Todd Manning slouched uncomfortably in a large, cushioned chair, his restless eyes darting from one spot to another in the room -- visually acquainting himself with the different shapes and forms set in a casual pattern.
So this is home for you...
The furnishings in the room appeared solid and functional, and not overly ostentatious, adorned with a few unusual art deco pieces to add interesting lines. It wasn't a huge place, but everything in it looked expensive.
You've done well for yourself...
Having made a quick, but thorough assessment of the room's layout, his eyes strayed over to the man sitting in another chair just to the left of him.
Tall, with a golden tan that wouldn't quit, Slider Paxton was in great shape. His lean, yet muscular build was evident even under a loose-fitting denim shirt.
Bet you never gave up the game...
Seeing Slider's hand flipping rapidly through the pages of a notebook, Todd shifted in his chair.
"This is nuts," he commented as if to no one particular.
Glancing up, Slider's face reflected some amusement.
"I can't tell you how good it is to have you back, Z."
For a moment their minds connected, the gulf of missing years closing up, and they were once again walking the halls of school, kidding around with each other and plotting their next moves.
"Yeah...good to be back, Einstein."
Looking pleased with the mention of his old nickname, Slider said, "A little like old times, isn't it?"
"Old times? Old times was nothing like this."
Your reaction is a dead giveaway...
Speaking reassuringly, Slider said, "Listen...Z...we're going to cover everything. You won't be in the dark for long...I do know what's happening with you." "Good...glad someone does. Explain it to me then...because..." Todd's pupils deepened. "I feel like..."
"What...tell me...what do you feel?"
Hesitating for a few seconds, Todd spoke up again, his eyes almost unable to meet Slider's sharp gaze.
"I feel...better."
The last word rolled off his tongue easily, and he waited expectantly for some dark sensation to come in and spoil it for him.
Nothing...
"Right...that's good," Slider nodded approvingly.
"So...doctor," Todd eyed Slider with a strange expression, his mouth tightening to form a sarcastic line. "Does this mean I'm fixed?"
Once again the caustic remark did not surprise Slider. His friend was just bewildered by his new feelings.
"Wish it were that simple, Z...but you and I both know it's not. That's why you're here."
"Here...when I could be..."
"Where you want to be," Slider supplied.
"Did she call?" Todd's body tensed as he leaned forward.
"She's been in touch. I'm keeping her updated."
Slumping back in his chair, Todd stared up at the ceiling -- his eyes marking it with feigned interest.
"It's going to be fine, Z...trust me."
Trust...if I had a nickel for every time that word was thrown up in my face...
"All you have to do is let me guide you a little through the wilderness...piece of cake."
Sure...easy for you to say...
***********
Tea forced herself to look back down at the book page. The words sharpened, but then immediately blurred into blotchy, illegible spots. What's the use...I can't concentrate on anything... The book she was reading was slammed shut with force, and she glanced around quickly to see if any of the library patrons were annoyed. No one stirred.
Todd...what are you doing now?
A picture of Todd's old home thrust itself into her agitated mind. Every single moment of Todd's departure that night came shooting back into her memory...his descension down the stairs with Slider and Sam supporting him...his long legs wobbly and his upper body shaking with the effort...and the way his eyes had looked...as if he had been in a deep stupor but was slowly waking up. Except for speaking her name, he had said nothing else.
She had walked out to the car with Slider and Sam as they carefully eased him into the seat of the car, and it was all she could do not to demand that she ride along with him. Viki's arm had suddenly settled softly against her shoulder,
"He needs to recoup, Tea...that's all."
Mutely she had nodded, unable then to voice any kind of response for fear that she would lose it in front of him. Slider had confirmed Viki's statement with a nod of his head as he opened the door on the driver's side.
"She's right, Tea...don't worry...I'll take good care of him for you."
With difficulty she managed a "thank you" which sounded somewhat sincere but had a hollow ring to it. Knowing that she had already said her good-bye, she could only seek out his face for one last look. His eyes never met hers, and she felt her resolve not to get his attention again crumbling. An instant later the car had pulled away from the curb.
"Tea?" Viki's voice woke her out of her stricken daze.
"Tea...why don't you come over to Llanfair and stay with me for a while?"
She might have had the strength to wait it out on her own, but at that moment, her emotions were having a field day. After all she had been through...this time she wanted to lean on someone else for a change.
"Good!" Viki had said effusively after she had agreed. "I've been wanting to get to know my sister-in-law better."
Sister-in-law...family...my family...
Propping her chin on her hand, Tea once more lapsed into her private thoughts amidst the backdrop of the quiet library. Do I dare imagine that I can now have a life with this man? This time it would be different...this time there would be no doubt that he loved her...this time all her dreams would come true...
Or would they? A nagging reality still loomed like a darkening cloud in the horizon. Todd had to complete his therapy, and another court trial might be set...depending on what the FBI and the local authorities decided to do. Even though Del had arranged everything with Todd's release into Slider's custody, there were still issues to be settled with a possible outcome that she didn't even want to think about. That's why she had ensconced herself at the local library and read everything she could on any cases similar to Todd's. At best, she had only scratched the surface. Of course, Sam had offered her every assistance, and they were going to get together soon to discuss it.
At least it's all over...there is no more DID...
In her most positive outlook, she could declare that, but there were cases that she had read about that were not that promising. Some patients were completely cured -- others were not. Yet she did feel that Todd had the very best psychological care to see that he understood what had happened. What a blessing that Todd's closest childhood friend could help him after all these years. Someone is watching out for you.
***********
"You could probably fill that book up in no time, couldn't you?"
Slider acknowledged the question, but didn't look up.
"Not really."
Todd shot him a look of benign contempt as he continued observing Slider.
"Come on, Einstein," Todd pressed, "I'm a shrink's dream case."
"I hate to break it to you, Z, but you're not the most unusual case on the planet."
"Probably the strangest you've ever had."
This time Slider did look up from his book -- his piercing blue eyes zoning in on his friend.
"Okay, Z...what's wrong?"
Scowling a bit that he had been exposed, Todd made a disapproving sound, "Wrong...what could possibly be wrong? I'm just a nut case who has a bunch of personalities crawling around inside of him."
"Who had..." Slider corrected, "...and you're not a nut case."
"Past tense...big deal. That doesn't mean it's not going to come back and haunt me."
"If you let it, Z. Remember, you were at the mercy of the disorder all those years, but you're not anymore."
"I'm not, huh...then you tell me this," he hissed softly, "Who am I?"
Who are you? Damn...you would ask that question before I even get started...clever as always, Z... "That's what we're going to determine," Slider said, his voice patient, but his mind wondering if he were that convincing.
"I don't want the standard load of crap analysis either, Slider," Todd said somewhat viciously. "If I have to do this, I don't want it sugarcoated. Give it to me straight."
Slider blinked with surprise, but nodded. "Okay, Z...but you'll have to let me lead you into it."
"I'll do whatever it takes," Todd said, his jaw clenching and his magnetic eyes accepting Slider's challenge.
Whatever it takes to get back to Tea...
***********
"Hi...it's me."
"Sam...", Viki's voice hummed with pleasure as she listened to the rich baritone sound coming from her cell phone..
"So...what's the word on our boy?"
"Well...Tea is still checking in with Slider, and he says that he's ready to begin therapy."
"Good....poor Tea...she must still be shaken by all this."
"I'm afraid so...but she is optimistic, Sam."
"You know...I've always been glad that Todd found someone like her."
"Me too," Viki said softly, thinking simultaneously that she was one fortunate woman.
As if reading her thoughts, Sam lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Want to know what else I'm happy about?"
"What's that?" Viki asked with mock innocence.
"You."
Warmth flooded through her body, and she smiled broadly.
"Flatterer."
"You know," Sam's voice rose again. "...we have some planning to do."
"Planning?" Viki teased.
"All right...you're going to make me suffer...is that it?" "Maybe," Viki laughed.
"I'm not a patient man, Viki."
"Really? I hadn't heard that about you."
"Well, it's not common knowledge, but it is a fact."
"Seriously, Sam," she began walking around the study, her hand smoothing away a nonexistent speck of dust on a sofa table, "...do we even want to consider this now...especially with Todd still...".
"I don't think you should put your life on hold because of your brother, Viki," Sam said abruptly and then added, "...sorry, Viki...I didn't mean to sound so...unfeeling."
"No...you're fine. Believe me, I've had to come to that same conclusion, but I wanted to know how you felt."
"The thing is...he has a family of his own now, and Tea will see to it that he gets all the help he needs. I'm also conferring with her about any legal problems that might come up, but that's still down the road. In the meantime..."
"Then it's settled," Viki broke in and waited for his response.
"Then name your date, lady!" his voice expanded with unconcealed happiness.
"Well, it depends on what you want to do...big or small?"
"What do you want?"
"Sam...and this is only if you want it, too...I think I want something small and intimate."
"You see...we do think alike," he murmured.
"Oh good...so just our nearest and dearest, right?"
"You got it."
"See you after work?"
"You better believe it...and Viki..."
"What Sam?"
"I'll be the guy at your door with the ridiculously happy grin on his face."
"Then I won't have any problem whatsoever letting that guy in," Viki laughed.
***********
Todd leaned back in the chair, waiting for Slider to reappear with his requested drink.
"Here...nice and cold."
"Thanks...guess my throat got sort of dry."
Slider waited as Todd took several swallows of the frosty drink and studied him while his attention was diverted.
You've never liked anyone getting under your skin, Z...
The sunlight streamed through the windows much as it had the day he had talked with Nick...the warm glow highlighting the coppery tones of Todd's hair and illuminating the face that had always seemed more at ease in the shadows. Though he made every effort to conceal his feelings, Slider was keenly aware of what was going on below that impassive surface. Struggle...and fear...
"So...what's it going to be...a serving up of Daddy Manning and my wretched childhood...or possibly, my destructive behavior after I left home?"
"None of the above," Slider shook his head decisively. "You want it straight, remember?"
"Yeah...I did say that."
"Then we can skip all that from before...for now. That's not what's going to get you the answers you need."
"Then, what is?"
"Not what...who. Someone you couldn't and can't live without."
"Tea?" Todd asked -- a hint of edginess creeping into his voice.
