Callie POV
May 28th
After my classes I headed over to the mall, to the small shop where I had ordered mom's birthday gift. I ordered two dark brown, solid leather bracelets that have a small silver plate on. The plate could be engraved, so I order one with my name on, the other one with mom's name.
I know it kind of turned out to be a gift for myself too, but I wasn't thinking about it like that when I ordered it. I wanted something that mom can have on even when she works, something that reminds her of me when she looks at it.
I was standing by the cash register, waiting for the lady to come back with my order. I was tapping my finger at the glass window under my palm and looking at the different kind of necklaces that were put out there on display.
The lady finally came back with two leather bracelets in her hands. I couldn't wait till I give mom this gift. I couldn't be happier. The woman placed them on counter for me to check out.
"Everything looks good?" she asks to make sure if I like it
I picked both of them up and examined then. Names were engraved correctly, the plate looked like it was holding on tightly, the snap looked OK and so did the leather.
"Yes, everything looks good" I smile to her and place the bracelets back so I could get the money
"That will be 114 dollars" she says back
"WHAT!?" I exclaim out loud "The bracelets cost 30$ each. How much are you ripping off for the engraving?" I call out shocked by the price. I didn't have that much money with me. I figured I would get out with 87 bucks (I calculated that in my mind)
"A professional engraved it!" the woman reasoned back
"That is total crap! If you had let me I could have engraved it myself! You are ripping me off! You are saying the engraving costs 54 bucks?!"
"This is not some kids' accessories store" she said back in a tone that meant she doesn't care, she just wants her money "You can't get stuff for 99 cents in here. If you can't pay, come back when you can. I will be holding the bracelets, just don't forget to take the check with you!" she said taking the bracelets
"But…I need them. The birthday is tomorrow! I need those bracelets today!" I pleaded back when she was walking to the back room
"Sorry" she said not meaning it. The lady was not giving in, I bet she doesn't have kids. If she did, she would have at least dropped the price for some 10 dollars.
Great – I think sarcastically in my mind as I shove the money back in my bag. I will have to take the money I have put away for Jude. We have planned to do so much this summer.
Mom gives me more than plenty of pocket money and lunch money. But somehow, I haven't been able to save it up like I used to, like I was able to, when I lived at other foster homes. But I wasn't complaining, I better spend time and money with Jude, the Adams Foster clan or Mackenzie, than have bunch of money stored away for rainy days. I knew mom would take care of me, she has made that crystal clear.
I drag my feet heading out of the shop. My head down, hands in pockets. I let out a frustrated sight and start to move to the exit. When I was almost by the exit, I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I turned around, I saw Stef standing behind me.
"Hey, Callie. You ignoring me now?" she asks with a small smile on her lips, like always. She has a shopping bag by her feet, probably got an grocery list from Lena.
I looked back to her confused "You just walked right past me" she pointed over her shoulder "I even called your name. Loudly, but you just kept on walking"
"Sorry" I said not really in the mood for small talk
"Hey, what's wrong?" Stef instantly picks up the tone and the smile on her face is replaced by a worry look
"Nothing…" I said back trying to brush it off. Not that it works.
"Maybe I can help. What's the matter?" she said and places her hand on my shoulder, gives it a soft squeeze. I gave in quickly because I was really upset and just wanted to vent.
"I wanted to buy this gift for mom. And now they just told me it costs 114 dollars. I don't have that much! I thought I would get if for 87$ tops, but they are ripping me off!" I gesture back to the store I just came out
"114 dollars? What are you buying her? Gold ring?"
"No!" I said back still upset "I ordered two bracelets. They were 30$ each. I have that much. But then I ordered to have them engrave - my and moms name in them, on the plates. For that they are asking 54 dollars! It is not like our names are that long - only 9 letters"
"How much you need?" she said while she was reaching in her pocket
"You don't have to. I will find a way…" I said not wanting for her to spend her money on me
"You already have a way. How much?" she insisted
"I have 90…so 24" I said very hesitantly. I hated this. I hated taking money for her.
Stef without a problem, without any hesitation, takes out three 10 dollar bills and hands them to me "Here you go"
I couldn't really force myself to lift my hand up and take it. This felt wrong, she has a family of 7. She shouldn't give money to me.
"I can't" I say back and take a little step away, shaking my head
"Don't be silly" she reached for my hand herself and put the money in my hand "Now, go and get that present. Did you walk here?" I nod back to that totally out of place question
"Okay, I will drive you home. You go buy the present, I have to run in the pharmacy real quick. You meet me outside the mall, by this exit" she says nodding to the exit 20 meters from us
"I will pay you back" I say to her
"Not necessary" she said picking up her grocery bag "Now, go and meet me outside in 5" she ushers me and then took off in the direction to the pharmacy. I watch her walk away and then glance down at the 30 dollars in my hand. I sight for letting her do this.
"Back already" the woman said as she watched me step inside the store. I only nod back and then hand her the money needed
"How did you get it so fast?" she doesn't take the money, just watches me, probably thinking I stole it or something
"I just did" I said and placed my hands in my pants pocket
"You…just did?" she said now watching me cautiously
"Yes. A friend helped. Can I please have my bracelets now?" I said more persistent. The woman watches me for few more seconds and then walks to the back to get my bracelets
"Would you want me to wrap them up too?" she offers me as she takes the money and puts it in cash register
"Okay" I say thinking that I won't have to buy box and wrapping paper
"That will be 10 more-"
"OH hell no!" I said grabbing the bracelets out of her hand and taking the change "You are ripping people off! Consider this my first and last time I shop here!" I said my last word and stormed out of the store
I wait for Stef outside the mall, like she said. She comes out in some few minutes with two shopping bags in her hands.
"Ready?" she asks me as she stopped briefly. I nod back and I follow her back to her car.
"Can I see?" she asks after she puts the bags in the back and sits behind the wheel. I hand the bracelets over to Stef..
"These are beautiful" she said as she examined them
"You think?" I ask and lean close to her seat to look at them one more time
"Your mom will certainly love this" she said and handed back them. Stef starts the car and drives out, while I place the bracelets in my bag.
"I will pay you back the rest soon. I promise. I will get the money as fast as I can" I said meaning it as I was holding the 6 dollars in my hand for her to take back. I can't live with the feeling that I own her 30 dollars. It wasn't that much, but it just wasn't sitting with me right.
"And I will not accept it" Stef said back seriously as she turned out to the main street, not even looking at the money that I wanted to give her back
Stef POV
Callie had been pretty quiet the whole ride. She was sitting quietly, hands in lap, eyes and head down. I pull up to their house, turn off the engine and turn to the girl who sits next to me. There was obviously something that was bothering her.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask her softy and reach for her left hand. Callie keeps biting on her lower lips, not looking to me.
"Callie…" I coo softly and with my other hand reach for her hair that has fallen in front of her face. I gently tuck the hair behind her ear so I could see her face and her eyes again.
"Callie you can talk to me. What's on your mind, honey?" I asked trying to help "Is it about your mom?"
She finally looks up to me and asks "Has my mom said anything to you about the Mystery man she has been seeing?"
Flashback – May 19, Monday
I walked in the precinct to my desk and found Amy already sitting at hers. She seemed in a good mood. What I noticed first was that she was humming. The melody seemed familiar. The name of the song was on my tip of the tongue. Amy looked happy. Don't get me wrong, she has been happy before, but this was different happy. She had this glow in her eyes. She seemed extra cheerful.
We don't hesitate much, we get the keys to the squad car and head out to start our patrol. Once we get in the car, Amy places the key in the ignition to start the car, but I quickly pull the key out and hold it tightly in my fist.
"Heeey…what are you doing?" she calls back as she turns to me and reaches for the key. I pull my hand back so she wouldn't get the it
"You had sex, didn't you?" It was pretty obvious to me. Her face instantly changed. Shock was one of the things that was visible in her face, other was that she was trying too hard to play it cool. It just looked too forced
"No I didn't" she said unconvincingly, she was looking all over the place, not looking to my eyes was what gave it away
"You were humming!" I point out to her. Amy hasn't hummed in over 2 years, that was way back when we first started working together.
"What?…No I wasn't!" she was still very unconvincing.
Amy then tried to once again get the key back "Stef, come on, we have a job to do" she whines after she doesn't succeed
"All you have to do is tell me the truth" I said once more. She leans back to her seat, drums her fingers at the steering wheel, looks away from me and then looks back at me nervously "Yes…okay. I had sex"
"I KNEW IT!" I almost jumped out of the seat. Once I calmed down I handed back the keys "I never thought you would hit it off with the blind date guy!" I say still not believing it. But the way she looked away and cleared her throat awkwardly told me it wasn't the blind date guy. It was just too obvious for me to miss it.
"It was someone else! WHO!?" I ask when she started the car
"Can we…not talk about it" she tried to avoid the talk and pulled her seat belt over
"Oh, we are talking about it! Sooner or later! I would suggest sooner, then I will leave you alone" it was true. I will just leave her alone once I know the truth.
"Fine!" She gave in when I got my seat belt over
"Well, who was he?" I ask back. She mumbled something back, I didn't understand what
"Oh, come on, you have to tell me. I thought we were friends Amy" I play the friend card
"It was Cooper okay!" she blurred it out and started to drive
"Cooper?" I ask thinking if I know a guy named Cooper. Then it hits me "Cooper Ellis?" Amy nodded back. I was in shock, my mouth dropped and eyes grew big "Callie's former physical therapist Cooper?!" She nods back confirming it.
Amy briefly glanced to me "I haven't told Callie yet. You cannot tell her. I just need more time to figure things out. I don't want to worry her or…make it weird. I don't even know if something will come of it! I haven't figured out how to tell her yet. We need more time…little bit of time. You understand right?"
"I do" I say back remembering the time when I just started dating Lena "I won't tell her, I promise" I say back knowing it was a serious talk she will have to have with Callie
"Good…" Amy sighted in relief
"How was the sex?" I ask after a moment. She looked to me, she had this look in her eyes. All she did at first was just smirk back at me, one sided smile. I think she was drowning in her memories of that night, and it seemed the memories were pretty amazing.
"Dazzling!" she said once she found the right word to describe it. The joy was written all over her face. She fucking enjoyed the sex.
End of flashback
"Well…" I dragged as I tucked some more hair out of her face "Amy only told me how the blind date went and how she met the mystery man as you call him, but she hasn't told me who he is" I replied in a soft tone of voice never taking my eyes off her. I hated to lie to her, but I had to. I promised Amy I wouldn't tell her. It is not my place to tell Callie. This is a talk Amy and Callie need to have alone, privately.
"She is not telling me anything. And I hate it. It drives me crazy! Why can't she just tell me his name" Callie says back frustrated
"So you could Google him?" I asks with a small smirk on my lips "Maybe" She admitted it after a moment
"I am pretty sure your mom has already run a background check on him, Cal" I reply letting out a small laugh
"No, seriously! I don't understand what is she so afraid of? Does she think I am going to flip out or something?" She said in bit harsher tone
"Callie, you have to understand that this dating thing…it is not easy for your mom. It is scary to get back out there" I said keeping my voice very calm and soft
"I know that" She said desperate "What I don't get is why she can't tell me about this guy? She hasn't told me one single thing about him. Not one! She keeps telling me to give her time. And I have been trying to give her time, but in the last…11 days, she has been on this date with this guy for like 7 times already. It is obvious that she likes him! A lot!"
Callie POV
Stef doesn't answer immediately like she did before. She sits quietly for few second and I can see how she is thinking about what to say back to me.
"Did you know, that I waited for almost 4 months till I introduced Lena to Brandon?" she finally asked me. I stayed quiet. I just shook my head back at her
"In a way, her situation is similar to what I went thought. Not the part about where we used to have husbands, but the part that both of us have kids. Dating when you have kids...is much more diffrent" she takes a small pause
"I had Brandon at that time, but your mom has you. And as a parent your kid always comes first" she emphasized the word "And your mom, is not just dating this guy for her own selfish reasons" That is when I quickly chip in
"She already had sex with him. She has a hickey on her neck!" by the look, Stef didn't know about the hickey. She chuckled briefly and let out a small laugh, but soon continued where I interrupted her
"Your mom has you in the equation. Her priority is you, she thinks about you first" she softly pressing her index finger to my chest
"She needs to understand if the guy, first of all, is a good guy. She is trying to find out whether or not you will like him. If the guy is okay with her even having a kid. If he is okay with her having this previous life, this history. If he could ever become violent or aggressive and hurt you or her. If he would could be a good influence for you. If he understands that you are the most important person in her life, period. If he is ready for a serious relationship. If she could ever see a future with him. If he isn't going to disappear in month or two...the list goes on and on Callie" She explains to me
I was starting to get it, I think. At least partly understanding what mom is thinking and what is going through her mind.
Stef runs her tongue over her lips and then continued "So she may need time. But she isn't doing this to hurt, she is doing it for you. She needs to get to know this guy first, before she could ever even consider bringing him into your life"
I didn't say anything back. I sat quietly in the seat just looking at Stef. I could never imagine this was so hard for mom. That there are so many things she is worried about.
"You have lived in some bad foster homes, unstable homes. And Amy would never want you to live in a house like that ever again. That is her biggest concern. She wants to provide you with a good, loving, caring, drama and fight free, stable home."
"I didn't even think of that" I said quietly back
"Of course you didn't. You are not a parent. It is not your job to think about things like that. It is her responsibly, she is responsible not only about herself, but about you too. You need to be patient. Just give your mom some time. She will come to you, I have no doubt about that. She will introduce you to this guy, when she believes the time is right. When she will trust this guy enough, she will come to you"
"Okay" I say slowly nodding back
"Okay" Stef smiles back at me "You should probably get inside and do your homework. Don't you have a test tomorrow in math?" My eyes grew big, I had no idea how she knew about the test
"Oh, don't look so surprised. I do have a kid who is your age with who you have math class together" she smirks at me
"Brandon...I should have known that" I sight and chuckle. For a moment I thought she read my mind or something
"Yes Brandon. Plus I personally know the VP too" she joked and then patted my knee softly "Now get lost kiddo" She said playfully
I finally unbuckled "Thanks for the money and the talk…and the ride"
"Of course" Stef said back with a big smile on her lips as I reached for the door handle "Always here if you need me, kiddo"
"I will get you the money—" I said as I opened the doors, but I was interrupted
"No, no you won't. I am not accepting any money from you" she said without a doubt in her voice
"Thanks again" I said stepping out of the car
"Always! Have a nice evening, Cal" she waves at me
"You too" I call back as I close the doors behind me
Stef only starts the car when I am inside the house. She only drives away when I close the doors behind me, when she knows I am safe. And I thought only mom was was doing that...guess I was wrong.