Okay everyone, final chapter. Thanks for reading. I have a new story up called "Saving Callie." It's post finale. Make sure to take a look! I've been working really hard on it. :) Please continue to read and review; I love all your nice comments!
I look at Jude, who's now talking to Brandon in the backseat of the car. Jude's actually smiling a little. I don't know how he does that.
I only have one Hail Mary pass left.
"Look, if you want to send me back to Juvie…" The thought makes me nauseous, but I make myself take a deep breath and look in her eyes; "then you just promise me that Jude will be somewhere safe."
I'm expecting her to sneer, or roll her eyes, or maybe, just maybe, nod her head, but she does something I never would have expected. She looks me square on, her eyes slightly shiny, and says "You're not disposable, Callie. You're not worthless."
You're not disposable, Callie. You're not worthless. The words echo around my brain and hit me like a shot in the heart.
Why would she say that? No one has ever said that to me before. When my mom died and my dad went to jail, the first thing the social workers did was have me and Jude throw all of our clothes into trash bags. And every time we switched foster homes, another trash bag, and another. We are society's garbage. The kids no one wants. I have been in homes where I'm not worth a five minute shower, or a can of soda, or a kind word. Anyone can tell you; an object is only worth something if someone wants it. I am disposable. I am worthless, because no one wants me. But Jude is young, and sweet, and adorable. He doesn't have a record or a split lip. There is still hope for him. Someone might want him. I want him. He is not worthless.
But why would she say that to me?
My eyes tear up and I blink hard, my breath catching in my throat. I know she sees because she puts an arm around me, and for a brief, confusing, wonderful moment I think she's going to give me a hug. But she just guides me back to the car. I smile at Jude, trying to reassure him that everything is fine.
The car door across from me opens. Brandon's father leans in to talk to Brandon, who won't quite look at him.
"Hey. You know I'm gonna kill you if your mom doesn't kill you first," he says simply. He's not yelling either.
"Yeah," Brandon says to his lap.
"I love you B."
I bite the inside of my lip. I can't remember the last time a grown up told me they loved me. I wonder what it must be like to be Brandon, who had three different adults say those words to him on the same night.
I pull Jude tighter to me. He's the only person in the world who really loves me. I try to tell myself that it's enough. I don't need the adults who are looking so tenderly at Brandon. I have Jude. Jude is my family, my whole family. But I know how much he wants parents like these, and Brandon's parents' words must be stirring up something in him too.
Mike and Stef close the car doors and I'm alone in the backseat with Jude and Brandon. I look over at him, feeling guilty about the punishment he's going to get. I don't know what it will be. I doubt they'll hurt him. But I still owe him an apology.
"I'm sorry," I blurt out. "But, you know, you didn't have to come."
He just sort of nods to himself.
"Yes, I did."
He gives me a slight smile and I have no idea what to say. I look away, embarrassed. Mike, Stef and Lena are talking by the front of the car, but I have no idea what they're saying. Lena's just gotten off the phone, and I can only assume she was talking to Bill. Stef is gesturing and Lena looks uncertain, but Stef just pulls her close into a tight hug. They open the car doors and Lena climbs in to the passenger seat as Stef slips behind the steering wheel. She looks over at Lena and they smile at one another.
"Buckle up!" Stef calls to us as she turns the keys in the ignition.
I turn to Jude and help him find his seatbelt. As he's clicking it into place I look up and my eyes meet Brandon's. I can't help giving him a small smile. Thank you, I want to say. Thank you for helping me keep him safe. Because of him, Jude and I are safe in the backseat of this car, with a family that, so far, hasn't said anything about splitting us up. It's more than I could have hoped for.
No one says anything as the car glides through the streets. I keep my arm around Jude and watch as the streetlights rush past. I wonder how Stef and Lena found us. Did Mariana tell them I took a bus? Had they been driving around San Ysidro for hours, and happened to hear the shouting in the house we were in? Did Brandon text them and tell them where we were?
I decide to let it go.
We pull into the driveway of the Fosters' house and I'm surprised to see the twins getting up from the front steps, as though they've been waiting for us. I help Jude out of his seatbelt and grab the blue gym bag that holds our clothes. I keep my arm around his shoulders as we go up the front steps, not quite believing that someone isn't going to rip him away from me.
I want to tell him he's safe; I want to tell him it's over; but I don't really know if that's true.
So before we go inside, I just give him a quick kiss on the top of his head. At least he knows I'm here. And if we're still here tomorrow, I think I'll show him that swing.
The End