Chapter 13
Callyn
The next couple of weeks fly by and I got to spend more time with the guys. The more I get to know them, the more I like. They are all creeping their way into my heart. I finally got to meet all their parents and they seem nice and loving. But seeing as how my father is all I have now, I almost forget what it was like having a loving parent. Then I remember my mom and she gave me all the love I needed.
I got good at avoiding my father too, over the last couple of weeks. I only had a couple of incidents with him, and they were tame compared to his usual. I go through the routine I have when I get home from school. I make dinner, grab my stuff and hide in my bedroom, which is where I’m currently at.
I plug my headphones into my phone. I open my music app and select the playlist Lucian made for me. I haven’t really listened to the playlist they made me a few weeks ago. because they keep me busy. We hang out on the weekends, they pick me up in the mornings and drop me off after school. I haven’t needed to listen to music on the walk to and from school.
I grab my books and start to work Calculus homework. I’m in the middle of solving a problem when a catchy song starts to play. I start tapping my pencil on my notebook and bobbing my head. This song really makes me want to dance. I grab my phone and jump up from my bed. I replay the song and start dancing. I’m not particularly good at dancing, but I don’t care and no one can see me. I start to sway and move my hips. I shake my shoulders to the beat, then my butt. The song plays through, so I put the song on repeat because I want to keep dancing. I feel so carefree in this moment. I smile and giggle. Oh, if the guys could see me. The song replays a couple of times and I’m starting to catch onto the words and start to sing along.
I spin around, and my heart stops. My father is standing in my doorway. His face is furious. Oh god. I should have known better. What was I thinking? I should have never used my headphones because then I would have heard him come up the stairs. I tug on my headphones, and they fall from my ears. He looks at the phone in my hand.
“Where the hell did you get that phone? I sure as hell didn’t get that for you. There’s no way in hell I would even let you have one,” he yells. “Dancing like a whore on top of it. Who taught you to do that? Are you dancing with boys that way?”
He crosses the room in two strides and yanks the phone from my hand, turns and throws it at the wall.
“Answer me,” he screams. His breath is heavy with the stench of alcohol.
“I-I-I,” I stammer. My throat is thick with apprehension. I can’t even get the words out.
He grabs me by the arms. The grip is so tight, that I know I’ll have his handprints marking me. He shakes me.
“Why can’t you just listen. Is that too hard for you?” He shoves me, my hip hitting the edge of my nightstand. My father walks over to where my phone landed, turning back to look at me quickly before he precedes to stomp on the phone. “I’ll make sure you can never use this again.”
Please for once let this be the end. I close my eyes and silently pray, but it’s not. I hear the buckle of his belt. I open my eyes to see the belt being pulled through the belt loops of his pants. My father folds the belt in half, making his way to me. I brace, waiting for the first strike. The first hits my left side and the second hits my right. I cross my arms around my middle and hunch over. The third hits my back. It hurts so much that I scream, that earns me a fourth. I collapse to my knees, curling myself into a ball. I’m expecting another hit, but it doesn’t come. I glance up and my father is looking down at me. His chest heaving, his eyes so full of hate.
“Why do you have to look like her?” he questions, before promptly turning and walking out of my room, slamming the door shut behind him. I huddle into myself as much as I can and cry.
I cry for so long my throat hurts and my muscles are stiff from being in the same position for so long. I force myself to get up. Every muscle is protesting as I do, I hurt everywhere. I glance at my phone and gingerly make my way over and bend down. The moment I pick the phone up, the whole thing falls apart. I start to cry all over again.
∞∞∞
I crack open my bedroom door and listen for any movement. It’s quiet, eerily so. I open my door just enough that I can squeeze through. I’m careful of the floorboards that creak, as I make my way downstairs. I peek into the living room, checking to see if my father is passed out on the couch. I don’t know how many times that has happened over the years. Luckily, he’s not there, I sigh. I glance back up the stairs hoping that he is passed out in his bed and not in the bathroom. That has happened countless times over the years as well. I tiptoe to the landline phone in the living room and pause before picking it up.
Is it too late to call? I glimpse at the clock on the wall, it’s almost midnight. They are all probably in bed. I shouldn’t do this. I should just wait until tomorrow to tell the boys at school. But what if one of them have been trying to get ahold of me? Who would I even call? I start to bite my nails, the indecision is killing me. Just do it Callyn. Pick up the phone and call the first number that pops into your head. I hesitate. Why am I so worried? If they don’t answer I can leave a message. I’m going to call their cell phone anyways, that shouldn’t wake anyone else up.
Quit stalling. I pick the phone up before I can talk myself out of it. I dial Graydon’s number. Probably not my best option, seeing as how he’s so surly all the time, but he makes me feel safe. I cross my fingers and hope that he answers. On the third ring, he picks up.
“Hello,” his voice raspy from sleep.
“Graydon, it’s Callyn,” I whisper. There is a moment of silence before he says anything.
“Callyn, are you okay? What number are you calling from? Where are you?”
“I’m fine and I’m at home. This is my house phone.”
“Why are you calling me from your house phone? Why are you calling so late? What happened to your cell phone? Are you okay?”
“Um…” I hesitate to answer. Should I tell him the truth? I quickly decide against it. “I accidentally broke my phone. So, if you or one of the other guys tried to get ahold of me, that’s why I haven’t answered. I don’t know when I’ll be able to replace it. Can you let the others know?”
“Yeah, but how are we supposed to reach you until then? Can we call this number?”
“NO,” I practically shout. I wince, looking toward the stairs. I hold my breath for a moment, waiting to see if my father hears. I don’t hear anything. I clear my throat, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say it that way. You can’t call this number. If I need something, I’ll call one of you. My father…my father wouldn’t understand or approve. It’ll be better for everyone if you don’t call here.”
“Is that why you are whispering? So, he doesn’t hear you?”
“Yes.” I look back to the stairs, picturing what would happen if he caught me on the phone this late, let alone with a boy.
“Callyn, what’s going on? Don’t tell me nothing because your reaction and answers aren’t normal.”
I sigh into the phone. “There is something going on, but right now isn’t the time to talk about it. It’s late and we have school tomorrow. Plus, if I get caught,” I trail off leaving the rest unsaid.
“Fine. I’ll let it go for tonight but this conservation is far from over. I expect answers tomorrow.”
“I know.”
“Good. I’ll text the other and let them know what’s going on.”
“Thank you, Graydon.”
“Anything for you, Callie bear. Go to bed and try to get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “Goodnight.”
“Night, baby.”
I hang up the phone and tiptoe my way back to my bedroom. I quietly close my door and crawl into bed, pulling the covers up to my neck, huddling on my side. I close my eyes knowing that I’m not getting out explaining what is happening. I start to cry. I hope they don’t think less of me when they find out that my father abuses me. I cry myself to sleep dreading the morning to come.