Callie's POV

I was upstairs in Mari's room, quiestly strumming on my guitar, when there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," I said. Once the door opened, I saw Jude's face. "Hey Jude," I said, and he smiled softly back at me.

"Hi," he said softly. "Ummm, I was wondering if you could show me the basics on like playing a guitar. It's okay if you don't want to, I just thought I'd ask."

"No, that's okay. I'd love to show you," I answered, and Jude smiled again.

"Thank you, Callie," Jude said, and he sat down next to me, closing the bedroom door behind him.

I felt myself get a little nervous and I asked," Could-could you leave the door open please?"

Jude looked at me and said," Sure. I just assumed that since it was closed before..."

Jude got up and opened the door to the bedroom. When he sat back down I said," Sorry, I just- it's a long story."

"It's okay," Jude said. "So what do I learn first?"

"Well, let me teach you the basic notes, and we'll go from there. That sound okay?" I asked, and Jude nodded. "Okay, so first you want to put your fingers just like this," I said, demonstrating on my guitar. "Here, do what I just did. Put your fingers just like that." Jude tried to do so, and he had a few fingers in the wrong place. "Here," I said, moving some of his fingers to the right place.

Jude laughed and said," Sorry, I'm not really good at this stuff."

"That's okay," I said. "I was pretty bad too." I put his fingers on the strings and I said," Now strum with your other hand while holding down on the strings with your fingers." Jude strummed and I said," That was good. Now for the next note.."

-linebreak-

After an hour, Jude was done and left the room. Almost immediately, Mom came in and asked," How Callie? That is the most I've heard him talk to anyone besides his brother."

"Who, Jude?" I asked, setting my guitar down. "You just have to let him come to you. He's really sweet and quiet."

"Uh huh," Mom said. "I need to talk to you. " Mom shut the door and sat down next to me.

"What is it?" I asked, getting an uneasy feeling.

"Your dad and I think we found him," Mom said softly. "We were able to find him. We finally salvaged the footage from the airport and there he was. But, we need you to come down to the station and confirm it so we can start the trial."

"Do I have to see him?" I asked, and Mom nodded. "I don't want to see him. I just want him to be put away. But if that's what it takes, I'll do it."

"Thank you for being so brave," Mom said, hugging me and rubbing my shoulder. "You're the strongest person I know." I shrugged and Mom added," And thank you for hanging out with Jude. You're helping him open up. Well, I gotta go get stuff for dinner. I'll be back in an hour." I nodded and Mom kissed my head before she walked out.

After she left, I pulled out my laptop and saw a message. It said:

Hey Super Callie. Heard your back in town. Wanna go grab coffee sometime?

I knew it was AJ so I answered.

Me: Hmmm, I don't know. Maybe. You should come to the barbecue we're having tonight. My dad's coming.

AJ: Maybe. Will you be nice to me?

Me: Maybe.

AJ: Ok. Bye Callie. I'll see you later.

Me: Bye.

"So, who was that?"I heard Mariana's voice ask, and I saw her in the doorway.

"AJ," I answered, closing my laptop. "He wants to see me."

"And you're gonna go out with him?" Mariana asked, sitting next to me. "Like just you and him?"

"No," I replied. "I told him he could come to the barbecue that moms are having tonight. "

"Oh," Mari said softly. "So, are you guys gonna go on a date?"

"Maybe like tomorrow," I answered. "We might go get coffee. You know like somewhere public."

"Mom told me about the panic attacks," Mariana said quietly. "So, when are you going to tell Jesus about what happened? He's gonna figure out sooner or later, and he's been wondering why you haven't been as close with him."

"I'm going to tell him," I said. "But I have been avoiding it. I don't want him to treat me differently. And until I can handle these panic attacks, I'd rather not rehash what happened."

Mariana nodded and hugged me. "I love you Callie. Hey, we need to go shopping. We didn't go the last time you were here."

"I know, but we should probably start getting the stuff ready for the barbecue," I said, standing up off her bed. "Come on."

-linebreak-

The doorbell rang and I opened it, revealing AJ. "This is for you, Super Callie," AJ said handing me a a folded piece of paper.

I unfolded the paper and read aloud," The adventures of Super Callie. Nice. I've missed you, AJ. And I like the artwork," I said, looking at the mini comic that AJ made.

"I've missed you too," AJ said. "So is everybody out back?"

I nodded and said," Yeah, my dad's not here yet, though. Hey, by the way, moms are fostering two new kids right now. The older one's Brandon and the younger one's Jude."

"Cool," AJ said. "So have you thought about taking me up on my offer?"

"We can go get coffee tomorrow," I said, opening the door to the backyard. "But you better not try anything."

"Is that how you see me?" AJ asked jokingly. "I just thought we could catch up and talk for a little bit."

"I know," I said, AJ following me to moms. "Look who's here," I said, pointing to AJ.

"AJ, long time no see," Mama said, giving him a hug. "You still doing good in college?"

"Yes I am," AJ said, smiling. "Happy to be out for the summer thpugh."

"I bet you are," Stef said, opening the grill. "Callie has your father called you to tell you when he's going to be here?"

"No," I answered. Suddenly, my phone rang and the contact name said Dad. "Speak of the devil," I muttered as i answered the phone. "Hey Dad!"

"Hey Cals," Dad said. "I'm at your Moms. Can you come open the door?"

"Yeah, I'll be right there," I said as I walked through the backyard gate. I hung up the phone and shouted," Hey Dad! You can come through here."

Dad turned towards me and smiled, walking through the gate. "Thanks, Callie," Dad said, and I nodded as he walked into the backyard.

"Mike, you made it," Mama said, smiling towards Mike. This was going to be an interesting night.