bookworm

Caleb Adams. Canadian transplant from South Carolina. Father. Husband. Writer.

[cal-adams-blog]

lucas-grey:

  “Maybe” he smiled, “I always like to stick to something simple”

“Yeah, simple is good, and durable. It’s not like you won’t get a lot of use from a winter jacket in Montreal.”

[cal-adams-blog]

marcuswest:

“I get why you’ve been deterred from driving places then. Where did you live?” Marcus asked. Back in his hometown, driving was pretty much essential to getting around. Although from when he used to live in New York he could definitely relate to the ‘driving being a hassle’ statement. Seeing as it was almost worse than Montreal in that regard. “Sort of. I’ve been here for about a year, so not entirely new perhaps.”

“Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. God bless southerners, but none of them can drive worth a damn,” Cal said, shaking his head with a slight grin. “What brings you to the area? I first moved here for college myself, but that was -- god, about twelve years ago.”

[cal-adams-blog]

amarabass:

Amara chuckled when he thickened his accent. “That’s great. I love the south, especially the old plantain houses. I went to a Southern wedding and it was absolutely amazing.” She smiled. “Oh, yeah. California gets so hot in the summer, it’s insane, but I’m just used to it. I never even saw snow until I was about thirteen and went to Russia. I know some of my Southern friends who never saw snow.” Amara saw the ring on his finger and nodded. “Aww, that’s lovely that you moved here for her. How long have you been married?” 

“Oh, yeah, those are beautiful. I went to Boone Hall Plantation once on an eighth grade field trip. It’s hard to believe people actually lived like that, in those big, old rambling houses. Or like this, honestly,” he said, gesturing up at the large house behind them. “Wow, hold on, you went to Russia? Yeah, the snow here was kind of a rude awakening, that’s for damn sure.” He smiled. “About five years. We met in college.”

[cal-adams-blog]

edmeefadxms:

“Well, I’m not sure what they thought of me since they moved away before fifth grade. Oh god, you don’t think it was because of me, do you?” She brought varnished fingers up to her lips, genuine concern reaching her features. She couldn’t help it, the feeling of remorse or the feeling that somebody might have hated her wasn’t something she took lightly, though in this instance, he was completely deserving of such revenge. “Nope, not at all” Shaking her head proudly, a smile almost glimmered across her lips as she tilted her head up to him. “Although, check back with me on that if we get a phone-call from Issy’s school saying she’s attacked somebody with a glue-stick” She warned. Almost feeling her eyes roll to the back of her head, Eddie sighed. “Well, putting it into the context of a police lineup of princes, non-Disney or otherwise, he’s gonna be the smallest one there, isn’t he? But sure, in his usual surroundings, he’s a giant” She countered, a half-smirk lifting into one corner of her mouth. “Mhm, you’re right. I like that she can do whatever she wants to do and look good doing it, it almost makes her human. As human as a doll can be anyway. She’s certainly moving with the times. Although, that pregnant doll they made years ago gave me the creeps”.

“Aw, you’re a strange kind of grown-up, aren’t you?” She cooed, reaching a hand to his cheek. Barely brushing her lips against his, she pulled back, gently admiring his face. “Mhm, that’s settled then. I promise this house will be a completely applesauce’d establishment. You can have it every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner if that’s what you want” Edmée giggled softly.  “Oh come on, all babies are beautiful. I’m sure you weren’t any different. Besides, you’ve more than made up for it now” She kissed him again, a little longer this time. “I might have to bake your momma something special to soften her up into letting me see them” A smile, small and reflective sank into her lips as she tidied away her plate and curled up to his side. “Of course. I think she’d have licked the plate if I let her”.

Cal couldn’t help but grin at the genuine concern on his wife’s face. “Baby, I’m sure his dad just got a job somewhere else, or his mom had to move to help with a sick relative or something,” he said. “I bet he still has all his hair and everything. Though, of course, it’s not as nice as mine.” He grinned at her again. He laughed. “Would I be a bad parent if I thought it was funny as hell if she attacked somebody with a glue stick? As long as there was a good cause, of course. I don’t think she should go around just going ham with a glue stick. Even if that would be a little funny, too.” He pouted slightly. “That’s not fair! It’s like they say, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it’s always gonna feel stupid. Or short, in this case. Poor -- what’s his name? Kristoff? No, wait, that’s the Hulk Hogan guy from Frozen.” He made a little face. “Yeah, the pregnant doll was creepy. I’ve thought baby dolls were weird enough.”

He nodded thoughtfully at her words. “Pretty strange,” he agreed amicably, grinning and leaning into her touch. “All applesauce, all the time. My doctors will probably be pretty scared for me.” He snorted and shook his head. “All babies are not beautiful. I was not a beautiful baby. I’ll show you baby pictures if I have to, but I don’t want to go that far because you won’t look at me the same, I want you to love me and think I’m handsome.” He smiled into the kiss, one hand settling in the curve of her neck. “I bet you were the prettiest baby in the world. Thank god Issy looks just like you.” He smiled and draped his arm around her. “Well, I’ve got a few other recipes up my sleeve.”

[sfelicitysmoak]

[edmeefadxms]

       @cal-adams + issy

[cal-adams-blog]

marcuswest:

“That’s a good sentiment. I should really start to follow that principle myself.” Accepting the coins, he nodded towards the others words. Marcus was an avid driver, always taking his car most places he had to go unless it was within walking distance. Which was somewhat odd, considering the size of his vehicle and the inconvenience of it in a bustling city. “Marcus. Nice to meet you.” He introduced. 

“I used to live in a tourist trap, and god, driving was just a hassle, especially during the spring and the summer when we had a lot of vacationers,” he said, with a snort and a shake of his head. “Nice to meet you, too. I’m guessing you’re new in town?”

[cal-adams-blog]

edmeefadxms:

“I know, it’s so terrible I never thought about the repercussions. I wouldn’t be surprised if he never went to a barber again after that and just became Grizzly…Prescott? Maybe he has a specially designated glue applier with him just in case?” Edmée laughed obnoxiously, concealing the heat evident in her cheeks with her palms. She shook her head, loose waves rolling off her shoulders, her laughs muffled as her hands moved in front of her mouth when the embarrassment quickly resurfaced all over again. She remembered how her parents had to be called into school and the veiled smile her father tried to hide under the guise of scolding, secretly proud of how his daughter could handle herself, no matter how unorthodox the means were. “Or maybe it’s how well you wear a flower crown? Although, I’m not sure all princes are tall. Haven’t you read Thumbelina?” Ed mussed up his hair some more before he could answer. “Is this your new ad campaign then? Equality for princes and princesses?”.

Edmée dragged her fork around her plate, still listening keenly. She was almost a millimetre away from taking another bite before the laughter erupted all over again at the surprising and equally false “revelation”. “Oh god, you better kidding or else what did you think applesauce was made out of?” She asked, a thick mix of genuine curiosity and playfulness reaching her lips as they curved. “It’s one of the first things you give to babies before they can eat solids, just like other pureed things. Unless you were some kind of medical phenomenon and just came out all tall and grown-up. Wait a minute, is that why I’ve never been allowed to see any more of your baby photos?” She gasped at her own revelation, her hand covering her mouth in shock. Moments later, her attention turned back to her plate until the air suddenly turned complimentary. “Just the way I am, hm? You wouldn’t want me to be taller? Or less clumsy?” Edmée fought back a smile, running a few fingers through her hair. “Oh no, don’t be silly, your cornflakes and chicken tasted delicious. Issy loved them”.

“His poor parents. Now they have a mountain man for a son all because of little Eddie Fischer,” he said, laughing and shaking his head. “Poor guy, you really don’t give a damn, do you?” He grinned. “Well, it’s not just a Snapchat filter, you know. Flower crowns are very flattering. Yeah, but the prince in Thumbelina was tall to the little fairy people. It’s all about context, Ed.” He laughed. “Maybe. That new Barbie campaign is really great, I like that they’re taking the idea of this unattainable woman and turning it around to show that because Barbie can do anything, so can the little girls who love her.”

“I mean, I just never thought about applesauce being pureed fruit. I understood the concept, but the phrase ‘pureed fruit’ is absolutely not appetizing. Exactly, it’s something you’re forced to eat as a baby or a really old person because you don’t have any teeth. It isn’t a delicious and healthy snack. I love apple sauce, damn it. It’s a good, quick breakfast.” He snorted. “No, you’ve never seen my baby photos because I was an ugly baby. I was born early and my head was, you know, normal for a baby born full-term but I had a scrawny little premie body. I looked like Jabba the Hut for the first year of my life.” He smiled and shook his head. “Nope, no taller and no less clumsy.” He smiled again. “She did?”

[cal-adams-blog]

lucas-grey:

  “I am fine” he answered, “it looks like your jacket is ruined”

“Oh, well,” Cal said, genuinely not being that bothered by it. “If I can’t patch it up, I’ll just get a new one. Maybe I’ll get one of those big puffy marshmallow jackets, my daughter would probably get a kick out of it.”

[cal-adams-blog]

jamesxspencer:

James nodded with resolve. “Muffins. Muffins sound good,” he said firmly. He turned around and looked at the board only to have his resolve disintegrate. “Which muffin though? Chocolate? Blueberry? Almond?”

“I’ve never had an almond muffin in my life, so my first thought is that you should go with that one just because I’m curious as to what that would taste like. But blueberry is always a safe bet.”

[cal-adams-blog]

jamesxspencer:

“You would think, but they’re actually pretty good,” James said as he squinted at the menu. “Gosh, this is hard.”

“Yeah, I’ll take your word for it,” Cal said, shaking his head with a grin. “Just get a muffin. Muffins are uncomplicated.”

[cal-adams-blog]

marcuswest:

A short relieved chuckle escaped Marcus in a breath. “Tell me about it. I thought these things had gone pretty much extinct by now, but the son of a bitch proved me wrong.” Marcus remarked in agreement. “That’s perfect. I really appreciate it”

“Here, man. I honestly hardly ever drive, anyway. In a city that actually has a functioning public transportation system, it’s not worth it.” He laughed softly. “I’m Cal, by the way.”

[cal-adams-blog]

lucas-grey:

  “Sorry, i was just thinking out loud” he sighed as he looked at the man, “are you okay?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just some kids,” Cal said, shaking his head. “Are you?”

[cal-adams-blog]

amarabass:

“South Carolina? Wow. you’re a real southern belle.” Amara joked, nodding. “I don’t think the cold is that bad. It’s refreshing, actually, but I’ve always been a spring baby. Born in the spring, said my first words during the spring time, my first steps even. I love when it’s not hot, but not cold, you know? Like that perfect amount, where it’s just right.” She smiled. “What made you want to stay in Montreal if you’re from the states then?” 

“Yes, ma’am,” Cal said, grinning, prounouncing the second word like ‘ma-yam’ and making his accent thicker than it really was. “Yeah, I feel the same way about fall. I mean, that’s probably because spring in the south lasts maybe two weeks and then it’s just so hot that you want to bury yourself in a glacier.” He held up his left hand to show off his ring finger. “My wife is from here, so I kinda had to stick around.”

[cal-adams-blog]

edmeefadxms:

“I’m afraid so” Edmée hummed sweetly with a gentle nod of loose curls. Her taut, bitten smile was quickly replaced with a light gasp of faux incredulity as if she’d just been accused of a most hideous crime. “Only what he deserved. A little Superglue in his hair, that’s all. He wasn’t being very nice to me and of course, It wasn’t my fault his momma had to cut out a giant chunk out of it” She explained away her crime with a pleasing grin, mischief playing into the corners, looking like a bigger version of their kid, standing there, a poised tilt of her head, ready to hear what he had to reply with. Taking a long drag of his hair between her fingers, Edmée giggled, curling the strands until they were sprouting out of from every direction. “Hey now, according to Issy and her friends, you’re very princely. There’s no way I could do anything to tarnish that kind of royal applause” Feeling his palms warm hers, she twisted their fingers into a not-easily-breakable knot. “Much better”.

“Mhm, I see. Well, I hope you’re not opposed to going on dates with me, talk about awkward” Eddie giggled. “I’m curious though, what does a typical night out consist of, hm? Mahjong in the park with some pureed fruit to finish?” She asked with a laugh, slowly draping her legs over his after she reached for her own plate and letting it warm her lap. Nodding along with the talk of work and what that actually entailed, Eddie offered him a warm smile as penance for having little to no idea how he turned his creative hands to it. “I know, babe. Or well, I’m trying to. Feel free to fluff me up anytime” Taking a bite for herself, Edmée grinned as she finished it off quickly. Somehow, the teaching had paid off and it tasted fine, delicious even, at least for now. “Okay, fine, I believe you. For now”.

Cal more or less cackled as Edmee told her story. “Eddie, oh my god,” he said, still laughing and shaking his head. “I bet that guy is still traumatized and starts shaking every time he goes to the barber. He can’t ever glue anything ever again. He just has to use staples or tape.” He leaned into her touch, laughing as she made his hair stand on end. “I think it’s because I’m so tall. Princes are always tall, it seems like. Which doesn’t seem very fair. Princes and princesses should come in all shapes and sizes, I think.”

He smiled. “I’m definitely not opposed to that,” he said, his happiness filling him up until he thought he was going to burst. “Wait -- is applesauce just pureed fruit? Oh my god.” He put both hands over his face as though shook by this revelation. “Oh my god, it’s just pureed fruit. My whole life has been a lie.” He laughed softly as he pulled his hands away from his face. “I don’t have to fluff you up, you’re perfect the way you are.” He smiled and took another bite. “This makes my cornflakes chicken look so bad.”

[cal-adams-blog]

amarabass:

“Okay, I know I’m from LA, but is it always this cold in Montreal? Honestly, I’m wearing three pairs of socks.” Amara said, shivering in her winter coat as she looked up at the beautiful house. “Whose house is this, by the way? I thought LA had beautiful homes, but…this one is breath-taking. If it wasn’t so cold and if my fingers weren’t numb, I would take a picture.” 

“During this time of year? Pretty much, yeah. I’m not from here, but I’ve lived here for a while off an on since college, and we probably have a few more weeks of cold before things start to turn around in March. I mean, it’s not gonna get, you know, California hot or anything, but it does get pretty nice.” He smiled. “I’m from South Carolina, so I’m in a similar boat, I get you. Oh, uh, I think it’s the mayor’s house.”

[cal-adams-blog]

jamesxspencer:

“You see, caramel macchiato is always my go-to coffee. Always. But then the problem is what to get for breakfast. Cream cheese bagel? Ham cheese sandwich? Egg sandwich?”

Cal looked over at the man, raising his eyebrows. “Isn’t a ham and cheese sandwich a lunch thing?” he said. “I don’t think ham and coffee would really go together.”

[cal-adams-blog]

marcuswest:

The weather was brisk, the sky clear for once. Which made Marcus a little bitter seeing as he had several errands to run in the afternoon. He wasn’t in a hurry by any means, it just needed to get done. Preferably today. Stepping out of his truck, Marcus reached his hand down his back pocket, fishing out his wallet to feed the meter. And of course, the meter had to be one of the last coin-fed ones in Montreal. It was as if the ridiculous device was laughing in his face, seeing as there was no coin in sight resting in his wallet. Usually he had at least a couple of quarters scrambling around somewhere, but after using most of them for leisure tips and toll fees during his trip over the weekend he was now left cash-less. “Hey, I hate to be that guy. But do you got some cash to spare? I’ll pay you back” Directing the words to the first person walking by, his voice was gentle, apologetic even, as he asked for the favor.

Cal looked up as he fed some quarters to the newspaper machine, pulling the little door open to get the paper out. “Need change for the meter?” he said sympathetically. “I can’t believe they even have coin operated ones anymore. Everything else is done with that damn chip reader thing, why not the meters?” He fished around in his pocket and pulled out a few quarters. “How’s this?”