After Midnight Read online

  Linda smiled at me and gave me her big sister look.

  “All I have ever wanted for you, Caleb, is that you are happy,” Linda told me.

  “I know,” I told her. “You’ve made it your mission since we were kids.”

  “Someone had to look after you,” she said to me. “Mom and Dad certainly didn’t make it a priority to watch for either of us. Besides, you turned out okay,” she said with a laugh.

  “You did too,” I said to her.

  “So, when do I get to meet her?” Linda asked me pointedly.

  “Linda, it’s not like we’re really dating or anything. I have seen her at the diner a bunch of times, and we went for a run this morning and…” I almost let it slip about the kiss, but I held back.

  “And what?” Linda said, jumping up from the ground. “There’s something more, Caleb. You’re holding out on me. Spill it.”

  I stood up, brushing some of the dirt from my jeans and started walking towards the house. Linda followed quickly behind me as I opened the screen door and went into the kitchen.

  Adam was sitting in the kitchen having a sandwich when he saw me walk in with Linda close behind me. I opened the fridge and stuck my head in hoping to kill some time, but Linda would not give up.

  “What happened, Caleb?” Linda said relentlessly.

  “What’s going on?” Adam chimed in as he wiped sandwich crumbs from his face.

  “Your Dad went for his run with Sarah this morning, and something happened,” Linda said, standing with her hands on her hips.

  I closed the refrigerator door, grabbing a bottle of water out first. I took a slow sip while Adam and Linda both watched me like hawks.

  “What happened, Dad?” Adam said, now turning to face me.

  “Great, now I have two of you,” I said, sitting down in one of the chairs. Linda grabbed a seat next to Adam so they could both stare at me. “I’m sorry I ever mentioned anything,” I said aloud.

  “We’re just curious, Caleb,” Linda said to me. “It’s not often we get any information about what’s going on with you, you know. This is a real treat,” she snickered.

  “Look, we went for our run, had a good time, and we came back here for some water, and… well… we kissed a little… I can’t believe I’m even telling you this. It’s none of your business, either of you,” I said pointing at the co-conspirators.

  “You kissed?” Linda yelled. “Caleb, that’s…” Linda then tempered her enthusiasm. “That’s very nice. I’m happy for you.”

  “Can we be done with this now?” I asked, feeling exasperated.

  “Are you going to ask her out now, Dad?” Adam asked me.

  “Since you’ve kissed, it might be nice if you went out on an actual date,” Linda added.

  “We’ll see,” I told Linda and Adam. “It’s not as easy as you guys seem to think it is. Her schedule is kind of crazy… she only has off on Mondays and Tuesdays… and I’m not sure she would even say yes. To be honest, the thought of asking her out… well, it scares me a little.”

  Linda had to hold in her laugh for a bit.

  “I’m sorry, Caleb, I didn’t mean to laugh,” Linda said. “Just the thought of this woman making you nervous, knowing you have been in war zones and life-or-death situations before, is kind of funny, you have to admit.”

  “Linda, I haven’t asked anyone out for over twenty years. Figuring it all out again is a little intimidating.”

  “I can give you some pointers if you want, Dad,” Adam said. I could see the smirk on his face as he and Linda could barely contain themselves.

  “You two are a real big help.” I sipped some more of my water while Linda and Adam enjoyed the moment they were having giving me a good ribbing.

  “Seriously, Dad,” Adam said to me, “Just be yourself. You were fine last night. I could tell you were comfortable with Sarah. Just ask her to dinner, or for drinks, or coffee. Go somewhere where you can sit and talk. It will be fine.”

  “Yes, Caleb,” Linda added, “Besides, she must like you too if you were kissing. She’s obviously got some interest. “

  “Maybe I’ll ask her tonight,” I said to them as they kept watching me. “I can meet her over at the diner and ask her to do something on Monday.”

  Linda sat back and clapped her hands together.

  “This is so exciting,” Linda said, putting her arm around Adam and pulling him to her. “We should do something together tonight to celebrate.”

  “Oh, I would Aunt Linda,” Adam said, standing up from the table,” but… I have a date tonight. Ashley and I are going to the movies with a few other people.”

  “So, she has a name,” I said slyly, glad to have the spotlight off me for a change.

  “I would have introduced you to her last night, Dad, but you left before I could do it. By the way, thanks for paying for us,” Adam added.

  “You’re welcome,” I said to him. “And I would like to meet her sometime.”

  “Maybe you two can double-date sometime,” Linda said with a laugh so hard it caused her to snort.

  “Maybe we can fix you up with someone, and all go out,” I added.

  “Me?” Linda said with shock. “I don’t have time for dating. Besides, I have more fun living vicariously through you two.”

  “Well, since Adam is out, how about you and I do something, sis? Maybe another round of cards tonight?”

  “I’ll make you a deal,” Linda said to me. “We’ll play cards tonight. If I win, you take me to the diner tonight for a late dinner so I can meet Sarah.”

  “And if I win?” I asked her.

  “You can think of something,” Linda said, “but I’m not worried about it. No matter what you come up with, it doesn’t matter. You haven’t beaten me at rummy in thirty years. That’s not likely to change now,” she said with a challenge.

  Somehow, I had a feeling I was going to have a guest with me at the diner tonight.

  14

  Sarah

  I walked through the front door for the first time in days without any concern about Denise or any arguments that might erupt just from my presence. The morning I spent with Caleb had me riding on a high I didn’t want to come down from. I walked down the hall into the kitchen and saw James and Lizzie both sitting there, chatting and smiling. They turned to me as soon as I entered the room and stopped their talking.

  “Good morning,” I said with a smile and with a lilt to my voice.

  I took off my backpack and placed it on the floor next to me as I took a seat at the table. James and Lizzie looked at me, looked at each other, and then back at me.

  “You’re in a really good mood for having worked all night,” James noted.

  “I am,” I stated boldly. “I had a great night at work, and then went for an invigorating run, and now I feel awesome. Tired, but awesome.”

  “Glad to hear it,” James said, grabbing his empty glass off the table. “I’d love to stay and chat and hear all about your night, your run, and Caleb, but I need to run into the office for a bit this morning. Denise is out running a fundraiser this morning, so is it okay if Lizzie is here? I know you’ll be sleeping, but at least if she needs something you’re close by.” James looked down at me, checking out the shirt I was wearing with a puzzled look on his face.

  “It’s fine,” I said happily. “I’m happy to do it.”

  “Thanks,” James said, peeling his gaze from my shirt. “Where did you get the shirt? That’s a military issue shirt.”

  “Oh, Caleb lent it to me. The shirt I wore for our run was soaked in sweat, so he gave me a dry one to wear.” I glanced down at the shirt again, happy to have it hugging my body.

  “You went back to his place then?” James asked with some concern.

  “We were running by there anyway, and we needed a break. We had been running for a while. I went in, had some water, changed my shirt, and left.” James didn’t need to know any more than that at this point.

  “I’m just surprised you would go to hi
s place is all,” James said to me.

  “James, you really need to stop being so suspicious. There’s nothing sinister going on here. You know, I was in a good mood when I got back here. Why are you trying to take that away from me?” I shouted as I stood up from the table.

  “Hey, calm down,” James told me, putting his hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sorry. It’s just… out of character for you is all, Sarah. You’re always so guarded and cautious. I’m not used to seeing you like this.”

  “I’ll try to tone down my happiness for you,” I said as I grabbed my backpack off the floor and marched up the stairs to my room.

  Why did everything have to be such a confrontation lately whenever I walked through the door? It was almost as if James and Denise didn’t want to see me enjoying my life again. I was opening up a little more and acting different, and I think Caleb had a lot to do with that.

  I sat on the edge of my bed and kicked my sneakers off. I pulled off my socks as well and then took off the running shorts, leaving me just in Caleb’s t-shirt and my black cotton panties. I pulled the shirt over my head so I could take off the sports bra, and once I tugged it off, I was happy to pull Caleb’s shirt back on. I reached over and flipped on the ceiling fan in my room to circulate some of the air around and cool things off. I got under the top sheet and put my head on my pillow, feeling the coolness against my face and the sheet on my bare legs.

  My plans to try to drift off to sleep right away were interrupted by a knock on the door. I peeked my head up and saw Lizzie poke her head in.

  “Can I come in?” she asked me.

  “Sure,” I said to her, sitting up in my bed.

  Lizzie entered the room, closing the door behind her, and sat on the bed cross-legged right in front of me.

  “Dad left for work,” she told me. “I think he felt bad about making you upset.”

  “Don’t worry about me and your Dad,” I reassured her. “We’ll be okay. Things just seem a little tense in the house lately I guess.”

  “I wanted to say thanks for letting me come to the diner last night,” Lizzie offered. “I had a great time with everyone. Aaron even sat next to me at the table,” she said with excitement.

  “I saw that,” I said to her. “Did he say anything to you?”

  “Well, not directly, but Tori told me that he told Victor before they got there that he wanted to sit next to me. I guess that’s something.” Lizzie was twirling her hair looking at me.

  “What?” I asked her.

  “So, do you like Caleb?” she asked me, looking at the t-shirt.

  I was caught a little off-guard by her question and hesitated to answer for a moment, worried that she might let something slip to James or Denise.

  “I think I do like him,” I said to her quietly. “He’s very nice, and gentle, and sweet…”

  “He’s pretty handsome too,” Lizzie said to me with a smile.

  “Yes, he’s definitely that too,” I replied, letting out a little sigh afterward.

  “Has he asked you out yet?” she asked, coming up to sit next to me.

  “No, he hasn’t,” I told her. There was a tinge of disappointment in my voice. “But he…” I stopped myself from replying.

  “He what?” Lizzie prodded. “He gave you this shirt. Did he do something else?”

  “We did kiss a little,” I told her. I was glad to have someone to share it with, but I did worry about her parents finding out. “Lizzie, don’t mention that to your parents, please. I mean, I know I’m an adult and all, and it shouldn’t matter, but things have been weird around here. I don’t want to cause any more problems.”

  “I won’t tell, I swear,” Lizzie said. “So, what was it like? Was he a good kisser?”

  “Oh yes,” I said with a smile. Lizzie squealed a little when I said it. “He was very tender and gentle. It was wonderful.”

  “Sarah, you are so lucky,” Lizzie told me. “I wish Aaron would at least try to hold my hand. Boys are so…” Lizzie struggled to find the right word.

  “Dumb,” I told her. “Boys are dumb, Lizzie,” I said to her honestly. “Teenage boys are pretty awkward. They are slow to pick up on things, like when a girl likes them. You just have to give him time. He’ll catch on eventually, and if he doesn’t, well that’s his loss.”

  Lizzie was looking at the shirt I had on again.

  “What do those letters and numbers mean?” she asked me.

  “I’m not really sure,” I told her. “I think they have something to do with the unit he was in when he was in the Army.”

  “Are you going to keep the shirt?”

  I hadn’t really thought much about it, but I knew part of me certainly didn’t want to give it back anytime soon.

  “We’ll see,” I said to her with a grin. “Okay, I need to get some sleep,” I said to Lizzie, shooing her off the bed.

  “Okay, I’m going,” Lizzie said as she got off the bed.

  “If you need anything, come in and get me,” I said to Lizzie as I let out a yawn. I laid back down on the pillow.

  “I’ll be in my room, probably talking to Tori and Becky, listening to music or something. I’ll see you later.” Lizzie left my room and shut the door.

  I climbed out of bed to close the shades and make the room a little darker, keeping out the bright sunlight so I could get some sleep.

  I would have thought that I would fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, but I didn’t. It wasn’t for lack of trying to sleep, and my body was feeling tired, but my brain didn’t want any part of sleep just yet. I kept flashing back to when Caleb kissed me, and then kissed me again and again, and how wonderful it felt to be in his arms, to be held like that, and to be kissed – really, sincerely kissed. Even the boys (and yes, they were boys) I had kissed in high school and in college never made me feel like this.

  Every time I closed my eyes, there Caleb was again, standing in front of me with his tight t-shirt showing off his abs, gazing at me, and then moving closer to me. Each time I thought about it, I could feel him getting closer and closer to me, pressing his body against mine so that I could feel the strength in his shoulders, his back, and everywhere on his body.

  I hadn’t felt this way about anyone in a very long time. I hadn’t let myself feel this way or even wanted to, and I think I had forgotten what it was like and now I was reacting in a big way. Beyond that, I think my heart had been avoiding it even more, but now it didn’t have a choice.

  He may be just what you need in your life, my brain was telling me.

  “I think you’re right,” I whispered as I snuggled under the sheet to try to sleep.

  15

  Caleb

  I tried hard, but just as it always was when we were kids, Linda beat me at rummy once again. We got down to playing just after Adam was picked up by his friends. Linda put some music on, we had some drinks and snacks and played cards. It came down to the last hand, and I really thought I had a chance, but somehow Linda always seemed to pull just the cards she needed to get the win. Of course, she emphasized her victory by doing a dance around the kitchen to celebrate.

  While she was dancing and crowing about her win, I glanced down at my watch and saw it was nearly 11 PM. Sarah was already on her shift at the diner, and I wanted to get over to see her. I hoped that Linda would be too tired or would have forgotten that she promised to go with me tonight if she won. Much like the card game, I had no such luck there either.

  “So, let’s head over to the diner, little brother,” Linda taunted, grabbing a light jacket to put on before we left.

  “Okay,” I said to her, sounding like a sore loser. “But you have to promise me you are not going to grill her or give her a hard time. She is at work after all.”

  “Caleb, of course, I wouldn’t do that,” Linda answered. “If anything, I am going to embarrass you and give you a hard time. Maybe I can bring one of the photo albums from when we were kids…”

  “Let’s go,” I to
ld her, taking her arm and leading her out the back door.

  Linda headed for the driveway and over to her car while I kept walking up the driveway.