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| SOULMATES BY CAROL |
CHAPTER 16 |
Todd pulled with all his might. He hadn’t come all this way, his whole life, just to lose the love of his life this way. Not at his hand. He couldn’t bear the thought of her falling. Tea screamed and cried.
Tea: Help me, please help me.
Todd: I won’t let you fall, Tea.
Tea: Help me (was all she could say pleadingly)
Todd pulled and pulled, using every muscle in his aching, tired body. He was so worn out from running, but there was no way he was going to let her fall. He took a deep breath and pulled from an even deeper place than he realized he was capable of reaching. His adrenaline literally rose through his veins and gave him the last desperate ounce of strength he needed to pull her back onto solid ground. He fell backwards and she ended up laying vertical on top of him. They both sat on the ground, in the snow, trying frantically to catch their breaths and just shut down from the reality of the previous situation.
Todd: Are you okay?
Tea: As fine as could be expected. (Under her breath) I wish I had gone over the edge. I wish you hadn’t caught me. (She begins to uncontrollably cry.)
Todd: (Angrily shouting at her) Don’t ever say that again.
Tea continues to cry. Todd knows that he is capable of offering her comfort in this situation and that’s exactly what he wants to do. He feels his arm rise and place itself over Tea’s back. He begins to rub her back and hold her close. He feels his lips start to curl up in a semi-smile, knowing she’s all right now. The entire scene is surreal to him. For him, it’s almost as if he’s an observer of the situation, as opposed to being a participant.
Tea is scared and untrusting of Todd. She looks up into his eyes. She notices the half smile on his face. She’s not sure why he can now find enjoyment in comforting her in this moment and couldn’t enjoy the moment back at the car.
Tea: What’s wrong with me? Is that what you asked? What’s wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you?
Todd feels Tea rising from her current position. He pulls his arms tighter and wraps them farther around Tea.
Tea: Don’t Todd. Not now. Don’t do this.
Todd: You need this. Let me do this.
Tea: I don’t need your sympathy and I certainly don’t want your pity.
Todd: Tea, you almost died…
Tea: (interrupting) I wish I had.
Todd: (shouting) Don’t say that! Don’t you ever say that! And don’t you ever do think that! And don’t you ever do that! Are we clear about that?
Tea: (withdrawing) (audible sigh) (softly answering) Yes.
Todd: Good! Now that we’ve got that clear, can we walk back to the cabin and talk? I think we have some things to clear up.
Tea: I could do that.
Todd reaches down and grabs Tea’s hand. He steps to her left to make sure she doesn’t fall off the ledge again. He knows how close he came tonight to losing her and THAT is just NOT an option. EVER!
To be continued………
