Page 49 of Here & There

Cal knows I blame myself for her leaving. She loved this place as a kid; always talked about how she wanted to be a doctor because there was no doctor in town back then. We had to travel to Swan River when we needed to see one. Said she’d open her office right next to town hall so she could be close to Dad.

My chest hurts thinking about it.

MAC: I think we were all kind of delusional thinking she’d move back someday.

There’s no reply to that. Cal must be feeling some of what I’m feeling too. He was as good as part of the family. Spent time with Annie when I abandoned her.

He needs cheering up.

MAC: Shelby saw my dick tonight.

My phone buzzes a minute later.

“Mac, I don’t see you date a woman for literally years, and now you’re living with one? In the sinful sense?”

“It’s not like that.”

I explain exactly what happened, and Cal loses it. He can’t come back on the line for a full minute because he’s laughing so hard.

“You done?” I ask. I thought he’d have a little chuckle, not nearly pass out himself from laughing at me.

“Nope.” He laughs some more. Finally, he calms down and asks me if I checked on Shelby after the whole thing.

“Are you kidding? I’m avoiding her for the whole rest of the week. Hopefully by then we can both pretend it never happened.”

“Dude, she’s going to be just as embarrassed as you.”

“She wasn’t the one naked and afraid.”

Cal cracks up again. “Listen, just play it like you’re cool with it. Are you upset with her?”

“What? Why would I be?”

“Exactly. Don’t let her think that. Listen, how would you feel if I was the one this happened to?”

“If Shelby saw you naked? I’d probably knock you out.”

“I mean if it was someone else.”

I sigh. “I’d laugh my ass off at you.”

“Exactly. It’s funny. Just be chill.”

“I don’t know how to be chill around her.”

There’s a long pause.

“You’ll get there.”

I rub my eyes with my thumb and forefinger, reliving the night’s ludicrous events. Then, to my surprise, I find myself laughing softly.

“See? There you go.”

“Good night, fuckface.”

“Night-night dude. Try not to get naked in front of your hot houseguest again.”

“Call her hot again.”

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