Three days later   It is the first time that I have left my room in hours. Or days. Grandpa asked me to come with him and I know he needs me. Not that I'm going to do him any good. I can't offer him comfort or support. I can't offer him anything. Instead I sit quietly beside him as he handles the arrangements. The funeral director gives me a curious look before he turns to Grandpa. “I was advised by police that it is best to have a closed casket for-” He looks down at a paper on his desk - “Wilder.” He clears his throat. “With the extent of the damage done, it is in the best interest that there are no viewings.” My whole body tenses at his words and I want to scream out in pain, but I can't. I have no more tears or sc

Fall   “It's Halloween.” Wyatt says to me, anger in his voice. “Damn it, Callie. Come on! The kids want you to come with them. Get your shit together and do this for them.” I stare at the wall, ignoring his words. Over the last few weeks his words have gone from softly spoken and sweet, to pleading, to flat out annoyed. Now, he's angry. Still, I don't respond. I have nothing to say to him. I have nothing to say to anyone. I haven't in weeks. “It's bad enough that you wouldn't go with them to get costumes. The least you could do is bring yo

“Happy Thanksgiving, freak. How's Cabo?” I ask with a laugh. “Paradise, babe. It's paradise. Tequila on the beach at night. Waking up ass naked the next morning face down in the sand. Alone. Before you get all jealous over me.” He laughs. “I'm glad you clarified because I was so jealous!” I laugh again. “I knew you would be. You know you are the only girl in my life.” He teases me. “How sad that you only have me. I know that I have too many boys to count. You're just one of many.” I tease back.

His hands are on my thigh, trying to touch me, but I close my legs as best as I can with him on top of them. I'm still pulling his hair but he's not completely moving away yet, so I take my nails and rake them down his neck. He hisses in pain. “You fucking bitch!” He takes his hand and smacks me in the face. Pain radiates behind my eye and the pain in my head feels like it might explode. I grit my teeth against the pain, letting it fuel my anger. Anger and pain consume me and I ball up my fist. With my one hand still fisted in his hair, holding his head still I ram my fist into his nose with all the strength I can manage. I am satisfied when I hear a sickening crunch. He finally moves off of me, cursing as he holds his face. The door opens and Nadine comes in the room. When she sees me half naked on the bed

I wipe at a tear in my eye, but I don't feel the sorrow I expected. I'm able to smile. I'm getting there. It's been baby steps, but I am getting there, slowly but surely. I move away from the view, walking towards the door. “Did you mean it? About me staying the night?” The words stop me in my tracks. I turn to Wyatt. “Of course.” I gesture to the gifts. “You will want to see their faces when they see these gifts of yours. Besides, seeing you in the morning will be the best gift of all.” For them, I silently add, and for me. “Okay.” He says, following me out of the room. I lock the front door and head up to my room. He follows me, going to Ricky's room. “Good night.” He says.