Toni leaned back, exhaling slowly as she allowed her thoughts to return to Thornbridge again. "It was cold. Christ, it was so fucking cold, and the air tasted like...like wet leaves. The ground was frozen, crunching under my feet as if I was walking on gravel, but it was just dirt...hard, ugly dirt. The cons were shouting from the windows as I was led across the courtyard, cackling and swearing, and trying to intimidate me, but I hadn't yet lost my defiance...my confidence, so I looked up at those enormous stone walls dotted with windows and smirked at the faces I couldn't see. I was trying to be strong, but I was scared. I thought...no, I knew I was going to die behind those walls."
"But you didn't."
Toni glared at Abby. "So what's your point? I should be able to just put that day behind me because I was wrong?"
"No, but you didn't die, Toni. You survived. You bested the bastards, and you proved them wrong."
"It still hurts."
"Oh, I know it does, Toni. I know it does, but in time, it will become just another day."
"How do I do that? How do I not remember?"
"I wish I knew, but my job is to try to help you deal with those memories, and hopefully over time they'll fade, dulling into something you won't even recognize."
"Well, you've got your work cut out for you."
"I know, but I'm not going anywhere," Abby said softly. "No matter how many times you tell me to."
Toni stood in the doorway, looking at a man wearing a neon pink apron. Calloway had an enormous kitchen, and while staff members normally only used it to heat up their lunches, twice a week the room was filled with residents learning the basics of cooking. This was one of those days, but the class had already ended, so the only person left in the room was the teacher.
He whistled as he gathered dirty pots and pans from the counter, dropping each into a sink overflowing with bubbles. He had worked at Calloway for as long as Toni had, and even though she had never spoken to him, she now needed his help. Aware of his jovial nature and his vibrant wardrobe, Toni knew in her heart that Christopher Foster was just too flaming to fear.
Turning around to grab more soiled dishes, Christopher stopped mid-reach when he saw the woman standing in the doorway.
"Well, hello there," he said, displaying a big toothy grin. "If you're looking for Laura, she's not here." Seeing Toni cock her head to one side, he let out a laugh. "People talk, and besides, it takes one to know one. She may not be my flavor, but I'm thinking she's yours."
Feeling her cheeks begin to heat, Toni said, "I-I don't know if we were...if we were ever properly introduced. My name's Toni Vaughn. I'm the English teacher."
"John made the introduction a few years ago, but you were too busy staring at the floor at the time." Quickly drying his hands on the apron tied around his narrow waist, he stuck out his hand. "The name's Christopher."
John had spoken to the staff about Toni Vaughn, so Christopher was aware of her past and of her difficulties, but in his excitement to actually be talking to the woman, he had forgotten everything John had said. When he saw Toni flinch at his friendly gesture, his shoulders fell. Dropping his hand to his side, he frowned for a second, and then another smile graced his face. Daintily holding out the sides of his apron, he curtsied politely. "Pleased to meet you, miss."
Toni's face brightened, and even though her head dipped just a bit, she kept her eyes on Christopher. "Sorry. I have a problem with handshakes."
"No worries, love. Everyone has foibles," Chris said softly. "So, what can I do for you? Looking to learn how to cook?"
"No. I...um...I know how to do that," Toni said, her eyes darting around the room.
Picking up on Toni's nervousness, Christopher grabbed a pair of yellow rubber gloves from the counter and tossed them to her. "Then you must be here to help me clean up, so roll up your sleeves, put on those Marigolds and give me a hand."
Looking over at the stack of dirty pans and dishes on the worktable, Toni said, "I thought the students would be assigned the cleanup duties."
"Normally they are, but it was Sally's birthday and the girls wanted to take her out to dinner. Since some of them have a curfew, I told them to scurry along, and I'd take care of it," Christopher said. Offering Toni his most dazzling smile, he placed his hands on his hips. "Now, am I going to ruin my manicure or are you going to give me a hand?"
Laughing at the man's effeminate air, Toni pulled on the gloves and headed to the sink. A few minutes later, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder amidst pots and pans needing a wash.
"You use a hell of a lot of pans," Toni said, grabbing another from the stack.
"I'll have you know it takes a lot to create greatness, and if you think this is bad you should see me at work. Thank God they've got a crew of washers at the ready."
"I heard you were a chef, and this is just a part-time gig for you. Is that right?"
"Yep."
"Can I ask why? I mean, why work here when you've got a real job?"
"You don't consider this a real job?"
"Yes, of course, I do, but...but most people don't give ex-cons a second glance, and here you are giving up your free time to teach them how to cook. I'm just wondering why."
"That's a long story."
Glancing at the pile of dirty dishes to her left, Toni said, "Looks like we have time."
Smiling back, Christopher grabbed another dish to dry. "I work in a fancy restaurant, very upscale, and part of my duties as the executive chef is to create new dishes for our clientele to enjoy. So, sometimes I go to work in the wee hours of the morning to mess around in the kitchen, and one day I found one of the women we recently hired as a dishwasher sleeping in the alleyway around the back of the restaurant. At first I thought she was a homeless person, but then I recognized her. It was funny, too, because I normally didn't pay much attention to our washers, but the night before, something about her caught my eye.
"I'm sure you probably think that washing pots and pans doesn't take a lot of brains, but where I work we use some high-end cookware, all of which requires special care. She was the only one-the only one who seemed to remember the instructions that were given to her. And while the other washers were scrambling to keep up, and re-washing what they didn't get clean in the first place, she never once faltered. Not once.
"Anyway, she woke up and I asked her why she was there, and she told me that she had missed the curfew at her hostel the night before and she couldn't afford to go anywhere else. I can't begin to tell you how that made me feel, so I suggested that if she wanted to earn a few extra quid, she could come inside and clean up after me."
"That was nice of you."
"I felt it was the least I could do, and she readily agreed. So, we went inside and while I was trying to decide what I wanted to create I told her to make herself breakfast if she wanted, and then she said the most astounding thing."
"What?"
"She said she didn't know how," Chris said, shaking his head. "Can you imagine being in your twenties and not knowing how to make a meal? So, I sat her down and while she watched, I made her breakfast, and after she was done, I requested she make mine."
"Did she?"
"It was the best bangers and eggs I ever had," Chris said as his eyes turned glassy. "God, you should have seen how happy she was. Right then and there I decided I was somehow going to try to help people like her, and eventually I ended up on John's doorstep, volunteering my services."
"Wait. Volunteering? You don't get paid for this?"
"No. I don't need the money, so I told John to spend it on the food we need for my class or something else for Calloway."
"That's quite impressive."
"That's what my boyfriend says," Chris said with a wink.
Laughing, Toni returned to the task at hand only to discover she had managed to wash all the pots and pans while Chris was talking. Pulling off her gloves, she said, "Looks like we're done."
"Not yet," he said as he pulled the pink latex gloves from his hands.
"What do you mean?"
"Somehow, I don't think you came all the way down here to wash dishes. Did you?"
"Oh...um...no, but it's not important."
Pulling two mugs from a rack, Chris quickly filled both with coffee. "I'll be the judge of that," he said, handing one to Toni. "So, why are you so friendly all of a sudden? What's on your mind?"
Taking a deep breath, Toni said, "I need help."
"Well, you said you know how to cook, so that can't be it."
"No, but I thought, knowing what you do for a living, you could suggest a nice restaurant."
"I know several. What did you have in mind?"
"Huh?"
Pulling two stools from under the worktable, Chris sat on one as he motioned for Toni to use the other. "I can give you the names of a dozen good restaurants, but it all depends on what you're looking for."
"You mean the type of food?"
"No, the surroundings. Do you want something with a pub-like atmosphere with dancing and music, or somewhere quieter, more intimate?"
"Oh, quiet is better."
"Can I ask the occasion?"
Pausing for a moment, Toni said, "I'm trying to change a memory."
"Excuse me?"
"Sorry, it's...um...personal."
"Okay," he said, cupping his chin in his hand. "Do you have a budget in mind?"
"Money isn't an issue."
Smiling, Christopher said, "Lucky girl, that Laura."
Feeling her face grow warm, Toni fiddled with her coffee cup, only looking up when she heard Chris begin to speak.
"Well, if money isn't an issue, and you're looking for a romantic night out-"
"I didn't say anything about romance."
"You didn't have to," he said, rolling his eyes. "We've worked in the same building for over two years, and all of a sudden you show up down here, help me clean an enormous pile of pots and pans, all the while chatting away. Come on, do I really look like I was born yesterday?"
Sizing up the slender man whose head was overflowing with curly blond locks, Toni chuckled. "Actually, you do."
Holding his hand to his heart, Chris said, "Oh my, if I ever feel the need to cross over the line, I'm going to look you up. What's your number?"
"Sorry, you're not my...my flavor either."
"Damn, I forgot," Chris said, snapping his fingers. "So, where were we?"
"Money isn't an issue."
"Right. So, the sky's the limit, and you prefer romantic, or rather quiet places. Correct?"
"Yes."
"And when would this night on the town take place?"
"Saturday."
Jerking back his head, Chris said, "Saturday?"
"Yeah."
"This Saturday?"
Toni paused, the tone of Christopher's voice telling her something she had forgotten. She had been out of circulation for too long, and while she had wined and dined several ladies in her former life, there had never been a need to go to the extreme. Casual dining had been fine...until now.
Disappointed, she hung her head. "I've waited too long. Anyplace worth going is already booked, isn't it?"
"Unfortunately, yes, but if you'd like, I can call where I work and see if I can arrange something. Will that do? I mean, if you're looking for opulent and trendy, you won't find anyplace better."
"I can't ask you to do that."
"You're not, and besides, give me one reason why I shouldn't?" he said. Setting down his coffee cup, Chris hopped from the stool. "Be right back."
A few minutes later he returned and slid a note in Toni's direction. "That's the name of the club and the time of the reservation. I put it under Vaughn."
"I can't thank you enough for this."
"Can I be blunt?"
Pausing for a second, Toni said, "Sure."
"John told us about some of your history, so for you to be here right now, talking to me like you are, well, it makes me feel a bit like I did when I taught Kelly how to cook an egg, if that makes sense."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"What happened to Kelly?"
Smiling as wide as a human being could, Chris stood proud. "She became my sous chef last year."