by Lisa Dyson
Callie folded her slightly damp hands on the table and waited for Wendy to speak.
“I ordered a soda,” Wendy said instead of explaining why they were meeting. “Would you like something?”
Callie saw a server coming their way with Wendy’s drink. “Could I have some water, please?” she asked the young woman when she reached their table.
After the server left, Callie decided she needed to take control since Wendy wasn’t offering an explanation or even a single word as to why she’d wanted to meet. “Why are we here, Wendy?” Being forthright was how she’d decided to play it. Wendy had treated her poorly all their lives and Callie was through taking it.
Wendy looked up at the question but didn’t meet Callie’s eyes. “I’ve learned something about myself over the past few days.” She paused. “You’ve already seen me at the battered women’s shelter.”
Callie nodded. She thanked their server when she brought Callie’s water. “Go on,” Callie said when they were alone.
“There’s a woman there who’s downright hateful to all of us.” Wendy raised her hand. “I know, I know. It’s what I deserve, right?”
Callie shrugged. “What does this woman have to do with us meeting?”
“She made me realize how I’ve treated you all these years. I heard the same things come out of her mouth that I’ve said to you numerous times.”
“And this was the first time you realized how mean you’ve been to me our entire lives together?” Callie had a difficult time believing that.
“It’s true. Let me explain.”
“I wish you would.” Callie kept her hands on her thighs, opening and closing her fists as she became agitated. “I just have a hard time believing that hearing yourself in one woman’s words actually changed you that much.”
“I understand your doubt. I don’t know if it’s just hearing that woman or maybe everything I’m going through right now, but I want to make changes in my life and in my attitude. The other thing that happened was when you were talking to the women about finances. You really cared and wanted to help them. That’s when I began to question why I’d always hated you so much.”
“I’d love to know what I did to deserve your hatred.”
Wendy pushed her hair back from her face and took a sip of her soda. “You were born.”
Callie wasn’t sure she heard correctly. “Did you say I was born?”
Wendy nodded. “Haven’t you ever wondered why my mother treated you so horribly?”
“Every day of my life.”
“It’s because she always hated that your mother had a child—you—with your father. My mother was in love with your dad from the moment they met in high school. But it was your mother he chose.”
“But our mothers were best friends,” Callie said. “At least, that’s what I was always told. Your mother was my mother’s maid of honor.”
Wendy nodded. “That’s right. My mother swallowed her feelings when your parents married. But when your mother died in that carjacking, my mother wasn’t about to let your dad get away again. According to what she told me in the last few years, she divorced my dad immediately and it didn’t take long for her to get your dad to marry her. He couldn’t remain a long-haul trucker with a three-year-old to take care of and no relatives nearby. So my mother filled the bill and she got the husband she’d always wanted.”
Callie was stunned. She’d never known that her stepmother resented her mother. “But I still don’t quite understand. Why did your mother resent me even after she married my dad? She finally had what she wanted.”
“You’d think so, but no. She resented you because you were your father’s child and her doctor had told her she’d never be able to have more children after me. I guess I was kind of a miracle baby. But what she’d always wanted was a child with your dad.”
Callie was beginning to understand her stepmother’s screwed-up ideas. “That explains her resentment of me, but not why you’ve hated me all these years.”
Wendy looked down at her hands on her lap. “You have to understand. All my mother ever did was talk poorly about you. How you were needy and stingy and disagreeable. I wasn’t even three when we came to live with you and Bart, so her hatred for you is all I knew.”
“So now I should believe that everything’s different just because you’ve run into this horrible woman who treats people as poorly as you do? That you’ve had some huge revelation?”
Wendy sighed. “Like I’ve told you, I’m trying to make a new life for myself and my son. Having the opportunity to explain to you why I’ve acted like I have is just one of the things I’m doing. I know it’s too late for us to be sisters, but I need to at least come clean about the past. I’ve been through a lot recently and being around the other women at the shelter has opened my eyes to how my behavior has affected other people.”
“What else is on your list?” Callie still had a difficult time accepting that Wendy had changed for good. “Like admitting to embezzlement?”
“You know about that?” She paused. “Of course you do. You’re best buds with the chief of police.”
“If you’re going to go off about me stealing him from you, then stop right there.” Although, truthfully, he wasn’t Callie’s anymore, either.
Wendy shook her head. “No. I know he was never interested in me. That’s just remnants of my mother again. She thought he would make a great husband so she always pushed me to go after him so I wouldn’t lose the ‘love of my life’ like she had. I figured she knew better than I did, so I took her advice. It’s almost as if she brainwashed me my entire life.”
Wendy used her mother as an excuse for much of her behavior, but then maybe some of what she was saying was the truth.
“I know about the embezzlement because I was the one who uncovered it.”
“You did?” Wendy’s eyes widened. “Then, thank you.”
Callie nodded. “You’re welcome. You did a lousy job of covering up your activity.”
“I know—that was the idea. I thought someone would figure it out sooner, but no one did. So my next step was to send that email to Tyler. I’m glad he didn’t ignore it.”
“Me, too.” Callie changed the subject. “What are you going to do when you leave the shelter? Will you go back home now that your husband has been arrested?”
“I don’t think I can take that chance. He’ll be looking for me if he makes bail. Those first few days when I left him I couldn’t find a shelter to stay in that he hadn’t already contacted to see if I was there.”
“What did you do?”
“I spent a couple of nights in my car, but there aren’t many places to park overnight in this town. I also did a lot of walking during that time, paranoid that Steve would spot my car and follow me. As I went on job interviews, I saw some business cards in one office that gave a number to call if you were in need of help, with no questions asked. That’s how I found Norma.”
“I’m sorry you needed the help, but I’m glad you got it.”
“You are?” Wendy seemed truly surprised. “After all I’ve done and said to you? How can you be so nice and understanding?”
“Call me a fool. I’d really like to think that you’re trying to change for the better.” Callie held up one finger. “But that doesn’t mean I’m totally sold on your about-face.”
“Fair enough.”
“How’s your mother? Is she still in the hospital?”
“They’re keeping her for a while. She’s pretty drugged up right now to keep her calm. She barely recognizes me and when she does, she thinks I’m a little girl and she wants to walk me to school.”
“I’m sorry. It must be hard to see her like that.” Callie was surprised that she meant it.
Wendy nodded. “It is. But at least she can’t hurt anyone while she’s there.”
Callie couldn’t agree more. She and her dad were safe as long as Ellen was hospitalized or under constant supervision. “Have you thought about an assisted livin
g facility? Unless she shows marked improvement, I don’t think my dad can continue taking care of her at home.”
“I agree. I’ve been so involved in my own drama that I haven’t paid enough attention to their situation until recently. I think I’ll be able to find a good living situation for her now that I’ve taken a job at a medical office. They have a lot of information available for all ages.”
They were silent for a few moments before Callie said that she would be doing a final class the following evening. She’d scheduled it for before her appointment with Dr. Hammond. “I hope you can make it if you’re interested, Wendy.”
“I am. Now that I’m on my own with my son, I need to think about what you mentioned the last time. How to save for those unexpected bills and still provide everyday basics.”
They chatted for a little bit longer before Callie left the diner feeling better about a lot of things. She was almost done with her community service hours, she had the possible beginning of a new start with her stepsister, and she finally knew the cause of her stepmother’s hatred. Talking with Wendy even made Callie consider coming clean with her therapist about her past.
Only one thing wasn’t resolved.
Tyler.
*
THE NEXT DAY, SINCE Callie was teaching an evening course at the women’s shelter, she arranged to visit her dad that afternoon.
Pulling into the driveway, she was more confident than she’d been a few weeks ago when she’d chickened out. Maybe it was knowing her stepmother wasn’t there or maybe she had more confidence in herself now to deal with whatever may come. She didn’t know, she just enjoyed her new strength.
“Hi, Dad,” she said as she came through the unlocked front door. Funny how she was comfortable enough to walk in without knocking now that her dad was the only occupant of her childhood home.
Her dad came from the hallway to greet her. “Callie! How are you?” He hugged her and they took seats in the living room.
“I’m okay. How are you feeling?” Her dad’s head bandage was gone, but he still had the wound on his arm covered.
“I saw the doctor Friday and he said I’m doing okay. I don’t know about Ellen, though. I haven’t been able to drive, so I haven’t seen her.”
“How did you get to the doctor?”
“My neighbor drove me.”
“You should have called me. I would have taken you.”
“That’s okay. She didn’t mind. And Ellen will never know.” He leaned over and whispered, “She’s a little jealous of other women.”
A little? That was an understatement for sure. Visions of Ellen wielding a knife and the hatred she emitted were still fresh in Callie’s mind.
She sucked oxygen into her lungs to aid her in broaching a difficult subject. “Wendy and I met up yesterday.”
“That’s nice. Two sisters spending time together.” He smiled as if everything was normal.
“We got together to talk about things. Bad things. You know we’ve never gotten along, right?”
“Oh, all sisters have disagreements. At least, that’s what Ellen always told me. I never had a sister, so I took her word for it.”
Callie decided he’d probably taken her word for a lot of things.
“We had more than disagreements, Dad.” Callie kept her tone even, controlling the emotions that wanted her to shout the truth at him. “Wendy has hated me since the first day we met.”
Her dad’s eyes widened. “She has? Why?”
Callie swallowed. “Because that’s what Ellen told her to do. Ellen has always hated me, too.”
“That’s impossible. She’s your stepmother. Of course she doesn’t hate you.”
She relayed what Wendy told her about Ellen’s longtime love for him.
“She never said a word to me.” Her dad got quiet. “I had no idea that she resented you or your mother.” His eyes filled with tears. “I wish I’d known.”
“Me, too.” She breathed in and out to calm her quickly beating heart. She needed to know something and couldn’t wait any longer. “Dad, did you know how Ellen treated me when you weren’t around?”
His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Did you know that Ellen would lock me in a closet in the basement?”
“Oh, that’s impossible. I know she was strict with you, but locking you in a closet? You’re making that up.”
“No, Dad, I’m not. Sometimes she would leave me there for more than a day at a time. I had no food or water and no bathroom.” Her own eyes blurred with tears. “It was cold and dirty and dark. There were bugs that crawled on me and I could hear her laughing when I’d yell for help.”
Her dad was shaking his head as if he didn’t believe her.
“It’s true, Dad. I’m not making this up. She always yelled at me for the littlest things. Sometimes she would make dinner for herself and Wendy, but I wasn’t allowed to eat. Not even something I made myself. If I did, then I’d have to go back into the closet.”
Her hands were shaking by this time. She had never disclosed this much and she still wasn’t sure if her dad believed her.
He was silent for a long time. “I…I don’t know what to say.” He was also shaken up by her confession. “I know you came to me once about a problem, but I talked to Ellen and she claimed you had exaggerated. She said she was strict with the two of you because I wasn’t around much. So she needed to be firm about the rules.”
Callie’s hands fisted on her lap. “As soon as you left after I talked to you that one time, she locked me up for two days to teach me a lesson.”
Her dad slumped, shaking his head. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. You should have come to me again.”
“I couldn’t. The thought of being put back into that closet the minute you left for another trip nearly crushed me.” She posed another question. “You never had any clue about how she was treating me? Or how she’d brainwashed Wendy into hating me?”
He wiped a tear from his cheek. “No. I thought everything was fine. That’s what she always told me.”
Callie nodded. From her dad’s emotional reaction, she believed him. “The abuse is why I studied so hard to get into Maryland on a full scholarship. It’s why I never came back here. At least, part of the reason.”
“I can never make up for what you went through and I’m so sorry for that.” He pulled himself together before continuing to speak. “I wish…I wish you had been able to trust another adult with what was going on.”
“She kept us isolated. Besides, I worried that if I told a teacher that she’d find out.” She hesitated. “I know now that I could have trusted an adult, but as a child I was too scared.” She could see the guilt overwhelming him, so she changed the subject. “Why didn’t you ever answer my letters after I moved away?”
He cocked his head. “I could ask you the same thing. I was on the road a lot, but I always wrote you a quick note before I left town. Ellen mailed them for me. Oh.” He covered his face with his hands. “You never got them, did you?” When she shook her head, he continued. “And you also didn’t get the presents she said she sent on your birthdays and Christmas?”
“Nothing. I never heard a word from you. No letters, no gifts.” She could feel her emotions bubbling to the surface, but she shoved them down. “And you never got the letters I sent? The invitation to graduation?” She already knew the answer.
Her dad rose, his arms out to her. She met him halfway across the room and they held each other, both allowing their tears to fall freely.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
BY THE TIME Wednesday night rolled around, Tyler couldn’t wait to get home from training with his officers. He was exhausted. Aunt Poppy had taken the girls for a sleepover, so he was sure to get a decent night’s sleep. Not that he’d had an easy time sleeping since he and Callie had parted ways.
With thoughts of her lingering in his mind, he checked his phone to see a text from her. She wanted to know if she could stop by his house when he got home. H
e replied.
On my way home now. See you there.
Callie was waiting for him when he arrived. She sat on the top step by the front door. Her arms were crossed over her chest, a serious expression on her face.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” He unlocked the door and invited her in.
She remained just inside the entryway. “I came to say goodbye.” She spoke calmly. “My bags are packed. I’ve dealt with all of my family issues, and I’m driving home first thing in the morning. If you think I haven’t fulfilled my service hours, then too bad. You’re so good at calling people, call my therapist and report me. Or better yet, call the judge and tell him. You have the power. Use it as you wish.” She turned to go.
“Callie, wait!”
She was actually leaving. He’d known it was inevitable, but he hadn’t prepared himself for the acute pain.
“Can’t we work this out?” he asked.
“There’s nothing to work out.” She stopped but didn’t face him. “You’ve shown me your true self. I can’t be with someone who wants to control my life. Talking to my therapist about everything tonight made your deceit fresh again. I can’t stay here any longer.” She paused as if trying to maintain her composure. “I’ve already said goodbye to Madison and Alexis.” She opened the front door and turned to face him. “This one’s for you.” She stepped outside and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the windows.
How had things between them gone from near perfect to disastrous in such a short period of time?
*
CALLIE REACHED HER car and drove about a block before she pulled to the curb and fell apart completely. The anger and hurt came pouring out of her. She banged her fist on her steering wheel several times. Slamming Tyler’s front door must have been the catalyst to what was now turning into a maelstrom of released emotions.
Several minutes later she searched her purse for tissues to wipe her tears and blow her nose. When she could finally pull herself together enough to drive, she headed to Poppy’s.
Callie found Poppy sitting alone at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, her expression sullen.