If you water the heck out of it for a couple of days--I mean til the water is pouring out the bottom--it should revive enough to be useful to someone who can keep it outdoors. They should then fertilize every day to bring it into flower.

thanks so much!

as soon as I got home I have been watering it regularly and pulled off some of the dried, dead flowers and leaves. there are a few healthly bits still nice and green though so I think it will be ok.

I appreciate that they thought of me to give me the gift, but I'll pass it along to someone who can give it a proper home!

And now you enter the wonderful world of plant sitters...

If you have houseplants, you've got to arrange for their care when you leave town, just like pets.

Janet's Garden

Clip the dead parts of your plants out with a pair of scissors and allow the new growth to take over. Don't keep the plant soggy, especially since it is growing inside. Moist, but not constantly soggy.

oh yes I know, as I take care of pets and plants for others while they're away! I probably should've just left it at work and had them look after it while I was gone. however, I'm still going to pass it along to someone who can give a happy home outside!!

Torenias inside a house or apt. are iffy. They like afternoon shade, but the light inside a house is only about 5% what it is out of doors.
Are parts of the plant still green?
From what you said, I'd consider this a learning experience and put the plant in your compost heap or otherwise try to recycle the soil and dead plant.