by Joy Redmond
“Yes, he was. We’re alive because of your quick thinking. I didn’t know what to do. I guess I was too busy preparing to say hello to Jesus.”
Tori blew a hard breath and wiped her upper lip. Her mind began to calm down and she asked the question she wanted to ask from the moment Jill had appeared at her front door.
“Jill, how in the world did you find me? Dang, I didn’t even know my address. All I knew was that I was in Atlanta!”
Jill gave Tori a momentary glance, and then replied, “A lot of what I’m going to tell you will be hard for me to get through, so bear with me, okay?”
Tori swallowed hard. “Okay.” Tears began to well in spite of her trying to buck up and take what was coming.
“Grammy told all of us that you had called her but didn’t talk long enough for her to get all the information she wanted – but somehow she knew you were being held against your will. Luckily, you left us a clue that day you came home for your stuff – and I must say that it was pretty clever.”
“What are you talking about?” Tori asked.
Jill smiled and playfully punched Tori’s arm. “Stop acting so innocent. You slipped your clutch bag under your bed – barely out of sight. Don’t tell me you forgot.”
A tear rolled down Tori’s cheek. “I barely remember coming home – I’ll explain that part later. But how did my clutch bag give you a clue, other than letting you know that I’d been home?”
Jill stared into Tori’s teary eyes. “Well, it went like this. I was looking for my blue sweater you borrowed last year and never brought back, so I went over to your house and asked Mona and Ed if I could look for it in your closet.”
“I remember the sweater. Go on,”
“So I went upstairs, found my sweater in your closet, and when I tried to pull it off the hanger, it was stuck. When I yanked on it, it came loose, and fell to the floor. When I bent down to pick it up, I saw something out of the corner of my eye at the foot of your bed.” Jill cleared her throat.
“So I dragged it out, and it was your clutch bag! The bag was open and I found a white envelope inside. When I looked at the envelope, there it was – name and address.”
“Oh, now, I remember,” Tori said. “An envelope fell into my lap when we left the apartment complex. I picked it up and I thought I stuffed it between the seats, but instead I stuck in inside my clutch. Talk about divine intervention! Grammy would say that the angels guided that envelope into my bag and on to your hands.”
“I think Grammy is right. You can call it a miracle because that’s what it felt like at the time,” said Jill, gently reaching over and patting Tori’s arm. “But I need to back up a minute. When I was looking through your closet, Mona yelled up the stairs to me that she and Ed were going to meet my parents for dinner.”
“My poor parents and grandparents,” Tori shook her head and wiped her tears. “They must be crazy by now.”
“I yelled out to them that I’d found a name and address, but by the time I got downstairs, your parents were already gone. I didn’t know what restaurant they were going to, so I couldn’t call them and let them know about it. I just ran home, grabbed my purse, and headed out the door.”
“You mean you didn’t even call Grammy?” It horrified Tori to think that Grammy had been losing her mind until Jill called just before their get-a-way.
“I’m getting to that. Just as I grabbed my keys off the kitchen table, the phone rang. It was Grammy telling me she’d had a vision about an envelope with the initials CB on it. She thought you had sent her a letter, but when she checked her mailbox, she was wrong.”
“God bless Grammy and her visions,” Tori said with a smile. “But she wasn’t wrong – well, not completely.”
“Will you let me finish? Geeze!” Jill rolled her eyes. “I told Grammy about the envelope and that I was on my way to get you. She wished me God’s speed. Then I was off.”
Tori pulled a tissue from her purse and wiped her nose and eyes. “Why wasn’t anybody there when I came home that day? Didn’t Grammy tell my parents and you? That doesn’t make sense.”
“You didn’t tell Grammy when you were coming; you just said you were coming home. And she said she didn’t understand half of the rest of what you were trying to tell her.”
Tori tucked her head. “Yeah, I know I wasn’t making much sense to her. Go on with the story.”
“Well, your parents were in Indiana that day, attending a funeral for Ed’s aunt. My parents were in Texas, helping my grandma move into a rest home. I was in Lexington visiting Billy. So nobody was in Madison the day you came home.”
All the hurt Tori had been holding inside for so long finally came to the surface as she cried, “And I thought nobody wanted to see me. I was totally broken-hearted – and Cody said, well, never mind what that moron said.”
“He probably told you that none of us cared – but he was dead wrong!” said Jill.
“Dead wrong,” Tori repeated, and then smiled as the irony of that statement sank in.
“Okay, I’ve told you my story,” said Jill. “Now it’s your turn.”
Jill’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the steering wheel tighter. Like she was trying to buck up for whatever came her way.
* * * *
For the next several miles, Tori rambled on, beginning with the day she first met Cody and ending with the moment that Jill had pounded on the front door.
“Well, dear me! I’m so sorry, Tori. Nobody deserves that kind of misery,” Jill said, and leaned her body over to give Tori a big hug. “But you did learn some valuable lessons even if you did pay a high price for them, right?”
“Yeah, I sure did,” Tori answered with a heavy sigh. “I guess I’m one of those people who have to go through the school of hard knocks to learn anything.”
“I want to hear what you’ve learned from all this.” Jill scolded Tori with her eyes the way a mother often did after giving a child a time-out.
Tori stuck her left hand in the air and raised a finger as she went down her list. Never take up with a stranger no matter how handsome, charming, or rich he is. Never take a pill unless it’s prescribed for you. Never use alcohol to drown your sorrows.”
“Hum. Is that all,” Jill asked.
Tori placed her hand on Jill’s shoulder and continued. “I’ve also learned to stop being hardheaded – pigheaded as you called me. I’ve learned to put a damper on my temper. I’ve learned not to do stupid things out of spite.”
“I’d say that about sums it up,” Jill said with a smile.
“Not quite. The most important lesson I’ve learned is – I never want to be away from my family again – or you.”
Jill patted Tori’s arm again. “And none of us want to be away from you either. You and I are kindred spirits. We can’t be separated, remember? Grammy told us that years ago.”
“Not even death will part us,” Tori said. “Grammy told us that, too.”
“Yep, she sure did. And we almost went out together – but that’s behind us now. We’ve got to look toward the future. I think it’s going to be bright. The best is yet to come.”
“Yes, I think so, too, but you know,” Tori said thoughtfully, “I really miss the days when we were happy-go-lucky high school kids. I miss the four musketeers.”
Though neither of them said it aloud, Tori knew what they were both thinking, And Wes.
As the miles clicked on, Tori started out the car window, and it was wonderful seeing the world through clear eyes instead of peering through a drug induced haze.
Anna’s Note
September 16, 1976
It finally came to me this morning as to how Jill fits into the picture. I’ve always known she would play a part in the danger that awaited Tori. I thought she had played her role when she was with Tori the day of the accident. If she hadn’t been thinking fast, Tori would have died. Now I think her role was to rescue Tori from the evil man who was keeping her captive. I pray they have a safe trip home.
Chapter Fifteen
The trip back to Madison seemed to take forever. Tori’s heartbeat quickened as they reached the city limits and rolled down the familiar streets. “There’s no place like home.”
Jill smiled. “You’re so right, Toto. And you ain’t in Kansas – or Atlanta anymore!”
“And you can bet that I’m never going to leave Madison again!” Tori proclaimed, shaking her head with sheer joy.
“That’s nice to hear. That means I won’t have to keep traipsing all over the country looking for you!”
As they turned onto Maple Street, Tori’s heart beat so fast she thought she might faint. Finally, Jill pulled into her parents’ driveway. Tori threw her hands to her face, and cried, “Oh, graces sakes alive! Momma and Daddy’s car is here. Poppy and Grammy’s pickup is here, too. Everybody I love with all my heart is here to greet me.”
Everybody but Wes.
Tori leaped from the car as her mom and dad came out of the front door and ran across the lawn. She raced up to them and they embraced in a tear-filled hug. A few moments later, Tori looked over her dad’s shoulder and saw Grammy and Poppy coming across the yard.
Grammy walked with a cane and it sent a pain through Tori’s heart. She ran toward them and smothered them in another joyful embrace, holding them as if she never wanted to let them go – which was exactly the way she felt at that moment.
“I’m so happy to be home,” Tori managed to say through her sobs. “And I’ll never leave again. Never!” Tears of joy streamed down her face. Tori’s family gathered around her as if they thought she might slip through their fingers and disappear into thin air.
Tori lightened the mood by saying, “The two scatter-brained duffs are together again,” as she pointed toward Jill.
Wiping her tears, Grammy hugged both Jill and Tori. “It’s good to have you two imps back together again. That’s what I used to call you when you were little.”
As happy laughter rang out all around her, Tori said, “Well, Grammy, you can add moron to that list of names, because that’s what I’ve been – but I’m home now, and I’m not going anywhere that is any farther than the Morgan farm!”
As everyone laughed again, Tori slipped her right arm around her mother’s waist, and mischievously asked, “So, Momma, now that I’m back, did you happen to bake something special for my homecoming?”
“Well, now that you mentioned it, I just happened to bake your favorite chocolate cake. What else?” She tweaked Tori’s nose.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Tori said. “Let’s go inside and celebrate!”
Tori took Grammy’s hand and gently led her back inside.
They gathered around the kitchen table and Momma set plates in front of them. “Everybody cut a piece the size you want, and then dig in! I think you should go first, Tori.”
“If I cut a piece the size I really wanted, there’d be nothing left for anyone else.” Tori smiled as she looked at the faces of the people she loved. “I just want to thank you all again for putting up with me all these years.”
With that, Tori cut a huge slice of cake and dropped it onto her plate. Then everyone else dug in, and soon they were eating, talking, and laughing. Tori kept waiting for someone to start asking the hard questions, but nobody did – and she was glad. She wanted to enjoy her homecoming as long as she could.
After they were done eating, they went back to the front porch and everyone took a seat in lawn chairs. Tori forced herself to lose her shame and said, “Okay, I know you all want to know where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing all this time, so get comfortable, because it’s a long story.”
She began talking, and after nearly a half hour, had finally told them everything – from how she met Cody, to her bout with drugs and booze. They listened and she saw many tears, but no one scolded or recoiled in disgust. Their eyes told her they understood, forgave, and continued to love her unconditionally.
Tori ended her monologue with the words, “Your love and forgiveness means everything to me. I won’t make you go through anything like that again. I promise!”
There were very few questions, which again made Tori glad. She could feel love and support all around her, and that was all she really needed.
Basking in the glow of her family, she didn’t want the day to end, but as dusk approached, Grammy picked up her cane and announced that it was time for them to head on home.
Tori’s heart pained as she watched Grammy reach for her cane, stand, and hobble a few steps.
Tori stood and gave Grammy a hug. “Where did you get this old cane? It’s downright tacky.”
“It was Great-Grandpa Morgan’s,” Grammy said, holding the cane up for Tori to admire. “He carved it himself and then put this lead tip on it. Poppy always says that he made it to use on the heads of anyone who tried to cheat while playing poker at the tavern. Story has it, he used it a few times.” Grammy chuckled. “Personally, I don’t believe he ever whacked anybody with it. I think it’s just a bunch of talk.”
Tori took the cane from Grammy’s hand and was surprised at how heavy it was. “Good golly Miss Molly! This thing could give you a hernia. And it could definitely crack a skull, but a lady doesn’t need this ugly thing. How about you leave it with me? I’ll buy you a fancy lady-like one, and I’ll bring it to you as soon as I can.” She cocked her head, and shifted her eyes enticingly.
Grammy smiled. “I think I’ll take you up on that offer, sweet. It can be an early Christmas present. I think I need something fancy, myself. I’ve just been too preoccupied lately to go shopping. I’ve got another one I can use until you find what you want me to have.” She kissed Tori’s cheek. “Don’t take too long before you come see me. We’ve got a lot to catch up on,” she said, and tears filled her eyes.
“I’ll be out tomorrow. I promise.”
“Tomorrow works for me,” Grammy said as she held onto Poppy. “Let’s go Poppy. We’re having company tomorrow. I’ve got things to do.”
Poppy held Grammy’s hand and aided her to the pickup. Tori watched them walk away, and sadness flooded through her as her eyes beheld Grammy’s deteriorated condition. “I’ll buy you the prettiest cane that can be found in Madison, dear, sweet Grammy.”
When the pickup pulled out of the driveway, Tori walked into the living room and hooked the cane around the stair railing. “There. It looks better as a decoration.”
Momma ran her hand across the cane. “I agree. Maybe we’ll hang a stocking on in for Christmas.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. And this is going to be the happiest Christmas of my life,” Tori said, and then added, “Let’s start planning for the big day before we go to bed.”
Tori, Jill, and Momma giggled like little girls as they huddled on the couch, each of them talking over the other. First, they appointed Tori’s dad to play Santa.
Her dad stuck out his stomach, and said, “Ho, ho, ho.”
They all laughed and started talking at the same time again. Even Daddy joined in with the girly giggles and planning.
By ten o’clock Tori’s parents were yawing, so Daddy stood and kissed Tori on the forehead. “Well, sweetheart, we’ve got to get up early tomorrow. It’s great to have you home again.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow afternoon,” her mother said as she kissed Tori’s cheek.
Tori hugged and kissed her parents. “Okay. Sleep tight. I love you,” she said, again choking back her tears. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
After her parents went to bed, Tori and Jill decided to unload the car. Jill helped Tori put her dolls and her albums back in place. Jill looked around the room. “Oh, there it is!” She walked over to Tori’s dresser and pulled the tin box to the edge. “Let’s open this thing and see what it holds.” Jill tried to lift the lid. “Well, crapola! It’s locked. What did I do with the key ring? Maybe there’s a key on it that fits.”
“You’re the one that had the key ring last. I don’t know where
you put it,” Tori answered. “Look in your purse.”
Jill dug through her purse. “Nope. I didn’t put the keys in here. Check your purse.”
Tori dug through her purse. “Nope. No keys,” she said. “Oh, we’ll worry about it later. There’s nothing that belongs to Cody that would be important to me anyway. And I do mean nothing!”
“Fine with me.” Jill returned to Tori’s side.
They pounced into the middle of the bed, fell against the soft feather pillows, talked, and giggled like six-year-olds. Before they knew it, it was midnight.
Jill announced, “I need to get some sleep, girl. I have classes tomorrow. But it’s so wonderful being with you again I don’t want to tear myself away.”
“Hey, go get some sleep,” Tori said, tapping her thigh. “Thanks for rescuing me.”
“You’re welcome. Just don’t pull another bone-headed stunt like that again, okay?”
“I won’t – you have my word on that.” Tori sat cross-legged on the bed, the position she usual assumed when she wanted to talk about something that was weighting on her heart.
Jill followed suit and sat facing Tori. “What’s bugging you? I can tell by the look in your eyes that it has nothing to do with Cody.”
Tori paused, pursed her lips, and then asked, “Does Wes still have a girlfriend? Is he in love with her? Does he ever mention my name?”
Jill sighed deeply. “Yes, he has a girlfriend, but every time I try to broach the subject with Billy, he just tells me it’s none of my business and to leave it alone.” Tori hung her head and nodded. Then Jill added, “But I can tell you that Wes was crazy with worry when you went missing. Billy said that Wes cried for days.”
“Really?” Tori said, her mood brightening. “That means he still cares, at least a little bit, and that means there still might be a chance for us.” When Jill didn’t reply, Tori asked, “Would you mind sleeping over tonight? I’d rather not be alone.”