Significance by Shelly Crane Read Free Book Online Page B

my significant. I mean, I would never force you to do anything but, this means something to us, to my family. You are so important and the sooner you learn all about what’s going on, the sooner you can make a decision if you want anything to do with it or not.”
    “I thought I didn’t have a choice.”
    “Kyle and his big mouth,” he muttered. “There are so many things you don’t know. So many things that I need to tell you and explain. But if after you hear everything today you want nothing to do with any of it, or with me, I won’t stop you from leaving if that’s what you’re asking.”
    “Ok. I’m ready to go.” I nodded. “I need to tell my dad where I’m going.”
    “Alright. Should I go wait outside since I burst into your house without knocking,” he said with a cocky grin. “I’m sure your pops would love that.”
    “It’s fine,” I said laughing slightly. “He won’t know whether anyone’s been up here or not.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yeah come on.”
    “I guess it’s only fair if you’re meeting my family that I meet yours too, right?”
    “I don’t think the word ‘family’ constitutes as one person.”
    “Sure it does.” He stopped in the hall at a family picture of us four in front of the Christmas tree from two years ago. Bish had his arm around me and I was poking his stomach, making him laugh. “Is that your brother?” I nodded. “Wow. You really look like your mom.”
    “Yeah, everyone has always said that.”
    “What happened to her?”
    “She left,” I said, shrugging before heading downstairs.
    “I’m sorry. That sucks.”
    “Yeah,” I agreed and then called to dad before we went into the den. Just in case he was in his underwear: “Dad?”
    I heard him grunt and felt a grip on my hand tighten. I didn’t realize we were holding hands. Caleb smiled at me and I tried to think of how in the world to explain him to my father.
    “What, Maggie?”
    “Uh, dad, I’ll be leaving for a while. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. I just wanted to let you know.”
    “Fine, as long as you don’t miss work.”
    “I’m off today, dad.”
    “Fine.”
    “Dad. This is my...friend, Caleb.”
    I glanced up at him and he was fighting a smile, the twinkling of amusement in his eyes giving him away. My dad barely glanced at him, looking right back at the television and scratching behind his ear.
    “Uhuh.”
    “Dad,” I said more pointedly.
    He looked up again. I really regretted not letting Caleb wait outside. Dad was sitting on our couch in the den, his boxers and a white t-shirt, with white socks up to his mid calves, watching the Today Show of all things.
    “Oh, yeah. Hi, Calvin, nice to meet you,” he muttered and returned to his show.
    “Caleb, dad.”
    “It’s fine, Maggie,” Caleb assured me with a squeeze of my fingers. “Nice to meet you too, sir, I won’t keep her out too long.”
    “Mmhmm. Fine.”
    As we made our way out into the hall, I remembered when my father always used to joke about how when I finally started dating he’d be all mister-shotgun-on-the-porch about it. He sure gave Chad a hard time, though most of it was in jest. It’s like an alien took over his body or something. He’s not even my dad anymore. And the only reason the house is clean right now, is because I cleaned it before leaving for graduation yesterday. I can’t remember a time I’ve been more embarrassed.
    Caleb was apparently tapped into my thoughts again.
    “Hey.” He bumped my shoulder as we walked. “Don’t sweat it. Your dad is apparently going through something. He’ll come around one day. You don’t ever have to be embarrassed with me, ever about anything.”
    “Caleb, I barely know you. Why do I feel so...ok with everything? This is all so strange-”
    “I know and I’m not gonna rush you to understand everything. But other people don’t get to decide who you are to me, not even your parents. Just know, you can’t ever say or do anything to