Chapter 2 #2
“I–uh–It’s not important.” Sasha took a big swig from her coffee cup and smacked her lips together.
“I think that’s probably just my general lack of faith in humanity talking.
But in case I haven’t mentioned it recently, I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for Dot and I. It means more than you’ll ever know.”
Callie’s shoulders relaxed and her eyes ignited with joy. “We’re happy to have you. Really.”
“Can you say the same for your kids?” Sasha snorted. “Because I’m not sure any of them like me very much. Well… Ariel likes Dot, so, in a way, I guess she likes me okay.”
“That’s not true,” Callie said defensively, even though she didn’t have a right to act so aghast. She knew the animosity Sasha was picking up on was very real.
“Ariel likes you for sure, and not just because of Dot. As for Taylor and Mallory…” She sighed.
“They just—they aren’t entirely sure how to feel about this whole arrangement. They have a lot of questions.”
“I’ve noticed...”
Callie arched a brow. “Does that mean they’ve been bothering you? I told them not to interrogate you, but of course, they were never going to listen to me. I’m sorry if they’ve done anything to make you feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.”
“No, it’s okay,” Sasha said. “They really haven’t been bad and I’m sure I’d feel very similar if I was in their shoes.”
“See now,” Callie said with a smile. “You think you don’t handle things in a mature way, but this is very mature of you. That said, if they ever start to bother you, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll set them straight.”
Sasha made a face. “No offense, but I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. I don’t wanna come between you and your kids. I’ve already gotten off on the wrong foot with them and tattling on them would definitely make things worse.”
Callie cocked her head to the side. “Hmm. I hadn’t thought about it that way.”
“Plus, I don’t wanna make things more complicated before the holiday. Things seem tense enough as it is.”
“Tense?” Callie laughed nervously. “I don’t think things have been tense.”
“Really?” Sasha’s eyes widened, searching her expression.
Even though Callie knew what Sasha was talking about, she played dumb.
Maybe if she kept pretending that everything was fine, it eventually would be.
“There’s been an adjustment period,” she admitted.
“But I really think my kids are getting used to having you around with each passing day. However, if they do continue to act strangely, I want you to know that it’s nothing personal.
My kids can just be a little protective.
They want what's best for their father and I, but sometimes they overreact to stuff. But we’re going to have a wonderful holiday, so I don’t want you to worry about that in the slightest.”
Sasha shrugged. “Easier said than done.”
“No really,” Callie insisted. “I’m going to make sure everything goes smoothly. This Thanksgiving is important to me, and I’m determined to do whatever I can so all of you get along.”
Glancing down, Sasha nodded and clenched her jaw, seeming to hold back tears. Callie’s heart broke for this scared, sad young woman. She moved her cup and plate out of the way, leaning her elbows on the table. “Tell me, what are you really worried about? What are you afraid is going to happen?”
Sasha paused before meeting her gaze again. “I guess… If I had to put into words what I’m most afraid of… It would be that I’m going to say or do something that would make your kids upset. Or make David upset. Or you. And then I really would make it impossible for us to live together.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Anything. I already feel like I’ve said the wrong thing a couple times. I’ve crossed lines I didn’t mean to and potentially exposed family secrets I didn’t know existed.”
“Family secrets?” Callie cackled. “What are you talking about? We don’t have any family secrets.”
Sasha gave her a look. “Every family has secrets.”
“First of all, I’m not sure that’s true. And second, our family doesn’t keep secrets from each other.”
The irony of Callie’s statement was so overwhelming that she felt it leaving a film on her tongue as she spoke. But she didn’t know what to do, Callie already had enough nosy people living in her house, she couldn’t add Sasha to the list as well.
“We might not always talk about everything that’s going on in our life, but that’s different.
We are generally honest and there aren’t any major skeletons in anyone’s closet.
” Callie had raised her voice a little without meaning to, and Sasha was staring at her with a wary look in her eyes.
Callie tucked her graying hair behind her ears and regained her composure.
“Things are going just fine, and if there are things my family needs to talk about, then we’ll talk about them.
But you don’t have to tiptoe around or anything like that.
I’d hate for anyone to feel like they can’t be themselves and say what’s on their mind, you know. ”
Who would want to live in a house like that?
Sasha opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. “Alright,” she said. “I hear what you’re saying. I’m sorry for insinuating there were secrets in your family, but at least now you understand why I’m nervous that I’ll say the wrong thing. I just did, didn’t I?”
Callie chuckled and shook her head. “It’s okay, Sasha. You didn’t do anything wrong. We’re just two adults having a serious conversation, and frankly, I’m glad you feel comfortable enough with me to tell me what you think.”
“Thanks.” Sasha grinned, and for the first time, Callie felt like she was seeing through Sasha’s many walls and getting a glimpse of the real face of this girl.
It was a beautiful, happy one, and Callie hoped she would get to see more of it as time went on.
“This might sound dramatic, but I think you’re one of the first people in my life to really show me this kind of respect.
You’re one of the first people to not talk down to me or treat me like a child. Or a screw up. Or an idiot.”
“That’s because I don’t think you’re any of those things.”
Sasha laughed to herself. “You might be the only one.”
“I’m not,” Callie assured her. “I know for a fact that David doesn’t think you’re any of those things either, so that’s at least two people. You could probably throw Kate into the mix as well… And Dot. She doesn’t think you’re a screw up.”
A few tears slipped down Sasha’s cheeks. She sniffled and checked the time. “I better get back. There’s still a lot to learn before Friday.”
“Of course. Let’s go.” Callie pushed back from the table. “Oh hey, before I forget, you’re staying late tonight, right?”
Sasha nodded.
“If you don’t like walking home alone at night, I’d be happy to come pick you up. Ferndale is a safe town, but the direct route from the bookstore to the house takes you right past the cemetery. I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t want to walk that way after dark.”
“That’s okay,” Sasha said as she stood. “Believe it or not, I actually like the cemetery.”
“It doesn’t freak you out?”
“Not really.” She shrugged. “I actually know a couple of the people who are buried there, so I always say a quick hello when I have time.”
Callie frowned, swallowing down another question instead of spitting out.
Naturally, she was curious to know which of Sasha’s friends or family members were buried in the Ferndale Cemetery, but she felt rude asking.
They had just finished having an awkward conversation, and Callie didn’t think it was appropriate to start another one on their five-minute walk back to the bookstore.