Chapter 81 – Victoria

The next morning, when Victoria came down for breakfast, she barely acknowledged her mother.  Delia desperately wanted to help her daughter. She was afraid Victoria was slipping into that same sort of depression that had once consumed her when she felt so alone and made the mistake of falling in love with a man that didn’t love her. Delia felt a chill go down her spine when she thought about her life with Goodwin Goode; it was anything but good.

When Victoria politely accepted the breakfast without offering any additional conversation, Delia asked if she wanted to talk about what she had said the previous day.  “No,” muttered Victoria, “sorry I said anything.”

Delia sighed. She just didn’t know what to say or do to get her to open up. “Valerie and I are going to go to the salon this weekend and get makeovers. We can get someone to sit for Lucas so you can go with us or I could stay and the two of you could go if you don’t want someone else to watch him.”

“No...I don’t want to leave him,” said Victoria and glared at her mother as if that were the most absurd thing she had ever heard of. “I have to leave him when I go to school, why on earth would I leave him when I don’t have to. I will stay here.” Then to keep her mom off her back she added, “Thanks for asking, you and the princess have fun."  She turned and took her breakfast to her room.

Delia was heartbroken but understood her protectiveness over Lucas and unwillingness to leave him.  He was almost a year old already. It didn't seem like they had been here that long already. 

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On Valerie’s day off she and her mother left for town. They went to the same salon where Walter worked. Valerie was hoping to see him again. They seemed to hit if off when he came by her house a few weeks ago but she hadn’t heard from him since then and was disappointed. The stylist told her she thought he had quit to take a job as a magician, but she wasn't sure.  

Putting that in the back of her mind, Valerie told her mom to go first. “You need a complete makeover,” said Valerie, “No offense mom, but you are a hot mess!”  Delia stood on the platform in front of the mirror as her daughter looked on and began to laugh. “I guess you are right. Time for a new me!”

A few hours later, Delia looked in the mirror and was pleased. “Not too shabby for an old grandmother! Now, it’s your turn Valerie! It’s time for some new clothes for you.”

Valerie allowed the seamstress to suggest a halter top and jeans to replace the more conservative outfit she had been wearing. It would show off her curves and her musical tattoo that Walter had given her the first time she had come here.

Valerie was happy with the look and hoped that she could find out where Walter was playing so she could go see him. She still had his number so Valerie planned to give him a call when they got home.

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When they got home, Delia went to check on Victoria and Lucas. She found Victoria outside in the pool practicing her snorkeling. From the first day they arrived in Roaring Heights Valerie seemed to love spending time in their pool. Delia supposed it relaxed her and she was able to be alone, which she seemed to want to do if she wasn’t caring for Lucas. 

Delia didn’t want to disturb her and instead went upstairs to grab some cuddle time with Lucas. She adored him. His birthday was coming up and he would soon be toddling around and learning to walk and talk. Watching him growing up was so much fun. 

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Valerie had managed to reach Walter on the phone and invited him to stop by. He readily agreed and said he would see her that evening after they both got off work. 

Valerie had barely arrived at home before the doorbell rang and Walter was standing there smiling at her. Her heart skipped a beat at his smile then she realized she hadn’t even had time to freshen up or change out of her work scrubs.  Dang it she thought. She invited him in anyway a bit embarrassed. 

 

They talked for a couple of hours before he told her he had to go.  He had to work in the morning and needed to practice. 

Valerie was disappointed that he had to leave so soon, but before he left she asked if he would give her the times of his shows. She would love to go watch him.  I would watch him do just about anything she thought. He agreed and left her his performance schedule.   

Valerie knew she really liked him and wanted to see much, much more of Walter. He was so sweet and kind. 

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Little Lucas had his birthday and was becoming such a cute little boy.  He had learned to entertain himself and was not much trouble at all. He did inherit Victoria’s eye and haircolor.

Even Valerie snuck in time to tend to Lucas when her sister was in the pool or sleeping. 

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The following week, while Lucas was napping, Victoria went back to the pool for more snorkeling practice.  Delia saw her and thought she would join her. 

Maybe she could get some time alone with her daughter joining her in an activity she obviously enjoyed.

When Delia climbed in,Victoria wasn’t super happy her mother had invaded what she had now come to consider her private space. All she wanted to do was stick her head in the water and be surrounded by silence and here comes her mom with a thousand questions. “Mom, what do you want?  I only have about 20 more minutes before Lucas wakes up.”

“Nothing. I just thought we could enjoy the water together,” said Delia.

“Mom, I can’t talk while I am swimming with my head in the water! Just go and let me finish my session,” said Victoria in an annoyed tone.

“Victoria, I only wanted to talk to you.  I wanted to know what you do out here all alone,” said Delia.

“Not now, Mom,” she said exasperated, “fine, give me 20 minutes and then after Lucas is fed, we can talk – okay.”

“Okay,” said Delia and she turned to get out of the pool and go inside hopeful that her daughter finally agreed to talk. 

Victoria turned and watched her mother go. 

Then without thinking she accidentally inhaled a lungful of water that had gathered in her mask. She was so shocked she couldn’t make any sound nor could she get a breath. She panicked and began to sink under the water.

By the time her mother had climbed out, Victoria had silently sunk motionless to the bottom of the pool. 

Delia turned around to wave to her daughter and couldn’t see her. Then she saw….her daughter was not floating on top of the water, she had sunk to the bottom of the pool unmoving. Delia screamed for Valerie to come and help. But it was too late.   

Delia begged and pleaded with Death not to take her youngest daughter from her.  It did no good.  Her 17 year-old daughter and mother of her grandson had been taken from them in the blink of an eye making an orphan out that sweet little boy.   

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