Free TOML SW 2015-04-09 by Amy Gamet Page B

learned from the best.”
    Edward nodded. “I was thinking it was the kind of stupid thing I would do.” He spit on the ground. “I want a chance to do the right thing, Jed. For once in my life. Won’t you give me that chance?”
    Emotions Jed didn’t even know he still possessed came rising to the surface in a powerful wave. He was sixteen again, watching his mother cry at the kitchen table when she thought no one was looking. He was ten, the only boy on the football team without his dad on the sidelines.
    “I gave you plenty of chances, and you blew every last one.” He forced down the other words that wanted to come, the litany of offenses Edward Trainor had committed against his son and ex-wife. Jed began to walk away, yelling over his shoulder, “I’ll have my lawyer call you about the sale. Not a penny less than five point two.”
    ~~~
    Tori changed the attachment on the flex shaft and began polishing her mother’s ring for the final time. All the stones had been set, the metal as perfect as Tori could make it, and now it was time for the glory.
    Turning her music up louder, she put on her safety goggles and got to work, singing along with the words.
    She was in a bad mood. The shop had been busy the last two days, yet she’d barely made enough money to pay her student loan, no less her mortgage. It seemed all of her efforts were falling short of where they needed to be in order to save Tori’s Treasures.
    At least the plans for the wedding reception were all but finalized, and she’d even managed to sneak into Syracuse and buy herself a dress for her mother’s wedding. On credit, of course.
    “Your treasure hunt is a sensation!” yelled her mother, not six inches from Tori’s ear, making her jump a mile and whip off her goggles.
    “Mom, you can’t do that,” Tori snapped, exasperated.
    “Oh, my goodness. Is that my ring?” Bonnie bent over to see it clearly, an astonished sigh coming out of her mouth. “It’s so beautiful, Tori.”
    Pride at her mother’s words made her smile. “You like it?”
    Her mother began to giggle, even as her eyes filled up with tears. “I love it, sweetheart. It’s absolutely perfect.”
    Tori took the ring out of the vise and handed it to her mom, who quickly slipped it on her finger.
    “You’ve always had such talent,” said Bonnie. “I’m so proud of you.”
    A knot formed in Tori’s throat. “That’s the second time you’ve said that this week.” A long overdue conversation hovered on her lips. “I always thought you thought I was a screw-up.”
    Her mother squatted down next to her. “Why would you think that?”
    “Because you always pointed out what I was doing wrong. That I never had a plan. Whatever I did, I could have done better. Whatever I picked, I could have chosen better. Like I was never good enough for you.”
    Bonnie touched Tori’s hand. “You’re an artist. My gypsy. Surely, I thought you’d be happier, and be more likely to get the things you wanted in life if you would learn to plan for the future. But I never once thought you were anything but my sweet, perfect girl.”
    Tori tried to hold back tears. “Thanks, Mom.”
    “You’ve made this wedding very special for me. Do you know that? From the rings, to the decorations and the flowers, the whole reception. You did everything, all while you were struggling with your own business.”
    Tori’s mouth fell open. “How did you know?”
    “Melanie might have mentioned something when I ran into her in town yesterday.” She picked up Tori’s hand. “You could have told me yourself. I would have helped you with anything.”
    “I know, Mom.”
    “And instead, I gave you a mountain of work to do on top of it. I’m sorry for being so selfish.”
    “Are you kidding? You’re the opposite of selfish. You’ve taken care of me and the winery all these years by yourself. I’m the one who never even noticed you were lonely.”
    Bonnie opened her arms and Tori leaned in for a