by Dani Marie
Tori was sitting outside of the hospital in her car crying. She wasn’t sure if she was more upset that she couldn’t afford pain drugs or just the fact that she was so worried about finances not only now but once her son was born. What if he needed special medical care, how would she ever be able to afford that? Tears were streaming down her face as she was sitting back in the driver’s seat of her car with the windows open for air. She felt so helpless right then and the anguish was apparent to the young man that happened to walk in front of her car.
He wasn’t one to generally talk to strangers but something about the pain he heard in this woman’s sobs drew him to the window. He lightly knocked on the side of the car and Tori looked over at Clint and her breath stopped. He recognized her right away and squatted down so he could talk to her face to face.
“Hi Tori long time no see, what’s wrong” He asked? That just made Tori cry harder and Clint wasn’t sure what to do at first. He just patted her shoulder and made soothing noises, wishing he knew how to talk to crying women. “Come on, maybe it will help to tell someone,” he told her. Tori had wound down to a whimper and tears and just looked at this young man who vaguely looked like Vic. When she could finally talk she told him “Everything is fine, I just got a little scared. I know it‘s silly and that women have been having natural childbirth for centuries but just knowing I can’t afford the pain meds made me nervous. My hormones are going crazy I guess.”
Clint’s expression was priceless. “You’re pregnant?” Tori looked at him and without thinking said, “Oh my God, Vic didn’t tell you?” Clint was so shocked, he couldn’t believe that Vic had a baby on the way and hadn’t told him and he was guessing that his folks didn’t know either.
Clint was immediately angry at his brother. He could see the fear and worry in this beautiful woman’s face. No woman should have to worry about pain medication during birth and he was furious that his brother wasn’t taking care of this. He opened the car door and engulfed Tori in a hug then gently pulled her from the car. He was shocked to see her so heavy with child. He didn’t know much about pregnant women but she looked big enough to be due any time.
“Ok, let’s go talk to them and see if we can take care of this problem,” Clint said, leading her back into the building.
Tori told him that there wasn’t anything they could do but Clint was insistent and the pair made their way back into the hospital. Tori stopped by the restroom and did a quick repair job to her face splashing it with cold water and trying to hide the ravages of her crying jag.
When they approached the clerk, Tori gave her an apologetic smile as Clint asked what options there were and what could be done. Tori wasn’t surprised when the clerk sadly told them there was nothing she could do. Clint asked the clerk how much Tori needed. Tori was appalled when Clint pulled out his check book and wrote the clerk a check for the full amount of the deposit. She put her hand on his arm “I can’t accept that, it‘s too much.” Clint wouldn’t have it,
“That’s my niece or nephew your carrying and I’m going to make sure it’s Momma is relaxed and as comfortable as possible bringing him or her into this world.”
The generosity of his gesture was so touching to Tori that she started crying again and with a nod to the clerk, Clint led Tori out the building and to his Jeep. Tori didn’t even argue when he opened the passenger door and helped her in. They drove to a little café that Clint knew and he bought her lunch, the two talking about the baby. Tori tried to hide how things were from him. But Clint was more perceptive than most men his age and could tell that she was struggling. When they headed back to the hospital to get Tori’s car, Clint insisted on following her home to make sure she made it there ok.
At Tori’s apartment Clint asked to come in for a drink of water. He wanted to see the place and judge for himself. He was pleased to see it was bright and clean but angry at how small it was. Tori showed him the baby crib she had got at a yard sale and had repainted. She was proud of what she did have and how prepared she was. He was thrilled when he saw all the blue clothes and Tori confirmed that he had a nephew on the way.
“Tori I know this is sort of awkward but, can we be friends? Would it be alright if I stopped in on a regular basis to visit and check on you and the baby?” Tori was happy to have Clint’s friendship but she asked him not to tell Vic. She didn’t want Vic getting angry at his brother. Tori figured that if Vic didn’t want anything to do with her or their baby, then he wouldn’t be happy to find out that Clint was taking an interest.
The next week was so much nicer for Tori as she had someone who stopped by almost daily and visited with her. Clint was interested in the baby and happy to be involved. Often Clint would show up with some type of take-out food telling her that he hated to eat alone and they would share dinner watching television.
It was still a bitter sweet time for Tori as Clint reminded her of Vic and often mentioned little tidbits of what was going on in Vic’s life. Tori was concerned when she realized that Clint seemed to be angry with Vic.
One evening when Clint and Tori were watching a movie at Tori’s apartment, Clint decided they needed a snack. When he looked through the refrigerator and cupboards and found almost no food at all he became visibly upset. “Damn it, this just isn’t right.” he grumbled as he sat back down near Tori. “It’s ok, I was just tired the last couple days and didn’t feel like going to the store,” Tori hedged. Really she was trying to eat healthy but couldn’t afford to have extras. Clint wasn’t buying it and it was making him more and more angry at his brother. He had tried to bring groceries to Tori but she was a proud woman and got defensive with him about it, so he just brought food for dinners which she seemed to be ok with. Clint couldn’t understand how his brother could ignore this woman that he already felt close to like a sister and his nephew that he was so excited about. Every day he was getting more frustrated with Vic and it was beginning to show with his family.
When Clint’s family had a family barbeque, like they often did in the summers, Clint was quiet and sullen. He wouldn’t speak to Vic at all. “Son, what is wrong with you, what did your brother do that has you so upset?” Clint’s Mom asked him. Clint looked over at Vic laughing and enjoying his family and thinking of Tori in that tiny apartment. He knew she was happy but still scared about having and raising the baby on her own. He had offered his help and friendship but was that going to be enough? His frustration was so great that he just sort of blew up. “I hate him, he’s not a man, he’s a bastard.” Clint’s Mom was shocked, as were the others that heard him although they didn’t know who Clint was talking about. Clint stood and stalked to the gate and left the back yard going to the swing on the front porch. As he sat there trying to understand how his brother, who he so looked up to and admired, could be acting the way he was, his Mother sat down next to him.
“Son, whatever this is about, it’s tearing you up inside and you need to talk about it. If not to me than to someone. I can’t imagine what your brother could have done to upset you so much but it’s putting a strain on the family and especially on you.” Clint knew his Mom was right but he wasn’t sure he wanted her to know the kind of man his brother had become. But, maybe because of his age, he just didn’t know how to handle the situation and with a sigh began telling his Mom about Tori.
Betty was wide eyed and silent as Clint explained the situation. She gasped when Clint told her how Vic didn’t want to deal with Tori’s ‘little problem‘. That didn’t sound like Vic at all. He told her how frustrated he was about Tori’s living situation and how he’d found her sobbing outside the hospital that first day. Tears were sliding down her face by the time he was done. She shook her head and went into the house coming right back out with her purse and keys. “Come on son, we have an errand to run,” she told her boy. The solemn pair didn’t even tell the rest of the family they were leaving. Clint didn’t argue, when his Mom told him she needed directions.
Tori was home and feeling very frustrated. Sh
e had spilled a whole gallon of milk on the floor wasting it and, with her hormones so whacked, that sent her into a fit of tears. Once she’d cleaned up the mess she’d had trouble getting to her feet she was feeling drained and listless. The apartment was quiet and she felt so alone at times. With a protective hand over her very large belly she whispered, “I will be so happy when you’re here and I’m not alone anymore, we are going to be so happy. Poor, but happy.” This of course made the tears fall again and that was when the doorbell rang. Tori figured it was Clint as he was really the only person that visited and a peek through the peep hole confirmed it. She opened the door a little but didn’t invite him in as she usually would.
“Clint, I’m sorry I seem to be having a pity party day and don’t want to subject you to it, can I have a rain check please?” she asked him trying to stem the flow of tears. That’s when Betty stepped around Clint, gently pushed the door in a little and engulfed the mother of her grandchild in her arms. She clucked and hugged Tori tighter, then lead her to the small sofa. “Clint, go get those bags please,” she asked her son and patted Tori’s hand. Tori wasn’t sure but was thinking this must be Clint’s Mom and Vic’s step-mom. Betty confirmed it when she introduced herself to Tori with another hug.
“Now don’t be upset at Clint for telling me the situation. Like the smart young man he is, he knows that I would want to be involved and that there are times when a woman needs a Mom with her, even if it’s a substitute Mom.” When Clint walked in with several bags of groceries, Betty turned again to Tori. “I was starving and thought maybe I could cook up something while we got to know each other.” With that she bustled into the kitchen and began putting more groceries away than Tori had bought in the last month it seemed. Betty looked through cupboards and found what she wanted to cook with and began making a soup that later tasted like heaven to Tori.
The woman was a natural nurturer and soon Tori felt relaxed and was smiling. She was a bit worried when Betty wanted her to tell her about the baby and Vic. But Tori took some deep breaths and with as few tears as possible told her what Clint, who Betty had sent home in a cab, had explained. Then the older woman hugged Tori again and told her in no uncertain terms that from now on she had family and that she couldn’t wait until she could hold her grandson in her arms. Betty gave Tori her contact numbers and made her promise to call if she needed anything and when the time to have the baby came. Then hugged her goodbye as she left, letting Tori know she would be dropping by again soon.
Tori wasn’t sure how she felt about this new turn of events, but in ways it was wonderful. Just having a motherly type hug her and take over even for an hour was so touching. She couldn’t help but think that this woman would make a warm and loving grandmother. Her baby boy was so lucky, even if he wouldn’t have a father in his life.
Chapter 21
Tori was nearing the last two weeks of her pregnancy when Betty called and told her they were having a family barbeque the next day and she was expecting Tori to attend. She was informed that Clint would be picking her up at 11 am and to expect to be there several hours. Tori started to try and beg off, but Betty wouldn’t have it and told her that Vic had said he would be working and would not be there, so she had no excuses. Besides, the family needed to get to know her since she was going to be bringing their newest member into the fold soon.
On the other side of town Vic sighed as he hung up the phone. His Step-mother was up to something but he wasn’t sure what. As he thought about the last few months he realized he really had neglected his family. Clint had been downright cold to him the last few times he’d seen him and he didn’t know why. He had probably said something he shouldn’t. Vic knew he’d been a bear lately. He was frustrated, no doubt about it. His mind wandered, as it still did way too often, to Tori. He had been an ass and when he realized his mistake had once again not been able to find her. What was it about that woman that made him so crazy? He’d had women more beautiful, definitely more experienced but they all seemed to pale in comparison. Damn it, he missed her and wanted that closeness he’d felt with her back. Wasn’t every man entitled to a little commitment fear once in a while?
Vic couldn’t understand where she could have gone or why she had pulled up stakes so completely. The humiliation of what had happened when they had gotten mistakenly arrested had to be the reason why. Vic had learned that the council had asked for her resignation. He was so angry that he went to the next town meeting demanding a formal printed apology for Tori. The council, realizing they had a lawsuit situation in the making, quickly agreed and in the apology even offered Tori back her job. According to the Chief though, she hadn’t contacted any of them since she’d left town, which left Vic feeling even guiltier. Tori hadn’t even told Gloria where she was going.
Vic pounded his hand on the desk with a growl. He wanted the woman back, now. He stood and stormed back into the squad room. “I want her found,” he growled. They knew who he meant even though he wasn’t talking to them. Vic’s workmates missed the laughing, easier to work with man that seemed to have left once Tori had disappeared on him again. Even though this wasn’t technically work related some even tried to help by searching for her and everyone hoped he found her soon.
Tori and Clint walked around the yard to the back and Tori stopped just outside the gate, listening to the sound of a family gathering. “I can’t do this,” she turned and walked right into Clint. He caught her before they both stumbled and laughed. “You’re just nervous, don’t worry. I will be here and Mom loves you so you’re golden.” Tori sighed, squared her shoulders, patted her large belly and whispered “ok son, let’s go meet the family.”
Clint chuckled and opened the gate. There was none of the stopping to whisper or pointed looks that Tori was expecting. Clint walked her around the yard introducing her and he would pat her belly and say, “and this is my nephew.” Tori was hugged, teased and pampered. Betty and Ben caught up to them and Ben gave Tori a hug. He was obviously emotional at seeing her heavy with his grandchild and no son, well, the wrong son, at her side. He was proud of Clint though, and had told him so earlier, when Betty had told him about the baby. Ben still couldn’t believe that Vic wanted no part of the being the baby’s father. It was a bitter disappointment to him that his son had abandoned this woman in her condition. He was even more disappointed that Vic hadn’t even talked to him about it.
He knew Vic had been having a hard time the last few months. Vic’s mood had been rough but he just told his dad that he was busy at work and that he’d work it all out. Now Ben understood that there was more to it than that. He sure hoped this scheme of Betty’s didn’t backfire. Maybe the guilt trip she’d heaped on his oldest son wouldn’t take hold and Vic wouldn’t show up.
Vic was back sitting at his desk when he looked at his watch and realized the family was probably just about to sit down to barbeque. He groaned, Betty was right he really should take some time off. His folks weren’t getting any younger and he had hardly seen them lately. Maybe he should surprise Betty and show up. With a smile he thought, at least he’d get some good food and maybe have a beer or two and figure out what he’d done to tick his little brother off.
When Vic pulled up there were cars parked all over the place. Looks like the whole clan showed up for this one, he thought. He parked and walked through the house stopping at the fridge and getting a beer. He looked out the kitchen window and smiled at his laughing family as they ate, played games and generally just enjoyed each other’s company. He finally spotted his brother sitting at the outdoor table eating with a woman by his side. Vic chuckled, thinking his little brother has a woman and then looked at her to see just what kind of female would catch the twerp’s eyes.
It took Vic a minute to realize who he was looking at. She was smiling and Clint leaned close to her his hand disappearing under the table where Vic couldn’t see it. He was touching her, intimately. What the hell was going on, that was his woman. Why was Tori here, why was she with Clint? Wh
y wasn’t she with him? His mind was racing, his heart was beating fast and his anger was boiling. He’d been looking for her for months and here she was at his family home, with his brother, looking happy and so damn beautiful it made his hands clinch at his sides.
He tipped the bottle and drank the rest of the beer, then with an oath his Mother would have smacked him for, he slammed out the back door. His angry growl and scowling face was enough to have family members stepping back as he stomped his way toward the couple.
Tori and Clint were laughing when the silence was noticed. They both stopped and looked up at Vic at the same time. Clint’s face went red with anger but, Tori’s went white. She really had thought he wouldn’t show up, she wasn’t ready to see him. Her eyes looked him over noticing the weight loss the dark circles under his eyes and even though she was stunned she couldn’t help the worry that something was wrong with him.
“What the hell is going on here?” Vic almost screamed at them. Betty ran up to him and touched his arm. “Son, don’t yell at them and watch your tongue.” she told him trying to take some of the steam out of his anger. He turned his head slowly and looked at her, then without a word turned back to Tori. He wanted to strangle that woman for driving him so crazy. Hell he wanted to drag her onto the table, strip her and take her like he’d been dreaming of, right here right now, family or not. But he couldn’t get the image of Clint’s hand touching her beneath the table cloth and what that meant.
Vic and Clint were glaring at each other when Clint stood up and told his brother “You’re not welcome here.”
Vic was livid, “What the hell do you mean, I’m not welcome here? This is my home too little brother and that’s not your woman.”
“She should be, at least I’m taking care of her better than your sorry ass has been,” Clint yelled back at him.