Page 41 of All of Me

I rest my case.

Me:

Vince, come on. You need this. Just dinner and a few beers. No chicken nuggets, I promise.

Vince:

Alright, alright. I’ll give it a shot.

Luke:

I’m totally getting chicken nuggets.

Me:

I was thinking about going to Black N’ Gold. Pretty sure they don’t have chicken nuggets.

Luke:

I bet they would if I asked them to. Heather used to work there so I’m basically a celebrity. Hunter and Mandee love me.

Will:

We walked right into that one, guys.

I laugh, setting my phone down as Callie watches me with a curious smile. “What’s so funny?” she asks.

“Luke being Luke,” I reply. “And Vince agreed to come, though I think he’s already bracing himself for Luke’s antics.”

She smirks, leaning back against the couch. “Well, at least it sounds like you guys are going to have fun. Vince could definitely use a good laugh.”

“Yeah,” I say. “We all could.”

It’s not much, but a night out might be exactly what Vince needs to move forward. If Luke’s antics can’t make him laugh, at least they’ll give him something to shake his head at.

seventeen

YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL - THE RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS

CALLIE - DECEMBER 14, 2013

The morning air bites as I bundle Sara into her jacket, her little arms outstretched as she babbles about going to see “Da Da.” I know she’s excited to see Adam today, but I wish I didn’t have to share my girls with him. There’s nothing that I want more than to keep them here at home with me and Owen.

Owen comes in from the cold after starting the van. He must sense me spiraling because he places a kiss on my cheek after I’ve finished putting on Sara’s hat and mittens. His quiet presence feels like the only thing holding me together right now.

“You ready?” he asks, picking up Ruby’s car seat and pulling the strap of the diaper bag over his shoulder.

I glance at Sara, then at Ruby who is already fast asleep in her car seat. I swear, that thing is an instant nap machine for my sweet baby girl. “Not really,” I admit.

Owen sets the car seat back down for a moment and steps closer to me, cupping my face gently with his hands. His dark brown eyes meet mine, steady and warm, holding me together in a moment when all I want to do is fall apart.

“Callie,” he says, his voice calm and sure. “You’re doing an amazing job. I know this is hard, but you’ve got this, and I’m right here with you every step of the way.”

I take a shaky breath, leaning into his touch. “I just… I hate this so much. I hate that I have to send them to him, even if it’s just for one night. Especially after the way he behaved the last time I saw him. I’m scared.”

“I know you are,” he says, brushing his thumb lightly against my cheek. “But Ruby and Sara are going to be okay. They are resilient. Just like their mom.”

His words don’t erase the ache inside me, but they make it feel a little less painful. I nod, swallowing back the lump in my throat.

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