Chapters will switch point of views, I'm sorry if that gets... confusing for anyone? Most of this story is told through Arizona's eyes... so I hope that helps. But the views will change depending on the chapter and the point I want to get across. Carlos is a common name and it's not uncommon for 2 people to share the same name so... Callie's father and her husband have the same name.
I think I might start uploading 2 chapters at a time- to help the story move along and keep those who are reading this story- interested. I just don't want you all to lose interest because my chapters are too short... but I also don't want to shove too many ideas into one chapter.
Thank you so much for your reviews! I read every single one and I love them, and I love that you all like the version of the story so far!
Consider this to be your trigger warning for this chapter on out. Mentions of abuse.
With that being said; lets get to it.
Calliope.
It really did have a nice ring to it.
The conversation from earlier played over in her mind. Like a tape stuck on.
Rewind.
Rewind.
Rewind.
To be thinking this much about one conversation, it was silly- Arizona knew that. It was foolish, to try and piece together the next conversation; to look forward to another conversation. She had just met Callie Torres and already Arizona longed for her attention.
It was all so absurd.
But it had been such a rush to simply talk to someone, to be listened to. And not patronized or mocked or shut down.
Calliope.
The evening was calm and still, much like the atmosphere of the house right now. Apart from Bethany playing in the family room with her doll, nothing was moving the house. The only sound Arizona could even focus on was the hum of the refrigerator and Bethany's murmurs in the background. But the sky was becoming cloudy, indicating a storm on the way.
There was a routine that the family had fallen into over the years. Bryan would come home, and Arizona would greet him and welcome him home with a kiss and Bethany would run into his arms. He'd mumble something about work, set his briefcase down and he'd continue upstairs to freshen up. And while he did that, it was Arizona's job to set the table and he expected her and Bethany to already be dressed and ready for dinner. He also expected Bethany to help her mother with the table- which sometimes she did- but other times Arizona would allow her to watch some tv before dinner. Or a read book. Or play.
She didn't want to drill the routine of being a housewife into her daughter's head. So, she grabbed the dishes of food and sets them in the middle of the dining room table, then went back for the plates, silverware, and glasses, placing them neatly on the white napkins. She placed a picture of cold water right in the middle.
She continued to move though out the house, glancing around to make sure everything was in order. With the food ready and the table set; Arizona realized she was done. She found it so easy to allow her mind to slip these days; her thoughts drifted back to her new neighbor... the brilliant, daring scientist with an infectious smile. Arizona could almost hear her laugh, almost-
"Beth?" She called from the kitchen, wiping the counter down.
"Yes, mama?"
"Put your doll up, please."
"Yes mama," the girl sounded exasperated, but she did as she was told. She knew what they needed to do. She stood up and smoothed her dress down, placed her doll on the couch and then made her way over to her mother.
"Let's get you cleaned up before dinner," she smiled.
In the powder room, Bethany washed her hands and her face. While Arizona ran a brush through her hair and fluffed her curls.
"I really like Rose, she's real swell." Arizona gives a smile through the mirror, "Rose is going to teach me to hoola hoop. She said I can't start school next year and not know how to hoola hoop,"
Laughing, "Of course you can't, sweetie. I'm glad you're making a new friend." You start to touch up your makeup,
"Are we going to visit tomorrow?"
"We'll see,"
Yes.
Dinner time had become a ritual in their household. Bethany sat down at the table and Arizona untied her apron; folding and placing it on the counter right as her husband was coming down the steps.
She gave him her brightest smile, greeting him once more but he just walked past and sat down at the head of the table. Arizona's smile dropped and she went to sit at the other end, with Bethany on the side.
Bryan had barely said a word since he got home, he seemed more irritated than usually. A moment passed before Arizona asked,
"Rough day at work?"
He started to serve the food, placing some of everything on Bethany's plate and then Arizona's and lastly his own,
"Something like that," he mumbled. "There's not enough money coming in, but I have too many employees-"
She nodded as he talked, helping Bethany to cut up her meat. She poured 3 glasses of water and passed one to Bethany then Bryan. She ate slowly, careful not to disturb his train of thought or make him think she wasn't listening. The problems at the dealership... they did seem stressful. Nothing compared to her problems. And she had no idea how she would handle it, so she listened and nodded her head. Making eye contact every few seconds.
It got silent after he was done. Arizona thought of saying something to make him feel better, something to put his mind at ease. So, she tried,
"Maybe a different type of advertising? To bring in more business?"
He laughs, like what she just said was a joke,
"Do you have advertising money, Arizona?"
"No... no, I was just suggesting-"
"It was stupid,"
Pause. Blink.
What he said hasn't phased him, he doesn't even look up from his plate. But it leaves Arizona motionless.
"I'm sorry," she finally whispers.
"It's fine, sweetie." He chews, "I don't expect you to know much about business. Let alone running one."
Moments past before she can think of anything else.
Slowly, "Did you see the new neighbors?"
"Pardon?"
"The new neighbors," she tried again, "they just moved in this afternoon,"
"I was at work. Why would I see them?" He chewed,
"I-" she stops, "I thought you might have seen them when you got home,"
"No," he said with a shrug, "Are they nice? I don't want any weird characters around Bethany."
"It's just Calliope and her daughter-"
"Cailipe?" He laughs, "What a funny name- strange, really." She thinks to correct him; to make him pronounce her name the way it's intended to be said. She thinks to tell him that it's not strange, it's unique and absolutely beautiful. But she decides against it. She simply repeats,
"Calliope and her daughter, Rose, just moved in today. We went by earlier to say hello. I invited them to dinner, I hope that's okay?"
"No husband?" He looks up, "That's odd,"
"She had one. He passed. Cancer."
"Oh, well. I guess dinner would be fine-"
"Daddy," Bethany chimes in, wanting to lighten the mood, "Rose was so nice and so was Ms. Callie-"
"It's rude to interrupt, Bethany. It's unbecoming of a young woman-"
"Bryan, honey," Arizona says softly, forcing a light laugh, "She made a new friend, she's excited-"
"Do not interrupt me," his tone is much harsher with Arizona, dripping with vexation. She presses her lips together. "When I'm talking; no one else should be talking,"
Bethany nods her head and continues to eat, not wanting to upset her father anymore; she knew about nagging and how not to upset the men of the house. But he stares at Arizona a few moments longer.
"Is that understood?" His voice a little louder,
"Yes," she says,
"Don't make me have to repeat myself,"
"O-okay," Arizona whispers.
Silence. Forks clink as the room falls quiet. Arizona can't even bring herself to look up from her plate, she doesn't say a word because she might say the wrong thing.
In this moment, she feels stupid.
It's the kind of silence no one should have to feel in their own home. The kind of silence that scares her. And it's at this time that she missed the kind silence that she and Callie shared that afternoon. Gentle silence, warm silence…
Calliope
Instead of trying think up another conversation, that's where her mind wonders to. What is Callie doing tonight and what did she cook for dinner. She wondered if Rose had to freshen up for dinner as well or if things were just a little more... free... in her household. Not having a man around to please all the time. When would be a nice time for Callie to come over for dinner?
Maybe Friday?
Minute's pass and everyone is finished with dinner. Bryan gets up from the table, scooping Bethany in his arms and taking her upstairs to get ready for bed, leaving Arizona alone with her thoughts.
The minute he leaves she felt the air return to the room. She stood up, smoothing her dress down and rolled up her sleeves.
She put the leftovers away.
Scraped everyone's plate.
Cleared the table.
And started rinsing the dishes so she could place them in the washer.
The weight of the dinner conversation sat heavy on her shoulders, weighing Arizona down and making her feel tired. Tears stung her eyes, swelled, but she refused to let them fall. She reaches forward and opens the kitchen window, needing some air.
She breathes in the nighttime breeze.
Wipes her eyes.
Gathers her thoughts.
She breathes out.
Catches her breath.
The night could have gone worse.
Some time passes while she washes the dishes, the hum of the refrigerator taunting her. Lost in thought. She doesn't notice Bryan leaning against the kitchen entrance and she doesn't notice him waking up behind her; until he placed his hands on her shoulder, grasping them.
Arizona winced, jumped, and gasped.
"Bryan, honey, I didn't hear you come down. Is Bethany sleep already?" He ignores her and Arizona freezes, no longer doing the dishes because his fingers are pressing down painfully on her shoulders.
"You must watch that mouth of yours while you're speaking to me, dear." His voice still, calm, but there was something behind it... "Especially in front of my daughter," she breathes,
"I-I'm sorry," she gets out, "I didn't mean to upset you," he grip tightens,
"It's alright." He turns her around to face him. "Don't let it happen again," he takes his hand and cups her face, using his thumb to wipe the single tear that had made its way down her cheek.
She closes her eyes and releases a shake breath as he kisses her forehead.
"It won't happen again,"
"Ok then," he gives her one last look and heads back up the stairs.
She takes one last look outside and it hits her.
The laundry is still hanging on the clothesline.
Arizona scolded herself for not remembering to do this earlier. She should have gotten the laundry when it had first dried, but the events of the day left her absent minded, but she couldn't dwell on that right now; she just felt lucky it hadn't started raining yet. Arizona headed outside with the basket and began gathering the laundry. Usually, she'd just take the clothes off the hook and fold them inside- but tonight- the fresh air was much needed.
"I got a girl named Sue, she knows just what to do"
She heard the faint sound of someone singing and it made her look around.
"Hello?" She calls with an arched eyebrow. "Is someone there?"
"I got a girl named Daisy, she almost drives me crazy"
"Hello?" She calls again a little louder, taking down one of Bethany's dresses. The singing stops and then it's silent,
"Arizona?" The voice calls.
"Calliope," she smiles, "That was you singing?" Callie blushes, walking over to the gate that separates their yards. "You have a lovely voice,"
"I'm quite fond of little Richard," she gives a small smile,
"I am as well..." Arizona looks around for a while, "What are you doing out so late?"
"I've been feeling so restless lately. I don't think I'm quite used to the house just yet. Rose went right to sleep so I thought maybe a walk around the yard would help." Callie looks at the basket of laundry and then back at Arizona,
"Strange hour to be doing laundry," she points out with a light laugh. Arizona curses herself; she must look absolutely insane to be standing outside in the middle of the night with a laundry basket.
"I had forgot about it earlier." She whispers and Callie nods,
"Here, let me help," Callie insists, "I'd hate for you to get drenched out here when the storm comes,"
"That would be lovely," Callie nods again and walks around, unlatching the lock and making her way to the back with Arizona.
Callie had always been one for late-night strolls, when Carlos was alive, she was able to take a short walk around the block to help ease her mind, but now with no one in the house but Rose she settles for walks around the yard. Which had actually played a big part in her choosing this particular house, her land was little bigger than normal size.
She picks up a shirt and begin to fold, but not before she catches of glimpse of Arizona's blue eyes in the moonlight. They seem to welcome the glow like an old friend...
"How was dinner tonight?" Callie asks while folding.
"It was fine," Arizona says shortly, not really wanting to relive the last few hours. "I was thinking Friday," She says rather abruptly. Callie blinks, somewhat confused, "For dinner, you could come over Friday evening,"
"I think that would be alright,"
"Ok then," she does well to hide her excitement. But her mind starts and she's already planning the night.
Once their done Arizona picks up her basket and gives Callie one last smile. She wants to stay but she doesn't want to come off too strange. So instead, she says,
"Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow?" Her voice is hopeful,
"Hopefully," Callie smiles and so does Arizona as she makes her way back into the house.
Maybe tonight wasn't so bad after all.
If anyone has suggestions on page breaks; it would be great. I have using the slashes : /
Please excuse any typos I might have missed.
I might be uploading chapter 4 Sunday evening.