Alara smiled."I could, but I thought you were like me, that you'd always worked for yourself."
"No, it just wasn't an option back in Kansas.There are expectations there.My family is awesome.I love them to pieces and they love me, but they expected me to follow a traditional path, you know?And I tried for the longest time."
"What did that look like?"Alara looked intrigued.
"Well, it started out as getting a job as a teller at the bank, eventually working my way up to assistant manager."She gave them a rueful smile."Sitting on my backside all day, every day, inside an office, dealing with people and paperwork."She shuddered."Neither of which come naturally to me."
Alara chuckled."Well, that's something we have in common.But how did you make the leap from assistant bank manager in Kansas to being here in Fort Bragg, your own person, free, making your pottery?"
Callie dropped her gaze.This wasn't something she'd admitted to anyone here in Napa.Becca knew, of course, and Becca's dad, Chuck, had figured it out.She was going to have to check in with him soon and report that she was doing okay.
She glanced from Alara to Zia and back again, wondering if she should admit it while Zia was listening, and decided against it.Instead, she said, "It took some doing, but I figured it out.That was one good thing about working at the bank all that time.I was able to save up."She smiled."I made myself a promise that I wouldn't leave until I had enough for the health insurance and a deposit and was making enough from my pottery alone to qualify for a small mortgage."
"Wow, you must do really well," Alara said.
Callie chuckled."You should come see my cottage before you decide that.Property isn't all that expensive here, and my cottage is modest, to say the least.I've done quite a bit of work on it, but it's not exactly Napa standards.It's home to me, though.I love the place, and it's mine."
Alara glanced at Zia."That's what I'm hoping to be able to do — buy a little place for us once I have a real job and stable income."She set her fork down."I just have to get to Oregon by Monday."
"You can do it," Callie encouraged her, although she wasn't convinced that even if Alara made it to Oregon by Monday, she'd be well enough to work."Do you know what's going on with you, health-wise?"
Alara shot a glance at Zia and shook her head rapidly."I'm fine, I just get headaches sometimes."
Callie nodded.Maybe she'd get the chance to ask later, maybe she wouldn't, but she sure wasn't going to push in front of Zia.
After they'd eaten, Zia came to sit on Callie's knee and tugged at the end of her braid."I hope I'll get to see you again soon, Lady Sunshine."
Callie's heart felt like it cracked."I hope so too, sweet pea.If Ollie will take me with him, I'll go to Grandpa Grape's castle and wave to you on the phone."
Zia nodded sadly."That'll be good, but it won't be the same, will it?"
"No, but we have to make the most of what we have."
Alara yawned, and then Zia yawned and stretched."Mommy's gonna tell me to go to bed soon, you know."
Callie smiled."I should probably get out of here and let you guys get on."
Zia shook her head rapidly and reached up to kiss Callie's cheek."You should stay with Mommy for a little while.I'll go to bed and be quiet.Mom needs a friend too, you know."
Alara turned to them from the kitchen where she was rinsing the dishes.
"I'm going to bed now, Mom."
Alara raised her eyebrows.
Zia raised hers right back and went to her and wrapped her arms around her mom’s legs."I love you."
"Love you too, Z.I'll come in to check on you in a little while, okay?"
"Okay."Zia turned back and blew a kiss to Callie."I'll think of you whenever I see the moon."
Callie had to swallow around a lump in her throat."I'll think of you too, my little forever friend."
After Zia closed the bedroom door behind her, Alara came to sit with Callie.
"She's a good girl."
"She's wonderful," Callie agreed."And she's lucky to have you."
