35. Callie
Callie
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4TH
M y ferret won’t leave me alone.
All afternoon, I’ve had to watch every step I take to make sure I don’t accidentally step on his little slinky body as it weaves around my feet.
And I want to believe that it’s because he knows I’m feeling sad, but the truth is, it’s because he knows I have a tube of salmon paste out for him.
When the microwave beeps (AKA my dinner bell), I finally just lean over to pick him up and place him on my shoulders. I squeeze a small amount of the paste on my finger and let him lick it off while I walk into the kitchen to take out my world class meal and stir it up with a fork.
“On the menu tonight,” I announce, carrying it to the small dining table, “Fettuccini Alfredo with grilled chicken…at least I think that’s chicken…and broccoli. Seasoned with some extra salt and marinated in a nice dose of self-loathing. What do you think?”
His expression tells me he thinks it’s time for more salmon paste.
“Here you go, baby.” I lean down and set him on the ground, placing a little more paste in his food bowl.
Before long, though, he’s back at my feet.
“You can’t have pasta, it’s bad for you. And I think it’s technically cannibalism, anyway.”
He sneezes in disgust. Or at least it feels like disgust, he can be very judgmental.
Suddenly the hallowed but muffled lyrics of Freek-a-Leek ring out from my living room. And there’s only one person I would have ever assigned that ring tone to.
“Finn,” I murmur. It’s barely even registered that Finn is calling me when I hear the song get louder and see my little thief weasel trying to drag my phone under the couch. “Hey!”
I’d love to say that, with the grace of a ballerina and the speed of a vampire, I was able to get to the phone in time to answer it in a composed fashion. Instead, I hip check the corner of the table and somehow also manage to hook my ankle boot in the handle of an empty grocery sack on the ground. Thankfully, there are pillows on the floor to break my fall. I scramble on my hands and knees to get to the phone before it’s too far gone, and the motion is enough to scare Fettuccini into dropping it before scuttling over to the corner.
By the time Petey Pablo has said, “Yolanda,” I know I’m too late, and the call goes over to voicemail.
Out of breath and now registering all the points of pain on my body, I take a moment to lie on my back and collect myself. Fettuccini peers around the corner and trots over, staring at me and then nibbling on my face. It’s not the worst apology I’ve ever had.
I sigh. “It’s okay, little dude. We’re cool.”
I sit up and see a voicemail left by Finn. Drawing in a lung full of air, I press the play button.
*click*
That was it. He just hung up. Not that I blame him, I guess. He probably butt-dialed me. I just played Wipe-Out: The Home Version for a butt-dial from Leo Finnegan.
I don’t even have time to process all the feelings that bubble up before a text message appears.
Kodi
Just checking in, are you all right? Let me know.
And then another.
Ro
I got a call from Alicia at the school and it sounds like they raised even more money than they were aiming for. Thank you so much again for all your help, the team owes you a tribute at the opening game! How are you holding up?
And then another.
Lily
*Photo*
Lily
Is that a picture of a giant cosmo thermos customized with your name? Yes.
Lily
Is this a coordinated text assault by everyone to make sure you’re okay and no one needs to punch Finn in the junk? Also yes.
Unknown number
*Photo of Winston*
Unknown number
Winston says no to the pantaloons but yes to your Wild Turkey victory next year.
Several more messages pour in, and I smile at each one.
Fettuccini crawls up my lap and circles behind my neck, and I reach up and pet his little body. “I guess we’re pretty lucky, aren’t we?”
Feeling overwhelmed—but in a good way this time—I pull up a different text thread. One that’s been sitting for a few days.
Toshi
Hey, stranger! Listen, I know you’re holed up for a while in Birdsville but my kid’s school is looking for a new teacher out here. They’re running interviews in a couple weeks, I thought I’d let you know in case you were interested. Hope you’re doing well!
Callie
Who is this?
Callie
Just kidding - send me the dates and I’ll see if I can get some time to fly out there.
Toshi
Hey! I sent you an email with the interview dates and the contact at the school for your application. It’d be great to see you again!
I read through the email on Wednesday when he sent it to me, but I haven’t responded to him yet. I bite my lip and stare at the screen some more, when Lily sends me a selfie of her and Kodi in front of the Crow Bar.
Lily
You have 10 minutes. See you soon.
Come on, Calliope, this isn’t just a random adventure. Don’t be a dodo.
“What do you think, dude?” I rub the scruff of Fettuccini’s neck. “Think it’s finally time to put down roots?”
He nibbles my ear in response. That’s ferret for “yes.”
Callie
I got the email, thank you—I’d love to see you again, too! I appreciate you thinking of me, but I think I’m going to stay here after all. I think I finally found a home.