Sorry it took so long, the tiniest bit of writers block.
Chapter 05: Jugs & Friends - Calida Ch. 01
I walked Callie out to the car, unlocked the door and opened it for her. She smiled sweetly and said thank you. My recent successes with my sisters and Mom had me feeling more confidence with Callie than I was accustomed to having around a girl. I had dated in high school, nothing serious however, and before now was always stumbling and stuttering around girls.
I looked in the mirror and saw our Moms waving and chuckled. Callie looked at me with a small questioning smile.
"What's funny?" she asked.
"Nothing, really." I explained "My mom has really been looking forward to this and I thought she might pass out from excitement before we left."
"Oh," Callie said. "My mom seemed more excited than usual about going to the lake. She and your mom are closer now than I remember, what's different?"
"Maybe it's because your dad and my dad seem to be out of town more than usual, lately." I said, "They might just have more in common than before."
"I guess that makes sense, except that when my dad came home last week, he ended up sleeping in the spare room." Callie said sadly, looking out the side window. "I hope it doesn't mean that they are having real trouble, this is the first time I can remember them sleeping in separate rooms."
"I hope you're right, having divorced parents must be a bitch," I sympathized "though it would be tougher on your little brothers than on you, since you're leaving for college in a couple of weeks."
Callie turned and looked at me and said "No, I'm not."
"What? What do you mean you're not?" I asked, bewildered. "I thought you were off to the land of sororities, fraternities, spring break and 'Girls Gone Wild.'" I teased.
She shook her head. "No, I was accepted to every school to which I applied and had choices, but I felt like I wasn't ready. I told my parents I want to work for a little while and figure out what I want to do. I really didn't want to waste their money while I was deciding."
I looked at her in amazement. We had gotten to Starbucks and I started to get out of the car. She sat there and stared at her hands. I stopped, sat back down and closed my door. I looked at her and tears were running down her face.
"Hey," I said softly "Are you OK?"
She started to nod her head, yes, stopped and shook her head, no. Her body shook as a sob wracked her body. I wasn't sure what to do, but felt like I needed to do something. I scooted over in the seat and tentatively put my arm around her shoulders. She surprised me by turning and burying her face in my chest. I brought my other arm up and held her gently as she cried. Soon, her sobs eased and she seemed to relax in my arms. She further surprised me by raising her head and briefly kissing me on the cheek.
"Thanks, Pete." she murmured. "I needed a hug and a friend right then."
Asshole Pete made his first appearance of the day. "Hey, that's what I'm here for, to be a FRIEND to a hot girl." I teased, grinning.
She slugged me, just like Traci. "You know, I have heard Traci call you an asshole, now I know why." Callie said, laughing.
"You OK?" I asked with concern for my friend.
"Yeah, thanks Pete," she answered "I think so."
"OK, let's get some coffee." I said opening my door. Callie started opening hers and I asked her "Could I get that for you?"
She smiled and closed the door. I ran around the car and got her door. She got out, smiled shyly and thanked me. I waited for her to start walking, but she reached over and took my hand, surprising me again. We walked to the door hand-in-hand, Callie waiting for me to open the door. People turned and looked at us and smiled as we walked to the counter holding hands. I proudly escorted this beautiful girl and asked her what she wanted. I ordered for the two of us, telling Callie to find a table and I would bring our drinks. She lowered her head demurely, looking up at me and softly saying that she would wait for me.
I freed my hand to pay and as soon as I returned my wallet to my slacks, she slipped her fingers through mine again. A thrill shot through me. When our drinks were ready I handed hers to her and she never let go of my hand. I retrieved my drink and we found a table. Our hands separated as we sat, but she quickly found my hand again. My heart was pounding as she looked at me sweetly. I had never had a girl this hot, aside from my sisters, pay this much attention to me in private, let alone in public and I was nearly speechless.
"Callie?" I started to say and she stopped me.
"I'm trying to get away from that childish nickname Pete." She said. "Would you mind calling me Calida? I love my name and I wish somebody other than my Mom would call me Calida. I know I am always going to be my daddy's baby Callie, but, as a guy, I'd really like for you to call me Calida."
"Calida." I said, experimenting with how it felt on my lips and tongue. "Calida, I would be happy to honor your request." I said with as much real sincerity as I felt.
She smiled happily and squeezed my hand. "Thank you Pete, or would you prefer Peter?"
"Actually, I have never liked how Peter sounded." I said; Calida's eyes darkening with sadness as her head dropped. "But, when you say it, it just sounds different and somehow sexy."
Her head snapped up and her eyes were shining with tears. "You're just saying that so you don't hurt my feelings." She said with a trembling voice, starting to withdraw her hand, her head dropping again.
"Calida," I said softly as I didn't let her remove her hand from mine. "If we get to know each other better, and my heart would break a little if we didn't, you will find that I generally say what I mean, more than earning the 'Asshole' designation that my dear sister doesn't hesitate to use. When you said 'Peter' a minute ago you took my breath away, like no-one ever has. I sincerely hope you continue to call me Peter."