As Shay drifted off into sleep the phone rang. It was Lester, right on time. "Jesus Les, what took you so long? I was almost asleep. I was beginning to think I lost my touch of bossing you around." Shay joked. Lester was like the little brother she never had. Marcus had told Shay long ago that Lester was a very sensitive kid and he wanted to toughen him up so he teased him alot and continued to tease him to adulthood. So naturally Shay jumped on the teasing bandwagon.

"Man you sound just like your mom, always bossing somebody." 

"Whatever Les. Now tell me what my mom said" Shay ordered.

"Allright calm down Gertie Jr" Lester joked. "First she wants you to come back home AND she wants me to convince you. Like I got some kind of influence on you. Hell Marcus could barely control you!"

"Did she really say that Les? Tell me her exact words. I want to make sure there is no misunderstanding."

"I just told you Shay. Those WERE her exact words. She said Lester can you convince Shay to come back home."

"So why did you leave Les? Just because she wants me to come back home? That's why you got mad?"

"No that's not why I got mad. When I tried to explain to her that I had no influence over you,  she made a comment. She kinda hinted something" Lester got quiet.

"AND?" Shay yelled. "What do you mean she hinted Les?" Shay insisted.

"She said I was only concered about myself and not your well being. That I had um um other motives. Yeah that's what she said. I had my own selfish motives for wanting you to stay in Texas. She said I was um too concerned about you Shay. Look it wasn't what she said but HOW she said it. Your mother I swear".

Shay could sense Lester's tension because he started to stutter. "Les it's ok. I understand why you got angry. Believe me I know how talking to my mother can get anyone riled up. Really Les in her own way, she didn't mean any harm. She just doesn't want me to end up a lonely widow just like her" Shay explained.

"Oh my God this is a first. You and Gertie on the same side. I better write this date down" Les smirked. "So you're not mad at what she implied?"

"What did she imply Les? That you care about me? Well you do. That you have some influence over me? Believe it or not Les you do, but just a little so don't let it go to your head. I listen to you before I listen to my own mother."

"Another great moment in time. Two in one night, what are the odds? I have influence over Mrs Shay Harris. Excuse me, a little influence. I must use my new found powers for good" Les joked around.

"You are so crazy boy." They both laughed. "You know Les, mother did have some good ideas though" Shay insisted.

"She did?" Lester asked angrily.

"Maybe a trip home would be nice. A change of scenery. Plus I really miss my dad. It drives my mom insane when I visit my dad. They can't stand each other."

"You do what you want Shay. Go back to Georgia and make your mom happy; exactly what she wants. Like Gertie said, that's where all your um um family is."

Shay was silent. She didn't understand why Lester was so angry. Next to Marcus, he had become her best friend. She chose her words carefully. "Les, YOU are my family too and Texas will always be my home. Plus I think Marcus would haunt me for life if I sold this house."

"I'm sorry for snapping at you Shay" Lester whispered. "I guess I'm still kind of angry at Gertie. You know she messed up a good free meal for me. You know what? Lester began to laugh. Marcus probably would haunt you over this house. I remember all the damn fussing you guys did looking at homes.  He didn't think he would ever find a house because you were so picky."

"I was picky?" Shay shouted. "Hell, did you see Marcus' long ass list? I can't believe he told you I was picky!"

"Well you are the daughter of Mrs Gertrude Williams".

"Allright enough about my mom Les. That aint even funny."

"You know I'm just messing with you Shay. Look it's late and I'm tired. You need some rest yourself. Call me if you need anything ok?"

"Yeah I do have to take mom to the airport tomorrow morning. Good night Les."

"Night Shay and I love you" Lester whispered.

"Love ya too Les, night" and she hung up the phone, closed her eyes and went to sleep.