The Girl in the Bar-Rewrite

Chapter 55

Callie's P.O.V: 

"Hola Mija, what do I owe the pleasure this evening?" my dad answers, after picking up after the third ring. I rarely go to my dad for anything, but since it had something to do with him as well, I knew he would be the right person to ask.

"Hi Daddy. I..um..I was calling to see if I could get your advice on something,"

"Advice? Mija, is everything okay? Did something happen to Noah or Arizona?" he asked, sounding a little concerned.

"Oh..no. Noah and Arizona are fine," I assure him. 

"Okay, good. Had me a little worried. You hardly ever call me looking for advice, Mija. So, tell me, what is it that you need my advice on?"

"Mom," I blurt out. 

"Oh! What about her? She's been gone thirteen years. I don't understand why you would need my advice about--"

"She's back," I cut in. 

"What do you mean she's back?" 

"Just what I said. She showed up on my doorstep last week, then showed up at my Label,"

"Oh, boy," he says softly, "did she say what she wanted?"

"She said that she wanted to apologize for leaving...." I could hear my father chuckle at my words, "she also wanted to have dinner. Explain to me why she left,"

"What's there to explain. She said the affair was finally her way out,"

"Yeah, I know. That's what I told Arizona," 

"You told your wife about your mother?" How did he know. 

"How did you know Arizona and I got married?" I ask, sounding a little shocked at the fact he knew.

"I'm a father, Mija. Dads know everything," he chuckles, "but as for your mother, I can't tell you what to do. You have to decide whether or not you want to actually sit down and talk to her. I mean, probably should listen to what she has to say but-"

"Arizona said that too," I let out sigh.

"See, and this is why I love that girl. She's smart," he chuckled, "but I can't tell you what to do, Mija. You're 26 years old, you're not a child anymore. You have to decide that for yourself," 

"Yeah, I guess I do," I say quietly, more to myself. 

After hanging up with my dad, I take out the business card that had Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland printed on the front that my mother had left on the desk. Flipping the card over, I dial the number that was written on the back of it.

"Hello?" came a reply.

"Meet me at The Pink Door near Pike Place Market tomorrow at noon," was all I said before hanging up. 

"I can't believe I'm doing this," I say, rubbing my face with both hands. I shift nervously in my seat waiting for Lucia to show up. Looking up at the clock on the wall, I see that it 12:15, "of course she's late," But a moment later, I finally notice the woman I've been dreading to see since I made that phone call. I watch Lucia say a few words to the receptionist before following her to my table.

"Here you are, Mrs. Torres," the receptionist says, before leaving. Lucia takes a seat across from me.

"I'm sorry I'm late, you won't believe the traffic I had this afternoon," she says, getting herself situated, "So, tell me what's been going on? How's everything?"

"Well, not that you actually care," I say with a little sass, "things have been great. No thanks to you,"

"Are you married? Any children?" she asks, ignoring my snarl remark.