“Maybe her clothes are quirky because she’s blind. I mean, that crazy shirt you’re wearing. You look like you fell into a vat of Albuquerque.” Blaze laughed like a hyena and fell into her.
“It’s Aztec print, you turd.” Tori elbowed him in the side. “I pick my own clothing intentionally.”
“Don’t listen to him; he has no style, Tori. Right now, he’s wearing a tacky Hawaiian shirt.” Presley chuckled.
“I have a color identifier app.”
“Which apparently Blaze could use as well,” Presley joked.
Tori giggled. “As for the shopping, I feel it by touch first and determine if I like the feel of the fabric and then I have friends go shopping with me to help me out, or I ask a sales associate to describe it in the store
“What about groceries? Since, apparently, you are domestic.” Blaze chuckled.
“I usually order online and do a delivery, and I label everything with braille when I get it.”
Scott shifted next to her before he got up and went inside. “My sister usually helps me, because I still have to figure out what everything is. The canned goods and such. If, for some reason, she can’t come over I FaceTime her and she hooks me up.”
“Braille seems like it would be difficult. Was it hard to learn?” Judith asked.
“Really hard. I don’t read it very well. I get by enough with labels and such. But I don’t think I could ever read a novel that way. I’m far too slow still.”
“How do you use the phone and the computer?” Wayne asked.
“I have a screen reader on both with voice over that reads everything for me,” Tori answered. She pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket and turned up the volume and touched the screen on the phone as it spoke everything aloud for her. She switched over to the camera setting and flipped the camera around. “Blaze, come close.” She motioned for him. “See it tells me if my face is in the shot, or if there are two faces.” She turned the phone to where it spoke aloud one face as it was pointed on her and Blaze stuck his face next to hers and it said two.
“Selfie,” Blaze said with a lisp as she snapped a photo.
Scott returned and sat back down next to her.
“You and your selfies.” Scott chuckled.
Tori chuckled. “Text photo to Blaze,” she said as she pressed the home button. Texting photo to Blaze, the voice over spoke. Blazes phone chimed in his pocket.
Blaze leaned into her as he grabbed his phone.
“And it’s now set as my screensaver to piss Harris off,” Blaze teased.
Tori giggled, hoping it would make him a little jealous after the whole run in with Brandi today. “With accessible technology, I can pretty much do everything. Post my own Facebook status, Google search, etcetera.”
“Do you dream with sight?” Presley asked.
“Yes,” Tori placed her phone back in her pocket. “My visual cortex, the part of my brain responsible for visualizing things, still works. It’s my optic nerves that are damaged. I still remember what things look like, and I can still visualize and dream with vision.”
“How do you read mail? Does someone have to do it for you?” Wayne asked.
“No, I have a scanner with software that will read the printed material and read it for me out-loud. Apps are getting better for signs and things like that, also.”
“How do you differentiate money?” Wayne asked.
“I have a money reader app that tells me the bills and I fold them differently in my wallet.”
“How do you wipe your ass?” Blaze shot at her next.
“Ian!” Judith scolded. “That’s not an appropriate question to ask a lady!”
“Ok, maybe blind girl Q and A was a bad idea.” Tori clutched her stomach, she was laughing so much. “Just like you do. With toilet paper, dumbass.”
“I wouldn’t be so certain he actually uses toilet paper, babe. I’ve seen his dirty laundry,” Scott chimed in.
Everyone laughed hysterically.
“Fuck you. Fuck you all.” Blaze huffed loudly.
“Language, boy!” Judith hollered at him in between giggles.
“Oh, come on now! You all were thinking it. Not a damn one of you had the balls to ask it though!” Blaze shouted over the gang. “I mean how do you know you’re ya know…good.”
Tori could hardly breathe she was laughing so hard. “I’m extremely thorough.” Tori took a big drink as she caught her breath. “Ok, that’s it. Q and A time is officially over.” Tori let out a big sigh and patted Blaze on the thigh. “Ok, Blaze. I want to hear your best Scott story.” It was time to move the spotlight.
Blaze clapped his hands. “Hell, this should be fun; this one is a good one.” He laughed even before the story began.
“So, this one time in Afghanistan, around two-thousand eight, we were training some goat-fuckers on doing a route recon.”
“Oh god…” Scott’s embarrassment was obvious. Also obvious, he knew what tale Blaze was about to share.
“Blaze!” Tori chastised him for saying such a thing.
“What?” Blaze snarled, “oh, goat-fuckers, whatever, pfft.” Blaze dismissed her concern.
“You will stop saying the f word this instant!” Judith reminded him.
“Just finish the story, Hodges.” Wayne gave a hearty laugh.
“Ok, so, I was driving and Harris was in the hatch on the gun. We were taking the off-road route, because we'd learned that it was safer than driving the primary route. Fewer IEDs, local checkpoints, you know. That, and you know, off-roading is just bitchin.”
Blaze gulped, then his glass clanked on the table. “So, we come around the bend in the route, around a little hill, and what the fu…hell, there are like two hundred goats about fifty meters ahead of us. Imagine goats everywhere, blocking the route. So, we pull up in our gun trucks and this mut-hut dwelling shepherd barely even glances at us, not even bothering to move the herd. I wail on the horn and nothing…” he chuckled, “so, SOP is that we shoot off a small pen-flare above the herd to scare the damn goats off the road.”
“SOP?” Tori asked.
“Standard operating procedure,” he explained then continued. “So, SOP is to shoot the flare above the herd, except…maybe I just so happened to hit a ditch at the exact same time Harris was setting off the damn flare.”
Blaze laughed uncontrollably, “and then...and then…” he couldn’t control his giggles.
She could imagine the tears of laughter pouring down his face.
“The flare went RIGHT INTO the herd! It bounced off a goat or two, then set this one poor bastard on fire!” Blaze fell off the patio bench, landing at her feet, still crying and laughing. "Harris was so pissed. He jumped out with a fire blanket and a bottle of water and ran to put the damn goat out. So here was Harris, pouring bottled water over a poor screeching goat engulfed in flames, running all over the damn place. Goats were running everywhere to get away from the Fire Goat.” Blaze couldn’t stop laughing. “Harris fell like ten times trying to extinguish the flames!”
Tori was doubled over, giggling, envisioning Scott running around the desert trying to chase a burning goat. “So, what happened to the goat?”
“Oh Lord, the goat was barbecue,” Scott chimed in. “I gave the shepherd twenty dollars and the blanket.”
“I could see him cussing and mumbling ‘F this shit’ as he walked back to the truck.” Blaze finally composed himself. “Funniest damn thing I've ever seen.”
The group’s laughter died down. “So Tori, tell us how you met my boy? College right?” Wayne asked.
Tori nodded and rotated her cup, twirling the ice around in it. She leaned her head on Scott’s shoulder. “Yeah. He was in his final year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis and I was in art school at Georgetown.” Tori’s mind went back to that night, the smell of the smoke in the small dive bar, Alice in Chains playing in the background, and Scott walking in with his short military cut and slightly leaner build, clean shaven baby face, still attractiv
e as ever. Still very much a young boy compared to the man he was now. She gave a sheepish grin. “We had a lot of fun back then, but neither of us were ready to settle down.”
“I was leaving for BUD/S and she was finishing school. It made little sense back then,” Scott explained. “Speaking of leaving, we underestimated our alcohol consumption.” She heard Scott put the empty bottle on the table. “I’m gonna make a quick run to the store.” Scott kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
Tori took another drink. She believed most of the consumption was her fault. She was on her fourth glass of whiskey and coke. Still, she was shocked they all went through an entire bottle.
“I’ll roll with you. I need to grab smokes,” Presley said and Tori heard her excuse herself. It was just Blaze, Tori and Scott’s parents left on the patio.
“Why not after his injury?” Judith asked. From their conversation in the car earlier, Tori knew Judith had put two and two together why Scott stayed put in DC and didn’t come back home.
“He was still finding himself. I was heading to graduate school in New York, followed by my internship at the Smithsonian.” Tori shrugged. “It wasn’t our time yet.”
“Was your vision declining by then?” Wayne asked.
What? They don’t know?
Her ears grew warm.
“No.” Tori tilted her head. She was a little shocked that Scott hadn’t told them it was a freak accident.
“We were just curious, if…” Judith stumbled over her words.
“If it’s genetic?” Tori asked plainly.
Her boldness and their silence told her she’d hit the nail on the head.
“Not that it matters,” Judith backpedaled.
Of course they were thinking about grandkids. All the grandkids she’d probably never give them. Her stomach sank.
Tori could understand their position. She could also kick Scott for not telling them and putting her in this awkward situation.
“It was a car accident last November,” Tori blurted.
She cringed at herself and put her drink on the table for spewing out the date, they didn’t’ ask that information. Drinking was her Achilles heel when it came to hiding her secrets.
Loose lips sink ships, Tori.
“Hmmmm,” Wayne mumbled curiously. Tori imagined him—an older version of Scott—narrowing his brown eyes and scratching a greying beard, putting it all together.
Tori’s stomach lurched. Being former military, Wayne was probably up to date on current events just as much as Scott was. Her spine stiffened. She couldn’t believe she’d opened her damn mouth. Scott was probably not wanting to sour his parents’ first impression of her, and she’d blown it.
Tori’s stomach was in knots and she was now breaking out in a sweat. If she was going to marry their son, they’d figure it out eventually. May as well just rip the damn band-aid off.
“I was in the car accident with Representative Donaghue the night he was killed last year,” she said. “That’s how I lost my sight.”
Nobody muttered a word as her confession hung in the air. The only sound was the crickets chirping in the distance.
Ironic, yet fitting.
“Damn, Blondie.” Blaze let out a whistle. “So that was the car accident. Scott never told me.”
Probably because he’s ashamed.
“Well, you poor thing. That had to be terrifying. Did you know him well?” Judith asked sweetly. “Were you two,” she swallowed hard, “involved?”
Tori grimaced. “No, we were not in a relationship. I love how the news keeps trying to paint it that way. We only met that evening.” She didn’t plan to elaborate past that. Scott’s parents knew all they needed to know.
Everyone was quiet. It was well known Donaghue had a bad reputation with women. It was easy to put two and two together where they were heading.
“Tori, I didn’t mean to bring that up. I’m very sorry.” Wayne reached over and patted her on the leg.
“It’s fine.” Tori brushed it off. “I was just at the wrong place, wrong time. It happened. No use trying to hide it.” Tori stood, swaying as the full effects of the alcohol hit her. Her hands trembled and she wanted nothing more than to get away and lick her wounds. “Not like I could if I wanted to anyway.” She reached for her cane. “That night will be with me the rest of my life.”
“You ok, Victoria?” Judith’s voice drooped. There was the pity that Tori despised. She couldn’t fault Judith for it. She was pretty damn pitiful at the moment.
“I’m fine.” She donned her best fake grin, but the pressure in her head was building at a rapid pace. “Just a little sleepy. I think I’m gonna call it a night.”
She went to the bedroom, shut the door, and flopped down on the bed. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to cry or scream. She was so weary of that night haunting her. She was tired of not feeling good enough for Scott, but the truth was, she wasn’t.
How would Scott feel when he finds the rest out?
Her mind swam—taking her back to age fourteen, and her mother’s boyfriend Russell’s face flashed in her head. His last words to her seemed hauntingly accurate at the moment: you’re a worthless piece of trash, and always will be. Of all the faces dimming in her memories, why couldn’t his fade?
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door, jarring her from her dismal thoughts. She didn’t respond. A second knock came, louder.
“Come in,” Tori groaned.
“Look at you, moping in the dark,” Blaze said. She heard the light flick on, then he shut the door.
She gave a wry laugh. “I’m always in the dark, dork.”
“Stop acting like a sad, pitiful, blind girl. That’s not the Blondie I know,” he scolded. “Mamma and Papa Harris went to bed.”
“Looks like I put an end to the party.” Tori frowned.
“Nah, it was getting late. Mamma Harris wanted to run in here and love on you, read you a bedtime story and say your prayers, I assume.”
Tori chuckled.
“I convinced her it was best to let you be.”
“Thank you.” The last thing Tori wanted right now was a long talk with Judith.
Blaze’s footsteps shuffled about the room. He chuckled.
“What?” Tori asked.
“This was definitely Scott’s teenage room. Mamma Harris has left it untouched. Sports trophies, geeky photos of him with braces.” Blaze snickered. “Better photos of him with the braces off. Of course Harris played football, the man’s a fucking ox. Holy shit; was Harris in a band?” Blaze giggled like a kid.
“Just as I imagined.” She grinned, thankful to Blaze for filling in the blanks.
“You’d think his mom would’ve at least pulled down the poster of half-dressed Carmen Electra.” Blaze snorted. “I bet if we shined a black light on it, Scott’s DNA would light up like the night sky.”
Tori rolled over, clutching her stomach—giggling so hard it hurt. Finally, she caught her breath.
Blaze patted her on the leg. “Come with me. Let’s go check out the land.” Blaze grabbed her hand and pulled her off the bed.
Tori groaned. “I don’t want to go out there. I’ll get eaten by mosquitoes.”
“Come on, city girl.”
“Fine,” she reached for her cane next to the bed.
Reluctantly, she let Blaze lead her outside. The blazing August heat had dissipated, but a thickness still hung in the air. Buzzing cicadas and chirping crickets were the only sounds other than their footsteps through the field. At least she was still wearing her boots, so the tall grass didn’t itch her ankles anymore. They walked for a long time, saying nothing until the house had to be far in the distance.
“How far are we going?” Tori finally asked.
“Just out to the barn—far enough to not be seen.”
“Hey, I may not be the girl next door, but I’m Scott’s girl.” Tori nudged him.
“Hey, I may be a bastard, but I’d never make a move on my best friend�
�s girl. Now sit.” Blaze eased her downward. Pinpoints prickled her backside as she sat on a bale of hay. “I have something to ease the tension of tonight for ya.” A lighter clicked as he lit up and sucked in a long breath. It only took two seconds for the weed to hit her nostrils.
“Damn, Blaze! At Scott’s parents’ house? Are you suicidal?” she gasped.
“We’re far from the house. Nobody would smell it anyway over the shit stink coming off this barn.”
“How the hell did you get that on the plane?”
Blaze laughed. “Pfft. Please. Child’s play.” He lifted her hand to place the joint in it.
“Please don’t tell me this was shoved up your ass.” Tori pulled back her hand, unwilling to take the offering.
“Do you want it, or not?” Blaze asked.
“Not until you tell me where it’s been.”
Blaze grunted. “I may be a disgusting pig, but I’m not that foul. I stole Dolly’s stash last night. That was the one thing she didn’t steal back. Bitch knew she owed me one.” He laughed. “Don’t tell Scott.”
Tori offered her hand and he placed the joint between her fingers. She lifted it to her lips and sucked in a deep breath. She held it in as long as she could, then exhaled with a long, relaxed sigh.
“Hell, Scott is the least of our worries. If Judith catches us we’re dead.” Tori took a second hit of the joint and let out a cough. “If they don’t like me now, they’d really hate me then.”
“Eh, whatever. It’s nothing. So, you were with Donaghue. Big deal.” Blaze grabbed the joint from her hand.
“Because there’s still so much even Scott doesn’t know about me. I’m not Brandi. I’ve never been that type of girl and I never will be.”
Least of all, Brandi could see. That’s not what bothered Tori the most. Brandi could probably have babies. Brandi was probably domestic. Brandi didn’t have skeletons lurking in her closet that could send Scott packing.
“I’m not the girl next door. I’m not the girl you bring home to meet the parents.” Tori chuckled nervously.
“But you’re the girl Scott brought home to meet the parents. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.” Blaze grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “You two are perfect for each other. Brandi’s got nothing on you, Blondie.”
Smoke and Mirrors: (Fire and Fury Book Two) Page 19
