Days slowly turned into weeks and Calleigh got a place of her own. Now, she stood in her kitchen making dinner as Sarah watched her.
"Mommy?"
"What?" Calleigh glanced over her shoulder.
"I didn't have fun at school today." Sarah said quietly. Calleigh frowned, licking a bit of sauce off her fingertip.
"Why not baby?"
"Those kids aren't nice."
"Isn't Janie Woods in your class?"
"Yeah. She's the only nice one. I want to go back to New Orleans."
"I know honey but we live here now." Calleigh said, sitting next to her. "What happened?"
"Jessica and Kyle were talking about me."
"What did they say?"
"I dunno really. But they came up and asked me why you always picked me up and said, 'well who else is?' and then Kyle said it was because I didn't have a daddy." Sarah said quietly. "Why not?"
"Oh Sar, come here." Calleigh pulled her onto her lap and kissed the top of her head. "I don't know really. He left."
"Why? He didn't love me did he?"
"No baby. He does." Calleigh knew that. All Tim asked about was how Sarah was, what she was doing. He even offered to take her for the weekend. "It's just a bit complicated, you know?"
Sarah nodded.
"Aunt Ashley said it was because you wouldn't date anyone."
"Aunt Ashley needs to be in the looney bin." Calleigh said.
"I want a daddy."
"One day. But now, we need to eat, you need a bath, then you need to go to sleep."
-----------S/C----------
Calleigh was lying in bed, reading a book when the phone rang. She picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey there beautiful."
"What do you want Speed?"
"I wanted to know if you wanted to have dinner."
"It's midnight and I already ate."
"Not tonight."
"I don't know."
"If it's about Sarah, Alexx can watch her."
"I'm not dumping my daughter on her and it's not about Sarah."
"Then why won't you have dinner with me?"
"Because Tim I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"Why should I give you a second chance?"
"Because we have a daughter."
"Oh that's a wonderful reason. Let's get together just so the kid has two parents."
"And because I love you. I never stopped Calleigh. You're always on my mind."
"Mhmm. That's why you left. I'm going to bed. Good night." Calleigh hung the phone up and set it on her night stand. She placed a bookmark in the book and put that on the night stand as well, then turned the light off. As she tried to sleep, Calleigh was flooded with memories that began 12 years ago.
--------flashback--------
"So why are you here?" Tim asked. Calleigh looked up from her magazine and stared at the raven haired teenager.
"Why is it any of your business?"
"Just curious."
"Well stay out of it Mr. Curious." Calleigh drawled.
"It's because of your parents isn't it? Sarah told me all about them and how she was sent to live with Jane."
"Are you living with them now?"
"For a few months. Until things calm down. My dad just lost his job as sheriff and the town is in an uproar." Calleigh said, unaware of why she was telling this to a complete stranger. Maybe it was warm, caring, chocolate eyes. "What do you want Tim?"
"To get to know you."
And Calleigh decided she'd let him.
---------S/C-------
"Do you want to come to the movies with us?" Sarah asked, flopping down on the couch.
"Who's 'us?'" Calleigh asked.
"Me, Tim, and Tim's friend Red."
"Red?"
"He's got red hair so we call him Red. His real name is Joey."
"Sarah, I don't want to be set up with anyone."
"No. We're just going as friends." Sarah promised. An hour later, Sarah and Red had run off together to the back of the movie theater to make out, leaving Calleigh and Tim by themselves.
"I guess we better not waste the ticket." Tim said, cracking a smirk. Calleigh made a sound of agreement and headed for a seat. Tim followed her and sat down. She looked at him and he shrugged. "Figured you didn't want to sit alone."
"Let's get one thing straight. Just because my sister is making out with some guy doesn't mean I'm gonna make out with you."
"Really? I happen to be quite a kisser." Tim grinned. "Well... at least in my dreams when I've got some hot girl."
Calleigh didn't know whether to be grossed out or laugh. They sat in silence for half the movie, then Tim leaned over.
"You wanna get a slice of pizza? This movie is really lame."
"What about Sarah and Red?"
"They'll be here all night. Don't worry. Come on." Tim grabbed Calleigh's hand and led her out of the dark theater. Calleigh couldn't help but feel giddy as Tim held her hand. Once they left the theater, they pulled apart and Calleigh overcame a feeling of emptiness.
"So where are we going?" Calleigh asked as they walked down the sidewalk.
"My dad's restaurant. I'm not really in the mood for pizza."
"Your dad has a restaurant?"
"Yeah. My mom's an awesome cook. They said they'd be late tonight. I figured they're still there." Tim said. He pulled Calleigh towards a large building. "Come on."
He opened the door for her and Calleigh went inside, Tim right behind her.
"Mom!" he called. A petite woman with flowing dark locks appeared from behind the counter, a toddler in her arms.
"Timmy!" she smiled. "Ooh... Sarah, I didn't know you were here!"
"Mom, this is Calleigh. Sarah's sister."
"Oh, the one you've been talking to me about night and day?"
Calleigh laughed, loving the flustered look on Tim's face.
"I never talked about her."
"Oh please! The past three weeks has been nothing but Calleigh. I'm Tim's mom, Sharon and this little guy is Zack. Oh lord, you two look starved. Get a table, I'll be over to get your order in a second."
"I'm sorry bout that." Tim mumbled as he and Calleigh slid into a booth.
"It's okay." she said, picking up a menu. Did he really talk about her? Did he really like her?
"So when are you going back to Louisiana?" Tim asked.
"I dunno. I like it up here."
"I like it now." Tim whispered.
"What?"
"I said I know." Tim said a little louder. After Tim get embarrassed by his mom, and a plate of spaghetti dumped in Calleigh's lap, and finally finishing dinner, Tim walked Calleigh home.
"I had a good time." she said. "Well, leaving out me getting doused in spaghetti."
"I'm really sorry about that." Tim turned bright red.
"It's okay. Thanks... for tonight."
"Can we do it again?"
Calleigh bit her lip but smiled and nodded. She definitely wanted more dinners with this Tim Speedle character.