Chapter 17.

Callie woke up very early the next morning, feeling slightly disoriented from waking up in a room other than her own. Then she remembered the night before, and Brandon. He was asleep next to her, breathing softly. Trying not to wake him up, she softly kissed his cheek, then carefully left the bed. Once she was gone, he curled up closer to the warm spot her body left. She wanted to get back in the bed and hug him, he looked so cute. But instead, she put her nightshirt back on, and silently sneaked away.

Once she reached her room, she ducked inside quickly. Mariana was already awake and getting dressed. "I was about to come get you," she said. "I was worried you wouldn't make it back here before everyone got up."

"I think I just made it," Callie replied, putting on her bathrobe. "Thanks for looking out for me."

Mariana sat on the edge of her bed, pulling her socks over her feet. "No problem."

"I'm gonna go take a shower," Callie told her. "See you at breakfast."

Once she was in the bathroom, standing under the warm spray, the reality of the day started to sink in. It was her last day with the Fosters. She was leaving. No more sharing a room with Mariana, no more secret make-out sessions with Brandon, and worst of all, she'd be leaving Jude behind. She knew he'd be well taken care of, but that wouldn't stop her from missing him. All of this running through her head, she let her tears fall, mixing with the water from the shower.

She went to breakfast with her stomach in knots. There was no way she would be able to eat. The rest of the family was already at the table, and when she came into the kitchen, they all turned to her, looking sad. Stef managed a forced smile, as she set a plate of French toast and bacon in front of her. "How are you?" she asked, her face drawn with sadness. Judging by the dark circles under her eyes, Callie guessed she hadn't slept well, either.

Callie shrugged. "I've been better."

Stef squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "I'm so sorry, Sweetheart." She placed a kiss on top of Callie's head.

Picking up a piece of bacon, Callie held it to her lips, trying to find her appetite. But the smell was off-putting when she was feeling so poorly. She tasted the bacon with the tip of her tongue, and her mouth filled with saliva. "I'm gonna be sick," she said, standing up and hurrying to the bathroom. Stef followed her, and held back her hair while she vomited into the toilet. Once her stomach was empty of it's contents, it clenched with dry heaves.

Stef filled a paper cup with water. "Here, Baby. Rinse your mouth out," she said, handing her the cup.

Callie drank some of the water, swishing it in her mouth, then spitting it into the sink. Shaking, she felt hot tears roll down her cheeks. Stef reached out to hug her, rubbing her back in slow circles. "I don't want to go," Callie whispered. "Can't you just tell them you won't let me?"

"You know I would if I could," Stef told her. "But I can't, Baby. I don't make the rules." She kissed Callie's flushed cheek. "Just have faith. If there's a way to get you back, we'll find it."

Later that afternoon, Bill pulled up in a county car, just like the ones that used to take Callie and Jude to their newest foster homes. Callie shivered with dread when the social worker rang the doorbell, and Jude began to cry. Lena slowly walked to the door, and opened it. "Hello," she said. "Please... come in."

Bill entered the house, and stood there expectantly. "Are you ready, Callie?" he asked.

Callie was sitting on the sofa, comforting Jude. She didn't answer his question. She'd never be ready.

"Does she really have to go?" Lena asked. "It doesn't seem necessary at all. I mean, we've seen such a difference in Callie since she first arrived here."

"Unfortunately, she does have to go today," Bill replied. "Personally, I don't think it's necessary, either. I really am sorry it's come to this. But you'll be able to visit with Callie on weekends. And you may be able to appeal the decision."

"Oh, we're going to appeal it," said Stef, with determination.

Bill nodded, grimly. "I'll let you have a moment alone with Callie. I'll be waiting in the car." He turned, and want out the door.

Callie began to cry as she faced her family. Lena was the first person to grab her into a hug. "Take care of yourself, Sweetie," she said, not bothering to hide her tears. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Callie told her. "Goodbye."

Lena cupped her chin in her hand. "No, Honey. This isn't 'goodbye.' It's just 'see you soon.'" She gave her foster daughter another hug. "I'll miss you."

Jesus was next to hug Callie. She'd never really gotten to know him well, but she'd miss him just the same. "Don't worry," he whispered. "Everything will work out."

Callie nodded. "Thanks. I hope so. Um... I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too," he told her, patting her shoulder.

Mariana wept openly when it was her turn to send Callie off. She hugged her foster sister so tightly that her ribs hurt. Callie hugged her right back, though not as hard. "I'm going to miss you so much," Mariana sobbed. "Thanks for being a good sister. And friend."

"You too," said Callie, with affection. Showing people her feelings was becoming easier with each day. "Thanks... for everything. I'll miss sharing your room." She gave Mariana one more quick hug.

Callie had anticipated that saying goodbye to Stef would be very difficult. Her foster mother hugged her close, burying her face in her hair. "I love you, Baby," she told her, tears streaming down her face.

"I love you too, Stef," Callie replied, wiping her own tears on the sleeve of her sweater. She reached into her pocket and removed her phone. "I guess you'll want this back," she told her, holding it out for Stef to take.

Stef shook her head. "No... it's yours, Angel. You can use it to call us whenever you want."

Callie couldn't believe her foster mother's generosity. "Thank you!" she said.

Stef kissed her cheek. "You're welcome, Sweetheart. I'm going to miss you so much. But we'll visit as soon as we can. Call us tonight, okay?"

"I will," she promised, returning the kiss. She let Stef take her into another hug before parting. "I'll miss you." Mom, she added silently.

Jude stood next to Stef, his eyes downcast. Callie knew he was still crying. She had to be brave for him, even though her heart was breaking. She grabbed him up in a hug, kissing his cheeks over and over. "See you soon, Buddy," she told him. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Callie," Jude sobbed. "Please... don't go."

"I have to," she replied. "I don't have a choice right now. But this won't be like at the last place, when I went to juvie. You're safe here. Stef and Lena will take good care of you, so we don't have to worry." Leaving him alone with an abusive foster father was the most painful thing she'd ever done. In some ways, leaving him this time was a lot easier, because she knew he was in a loving home. That's all she'd ever wanted for him, even if she couldn't have it for herself.

Jude nodded. "I'll miss you, anyway."

"I'll miss you more," said Callie, running her fingers through his dark hair. "Be good, kiddo."

Lena wrapped her arms around the crying boy. "We'll still have visits with Callie, Sweetie. You'll see her from time to time."

"That's right," Stef added tearfully. "She won't be so far away."

Callie was unsure of what to say or do when she found herself facing Brandon. She wanted to kiss him, but she didn't dare to. Not in front of the family. There were nothing she could say that was meaningful enough, yet impersonal enough, to mask the depth of their feelings for each other. She tried to communicate her thoughts to him with her eyes, rather than words. He was crying when he grabbed her into a hug. She leaned into him, simultaneously sobbing, hiccuping, and wetting his shirt with her tears. He didn't mind. He just held her, saying; "I miss you already."

"I miss you already, too," she sighed. She motioned for him to lean down, and he did. In his ear, she whispered, "I love you," so quietly that she barely made a sound.

Brandon held her tighter, pressing his lips to her ear. "I love you too, Cal. Forever." He looked into her eyes, wet with tears. "Keep up with practicing your guitar, okay?"

Callie nodded. "I will." Brandon smiled, placing a small, tender kiss on her cheek. It was a kiss that would be hard to misinterpret as anything other than a friendly goodbye, but it was full of meaning to them. They knew the romance behind it. She brushed her lips to his cheek in the same way.

Just then, the doorbell rang again, and Bill stood in the doorway. "It's time to go, Callie," he said. Callie felt a chill run up her spine. He reminded her of the angel of death.

"Do you want us to to walk you out?" Stef asked.

Callie shook her head. "No... but thanks. It'll be easier this way."

Stef nodded with understanding. "Good luck, Baby."

Callie met Bill at the door, pausing before she followed him out. "Thank you for giving me a good place to live," she told her foster family. "These have been the best few weeks of my life." She waved shyly. "Bye."

Carrying her backpack, she dropped it into the trunk of the car, then got in the backseat. Bill started the engine, pulling out of the driveway. Callie looked out the window, crying silently as the distance between herself and everyone she loved grew.

To Be Continued