My Sister's Shoes (Little Black Box, Book 1) (14 page)

“You’re quite welcome. You are an inspiration, Victor. I will get the final paperwork together. Do you need assistance back to your room?”

He gave him a look that said
Are you kidding?

Bruno laughed. “I have to ask. I’ll be right back.”

Victor wiped the sweat from his forehead and around his neck area, stopping to linger where his long hair used to be. As he ran his fingers over his head of short hair, he smiled.
I can always grow it back.
But he was getting used to the shorter version and the new, determined Victor. No longer willing to go with the flow and let things unfold, he decided it was time to make things happen.

These last few weeks had been a struggle, but he was making progress. His speech was back to normal, and he improved quickly, too quickly for those who had speculated that he would regress. He innately knew it wouldn’t happen, but his mother, Ann, did not. She walked into the physical therapy room. Standing five feet eleven with honey-colored hair and green eyes that sparkled much like his own, his mother was far from timid. Not looking a day over thirty-five, it would be hard to imagine her having a twenty-eight-year-old son.

“Hi, love. Are you sure you’re not doing too much? What’s the rush?”

Victor put the heel of his hand to his temple, rubbing it gently. “I want out of here.” His impatience flared. Something gnawed at his mind, and the only way to satiate the feeling would be to get on a plane and go to New York City.

“Honey, I know your desire to go to New York, but it doesn’t have to be immediately. Give yourself some time to recuperate. You had a miracle. Let’s not push it.”

“Mom, I-I can’t explain why I feel this way. I haven’t been able to think about anything else since I regained consciousness. The entire reason I’ve pushed myself to get strong is in New York City.”

“What is? You haven’t been able to tell me. So you go to New York City and what? Look around? For what? New York isn’t around the corner, you know. All your doctors are here. What if you have an emergency?”

“I won’t. Besides, I should have been outta here weeks ago. This must be costing a fortune.”

“First of all, let me worry about the bill. I want to make sure you’re 100 percent. Sue told me she had it on the advice of a nurse in L.A General to move you here, and after checking it out, she was right. This place has been wonderful for you.”

“It has been. But I want to leave now. I’m fine.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I don’t know, but I am.”

“Well, if you insist on flying to New York after such a grave injury, I’m going with you.”

“What about the shop?”

Ann stood with one hand on her hip and with the other, pinched the bridge of her nose. “I will close for a few days.”

Victor smirked and nodded his head. She always pinched the bridge of her nose when she was stressed.
And I’m about to make it worse.
“I don’t know if I’ll be coming back so soon, Mom.”

She slapped her hands to her cheeks. “What are you talking about? Victor, I can’t stay indefinitely.”

“I know, Mom.”

She blinked quickly, her way of holding back her emotions. “I don’t know what to do, hon.”

“Let me do what I have to do. I promise you I will be okay.”

She approached him. Leaning over, she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. “I don’t care how old you are, you’re still my little boy.” She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “I will travel with you to New York and stay for a few days. Hopefully you will find what you seek, and we can return together. If not—well, I’ll deal with that when the time comes. I’ll go and find out about traveling after they release you.”

Victor grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Thanks, Mom.”

She gave him a wink. “I’ll be right back.”

As he watched her walk out of the room, the floor looked as though it slanted down. A dizzy spell took hold and made his head spin. The ever present buzz in his head about going to New York City disappeared. He wasn’t sure what it felt like to not be completely consumed with the idea. It was like an incessant itching that, no matter how much he scratched, never went away. And now, one dizzy spell later, he no longer felt the need to be there.
Maybe I am having some sort of brain malfunction?

* * * *

Allie waited patiently for Dr. Peters to welcome her. He had returned to Sun Coast Rehabilitation Center a day earlier and had meetings most of the day. She was becoming anxious. As she paced the length of his waiting area, she nibbled at the skin on the side of her thumb, pulling it away until it bled.

“Sweetie, I used to bite the heck out of my cuticles when I was nervous. Now I just pinch the bridge of my nose. It has the same effect, and you won’t lose a finger.” A woman stood a few feet away from her. She was older, pretty and approachable.

Allie pulled her hand away from her mouth and squeezed her fingers together to squelch the zing. “Good advice. It’s a bad habit I developed a few months ago.”
When Victor disappeared.

“Funny, my son had the same bad habit, but since his accident, he no longer does it. Are you waiting for Richard? I mean, Dr. Peters?”

“Yes. You too?”

“I only need a minute of his time.” She smiled at his secretary, whose ear seemed to be permanently attached to a phone. She nodded her head and put her finger in the air motioning to her that it would be a few minutes more.

Allie noticed the woman’s green eyes. “I don’t want to pry, but how is your son doing?”

“Ask away, sweetie, I’m not the most private person. I’m what they call a talker.” She smiled and walked closer to her. She put her hand out. “I’m Ann Scalia. And you are?”

Allie’s eyes widened and she slowly extended her hand. “My name is Allie Adams.”

She watched the woman silently study her as her handshake became limp. “Where are you from, Allie?”

“New York City.”

Ann gripped her hand tighter. “You must think I’m crazy, but will you come with me to meet my son?” Instead of waiting for an answer, she pulled her in the direction of the hallway.

“That’s precisely why I’m here, Ms. Scalia.”

She stopped. Tilting her head, she gave her a quizzical expression. “What do you mean?”

Oh boy.
“I came to tour the facility … meet some patients.”

She looked her up and down. “Well, if you don’t mind, sweetie, you can start with my son.”

Victor was housed in the step-down unit for patients who were preparing to be released. The wing of the rehabilitation center was painted in soft, tranquil colors, but Allie felt anything but calm. Her thumb went back to her mouth as she once again gnawed on the skin. “Pinch the bridge of your nose, dear,” Ann said.

Allie dropped her hand and followed her advice. When she pinched the bridge of her nose, she released some tension. “Hey—I think it works.”

“See?” She laughed and stopped outside a room. “Why are you so nervous?”

“I don’t think I can tell you without you thinking I’m crazy.”

“Believe me, Allie, I’ve heard and seen miracles these last few weeks. Try me.”

“I think I’ve met your son before. Somewhere in our dreams, I suppose.”

Ann narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips together. She was quiet as she assessed her statement. “Allie, I believe you. Are you ready?”

Allie took a deep breath and nodded her head yes. “I think so.”

Ann knocked lightly and entered the room first. She called out, “Victor? I have someone here who’d like to meet you.” Allie chewed her thumb and then quickly pinched the bridge of her nose. When Ann turned around, she twisted her mouth in frustration. “He’s probably still at PT. You stay here and I’ll be right back. Think about what you want to say.”

“Okay.” She hadn’t given much thought as to what she would say. She was at the mercy of his reaction to her. What could she say?
Hi. Remember me? You were my fairy godmother? Yeah right.

Allie wandered into Victor’s room. She lingered by his bedside and fingered his sheets. She picked up his pillow and took a deep breath, smelling his scent. The familiar smell of his skin was there, and Allie’s tears came without permission. As she recalled the morning at the Plaza Hotel when she realized he was gone, she looked toward the bathroom door. Reliving the painful memory, she whispered, “Victor.” Allie tilted her head up to the ceiling, trying to keep her tears from rolling down her cheeks, when she heard his voice.

“Yes? Can I help you?”

Her head jerked toward the sound coming from the bathroom. There he was, standing in the doorway. He wore pajama-style pants that tied at the waist and a white, ribbed tank top. He was freshly showered, and his hair was cropped in a short tight style. He was skinnier than she remembered but still beautiful. His eyes had that familiar sparkle, and her breath caught in her throat as he tilted his head and gave her a half-smile.

Allie felt like she would trip over her words but managed to regain some confidence.
I don’t like timid women.
“I-I’m sorry to have barged in. Your mom went to PT to find you and left me here to wait.”

She slowly crossed the room and extended her hand. “I’m Allie Adams.” The internal struggle he had with her name was obvious. When he took her hand, she added, “I’m from New York. Have you ever been to New York, Mr. Scalia?”

*

Victor touched her hand, and suddenly the haze of the last few weeks lifted. But things were far from clear, and questions bombarded his mind in rapid fire.
Who is this woman? Is she real? Am I still in a coma?
Why does she make me feel so … alive?
He stood paralyzed as he stared into the eyes of a stranger who was more familiar to him than himself. Somehow, in the deepest recess of his mind, she was there. Always encouraging him to push forward and never give up. And in a split second, he knew without question she was his reason for living. Noticing her quizzical expression, Victor focused on her last question. Stammering, he spoke slowly, without conviction. “No … I’ve … never … been … to New York.”

“Mr. Scalia? Are you all right?”

“I am now.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

He narrowed his eyes, trying to recall where he knew her from. “Do we know each other?”

She smiled. It was a confident, no-nonsense smile that lit up the room and sped up his heart. There were things he didn’t understand but realized he had no desire to question.

“We’ve met before, Mr. Scalia.”

“Victor. Please. Call me Victor.” He didn’t release her hand.

“All right. Victor.”

He took a deep breath and clasped his other hand over hers. “Why are you here?”

Giving his hand a squeeze, she whispered, “I was hoping that … your heart would know mine.”

As he looked deep into her eyes, a soft breeze wafted near his ear. It was a whispering echo of a far-off place, now a world away.
Happ-i-nessssss,
it said.
Give her happiness.

Returning her smile with gusto, he pulled her hand up and rested it over his beating heart. It was all so familiar, yet new and exciting. Victor stepped closer. “Are you … are you my angel?”

She nodded her head. “Yes. And you are mine.”

“Can I kiss you, Allie?”

Noticing a tear spill from her eye, he wiped it away with his thumb and tilted up her chin. His feeling of certainty bolstered his determination to make this kiss, the one kiss, Allie would seek for all time. Bringing his lips to hers, he cupped her head with the back of his hand and let his mouth glide ever so softly over hers. Allie moaned into his mouth, and Victor felt the searing of emotion as their moist kiss tapped a place inside him that still lay lifeless. As they entwined their arms around each other, her kiss began to melt away what little doubt he had left, and his soul, once numb, was renewed.

One Year Later…

Allie finished packing her last box. Reaching up, she pulled her ponytail tighter and then placed her hands on her hips. Looking around her room, she smiled. She would miss New York, but most of all, she’d miss her sister’s meddling ways. Yes. Her sister. She and Adrienne proudly called each other sisters now. This was the worst time to leave her, but she didn’t have much of a choice.

Thinking back over the last few months, Allie wondered what would have become of her if Gregory hadn’t gifted her with the little black box. And while it was still in her possession, she thought endlessly about the next recipient of its contents. But this was a decision not to be rushed. Allie would have a cup of tea and wait for Victor and Adrienne to return from their run. She went earlier while Victor slept in. Adrienne had slept late too.
Slackers.

Walking into the kitchen, Allie was surprised to find Victor with his arms wrapped around Adrienne as she cried on his shoulder. Looking at Allie, he caressed Adrienne’s hair and reassured her. “That doctor is a real scumbag.”

“I-I know he is,” Adrienne cried.

“I mean, who in their right mind would cheat on a woman as great as you?” Victor winked at Allie while he pushed Adrienne back to look at her. Holding her by the arms, he asked, “Why don’t you move to L.A. with us?”

Allie perked up. She liked the idea of Adrienne moving to L.A. “That’s a great idea. Your mom is in Arizona anyway, and when I’m gone, you’ll have no family left here.”

Victor scrunched up his face as if anticipating Adrienne’s reaction. As she started to wail, he pulled her back into his arms and gave Allie an exasperated expression. She couldn’t help but smirk as she mouthed
I’m sorry
.

Admiring the compassion Victor felt for Adrienne, her heart filled with love for him. The kind of love she was sure her mother had felt for Gregory. And it was Gregory who made sure she found it. Did he know by leaving her the little black box that she would find her happiness?

Adrienne straightened up and pulled away from Victor. She grabbed a paper towel and dabbed under her eyes. “I’ll be fine, you two. I just had to let it out, and now I feel better.”

Victor pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Yeah?”