Pivotal Moments.

Chapter 9

The sun had not yet risen over the horizon as Callen slipped out of the house.

He never noticed as Duke pulled out of the garage on a motorcycle a few seconds after he had cleared the driveway.

He turned the radio up, and with the top down on the car, he enjoyed the music and the wind in his hair.

Smiling as he drove down the 101, he soon pulled into the place he had been aiming for.

The beach was quiet and empty, save for a few surfers taking advantage of the early morning swells. Callen pulled a bottle of water out of a hamper that Hetty had prepared for him, and took a quick drink.

He grabbed the beach blanket, and the book he had been reading as part of his tuition, and headed for the sand.

Duke watched from his vantage point on the pier, he saw that Callen was relaxed and reading, not taking a lot of interest in his surroundings. He had put some suntan lotion on and stripped down to a pair of shorts and was engrossed in his book. So Duke made himself comfortable and settled down, field glasses in hand just in case any of the people Hetty had told him were Callen's enemies came looking for the boy.

Inside the book he was reading, was the letter that Callen had taken with him from prison over a month ago. He looked at it again with a smile.

Hey G,

My name is Kaylee. Dallas asked me to write to you. He says to let you know that he still worries about you and that you are still family. If you get out he has friends that will write to me.

I will be on Hermosa Beach every day and will look for you. Bring a blanket and a book and I will find you.

Dallas misses you and wants you to be a part of the family.

Kaylee Alder.

He sat up, looking at the letter and for a moment stared out to the ocean, wondering who Kaylee Alder was, would she recognize him from Dallas' description? Why did she want to meet him?

He stayed staring for about ten minutes until a shadow fell across his face.

"I'm sorry... are you Callen?" A young woman asked.

Callen looked up at her, and could not help but smile, "Kaylee Alder?" He asked.

The young woman nodded and sat beside him. "Dallas is my older brother." She told him. "He writes to me, told me a lot about you."

"How is he? Is he ok?" Callen asked, turning to look at her earnestly.

Kaylee smiled and Callen felt his heart stop.

"He's fine, he's getting out in a few weeks. He wants you to come home to family. He has a job lined up for you if you're interested and a place to live."

"When?!" Callen could not hold in his excitement.

"He said about a month, unless you need somewhere to stay now?" Kaylee asked.

Callen shook his head, "I'm on Parole at some woman's house; have to stay there for a few more months before I can leave. I made a promise." He added.

Kaylee smiled, "Dallas said you were a good kid. Our house isn't fancy, but you'll be warmly welcomed."

Callen shrugged, he had heard that line too many times before, "I'll take it, but I may not stay."

"Fair enough, Dallas said you could go far, just need a family behind ya. He doesn't take to people like he did to you. What's this lady like you're with, she treat you right?" Kaylee asked worriedly.