Gifted a Second Chance at Life

Chapter 11

The back door flew open as Callie, Mark, and Maya approached the exterior kitchen door. Rosemary already had her arms outstretched to take Maya from Mark as they entered the kitchen. Maya giggled as she transferred to her grandmother’s arms, and Callie tugged her coat off her.

“Mark, I saw your SUV was still outside this morning. I hope everything was alright last night,” Rosemary said as she deposited Maya on a stool at the kitchen island and gave her a sausage link.

Mark gave her a sheepish grin as he removed his coat and said, “Everything is fine. Callie finally came to her senses and accepted my job offer. She will start work as a hostess for the lodge restaurant on Monday. We were discussing the details until Callie fell asleep. Unfortunately, she fell asleep leaning on me. I didn’t have the heart to wake her, so I slept sitting up on the sofa last night.”

“I am so sorry about that,” Callie said as she hung their coats by the door. “I really am.”

Rosemary laughed as she opened the oven and removed a sheet of biscuits. “Some things never change. I remember the two of you doing that several times over the years. Each time Callie fell asleep, you refused to move because you didn’t want to wake her up.”

“Uuugh! I can’t believe you brought that up,” Callie said as her cheek reddened. “It’s not like I planned on falling asleep last night or any other time.”

“Callie,” Rosemary said as she placed the biscuits in a basket. “All it means is that you are tired and comfortable with Mark. That’s a good thing. It is also a good thing that you accepted the job offer. It's perfect for you until you are hired at the school in the fall.”

“That is exactly how I feel about it,” Mark said, smiling at Callie before turning to her mother. “OK, Rosemary. Tell us what you need help with. I’m starving, and I am willing to work for food.”

“You’re sweet, but everything is pretty well finished. You and Callie can set the table if you like. Then help me put the food on the table,” Rosemary said with a smile.

“That works for me,” Callie said as she went to the cabinet and took out a stack of plates. She turned to see Mark collecting the needed silverware from the drawer and stepping behind her. Callie giggled, “Are you following me?”

“Yes,” Mark grinned. “But in my defense, this is a kitchen, and there are only so many ways we can do this he said as they sat the places at the small table in the kitchen's breakfast nook.

John came into the kitchen with his cat Peaches tucked under his arm. He looked back and forth between Callie and Mark. John did not miss that they wore the same clothing they had been wearing the day before. John fixed his eyes on Mark as he sat at the table, still holding the cat in his arms.

“Mark, did your SUV break down last night?” John asked. “I couldn’t help but notice it was here all night.”

“Uh,” Mark gulped as he pulled at his collar. “No, sir. Last night, Callie and I were discussing her new job as a hostess at the lodge, and she fell asleep leaning on my shoulder. I didn’t have the heart to wake her, so I slept sitting up on the sofa with Callie sleeping while leaning on my shoulder.”

John shook his head and chuckled. “It’s good to see things haven’t changed between you two.” John lifted Peaches and hugged her, kissing her head before saying, “Just like this one trying to murder me by tripping me on the stairs this morning. She claims to love me, but she tries to murder me several times a week.”

“I think you might want to see if Mom and Peaches have a secret life insurance policy on you,” Callie laughed as she and Mark helped move breakfast to the table. “If Peaches trips you on the stairs, it would be ruled an accident, and Peaches would get unlimited catnip mice for the rest of her life.”

“Tripping over that cat is how your father sprained his ankle,” Rosemary said as she lifted Maya from the stool and sat her down to pick a chair at the table. “I have said for years that Peaches secretly has it out for him, but he loves her too much to see it.”

“That is why I pick her up and carry her so much of the time,” John said as he sat the cat on the floor. She meowed and fell over on her side before rolling onto her back and purring. “That and because she loves it.”

Callie helped Maya into the seat between her and Mark and began to fill her plate. When she finished, she said, “Mark, I think you were beginning to explain what I needed to wear as a hostess for the lodge when I fell asleep on you. Can you tell me again what I need to add to my wardrobe?”

“During the day, nothing too fancy. Nice sweaters and blouses paired with dark jeans, slacks, or skirts are fine. For shoes, I do not expect heels most of the time. Flats and low heels are fine. You can even wear boots if you like. For exclusive bookings, you will need to match the theme or atmosphere of the party or event. That does not mean that if it is a costume party, I expect you to wear one. You can do that if you like, but it is not required. If it is formal, you need to match the level of formality. I understand that expense and will cover the cost of gowns,” Mark explained.

“Oh,” Callie said as her shoulders slumped.

“Is something wrong, Callie?” Mark asked, making a mental note of her body language.

“No. Not really. I have a teacher’s wardrobe. Most of it comes from thrift stores and secondhand shops. My dressy sweaters have pumpkins or reindeer on them. I’m not sure if I even own one that is a solid color that isn’t nearing neon. Everything I own is tough and serviceable, and most of it has at least one stain of some kind on it. None of it will work for the job,” Callie sighed.

“Then let me take you shopping today. I can guide you through what will be the most appropriate and what repels stains. You won’t have the same risk of wearing food as one of the servers, but it is still possible,” Mark offered.

Callie frowned at him before she looked at Maya, happily enjoying her breakfast. She began calculating her savings and what it might cost to buy the necessary clothing. She could do it, but she felt guilty about spending that amount of money on herself.

She tried to smile as she said, “You can just give me a list of stores. I’m sure you have work at the lodge waiting for you.”

“No. I took care of everything days ago, and if there are any emergencies, they can be handled by the managers. That’s what I pay them for, and I pay them well to do it,” Mark grinned. “Let me do this for you. Please.”

Callie pursed her lips, saying, “But what about wanting to work on the kids’ menu with Mom today?”

“We can do that another day,” Rosemary insisted. “It will give me a chance to pull up the full menu the lodge offers and decide what might work best with it. You know, have a kid-friendly version of some of the grown-up entrées. You kids have fun today, and if you want, I will watch Maya while you shop.”

“You deserve to treat yourself, Pumpkin,” John said as he took his daughter’s hand. “Besides, this is for work. It isn’t like you are buying things you know you won’t wear. Let Mark help you find what you need. You are starting over, so make this one of the steps to do that.”

Callie nodded her agreement and asked, “Maya? Do you want to go shopping with Mommy and Mark today or stay here and cook with Grandma?”

“Stay with Grandma!” Maya giggled as she swung her legs.

“It sounds like you and I are going shopping, Callie Cat,” Mark grinned.

“We are shopping on one condition,” Callie said.

Mark raised an eyebrow and asked, “What’s that?”

“We go to all the thrift and secondhand stores in town before we go to the bigger stores,” Callie said as she leaned back in her chair and folded her arms over her chest.

“I think that is a great idea,” Mark chuckled. “Now, eat so we can get cleaned up and get going.”

Callie didn’t say anything. She just smiled as she returned to her breakfast. Callie hated the idea of shopping for so much, but thrifting before the major shopping felt like a small win for her. Right now, the way her life was going, she would take that.