud of Shelby, for everything, but especially for her education.
"Don't you just need one?" Rachel asked.
"I wanted the second one," Shelby said and Rachel crinkled her nose.
"That sounds boring," Rachel said. "Why would anyone want to go to school for that long?"
"I liked it," Shelby said with a shrug. "Just like I bet you're going to like school once you start."
"As long as I don't have to wear a stupid skirt," Rachel said.
"You don't," Shelby assured her.
Sally and Eugene smiled at one another again. They were quite taken with Rachel and were glad Shelby made the decision she did. They'd only known for close to an hour, but they understood how Shelby just couldn't let her go.
Rachel finished with her sandwich and gulped down the rest of her milk and was about to wipe her sleeve across her mouth when Shelby caught her arm and handed her a napkin to use instead.
"Can I go see the horses now?" Rachel asked Shelby. "Please."
"Have you ever been around horses before?" Eugene asked.
"I've seen the horses pulling the carriages in Central Park," Rachel answered. "Sometimes I get to pet them. Please, Shelby."
"Come on; I'll take you," Eugene said.
Rachel hesitated and darted her eyes towards Shelby. She liked Eugene and everything, but she hadn't anticipated having to be away from Shelby. She hadn't been anywhere without Shelby since Friday when she was told she would be living with the woman.
"I'll come too," Shelby said. She knew Rachel was worried and she was doing her best to reassure the girl. Ever since Rachel wanted to make sure Shelby would still be there in the morning, Shelby had caught her watching her or checking on her as if to make sure they were still in the apartment together.
By the time they got to the barn, Rachel was ready to jump and down with excitement. Along with the two horses enjoying the sunshine out in the pasture, there were five more in the barn. Rachel ran to the first stall and jumped so she could get a better look over the fence.
"Hi, horse," Rachel said.
"His name is Winston," Eugene said. "Here." He surprised Rachel by picking her up and holding her out so she could pet Winston's nose.
"Hi, Winston," Rachel said with a bright smile. She loved animals although she didn't really get to spend much time around them. One foster home she'd been in had a puppy that had become close to her. She cried when she had to leave the house because she had to leave the dog.
Eugene put Rachel down and she wandered to a few more stalls and was introduced to the other horses.
"Do you own all of these horses?" Rachel asked.
"No," Eugene answered. "Only Winston belongs to us. People bring their horses to live here and we care for them and ride them. And when the people want to see their horse or take them out, they can do that."
"Can I ride a horse?!" Rachel asked excitedly. She hadn't even been listening after she heard him say they ride the horses. "Please? Can I?"
Eugene looked over at Shelby and Sally and knew right away what the answer was. They were both smiling at how excited Rachel was about the horses. The animals were well loved in the Corcoran household and they were thrilled with Rachel's exuberance. Plus Shelby knew that they were all kidding themselves if they thought Rachel wasn't going to ask eventually.
"Absolutely you can," Shelby answered. "I will show you how to put the saddle on and you and I can ride around together for a little bit."
"Thanks!" Rachel said. "Who are we riding?"
"We'll take Winston out," Shelby said as she headed towards his stall.
Ten minutes later Winston was ready and in the pasture and Shelby was helping Rachel get her helmet on securely. When it was in place, Shelby made sure Rachel's new jacket was zipped up tight and then she put her own helmet on.
"I'm going to get on first and then my dad will lift you up and you will sit in front of me," Shelby said. "We'll go down a short trail and then come back."
"Okay!" Rachel said with a huge smile.
Shelby mounted the horse and held him steady as Rachel was lifted up. Once the girl was situated, Shelby wrapped her arms around Rachel and took the reins lightly. Shelby had grown up riding horses and was right at home as she encouraged Winston to walk at a leisurely pace. Sally opened the fence for them and Winston walked out and towards one of the many trails on the property.
"This is amazing!" Rachel said. "Have you always known how to ride horses?"
"I've been riding since I was younger than you," Shelby answered. "My parents bought this ranch and had horses living here before I was even born."
"Will you teach me how to ride them?" Rachel asked.
"Of course I will," Shelby said. "But Rachel, the very first rule you have to remember is that you are not allowed to try and ride by yourself until I say it's okay. Or if I'm helping you. You have to learn first and that takes time. I don't want you around the horses by yourself until you know more about them. And you must always have a helmet on when you're riding any horse. Is that understood?"
"Yes," Rachel answered. "And that's okay. I like riding with you."
Tears pricked Shelby's eyes as she felt Rachel lean back into her and relax. This was perfect and she was so happy. Shelby thought back fondly to riding horses just like this with her mother when she was younger. The ability to share this with Rachel was incredible.
They returned the pasture half an hour later and returned Winston to his friends in the barn.
"Do you two want to stay for dinner?" Sally asked after they'd returned to the house from the barn.
"Not this time," Shelby said. "I want to get home relatively early since tomorrow is the first day of school.
Rachel slumped her shoulders. She had hoped that Shelby would forget about that.
"Well Rachel, it was really nice to have met you," Sally said. She leaned down in front of Rachel and gently hugged her. "I can't wait for you to come out here and visit again."
"I can't wait either," Rachel said honestly.
"Good," Sally said with a bright smile. It may not be in the way she'd always assumed, but Sally was happy and excited to get to be a grandmother to this little girl.
"Can I have a hug too, Rachel?" Eugene asked.
Rachel obliged and then smiled up at the man. "Thanks for letting me ride your horse."
"Anytime, sweetheart," Eugene said. "I know you'll be just as good as Shelby one day."
Rachel looked over at Shelby and beamed before looking back at Eugene. "She said she would teach me."
"I hope you'll let us help as well," Eugene said.
"I will," Rachel assured him. Eugene's smile lit the room.
"Ok, Rach, it's time we hit the road. Let's go," Shelby said. She hugged her parents and then started to guide the girl to the door.
When they stopped to put on their jackets and hats Rachel looked up at an old family picture on the wall. "Who is that?" she asked curiously.
Shelby didn't need to look to know what Rachel was referring to, but she did anyway. "That's my brother Tommy."
"You have a brother?" Rachel asked. "Where is he? Will he come and visit?"
Shelby looked back at her parents apologetically. She hated to see the hurt that crossed their faces. She was met with Rachel's confused features when she looked back down at the girl. She was struck so suddenly with déjà vu that she quickly looked back over at the picture as if to get some clue of what memory she was having.
"Does he live in New York?" Rachel asked, trying to get Shelby's attention back on her.
"No, honey, he doesn't," Shelby said. "I will tell you all about him another time. But for right now, we need to get going."
Rachel accepted that easily enough and headed out the front door. Shelby lingered a bit and went back to her parents and hugged them both once more. They each held her a little too tightly and for a little too long, but she'd never say so. She needed that comfort as much as they did.
The following morning found Rachel doing everything she could to stall so she could delay getting ready to go to school. She'd already had her breakfast and brushed her teeth and now she was stubbornly sitting next to her new clothes on the bed. If she put them on, she'd have to leave for school and that was the last thing she wanted to do right now.
"Rachel, what are you doing?" Shelby asked when she came into the room. "You're supposed to be getting dressed for school." Rachel was sitting on the bed wearing just her panties and an undershirt.
"Maybe I could stay home another day with you," Rachel said.
Shelby sighed and looked at Rachel with sympathy. She sat down on the bed and lifted Rachel up and sat the girl on her lap. Rachel looked up at Shelby with big and vulnerable eyes and the woman was close to letting her have her way. One day wouldn't hurt anything, but she knew that if they waited, it be even harder the next day.
"Rachel, I know you're worried and I know you're scared, but you've got to go to school," Shelby told her. I think this school will be different from the other schools you've been to. The classes don't have as many kids in them and the teachers all sounded really nice."
"But what if they all laugh at me?" Rachel asked.
"Why would they laugh at you, honey?" Shelby answered with a question of her own.
"Because I'm the kid without any parents," Rachel said, revealing quite a bit about her some of her school days had been in the past. "People think foster kids are strange."
"Sweetheart, none of the other kids have to know you're a foster child," Shelby said.
"They always find out," Rachel told her.
"I'm sorry you've have bad experiences in the past," Shelby said. "But this time you don't have to worry about that type of label. You won't know anyone else at this school and they don't have to know anything you don't want them to know. I bet you even make a friend today. And I've looked at your records from your other schools and it looks like you do pretty well in class."
Rachel shrugged and said, "That's not hard because some of the teachers were the only friends I've ever had."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," Shelby cooed as she tucked Rachel's hair behind her ear. "I really think this school will be different and I want you to give it your very best. I know you will make friends and continue to make good grades. You're a good girl, Rachel."
Rachel's eyes filled with tears and she looked up at Shelby with such sorrow. "It doesn't matter if you're good if no one notices you anyway."
"Oh honey," Shelby said as she pulled Rachel closer to her and held her tightly. She rocked Rachel and gently patted the girl's bottom with the hope of comforting her. "I notice you. And your old teachers notice you. They wrote a lot of nice things about you in your records. You are so special and I love you very much."
"I love you too," Rachel said as her tears finally fell.
Shelby smiled as she continued to rock them, not at all worried anymore if they were a little late to school. They stayed silent for a few minutes until Shelby finally had Rachel sit back so she could wipe the tears from her face.
"Do you want me to help you get dressed?" Shelby asked. She picked up the tiny polo shirt next to her when Rachel nodded sadly. Shelby pulled the shirt over Rachel's head and then slipped her pants up and buttoned them. She even put the girl's shoes on as if Rachel were a toddler and couldn't do it on her own. Shelby wasn't going to make a habit of this, but right now Rachel needed it.
"Do you think I can take one of my stuffed animals with me today?" Rachel asked. "I'll leave him in my bag the whole time and I promise I won't lose him."
"I think that would be fine for today," Shelby said.
Rachel stepped over to her band of friendly stuffed animals and chose a small frog named Franklin and tucked him under her arm.
"Come on, let's go and pack him in your bag," Shelby said. "I've got your lunch all ready too. How does a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and apple slices sound?"
"Good," Rachel answered. She even smiled slightly as she took Shelby's hand and walked out of her room.
Rachel still held tightly to Shelby's hand as they stood in the front office of the school and got all of the information about Rachel's new teacher and the school. They had missed the start of the day by half an hour, but the principal assured Shelby that it wasn't a problem. The woman knew of Rachel's situation and her status as a foster child, as did her teacher, Mrs. Johnson. They didn't encounter many foster children as students, but they were prepared to help Shelby and Rachel as much as they could. And besides all of that, Rachel's grades were good and it was believed by all that she'd be able to handle the high standards they had for academics.
"Rachel, I will take you down to your classroom," Mrs. Ripley, the principal, said.
"Okay," Rachel said shyly.
Shelby turned to Rachel and squatted down in front of her. "You're going to do great today, sweetheart. Don't be scared. I will be here waiting for you when you get out this afternoon."
"You promise?" Rachel asked.
"I promise," Shelby confirmed. "I will meet you and we can walk home together. I can't wait to hear all about your day."
"Okay," Rachel nodded.
"Be a good girl. I love you." Shelby gave her a kiss on the head and then stood back up and looked over to Mrs. Ripley.
"Alright then, Rachel, I will show you the way," Mrs. Ripley said.
Rachel nodded and followed the woman from the office, only stopping once to look back at Shelby and wave goodbye. Shelby's chin trembled at Rachel was out of sight and she did her best to pull herself together because she knew all the eyes in the office were on her.
Mrs. Johnson was working through a math lesson with her second graders when there was a knock at the door followed by the principal and Rachel entering the room. The students all sat up a little straighter because of the presence of Mrs. Ripley, but also because they all wanted to get a look at the new girl at the woman's side.
"Rachel, this is your teacher Mrs. Johnson."
Rachel looked up at the tall woman and who was staring right back down at her.
"Welcome to the class, Rachel," Mrs. Johnson said.
"Thank you," Rachel said softly.
"Okay, I will leave you all to get acquainted," Mrs. Ripley said. "Have a good day, class."
When the principal was gone a buzz fell over the room as the kids started to whisper about this new development. Rachel didn't look over at the kids and she felt her anxiousness growing but she didn't want to let anyone else know she was scared.
"Rachel, I've got your books all prepared for you. They're sitting on that desk right over there," Mrs. Johnson said. She pointed to where she wanted Rachel to sit. "We're working on page 73 of the math book so why don't you take a seat and get a notebook and a pencil and follow along. And if you have any questions, please raise your hand and ask."
"Okay," Rachel said with a shaky voice.
Mrs. Johnson put a hand on Rachel's back and led her to her desk and helped her put her backpack on the back of her chair.
"We're all friends in here, Rachel," Mrs. Johnson said. "So there's no need to worry."
Rachel only nodded as she turned in her seat so she could get out a notebook and a pencil. It wasn't until Mrs. Johnson was back in front of the room and carrying on with her lesson that Rachel finally took a moment to survey the room. The other kids all looked normal and the only thing different than the other schools she'd been in was that everyone was dressed the same. Her eyes fell on the window next and Rachel found herself staring at a tree for the rest of the math lesson. It wasn't until Mrs. Johnson announced that it was time for music that Rachel brought her attention back to the room and the other students. She lined up with the rest of them and was soon back in the hallway.
The music room was bright and full of instruments and chairs and Rachel followed everyone else and took a seat. They formed a semi-circle around the middle of the room.
"What were you staring at in the class?"
Rachel was surprised when someone spoke to her and she looked to her left and saw the boy sitting next to her looking at her expectantly.
"What?" Rachel asked.
"What were you looking at? During math? You're supposed to be paying attention, you know."
"I don't know," Rachel said.
The boy heaved a sigh and shook his head. "How do you not know what you were looking at?"
"I was looking at the tree," Rachel told him.
"I've climbed all the way to the top of that tree," he said. "It's not hard. If you know what you're doing."
"I can climb trees," Rachel said and the boy levelled her with a look that made it clear he very much doubted that. "I can!"
"If you say so."
"I do," Rachel said defensively. She looked away from him then and crossed her arms. She didn't stay silent very long before looking back over at the boy and asking, "What are we going to do in here?"
"Sing," the boy said with a duh tone. "Sometimes we play a few instruments, but mostly we sing. I'm the best singer in the class."
"I know someone who can sing better than you," Rachel bragged.
The boy scoffed and his mouth dropped open in shock. Did she really just say that to him?
"I highly doubt that," the boy said.
Rachel was about to retort when the teacher walked in and closed the door behind him. "Good morning, class."
"Mr. Schuester, we have a new person in our class," the boy said with a raised hand before anyone else could say anything. "She's right here."
Rachel blushed and wanted to sink down into her seat.
"I can see that. You must be Rachel," he said to the girl. "I'm Mr. Schuester, your music teacher. Welcome."
"Thanks," Rachel mumbled.
"Why don't we start our class by performing a song for Rachel?" Mr. Schuester said to the students. "We can sing one that we performed in our winter recital."
The class grumbled but complied as they all got to their feet and formed up at the front of the room. The boy that had been talking with Rachel stood front and center.
"Jesse, are you ready to lead us off?" Mr. Schuester asked.
"Of course," Jesse said with a smirk in Rachel's direction. He'd prove to her that she didn't know anyone that could sing better than him.
Shelby sat in a deli a few blocks from the school and nervously ate her lunch. She'd gone home for a couple hours after dropping Rachel off, but had been too jumpy to be able to sit there all day. She took a long walk and was now eating lunch and checking her watch every few minutes. She had told Rachel not to be nervous, but Shelby was finding it hard to keep her own advice. She wanted so badly for Rachel to have a good day and to enjoy it that she could barely concentrate on anything else. She hoped this feeling wore off eventually because if this was going to be what school days were like for her she'd never be able to get any work done. She'd already stopped herself twice from going to the school to check and see if Rachel was okay. She took another bite of her sandwich and looked up at the clock on the wall and sighed when she realized she still had two more hours to go.
"So what did you think of my singing?" Jesse asked when he sat down next to Rachel at the lunch table.
"You were good," Rachel said. It wasn't a lie; Jesse was very good and Rachel had been taken in by the performance.
"Better than whoever you think can sing better than me?" Jesse assumed.
"No," Rachel answered. "I bet there isn't anyone better than her."
Jesse rolled his eyes and shook his head. This girl clearly had no idea what she was talking about.
"I can prove it to you," Rachel said. "I can get her to sing for you."
"How would you do that?" Jesse asked. He had to admit that he was curious. He'd never met anyone who could sing better than he could; his parents told him so all the time.
"You could come to where I live and then she would sing for you," Rachel said. Her words sounded sure, but on the inside Rachel chastised herself for making such a bold statement. What if Shelby didn't want her inviting anyone over to the apartment? And what if she wouldn't sing for Jesse? What if she got in trouble for even inviting someone over?
"Okay," Jesse said. "Can I come over today?"
"Sure," Rachel said after a slight hesitation.
Jesse nodded and took a bite of his sandwich and then said, "I'll ask my mom after school and she can bring me."
Rachel gave him a nervous smile and said, "Okay."
When they got back to class, Rachel opened her notebook and found the paper Shelby had written out for her in case anything happened. It had her address and phone number on it. Rachel quickly copied the address onto a piece of paper and handed it to Jesse so he and his mom could find the apartment after school.
The end of the day finally came and Rachel gathered up her notebook and new homework folder and the books she needed that night and stuff them all into her backpack. Jesse waved goodbye as he passed her and met up with him mom. Rachel could see him talking animatedly to the woman before taking her eyes off of them to scan for Shelby. There were a lot of kids and adults milling about the front of the school and Rachel's breathing became a little heavier when she couldn't find Shelby. She said she'd be there to get her when the day was over. She hoped the woman hadn't forgotten her already.
"Rachel," Shelby called out as she made her way towards the girl.
Rachel breathed a great sigh of relief and wrapped her arms around Shelby's waist. "You came back."
"Of course I did, sweetheart," Shelby said. "I promised you I would. Come on, let's go home."
Shelby listened as Rachel rattled on about her day as they walked home. She talked about her teacher and the tree outside her window and lunch and how she thought she'd really like when they got to go to music class. Rachel was avoiding the subject of Jesse all together because for as quick as she'd been to tell Jesse he could come over, she had no idea how to actually ask if that was okay.
"What kind of things did you learn today?" Shelby asked once they were back home and in the apartment.
"I don't know," Rachel shrugged.
"Rachel, I hope you were paying attention while Mrs. Johnson was teaching," Shelby said. Rachel's silence was all the admission Shelby needed. "Honey, the trees and music class are great, but you have to listen during the lessons too. You've been doing really well in school up until now and I don't want that to change. Do you have any homework?"
"She gave us a whole folder full," Rachel complained.
"Well let's see what you have to do?" Shelby said.
"Do I have to do it now?" Rachel asked.
"I'm afraid so," Shelby said. "Let's knock it out and then you can play afterwards. Did you make any friends today?"
"Maybe," Rachel said as she opened the folder to show Shelby.
"That's great, honey," Shelby gushed. "I told you that you would. What's their name?"
"Jesse," Rachel answered. She glanced at the front door and hoped that maybe Jesse's mom had said he wasn't allowed to come over today. After all, they'd been home for about fifteen minutes already and she thought he'd be coming right after school.
"That's wonderful!"
"Shelby?" Rachel asked tentatively. "Do you think I can have Jesse come over here one day? To play?" It was easier to ask when she didn't think anymore that he'd be showing up that day.
"Of course, sweetheart," Shelby said. "You can have friends here."
Shelby felt for Rachel when she saw the relief on the girl's features. It was clear she hadn't been in many places that allowed her to have friends over to play.
"Thanks!" Rachel said. "I'm going to go and tell Toby and my other friends."
Rachel slid from her chair and almost made it out of the room before Shelby realized what she was doing.
"Wait a second, not so fast, young lady," Shelby said. "Get back here and do your math homework."
"Shelby," Rachel whined as she turned and trudged back towards the table.
"Sorry, kiddo," Shelby said though Rachel could tell she wasn't sorry at all.
While Rachel worked, Shelby got up to fix her a snack. She was so pleased with how well this day had gone for Rachel. Shelby had actually been quite worried about whether Rachel would make a friend so soon, but she was glad to hear about the girl's new acquaintance. She was going to do everything she could to make this Jesse kid feel welcome so that Rachel would feel comfortable knowing she was allowed to have friends over.
The apartment phone rang on the table next to Rachel and she looked up as Shelby came in the room to answer it.
"Hello, Dustin," Shelby said to the doorman downstairs in the building. She knew it was him because the doorman was the only one that ever called this number. "No, I wasn't expecting anyone. Who did you say it was? No, I don't know a Martha and her son Jesse."
Shelby heard Rachel's small gasp and looked at the girl and then she remembered.
"Dustin, is it Jesse from school?" Shelby asked while watching Rachel. "Ahh, okay. Sure, send them up."
"It seems as if Jesse is coming over today," Shelby said to Rachel after she hung up the phone.
"I'm sorry," Rachel said as her eyes filled with tears. "I didn't mean to tell him he could come over today, but I did. I have to show him. Please don't be mad, Shelby."
A/N – That's all for this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. Again, sorry about the delay. Please leave me a review and let me know what you think. Thanks!
