Calling Out by Rae Meadows

Author:Rae Meadows
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: M P Publishing Limited
Published: 2003-03-12T05:00:00+00:00

*

McCallister calls as I am draped across Ember on the couch, my feet in her lap. It was daytime when we arranged ourselves; no one bothered to turn on the lights as it sank into dusk.

“So how was it?” McCallister asks.

“How was what?” I ask, my pulse quickening. “Your date.”

“Oh. Fine. It was okay.”

“Are you going to see this mystery guy again?” “Probably not,” I say.

McCallister lets my evasiveness go without comment.

A salt truck rumbles outside and swallows his words. “What?” I ask.

“Maria has decided to paint the apartment in varying shades of red. What do you think about that?” he asks. “Do you think it’s some kind of statement?”

“We won’t be able to hang out like this if I go to

Moab,” Ember says.

“What?” McCallister asks.

“That’s Ember,” I say.

“You haven’t answered my question,” he says. “Here’s a question,” I say. “How come you call me so much when another woman is painting your walls?” “Go Jane,” Ember says, squeezing my foot. “Because we’re friends,” McCallister says, his voice wounded and whiny at the same time. “Friends talk, they ask advice, they laugh together. Are you saying we’re not friends?”

I don’t say anything.

“I don’t like talking to you when other people are around,” he says.

My toughness recedes. The thought of his calling my bluff, withdrawing from me, leaves me feeling frightened and ill-equipped.

“I think red might look all right,” I say, backing down. “I don’t think it has to mean you’re losing your identity or anything.”

“But it might make me look sallow,” he says. “What’s he saying?” Ember asks.

“Something about his complexion,” I say.

“He’s such a girl,” she says.

“What?” McCallister asks.

“Nothing,” I say.

“Okay. I guess red it is. Might spice it up a bit in here.

I’ll call you later, Jane. I like it better when I get you all to myself,” he says.

“Don’t pout,” I say. I hang up and let the phone fall to the carpet. It’s all the way dark. I sit up next to Ember.

“I have something to tell you,” I say. Ember’s eyes glow in the streetlight shining through the window.

“Meet the newest Utah escort.”

“Jane!” she says, grasping my hands between hers. “We’re so the same.”

When I look up, it takes me a moment to notice Ford leaning in the doorway in the dark. I don’t know how long he’s been there but by his crossed arms and the slight shaking of his head, I know he has heard enough.

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