For The Love of Callie

Fears In Panic

Mariana's POV

I know mom, mama and Callie will be back soon so I speed up my process of getting things ready. I have the pull out couch set with blankets, pillows, and I've lined up several possible movies for the night.

I keep the blinds open so that we can see the storm as well. Our family are big storm watchers. Well, Jesus, Brandon and I are at least. Mom and mama don't love them because they tear up the garden.

The front door opens and Mom, Mama, and Callie walk in. "Hey! How'd it go??"
Mama shrugs "we didn't get much answers but we got some pushes in the right direction. I see you've got some stuff all ready for movie night!"

"Can we go to the grocery store and get some snacks now?? I've been waiting." I plead
"Yes yes, load back up gang!" Mom yells turning around back towards the door.
"Um maybe I should stay here? Shower? I feel kind of gross after the doctors office." Callie suggests.
"No you totally have to come! You gotta pick out snacks and drinks and stuff that you like! Plus it's the start to our super amazing girls night." I remind her.
"Yeah, we can make time between movie and getting back for you to take a quick shower Cal." Mama says.
Callie just nods and walks between mom and in front of Mama.

When we get in the car, Callie seems uncomfortable and out of character. "You okay Callie?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Just a little tired I guess." She gives me a smile.
"Okay." I don't fully believe it, but I let it go.

Stef's POV

As we pull into the market and head out of the car, I peer up at the sky. "Looks like a nasty one."
Lena agrees "if it rips up my garden flags I will be very unhappy."

Mariana and Callie follow behind as we head into the store. "Alright, three snacks each, one drink option." I announce allowing the girls to scatter and have a little freedom. Mariana grabs Callie's arm and drags her to an isle. "What are you interested in?" I ask Lena.
"I don't know, I'm definitely needing some salty and sweet options." She answers. Thunder roars through the roof of the super market. "Dang. that's intense." I point out as I also point at the pouring rain that can be seen through the automatic doors.

We load snacks into a basket and then go find the girls which, as we guessed, we're in the candy isle. "Load em up girls, we gotta get home before the storm gets too bad to drive in." I say. Storms here never fail to impress.

As we stand in check out, I can't help but notice Callie very subtly trying to get behind all of us away from the market doors. As we load the belt and items are scanned, she glances outside multiple times. As a thunder sound booms through the market followed by a flash of lighting hard to miss even from inside occurs, Callie becomes very uneasy.

"Callie, are you okay?" I ask noticing cues Mariana must have noticed in the car. "Is there something bothering you?" This grabs Lena's attention as Mariana helps bag the snacks. "No, I'm okay." She tries to assure, but as thunder hits again she panics a little revealing to Lena and I that she is afraid of storms.

"I'm going to go pull the car up so we don't have to all walk in the rain. I'll be back in just a minute." Lena says grabbing the car keys trying to remain subtle that we know. Callie looks like she wants to speak but she doesn't. "Alright, we will see you in a minute."
With that, Lena heads out the door to grab the car. Mariana and I grab the bags and wait by the door with Callie.

As we stand by the door, the darkened clouds threaten everyone. While we are used to these kinds of storms, Callie hasn't lived here in specific for long. Storms in our town almost always max out every other town. "Callie, you're safe." I say quiet enough only her and I can hear it.