Page 46 of Love You Madly

When I ask her what the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to her is, she starts telling me a story about howshe slipped and fell down a flight of stairs when she was coming out of the band room in high school. Apparently, she had been wearing a long skirt that got caught under her heel and ended up slipping and landing on her butt before bumping down every step until she hit the floor.

Me:

Ouch, that sounds rough. Did you get hurt?

Callie:

Just my pride.

Me:

So you were a band geek in high school, huh?

Callie:

It's not your turn to ask a question. But yes, I sure was.

Me:

What did you play? The flute? Oh my god! Do you have a “This one time, at band camp…” story?!

I can’t help myself; I hit send on the text without giving it much thought.

Callie:

Omg! No. I didn’t even go to band camp. And I was on the drumline. I was the Captain my Junior and Senior year, actually.

Me:

Drumline has a Captain?

I already know the answer to that. The high school I went to in Cedar Bluff always did really well at band competitions. But I can’t resist teasing her a bit.

Callie:

Yes! I was a cheerleader too, so most of the time I was marching, I was in my cheerleading uniform. Now, quit with the follow-up questions. You keep skipping my turns!

Me:

You’re killing me here. You were a cheerleader too? Christ Almighty. Do you still have the uniform? And will you let me steal one of your old t-shirts?

I wait for the conversation to continue but she doesn’t respond. Wondering if I crossed the line with my cheerleader comment, I replay the conversation in my mind, searching for anything else that I might have said to upset her.

In a moment of panic, I send another quick message.

Me:

Hey, did I say something to upset you? You went silent on me, and now I’m imagining you plotting my demise with a drumstick… one of those big ones they use for the timpani drums.

I wait, hoping for a response, my mind racing with all the possible scenarios. Did I come on too strong? I tap my fingers nervously on my leg, silently pleading for her to reply and put my mind at ease.

nineteen

SO CONTAGIOUS - ACCEPTANCE

CALLIE - MAY 25, 2013

Once I hear Sara stirring awake, it snaps me out of the warm, easy conversation with Owen. The two hours since I laid her down have flown by, but now it's time to return to reality. I glance at my phone and feel a tug of disappointment. Talking to Owen has been a brief escape from the mess of everything else.

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