36. Callie
Chapter 36
Callie
August 2023
T minus five hours until I head home to pack before heading down to Mason’s family farm for the weekend. One of the first things I did when I got home was reach out to his parents to see how they were doing and if I’d be able to visit. His mom was ecstatic and couldn’t believe that it was actually me. Mason told them that we’d been hanging out and seeing where this goes, but I guess hearing it from me felt different.
They were more than happy to let me come for the weekend and hang out. Eleanor, Mason’s mom, told me she’s already got a room ready with my name on it. She’s the absolute sweetest person, other than my mom. I may be biased there, though. We’ve got some plans but mostly I just want to spend time with them and hang out on the farm. I always loved coming here and hanging out in the barn with the animals. Their animals were always so sweet and loving.
I’m sitting here finishing up my lunch when my phone dings. It’s one of three people. Jo Ellen, Mase, or his mom. I pull my phone out of my pocketbook and yep, it’s Mase.
Mase : Ma just called me. She’s so happy you’re coming down there this weekend. Make sure to hug her for me while you’re there. I’ll be in a meeting this afternoon and then I’m going out with a few friends to dinner after work, so I won’t be able to FaceTime tonight.
Me : I am more than happy to give her a hug for you. Enjoy your dinner and we can chat tomorrow. (:
Mase : I’d much rather chat with you, but it’s been a good while since I’ve been out with friends, so it’ll be a nice change to my routine. Hope the rest of your day is amazing. Talk to you tomorrow.
Me : Go out and have fun! You can always chat with me later! Depending on when you call tomorrow, maybe you can say hi to your parents as well. Talk to you tomorrow.
I put my phone away and walk back to my office after rinsing out my Tupperware. I’ll be spending the next little bit working on a patient’s insurance paperwork for the new medical equipment they’ll need at home. Seeing your patients decline is tough and something that doesn’t ever really get easier. Even though I only see my patients once a month I still get close with them–it’s a part of creating that rapport and ensuring they’re as comfortable as possible.
After about an hour of working on insurance claims, I move on to my visit notes. All our visit documentation is handled electronically but I like to have a hard copy for when we do our bi-weekly meetings with the physician. At 4:45, sharp, I gather all the notes I’ve been working on and head to Jo Ellen’s office. She’ll be seeing my clients this weekend if any of them require an extra visit, so I want to make sure she’s got everything she’ll need from my last visit with them.
Jo Ellen and I have gotten even closer over the last three weeks, and I would now consider her a good friend of mine. She’s been a huge help in maneuvering everything with Mason. Not being in a serious relationship since high school has made it hard for me to handle the long distance, the hanging out via FaceTime, and not being able to see him whenever I want to. So, she’s become my rock through it all. I really appreciate the friendship that we’ve formed. She’s like the older sister I never had.
“Hey, Jo! Here are the most recent visit notes from all my patients just in case you need them this weekend. I don’t think that you will, but you know as well as I do that it’s really hard to tell how the day-to-day will go with them.”
“Callie, you know I can see all of your notes on the app, right?” Jo laughs.
“Well, yeah, but you know that I am a physical copy kinda gal. It’s easier for me to see everything when it’s all laid out in front of me rather than flipping back and forth between patients.”
“You’ve got a point there. Thank you. I’ll make sure to put them in my bag before I leave. I hope that I don’t need them this weekend but like you said, you never know. You’re headed to Mason’s parents this weekend, right?”
“You’re welcome! Yes, I’m leaving right after work to pack and then head down there. It’s only about an hour away. So, I’m hoping traffic won’t be too bad.”
“Well, enjoy your weekend. Relax. Don’t worry about work. I’ve got you covered. Tell Mason I said hi.”
“Thank you again! I owe you one! I’m going to head out. I’ll see you on Monday!”
Once my bags are packed I check that all doors are locked and walk out to my car. I plug my phone in and pull up maps to enter Mason’s parent’s address. I’m fairly confident I don’t need the directions but just in case. It has been fifteen years, after all.
According to this, I’ll be there in an hour and 12 minutes. Not too bad. I sent Mason’s mom a text and let her know my ETA before putting on my favorite playlist and backing out of my driveway.
About thirty minutes into my drive I hit traffic. According to maps, there’s an accident up ahead and one lane is closed. I pull up Mase’s parent’s contact and hit dial.
Ring.
Ring.
“Callie Grace is everything okay?” his mom answers, sounding a little worried.
“Yes, ma’am. I just wanted to let you know there’s an accident on the interstate and I might be a little later than I had originally anticipated.”
“Oh. Whew, I’m so glad you’re okay. Be careful. You’ll get here when you get here, hon.”
“See y’all soon!”
I hit the end call button and my music resumes. I can tell I’m getting closer to the scene of the accident because traffic is now at a crawl.
Thankfully the accident didn’t look too bad when I passed it. It looked like someone bumped into the rear of another car at the merge. I say a quick prayer that everyone is okay and continue on my way to Mase’s parents.
I pull into their driveway only 8 minutes after my original ETA and I’m greeted by not only his parents but also two Great Pyrenees. I wonder if these are the same two they had when we were in high school. I guess it’s possible. I can’t remember how old they were back then.
“Oh my gosh, Callie Grace! I can’t even believe you’re here. John and I couldn’t be happier to have you this weekend.”
“I honestly can’t believe I’m here either.” I laugh.
“I’ll grab your bags. Go on in and make yourself at home. Eleanor will show you where you’ll be sleeping this weekend.” Mason’s dad says as he walks over to my car.
“Thank you,” I say as I’m pulled into a hug by Eleanor.
“I hope you don’t mind. I’m a hugger. I’m sure you remember.”
“I’m a hugger, too. So, it’s only natural that this is how these things go.”
Eleanor pulls back before grabbing my hand and leading me towards their huge wrap-around porch. The house looks the same as I remember it. Aside from a few upgrades they’ve done out front. As soon as we come up on the front door I am smacked with the most delicious aroma. I take a deep breath, inhaling all the goodness.
“I made homemade lasagna for dinner. Mase told me it was a comfort meal of yours. I wanted you to feel warm and welcome, not out of place.”
“It smells amazing. I appreciate the thought behind dinner tonight. It means a lot.”
“Oh, no worries, hon. Let’s get you to your room and then we’ll all sit down for dinner.” Eleanor says as we walk from the entryway to the living room, headed towards the staircase to the left.
I grab my phone to let Mase know I’ve made it to his parents as we make our way up the stairs.
The room Eleanor takes me to is so simple, yet beautiful. The bed is centered in between two windows that overlook the backyard, there’s an antique bedroom set with a TV sitting atop the dresser. On the left side of the room is a spacious walk- in closet and to the right is an en suite bathroom. I’ve got everything I will need for the duration of my time here, and probably then some. After John drops off my bags we all head back down into the living room where the smell of lasagna welcomes me again.
“Dinner will be ready shortly; I need to head to the kitchen and gather the stuff to set the table. Make yourself a home, Cal, and I’ll call you when it’s ready.” Eleanor says before walking into the kitchen.
I make my way over to the mantle and see so many pictures of Mase and his brother from when they were younger. As I’m looking at all of them, I see a picture that I recognize. It’s Mase and I right before our high school prom. I can’t believe she still has this up after all these years.