Chapter 37- Callie

The week up north was relaxing, Arizona and Alex finally caught some fish, they were delicious, I don't remember the last time I had fresh fish, Daniel cooked them perfectly. That just happened to be on Arizona's birthday, we also had a cake, that mom and me made together. I don't remember the last time she and I worked in the kitchen like that. It was nice, later in the day, Arizona managed to get me out on the kayaks again, that time I wasn't as scared. We are home now, and I'm shoveling dog shit, seems like I'm always shoveling dog shit, but that's ok, I like manual labor, keeps me fit. The music is playing and I'm singing along, as I go in for another pile "look at you getting your hands dirty" I look up and smile.

"what are you doing here?"

"mommy, or Arizona didn't tell you?"

"tell me what?"

"that I was coming? I talked to them both last week" so that's what she was hiding from me.

"no" I shake my head, setting the shovel against the wall I move closer to my sister.

"I'd hug you but" she says pointing to my clothes, I laugh "I'm often covered in some sort of" I wave my hand down my body "grossness" she laughs. Sensing a newcomer, Pen came running in "oh hello, aren't you a cutie" Aria bends down to scratch Pen's ears, which of course she loves, and she starts going crazy "she's mine, her name is Penelope, but we call her Pen."

"you have a dog?"

"I do" I smile

"we always wanted a dog" Aria gives in and sits on the floor, as Pen goes crazy around her. I laugh, you wouldn't be able to tell right now that she's in her late 40's. Aria is 5 years older than me. I think mommy accidently got pregnant in college. Which is, I stop my thinking for a moment "oh my god" I say out loud, that totally explains everything.

"what?" Aria asks

"nothing" I say shaking my head, making a mental note to talk to Arizona about that later.

"so" Aria says, standing "I hear you're engaged, I take the glove off my left hand and hold it up showing off the ring. Once we got back from up north Daniel had given Arizona, Barbara's engagement ring to give to me. It wasn't what I would have picked out, no I would have picked something cheaper, and less shiny but I loved it, and I know it meant a lot to both of them. "give me 5 minutes and I'll be done in here, you can go into the office and wait, it's not as smelly"

"I'll wait here, it actually doesn't smell too bad in here"

"I thought the same thing when I first came in, they do a good job cleaning" I slip my glove back on and grab the shovel, as my sister and I have small talk, it doesn't take me long until I'm done. Arizona or Alex will come and grab the barrel, so I put the shovel back into the closet, with my gloves and Aria and I head into the house. "just let me clean up a bit, mommy should be somewhere"

"she and Daniel are in town, they came to get me from the airport, and I brought mommy's car here" I nod. "so where is she?"

"you just said mommy was in town"

"not mommy" she laughs "where's Arizona"

"she prefers to be called Zo"

"fine" she huffs "where's Zo?"

"I'm not sure" I laugh "her and Alex usually do odd jobs around the property during the day, as Daniel and I clean the kennel"

"what does mommy do" Aria asks looking around, we are standing in the kitchen, I laugh "you'll never believe it"

"what?"

"she actually helps me shovel the dog shit"

"what" she laughs, and I join in, with the picture in my head of my mom in work boots and a shovel, shoveling dog shit. "it's a sight"

"wow" Aria says sitting down in a chair, "yeah, I'm gonna go change, help yourself to a drink" I nod towards the fridge, "then I'll show you around" Aria nods and I climb the stairs. I wish I had time to shower, I know I must smell, but oh well, my big sister is here, fresh clothes and some perfume will have to do. When I get back downstairs, I hear voices in the kitchen, or one voice, the other is, I had to laugh, when I enter the room Arizona was sitting at the table unable to speak, as Aria is going on and on about how good it is to finally meet her. I see Arizona physically relax once she sees me, and I can't help but laugh, as I walk over and place a kiss on her cheek "you'll get used to it" I whisper and take a seat. "I'll um" Arizona says standing, "I'll go get the other room ready"

"mommy said you'd say that and to tell you she already did it" Aria smiled and again I can't help but laugh.

"oh" Arizona says, sitting back down, and as if on cue, Alex walks in, slamming the door behind him, as he always does. He walks to the fridge, then stops "oh hello" he smiles.

"Aria this is Alex, Alex this is my older sister Aria"

"how you doin" Alex does his best Joey impression, causing me to laugh, I saw Aria blush a little, and I wonder about the status of her marriage, last I had heard they weren't getting along too well. "hi handsome" Aria smiles, I hear Arizona chuckle, as Alex's face turns red. I wonder if I should tell her that he's trans, and is female below the belt, or just let her find out on her own. If she's anything like me it won't matter. I look at Arizona and she shrugs, as if reading my thoughts. "I was going to show Aria around the property"

"can you drive a 4wheeler?" Arizona asks

"a 4wheeler?" she laughs "I haven't been on one of those in forever"

"that doesn't answer my question" Arizona laughs

"I'll drive her around" Alex offers, "you two take the red one and we'll take the blue one" he leans in to Aria "they seat two, comfortably"

"sounds good" she says standing, I get a good look at what she's wearing "although you may want to change"

"yeah good idea, my bags are still in the car" she goes to the door "although I don't know if I have anything that isn't" she waves at her body. I stand "come on" I nod towards the stairs "I have something that will fit you, or we can raid mommy's closet"

"like we used to" she laughs and follows me.