When he got back to the house, he gave the dogs fresh water, heated up a plate Rosa had left him in the fridge, and then took out his phone, looking forward to hearing Callie's voice.He hit her number and waited — and was disappointed when it went straight to voicemail.
"Hey, it's me.I miss you.I wanted to hear your voice.Give me a call back if you get the chance.Or I'll talk to you tomorrow, if not.I love you, Callie."
~ ~ ~
Callie stared at her phone for a long few moments.She'd debated with herself all day over the wisdom of finally coming clean with her folks and telling them that the job they thought she'd moved out here for had never existed.She'd never felt great about it.She'd done it for the right reason — so that they wouldn't worry — but after everything that had happened with Ollie, and with Alara and Reaves, she didn't want any more secrets.She'd decided that it wasn't up to her to manage other people's feelings.All she could do was live her life the best way she saw fit and let other people get on with theirs.
She stared out the kitchen window at the lilacs dripping in the rain.The window was cracked slightly, and she could smell them.The scent always reminded her of home.She decided that next time she went into the art supply store in town, she was going to ask Jed if he had any lilac underglaze.It was about time she made herself a new mug and the color would give the same warm feeling of home even when she couldn't see the flowers outside her window.
She went back to the sofa and flopped down.If she needed something to remind her of home, all she needed to do was make the call and get it over with.
"Hey, Callie, love.How are you?"Her mom answered.
"I'm good, thanks, Mom.How are you?"
"Yep, everything's good around here.Business as usual, you know.How are things going at work?"
Callie sat up a little straighter.That was her opening, and she had to take it."They're going really well.Thanks.I'm making a lot more money than I used to."
"I'm glad to hear it.That was what you moved out there for, after all."
"It was, but there's something I need to tell you about that, Mom."
"Just hang on a minute, Callie, love."Her mom's voice muffled a little as she called over her shoulder."That's right, they're in the cupboard under the sink."
Callie had to smile when she came back and said, "I'm making your brother do his own laundry finally.He thinks I don't know that he acts helpless so that I'll take over.But I'm wise to his game now."
Callie laughed out loud."That sounds about right.How's he doing?"
"Oh, he's fine.But go on — you were going to tell me something."
"Yeah, I was."Callie took a breath."I wasn't completely honest with you about why I moved out here."She held her breath and waited for the reaction she'd dreaded ever since she left home.
Instead, all her mom said was, "Go on."
"I've been doing my pottery the whole time, Mom.There never was a job at the bank.I only told you that so you wouldn't worry about me.You and Dad didn't think I could make enough money making my pottery."
"Oh, now, Callie Claiborne, I never said that once.It's not that we don't believe in you.We always have.It's just that we used to worry, you know.We wanted you to have a stable income."
"Yeah, I know that, and I do."She waited, expecting something more.When her mom still didn't say anything, she said, "I'm really sorry that I wasn't honest with you."
"I am too, Callie, love.But all that matters is that you're being honest now."Her mom let out a small laugh."It's taken you long enough.I've been waiting.Your dad said we should tell you that we knew, but I thought we should wait for you to decide when the time was right."
"What?"Callie sputtered."What do you mean, you knew?"
Her mom chuckled."We've known from the beginning that there was never any job."
"Wait — but how?"
"That Sidney at the bank tried to rat you out."
"How did she even know?"
"I have no idea.Knowing that one, she probably went snooping — but not until after she had your job."
"But what did she say?"
Callie's mind was reeling as she tried to figure it out.There was too much to process.Her folks knew that she hadn't moved for a job and had never said so.She'd been lying to them all this time for no reason.And Sidney?Why the hell would Sidney—
