One such morning, three days before the committee meeting, Tori felt like things might unravel. She had gone in at 7:30 to count the tills and prepare the deposit, as usual. Once everything had been locked in the safe, she made her way out to the front and opened the instrument case. Removing her key from the lock, she hummed a song by the group who would be taking over her store; it’s not long, and I’ll leave this place behind.
Plugging in the leads and adjusting the controls, she decided, I think I’ll have some fun with a couple of their songs. He’s not the only one who can play them; her thoughts were filled with disdain. Brian Madson had been in the week before to pick up the custom that Terry had built for him, and they had gotten to meet for the first time.
Immediately, she felt on the defensive, as the man turned out to be a real jerk. Of course he is, she rationalized to herself in retrospect, he’s rich and famous and better than everyone else, especially you. Where most girls fell all over themselves for the chance to be close to men like Brian, Tori wanted nothing of him, and the experience made her long to be finished and gone from that place.
Running her fingers slowly along the fret board, she went through one of the band's songs, feeling the cords out before she brought them up to speed. A few minutes later, her fingers danced across the strings, and she began to get that sensation.
The guitar had become a drug for her, one that made her euphoric, where she could get lost in the feeling and forget about the things that loomed about her, threatening her life, future, and those she cared about. Letting herself live in the moment, she could feel the rest of the world melt away, free to let her music express what lay in the depths of her soul.
Tori stood on the little stage as she played, but she had no plans to ever do so publicly or even for another person. Her gift was something she did for herself, by herself, and she liked it that way. Becoming engrossed in the sounds she created, she began to sway her body in time, and her hair fell down over her face, obstructing her view.
She closed her eyes, allowing her spirit to become a part of the riffs as they flowed out of her. Finishing the melody, she lifted her head, her hair hanging down in front of her face. Reaching to her forehead, she ran her fingers along her scalp from the front to the back, and then through the long strands to pull it out of her face, a smile of ecstasy on her lips.
Tori opened her eyes, startled to discover she wasn’t alone. Terry had come in early to meet with Brian Madson and Collin Graham, who liked to be involved in the planning at the ground level for events such as this one.
They had entered while she played, lost in her addiction, and had stood silently watching her movement as she tossed her ebony tresses behind her. Slightly embarrassed, and angry at being caught, more or less, she unstrapped the guitar, intending to put it away and get on with her day.
Collin had other plans, stepping up to her while grinning from ear to ear. “Hey, that’s pretty good,” he complimented her as he introduced himself to the dark haired beauty, “I’m Collin… Graham. Bass player.” Tori accepted his outstretched palm in her discombobulated state, and he held it firmly, rubbing the back with his thumb as they conversed.
“So, listen, would you like to jam for a bit? I’d love to play with you.” He used the pun out of habit, wondering if she would bite. Giving her his best grin as he cajoled her, he mentally lamented, Brian said she was a bitch; he neglected to mention how gorgeous!
Tori shook her dark waves, giving him an awkward smile, “I need to get the store ready to open.” She looked down at her hand, still entrapped in his. Damn it. If I pull it away, then I look anti-social, and I’ve been working so hard on that. His fingers produced an odd sensation in the pit of her stomach, and she felt conflicted by the tingle in her skin as he caressed it.
“Well, like I said, you’re really good. Some other time then?” he turned on the charm, flashing eyes and teeth.
Continuing to keep him at bay, she shyly admitted with a small giggle, “No one was supposed to hear that. I play for myself, not for other people.” Her wider smile hinted that she enjoyed the attention he gave her, their physical contact more moving than their slow conversation.
Brian chose that instant to interrupt them, walking up to announce quite loudly, “Hey, knock it off you two. We all have work to do,” and he practically dragged Collin away from her. He would never admit she was any good, thinking to himself, that imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but he would rather not have her butchering his music, changing it the way she had been when the small group walked in. He had not liked the girl since he met her, finding her to be standoffish and conniving, and his opinion wasn’t about to change anytime soon, even if his best friend did want to fuck her.
The three men went on about their business, standing next to the far glass counter while they discussed how things should be set up for the upcoming events. While she hung the guitar back in the case, Tori could feel Collin watching her, and stole a glance in their direction as she locked it up.
He flashed a grin at her when he saw her peek, and she could feel the color rise to her cheeks at having been caught by him for the second time in one day. She went about the work of opening the registers and inspecting the store, but everywhere she went, she could feel his gaze upon her.
Tori let Max and Derrick in at 10:00 am and set them to work on the list of chores Terry had given her. They had worked out where things were going to be located for the autograph session, which would be the first event in the series taking place at their location. They were expecting to have lots of customers in the store, so all of the shelves and racks would need to be stuffed for the extra sales.
While Tori was in the back getting the deposit, Collin reappeared, trapping her in the door frame of the office with his tanned arms. She shifted her gaze nervously as he made his case, “So, how about dinner then? Surely you like to eat.” Man, this girl is smokin’, his eyes stared at her perfect pink lips as he waited for her reply.
She caught a whiff of his aftershave, liking the scent more than she cared to admit. Smiling politely, she reached up to lay her hand on his chest, “That sounds really exciting, but I do have work to do. And I have plans later, thanks.” Pushing him back away from her, she closed the office and went on her way.
He watched her as she walked, liking the way her rear end swayed below the ends of her long dark hair. Collin wasn't used to being turned down by girls. Since the band had their first hit five years prior, things had come pretty easy for him. Oh yeah, this one’ll be a challenge, and I like challenges. She might not fall right into bed with him, but he discerned he could get her if he played his cards right. Rubbing the burning spot on his chest where she had touched him, he chuckled, it’s just a matter of time.
Tori walked the two blocks to the bank, her head spinning. What in the hell could a man like Collin Graham want with me, besides a quick romp? She didn't like the way he made her palms sweaty or her heart beat like a thoroughbred on race day.
Besides, she had completely sworn off men since Enrique left, and in her heart, she still loved him. She didn’t think about him so much anymore, but she wasn't ready to admit he was gone for good. Trudging along, thoughts about her lost loves swirled inside her head, darkening her mood.
By the time she made it back to the store, Tori was almost in a fit of rage, angry at the world that gave her people to love, only to take them away. She felt that life somehow plotted against her, and she had no intention of adding Collin to her list. Pulling the glass door open to go back inside, she made a solemn oath she would not allow that to happen.
Making her way through to check on the progress with preparations, Tori noted that Terry and the other two men were gone. She breathed a sigh of relief, hoping she could avoid any further contact with the man who pursued her. Eyeing the white guitar as it hung in the rack, she felt a pang of sadness knowing she would not be able to take it with her when she left; another love I will lose, she thought with a sigh.<
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The next day, the autograph session took place without a hitch. Tori managed to avoid the band entirely and busied herself with running the store. Terry had been right; the place teemed with customers, and in no time the fifty slots for the contest were filled.
Tori had felt Collin watching her, but when she looked his way, he would turn, suddenly interested in something else close at hand. She noted the way he played the girls, confident her decision to avoid him had been sound. And in a few days, I can kiss this place, and jackasses like those two, goodbye.
Destiny or Fate
The committee meeting rapidly approached, being only two days away. Tori reminded Terry she would need the day off, but promised to come by and let him know how things had gone. The morning of the meeting, she awoke with an uneasy lump in the pit of her stomach. Slipping into her workout clothes, she made her way downstairs and out of the door as usual. She pushed herself extra hard that morning, hoping to drain some of the nervous energy she felt trapped inside her.
Making it back to the house, she found Sharon already in the kitchen, as if she were waiting for her. Tori made a point to stop and speak to the older woman, as she respected her and appreciated all she had done to help her on her path. Grabbing her bottle of water and an orange, she sat at the table so the pair could talk.
“Are you nervous?” Sharon inquired with a smile.
Tori admitted, “A bit anxious, I guess.” They talked quietly about the proceedings and who would be attending. Tori felt fairly certain Eli would not be there. She had never really spoken of him to anyone, and so their night together remained a secret as far as she knew. However, his having been reassigned was suspicious, to say the least.
Tori assumed Jim Godfry would be attending, and perhaps Warren La Buff. She hoped Debra would make it, but wasn't getting her hopes up. Beyond that, she had no idea who to expect.
Sharon assured her that she and Brandon would be there and that Terry had given a statement that would be read. Tori knew a lot of the proceedings rested on formality, but there was always the possibility they could make her wait longer or flat deny her release, and the thought of that scared her.
The clock staring down at her read almost 7:00 when Tori finally stood, announcing she should get ready. Making her way into the shower, she pushed the thoughts of what lay ahead out of her mind. She needed to focus on this day, as nothing would follow if it were not successful. After the meeting, she could finalize her plans for the future.
Tori put on her bra and panties and covered her scar. She had been thinking about the tattoo to cover it, but still had not been able to settle on a design. She chose to wear a white shirt, along with her customary jeans and boots. Brushing out her ebony locks, she approved of the glossy sheen. With everything perfect, she made her way back downstairs, where Brandon and Sharon were waiting.
The three of them drove to the courthouse, and they would be meeting with the committee in a closed session. Entering the small chamber, Tori noted that Doug Seeming had come with the group, along with Dr. Bennet.
She had not forgiven him for doing this to her, as his expert opinion had put her in that situation. She hoped he felt stupid, as she had not grown at all since coming into custody, and it should be obvious at this point that he was wrong.
Of course La Buff and Godfry were both there, as Tori had predicted, so the only two main members who were missing were Debra and Eli. Although curious where they had gone to, she did not dare ask on such a precarious occasion.
The final man in the room a stranger to her, she sat staring at his lined face. An older man, with almost no hair, the few that remained were a silvery grey that matched his skin. The man pursed his lips at her and did not smile. His look made her knotted stomach flop as she folded her hands in her lap.
Special Agent James Godfry called the meeting to order, although no one was actually speaking when he did so. In the interest of formality, he read a brief statement as to Tori's case, outlining their agreement and her fulfillment of those terms.
He also gave Dr. Bennet a chance to speak as to his medical opinion of her, and he again described how he had determined her age. Although she did not realize it, she gave him an icy stare as he spoke, the anger simmering just below the surface. When he finished, Doug Seeming reported their progress towards finding her identity.
“I hate to admit it,” he stated with obvious disappointment, “But we have been unsuccessful at finding any leads as to Tori's origins.”
She felt a mixture of sadness and relief at the news, and maintained her placid composure.
“We went back as far as twenty years with missing children files,” he continued with a sigh, “We did blood testing on known relatives of those missing; everything we could think of. We got nothing. I believe it’s safe to say, well I hate to use the word safe, but we can be pretty strong in saying, her true identity will never be located.”
Tori stared at her lap as he finished speaking, trying to hide the sense of relief she felt. Thank God… my family will never be placed in danger because of me.
After everyone from Chicago had given their part, Sharon read Terry's letter aloud. Brief but genuine, Tori felt glad she had decided to stay through another few days to help him. His words were kind and convincing, describing how she had grown as an employee, always been respectful and hardworking, and capable of handling responsibility. He finished by saying he knew she would someday move on to other things, and she would be greatly missed. Tears stung her eyes as she tried to blink them back, knowing that day was not so far away.
The Tates each had a turn to speak about what they had witnessed, and Sharon spoke of her relationship with Lins and how she had watched the girl blossom into a confident young woman. Tori began to feel as if they were trying to make her cry, and she caught a tear at the corner of her eye, dabbing it with the tip of her finger.
Brandon at least had the kindness to be less emotional, talking about what he had observed with her relationships and how she had poured herself into rebuilding the motorcycle that stood in his garage, shining like new. Now that it was running, he confided that he wished he could get ahold of the actual owner, who had left it behind, to return it.
At last, the older man identified himself, “Tori, my name is Judge William Carlton, and I’m going to give the final ruling on your case. Before I make that decision, I would like to hear from you. What are your ideas for the future and where do you see yourself going from here?”
She drew in a deep breath, knowing she could not simply blurt out all the plans she had been making, as this was a time for finesse and intrepidity. Exhaling the breath slowly, she could feel herself slipping into the role, and she began by admitting she had a dark history.
She passed quickly over her transgressions that had been laid out before the committee in Chicago, and her brief infidelity that had occurred with Enrique and what became of that. She ended by speaking about her efforts to improve herself, her church adventure, her journal and its aide in finding a clear path, and the AA meetings that she attended every week. She relayed briefly her joy at the friendships she had formed and embellished as she saw fit, and in a way felt as if she were trying to sell the man a new shiny guitar.
In the end, she hoped that she had polished the story enough and that she had conveyed sincerity as she explained that she wanted to settle down and build a life for herself there, where she had begun to put down roots. She could see the smile on Sharon’s face as she spoke, and it gave her confidence that this was a pleasing path to embrace, one that would help her case.
Sticking to safer tactics, she made no mention of her fear of what was coming, or the fact that she knew she was a pawn that the FBI intended to play with as they willed. She also did not mention her relief that her family had not and would not ever be located and that her identity was locked away somewhere in a hidden vault not even she could open.
Upon hearing her words, the judge asked her to step outside so that they could di
scuss her case and come to a decision. Rising slowly, she gave them a small smile, her intestines still twisting in knots. She passed through the door, closing it behind her.
Making her way down the hall, she found a small waiting area and purchased a bottle of water out of the vending machine. They were several stories up, so she stood next to the large window that surveyed the wide expanse of LA while gulping it anxiously.
It seemed like hours, but in fact only a few minutes had passed before Sharon came and asked her to return to the tiny room. Walking in, Tori studied the faces to see if she could ascertain the verdict. Most were smiling, and she could feel the relief wash over her, as surely that meant good news.
Again, Judge Carlton spoke. “Tori, I want to congratulate you on the steps you have taken. You have come a long way in a short time, and that is commendable. I also want you to know, I’ve made a note as to your disagreement to the necessity of being emancipated. However, as the expert, Dr. Bennet's evaluation will stand.”
Setting her jaw, she tried to hold the anger out of her eyes at the decision.
Tapping a folder before him, the older man continued, “That means that you will be bound by this judgment, and your established age will be sixteen years as of today. Furthermore, you will be emancipated according to the laws of the State of California, and you will not be permitted to drink or vote until you reach the proper age according to the date of birth that has been established for you. Do you have any questions about these guidelines as I have described them?”
Tori managed to force a small smile as she shook her head emphatically.
He continued, his voice confident in his role, “If you have no questions, then it is my pleasure to pronounce you emancipated by the power of this court. May you have a long and happy life.”
Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief and Sharon leapt to her feet to hug her. She gushed on about how excited they were that she had decided to stay in LA and that they would be more than willing to help her look for a place of her own.
A New Life Series - Starter Kit Page 29
