CALLIOPE
“Always remember, heaven has eyes. Nothing you do is hidden from God,” the priest said as he closed his boring and uninspired service.
The only thing that had kept me amused through it was how all of the Callahans were dealing with being with the common folk in the pews. Wyatt and Helen looked completely relaxed and fine with it. Wyatt had even spoken to a few people beside him. Declan and Cora were more serious, composed, and also on guard. Darcy and Sedric looked ready to throw a punch at the next person who not so secretly took photos of them. Neal and Mina looked bored and annoyed, respectively. But the true drama queen was Ethan, though Nari was a close second. She’d even put on sunglasses and nearly snarled at anyone who came close to her. However, the pure and utter irritation that came off Ethan, despite his best efforts to keep calm, was hilarious.
When the service finally closed and Ethan stepped out, crossing himself before allowing us to come out as well. I let Gigi kneel, crossing herself before exiting. Ethan moved to go to the door, but I shook my head again, turning to point to where the herds of people were now walking.
“I thought you said we had brunch today,” he asked me tentatively.
“We do not have brunch,” I corrected, grinning. “We are serving brunch to the church today. I volunteered the family.”
He inhaled through his nose. “We do charity at the O.S. Center.”
“No, we do charity wherever there is a need for charity. Now come on, you are definitely washing your hands before getting your hair net and gloves.”
“Calliope,” he called my name again, this time his voice strained.
“Yes,” I said in the same sweet manner like I didn’t notice. Again, our eyes locked, and again, he just nodded.
“Very well, then.” He looked over at his family, who were all now gathering close. “We are serving brunch.”
“Here?” Darcy and Sedric said as if they were twins.
“We do charity wherever there is a need for charity,” he repeated my words. None of them argued, and so he shot me another glance, waiting for me to lead the way.
“It won’t be for long, I promise,” I said to them. Well, it depended on their definition of long. “Just follow everyone downstairs—”
“Calliope?”
Turning around, I came face to face with a woman with messy bangs, straight brown hair, and dull brown eyes, dressed in a cream-colored turtle neck, beige slacks, and a large wool coat of the same color, around her neck a familiar golden cross and blessed mother necklace. She stared at me wide-eyed, shock clear on her face. I hadn’t planned to meet her again like this. She wasn’t supposed to be in the states for another few weeks. However, seeing as how my grandfather wasn’t here, it was clear he knew she was back and was avoiding her as well.
“Isn’t she…” Ethan voiced trailed off.
I nodded, knowing what he wanted to ask and looked at the woman before me, “Hello, Mother.”
“Mother?” I heard Wyatt whisper behind me.
“Mommy?” Gigi tugged my hand. “Who’s that?”
I bent down in front of her, adjusting her coat. “That’s Mommy’s mommy. Remember, I told you her name is Camilla.”
“Oh, hi—” She tried to say, but I tugged her back to me.
“Sweetheart, Camilla doesn’t like us, so we can’t go close to her.”
“But she’s your mommy,” she said.
I cupped her cheek. “Remember what I said? Not all mommies are good mommies. Now go with Daddy while I speak to her.”
Gigi shook her head. Her bottom lip poked out. “I stay, Mommy.”
“If you stay with me, who’s going to help Papa?” I asked her.
Her face fell as she looked between Ethan and I. However, when she looked back at me, her little face was stern. “I stay, Mommy.”
It was only three words, but it made my heart quake. Gigi couldn’t wait to see Ethan; having her Papa was all she wanted, every morning she woke up she looked to make sure he was still there. And yet, when posed with staying with him or me, she chose to stay with me. Leaning over, I lifted her into my arms and kissed her cheeks. “Five minutes. I’ll be with you and Papa in five minutes.”
She made a face, but I had already handed her off to Ethan before she could argue. He didn’t say a word or even look at my mother. He walked off with Gigi, and the rest of them followed.