Page 6 of Coming Home for Fall 5
“Family secrets?” Callie cackled. “What are you talking about? We don’t have any family secrets.”
Sasha gave her a look. “Every family has secrets.”
“First of all, I’m not sure that’s true. And second, our family doesn’t keep secrets from each other.”
The irony of Callie’s statement was so overwhelming that she felt it leaving a film on her tongue as she spoke. But she didn’t know what to do, Callie already had enough nosy people living in her house, she couldn’t add Sasha to the list as well.
“We might not always talk about everything that’s going on in our life, but that’s different. We are generally honest and there aren’t any major skeletons in anyone’s closet.” Callie had raised her voice a little without meaning to, and Sasha was staring at her with a wary look in her eyes. Callie tucked her graying hair behind her ears and regained her composure. “Things are going just fine, and if there are things my family needs to talk about, then we’ll talk about them. But you don’t have to tiptoe around or anything like that. I’d hate for anyone to feel like they can’t be themselves and say what’s on their mind, you know.”
Who would want to live in a house like that?
Sasha opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again. “Alright,” she said. “I hear what you’re saying. I’m sorry for insinuating there were secrets in your family, but at least now you understand why I’m nervous that I’ll say the wrong thing. I just did, didn’t I?”
Callie chuckled and shook her head. “It’s okay, Sasha. You didn’t do anything wrong. We’re just two adults having a serious conversation, and frankly, I’m glad you feel comfortable enough with me to tell me what you think.”
“Thanks.” Sasha grinned, and for the first time, Callie felt like she was seeing through Sasha’s many walls and getting a glimpse of therealface of this girl. It was a beautiful, happy one, and Callie hoped she would get to see more of it as time went on. “This might sound dramatic, but I think you’re one of the first people in my life to really show me this kind of respect. You’reone of the first people to not talk down to me or treat me like a child. Or a screw up. Or an idiot.”
“That’s because I don’t think you’re any of those things.”
Sasha laughed to herself. “You might be the only one.”
“I’m not,” Callie assured her. “I know for a fact that David doesn’t think you’re any of those things either, so that’s at least two people. You could probably throw Kate into the mix as well… And Dot. She doesn’t think you’re a screw up.”
A few tears slipped down Sasha’s cheeks. She sniffled and checked the time. “I better get back. There’s still a lot to learn before Friday.”
“Of course. Let’s go.” Callie pushed back from the table. “Oh hey, before I forget, you’re staying late tonight, right?”
Sasha nodded.
“If you don’t like walking home alone at night, I’d be happy to come pick you up. Ferndale is a safe town, but the direct route from the bookstore to the house takes you right past the cemetery. I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t want to walk that way after dark.”
“That’s okay,” Sasha said as she stood. “Believe it or not, I actually like the cemetery.”
“It doesn’t freak you out?”
“Not really.” She shrugged. “I actually know a couple of the people who are buried there, so I always say a quick hello when I have time.”
Callie frowned, swallowing down another question instead of spitting out. Naturally, she was curious to know which of Sasha’s friends or family members were buried in the Ferndale Cemetery, but she felt rude asking. They had just finished having an awkward conversation, and Callie didn’t think it was appropriate to start another one on their five-minute walk back to the bookstore.
Chapter 3
When Callie returned home, she found Ariel, Taylor, and Erica in the living room, chatting and sipping tea. Erica was holding Dot, who was asleep against her chest.
“No, I agree with you Tay, I just… I guess, I’m just stressed about the whole thing. But yeah, I still think we should wait,” Ariel said in a hushed tone as Callie entered the room. The moment her children spotted her; a hush fell over them. Taylor gave a stiff smile and Ariel’s voice cracked a little when she said, “Oh, hey, mom! I didn’t realize you were home already.”
“I just walked in.” Callie gave them all a dubious look. “What were you guys talking about?”
“Nothing,” Taylor replied with a shrug. “Just work stuff. Nothing exciting, that’s for sure.”
“Work stuff?” She glanced at Ariel, who didn’t currently have a job as far as Callie knew. “You were talking to them about their work stuff or…” Her daughter didn’t respond right away, so Callie elaborated. “I only ask because you were saying something about ‘waiting’ and I was wondering what you’re waiting for.” This wasn’t the full truth. The real reason she was asking was because she knew they were hiding something from her, and she was desperate to know what it was.
“Oh, uh—” Ariel cleared her throat and then her face brightened. “Taylor and Erica were talking me through some legal jargon from this contract I was recently sent. I wanted tomake sure that I fully understood what I was agreeing to before I signed it. And that’s what I was saying I wanted to wait for. I wanted them to have a chance to go over the paperwork before I agreed to anything.”
“What kind of contract?”
Ariel looked down at her lap shyly. “Um—well—it’s just this thing I’ve been working on. Remember when I told you I was getting into some creative projects lately?”
Callie nodded.
