Small Town Lights

Chapter 7

Colt

When we got to Callie's parents' house, I couldn't help but smile. It hadn't changed a bit. The lawn was done to perfection just as Mr. Barton always wanted it to. He did all the landscaping himself to make sure. I remember helping him during the summer months. It made me look good to both Callie and her parents I figured but, it had turned out that I really liked helping him. I looked up at the cream-colored house that I had spent years growing up in and my smile grew as I thought about all the memories.

I followed Callie and Maddy into the house. Callie and I stopped in the entryway to the house beside the stairs that were grand and wrapped slightly as they led to the second level of the house. I remember sneaking up those stairs many times to crawl into bed with Callie. Most of the time only cuddling, obviously, we did more at least once.

Maddy took off running straight up the stairs calling for Anna, Callie's younger sister. "Maddison Joline Maddox, don't run in the house!" Callie shouted after her. I hadn't thought to ask what Maddy's full name was but was happy to see that she had my last name. Even if Callie had given her the middle name that I had always vetoed when we talked about our future children.

"Is that the real reason you didn't tell me?" I smiled at her. She shook her head knowing exactly what I meant.

"Callie, I am going to need you to help me with," Callies mom walked in talking but stopped when her eyes met mine. "Colt?" She asked shocked looking at Callie and then me again.

"Mrs. B, how are you?" I asked as I spread my arms out to hug her. Olivia Barton. I had always loved the woman. I was at the Barton's house almost more than mine growing up and she was like a second mother. Always making sure that I was doing okay. I was fed, clothed and even grounded by her a few times. Besides their height and noses, Callie and she looked nothing alike but, personality-wise they were basically the same person. Always caring and always loving. I wrapped Mrs. B in a tight hug which she returned.

"I didn't know you were coming," she told me when we pulled away from one another. "Jack!" She shouted as she smiled at me. "Come see who's here!" She stepped back as Jack Barton, Olivia's father came in. I suddenly remembered that I had knocked up his daughter and not been around to help raise our child and got very nervous. It didn't matter that I didn't know, I would be mad still if it was my daughter. I swallowed the lump in my throat and extended my hand.

"Sir, it's great seeing you again," I said to him. Jack smiled and pulled my hand in for a hug.

"I'm glad you're home, son," he smiled at me. "And congratulations," he patted me on the back.

"Thank you, Sir," I nodded my head shocked at his reaction to me being there. I guess four years was enough time to get over the anger that any father would have over what I did to his daughter.

"What is all the ruckus going on in here?" I heard a women's voice shouting. I knew the voice, it was the same one that yelled at us when were eight and ate all her tomatoes in her garden.

"Grandma May," I said turning to her as she walked him. She stopped walking and her eyes grew wide

"Well, slap my head and call me silly!" May shouted as she broke into a slight jog towards me. "Give me some sugar, boy," she grabbed my face and planted a kiss right on my lips. She had always done this. I remember her tell Callie after our first fight that she would take me if Callie didn't want me anymore. Everyone laughed but I was never completely sure she was only joking. May's hands left my face and grabbed my hand. She pulled me to the living room practically throwing me on the couch. May way the same height as Callie and her mom with the same eyes as Callie and her son, Jack. She was a complete spitfire and I had always adored her. "What are you doing here, boy?" She asked me sitting beside me on the couch hardly an inch between us. I looked to find Callie to save me like I always had but she was in the kitchen helping her mom and wasn't even paying attention to me.