Page 24 of Holiday Hopefuls
“Is she … a patient at our practice?” Rindy asks, looking to her brother for any indication he knows something she doesn’t.
No words form. Not in my head, not from my mouth. Nothing. What am I supposed to say without betraying Ms. Rutherford’s confidence when she came to see me? Albeit, aboutsomething I said to a friend as a joke. But it was still in my office—a place of privacy and professionalism.
“No,” John’s confidence is almost overshadowed by his confusion, “she’s definitely not seeing any of us.”
“And just why not?” Rindy demands, clearly affronted that Ms. Rutherford seems to be lacking any emotional issues that need sorting.
“Well, she’s not married,” John starts, “so it’s not like she’d come to see you. And I’m pretty sure her family is one of the wealthiest around, so I’m sure they’d just call in a professional privately.” That catches everyone’s attention.
The women wait for him to continue with rapt attention while I try my best to not create a mental dossier about the woman currently spinning around on the dance floor.
“Yeah, her dad and brother are two of the senior partners at Rutherford, Rutherford, MacCallum & de Luksa. And that’s just to start. I know she has a few siblings, and I think they all have pretty intense jobs.”
“Have you met any of them?” Joanna asks, leaning around her wife to hear John better. She may as well be listening to a ghost story.
My face remains in a statuesque state, only violating my frozen state to blink.
John shakes his head. “Only the two that stopped by here before the band started.”
“And they both seem like a delight,” Rindy scoffs. “You think she’s anything like them? That certainly wasn’t the vibe I got.”
“No way, Callie’s great. And she’s great with the kids.”
“How do you know so much about her?” My voice is soft, but the broken silence redirects everyone’s attention back my way. Great.
John considers his answer. “We chat during parent/teacher conferences. I help out with the classroom parties and field days.That kind of thing. She’s easy to talk to. And with our training, it’s not difficult to pick up on certain things.” He laughs. “Like the fact that she is obviously the black sheep of her family. Though, she did say something a while back about how being in a relationship may help. Or at least give her some backup at family gatherings. Sounds like she needs it.”
“Well, I liked her.” Rindy shrugs as she swirls her empty glass. “Maybe a bit young, though. Especially for Grandfather Rhodes, here.”
Joanna waves her off, looking back at the dance floor to the woman of the moment. “I’d guess late twenties. Plenty old enough. What do you think, Oliver?”
My wayward eyes slide back to the attractive woman who is apparently old enough for me to date, according to my friends. Callie and the man she introduced as her best friend dance chaotically to a song about a woman coming into some guy’s life like a storm he wishes he could’ve prepared for. Their laughter is easy; years of shared history flowing between them.
A frown takes over my features as I watch their obvious comfort with one another. The ease of their relationship.
That damn flyer.
Why doesn’t she just have this guy pretend to be her boyfriend? It’s clear they get along and could likely convince everyone they’re dating. They look like they’re dating. Or have some kind of weirdly close sibling relationship.
Realization hits me. It’s because of what else was advertised. The promise to make the family in question believe Callie’s flaws are their fault.
That’s why Jordan … Callan … Ian—whatever his name is—isn’t enough. The relationship is only the first part of what could help her be accepted by her frigid family.
The second part is my opinion, which may or may not be totally professional at this point.
Callie stands on her tiptoes and whispers in the man’s ear before releasing him and turning to the table where her siblings sit. The brother frowns up at her as she says something he clearly doesn’t appreciate.
The brother who apparently calls her a glorified babysitter. He must be a real ass if that’s what he thinks of educators. Especially ones like his effervescent sister who works with young, impressionable kids. And who, according to John, is amazing at her job.
My frown deepens.
The sister doesn’t pay much attention to Callie, either. All of her attention is taken up by the lead singer. Callie’s friend’s brother.
And just like in a standard family session, lines start forming. Methods to heal the broken communication in her family begin mapping themselves out.
Callie doesn’t have to be an outsider. She chooses to remain true to who she is rather than conforming to the Rutherfords’ values.
“Wait a second,” John holds up a hand. Twisting around, he looks me square in the eye.
