Page 101 of Let Me Be the One
When Liam looked at Nell, there was more than kindness in his eyes. More than curiosity and friendship as his gaze lingered. “Want to help me with something then?” he asked her.
“Depends,” Nell said with teasing attitude. “What did you have in mind?”
He smiled back. “Behave.”
“Now what fun would that be?”
He laughed. “I’m cleaning screens. I need someone on the inside while I lift them up to the windows from the outside.”
“I’m glad to help.”
And just like that, Callie was forgotten.
She didn’t mind at all.
As she watched them both go into the house, she couldn’t stop grinning. Oh, Liam was most definitely getting invited to the birthday shindig.
Her heart felt full. And more than ever, she wanted to see Tanner.
Sadly, the hours passed and he didn’t call. She ordered a pizza and shared it with Liam and Nell, enjoying their company—and again feeling like the interloper in her own home, but in an amusing way. She’d forgotten how intense young adults could be. Watching the two of them subtly flirt was eye-opening.
Callie tried to remember herself at that age, but her life had been so vastly different from theirs, she couldn’t quite pull up the memory. She assumed she’d been skimming around from one prearranged activity to another, always busy, always secure, and always protected.
Even with her recent breakup and move, she’d led a truly gifted life.
After Nell and Liam left, she wrote out a check with “Rebel upkeep” in the memo, then she put it in an envelope with Addie’s name on it—not Tanner’s—and made plans to slip it in the storm door of their home at her first opportunity. She’d go when Tanner was more likely to be gone for the day. If needed, she’d use the excuse of returning his clothes and Addie’s dishes.
Feeling better now with that decided, she double-checked the gates on her property—with her keys and phone on her. Looking up at the sky, she realized that the sun was setting later each day. Shades of vivid pink and tangerine blended into a purple horizon. She breathed deeply, enjoying the coolness of the evening after the hot day.
The woods didn’t appear menacing now. Instead, she appreciated the cacophony of animal sounds. The rustling of squirrels, chirping of birds, and a faint breeze that teased the treetops. The sweet scent of honeysuckle hung thick in the air. Somewhere in the distance, she heard a chain saw and wondered if it was Tanner, still at work.
The animals had already gathered in their shelters. To the goats, she promised, “We’ll figure out names tomorrow.” To the chickens, she praised them for being so sweet and not flying into the trees.
Back in the house, she indulged in a long leisurely bath that relaxed her muscles, but not her mind. At least a dozen times, she checked her phone.
Finally giving up on Tanner, she got into bed, but she was still too antsy. Instead of trying to sleep, she sat up against the headboard, held her phone against her raised knees, and did a quick video.
For a moment or two, she just looked into the camera, then with a sigh, she said, “Hello, everyone. I know I’m recording this later than usual, but it’s been one of those days and I’m not yet ready to turn in.” She gave herself another brief moment to think about what she was doing, then she explained to her audience about her runaway goat, how worried she’d been, and how she’d gotten herself caught in a storm.
Rather than mention the tree and the Garmet brothers, she omitted those humiliating details.
By the time she finished, she was actually grinning about it. Hopefully, anyone watching would also see the humor involved and not just think she’d gone off the deep end. “I’ve decided that I need to name the goats. Something cute and easy to say, but goat-like, you know? When it’s necessary, I want to be able to call them just like we would a dog or a cat. I’m open to suggestions.”
It would be fun to involve her listeners. She wondered if Nell would watch.
Would Tanner? Doubtful.
“I guess I should sign off and at least try to sleep. I hope you do, too. Toss out those names in the comments. I’ll choose from your suggestions tomorrow.” After making that promise, she sincerely hoped she got some good ones. “Oh, yeah, I should probably tell youthat they’re girl goats, four of them, and they’re real sweethearts.” She thanked everyone for visiting her, blew out a few kisses and then, while still recording, she turned out her light. Into the darkness, she whispered, “Good night, everyone.” Then she ended the video.
It struck Callie that now, finally, she felt a little better. What she’d said to Nell was true. Doing the videos was like keeping a diary. Getting her thoughts and worries out, sharing them with strangers since she couldn’t share with family or friends, made them a little lighter.
Still in the darkness, with only the light from her phone screen, she sent the finished product off to Glory, hoping her cousin would see it soon and that she’d like it. It was more personal than anything she’d done so far, but she was in a personal mood.
A few minutes later she was still sitting against the headboard, lost in thought when her cousin called.
Badly startled by the buzz of her phone, she jumped, then pressed a hand to her thumping heart. “Good God,” she muttered to herself as she checked the screen and saw it was Glory. She answered with, “Did you get the video?”
“Yes,” Glory said, “and Iloveit! You’re perfectly relaxed and the limited light from your screen is soft and pretty. It was almost like sitting in bed with you, talking to you in person. I’m sure your followers will feel the same. I’m uploading the video as soon as we finish talking. But first… Are you okay?”
