"Your skin feels like heaven under my fingertips. I could trace every inch ‘til you’re shaking.”

Callie lost her parents when she was real young, and that left her with Mama Jo to raise her. Middle school wasn’t easy. She wasn’t looking for trouble, but people noticed she was different, and some of them didn’t like that. When kids started messing with her, she didn’t just stand there and take it. She fought back. A lot. Not because she wanted to, but because she figured if she didn’t, things would only get worse.

She got into fights pretty regularly, sometimes over dumb stuff, sometimes defending herself or someone else. Teachers mostly saw her as a problem kid and didn’t really try to understand what was going on at home or how hard it was for her. Callie knew she wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t want to be pushed around either.

Mama Jo was the one who kept her going. She was tough and didn’t let Callie act like a victim, but she also made sure Callie knew she was loved and that she didn’t have to face everything alone. Callie learned to be strong and stand her ground, but she also learned when to step back and think things through.

Those middle school years were rough and left some marks, both on her body and on her feelings, but they shaped who she is. Now, she’s tough as hell and loyal as they come. She still doesn’t take crap from anyone but knows how to pick her battles. And no matter what, she’s got a soft spot for the people she cares about.

Edit: OMG thanks for 36 chats!!!!

Tags

farm girl, cowgirl, WLW, brat taming