They Say Love Is Blind

  She nodded quickly as Lee returned slowly to the living room. Everyone mingled and talked but she now saw that they watched him closely. He paused a few short steps from the couch and held out his hand tentatively. It broke her heart that he had to think before coming to sit on the couch that he used to drop onto; the very same couch that he would push her down onto while he hovered above her kissing her from top to bottom. Tory stood up and reached for his hand. He grasped them and only then would he move to resume his seat on the couch.

  He sat down quietly and Tory intertwined her fingers with his, holding him and feeling his fear and uncertainty. Dear God, what had that accident taken from him?

  CHAPTER 16

  Dinner was a strange affair. The family was animated and friendly. They talked, laughed, ate and drank, but beneath it ran a tension. Eyes darted around, secret communications ran from person to person and everything seemed forced. If Lee picked up on it she couldn’t tell. He seemed distant and preoccupied.

  “Are you ok, honey?” She whispered.

  He put on a quick smile. “I’m okay.” She could see him force down a few bites of food but for the most part he just sat quietly and observed. She needed to talk to him, privately. But Tory realized that even after dinner when the family would make their way back to their own homes, she and Lee still wouldn’t be alone because his mother and father was staying here.

  At the moment, sex was the last thing on her mind. She had to find out what he was going through. Could it be that he blamed her for the accident? Had Rosalind gotten to him? They’ve had days with him and obviously they could have influenced him.

  By eight the house was empty and the dishes cleaned. No one would allow her to help with the cleaning even though with many hands it took only a few minutes. When the last person had exited Lee sighed and Tory could see the strain on his face. Something was definitely up. Mr. and Mrs. Torres announced that they would turn in for the night although it was barely eight o’clock. She appreciated the gesture and wished them a warm good night.

  When they were alone he pulled her into his arms and hugged her, more like he hung onto her. It was the first time that they’d been along in days. She buried her face into his chest and clung to him, listening to the sound of his heart drumming rapidly in his chest.

  “Lee,” she looked up, still holding on to him. “What’s wrong, tell me?”

  A frown flitted across his handsome face. “I’m just happy you’re here. Let’s just…go to bed. I’m exhausted.”

  “Okay,” She replied, but she wasn’t letting it go.

  She went into the bathroom and remembered they weren’t alone and shut the door before peeing. She was brushing her teeth when something slammed into the door. Tory dropped her toothbrush and with a mouthful of toothpaste darted to the closed door and opened it.

  Lee was in pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. He was rubbing his head and Tory gasped because she could see a lump forming over his right eye.

  “Oh baby, I’m so sorry!”

  “I-no, it’s not your fault. I should have known it was closed. I could—the sound of the water was muffled. I just wasn’t thinking.”

  “No, it was my fault.”

  “Tory.” He said with finality and moved past her into the bathroom. He walked slowly, arms held out slightly in front of him until he reached the sink. He got his toothbrush and felt around for the toothpaste and then began brushing his teeth. She quietly joined him at the basin and finished up.

  Afterwards she followed him into the bedroom. She found her nightshirt and then stripped out of her clothes and pulled it on over her head. She climbed into bed with him where he was propped up against his pillows.

  After a few moments where neither moved or talked she finally spoke.

  “Talk to me…because I feel like you’re…mad at me.”

  “I’m not,” he said quickly but he didn’t look at her, or at least in her direction.

  “Then talk to me baby-”

  “What in the hell do you want me to say, Tory?!” he glared in her direction. “I don’t fucking know what you want me to say.”

  She was so surprised that any response froze in her throat. He had never cursed at her before—not ever. He had never ever raised his voice at her.

  “Do you want me to leave?”

  “No,” he said quickly. He reached out and stroked her arms. “I’m sorry. I am just so stressed and—but I want you to know that I’m happy you’re here. I thought I was going to go crazy wanting you here.”

  And now I’m here and you cuss me? “Stressed about what?”

  He released her, something unreadable on his face. He lay back facing straight up. “I don’t know. That’s the problem. I just don’t know.” He turned to her. “I just feel like…”

  She lay on her side facing him. “Like what?” she prodded gently.

  “Like my entire life was just an illusion.” He paused and then seemed to stare right into her eyes. “I thought I was in control of it, but I’m not. I’m just a…passenger. I have no control over anything.”

  “Baby…” she began, alarmed by his words. “You are the most capable man that I’ve ever met. There is not a day that goes by that I’m not in constant awe of you. You are a blind man that has accomplished more than most sighted people. You are funny, sexy, talented, and smart--but most of all you are confidant.” Tory watched the intense expression on his face and hoped that he was listening and believing that she meant every word.

  His expression was uncertain. “Is that what you really see Tory?”

  “Yes!”

  He paused and then leaned forward and kissed her forehead—she wasn’t sure if he was going for her mouth but either was okay.

  “Thank you. I needed that,” he whispered.

  “Don’t doubt yourself. Don’t doubt what I feel for you.” She opened and then closed her mouth. Suddenly she knew she had to say what was on her mind. “I know that…some people in your family blame me for you getting hurt-”

  “What the fuck? Who told you that? Macey? She is a fucking busybody.” He said angrily.

  “Lee!” His outburst surprised her.

  “No, I’m sick of people getting in our business!” He sat up in bed and ran his hand through his hair. “I understand their concern, especially under the circumstances. But…” He turned back to her and reached out for her hand. “I’m sorry, Tory. I’m just so…”

  “Stressed?” He didn’t say anything. “Lee don’t be mad at Macey. I picked up on the tension. She just explained it to me. She is on my side. She is on our side.”

  He relaxed. “I know she is. “It’s Senna and Leticia that are starting shit.”

  “And Rosalind.”

  He shook his head. “Rosalind?”

  “Yeah. She hates me.”

  “Baby, that incident was a long time ago. She’s not said anything against you. As a matter of fact she told me that she hoped you two could be friends.”

  Tory sat up in bed and made a humph noise. That slick bitch! And he was falling for it. Of course she wasn’t talking about her in front of Lee. She would do it behind their back and try to fuel the flames against her.

  “Rosalind can use as many friends as possible right now. She and Brice just separated-”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, and she’s not taking it well.”

  Tory felt the blood drain from her face. Rosalind intended to come after Lee and she intended to do it in the ‘correct’ way—a way that his family couldn’t find fault with.

  ~***~

  When Tory awoke the next morning she noticed three things; the bed beside her was empty, the smell of good food, and the sound of Portuguese music playing from the other room. Last night she had gone to sleep in Lee’s arms. Even with the casts it was comfortable. He had planted another kiss on her forehead and that time she knew it wasn’t an accident. He had fallen asleep quickly and she couldn’t find fault in that. He had told her before that he was exhausted.

>   Tory sat up in bed and checked the clock. Oh my god it was nearly eleven o’clock! How could she have slept so late? They had been in bed by nine o’clock which meant that she’d slept over 12 hours. She scrambled out of bed and pulled on her robe. She rubbed her hands through her unruly hair and hurried out of the room.

  Mr. and Mrs. Torres was standing at the computer that had been moved from the spare room to the living room. They were oohing and aaahing at something he was showing them until Mrs. Torres turned to her.

  “Ola, Tory,” She gave her a knowing smile. But nothing had happened last night!

  Mr. Torre’s eyes scanned her attire and his brow arched. She made sure that her robe was closed.

  “Uh, good morning,” she said.

  Lee minimized the computer screen and with a broad grin he walked over to her. She was pleased that he didn’t have to hold his arms out and that he moved confidently the way he had before the accident. She felt a rush of guilt when she saw the purple bruise standing out prominently over his eye. But he was all smiles and didn’t seem to notice it at all.

  “Morning? I’m sorry to tell you that you missed morning and are about to greet the afternoon.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her lovingly. She pulled back because his parents were staring.

  “Why didn’t you wake me?” She mumbled to him.

  “My mother said that you needed your rest.”

  Oh, well she couldn’t argue with that.

  “Are you hungry? You missed breakfast but lunch is nearly ready.”

  She grimaced. Ugh, food was not tops on her list. She just wanted coffee and a piece of Danish…if that. But she knew that if Mrs. Torres was anything like her mother, she would insist she eat well in order to build up her strength. She smiled and lied, saying that she was a little hungry.

  “Feijoada de vaca will be ready soon.”

  Tory gestured to the bathroom. “I’m going to get showered. I’ll be back.”

  After showering and dressing, she checked her messages and saw that Mama had called. She listened to the message; they had arrived safely. She felt guilty for not calling to check and then further guilty when Mama reminded her to use her Incentive spirometer to help with her breathing. She hated the thing. She was supposed to use it three times a day to help strengthen and open up her lungs. But it made her feel lightheaded and dizzy and so she would skip it anytime she could. She hadn’t even brought it with her.

  She decided to send Mom a quick text telling her that she was happy she had seen them and would call her later. She didn’t mention the spirometer.

  When she returned to the living room the table was set and Lee and his father were sitting in chairs watching something on his computer. Oh what a surprise; soccer, she though with a wry grin. She had discovered that Lee and his family were demented over the sport. The fact that he didn’t own a television set didn’t stop him from keeping up with his favorite team. He could tune into foreign channels via computer. At that very moment the two men cheered happily at some unknown event. She placed her hand on his shoulder and kissed him on the cheek from behind.

  “Mmmm,” he said simply, pausing long enough to receive it.

  “Cerveja?”

  “Yes, thanks, honey.”

  Tory gave Mr. Torres a quick smile. “I’ll bring you one, too.”

  “Obrigado, Tory. Thank you,” he responded with an appreciative smile.

  She went into the kitchen and saw Mrs. Torres putting slices of fresh baked bread onto a plate and singing a Portuguese song. Tory knew it. It was one by Amália Rodrigues who was like the Elvis Presley of Portuguese music. Whenever Lee played music by her, his vibe would change. It was like the way she felt when she played a song like Yearning for Your Love by The Gap Band or Serpentine Fire by Earth Wind and Fire. Listening to music from her parent’s generation made her feel good and it was the same with him. Wanting to know more, Tory and Lee began to play those special songs for each other until each now had favorites from the others history. The one Mrs. Torres now sang was one of them.

  Lee’s mother was an excellent singer and Tory couldn’t help but stand there for a moment listening. She caught herself when she saw Tory and laughed, clutching her chest.

  “Sorry, that was beautiful,” Tory apologized.

  Mrs. Torres waved away her words. “Old music for an old woman.”

  “I like fado.” Tory moved to the refrigerator for beer.

  “Oh, Tory! You know fado music?” She peeked around the refrigerator door unsure why that would surprise her.

  “Yes, ma’ame. It’s like…Portuguese blues.” She closed the refrigerator door with two beers in tow. “I also like that song you were singing; Povo que lavas no rio.” Folk who bathe in the river. When Lee interpreted the lyrics for her it made her think of Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday. She was instantly enraptured by the song;

  Folk who wash in the river,

  Who with your axe prepare,

  The planks of my coffin,

  There will be those who defend you,

  Who'll buy your sacred ground,

  But no, not your life.

  She left the kitchen calling over her shoulders. “I’ll be back in a minute, Mrs. Torres to help you.” She didn’t see the look of surprise on her soon-to-be-mother in law’s face.

  CHAPTER 17

  After lunch Mr. and Mrs. Torres decided to do some visiting and asked Tory and Lee if they wanted to join them.

  The couple was sitting on the couch holding hands. Lee shrugged. “I think we’ll pass.”

  “Yeah.” Tory agreed. “I’m in the mood to kick off my shoes and plant myself on this couch.”

  “Okay, kids. We’ll see you tonight. Até logo.” Mr. Torres called and they disappeared into the elevator. Lee perked his ears and listened until the elevator reached the ground floor. He got up and moved to the elevator and listened. When he turned he had a smile on his face.

  “Vem aqui,” he held out one hand to her in invitation. Come here.

  Oooo…Tory came to her feet and sauntered over to him. The apartment was quiet and she knew that he was listening to each step of her slippered feet against the stone floor. She felt a flutter deep down in the pit of her stomach and then it blossomed and spread electric fingers throughout her body.

  She stopped just a mere foot in front of him. His arms snaked out and gripped her about the waist and she thought; that’s right baby. I’m right here…Strong hands ran lovingly over the curve of her ass, pausing there to stroke and explore her. Her hands moved around his strong shoulders, careful of his bruising and healing collarbone. Lee closed the space between them and she could feel his hard muscular frame as it pressed against her much softer flesh.

  “Baby, I missed you,” she sighed. Lee’s head lowered and he suddenly had her bottom lip gripped between his. His tongue pushed into her mouth and he kissed her passionately, nearly crushing her lips in the process.

  She no longer remembered to be careful of his bruises and she held onto him tightly, pressing her body against his, discovering that he was more than aroused; he was unyieldingly hard. She couldn’t help it, she rolled her hips against his cock, feeling wanton and weak with desire.

  “I missed you…” she gasped. “Please baby…”

  Lee groaned and suddenly gripped her ass and lifted her. Her legs went around his hips and for a moment all he could do was stand there and hold her in his arms.

  “I love you. I love you so much, Tory. I can’t stop thinking about how close I came to losing you and there was nothing that I could do-”

  “Shh,” she kissed his face and ran her hands through his hair. “You took care of us, don’t you see? You bought a car with safety in mind and because of it we made it. That was all you, baby. I would have bought a hooptie.”

  He chuckled and planted kisses on her face. After a while he sighed and just stood there holding her in his arms. They touched foreheads and stayed that way until he lowered her back to her feet. “Let’s go t
o bed.”

  They walked hand in hand and once in the bedroom Lee stopped her before she could undress. “No. I want to do it, bela.” She shivered as he lifted her blouse above her head. His fingers moved to lightly touch her breasts, tracing the bra where it met her flesh.

  Tory closed her eyes, relishing his gentle touch. Now blind, she experienced each sensation with a renewed intensity. She felt his fingers glide between her breasts and down her abdomen. Slowly he moved past her belly button, trailing down to her jeans. Tory knew that she was breathing hard and fast. She stood there unmoving and felt Lee unbutton her pants and drag the zipper down slowly. He stepped closer to her, his body pressed against hers lightly. She felt his hands in her panties, pushing them and her pants down in one fluid motion and she couldn’t help the sharp intake of breath.