Wild Horses

Tell The Truth

*CALLIE*

"Callie?" the man asks incredulously as he stares right back at me. My face is red now, and I nervously look at my phone then back at him.

"That's my name, and you're Russell, yes? My father?"

His face goes ashen as I say this and he swallows. "How do you...even, remember me?"

Jarrod must have thought I was taking too long because I soon hear him running up behind me. "Oh, there you are, Cals! I was wondering what was taking so long!" He sees the man and smiles as he extends his hand, "I'm Jarrod, Callie's boyfriend."

Russ shakes his hand as he looks more and more confused at this current situation. "Where's Stef? Where's your mom?"

I swallow as I keep up the guise I've been using. "She is at home, remember? She sent you an email saying I was coming to meet you here tonight? I'm just a...tad earlier than planned." I laugh nervously as I seem to be the only one having a hard time believing my story. Both Jarrod and Russ have bought it hook, line and sinker.

Understanding washes over Russell's face, "Yes, she did tell me that in her last email. Ummm, would you like to come up to my room? Wash up? I have an adjoining room to mine you can use....ughhh, until I leave in the morning. You were coming with me, right?"

"Of course!" I beam as I look at Jarrod who knowingly just nods and offers to grab my bags. I follow Russ back into the hotel, and we head up to the rooms. I'm as nervous as hell right now, but I do have an awful lot on my mind.

"Here we are. The adjoining room is through here," he opens the door, and Jarrod brings in my luggage. It's already been settled that Jarrod would be staying down at the rodeo with some friends; so, I don't give it a second thought as he hugs me then leaves to head out, promising to pick me up in a couple of hours to practice and get ready.

"Ughhh, this is really weird for me," Russ finally breaks the silence after Jarrod leaves. I look at this man in front of me, and it seems surreal. Of course, I have pieces of memories of him when I was younger, but some of those pieces feel like they've just been told to me and they aren't mine. I do remember being very sad when he left suddenly, and now comes the questions all over again.

"Ya, same here, but...." I swallow hard as I scuff my boot on the carpet and play with my cowboy hat. "I do have several questions I hope you'll answer for me." I clear my throat as I finally look up to meet his eyes.

He looks at me sheepishly kind of like he's all of the sudden a bit shy and is fighting it. "Anything, Callie, but first I should get you some breakfast. Do you want to clean up and meet me downstairs?"

"Sure. I can do that," I smile awkwardly yet again and quickly close the door behind him when he leaves. I sink onto the bed and shiver slightly. It's not really cold, but my nerves are beginning to show as everything I've been dreaming about is finally coming true. Maybe I'll get my answers. But what if the answers I've been looking for aren't what I want to hear? Will I panic and beg Jarrod to take me home? I can't go back there right now. As it is, my mom is really worried per the hundreds of texts and phone calls she's already made. I can't face her right now. I'm both mad and hurt by everything that has happened. Why did Grandpa Frank have to die? He probably would have helped me find my dad. Why didn't I ever think to ask him before now? There are so many why's and not enough answers.

As I quickly undress and shower, my mind doesn't seem to calm down, but my resolve stays the same. Hopefully before I head on to the rodeo later today, I'll have what I'm looking for...what my heart has been searching for all of these years.