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Callum: Hey, beautiful. I’m happy to hear from you.
Me: How are you?
Callum: I’m alive. Not in the best headspace, but I’ll be okay.
Me: What’s wrong?
Instead of responding, he called me. When I answered, I could hear in his voice that something was bothering him.
“Hey, love,” he said.
“Hey... What’s the matter? You don’t sound so good.”
“I’m just dealing with a situation right now. Um... My mother’s youngest brother died, and I’m struggling with whether I should go to the funeral.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, really. I haven’t seen that man in years. We haven’t spoken since I was eighteen.”
“Wow. Why not, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“There was a big blowup over money my mom’s side of the family thought they were entitled to when my parents died. It didn’t have to go the way it did, but I overheard some things that had me looking at them sideways.”
“That’s horrible. Fighting instead of grieving?”
“That was the day I decided that my sister and I would be okay with just us. We didn’t need people who weren’t genuine with their motives. They would have spent that money and left us with nothing. My dad always told me I had to be cautious of certain family members. He had this discerning spirit about him. I guess growing up the way he did, he had to learn to be extra observant of those around him.”
“It’s sad that the people you think wouldn’t do you like that are the very people that would do you like that.”
“It is... but enough about me. How are you, beautiful? How was your day?”
“It was okay. I’m on my way home from work.”
“Any plans for when you get there?”
“Just relaxing. I think I’m gonna light some candles, run me a nice bubble bath, and read a book. I haven’t read in a while, and I just bought myself a Kindle. Maybe that will be my escape from reality for a little while.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Hell, that sounds like a good idea.”
I giggled. “I can’t see you as a man who likes bubble baths.”
He chuckled. “Maybe not the bubbles per se. But I will put some lavender oil in the water and turn on the jets. All I need after that is some music and a cigar, and I’m in chill mode.”
“That’s the vibe I’m going for tonight. Maybe not the cigar. I’ll take a glass of wine, though.”
“Don’t get too tipsy by yourself, now.”
I giggled. “I know my limit.”
He was quiet for a moment. “It’s good to hear your voice,” he said softly. “I was beginning to think this friendship would be a figment of my imagination.”
“Well, you said you were on my time.”
“Always. You’ll never have to worry about me pressuring you, Pasha. Your voice and feelings will always matter.”
I teared up at the sound of that. I sniffled. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me.”
