Tommy…
"Tom, we really need to talk." A voice said insistently as Tommy winced before slamming a fist into the truck he had just exited. Why couldn't she just leave him alone?
"I don't want to discuss anything with you. We've already talked and I think we've also managed to say everything that needed to said." Tom replied harshly as he walked passed his mother toward the house—his house—while glancing in trepidation at his brother and sister who were both leaning against his mother's car more than likely waiting for her. He wondered why Matthew hadn't flown out yet for his present home in New York.
"Thomas!" His mother called again as Tom sighed before turning the knob on the door of his home only to find it…locked? Wait a minute. He hadn't locked the door. Why would he lock the door with Jude and Mason still at the place? A numbness engulfed Tom as apprehension swept throughout his body. Jude…
"What's wrong?" His mother asked as she, Matthew, and Maddie suddenly made their way over to him—noticing the pale pallor that had swept over his features. Tom didn't answer—just closed his eyes briefly, said a little prayer, and then grabbed his house key before shoving through the door in dreaded expectation. God, she better be here!
"Jude!" He called out as he stepped into the foyer—looking around uncertainly as his call was met only with silence. Dammit!
"Jude!" He yelled again as he moved through the house—peeking into the different rooms as he walked by, vaguely aware that his family was following him—that they had grown awful quiet when they realized the woman that had caused all of 'their' problems didn't seem to be anywhere around.
"Tom…"His mother began as he whirled around suddenly—staring at her with a mix between unease and unadulterated anger as he shook his head.
"Just shut up, Mere. This is between her and I. Not you. Don't you think you've caused enough problems as it is?" Tom forced out as his brother Matthew suddenly tapped him on the shoulder. Tommy didn't look at him—focusing instead on the sad resolve that had settled over his mother's face.
"Tom…her bags are gone." Matthew said slowly as Tommy felt his heart go cold. She wouldn't have? Damn his mother. He knew Jude—knew she would have taken the jab at his pride personally. Knew that she would blame herself for the problems between he and his mother. He blinked as Matthew handed him a small folded up letter—a small lined square with his name scrawled across the front. Dear God! "Jude, you better not have left to keep me from coming back to Toronto," Tommy thought as he unfolded the note slowly—his eyes widening upon perusing the words before smiling slowly and even a little angrily. She could always manage to surprise him and make him angry at the same time while intriguing him on top of that. This was definitely not what he had expected.
"I think I need you to answer some questions for me, Mere. NOW!" Tommy demanded as he dropped the sheet of paper onto the floor—the words becoming visible to all of those surrounding it.
Gone to Greece, Tom. I dare you to follow me.
Love, Jude
Matthew looked up at Catalina in confusion before glancing at Tom's tight features.
"Greece? Why Greece?"