A Different Divergent: A Better Tomorrow

~seventy-two~

Chapter 72

Tears wet my eyes when Tobias tells me of Frankie's untimely demise. I knew it was coming but it's still hard to hear. I really don't know why I'm reacting this way. I didn't know the man well even though I spoke to him almost every day over the past six months. Just a nod or a hello here or there, nothing more. He lived two doors down from me, and I can't say which faction he was born into, whether he has a family, if being Dauntless' DJ was his dream job, or if Tori was the love of his life. I just know that he took very good care of himself by jogging every morning no matter the weather. I've seen him go out in snow storms when it was bitingly cold, 90 degree sweltering heat, and torrential downpours. No, I didn't know him well but I can't stop the tears.

"Any word on the search for Tori?" I ask. My voice breaks as I wipe the moisture off my cheeks. We may have had our differences from time to time but she helped me a lot during initiation learn what my divergence was. Without her help, I might not be here.

"Will texted and said they were breaking for lunch but haven't found anything yet," he says.

"Have they searched the chasm to make sure she's not in the river, too?"

"A team has been assigned for after lunch," he says. "Speaking of lunch, let's go home."

"Okay," I say. I get up off the couch and add, "Where's Avery? I don't want her left alone in Harrison's office."

"She and Callen went to the cafeteria," he says. "She's really good at her job even though she's only been doing it for a month. She scanned Harrison's desktop and laptop but didn't find anything. After lunch I'm going to have her check the rest of our devices." He holds the office door open for me and Peanut then makes sure it's locked behind us.

"What are you making me for lunch?" I ask as we climb the stairs to our apartment. He looks at me out of the side of his eyes and a pout forms on his lips.

"I'm feeling a bit used," he says. "I'm beginning to think you only want me for my culinary skills."

"Damn, you found me out," I chuckle. "I married you and gave you three children only because you keep me well fed. I thought I hid it well." Instead of unlocking our front door he grabs ahold of me and tickles my ribs.

"No, no, no, no, no, no," I squeal causing Peanut to jump then start crying. "Look what you did. You woke the baby. Now you're in big trouble, mister." Will and Christina's door flies open, and she jumps into the hallway with a cast iron frying pan held high above her head. She's about to use it on my husband when our eyes meet. The absurdity of the situation hits me like a ton of bricks, and I start laughing almost uncontrollably. I try to stop but it only makes it worse. Tears stream down my face as Tobias rescues Peanut from unsteady grip. "I'm sorry. You just reminded me of that movie Tyler watches from time to time. 'Frying pans? Who knew?'" They both look at me like I've totally lost my mind. Maybe I have. Tobias tries to quiet Teagan but she's wailing loudly now.

"Is she drunk?" Christina slowly asks completely seriously, her brows furrowed. My irrational laughing fit continues until I'm panting so hard I can't breathe. "She shouldn't be drinking when she's nursing."

"I have no idea what's wrong with Tris but she hasn't been drinking," Tobias says as he unlocks our door. "You did look very funny jumping into the hallway with the skillet in your hand."

"I'm sorry," I say taking Peanut back from Tobias. I hold her close to my chest and sway a little and she stops crying. "Mommy didn't mean to go all crazy. I think it's a combination of lack of sleep and stress." I kiss her head softly. "Firstly, thank you for not hitting my husband with that. You could have killed him." I point to the pan she's trying to hide behind her back. "And secondly, where's my future son-in-law?" Christina laughs and Tobias grimaces. He doesn't want to think of either of his daughters dating until they're 30, even if it's in gest.