Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
CALLIOPE
When the hell did Friday get here so quickly?
I have no idea what the heck I was thinking when I agreed to meet Glen.
The intercom buzzing snaps me out of my current pity party.
The screen lights up and Jerry’s face fills it.
Gramercy didn’t say she was bringing him over.
I quickly buzz him in. When I open the door for them, I see he is alone, well, except for Chica.
“Jerry, what are you doing? You know you’re not supposed to go out by yourself. Does Gramercy know you’re here?”
“Calliope, at least let me get up the steps before you interrogate me.”
“I’m sorry, but you know Gramercy will blame both of us and Chica!” When we get inside, I pour us each a glass of lemonade. We both love it. I give him a slice of lemon loaf cake that I made.
“My dear, when you are nervous, you bake. How much of this did you go through?” He smiles as my cheeks turn red. Jerry is like the grandfather I never had. He is the one man that I’ve been comfortable with from the first day I met him.
“Okay, spill the beans; why are you here?”
“I spoke with Gramercy this morning. I know about your meeting. I don’t want you to be nervous. I’m going to be there. I will have Gramercy with me and, of course, Chica. No need to worry; we will fit right in.” I nearly choke on my lemonade.
“Does she know about your plan?”
“Actually, it started with her taking Chica by herself to the park. We all know how much Chica dislikes her. So, I’m coming along.
I did promise her that I would keep it to myself.
However, I think you should know that we will be there, and we will have your back.
I thought you knowing we were there would maybe put you at ease.
” He passes me a tissue. I jump up and throw my arms around him and nearly knock us both over.
“Jerry, you are so amazing. I was getting cold feet about meeting him.” I sit back down and dab my eyes with the tissue.
“I don’t know what you’ve been through in your life to get you to this point.
All I know is what a wonderful, kind, and caring person you are today.
You are family, Calliope, and family sticks together.
This reminds me of something Frank Reagan said, ’Sometimes friendship is just sitting in silence and letting someone know they’re not alone.
’ You’re never alone, Calliope. Now, I need to get back home before Gramercy calls out the national guard to look for me.
” He gets up and scoops up Chica before heading toward the door.
I watch him leave and a wave of calm washes over me.
I’m going to be okay. At least until I figure out what to wear.
At that thought, panic mode kicks in. I Plop myself on the edge of the bed in front of the open closet staring at the shambles that is my wardrobe.
They say everyone has their own style. I think mine has settled on frumpy gypsy. Is that even a thing?
Finally, I settle on a purple, flowery, long dress.
First, I pull my hair up, but my out-of-control curls look too messy, so I opt for leaving it down like a shield to protect me.
I check myself in the mirror one more time before I head out.
Maybe this is the start of a new life . .
. a life without hesitation. A life with someone to share it with.
GRAMERCY
I’ve spent the last few days forcing myself to stay off of the dating site.
I can’t go backwards in time, no one can.
Meeting him would only open up old wounds.
I was too young to get married, but I loved Rian.
We had a plan: we would get married and put the extra money Rian got for being married into savings.
It all made sense at the time—until it didn’t anymore.
Rian was gone and I was alone. I will never forget that day, the day that changed not just my life but me as a person.
I was a senior in high school, and I had early release.
It was the day Rian promised he would call me.
I walked through the door and found my family talking to a Marine in uniform.
He didn’t have to say the words; I took one look at him, and I knew.
Rian was gone. I closed that door of my life, locked it and knew I could never look back.
Now, I’m being forced to deal with that part of my life again.
A life long gone. I glance at the clock and realize if I don’t get ready now, I will be late.
This day is not about me; it’s about my best friend Calliope.
I quickly finish getting dressed and head downstairs to find Grandpa.
I step into Grandpa’s house and find him sitting on the living room sofa with Chica in his lap.
Her harness is on, and they are both ready to go.
He is the only man I know who irons his jeans.
He has on a collared shirt tucked in with the top button open.
His favorite Mets baseball cap completes his look. He sees me staring at him and smiles.
“Do I look okay for our adventure? I don’t want to disappoint Calliope.”
“You look great, Jerry.” He gives me the biggest smile as we head out the door. “I’m humoring you; you will forever be my grandpa.”
“Can we take the subway today?”
“No, I already told you that your subway days are over. I don’t even take them anymore, why would I let you do it?” I hail a cab, and we get in.
“I don’t take animals in my cab,” the driver states and puts the car in park, refusing to move.
“I will pay you double the fare. Besides, we’re only going to Bryant Park. He’s old and can’t walk there.”
“Double and he holds onto that dog the whole time.” I give him the thumbs up, and he takes off.
I turn my attention toward Grandpa. “What’s wrong? Your smile is gone.”
“I might be old, but you make me out to be ancient, Gramercy, and I’m not.”
“If I didn’t say that he wouldn’t have taken us, and you always taught me to work with what I’ve got,” I whisper and, just like that, his big smile is back.
The quick fifteen-minute trip cost me forty dollars, but it was worth it.
We start walking in the direction of the coffee shop.
When we get there, we find a bench under a shaded tree.
We quickly take a seat and put Chica down.
Her retractable leash gives her a little freedom to explore. Now we wait for Calliope to show up.