Chapter 5
The two just arrived to Teri's house. Teri carried in the pizza and her personal belongings while Sherri carried in her bags. As they walked in Sherri couldn't help but look around in amazement. Teri's house was very well decorated and it fit her perfectly.
Teri sat the food on the kitchen counter before turning to look at Sherri. "I kind of want to take a shower first. It's been a really long day", Sherri said as she struggled to hold both of her heavy bags. "That's fine, love. I was actually thinking of doing the same". Teri walked over and grabbed one of the bags. Sherri started to stretch out her shoulder as she laughed, "You owe me a shoulder massage. I thought you would have me standing there forever". Teri just laughed as she walked down the hall. "Maybe if you are lucky Sher-Bear". She turned to wink at her before putting her attention back to the door they now stood in front of.
"This is the guest room". They walked in and both of the sat the bags on the full size bed across the room. "There's a few hangers already in the closet. If you need more let me know. The bathroom already has towels, soap, shampoo, and any other toiletries you may need. So that should be all set for now. Just make yourself completely at home". As soon as she turned around Sherri wrapped her arm around her pulling her into a strong embrace. Teri was slightly taken off guard but hugged her back while rubbing small circles in her back. "If you need anything at all my room is the one all of the way down the hall". She kissed her cheek before walking out.
Sherri stood there just taking in her new surroundings. The room was just a well put together as the rest of the house. But yet she still didn't feel alright. She began to undress to shower and walk over to the mirror. She looked to where Teri kissed her cheek and smiled. She felt warm and excited to see where this friendship will go and what it could lead to. Excited with the idea of a void being filled that was secretly driving her crazy. Then she looked a little closer and could see a slight bruise forming from the hit. She shut her eyes tight trying to wield herself to forget about what happened.
She climbed into the shower and allowed the warm water to completely wash over her. She was desperately fighting to push her thoughts to the back and keep herself together. She sat on the floor of the shower with her knees pulled to her chest as she finally gave into her many thoughts. After five minutes had passed she pulled herself off of the floor, washed up and got out to get dressed. She pulled her wet hair up into a bun. She dug through her bag to find some pajamas but realized that she hadn't packed many options. She opted for some boy shorts and a loose fitting t-shirt. She figured that there's no harm in being slightly clad in front of another woman. Besides, they were each other's TV wives and she was already feeling comfortable around her.
She walked out of the room and into the kitchen. She flipped open the pizza box to see that it was still hot and to her surprise was making her mouth water. She looked about the kitchen and retrieved some napkins and then two bottles of water from the fridge. She picked up the box and made her way down the hall to Teri's room. She could hear the TV playing and the shower still running. She just made her way down the hall to Teri's room. She pushed through the door looking around to make sure she wouldn't be walking in on her. Her room was beautiful, decorated in earthy golds and creams. She had a great king size bed with lots of pillows. She had so many pictures of her kids everywhere, Sherri laughed to herself wondering if she possibly had just one of anyone else. She sat the food on the foot of the bed and climbed under the covers on the right side.
Teri had to take a long shower. After all of the events of that day she just needed to regenerate. She wanted to make sure that she was able to be here for Sherri. She had to admit, she really liked Sherri as a person. She didn't seem anything like how she first thought that she would be; so passionate and warm hearted. Plus, she was crazy beautiful. All the reason why she was so confused as to why Nick could treat her so terribly.
She felt her stomach growl and knew that it was time to get out. She combed back her wet hair and wrapped a towel around herself as she began to exit the bathroom. She looked up and saw Sherri sitting in her bed, but her brain didn't register who she was right away. So she yelled in surprise causing her to slip on the now wet floor. Sherri got up from the bed laughing hysterically and ran to her side to help her up. "Are you ok"? Teri just laughed at her clumsiness as she rubbed her behind. Teri looked down at Sherri's bare legs and smiled, "Comfortable"? "Oh. I could put pants on if you want". "No. We're both women. I want you to feel comfortable." Sherri returned to the bed and Teri went to her dresser to find clothes herself.
Sherri just continued to watch her in silence. Teri had her back to her with the towel still secure. She slid on some panties and pajama shorts under the towel. Then he dropped the towel, still facing away from Sherri, and began looking for a shirt. She noticed the silence and could feel Sherri's eyes on her. Sher turned her head towards her and smiled when Sherri didn't look away. "What's wrong Sherr-Bear? Don't want the pizza anymore?" "I'm just waiting for you to hurry up and get in bed so I could share this first experience with you". Teri pulled on a cami and headed to the bed. "Well I'm honored," Teri joked. "Shut up and come here woman".
They spent the next hour eating and talking about embarrassing moments, bad dates, and anything else that could come to mind. By this time Sherri had consumed most of the pizza. Teri looked over at Sherri and was trying to make out something on her face. Then it registered that she was probably bruising from being hit in the face earlier. Without saying much she jumped out of the bed and ran to the kitchen. Sherri looked on confused as she reached for another slice of pizza. When Teri returned she had an ice sack in her hand and plopped right back down in her original spot. "How come you didn't tell me you were bruising my love"? Teri placed the sack on her cheek as Sherri flinched at the coldness. Sherri just shrugged her shoulders. "I must have forgot". Teri was looking so sad. Upset that this man left a mark on her beautiful body.
Teri studied Sherri's face closely before speaking up. "About what happened tonight, you don't have to feel ashamed or embarrassed. Don't let this unhealthy relationship change who you are. Don't reserve room in your life for toxic people. You are such a great person. Even though I don't know you too well, tonight I was scared for you and upset for you. And I understand the pain you are feeling and why you may not want to get a divorce but –" "How?! How do you understand, huh? Were you a part of my marriage? Just because you witnessed one bad night you think that you could judge me?" Sherri wasn't exactly sure why she was getting so upset. She was starting to feel like Teri was just being her from out of pity. She was about to get out of the bed when Teri grabbed her and forced her to stay put. "I would never judge you. It's just, tonight it was your eyes. Your eyes seemed almost sadder than mine had in my past relationships. That's how I know". Sherri just looked at her with shock as she waited for her to continue. "The first time I was married I thought that I was in love. He was an architect and he designed our first home together. We were still pretty young and naïve, but by this tie I had a few roles and was the one paying for everything. He had this jealousy problem. Every time I had to leave for a role it was always a problem. It started off small; he would push me over things, grab me too tight when no one was looking, and constantly demand sex. But I thought that it was all part of love. But I was always terrified; even to go to my own home. I never knew what to do. After I had my son it was fine until one night he came home upset. He was upset because of some tabloid he saw that claimed that I was dating someone else. My son was only one. I ran and hid him in one of the closet. When I came out he just started beating on me. I will always remember that night. I had a broken nose, broken ribs, dislocated shoulder and a fractured leg. One of the neighbors was a cop and must have heard us because he came rushing pulling him away from me and pinning him to the ground. He has been in jail for many years now. My second husband wasn't as bad. He was more so verbally and emotionally abusive rather than physically. At this point I had my daughter. I think I was so desperate for love and wanted my kids to have a dad that it took me a long time to get away. Things were lonely and I still feel just as lonely sometimes. So I understand the need to stay with a person whether good or bad".
Sherri was failing to contain her tears any longer, while Teri has had practice holding them back just from constantly thinking about these events. Teri reached up and wiped the tears away for her "I know that there's more to your story. You don't owe anyone an explanation for anything. But one day you might feel like you are able to tell it. When you are I'm going to be here to listen. Okay my love?" Teri just held the side of Sherri's tear streaked face as she just nodded her head yes.
"Is it alright if I sleep here in your room with you tonight"? Sherri was hoping Teri didn't feel weird about it because she has never felt this comfortable with anyone and she just wanted to stay in bed with her. She felt safe. "Of course you can". Teri turned the light off and they both laid down in the bed facing each other. They just both just stared at each other; examining the other's facial features. "I'm sorry that happened to you," Sherri whispered. "It made me a stronger person. Besides, everything in life happens for a reason". Sherri leaned forward and kissed the bridge of her nose. Teri pulled her closer and Sherri cuddled up to her with her head against her chest and her arms tightly around Teri. Teri nuzzled her hair as she wrapped her arms around Sherri with her hands under her shirt as she rubbed up and down her back, trying to get her to go to sleep. They both marveled in this new emotion that they couldn't quite identify as they drifted off to sleep.