Chapter 4.
Callie lay awake in the dark. It was the third night since Jude had been sleeping in her room. Right now, he was lying next to her, curled up in a fetal position, snoring softly. She could smell his shampoo, and his icy little feet were touching her leg. The time on her alarm clock had just changed to two o'clock, when Callie heard footsteps in the hallway. Her stomach clenshed in fright. The footsteps paused outside her door. No, no, no! Callie's mind raced, matching the beat of her heart.
"Jude?" she whispered in a choked little voice. Her tongue felt thick. Jude didn't stir. Callie sucked in her breath and shut her eyes tightly, preparing to rouse her brother awake if necessary. But several seconds passed, and no one came into the room. Callie dared open one eye, as she heard whoever was out there descend down the hallway.
That morning, Callie and Jude, dressed for school, went into the kitchen for breakfast. Liam and his parents were at the table already. Mrs. Olmstead turned to the siblings; "Jude?" she asked. "Why haven't you been sleeping in your room?"
Jude looked at Callie deperately, and she nodded her chin slightly to reassure him. "He's, uh, been having nightmares, so I told him he can stay in my room," she told her foster mother.
"Yeah," provided Jude. "If I know Callie is there, I don't feel so scared."
Mr. Olmstead snorted. "It ain't natural for a ten-year-old boy to sleep with his sister. Jude, you're sleeping in your own bed."
"No!" Jude shouted. "I'm staying with Callie!"
Callie turned to her foster father, and said firmly; "He's my brother, and he can stay with me if he wants too."
"Suit yourself," said Mr. Olmstead. "I'm only trying to toughen him up. Don't come blaming me if he grows up to be a sissy."
"Why do you have to be so mean to him?" Callie asked. She started to cry. "I'd love Jude just the same no matter what he grows up to be. Do you care about anyone that much?"
Mr. Olmstead's face reddened, and his wife turned to the kids. "You two better get to school," she said, guiding them to the door.
"I hate him!" Callie shouted when they were safely down the sidewalk. "I'm so sorry, Jude. It was my fault he was mean to you. I feel so bad."
"Aw, it's okay," Jude replied. "He would have just been mean to me about something else, anyway. Besides, you've always been there for me. Now I need to be there for you."
Callie smiled. She loved that kid.
"Callie?" Jude asked her. "Is it true what you said, that you'd really love me the same, no matter what I am?"
"Yes," said Callie.
"Even if I was a garbage man?" Asked Jude.
"Mm-hm," Callie replied.
"Even if I was a plumber?" Jude asked again.
Callie laughed. "Yes!" She said. It felt good to laugh again.
"Even if I was a bank robber?" Jude ventured.
"Yes, Jude. I'd be disappointed if you became a bank robber, but I wouldn't love you any less."
"Thanks, Callie," said Jude. "I'll love you no matter what, too."
To Be Continued