Author's Note:
SORRY SORRY SORRY for being a bad updater... I was working at a camp this summer and had limited breaks and I just had no real time to brainstorm or up date anything. Had no access to the internet most of the summer. But I am back now. Thank you so much for your patience!
Anytime You need a Friend:
Chapter 35
A couple days later, Callie went back to School. Amelia had gone back the day before. She had gone in and spoken with the school about the encounter with Mr. Sanchez and warned her teacher that Amelia might talk about it a little bit. She had given them a picture of the man and they promised to keep an eye out for him and let the rest of the staff know to call the police immediately if he was seen.
Callie wasn't too worried about Sanchez trying to snatch Amelia from the school. The school had a great security system, great protective measures. It was one of the reasons why Callie had chosen that particular school for Amelia. She was afraid of when she was out and about with Amelia, that Sanchez would get too close again. She couldn't risk that. She had a Restraining Order against him, but he'd proven repeatedly that he didn't care.
That is what had Callie scared more than anything. That the man had shown that he really didn't care about the restraining order. He had been in her house, up close to her, he had shot at her, tried to hurt her daughter. That, in her book, was unforgivable. He lost his right to walk freely when he tried to hurt her daughter. She didn't even care about her own safety. Just her daughter. He could come after her. But not her daughter.
Callie was now driving to and from School, usually with Clark, instead of walking after having gotten a new vehicle. the SUV was not going to be drivable for some time. She knew that people were following her to and from School and that police presence was stepped up around the school as well as the headstart. After going to the hospital that night, she had required 15 stitches to close the cut on her arm.
After School, Callie was driving to headstart to pick up Amelia. She had planned on going to the store. She wanted to try her hand at baking some cookies and needed to pick up some items for dinner as well. She was making Spaghetti. Amelia had a newfound fascination with noodles, asking for them all the time. Callie decided tonight that she would make them. She was getting good at making Spaghetti.
"So Callie, Do you think Spike could possibly watch Amelia for you so you can go out tonight? After all, it is Friday. I ask this because you haven't had a night out in awhile and I want to take you to dinner. You know, just the two of us. I miss hanging out with you." Clark smiled at her and patted her knee. She shrugged and braked for a stoplight before looking over at Clark who was sitting there with a pout.
"Maybe, I don't really know. I will ask him when I drop off his snack after picking up the pest. She's been wanting to go back there anyway, so I figured I would take her. Dad's being a pain as well asking me to bring this food or that food to him. It drives me nuts. But I love him anyway. Are you coming in with me or staying in here?" They got out and walked into the School. She smelled trouble before she saw it.
"Now boys and girls, It is important to remember that if you are approached by a stranger, you do 3 things. Number 1. Stay away from them. If you get too close they can pick you up and carry you off. Number 2. Run away. If approached by a stranger run somewhere safe and tell an adult that you trust. Who can give me examples of where to run to?" Callie poked her head in and saw Ed and Spike talking to the kids.
"I think that we can relax for now. Our dads are in there talking to the kids about Stranger Danger. You know something? I kinda like having a father who is in law enforcement. Makes me feel safe. I'm going to text Dad and tell him we are going to the store and to keep Amelia til we come back. Kill two birds, one stone. Let's go." After texting him, they took off for the store to get done as quickly as possibly.
After a few minutes, they were on their way to the store. Callie had a list and they were in and out within 20 minutes. When they got back, Ed and Spike were still talking to the kids and the parents were gathering to listen. Some were murmuring how they needed to talk with their children. Callie smiled and she and Clark took a spot near the door. Spike looked up, saw her and nodded at her. She smiled back.
After they were done talking to the kids, Spike and Ed handed out little baggies with coloring pages and a couple peices of candy and a couple booklets on safety. After that, Spike had to promise that he would come back and show them how to make small explosions using fire crackers. The teacher dismissed the kids and they all swarmed over to their parents. Some of the kids swarmed over Ed and Spike.
Callie walked up to them and stood to the side a little while they chatted with parents, asking about workshops on how to talk to their kids. Amelia ran up to her and threw her arms around her. Callie swung her up and settled her on her hip. She laid her head on her shoulder and sighed before hugging Callie around the neck tightly. She bounced her for a moment, kissing her head, before looking at her father.
"Hi Dad. Nice of you and uncle Ed to talk to them about strangers. I already went to the store. I'm going to go home and get some baking done before dropping by the station with Dinner. Would you be able to watch Amelia tonight? Clark wants to take me out to dinner, but I think we will probably just go for coffee instead." Spike nodded and held out his hands for Amelia, who shook her head and started to cry.
"What's wrong Sweetie?" Callie bounced her lightly. Amelia shook her head and just leaned towards Ed, who took her without batting an eyelash, cradling her against his chest, holding her secure. Callie nodded and sought out the teacher. She waited for a moment before approaching her. When she had a spare moment, Callie touched her on the sleeve to get her attention. She glanced back at Amelia, to see her asleep against Spike's shoulder.
"Hi Callie, What can I do for you today? Amelia had a great day today. She mentioned that man a couple times, and said that he was a jerk. But that was it. She refused to take her nap at naptime, She actually preferred to spend her nap time in a time out and crying, but I see that she is asleep with your father." Callie nodded and looked at her daughter again before looking back at the teacher.
"I figured that was why she being whiny. I'm taking her home for a nap. I wanted to make sure that she was ok. I know I am over protective, but the run in with my adopted father left me feeling scared and a little paranoid. Thank you for your time. I really appreciate it. I need to go. I will see you tomorrow morning when I drop her off." Callie walked back to Spike and offered to take Amelia from him. He shook his head and walked outside.
"I'm supposed to be going over to Sam's to help him install a new security system tonight. I completely forgot. I'm going to see if Wordy and Shelly mind having another little girl underfoot. I highly doubt that it will matter to them. I think that Amelia would like being around them. Is that ok with you? I know you want to go out tonight with Clark, but I want to make sure you are ok with her going over to Wordy's house." Callie nodded.
"That's fine Dad. You know that. You didn't even have to ask. I want Amelia exposed to everyone that you work with as much as possible and their families. I'm sure that she will have aton of fun. Clark and I probably won't be very late. Probably back by 11pm. Thank you Dad. However, we are going back home to take a nap. She didn't take her nap at naptime and was very whiny and cranky apparently." Spike nodded and put Amelia in her booster seat. He kissed Callie and took off for the truck when Ed Yelled that they had a call.
Callie dropped Clark off and drove back to their house. She took Amelia in first, set her down on her bed and pulled the covers up over her before heading down to get the groceries. She put the stuff away, locked the door, set the security system and went upstairs to check on Amelia. She was snoring lightly, clutching her teddy bear. Callie smiled and went upstairs to take a quick shower and wash her hair before starting her homework.
Shortly after she sat down to do her homework, she heard a thump upstairs. It sounded like Amelia had gotten up. She looked up and saw Amelia scooting down the steps on her butt. She climbed up on the chair next to Callie and looked at her. Callie got her a glass of juice and watched her thirstily drink the entire glass in one swallow. She raised an eyebrow at her and smiled when she set the glass down.
"Amelia? Are you feeling alright? That's the fastest I have ever seen you drink a glass of juice." She reached over and felt Amelia's forehead. It was a little warm. She went into the bathroom and got the thermometer. She put it in her mouth and waited until it beeped. Taking it out, she looked at the temp that it said. 103 even. She was no expert but she decided that Amelia was sick. She decided to ask a few questions before panicking.
"Honey, are you feeling ok? does your throat hurt? What about your tummy?" Amelia shrugged and nodded. She pulled on her ears as well and started crying again. Callie picked her up and as she did, Amelia puked all over her shirt and started crying harder. Callie changed her shirt, picked Amelia up and headed into the bathroom. She instructed her to lean over the potty if she felt like she was going to be sick again and dialed Sophie.
"Hi Sophie. Listen I have a problem. I think Amelia is sick, she just puked all over me, her stomach and throat hurt according to her, Her ears hurt and Her temperature is 103 even I think. I don't know what to do. Can you help me?" Sophie said she would there in a few minutes and hung up. Callie threw her sweater in the wash and let it go while keeping an eye on Amelia, who was standing in the bathroom.
"Uh oh mommy." she leaned in the door to look at Amelia. She was standing there with a funny look on her face. Callie heard Sophie call out that she was there and yelled back that they were in the bathroom.
"Uh oh? What o? Amelia, What's wrong Sweetie?" Amelia rolled her eyes at her and huffed. Under other circumstances, Callie would have found it funny. But Amelia wasn't feeling well and she looked really uncomfortable. She knelt down in front of Amelia who was holding her pants away from her butt.
"Mommy, I think I went poo. My butt feels funny." Callie closed her eyes. She could smell it. No mistaking that smell, Ever. She put her in the tub and told her to stay there. She turned to see Sophie standing in the doorway.
"Sophie. My daughter has really stinky Diarrhea. She's thrown up twice and hurts. Should I bathe her? I hate asking you, but I'm new at this."Sophie nodded and walked into the bathroom behind her. She sat down on the toilet and leaned over to look at Amelia, who looked back at her with a very pathetic expression.
"Hi Amelia. Looks like you got yourself a problem. What's wrong?" Amelia sat down in the tub and started crying. Callie Sighed and took her out of the tub and took her pants off and drew some bath water. After she was done running the water, she placed her in it and proceeded to clean her off, with Amelia fussing and carrying on the whole time. Finally she was done and lifted her out of the tub.
"Mommy, I don't feel good. Can I go back to bed. When will Pita be home? I want Pita. Please?" She started crying harder and Callie looked at Sophie at a loss as to what to say. Sophie shook her head a little, Callie nodded and rummaged in the closet for a towel.
"What do I do Sophie? Should I take her to the hospital?" Sophie scratched her head.
"It could be the ordinary Flu. If you are concerned, I would take her to the hospital. It might be nothing, but better safe than sorry. No reason you should feel inadequate. Make sure you have a bucket or something that she can puke in if she needs to." Callie nodded and wrapped Amelia in a dry towel and carried her up to her room, Sophie walked behind.
After a few minutes, of getting something on her to wear and getting her situated in the car, Sophie said her goodbyes and drove off back to her house. Callie drove to the hospital, while Amelia dozed in the backseat clutching her tebby bear. While she drove, her phone rang. She debated letting it ring but saw it was Spike.
"Hey Dad, I can't really talk right now- I'm driving Amelia to the hospital. She's throwing up and has terrible diarrhea. She also had a temperature of 103, and I am concerned. She was asking for you. No, I don't need you to come to the hospital. You can if you want." She hung up and set the phone on the seat next to her.
"Mommy? Can I have something to drink? I'm really thirsty." Callie looked in the mirror at Amelia. She smiled at her.
"I'm taking you to see the doctor. Why don't we wait until we see what he says and whether you can have something. When he does, we will celebrate with some noodles and juice ok? How's your tummy feeling? Still funny?" Amelia nodded and closed her eyes again. Callie drove on to the hospital.