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| SOULMATES BY CAROL |
CHAPTER 53 |
chapter 53
Staring into the covered moon that was Todd Manning’s ass was not exactly how Tea pictured her morning starting, but here she was, upside down and laughing. No one was stopping him because she was laughing so hard. They stared, of course, but no one feared for Tea’s well being. His face was beaming as well from the foolishness of the situation and Tea thought back for a second how she had ended up here, staring into his faded jeans, embracing the twisted world, for the first time, in a long time, with a smile.
Todd had entered the hospital intent on his mission and ready to begin another four weeks with the woman he loved. Although he was confident, at least on the outside, he showed his hesitation by speaking with the doctors and everyone reassuring him that Delgado was ready to take this trip. This journey into her past. Todd entered her room quickly and stumbled sweetly as he tried to remember everything on the list in his head.
Todd: Good morning.
Tea: And good morning to you.
Todd: So are you ready to go?
Tea: I will be in a few minutes. I’m waiting on a prescription from Dr. Bhatnagar.
Todd: Drugs? What for?
Tea: To help me sleep. I didn’t want them, but he insisted.
Todd: Phooey! We’re not waiting for them. I’m ready to go. Are you coming or not?
Tea: Whoa! Déja vu!
Todd: That’s not Spanish…is it?
Tea: (laughing out loud at him) No. But it’s weird.
Todd: I’m ready to spring you from this joint. Are you ready to come?
Tea: I need to get a few things I forgot to put in my bags. And I told you, I’m waiting for the doctor.
Todd: You’re stalling. Delgado, what’s the problem?
Tea: I’m not stalling…I’m waiting. What’s your hurry?
Todd: This isn’t working out the way I planned.
Tea: So what DO you have planned?
Todd: See, all this communicating isn’t part of my plan either.
Tea: I thought that was the entire plan.
Todd: Well it is, but it’s not supposed to start here.
Tea: (really laughing out loud) Oh, so we’re not supposed to talk to each other until we get out of here?
Todd: Basically.
Tea: Todd, you don’t have to try so hard. Everything will be all right.
Todd: Same old Delgado.
Tea: I wish.
Todd: What are we waiting for again?
Tea: I have things to take care of. You’ll just have to be patient.
Todd: I thought you were the patient?
Tea: Well, when you put it like that, I guess I am.
Todd: Patience has always been one thing I wasn’t very good at.
Tea: No wonder I’m the patient.
Todd: Then stop making me be the patient one.
Tea: I won’t be ready for a while. You can come back if you’d like.
Todd: That’s it. I’m rich. I don’t have to wait. If you need meds, I’ll get them for you later. If you need clothes, I’ll buy them for you. Whatever you need, I can fulfill.
Tea: Why are you in such a hurry?
Todd: Why aren’t you?
Tea: Todd…these things just take time.
Todd: Enough talking. I’m through talking. I’m taking what I want.
Tea looked at him confused and apprehensive. He looked almost menacing, but then, slowly she saw the corner of his mouth curl upward and it made her smile back. He got into a football position, started calling out playbook numbers and charged toward her.
Tea: Todd! What are you doing?
Todd: (scooping her up over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes) I told you. No more talking. It’s time to go and we’re going.
Tea: Todd! Put me down. (laughing) Todd!
Todd kept walking out the door, with Tea perched over his shoulder. She kept laughing so he knew she was okay with it. She pictured herself in a leopard skin bikini, Todd in his loin cloth, his wife over one shoulder, his club over the other. She also pictured him dragging her behind him by her long brown hair and decided she truly preferred her current positioning. If Todd was going to play caveman, in his troglodytish manner, she wasn’t going to stop him. She realized it was possible to be in his presence and not be uncomfortable or apprehensive. She was having fun, as was he, and he didn’t seem to be doing anything, like he had in his past, to end his response to her giddiness. She realized that for a while, she could hide behind his machismo and just go along for the ride. When things resorted back to days of old, when she saw the REAL Todd Manning return, so to could she, to the protection and safety of the hospital. If her life was to be white rooms and padding, she wanted to have what little fun was left inside her jaded, broken soul before it drained completely from her life and all that would be left is dribbling, mumbling and emptiness.
As Todd walked closer to the car, she realized the sun was pulling away, giving in to the clouds that entered off the water.
Tea: Do you think there’s still enough time to go to the water?
Todd: Whatever you want. But first, could you open your door?
Tea: I thought that was your job?
Todd: My hands are kind of full at the moment. (He swatted her butt and ordered her to comply, playfully!)
Tea: Yes sir, Mr. Manning sir.
Todd: You’ve been paying attention. Good.
Tea struggled to open the door, as Todd struggled to swing her in just the right direction to help her opening the door. Once she had it opened, he began leaning his body forward, lowering her back down to the ground. She stumbled a little, light headed from having been upside down for so long. He caught her and held his arms under hers, human crutches to keep her standing, to keep her strong.
Todd: Are you all right?
Tea: (looking into his eyes, locking on them) Yes. Uh. Yes. I’m fine.
Todd: (his eyes locked upon hers) I, uh, I’m glad. (His arms instinctively pulled her in to him. He was caught up in the moment of being this close to her. She immediately pulled her eyes away, which broke up the magic of the moment.) Here, let me help you in. (Tea pulled away and took a step back, pressing her back against the top of the car and the rest of her body pressing against the nothingness of the opened, hollow space of the car. She placed her left arm atop the window frame and her right arm atop the car, bracing herself for an obvious confrontation with Todd.)
Tea: Todd, I can get into the car by myself. I’m not an invalid. I’m just a little looney toons.
Todd: (taking a serious tone but keeping his body length distance from her) Don’t say that. I don’t ever want to hear you say that about yourself ever. I’m serious, Tea. NEVER!
Tea: Todd, relax. I was half kidding.
Todd: Well, if you thought that was a joke, it wasn’t. If you’re crazy, my God, what does that make me?
Tea: I don’t know what to think of you any more Todd. I still haven’t figured out who you are.
Todd: That’s easy. I’m me.
Tea: (Moving a little closer to his face) See. You’re not Todd Manning. You’re just too agreeable.
Todd: It’s just me Tea. I’m trying over here.
Tea: That’s just it. Why? Why are you trying so hard?
Todd: Wow. Finally! A question I can answer. If I answer it, will you shut up and get in the car?
Tea: Well, that sounded more like you.
Todd: Tea.
Tea: Sorry. (looking up at him lightheartedly)
Todd: I love you, Tea. It’s as simple as that.
Tea: See. Todd Manning would never say that! Todd Manning must be off somewhere ruining a company or taking down a Buchanan. Or ruining a Buchanan or taking down a company. You MUST be his twin brother or something.
Todd: So am I the evil one?
Tea: I haven’t quite figured out what to make of you.
Todd: Then stop trying.
Tea: But something’s different. Something’s changed. It’s almost like…
Todd: Like what? Come on Tea, spit it out.
Tea: It’s like you grew up.
Todd: Now you really are crazy. Can’t I just be nice to someone I care about? Can’t I just be compassionate?
Tea: Todd Manning would never use those words.
Todd: He would if he had to. To prove something.
Tea: What are you trying to prove?
Todd: I don’t know, Tea. But if I figure it out, you’ll be the first to know.
Tea: I’m going to keep my eye on you.
Todd: You better. You’re going to love what I have in store for you.
Tea: No surprises Todd. I don’t think I could handle that.
Todd: No surprises. I’ll tell you what we’re doing before we’re doing it. The good and the bad.
Tea: I could sure use some good.
Todd: Then come on. Let’s get out of here. I didn’t PLAN on wasting this much time in the hospital parking lot.
Tea: Where to?
Todd: Destination anywhere you’d like to go.
Tea: The beach. Definitely the water.
Todd: Your wish is my command.
Tea: And just how long will that last?
Todd: At least four weeks. After that, I’ll negotiate for more.
Tea smiled. She was starting to trust Todd and she wasn’t quite sure if that was a good thing or not. Quietly, she sat in the car, oblivious to Todd and anything and everything else inside the car. She just stared out the car, as they drove the short ride to the beach, along the seaside town and watched the people go by. Trodding by in their boring, repetitive, structured lives. How she longed for that feeling again.
The overcast day seemed to be battling to win out over the sun. He hadn’t quite given up yet, but she could tell that the clouds moving in over the ocean were a powerful force to be dealt with and the sun had no choice but to comply. How she felt just like him. But she was determined to enjoy as much of the waterfront day as the current weather would allow.
To be continued…
2001 Copyright by Carol
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