The next morning, Brian gathered his things, leaving the guitar in the storage with the rest of the band’s belongings, in case they ever returned and needed them again.
The mood continued to be bleak as she drove him to San Antonio to his private plane. Overcome by emotion, she clung to him tightly before she allowed him to board it, thanking him for his visit. A tear slipped from her eye as she realized she would miss him.
Driving home alone, Tori wished she had insisted Michael go with her on the long trip. It would’ve been crowded on the way down, but this part would’ve been more pleasant.
Left alone with her thoughts, she considered her trip to the doctor and the conversation the two of them needed to have. I know it’s not necessary in the immediate future, but it’ll have to be soon, and this long, boring ride might have been the perfect time to have it.
Last Days
Arriving back at their small dwelling in the late afternoon, Tori found Michael in the yard, leaning underneath her favorite tree. He had been making plans of his own, and could wait no longer to take her over to the house and show her what he had been working on.
Hopeful Brian hadn’t given away his secret, he grinned at her as she pulled up to park. Climbing out of the vehicle, she greeted him warmly, happy to wrap her arms around him and swing side to side for a long embrace.
In the end, he pulled away from her and grasped her hand, leading her to his bike. “Hop on,” he instructed, throwing his leg over and firing it up.
Listening to the purr of the engine, Tori swung on behind him, expecting them to go for a long and relaxing ride. She leaned against him to place her hands around on his chest, happy to live in the moment.
Surprised at the brevity of their trip, they only went a few blocks before pulling into the drive of the large white Victorian that stood a mile from their place. Cutting off the engine, he indicated they had arrived, and she dismounted the motorcycle warily.
Looking around, she noticed how clean and well-kept the place had begun to look. Wow, someone even painted it, she observed as they approached the front steps.
As he guided her towards the door, Marge came out to greet them, a full smile on her face. Tori hid her surprise, well aware that the older woman thought of her as trash. Turning to her husband, she could see he suppressed a grin, and she had no doubt that they were up to something.
“Ok, would one of you like to tell me what’s going on?” she demanded in a playful tone, her own lips begging to curl at the magic of the mysterious moment.
Allowing his smile to emerge, Michael softly replied, “Marge is going to sell us her house.”
Tori stood struck, as if the wind had been knocked out of her. The news daunting, even though it had not been meant to be a bad thing, the girl tried not to show her apprehension. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two of them, not exactly sure how to react. Surely this is some kind of joke.
Finally able to smile, she managed, “Well, that’s good news, I think. And when did you guys decide this?” She didn’t want to appear ungrateful, but having heard the plan, she knew her own plotting could be effected.
Michael shrugged, “I’ve been coming over to help out since I returned from New York. And we came to the agreement: you and I get to buy the house on one condition… Marge will remain here as long as she lives.”
Tori continued to force her smile and play the role at hand, her fingers rubbing gently along the back of her mates as she clung to him. He planned all this shit without even asking me? Her thoughts racing, heart pounding, she remained tight-lipped. I guess two can indeed play at that game.
Lost in his own excitement and not grasping she was upset, Michael led her inside to show her the work he had already completed, and explain what else they were going to be doing.
Tori followed along in silence, unwilling to unload on him in front of the lady of the house, but inwardly she fumed the entire time he laid out his plans.
Eventually, the tour ended, and she felt like she’d been beaten. The amount of time the repairs will take, not to mention the expense! The sun setting as they returned to the veranda she still covered her trepidation. She simply leaned her head on his shoulder, holding him and fighting not to cry.
Still grinning, he had saved his biggest piece of news for last. “And when we finish the house,” he whispered quietly, “I want to adopt some kids.”
Instantly, Tori’s face popped up to stare into his deep brown eyes. Adopt? I want to have our own! Her mind spun. Not to slam him in his moment of joy, she clenched her jaw tightly and simply nodded her agreement. This will need to be discussed, but not here and not now.
Returning home, they ate a small meal and made their way to bed. She managed to go through the motions, and her mate satisfied himself within her before he drifted off to sleep. Lying naked in the darkness, Tori once again toyed with her wedding band, thinking about living in the oversized house with an adopted brood of children.
It wouldn’t be so bad, right? Michael loves me and has worked very hard to arrange all of this for me and for our lives together. Still, she could not help feeling cheated, as if her chance to have a family of her own had been taken from her all over again.
Rising at 5:00 am the next morning, Tori made her run in record time, the turmoil of the past days and weeks still swimming inside her mind. Her off day, the one that she wasn’t supposed to exercise, she allowed herself the run, and then passed on the rest of the workout.
Instead, she lay on the ground, staring up at the dark sky, as it would be another hour before dawn. I’m going to talk to him about his plans. I can’t let this go any further.
Rising to her feet, she set off on a long and slow walk, hoping to clear her head, and to be calm when they discussed their future. Making it all the way across the tiny town, she found herself in front of the large white structure that her husband so deeply adored.
This house makes me sad… reminding me of the people I left in LA. I truly wish he had consulted me before offering to buy the place. Of course, I wasn’t exactly here to be consulted… She felt a stab of guilt twinge her gut as she admitted he was not entirely to blame.
Tori inhaled sharply, seeing the curtain move in an upstairs window. Her heart pounding, she ran her fingers through her hair while she considered running away. What if I was seen? Oh my God, I can’t believe he convinced her to do this.
Standing still in the lessening darkness, she waited to see what would happen. If she had been spotted, the last thing she wanted to do was run. Pretending as if she were busy making plans, she braced herself to be confronted by the mistress of the property.
Sure enough, just when she thought it had been too long, and it must have not been what she thought, the front door swung wide, and the rounded frame was standing behind the screen. Strangely, the woman smiled at her.
I know the old witch hates me. She’s snubbed me enough times; I don’t have to be told. The only time the woman had ever spoken to her civilly was in the presence of her husband, a fact Tori did not miss making note of. I’m quite sure she is selling him this house, not me.
Running her fingers through her long dark hair, she stood gazing down the short street, hoping the other woman would ignore her. It was no use; the old bag began making her way down the step, gripping the rail tightly.
Tori watched her from the corner of her eye, God she moves so damn slow.
Smiling as she made her way up to her, Marge greeted her warmly, “Well, ain’t this a pleasant surprise! Michael tol’ me you’d get over our li’l differences, but I never believed it was true!”
Tori eyed the plump figure suspiciously. “What do you mean by that?” she snapped indignantly.
Marge only nodded, speaking in an exhausted manner, “Le’s get inside child. I ain’ as young as you, an’ it’s chilly out here.”
She beamed as she spoke, and Tori felt compelled to follow, again thinking that the woman moved too slowly, and considered something seemed ou
t of place with her.
Reaching the steps, Marge stumbled slightly, fumbling before clutching the metal tightly. She took her time to climb, and Tori stood on the ground, staring as her mind slowly took in details of the structure.
Picturing the few times she had been to the house, she realized the porch felt different. That wasn’t here before. Not when George was alive, or when we visited after the funeral.
Grasping the elder lady’s other arm, she guided her up the stairs, “So, you got a new railing.” Achieving the perfect tone, Tori prepared to make nice and find out what the hell was going on with the odd pair her husband and the old woman made.
“Yes, yes,” Marge’s wrinkled lips agreed, “Yur sweet man put that up fur me a few weeks ago, afraid I’d fall down my own porch, I think.”
Tori felt thoroughly confused and ashamed at her angry thoughts. Her sweet man had led her through the house the evening before, and she hadn’t even noticed the new railing. I was too pissed to pay attention, I guess. Inside, she peered around more closely, searching for the other things she might have missed.
Sure enough, the railing on the main staircase had also been replaced. Several of the steps look new as well. Michael is quite the carpenter, after all.
Moving through the dining room, the pair made their way into the kitchen and Marge spoke in her raspy voice. “I never would’a guessed I’d be sellin’ you two my house, neither. That Michael; he’s a real smooth talker. The day he came t’ ask me, it was th’ first thing outta his mouth; ‘I want your house,’ he said.”
Tori guided her to a chair, kneeling down in front of her to have a closer look. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked pointedly, not intending to sound insensitive.
Marge gave her a startled stare, having assumed Michael had filled his wife in on her condition. “He didn’ tell you?”
“No,” she felt sick, noticing the purple tinge to the older woman’s lips, “Do you still have George’s oxygen machine?”
“No, no, I don’t need that,” she reassured, “Jus’ need t’ sit for a bit. Get too tired if I try t’ go too far.”
Standing, Tori made her way over to the fridge, searching for a bottle of water. Seeing a large pitcher, she found a glass and poured some for the matriarch, placing it on the table and taking a seat across from her so she could watch her more closely. Marge started to speak again, but Tori hushed her, insisting she wait until she had fully rested.
Anxious and unable to sit still, Tori set about cleaning the kitchen, washing the few dishes that were in the sink and putting them away. About fifteen minutes later, the color had returned to the fleshy lips, and Tori reclaimed her chair, allowing her to explain. “Now, tell me what’s going on,” she implored.
“I’m dying,” the old woman said calmly. “And I’m leaving my house to you!” She sat blinking bright blue eyes for several seconds, allowing the girl to process what she had said. “Michael’s been comin’ for weeks, checkin’ in on me and takin’ care o’ things here at the house. He tol’ me when you got home, you’d come by too, an’ you did,” her smile emerged, weak, but sincere.
Tori sat stunned, sputtering for a moment as she tried to make a coherent reply. Finally she got the words out, “I don’t want your house, Marge.”
The older woman looked as if she had been slapped, so Tori clarified, taking in a deep breath and leaning back in dismay, “Michael surprised me with all of this. I know he means well, but I never wanted anything as grand as this.” Her eyes shifted around the old kitchen, and she could see the places her husband’s hands had touched.
Continuing, she tried to explain, “I’m perfectly happy with the house we have. We have the small bedroom, and I found a doctor willing to help me try to have a baby. Our baby. That’s all I want, the chance to try.” A tear slipped from her eye, and she caught it as it dripped from her jaw, sniffing loudly.
Marge stared at her in disbelief. “Then what’re you doin’ here?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“I have no idea, actually,” dabbing her eyes with a small chuckle, Tori confessed, “After my run, I just felt the need to come here. As if I were being drawn. Don’t get me wrong, it would be a beautiful place… I just don’t need this. It’s too much for me.”
Marge recalled what Michael had told her, about how the girl had been raised. “But you deserve this place,” she reassured her, still dazed by the girl's uncertainty. “An’ jus’ ‘cause you live here don’ mean you can’t try fur a baby o’ yur own.”
Giving her a smile, she tried to smooth things, “I know, and it’s ok. It’ll work out. Now, tell me what I can do for you. What do you mean by dying?”
The old woman grinned, shaking her head. Kids. They never understand.
The two were still sitting, talking in hushed voices, when Michael came up to the front door and let himself in. He gave his wife a small smile and peck on the cheek when he entered the kitchen, pleased his prediction had come true.
“I knew I’d find you here,” he teased her gently. Gazing into her soft blue eyes, he noticed the red and wondered if she’d been crying. Kneeling down in front of his bride, he spoke in a quiet tone, “She told you didn’t she. I knew you’d take it hard.”
Tori didn’t bother to argue, and simply pulled him to her so she could hug his head against her chest. I can’t be selfish here, not like this, and she stifled the urge to cry.
“It’s ok,” he assured her, “She’s got some time. And we’re gonna take good care of her.” Pulling away, he smiled up at her, patting her on the leg and rising to get started on the chores that needed to be done.
On her feet, Tori relented, “I should run home and change. I’ll be back quick as I can to help out,” she called over her shoulder as she headed out the front door. She returned in less than an hour and fell easily into her new role.
During the first few days of their new routine, Tori worked hard to reconcile her feelings and not let on how disappointed she had been in their plans for the future. She could not bring herself to crush her husband’s dreams or turn her back on the woman who obviously needed them. The couple tried to split their time, he working on the motorcycles in the shop and making repairs on the larger property while Tori took care of Marge.
As she explained it, her old body had simply given out, which seemed hard for the girl to understand. She had never been around anyone who had been dying of old age, or even very ill, for that matter. She also became deeply upset that the woman hadn’t informed her family, and insisted that she do so.
Trish took it especially hard, having lost George only six months before. At least she’ll have some time to prepare, Tori consoled herself. Distraught over her best friend’s impending loss, she threw herself wholeheartedly into the task at hand, for Trish’s sake, as well as for her own.
Busy with bathing, dressing and other daily chores, Tori had little time to worry about her own problems. Instead, she pushed them to the back of her mind, refusing to allow her doubts to get the better of her. I’m strong and I can do this, she reminded herself firmly. After all, this is what having family and friends is all about.
Taking the situation almost as a test of her worth as a human being, the girl began to see a side of life she had never really understood. I know there have been people who cared for me; but Tori had never physically cared for someone else.
She only briefly compared it to her time in the company of the Dragons, quickly realizing the difference. I was their whore, their minion, and this is not the same. This… is worth doing; I need this as much as she does.
The older woman accepted her help graciously, and the two of them became better friends than the girl would ever have thought possible. The older woman shared tales about her long and ordinary life, and her young nursemaid found herself drinking them in, almost starved for understanding of the things most people take for granted.
I’ve had so few female friends, and certainly not one with this many years under her belt, she conceded
with a heavy heart, keenly aware there was not much time to be had. After only a few days, Tori approached her husband about the possibility of moving into the house sooner rather than later, and hoped he would accept her reasons for doing so.
“I think Marge would benefit by our being closer. I’m concerned about her safety when we aren’t there.” She gave him a wide-eyed stare as she made the proposition, a silent plea for him to understand.
Grazing her chin with the back of his fingers, Michael considered how much her behavior surprised him. Nodding, he knew he had no grounds to refuse the request, “Sure, if you think it’s time, then we can start the paperwork and I’ll take care of moving our things. I know you have your hands full between tending to Marge and the boys.”
Throwing her arms around her husband’s neck, she shrieked, truly grateful for his trusting nature. I’m doing this for me, she confessed to herself, but no one else needs to know that part. After all, if she couldn’t pass this test, how would she ever expect to care for a family of her own?
Completing the purchase of the property, the couple took a bedroom upstairs. Tori felt her spirits lifted somewhat, aware that her efforts did make a difference to the woman in her care, and she found herself devastated when, only four short weeks later, her charge passed away.
Tori felt strange after the funeral, the family gathered once again at the large old house in the cool fall air. Things are different, she noted, even if they look the same.
The deed had been transferred at the time they moved in, and the house became officially theirs, but it still felt odd. The community members were kind, and she appreciated their warm sentiments, but in the end, it wasn’t enough.
I’ve lost another friend, she admitted to herself as she grieved in private, and the big empty house became almost more than she could bear. She hadn’t told Michael she didn’t really want it, as it had been too late to change their minds. Besides, there were too many reasons to make the best of things, and too few to spoil his joy at giving her the things he felt she needed.
A New Life Series - Finisher Set Page 24
