Callie's Gift

by T. J. Jones

  "Go home to your own damn place, I can take care of myself." Eliot grabbed his winter coat. It was gray with a fur collar and hung down to his knees. The gun was well hidden. He knew the event was outside and didn't expect to have any trouble getting close. He got in his old plumbing van and checked his reflection. There were no windows in the old service truck, but just in case he had piled a wheelbarrow, some rakes, and a shovel over the top of the bags of fertilizer. The detonation device was well hidden behind his seat. He smiled, hoping that the four who had broken his ribs would be at the house.

  Eliot drove to the north side of Dinkytown, where Billy's party house was located. It looked subdued, but there were several vehicles parked along the street, and all the lights were on. He drove into the alley around the back, turned his lights off, and pulled as close to the back of the building as he could. He pulled out his phone, using the light to be sure the timer was set properly. He wanted it to go off right after the rally, after he had evened his score with Ozzy Marsh. He got out of the van, locked it, and started the walk to the University. By the time he reached the grounds it was pitch dark. He walked up to the Law building, the entry of which was well lit. A small crowd stood around, listening to a councilman tell everyone what a wonderful person Oswald Marsh was. There were two uniformed police officers standing a hundred feet away, posted there in case of trouble with protestors. They were relaxed, talking and laughing, and Eliot knew they wouldn't have time to stop him. He could feel the weight of the gun on his side, and he smiled. Eddie wouldn't make fun of him again, not after this.

  Callie stood twenty feet to the right of Danielle. They both scanned the crowd, trying to spot anything that might signal trouble. Callie caught movement on her right and glanced in that direction. Eliot Nucci! She remembered his threats the night he'd been beaten. It had to be him. He recognized her and she saw the quick look of panic cross his face. She tried to stay calm, to keep him from reacting.

  "Eliot, how are you? Are you here to heckle Ozzy? I wouldn't blame you a bit. He'll be speaking soon. I'll help you, I don't like that asshole either." Eliot paused. He didn't want to hurt the little blond girl, she was the one who had stopped them from kicking him that night. Then he had an idea.

  "Hi there, little lady. You must have me confused with my brother, my name's Eddie."

  "Wow, you look so much alike, you must be…"

  "Twins, yeah, Eliot and I are identical twins." In the heart beat it took Callie to realize what that meant, Eliot saw it in her face. He yanked the gun from under his coat and lifted it shoulder high, pushing through the crowd.

  "Eliot, Stop." Callie screamed as loudly as she could, hoping somehow her voice was enough. But whatever power she had used on the muggers was useless. She did the next best thing. "Gun, gun!" She screamed it at the top of her lungs. The small crowd of people instantly turned into a frenzied mob, running from an enemy only a few had seen. They bolted in every direction, pushing each other, falling over on another, then getting up to run again. Callie was knocked to the ground, half dazed for a second. Suddenly, a force, unlike anything she had ever felt from the Sisters, entered her head. It ordered her into action. "Run!" It said. "Run!" She tried to fight it, hoping to somehow stop Eliot. But the voice thundered in her head, and before she knew it, she was sprinting away. She ran away from the crowd, to the side of the building where it was dark, then fell to the ground, pinned by some undeniable force that had pushed its way into her mind. Vaguely she heard two gunshots, then more screaming.

  Eliot pushed his way past the torrent of people and spotted Ozzy. He was only fifteen feet away, an easy shot in the basement. Eliot raised his gun, taking dead aim at his target. Someone bumped into him and he paused, relocating his target, knowing he had to hurry.

  Ozzy saw Eliot raising his gun and he ducked to his left. Natalie was there, confused and moving toward him, her back to Eliot. Ozzy reached out and grabbed the front of her dress, gripping tightly as he pulled her toward him, between himself and Eliot. Eliot fired twice, rapidly. The first bullet missed completely, careened off the sidewalk and pierced the glass door of the Law Building's entrance. The second struck Natalie Clark in the spine, boring through her heart as it expanded and lodged in the fleshy part of Ozzy's side. Natalie fell, dead before she reached the ground. Ozzy let her go, turned and fled. Eliot had the briefest of moments to realize what he had done before Danielle's right fist collided with the back of his neck, sending him and the 9mm spiraling to the ground. It was over before the two cops had even drawn their guns, and Danielle quickly disappeared, running with the last of the panicking crowd.

  She found Callie on her knees, struggling to get up. She pulled her up by the arm and yelled for her to run. "I have to go back, Natalie's there, Eliot!" Danielle pulled again but Callie continued to fight with her.

  "Callie, we have to go. There's a bomb, but I don't know where, we could be standing on it, we have to run." Callie stared at her stupidly, still trying to back away. Danielle used her open hand, before Callie could discern what she intended. She hit Callie hard across the side of her head, not nearly the blow that had rendered Eliot unconscious, but enough. Then she flipped the limp girl over her shoulder and ran as fast as she could. When she reached the main street, she rolled Callie off her shoulder and tried to rouse her. Behind her, blocks away, she heard the huge roar of the explosion that leveled Billy Ricks' party house and killed five people.

  Chapter 23

  Elliot Nucci stared at the floor for a long minute, then looked up at his brother. Eddie was crying, which made Eliot feel even worse than he already did.

  "Jesus Eliot, it would have been bad enough if you'd killed that Ozzy guy, he kind of had it coming. But you shot the girl, Eliot, you shot your girl. What kind of man are you?" Eliot put his head down and began to cry too, he couldn't take it. Eddie was right. Eddie started calling for the guard. Eliot knew he couldn't bear to look at him, and he didn't blame him a bit.

  Sargent Kimble flipped a page on his report. Officer Jackson looked at him curiously. "What's with all the yelling? Isn't that the guy that took a shot at the Marsh kid last night, ended up killing his girlfriend instead?"

  "Yeah, and they're pretty sure he nuked that house too. Why?"

  "Well who's he talking to? His lawyer can't be here this early."

  "He's probably talking to his brother again, twin brother, I think."

  "But Sarge, he can't have visitors this time of the morning, can he? Not before his lawyer." The Sargent sighed and looked over the top of his glasses.

  "I said he's talking to his brother, I didn't say he was back there. The guy's got a screw loose. His brother's been dead for six years, I read the whole report on it. Far as I know they never caught whoever did that one."

  *****

  "Callie, Callie, wake up." Danielle put a wet hand towel on Callie's forehead. She was sure it wasn't her doing, wrong side, but the blonde had a bruise on her cheek and around her left eye. Callie flipped the compress from her face, onto the floor, sitting up quickly.

  "Nat's dead, isn't she?"

  "Yeah, I'm afraid she is. It was supposed to be Ozzy." Callie closed her eyes, absorbing that information.

  "So, Teresa was going to let that nut job shoot Oz? And you knew? The Sisters knew that Eliot was that dangerous? Why wouldn't you just stop him for Christ's sake. You let it all play out, hoping Ozzy would get shot?"

  "I didn't know Callie, I promise you. I knew Ozzy was the target, but nothing about the shooter. I was supposed to let him kill Ozzy, and get you to go along with it, convince you to let fate take care of Oz. It was his destiny to get shot, not hers. Teresa wanted to see if you were willing to let it happen, but I knew you wouldn't. That's why I tried to stop it, I knew you would hate me if I didn't." Callie was sitting up slowly, glaring at Danielle. The tall woman dropped her eyes. "I'm told Oz is extremely dangerous Callie, or will be."

  "And how dangerous was Natalie? She was just a sweet, abused girl, looking for
anybody that really loved her. How the hell does killing her fit into your grand scheme of things!"

  "It doesn't Callie. I'm sorry. I swear to you, I swear I didn't know that might happen, it was supposed to be Oz." Danielle handed the compress back to Callie. "Your mother called. Your phone said Mom, so I answered it. I lied. I told her you were fine, that you weren't even involved. She wants you to come home."

  "Can you give me a ride to the dorm. Someone should be there, in case Nat's grandmother shows up, or maybe the cops."

  "Callie, you shouldn't be alone right now. "

  "Okay, I can walk, no big deal." Callie wouldn't raise her head, she slipped into her shoes.

  "No, I'll give you a ride." Callie sat quietly in Danielle's car until they reached the dorm. As she reached for the door handle Danielle spoke. "There's something I have to tell you."

  "Another lie?" Callie asked coldly.

  "Truth, so help me, what I saw with my own eyes. In the split second before Eliot pulled the trigger, Ozzy dragged her in front of him. He used her as a shield, Callie. I saw it, I was just about to Eliot. I'm sorry I wasn't quicker. But that's the kind of person Ozzy is Callie. He needs to be stopped."

  "Go to hell Danielle. A sweet girl is dead. You tell Teresa this is on her and I don't plan to forget it. If I were you, I'd walk away, while you still can." She slid out of the car and walked slowly to the dorm as Danielle pulled away.

  *****

  Callie collapse onto Natalie's bed, inhaling the smell of her perfume and the faint smell of pot. She sobbed into the girls pillow for a bit, then her phone buzzed. It was Jenny. 'I'm glad you're alright, and I'm sorry about your roommate. Come home to me, I love you.' Callie smiled a little, trying to decide what to text back. Everyone around her seemed to get hurt somehow, even when it wasn't her fault. What good was seeing the future? Could she protect Jenny from this curse that seemed to follow her? She finally texted her back.

  'Natalie's dead, and part of that is my fault, I couldn't save her. I'll be home before Christmas Eve, but I need to be alone for a while. Hope you understand, I love you too.' She sent her parents a similar text, assuring them that she was okay, then she climbed back into Natalie's bed and went to sleep.

  She slept the clock around, woke up long enough to eat, then slept for another six hours. She knew she had to go home soon. The next day was Christmas Eve and she needed to be there, no matter what the circumstances. She wasn't sure if she would come back for the next semester, but she couldn't haul everything home in her car anyway. She decided to drive home late, to miss the traffic, and ate again as she watched the news. Oz was on every channel. He was the talk of the town. His story was that he had tried to pull Natalie out of the way, only to see her shot by a deranged criminal, possibly an immigrant, possibly Muslim. He said as a Congressman he would clean up the streets. He even managed to shed a few tears for the camera. Callie felt the rage boiling through her. She picked up her phone and called Danielle.

  "Callie! Are you doing alright? I've been worried, but I didn't think I should call."

  "You were right about that. So, instead of getting rid of Ozzy Marsh, you made a fucking hero out of him. Tell Teresa and the Sisters I said nice job, would you?"

  "All the more reason to get him Callie. I know you think Teresa's a monster. Some of the other members do too. She may not stay on the Elder Council. But we need you Callie. I hope you'll come back after winter break. Come back right after Christmas. If things don't work out at home, you can always stay with me for a while."

  "I keep hoping that you’re a good person Danielle. I don't know what's going to happen with Jenny. I do know I would like to bury Ozzy, literally. But right now, I'm just tired of it all. I'm driving home tonight."

  "I could give you a ride to your car. I can pick you up whenever you like. It'll be late before you get home if you have to take transit up there. I'm sure I owe you one."

  "That's true, you did knock my ass out. Alright. Truce for now."

  *****

  Callie pulled into her hometown at eleven that night. She wanted to see Jenny. If they were going to be together, she had to tell her everything. She didn't truly believe that she was cursed, but even if that were true, Jenny was her best shot at being happy. She would give her the necklace, then tell her how much she loved her. She pulled up in front of Jenny's house and saw that Chester's car was in the driveway. Her heart plummeted. She remembered her painting, and on cue a soft snow began to fall. She climbed out of her car and started walking toward the front door. The living room lights were on and she could see them, dancing slowly in front of the Christmas tree. As she stood there, Travis leaned forward slightly and kissed Jenny softly on the cheek.

  Callie backed slowly to her car. Somewhere in her head she thought she heard Greg Johnson's laughter. She had been so close to having what she wanted. She sat in her car, trying to make it alright in her head. Travis and Jenny were destined to be happy together, that was the thing. The Sisters had seen that. Callie might be able to take Jenny, keep her for a while, but eventually she would end up with Travis anyway. Callie looked down at the small package in her hand and dropped it into her glove box. She had to let them be together. It was Christmas, and she would let Jenny have her destiny. That would be her gift to the girl she loved.

  Epilogue

  Callie stepped out of the shower and toweled herself dry. She knew what she had to do. Jenny could be happy with Travis, she had seen that, she had seen grandchildren. She would have to explain things to her eventually, but for now, she just wanted to run. She would go back to the Cities, stay with Danielle, commit to the Sisters. As bad an option as that seemed, watching Jenny fall in love with someone else would be worse. That seemed to be her life, choosing the option that hurt the least. She wondered again, if that was all she deserved.

  She knew she would have to wait until after Christmas to leave. She couldn't do that to Jenny or her parents. Her phone buzzed again, a text from Jenny. The texts had started early and Callie assumed her mother had let Jenny know she was back. She couldn't imagine how hard it would be telling Jenny her plans to move to the Cities permanently, and that she may or may not be back for Easter. But Danielle was right. If she couldn't be happy here, she could at least do some good in the world. People like Ozzy and his Dad had to be stopped, and people like Natalie deserved to be revenged. She would do whatever it took to make that happen.

  She threw on her sweats. Telling her Mom and Dad wouldn't be much easier than telling Jenny, but it was time to face them. Her Dad would already be at work, she could go to the hardware later. She knew her mother would be where she always was at this time of day, sitting at the kitchen table, reading the Tribune or the Times. She walked quietly down the stairs and into the kitchen. As expected her mother sat at the table, half a pot of coffee sitting in the brewer. Callie grabbed a cup and filled it, then sat across from her mother. She glanced up at her.

  "Morning Callie. I would have said Sunshine, but you look like hell."

  "Brutally honest as always, Mom."

  "You've been through a lot, you're not going to bounce right back from all that. I'm so sorry about your friend Natalie. It was horrible what happened to her. Honestly, you are as beautiful as you always are, but you do look stressed." Callie took a sip of her coffee, trying to decide how to proceed.

  "I think, right after Christmas, I'm going to go back to town. I have a lot going on down there. And if I'm going to be there for another three years, I have to commit. I'll probably stay down there more too, not come home as much. I don't think I'll work at the hardware next summer, maybe I'll find a job in Minneapolis."

  "Your father will be disappointed Callie, he loves having you there. But I get it, kids leave the nest, that's part of being a parent. You just try to make a better life for your children, and hope you give them what they need to be happy."

  "I just think, maybe I can make a difference down there, maybe do some real good."

  "That's great. Bu
t don't forget, you deserve to be happy too. If it's what you really want, then great. But is it? Is this what you really want?" Callie fought the impulse, but she began to tear up. Her phone buzzed noisily. She glanced at it, then turned it off.

  "I think Jenny and Travis are getting together. I'm happy for them, they're both really great people, and they will have a wonderful life together. But I can't stay and watch that." She felt the rush of emotion and realized she was crying. She stood up wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. "I'm sorry Mom, I have to go upstairs." She plunged through the doorway of the kitchen, her eyes clouded, intent on reaching the stairs to her room. She started to walk quickly up the steps, then heard her mother's voice.

  "Stop, Callie, stop right now." It was like she slammed into an invisible wall. She stood, frozen, suddenly aware of how loud her breathing sounded. Her mother's voice, the whisper that had stopped her, the whisper that was as loud as a cannon going off in her head, had been just that. It had not been audible. It had been a voice in her head. She turned and walked back to the opening into the kitchen, leaning weakly against the door frame. She stared at the woman in front of her. This was the woman she thought she knew for eighteen plus years, the woman she had once thought was plain, and a little simple.

  "You?" Was all she could get out. Her mother motioned for her to sit, and Callie slumped into her chair. She was numb, unable to even form the myriad of questions that tumbled through her mind. Finally, she shook her head a bit. "Well, this explains a lot. Does Dad know?"

  "Of course, Callie, you can't keep something like this from the people you love, at least not forever. I had hoped you might outgrow it, but that's not what happened. You've only grown stronger. I wasn't sure how to approach it, after hiding for so long." Callie suddenly realized that if her mother's abilities were like her own, which was a safe assumption, then she must know everything, every horrible thing that her daughter had done.