Torry Valentine: A Gift of an Inheritance

By N.P. Daniels

Torry is a 12 year old boy who inherited a gene from an ancestor which makes him just love girls. Torry and his family are magically connected to the sea as are all of his friends. They believe their ancestors are from Atlantis, he and his friends travel to an island school; that only the gifted ones can see. Torry is supposed to find an important key of the ancient type.
Before they depart for the island, the University’s Museum curator is found dead in the museum. The police come to the Valentine house for Dottie’s help, Torry’s mom owns an antique and art gallery named Mystical, strange pictures are showing up at Dottie’s gallery.
Departing from Neptune’s Pier at night and once on the island rooms and roommates assigned. The students get to know each other and there are beach days, where they meet the mermaids and not much school work gets done. Mermaid’s hair is found in the corridors of the castle school, it must never be cut.
The girls all love good looking Torry Valentine even the older one’s blush. He spells his name with two R’s and he will remind you of the spelling.
This is a book of young adults living away from family and learning about their ancestry. Typical school classes and events if you are magical, detective work for the inquisitive and personality conflicts. There is a lot going on in this book

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728308623

N.P. Daniels

Nanette Pignato - Wilson resides in Miami, Fl. after getting her Art degree from the University of Miami, in Coral Gables. She had the idea for Torry Valentine for sometime and began writing down her thoughts. She gave a few chapters to young adults to see what they thought and they immediately wanted to know when they were able to purchase the book. She is now writing the sequel to Torry Valentine; book one.

Book preview

Chapter

I

GIFT OF THE INHERITANCE

I can’t take it anymore, I can’t take it anymore, there is TOO MUCH JUNK in this house!, shouted Dotty Valentine. Our entire family collects too much junk, collectable objects they’re not, even though you would like to think they are. Like this rusty barnacle encrusted skeleton key passed down from family member to family member, from one of Uncle Rodolfo’s sea voyages - it doesn’t have any value or meaning to it. And these bottles that still smell like dead fish after all this time, probably because there’s still sea water inside them. Maybe you can take a hammer and smash the concrete-like sand off, break and open the top, but what for? You can’t even make out the writing on the bottle, and what if it’s not sea water and it’s something worse? I tell you, this family better shape up and clean up. Those old books and 33-speed records that no one has listened to in years! Get rid of all this junk!!!

Dottie’s anger was turning like ocean waves in a bad storm - she meant business this time. She could have very easily cleaned up ‘Dottie’s way’, but she didn’t want to teach the kids the easy way all the time.

Vittorio Val…

Okay, Mom, stop yelling at us!! Torry and I will start on our stuff together this afternoon, said Katie.

And while I’m venting my anger, I’m tired of all your father’s free-loading friends that come into town and use our spare room.

Okay mom, Torry frantically replied.

Mom’s really mad, isn’t she Katie? said Torry to his sister.

Yep, she’s on a roll today, replied Katie."

Katie and Torry, next week we’re going to Aunt Margaret’s home and clearing out anything we are not keeping in her remembrance.

Why can’t she do it with Dad?

It will be fun, Torry. You never know what treasures we might find.

Treasures. I’ll be the first one ready on Monday, Katie.

It’s the middle of July and Dottie Valentine is screaming at her family over the treasured trash they all have accumulated throughout the years. The books are overflowing in the bookcases, and boxes of old records are sitting under the stairs. The albums are her husband’s, and he hasn’t used them in years. Old artwork was to go to Dottie’s gallery, if the kids didn’t want it on their bedroom walls anymore. Rudy, Dottie’s husband, always has one of his friends coming in town and asking to use the spare bedroom for a few nights. They receive free coffee and some meals. Their home is not big enough for self-inviting, very cheap guests.

In a high-pitched voice Mrs. Valentine tells her family, Take off your shoes. My floor’s clean! Thelma just finished mopping the floor.

Mr. Valentine is 6’0’’, with dark brown hair with a little wave in it. He’s a rather nice looking man in good physical shape, a great personality and funny at times. People really enjoy his company and his fine wit. Mrs. Valentine is 5’6’’, with light brown straight shoulder-length hair, which she wears curly at times. She has big brown eyes, delicate features and she’s in great shape. Their four children – Catherine, the eldest at seventeen, is known as Katie, and resembles Dottie. The twins, Mandy and Marlena, are four - Mandy has a strong personality, like Dottie. Torry, now 12, resembles both Rudy and Dottie - he has Dottie’s big brown eyes and straight dark brown hair, long on top and cut short on the sides, with the back shaping into a V to cover the birthmark on his neck. Sometimes Dottie puts a little blond streak in his hair, because all the girls think he looks cute. He has Rudy’s smooth mannerisms, and has also inherited the Valentino mark, although he won’t feel its full effect for years to come. Rudy and Dottie know that all of their children will posses some type of magical power, but Torry will be the one to shine.

Rudy was just pulling up to the house in his truck, and could already hear Dottie hollering. What a wonderful Miami July day it had been - blue skies, with not a cloud in sight. The wild parrots were perched in one of the big trees in front of the house, making a tremendous amount of noise. And then Dottie’s voice…. He thought, as he entered the house, Poor kids, your mother has lost it again.

The doorbell rang and, with all the clatter, no one seemed to hear it over Dottie’s shouting. Thelma answers the door.

Mrs. Valentine? a nicely-dressed man said, I’m looking for Mrs. Valentine.

I will get Mrs. Valentine for you. Please come in, Thelma said.

I am Detective Adam Klue, and this is Detective Jeter Peeples of the Miami Police Department.

Dottie heard the men introduce themselves to Thelma and walked into the living room. Hello, I’m Dottie Valentine, how may I help you gentlemen?

Our Inspector Captain is seeking your help, ma’am. He knows you are an expert on antique paintings and hidden script and knows that you own the shop, Mystical. We have an urgent matter at the University Art Museum and we would like to take you there.

Can’t the curator take care of this matter? He’s very knowledgeable.

Mrs. Valentine, that’s the problem. Andre Pallet is dead. He was found clutching a torn piece of old canvas with the word Valentine, or Valentino, on it. We can’t make out anything else. It looks like there may be writing under the oil paint, and that’s we’re here.

Oh, no, Andre dead? Of course I’ll go with you. Please let me tell my husband.

What was your mother shouting about today? Rudy asked Torry when he returned to the kitchen.

Same old stuff, Dad. Mom said we have to go to Aunt Margaret’s house next week and help clean it out. Why?

Rudy puts his hands on his head. Do as your mother says, so I can have some peace and quiet please. Yes, Torry, we are doing just that.

The detectives and Dottie drove to the University Art Museum. Dottie was shocked and felt uneasy as they drove down Ponce de Leon Drive.

Detective, Andre and I respected each other’s work. He wanted to see me, because he had a theory on hidden writings within ancient paintings. Andre and I were supposed to meet next week. He wanted to compare notes. He knew that I could decipher ancient symbols and codes. I’m teaching my son, Torry, how to read them also, although he’s more interested in treasure maps at this point.

Dottie kept some information to herself – she didn’t feel she should tell the detectives that Torry’s ability to decipher ancient languages was superior to hers.

They pulled up to the museum. Yellow police tape roped off the parking lot. College students walking home from classes for the day turned their heads, wondering what had happened. The the police presence filled the museum as they walked to the gallery of the crime.

Was there anyone in the museum when this happened? Museum staff? Was it already closed for the day? Dottie asked the detectives.

That’s what we’re trying to find out from both university and museum security, Detective Klue answered.

Inspector Captain, Mrs. Dottie Valentine, said Detective Peeples. The Inspector Captain carried his broad shoulders and his 6’0 height well. He had long dirty blond hair pulled into a ponytail and a chiseled face, lightly tanned.

Mrs. Valentine, I’m sorry to disturb you so close to dinner time, but I have a crime to solve, the Captain said. This is puzzling, and I’m hoping you can shed some light on this for us.

I understand, but how can I help? I was told you have a piece of canvas with the Valentine name on it.

Yes, and more. The canvas is very old, and may have water damage. Were you good friends with the curator, Mrs. Valentine?

No, Captain. We were social acquaintances. We said hello at art shows and museum gatherings, amd briefly discussed topics of interest. Andre asked me if I would like to teach art classes to children on Saturdays, but that’s about all.

These water-damaged old paintings are showing up at my gallery. Let’s see this one.

Dottie was given the ripped canvas. It was not a small piece, and had been ripped from the stretchers. Why would someone want to kill the curator for it?

Captain, we found something, said one of the detectives. It’s a poisonous barb from a fish.

This may be how the man died. Be careful and bag it, the Captain ordered his men. The canvas he was clutching was from a different art period than the wing with the contemporary paintings we’re standing in. Whoever did this to him set off the alarm system by running out the emergency door.

They must have known they couldn’t exit the front doors of the museum, Detective Klue pointed out. Not only that, but the security gate would have locked the intruders in. Taking a painting off a wall can trigger a security system.

Captain, we need a light box. Maybe there’s one in the curators office? If not, I can take this to my gallery tomorrow and use mine.

Let’s go, Dottie told the Captain. They walked down the corridor to the curator’s office. The sound of their shoes on the stone floor echoed. The door was unlocked, a lighted lamp on his desk still glowing. Someone had been here before them, as his office was a mess. The light box on the large table was smashed, the glass broken.

The desk calendar showed an appointment – D. Valentine, Mystical, 13th floor, Detective Klue noticed as he looked through the curator’s desk.

Where were you to meet Mr. Pallet, Mrs. Valentine? Detective Klue asked.

I don’t know. We hadn’t set a place or time. Andre told me he would call me. I suppose I thought I might be coming to the museum, Dottie told the detective.

Detective Klue also found a note that mentioned meeting on the 13th floor. There is not a 13th floor here, the Inspector Captain said.

I don’t have any idea, Dottie said.

Dottie looked around the office. A large grandfather clock sat next to the large wooden bookcases on a far wall, Hello Grandfather, Dottie said to the clock. The Captain smiled, finding it funny that Dottie talked to the clock. Dottie sent a message to Rudy through Grandfather.

Mrs. Valentine, my detectives will take you home now. A detective will bring the canvas to you tomorrow for your inspection. What time will you be at your gallery?

Captain, I’ll be there at 10AM, I have an assistant and a gallery helper who will also be there, Mona and Roy. Dottie owns Mystical, an antique and art gallery.

Thank you, Mrs. Valentine. Have a good night, the Inspector Captain said.

On the ride home, Dottie sat silently. She knew the 13th floor was a meeting place of the Elders, and she had no idea if Bianco knew Andre.

Back at the house, Grandfather arrived in the living room and gave Rudy the message from Dottie on how things were going, and that she would be home very soon. Rudy thanked him.

Torry, your Aunt Margaret gave me a gift when she passed away. I inherited her home and all of its contents. Aunt Margaret saved everything passed on in our family, and I’m curious to see if we have an old letter or old drawing of Rodolfo Valentino. Our family history is buried there. I’ll be there as soon as my meeting ends

Who is Rodolfo Valentino, Dad? Is this the guy with the treasure? I’ve heard you and Mom say his name," Torry said with excitement.

Did your sister tell you there is treasure in Margaret’s house?

What she said is that we might find treasure.

That’s right, Valentino, treasure. Anything that was passed down through the years may be valuable. A map, perhaps? You know we changed our last name because of your great ancestor," Mr. Valentine told his son.

Why, Dad?

Well, Torry, I was going to tell you soon, but I was waiting for you to get a little older. You’re already showing similarities of the male Valentino ancestral trait. Maybe tonight is as good as any time to tell you the whole story. Where’s your sister?

She was just right here. Maybe she left to meet her boyfriend, but she’ll be back for dinner.

Mr. Valentine didn’t blame his daughter for leaving. The noise of the birds, Dottie screaming when he arrived home – the noise could wake the dead and often did. A ghost or two would float by holding their hands to their ears while shaking their heads.

Katie needs to be here too, Torry. She needs to hear the story of the great Rodolfo Valentino. Katie already knows the story, but she can’t let on to Torry until their parents are ready to tell him. It’s really Rudy’s side of the family that possesses the irresistible gigolo side of the males in the family. The twins are too young to hear the story; they will be told all when they are old enough to understand.

Is this talk because I’m cute and irresistible to girls?

Something like that, but you will find out all this later. The only thing you need to know now is that we are magical - different. Powerful magical and kindly with a warm heart, or should we say hot-blooded. Torry already sensed he was different a few years ago, when some strange things began to happen to him. He once said, I wish this door would open so I could go out in Aunt Margaret’s yard and go down to the dock;" and it did. Once that happened, Torry found himself talking to wild parrots. He always had a conversation with his dog, Max, and the family cats, Red, Smokey and Mischief. He thought everyone talked to their animals, but only Torry can really communicate with them. They tell him when they don’t feel well or whether they like their food or not and when they want to play. Torry also has an imaginary friend called Pirate – well, imaginary to Torry’s family, but not to him. Pirate is mouse-like in appearance, stands at 3’ tall and dresses in wild outfits.

The Valentines live in an non typical two-story Florida style home in South Miami, Florida.

They have a live-in housekeeper/nanny named Thelma, whom they just love. Dottie always wanted to live on the water, but thought it would be better to wait until the children were older. Dottie’s dream came true when Aunt Margaret left her home to Rudy. Their home now is on a natural lake, but it’s not quite like being on the ocean or the intracoastal. Margaret’s home is on one of the Coral Gables waterways - not exactly what Dottie had in mind, but it would do for now. The view of the waterway is very relaxing, and the tropical wildlife is wonderful to watch - birds, iguanas and the gentle manatees. Their new home, which is at least 30 years old, has four bedrooms, four baths, a kitchen, dining room and a large living room that is almost all windows, just off the pool area. The pool area has a covered patio off to one side with a small pool storage room. There is also a very small TV room adjoining the living room.

On the side of the house, a tennis or badminton court that no one ever uses, because of the old relic, replica Rodolfo Valentino left the family. The old boat was rebuilt several times and still has many original parts that sailed with the Great Rodolfo. The legend passed down was that when he died, he wrote these words, This great boat holds many secrets and will bring great knowledge. The boat could be a museum piece by now if it could be moved without falling apart. The restoration on the vessel appears to be temporary fixes, cosmetic in nature. It will always be seaworthy, no matter how old it is, Rodolfo once said. Don’t be afraid to set sail on the high seas. No one in the family bloodline has ever put this boat in the water. Rudy’s plan is to move the boat to the castle mansion. What a show piece that would be in the water, sailing to a new location. All of the Valentines love the water and boating. Rudy and Dottie like to dive, and Katie loves to snorkel.

Torry is the male descendent that loves the sea and marine life, as much as the great Rudy Valentino - he’d like to make a career out of the sea when he gets older. He’s a natural born fish who can’t stay out of the water. Rudy, who also loves to fish, has taught Katie, Torry and some of their friends about the marine life in the tropical waters around Florida.

The sun was setting into another warm tropical sunset of beautiful color. People from all over the world come to admire the tranquil serenity of watching the sunset on the warm ocean waters. Rudy helped Thelma prepared dinner that evening, since Dottie wasn’t yet home. Tonight was a grilling night for Rudy - Torry requested ribs and Katie asked for grilled chicken, so there was a combination feast, with cole slaw, baked potatoes with sour cream and butter, and a gorgeous mango key lime pie for dessert.

After dinner, Thelma cleaned up the kitchen and then put the twins to bed. Torry and Katie were summoned to the family room for the talk that may or may not shock them. The twins, Mandy and Marlena, are too young to understand what their father was going to say. The twins are already showing signs of their magical ability and that worries both Rudy and Dottie – they’re so young that their fear is that they will say something in front of people who are not gifted like they are and scare them. They are starting to see things…ghosts.

Okay, you two you are both old enough to hear our family’s secret history, said Rudy. He looks at Katie, knowing that she already knows the story, but she must play the part of the innocent for Torry’s sake.

Rudy knows Dottie has second thoughts and wanted to wait a while longer before Torry is told the family story. The trait is on both sides of the family, the spell casts is on Rudy’s side. They already know the powers are inherited from their lost civilization, and they are very connected to the sea.

What spell cast are you talking about, Torry whirled his head around when he heard the words.

Rudy realizes he may have jumped the gun. Maybe I should wait until your mother comes home and we can all talk together.

Oh, fine, Torry said, and left the room.

What do you think this is all about, Katie?

I know a little of what this is about – well, more than a little, because I’m older than you and they have told me a little, but not everything. Strange things happen to me or I make them happen or I know what is to occur before it actually does sometimes, but not always. I don’t have any explanation for why these things happen.

Katie couldn’t let Torry know the talk was mostly about him developing into one of the greatest romancing wizards of all time. At a snap of his fingers, they’ll come running. Katie played along and waited until their parents talked to him - it won’t be hard for him to take, because he is such a flirt now.

I know what you are talking about. I had the rear door at Aunt Margaret’s house open – you know, the door that everyone has a hard time opening, even Dad. I just wished it would open, and it did. And once, I went outside and talked to Mario and Sam the Macaw that are always there in the tall palm tree.

You talk to them too, Torry?

Yes, Katie, I didn’t know you did also. What about the manatee named George that’s in the waterway.

Yes, Torry, I know George and his friends. George has a blue stripe painted on his lower back from the marine biologist, replied Katie.

Katie, he always likes it when I bring him fresh lettuce and other vegetables. He told me that when they are in the manatee cove at Aunt Margaret’s they are sleeping. People bother them all the time and some mean kids throw rocks at them and hit them and that hurts them. Everyone knows they wade in the waters here. George doesn’t know why they do that - they are gentle and would not hurt anyone.

Torry, we won’t let that happen anymore. We can ask Trisha, the marine biologist for help. Do you know they are also called sea cows?

When I say I talk to the manatee, it’s not like you and I talking. It’s the natural sounds they make to communicate that I understand. I speak regular words and they understand me.

Torry had never met Trisha, who usually comes around in the winter months. Aunt Margaret saw her often, as Trisha had checked up on her because she was old and she wanted to make sure everything was all right. Trisha is concerned about the animal life in the South Florida waters, and she is very friendly with the homeowners since she walks through their yards and uses their docks.

Torry, would you get away from my mirror and stop looking at yourself and brushing your hair with my brush. Every hair is in place and it’s time for bed soon.

Is Torry checking out his good looks again, Miss Katie? asks Thelma with a little laugh as she was coming out of the twins’ room.

Of course he is! If he doesn’t stop this, he’ll be stuck on his looks.

Are you jealous of me, Katie, because I’m cute?

Torry, you’re 12 years old! What’s there to be jealous of?

Thelma chimed in. Torry, you’re so busy looking at yourself that you don’t even realize how beautiful your sister is. I know you’re looking at all the cute girls and winking even if some of them are too old for you.

What’s wrong with that? I’m not hurting anyone.

There is nothing wrong now, because you’re 12 and everyone thinks it’s funny. But when you get older you might wink at a pretty girl, and her boyfriend will give you a black eye. We called them shiners when I was young, said Thelma.

Thelma said good night to the kids and left the room.

Thelma walked downstairs to find Dottie, who had just returned home. Thelma remembered something that she wanted to tell Dottie from earlier in the day. Thelma had done some shopping while Dottie was out. She hadn’t taken her normal route to