My smile fell away. “I need to run something by you. Or see if you can put some feelers out for me. Or maybe just get your advice—”

“Caelyn,” Callie cut me off. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

Callie’s phone might run away from her, but for me, it was my words—and always when I was flustered or anxious. I let out a long breath, trying to center myself and organize my thoughts. “I had a particularly nasty run-in with that Patti Jenkins woman I told you about.” And after I’d seen her again today, it was clear she wasn’t releasing that grudge.

“The one who’s always so judgy?”

“That’s the one. We got into it, and she threatened to call CPS. I just…I want to make sure we’re okay. I mean, they’re not going to try and take the kids because I told this woman she was an awful human, right?” As the words tumbled out of me, panic tightened my ribs, squeezing my lungs.

“Oh, sweetie. No. Take a deep breath.”

I obeyed, picturing the breathing I took my people through in my yoga classes. Tears stung the corners of my eyes. “I hate that I’m scared all the time. Just waiting for some other shoe to drop.”

“It’s hard doing this alone. And you had to fight really hard to get custody in the first place. It’s completely understandable that this horrible woman has you freaked. She hit you where you’re most vulnerable.”

I nodded as if Callie could see me. “What do I do?”

Papers shuffled in the background on Callie’s end of the line. “Nothing. I’m going to call CPS and make them aware of the situation. As sad as it is, it’s not unusual for someone to make a false report out of anger or revenge. They know how to spot those. And this Patti lady’s intentions are going to come through loud and clear.”

I twirled the wine glass between my fingers. “The sad thing is, I’m pretty sure she thinks she’s right. That I am a horrible guardian and am ruining the kids’ lives.”

“You know that’s not true, right?” Callie asked softly. I stayed silent. I knew I cared for my siblings more than anyone else ever would, but I also knew I fell short in all sorts of ways. There were so many days where I felt like I was barely holding it together. “Caelyn O’Connor, you listen to me, and you listen good. You are an amazing guardian to those kids. I wish I could clone you and give you to every child that has walked through the doors of the Alliance. Don’t let a bitter, hateful woman get in your head.”

A small laugh escaped me at the ferocity of Callie’s tone. “Thanks, Cal. You’re the best, you know that, right?”