Chapter Six

They knew all the right people
They took all the right pills
They threw outrageous parties
They paid heavenly bills
Life In The Fast Lane
The Eagles

Graduation Day

Andrew Hartley stumbled through the front door of his brownstone around 4 am New York time it didn’t take him long to discover that his bed was empty. “Callestah?” He called out. She never dragged her lazy ass out of the bed at this hour of the morning. “Callestah!” Where the devil had she gotten off too? Andy turned around and was greeted by the note she’d left on the mirror. “Oh really?” He asked no one. “Just how the hell did you pull that one off, deary?” Andy picked up the house phone and dialed her new cell phone number but all he got was voice mail. “Fine, love, that’s just blood fucking fine.” He bellowed as he hung up the phone. “I’ll just have to come and get your arse that’s all. You’re not going to get away with this.” There was no way he was going to let her disobey him like this or go back to Daniel and those sniveling brats. “Henry!” Andy shouted. “Henry!”

Soon manic foot steps were heard hurrying down the hall. “Yes, sir.”

“Find out when the next flight to Colorado is, JFK or LaGuardia I don’t give a shit and get me on it!”

**

After witnessing the scene playing out on her former living room couch Calla drove the rental car very slowly through the dark streets and found herself in Silver Springs sitting outside 1313 Mockingbird Lane. The FOR SALE sign didn’t escape her attention. It seemed like her entire life was FOR SALE to the highest bidder. In a better world maybe she could buy the house back and be close to her children but far away enough away from Daniel so as not to be intrusive in his new life. Andy had all the money and he was keeping a tight reign on it the chances of him letting her buy this house were remote at best. There was little to nothing for her here anyway. The children were grown and soon off to college (Daniel would see to it that Nicholas went whether he liked it or) and Daniel had no need for her. With tears in her eyes she turned the engine over and drove to the high school.

Calla parked far back in the parking lot and climbed into the back seat, cried, smoked cigarettes and popped pills until the sun came up. When she saw someone go into the school she skittered across the parking and let herself in behind them. Calla washed up in the ladies room and changed her clothes she brushed her hair and put on fresh make-up. She did her best to keep focused on Nicholas and Colleen rather than Daniel and whoever that slut had been. For weeks now she’d been telling herself that there was no going back but having been so boldly presented with evidence to the kind it she found it a little difficult to take. There was no question or doubt left in her mind any longer. It was all over. She’d see her children graduate say a quick ‘hello’ and ‘congratulations’ and then be on her way back to New York where she hoped Andy wasn’t too pissed off. There would be hell to pay with him over this but so long as she found a way to make up to him and Andy took her back everything would be all right.

Checking her look in the mirror and not being all that happy with the face staring back at her Calla rummaged in her wallet to discover she had less than fifty dollars in cash. Still that was enough. She ran back out to the car and drove to the center of town where she stopped at the small drug store and purchased a wide-brimmed straw hat and pair of sun glasses. It was a warm, bright and sunny summer day, the hat and glasses would not be out of place so if she sat in the back row and watched the graduation ceremony no one would recognize her and she wouldn’t take the focus off her children on their very special day. Besides, this way there was less of a chance of Daniel recognizing her in the crowd as well.

Climbing back into the rental car Calla drove out of town and to a diner she hardly ever frequented, once again not wanting to be recognized. She took a few dollars out of her purse and got a cup of coffee, she sat in a booth at the corner window and watched the cars pass by as she sipped it wondering what her name was; Daniel’s new love that was. Calla was still vaguely aware of her own name. She just hoped that her Replacement wasn’t also at the graduation ceremony Calla didn’t know if she could stomach that.

What right did she have to complain or to feel as though she were the one who’d been betrayed? She was sleeping in Andy’s bed now so why should Daniel be alone? There was no reason for that. If he’d found someone he could love then she should be happy for him even if it did happen so quickly. She dropped two valiums with the last of the coffee and she looked down at the diamond and gold watch on her wrist, a gift from Andy. It was almost 11 o’clock, graduation was at 11:30 so that it meant it was time to go. Calla put two dollars on the table for a tip and slowly drove back to the school.

Beneath the wide brimmed hat and dark glasses, Calla hung around far away from the crowd that was starting to gather she watched the people come in. She knew so many of the parents and grandparents here, she’d considered them all friends at one time or another and wanted very much to go up to them and say ‘hello’ but refrained. It was the twins’ day and although the media had been quite lately there was no sense in taking any chances. The football field was really filling up. She thought she’d better find a seat out of the way.

“It’s a beautiful day, huh?”

“Yeah it’s not so bad.”

Calla’s heart froze. She knew those voices. It was Jack and Daniel. Calla stepped behind the fir tree as they passed by. Her Beautiful, he looked so handsome she just wanted to run up to him, throw her arms around him and tell him how sorry she was. Daniel probably didn’t want to hear that.

“Hey, wait up!”

Samantha and Amanda were joining them and so were Teal’c and General Hammond. It seemed all of their good friends had come out to share in the joyous occasion. So then their little Family Unit was still in tact, no one needed her around. Standing back in the shade of the tree she watched them take seats near the middle of the rows of chairs. Once they all had their backs to her she began to step out of the cover and find a seat for herself.

“Why don’t you sit with them?”

The purse dropped from her good hand and she let out a little gasp as she turned around to see Ares standing right behind her. He as not dressed in his battle regalia but rather in a pair of light black linen slacks, white shirt—open at the top of course and his favorite black biker boots. If you didn’t know him, almost he fit right in. “Are you so stoned you couldn’t feel me coming?” He accused.

Yes she was but that was beside the point. “What do you want?” Calla backed away from him and that urge to run to Daniel grew stronger. “Leave me alone.”

“I’m here to see my grandchildren graduate not that anyone invited me.” He said with smoldering eyes.

“Gee I wonder why.”

“Why don’t you sit with them?” Ares asked again.

“It’s a stupid question, Fa….Ares.” She spat. “I’m not wanted there.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

More than anything she wanted to walk right up to Daniel and ask if she could sit with him. However, Fate had another familiar face to throw her way today. The woman he was with last night was coming down the center isle accompanied by a man who was probably her brother and his wife. They saw Daniel and the dark haired woman in the tight red dress sat down next to Daniel while the others sat next to her. “Proof enough, Ares?” While Calla was under the impression that the dark haired woman had spent the night in Daniel’s bed what she didn’t know was that once he was done with her, Daniel drove her all the way back to Golden Springs very early this morning. Antoinette was only here by happy coincidence as Ricky’s son was graduating with Nick and Colleen. Daniel hadn’t invited her to share in the event. In fact, after last night, he was hoping he wouldn’t have to see Antoinette again.

“You know,” Ares intoned, “when you were very small you used to call me Poppa. I liked that better.”

“Hump, so did I….Ares.”

Soon Pomp & Circumstance was struck up by the high school band and the graduates were making their grand entrance. Calla turned away from her Father and snuck out from behind the big fir tree as they passed by in alphabetical order. Nicholas was by far the tallest of his class and he was very easy to spot in the crowd of the Gold & Red caps and gowns. Colleen was next to him as they walked down to their seats. Calla smiled wide as they passed her and began to tear up. She missed them so much!

“Mom?” Nick whispered to no one and then looked around. Umpa was easy to spot he was leaning up against the fir tree they all smoked cigarettes under. Casting his eyes far down from his Grandfather’s stare there was a small woman with shoulder length strawberry blonde hair hiding beneath a straw hat and glasses. “Mom.” He said louder and smiled wide.

“Where?” Colleen elbowed him in the ribs and Nick pointed as they continued to walk with the other graduates. “Mom!” Colleen gave a big smile and a little wave and Calla waved back.

Daniel had come to see his children graduate high school with camera in hand. When they both turned around his stare followed them, he hardly recognized Calla standing with Ares under the tree. She looked so different now, her hair was incredibly short and she’d dyed it. Her clothes! My god, what was up with those clothes? It wasn’t that she didn’t look nice, for a young woman of oh 19 or 20 she looked very sexy indeed but Calla never dressed like that. She liked long flowing pretty clothes and her blue jeans. The hem of that dress was almost up to her ass. It showed off her toned and sexy legs, the ones he always liked to have wrapped around his waist and that wasn’t so bad. “She made it, I’ll be damned.”

“Who?”

Daniel nodded his head toward his wife and those who accompanied him today turned in that direction. Calla was too focused on the twins and she didn’t see the others looking at her with wistful smiles. What’s she doing with Ares? Where’s Hartley? What, did she dump him already? Daniel turned his stare away from her and back to the event. Out of nothing but sheer spite he put his arm around the back of Antoinette’s chair. If she was going to stand there so quietly defiant by her Father’s side then just let her bite on that one. Slut.

Nah, dat’s childish, Danny. David chided heavily. Tsk-tsk-tsk

Shut up and go away, Davy.

Pfffffff….Davy gave a loud Bronx Cheer in Daniel’s head. My son is up dare I’m stayin’.

My son! Daniel returned angrily as he calmly sat in his seat.

Too bad ya kain’t git dat up fer our wife. Davy huffed. Wot-eva, its yow life, Danny but dun think yew gone pik dat one dare to replace Callie. She ain’t nuttin’ but trailer trash. Talk ‘bout yer sluts! Lookitup ina dic’shon’ary, yew see dat ones pitcher.

Daniel cleared his throat and shifted position in his chair. Yeah, so, ok, Antoinette wasn’t exactly a challenge, he had to give Davy that one.

“Aren’t you gonna go say ‘hello’ or something?” Sam encouraged.

“Maybe later,” Daniel replied.

“Colleen Jackson,” the announcer said and she strolled across the make-shift stage. Colleen accepted her diploma and the man handing them out shook her hand and changed the tassel on the cap to the other side. Colleen looked out into the audience and waved at her Father, she blew a kiss to her Mother and then walked off.

“Nicholas Jackson,” the announcer said and Nick strolled across the stage and went through the same motions. He took smiled at his Father and waved to his Mother before exiting.

Ares looked down to see his Daughter in tears and leaving. “Where are you going?”

“It’s over, I came like I said I would and they saw me.”

“Don’t you want to see your daughter in-law graduate?” Ares asked in a low knowing voice. “You’ll have to wait for the W’s I’m afraid.”

“Daughter….” Calla stammered.

“Yes, they eloped last week, right after she turned 18.” Ares informed her. “Didn’t anyone tell you?”

“No.”

“Then I guess no one told you Colleen is pregnant?” Ares asked and bowed at the waist to look her in the eye. “Yes it’s true. Ask her yourself.”

Oh Gods everything was just falling apart since she left. “I’m sure,” she stammered. What was she sure of? Anything? No, not really. “I’m sure Daniel will take…care…of….everything.”

“The way he took care of you?”

“Stop it! Daniel was very good to me until you……” She stamped her food on the grass and turned away from him in anger. “Why did you do it?”

The God of War ignored his Daughter’s question. “He’s watching us.” Ares whispered.

“I know. I can feel his stare.” She shot back under her breath. In the background the announcer continued to read through his roll and was now up to those whose names began with S. “What do you want from me? Haven’t I given you enough?”

Ares pondered her questions as he watched the young men and women in their caps and gowns walk across their stage and accept their tokens into Adulthood. “What I want for you is to be satisfied and happy.”

Was that his idea of a joke? If he wanted her to be happy and satisfied he would have given Daniel the Red Ambrosia without taking her to bed. He would have done it just because he loved her and wanted her to be happy but he wanted more than that and he always did. The woman with Daniel was looking in her direction now daring to make eye contact with her, Calla was glad for the dark glasses. “If that’s what you wanted you would have left things alone.” She told him.

It was a small class and the announcer was through the Ts and onto the two Vs, Van Der Clarke and Von Housen. Then Annie was strolling across the stage with a big smile on her face and bounce in her step. Calla though that Nicholas couldn’t have done better if Fate came down and handed a woman to him. They were young and they would struggle but the struggle would make them stronger and love each other more. Nicholas chose well. Colleen on the other hand, well, Calla wasn’t so sure about Sandy. He might or might not stand by her side and that of his child. Calla was pretty certain they weren’t in love, lust perhaps, yes definitely but not love. Sooner or later that relationship would fall by the wayside and give way to something new.

Annie was the last in the class. Soon the graduates all had their diplomas and were sitting in their assigned seats once more. The Principal of the school wished them the best luck and gold and red hats were tossed high into the air as everyone applauded and whistled their joy and approval, including Calla and Ares of course.

The graduates stood up and marched up the center isle, Nicholas and Colleen broke formation and walked up to their Mother. “Hi,” Nick said sheepishly.

“Hello,” Calla returned. “I told you I would be here.” She smiled and reached out for both of them. From his seat Daniel turned around to watch the scene. Hugging them again did her a world of good it was so wonderful to have them back in her arms again. Now that Colleen was pressed up against her, Calla could feel the little life growing inside her. It brought her hope. “I can’t stay long,” she said as she broke the embrace, “I’m off to Switzerland soon. I hear there are big doings…yes?” Her eyebrow raised and she waited for them to fill her in.

“Annie and I got married.” Nick admitted finally. “Don’t be mad Mom, we didn’t tell Dad right away either.” He added quickly.

“I’m not angry,” she said with a smile and took his hands in her own. Nick looked down at the dirty bandage and the bruises and felt ashamed. “I think she’s a wonderful girl and she’ll be a fantastic wife.” Calla tapped his shoulder and Nick bent down for the hug and kiss she gave him. “I’m so proud of you.” She whispered in his ear. “I love you, Nicholas.” Calla broke their embrace and turned to her daughter. “OK, so, tell me.” She coached.

Colleen had yet to tell her Father the news and only told Nick a few minutes before the ceremony started. “I’m pregnant.” She said in a quiet rush of air.

“I know,” Calla reached out and hugged her daughter tight. “The timing is bad.” She whispered. “But you’re going to be a superb mother.” She said softly. “I know you will be so much better than I was. I’ll be back before the baby comes, don’t worry. Everything will be fine I promise.” Calla kissed Colleen’s cheek and pulled away. She looked past her shoulder to see Daniel rising from his seat and making his way toward them. “I have to go.” She held out a hand to each of them. Nick took the one in the hard cast in his own and held it as lightly as he could. “I love you both. I’m so very proud of you. Both of you.” She gave their hands a tight squeeze. “I’ll be gone for a while but I’ll be back.” Daniel was getting closer. Jack and the rest were hanging back and not coming with him to where they were standing but they were watching though they tried not to be obvious about it.

Sensing her need to flee Ares put his big hands on her shoulders to keep her in place while Daniel made his way through the crowd. “Don’t I get a ‘hello’?” He asked his Grandchildren.

“Umpa,” they mumbled in unison and cast their stare to the grass below. Neither of them wanted to talk to him.

“Family,” Ares sighed, “you gotta love it.” Daniel was within spitting distance now and Ares let go of her shoulders. “Congratulations,” he said to the twins.

“Hello, Calla.” Daniel said in as soft a voice as he could muster under the circumstances.

“Daniel,” she returned in the same tone.

“What’d you do to your hair?” He asked as he stood between the kids. “What’s with the clothes and the dark glasses?”

“It’s a new look,” she said with a heavy sigh and brought her good hand up to touch the ends of her lighter shorter hair.

“Do you think you could take the glasses off? The hat too, we all know who you are.”

Call removed the offending items from her head and face and took in a deep breath before she looked up at him without hiding behind the dark frames. “How are you?”

“Hanging in,” Daniel told her with a terse expression. He was sorry he asked her to take the glasses and hat off. Her eyes were bloodshot and absolutely swimming in her head. Daniel knew she thought she was looking at him but her eyes kept drifting away. She was rocked. The hat, he had sort of hoped that bad hair cut was a wig, possibly one that was attached to the hat but it wasn’t. She’d chopped it all off then layered and colored it. Hartley probably loved it but between the hair and the ultra short skirt he wondered where his wife had gone and who the cheap hooker in front of him was. “You?”

“Yeah, same.” Calla mumbled.

“Hello, Ares.” Daniel looked up as his soon-to-be ex-father in-law but didn’t hold out his hand. “What are you doing here?”

“Jackson.” Ares acknowledged Daniel’s presence. “It’s a family event and I ‘m still family.”

“So you are.” Daniel agreed begrudgingly and looked back at Calla. “Where’s Hartley?”

A good question. An honest question. By now he’d gotten the message and she’d gotten the 8 voice mails he’d left. Calla knew Andy was on his way to Colorado. “He’ll be here anytime I’m sure.”

That was just great. Well, at least she’d had the sense not to bring him here. “So I suppose you’ll be leaving soon?”

“Yes, momentarily, I assure you.” She told him.

“We’re having a little party back at the house,” Nick said quickly since it looked like his stupid Father wouldn’t say anything. “You could come back with us, have some cake and a Coke. We could talk a little.” He invited. “Mom, I’m so sorry about your hands,” he choked, “you gotta know I never meant to hurt you.”

“I know,” she smiled at her son. “Don’t worry it’s all right. My hands are going to be just fine.”

Annie came over to join them she put her around her husband’s waist and leaned her head against his side. “Mrs. J? Is that you?” She said in a low but happy voice. “Hi.”

“Hello, Annie.” Calla looked from one to the other and then at their ring fingers where there were two silver rings on each hand. Calla reached out and hugged the small girl. “Congratulations,” she whispered in Annie’s ear. “I know you’ll make my Son very happy.” Once again it was Calla who broke the embrace as she turned to Nicholas. “I’d love to stay in fact I’d like nothing better than to spend time with you.” She looked from her Son to her Daughter and quickly glanced up at the man she once called Husband. “I have to catch a plane I have a very important appointment in Geneva.” She explained. “I just can’t miss it. But, I really wanted to be here to see you and keep my promise.”

Daniel found it most difficult to make his throat work. He knew what he wanted to say but it just wouldn’t come out. Finally he managed: “I don’t mind if you come back to the house.” Her excuse sounded like Calla Speak to his ears. If she wanted to spend some time with her children he’d put up with it somehow.

Well, that was very nice of him. Very gentlemanly, very adult indeed. Score one for Daniel Jackson. However, that pretty but slightly round brunette was done congratulating whoever the boy was and was starting to turn her attention back to Daniel. If she was going back to the house there was no way Calla was going back to the house.

Fate intervenes in moments like this and has a nasty sense of humor about it to boot. “There you are, love. Did you forget we have an appointment?” Andrew Hartley said with a cold smile as he came up from behind them. He was still reeling from the sheer and utter gall of her departure. He was so angry in fact that he had limousine meet him at the airport because he was afraid to drive. “Hello, Daniel.”

“Hartley,” Daniel returned through tight lips and watched the man slip an arm around Calla’s slender waist.

“I haven’t forgotten,” she stuttered as she looked up at Andy. The anger was clear in his eyes. “I was just telling them you’d be here at any moment.”

“And here I am.” He told her while looking at the rest of them. Andrew wasn’t sure what he’d just walked in on but she seemed happy to see him as she slipped her around him so he thought he’d follow her and see where she led him. “And who is this large fellow?” Andy asked as he took in Ares.

“Andrew Hartley,” Calla mumbled, “this is my Father, Ares. Ares, Andrew Hartley.” She finished the introduction in a groaning voice.

“Ares, hey?” Hartley’s eyes lit up as he put out his hand. For the love of God, the man really honestly could be Ares Greek God of War! Not only that but looking at the two of them almost side by side, Nicholas was a miniature—if one could use that word in regard to Nicholas—version of his Grandfather. There was no denying that this was the man in the painting with Callestah and Daniel, the one she had yet to finish.

“Yes.” Ares’ big mitt closed down harshly while he shook Hartley’s hand. “I hear you’ve been keeping my Daughter company.”

“That I have,” Andy admitted and tried to take his hand away from the crushing force. Out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw Daniel smile at his predicament. “She’s a wonderful girl.”

“Don’t you forget it,” Ares squeezed Andy’s hand so tight Andy thought all the bones there would just shatter to ash before he let go.

“I promise I shan’t forget.” Andy swore and shook his sore paw to bring the blood supply back. “Anyway, Nicholas, Colleen, congratulations on a job well done.” Andy smiled. “Darlin’, we have to go now.”

“Give your Mother a hug.” She said to the kids and they came as she asked. “I love you both, don’t forget that. I’ll be back in a while, be good until then. Don’t give your Father too hard of a time, ok?”

“Can’t you come back just for a little while?” Colleen asked with hopeful eyes.

“No, dear, I’m afraid she can’t.” Andy answered for Calla.

Daniel had about enough of watching this little exchange. “Why can’t she, Mr. Hartley? I mean, it is graduation day and she should be here to celebrate it with her children.” Daniel watched Calla’s mouth drop open as he spoke it was as if she couldn’t believe he might actually be standing up for her in some small way.

“Sorry, Daniel, but we’ve a plane to catch. It’ll take us an hour to get back to Denver and the plane leaves for Switzerland at two.” Andy said sternly and then turned to Calla. “If we leave right now we’ll just make it with enough time for check in.” He turned back to the twins. “I’m very sorry to have to whisk your mother away like this but it really is time we left. This was just a short little trip to surprise the two of you she was….very insistent about it.”

I bet she was. No one was more surprised than Daniel when Calla said she wasn’t going to be able to make it to the graduation after all. “What’s so important in Switzerland that it can’t wait for a later flight?” Daniel asked. “I mean I’ve heard about this European tour you’re doing, Ki…” he cleared his throat, “Calla….but I thought it didn’t start for another month or more.”

“Yes, what could it be?” Ares intoned and loomed over Andrew Hartley. “Hum, chocolates or coo-coo clocks?”

Andy’s eyes narrowed on the big man but he didn’t dare take Ares on. “It’s Callestah,” Andy corrected as he turned his attention back to Daniel. “She goes by Callestah now, you know, like Elvis or Cher.” He smiled. “Calla Jackson it’s just such a bland and boring name.” He complained lightly. “Callestah,” he let the name roll off his tongue in an easy whisper, “it just has so much more pop, don’t you think Daniel?”

“Come on one more hug.” Calla said quickly and held her arms out to Nicholas.

He couldn’t help it he scooped her up and picked her off the ground. “I love you, Mom. Don’t go.” Nick said in her ear. “You can stay with Annie and me.” Sensing it was the last time he was going to see her for a long while his arms wrapped tighter around and his big hand caressed her back, the soft cotton blouse wasn’t much cover.

Calla felt him tighten and draw in a hard breath. “Don’t say anything, promise me.” Calla whispered to her son.

“Mom,” he looked over her shoulder from Ares to Hartley and his own Father while he stroked the bumpy knotted skin under the flimsy shirt. “What….Hartley, I’ll kill…”

“It wasn’t Andy,” she was choking back tears as she hid her face in his long hair. “Please don’t tell anyone. I love you Nicholas please do this for me.”

Nicholas felt ill as he settled her back to the ground. “All right.” He whispered and then let go of her. “I love you, Mom. See you soon.”

“Yes.” Calla agreed and hugged Colleen and whispered to her she loved her and everything would be all right. “Good bye.”

Andrew Hartley escorted her away from them. “Gonna let her go, Jackson?” Ares hissed.

“Shut up.” Daniel returned in a snotty tone. “Why don’t you go after her?”

“Me? She doesn’t want me to chase her.” Ares stepped back, waved a good-bye to the kids then stepped around to the other side of the large fir tree and never emerged. He just disappeared back to his island and his cave.

Andy and Callestah made their way across the football field and back to the parking lot without talking to each other, she walked over to the Lexus and retrieved her small overnight bag from the front seat then followed him to the limousine, she was sure Andy would send someone for the rental car and that he wasn’t going to allow her to drive herself to the airport.

End of Chapter Six
Tarnished Heroes: Life in the Fast Lane--Calla's Story
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Chapter Seven