Chapter 244

Tori spent the next week walking the beach during the day and sitting for long hours watching the shrimp boats return to Tybee Island with their escort of flashing silver dolphins and swooping gulls. At dusk she returned to the cosy historic Inn where she was staying. It was run by a middle aged couple with two children. She ate because Peanut needed her to, not because she had any appetite, no matter what delicious delicacies Lydia, her hostess, tried to tempt her with. Then she retired to her room to surf the T.V. and rest her body. She could say she slept, but she’d be lying. At the most she’d doze for a few minutes, maybe half an hour at a time. The effects were beginning to show. Her eyes were sunken and lifeless, with dark circles around them, her cheeks were drawn, her skin pale beneath the tan she’d acquired on the beach.

Her activities were peaceful, but her mind was anything but. As much as she tried to focus on the future, her thoughts kept drifting back over the last three months, then the last year, reassessing every conversation, every action and wondering if there was something she could have done differently to make him choose her.

For the most part, everyone left her alone. Her mother and Karin had both called to check in on her a couple times, and Jon had called to ask her if she would talk to Richie. She’d said no. The wounds were too fresh, too raw, too painful. She knew she’d have to deal with him at some point, but she needed a little more distance first.

On Wednesday she was getting ready to head back to the Inn when her phone rang. When she checked the number, her stomach clenched. A big part of her wanted to ignore it, but she couldn’t do it. Bracing herself she pushed the button. “Hello?”

“Tori?”

“Hi Bean.”

“Where are you?”

“Savannah, Georgia.”

“What are you doing there?”

“Exploring. The Magnolia trees are in full bloom and they’re beautiful. And there are a bunch of dolphins that follow the shrimp boats back to port. They jump really high and are very playful.” Tori purposely misunderstood Ava’s question.

“When are you coming home?”

Tori swallowed hard. “I…I’m not sweetie. It’s not my home anymore.”

“But…but…why? What happened? Is Daddy leaving too?”

“No sweetie, Daddy’s not leaving.” She could hardly speak. “It’s…I….it’s just not going to work out between Daddy and I.”

“What about Peanut?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll still see Peanut.”

“You can’t leave us!” Ava was in tears. “We’re supposed to be a family. Why are you leaving? What did we do?”

Oh God! “You didn’t do anything Bean. I love you very much.”

“Then why?”

Tori sniffed and wiped at the tears running down her cheeks. Her heart was breaking all over again. “You’ll have to ask Daddy to explain it to you.” Because God knows I can’t.

“She said to ask you to explain.” Ava’s voice indicated that she’d turned away from the phone.

Sadness turned to anger. “Is Daddy there?”

Sniff! “Yes. I don’t want you to leave Tori. Please!”

“I didn’t want to leave you either Bean. You’re a beautiful, caring, wonderful girl Ava, and I will always love you. Remember that.” She took a deep breath. “Can I talk to Daddy now?”

“Okay. Bye Tori. I love you too.” Defeat echoed in every word. She’d been through this before and knew there was no use arguing.

“Angel? How are….”

“YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH! How DARE you do that to her. To ME! You don’t tell her anything and expect me to try to explain? Be a man Rich. Do your own dirty work. Have the balls to explain to your daughter what you did.”

“Tori….”

“The baby’s fine. I know that’s what you’re really concerned about. What this whole farce of a marriage has been about. What this whole last year has really been about. Don’t worry, you’ll get your visitation rights because the law says I have to. But don’t even think about fighting for custody, because with your record, it won’t matter how much money you have, I’m sure the judge will see who the fit parent is. Next time, you might want to try a professional surrogate and a contract. Much more honest that way.”

“Tori! That’s not what….”

She snapped the phone shut and sat curled around herself as sobs racked her body. She didn’t sleep at all that night.

Two days later she returned to the Inn for lunch. Lydia was crossing the lobby when she walked in the door, and waved her over. “Tori!” Tori had made sure that everyone called her by her first name right from the beginning. She no longer felt like ‘Mrs. Sambora’.

“Hi Lydia.”

Lydia frowned. “You need to eat more, and get some sleep. The baby needs you to take better care of yourself.”

Tori managed a small smile. “Yes mom.” She started to walk away.

Lydia placed a detaining hand on her arm. “There’s a couple waiting for you in the lounge.” She nodded in the direction of the small room off the side of the lobby where there were several chairs and a couch.

Tori frowned, but sighed in resignation. “Thanks Lydia.” She walked into the lounge expecting to see Jon and Dot. Instead she found John Sr. and Carol. “Hi.”

Carol smothered a gasp. John took one look at her and his frown turned black. “That does it. Go pack your things, you’re coming home with us.”

She saw the muscle twitch in his jaw as he clenched it. “John I appreciate the offer, but…”

“No arguments! You’re coming with us and that’s final!”

“But..”

“No buts. Have you looked in a mirror lately? You look like death warmed over. You obviously aren’t taking care of yourself….or my grandchild.”

Her hands went defensively to her stomach. “The baby’s fine. And so am I.”

“No you’re not. But you will be. Now go pack.”

“John, really, I’m fine.”

“Victoria! I don’t want to hear another word about it. Go pack. Carol will help you.”

“But…”

“Enough! Not. Another. Word!”

She might have been forty years old, and he might not be the father who raised her, but he had that stern parental tone down pat, and the child in her responded. Plus, she recognized the stubborn set of his chin. She looked at Carol for help.

Carol smiled. “Where do you think you got it from? Do you need me to help you pack?”

Tori shook her head. “No. I didn’t unpack that much.”

John watched her climb the stairs, then stormed outside where he slammed his fist into the side of the building, then shook it to relieve the stinging. “GOD DAMN HIM!”

Carol took his hand between hers and inspected for damage. “I don’t think you broke anything.”

“Did you see her? Did you see her Carol? Did you see what he did to my little girl? If I could get my hands on him right now I’d kick his ass!”

“I know, and I’d help you. But he’s not here, and right now we need to focus on Tori. We need to get her home and make sure that she and the baby are alright.”

Their departure was delayed long enough for Carol to make sure Tori ate a good lunch, then they climbed into the car.

“Jon and Dorothea would like you to stay with them.” Carol began.

“No!” Tori responded. “I mean…”

Carol waved a hand. “Dorothea figured you would say that and she understands why. So you’re staying with John and I.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Necessary or not that’s where you’re staying. At least until the baby’s born.”

“But I don’t want to impose…”

“It’s not imposing. We want you there.”

“But..”

“Victoria!” That father’s voice again. Carol placed a restraining hand on his arm. He sighed. “I couldn’t be there for you growing up. Let me help you now.”

Tori knew when she was beaten. And she was too tired to fight any more. She nodded and leaned back against the seat and watched the trees passing by her window.