Finally, after Lena promised Callie that she would check on Jude during lunch and call her and Callie promised Jude that she would be fine, Jude climbed into the car with Lena and the other kids and headed to school.
Stef and Callie stood at the curb until they could no longer see the car. Finally Stef said, "Come on, let's talk."
Callie reluctantly followed Stef into the house. She expected to be lead into the living room but was surprised when Stef began to climb the stairs. Callie stopped for a moment confused.
"Come on." Stef encouraged.
Callie followed Stef up the stairs and into the master bedroom. She had never been in here before and it made her slightly uncomfortable. Stef waited by the door until Callie walked in and then guided the girl to the bed.
"Have a seat." She said with a smile.
Callie did as she was told, sitting on the edge of the bed. Stef sat beside her, careful to leave just enough space so as not to upset the girl but close enough to reach out and touch her if needed. They just sat like that for a few moments until Stef spoke up.
"I'm going to take you to the doctor." She began with because she didn't want to start with the deeper stuff. "I want him to have a look at your foot."
Callie nodded, surprising Stef. She had expected her to at least object but Callie just agreed. She wondered if it was because Callie was in a lot of pain.
Once again they sat in silence for a few moments and then Stef looked directly into Callie's eyes drawing the girl's attention. "I know I've said this before Callie, but I would never, ever hurt you or Ju..." She began but Callie cut her off.
"Please don't." Callie said with a lump in her throat.
"Honey." Stef said as she reached out for Callie's hand.
"No, I believe you." Callie said quickly.
"Callie, if you believe me then would you please tell me what you're feeling, and thinking. I know it's hard for you but I really need you to be honest with me so that I can help you." Stef said.
Callie looked miserable.
"Let's start with something simple." Stef said. "Does your foot hurt a lot?"
Callie took a deep breath and slowly nodded. This whole conversation was making her uncomfortable, but she realized for the first time she felt no fear.
"Okay." Stef said glad that she had received an honest answer. "I'll get you another aspirin." She said as she walked into the bathroom can came back a few moments later with a pill and a cup of water.
Once Callie had swallowed the pill Stef took the cup from her and place it on the bedside table. "See, that wasn't so bad." She said with a grin.
Callie looked up at Stef trying to find a way to convey the rest of her feelings. Stef could tell that Callie's was trying to organize her thoughts and so she waited.
"That night that I went to get Jude," Callie finally began. "I didn't think that I'd be allowed to stay. I was so sure you guys would send me away and Bill made if very clear that my next stop would either be back to juvie or a group home, both of which would separate me from Jude."
Stef nodded. She already knew this from the conversation Callie had with Jude.
"If I was going to be sent away I was going to ask you guys to please keep Jude. I knew right from then that you weren't going to hurt us." Callie said and Stef couldn't help the small smile that crept up her face. "If we were separated then I couldn't protect him if he was sent to a bad home."
"I understand." Stef said with a nod.
After a moment Callie moved on. "I'm sorry about last night. I'm sorry that I broke your vase. I wouldn't have hurt anyone."
She was on the verge of tears now and Stef carefully eased herself closer to the girl until they were touching. Callie didn't seem to mind.
"What were you thinking at the time?" Stef asked.
"When people know we are afraid of something they use that to control us." Callie said. "When you said that you knew I was afraid of you, it freaked me out more and then when I saw Jude about to walk past you I had to do whatever I could to protect him. I would never have hurt anyone if no one tried to hurt us first." Callie was crying openly now and Stef couldn't stop herself from pulling the girl into a hug.
"I'm sorry that people used your fears against you Callie. I do understand where your behavior last night came from but..." She stopped and readjusted Callie so that she could look at her. "...What happened can never, ever happen again." She said slowly but kindly.
Callie nodded in a way that conveyed that she meant it.
"You could have hurt yourself or someone else." Stef continued needed to get the point across to the girl.
Once again Callie nodded.
"If something is bothering you or you need something or you are afraid you need to talk." Stef explained. "We do not use violence in this house and preferably not outside either. We talk."
Callie still just nodded.
"You know that you would never be in trouble for being honest about your feelings right?" She asked after a moment realizing that Callie might be afraid to share the truth.
This time when Callie nodded Stef wanted a verbal answer. "Do you really believe it? I need you to say it." She instructed.
When Callie gave a small 'Yes' Stef pulled her in for another hug.
"You are so amazing Callie." She said as she rocked them both for a moment.
When Callie pulled away Stef looked down at her and smiled. "And by the way, I don't care about the vase."
Callie couldn't help but smile at this. These people were so unlike anyone she had ever met. She had caused so much trouble in just two days and still they were willing to help her out.
"Thank you." She said as she wrapped her arms around Stef's neck surprising the woman.
While Stef and Callie were having this rather productive discussion Jude was having a meltdown. By the time they had reached the school he was in tears begging to be taken back home. Lena took him with her to her office to try and calm him down before she took him to class. Fifteen minutes had past but he was still crying.
"Jude, honey, Callie is fine." Lena assured him.
"I want to go home." Jude said.
"I can't take you home right now, honey." Lena explained. "I have work here and you have to go to class."
"I can walk." Jude stated. "I know the way."
"That's not an option Jude." Lena said firmly.
Jude looked miserable. He wanted to go be with his sister but no one would let him. She was left alone with Stef and even though Callie had told him not to be afraid of Stef and that she would be safe he knew that she kept things from him to protect him. This was just like that. She had already warned him about Stef when there was a chance that he would be left alone with her, but now when it was her turn, suddenly Stef was safe. Jude was twelve, not stupid.
"Why can't Stef bring her here after the doctor like you brought me in late like yesterday?" Jude asked.
"Callie's hurt and she needs to rest." Lena explained. "I promise as soon as school is over I'll take you home. okay?"
She contemplated calling Stef and letting Jude talk to Callie but she had already promised him just that at lunch and she wanted to show him that he could trust her. She didn't want him to think that he could cry and then get whatever he wanted. He needed to be in school and Stef need time to talk to Callie.
Finally Lena managed to get Jude to class in time for his third period. The morning had been hectic and she had a lot of catching up to do, especially if she couldn't stay late to finish.
An hour later she was completely focused on mid-term scheduling when there was a knock on the door. She looked up to find the seventh grade math teacher standing there. Lena's heart sank. This was definitely about Jude.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"He asked to go to the bathroom ten minutes ago and when he didn't come back I sent someone to get him. He wasn't there." The teacher said.
Lena let out a sigh. She reached over to the PA system and made a quick announcement for Jude Jacob to please come to the vice-principle's office.
She waited impatiently for another five minutes and then decided to look for him. She searched the whole school but found him nowhere. She began to panic as she pulled out her cellphone and dialed Stef.
"Hi Love." Stef greeted. "We're at the doctors."
"Stef." Lena said and Stef instantly knew that something was wrong. She glanced over at Callie who was sitting and waiting to be taken for an x-ray but paying no attention to Stef.
Stef walked a few steps away and asked. "What's wrong?"
"Jude's gone." Lena said. "He left class to go to the bathroom but never came back. I've searched the whole school. Brandon, Mariana and Jesus are checking the beach but I think he headed home. He mentioned earlier that he knew the way.
Stef sighed. "We're at the doctors." She said. "He said that her foot looked okay and didn't need stitches but he wanted an x-ray just to make sure that no glass was left behind." Stef waited a moment and then continued. "I'll explain what happened to Callie, maybe she'll know where to find him. Otherwise I'll go check the house. Don't worry Lena, we'll find him." Stef assured.