Page 12 of A Chance at Forever
Mia playfully tapped her husband’s leg. “Very funny,Stevie.”
The use of his nickname caused him to groan as the others laughed.
“I have something to add,” Danny interjected. “I’m happy we don’t have to listen to any more stories that began with, ‘When Tori was here…’” More laughter erupted among them. “Seriously, though, all of us are thrilled you’ve come home. None of us wanted you to leave.”
Victoria swallowed the heavy lump in her throat. “I wish I hadn’t.”
When Jonica noticed the guys peering too closely at Victoria, she changed the subject. “Tori bought the McFarlands’ old house. We’ve got challenging work ahead of us restoring it. Right, guys?”
Steve and Danny exchanged a glance and jumped to their feet.
“That’s our cue,” Steve declared. “C’mon, buddy, let’s shoot some pool.” They disappeared inside as the girls chuckled.
“All you have to do is mention hard work.” Mia grinned. “But don’t worry. They’ll do the repairs.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re always here when I need you the most.”
“Remember what we swore,” Jonica replied. “All for one and one for all. I can’t wait to teach with you again.”
“Has anything changed at Marysville High?”
“The drama department took a hit when you left. You’re only teaching two sections.”
Victoria sipped her wine. “Mr. Noyes mentioned the drama department suffered, but he didn’t elaborate. When I left, I had five full sections of drama and stagecraft. What happened to the program?”
“Professor Deen happened. Can you imagine his trying to teach drama?”
Professor Deen, as he was jokingly called, was the oldest English teacher on staff at Marysville High School. Victoria had trouble picturing him teaching his regular English classes let alone a group of energetic drama students.
“I guess I’ll have a huge mess to straighten out when we return at the end of August.”
“If you’re referring to Professor Deen, don’t worry about him. Mr. Noyes insisted he retire.”
Simultaneously, the friends exclaimed, “It’s about time!” and raised their glasses in salute of the former teacher.
Mia’s landline phone rang a moment later, and she excused herself to answer it. Jonica studied Victoria with a smile as her red hair stirred in the breeze. Her hazel eyes mirrored concern. “Tori, I know you’re staying with Mia tonight, but you’re always welcome to stay with me and Danny. It is your home, you know.”
Victoria considered the offer. She’d mentioned to Derek she thought she’d be staying with Jonica and Danny for a few days, but she hadn’t wanted to foist herself off on them. After Catherine had died and Richard made the decision to relocate to New York City, he knew he’d never return to Marysville. The loss of his wife was too painful for him to bear. So, he’d gifted Victoria with their family home upon her graduation from college. Unlike her father, she’d needed the comfort and security of her home and welcomed the gift.
In the meantime, Jonica and Danny had married and struggled to make ends meet while Jonica worked to put her husband through his last two years of law school after she graduated from the University of California. When Victoria accepted her father’s offer to join Lockridge Cosmetics and move to New York City, she transferred the title of her home to her friends. She couldn’t bear to sell it to strangers and thinking of her new life in the East brought her to only one conclusion. She would entrust the care of her childhood home with its wonderful, cherished memories to her best friends and help them out at the same time.
Victoria shook her head. “No, Jonica. It’syourhome now. Yours and Danny’s. Besides, Jeff said I could move into my place tomorrow, if I want.”
Jonica shot her a horrified look. “Absolutely not! A tremendous amount of work has to be done on the inside before you can even furnish it. And let’s not forget the obvious. You don’t have any furniture. I won’t take no for an answer. Danny and I wouldn’t feel right if you didn’t stay with us.”
“And Bud, too?” Victoria’s eyes sparkled.
“And Bud, too.”
Mia rejoined them with a plate of her lemon bars. “That was your dad, Tori. Your cell phone is either dead or off. I told him you were exhausted and retired early. He’s expecting to hear from you tomorrow.”
Victoria nodded her head. “Thanks. I’m not ready to talk to him yet.” She lifted her wine glass and drained it. Jonica and Mia watched her. “I need to visit the cemetery. The ten-year anniversary of Mom’s death was last week.”
“We put fresh flowers on your mother’s grave,” Mia told her. “We also made sure the arrangement you ordered was set up properly. We adored Catherine and miss her, too.”
Hot tears scalded Victoria’s eyes, and her throat constricted so she couldn’t speak. She joined hands with her best friends and drew strength from their common bond of love and friendship.
CHAPTER 4
