Eternal Youth (6 page)

“D
ad wants to see me.” Braden’s voice drifted through the bathroom door, and Callie jumped.

“You scared me!” she gasped, and then frowned at the line of dark red nail polish she’d left across her finger. She reached for some toilet paper to head it off before it became part of her skin permanently.

“Sorry. Can we talk?”

“Yeah, come in. I’m just painting my nails.”

The door clicked open, and Braden filled the doorway. He sagged against the frame, letting his head rest on the wood. “Did you hear me?”

Callie turned back to her nails, dipping the brush into the bottle once more. “Yeah. Are you going to go?”

“If you go with me.”

Startled, she left another line of color down a second fingertip. “Me?
Why
?”

Braden stepped into the bathroom and heaved himself onto the small counter. “Because I can’t do it by myself, Cal. I’ll…”

The pause dragged on until Callie lifted her eyes to his. She raised an eyebrow. “What? Kill him?”

Braden rolled his eyes until they rested on her. “Get real.” He shrugged. “I just think I could use some balance. You’re my balance.”

It was true, and she knew it. All the years he’d spent taking care of her and getting her through the traveling… Their bond was more akin to siblings than cousins.

“Where are you supposed to meet him? He’s not coming here is he?” The very thought bothered Callie. Gran deserved better than a deadbeat son that came around and stirred up trouble in her home. It was why Callie’s mom had disowned the man so many years before.

“I told him I’d call him back, but I guess a diner or something.” Braden grinned. “Somewhere public.”

With a chuckle, Callie replied, “Again, so you don’t kill him. Sure, I’ll go with you. After all—you’re always there for me.” She smiled and went back to her nails.

“I’ll call him back. I’d rather get it over with. You mind going tonight?”

“Let me think about it. You know I’ve got a busy schedule.” Callie rolled her eyes, not bothering to look at him as she brushed the liquid over a fingernail.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Braden shook his head and grinned, closing the door behind him.

The Apron was a favorite for local ‘greasy spoon’ fare. As a little girl, Callie’d had a standing date every Sunday morning with her mother and Gran—two scrambled eggs, one silver dollar pancake, and a sausage link. Comfort food, and comfort time.

Nowadays, Callie was lucky to get breakfast food of any kind. It was more common to have rice and beans for the first meal of the day—if they ate at all. In some island country, Callie’d eaten
eel
for breakfast. It was surprisingly okay, but she wasn’t in a hurry to try it again, breakfast or otherwise.

Braden pulled into an empty parking spot and cut the engine. When he didn’t make any move to get out, his hands still resting on the wheel, Callie glanced over at him. “Are you ready to see him?”

“Honestly, I’d rather be anywhere but here.”

“Yeah. I get that.” Callie touched the sleeve of his blue long-sleeve shirt. “We can still leave.”

Braden laughed bitterly. “There’s still that kid in me that’s hoping he’s changed.”

“People
can
change,” Callie responded gently, her thoughts immediately going to her mother. Callie had hoped for years that her mother would suddenly be the woman she used to be.
Fat lot of good hope does.

Braden pushed his car door open. “Might as well get it over with. Knowing him, he either won’t even show up or he’s too drunk to find it.”

“I’m sure he’ll be here. If you want to leave, just give me the secret signal and I’ll make up an excuse for us to bolt.” Callie pulled her ear and rubbed her nose as she walked up beside him.

He laughed, a deep, happy sound that Callie knew he needed. “What would I do without you?” He threw his arm around Callie’s shoulders and steered her towards the front door of the diner.

A jingle bell sounded as they opened the glass door and walked in. The sun had already set outside and it was colder than usual—but the warmth and bustle of the restaurant was immediately comforting. The wonderful aroma of coffee and bacon filled the room. Callie’s stomach rumbled.

Braden’s arm tensed around her as they saw his dad sitting at a table against the windows. He looked the same, just older. His dark brown hair was long and streaked with grey, and his full beard and plaid shirt made him look like a lumber jack. He held a menu open on the table and sipped from a steaming, white mug.

Callie squeezed Braden’s waist and pulled away, urging him on. He smiled gratefully.

Callie’s uncle looked up as they walked down the aisle towards him. A big grin spread beneath his beard. He stood up, and Callie was struck by how much weight he had lost as he pulled Braden into a hug. “It’s been too long, Son.”

Braden was clearly taken by surprise; only Callie would have recognized the uncomfortable look on his face. He pulled away from the hug a second too early and motioned for Callie to scoot into the booth. “Yeah, I guess it has,” he finally replied, not meeting his dad’s eyes.

“Hey, Uncle Billy,” Callie said cheerfully as she scooted onto the bench across from him. “You look great! How have you been?”

“Callie!” her uncle boomed. He held his hands out, palms up. “Look at you. All grown up. You’re beautiful, just like your momma.”

“Thanks—” She ran a hand through her hair self-consciously, partly flattered, but mostly wondering if there was an ulterior motive behind the compliment.

A tall, dark-haired waitress trudged up to the table. A large, pregnant belly filled out the frilly, cornflower blue apron she wore. There were dark circles beneath her eyes and a cynical tilt to her lips. “Hey, folks. I’m Tina. Can I start you with a soda?”

Callie didn’t know a lot about pregnancy, but the woman looked like she was about to pop. “How far along are you?”

Tina sighed, and Callie realized the poor woman was probably asked that several times a day. “Six months. I know—I’m huge. I’m having twins.” She smiled and rubbed her belly. For a moment, the exhaustion fled her face, leaving behind a happy mother.

“Enjoy them while they’re little. They grow up fast,” Uncle Billy said with a fond glance at Braden.

Callie’s head jerked in Braden’s direction to see his reaction. His jaw was clenched, and beneath the table, his knuckles were white on his knees.

After they placed their orders and the woman had walked away, Braden stared across the table at his father. “What’s this about, Dad? Why did you call me? And don’t give me any BS about wanting to see me. Let me guess, you need money? Is that what this is about?”

Callie cringed at the bitter contempt that dripped from her cousin’s voice.

There was only a slight pause as her uncle’s eyes became shadowed. When he answered, it was matter-of-fact. “I’m dying.”

The sky is blue.

That waitress is pregnant.

I’m dying.

Callie’s mouth dropped open—that was not at
all
what she had expected her uncle to say. Beside her, Braden was wide-eyed, staring dumbfounded at his dad. She kept her mouth shut and waited for him to speak.

“What do you mean?” Braden choked out.

“Cancer.” Her uncle shrugged. “The docs say my days are limited. I know I’ve wronged you, Son, by not being there for you. If I could go back and change all the mistakes I’ve made over the years, I would in a heartbeat. I just wanted you to know that I’ve always loved you, even if I didn’t show it.”

An awkward silence fell over the table. Callie didn’t know what to say or do, so she just placed a hand on her cousin’s knee and waited.

Braden’s strong fingers closed over hers—he was trembling. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted to see you. I know it’s late in the game, but maybe we can spend some time together?” Billy’s pale blue eyes glistened; his pain was like a shawl over his shoulders.

Callie felt like crying herself.
More death
—life didn’t seem fair.

“We can get you better doctors.” Callie reached her free hand across the table and placed it over her uncle’s. His knuckles were calloused and his skin rough. She couldn’t help but think that beneath his thick hide, cancer ate away at him.

“Too late for that, Sweetie.” He smiled, but it was full of acceptance. “I’ve come to terms with it. I just want to make the most of the time I have left.”

The waitress came back, balancing their plates of food on both arms. They collapsed into silence as she doled their food out: steaming plates of breakfast goodies, just the way Callie remembered it. It may have been almost ten at night, but Callie’s family had
always
gotten breakfast at this diner, no matter the time of day. She was happy to see the tradition carried over to her absentee uncle, even if the shadow of his announcement hung over them, making the bacon seem to lose its fizzle.

“Can I get you anything else?” Tina asked, one hand wrapping beneath her belly.

“We’re fine, thank you,” Callie answered her, and then watched as the girl disappeared to the kitchen.

Callie had lost her appetite. Even the stack of bacon and the buttery pile of eggs couldn’t jump-start her system; someone else in her family was dying too early.

Finally, Braden cleared his throat, his fork pushing French toast around his plate. “Sure, Dad, I’d like to spend time with you. Maybe we can go fishing like we used to when I was little.”

Billy broke into a grin. “I would love that.”

On the drive back, Callie pressed her back against the passenger door and stared over at Braden. He hadn’t said a word since they’d left the diner. His hands gripped the steering wheel, and his jaw was set. There was even a vein ticking in his forehead.

“Want to talk about it?” she asked over the hum of the car.

Passing headlights glittered off his dark green eyes. “Not really. What’s there to say? My father is dying, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Part of me doesn’t care—”

“That’s shitty, Braden.”

“
But
,” Braden went on pointedly, “another part of me is glad we’ve been given a second chance, even if it’s short lived.”

“A second chance is a good thing,” Callie murmured.
I wish I had a second chance with
my
dad
.

Braden came to a stop at a red light. He peeled his fingers from the steering wheel and flexed them gingerly before glancing at Callie. “Thanks for coming with me.”

“Don’t thank me.” Callie shook her head. “It’s what cousins do.”

“It’s what a sister does.” His smile was a flash of white in the dark car.

Callie glowed.

December 1, 2010

Thank God, it’s civilization…

Civilization as in PARIS!!!

This makes up for all the jungles. All the spelunking. All the trekking and freezing and raining.

And the best part? Mom knew how much I’ve always wanted to come here, so she gave me a FREE RIDE. She’s going to do all her usual nonsense searching for the damn FOY (this time in the Paris catacombs. Spooky.) while I sightsee!! And we’re staying an entire WEEK!

Our hotel is the ritziest thing I’ve ever seen. We have a GOLD BATHTUB and a bidet. I didn’t know what the hell a bidet was but trust me, you don’t want one. Mom says they’re all the rage. I say they’re just freaking WEIRD.

I can see the Eiffel Tower from my bedroom window. Oh, yeah, that’s the best part—I have my own room :) I can’t wait to get unpacked and saddle up Braden for the walk to le tour d’Eiffel. Fantastique!

Mom’s going to take us to dinner at this place where you eat in the dark. I’m so excited. Can you imagine? Not being able to see what you’re eating or doing? I’ve already got some pranks in mind for Braden…hehe.

I wish I was this happy more often.

“Y
ou have a
date
?”

Callie glanced up to see her mom in the open doorway. One of her eyebrows was hovering near her hairline, and Callie was
not
okay with the incredulity in her mom’s voice. “I can’t come home for a week and pretend to be
normal
? It’s not like
normal
guys beat down the door when we’re in Antarctica.”