CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
LORI
Lori was barely aware of the time as she and Cristina worked together. It wasn’t until they took a break that she realized how much her feet and back hurt from standing without moving. At the school, helping kids, she was in constant motion, not standing still for hours.
She checked her watch. Two o’clock. No wonder she was hungry.
Just then, Sarita walked into the room carrying a tray of sandwiches, chips, and cookies. “Thought you might be hungry.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” said Cristina. She lifted a sandwich. “Oh, yum. I remember your chicken salad sandwiches. They were one of my favorites back then.”
Sarita beamed at Christina. “Oh, I’m well aware.”
Cristina laughed. “I know what you and my mother are doing.”
“Just enjoy life here,” Sarita responded. She turned to Lori. “I have a feeling that you should be here, too.”
“But tomorrow is my last full day,” Lori said, hiding a twinge of sadness.
“We’ll see,” said Sarita. “How’s the store coming along?”
“Good,” said Lori.
“She and I are an excellent team,” Cristina said. “By the end of the day, the store will be ready for tomorrow.”
“You know, if you …” Sarita began.
Cristina thrust out a hand to stop her. “Don’t say it.”
Sarita laughed, and soon the three of them laughed together, in touch with one another’s feelings.
###
That evening, Sarita served a family meal. When Pete mentioned that a night in Napa might be fun, Lori and Cristina shook their heads.
“Not me,” said Lori. “Thanks anyway. I’m going to bed.”
At the quiet in the room, Lori’s cheeks flared with color. She didn’t dare say anything more, especially when Pete murmured, “Lucky Griff.”
Neither Sam nor Carlos heard it, but Sarita shot Lori a questioning look, which Lori ignored by answering her cell and excusing herself from the table, delighted to be interrupted by a call from Aurelia.
“Hi, sis, what’s up?” asked Lori, stepping outside to the patio.
“Hi, Lori. I’m calling to tell you that Dad is in the hospital.
He’s had a heart attack and had surgery to install a couple of stents.
We didn’t want to worry you before we knew what was going on.
He’s doing fine and will be released from the hospital in a day or so.
We thought you’d want to know. There’s no need to come home a day early. There’s nothing that needs to be done.”
Lori felt the blood leave her face and her feet sway. “Thanks,” she managed to say as tears filled her eyes. It was the worst kind of news, this sudden change concerning someone’s life. It brought back all kinds of bad memories.
“Are you all right?” Aurelia asked in a gentle, caring voice, indicating she knew how Lori might be feeling.
“I’m okay. I’ll let you know of any change in plans,” said Lori.
“There’s no need to come home early. Dad is fine, and Mom is coping,” said Aurelia.
“I know,” said Lori, well aware of her mother’s strength. “See you soon.” She ended the call and sat on a chair, fighting tears.
“What’s wrong?” asked Griff, walking outside and coming over to her.
Lori told him what had happened. “Aurelia said I wasn’t to worry, but I can’t help it.”
“Why don’t you sleep on it and make any decisions in the morning,” said Griff, pulling her up into his arms.
Lori leaned against him, grateful for the way his embrace steadied her.
###
Sometime later, Lori lay alone in her bed, exhausted and worried. She’d been too upset to have Griff stay with her. It seemed the wrong thing to do when her father might still be in danger, no matter what Aurelia had said.
Too tired to fight the sweep of depression, she closed her eyes and fell into a restless sleep filled with terrible visions.
The memories of her husband’s hospital days, the sight of Kayla’s accident and Rosie’s wounded face, and memories of her father’s presence while she was growing up twisted together into hideous scenes that had her moaning and tossing about in her bedding.
At one point, sweaty from all the emotions roaring through her body from the images in her brain, she awoke crying.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes. But her hands and fingers couldn’t erase the horrors that trooped through her brain. Afraid to fall asleep again, she got out of bed and went to the kitchen to fix herself a cup of tea.
Disappointment trailed through her when she realized she wouldn’t be able to enjoy herself in California while her father lay ill. She had to see him for herself to know that he was all right. He was too young to die. But then, Nick had been, too.
She took a sip of tea and sighed. Not long ago, she’d announced almost nonchalantly that life was always changing, unaware hers had very dramatically done so.
A knock sounded at the door.
Startled, Lori checked the time. Six o’clock.
She went to the door, peeked out, and let out a breath of relief at seeing Griff.
“While I was jogging, I saw the light on. Are you all right?” he asked.
“Come on in,” she said, opening the door to him. “I’ve been fighting nightmares, and I’m afraid to go back to sleep.”
“Why don’t I stay here on the couch, so you won’t be afraid?” Griff said, sensitive to how she’d told him earlier that she needed to be alone.
“Would you do that for me?” she said.
“Of course,” he answered. “I don’t want you to be afraid.”
“That would be so helpful. I’m physically tired, but my brain has been working overtime.” She led him to the couch. “Mind if I curl up next to you? I don’t even want to be in my bed.”
“Go ahead. Come here. There’s a blanket for us both,” Griff said, sitting on the couch and letting her curl up next to him.
Sighing, Lori leaned against him and closed her eyes.
She didn’t know what time it was when Griff shook her awake. “It’s okay, Lori. It’s okay.”
Lori touched her wet cheeks and drew in a breath. “I’m sorry. The dreams about my past trauma with my husband keep coming back.”
Griff rubbed her back in comforting circles and drew her closer. “You’re okay. Everything will be fine.”
Exhausted, she closed her eyes.
Much later, when she opened them, she was alone on the couch. She sat up and gazed around, but there was no sign of Griff.
Lori stretched and picked up her cell. She knew what she had to do.
When she Facetimed her sisters and told them she was leaving a day early, the looks on their faces told the story of her own disappointment.