Under Her Skin

Chapter 31

Police Officer: Can you talk about the day Callie came back?

Me: She wasn't back for long.

***

Callie had not announced her arrival at Sunny's when she rang. On opening the door herself, for a moment, Sunny did not know of Callie. Then, she gave a cry that could have either been delighted surprise or terror, after which she drew her in.

"Wh-what are you doing here? But why didn't you let me know you were coming? How long have you been here? Where were you? How long are you going to stay?" Sunny bombarded Callie with questions. She sat her down in a chair, patting her as though she were a cushion, pressed drinks upon her, cakes, chips. Sunny was heartbroken because she had no lemonade left, wanted to make her tea, racked her brain for something she could possibly do for her, and in the exuberance of her delight sweated at every pore. Sunny was nervous.

Callie didn't have the same dramatic but cheap appearance Sunny remembered. Her eyebrows were so fair you could not see them. Her hair, brown and abundant, was plainly done. Her face was very pale, and her features were pleasant without being distinguished. She had quiet gray eyes, and I could tell Callie didn't miss being the beautiful stripper chic she was before.

Sunny could not exactly place her, and if she hadn't known her before, she would not have been able to pinpoint what rank in society she sprung. She was no longer the ravishing slutty creature that the rest of Fort McMurray was used to seeing, rather she had a grave comeliness. Her reserve might have concealed a very deep feeling. Or maybe some sort of awakening, a rebirthing.

"We thought you left for good."

"Well, I am leaving. Tomorrow. I've come to say goodbye."

Sunny didn't know what to say because she didn't know how to feel about the news. Should she have been honored that Callie came to her place before Selena's? Or should she still be mad that she left for months without contacting her?

"Calgary is our new home."

"But why? What about the Kitties. What about Selena?"

"I don't have time for silly questions, Sunny. You have to be careful," she said. "Selena's name is worth less than it seems."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Atlas is sick. He fired my dad... It's not like we wanted to move. They've forced us to leave."

"Fired for what?"

"For nothing."

"I thought you guys were family friends. You guys run this place"

"We once did. But her whole fucking family is sick. Demanda's always making uninteresting small talk, speaking rumors everywhere. That's probably why she had failed as a thinker; too much chitchat, too many conversations about the weather, the traffic, where were you born, what did your mother do. And Atlas. Used my dad like a dog and then just told him to find another line of work the next day. Fucking sick."

Callie had hate in her voice. Her eyes twinkled and her flushed face was shining with vexation."

"You know, we're more similar than you think. I used to be like you, Sunny."

"Yeah I mean we were both Kitties."

"That's not what I mean. I admit I had gross privilege and elitism. But I've changed."

"Okay."

Sunny's spectacles settled on the bride of her nose. The sweat made the constantly slip down.