Author's Foreword and Dedication: Although written before I had met and grew to love Rebecca Anne Stewart; affectionately called Becky by all those who knew her in the chatroom. The resemblance between her and the character Becky Taylor was and is uncanny. So I will dedicate this story to her, my beloved friend and playmate, Becky Stewart. You are still very loved and very much missed…

  

One Last Shot

by Maggie O'Malley

  

PART TEN

Timidly the pre-teen raised her hand as if asking permission to speak. Cassie nodded for her to go on. "I have another dumb question. What are you going to tell Mandy and Devon when they come home? You just can't say the stork dropped me at the basketball court in the backyard or something. They will have only been gone for two weeks. I don't think they are going to believe I was today's special on the Home Shopping Network! And 'Blue Light Special' probably won't work either."

Cassie shook her head again. "Oh ye of little faith. There are two rules you need to get straight. Rule One is that you must always trust your momma. Rule Two states that if you have any doubts, refer to Rule One! Don't worry so much you little goof. I've thought about that too. Everyone, especially Devon and Mandy, knows how bad I have wanted another child. As you know, I can't have any more children. I've always wanted to adopt, but it's almost impossible for a single mother. Well...the good folks at Hugglebugs made it possible!"

Cassie paused a moment. "I was going to wait and surprise you with it tonight, but I think you need to see it now, so you'll stop worrying."

Rising from the table, Cassie walked into the living room. She returned with a small envelope, just moments later. "It's a good thing you didn't look into the bottom of that Hugglebugs box, or you would have found this. Here, see for yourself!"

Becky took the envelope in her hands, and opened it to remove the certificate that was within. It was a legal adoption certificate that stated Cassie Miller Chandler had officially adopted Becky Marie Taylor. It was dated today, and stamped with a large official seal. At the bottom, it said, "This petition is hereby granted by this court and the honorable justices, Prudence Walker, Kim Possible, Prit T. Piper, and William D. Pickle. Becky didn't know who these justices were, or if they really even existed, but if they had been standing there right now, Becky would have given each one of them the biggest hug she could.

Cassie searched her eyes. "Well, now are you finally satisfied? It's all nice and legal. You don't need to worry about this anymore. When the kids come home. I'm going to tell them I have a big surprise for them, and then introduce you. I'm going to tell them that I hadn't said anything about you coming because I wasn't sure if the adoption would come through. It came through while they were in Denver. Since you know California so well, we'll just say that you came from a home there, and leave it at that. I really do think that will be good enough for the kids. They are going to be so excited about having a sister; they won't care if I did get you from the Wal-Mart. As for everyone else, I could care less what they think. I've got the documentation to back everything up. Let them try and say you are not mine!"

Looking over at Becky, Cassie finally saw the dark clouds were gone, her smile was sunshine. She hugged her, and the two walked out into the back yard. Becky found the outside world to be much like the inside world. Everything was bigger! They walked onto the court and Cassie spied the basketball. She picked it up and started dribbling. Becky ran over to guard her as she always did, but now couldn't do much more than wave a hand at her face and watch helplessly as she sank the twenty-footer. Cassie raced over and got the ball. She fired a pass back to Becky. Her eyes lit up, and she had a look of determination on her face. She took two dribbles and heaved a shot from 12 feet that was about two feet short, and Cassie caught the ball beneath the basket. Becky dropped her head and groaned.

Cassie handed her back the ball. "I thought as much. You're going to have to realize it takes a lot more effort to shoot the ball when you're ten-years-old, than it does when your thirty. Your brain still knows how to shoot, but it's going to have to teach your body all over again. Understand?"

The small girl nodded her head and then dribbled the ball.

Cassie smiled, "So you ready for your first lesson?"

Big blue eyes lit up, and she grinned from ear to ear. The two shot hoops for over an hour, before Cassie had to put a stop to it. She made some excuse about being too old for this anymore, and Becky fell to the court giggling.

They cleaned up after their work out, and went into town. They got Becky some clothes, and Cassie showed her off around town like the proud mother she was.

That evening they were sitting on the couch together, and Becky had her head in Cassie's lap. The precocious preteen started to get that frown again, and Cassie knew her little gears were turning. "Okay little bit, what's bothering you now? "

Becky fidgeted. "Nothing really, it's just I don't know what I'm supposed to call you anymore. I mean people kind of looked weird at me when I called you 'Cassie' while we were in town."

Cassie nodded. "Well it's not polite for children to call their parents by the parent's first name. I don't think you should call me Cassie anymore."

Becky thought for a moment. "Can I call you 'Pistol' then?"

Cassie smiled and then shook her head. "Maybe while we're on the basketball court, but I don't think that's going to fly either."

Becky turned her head in Cassie's lap so she could see her face. "Do you think that maybe I could call you, Mom? Would that bother you?"

Cassie pulled Becky up to her face. Her eyes were brimming with tears. "No honey, it wouldn't bother me at all. In fact, it would make me the happiest woman in the world."

Becky smiled, and wrapped her arms around her mom.

Later that night, they prepared for bed. Becky didn't feel comfortable sleeping alone, so Cassie let her slip in next to her. The lights were out, and Becky was quiet, but Cassie knew she wasn't asleep.

"Becky what are you thinking about?"

The little girl's tone was as serious as a little girl's could be. "I'm thinking about the one thing that neither of us has said, but we're both thinking about, 'the cancer'! I mean I feel great. I've never been so happy in my life, and I don't feel sick or tired or anything like I did before, but what if it's still here. What if it's growing inside me right now?" Becky's voice broke off as it gave way to tears that came in sobs.

Cassie pulled her close. "Honey, I don't have the answer to that one now. I wish I could tell you that it's all gone, but we don't know. I had planned to take you into town to see my doctor, but she normally only sees adults. If Craig were here, he would be your pediatrician. He takes care of all the kids shots, and exams. Until I can get Craig to see you, I thought I would just take you up to the clinic and have them give you a thorough exam."

Becky had calmed a bit, but she still sniffled as she spoke, "I don't want us to know about the cancer. I don't mind them checking my temperature and stuff, but I don't want them to run any tests like that. I could tell you to just not tell me if you find out, but I would know as soon as you looked at me. I don't know how much time I have here. I don't want to spend any of it getting ready to die."

Cassie couldn't speak immediately. Her own tears and emotion had overcome her. "Okay sweetie, if that's the way you want it, then we won't talk about this anymore unless we have to. Deal?"

Becky answered in turn. "Deal!" She paused a moment and then spoke. "Good night Mom. I love you."

Cassie squeezed her. "Good night baby. I love you too!"

Cassie and Becky spent the next week being the typical mother and daughter duo. They became a familiar sight buzzing around town. Both of them undoubtedly thought about the conversation they had in bed that first night, but neither of them spoke of it. They were having too much fun just living each day, and preparing for Mandy and Devon's return.

Becky waited by the customer service counter outside the gate while Cassie waited for Devon, Mandy, and Craig to make their entrance. As soon as Devon and Mandy saw Cassie they ran for her, and she met them half way. They hugged and hugged until Craig walked up. He smiled at Cassie, and she lowered her eyes. It still hurt. She missed him so much. The kids were full of stories, all competing for Mom's attention, but Cassie had to silence them all. She had a big announcement to make. She told them they had a new sister waiting for them. They both smiled with excitement.

Mandy was the first one to comment. "I thought you couldn't have a baby?"

Craig just starred at Cassie; he didn't know what to think.

Cassie answered Mandy straight away. "No, I'm not having a baby. I've just adopted a little girl from California. Actually Mandy, she's your age. She's just turned 10!"

Mandy's eyes lit up. She couldn't contain the excitement of finally having a sister, a little sister at that!

Devon looked around, searching for his new sister. "Hey Mom, where is she? Do we get to go to California to pick her up?"

Cassie smiled. "No honey. She's right here. See the little blonde girl standing next to the customer service booth?"

Both of the kids nodded.

Cassie continued. "Well...that's your new sister! Why don't you go over and give her a hug!"

The kids ran over to Becky, introduced themselves, and then mass hugged her. Just as Cassie said they would, the kids accepted her immediately.

Craig looked at Cassie, as she watched all three of her children with a mother's pride. Finally, Craig just had to say something. "I see you're still bringing home strays."

Cassie turned and answered coolly. "Are you?"

Craig winced. "Okay, I deserved that and a lot more too. Listen, I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately, and well...I've come to some conclusions about my life and what I want it to be like. I'm going to be up here for a few days. And before you even start...I'm not asking to stay at the house, okay? I'll get a room and we can just talk over dinner, or I'll just talk and you don't have to say anything, but please...can we just have dinner?"

Cassie remembered what happened the last time she agreed to meet Craig for a "dinner". She ended up falling in love and marrying him. Still, it was only dinner. She agreed to have dinner and listen, nothing more.

On the trip back from Charleston, the Suburban sounded more like a school bus, as the three kids in the back, laughed and talked all the way to the house. The three kids scampered straight to the basketball court, without even taking their bags in from the Suburban. Craig and Cassie sat on the back porch, and talked.

Craig and Cassie had their dinner and several more before he returned to Denver. They continued their conversations over the phone for the next several months.

Becky, Mandy, and Devon fell into their roles immediately, and just as Cassie had predicted, Becky had almost became Mandy's twin. Becky followed Mandy everywhere. Whenever she saw her oldest daughter, she could count on seeing the baby just a few steps behind. Becky had become a true little sister, and idolized her big sister Mandy. Mandy in turn had taken to the role of big sister naturally, and watched out for her little sister at every turn.

Cassie would sit in her room, shaking her head and smiling as she heard the two young girls giggling and talking long past bedtime. Finally, Momma would have to make an appearance, quieting the pre-teens down, and shutting off the lights. Those were the good nights, but there were also the bad. During the first few weeks, Becky would wake up in the middle of the night, screaming and crying. Cassie would come in and comfort her frightened baby, cuddling her and rocking her until she finally went back to sleep. Sometimes, Mandy would her hear sobbing and just as her mother had quieted her frightened daughter, the big sister cuddled and rocked her little sister until the tears finally stopped. Many mornings, Mandy would awake to find Becky had crawled into bed with her during the night and was still asleep, stuffed Lion in one arm, and the other wrapped around Mandy.

Mandy wondered what could be troubling her little sister so, as to cause her to sleep so fitfully. Mandy hadn't asked Becky very much about her life in California. She knew that Becky had come from a home, probably like an orphanage. From what she knew of those places, many were very bad. Mandy thought that maybe she was having nightmares about things that had happened to her there. Finally, one morning as they were getting dressed, she asked her about the nightmares. Becky hesitated nervously. Her body trembled as she spoke.

"I have these dreams where I wake up and I'm somebody else. I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm alone and I can't find you or Devon or Momma. I can't even find our house. I'm lost someplace strange. Finally I just sit and cry, because I'm afraid I will never see you again."

Reliving the dream in the daylight, produced the same results as it had at night, and Becky fell to her bed sobbing. Mandy wrapped her arms around her tortured little sister, and tried to comfort her. All she could do was to convince Becky that she was still herself, and that her new family wasn't going to leave her.

Later that day while Becky and Devon were shooting hoops, Mandy finally took her concerns to her mother. Cassie was deeply touched by her oldest daughter's concern and by how she had bonded with her new sister so quickly. Cassie told Mandy that indeed Becky had lived a very difficult life. It was quite natural for a child who had never known the love and security of a true family to be afraid someone was going to take it away from her. The only thing any of them could do was just to be patient, and be there for her. Cassie assured her worried daughter that as soon as Becky finally felt safe, the nightmares would go away. Cassie also told Mandy that because of the rough life Becky had lived, she may not know many of the things girls her age did and that it would really help her little sister socialize with other girls if Mandy could teach her about games, clothes, and some of the things that most girls her age knew. This all pretty much fell under the heading of big sister responsibilities and Mandy accepted the challenge willingly.

As Mandy spent more time with Becky, she began to realize just how prophetic her mother's words were. Becky couldn't jump rope, wobbled badly on a bike, didn't have a clue on most of the playground games and had it not been for knowledge of some basic sports, she would have been completely lost.

Her little sister was also just as lost when it came to selecting appropriate clothes. Left to her own designs, Becky would have dressed like each morning was an Easter Sunday. Mandy would shake her head and smile as her little sister would pull out a dress, stockings and fancy shoes to set out for the next morning. Becky acted like she had never had a nice dress before, and then Mandy's heart sunk when she realized that perhaps her little sister never had. Becky would come down stairs horribly overdressed for a casual morning of corn flakes and cartoons, but no one said a word, save for giving her compliments on how lovely she looked. Both Mandy and Cassie gave Becky some time to enjoy her more feminine apparel and after slipping in and out of dresses every time she wanted to shoot hoops or play rough and tumble, Becky found her own casual style and to no one's surprise it very much mirrored that of her big sister.

Becky had become comfortable with her brother and sister from that first ride home from the airport, but socialization with other children was another matter. Cassie would watch from the kitchen window when some of the neighborhood kids would come by. Becky, not knowing most of the games, the language, nor the music or shows her pre-teen friends were in to, lacked confidence and during those first few weeks, she was very shy and never left Mandy or Devon's side. Cassie's heart went out to the pain her little girl was feeling, but as she had told her that first morning at the breakfast table, she was going to experience all the pains and joys of growing up. These were just the normal growing pains that every child had to go through.

Becky reminded both of Cassie's other children just how fortunate they were to have a loving mother and a home. It wasn't so much the things that their new little sister said, but how appreciative was when she received something, often something they had taken for granted. One afternoon while both girls were lounging about their bedroom, Mandy noticed her little sister eyeing some rarely played with dolls sitting on a shelf. Mandy took one down, pulled a few outfits from a drawer, and presented it all to Becky. Once Becky realized that the doll and its clothes were now hers, she jumped up excitedly, hugged her surprised big sister, and rocked her new baby lovingly.

Becky grinned from ear to ear and Mandy just had to comment.

"Gee Becky, you act like you've never had your own baby doll before."

The little blonde girl had a tear trickle down her cheek when she looked up to answer her big sister.

"I've never have had a doll before Mandy."

Mandy's heart broke as she realized that her little sister had not even had the most sacred of little girl possessions. She then realized just how fortunate she was to have always had a momma, a brother, and a home.

Becky was very close in actual age to each of her two siblings, but at times she would often seem much older or much younger. One minute Becky would be sounding very grown up, and talking to her mother about some television show or sport game that was on long before she was even born, and then the next minute she wanted to hold hands and cuddle with her sister as if she was a child far younger. Cassie knew the truth, but the kids just attributed it all to the difficult times she must have had growing up. They both loved their little sister, and it didn't matter how big or little she acted.

By the time school was about to start, Becky had progressed quite a bit and she was slowly becoming just another one of the sandlot kids. The nightmares had almost ceased, and she was becoming much more comfortable and confident. Both her and Mandy were looking forward to sharing a school room during the year, but to Cassie's surprise and her daughters' dismay, the school placed Becky in the 5th grade, and Mandy went on to 6th. Cassie protested vehemently, but to no avail. Becky's birthday fell past the cutoff point in the school year and she would at least have to start out the semester in 5th grade. The curse of the little sister had gotten Becky again.

Mandy walked Becky to her classroom that first morning. She squeezed her hand lovingly, and told her to be brave. She would be right down the hall and would pick her up after the last bell. Tears formed in Becky's eyes, the small child was showing in Mandy's little sister, and it broke her heart to leave her. Mandy gave her a last hug and walked down to her room. She turned to look back at Becky's room, knowing what she would find before she ever looked. Becky still stood there, drinking in the last sight of her big sister. Mandy smiled at her, flashed her the sign language equivalent of "I love you" and then motioned for her to go in. She waited until her little sister was in before finally entering her own room. When the last bell rung, Mandy was there to collect her little sister as she had promised, and was so every day that school year.

While the two sisters couldn't be in the same grade, they could play on the same basketball team. Cassie coached the combined girls' basketball team of 5th and 6th graders. For Becky, it was a dream comes true. Just as she had dreamed of being Cassie's sister, and playing along side her, she now got to live that dream, being Mandy's sister and playing along side her. The reality was ever bit as wonderful as the dream had been, and more.

The girls had a really good team during Becky's first season, and they had breezed through it undefeated. There were two girls on the team that had caught the attention of most opposing coaches. Mandy Chandler, the coach's eldest daughter, was becoming the prolific scorer that her mother had been. Becky Chandler, new to Pine Haven Elementary that year, had become the starting point guard. Her defense, passing and leadership ability on the floor, gave Pine Haven Elementary one of the best backcourt duo's in the state.

They won their first two tournament games handily, but now the only other undefeated team in the state, the Brownstown Braves, stood between them and the championship.

Becky and Mandy were pacing about the house like two caged animals the afternoon before the game. Devon was lounging in the family room watching television, and he shook his head every time Mandy or Becky walked through. Cassie had told them she was picking up some groceries and would be back later.

About an hour later, the suburban pulled in, but when Cassie got out she wasn't bringing groceries, she was bringing Craig. They came in together, and both Mandy and Devon ran over and hugged him. Becky always felt a little awkward around Craig. It wasn't like he was her father or anything, so she usually remained a little distant whenever he was around. Cassie was very aware of that, but she felt that would be something that Craig and Becky would have to work out.

Becky went to her and Mandy's room and picked up her basketball. She started to slip out the back door and go shoot while they were having a family get together, when she heard Cassie's voice.

"Becky...where are you going?"

Becky turned and faced her, but she wouldn't look her in the eye. "I just thought I'd go shoot some hoops for awhile. I figured you guys would want to talk and stuff."

Cassie walked over to Becky. "We do, but this concerns you, so don't go running off young lady. Put the basketball down and come with me."

Becky walked into the living room and sat down next to Mandy. When Craig said he had something very important to say, Becky laced her hand in Mandy's and Mandy squeezed it back.

"Kids, I've been talking to your mom a lot over the last few months, and well...we've sort of come to a decision, and it's going to affect all of us. It's very important that you listen to what I say before you say anything."

"Your mother and I have been divorced for a long time, but I don't think you kids ever really knew why. I think you should know. While your mother and I were married, I did some really stupid things. I...I...went out with other women, instead of being with your mother. Can you understand that?" All three kids nodded. "I lied to your mother about it. I promised her I would never do it again, and then I did. I hurt your mother very badly. She took you kids to live with your grandparents, and we were never together again. It was my entire fault. Your father was so stupid!"

Becky could see the pain in Craig's eyes. He may have lied in the past, but he was bearing his soul and telling the truth now.

Devon spoke up. "Why did you go see other women, Dad? Didn't you love Mom anymore?"

Tears welled in Craig's eyes. "Oh, I still loved your mom, but...I was mad at her and I was jealous. There was someone else in her life now."

Mandy's eyes grew wide, and she was puzzled. She looked first at Cassie and then back at Craig. "Who was in Mom's life?"

Craig smiled at Mandy. "You were honey and Devon too! I was mad at your mom, because I wasn't getting all her time and attention anymore, and I was jealous of you and Devon because you were."

Mandy spoke again. "You were jealous of us!"

"Yes baby I was. You're mom tried to tell me, only I was too dumb and too stubborn to accept it. It's taken me a long time to figure all this out, and I'm so sorry that I put all of you through so much. I don't know if there's anything I can ever do to make it right, but I'd like to have the chance."

Cassie reached over and took Craig's hand as he spoke.

"Your mom has agreed to give me a second chance."

Both Devon and Mandy sat up their seats; they knew what that meant.

Devon said, what Mandy and Becky were thinking. "Are you and Mom getting married again?"

Craig fielded that as quickly as possible. "No...at least not yet anyway. I wanted to get your mom to bring you guys to Denver and live with me, but she doesn't want to do that, so...I do the moving... to here, but I'm not staying here at the house. I'm getting an apartment. I'm going to open an office right here in Jamestown. Your mom and I are going to talk to someone who helps married people when they have problems. I don't know what's going to happen after that. So...it's up to you."

He shot a glance directly at Becky. "And, I mean all of you. That includes you too, Becky. Look, I know you don't know me very well, but I've heard lots about you from your mom. I'd like to get to know you a little better if you think you can give me a chance. There is one thing I want you to know, and I mean this with all my heart. Don't think for one minute that my coming back into this family, is going to push you out. You guys are a family, and God willing maybe I will get to be a part of that too."

He looked at Devon and Mandy and spoke. "Okay gang, It's up to you. Do you want to give your father one last shot?"

Mandy and Devon didn't speak. They gave him their answer in the form of a group hug. Becky stood alone. She looked over at Cassie who smiled at her, and then nodded. Becky took a small step toward the three huddled together in a hug. Craig reached out his hand, and Becky took it. She then huddled with the other kids and hugged him. Cassie wiped the tears from her eyes and then joined them, making the family circle complete.

The tears and the hugs finally subsided and then Cassie looked up at the clock. "Hey don't you two girls have a ballgame in an hour?"

Mandy and Becky looked up at the clock in unison, and began running about the house searching for shoes, and hair ties.

One hour later, the game began. Forty minutes of action had left the score tied, and the fate of the game lay in the left hand of Becky Chandler.

Becky pounded the ball to the court three times, just as she always did on her free throws. Sweat from her forehead dripped down on the basketball. She cradled the ball in her right hand, and then wiped her face and mouth with the wristband on her left arm. The left side of her face, and her left shoulder still ached from her collision moments ago. Her jaw had taken the worst of it in the fall, and it throbbed with pain, but she was going to shoot this free throw and hit it.

She wiped her mouth again, and then put the ball in her left hand. She looked down to be sure she had the proper grip, when her eyes went wide and her heart sank as she saw blood, and a good amount of it, on her wrist band. She could only think of one word, "Cancer." She was sure it had came back to claim her now. It had given her six months of love and happiness beyond her wildest dreams, but it was over now. Becky didn't want to go, but if she had to, she was going to go out a winner. She was going to make her one last shot.

She focused on the rim before her. Her eyes and heart were filled with passion and determination. She cocked her arm, bent her knees, and then pushed the ball off. Her left hand stayed extended as if it could still guide the ball home. Becky and everyone in the gym watched the ball lofting toward the rim. Becky's form had been perfect, and so was her shot, as it went through the rim and swished the nets.

The Pine Haven gym erupted, the entire bench of her teammates mobbed Becky, and the first one to hug her was her sister Mandy. Cassie hung back for a moment. It was Becky's time, and she had waited so long for it to come. Finally the players dispersed into small groups of celebration, and Cassie worked her way through the crowd until she stood before Becky. She looked down at her and smiled lovingly. She extended her arms out and Becky ran into them. She held her daughter for a long embrace, and when Becky pulled back, Cassie could see the fear in her eyes.

"Becky what's wrong baby?"

Becky didn't answer. She couldn't. She held up the wristband soaked with blood, and Cassie was horrified. She searched Becky for a cut, but then saw the remnants of blood still fresh on her lips, and she knew why Becky was so terrified.

Cassie squeezed Becky's hand and told her to open her mouth. Becky opened her mouth. Her whole body was trembling as Cassie examined her. She could feel Cassie probing and prodding all about her mouth. Finally she withdrew her hand and made it into a fist.

She looked into Becky's frightened blue eyes and spoke. "I've got some really bad new for your baby. I don't think you're going to be able to eat much pizza at the victory party tonight, because you just lost a tooth."

Cassie opened her fist in front of Becky's face to reveal a bloodied baby tooth.

Cassie and Becky breathed a sigh of relief, they smiled at each other, hugged, and then went walking out of the gym arm and arm, as they had so many years before.

HUGS!

  

  

  

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