Hopes and Dreams

by P. J. Trebelhorn

  She ordered a couple of glasses of wine for her and Vic, and Tara just laughed as though she’d made the biggest mistake of her life.

  “Vic doesn’t do wine, honey,” she said, shaking her head and giving her a look of what appeared to be pity. She looked at Tyler. “Make that a brandy for Vic.”

  “How about I do both, and we’ll let her decide which one she wants?” Tyler turned to get the wine from behind him and poured two glasses. He was muscular, which was obvious from the way his shirt fit him. His shoulders were broad, and his waist more narrow. His sandy blond hair fell into his eyes and he had a quick smile. Riley decided she liked him. He handed her the wine and turned to Tara, his smile disappearing. Riley took the wine and headed back toward Vic, but she stopped short of announcing her presence when she overheard the end of the conversation taking place.

  “She’s leaving tomorrow, so how about we have a drink and some dinner when you get done with work?” Vic said, her back to Riley.

  “That sounds wonderful, Vic, I’ll give you a call in the afternoon.” The woman kissed Vic on the cheek before turning and walking toward Vanessa who was sitting at a table big enough for everyone present.

  When Vic turned to face her, Riley noticed a slight blush to her cheeks. She hoped Vic wouldn’t be able detect the slight tremor in her hand as she held out the wine.

  “I see you met Tyler,” Vic said with a tilt of her head toward the bar as she took the glass from her and sipped it. “He’s my best friend.”

  “So he said.”

  “Tara didn’t say anything to upset you, did she?” Riley forced a smile and shook her head. Vic didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push it. “He doesn’t usually announce he’s my best friend.”

  “How’s your wine?” Riley asked when she saw Tara was on her way back with her hands full.

  “It’s perfect.” Vic smiled. She pulled a chair out for Riley, who sat next to Vanessa. Vic took the seat on the other side of Riley.

  “Here’s a brandy for you,” Tara said as she set the glass in front of Vic with a wicked grin in Riley’s direction.

  “I’m good with this,” Vic told her, pushing it away. She looked at Riley and scrunched her nose. “I never did like that crap. Probably because it was always Vera’s drink of choice.”

  Riley felt a sliver of satisfaction when Tara seemed truly shocked at the declaration. She endured the small talk for a few moments, until Vic got up to go to the restroom. Tara followed her a few seconds later, and then Vanessa. That left Riley alone with the woman Vic had been a bit too familiar with earlier. They hadn’t been introduced, but from the conversations going around at the table, she gathered her name was Lisa.

  “So, you and Vic, huh?” Lisa said after a few seconds. Riley nodded, but said nothing. “You know she’s bi, right? And she and Tyler are a thing?”

  Even though Riley didn’t believe it, the seeds of doubt had taken root, and she couldn’t take any more. She stood without a word and left the bar, not stopping until she’d gotten to Vic’s building and asked the valet to bring her car down. She gave the guy a ten-dollar bill she couldn’t really afford to part with and got in the car, determined to make it home before she could change her mind.

  Three hours later, she was at home, in her bed, crying for the first time in a long time. Vic had tried calling her numerous times when she was on the road, but she let it go to voice mail every time. And every time, Vic had left a message. She grabbed her phone and sent her a quick text letting her know she was all right and to just leave her alone, then she shut it off and tossed it onto the floor.

  She knew she should have stayed and talked about it, but she just needed some time on her own to think things through. She wanted to believe Vic, and all of the things she’d told her, but the self-doubt had been taking hold since she’d been seven and her mother told her for the first of many times that she’d never amount to anything. That no one would ever love her. And that she’d never be happy.

  She’d spent a lot of years trying to prove her mother wrong, but all it took to regress was a tiny bit of doubt being hammered home by multiple people. She was pretty amazed she’d made it through the entire ordeal without suffering a panic attack.

  “Hey, Riley?” Megan said as she slowly opened her bedroom door and came in to sit on the bed next to her. “Sweetie, what’s wrong? You weren’t supposed to be home until tomorrow.”

  Riley told her everything, from how much fun they’d had together, and how it had all fallen apart in the span of about an hour. Megan held her, and Riley sobbed into her shoulder before finally falling asleep.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Vic was furious when Tyler told her the things Tara had been saying to Riley at the bar the night before. She’d told every woman there that she was through with them. It was something she should have done long ago. They were all so fake. And to top it all off, Riley had left without a word, apparently driving back home and out of her life. But there was no way Vic was going to give up so easily. She was in love with Riley. There was no point in denying the fact any longer, and she needed to make sure Riley knew it. She stepped off the elevator and headed straight for her father’s office.

  “Is he in?” she asked his assistant, Marie, as she walked past, not even slowing down.

  “Yes,” she said. “But he’s in a meeting.”

  It didn’t matter. Vic walked in the office without knocking and slammed the door behind her. Her father looked up in surprise, as did the three department heads who were seated around a small conference table with him.

  “I need to talk to you,” she said.

  “Can’t it wait? We’re almost done here.”

  “No,” Vic said with a quick head shake. She needed to do this. It was long overdue. She knew he would understand, and would no doubt be on her side. Unless Vera had gotten to him first. The thought threatened to make her lose what little breakfast she’d managed to eat that morning.

  “It’s all right, Garret,” one of the men said. Vic didn’t even know his name, but she knew he’d been with the Thayer Group for years. They began clearing off the table and stuffing things into their briefcases. “We can finish up after lunch.”

  The three men walked past her to the door, all of them giving her a smile and a quick nod. She realized she didn’t know any of their names. It served to reinforce the knowledge she was doing the right thing. Her father picked up the phone on his desk and asked Marie to bring them a pot of coffee before motioning for Vic to take a seat. He took the chair next to her instead of sitting on the other side of his desk. He took her hand and waited for her to look at him.

  “What’s going on, Vic?” he asked, his voice full of concern. He’d always been able to tell when something serious was bothering her, and his compassion threatened to make her cry.

  “I’m quitting.” Vic stared at him, silently daring him to try to talk her out of it, but he hung his head and sighed.

  “Okay,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze before letting go. “I’ll call HR this afternoon and have the paperwork drawn up.”

  “You aren’t surprised.” It was a statement more than a question, but he shook his head and met her eyes again.

  “I’ve known for quite some time you aren’t truly happy in this business,” he said. “I’d hoped you might work through it, but if you want to leave, I won’t stop you. Do you have something else lined up yet?”

  “No.”

  “Then will you at least give us a two-week notice? I know we’ll never find someone to do the job as well as you do, but will you agree to help train someone?”

  “Of course,” she said, never having been able to deny him anything. “Vera—”

  “Don’t worry about her.” He stood and went to the windows to look out at the city. “I know she told you you’d be cut off if you ever left the company, but she doesn’t make any of the business decisions. I had a fund set up for you and for Vanessa, in case this day ever came. You won’t ever hav
e to worry about money, I promise you that. Will you be staying in the city?”

  “Honestly, if Riley will have me, I’ll move back to Wolf Bay.” Vic smiled when he turned around and looked at her, obviously surprised. She nodded. “I’ve fallen in love, Daddy, but I’m afraid it may be too late.”

  He sat next to her again and took both her hands in his. “If you truly love her, then you have to do everything you can to make it right. Do you understand me?”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong,” she told him, her frustration at the situation rising. “It was a few people I thought were my friends who put ideas in her head.”

  “What happened?”

  “She’s not completely trusting where I’m concerned,” she said, avoiding eye contact. Her father had been aware when she and Vanessa were younger that they had some type of involvement in bullying at school. He’d never been informed of the extent of it, and never knew who it was they were harassing. Vic took the time to tell him everything now, even how she’d been so confused about her sexuality and had tried to stand up for Riley.

  “Well, shit,” he said as he collapsed back against his chair when she was finished. “That kind of puts a whole new spin on things, doesn’t it?”

  “I’ve apologized to her for it, and I believe I’ve proven to her I’m not that person anymore, but that coupled with a neglectful and alcoholic mother has really damaged whatever self-esteem she might have had.” She finally looked at him and wasn’t really surprised to see sympathy in his eyes. She looked away again when she felt tears threaten.

  “So how do you fix the problem now?” he asked.

  “I think I need your help with that.”

  “I would do anything for you, Vic, you know that. Just tell me what you need.”

  * * *

  “I thought you weren’t coming back until tonight,” Nancy said when Riley arrived to open the theater Thursday morning.

  “Change of plans,” Riley said with a shrug as if it was no big deal. But it was a big deal. She knew she should answer the phone when Vic kept calling, but she simply needed some time to work through her issues on her own.

  “Is everything okay?” Nancy asked, following her into the office and sitting with her. “Is it your mother?”

  “What?” Riley was surprised by the question, but she shook her head. “No. I haven’t seen or heard from her since the night she tried to crash my date with Vic.”

  “Then what is it, Riley?”

  “Nothing.” Riley sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “Just my own insecurities. I’ll get everything sorted out. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Hello, have you met me?” Nancy chuckled. “I can’t help but worry about you. You’re the daughter I never had.”

  “I love that you feel that way, Nancy,” Riley said, meeting her eyes. “But trust me, there’s nothing to worry about. I just need to work out some things in my own mind, okay?”

  “Did Vic do something to hurt you?”

  Riley hesitated. No, she hadn’t. Everyone around her had, but Vic herself made Riley feel wanted. She made her feel loved. Vic hadn’t hurt her. Riley was about to say so when they heard someone out in the lobby.

  “Hello?” a woman’s voice called out. “I’m looking for Riley Warren. Is anyone here?”

  Riley sighed in frustration before getting to her feet. Nancy followed her out to the concession stand. Riley’s steps faltered when she saw Vera Thayer standing there looking disgusted to even be inside the building.

  “There you are,” she said when their eyes met. Riley bristled at the self-satisfied grin on Vera’s face. “I was worried I’d have to come back later. And trust me, being here once is more than enough.”

  “What the hell do you want?” Riley asked, happy the snack counter was between them. She had the urge to slug the woman.

  “It’s come to my attention that you were in New York City visiting Victoria,” Vera said, her tone perfectly telegraphing how she felt about it. “I just want to make sure you stay away from her. Someone of Victoria’s standing can’t be seen with someone…so undesirable.”

  “Okay, you know what?” Nancy asked as she stormed around the counter to grab Vera by the elbow. “You need to get the hell out of here. Now.”

  “Let go of me,” Vera said as she yanked her arm away. “Do you have any idea who I am?”

  “Yes, I do.” Nancy was pissed. Riley had never seen her so angry.

  “This has nothing to do with you.” Vera looked at her as though Nancy was nothing more than a bug to be stepped on. She pushed her out of the way and returned to the counter. “You will leave Victoria alone, do you understand me?”

  “I understand you perfectly,” Riley said, working hard to keep her voice even. It would be so easy to grab her and slam her head into the counter. She took a deep breath to calm herself. “I also understand that you know absolutely nothing about Vic. If you did, you’d know she doesn’t like being called Victoria. She’s a grown woman, and she can make her own decisions. If she wants to be with me, then she will be. Do you understand me?”

  “How dare you speak to me that way,” Vera said, her face turning red with anger. “Victoria will marry a man and settle down one day. In her heart she knows what’s expected of her. If you don’t stay away from her, I will make your life miserable. And believe me, I can do it.”

  “You need to get the fuck out of here before I throw you out on your privileged ass.” Nancy said the words quietly, but not so quiet Riley didn’t hear the word Nancy had never uttered in front of her before.

  Vera obviously wasn’t used to anyone using the language in front of her because she simply stared at Nancy for a moment before backing away. She looked at Riley again as she reached the door.

  “Stay away from her.”

  Riley fought the urge to run after her and start a physical fight in the parking lot. Nancy turned to her, shaking her head.

  “That bitch is a piece of work.”

  “You need to stop with the swearing, Nancy,” Riley said, her tone teasing. “Andy would wash your mouth out with soap if he could hear you right now.”

  “Please,” Nancy said, waving a hand dismissively. “He’d be right there with me on this one, trust me. I can’t believe the nerve of that woman.”

  “I guess it’s something I have in common with Vic,” Riley said. “We both have mothers who are bitches.”

  Riley felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and she pulled it out. It was Vic. She almost swiped to answer, but instead ignored the call and shoved it back in her pocket. She let out a breath and turned to go back into the office.

  “Whose call did you just ignore?” Nancy said, following her again.

  “No one,” Riley said. She grabbed her keys off the desk and turned to leave. She shouldn’t even have been there anyway. She wasn’t scheduled to work until that evening. She’d hoped she might be able to keep her mind off Vic if she went to work all day.

  Obviously, that hadn’t worked out.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  It was a couple of weeks later when the phone ringing in the middle of the night woke Riley from a dead sleep. She grabbed for it and took a moment to see who it was before swiping the screen to answer.

  “Riley, you need to come to the hospital,” Megan said before she could even say hello.

  “What happened?” Riley asked, already up and pulling on a pair of jeans. “Are you okay?”

  “It isn’t me. It’s your mother.”

  Riley stopped getting dressed and sat on the edge of the bed with a sigh. “She doesn’t want me there. I’m not going to show up just so she can tell me to get the hell out.”

  “Riley, you don’t understand,” Megan said, sounding almost desperate. “You need to get here. Now.”

  “Don’t you remember last time?”

  “Riley, please trust me when I say you have to get here as quickly as you can.” Megan said, sounding desperate.

  Riley’s heart sped up and she alm
ost dropped the phone when she heard the utter despair in Megan’s voice. She looked at the clock on her bedside table for the first time and saw she’d only been asleep for an hour. “What happened?”

  “It was a car accident.”

  “I knew she wouldn’t really stop drinking.” Riley’s breath caught in her throat. “Oh, Jesus, was she driving? Did she kill someone?”

  “She wasn’t driving, Riley. She was in an Uber. They were hit head-on by another vehicle. The driver of the other car was drunk.”

  Riley had to stifle the laugh that threatened to bubble up. How ironic that her mother, a drunk, was injured in an accident by a drunk driver. To her horror, instead of a laugh, it came out as a sob, and she roughly wiped the tears from her cheek.

  “The Uber driver was killed instantly,” Megan said. “Your mother was in bad shape when we got there, and she’d lost a lot of blood. Just as we got to the hospital her blood pressure bottomed out and her heart stopped. We got her back, and they rushed her into surgery. Her chances of survival are low, Riley. You have to get here as soon as possible.”

  “I’m on my way,” Riley said before ending the call. She sat there for a moment, and all she could think was how much she wanted to call Vic. She hadn’t spoken to her at all since leaving the city, but not because Vic hadn’t tried. In fact, she’d been calling every single day and leaving messages, but Riley refused to call her back. It was better this way. The hurt was minimized by walking away before they got too heavily involved.

  Yeah, right.

  * * *

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Megan asked the next morning as she drove them back home. Her partner had taken their rig back and left her at the hospital when their shift was over because Riley hadn’t felt like driving.

  Her mother had passed away at four thirty-eight that morning without ever regaining consciousness after the accident. Riley knew she should mourn—hell, she wanted to mourn—but it was almost as though she couldn’t be bothered. Every time she felt like she was going to cry because of the loss, she’d remember some of the things her mother had said and done to her over the years and end up feeling nothing but anger.