Significance (Significance #1)(45)

“It’s ok, really. The only way I’m going to get all this work done anyway is if you’re busy. Otherwise, I’ll just be distracted,” he said gruffly, and leaned forward to kiss my chin.
“Oh, we wouldn’t want that,” I said with mock sincerity.
“No, definitely not.”
I giggled as he kissed me and wrestled me under him. He tickled my sides and kissed under my chin at the same time. It was torture in every good sense. But when I reached my hand under his shirt to tickle his ribs I learned that boys can be more ticklish than girls. He jerked so quickly and laughed trying to squirm away, but I held on and he retaliated with gusto. 
I’d forgotten about Dad.
I heard his footsteps up the stairs and thought quickly. Caleb looked at me with worry, his mind racing to whether he should bolt out the window or jump in the closet.
“Beck! Shut up! I can’t believe you!” I yelled playfully, pretending to be on the phone.
Miraculously, I heard his footsteps stop and recede. We both sighed and chuckled softly in relief into each other's shoulders. I was glad because my eyelids were fighting with me anyway.
We called a truce and I reached down and pulled the blanket over us from the foot of the bed. He then rolled me over to put my back to him as he wrapped his arms around me. I sighed at the warmth and comfort, I nestled my back and bottom in closer. He pulled my hair behind me and to the side, then he placed a kiss on the back of my neck.
“Sleep. Feel better tomorrow.”
“K,” I muttered as I did what I was told.
“Wake up.” Someone shook me. “You've got to get up, baby. You’re going to be late.”
“What?”
I opened up my eyes to see Caleb looking concerned. “It’s after 10:00. You better get up. Or maybe you should stay home. Do you feel better?” He touched my forehead.
“After 10:00? Jeez, I thought I set my alarm,” I groaned.
“You did. I’ve been trying to get you up for fifteen minutes. Are you feeling ok?”
“Yeah, I am.” And I did. Sleeping with him was the best medicine. “Did you sleep well?”
“I always sleep best with you,” he said sweetly, pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head.
“You’re right, I've got to get up.” I pulled from his grasp and was rewarded with a groan from him that made me turn to hide my smile. “I can’t believe your parents condone you sneaking into some girls' window.”
“You’re not some girl,” he corrected.
“I know,” I smiled, “it’s just strange.”
“Well, my mom doesn’t condone it at all. She’s conflicted about the whole thing. She understands why we have to do it, but doesn’t like it. She thinks it's all very scandalous.”
I laughed and sat beside him on the bed. “Well, she’s kind of right.”
“You don’t like me sneaking into your window all romantic like?” he asked and leaned close, his nose almost touching mine.
“I do like it, but it would be better if we didn’t have to sneak, you know?”
“Yeah, I know.” He leaned back a little and pushed my hair behind my ear. “But it’s necessary. You’re not upset about it, are you? I would never do something like this if it wasn’t about your safety. I’m not one of those guys.”
“I know that and I know it’s only temporary. We’ll figure it all out soon.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, Caleb. I’m not upset, I promise.” I leaned the few inches between us and rubbed his nose with mine. “It’s very sweet, the things you do for me.”
“Yeah, because sleeping with you is torture,” he said sarcastically and kissed the end of my nose. “Ok. Well, I’m going to get out of here and then come pick you up at the door. I’ll tell your dad I’m driving you to work today.”
“Ok.”
He got up and I saw he was in his clothes from yesterday still. He must have seen me looking at him because he looked down at himself, too.
“Oh, yeah. Let me run to my uncle’s and I’ll be back to take you to work.” He picked up his book bag, slinging it over his shoulder and turned to look at me. “Don’t leave until I get here, ok? I’ll be right back.”“Ok. I’ll wait. Hurry.”
“Ok.” He kissed me on the cheek and then looked at me imploringly.
I laughed. “I love it when it’s you.” I giggled at his expression. “Go to your uncle’s and do what you need to do. Hurry back and I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Thank you, baby,” he murmured sweetly.
He kissed my lips quickly before opening and sliding out the window.
I turned and got dressed as fast as I could. Running to the bathroom and fixing my hair and slicking on a little makeup, I thought about what to tell my boss when I gave him my notice today. They’d been so good to me and I hated having to leave them, but if I was going to college, it would happen soon anyway.
It took me about twenty minutes to get ready and I only had fifteen minutes left until I was late for work. I was about to run downstairs when I heard Dad yelling for me.
“Maggie! Caleb is here.”
“Coming!”
I checked my hair once more in the mirror and then ran downstairs. I hadn’t thought about Caleb not seeing me in my uniform. It was just a uniform after all, but by the way he was looking at me when I came down, he apparently thought differently.
Holy hell.
I gasped inwardly at his thoughts and looked down at my outfit. It was a little short, as I said, but I had footless tights on underneath. It was white, as were the tights and it buttoned all the way up with a little open collar and a little belt around the waist and a black half apron. I looked back at him curiously and quirked a brow.
You apparently don’t see what I see. You work in that thing and you don’t get asked out every five minutes? That’s a bold faced lie!
I giggled out loud and Dad looked at me.
“Something...funny?” he asked all cocked browed.
“Nothing. Um, Caleb and I are going to the farewell party at the school tonight so I won’t be here for dinner, ok?”
“Ok. You know the rules, before midnight.”
“Yes, Dad, I know.” I hugged him and he seemed surprised by it, leaning back to look at me with a half smile.
“Um,” he cleared his throat, “ok, well have fun. And be careful. Caleb, you remember what I said about that bike?”
“Yes, sir; helmet, speed limit, careful. Promise.”
“All right. See ya later.”
“Bye, Dad.” I grabbed Caleb’s hand to pull him with me. “Good luck on your first day with your promotion.”
“Thanks, Mags,” Dad said softly and I looked over my shoulder to see him looking sad and conflicted.
I turned to Caleb and even though I knew I was going to be late, I had to see what put that look on my dad’s face. But before I could ask Caleb he answered me. 
“Go ahead. I’ll wait at the bike.”
“Thank you.”
I walked slowly over to Dad as he sat on the bottom step of the stairs. I always loved these stairs when I was a kid. The carpet was plush and soft, almost baby blue in color, which is my favorite. I used to slide down on my belly all the way down from top to bottom until my stomach was red and sore but I just kept doing it.
I sat on the step beside him and sighed as I lay my head on his shoulder.
“What’s up, Dad?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar,” I chimed sweetly and he laughed.
He sighed heavily, loaded with something he didn’t want to talk about.
“I got a call from your mom.”
Chapter Twenty
My heart jolted at his words. “What?”
“She called me late last night, crying. She wants to come home,” he said somberly.
I was confused. I thought he’d be happy. All that stuff he’d spouted to me about us not loving her enough, taking advantage of her. I thought he’d be thrilled if she ever decided to crawl back.
“And what did you say?” I asked softly, my voice not even sounding like my own.
I saw Caleb come peek anxiously through the open door, no doubt feeling my crazy heartbeat and I smiled at him and waved him off.
“I told her... baby, I’m sorry. I told her no,” he creaked and looked on the brink of tears.
I hugged him. My words muffled into his shoulder. “Why? Why did you say that, and why are you so upset about it?”
“Because, I know you need her. I should be able to just let her come home for you but I can’t. She was furious. She thought I’d just let her come home and everything would be fine without even being sorry, pick up right where she left off. You were right, she was being selfish. She chose to leave, we didn’t do anything wrong. We were a good family and she decided to just leave all that behind for God knows why. I forgive her for what she did, but she deserted you and needs to accept her consequences. I’m sorry.”
“Dad, I don’t want her to come back.”
“What?” He turned to look full at me. “I thought you’d be angry at me. I thought you’d blame me for keeping her away.”
“What for? She didn’t just leave me, Dad, she left you, too. And I know she’s my mom but she left and I agree with you. She needs to deal with the consequences. She made her bed and she can sleep in it. Nowhere does it say in the family handbook that when someone leaves and wants to come back without reason or sincere apology that you have to let them. It just says that you have to love them. And I do love her still and I’d be her neighbor any day, but it wouldn’t be right for her to live with you just for me. She betrayed you more than me.”