Sophie's Heart (21 page)

“No.”

He was in another of his moods, but Tory wasn’t put off.

“Come on, Craig.”

“No, now get out of here, Tory.” His voice dropped now, but he could still be clearly heard when he mumbled, “There’s one good thing about Mom being dead: You can’t run and tattle every time you don’t get your way.”

Craig had even managed to shock himself. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, his eyes shot up to see Tory’s face turn pale.

“Never mind, Tory. Just get out of here,” he said, his voice even lower.

She went this time, her face very sober, her eyes full of hurt. Not wanting to think about the feelings that were overwhelming her all of a sudden, she made her way to the TV. She wasn’t allowed to watch until her homework was done, but today she didn’t care.

“Oh, Tory,” Sophie spoke with pleasure as the young girl moved through the corner of the kitchen. “Would you please taste this gravy and tell me if it’s the way you like?”

“I don’t like gravy. I’ve told you that before.”

Her voice was so angry that Sophie stopped with the spoon in her hand. “I am sorry, Tory. I forgot this.”

Sophie’s kindness was her undoing. Huge tears came to her eyes before she abruptly turned away to go into the family room. Sophie followed her very slowly and stood at the edge of the room.

“What is wrong, Tory?”

“Nothing,” she told her, eyes on the TV.

Sophie had no choice but to retreat. She was puzzled and concerned about it, but there was little she could do. She thought of going to Rita, but then remembered Tina’s presence. Craig was not an option, so Sophie was forced to just pray.

Supper that evening was the most subdued Sophie had experienced so far. Not even her first nights with this family had been so quiet. Had it only been Tory, Sophie would have understood, but all of them—even Tina—were quiet. Sophie might have questioned the children, but Tina’s presence stopped her.

Tina’s mom came not long after they’d eaten, but by then everyone had gone in his or her own direction, and Sophie didn’t think the timing was right. Just 30 minutes later, Sophie climbed the stairs to her apartment. The next day was garbage day, so she had to gather her own. After that she knew she could crash for the evening.

Pieces of furniture had continued to appear her in apartment over the last week. The latest, a huge overstuffed chair, was so comfortable that Sophie had fallen asleep in it twice. She was looking forward to sitting in it again, as she made her way to the curb with her single sack of trash. As coincidence would have it, Alec was just arriving home from work. Sophie waved to him. He waved back and soon came walking down the drive.

“How did it go today, Sophie?”

“I think well.”

Something in her voice caught his attention.

“But you’re not sure?”

Sophie shrugged. “Everyone was little quiet tonight at meal.”

Alec nodded. “Did they say why?”

“No. Tina ate too, and maybe—” Sophie let the sentence hang, but Alec got the gist.

“Thanks, Sophie. I’ll be sure to keep my ears open.”

“Good night, Mr. Riley.”

“Good night, Sophie. Thank you.”

They walked together until Sophie came to the bottom of the stairs where she made a quick ascent. Alec just as efficiently entered the house through the kitchen door.

Seventeen

T
he downstairs was quiet as Alec entered, and he took a moment to go into his office. One of the houses he was building was beginning to be more trouble than it was worth, and he needed to make one call.

As he should have known, the call was anything but quick. It was over an hour later before he hung up the phone and headed for the stairs. Frustration filled him when he found the lights off in both the girls’ rooms. It wasn’t that late, so they must have been tired. Alec made his way to Craig’s room, thinking maybe this was best. In his mind his son had the greater need.

He gave a soft knock on Craig’s door, and then pushed it open without waiting for an answer. The light on his nightstand burning, Craig was in bed, a book in his hand.

“Hi.” Alec’s voice was hushed as he came forward.

“You just get in?”

“No, but I had a phone call that took longer than I intended.”

“What else is new?” was the grumbled reply.

Alec sat on the side of the bed and fought down his own anger. Craig’s attitude was a little hard to take, but Alec knew that much of the blame could be laid at his own door. He was also pretty certain that Craig was the only one of his children with enough gumption to tell things the way he saw them. Alec did work too much, but Tory only looked at him with huge eyes, and he could see that Rita was still carrying on in hopes that someday things would once again be as she remembered.

“Well, I’m home now,” Alec said inadequately.

“Yeah” was all Craig could muster.

Alec searched his mind for something to say; it took a moment.

“You haven’t had a friend over in a while, Craig. Why not ask someone for this weekend?”

“I don’t want anyone over. No one would come anyway, since they don’t even want me around anymore.”

Alec took this news calmly. “Does that include Rick Bennett?”

Feeling ashamed, Craig dropped his eyes. “No. Rick’s still my friend, but I still don’t want anyone over.”

“I take it you’ve had a pretty bad day today?”

Craig nodded, not able to meet his father’s eyes.

“And did you take any of this mood out on Tory?”

Craig’s eyes slid shut for just an instant. “I was pretty rough on her.”

“And Rita.”

Craig’s eyes came up, his face now defensive. “Rita and Tina spent the whole time in Rita’s room! I didn’t see either of them until dinner!”

“I’m not accusing, Craig, just asking.” Alec’s voice was gentle. “If you’ve been out of line, then the ball’s in your court. Take care of your apology as soon as you can in the morning, or tomorrow will be as bad as today was.”

Craig nodded, and Alec put a hand on his shoulder. Craig moved his head, but Alec still saw the tears. A moment later he wrapped his arms around his sturdy 12-year-old son, causing Craig’s tears to give way.

“I can’t stand it, Dad, I just can’t stand it,” he sobbed. “I hurt all the time and wonder if it’s ever going to end.”

“I know, Craig, I know.”

“I want to talk to her one more time. You work all the time, and I can’t talk to Sophie. The girls do things with her, but I just can’t. I want to talk to Mom more than anything in the world.”

“I’ll do better, Craig,” his father promised. “But keep giving yourself time. Remember how you felt right after we got the news?”

“I remember.” His whole frame shuddered at the memory.

“It was worse, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Craig admitted and sniffed.

“We are healing, Craig, and in time we’ll feel like a family again.”

Craig laid back down, and Alec looked at him. There was no way to describe how precious he was to him. The smooth face of just a year ago with no skin problems or hint of whiskers was gone, but it was still a face that Alec adored. To Alec’s loving eyes, Craig was a very handsome young man, but most of the time his expression looked angry and sour due to the death of his mother. Again Alec told himself he would have to be home more, but the thought nearly panicked him.

His children had all wanted to be closer to home than ever before, but for him the house on Holly Court was still so full of Vanessa’s presence that he could barely stand it.

“Can you sleep now?”

“I think so.”

“I was going to go for a run, but if you want me near, I’ll stay home.”

Craig was silent for several seconds. “You wouldn’t mind staying?”

“Not in the least. If you want to talk, just come to my room.”

Craig sniffed again. “Thanks, Dad.”

Alec ran his hand lovingly through Craig’s straight brown hair and smiled into his eyes before standing. Like he did when Craig was little, he turned off the bedside light and stood there for a moment more. They didn’t speak again, but both knew Craig was still fully awake when Alec finally made for the door.

Alec shifted and stirred in bed, knowing he was not alone but too tired to speak to the intruder. Not that he believed it was necessary. Whoever had sought him out was sure to break the silence without much encouragement. The thought had no more formed when Tory spoke.

“Dad?”

“Um,” he barely managed.

“Craig said last night that he’s going to work with you today.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I thought you were going shopping with Rita and me. I need some things.”

This was all very true, but right now Alec could only manage, “What time is it, Tory?”

“Six-fifteen,” she answered sheepishly.

Alec sighed. “Since it is Saturday, Tory, can you give me until 7:00?”

“All right, but will it probably be yes?”

When no answer came, Tory climbed off the bed. She hadn’t looked at the clock until her father had asked the time. She was excited about the prospect of getting some new things. Although she didn’t have to have her dad along, it would have been fun. What she was really looking for was permission to spend money if Rita took her to the mall.

In order to be extra quiet and let her dad sleep, Tory returned to her bed and did not go down and watch cartoons. She lay for a long time and dreamt about finding a pair of jeans like the ones she had seen on one of the other girls at school. If her father said no to that, she was fairly positive he would not say no to new socks, tights, and underpants. Either way, she was sure to get some new things. Right now Tory couldn’t think of anything more exciting than new clothes, no matter how few.

“Sophie,” Alec spoke her name a few hours later when he found her in the kitchen.

“Yes, Mr. Riley.” She turned away from the cake she had just put in the oven.

“Craig is going to go to work with me today, and I wonder if you wouldn’t mind going shopping with the girls.”

Sophie nodded and hid her confusion. They had shopped for groceries the day before.

“I don’t think they really need advice as much as they need companionship. Tory tells me she needs underclothing, shoes, and pants. She also tells me she knows just what she wants, and I’ve told her she might have to settle for what she can find.