Callie's Choice Chapter 4
Stef and Lena talk to Brandon and Callie about the living situation.
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Dinner would have been quiet if it weren't for Marianna's daily dose of drama.
Tonight is was about the Academic Decathlon team she was on.
"Even though I'm the captain of the team, there's no order. They elected me, so shouldn't I be in charge? None of them listen to me. It's so frustrating, they know that I'm basically always right." Marianna said with confidence.
"Well maybe if you weren't so pushy, people would listen to you more. Everyone knows you're smart. You just need to learn to shut up sometimes." Jesus suggested.
"Jesus..." Lena sighed.
"Come on, you know it's true. "
"Okaaay, can we change the subject?" Lena suggested.
"At least my dance team listens to me." Marianna scoffed.
"That's because they know if they don't, you'll cut them from the team." Jesus quickly added.
"Oh my god, you guys. Jesus, can you just lay off a little?" Stef begged.
"Well she seems to think she's the only one with problems. They're not even real problems. I mean, look at Callie. She has to pretend to get along with her bio Dad so she can get emancipated. Her life is pretty ridiculous right now."
Callie and Brandon look at each other. Stef just lets out a big sigh.
"What?"
Lena is the only one to address the silence. "Can we just cool it? Who wants dessert? I bought cheesecake..."
The dessert was enough of a happy distraction, everyone being eager. No one more so than Brandon and Callie, as it put off the inevitable talk that was soon to come.
Just after dinner, Brandon, Callie, Lena and Stef headed to the couch.
"So it seems that we have some major issues to discuss." Stef started. "Where to begin? Anyone?"
Callie spoke up first. "I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I haven't changed my mind."
"I haven't either." Brandon added.
"Well good. It great to see that we've already come to an impasse." Stef was clearly displeased.
"Can I offer a suggestion?" Callie requested.
"Let's hear it." Lena answered.
"What if I moved into a place and signed a six month lease. We can see how it turns out. Brandon and I can have that time together and we can see where it goes. Like I said earlier, we can't know unless we try. I have faith in us. And at least this way, it will be open ended. I could always move back in knowing that we gave it a shot."
Callie waited for a response.
"You are both teenagers. I can't think of a single parent that would go along with that plan." Lena countered.
"We're almost adults. Besides, you both aren't just any parents. You're way more understanding and, I don't know...progressive?" Brandon persuaded.
Stef stared at him. "Way to suck up, B."
"I'm not sucking up, Mom. You both say you are all about diversity and understanding. You told me that when you were 16 that Grandpa locked you in a room with a Catholic priest who tried to talk you out of your feelings for another girl. He wanted you to deny your attraction."
"We're not telling you to deny your feelings."
"Aren't you? We are sitting here right now and you're telling us that this is not going to work. How is that any different?"
"Because it is."
"Nice. The 'because I said so' comeback. You're no different that grandpa was."
"Your grandfather tried to force me to be something I'm not."
"You're forcing me to not be in love with Callie."
Stef leaned her head back and let out a big sigh. "Lena, do you have anything to add?"
"Actually..." Lena shakes her head just a little. "I think he may have a point."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Look, if your father hadn't put you in that room with that priest, can you imagine how much different your life would have been? How much easier it would have been for you?"
"Yes. I wouldn't have married Mike and I wouldn't have had Brandon. We wouldn't be having this discussion."
"That's not fair. You know what I mean." Lena pauses. "Sometimes when you tell your child 'no' to something, it makes them want it even more."
"So you're saying to give in to them, against my instincts, so they can make a mess that we have to clean up. A mess you wouldn't have to deal with if you had told them 'no' in the first place?"
Callie finally chimes in. "We're just wanting to see where it goes. There won't be a mess for you to clean up. If it doesn't work out, we are back to where we started."
"Yes, and then we will have two broken hearted children who have to find a way to live together in this house as a family."
"I would never hurt Callie. Never. And I trust her." Brandon assured. "Now all we need is your trust."
A long silence. Everyone is looking at Stef to say something. "So I'm the odd man out here."
"Stef, we're not ganging up on you. In fact, I think it's your call at this point. What do you want to do?" Lena asked.
"I think that..." Stef shakes her head and lets out a sigh. "I think it goes against my better judgement."
"Mom, please..." Brandon begged.
"Wait a minute. It goes against my better judgement, but I'll agree to a trial run. But there will be ground rules." Stef pauses with a just a hint of a glare. "And they can be added to or modified at any time."
"Okay. Name it."
"Curfew is still in effect for you Brandon. 10 o'clock on school nights and midnight on weekends. That applies to phone calls and texting. I want you to keep up with your grades. You both have to. Callie, that is part of your emancipation agreement."
Stef takes a moment and continues. "When you are both in this house, let's not flaunt the relationship in front of everybody. It's going to be awkward enough for all of us as it is."
Brandon and Callie stare at Stef, waiting for more.
"Callie, honey, if you need us, I want you to know that you can come to us anytime for anything. Just because you'll be on your own does not mean that we stop caring or worrying about you."
"Absolutely. I feel they same way."
"I'd like to add that we all need to tell Jude together. This might freak him out a little bit. I want him to be able to talk about it with all of us." Lena suggested.
"Of course, I agree." Callie assured.
"So we're all clear about everything, yeah?"
"Yeah." Callie repeated.
"Yep." Brandon agreed. "Thank you. Thanks for not turning this into a shouting match. We've done enough of that today. I won't let you down. I promise."
"You'd better not young man. Okay, go, before I come to my senses and change my mind."
They all exchange hugs and kisses. Brandon and Callie leave. Stef and Lena are left in the room.
"Please tell me I didn't just do that..." Stef shakes her head.
"You did." She kisses Stef. "What were you thinking?" They both laugh.