| SMALL BLESSINGS BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 116 - 120 |
SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 116:
[Tea is silent, unwilling to say anything that might hurt Starr's view of her mother, warped as that view may be, but also not wanting to lie to the young girl, either.]
Viki: Starr, why don't you come with me into the kitchen and we'll get some refreshments.
Starr: I'm going home...to mommy's!
[Starr marches out of the living room. Todd follows her.]
Tea: I knew this would be a disaster.
Viki: Blending families certainly has its challenges, but there most certainly are rewards. You just need to hang in long enough to reap them.
Tea: Do you really believe there's a chance that Starr could someday accept me in Todd's life again?
Viki: She'll have to, if you and Todd are getting married today.
Tea: We can't get married with things the way they are.
Viki: You shouldn't put your life on hold until everything is perfect. Life rarely is.
Tea: I can't hurt Starr like this. Neither can Todd.
Viki: It looks to me like Todd is finally trying to grow up and accept his responsibilities, instead of running from them, like he has done many times in the past when life became too complicated for him.
Tea: Todd could never marry me if Starr is this upset about it.
[Both women look toward the doorway as Todd returns to the room.]
Tea: Where's Starr?
Todd: In the car. I'm dropping her off at Blair's. I'll come back for you and the kid.
Tea: You don't have to. I'll call a cab. The baby and I will spend the night at Carlotta's. You should spend the night with your daughter.
Todd: Are you sure?
Tea: Of course.
Viki: You're more than welcome to stay here, Tea. Ben and I would love to have a baby in the house.
Tea: That's sweet, but...
Todd: That's a good idea. Carlotta hates my guts. She'd keep you up all night trying to talk you out of being with me.
Tea: I make my own decisions about my life.
Todd: Besides, Benji was a doctor once...
Viki: He still is, even if he isn't currently practicing.
Todd: Whatever! He can take care of the kid if anything goes wrong.
Viki: Is something wrong with Enrique?
Tea: He has diabetes.
Viki: That's terrible. (to Todd) Why didn't you tell me?
Todd: Why would I?
Viki: Because this little boy is a part of my family now, too.
[Todd takes the baby from Tea and hands him to Viki.]
Todd: Go bond with him for a minute over there. Just don't show him any pictures of Kevin, unless you want him to puke all over you.
[Viki gives Todd a disapproving glare before moving to the other side of the room with Little Enrique, allowing Todd some privacy with Tea.]
Todd: About that family thing...
Tea: I understand.
Todd: I'm not ditching you and the kid. Do you really want me to spend the night with Starr?
Tea: She's your daughter. Of course I want you to spend time with her.
Todd: We were supposed to get hitched tonight.
Tea: That can wait. Your family is more important.
Todd: You're my family. Little E's my family.
Tea: So is Starr. Until she's ready to accept me again, we'll have to spend time apart.
Todd: This sucks!
Tea: I agree. We've spent many nights apart in the past. We can handle being apart tonight.
Todd: I could let her spend the night with Blair. It's what she wants.
Tea: You need time with each other. Our time can wait.
Todd: I thought I wasn't supposed to give her everything she wants.
Tea: If you're not giving up on the family we share, then you're not giving her everything she wants. It's okay for you to give her tonight, for her to be alone with her daddy.
Todd: There's no way I'm ever giving you up again. You're mine!
Tea: I love it when you're possessive.
Todd: Really?
Tea: No, but I can accept it, if you can accept my frailties.
Todd: That's easy...you don't have any.
Tea: That's not true. I have many.
Todd: Like what?
Tea: We can talk about this another time. Right now, Starr's waiting for you.
Todd: Maybe not. She was threatening to hitchhike back into town.
[Todd moves closer to Tea and lowers his voice.]
Todd: I know it sucks staying with Viki, with all the lectures, the weird smells and all the smiling, but you'll stay, right?
Tea: If it would make you feel better knowing that we're here, we'll stay.
Todd: Good!
[Todd surprises Tea with a quick kiss on the lips.]
Todd: We're getting hitched. Don't forget that.
Tea: I'll dream about it tonight.
Todd: You can do better than that.
Tea: Well, I'll dream about you in some capacity, how's that?
Todd: Just keep my clothes on, or it will turn into a nightmare.
Tea: You are so wrong about that.
[They share an intense gaze for several more seconds before Todd steps away from her. He looks toward his sister and nephew on the other side of the room before looking back at Tea. The expression on Todd's face melts Tea's heart, knowing that he loves her and their nephew and doesn't want to leave them.]
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SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 117:
[Hours later...
Todd is lying on the bed in the master bedroom of his penthouse. He's asleep, still fully clothed, including his shoes, lying on top of the bedspread.
Suddenly, Todd's body jerks up to a seated position. He absentmindedly moves his fingers through his hair as he tries to adjust to his sudden awakened state. Panic quickly overtakes him.
Todd rushes out of the room and into Starr's bedroom. He's relieved to find that his daughter is still there. His sense of panic won't leave him, though.
He returns to his bedroom and picks up the telephone.
Seconds later, his brother-in-law awakens to the sound of the telephone ringing.]
Ben: Hello?
Todd: Get Tea!
Ben: Todd?
Todd: I don't want to chit-chat. Get Tea!
Ben: Everyone's asleep. Call back in the morning.
[Ben removes the receiver from his ear, preparing to end the call, when Todd's loud voice bellowing at him causes him to stop.]
Todd: I'll kill you if anything's happened to them.
Ben: Did you have a nightmare? Is that why you sound so panicked?
Todd: Shut up about my nightmares! My sister needs to keep her big mouth shut.
Ben: Viki didn't tell me anything. I just know that, when I have a nightmare, sometimes...
Todd: I don't want to share with you, Benji. I just want you to put Tea on the damn phone.
Ben: I'll go wake her.
[Ben slowly eradicates himself from Viki's embrace, not wanting to wake his still slumbering wife.
Todd is impatient, waiting as Ben makes his way down the long hallway toward the bedroom Tea is sharing with her nephew.
Ben knocks lightly on the door. When Tea doesn't respond, he slowly opens the door, not wanting to invade Tea's privacy but also not wanting to wake the baby.
Standing at her bedside, he lightly touches her arm, causing her to jump with fright.]
Ben: Tea, it's me, Ben. I'm sorry I scared you. Todd's on the phone.
[Ben hands Tea the phone. She moves her unoccupied hand through her hair, trying to awaken more fully.]
Tea (into the phone): Todd, what's wrong?
Todd: Is the kid okay?
Tea: The baby's fine. He's sleeping, like we all should be.
[Ben nears the crib he had earlier moved into the room, hoping that if Todd's fears are allayed, he'll allow them all to go back to sleep.
Tea rushes off the bed and toward the crib, as the sudden light of a lamp illuminates the room and Ben's hurried actions cause panic to envelop her.
Todd's panic is confirmed as he hears Tea's painful exclamation in Spanish, knowing that something is wrong with Little Enrique.]
Ben: Call 911.
Tea (into the phone): Todd...
Todd: Do whatever the doc says. I'll meet you at the hospital.
[As soon as he hangs up the phone, Todd rushes into Starr's bedroom and wakes her up.]
Starr: What's wrong, Daddy?
Todd: We have to go to the hospital.
Starr: Is mommy sick?
Todd: Little Enrique is. Get your clothes on.
Starr: I'm going back to sleep.
[Starr rolls over, facing away from him.]
Todd: This isn't a game, Starr. Get your clothes on.
[Starr turns back toward him and sits up.]
Starr: I'm not going anywhere for that brat. Neither are you.
Todd: I'm not wasting time arguing with you. You're coming with me. Blair can pick you up at the hospital, okay?
Starr: You're choosing him over me?
Todd: He's really sick.
Starr: I don't care.
Todd: I do.
Starr: You care about him more than you do about me. I'm calling Mommy. She'll come and get me. She still loves me.
[Todd's heart breaks, because of the strain in his relationship with Starr, and because of the little boy he fears is fighting for his life right now.
Todd goes downstairs. He enters the living room as Starr is hanging up the telephone.]
Todd: Did you tell Blair to get here fast?
Starr: She didn't answer. She turns off the phone sometimes when Uncle Max visits.
Todd: He's not your uncle. You're coming to the hospital with me.
Starr: No, I'm not!
Todd: You don't have a choice. I have to go. I'm not letting you stay here by yourself.
Starr: Take me to Mommy's.
Todd: You don't even know if she's there.
Starr: Where else would she be?
Todd: With Blair, you never know.
Starr: I want to go home!
Todd: This is your home.
Starr: Not anymore. I want to be with Mommy!
Todd: Okay. I'll take you. We have to make a deal first.
Starr: How much?
Todd: I'm not paying you anymore.
Starr: Because of that golddigger?
Todd: This has nothing to do with Blair. It's not right for parents to pay off their kids.
Starr: How am I supposed to pay my expenses?
Todd: You're a kid, you shouldn't have expenses. But, if you really want some extra cash, you can come work for me at The Sun.
Starr: You expect me to work?
Todd: That's right. We'll negotiate the terms later. Right now, I need you to agree that, if Blair isn't home, you'll come to the hospital with me.
Starr: I'm not going anywhere near that woman or that brat.
[Todd kneels down in front of Starr.]
Todd: The kid's really sick. Do you understand that?
Starr: I hope he dies!
[Todd is crushed. He hopes that Starr doesn't mean what she said but he also knows that he's partially responsible for his daughter becoming so cold to anyone's feelings but her own.]
Todd: It's not okay to say that about anyone...ever!
Starr: You say it about people you hate.
Todd: How can you hate him? You don't even know him.
Starr: You love him more than you love me.
Todd: That's not true.
Starr: You don't love him?
Todd: I love him, but...
[Todd notices the pained look in her eyes that quickly turns to a cold stare. He hates himself even more for passing on to his daughter a defense mechanism that he knows will ultimately destroy her.]
Todd: Your Aunt Viki will probably be at the hospital. She can explain all this stuff better than I can.
Starr: I'm going home!
Todd: Blair's probably not even there. I can't waste time taking you over there.
Starr: If I'm a waste of time, why do you even bother spending time with me?
Todd: That's not what I meant. I'll take you to the hospital. Aunt Viki will take you to Blair's, or home with her, okay?
Starr: Whatever will get me away from you the fastest.
[Starr storms upstairs. Todd runs his fingers through his hair, distressed about the distance he feels widening each day between himself and his daughter.
Later at the hospital...
Viki and Ben return from the chapel and find Tea pacing outside the exam room that her nephew is in.]
Viki: Any news?
Tea: Not yet.
Ben: Still no Todd?
Tea: Not yet.
Viki: He most likely felt that it wouldn't be good for Starr to spend the rest of the night here. He probably dropped her off at Blair's first.
Tea: She probably refused to come.
Viki: Things will get better.
Tea: I still love the sweet little girl that I once knew. But, this new Starr... I know she's hurting. I can see that. I just don't know how to reach her anymore.
Viki: You'll find a way.
Tea: Right now, I need to focus on my nephew.
Viki: Of course. You'll have plenty of time after this crisis has passed to work on rebuilding your relationship with Starr.
[Tea looks at her watch again. She appreciates the support Viki and Ben have offered, but she really needs Todd right now.
Tea resumes pacing, needing an outlet for her nervous energy. Minutes later, she hears her ex-husband's voice, bellowing from a distance. She feels relief as she follows the sound. She finds Todd pounding on a desk, in front of a clearly frightened nurse.]
Todd: I don't give a damn about any of your stupid rules. Tell me where he is or I'll find him myself.
Tea: Todd...
[Todd quickly turns in the direction of her voice.]
Tea: They're still examining him.
Todd: He's okay, right?
[Tears that Tea had been refusing to allow herself to cry during this latest crisis begin to fall as she looks into his scared, yet reassuring eyes.]
Tea: I don't know.
[Todd bridges the last of the distance between them. Tea quickly buries her face in his chest. She knows she should be strong, but her heart is breaking with fear that she might lose her nephew.]
Todd: He'll be okay, Delgado. He has to be.
[Tea raises his face and looks into his eyes.]
Tea: I'm so glad you came.
[Todd takes her face in his hands and whispers to her.]
Todd: Of course I came. He's my kid, too.
[Tea embraces him, trying to will herself to stop falling apart. As they hold onto each other, neither notices the expression on Starr's face as she stands near them. She no longer has the cold, unfeeling stare she used on her father earlier. Now, her eyes show the vulnerability of a little girl who's worst fears have been confirmed. Her father, the one person she always trusted would put her first no matter what, now has others he loves more.]
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SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 118:
[Moments later...
Tea pulls away from Todd and wipes at the tears on her cheeks.]
Tea: I'm sorry.
Todd: For what?
Tea: Falling apart.
Todd: You're allowed.
Tea: I need to be strong for Little E.
Todd: I already explained chicks to him. He knows to expect tears all the time. You'll be bawling again when the docs tell us he's okay and we get to take him home.
Tea: I'm really scared, even more than last time.
Todd: He'll be okay. I guarantee it.
Starr: Daddy? I'm hungry. Give me money so I can go to the cafeteria.
Todd: How much?
Starr: A hundred should be enough.
[Todd pulls his wallet from his jacket pocket and pulls out a crisp $100 bill.]
Tea: Don't you think that's too much?
Starr: Stay out of this. You're not my mother.
Todd: Tea's right.
Starr: Don't listen to her. You always give me a hundred.
Todd: I'll have to start carrying smaller bills.
Starr: Just because she said so? You're a wimp!
Todd: I'm your father.
Starr: I wish you weren't. I wish Uncle Max was my father. He'd give me the money.
Todd: That loser is always broke. He couldn't even give you a hundred pennies.
Starr: He won't be broke for long. He and Mommy are going to get a bunch of money soon. You'll be sorry when they do.
Todd: What are they planning?
Starr: I'm not telling you. Give me the money! I want to get away from both of you.
Todd (to Tea): How long before we can see the kid?
Tea: I'm not sure. Go ahead, go with your daughter. We'll be waiting for you.
Starr: You're so phony! You're not fooling me. You just don't want Daddy giving me the money because you want it all for yourself and that ugly brat of yours.
Tea: Starr, I know you're upset...
Starr: I'm not upset. I'm bored. I didn't want to come here.
Tea: I'm sorry that your time with your dad was interrupted.
Starr: Like you give a fuck!
Tea: Starr...
Todd: You don't get to say that word, especially to Tea.
Starr: You say it all the time.
Todd: Not all the time.
Starr: Whenever you're mad at someone. That's all the time. If you can say it, I can say it. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Todd: Lower your voice.
Starr: Fuck you!
Tea: Starr Manning!
[Viki approaches the trio.]
Viki: Starr, come and sit with me for a few minutes. I think everyone needs some time to calm down.
Starr: Can I go home with you until Mommy comes to get me? I don't want to be around them anymore.
Viki: Avoiding your family won't solve your problems.
Starr: Mommy is my family, not them.
Viki: You have two families now.
Starr: Kids can divorce their parents, right? I want a divorce.
Todd (to Tea): Can she do that?
Tea: No, she can't.
Starr: You're lying. I saw it on T.V.
Tea: Just because it's on T.V. doesn't mean you can do it in the real world.
Starr: It doesn't matter anyway. No one can make me spend time with someone I hate.
Tea: You shouldn't say things you'll later regret.
Starr: Why would I regret it? It's the truth.
Tea: I know that underneath your angry exterior, there's a scared little girl who would miss her father terribly if she couldn't see him anymore.
Starr: I've had tons of practice. Aunt Viki, will you take me to the cafeteria? I'm hungry.
Viki: Of course I will. We'll have a long talk about how young ladies conduct themselves in hospitals.
Todd: Make sure you include the part about always doing what your old man says and never swearing at him.
Viki: Perhaps that's a conversation you should have with your daughter.
Todd: You're right. You stay here with Tea. My kid and I are going to go have a little chat.
Starr: I'm not going anywhere with you.
Todd: I'm your father. You do what I tell you to do.
Starr: No!
[Starr strikes a defiant pose. Todd nonchalantly picks her up and walks away as she fights against him.]
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SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 119:
[Todd carries Starr out of the hospital. Despite the scene she's trying to create by screaming as loud as she can, the few people they encounter only glance at the father and daughter. No one tries to stop Todd from leaving the hospital with her. Only when he's stepped out into the cool early morning air, does he release her from his grasp and return her to the ground.]
Starr: I want Mommy!
Todd: I want the kid I used to have who didn't swear at me and loved her step-mother.
Starr: She's not my step-mother.
Todd: She will be. We're getting married again. You can throw as many fits as you want but you can't stop it from happening.
Starr: Because you don't care what I want.
Todd: I care about you. I care about Tea. I care about Little Enrique. I need you to stop fighting this. I need you to let us be a family.
Starr: I don't want to be a family with her ever again.
Todd: All that stuff I told you about Tea wanting to see you and Blair not letting her was the truth.
Starr: You're lying. Mommy told me.
Todd: She told you a bunch of lies. It hurt Tea a lot when she couldn't see you anymore.
Starr: She only pretended she ever cared about me.
Todd: She loved you. She still would, if you'd just give her a chance.
Starr: You can't make me like her ever again.
[Todd kneels down in front of his daughter.]
Todd: I tried to be a family with Blair again...for you. I need you to try again with Tea...for me.
Starr: You love her more than you love me.
Todd: It's different.
Starr: You love that brat more than me, too.
Todd: The only person acting like a brat right now is you. Cut it out! Give us a chance to be a family. I know it's scary since this family thing has never worked out for us before, but this time I think it will.
Starr: I can be a family with Mommy and Max, and their baby. I can choose them over you, just like you're choosing Tea and that other kid over me.
Todd: I'm not choosing anyone. I just want a shot at being happy, for once in my life.
Starr: You were happy with Mommy.
Todd: I was miserable. I wanted to be with Tea. Now that I have another chance, that's what I'm doing. You can grow up and deal with that, or you can keep making this harder for all of us. It's up to you. I need to go back inside.
Starr: Give me money for a cab! I'm going home...to Mommy!
Todd: Your Aunt Viki will take you.
Starr: Whatever!
[Todd and Starr re-enter the hospital and silently make their way to where Tea and Viki are waiting for news about Little Enrique's condition.]
Todd: Have you heard anything about the kid?
Tea: Not yet.
Viki: The doctor agreed to allow Ben to observe. He's in there now.
Todd: What about us?
Viki: You would only get in the way.
Todd: And, Ben's huge head won't?
Starr: Aunt Viki? Will you take me home now?
Viki: We should wait until we know how the baby is doing.
Starr: I don't care about him.
Viki: Tea and your father care a great deal about that little boy. You can support them while they wait.
Starr: I don't care about them either, especially her.
Todd: Take her home. She's just upsetting Tea.
Tea: I'm fine.
Todd: Okay, she's upsetting me.
Tea: Todd...
Todd: You want me to lie to her and pretend she's not acting like a total brat?
Starr: I hate you!
Todd: I'm starting to feel the same way.
Tea: Todd, don't!
Starr: Shut up! You're the reason everything got all messed up. You're the reason Daddy doesn't love me anymore.
Tea: He loves you so much.
Starr: I told you to shut up, bitch!
Todd: I'm telling you to shut up. You don't talk to Tea like that...ever!
Starr: That's what Mommy calls her.
Viki: I think we all need to take a few minutes to calm down and discuss this rationally. No name calling.
Starr: She started it. She was always saying bad stuff about me in Spanish.
Todd: Is that what Blair told you? If you want to know who the real bitch is...
Tea: Now I want everyone to shut up. I want you all to go away, too. I have enough to deal with right now. I can't handle this, too.
Todd: Viki will take Starr home and then...
Tea: No. You should take her home.
[Starr smiles, enjoying her perceived victory. Todd notices.]
Todd: I'm staying here. We all are.
[Starr's smile quickly changes to an angry scowl.]
Starr: You can't make me.
Todd: Watch me!
Tea: Todd, I'm serious.
Todd: Our kid's in there, surrounded by a bunch of strangers who are probably ticking him off with a bunch of touching. I'm staying.
Tea: He's not crying.
Todd: That doesn't mean he's having fun.
Tea: He's probably not awake. He won't know you're here.
Todd: I will. I'm staying.
[Ben exits the exam room and joins them.]
Tea: How is he?
Ben: It looks like he'll come through this okay. His doctor will talk to you in a few minutes. Right now, there's a little boy in there who wants to see some familiar faces.
Tea: He's awake?
Ben: He's a brave little boy.
Todd: He takes after me.
Ben: The little boy part?
Todd: Was that a joke? I didn't know you had a sense of humor, Benji. It's not a very good one, but at least now I know you have one.
Ben: Now I know what a soft heart you have.
Todd: If you ever tell anyone, I'll kill you.
Ben: Here's a tip. Threats like that aren't very convincing when you have a huge smile on your face.
Tea: You two can stay here and continue bantering, I'm going in to see my nephew.
Todd: So am I. And, if anyone tries to stop me with some stupid junk about him not being legally related to me, I'm getting a judge down here and we're getting married.
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SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 120:
[Tea and Todd enter the exam room. A nurse moves out of the way, allowing them access to the little boy. A tired cry emanates from the weakened boy. Tea leans down and kisses his forehead, trying to comfort her nephew, as well as herself.]
Todd: It's okay, kid. We'll spring you from this hellhole as soon as we can. You won't have to deal with all these people touching you much longer.
Tea: I'll go talk to the doctor. Stay with him.
Todd: I want to know what's going on, too.
Tea: I'll fill you in on everything. I just think one of us should stay with him.
Todd: You just think that, because I'm a drop-out, I won't understand any of those big words doctors like to use.
Tea: Okay, I'll stay here. You go talk to the doctor.
Todd: The kid's more interesting to talk to than some boring doctor.
Tea: Should I tell Viki and Ben to take Starr home?
Todd: I'm going to lose her, you know that, right?
Tea: We'll keep trying.
Todd: You're sure?
Tea: She's your daughter. I just have to keep reminding myself that she was once a sweet, little baby, like Little E.
Todd: Do you think he's okay having me around?
Tea: He adores you.
Todd: That's the way Starr always felt about you.
Tea: Not anymore.
Todd: Look how easy it was for you to steal my heart, and I don't even have one. It should be no problem for you to grab on to hers again.
Tea: I'll try. I want you to be happy.
Todd: I think maybe I am, except for the Starr stuff. Don't tell anyone.
Tea: What if I wanted to tell the world?
Todd: I'd marry you just so you couldn't do that testifying against your spouse thing.
Tea: Spousal immunity only covers events that occur after you're married.
Todd: There's always a loophole with you.
Tea: I'll be back in a few minutes.
[Tea again leans down and kisses Little Enrique's forehead. After she's left the room, Todd leans closer to the baby and whisper to him.]
Todd: Us guys aren't really good at all the mushy stuff, like the chicks are. When you get older, I promise I won't embarrass you in front of your friends like your aunt will by hugging you or saying any of that stuff that chicks like to say all the time. But, I promise it won't be like it was for me with my dad. He hated having me around and I always knew it. I'll never make you feel like that. I might not be very good at saying how I feel, especially when you get older, but I'll try. I haven't had much practice, especially with another guy so it might sound kind of weird to you. I know it will sound weird to me. I'm just going to say it, okay? Are you ready? Are you sure? I love you.
[As Todd lightly kisses the baby's forehead, Little E begins to cry.]
Todd: Why do Delgados always cry when I say that?
[Todd moves out of the way as a nurse begins fussing over the baby. Tea returns to the room.]
Tea: I heard him crying. Is he okay?
Todd: Were you eavesdropping?
Tea: Of course not. Why are you being paranoid?
Todd: I'm always paranoid.
Tea: That's true.
[Tea returns her attention to her nephew, speaking softly to him in Spanish. Todd quietly sneaks out of the room.]
Viki: How's the baby?
Todd: Better than I am. Where's Starr?
Viki: Ben took her to the cafeteria. Why don't you look happy?
Todd: I'm never happy.
Viki: You were a few minutes ago when you learned your nephew would be okay.
Todd: He's not my nephew.
Viki: He's more like your son.
Todd: He deserves better than me. So does Tea.
Viki: They're both lucky to have you.
Todd: Look what I did to my own kid. I'll screw everything up with this one, too. Tea will end up hating me. This was all a mistake.
Viki: I know dealing with a child's illness is scary but you've lived through this before. You'll survive this, too.
Todd: I hated the way it felt when Starr was sick. I really hated it. Why am I forcing myself to feel that way again? Why am I letting myself feel any of this stuff again?
Viki: Because love is worth the pain.
Todd: No...love is pain. Love is agony. I hate this feeling.
Viki: Are you considering giving up on love again?
Todd: It would be the smart thing to do.
Viki: If that's what you've decided, go into that room and tell Tea and that sweet, little boy that you don't want to be a family with them anymore.
Todd: You're better at words than I am.
Viki: I know love can be terrifying, but...
Todd: Not for you.
Viki: Yes, even for me. It's terrifying for all of us. Starr is acting out because of it. You're ready to run because of it. Tea understands how you're feeling right now.
Todd: What did she tell you?
Viki: I saw her face when she was terrified her nephew wouldn't make it through this. I saw the relief when she learned that he would. But, I also saw the terror of knowing this probably won't be the last time she'll face this horror.
Todd: Did she think I wouldn't show up?
Viki: She trusted that you would come because she trusts that your love will help her get through every battle she must face from now on.
Todd: My love is poison to everyone. Just ask Starr.
Viki: Your love is a gift.
Todd: What if I become like my father...either one?
Viki: That isn't inevitable.
Todd: Peter always said that it was. He cursed me with that.
Viki: It's your decision what kind of father you are, to your daughter, and to your nephew.
Todd: Tea's willing to pop out my kids. Did she tell you that?
Viki: Is she pregnant?
Todd: I thought I'd try the traditional way this time. You know, date a chick, marry her, then knock her up.
Viki: I hope it works out this time. I really do. Tea is a wonderful influence on you. And, you're a wonderful influence on her.
Todd: She doesn't need my influence. She's perfect the way she is.
Viki: So are you, just ask your future wife.
Todd: She's the smartest broad I've ever met, except when it comes to me.
[Todd looks back toward the room his family is in. He takes a deep breath, wishing he didn't still feel so vulnerable, but determined not to allow his fears to keep him from his family any longer.]
Todd: I'm going back in.
Viki: I'm proud of you.
Todd: Thanks, sis, for everything.
[Todd allows Viki to enter his personal space and lightly kiss his cheek. As she steps away, they both smile as he wipes his cheek in mock disgust.
As Todd returns to Little E's bedside, Viki joins her husband and niece in the cafeteria.]
to be continued...
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2002 COPYRIGHT BY TIMA

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