“You gonna come give me a hug, Jacob?” Tori held her arm out, tilting her head to the side.
Jacob grinned and barreled toward Tori, wrapping his arms around her. Tori squeezed him tight and ruffled his sandy hair. “What’s this?” Tori tugged on his cape that flowed over her arm.
“I’m Superman!” Jacob put his hands on his hips in true superhero form.
“Well, of course you are.” Tori nodded in agreement.
Jacob peered up at Scott as he leaned into Tori’s ear and whispered something.
“Maybe he is Ironman. You should ask Scott.” Tori gave him a playful nudge.
Jacob’s blue eyes raked him up and down. Scott gave him a grin, leaned over, whispered, “I am Ironman,” followed by a wink. Jacob’s eyes bulged and he opened his mouth, but instead he ran back behind his dad’s legs. He was a cute little thing, with his button nose and big, doe eyes.
Out of his peripheral, someone approached. Scott broke his gaze away as a woman that had to be Tori’s mom walked in the room. Scott had built Maureen up in his mind to be something almost fierce and gruff due to Tori’s hatred of her. But she was much frailer than he’d ever imagined. He could tell at one point in her life she’d been an attractive woman, but years of substance abuse had taken its toll. Based on what Tori had told him he estimated her to be inching toward fifty, but she looked much older in the face.
Maureen stood in between the entryway to the kitchen and dining room. The old wood floor creaked causing Tori to tilt her head that direction.
Tori stood and turned. “Mom?”
Her mom forced a smile and walked toward them. “Yes, Tori, it’s me.” The two of them exchanged the most uncomfortable hug he’d ever seen between a mother and daughter. Tori pulled away, flashing her own phony smile.
“It’s so good to see you.” Her mom cringed and added, “I’m sorry should I not say that?”
Scott died a little inside and prayed his mother didn’t say anything that stupid to Tori. The entire exchange was painful to watch.
“It’s fine, Mom. It’s only an expression—I say it all the time. I’d sound like a damn weirdo saying it’s nice to hear you.” Tori rubbed her mother’s arm and that’s when Scott noticed it was covered in gnarly burn scars. “Stop tiptoeing around me for Christ’s sake.”
Maureen scowled, causing her wrinkled mouth to look even more aged. “Language, Victoria.” Her mother tucked her long, greying hair behind her ear and Scott noticed more burn scars along her neck stopping shy of her chin.
Scott rubbed Tori on the back as her lips tightened. “Mom, this is Scott,” she hesitated for a moment, “my boyfriend.”
“Maureen.” She offered her hand as her eyes raked over him. “Nice to meet you.”
“You as well.” Scott tried not to stare at the scars. Man, and he got mad at people gawking at him? He felt like a hypocrite, but the curiosity was killing him. Hadn’t Keith mentioned something about Tori’s dad running into a fire?
“So, what’s for dinner?” Tori tried to make small talk, but it would have taken Scott an axe to cut through the tension in the room.
“Darren is grilling some steaks. Jane and I are working on the sides in the kitchen—if you want to come join us.” Maureen’s mouth formed an older version of Tori’s fake smile. That bogus grin clearly ran in the family. As did the eyes. Behind Maureen’s square, black-rimmed glasses she had the same sparkling, blue eyes as Tori.
“Sounds great.” Tori followed her mom into the kitchen with Scott on her heels. “Scott, can you put this in the corner for me?” She motioned over to the small breakfast nook, holding her cane out.
Maureen glanced at Tori, then quickly averted her gaze.
“Sure.” Scott propped it in the corner.
“Jane, this is Scott.” Tori leaned her arm on Jane’s kitchen island.
“Nice to meet you!” Jane said over her shoulder. “I’d shake your hand, but I’m elbow deep in potato peels.” Jane gave him a wide, genuine smile, unlike Tori’s and Maureen’s forced ones to each other. Jane had a warmness to her, maybe it was the round cheeks and dimples, or just a smile that wasn’t covering intense disdain. Her long, honey-colored curls were pulled back into a messy ponytail.
Darren grabbed the steaks off the counter and headed for the door. “Need help with those?” Scott jumped at the opportunity to head outside and get away from Tori and her mother.
“That would be great.” Darren knowingly grinned.
“Holy moly, Tori,” Jane said in a whisper. “Pictures do not do that man justice…” Jane’s breath was practically fogging up the window as she ogled him.
“Watch it. You’ve got a ring, remember?” Tori teased.
“Hey, I’m married, not dead.” She loved Darren, but Scott Harris was a sight to behold. His dark hair was cropped short on the sides, longer on top but effortlessly stylish. He scratched his thick, rugged beard and laughed at something Darren was saying. Suddenly, he didn’t look so intimidating. Scott had a boyish grin that softened his chiseled features.
“He was always fun to stare at.” Tori sighed, as if in remembrance. Jane’s chest tightened and she swallowed down the grief she still carried for her sister. At least Tori had her memories of him.
“He’s built like an ox. What is he—like seven feet tall?” Jane giggled. The way his bulging arms filled out his tight shirt made Jane’s mouth water.
“He’s like six three, you goof.” Tori’s mouth quirked up in the corner.
Her mom cleared her throat. “He looks…tough. All those tattoos…” Jane tried to decipher her mother’s tone: admiration or judgement. Jane suspected the latter. Whatever, Scott was perfect for her gorgeous sister. They complemented each other well. “What does he do for a living?”
“Former Navy years ago, now he’s a military contractor.”
“Years ago? How long have you been dating him, Victoria?” Her mom questioned.
“We’ve been old friends since college.” Tori remained aloof, as usual. “Things have taken a turn.”
“Oh, don’t let Tori downplay it, mom. They moved in together.”
“God Jane! You and the gossip. You’re like a leaky faucet.” Tori groaned.
Jane rolled her eyes. “This is a big step, sis. You should be proud.” Their mom wouldn’t be thrilled, but she needed to know and it wasn’t like Tori would spill the beans.
“Moved in together?” her mom’s voice went up an octave. Jane looked over her shoulder and shot her mom a look to cool it. Mom cleared her throat and her eyes narrowed, staring at Tori. “Tori, what happened to your eyes?”
Tori snorted a dry laugh. “Well, I was in this car accident almost a year ago—”
Mom frowned. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I noticed the black eyes when you walked in but didn’t want to say anything. He doesn’t hurt you, does he?”
A villainous grin passed over Tori’s face. “Not unless I want him to.”
“Oh, for the Love of God, Tori…” Jane butted in. “Have some tact.” Not much of what came out of her sister’s mouth shocked her, but that was over the line. “Remember, I have kids in this house.”
“I assume he lost his leg on duty?” Her mom asked.
“Yes. Explosion years ago while on duty in Afghanistan,” Tori answered flatly.
“Well, I guess that would make it easier for him to care for you, since he’s handicapped himself.”
Jane groaned. “Person with a disability is the proper term, Mom.”
“Geesh, Jane, that’s a mouthful. Disabled is fine.” Tori grimaced. “Also, I take care of myself.” Jane could tell that Tori was ready to choke her mom and it had only been five minutes. It was going to be a long evening. “So, what can I do, Jane?”
“You can make the salad. Cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce are in the second crisper drawer in the fridge.”
Tori went after the items and set them on the island.
“Second cabinet on the bottom has a cutting
board and large bowls,” Jane informed as Tori fumbled through the cabinets, resisting the urge to go after them herself. One thing she’d learned over the past several months is to wait until Tori asked for help or risk getting her ass chewed.
“Thanks,” Tori mumbled, finally finding them.
“So, how’s your job, Jane?” Tori pulled apart the lettuce.
“Good. I’ve picked up a few new clients per week. Now that Jacob is old enough to go to preschool, I’m able to put in more hours.” God knows they could use the money. As much as Jane grieved how she came about the car, Tori giving them the Mazda was a godsend. Tori had offered money as well, but Jane wouldn’t dare accept it.
“That’s great.” Tori grinned. “How about you, Mom?” Throughout their life, Mom had held jobs mainly as front office clerk in the medical field. It had been a great way for her to get her paws on prescription medication from the drug reps. One of the many reasons that Tori and their mom never got along.
“Working the reception desk at an ophthalmologist’s office. It’s a steady job.”
Jane closed her eyes as her insides curled, fearing where the conversation would go from here. Mom was relentless about pursuing a fix for Tori. It was the only thing in their existence their mom was hellbent on ever repairing.
Tori opened the drawer and pulled out a paring knife. “That’s...nice.” Jane cringed, watching her slice the cucumber with a vengeance.
“He was telling me about some interesting things with stem cells to help patients with optic nerve damage from Glaucoma.”
And here we go.
Tori’s entire body stiffened. “Mom, you know my nerves were destroyed. There’s nothing they can do.” Tori sneered. “Aren’t Catholics supposed to be against stem cell research anyway?” It irked their mother that Tori no longer practiced their faith, and my God did Tori love to rub salt in that wound whenever she could. Not like their mother was truly full of the love of Jesus. She played the part well, though.
“It conflicts me, but it’s nice to think maybe someday they could develop a cure for you.”
“Maybe someday. But for now, I need to live in reality.” Tori’s hands shook.
“Do you want me to do that, Tori?” Her mom’s voice dipped. “You’re shaking.”
“Just add that to the list of fun side effects from a brain injury.” Tori laughed a little too loud.
Jane frowned, not liking the sound of that. “Tori, you need to get that checked.”
Her mom reached for Tori’s arm. “Here, let me.”
Tori recoiled. “I can do this.” She slammed down the knife on the cutting board. “I cooked a meal for twenty people at the end of my O&M training. If you would’ve bothered to show up for it, you’d have known.”
“I’m sorry.” Her mom looked wounded. “Twenty? That’s impressive. I don’t think I’ve ever cooked for that many people and I’m not…” Her mother couldn’t bring herself to say it; almost as if doing so would be like poison dripping from her mouth.
“Blind,” Tori finished her sentence. “You can say the word. It’s not contagious,” Tori spat, palmed the knife, and started cutting again.
Why couldn’t Mom just accept Tori for who she was? And why couldn't Tori let go of the past? It had always been like this as long as Jane could remember. Couldn’t they have one family dinner where they weren’t at each other’s throats?
“I’m gonna go check on the kids,” her mother said, and retreated from the room.
Tori leaned against the counter and groaned when she was out of earshot. “Kill me now.”
Outside, Scott and Darren continued to chat over the grill with beers, getting to know each other. Darren seemed like a decent dude. He’d let Scott rattle on about his plans to purchase a new jeep and seemed interested, unlike Tori who just tuned him out.
Eventually, they came in and settled around the table for dinner.
“Mommy says that you’re gonna paint again,” Hannah piped up. She had the cutest little sing-song voice that was slightly precocious, in an adorable way.
“I’m gonna try.” Tori sucked in a breath.
“Does it make you sad to paint something you can’t see?”
Scott had to hand it to Hannah, for only being seven, she was smart as a whip and intuitive. He suspected Tori was a lot like that when she was little.
“Hannah….” Maureen scolded.
Tori’s jaw clenched. The tension at the table was palpable between them. Tori wiped her mouth and placed her napkin on her lap. “I can choose to be sad about it or I can look at this as an interesting adventure. Art isn’t all about seeing. It’s about feeling it in your soul.”
Scott squeezed her leg, coming to her defense. “There are plenty of blind artists, Hannah. Your aunt is going to Texas to work with another blind painter—and even do some sculpting while she’s there.”
“Sculpting?” Hannah wrinkled her nose, looking very much like Tori when she made that face.
“Like Play-Doh but for grown-ups.” Scott winked at her.
“Oh, that sounds super fun!” Hannah went back to her food.
Tori cleared her throat. “So, Darren, what’s interesting on Capitol Hill?”
“Been advising on some foreign policy bills that will hit the House floor. Drafting policy proposals and such.” Darren took a gulp of his water.
“What representative have you been working with?” Tori bit into her food.
Jane’s fork hit the plate. The room fell silent for a moment as she exchanged an awkward glance with her husband.
“Congressman Patterson.” Darren swallowed hard and wiped his mouth.
Scott let out a slight cough and shifted in his chair. Patterson was the congressman who had been elected after Nathaniel Donaghue’s death in the car wreck that had taken Tori’s sight.
“Look at me, letting that big, old elephant in the room.” Tori’s face broke into a wide grin.
Everyone let out a chuckle, except for Maureen.
“Where’s the elephant?” Jacob’s sweet little voice piped up and he turned his head.
God, he was a cute, little thing. Scott couldn’t help but grin at him.
“It’s just a saying, sweetie.” Jane reached over and ruffled his hair. “Eat your dinner.”
“Foreign policy?” Scott asked. “Anything you can share?”
Darren rattled on for a while, chatting about some foreign policy bills he was working on. Scott was pretty sure Tori had checked out… until she chimed in.
“If you don’t mind me saying, Darren, very few of these bills seem likely to help victims and that’s my biggest concern. All it does is make it look like legislators are doing something. I don’t see how having personnel trained will help the situation other than add layers of bureaucracy and get more taxpayer money funneled toward it.”
Scott’s jaw dropped. Tori never talked politics. In fact, she despised it whenever he’d go on one of his tangents regarding current affairs.
“Well, I understand your thought process in that. I assure you, once you see all the details, you could be swayed.” Darren frowned. “What are you anyway, Republican or Democrat? I can never tell with you, Tori.”
“I’m an enigma.” Tori took a bite of her food.
“That’s for sure,” Scott huffed under his breath.
Tori kicked Scott’s leg under the table.
“I can guess how Scott leans, considering your shirt has guns all over it.” Jane scowled.
“Mommy doesn’t like guns.” Hannah licked the potatoes off her spoon.
“Is that so?” Scott smirked, folded his hands, and glanced at Jane.
“Scott has loads of guns. You all should talk about gun control for a while.” Tori bit back a smile and took a bite of her food.
“Don’t you know you aren’t supposed to talk politics or religion at dinner?” Maureen pursed her lips.
“Darren knows I like to yank his chain.” Tori wiggled her brow. “Right, Darren?”.
&n
bsp; “Of course, Tori.” Darren let out a long breath.
“While we’re on the subject, Mom, Scott is Scientologist and I’ve decided to convert.” Tori’s expression was deadpan serious as she took a bite of her steak. “He’s a level three Thetan.”
Maureen looked at Scott to get some sort of truth.
“Protestant.” Scott shook his head and rolled his eyes. Tori could be a brat.
Maureen exhaled in relief.
To diffuse the tension, Scott entertained them with military stories, the ones he could share at least. After dinner, Scott and Tori ventured out onto the deck in the back yard with the kids while everyone else stayed inside to clean up.
Jane’s yard was lined with rose bushes, their sweet fragrance swirling in the evening breeze as they swayed on the swing. This had always been his favorite time of day.
Scott placed his arm around Tori as the kids ran out into the yard toward their swing set. Watching Jane and Darren and their family gave him a longing for one of his own. It would be so nice to sit on your porch after a long day and watch while your kids play in the back yard.
I was pregnant. It was yours.
His chest tightened a bit as he thought about what could have been.
I lost it, Scott.
He kissed Tori’s cheek. She turned to him, her eyes trying to hold onto him, but they couldn’t. It pained him every damn time. Would it ever get easier?
“What was that for?”
“This is nice.” The kids were cheerfully playing in the distance and the cicadas sang as the sun set. “Except for the awkwardness between you and your mother.”
“Mom hasn’t come to terms with me being blind. I don’t think she ever will.”
Guilt twisted his belly for almost having the same thoughts twenty seconds ago. “It takes time.” He patted her leg. “She’ll get there.”
“For the first few months after my accident Mom kept calling me, begging me to go see specialists, or to take this vitamin or to do this or that,” Tori stated.
“Did you?”
“They had everyone working on my case in the hospital. I went for a couple second opinions after. It’s not like I gave up on my sight.” She sighed. “When she started pushing me to pray to Saint Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes, that’s about the time I stopped returning her phone calls.”
Smoke and Mirrors: (Fire and Fury Book Two) Page 4