Terri had no idea
how to stop
the phone calls.
And so they kept on coming.
Terri let the phone
ring and ring
if she did not know
the number
showing on the screen.
She did answer the phone
when her mother called.
“Is something wrong?”
her mother asked.
“I haven’t heard from you.
It’s as if
you’re on the other side
of the world.”
“Everything’s great!”
Terri said.
“I’ve been shopping!
Wait till you see
my apartment!”
At last,
she got around to asking
how her mother was.
“Not good,”
Terri’s mother said.
“My bad hip
is getting worse.
You’re all wrapped up
in your own life,
but I could use your help.
Can you come
and stay with me
for a few days?”
Of course, she would.
Terri would do anything
She packed a few things
and went to stay
with her mom.
Terri’s mother could see
that Terri was not happy.
“It’s hard
after a divorce,
isn’t it?”
she said.
“I know.
I’ve been through it.”
“Funny thing,”
said Terri.
“I don’t really miss
being married.
I love being free
to do what I want
when I want.
And it’s so great
spending my own money.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re not getting rich
at the radio station.”
“I know,”
Terri said.
She began to cry.
And then she
poured out her heart.
She told her mother
all about her money problems.
“I’m in a deep hole,”
Terri said.
“I don’t know
how to dig
out of it.”
“Oh, Honey,
I’ve been through that too.
Your dad and I
almost went bankrupt.”
“How did you
pull through?”
Terri asked.
Terri’s mother told her
about a credit service
she went to.
It was free.
A credit counsellor
helped work out a plan.
“I think
you’d better find one
for yourself,”
said Terri’s mother.
“But find one
who doesn’t cost anything.
Find one who helps you
with your money.
Not one who makes money
on your hard times.”