Page 39 of Loving Callie
“I’ve known you long enough to know you are going crazy trying not to run over there and be with her. Jake, you have to give her some space. She’ll come to you when, or if, she’s ready to.” Ryan set the tray of coffee cups down on the counter, pulled one out and handed it to Jake, forcing him to release the fist he had clenched as he listened to Ryan.
Taking his coffee with a brief nod of thanks, Jake walked over to his couch and sagged down into the cushions. He knew Ryan meant well, but damn it was hard to hear, and even harder to try and accept.
“I know what you’re saying, but it’s killing me to not be holding her right now. She’s it for me, you know? And I should be there, comforting her, loving her. Especially after the terrifying shit she went through last night.” Unable to stay still with the agitation coursing through his veins, Jake stood up again and began pacing in front of the couch. “Damnit, I just can’t stop wondering, what if she does choose the asshole her parents want? She’s so torn up with wanting to make them happy, and clearly a bar owner doesn’t meet their standards. So here I am, feeling like I’m dying inside, because I don’t know if she still wants me. And right now, what’s even worse is, I don’t know if the woman I adore with all my heart is feeling safe or loved. That’s the part I really can’t handle.”
Ryan nodded as they both sat back down on the couch. The two friends stayed there in silence for a while, drinking coffee, lost in their thoughts. After a while, Ryan stood up and grabbed his jacket from the back of a chair. He turned to Jake, and said thoughtfully, “She’ll find you when she’s ready dude. Despite what I said earlier I really do believe she will. You guys are meant to be together. You two are the only genuine and successful relationship I’ve ever seen, and you can’t take that away from me. You give me hope that love actually exists,” Ryan stood at the door, pausing to turn back to Jake who was motionless on the couch. “Come to the pub later, it’ll keep you busy, and Callie knows how to find you if she wants to. But you have to give her the space you told her she needed.”
Jake looked up at his friend who was still standing by the front door. Grateful for Ryan’s honesty, he stood and walked over, pulling Ryan into one of those back-slapping man hugs.
“Thanks, Ry. I might not like what you have to say, but I know you’re right. I’ll see you later at the pub. And thanks for the coffee man.”
Ryan nodded and headed out the door, with one last parting shot.
“Any time. But if you tell anyone that I actually believe in relationships, I’ll kick your ass.”
* * *
Callie slept in late the next morning and awoke just before noon. The sedatives one of her co-workers had given her the previous evening had done the trick of helping her to fall asleep despite the emotional turmoil running through her mind. With a hot cup of tea in hand, she sat down on her couch, thinking ahead to the conversation she needed to have with her parents. As she debated what to say to them, she heard a key enter her front door. Reagan was the only one who had a key, so it had to be her.
“Oh my god. Girl, you had me so terrified last night! I can’t believe you went through all of that,” Reagan burst inside, dropped a large bag on the floor and sank down on the couch beside Callie then pulled her in for a tight hug. “I’ve got brownies in my bag, and you are just going to relax on the couch all day. Chocolate and trashy television is what you need to get your mind off everything.”
Callie smiled at her friend. How could she explain that the only thing she truly needed, was to feel Jake’s arms around her, holding her safe.
“Thank you for coming, I love you so much, and your brownies could cure almost anything. But I can’t just sit on the couch all day. Did you see my parents on the news last night?
The confused look on Reagan’s face told Callie that no, her best friend had not yet heard the lies that her father had broadcast on national television. “No… what did they say?”
“Oh, you know, just tried to pretend they are loving parents, full of pride and respect for their dear daughter. And of course, they didn’t miss the opportunity to promote my father’s campaign. Dealing with gang violence is super important to him after all.” Callie’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Reagan was aghast. “You’re kidding. Did they at least care enough to call you and make sure you were alright before they called the media?”
Callie snorted in reply, “Probably not. In all the chaos, I left my phone at the nursing station, then by the time I went to get it the battery was dead. I haven’t checked it yet today, so I can’t know for sure. But come on, you actually think they called? Because I don’t.”
Reagan squeezed Callie’s arm with sympathy and love. “Oh Cal. I’m so sorry babe.”
Callie shrugged her shoulders and felt the peace of acceptance settle over her. She knew it was time to set herself free from her toxic parents once and for all.
“You know what, I’m not sad. Last night, hell the last few weeks, have finally opened my eyes. I’ve seen what it could be like to be a part of a real family. I remember when we were kids, you and your parents tried so hard to make me feel I was part of your family, but I wasn’t ready to accept it. Now I am. Now I understand that I can build my own family, together with Jake.” Leaning over, Callie rested her head on her best friend’s shoulder then softly continued, “You have always felt like a sister to me, Reagan. I hope you know how much I love you, and how much I appreciate our friendship. But with Jake, it’s different somehow. I just know that with him is where I belong.”
* * *
Armed with her new confidence and her optimistic hope for her future with Jake, Callie drove to her parents house later that day determined to end her inner conflict once and for all. Her resolve started to waver as she stood in front of the imposing front door of her childhood home. Suddenly she didn’t feel like a mature, successful doctor in her thirties, she was just the lonely little girl she had always been, desperate to receive affection and approval from her parents.
Callie took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. As she listened to the familiar chime, her father opened the door. Callie was caught off guard for a moment. When was the last time Phillip Scott was at home during the day, and opening the front door himself? That had always been her mother’s role, to be the perfect hostess and greet their guests.
“Hello, Father, I need to speak with you and Mother. Is she here?” Callie hoped her nerves didn’t make her voice shake.
Surprise was clear on Philip’s face, as he stepped back to let Callie walk into the house.
“She’s in the sun room. I didn’t realize you were planning to visit, Callista, however it’s good that you are here. We need to set up a schedule for media appearances, to capitalize on the events of last night.”
“Actually, what I need to say is much more important than your media schedule. And I’m fine, not that you asked. I’ll just need a moment of your time, please come with me.” Straightening her spine, Callie brushed past her father and headed towards the glass doors leading to the sun room, hoping that just this once he would listen and follow her.
Inside, Callie found her mother sitting on a decorative bench, as she trimmed a potted plant.
“Hello, Mother. Could I speak with you and Father for a moment?”
Her heart pounding, Callie waited for her mother to stand up, brush off a non-existent speck of dirt from her pants and come over to where Callie and her father stood.
