The day had passed uneventfully, most of it spent settling in to their new surroundings. Tea had found everything she needed for the time being, but she couldn't help but wonder how they would get through this time without eventually getting to a point where Todd would shut down. So far, they had spent the day looking around the immediate vacinity of the cabin and hadn't strayed much into further surroundings.
Todd had spent most of the day, near Tea, but not really talking about anything important. They had muddled through lunch and were now nearing dinner time. Todd had told Tea to relax for a while and had left about an hour earlier. She wasn't sure where he had gone, but he hadn't taken the car, so she knew he couldn't be far. She decided to go onto the deck again and wait for Todd out there. She knew he would have to be back soon, as the natural light of the universe was about to give in to the darkness that always came with night. She heard a rustling in the near distance and hoped that it was Todd.
Tea: Todd? Todd, is that you?
Still nothing. She remembered back to the time on the docks, when he had jumped into the river for her mother's necklace. He hadn't answered her that time either, but eventually, it was him and he was all right.
Tea: Todd? Answer me. Is that you? Don't do this to me again. Answer me, Todd!
Again nothing. Her mind wondered. Could it be a nearby neighbor? She scratched that thought off her list quickly, since she hadn't noticed another home or cabin within miles of their arriving at his mother's cabin. Besides, she knew Todd well enough to know that he would never have lived or stayed near other people. Maybe it's a deer or another animal indigenous of this area. What animals live near the woods? What animal would be brave enough to live near Todd Manning? Maybe it's a bear. They live in the woods and would be coming out of hibernation, or so she had read. Again, her mind wondered. She had worked herself into frenzy and was now beginning to frighten herself.
Tea: Who's there? Answer me, whoever, or whatever you are!
Todd: Who you talking to Delgado? (Just then, he drops a load of wood he had collected in the forest. The noise is loud and startling.)
Tea jumped out of her socks. She grabbed her hand to her chest and doubles over in shock. She is now sitting in the place she had been standing, looking up at Todd almost smiling.
Todd: Tea, are you all right?
Tea: Yeah, me, I'm great. I love being scared to death by a wooly mammoth!
Todd: Are you talking about me?
Tea: Just forget it and help me up.
Todd: (Todd reaches out his hand and places it in hers. They stare into each others eyes. Todd smiles knowingly, that she was scared without him near her, to protect her.) I promised you surprises, Tea.
Tea: Yes you did, Todd. And you certainly deliver in a grand way.
Todd begins to pull her hand up. Instead, though, Tea pulls a fast one on Todd and trips his legs out from under him, pulling him down on top of her. The momentum of the trick pulls Tea back into a lying postion, with Todd planted firmly on top of her. Tea reaches her hand up and moves his fallen hair out of his face. They stay, hard core staring at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.
Tea: Todd. I......
Todd: Nice one, Delgado.
Tea: I learned from a master. You're not the only one who's full of surprises.
Todd: I think you're full of something, but I'm not sure yet what.
Todd gets up and wipes the wooden debris chips from his clothes. Tea realizes that the moment that was there is gone. Todd opens the door, staring down at Tea who is now sitting up, staring right back at him. He plants his right hand on the side of the door. He then holds out his left hand for Tea, to help her get up.
Todd: I'm ready for you now, Tea.
Tea: I don't think you'll ever be ready for me, Todd.
Todd: Don't be so sure of that. You don't know everything.
Tea: I'm getting to know you better every day I'm with you Todd. So don't be so sure of THAT.
Todd: You want help up or not?
Tea: (Taking her left hand in his) I don't need it, but I'll take it.
Todd: I don't know what that means, but then, I never did.
Todd helps Tea, pulling her briskly to her feet, pulling her body into his. At the moment, the only thing separating them, are there arms.
Todd: (backing away a little) I'm glad you're here, Tea.
