Page 61 of The Summer House
“My turn,” Olivia said, standing and stretching her back.
Callie nodded, relenting and turning the television up. The images were too distressing without the sound and she had to know what was going on. The wind had increased and the swells were growing out at sea. The announcer stood in front of an enormous red circular model of the storm, the pathway drawn directly toward the Outer Banks. “This hurricane is not hype,” he said. “It’s moving dangerously close to the Outer Banks and coming in fast. The National Weather Service warns of catastrophic waves to the barrier islands of North Carolina if our projection is correct. Residents are urged to evacuate immediately. Please take this storm seriously and get out before it makes landfall. Leave storm surge areas as quickly as possible.”
Olivia texted Gladys that she was all right and then jumped in the shower while Callie and Wyatt kept their eyes on the screen, but Callie was preoccupied with thoughts about whether or not to tell Frederick that Luke knew that he was his father before they were all caught in a very awkward situation. But that would mean meddling further and she’d already messed things up. And now she had Lillian to think about too. Would Lillian say anything? Callie didn’t want to get in the middle of things, especially after what Luke had said, but she felt terrible keeping it from Frederick. Should she just wait for Frederick to say something? Or Lillian? She took in a deep breath and let it out, her head starting to pound.
“Are you okay, Callie?” Wyatt asked, his little face crumpling as he looked at her.
“Yep!” she lied, inwardly cringing that she had to tell yet another fib. “I’m just worried about the storm.” She fixed her eyes on the TV. The newscaster suggested that residents call their family members to tell them they were okay. Callie didn’t want to consider the fact that her mother hadn’t tried to call her or text. But that was just how things were. Seeing Frederick and Luke, however, had made her think about all the time she’d lost with her mother, times they could’ve been together but hadn’t. “I’m just going to step out into the hallway a minute and make a phone call.” She held up her phone.
With a nod from Wyatt, Callie let herself out of the room, propping the door open with the lock bar. She wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to say to her mother as she dialed her number, but she just wanted to talk to her. The phone rang three times before she heard that familiar voice. Callie could still recall those golden years before her father had left when her mother used to sing to her before bed to comfort her.
“Mom? It’s Callie.” She leaned against the wall, running the back of her hand along the patterned wallpaper.
“Oh, hello. How are you?”
Callie chewed on the inside of her lip. “I’m fine. I wanted to call to tell you that. Have you seen the hurricane headed for the Outer Banks? I’ve evacuated, so I’m not in harm’s way.” She didn’t want to tell her she was in Richmond. She wasn’t ready to see her mother yet, and they didn’t have the kind of time she’d need for that visit. She just needed to be comforted at this point.
“That’s good to hear,” her mother said. Surprisingly, her tone didn’t sound hollow like she remembered it being.
“How areyou?” Callie asked.
“I’m okay.” One thing that hadn’t changed, however, was her mother’s unwillingness to elaborate. What made her okay or not okay? Did she miss Callie? Did she ever feel lonely? She’d never say.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” she said, not knowing how to proceed. But then, all of a sudden, it hit her, and she knew just what she wanted to say. She knew because it was the one thing she’d learned from Luke. Sharing things about herself and opening up made it easier for others to do the same. “I met someone,” she told her mom and immediately tears pricked her eyes.
“Oh?”
“Yeah. His name is Luke Sullivan. He’s probably one of the best people I’ve ever met.” Her heart ached for better circumstances to share this news, but the words were flowing, coming out so easily that she couldn’t believe it. Because they were true. “One day, I’d like you to meet him.” As she said it, the fear washed over her again, fear that she wouldn’t get a chance to let her mother meet him because he wouldn’t have forgiven her for putting him in the position he was in.
“Maybe one day.” She didn’t have a lot to say, but Callie swore she could hear her mother smiling on the other end. It had been a long time since she’d seen her smile.
“Promise you’re doing okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, I promise.”
Callie pushed herself off the wall and walked over to the door. “Well, I should probably go. I just wanted to let you know I wasn’t in harm’s way. Let’s talk again soon, okay?”
“Okay, dear.”
Callie got off the phone and went back inside. When Olivia came out of the bathroom, she was dressed casually, wearing a sundress and a pair of sandals. “What’s the latest?” she asked, shaking out her curls with her fingers.
“They’re still evacuating,” Callie said.
“I saw a TV downstairs in the lounge. We can probably pop out to check the updates throughout the meal,” Olivia said, but she was looking curiously at Callie, her head turned to the side just so, and Callie knew she could tell something was on her mind. “What is it?”
“Well, a lot,” she said after Wyatt went into the bathroom, her shoulders slumping in surrender, tears spilling over her eyes with no warning.
Olivia rushed over and put her hand on Callie’s arm. “Tell me.” She urged her to sit, her face full of concern. “Are you worried about the storm?”
“Yes. But there’s more. I called my mom,” she started, but the rest just flooded her mind and before Olivia could say anything, it all came tumbling out. “I have to tell you something about Luke,” she said. While the television spewed storm updates, the rain pattering at the windows, Callie sat, wringing her hands as she told Olivia the whole story.
“Oh my God,” Olivia said through her fingers, her hand clapped over her mouth. She grabbed the complimentary tissue box, yanking one out and handing it to Callie.
All Callie could do was nod her thanks. She felt terrible. Trying to slow the tears, she wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. “I can’t face them all,” she worried.
“Yes you can. I’ll be there with you.” Olivia’s phone lit up on the table—a text from Aiden telling them he was already downstairs and would order her a drink.
Callie grabbed another tissue, blotting her eyes as Wyatt joined them. Then she ran her fingers through her hair and took in a deep breath.
