note: I tend to update randomly. Sometimes it can only be a couple days between chapters. Other times, well, a bit longer. So, keep checking back since I am currently updating every few days. Feel free to say hello if you are so inclined.
-Carly
-Chapter 8-
For the better part of 30 minutes, Callie, Aimee and Iola sat on the sofa in Aimee's apartment explaining to each other their respective situations which led to the rather surprising events earlier that morning.
"I am just so sorry that I made such a silly mistake with the phone." Callie went on sheepishly. She looked over to Aimee with an understanding smile. "I guess if I had to catch you with someone in bed, I am glad it was our girl here." She said, gesturing towards Iola. Iola, feeling a bit self-conscious over the whole affair returned a wry grin.
"Well, as embarrassing as it all was, I am glad I had someone to help keep me sane. Keep me distracted." She looked down at her phone and frowned. "though I may need another round given that he still hasn't as much as texted me." Callie raised an eyebrow with a concerned look.
"While that is concerning girl, I wouldn't exactly let that lead you to an absolute assumption that Joe and Vanessa ran off and had a wild night." She shook her head. "I really just don't see him doing that. He's a pretty even mannered and practical guy when he isn't at a casino anyway." Iola cocked her head and gave her best friend a well-recognized as a matter of fact look.
"Well, thanks for that thought. Not like he hadn't brought the idea of a casino side trip up when we made plans for South Dakota. That's bad enough. But knowing he is prone to a vise like that, what's stopping him from maybe getting a second addiction?" Callie exchanged glances with Aimee. Neither could objectively rule out that perhaps Joe had indeed found his own distraction. Though Callie tried to believe that Joe would not really do anything which would hurt Iola.
"Well, I may be the optimist here, but I really want to think that maybe Joe just needed his own space for the night. And maybe more..." Callie regretted the last part of her statement. "Sorry, didn't mean to..." Iola waved her off. Then looked down at her phone. She shook her head in disgust and tossed it on the coffee table.
"It's ok. I need to quit looking at that damn thing every few minutes. I'm just glad Joey is with mom and pop for the week. Sucks to be around your parents when they aren't getting along." Aimee cleared her throat and stood up.
"Don't know about you gals, but I need some coffee." Callie looked up to her as she stood there with nothing on but a skimpy robe, which was not even tied.
"Hope you aren't going down to the Starbucks dressed like that!"
"Only in Kurt's dreams." Iola quipped with a half-smile. Aimee shuddered at the mention of the coworker who was attracted to her.
"God, don't mention him." She said, tying up her robe at the mere thought of him. "Actually, I was just going to brew some up for us. I will be back in a few." Aimee excused herself to the kitchen. Callie looked over to Iola, who was sitting next to her.
"Another coworker hitting on her?" Iola nodded.
"Yeah, he pushed her buttons yesterday when I was there. Even though she told him before that she preferred the company of women, he kept at it." Callie nodded with a half grin.
"She's a guy magnet. That's for sure." She noticed Iola turning a bit red with a self-conscious look. She had managed to throw on a t-shirt earlier, but that was all. Callie giggled. "Well, maybe not just a guy magnet." Iola looked down, shaking her head a bit.
"I can't believe that happened." she said quietly. Callie smirked and gave Iola a push of mock disapproval.
"I can. Say, why didn't you give me a call and invite me? Wanted her all to yourself, huh?" Iola's lips cracked a smile and she looked at Callie from the corner of her eye.
"Maybe." She said. Callie leaned back on the sofa and reached her arm around Iola. Her best friend snuggled closer and looked up to her. "You aren't mad, are you?" Callie smiled, then leaned in and kissed her. Iola smiled back. "That was nice. Thank you." Callie took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"Nope. Not mad at all. You deserved a night of..."
"Distraction?" Iola finished. She knew the term was non-threatening and easy for her, and Cal to accept. Callie pursed her lips for a moment.
"Yes, I suppose that is a suitable term. We all get confused or just need some direction." She looked at Iola, contemplating if she should say something. Iola saw a look of consternation on her face and raised her eyebrows.
"Something else on your mind?" Callie nodded slowly as she looked into space in thought.
"Yeah, I think so, actually." Iola nodded.
"And that is?" Callie's eyes shifted towards the closed door to the kitchen to make sure that Aimee had not yet returned. She then sat up and looked down at the coffee table, looking side to side. She spied the bottle of Bushmills on the table and picked it up. After a short pause, she poured a short drink.
"A little early in the day, isn't it?" Iola asked. "Must be some fairly big news." Callie nodded slowly, and then tossed the drink back in one gulp. She coughed briefly.
"Well, it might be." Iola took on a semi amused look.
"Well, do I play twenty questions?" Callie took a breath and shook her head. She managed a smile.
"No, that won't be necessary." She looked back towards the kitchen door. "It's. uhm, Chet."
"Oh?" Iola managed a coy tone. Cal nodded.
"Yep. Yesterday, when you and Maddie were out in the back pasture looking over the treehouse. Chet and I had a pretty open and frank conversation."
"You talked about Frank?" Iola joked. Callie short her a sideways glance.
"Not quite, smart ass." She paused and held out a hand. "It's just, well, Chet and I had an actual conversation. I mean one like we haven't had in probably three or four years! I mean I know you and Frank gave me this great report. And Maddie wanting to stay there for the entire week was obviously also quite the testament. But Lord, the man backed up the hype, and it felt so damn real. So genuine! The man didn't mention money, work, security or any of the other cop outs he often used in the past to rationalize not being there as a parent and husband. He took accountability for his actions. And it wasn't him trying to tell me something he thought I wanted to hear." She took a breath. "More so, I found myself telling him all of my faults and how sorry I was for my part in everything. I know it was just seeing him once. But I saw the man that I remember..." her voice broke. "loving." Iola looked at her friend with a peaceful expression.
"Wow, Cal. That is so good to hear. Sounds like you both let your armor down and really talked." Callie looked down to the floor. She nodded.
"Yes... but there is a little more. I guess it concerns me a bit."
"Oh?" Callie looked over to her.
"Yeah. For the first time in what seems like forever... I felt very... attracted to him. I found my husband... appealing." Iola raised a brow.
"You are sure?" Callie, looking a little fearful, nodded.
"Oh yeah. To be honest, if I didn't think you and Maddie were going to come back..."
"Seriously?" Iola asked wide eyed. She knew that even well before Callie ended up in Atlantic City over a year ago, that there had been a very long time since she had been intimate with her husband. Callie took a deep breath. She nodded as the corner of her lip creased into a smile.
"Girl, if I hadn't thought my daughter was going to walk through that door, I would have taken your brother on the kitchen table!" Iola blinked at the statement. Callie could have probably worded it differently, but her feelings came through just the same.
"Wow, Cal. This is big." Callie nodded. "And if I may suggest... not to act in haste. I mean I am the first one that wants to see you and Chet getting along better. I just don't want either of you hurt either. You met with him once. And while all signs give a positive vibe to you both, I'd just recommend not getting, well, too impulsive."
Callie knew that Iola was generally a very grounded person who was usually well on target with her assessments. It was also apparent to Callie that she needed to be cautious.
"Yeah, I know. And truth be told, I am glad that nothing like that happened. I was just sharing my feelings. Trust me, the last thing I want to do is jump into something which could complicate life if it was not thought out beforehand. I don't want Maddie hurt. Her sisters are still too young to pick up on mom and dad's vibes. But honestly that is another reason they are with my mom right now." She took a breath. "I know we are going out tonight with Maddie. Chet, I think, is probably on the same page as I am. We had some definite unspoken energy going on yesterday. It was quite mutual. So, luckily tonight we will have Maddie to keep us from doing anything...impulsive." Iola nodded and smiled broadly.
"Sounds good. She can be a great chaperone. And I think it will do her good to be around both of you at once." She looked down as a thought clouded over her. "Which is why... I think we should put off this trip. Inasmuch as you two have hopefully turned a corner. Chet and Maddie seem to be on a good path even without us having gone on a road trip. And, well, the fact that Joe and I aren't exactly in the mood to see each other...it would seem. I just think it might be a good idea to delay a trip in light of all of these changes." Cal nodded.
"Girl, you don't need to go into it all. I kind of figured with this event with Joe that maybe something was up. And even if it's just a minor thing, it is probably best that you and he aren't packed into a car for a couple weeks."
"Yeah, not great news for anyone, but I'd have to agree." Iola admitted soberly. She had been doing her best to distract herself from her biggest worry at present. "And it's not just what happened yesterday. Something has been brewing lately. I guess we have just avoided talking about it. So, I guess I am not entirely surprised that when I didn't go home last night, he didn't try to call me."
A moment later Aimee came back through the door with a tray of coffee. She set the tray on the coffee table and glanced over at the two sitting on the sofa. Her lip creased as she noted their closeness.
"My, you two look cozy." Callie looked over with a knowing grin.
"Jealous, Precious?" Aimee smirked and shook her head.
"Nah. I know where I fit in the scheme of things." She glanced at Iola "No offence, girl. I have just never felt jealous since I know you and Joe are still married, and...well...dedicated to one another." Iola glanced over to Callie.
"Uhm, yes. I suppose that is true. But, I'm sure you remember that Cal is also married." Aimee shrugged as she poured them coffee.
"Well, yeah, technically. But it doesn't really bother me..." By this point, Callie had grown increasingly tense. While she had never really had a significant reason over the past year to think too highly of her husband, recent actions had made her stop and think. To say nothing about how it had affected her thinking of Chet as a man. She cleared her throat. It was important that she at least let Aimee know that she had intended to spend more time with Chet. If for no other reason to determine if his recent change was one which would be lasting. So, she could feel comfortable about the increasing time that their daughter was likely to spend with him. Callie realized that she could take the brunt of potential future disappointment if Chet were to revert back. But if he were to do so with Maddie, it could be catastrophic. Callie had good reasons to want to open the door that had been closed for over a year.
"Aimee..." she paused, searching for words. She thought it best not to put too much out there for the time being. "You know, Chet has been spending a good deal of time with Maddie. Which of course is a good thing since he has been demonstrating quite the about face." Aimee sat down and took a drink, nodding her agreement.
"Well, yeah, that certainly does sound like a positive for Maddie. She sure needs a supportive father in her life." Callie took a drink and nodded slowly. Iola watched her carefully, wondering if Callie had intended to spill all of her feelings then and there.
"Yes, that is a good thing. And yesterday, I was over at the farm. Well, I had a chance to sit down and talk with Chet. And I must agree that from what I have seen so far, he is definitely demonstrating some actions I haven't seen in years. It was really good to see, ya know?" Aimee looked at her attentively. A pensive look came over her face.
"Well, yes, I am sure that was good to see." She said quietly. Still looking at Callie, trying to cover up what was likely a lot of concern brewing inside.
"I thought it might be a good idea to, you know, let Maddie see that her parents can get along. Be nice to each other. So..." She paused and studied Aimee's expression. She knew that she had to be delicate. There was no reason to make any major determinations. After all, Callie just truly wanted to see if her husband had the ability to institute the change he had demonstrated in the past week. "Sorry, precious. I wasn't trying to be dramatic or anything. I just thought you should know that Chet and I are taking Maddie out tonight. I want to be supportive. I also want to be sure that Maddie doesn't get hurt. It has only been a week or so, and while all signs look good, I would hate for him to let us...I mean her down." Callie rolled her eyes. She was not exactly explaining things very tactfully.
Aimee looked at her for several moments. She wasn't entirely sure what to make from Callie's statement. She may perhaps have been foreshadowing of a potential reunification with her husband. Or she was simply wanting to play a role of chaperone over an outing. Or any possible number of things in between. She drew a breath slowly.
"Uhm, sure. Yeah. That sounds like a good idea. You can, uh, keep an eye on Maddie tonight." She looked back and forth, somewhat agitated, avoiding eye contact with Callie. She abruptly stood up. "You know, it's...it's getting late and I'm not even dressed. So, if you'll excuse me, Cal..." she said and rushed from the room. Callie sighed and threw her head back on the sofa.
"Great Callie. You really can be eloquent when you want to be." she muttered to herself. She began to rise, only to have Iola place her hand on her leg, motioning her to sit back down.
"Don't do that." She advised. "If you go in there you are going to be attempting to explain an action that you are not even sure of. You weren't breaking up with her. So, there is no need to go in and throw words around to defend yourself." She looked intently at her friend. "You don't know where things are going with Chet. If anywhere! And I don't say that lightly. But truth is, just because you had a good day yesterday and are encourage by his actions there is no reason to create drama. Aimee is just feeling insecure. I know it was a total accident with the phone and all, but I assure you that her mind was racing all over the place last night. She was worried that you were going to dump her simply because you hadn't talked for a few days." Callie looked down, feeling absolutely horrible.
"God, I screwed things up." Iola smiled kindly at her.
"No, you didn't. She is just vulnerable because I suspect you represent the first person who ever cared for her in a relationship. She is young. She has probably had relationships with men before who only likely wanted one thing. Then she opens herself up to her first same sex experience and finds that she likes it. She realizes that someone can care for her and love her without sex being the only desired element of the relationship. You represent a very big part of her life. Hell, you saved her life at the cost of almost giving your own! And while I commend you guys for not having jumped into a living arrangement which would have made matters worse, she still views you in a very possessive way. I am not saying it's ideal. But she has little other outlet beyond those which are not really productive. Lecherous coworker guys are not what she needs to even things out." Callie leaned forward and took her coffee cup. She knew what Iola was saying was all too true.
"I know. And truth be told, I do love her. You know that. This thing with Chet just kind of jumped out of the blue. I am not at all even thinking of going back to him. But I also do have feelings for him. And those feelings have renewed after what we talked about yesterday." She took a long drink and gave a wry smile. "But just because I was feeling attracted to him doesn't mean I am anywhere close to rebuilding things to the point where we would be back together." Iola returned a knowing smirk.
"But you aren't discounting the possibility that it could happen?" Callie bit her lower lip. Her sideways glance to Iola was telling.
"I am not ready to discount any possibility, no. But that would be a long road back. Not only for me, but for Chet. It's not just a simple matter of seeing that he has reset his priorities. He has to know the same for me. I was no picnic for him those last couple years. As much as I am sure he would be fine rushing back to the status quo, I would not want to do that. The status quo frankly sucked for us both. Anyway, impulses I may have aside, I am not about to toss Aimee to the wolves. I do love her. We have grown even closer since moving back. But I do need time to make sure Maddie is not hurt and if nothing else, I can form a good relationship with Chet. Our kids deserve that at the very least. No matter where our personal relationship ultimately goes."
"Fair enough. And I do have a suggestion for any immediate crisis which may be brewing." Callie raised an eyebrow in her direction.
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I mean it's not like I don't have some time on my hands with mom and dad watching Joey. Maybe I could hang out with Aimee while you... I mean just so she doesn't feel so lonely and starts letting her mind run away with wild ideas."
"Very selfless of you." Callie said. Her tone somewhat amused. "Not that you would have any agenda there?" Iola shot her a glance.
"You are seriously jealous about the two of us doing..." Callie held up a hand as her lips formed a wide grin.
"Uh, no. What I mean is this would be a nice little way of you not having to face your husband for a while. Good lord, I don't care if you get down with her. You two can have a scissor and tribbing marathon as far as I'm concerned." A silly grin crossed Iola's face as she pulled down her shirt further.
"Well, glad I have your blessing for that. Even if it was after the fact." Callie turned her head to peek towards Iola's lap.
"Friction burn, girl?" She asked with mock disapproval. Iola coughed abruptly and turned slightly red.
"Anyway..." She said, trying to shift the topic. "To answer your query... Maybe I wouldn't mind hanging out here if it keeps me from having to go another round with Joe." Callie knew this was probably not the best course of action that Iola could take. But who was she to judge? She had enough acts of stupidity on her own shoulders to deal with. Judging her best friend just didn't seem her place for the time being. Callie nodded.
"Ok, girl. I think it probably would be for the best for Aimee to have someone around to keep her mind from going out there on the edge. Keeping her occupied may be beneficial." Iola perked her eyebrows seductively.
"I'll do my best to keep her occupied." She said half-jokingly. Callie gave her a mock push on the arm.
"Cut it out." She said as she rose to her feet. She looked back down to Iola and grinned. "But try not to wear her out that way either." Iola chuckled at this.
"Ha. Try the other way around. You remember she is well over a decade younger than us! More like she will wear me down!" She also rose to her feet. Callie smirked.
"I'm well aware." She turned to her friend. "But thank you, girl. I feel better already knowing you will be here." She embraced Iola and gave her a peck on the cheek. Iola smiled casually watching Callie put her jacket on.
"So, what are the plans tonight?" Callie shrugged.
"Something decidedly low key. Maybe some dinner and bowling. I know a few months ago Maddie mentioned the bowling alley on the west side down by the interstate. They have a video arcade inside and I think it may be fun." Iola nodded.
"Well, sounds like fun. And definitely low key. Hanging out with the working class should also be a test for Chet. I doubt he has been in a place like that in over ten years. His peer group in that place is definitely about as far away from the Hamptons as you can get." Callie smirked.
"Be a test for me too, girl. We've been here a year and I've steered clear of places like that. Not really for fear of how well I socialize with those who have less money that I do. But more because I know if I go in a place like that unescorted it won't take long to get hit on." She zipped up her jacket. Iola shook her head and gave Cal a slap on the rear.
"Sucks to be as pretty as you, babe." She smiled. "But give my niece my best!"
"I will. Thanks again, babe. Text me if you need anything."
"How does this one look?" Maddie leaned back in the kitchen chair with an amused look on her face. Her dad stood before her showing her the fourth shirt he had tried on that late morning. He fiddled with the buttons nervously.
"Looks fine, dad. Yes, I think I like this one the most." Chet nodded nervously.
"Not too fancy? And we are just going bowling." Maddie was relishing in the moment. She had never really seen her dad act so nervous about doing anything with her mom. She grinned at her dad.
"I think that one is just right. I approve." Chet smiled down at his daughter. Her sky blue eyes flashed as the sunlight shone through the large windows of the porch. She stood up and twirled around for her dad.
"How about me? Acceptable?" Chet relaxed and nodded.
"There are far better words for you, angel."
"Angel?" Maddie repeated. "I don't think you've ever called me that before." Chet looked over at his daughter, who had certainly filled out in the last year. He nodded.
"Ah, well I must admit that looking at you just now made me think that I was looking at your mom. I used to call her angel. But I think that clearly applies to you, baby. My, you have grown so much." Maddie turned red for a moment and looked down at herself. She looked up at her dad.
"Thank you, dad. I remember when we were over at the Hardy's house and Gertrude showed me those photos of mom on the wall. Definitely had me doing a double take."
"Your mom was definitely the most fetching woman in Bayport. And while I had to settle for watching her with Frank during our teens, it was still a pleasure just to see her so much. She is very special." It was very nice to hear her father talking so well about her mom. Maddie sat back, forming a pyramid with her fingers.
"So, did you ever have like a three-way thing going on?" Chet's eyes broadened.
"Excuse me, young lady?" Maddie had realized her poor choice of words and held up her hand.
"Wait a second. Let me rephrase that."
"I wish you would." Chet said, taking a seat.
"What I meant was that did you ever express yourself to mom when she dated uncle Frank? You know like had a love triangle going on?" Chet sighed audibly at his daughter's clarification.
"Oh. Well, I guess the short answer is just plain no. But if you mean did I have feelings for her and wanted something more? Then I would say very much so. But, you see, back in those days there was a lot more respect that people had when it came to a friend's dating and their relationship. So, let's just say it would have been bad form for me to have expressed myself in any formal way."
"Back on those days? The way you make it sound you are talking about the 1940s." Chet chuckled at the statement.
"Well, maybe it just seems that way, sweetie."
"So, when is mom going to be here?" Chet looked at his watch.
"Maybe around two I believe she said." He sat back and looked as his daughter glanced down at a basket sitting at the end of the table. Inside the basket were two cell phones. Her eyes looked back over at her dad. Chet smiled at her. "It can be tough, can't it?" Maddie nodded. The two had made a pact earlier in the week that they would limit phone use to three 20 minute breaks per day.
"Yeah, I guess I never realized how much time I looked down at my phone." Chet nodded solemnly.
"Me neither." He sighed deeply. "That's the thing about addictions, sweetie. Our phones are almost as bad as drugs. We look at them so often, and most of the time don't even know why we look. But after a while they begin to affect the way we think and act. It changes us and I don't think for the better." Chet had reason to speak this way. He had felt that much like the rest of his misguided sense of priorities, his continual phone use had offered further distraction when he had needed to place his attention on his wife and daughters.
"Kind of deep, dad." Maddie observed soberly. "You ok?" Chet hadn't realized that he may have been talking a little too deep for his daughter's benefit. He pushed a smile.
"Sorry, baby. I guess I just feel that maybe part of when I was not exactly being a good dad...or husband, that it was all the distractions. The phone was one of them. Like any addiction, it's tough to break. But let me ask you this...over this last week with us doing all these things around the farm and not really spending hours and hours on the phone, do you feel any better?" Maddie nodded, then smiled at her dad.
"I do. But maybe the not using the phone as much is just part of it. Maybe it's more that we have spent a lot of good time together and have been having fun." She got up and walked over to her dad, bending down and giving him a tight hug. "however it happened, I want you to know how much I've loved it. And how much I love you!"
"I love you too, baby. And it means so much to me, too. I never really thought I would have this chance." He said. Chet was feeling a little misty eyed.
Father and daughter spent the next couple hours doing their best to organize one of the barns. Maddie had just backed up the pickup to the side entrance of the barn when she saw a car approaching along the dirt road leading to the property. She looked over her shoulder towards the barn.
"Hey dad. Car is coming. I think it's mom!" A few moments later Chet walked out carrying a bundle of old rusted fence posts. He tossed them into the bed of the truck. Maddie looked down at them. "Wow. You found more of them? I thought the load I just dumped was the last of them." Chet wiped his brow and nodded.
"Yep. I think that is the last of them. Thankfully." He looked down at himself and then to the car approaching. "Figures your mom would catch me after I've been digging around in a junk heap. Definitely going to need a shower before we go." Maddie grinned and looked down at herself.
"Yeah, me too."
A moment later a pale blue SUV pulled up. Callie jumped out and waved as she walked over towards the barn.
""Hey you two! Working hard?" Chet and Maddie walked forward to greet her. Callie's eyes grew wide when she saw how dirty they were. "Wow, at first I just meant that figuratively. But looks like the pair of you really have been!" She looked down at her daughter. Maddie had her hair tucked under an old baseball cap with stray strands of golden blond falling haphazardly from under it. She had a pair of denim overalls covering a tight white and tattered undershirt.
"Hey mom!" Maddie greeted. "I'd hug you but I am covered in dirt." Callie nodded.
"I see that, girl. Where did you get the shirt? It looks like it's been through a knife fight twenty years ago." Chet gave a chuckle and placed her arm around his daughter.
"I'm afraid Maddie found one of her grandpa's old undershirts and thought it was cool to actually find a shirt that wasn't intentionally cut up like the kinds from the juniors department in the mall." Callie smiled.
"Ah, makes sense now." She said looking back at her daughter. "Ok, just as long as it's around the farm, girl. Grandpa was a fairly thin guy twenty years ago, so it looks like you are about to bust out of that thing. You got to remember we pretty much share the same bra size. You need to keep the guns in check." A shade of red crossed Maddie's face as she realized her mom was correct. She pulled up the front of her overalls closer to her neck.
"Sorry about that, mom. You're right." Chet cleared his throat and bent over and kissed his daughter's head.
"It's ok. Why don't you go grab a shower first, baby?" Maddie looked up and nodded.
"Yep. Will do!" Callie smiled to her.
"Thanks, baby girl." Maddie walked to the house. Callie turned and looked at Chet.
"Well, you two were hard at it. What was the chore for the day?" Chet turned towards the barn as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"Oh, we were just clearing out some junk in the barn. Dad kept about two hundred metal fence posts from about thirty years ago. We were just getting them out of the barn. Maddie was putting me to shame the way she was tossing them into the truck." Callie smiled.
"I'm happy to see it. You guys are making the place look good. Any plans for the place? Or is this farm work more of a therapeutic thing?" Chet looked around the grounds and shrugged with a smile.
"Don't really know. Mom and dad haven't really voiced much about the place. But when I got here I realized it all looked kind of empty. You know, the way it just didn't look lived in. Seemed so uninviting and sad. Like it would blow away in the wind and be forgotten if something didn't happen to change it." Callie raised an eyebrow.
"Are we still talking about the farm?"
"Well, you never know." Callie looked over her husband from top to bottom.
"I don't think I've seen you get this dirty since...well, let's just say it was back before you had people to do the chores for you." Chet nodded solemnly.
"You're probably right, Cal."
"But I like what I see." Chet smiled. He turned towards the truck and gestured to the open tail gate.
"Care for a seat?" Callie smiled.
"Why not?" She said flopping down on the gate. "That kid takes the longest showers anyway. After the water heater recharges, you might actually get your shower. Say, when did you want to go?" Chet looked down at his watch. Callie looked a bit shocked.
"Oh, maybe about fiv..." his voice stopped when he noticed Callie's expression. "What's wrong?"
"Well, nothing. I just noticed that you checked the time using your watch. And not your phone." The idea that Callie was shocked by this seemed to speak volumes. Chet nodded soberly.
"Yeah, I know. Shocking, isn't it?" Callie tried to not maintain her surprised look.
"Well, kind of, yes." Chet smiled.
"Well, Maddie and I made an agreement earlier this week. We decided that if we wanted to spend quality time both together and while working, we didn't need any extra distractions. So, we decided to keep our phones in the kitchen basket all day and only use them three times a day and only for 20 minutes at a time." Callie again took on a look of surprise.
"Seriously? You both keep your phones in the kitchen basket 23 hours a day?" Chet nodded. Callie was clearly impressed in not only her husband's ability to abide by such a strict rule, but also her daughter as well! "Well, you can color me impressed. Or maybe double impressed. Maddie has been glued to her phone ever since we came to Bayport. The idea of a teen in this day and age being able to place her device away from her person. And you! I am very impressed. I've never seen you without yours for the last five years." Chet held up his hands.
"I thought it was time, Cal. I am not saying it's easy. I keep reaching to my pocket several times a day. But I don't want to break the rule. I don't want to..." He looked down.
"Don't want to what?" Chet took a deep breath and looked back up.
"I don't want to let her down." He said glancing towards the house. Callie could see that her husband was feeling a lot of emotion. She reached over and ran her hands along his arms and smiled.
"You are really amazing me, babe. I mean that." Chet looked at her sheepishly.
"I'm trying, Angel. I really am." he managed to say quietly. A tear formed in the corner of Callie's eye. She closed her eyes, her hands still holding his arms as he stood in front of her.
"I hav...haven't heard you call me that in a long time." her voice was shaky and stuttering. Chet was feeling very drawn to her. He sensed her perfume. He hadn't known that smell for so very long.
"I've missed you...so very much." He edged closer to her. Callie's hands ran up and down Chet's muscular arms. She had not known his touch in so long. She wanted it so much. She looked up slowly.
"I've missed you, too." She took a breath. She knew that she could get taken in the moment so quickly if she let herself. Her eyes met his. Another deep breath, then slowly released. "But..." She paused. There it was. That 'but' that she knew was coming. "I want to take things a little slower. Don't get me wrong, babe. I am so amazed by your change. It was more than I could have ever thought possible. But..." Chet nodded knowingly.
"It's ok, Cal. I understand where it's coming from. And I can't say as I blame you." He stepped back and offered a kind smile. "I don't want to be hurt either. I just want to have a chance at righting some wrongs. With the kids...with you." Callie looked at him.
"I would like that." She paused. "I just don't want to build huge expectations. Not right away. My life...is complicated." Chet nodded soberly. Callie looked at him. "You know, several months ago had I opened up that book you would have come back with a smart ass quip. And you didn't do that. Thank you for that." A slight grin creased the corner of his lip.
"It was tough, but you're welcome." Callie laughed in spite of the tenseness of their conversation. She was very impressed with Chet having restraint. Callie telling him her life was complicated was a risk. The topic of Aimee around Chet had seldom settled well. He had always seemed to have issues with Callie throwing herself in front of a bullet for her lover. He had also taken issue with the fact that this was not a simple sexual deviation. He could have handled that as he was acceptant of it. But he knew Callie and Aimee had a relationship which obviously was much deeper.
"It's kind of you to understand. It really is." Chet nodded.
"It's ok. But I tell ya, that perfume still drives me crazy." Callie smiled.
"Well, glad of that. But I am on my last bottle. So, enjoy it while you can. It was discontinued." Chet looked wide eyed.
"The quit making Caron Poivre?" Callie nodded.
"Yes. But it's probably for the best. I always loved the smell. But something about buying a perfume that cost $1,000 an ounce. Well, you know..." Chet nodded soberly.
"Yes. and I see your method of transport has become more humble as well." he said gesturing to her car. Callie leaned back and glanced at her SUV.
"Yep. Toyota works for me these days. I heard your car gave up when you hit town."
"Yeah, but hey, I upgraded." He said, giving the old truck a firm knock on the fender. "It might be said that bringing this truck of dads back to live was the catalyst. I was about to have the Mercedes serviced and Frank set me straight."
"Ah, yes. Where would we be without the wisdom of Frank?" he lashes fluttered for a moment. Chet looked quizzically at her.
"Sorry, was he a sensitive topic?" Callie looked off to her side.
"Maybe a little still. He and I have generally avoided each other for much of the last year." Chet nodded.
"I understand."
"But probably don't approve. Well, I assume you had buried the hatchet with him. Which is pretty big of you considering what happened not all that long ago." Chet sighed.
"Well, I can't say I approve or disapprove in terms of your relationship status. I figure that is something that you have to work out with him. I know things happened. I know there was a lot of mutual regret in terms of that incident. For my part, I just don't want to hold anything against either of you for it. It's done. It's the past." Callie shook her head in disbelief.
"Are you sure you don't have a twin? I just can't get past this newfound tolerance of yours."
"Well, Cal. I won't say the event didn't upset me. It did. But I've had a year to recover from that. And truth be told, I forgave you for that when you were laying in a hospital bed. I let it go. All that was important then was for you to live and be alright. Seeing you laying there put a lot into perspective." Callie found herself becoming emotional again. She slid off the end of the tailgate and stepped over to Chet. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his chest.
"I'm so sorry I worried you like that." She said softly. Chet ran his hand along her hair. She held him tighter. He rested his face against her head. The connection was electrifying to him. He had not been this close to his wife in well over a year. They probably had not shared such an honest and close embrace in over three years. Callie also felt very moved and the connection they were sharing at the time was very profound for her. It moved her to really think about her marriage. Though the ever present thought that seemed to consume her was how could it be possible to feel a genuine and loving connection to two people at once? She chose not to think too much about it, even though it was obviously something stuck in her mind.
The two had been so focused on their embrace and the peace it brought them, they were unaware that a car had driven slowly up and parked. It was only the slam of the door that shocked them both back from their trance. Before they were aware, the figure of Joe Hardy was walking in their direction. Callie stepped back and rubbed her jacket sleeve against the tears on her cheek. Chet pushed a smile in Joe's direction.
"Hey, Joe. Uhm, Sorry, didn't see you drive up." Chet said a bit nervously. Despite looking a bit aggravated Joe managed half a grin as he approached them.
"Hey, Chet...Callie, uhm, hope I wasn't disturbing anything." He said. Chet and Callie looked at him with a bit of forced innocence on their faces. Callie shook her head.
"Er, no, Joe. Not really." She said rather weakly. It had no doubt been a bit of a shock on Joe seeing Chet and Callie having a private and intimate moment. The last Joe had really heard, the disdain that the two had for each other was still very much alive. Joe looked down.
"Well, I won't uhm, pry." He said a bit sheepishly. Knowing he had caught them at a moment when they were sharing an emotional and private moment.
"What can we do for you, Joe? Chet asked, hoping to avoid further scrutiny of his wife and himself. Joe forced a bit of a weak smile.
"Oh, yeah. I was really just driving out here to see if Iola was here. But I see she isn't. You don't happen to know where she is? Chet gave a shrug.
"Can't say that I do, Joe. Haven't heard from her today." Joe nodded, then looked to Callie.
"How about you, Callie? Have you seen Iola lately?" Callie closed her eyes. Unsure how to answer.
"Oh, Lord." She thought to herself. She didn't want to get caught up in a lie. But she also didn't want to tell Joe that his wife had spent the night with her own girlfriend and lover. She further didn't want to get into the middle of things. But that would likely prove difficult if she were to tell the truth.
"Well, Joe...as a matter of fact I did." She said quietly. Joe nodded.
"Oh, well that's good. She didn't come home last night and I was worried. We had a little tiff. So, I guess she spent the night at your place?" Callie's lips formed an uncomfortable smile. She shook her head.
"Well, no. I just happened to see her this morning. She let me know that the two of you had a disagreement of some kind..." Joe tilted her head and looked at Callie with slightly raised eyebrows and an expression clearly telling her that he knew she was being vague on purpose.
"Cal, I know better. She was mad and I'm quite sure if she ran into you that she gave you a blow by blow." Callie exhaled slowly and looked up at him.
"Joe, I really don't want to get in the middle of it. But yes, she was mad. I might add that she also chatted with Frank last night." Joe's eyes shifted.
"Oh..." Callie gave a wry smile.
"Yeah, oh. You should know by now that your brother is kind of a crummy choice when it comes to covering for you. He's just too honest." She paused. "I may not feel anything warm and fuzzy for him, but I know he's as honest as the day is long. But again, I really don't want to get in the middle of it." Up to that point Chet stood there silently watching the exchange.
"So, Joe...you and Iola having issues?" He asked, a bit surprised. Joe's eyes shifted to him. He had already been building up steam from his exchange with Callie, and becoming aware that his wife now knew that he hadn't spent the evening with his brother.
"Uhm, yeah, Chet. We are having issues. Pretty funny, huh? Iola and I are on the outs, and it appears you and Cal are all cozy and sweet. Ironic, huh?" His voice was tense and there was more than a little anger in his tone.
"What does that mean, Joe?" Chet shot back. He and Callie both were taken aback by Joe's anger. Joe gave him a snide glance.
"Oh, please! Had I arrived ten minutes later Callie would have been rocking your world on the back of that truck bed. A shame her little friend wasn't with her, or you could have had the full ménage à trois." Callie's eyes grew wide. Chet didn't waste time. He swiftly cocked his arm back and laid in a firm right cross to the jaw of Joe Hardy. Joe staggered back and fell to the ground. He looked up, somewhat stunned that his mild mannered friend had just struck him.
"Get out of here, Joe! Right now! You will not come here and disrespect my wife!...Ever!" Callie, in spite of the tenseness of the moment, took a step next to her husband and placed her arm around him and gave Joe a defiant look.
Joe's eyes shifted to both of them. He rubbed his jaw and managed to get up. He was not even sure himself why he had made such a statement. It was so unlike him. He nodded slightly, and looked down. He quickly turned and walked back to his car. Within a couple minutes he was speeding back down the drive of the Morton farm.
Chet looked over to his wife, who was still a bit shaken at the whole incident.
"Are you alright, Angel?" Callie looked back and nodded.
"I think so, babe." She said quietly. Chet turned to her and put his arms around her and held her. Callie seemed to take great comfort in this. She looked into his eyes. "Thank you for that." Chet smiled to her and gave a slight shrug.
"I really don't know what got into him. I'm not sure I followed the conversation you two were having, but I gather Joe was maybe telling Iola a fib of some kind and got caught?" Callie took a deep breath and nodded slightly.
"Yeah, she went over to the office yesterday and got into it with Joe. Apparently, Joe was being a little too friendly with Vanessa and Joe was dismissive over it. Before it came to a head he apparently told her not to wait up because he had to go meet Frank. Well, as it happened Frank gave Iola a call last night about something else and it obviously came out that Joe was not with Frank." Chet took on a look of concern.
"Does Iola think that maybe Joe and Vanessa are, uhm..." Callie's face took on a distressed look.
"Well, it hasn't been ruled out. But uhm, Iola didn't go home last night at all."
"Oh, was she actually with you?" Callie bit her lower lip and hesitated. She shook her head.
"No, she wasn't." Chet nodded.
"Did she go to mom and pops? Or maybe a hotel? Is she just hanging out there till Joe cools off? Seems like she has a good reason to avoid her husband." Callie sighed and shook her head.
"No, she isn't with your mom and dad. And, uhm, no she isn't at a hotel." Chet's eyebrow raised in curiosity. Callie sighed as he still seemed oblivious to the alternative. She sighed and stepped back.
"Well, then where?" Chet asked gesturing with his hand. Callie knew she had to be honest with her own husband if she had any hopes that their relationship would improve. She looked at him and tilter her head comically.
"Let's just say that if we actually had been getting down in the back of the truck..." She rolled her eyes as she recollected Joe's allegation. "There would have been no chance for a ménage à trois." Chet managed to half smile and chuckle.
"Oh, so your 'little friend' has been keeping Iola company? Well, I guess that's cool... I mean good of her." His eyes fell to the ground and he became quiet. Callie understood what he was feeling and placed her hand along his arm.
"I'm sorry, babe. I really wanted to avoid that subject today. But I didn't want to lie to you." Chet nodded his understanding. Still, a somber look was very easily read when he looked at her.
"Well, I thank you for the honesty. And, uh, sorry I'm getting emotional... I'm just so..." His voice faded as a tear rolled down his cheek. Callie looked at him with great sympathy.
"Just so what, baby?" He sniffled deeply and managed to look up to her.
"I'm just so jealous... envious maybe... I mean she's got you. And I know you love her. And well, it was my actions that caused it all to happen in the first place. If I'd have been a better husband...father..." He turned away when they heard the screen door open. Maddie, freshly showered and dressed appeared on the front stoop. She looked over to them and smiled and started to walk in their direction. Chet cleared his throat and wiped his face with his arm. He took a deep breath and turned back toward her. Callie stood next to Chet as their daughter approached. She did her best to keep a strong front. The emotional load he had just dumped was hard to suppress. She wanted so much to reassure him or comfort him.
"Hey, girl!" Callie addressed her. She had hoped to keep Maddie from detecting or questioning why her father or mother appeared distressed. She looked over towards her daughter as she walked up. Maddie was dressed in a faded pair of low rider jeans and a crop top which showed off an ample amount of her midriff. The top clung around her chest, leaving little to the imagination. "My, that is quite the outfit." Callie bit her lip, not wanting to cast harsh judgment on her daughter's choice of clothing. Chet looked at his daughter. A faraway look came over him.
"Hey, Maddie, I remember when your mom used to dress like that. If you had an Aerosmith tattoo on your lower back, you could be her twin not all that many years ago." Callie gave her husband a mock push on his arm and looked back to her daughter.
"You will Not be getting a tattoo, young lady." she sighed as she took a second glance at Maddie. "Sweetie, you will be putting another shirt over that one." Maddie rolled her eyes slightly, but chose not to challenge her mom. She glanced at her father, who had an expression that he was fully supportive of her mother's directive.
"Fair enough, mom." She said looking down at herself. "I guess they do kind of stick out a bit." Chet began to cough. His discomfort with seeing his daughter having advanced in growth so much in the last year was quite apparent. He sighed and glanced at his wife.
"I'm afraid she has you beat if you need a size reference point from when you were her age." Callie sighed, then nodded.
"Well, I am prepared to accept your word on that. I'm pretty sure you were watching me with some regularity back in the day." Chet nodded.
"Yep, and wishing I was Frank on a near daily basis." Callie reddened with embarrassment. She looked over at her daughter.
"Your dad is quite the flatterer. But thank you for agreeing to the second shirt. It's just good form since you are not wearing a bra young lady." She raised her eyebrows significantly at her daughter.
"Oh, mom. You know I hate them." Chet took a deep breath and looked at her daughter with as understanding an expression as he could muster.
"Madeleine, my dear. How shall I put this?" He looked down at her. "Nature has been good to you. I mean, really, really good. I'm not sure I can recollect when I've seen nature spend so much time on any girl." he paused, then looked over at Callie "Well, actually I can." He said with a knowing smile. Callie smiled and turned red at the statement. "And I know your mom and I would feel a whole lot better if you wore clothes that, perhaps, concealed...to some degree, just how much time nature has spent on you. Does that make sense?" Maddie managed to giggle at the statement.
"Uhm, yeah dad. You think since I got a big round butt and big boobs you think I should wear layered clothes so men don't look at me with less than pure thoughts." Chet pointed to her with his index finger, clicked his tongue and nodded.
"You got it!" He then looked down at himself. "But if you ladies will excuse me, I seem to need to remove several layers of dirt and dust. I think I'd like to be a little cleaner, even if we are just hanging out at the bowling alley." Maddie gave a hop and appeared excited.
"Oh, dad. Can we eat there?" Chet looked at Callie, who gave a brief shrug and smiled. He nodded.
"Sure, baby. I don't see why not!" Maddie grinned.
"Cool. I love eating at places that don't require reservations or where I have to wear a big dress." Chet nodded at his daughter's reference to many a dinner out on Long Island in the past.
"Yeah, I can understand. No worries, sweetie. Cheap pizza and burgers all around tonight." Maddie flashed a happy look and leaned over and kissed her dad on the cheek.
"Great, thanks dad!"
"You're welcome, baby. I won't be long." He said and turned towards the house to go shower and change.
Joe Hardy drove along the northern bay road. A flood of emotions running through his mind. Not the least of which was to ask himself how he had come to being in the position he was currently in. He eyed the cell phone sitting in the cup holder. A moment later he picked it up and entered a number. He propped the phone up against his ear as he continued to drive.
"Hey, it's me. We need to talk. Can I drop over?"
