Rita
The front door was opened.
I wasn't expecting a new girl.
"Yo, girl! It's been a long time!" Kiara told the girl.
"I know."
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
"Rita, come see who's here!" Michele called.
"And I missed you the most." It was Callie.
We hugged.
"Damn. Are those real diamonds, girl?" Kiara questioned.
"Yes, they are."
"Please tell me--"
"No. No. I'm with a Lawyer. He got them for me."
"Ooh. It must be fun dating another Lawyer."
"That's why I'm here."
"Did you two get in an argument?"
"No. I use the skills I learned here to stop the arguments from escalating to angry arguments."
"So, it's just bickering?"
"Exactly."
"Group is starting soon. Why don't you join us?" I suggested.
"Yeah."
"Ooh. Can you stay with us?"
"Can I stay here?"
"Yeah. Of course."
"I do have to keep my phone on me though. In case he calls. As far as he's concerned, I'm... Staying with my father. He's gonna think I'm cheating if I don't answer my phone."
"Mm. I know what Callie is talking about."
"Alright. Just keep it on silent."
"Okay."
We all sat around in a circle.
"Callie, why don't you start? Most of the girls here don't know you."
"They know your story. We just didn't mention your name." Kiara told her.
Callie stood up.
"My name is Callie. I'm 24 years old. I got adopted eight years ago by the Adams Foster family. I'm living in LA now with my boyfriend, Jamie. I'm working at Legal Aid as I'm trying to pass the Bar."
"Thanks for sharing, Callie."
She sat back down.
"She's confident in front of all of these girls." Michele whispered to me.
"I know."
They went around the circle, sharing.
"Can Callie share the room with me?"
"Yeah."
"Come on."
Callie followed Kiara upstairs.
Callie
I crashed on the other bed in here after putting my bag under the bed.
"Tell me more about this boyfriend of yours."
Rita
"Tell me more about this boyfriend of yours."
"I think I made a dumb decision."
