Read Online Muse Unexpected by V. C. Birlidis - Free Book Online

you card for the money she sends you during the holidays. But, I don’t want the history I have with my mother to interfere with you being able to forge some sort of bond with her. Although she and I may not be on the best of terms, her being here says something.”
    Sophie grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. “Mom, I am so tired I don’t know what to think. All I know is … all I know is I love you, Mom. I know we haven’t been… I know I’ve… I…I…I… don’t know what I’d do if…”
    Callie moved closer to her and cradled her in her arms.
    “Shush, I know sweetie. I know.”
    Sophie rubbed her eyes. “Do you think you could sleep here tonight?”
    “You read my mind, baby.” Callie chuckled and after changing into sweat pants and a T-shirt she climbed into bed, letting out a sigh of exhausted relief. “You always had the best pillows. How did that work out? I think I’m going to have to steal a few from you.”
    “Mom, what are we going to do without him?”
    “Go on, baby. We remember and keep him in our hearts, but we go on. It’s what he would have wanted.”
    ***
    The next day, Callie woke up and noticed Sophie wasn’t there. Someone was banging around the kitchen and she sighed. Between Sophie crying in her sleep and her own tossing and turning, Callie was sure she'd gotten maybe two hours of sleep. She got up and walked down the hall into her own bathroom, closing the door behind her.
    “I look like hell.” She glanced at her swollen eyes and the dark circles and bags under them. Her head was pounding and she swallowed three ibuprofen. She took a shower, brushed her teeth and walked down the stairs. At the bottom of the staircase, she paused on the last step. The house was spotless.
    Following the sound of glasses and dishes being shoved into the dishwasher, Callie found Georgia standing in the middle of the kitchen, and Sophie and Stephanie sitting at the table glancing at several photo albums Callie recognized.
    The counter nearest the stove had been made into a coffee station, with Callie’s ancient, party-sized percolator chugging along as it brewed a batch of coffee.
    Sophie should have said something to Georgia. She knows the large coffeemaker was only used for special occasions… Your husband just died . I think this qualifies as a “special occasion,” stupid .
    Wanting to watch the interaction, Callie took a few steps back and hid herself away from the doorway.
    “Well,” Georgia said. “I’m truly sorry you had to see your mother and me arguing. But I hope you know that although I haven’t been a huge part of yours or your mother’s life, I do care for both of you. But enough of old arguments and healed over wounds. I bet you would enjoy hearing about when your mother was young and about Greece?"
    “I would love to hear embarrassing stories about my mom,” Sophie replied.
    “I’m not going to argue about hearing them,” Stephanie said. “Do you have any really mortifying stories? I would love to hear those.”
    Georgia laughed.
    Hidden from view, Callie listened to one story after another; shocked her mother even remembered any of them.
    This was a woman who had no time to say hello to me . I can’t even remember the last time she said she loved me or was proud or happy for me, and now she sits there like the doting mother, reminiscing about the daughter she barely acknowledged.
    A strange buzzing cut through whatever effect the painkiller was having and Callie decided to let the whole thing go.
    “This is Callista, as a little girl,” Georgia said, pointing to an old photograph in one of the leather-bound albums. “Such a beautiful child. Here she is during the grape harvesting festival. I have an orchard I tend to. Now, this is a good one.” Georgia pointed to another picture. “This is Callista, with her first boyfriend. Little Gus. Oh my, was that boy in love with your mother.” Sophie and Stephanie squealed. “He followed her around like a