It was not usual for Shelby Corcoran to have an afternoon off, as the coach of the Carmel High School glee club Vocal Adrenaline she needed as was usually at rehearsal all afternoon. Today she found herself canceling rehearsal as she walked into The LIma Bean cafe letting her mind wander to what the reason she was asked to come here by the Berry men. She had not seen or spoken to Hiram and Leroy Berry since she gave them her little girl almost 11 years ago. Shelby turns her head as her name is called out "Hiram, Leroy how are you doing!" Shelby said while giving the two men a hug.
"We've been great. We have been keeping up with all of your success. Rachel has talked about you nonstop since you took over for Vocal Adrenaline last year. She cannot believe that a broadway star lives in our town and she might run into her" These words made Shelby's heart ache for the child she had given up but also laugh at how similar she was at that age.
After a moment of laughter Leroy starts up again "Listen, Shelby I know you must have a lot of questions as to why we asked you here so I am not going to keep you waiting. Some things have happened over the years and we are no longer able to care for Rachel as she should and we want to know if you would like to regain custody of her?"
Without hesitation Shelby said yes. Shelby left the cafe excited and nervous; she had only a few days until he got to see her daughter again. She thinks of all the things that she missed but also all the things she never thought that she would get to experience.
The next Saturday Shelby pulled into the driveway of the Berry house. Before she is able to knock on the door, it is pulled open to reveal Hiram "Come inside Shelby, Rachel is upstairs getting ready. We told her last night about everything and who you were, she seemed to take it alright."
"Although she was a little more quiet than normal" Leroy piped up from the kitchen
"Thank you Hiram, Leroy. Do you mind if I go upstairs and meet Rachel privatly and then we will come down?" Shelby asks nervously.
After getting the mens approval Shelby climbed the stairs in search of her daughters room. It did not take her long to find Rachel's room, she just had to follow the music. As Shelby leaned against the door as she saw Rachel finishing brushing her hair and then looking herself in the mirror before taking a deep breath. "You know I do the same thing when I was nervous" Shelby said the noise making Rachel jump.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I was just marveling at how similar we are." Shelby said as she crouched down to be at eye level with Rachel.
"Hi I'm Shelby, I'm your mom"
Rachel nervously turns in her chair "You're my mom"
"Rachel I know this is all confusing for you, but I want you to know that you can ask me any question and I will answer as honestly as I can." Shelby said while putting her hand on her daughter's leg for comfort.
"Why?" The question was so quiet that Shelby almost missed it.
"Why did I leave you?" All Shelby got was a nod in confirmation as to Rachel's question. "Baby I need you to know one thing before I start. No matter how far away I was or what I was doing I was always thinking about you and loving you, but I was only 16 when I had you and I wanted to make sure you had the life that you deserved even if it was not with me."
"But you were succsesful?" Rachel questions "how would you not have given me a good life?" Rachel was confused all she had seen for years was Shelby being successful. Staring in multiple Broadway shows, winning a Tony, how could her mother not have been able to give her a good life when she was so sucsessful?
Taking a deep breath Shelby responds "While yes I ended up being successful but it took time to get there. What is not talked about is all the times I was told no, or how when I first moved to New York I had to have multiple roommates in a small apartment because in order to pay rent. I would have loved nothing more than to have you with me and to be your mom, but I knew that you did not deserve to live a life like that"
Shelby looked into the face of her child and saw tears running down her face. As if on instinct Shelby scooped Rachel into her arms and held her close swaying while stroking the back of her head "Shh baby, I know this is a lot to take in but it'll be okay. I will make sure it is okay" Shelby says all while holding her child.
After a while Rachel began to calm down, but Rachel knew that it felt right being in her mothers arms. "How about we head down stairs, Rach? I bet your fathers have food ready by now" Shelby says as she goes to put Rachel on the ground. Rachel had other plans though "Carry me please mommy" She asks while wrapping her legs around Shelby's waist. Shelby's heart melts at the sound of her daughter calling her mom. "Alright Rach let's go down and talk with your dads" Shelby says as she stands and readjust Rachel on her hip. It almost felt natural to be walking holding her little girl. Shelby was excited about what the future will hold for the two of them.
