Chapter 581
Calliope and Silas arrived at the old house in no time. It wasn’t a mansion, but it was big-sprawling, really-with a huge yard out front. Just looking at it, you could tell the family had done well for themselves.
Calliope hadn’t been back in years. Ever since Grandpa Kermit passed away, she and her foster brothers barely visited anymore.
But the folks in the town had always been kind. Even when no one from the family was around, they’d take turns coming over, sweeping the porch, and keeping the
place up.
It was obvious, too. Even though no one had lived here in so long, the yard was spotless-not a single weed in sight. The young saplings she remembered had grown tall, and the garden was bursting with life, as if someone still lived here year-round.
Silas trailed behind Calliope, taking it all in.
“So this is where you grew up?” he asked, glancing around like he was picturing little Calliope darting around the yard. She definitely didn’t strike him as the quiet, well-behaved type-no, she had “wild child” written all over her.
“Yeah.” Calliope smiled. “Pretty nice, isn’t it p>
As she spoke, her eyes landed on the big old oak tree by the porch. Hanging from a sturdy branch was a wooden swing, swaying slightly in the breeze. Just seeing
it made her eyes sting with tears.
Grandpa Kermit had built that swing just for her. He’d doted on her endlessly. Even though her parents had abandoned her, she was always happy here, thanks to Kermit.
“That’s the swing my grandpa made for me. With his own hands, too p>
Calliope wandered over and sat on the swing.
It was still in perfect shape, not a scratch or bit of damage. It felt a little small under her now, but as a child, this had been her throne. She’d spend hours here, and her foster brothers would come out to push her, laughing and shouting the whole time.
Sometimes she’d stand on the swing, and they’d push her so high she felt like she was flying. She’d scream with delight.
Of course every time they did,
Grandpa Kermit would nearly have a heart attack-he’d grab a switch and chase the boys around, convinced they were trying to get her hurt.
Her foster brothers never meant any harm, and whenever she ran to “protect” them, they’d turn around and shield her instead.
Silas could tell how much this place meant to Calliope. She loved it here. What she missed most, though, was her grandpa.
It was a shame he was gone. She’d tried everything to save him, but no one could have helped, not really. That sense of helplessness had haunted her for years, making her walk away from medicine altogether.
But Silas knew she’d finally come to terms with it. She’d made her peace.
After exploring the yard, they headed inside.
The house looked almost exactly the way Calliope remembered, barely changed since she’d left. Everything
was spotless-no dust anyone
every picture frame shining.
knew the villagers must have kept up the cleaning.
The people here had always gotten along well with her family. She and Grandpa Kermit had always looked out for them, too, so it made sense they’d keep an eye on the place.
Calliope wandered through each room, her gaze lingering on old memories. Then she led Silas to her childhood bedroom.
“This was my room. Not bad, right?” she grinned.
“When I went to live with the Jewell family in town, the room they gave me was tiny. They never knew what my life was like out here in the country p>
“Honestly, I was like a little princess. Sure, it was rural, but Grandpa gave me the best of everything p>
“He even had this room decorated just for me. Whatever a city girl might have, I had it here too p>