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The question is, do I want to build a different life or continue the one I have? I’ve sunk so much into this place, but would it be better to sell it, take the money, and build somewhere else?
Somewhere where there aren’t memories of Callie because it seems like right now, they’re overpowering me….
CHAPTER 5
Callie
“Callie, dear. I told you not to worry about this.”
“You always tell me that,” I laugh.
“I do,” she admits, opening the door wider.
“And I always ignore it. How are you feeling, Mrs. Johnson?”
“I’ve begged you to call me Esther,” she admonishes. “And I’m okay. It’s just these golden years getting to me. Come inside, sweetheart, your hands are full. Can I help?”
“Nah, it’s not heavy. I got it. I just wanted to drop this off before I head off for the week. I’m only working three days this week because of Katie’s upcoming wedding. I’m taking a small vacation.”
“Well, thank goodness. You need it. You work too hard.”
“Not hard enough if I want to pay my house off.”
“You work harder than anyone I know. I feel so guilty because you’re always doing things for me and Henry.”
“I do it because I love you. You guys have been my parents—definitely more than my biological ones. You’ve done so much for me that I feel guilty,” I tell her while I unload the two bags I brought. They contain reusable trays filled with meals that I bring them before I go to work. I make sure they have enough dinners to last until I come back. I make anything from homemade vegetable soup to barbecue chicken. The most Mrs. Johnson has to do is heat them. I freeze the dinners that will keep longer, and the ones that are fresh I mark with a note that reads “Eat Me First”.
“How do you figure that? You bring us food constantly and you refuse to take any money from us.”
“There’s no need. I’m making the food for me. Basically, you’re just getting my leftovers.”
“We both know you’re not telling the truth, little girl,” she grumps. “What’s for supper tonight?”
“I’d recommend eating the chicken. It’s good barbequed, but only when it’s fresh. Plus, I made potato salad, and I know how Mr. Johnson likes that.”
“That he does. You just have to say potato, and he’s there,” she snorts. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, my sweet Callie.”
“Mrs. Johnson—”
“You have to stop. It’s been years. We think of you as a daughter. It’s Esther, dear. I keep telling you, but now you have to listen.”
I blush. They really are like parents to me. Still, I don’t want people to look at my relationship with them and think I’m taking advantage. I don’t want the Johnsons to think that either. I want them to love me as much as I love them. “Esther,” I whisper.
“Now, was that so hard?”
“I don’t guess. You know how much I love you and Henry, don’t you?”
She pats my hand. “Of course we do. We love you the same.”
“You’ve done so much for me. You gave me a place to stay and then sold me land to put my new home on—”
“Stop. That was purely selfish. You were talking about moving away from Macon. We didn’t want to lose you. We would have sold you the rental—”
“I wanted to be away from town and off to myself. I have trouble being around people in general these days.”
“It’s no wonder with everything you’ve been through,” she replies.
“It makes me feel weak,” I admit, my voice dropping down so low that I can’t be sure she hears me.
“Bull hockey. You’re so strong, Callie. I’m very proud of you. You’ve survived more than most could.”
I smile at her, tears stinging my eyes. You don’t realize how much it means for someone to say they’re proud of you unless you’ve never heard it before.
I clear my throat, giving her a smile. “I better get going. I have a long drive ahead.”
“You better keep your car doors locked and call us the minute you get in.”
“It may be late, Mrs.—Esther,” I correct when she gives me that look. “I’m running late because Katie needed me to go with her today to the cake tasting. Jeff has been sick.”
I avoid Mrs. Johnson’s eyes when I add that. The truth is, Jeff is hiding out. He’s sorting through everything in his head. I don’t know what I’m hoping the outcome will be. I truly believe Katie loves him. I also know that no matter how much she wishes it wasn’t true, she still loves Jake. I know a little about how she’s feeling but I respect that she doesn’t want to talk about it. I never talk about the issues I have, so I can hardly force her to either.
“Oh, the wedding. My Henry said that Reed is coming home for it. He’s supposed to sing, too. Isn’t that wonderful? We haven’t seen him perform since he flew us out last year. It’ll be nice to see him again. I bet you’re looking forward to it, too. You two were so close once.”
