Page 6 of A Chance at Forever
“I can’t stay with Jonica and Danny forever. I need time to find a place to live and prepare for my classes.”
“Since when does it take over a month to get ready to teach?” he grumbled.
“Since I’ve been out of practice for three years. Besides, I need some kind of a vacation.”
Her brother tossed anI don’t believe youlook at her, but she ignored it and handed him a box sitting on her dresser. “Here. Take these and get rid of them for me.”
Derek opened the box and sucked in his breath. “What should I do with these, Tori? Throw them in the dumpster?”
He referred to the sparkling assortment of gemstones she’d fished out of the trash can.
“Sell them, I suppose. I don’t want them.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged and tried to act nonchalant. “I won’t need them, for one thing. I can’t go home sporting fancy jewels and clothes. That’s not who I am.”
“Tori, if Alan played you, I want to know.”
Victoria refused to meet her brother’s penetrating gray eyes by focusing on packing a box of sheet music.Played. Did he have to use that word?“Other than cheating on me, you mean?”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“Please drop it, Derek. There’s nothing more to tell.”
“Okay.” What he meant was he didn’t intend to let the matter go.
After they finished packing and labeling the boxes, Derek said, “Let me go with you, Tori. I can help you get settled.”
And pressure me for answers I have no intention of giving you.Victoria shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but it’s not necessary. I’ll be going straight to Mia and Steve’s once I arrive, then moving in with Jonica and Danny for a few days. I won’t be alone, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”
“All right. I know your friends will take good care of you.”
When they parted for the night, Derek pulled her into a tight hug. Tears misted their eyes.
“I wish you would reconsider driving. It’s not safe for you to travel across the country by yourself.”
“I don’t want you to worry about me. You have a copy of my route, and don’t forget a miracle of modern technology. Cell phones.”
Derek yanked her braid falling down one shoulder. “Don’t be glib, Tori.”
She laughed and hugged him one last time.
*
Victoria drove crosscountry in her Mustang convertible with the top down. She followed Interstate 80 west. Derek had loaded a playlist of songs into her cell phone, and she sang aloud as she tapped the rhythm on her steering wheel. She put her life in New York behind her and looked forward to her future. One she hoped wouldn’t implode due to her slimy ex-boyfriend.
Limiting herself to driving eight hours a day and accounting for brief stops to use facilities at rest areas and to get gas, Victoria arrived in Cheyenne on the fourth day of her road trip. She stopped for gas and something to drink, then turned south toward Denver, only ninety miles away.
On the outskirts of the city, a thin, raggedy golden retriever limped along the highway. Its fur was matted with burrs and dried blood. Tongue lolling in the heat, it regarded Victoria with wary brown eyes when she pulled over onto the shoulder of the road.
“Oh, my goodness. You poor thing.”
At the soft tone of her voice, the dog ventured closer to her. She poured some water into her hand and held it toward him. Fearing cruelty, he slinked on his belly. Victoria encouraged him with gentle commands. He lapped the water from her hand, and she praised him. The dog allowed her to stroke him and gazed at her through wounded eyes.
“Come, boy. I’ll take you to the vet, and you’ll feel much better. I promise.”
She opened the passenger’s door, and he struggled with his injured leg to jump onto the seat. Searching on her cell phone, she found several veterinarians within five miles of her location. Victoria chose the one with the most five-star ratings and called ahead to let them know she was bringing in an injured, stray golden retriever.
