Chapter 4: Meeting Stef

Just as we're setting the table, the door opens again and it's a blond woman in a cop uniform. This must be Stef. I feel my body tensing up. I usually avoid cops. I'm sure there are some nice ones out there, but my past experiences with them haven't been good. I still remember being handcuffed in the back of a police car and being taken to juvie. Yes, I did trash my foster dad's car with a baseball bat, but he deserved it and the cops never believed me when I said he was an abusive S.O.B. I don't trust cops.

Stef yells out "How's my babies tonight?" and gives everyone kisses and hugs. She turns to me and says "Who's this?" with a smile. Lena and Jude explain the whole thing which is good because I'm not sure if I can talk to a cop yet. I excuse myself and go to the bathroom so I can get myself together. Hold it together Callie, I tell myself.

Then, we all sit down to eat, and I have to say that the food is really good. I'm not picky because there have been plenty of days when I didn't have enough to eat, but I have to admit that this is a good place for Jude. It's dangerous for me, but at least I won't have to worry about him.

Of course Stef starts with the third degree too. I expect it from a cop. She asks all the same questions as Lena, where do I live, where do I go to school, my age, and so on. I give her the same lies, since Lena's right there. Stef is a little scarier to face though.

"So Callie, do you know Bill, Jude's social worker? I wonder why he didn't mention you," Stef continues with the questioning.

"I don't know, but my social worker, she said that Bill's often very busy," I stall.

What if she calls him? I can't think of how to stop her. And he'll probably tell her that I ran away from a group home about two years ago and to call the police next time I show up. Of course she is the police, so she could probably just arrest me herself. I'm playing with fire here.

"What's your foster family's name? We should talk to them so that we can come up with a visiting schedule," Stef presses on.

"Um, their last name is Smith. Actually, I just have a foster mom, Helen Smith, and she was about to go to work tonight so she's not at home right now," I lie some more. I'll have to remember that name, Helen Smith. And North East High School. That's the problem with lies. It's hard to remember them and keep them all straight. I wonder if she's trying to trip me up.

"Maybe she could give us a call?" says Stef adamantly.

"Um, sure. Actually, I've only been with her for a few months, and she's very busy, but I'll ask her."

Stef fixes her eyes on me and softly asks, "Is it a good foster home?"

"Um yes," I look down. When I look up, she's still watching me. I think she's weighing my words and trying to decide if I'm lying or not. I need to watch what I say around her.

"Maybe we should call your social worker. What's her name? Or Bill can get in touch with her."

Oh god, how do I get out of this. I decide on the direct approach. I look her in the eyes and plead, "Actually Stef, I would really appreciate it if you didn't call Bill. Um, my social worker doesn't get along with him, and I don't want any trouble with my social worker or my foster mom right now."

She stares into my soul some more, weighing my words.

"If you don't want me to come see Jude, that's okay," I continue, "I just wanted to make sure he's okay, and I can tell that this is a very good home for him. Thank you for taking care of him so well," I finish up with tears in my eyes.

Lena gently adds, "Jude has brought a lot of joy into our lives too. He's a special boy. We love him very much."

Jude can't stop himself and speaks up, "I love being a part of this family, but please, could Callie come and see me sometimes too? She's my family too, and I miss her. Maybe she could come by this weekend to see me?"

Stef looks at Jude thoughtfully and finally nods, "I'm sure we can work something out. Callie, we're going to the beach on Sunday. Would you like to join us? You could meet us there at 10 AM and spend the day with us. We can all learn more about each other."

I let out the breath that I was holding in. She couldn't arrest me at a beach, right? Maybe she won't call Bill. I don't know. "Sure, I'd like to come to the beach with you."

I make it through the dinner interrogation and then I get up to leave, but Jude doesn't want me to go. He wants me to help him with his homework like old times. After helping with the dishes (brownie points), we set up our homework in the living room and I help him with math while cuddling on the couch. I've missed this sweet boy. And I've missed having someone to hug. It feels nice.

After a while, Lena comes in and tells Jude that it's time to get ready for bed, but he starts getting teary again. "Lena, can Callie spend the night? Please? I just don't want her to go yet."

"Tomorrow's a school day, Jude. I'm sure Callie's foster parents will want her to come home and get ready for school too," Lena explains.

Stef pops her head in and asks me, "Do you need a ride home?"

I try to think of what to say. These women and their questions really keep me on my toes.

"Um, my foster mom's working the night shift tonight, so I'm on my own. I'll just take the bus."

Stef says, "I can take you home," leaving no room for refusal.

"Uh, that's okay. I'd really just like to walk a little and get some air and then take the bus."

"It's getting pretty late," Stef insists, "I'd rather give you a ride."

She's pushy alright. I'm just about to argue back, but luckily Lena intervenes, "You know, maybe you should spend the night on our couch, and Stef can give you a ride to your house in the morning on her way to work before your school starts. Especially since your foster mom is not at home tonight anyway. If your foster mom doesn't mind of course."

Jude looks at me and pleads, "Please Callie?" I don't want to give in, but I have a hard time refusing Jude. I think he's worried about me.

I compromise, "Sure, I'll leave my foster mom a message. She won't mind. I told her where I was. Thank you for letting me spend the night." I don't tell them that I plan to get up early and sneak out of the house on my own first thing tomorrow morning.

I help Jude get ready for bed and tuck him in and read him a story, and Lena lends me some pajamas and makes up the couch for me. I take a long hot shower that feels so good. And then I settle in. I leave the curtains open so the sun will wake me up in the morning before anyone else gets up. I usually can't sleep the first night in a new place, but somehow it feels safe and I close my eyes.