Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
CALLIOPE
I’ve picked up my phone to text Arlow back three different times and set it back down without doing it. He misses me. Part of me was sure he wouldn’t be giving me a second thought by now. That he would’ve moved on to something else that caught his eye and inspired him. Artists are fickle and unpredictable, that’s what Helen warned me.
He respected my need for space and hasn’t contacted me until today. I want to reply but my head is spinning with so much I want to say and probably shouldn’t.
Helen’s advice to get away was sound, and as the days have passed, I haven’t missed him any less, but I’ve had time to think and be real with myself. Distance has given me perspective. Maybe I am falling for him, or maybe two years of isolation and loneliness led me to get close to someone too quickly. The same could be true for him and his reclusive lifestyle. He may be attracted to me and enjoy being around me, but he doesn’t want anything more. He’s important to me and I don’t want to lose him, but something needs to change.
My plan when I moved was to get out more and meet people, find new hobbies. And I did. But once we met, a lot of that took a backseat to being with him. It’s time to focus on myself again. I need to spend less time with him. He can be an important part of my life, a close friend, without being the center of it. It’s funny, I’ve never been the type to latch onto a man before. I value my independence too much. There’s just something about him.
We’re going to have a talk about the stalking because I won’t forgive that twice.
“Earth to Calli.”
My head jerks up to see everyone’s eyes on me. The sounds and smells of the roadside diner thrust their way back into my awareness. “Sorry, what?”
Freya tilts her head, scrutinizing me. “Are you sure you’re up to driving tonight? You look like you’re zoning out pretty hard.”
We’re all exhausted after weeks on the road but I’m not sleepy, just distracted by a certain beekeeper. “I’m fine. What did I miss?” We’re only about five hours from my house so the plan is for everyone to crash with me tonight since it’ll be past two a.m. by the time we get there, then we all have to say goodbye tomorrow.
“Nothing, but there’s a snowstorm hitting northern Michigan so we’re going to have to stop somewhere for another night after we leave your place anyway. If you want to wait and drive back tomorrow, we can grab a room here.”
“I’m not sleepy. I was reading a text.” An idea strikes me. “Why don’t you spend tomorrow night at my place too? We can all sleep in my cabin if you don’t mind some pallets on the floor, and it won’t be too cold if you decide to sleep in the RV.”
“Are you sure?” Leo asks.
“Of course. We can have one more night to hang out. Build a fire, grill out, it’ll be fun.” We’ve had such a great time and as eager as I am to get home, I hate to see them all go.
“Sounds great,” Cal exclaims, and the others agree. While everyone grabs a coffee for the road, I pick my phone back up and reply to Arlow.
Me
It’s been a great time. Be home by tomorrow. See you soon.
Cal volunteers to drive for a few hours so I hand over my keys and happily settle into the passenger seat while Helen rides in the back. Once we pull out onto the road to follow the RV, I call Silver.
“You’d better not say you still aren’t coming home, bitch,” she answers, without a hello.
“We’re on our way now, but it’ll be the middle of the night before we get there. My friends are going to stay tomorrow night too. Do you want to come over and meet them? We’re going to cook out, have some drinks and a bonfire.”
“Hell yeah. Have you talked to Arlow?”
“I texted him that I’m on my way back, but I haven’t talked to him. Is everything okay?”
“Yep. He came in to the diner last week and wanted me to let him in your cabin to connect some security cameras.”
I totally forgot about those. “Has something else happened?”
“No, he said everything was quiet.”
That’s a relief. We’ve had enough trouble. “Did you let him in?”
“Did I give a man permission to surveille your property? Fuck no. I gave him some apple fritters and sent him on his way.”
The familiar sound of the proofing cabinet timer chimes in the background and I have a sudden desire to be in that kitchen, surrounded by delicious smells and laughing with her. “Okay,” I chuckle. “I have magnets for your mom from six different states.”
“She’s going to adopt you. What can I bring tomorrow? Gary made a huge pan of potato salad.”
“That sounds great.” My phone begins to cut in and out as we enter a rural area. “I have to go. See you tomorrow.”
This should be fun, introducing my concert friends to my new friends. I intend to invite Arlow too, but I won’t be surprised if he declines, considering it’s a bunch of people he doesn’t know.
The decision to stay away this long was difficult but I’m glad I did, despite missing Arlow so much. It was such a good time and really helped me get my head straight. Now I’m headed back to my new life to reunite with friends and part with others. I peek up at the stars as we hurtle through the night, my car eating up the miles.
Everything is going to be alright.