"Yet another foster home. Seventh one, if I'm not mistaken." Callie thinks to herself. She looks around the table, as everyone eats the most delicious food that Callie has tasted in years.
"So Callie. How do you like your new school?" Lena inquires. She is the vice principal of the school that Callie attend, therefore, school is always on her mind.
"I like it fine, I guess." Callie answers. She doesn't know what else to say. School has never been much of a priority and she doesn't want to offend anybody.
"It's like something out of the movies." Jude jumps in excitedly. Callie's little brother is of a different opinion about school, which surprises Callie on occasion. Not much seems to surprise Callie these days and she welcomes moments like this one. Over the years, Callie has become calloused and tough. She's become a pessimist, but she doesn't let it cloud her judgement.
Lena smiles, pleased with Jude's answer. "I'm glad you like it Jude." Of all of the children that are present at the dinner table, Jude is probably the only one that appreciates school.
"What is your favorite subject?" Stef questions Jude. Stef is a police officer. Her nature inclines her to believe that school keeps youth out of trouble. Hence, she has one less child to worry about.
Jude looks at Callie, uncertain of what to say. All the eyes shift to Callie as she answers in Jude's place. "He struggles with math and English, but Social Studies is a piece of cake for him."
"What about you Callie?" Stef pries. She already knows that her hands will be full with Callie. School or no school, Callie has already had a run-in with the law. Her stripes are just as permanent as everything else in her life is temporary.
Callie hesitates before answering. School has never been much of a priority for Callie. In the classes that Callie actually attended, she learned plenty. She picked up the information quickly, but she never had time to study at home. This reflected on her grades, which were less than mediocre. "I don't actually have a favorite."
"Well, what do you like in general?" Lena joins what has become an interrogation.
"I like writing, I guess." Callie remarks.
"Then English should be a breeze for you." Lena assumes.
"Not exactly. I prefer to write on my own topic and by my own schedule. Plus, I haven't exactly read any of the novels that we're studying." Callie explains, knowing that the interrogation is far from over. She wonders how she can bring this conversation to a close. She places a piece of chicken in her mouth.
"That's alright. You'll catch up." Lena says hopefully. Lena clearly hasn't noticed Callie's hint to drop the subject.
Brandon is silent throughout the entire inquisition, wondering how to make a good impression on Callie. "I'll help you." Brandon volunteers. He smiles so wide that Callie can practically count all of his teeth. To her surprise, she notices just how perfectly straight those teeth are.
"That's a great idea. Brandon is in AP English. He's read all of the novels and written all of the essays. He will be a wonderful tutor." Lena is excited about this turn of events.
Callie looks at Brandon. "You don't have to. I don't want to take any of your time." Callie tries to give Brandon an out, which he obviously doesn't want.
"It's no problem." Brandon smiles at Callie, wondering how he can make her soften up a bit. Since she's come to the house a week ago, she's been cautious of everything. Here and again, she'll let something slip about her personal life. Then again, the closest they've come to having a conversation has been the talk on the bus. Callie told Brandon about the reason that she was sent to a juvenile facility. She opened up about her abusive foster father, but managed to close down just as quickly. What Brandon witnessed at Callie's previous foster home made him acknowledge that Callie has had a rough upbringing. Survival mode must have kicked in years ago. As a result, weeks possibly months of relationship-building are required to earn Callie's trust.
The rest of dinner was pretty uneventful. Stef complained about a difficult case. Lena spoke about the school assembly that was coming up. Jesus avoided talking about school, while Mariana bragged about the A she received on her Biology test. The only one quiet for the rest of dinner was Callie.