Chapter 8
Sherri took off in the direction of the bathroom. So many thoughts and images were racing through her head. Teri kissed him. Or he kissed her. Either way Teri's lips connected with someone's other than hers, while she knew that she was standing there. She couldn't let herself get upset. At least not until she reached the bathroom.
The moment she stepped in she turned to lock the door to keep Cierra, or Maia, or whomever else that kept trying to make things better, out. But right when she went to reach for the lock she was almost knocked out of the way by the door being barged open. "Teri, get out!" Teri ignored her as she turned to lock the door. "No! You have to hear me out." "Why? Why did you bring him? You brought him around the kids, Teri. I was suffering and you were playing house!"
Sherri was getting so mad she felt her temperature rising. She began to pace in small circles with her hands in her hair in an attempt to calm down. "I was hurting too. I know that it is not an excuse but I needed a distraction from you. Do you know how it feels to have someone that you love say that they don't want to be around you and not hear from them at all?" "Stop lying! How dare you lie to me. I heard you say otherwise. She asked you and-" "And you heard me begin to understand that you are who I always wanted." "You didn't call me either. You can't put that all on me. And if you did love me you wouldn't have brought him here". She finally stood still and looked Teri in the eyes as the tears freely fell.
Up until this point Teri didn't realize what her actions would do to Sherri. Teri started to tear up as she continued to speak. "Sherri I am so sorry that I keep messing up. I'm sorry that I went on a date with him. I'm even sorry that I met you, because maybe if I didn't I wouldn't have been so dumb and have had the chance to hurt you so much. But I did and I will never let myself live with that. But I am in love with you whether you believe me or not. And it sucks because even now after I constantly apologized and told you that I'm in love with you, you have yet to say it back or to explain why you are so upset when you are still married." Teri didn't know what else to say to make things right. The remaining alcohol in her system was gradually making her feel even worse about the whole situation.
"I-I don't believe you," Sherri wanted more than anything to just be happily in love with Teri. But after everything that happened she had so many doubts. "You just feel obligated, because you saw my husband hit me. I don't need any pity friends". Sherri was finally revealing some of her insecurities. "God Sherri! Sometimes I think that your hair is preventing anything from getting through to your brain. I was attracted to you the moment I stepped off of that elevator. I loved you from the moment you wrinkled your nose and laughed at me. I because of what happened with your husband I realized that I would do anything in the world to make sure you were safe. Hell, I lost the best friend I ever had for you! Pity is a ridiculous and useless trait. Though I may at times hurt for you I would never pity you."
Before anything else could be said there was urgent knocking at the door. "Teri! The phone!" It was Sean. "I'm busy right now!" "No. Teri it's the hospital. They are looking for you." Teri swung the door open and snatched the phone from Sean, who was looking at both Teri and Sherri's tear stained faces questionably.
Teri was thinking the worse praying that her kids were alright. "Hello, this is Teri…What?...What happened?...Is she alright?" Sherri and Sean had moved closer trying to gain more information from their one sided end. Suddenly Teri's eyes shot wide open and her breathing seemed to stop all together. Right before anyone could ask any questions she dropped to the floor and started sobbing. "Teri, Love, are you okay?" Sherr got down next to her in efforts to console her, fearing the absolute worse. Teri's entire body began to shake as she couldn't keep up with her breathing. Her face was in her hands and she couldn't control the tears. At this point Sherri was crying because it was so hard to see Teri so broken and she had no idea as to what to do.
"Teri, here, let me bring you to the hospital," Sean spoke up trying to make room to lift her off of the ground. "No I got it. I can bring her," Sherri said as she stepped in the way of Sean. "No I got it. I brought her here to begin with". The two bickering back and forth was momentarily about to send Teri over the edge. She gathered the strength to get up and dry her face. To be honest she didn't want to be around either of them. She shrugged past both of them and made her way out into the main room. Luckily everyone else was dancing and still having a great time.
She snatched her belongings from her seat and headed out of the front door with both of them still hot on her tail, trying to get her to slow down. "Teri. What is happening?" Sherri asked slightly winded from all of the commotion. Teri didn't speak at all, but the tears were still running down her face. She typed something into her phone and just sighed at what was sent back. "Teri, can you-""No! Sean, I can't. Can you just go home! Just go!" Sean stepped back, eyes wide, but he refused to leave Teri. "Teri. We are just trying to help." Teri turned to Sherri trying to watch her tone. "This was a mistake. I shouldn't have been so angry when you left. I should have just let you leave and let that be that. I never had chemistry like this with any other person that I've worked with or anyone that I know for that matter. So why start now? If I wasn't so upset and stressed out over you then none of this would be happening! I wouldn't have neglected her. I would be there for her and not wasting my time over you! And now-" Teri choked on her own words, afraid that the realization would cause her to break down again. Sherri wasn't going to let her words phase her because she knew that she was hurting. Before anything else was said a car was beeping and Teri turned and walked up to it. The driver rolled down the window and said, "I'm the uber driver for a Teri Polo". She simply nodded her head and opened the door. "Teri wait. We can drive you". She just got into the car and said, "Look who's being the pity friend now", before closing the door.
Fresh tears welled up in Sherri's eyes. Sean stood back as things began to register with him. "So you and Teri, you two are-" "Yes," was all Sherri said before she headed back inside.
…..
Teri raced into the hospital doors trying to stay strong so she could focus on where she was going. She went up to the desk and was about to ask for the correct room number when she heard a commotion around the corner.
"Sir, this is the last time we are going to ask. You need to just sit and calm down". Teri walked around the corner and saw a man surrounded by security, doctors, and other staff, visibly distraught. "Matt?" Teri spoke up as she walked closer to him. His eyes wide with pain, he pushed passed everyone and embraced Teri as he collapsed to the ground taking her with him. "Teri, there was so much blood. They couldn't do anything. They couldn't save her". He just continued to sob. "Matt, I'm going to be right back. Go wash your face and get some coffee". The security and staff started to walk away. Teri went down the hall searching. She peaked through one of the windows and found the familiar face.
When she walked through the door the person's face shot up and continued to loudly sob. "Oh, my Jeanie. I am so sorry". Jeanie held out her arms and Teri dropped her bag by the door and raced over to her side. "They said too much strain and stress was put on my body. I was just taking a nap and Matt came in screaming. He picked me up out my sleep and practically sped here. I had blood-"Teri stopped her, not wanting to hear more and not wanting her to have to relive it. "I shouldn't have ignored you. I should have picked up the phone". "Stop that right now. I would never blame you for this… I'm sorry. I should not have been so critical that day". Teri just stayed with her in silence as she fell back to sleep.
About an hour later Matt was back by Jeanie's side, more calm and with many gifts. Teri got up to grab her things. Visiting hours were well over and she missed her bed. "Teri, want me to bring you home?" "No. It's ok. Stay with your wife. I'll take an uber. We will talk tomorrow".
…..
It was nearly 2 in the morning. The uber ride was more dreadful than the first. Knowing seemed to hurt more than wondering. She was just trapped with her thoughts and emotions about everything that had taken place in the past 24 hours. After talking to her kids earlier while she was at the hospital she decided to put her phone on "Do Not Disturb". Losing her goddaughter felt like losing her own baby. She never met her but she loved her so much. She was beginning to feel as though she was gradually messing up everything that she loved.
She finally arrived home. She walked through the door dreading the silence that surrounded her. She sulked as she made her way to her room. She paused when she entered, with tears filling her eyes. As if someone was reading her mind, there was Sherri fast asleep in her bed. She walked up closer trying to make sure that she wasn't seeing things. She began to smile and chuckle in disbelief as she held back tears. Even though she was upset with her, the sight before her was too unbelievable and beautiful. She went to grab some pajamas to change in and headed to the bathroom to clean up a bit.
Sherri began to wake up as she turned trying to adjust her eyes when she heard lots of movement in the room. "Teri?" She sat up rubbing her eyes. "You weren't answering your phone. I just wanted to make sure that you were alright so I used my key". Teri slightly nodded her head as she grabbed an extra blanket from off of the bed. "Teri." "Sher, please. It has been a long night." She turned to walk to the door. "Go back to sleep. I'll go to the guest room". "Please," was all Sherri could say as her voice cracked. She took a moment to think before turning around and climbing into bed, facing away from her. After a couple of moments had gone by Sherri moved in closer and wrapped her arms around Teri as she grabbed hold of her hand. They both silently let the tears fall. Tomorrow they could talk. Right now they just needed each other.