He was first to speak.
Tory? Tory Houston?"
Andres?"
They impulsively embraced. It seemed natural and unpretentious for them to embrace. In his arms in that moment, Tory for the first time in twenty-five years, felt loved, protected and willing to give herself completely. Something always happened to Tory when Andres held her. She became jelly.
Breaking the embrace, they stood apart and looked at each other. They both said, "You look great! How have you been?" This was quickly followed by a simultaneous Ive missed you.
Andres took Tory's arm and led her to a corner of the hallway. Tory let him finish what he was saying and with hesitation, she replied, "Oh Andres, my sweet Andresyou have always been deep in my heart, and even though I was hurt by the names you called me. I forgave you. I have always loved you. You were the first and last love of my life."
Andres had just asked her to have a drink with him when Barbara walked up and kiddingly said, "Tory you finally came to watch me in action and you left the tour early! Didnt you like it?"
Tory turned and introduced Andres to Barbara. The two of them exchanged greetings. Barbara then turned to Tory and said, "I am sorry, Tor, but Im afraid I have to beg off lunch today. There is a slight emergency at home that I must take care of. I will call you later, though. Maybe we can meet next week, okay?
Tory asked if there was anything she could do to help her. Barbara replied over her shoulder, "No, it's just the kids."
Tory heard Andres ask again. "Will you have that drink with me, Tory?" Tory turned to him and said, "One drink only, then I must leave
They left the UN Building and walked to a pub located down the street. They sat and looked at each other for the longest time, not saying anything. Finally, Andres said, "The years have been good to you, Tory. You look exactly the same as you did twenty-five years ago."
Tory replying "thanks for the compliment but I am different. How is your mother? I should have kept in touch with her, and I feel bad about that. She was always good to me."
"My mother is the same as she has always been. She talks about you often and also about Nicole. Tell me about you, Tory. Are you married? Any children? Are you working? Where do you live?"
Tory answered all of his questions and routinely asked him the same. They talked over that drink for hours, bringing each other up-to-date with all of the events in their lives. It seemed to Tory and Andres also remarked, that it felt like they had never been apart. Finally, Tory asked him what he was doing in New York.
"The university wanted me to tour all of the historic places in New York in order to bring some reality to the classroomso, here I am.
Tory glanced at her watch. It was 5:30. They had been talking for nearly five hours. Tory told Andres that she must go. She stood up, and Andres did the same, following her out the door. He hailed a cab and told her he was going to accompany her to her door.
All the way home, Tory thought how dangerous this situation was becoming. She had to stay away from him. Tory did not trust herself with him. She had never stopped loving him, and he had no clue that he had a son. She was afraid of even mentioning Andy to him for fear that he would sense something. She had to get out of that cab; be alone and think. She wanted no more ties with Andres and definitely did not want to have any relationship with him. After all, he was married and had two daughters. She knew she could easily enter a volatile situation. The cab came to a halt. Emerging from the cab, she looked at him and said, "It was so good to see you again, Andres."
To her astonishment, he followed her out of the cab.
"I told you that I would accompany you to your door and that, my dear, is exactly what I am going to do."
They reached the doorway, Tory telling him goodnight over her shoulder. He impulsively took her in his arms, held her tightly and kissed her. Her head was swimming. She could easily relent to his advances, but dared not. She had dreamt about this moment for a long time and now here she was! This relationship can go nowhere." She said abruptly.
Sadly, Andres looked at her. "I know you are right but I can't help myself. I have loved you so long and have dreamed that I would hold and kiss you again. I don't want to hurt you again. Please forgive me for being forward. I want you to know that you, and you alone, are the only woman I ever loved.
I've missed you terribly, Tory. I want to apologize for my behavior the last time I spoke to you. I didn't mean what I said, or the names that I called you. I was just very hurt at the time. You have a special place in my heart, and I still love you. There were many times I wanted to call you, but I was afraid of getting hurt again. All these years, though, you have always been with me I got married only because I thought you were out of my life forever and I was lonely after leaving the seminary. You have always been a constant temptation for me."
Tory sighed. "The reason I have been a constant temptation to you is because you have never been free for me. You were in the seminary and I didnt want to stand in the way of your vocation. Now you are married, and I am not going to be a party in deceiving your wife. Please understand, Andres. I love you too much to make you suffer. I have always done that for you. Sacrificed my desire and needs for your happiness. She smiled sadly. Good night, my sweet. You take care of yourself.
Good night," he replied, and took her in his arms again and kissed her. Slowly, he turned and walked away like a lost puppy.
Tory walked into her apartment. She touched her lips, remembering his kiss. Oh, how she loved him! He had no idea how much, though, which made her feel sad. She already missed him. Damn it, she thought she could not handle seeing him again. She loved him, but she hated him. He was never free for her. She knew she had to be strong to uphold her decision not to see him again. At that moment, though, she resented that she was always the one who had to be strong.
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