38. Callie
Chapter 38
Callie
August 2023
I don’t know how long I’ve been standing there staring at that picture reminiscing when I hear Eleanor yell dinner is ready. I place the picture frame back where I found it on the mantle and turn to walk toward the dining room. As I turn the corner, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Are my eyes playing tricks on me or…
I can’t believe Mason is here. For a minute I thought I was imagining something that I wanted to see. I smack him playfully on the arm. Nope, he’s really here.
Over dinner, I’m let in on the whole surprise that Eleanor put together for this weekend. She never gave off any vibes that she was up to something–she’s been acting completely normal the whole time we’ve been planning this weekend.
“Is there anything I can do to help with cleaning up?” I ask once we’ve finished dinner.
“No, John and I have it taken care of. Mason, why don’t you take her out and show her around the farm while we clean up.”
“You sure? I don’t mind.” I say at the same time Mase says “Okay, Cal you want to head out to the barn?”
“Yes, I’d love to! I could spend all day out there with those animals.”
For the next hour, Mase and I took our time walking through the barn and visiting with all the animals. They’ve got cows, pigs, goats, chickens, and horses. I think my favorite would have to be their two highland cattle–Maisy and Oats. I just love their shaggy hair and bangs that hang over their eyes. Maisy came right up to me and let me give her some lovins, but Oats was too busy eating. I daydream about having my own one day.
“Oh, man. Being out here reminds me, Holden and I talked and they’d love to meet you. If you’re up for that?” Mason asks as we’re walking up the dirt path to a bench that overlooks the huge field behind their house.
“I’d love to meet all of your friends. Am I nervous? Eh, kind of. But I’ll absolutely meet them.”
“Holden’s in-law’s fall festival at their farm is at the end of next month if you’d still like to go with me. I’ll be spending the whole week there, but you don’t have to stay for the whole week. It will be the 24th through the 30th of September.”
“I won’t be able to stay the whole week, but I could come up for two or three days–maybe that Thursday through Sunday? I know Holden’s a big part of your life and you already know I’ll never say no to visiting a farm.” I finish off with a laugh.
“That’s fine with me. I’ll let him know that you’ll most likely be there those days and we can plan more of that later once you’re able to find out if you can take those days off.”
“What about the holidays? I’d love to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with you but don’t want to overstep any plans you have with your family.”
“My parents and I are planning on going to my brother’s house for Thanksgiving but for Christmas, I’ll be here, at my parents, and I’d absolutely love to spend time with you while I’m down here.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely. How’s your brother doing? I heard he got married and has kids now, but I haven’t seen him in years.” I don’t know if I should bring up the fact that I ran into him at the bar not long after we broke up.
“Yeah, he’s married with three kids. He’s got boy-girl twins who are five and another boy who’s going to be three in November. They still live down here but have moved closer to Atlanta.”
“Atlanta… whew. After being in the city with you I don’t think I could do that. But I’m glad they’re doing well. I saw the picture of you with a little girl and two boys and assumed they were your niece and nephews. Three kids. Wow. That’s amazing.” I say then add nervously, “I can’t wait to have kids. In a few years, of course.”
“I completely understand that. I’d love to have a few, but I’m not quite there yet either.”
“I used to think I’d have kids by the time that I was 30 but life changed that and I’m in no rush. I’m enjoying where my life is right now.”
Heading back into the house Mase grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine. I feel like I’m dreaming, this is so surreal. I know it’s too soon to tell but I can look into the future and see myself with Mase, married with a couple of kids.
The next morning I woke to the smell of bacon making its way up the stairs. The bed beside me is empty so Mase is either already downstairs or he’s in the bathroom. That’s when I hear the water turn on signaling that he is, in fact, in the bathroom. I pull on my robe and knock on the door. He opens it holding his toothbrush in his mouth, motioning for me to come in.
“Does your mom make breakfast every morning or is she doing it because we’re here?”
“She’s made breakfast every morning for as long as I can remember. She’s kept it up even after Josh and I moved out. She wakes up and makes it for her and my dad every morning. She claims it’s one of her secrets to a happy, long marriage.” Mase answers with a wink.
“Hmm. Note taken. I’m going to get dressed and head down to visit with your parents.”
“I’m right behind you after I take a quick shower.”
I nod before closing the bathroom door.
Once I’m downstairs I can hear Eleanor humming in the kitchen. It’s such a lovely, calming way to wake up on Saturday morning. Making my way into the kitchen I see that she’s made bacon, pancakes, eggs, and waffles. John is sitting at the table reading a newspaper. I didn’t know people still did that.
“Good morning, Callie,” John says, looking up from the paper.
“Good morning! Breakfast smells amazing.”
“Thank you, hon,” Eleanor says while plating the pancakes.
“It’ll taste as good as it smells, too,” John says as he gets up, places his paper on the counter, and helps Eleanor with the plates.
“I can attest to that,” Mase says as he joins us in the kitchen.
Eleanor and John both start laughing as they begin to set the table. Mason grabs four cups from the cabinet along with orange juice and sweet tea out of the fridge before coming to sit beside me.
After breakfast Eleanor and I head into town to visit the Farmer’s Market while Mason and his dad work more on his mom’s bench for the front porch.
As we head down Main Street toward the park I’m staring out the window, lost in thought, when Eleanor starts talking and pulls my attention towards her.
“Cal, I gotta say I am so happy that you and Mason are giving this another shot. I’ve been so worried about him over the years. I never understood why he ended things, to begin with, if I’m being honest. The only conclusion I came to was he was young and didn’t know any better.”
“I know what you mean. I never understood it myself but had to trust that he knew what was best for him. I’ve learned that while I wish things were different back then the break-up and the time afterwards did us both a lot of good. We were both young and didn’t know what love was or where it would take us.” I respond, thinking through the many different emotions I’ve let myself feel over the last fifteen years.
“I never gave up hope that he’d find you again. I still have a picture of y’all on the mantle. I’ve looked at it often, praying Mason would be led back to you.” I can hear the emotions trying to break free.
“I saw that last night. I can’t believe you’ve kept it up this whole time. Hasn’t it been awkward for Mason or the people he’s brought home?” I don’t really want to know the answer but I also do.
“Awkward? I don’t think so. Mason has never mentioned it, although I’ve caught him looking at it a few times. As far as him bringing women home… he never has. It’s only been you he’s introduced us to.”
I couldn’t have heard her right. There’s no way that Mason hasn’t introduced whoever he’s dated to his parents. I know he said he hasn’t dated much but I didn’t realize it was like that.
“Oh.” is all I can bring myself to say as I unbuckle and get out of the car.
This Farmer’s Market is slammed full of both vendors and people. From here I can see there’s a little of everything here today–from produce to handmade soaps to handmade decor. There’s even a popcorn vendor and two food trucks lined up along the back of the vendor area.
“I think our best bet is to go start over here and just follow the loop of vendors around. What do you think?” Eleanor turns to ask as we make our way through the line.
“It looks like the majority of the crowd is going left to right, so yeah I think that’s our best bet too.”
We make our way to all the vendor tents grabbing all kinds of produce and handmade items. Eleanor bought some goat milk soap and local honey along with a basket of veggies. I grabbed some veggies and a handmade door wreath that says Merry Christmas on it, but it comes with all the major holidays so you can keep it out all year round and just switch out the front piece.
Once we’ve made it back to the beginning of the tents Eleanor nods towards the parking lot. “You ready to head back to the house? I’m excited to see how far they’ve gotten on my bench.”
“Yeah, I’ve got all I need. Let’s go back, make them some lunch, and go check out your bench.” I can feel how big my smile is. I don’t think I’ve been this happy in a long while.
Eleanor and I make our way towards the barn, faint music reaching our ears. Once we’re inside we notice they’ve gotten a good amount of work done, there’s pieces of wood laid out in various areas of the floor waiting for stain.
“We just got back from the Farmer’s Market and are about to make some lunch, have y’all eaten yet?” Eleanor asks when they both turn their heads toward us.
“Didn’t even realize it was lunchtime. We’ve been cranking out the work on your bench. We can clean up some and head in for lunch.” John answers while Mason finishes sanding what will be the top of the bench seat.
“Alright, see y’all in a few then.” Eleanor tells the men before turning to me “You think we should do deli sandwiches or grilled cheese and tomato soup?”
“Oh man, I haven’t had grilled cheese in forever.”
“Then that answers that! Let’s go get everything ready and start them while they clean up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Back in the kitchen, Eleanor is grabbing the loaf of bread to slice it while I get the cheese out of the fridge. She lets me know the tomato soup cans are in the pantry.
Mason and John come into the kitchen just as we’re finishing up the first set of sandwiches. Eleanor plates two sandwiches on each of their plates while I ladle the soup in a small bowl for them.
“Don’t wait on us, boys. Y’all can go ahead and eat.”
“You don’t have to tell me again.” John jokes.
A little while later I’m sitting on the couch reading when Eleanor comes in and sits in the chair across from me.
“Oh, I don’t mean to bother you. I just wanted to check in and see how you’ve been. I don’t feel like we’ve gotten a chance to have a good talk since Mason’s been here hogging you.”
“You’re no bother,” I say, placing my book on the couch beside me. “I’ve been doing well. I’m not sure what Mason has told you but I’m living in Magnolia Falls and work for a hospice agency there. I’ve been there for just over ten years as their medical social worker. My parents still live here in Harbors Grove, and I try to get down there as much as I can.”
“Mason did mention you were a social worker but didn’t tell me much more besides y’all’s plans for moving forward. I’m glad that you’re doing well. I’m sure your parents are glad to have you so close to home. I sure do wish my boys would have stayed closer, but I know they need their own life.”
“They love having both my sister and I close. They won’t let us forget it either. I do wish Mase was closer, too. He was telling me that Josh moved closer to Atlanta.”
“Yep, he moved up there a few years ago with his family. He comes down often. Not nearly as often as I’d like him to, but he does make his way down here.”
“I’m going to do my best to get Mason down here as often as possible!” I say, laughing but serious.
“Girl after my own heart,” Eleanor replies. “Are you two going to be here for dinner tonight?”
“As far as I know, yes. Mason hasn’t said anything that would make me think otherwise.”
“Okay, good. I’m planning on making lemon pepper chicken with carrots and asparagus and some type of pasta. I’ve got apple and blueberry pies for dessert, too.”
“That sounds amazing. I’m going to run out and check on the boys. You wanna come?”
“I’d love to. Let me get my shoes.”
Mason and his dad are finished staining all the bench pieces and they look gorgeous. I can’t wait to see it all put together and sitting between their rocking chairs on the front porch.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and the text that I am greeted with immediately changes my mood, but I try my best to hide it.
Jo Ellen : Hey Cal. I didn’t want to bother you on your weekend getaway, but I thought you’d want to know. Mrs. Higgins has begun declining. We’re not sure if she’ll be with us much longer. *hugs*
I pocket my phone not wanting to reply right now. I do my best to stop the tears that are forming from falling. One lone tear escapes but I manage to hide it before anyone notices.
Later that night, after dinner, Mase asks me to go sit on the porch with him. I don’t bother with shoes and follow him out the front door. We each sit in a rocking chair, and he looks over at me, concern fills his eyes.
“Cal, are you alright? You’ve been quiet since before dinner.”
“Jo Ellen texted me something about one of my patients earlier. When you work for a hospice agency there’s lots of sad news concerning them. It just wasn’t what I was expecting since they were fine Wednesday when I saw them. It just reminds me how quickly things can change.”
“Oh Cal, I’m so sorry. I’m sure it’s hard forming relationships with your patients and then having to see and hear about their declines.”
“I love my job. I love my patients. I can’t help but get close to them because they’re just so sweet. That reminds me I need to text Jo Ellen back and thank her for letting me know.”
“That right there is why you’re an amazing person, Cal. You care so much about others and the empathy you have is a force to be reckoned with.”
He gets up out of the chair and comes to lean in front of me. He grabs my waist, pulling me to the edge of the seat before wrapping me in a hug, whispering “I love you, Cal. Always” in my ear.
Immediately my arms fill with goosebumps as I pull away to look him in the eyes.
“I love you, too, Mason.”