Chapter 11.
The next week went by in a blur, it seemed, to Callie. The doctor couldn't find anything physically wrong with her stomach, and she didn't think he would, anyway. It was only a matter of time before the stress she was under manifested itself physically. After a while, she stopped telling anyone about her stomach aches, because she knew her moms couldn't leave work to take care of her every time she felt ill.
The day before the prom, Vico and Callie were sitting on the beach, when he handed her a small velvet box, smiling proudly. Callie held it in her hand delicately, studying it, feeling it's softness. She knew expensive things came in those types of boxes, though she'd never received anything in one until then.
"Well, are you going to open it or not?" he teased.
"I'm getting to it," she replied, lifting the lid with her fingernail. Inside, a small diamond teardrop pendant on a delicate white gold chain sparkled bright. "It's beautiful," she breathed.
"A beautiful necklace for a beautiful lady," he said, taking it out of it's box. "And your reward for helping me out."
"Wow," said Callie. She should have known her gift was bought with money he'd made from the fake I.D.s. "Thanks."
"My pleasure," he replied. "Here. Let me put it on for you."
Callie touched her mother's necklace and winced. She would have to take it off. She never took it off. It was as much a part of her as having brown hair.
"Just let me take this piece of junk off," he told her, unhooking her gold chain. "I'm surprised it hasn't turned your neck green yet." He removed it, and tossed it on the sand.
"No!" Callie's eyes filled with tears as she watched her mother's necklace fly through the air. She dove forward, and picked it up, grasping it tightly in her hand.
"Great, Callie. Real nice," Vico grumbled. "I give you this expensive necklace, and you care more about that piece of shit. How is that supposed to make me feel?"
Callie pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them as her tears fell. "For your information, this 'piece of junk' is the only thing I have left of my mother." She tucked it in the velvet jewelry box, and shoved it in her purse.
"Fine. I'll just take this necklace back," he told her. "Or maybe I'll give it to someone who will appreciate it."
Callie looked up at him apologetically. "I do appreciate it. It's just, my old necklace means a lot to me. You didn't have to throw it out like that."
Vico's face softened. "Hey. I'm sorry," he said, putting his hand on her back. "But you need to wear my gift from now on." He lowered the chain over her head and clasped it. "There. Perfect."
"Well, hello handsome," Stef smiled, greeting Zac at the front door.
"Hello, Mrs. Foster," he nodded, stepping into the house.
"How's your mama doing?" she asked.
"About the same," he replied. "Not any better, but not any worse."
Stef reached out to him and gave him a hug. "You're a good son, Zac. And I'm glad you could make it up here for a visit."
Zac had traveled from his father's house in Arizona to go to prom with Mariana and to spend the weekend with the family, and Stef couldn't be happier. He was a sweet boy, and she hoped he and her younger daughter would last for a long time. She could see them getting married someday. It was obvious they loved each other very much.
"Let me go check on the girls," she told him. "Mama's upstairs helping them get ready." Brandon and Jesus, on the other hand, were already dressed in their tuxedos, watching TV, their ties loosened. But that was boys, for you.
She went up to the girls room, and found Callie and Mariana standing in front of the dresser as Lena misted their hair with hairspray. "Hi there, my princesses," she said, admiring her daughters in their gowns. "You both look lovely. Are you about ready?"
"I'm ready," Callie replied. "Is Vico here yet?"
"Not yet, sweetheart," Stef told her. "I'm sure he'll be here soon." Vico had rented a limo to bring everyone to and from the prom. "But Zac just got here."
Mariana smiled, blushing. "I can't wait to see him."
"He can't wait to see you," her mother promised.
"Okay, Miss Thing," Lena said, turning Mariana around. "You are ready. And both of you look stunning. Those boys aren't going to know what hit them."
Stef smiled, then furrowed her brow. There was something different about Callie, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Something was just... off. Then, she realized what it was. Callie wasn't wearing her mother's necklace. She was wearing a new one. After learning the meaning behind Colleen's necklace, Stef never thought she'd see the day when her daughter would trade up, and in her heart, something didn't feel right.
"That's pretty," she said, reaching out to touch the teardrop pendant.
"Thanks. Vico gave it to me yesterday," Callie explained.
"Well, that was very sweet of him," she replied in a neutral voice. For some unexplainable reason, she felt like crying.
"Limo's here," Jesus called from downstairs.
Stef turned back to her daughters. "Well, I guess it's showtime, my Cinderellas.
It was amazing to Callie how fast the prom was going by. She and her siblings had to stand with their dates for what seemed like hours, as Stef and Lena snapped picture after picture. And now, it was almost time for the last dance of the night.
She glanced over at Mariana and Zac, and smiled. Mari was nestled against him, letting him hold her close as they danced. Mariana had confided in Callie the night before, so she knew that later that night, her younger sister and Zac were planning to lose their virginity to each other. Callie wished her first time could have been that special. It was something she could never get back, now. But she was happy for her sister. She'd been having a rough time making her long distance relationship work. It was good to see them still so in love.
"May I cut in?"
Callie turned to see Brandon standing there. She looked questioningly up at Vico. "Do you mind?"
"Go for it," he shrugged.
Callie let Brandon take her by the hand and lead her away. "This is the last dance," she fretted. "Don't you want to dance with Lou?"
"I've been dancing with Lou all night," he said casually. "Now I want to dance with my best girl." He laughed nervously. "I mean, my best friend. You- you look beautiful tonight."
He put his arms around her waist, and she wrapped hers around his neck, as the slow song began. Dancing with Brandon, Callie couldn't help but smile as her mind immediately went to the awkward dance lesson they took in preparation for Mariana's Quinceneara. She remembered being so nervous that day, her stomach tensing as Brandon led her in a clumsy waltz while Talya gave her the stink eye from the sidelines. Funny, how what seemed so embarrassing at the time had become one of her favorite memories ever.
"Listen, Cal, said Brandon, quietly. "I'm sorry for how I've been acting lately. Really, I am."
Callie nodded, biting her lip. "Thanks. But it's okay."
"I'm just worried about you," he explained. "I... you know I love you. And I don't want to see you get hurt. Vico has a really bad reputation."
Brandon loves me, she thought, heat rising to her cheeks. Then, she scolded herself. She had a boyfriend, and Brandon was supposed to be her brother. "I have a bad reputation too," she reminded him. "Nobody's perfect."
"True," he replied tentatively. "But Vico is supposed to be involved in some pretty sketchy things. And he didn't treat Lexi very well back when they dated. You must be pretty special. He treats everyone else like dirt, but... I guess he's nice to you."
"Do we really have to discuss this now?" Callie asked in a whisper. She just wanted to enjoy the moment for as long as she could.
Brandon shook his head, his eyes shining. "Just... promise me you'll be careful, Cal?"
"Yes, dad," she teased.
"I'm serious," he retorted. "Promise?"
"I promise," she replied in a more sober tone. "Thanks... for caring so much."
He nodded again, gently caressing her back. "Any time. I'll always be there for you."
To Be Continued
