To Hire a Cheerleader Pt. 05

When they arrived at Tori's dad's house fifteen minutes later, Tori was beginning to regret those words. Jake had indeed shown her what the car could do. He had put it through the paces for her. Tori was just thankful she didn't have a tendency to get car sick!

After they climbed out of the car (and Tori silently gave thanks to God for being on solid ground), Tori and Jake followed the sounds of laughter around to the back of Paul's house. When they stepped through the gate, Tori caught sight of her dad and Stella, standing under the awning on the back deck. She started to wave, then realized that her dad and Stella had been in the process of making out. Now, having heard the gate open and close, her dad was valiantly trying to get Stella's shirt adjusted before Jake or Tori noticed. Seeing a cooler of drinks on the other side of the yard, Tori pulled Jake with her over to select their beverage.

"What are you doing?" Jake asked. "Don't you think we should speak to your dad, first?"

Tori rolled her eyes. "Trust me on this one. Dad would much rather you viewed his selection of drinks than his selection of women. And right now, there is a little too much of Stella on display for viewing!"

Jake looked confused, then he closed his eyes as he realized what Tori was talking about. "Well, well, I guess it's a good day for that sort of activity!" Tori made a mean face at him, then bent down to retrieve a cold soda. Her dad joined them as she stood up.

"I'm glad you two could make it!" Paul said.

Tori really did try to hold her tongue, but the temptation was just too much. "Looks like you two were already making it!"

Paul's face turned bright red. Tori was about to congratulate herself on getting one over on her dad when she saw the look on Jake's face. Realizing that he was about to level the playing field by telling her dad what they had done, she grabbed a piece of ice out of the cooler and threw it down Jake's shirt. Since his shirt was tucked into his pants, Tori knew that the ice would lodge on his stomach, leaving a cold trail down his chest.

"Why, you . . . " Jake yelled. Then he made a grab for Tori. Tori was too quick for him, though and managed to duck out of his reach. As he lunged for her again, Tori ran to get behind Stella, who had just walked out to join the group.

Jake stood in front of Stella and Tori danced behind her, jumping from side to side. Jake stopped his frantic chance long enough to look Stella in the eye and say, "Stella, it's nice to meet you. Please forgive me!" Then he grabbed her by the waist and set her to one side. Tori was so surprised that she forgot to run.

Jake caught her and pulled her to him. "Now for your punishment!" Then he proceeded to kiss her senseless. Right as she gave up the fight and molded her body into his, he pulled out the back of her tank top and dropped the offending piece of ice down her back. He dropped his arms and ran before Tori had the chance to react.

Tori had the last laugh, though. Jake wasn't exactly looking where he was going as he bolted away from Tori and he managed to mow right into a really big man. Tori wasn't sure who he was, but his body mass alone had stopped Jake cold. Jake stood looking up into the man's face. It took a moment for recognition to kick in, then Jake said, "Samuelson! I would have known you anywhere!"

Tori wasn't sure what all that was about, but the man looked as happy to meet Jake as Jake did to meet him. The two of them launched into a detailed discussion of the type of photography equipment Jake had been using on their surveillance pictures. Tori rolled her eyes and headed over to talk to Stella.

Paul and Stella were manning the grill and talking to a tall, slender, attractive woman. When Tori approached the group, the lady held out her hand and introduced herself as Vicky Samuelson. Paul nodded to Vicky and said to Tori, "Vicky and Tom have only been married a few weeks. That's Vicky's son, Tony, over by the fence."

The boy that Paul was referring to captured Tori's attention. He was a cute little guy, probably about seven, walking the fence line with his hands in his pockets. Tori said, "He looks like a sweet kid. How old is he?"

Vicky sighed deeply, "Sometimes I feel like he is a hundred. He just turned eight, but he's not had an easy life. His father was quiet abusive. My sister was Tony's mom. About a year ago, my sister sent Tony over to borrow something from the neighbors, and while he was gone, she killed her husband and herself. The neighbor had the sense not to let Tony go back to the house after they heard the gunshots. The police found my brother in law, dead, in his bed and my sister sitting in her favorite chair, dead. Tony came to live with me immediately. It's been a long year. Some days he doesn't talk at all."

Tori listened to Tony's story with a rising sense of awe. Tori asked, "Vicky, do you know anything about Jake?"

When Vicky shook her head, Tori smiled. "He just might be able to help. His dad killed his mom and spent years abusing him. His scars come from his dad's hands."

Vicky peered across the yard toward her husband and his friend. "I hadn't noticed the scars. You must have to be really close to see them."

That caused Tori to smile, but she didn't want to get sidetracked. "Do you think it would be alright if Jake talked to Tony?"

Again, Vicky sighed heavily. "This is one of the days that he hasn't said a word. If you don't think that it will hurt Jake's feelings for Tony to not respond, I don't think it could hurt."

Without wasting another minute, Tori hurried across the yard to Jake. Tom and Jake both looked up at her expectantly when she approached them. She said, "Tom, Vicky was just telling me about Tony. Have you ever mentioned him to Jake?"

Tom shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm afraid I haven't been able to tell a lot of people about my new son. I want to help him, but I feel like a failure every time we have a day like today."

Tori smiled sympathetically at Tom, then turned to face Jake. "Jake, Tony was abused. His story sounds a lot like yours. Would you talk to him? He doesn't talk back, at least not today, but he does listen." Tori at least hoped Tony would listen.

Jake looked at Tori doubtfully. "What exactly do you expect me to say to him?"

Tori rolled her eyes. "Come on, Jake. Think back to when you were eight. What would you have liked for an adult to talk to you about?"

A grin spread across Jake's face. With obviously fond memories racing though his head, Jake said, "Cars!"

Tori laughed at him then gave him a gentle push toward the boy. Tony was still standing by the fence, facing away from the group. Jake gave Tori one more look of uncertainty, then he crossed the yard.

With all that was in her, Tori wished that she could hear Jake's conversation with Tony. But they were too far away. Tori couldn't tell if Tony was actually communicating with Jake or not, but, at least, he wasn't walking away.

After about ten more minutes, Paul announced that the burgers were ready. Jake looked up from his conversation with Tony and pointed toward the table. Tony shrugged his shoulders and shoved his hands into his pockets. Then the two of them began crossing the yard toward the table. Tori saw Vicky give Tom a wide eyed look of surprise. Tom walked over to where Vicky was standing and dropped his arm around her shoulder, giving her a brief squeeze. Tori knew that they were hoping Jake had made some headway with the boy.

Everyone got a hamburger and loaded up their plates with potato salad, baked beans and chips. Then they grabbed a seat around the picnic table. Tori sat on one side of Jake and Tony sat on the other. The conversation was flowing fairly well, even if Tony was only listening.

It was during a lull in the conversation that Tony decided to end his silence. The boy turned to Jake and said, "You ever read any "Hero Quantum"?"

Jake frowned in thought and shook his head. "Can't say that I have."

Tony smiled at him and said, "You ought to. You look like Midnight Max. He's got these scars from all the battles he's been in. Kinda like you. Did you get yours in some kind of galactic battle?" Tori noticed that all of the adults around the table, including her, were holding their breath, waiting for Jake's response.

Jake's lips twitched in an effort to hide his smile. "No. Well, maybe I did. My dad used to beat me up and one time he hurt me real bad with his knife. So, yeah, I guess it was a battle. Can't say that it was a galactic one, but it was sure a battle."

Tony seemed to weigh Jake's words. Then, to the surprise of the entire table, the boy said, "My dad used to hurt me, too. But now I got a new dad. He's a lot better. I don't think I'll get into any battles with him. I guess I won't be getting any scars." Then the boy went back to eating, as though nothing extraordinary had happened.

Around the table, each one of the adults was dealing with Tony's response in their own personal way. Tom was coughing slightly to try to keep his tears in check. Vicky and Stella were crying outright. Paul was smiling broadly. Tori knew that her own face reflected her dismay that a child could say such profound things without ever realizing it. Jake was the only one who was acting like nothing was out of the ordinary. He and Tony just started talking about their favorite comic books.

When the meal ended, Paul offered to do the dishes, then promptly pulled out the trash can and held it while everyone threw away their paper plates. Stella arrived about that time with the watermelon. The guys had an impromptu seed spitting contest. After they all did their best shots, Tori walked up to the 'line' and spit a clean foot past the farthest one. The men just rolled their eyes and Tony looked at her like she was capable of walking on water!

"Can you teach me to spit like that?" Tony asked.

Tori laughed and said, "Better clear it with your parents, but I'm willing."

The rest of the evening went smoothly and soon it was time to go home. Tony had taken to calling Jake "Midnight Jake", and Jake didn't seem to mind. As Tom and Vicky gathered up their stuff to head home, Tori was surprised to see Tony actually slip his arms around Jake and give him a quick hug. In that instant, Tori saw Jake in a whole new light. In that instant, she realized that the man she loved was a born father.

Tori and Jake left shortly after the Samuelson family. Tori kissed her dad good bye and gave Stella a quick hug. Jake shook Paul's hand and then he kissed Stella on the cheek. Without wasting any more time, Jake and Tori slipped through the back gate and headed for Jake's car.

On the way home, Tori noticed that Jake couldn't seem to quit talking about Tony. It appeared that the two of them had really bonded. Tori was lost in her own thoughts about the implications of that new relationship for both of them, when she realized that Jake had stopped talking. He was glancing over at her as though he was waiting for an answer.

Tori said, "I'm sorry, Jake. What did you say?"

Jake grinned and said, "I asked if it would be ok to invite the Samuelsons over for dinner in a couple of weeks. I actually have a few old comic books that I think Tony would like. Maybe I could even hook Tom up with a few of them. It might help them find a connection. Would it work out ok for them to come over?"

Tori looked at Jake in confusion. "Jake, it's your house. Why are you asking me if it is all right to invite friends over?"

A shadow of emotion crossed Jake's face. Tori wondered what he was feeling. Rather coolly, he said, "I thought after this afternoon that you realized that I would want your opinion on our activities."

Knitting her brow in thought, Tori said, "I'm sorry Jake. I guess I didn't think about that. If you want to invite them over, it's fine. I really don't know what my schedule will be like then, but if you want me to be there too, I will do my best."

This time, there was no mistaking the look on Jake's face. His eyes flashed and his jaw clenched. Tori watched in amazement as his face became a mask of anger. He didn't say anything more, just concentrated on the road in front of them. The rest of the drive was made in silence.

When they got to the house, Tori followed Jake into the kitchen. When he turned quickly to face her, she was surprised. He dropped his hands onto Tori's shoulders and, looking at her intently, said, "Tori, did I do something wrong? I thought that this afternoon proved that we were really good together. Why are you pulling away from me now, acting like we are practically strangers?"

It took a moment for Tori to realize the reason behind her actions. She had been so comfortable with Jake all evening that she had forgotten that she had just figured out that she loved him. She had been acting as though they were an old married couple. But reality was that Jake hadn't offered her that option. She realized that she was pulling away from him emotionally in an attempt to protect her own heart. Too bad it was too late. Reaching up and putting her hands over Jake's on her shoulders, Tori said, "Jake, I'm too tired to talk about this. I don't want to say something that I might regret tomorrow. Let me sleep on it, then we can talk about it."

Jake narrowed his eyes, but he dropped his hands from her. He stepped aside and Tori walked past him. It took almost all of the energy that she had left to climb up the two flights of stairs. It had been an emotional day and Tori wasn't exactly sure how to even begin thinking about what her next step should be. With only minimal efforts, Tori got ready for bed and fell asleep almost before her head hit her pillow.