I hugged her too.
“Oh, come on. It’s no big deal. People graduate all the time,” I insisted.
“It is a big deal!” Big John said and grabbed something from under the register. He lifted it to my fingers, a small box. “Here, Sweet Pea. We got you a little something. We would have loved to have been there but you know the grill never stops here.”
“You didn’t have to do this.” I smiled at him and took it. I opened it slowly as Smarty and another waitress, Mena Bena, came closer to watch. I gasped. It was a little silver charm bracelet with a star charm already in place. The card underneath said ‘We know we can’t keep your forever but we cherish you while we have you. Anywhere you go, whatever you do, you’ll be a star. We love you, The 25 Hour Crew.’
The tears streamed down my face in record time. Smarty grabbed me into a warm hug.
“Aww Sweetie,” she crooned.
“Thank you guys,” I squeaked out. “This means a lot to me. Really.”
“No sweat. It’s not much but we wanted to do something for you,” Big John said from behind me. He patted my back and went back to the grill. “So, how’s your dad taking all this?”
I pulled myself from Smarty’s grip and wiped my eyes as Mena put her arm around me.
“He’s actually...I don’t know. He had some kinda breakthrough or something. He’s almost back to his old self.”
“Really,” Mena said beside me. “Well, that’s great, honey.”
“Yeah. It is.”
I looked at them. Big John, I’m sure you can understand why he’s called that. He’s big and his name is...you guessed it. He’s the owner and the best boss anyone could ever have, I might add. He’s about forty five, bald, six seven and about two hundred seventy five pounds on him. So, big. His wife Smarty, her real name is Alice but we all go by nicknames that Big John gives us so as to ward off stalkers. I think John just likes the feel it gives the place. She’s about thirty five and a slim as a woman can be without being gross. Her blonde hair is always in a ponytail and she’s the sweetest thing.
They both treat me like a daughter and since I started working here right after both my parents abandoned ship, it was a perfect arrangement.
And then they’re a few other waitresses that work here as well. Mena Bena, Rock Steady and Little Mama and another then another cook, Slim. I’ve never had any other job so I don’t know what it’s like anywhere else but, as much as I hear people complain it can’t be like this place.
We all laugh and cut up. The cooks sling burgers, pancakes and eggs to each other. The crowd we get loves to see them doing their little show when we get busy. They yell orders loudly, along with out nicknames and we bustle about with the radio blaring country the whole time. The customers seem to eat up the atmosphere as much as the food.
The revolving door chimes to signal a customer so we all dispersed and I headed to the bathroom to clean up my smeared face.
When I returned, I grabbed my pad and got to work.
After the lunch rush and dinner rush my shift ended. It flew by today and I was surprised to find I wasn’t as tired as I usually was. I blamed the good sleep I got from Caleb and secretly smiled. But I did feel the aches in my legs and back still. My head began to pound as I grabbed my purse and clocked out I felt the ping of excitement as I realized I was about to see him.
I walked home briskly and put my bag on the foyer table as I came in the door. I went into the kitchen to see dad trying to make dinner.
“Hey, dad, ‘whatcha’ making?”
“Well,” he sighed unhappily as he lifted a lid and wrinkled his nose. “I was trying to make risotto but apparently, cooking rice isn’t as easy as it sounds.”
I stifled a giggle.
“Well, I can make us some grilled cheese?”
“I guess if we want to eat you might have to. I can’t cook. It’s sad how much I depended on you and your mother to do everything for me.”
“Dad.” I hugged him from behind and he patted my hands. “It’s ok. I’m not that great of a cook either. We’ll work it out but, for now, grilled cheese sounds pretty good to me.”
“You always take care of me,” he said softly.
“It’s no problem.”
I went to the fridge to grab the stuff I needed and when I turned back he was gone. So I made the sandwiches and called upstairs for him. He came down and thanked me for the sandwich but ate in easy silence. When he was done he washed his plate and then took mine from me to wash as well. Then he smiled and kissed my forehead.
“Night. Sleep tight.”
“Goodnight, dad.”
I then made my way upstairs, feeling lots of aches in my legs and back. My head pulsed with a headache so I took a scalding shower, placing my new bracelet on the sink, and waited for Caleb to get here so he could take it all away.
He came up and climbed in the window I’d left open almost as soon as I sat down in my chair. I ran to the window to greet him. He dropped his bag to the floor and pulled me into a feet-off-the floor hug. I moaned out loud as my face rubbed his neck and it eased every pain away. He chuckled.
“Me too,” he whispered.
He cupped my chin and pulled my face up to kiss him. His lips were eager but soft as he kissed my mouth and his arms enveloped me. The warm sensation spread from my lips to my face and neck. I finally pulled away and felt a ping of cold at the loss.
“Can we go to bed now? I’m just so ready to lay down with you,” I pleaded.
“Yeah,” he said firmly, like it was his idea.
This time he pulled off his jeans and stayed in his boxers leaving his t-shirt on. I giggled inside as I compared him to Chad, mentally putting up a wall to block him hopefully, first, of course. Chad’s legs were skinny and really hairy. Caleb’s were thicker and tan with some hair but not too much. The short view of his hips I had showed the same similarities. Where Caleb was more bulky and tan, Chad was skinnier and hairy. I have to say I was enjoying the change up.
We laid down after I put in Robin Hood, the one with Russell Crowe, on my little TV sitting on my dresser. I practically threw myself over him to lie on his chest as he wrapped his arm around me. He sighed several times as he ran his fingers through my hair and down my arm.
“You like Robin Hood?” he asked.
“I like all the Robin Hood movies, even men in tights.”
“Really,” he laughed. “That’s an odd girl choice.”
“I’m an odd girl,” I sighed.
“You’re not odd. You’re just different, in a good way.”
I smiled and nestled in closer.
“So, how did it all go with your dad today?
“Good. We got the family helping us try to figure something out. Try to see what it is that Marcus is doing.” I nodded. “Today was almost unbearable,” he admitted into my hair.
“Yeah, it wasn’t fun,” I said and wondered if he ached the way I had. “And I have to work tomorrow too.”
“Mmm,” he groaned. “What time do you go in?”
“Same,” I sighed.
“Well, we’re definitely testing the limits of our separation aren’t we?” he said wryly. “Maybe we can see a movie or something after you get off. If you want to.”
“Yeah,” I said through a yawn, feeling utterly loose and at peace after spending the last few hours in complete knots.
“Great. Go to sleep, Maggie,” he ordered softly.
“Ok. Thanks for staying with me so I can sleep. I felt better this morning than I ever have, I think.”
He kissed my forehead.
“There’s nowhere else I want to be.”
And I fell asleep before he even finished his sentence.
The next day was pretty similar. It was horrible saying goodbye to him that morning knowing I wouldn’t see him until after work again, my veins protesting at the thought. He kissed me as we said goodbye and it was borderline painful. He tried to pull away and I reached around his neck to keep him there. He gro
aned a little against my lips so I didn’t think he was complaining but, he had to go and I had to start getting ready for work so I pulled from him and licked my lips as if to keep the taste of him.
“Miss you already,” he declared gruffly.
“I can’t wait for tonight.”
“Me either. Have a good day at work.”
I nodded and that seemed to be enough to release me and he took off out the window as I ran to get ready.
I made sure to grab my bracelet before heading down and went slowly through my coffee and breakfast routine. Dad was MIA. Washing clothes in the basement I assumed as I heard the steady bang of the washer against the wood slats. I shook my head at him but smiled at the same time.
I got to work and it was pretty busy already so I got right to it. The hours flew by in unheard of fashion and soon I was clocking out with aching legs and a pounding behind my eyes. I longed for Caleb and knew I would see him in a few minutes had my fingers twitching with anticipation.
When I checked my phone in my purse, I had a text.
Sorry. So, so sorry. I can’t make it tonight for movie. Helping my dad with some important stuff, but I’ll come later tonight and climb through your window, Juliet, if you’ll still have me?
My heart plummeted. As I waved to everyone and walked through the revolving door, I sat on the bench outside, not wanting to go home yet.
Though I was disappointed, I understood that I wasn’t the only thing in his life, just like he wasn’t mine- hello, I’d just spent all day at work- and texted back.
It’s ok. And you can climb through my window anytime, Romeo. Can’t wait.
I waited and leaned back on the bench feeling the effects of not being with Caleb all day starting to dominate my thoughts. I felt more tired and my back was starting to feel crampy. It was amazing how this worked. It sucked but it was amazing.
My phone dinged with a message.
You’re an angel. I promise to make it up to you. Can’t wait to see you. Be there after 10:00 with a snack :)
I stood, threw my phone into my bag and almost ran into someone.
Kyle.
“Hey,” he said with a hand to steady me on my arm.
“Hey,” I said and pulled away gently. “I’m just getting off.”
“I know. I hoped I’d catch you before you got home.”
I looked at him quizzically. “Caleb sent me to watch out for you.” Now I knew that was a flat lie and gave him a look that said so. He recanted. “Ok. He didn’t send me but I knew he was gone so I figured I’d come keep you company.”
“How do you know he’s gone?”
“Because he’s with my dad. All the men, including Caleb- if you want to call him that, are meeting tonight to discuss you.”
“Me?” I said, my voice entirely too high.
“Yep. You. Apparently they are going to sneak onto the Watson compound and try to find out something about the echoling.”
“Watson? Is that what Marcus is?”
“Yep.”
Then I really heard what he said.
“Wait. They’re going to sneak into the compound? You mean their house right?”
“Yeah.”
“So, Caleb is off sneaking into a rival clan’s house right now with who knows what kinds of abilities these guys have.”
“Pretty much.”
“You’re not worried?” I asked in question to his easy tone.
“It’s not my concern,” he spat. “At least that’s what I was told when I asked to go. But only those who have ascended are allowed at these meetings and since I’m most definitely not ascended, I was told to stay put.”
“But Caleb isn’t ascended either.”
“No, but he’s close enough,” he said kicking the bench with the toe of his shoe.
I felt sick. Knowing Caleb didn’t have his abilities yet but was breaking into a place where they had plenty of people who did and all because of me. All because some guy threatened me. I was sick thinking about what could happen to Caleb and his family. My hands trembled with wanting to call him but I didn’t think that was a good idea.
An image of him sneaking behind someone and his phone ringing, alerting them to his presence, played over in my head.
“So anyway, since he abandoned you- because I knew he was supposed to take you to the movies tonight- I figured I’d come save you,” he said and winked.
“Kyle,” I said softly. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why? Because I’m in love with you?” he spouted bluntly and I almost choked.
“Yes.” I started to step away. “I’m just gonna go home, ok?”
“Maggie. I’m not gonna do anything about it, ok? It’s useless. It’s not like I could actually steal you from him. Please? You’re still my friend aren’t you?”
“Yes, but I-” I sighed. “I don’t think Caleb would like it if we hung out.”
“He can’t tell you who to hang out with. Are you saying he doesn’t trust you?” he said snidely.
“He doesn’t trust you,” I countered.
He grimaced.
“Come on, Mags. You have to know I’d never hurt you. Look.” He stepped back another step. “If you don’t want to that’s fine, I’ll just walk you home and head to mine, but I’d like to do something. I won’t say anything remotely in the same ballpark as flirting and I’ll keep at least three feet between us. Promise.”
He smiled angelically and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Kyle. It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just...I don’t want you to be uncomfortable and I don’t want me to be either. I miss hanging out with you and I want to still be your friend, I do, but we can’t be anything more than that. I love-” I stopped and his eyes widened in horror but he quickly contained his expression to blankness. He knew I was about to say I loved Caleb. “I will never do anything to hurt Caleb,” I rephrased.
“Ok. Ok. I understand and I agree. I mean, he was my best friend.” He shook his head looking tired and sad. “We used to spend every weekend and summer together.” He screwed up his lips. “I don’t want to hurt him either.”
“Ok.” I smiled. “Then yes. We can do something but I’d like to change first.”
I motioned to my outfit.
“It’s ok. We don’t have to see a movie. We can go to the park. You can push me on the swing.”
I laughed. When Chad and I were together and we all used to hang out as a group, we used to go there and play around at night. There’s a couple big playgrounds and a bridge over the lake, lots of huge oak trees. It was a good place to play Spotlight. Which is hide and seek with flashlights, if you didn’t know.
I nodded to him.
“Ok.”
He grinned and waved his hand, dramatically bowing for me to lead the way. We walked the few streets over to the park as he told me about the meetings Caleb was attending. They were called Rite gatherings. Every male that had ascended from the clan attended on a monthly basis. They scheduled the meetings on a different day every month so other clans wouldn’t get any ideas about ambushing or attacking the ones left behind.
They discussed the company, the school, family issues or events, safety measures. It was the only time that everyone was together. And tonight, they were discussing me. I felt even sicker.
I couldn’t stop the worrying for Caleb as I listened. If something happened to him-
I groaned involuntarily. Kyle sighed beside me.
“Don’t think about him. I thought we went over this.”
“I can’t help it. You told me he’s in danger, because of me, no less. What else am I supposed to do?”
“I didn’t say he was in danger. I said he was sneaking.” He looked at me and smiled. “He didn’t tell you did he?”
“Tell me what?” I said confused at why he would be smiling at a time like this.
He chuckled.
“So modest, our Caleb. Our clan, the Jacobson clan, is famous. We are the most powerful clan in
Virtuoso history. When we ascend, our abilities are way more useful and powerful than most clans. They fear us.”
“Marcus didn’t seem to fear you, or me,” I muttered.
“That’s because we haven’t ascended yet. Think about it. They’ve had an echoling this whole time. Now granted, that’s pretty powerful but it’s usually unheard of in other clans. The last one I’ve ever known about was my great, great grandfather. So they’ve had this powerful weapon this whole time and were too scared to use it. They knew they didn’t have the other resources for an attack so why bother? Once you ascend, they won’t mess with you either. They are using it to their advantage right now. They have lame abilities like changing things from one color to another and talking to animals.”
I felt some better at his words but still didn’t understand everything.
“Caleb told me his parent’s abilities, and I know about your parents and Gran but what about everyone else?”
“Well, I have an uncle who can see into the future, only fifty seconds, but still.” I gaped at him but he went on. “His wife can see someone’s past. My other aunt can recognize any herb, spice, plant, tree or weed and know exactly what to do with it. She can tell you what plant will cure a fever then turn around and make the most wicked quiche you’ve ever had. She’s awesome. And then her husband can make anything grow. Like right then, he can make a tree bud grow to a full size tree right before your eyes. It’s amazing. When we were kids, he would make vines chase us across the yard.” He laughed. “And then I have this cousin...”
He smiled and laughed and I couldn’t help but notice the affection and pride he had for his family as he continued to explain everyone’s abilities. I could see what they meant by the abilities complimenting each other when you were significants. All the married members of his family’s abilities went hand in hand with each other. I found myself being anxious and a little giddy at thinking about what Caleb and my abilities would be. Then I started thinking about Caleb again and the ache in my legs and arms got worse.
We made it to the park and sat on the swings. I laughed as he kept going higher than me in a silent challenge. We walked over the bridge and he told me that he was looking forward to getting to college and wondered if Caleb had talked me into going yet. I glanced at him curiously and he just smiled and shrugged saying he knew his cousin.