Sunday

Noon.

Tpov

I work out with Sawyer, Taylor, and Dad before mom takes us to Church. Afterwards I split to get Sam. I find her and Mary sitting in the garden. Mary looks scared and alone. As I moved thru the house I noticed two suitcases and four large trash bags on the couch. "Hey, babe what's going on?"

"Lonnie kicked Mary out of her apartment."

"They were roommates?" I ask

"Yes, all three lived in apartment near the Stadium."

"Can she stay here?" I ask concerned by the problem.

"I don't' know, I have to call Bill."

"Bill?" I asks maybe some answers.

"Yea, Bill's my mother's sugar dad, that his house."

"If No, I'll call Mom, she'll find something or put her up ourselves." I tell her, she doesn't believe me, I can tell by her eyes.

"She would, I mean a stranger, just like that."

"Yea, Sam just like that. Mom is a caring, loving person, she wasn't raised rich. When you meet Grandpa Ray, you'll see what I mean." I reassure her.

"Ok. The housekeeper in NY will have them call me when they wake, probably around 4pm; they do the night life in the Easy Apple." She explains

"I can't leave Mary, so I guess our plans are ruined?" she adds

"No, you both are coming with me." I tell her making sure to reassure her with my touch to her cheek.

"Teddy, are you sure" she's unsure

"Yes" I tell her, taking the lead.

"Guy's just leave me I'll be ok" Mary whisper softly and lonely.

"No Mary, you're coming with us. So, you too get your jackets and swimwear. Let's get the lead out people, move it move it" I hustle them before more doubts can creep into their heads.

s-pov

We drive along singing to the radio. God, I love Teddy. The smart, caring, loyal, do anything for me boyfriend. Even sing along to a old Britney song. We have Mary rock and roll, laughing in the backseat. We pull up to a large house on the Sound.

"Come on everyone's around back at the pool house." Teddy barks, happy and full of himself. Taking our hands, we skip; yes, skip around the house, My Teddy. Mary is out of her shell and acting like her normal bubbly self.

The Family is horsing and playing in the pool house, while a stately older gentleman laughing does battle with a large grill, wearing a hilarious apron" Born to Cue, Raised to Grill". Christian is talking to him. Anna comes up and hugs me "You Girls get change, rooms over there, before Elliot throws you in the pool, best hurry" laughing pointing at a large guy throwing a pair of middle school kids in the air.

"Uncle Elliot, Ava and Cary, his kids. Mom wasn't kidding; he will throw you in, cloths and all." Teddy comments. We change, both coming out in one piece suits. I don't do bikini, people stare at the scars. Mary feeling vulnerable opted for a one piece too.

Right after we exit, the big Lunkge called Elliot scoops us both up, in the pool, we go. I manage to hook his arm and drag him in as well. Laughing he starts chasing everyone to throw them into the air, to fall splattering into the water. Teddy cannonball in drenching me, O' Teddy Grey you are so toast. I give chase, splashing and dunking, till we're alone in a corner, kissing.

A foot tabs our head, looking up an Elderly lady, looking down, "You're in Public, Keep It Clean. Teddy introduces me."

"Sam this is my Grandmother Grace, Grandpa Carrick is the one at the Grill." Teddy speaks

"Sam, or Samantha dear, which do you prefer?" the lady ask, kindly and all grandmotherly. I could easily fall in love with this family.

"Sam, Dr. Grey, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Just Grace, dear, I'm only Doctor Grey at work, I'll leave you two to play, keep it clean." Wow the legendary DR. Grace Grey, so wow. Teddy drags me back to chaos of Elliot and Kate, his wife, horsing and playing. An air horn goes off, Grace smiling "Foods up, wash up, before I throw it away."

The food is delicious, the conversations is lively and stimulating. Phoebe, Ava, and Kate discover Mary's day job, a personal shopper, working for Caroline Acton. Anna's long time personal shopper. The Fashionista are unleashed, Sam and I beat a retreat to the grass down near the Bay, lying in the sun. Staring at the clouds, talking, talking of things, places, dreams and bunny shapes clouds, the day slips away.

Sam cell buzz, "Hi, Aerie, I need a favor, one of my friends needs a place to stay for a couple of months can you ask Bill, Ok. No, I won't break the Contract. Yes, No. bye."

I stare out, bleak and shaking. Teddy holds me, not speaking, letting me process.

Replaying the conversation Hi Aerie, what do you want? I need a favor. What now? One of my friends needs a place to stay for a couple of months can you ask Bill. No, don't spoil this with your fuckup friends. Ok you have a contract don't break or you'll be out on the street. No, I won't break the Contract. Good, I don't know what is wrong with you always picking up strays; you better look out for number one. Yes. Have you stopped hiding as that nerd, a gotten a rich man to care for your need, cause I'm no paying for college. No. you'll regret wasting these good years, not play up your looks. Nobody likes smart ass girls, just compliant ones. Bye.

I silently weep into Teddy strong shoulder, clinging and needing the warmth, and the strength. My mom so shallow, everything is fun happy times catering to a man, rich, sugar daddy, get the money, jewelry, cars, and sex for sale. Why can't I be that girl? McClellan, that why. My terrible secret my sins. I have Teddy; maybe he wants me, not my body. I have doubts and fears. Could I rely on a man; what if they use me and discard me.

"Teddy, they said no. What can I do, I know she'll have Bill call Mrs. Westford. We could stall for a day or two. I don't want to let Mary down."

"Sam, I'll ask mom, she'll take care of it. But she'll need to know everything, the band." Teddy says very assured

"Ok, if you trust her." He looks hurt, confused, I don't understand.

"Babe, I will take care of this." I cuddle into him, make me believe; please make me believe in us.

We wander back into the house. Soft classical music plays. Anna is laying in Christian lap, tablet in hand reading, Christian is reading from his tablet. Grace is calmly petting Ava large orange tab cat. Everyone else is gone. We've change back to street cloths, sitting cuddled in Teddy arms watching the sunset over the bay thru the Great Room's massive windows. "Teddy, Sam dinner is a buffet in the kitchen, serve yourself when you're hungry." Anna says. Teddy whispers let's eat. We get up and eat,

Anna and Grace come in the kitchen. "Where is everyone?" teddy asks

Anna smiles "They're in Phoebe room having a fashion show and tell. Phoebe, Ava, and Kate are grilling Mary on what to wear, with what accessories, and when to wear it, ugh I'm so happy to be here and not there."

"Anna shopping is not bad, just wait till next month when Mia's in town." Grace says cheerlessly

"Grace I don't see you up there, nor taking more than four hours of shopping with any of the fashionista." Anna snaps back

"Do as I say, not as I do" Grace states with a fake haunt British accent. Everyone's laughing and glad were not upstairs.

T-pov

"Mom can I talk privately."
She nods, and we go to her office, the Library. "What up Teddy?"

"Mom I have a problem and I need your help. Mary's roommate's kicker her out, she needs a place to stay. Sam asked Her Mom if Mary could stay with her, but she said no. Sam living arrangement is strange. She's living in her mom's boyfriend's house. Can you help? There is a twist."

"Yes, we'll help. Teddy what is the Twist?" mom says, always pinpointing the but about to come.

"Well, the girls are in a Band, really successful band, it kinds of edgy."

"Spill Theodore, Edgy how?" Mom moves closer, holding my arm with a lite touch.

"Have you heard of HEAVY R?"

"Yes, the songs are really good; although the stage shows are a little mature for teens. Why?" Mom says, why am I not surprised.

"Sam and Mary are both in the band."

"I see, can't any of the other Girls help?" She asks

"Everything is tight, Sam wants to help, but they're infighting in the band between the different sections."

"Alright, Mary will stay us till we can get her settled." Mom states like it's the most common and sensible thing to do.

"Mom, they may want you and Dad, Phoebe to sign NDA. The Band is really strict about protecting the member anonymity." She smirks like NDA are new and unusual.

"Not a problem Teddy, Are you happy with this relationship? The personas'? The hiding?" she quiz's me. Like a bloodhound hunting, she always zeros in on my insecurities and fears.

"Yes, mom I am the happiest and most satisfied in the world. Sam is everything." I try to sound confident.

"Well let's get wheels turning. I'll make up a guest room; you bring Mary and her stuff over tonight." Mom says planning the maneuver.

I move back to the dining room, where Sam is sipping tea talking to grandma. Kissing Sam, "everything's set Mary staying with the parents till Mom can find something more permanent."

"Really Teddy, what did you have to pay, I'll make it up I promise." She asks unsure begging to believe my words.

"Sam, it didn't cost a thing. Why would you think it would cost, its family?" she looks confused, theirs some dynamic I'm missing.

An hour and half latter, having collected Mary from the Fashionista gang, we head for the door. She looks happy and high; Fashionista high I've seen Aunt Mia like this after Fashion Week in NY.

"Teddy, Sam, Mary they're been a change of plans." Mom calls out. Sam shutters and I wrap her in my arms, kissing her head. Mary looks like a deer in headlights.

"It's been decided to have Mary stay with Grace and Carrick. They would love to have you stay here Mary." Mom says gentle and kind.

Oh, that is great Mary will love being the center of attention here. Grandma will really help get her esteem up, she loves a project. "I think that will be great, Mary, you'll love being here with Grace and Carrick." I try to calm her.

"I don't want to be a bother." She says while pleading with her eyes and face for us to tell her yes, she can stay.

"Mary, they are looking forward to having you here, and I would consider it a favor, for you to watch out for them, with Elliot and Kate going back to Portland, they're lonely here." Mom says, applying all that mother logic and psychology.

Always the thinking one, finding a way to make Mary think she looking out for Grace and Carrick, while they take care of her.

"O' I can do that, I don't want be a burden." She starts to believe, but is afraid.

"Nonsense dear, it will work out great, Carrick can drop you off at the store, And Grace cans pick-u-up after work. You can get them out of the house, a not into mine." She says with a wink.

"Mary, I think this is best, you can be your-self and not have worry about peer pressure, or the band. Get your life back on track." Sam tells her.

"Ok, Sam if you think this will work, I love to stay here with your parents." Mary final begins to believe this is happening.

Grace walks up smiling, takes Mary to her new room.

"Thanks mom, this will work out."

"Grace insisted on it, she needs someone to dolt on, beside Mary would get no rest with Phoebe, fashion diva, in the house." Sam smiles and laughs, but there is still wariness behind the mask.

"Let's go get her stuff, I'll bring it back." I say to Sam. I know my mom saw the wariness, fear that flitted across Sam face.