by Vera Quinn
It’s not too long before Ty joins us. His friend Brad is with him and we are playing drown the person with the ball when two trucks pull up not far from our spot. I see it is Mason and his friends. We go back to doing our thing, but it is not too long before Kelsey is yelling for everyone to come eat.
We make our way out of the water and I’m trying to adjust my swim suit. Ty comes up behind me and slaps my backside. Before he can take his hand away I have him thrown over my hip. I smile. That never grows old. I can finally throw him. Even if he was surprised. I keep him pinned to the ground with my foot. Then I hear clapping and look up to see Mason is standing there with a goofy grin on his face and just clapping. Jeb joins in.
“Callie let your brother up and get some damn clothes on.” Dad isn’t standing very far from us and he throws me a towel. Uncle Trent and ZMan are standing beside him.
“When the hell did Baby Girl grow tits?” Uncle Trent asks. My face is three shades of red.
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.” Dad says with a grimace on his face.
“Right after she got her period dad. Haven’t you been paying attention?” Ty is eating this up. He loves embarrassing me.
I dry off but I have lost my appetite now that I’m the center of attention. I slip my tank and shorts back on. I go and sit at the table with my friends. Dad finally makes his way over by me and he wiggles his finger for me to go over to him so I do. Dread in my stomach, I walk up to him and he says softly, “Tomorrow you will be going shopping with Kelsey. Are we clear young lady? Do not take your shirt or shorts off the rest of the day.” Then he turns and walks away and I am left feeling like I did something wrong growing up. I go back and sit down. I look over where the truck is parked and Mason is standing there staring at me, with some girl glued to his side. Boys…
That was the last time we saw each other that summer. I knew Mason was trouble for me, so I changed my running times so I wouldn’t happen to run into him.
I did go shopping with Kelsey the next day. Dad gave us his credit card and we shopped until I couldn’t shop any more. I purchased a new swim suit, but the thing is, the old one covered more. I bought cover-ups though, and found another suit to wear in front of dad. He did learn to never give his credit card to Kelsey, and I learned to never go shopping with Kelsey. She taught me to have two wardrobes. One for in front of dad, one for when I’m not, and how not to get caught. She also took me by her beauty shop and trimmed my hair and taught me how to apply make-up. Not that I really wear it, but if I want to it’s nice to have and know how to use it.
She also bought me some smexy underwear. She says I’m too young for sexy, and too old for sweet. Actually it’s just boy short cut panties that fit tight and ride up on my butt cheeks. Not sure I like them. What is wrong with some regular boy shorts? Oh well. Sarah and Hanna are jealous and I’ll probably never wear them. It was good to have girl time. Not much of that around our house and as long as we don’t get found out, we’ll be ok.
Chapter 4
Mason
First day of school of my junior year. This past weekend was a blast. Pasture party with a keg. I’m not a big drinker, but it was fun for a change. We camped right there. No way do we drink and drive. Still haven’t been able to shake Tamera yet. She has been sticking to me like glue. I don’t want to just come out and hurt her feelings, but she is not my girlfriend and I have let her know this.
I see Cru and Jeb’s trucks when I wheel into the parking lot. I park right in between them. Not long until we will be out of here. This year and next. Can’t wait. Life will be good.
We get out of our trucks and Cru grabs Tiffany’s hand right off the bat. Jeb falls back with me. I see Ty’s motorcycle is already here, and there is a really hot blonde standing next to him. I can’t see her face, but she has on a blue jean skirt that will barely make the dress code, and a pair of cowboy boots on with it. Her legs are muscular and tan. Her hair is down the middle of her back and I can’t wait to see who she is. I have a thing for blue jean skirts with boots and this girl is rocking that look. Ty does that head nod thing he does and she turns to see who is behind her. The bluest of eyes look straight at me. Holy crap. That’s…
“Damn, Callie has filled out nicely over the summer.” Jeb has just made the understatement of the year. How old is she again? “I’m going to go say hi.” Jeb is already headed that way. I go right behind him.
“Hey Ty. Hey Callie.” Ty nods but Callie doesn’t acknowledge Jeb at all.
“Callie remember you’re riding with Fe and his mom this afternoon. I have to go to the club. I have some errands for dad. Go straight home after track practice. We’ll be there later.” Ty is being an ass to his sister, but that’s what brothers are for.
“Whatever Ty. I already heard all this. Dinner will be ready when you get home. Can I go now? I see Sarah over there. We have our first class together.” She just wants away from her brother.
“Ok. Are you making cobbler tonight?” Ty looks like he wants away from her, too.
“So you can cook and you’re beautiful sweetheart?” Jeb is laying it on strong.
“I’m not your sweetheart. I’m not anyone’s sweetheart.” With that Callie runs over to Sarah, her friend.
“Your sister sure is cute. She grew up over the summer. Can she really cook, too? She has attitude.” Ty gives Jeb a glare.
“Baby Girl is off limits. That word not only comes from me but straight from dad. You want to keep your dick, keep it away from my sister. She’s only thirteen and she can’t date.” He sounds serious. If she were my sister and looked like that I’d probably do the same thing.
“Ty, you still having that camping thing this weekend at your house? Sounds good. Who all is going to be there?” We have had this planned for about a month. Only guys camping and fishing all night.
“Yeah, but I am going to have to babysit Callie and her friend Felix. Dad is out of town. We’ll have someone there but I have to stay close to her. They’ll be camping, too.” I can’t say I mind that. Callie always seems to blends in. She doesn’t act like some snotty princess.
This weekend cannot get here fast enough.
Chapter 5
Callie
First week of high school is done. Not so different than middle school. Classes are easy so far. I study and do my work, no problems. I like most of my teachers. I have classes with my friends. Not much changes. Felix has been quieter than normal. Sarah is still crushing on Ty and Hanna has a new boyfriend. I’m just not interested. I guess it will come in time, getting bit by the boy bug, but I’m ok with not having the all- consuming boy crazy thing happening. I just don’t get it. It’s not like real love exists. It’s all temporary, so why open yourself up to it? I guess I have a jaded outlook but there’s so much more to do. Racing cars, my martial arts, and just anything. No, I like my life the way it is.
Tonight is going to be cool. Felix and I love to camp. Maybe I can get him to open up to me. Something has been up with him. We just have to stay away from Ty’s annoying friends. Red will be watching over us, but that means he will be acting like a big kid himself. He’s not that much older than Ty but he is a prospect for my dad’s club. Dad is out of town so we have a babysitter in leather. I shouldn’t say that. I love the BlackPath MC, but they are stifling sometimes. Red is the newest prospect, so he is our shadow. He’s cool though. He gives us our space as much as possible.
I’m gathering up everything we’ll need. First, bug spray. Not doing without that. Plenty of food. I made homemade pizza in big quantities. My brother can eat, and so can Red. I know Ty’s friends can, too. S’mores stuff and cookies. Then I add some trail mix and veggies for me. I make sure my ice chest is full of water, juice, sports drinks and pop. Extra clothes, matches, and sleeping bags. Fe and I will have our own tent. That’s about it. I am set. I hear someone at the door and I know it’s Fe. I open the door and sure enough it is.
“You ready to fish all night?” Fe just looks troubled.
“You know I am. I have everything ready except our rod and reels. They’re outside. Oh yeah, I almost forgot my phone. It’s been charging. Let me get it and I’ll be ready. Red has the tents set up already and Ty and his friends will be there later. We’ll have a little time alone so we can talk. You’re going to spill your guts. You’re too quiet and I’m worried about you. So you’re going to spill.” Fe looks like he would rather do anything but talk. I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I didn’t care.
“Ok. I guess it’s time. I hope you’ll still be my friend afterwards. You’re my best friend and I can’t lose that.” I knew Fe was going through something big and I hope I can help him.
We get all our stuff outside and go to dad’s shop to get the four wheelers out. We actually live close to town. Right on the outskirts. Our front yard you can tell. We have close enough neighbors. But our back yard opens up into woods. It looks more country back there. We have the best of both worlds.
I open the big doors so we can get out and to my surprise dad is standing there. I didn’t hear his bike. I look around outside and I see his truck. “Dad what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be out of town and where is your bike?”
“Got back early and wanted to spend some time with my family. Left my bike at the clubhouse. Needs some maintenance. I will be your fishing partner tonight. What do you think about that?” I think it is awesome. I am a daddy’s girl, so I am always up for extra time.
“Great, dad. I made homemade pizza and some chocolate chip cookies.” Dad loves both.
“Now I know I am glad I came back early. Fe, how are you, son?” Oh, I forgot about our talk. I’ll be sure we have time.
“Actually Mr. Black, I’ve been better. Callie and I were going to talk tonight, but I would like your advice.” My dad looks surprised. I don’t know why. If I had not known Fe for so long I would think he liked my dad better than me.
“Ok. Sounds important. Let’s get everything down there and set up and then we can talk. We should still have time before Ty gets here with his friends.” I’m just glad Fe feels comfortable with dad, too. Fe loves his mom and dad, but he can’t really talk to them a lot. They have a communication problem and they have expectations of Fe that he just doesn’t understand. Glad I have a cool dad. “You two take the four wheelers and I’ll grab the poles and bring my truck.”
Doesn’t take long to get down by the pond. We unload everything out by the tents and the folding table Red set up. Our folding chairs are all set up. I put my bag of clothes and towels in our tent. I spray our tent inside and out with mosquito spray and then I spray for ants. Learned that lesson the hard way one time when I woke up covered in the little boogers. Fe and I spray each other for bugs and we are set.
Dad throws his sleeping bag in our tent and sprays himself. He grabs a beer out of his cooler and we all set in front of the tent. Dad takes a couple of drinks and looks at Fe. “Ok son, you have our undivided attention.”
“I really don’t know where to start.” Fe seems lost and my heart goes out to him. “I think I’m gay. I mean, I’m attracted to boys, not girls. I mean, oh heck, I don’t know what I mean. I’m confused.” Fe looks like that took everything out of him. I go over and sit beside him in his chair and take his hand in mine. Fe’s face lights up. Oh no, he thought I was going to turn away from him.
“Fe, I love you just the way you are. It doesn’t matter to me, so get that thought out of your head. You are stuck with me, buddy.” Fe turns and hugs me with everything he has, then he turns to look at my dad.
Dad takes another drink of his beer and looks at Fe. “Son that is a big statement. How do you know?” Fe looks at me.
“Well sir, I would rather look at pictures of guys than girls. I have a crush on a guy, instead of a girl.” I look at dad and he is considering his words.
“Felix, I think you need to discuss this with your parents. They can help you sort it out.” Dad just doesn’t understand the situation at Felix’s house. “That being said, we are here for you. Our family don’t care who you are attracted to. We don’t judge. You are who you are on the inside. Anything else is not ours to judge. Talk to your parents, they love you. Just remember we are your family, too.” Dad gets up and hugs Felix and Felix is crying. I think he is just relieved. I love my dad.
Felix finally pulls himself together. “Thank you both. I thought I knew how you would react, but I worried about it. I tried talking to my dad, but he just wouldn’t listen and kept changing the subject. I’ve had doubts that anyone would listen. I’m just glad I actually said it out loud finally.”
“Felix give your parents time. They’ll come around. You are entitled to your feelings and they’ll adjust. They love you. Be yourself. If you need someone to talk to or a place to go to get away for a while, we are here. It doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is or what religion you are or who you’re attracted to, we are here. Our home is open to you, as always.” I hear a truck and another four wheeler coming and I look over my shoulder at them.
“Can we talk when no one is around? I’d like to keep this quiet for a while.” This is his decision and I understand it.
“Of course. This is your story to tell. Let’s get the rods and fish some.” Dad steps toward the back of his truck and I know the conversation is shelved until another day.
Chapter 6
Mason
I didn’t know Ty’s dad was going to be here. I thought I might get to talk to Callie. Not with him close. I don’t know why I even want to talk to her. She’s too young. She doesn’t even act like she likes me. She ignores me at school. Never tries to talk to me when I am with Ty. She’s either got her head in a book or under the hood of that damn car she works on all the time. She stays around her own friends at school and if I try to start a conversation, she either walks away or talks to someone else. I’m used to girls wanting my attention, not running from it. At least I know it’s not because she is interested in another boy. Brad asked her to the carnival last week and she turned him down. Brad is Ty’s best friend.
We park next to the tents and we start pulling stuff out to get setup. I see Felix, Callie and Mr. Black going to the pond with their fishing gear. I wonder if she is too girlie to bait her own hook or get her own fish off the hook.
I watch her with Felix and I am jealous. She is so comfortable with him.
My questions are soon answered. Callie sets her own rig up, but she is using a lure. The girl likes to bass fish and it’s not long until she has her first fish. It’s a pretty good one. At least three or four pounds. She takes it off the hook like a champ. That’s all we needed to see.
We are all hurrying to get to the pond. Nothing like seeing someone catch a fish to get us moving. Can’t be out done by a girl. We’d never live it down.
We all have a good afternoon fishing. Mr. Black says he will have a fish fry and invite us all over to eat them. We all caught them and we all cleaned them. Even Callie. She wasn’t grossed out by the guts at all. Mr. Black took them home to wash and freeze. He left us here eating cold pizza and talking around the fire we started. It’s not cold, but who camps without a fire. After a while I hear Ty’s phone ring and it’s his dad telling him he is in charge until he gets back. He’s needed at the club for a while. I hear that place can get wild at times, but who knows.
I see Callie lying on a blanket beside Felix and they are looking into the sky talking. If I want a chance to talk to her, it is now or never.
I walk over and sit down beside where she is lying. “What are you two doing?” They both look at me and laugh. Not what I expected, but ok. “Something funny?”
“Not really.” Felix laughs as he gets it out.
“We were thinking about where exactly is heaven up there in that big beautiful sky? I mean, can you think of anything more beautiful than a Texas sky late at night?” Callie is still looking at it and I slide down beside her.
“You’re right. Nothing any prettier than that, except for you
r beautiful eyes.” She can’t ignore that. It’s out there. I am flirting and if I get caught I might regret it.
“Is that all you can come up with? We’re looking at the most beautiful sky and you want to turn it into a chance to flirt?” Callie almost seems mad. I can’t figure her out.
“I was just trying to be nice, squirt.” I don’t think she knows what flirting is for. Squirt should make her mad. Good, she needs to feel something for me.
“Whatever. Felix let’s move.” With that she is up and gone. Felix hangs back.
“Mason you seem like a nice enough person. Don’t try your charms on Callie. She is not interested. I’m telling you this because she is my best friend. She isn’t like most girls. She isn’t scared of anything. She faces her fears and kicks their butts. She just doesn’t think a boy and girl relationship will work and it is a waste of her time. She had a hard childhood and I don’t know if she’ll ever get over it. She doesn’t sit around daydreaming about getting married and having kids. She just wants to get by. Save your moves for someone else.”
Felix is whispering so no one else will hear, and I know it is because he is trying to protect Callie’s secrets from everyone. That explains the sad look in Callie’s eyes that I see at times. “Just let her be.” With that Felix is gone behind her.
I sit there on the blanket looking at the sky, and I know then Callie is going to be someone special in my life. I won’t have it any other way. All girls should dream, and I hate the person who took that away from her.
Chapter 7
Callie
One Year Later…
Tenth grade classes are no different than freshman. I’m just not lost. Same friends, same classrooms, just a different year. Nothing too challenging.
As I get off my dad’s bike, I see Mason and his buddies. Jeb and I have become ok friends, but Mason always stares and it is like he is waiting for something. Cru and I just exist around each other. I don’t care much for him and he don’t care much for me.