The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

it was surreal, like I was watching it happen to me instead of living it. I’ve had a few similar moments, but they were never good like that. They were bad and full of images I wish I could have been blind to.
     
    It’s a couple of days before Thanksgiving and my mom and I are in the kitchen. The cupboards are stacked with food, the stove with pans, and the sink with dirty dishes. There are orange and brown leafy decorations along the tan walls, in the center of the table, in the windowsill, framing the doorway—my mom has always been a big holiday decorator.
     
    “I still can’t believe how much you’ve changed.” My mother beams at me and I shake my head, chopping an apple on a cutting board. She touches my hair, noting the length of it. “And you stopped cutting your hair. I’m so glad. I’ve wanted it longer since the day you cut it off.”
     
    “I’m not sure if I’m a fan of it,” I lie, angling my head sideways and moving it away from her. I’m a fan when Kayden’s touching it, which he did during most of the drive here, but that’s it. “In fact, I think I’m going to chop it off again.”
     
    She puts her hands on her hips and narrows her hazel eyes. “Callie Lawrence, you will do no such thing. You look so beautiful, honey. A little skinny, but that’s probably because you’re not wearing all those baggy clothes.”
     
    I fidget with the corner of my fitted black t-shirt. “I’m as skinny as I’ve always been.”
     
    She reaches behind her back and refastens the tie on her apron with little apple patterns on it. “Well, we’re going to fatten you up a little. I’m making food galore.”
     
    I set the chopping knife down and reach for another apple. “Why? If it’s going to be just you, me, and dad.”
     
    “Oh, we’re going over to the Owens’ this year.” She takes a wooden spoon out of a drawer, tucking a strand of her long brown hair behind her ear. “They’ve invited a lot of people, like they did a couple of years ago.”
     
    I frown as I recollect the dinner she is talking about.  That was the year Kayden started getting serious with Daisy and she made that dinner for me a living hell. “Who’s going to be there?”
     
    She shrugs and starts humming to the song playing from the stereo. “Should we go get our hair done that day before the dinner? Wouldn’t that be fun? To get all dressed up?”
     
    I’m about to tell her no, and that it sounds like the last thing I want to do, when my phone beeps, announcing there’s a text message waiting.
     
    Kayden: Did you know that Mrs. McGregor is having an affair with Tom Pelonie?
     
    Me: Um… what?
     
    Kayden: Or that Tina Millison is getting a new Mercedes for Christmas?
     
    Me: Should I know this? Because I’m really confused.
     
    Kayden: I think my mother needs a friend. She’s been following me all over the house, telling me the latest gossip. She even wanted me to take her to get her nails done.
     
    I snort a laugh, but quickly erase it when my mom looks at me questioningly.
     
    Me: I guess she misses you.
     
    Kayden: No, she’s bored and needs to lay off the wine. I think my dad’s been on a lot of trips while I was gone and the empty house has made her lose her sanity more than she already had before I left.
     
    Me: Mine wants me to go get my hair done with her.
     
    Kayden: Yeah, but you’re a girl.
     
    Me: Oh, I forgot for a sec. Thanx for reminding me.
     
    Kayden: I haven’t forgotten at all. In fact, it’s all I think about all the time.
     
    Me: That I’m a girl???
     
    Kayden: That ur a girl I very badly want to touch right now.
     
    I press my lips together, uncertain how to respond. We’ve barely kissed once since I dropped my secret on him and suddenly he’s talking dirty to me.
     
    “Callie, what’s wrong?” My mother asks with concern. “You look flushed.”
     
    I glance up from the message at her worried eyes. “I’m fine.”
     
    She reaches for my phone. “Who are you texting?”
     
    I turn my back on her and walk to the table, so she can’t see my face.
     
    Kayden: Did I scare u off?
     
    Me: No, I was just thinking about something.
     
    Kayden: About me touching you?
     
    “Callie, the pans are boiling over,” my mom says. “Can you turn the temperature down?”
     
    Me: I have to go. My mom’s having a cooking crisis
     
    Kayden: Okay, I’ll text u later. Be prepared to give me an answer ;)
     
    My skin is hot as I run over to the stove and turn