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| ANOTHER JOURNEY BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 31 - 35 |
PREVIOUSLY...
Tea: Where to now?
Todd (speaking quietly): Starr...
Tea: A toy store?
Todd: Yeah.
[Tea slides her hand back into Todd's as they head off in search of a gift, or several gifts, for Starr.]
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chapter 31:
[Tea looks at one of the mall directories to find a toy store so Todd can buy something for Starr. On their way to the store they encounter an entire wedding party, fully dressed.]
Todd (to Tea): Is there a costume contest or something?
Tea: I don't know. Maybe this is were wedding participants around here go between the ceremony and the reception.
[Todd and Tea walk a little further and suddenly understand. In front of them is a wedding chapel.]
Todd: A wedding chapel in a mall, huh? I guess that fits. You enter one hell to enter the other hell.
[Todd instantly regrets his words as he feels Tea's hand go slack in his own. Like Tea earlier, he doesn't allow her attempt to disengage in their hand to hand contact. His grip on her hand even tightens slightly. They stare into the chapel's window for several minutes...unmoving...unspeaking.
When Tea does speak again, her voice is quiet and clearly tinged with sadness]
Tea: I guess it's a good thing you didn't take my proposal seriously.
Todd: Huh?
Tea: Days ago, when we had breakfast downstairs in that restaurant, remember?
Todd: Uh, yeah, I remember that.
Tea: If you had taken it seriously and if you had agreed, what would you do now?
[Todd tries to think of how to respond but doesn't need to as Tea continues speaking.]
Tea: What if we had even done something foolish and had spontaneously gotten married right away?
[Tea laughs slightly but Todd can tell that she isn't amused.]
Tea: Not that it would have mattered, right? Promises...vows...commitments...they don't really mean much, do they? Meaningless words...meaningless sentiment...they have no value. Ours lasted, what, one hour? Or, was it two?
Todd: What about the first one?
Tea: That's right. Our first marriage had value...five million dollars, in fact.
Todd: Tea...
Tea: We should probably get to that toy store. This place probably closes soon.
Todd: Okay.
Tea: You know what, go ahead without me. I'll just meet you back at the hotel, okay?
Todd: Uh...well...you know...you're a girl...
Tea: Since when has that ever mattered to you?
[Todd finally lets go of Tea's hand. They again stare through the chapel window without speaking for several minutes.]
Todd: You really should go with me. You would know better than I would what kind of stuff a girl her age would be into. If it's left up to me, she'll probably end up with a pinball machine or something.
Tea: Fine. Let's go.
[Tea avoids eye contact as she turns from the wedding chapel and begins walking in the direction of the toy store. Todd follows behind her, watching her body language carefully.
When they enter the toy store, they look around for several minutes. They speak only of the different options in front of them, avoiding unnecessary words and eye contact.
After filling their cart with several things, they move towards the checkout area. As they pass through an area of toys and other items for infants, they notice a man and a woman looking through the selection. The woman is noticeably pregnant and the man is excitedly trying to talk her into buy unnecessary but fun looking items for their baby.
Both Tea and Todd stop for a moment, again reminded of their current predicament as they watch the couple, both of whom are obviously thrilled about their upcoming baby.
Tea is the first to look away and move passed the couple. Todd follows.
Todd purchases the gifts for Starr as Tea steps out into the corridor, with the bags from their previous purchases, to wait for him.
For the first time since this trip with Todd began, Tea wishes that they had separate rooms. She doesn't know how they'll survive the night in the same room. Suddenly, she remembers that their room only has one bed. Any other time, this would be something that pleases her. Even if they did nothing but sleep near each other it would normally be enough. Tonight, though, she doubts that Todd's presence next to her will be comforting. In fact, she doubts that he'll even be beside her in that bed. He'll probably make up an excuse to get another room, go for a long walk...eight or ten hours long...or maybe even sleep in the car...anything to avoid her.
From inside the store, as his purchases are being rung up, Todd watches Tea as she takes a seat on an empty bench in front of the store. She's facing away from him so he feels safe staring at her. He knows that things have changed between them. There's an even heavier weight pushing down on them now.
After paying for his purchases, Todd grabs all of the bags and walks toward the door. He stands for another moment, watching the back of her lowered head. He can't believe that a few hours ago he was enjoying feeling her hand in his and even thinking that maybe they could spend the night that way...holding hands. Now, he doesn't think that Tea will ever want to hold his hand again. She probably won't even want to share the same bed with him now. He regrets asking for a room with a single bed when they checked in. He wonders if he'll be spending the night on the floor now...or, in a chair...or, maybe even in the bathtub.
He thinks about apologizing but he doesn't know quite how or what for.
Finally, he steps toward Tea. She jumps slightly as she suddenly senses him beside her and is startled out of her own thoughts.]
Tea: So, are you ready?
Todd: Yeah.
[Despite her current feelings, Tea can't help but smile as she sees Todd's arms overflowing with gifts for Starr.]
Tea: Starr's going to be thrilled with all of her gifts.
Todd: You really think so?
Tea: Of course. I'm sure her greatest thrill, though, will be having her daddy there to give them to her.
Todd: I was just going to send them. I wasn't planning on us going back yet. Did you want to go back now?
Tea: No. I just thought, you know, after you leave me...
[They're both silent again for a moment.]
Todd: Let's get out of here. Hand me those bags.
Tea: Todd, I'm fine carrying these. You look like you have enough to carry already.
Todd: I can handle more. Come on, Tea. I'm the guy. Let me carry the stuff.
Tea: I'm quite capable of carrying...
Todd (interrupting): Get over the macho girl thing.
Tea: Macho girl thing? What about your macho guy thing?
Todd: I'm a guy...I get to be macho. Now, stop arguing with me and give me the stupid bags.
Tea: No.
Todd: If you think I'm ever going to a mall with you again, you're wrong. I knew this would be a disaster.
Tea: Yeah, well, pretty soon you won't be doing anything with me anywhere and we both know it.
[Tea quickly turns and walks away. She assumes that Todd is following behind her as she rushes down the corridor, tears forming in her eyes that she refuses to allow to fall. When she reaches the elevator, she tries to subtly glance in his direction and is surprised to find him gone.]
chapter 32:
[After Tea walks away from him in front of the toy store, Todd walks away in the opposite direction. He knows that she needs time away from him and he also knows that he needs some time alone to think.
He barely notices the different stores as he passes them until a greeting card store comes into view. He enters.
Later...
Alone in their hotel room, Tea is crying. She tries to tell herself that it's ridiculous for her to be crying. She's crying over losing someone that in her heart she's always known that she never had. It was never a real marriage. Their first marriage was a business deal. Their second marriage was just another manipulation of her and part of his ploy to stay out of prison. It was never love...not on his part.
But...why did he come back? Why did he return for her? Why did he ask her to go with him? Why did he take her back to where he grew up? Why has he allowed her to kiss him? Why would he spend the day somewhere that he thought he would hate just because she wanted to go there? Why didn't he leave her right away when he first learned that there was a possibility she could be pregnant? Why did he hold her hand so much today? Why? Why?
Tea's head is in her hands as she continues crying tears of pain and confusion when she hears a sound at the door of their hotel room. She looks up quickly as the door begins to open.
Tea is shocked to see Todd as he enters, carrying even more bags than he had when she left him earlier at the mall.
Todd isn't completely surprised to find Tea crying. He just hopes she's expelled enough of the emotions from her body by crying so they won't have to have any serious emotional confrontations tonight.
Tea wipes the moisture from her face and stands up, nervous and uncertain about what Todd's return means. Todd notices her defiant posture and her arms wrapped around herself. He hopes that it means that she's shutting down her emotions again since it would make for an easier evening for himself since he could then keep his own emotions shut down, too.
Todd walks further into the room and tosses all of his bags onto the bed.]
Tea: What is all of this?
Todd: We went shopping, remember?
Tea: But, we didn't buy all of this. I can't believe you continued shopping after you left me.
Todd: I didn't leave you.
Tea: Yes, you did.
Todd: No, I didn't.
Tea: I turned around and you were gone.
Todd: You stormed off. Did you seriously expect me to continue following you like a puppy after that? Oh, I see. You did. And, I didn't so now you're even more ticked at me, right? This is all my fault...whatever the hell this fight is about, is that it?
Tea (trying to change the subject): What is all this? If you're willing to tell me, that is.
Todd: I went to this...uh...store.
Tea: What kind of store?
Todd: You know, the kind with cards and stuff.
Tea (laughing): Todd Manning went to a greeting card store? On his own? Without being forced?
Todd: Yeah, so?
Tea: I wish I could have been there.
Todd: You could have if you hadn't stormed off after starting that fight.
Tea: I'm trying to drop it, Todd. Could you do the same?
Todd: It wasn't my fault.
Tea: Maybe it was no one's fault.
Todd: Maybe it was yours.
Tea: Are you going to show me what you bought?
Todd: I only went into that stupid place because I thought I should get stuff to put around Starr's stuff.
Tea: Gift wrap?
Todd: Whatever you want to call it. Viki's doesn't need anything but Starr likes to rip into the wrapping.
Tea (smiling and speaking softly): I remember.
[They both silently stand facing each other for several moments, feeling joy thinking of Starr opening her presents but sadness at the thought that neither of them will be there to see it.]
Tea: Did you also get tape and ribbons and bows?
Todd: I got a bunch of stuff. I even got something for Jessica. I saw it and thought she might like it. She'll probably think it's stupid.
Tea: I'm sure she'll love whatever you bought her.
Todd: So, uh, you want to help me do this wrapping thing? Unless, we're still fighting and it's against the rules to do that during a fight.
Tea: I would love to help you, Todd.
[They sit down on opposite sides of the bed and begin going through all of the presents and wrapping them.]
Todd: You know, I thought about getting you something.
Tea: Oh, really?
Todd: Yeah, but they didn't have any cards about fighting with your ex-wife in a mall after she ditched her current boyfriend to travel around the country with you while possibly being pregnant with a kid that isn't yours.
Tea: I thought they had a greeting card for every occasion.
Todd: Apparently not.
Tea: Todd, about this fight...
Todd: Maybe we should just forget about it.
Tea: I don't think that's possible since it's really about this uncertainty between us.
Todd: It will be certain soon, right? How long did you say it would be before we're certain?
Tea: Do you really want me to tell you when to expect my...(recalling his discomfort with certain words)...uh, thing?
Todd: Soon, right? I mean, it has to be in less than a month, right?
Tea: Right.
Todd: And, you'll let me know?
Tea: Of course.
Todd: Even if it's a no-show?
Tea: Of course.
Todd: Okay.
Tea: So, you'll be patient?
Todd: I'm known for my patience.
Tea: Since when? Did you turn over a new leaf?
Todd: I tried that once. I found a slug underneath.
[There's an awkward silence again as they continue wrapping the presents as both of them try to calm their emotions down so they won't fight anymore...at least for tonight.]
chapter 33:
[After finishing wrapping the presents, Todd and Tea both feel awkward and uncertain about what else to do before they go to bed...and even more uncertain about what to do when they do go to bed.]
Todd: Where's that map thing of yours? I saw you bring it in earlier.
[Tea picks it up from the table and hands it to him. She watches as he places the atlas on the bed and lies down on his stomach in front of it.]
Tea: Todd Manning is actually going to look at a map?
Todd: I figure maybe we could have a goal here.
Tea: I thought revenge was the only goal you admitted to?
Todd: Well, normally it is but I'm in a weird mood so get over here and take advantage of it.
Tea (mumbling): I'd like to take advantage of more than your mood.
Todd: Huh?
Tea: Nothing.
[Tea follows Todd's example and lies down on her stomach, next to him on the bed, as Todd opens the large atlas in front of them.]
Tea: So, uh, what's our goal here?
Todd: To hit every state.
Tea: You're kidding?
Todd: Nope. We kind of blew it by not thinking of this to start with but we can still do this. And, it won't even really take us that long if we drive ten or twelve hours every day. And, we'll skip Alaska and Hawaii...for now anyway.
Tea: You're really serious?
Todd: Yeah. Look, you've been wanting a purpose for this trip since we started, right? Well, I'm giving you one.
Tea: So, we're just going to wander in and out of states for no other reason than just to say we've done it?
Todd: Yeah. You need a better reason?
Tea: No, I guess not.
Todd: And, just think, if you are knocked up, you can tell the kid it's been to all of these places but you don't have to hassle with going there after it's born.
Tea: Could you possibly use a different expression when you discuss that particular subject?
Todd: But, getting knocked up is what happened to you.
Tea: We don't know that and I really don't like the way it sounds when you say it.
Todd: Would you prefer that I refer to it as when that semen got dumped inside you? Or, how about...
Tea (interrupting him): Todd, seriously, if we're going to survive this trek through the country we need to be more respectful of each other.
Todd: I don't recall you being respectful when you were screwing around on me and getting knocked up.
Tea: You won't even try will you?
[Tea starts to get up from the bed. Todd reaches his arm out behind her back and keeps her from moving away from him on the bed. They both stare at each other, their bodies touching, their faces close to each other, their hearts reacting to the closeness.]
Todd: Look, I already told you, remember, that I need to say this kind of stuff to get through this. It's hard for me to even be here knowing what you did and what you could be telling me in the next couple of weeks.
Tea: Todd, why does it even matter?
Todd: Are you kidding?
Tea: I know why it matters but I don't know why it matters.
Todd: Huh?
Tea: I know that you're upset that I had relationships when we were apart. I still don't agree that I should have been expected to be celibate for the rest of my life while waiting for you to return but...
Todd: Was that really too much to ask?
Tea: Yes. I honestly didn't know if you would come back, Todd. I was alone and I was lonely. I've never really been very good at handling that. So, yes, I sought out companionship.
[Todd tries hard to control himself from injecting more vulgar descriptions of her actions.]
Tea: I didn't do it to hurt you.
Todd: You sure about that?
Tea: Yes. I didn't know that you would ever even know about it. I did if for me because...because
[Todd can see that Tea is getting too emotional again.]
Todd: You really didn't know that I was around...watching?
Tea: No.
Todd: You didn't even suspect?
Tea: I sensed you occasionally.
Todd: And, you still went ahead and...
[Todd is silent for a moment as he struggles hard within himself again to not use vulgar descriptions.]
Todd: You still went ahead and...
[Todd pauses again.]
Tea: I know what you're trying to ask and since I appreciate that you're trying not to use certain words I'll go ahead and answer your question, okay?
Todd: Okay.
Tea: I didn't know when I was sensing you if it was real or not. There were times that I felt like you were near. There were even times that I felt like I was being watched and I wondered if it was you but I just thought I was being paranoid.
Todd: You thought you had caught paranoia from me during our marriages?
Tea: I thought that it was just that I wanted you to be there. I wanted you to come back to me...for me. But, every time that I sensed you nothing happened. You didn't show up at my door. You didn't call. It was just wishful thinking on my part.
Todd: No, it was me watching you.
Tea: You never actually...watched...while...uh...well, you know...did you?
Todd: Oh, hell, no. Never again.
Tea: Well, that's something positive.
Todd: You would have known I was there if I had seen anything like that. The sound of the retching would have ruined the mood for sure. I did see a few kisses, though.
Tea: I wish you hadn't. If I had known...
Todd: You would have kept your lips to yourself?
Tea: I never wanted to hurt you like that.
Todd: I'll admit, though, it was kind of hard to take your flings seriously with those pathetic kisses you were dishing out.
Tea: You object to the way I kiss? Do you think I need more practice?
Todd: Not with me. I mean, with me it's different.
Tea: How?
Todd: The kisses I saw were so fake. I could tell there wasn't any feeling behind them. A guy would have to be stupid or really horny not to figure out that you didn't really want to be kissing him.
Tea: Well, my heart wasn't in those kisses. My heart was with you.
Todd: Oh, please, I really don't want to hear about how you were thinking about me while you were screwing those other guys.
Tea: I was trying not to think about you...not to love you...not to miss you so much that it felt like I was bleeding inside. I needed to be with someone because when I was alone it was so unbearable. It was unbearable even when I wasn't alone but at least I could try to distract myself. When I was alone at night, there were no distractions. You were with me every second. I cried myself to sleep so many nights. I missed you so much, in fact, I even cried over your mug shot.
Todd: Seriously?
Tea: I was looking through some files one day and there yours was.
Todd: Were you crying because you dropped my file on your foot? Because, I could see how that would hurt enough to make a person cry. My file's got to weigh as much as a small car by now.
Tea: I saw your mug shot and I thought about you and the times you were in trouble and I defended you.
Todd: Yeah, we had some special times, didn't we? Just you...me...a jail cell...a guard with a gun...
Tea: So, there I was in the middle of the police station crying over your file like a complete idiot.
[Tea looks at Todd expecting another sarcastic comment and is surprised when Todd remains silent.]
Tea: Did you run out of jokes, Todd? Or, are you finally willing to take this seriously? To take my pain seriously?
Todd (looking down): I never thought your pain was funny, Delgado. (looking back up at her) Now, Kevin's pain I find hysterical.
[Tea rolls over onto her side, facing Todd, and gently plays with his hair with her finger.]
Tea: After you left and didn't come back...
Todd: But I did come back.
Tea: Not for more than fifteen months. That's a long time to feel the way I was feeling. I was certain that I would never be with you...that I would never be happy...that I would never feel loved. Yes, I took what I could from other men because they were willing to be with me...to tell me that they loved me...even if they didn't mean it, even if they didn't know me the way that I had thought that you had come to know me. At least it was something. I'm sorry if my being with other men hurt you...
Todd: Finally! Was it really so hard to apologize?
Tea: I wanted it to be you. Every time I had plans for the evening, I always wished that it was you I was having dinner with or going dancing with. If it had been you then I would have done everything I could to leave work early instead of trying to find more work to excuse why I was late or why I had to cancel a date all together.
Todd: You must have been great in bed if you treated them like being with them wasn't really where you wanted to be.
Tea: Do you want to find out what I'm like in bed?
chapter 34:
[Todd stares at Tea not believing the words he just heard coming out of her mouth.]
Tea: This is what I'm like in bed.
[Tea uses her hand behind Todd's head to pull his face toward her. As their lips meet, Tea lowers her body onto the bed so she's lying on her back and slides her other hand around his body.
Todd allows his head to be drawn down toward Tea as his lips enjoy the contact with her lips. He keeps the rest of his body where it is, uncertain about what Tea is doing or why.]
Tea (ending their kiss): Do you want to learn more?
Todd: About what?
Tea: About me in bed.
Todd: I already know all about that.
Tea: Do you?
Todd: Yeah.
[Tea plays with his hair as his face remains so close to hers his very nearness sends shivers through her body.]
Tea: What do you know?
Todd: You snore.
Tea: I do not.
Todd: Even worse, you're one of those people who makes everyone deaf around you while insisting you don't snore.
Tea (smiling): Well, I don't.
Todd: I'm surprised you don't wake yourself up sometimes.
Tea: What else do you know?
Todd: You hog the covers.
Tea: Todd, you sleep on top of them so how would you know and why would you care?
Todd: I know because I've seen what it looks like in the morning. It's a good thing I sleep on top because if I did try to sleep underneath them, I'd be completely exposed by morning.
Tea (liking the idea): Hmmm...
Todd: Plus, when we shared that bed last night, I could feel you tugging on the blankets underneath me the whole time. I'm surprised you didn't do that thing where you pull real hard and flip me off the bed.
Tea: You could join me under the covers tonight. That way you'd be safe.
Todd: Would I?
Tea: Unless you didn't want to be.
Todd: And that's another thing...you've been flirting with me this whole trip.
Tea: Me? What about you?
Todd: I don't flirt.
Tea: Oh, I think you do, Mr. Manning.
Todd: You're wrong, Ms. Delgado.
Tea: Todd, do you think you'll ever kiss me?
Todd: I just did.
Tea: No, I kissed you.
Todd: Well, my lips were in there somewhere.
Tea: I've initiated every kiss we've had since this trip began.
Todd: I can't believe you're keeping track. Actually, I can believe that you'd pay attention to something like that.
Tea: I just want to know if you really want to kiss me or if you're only going along with it because I start it.
Todd: I may initiate it...sometime.
Tea: Any chance it will be within the next few minutes?
Todd: I can't tell you. I promised to surprise you, remember?
Tea: Well, I'll get ready for bed and you can surprise me later. Just be warned, if you don't, I might just have to take the initiative again.
Todd: You always were pushy.
Tea: I'm determined, Todd. I know what I want and what I need. And, I definitely know what I like.
[Tea runs her fingers through his hair one final time before getting off the bed and taking their bag of clean clothing into the bathroom.
Todd gets off the bed and looks at himself in the mirror. He runs his fingers through his hair a few times until he realizes that he's primping for Tea and out of disgust at his own actions uses both hands to mess up his hair again.
A few minutes later, Tea returns to the bedroom. Todd stares at her. She is wearing one of his T-shirts that is oversized on her and falls halfway to her knees. Todd can't help but wonder if she's wearing anything underneath it.]
Tea: So, are we brushing our teeth together or is that too much togetherness for you tonight?
Todd: Uh...sure...yeah...whatever.
[They both enter the bathroom with their toothbrushes. As they're brushing their teeth, Todd tries to sneak glances at her lower body to figure out if she's wearing anything besides the T-shirt. Tea notices.]
Todd: I think I have half a box of popcorn still stuck in my teeth. You got any floss?
Tea: You should know. You went through my purse.
Todd: I was looking for a breath mint.
Tea: I thought you were looking for gum?
Todd: I was looking for gum to freshen my breath.
Tea (not believing him): Right.
[Tea goes back into the other room and brings back her dental floss.]
Todd: You might want to step back while I do this. Otherwise, you might get hit.
Tea: I'll be in the other room.
Todd: By the way, the same advice goes for when I'm cutting my toe nails.
Tea: I'll keep that in mind.
Todd: Luckily, that only happens twice a year.
Tea: Well, then maybe it's not such a bad thing that you wear your shoes to bed.
[Tea leaves the bathroom. A few minutes later, Todd joins her in the bedroom. He finds her sitting in a chair with her legs crossed and the shirt she's wearing still giving no clue as to whether it's the only thing she's wearing.]
Tea: You want to watch something on television for a while?
Todd: Sure. Hand me the remote.
Tea: That's okay. I don't mind pushing the buttons.
Todd: Well, I mind.
Tea: You're not going to tell me that control of the remote is a guy thing, are you?
Todd: Well, clearly I don't have to because you already know that.
[Todd approaches Tea and holds his hand out demanding the remote control. Tea tries to slide it between herself and the side of the chair she's sitting in. Todd reaches for it. Tea doesn't try to block his hand's exploration. As he retrieves the remote, Tea clearly feels his hand run along her side from her waist to her thigh.
As Todd straightens up, he notices a glint in her eyes. He angrily tosses the remote onto a nearby table.]
Todd: Forget it.
[As he walks passed the television, he shuts it off. He also quickly turns off all of the light in the room.
Several minutes later...]
Tea: I'm sorry.
[Tea waits for a moment but Todd doesn't respond.]
Tea: I really am, Todd. I knew that you wanted to know. I knew that you were uncomfortable. So, I gave you the chance to find out. I enjoyed it, Todd, if that helps at all. I know it doesn't but I really did enjoy it.
Todd: You going to put something decent on before coming to bed?
Tea: I am wearing something decent. I'm wearing underwear.
Todd: I thought you bought shorts. Can't you wear those?
Tea: They're in the car. I had every intention of wearing more than this but when I took our bag into the bathroom there wasn't much to choose from.
Todd: That bag is stuffed with clothes.
Tea: But some of it I wouldn't be able to sleep in.
Todd: You can sleep in pants. I do.
Tea: I prefer not to.
Todd: Since when?
Tea: Since I don't feel like it.
Todd: Tea...
Tea: Todd, it doesn't mean anything. It doesn't have to, anyway. It just means that I'd be more comfortable sleeping like this. I don't really know what the problem is anyway. You sleep on top of the covers while I'm under them. There won't be any contact between our lower bodies that doesn't include at least one layer of blankets. Why does it matter to you what I'm wearing under there?
Todd: Because, it does.
Tea: Why?
Todd: Because...I'll know about it. You expect me to sleep knowing that?
Tea: Would knowing how I'm dressed make it hard? Uh, hard to sleep, that is.
[Todd suddenly gets off the bed and quickly leaves their hotel room.]
chapter 35:
[Tea continues to sit in the same chair she was in when Todd so suddenly left.
For some reason, she expects him to return. She realizes that it's a rare expectation for her. Normally, she's certain she's been abandoned again until she sees the person who left actually return but this time something makes her feel safe that Todd will return.
Maybe he'll wait until she's asleep...until he feels it's safe...until he's certain that she won't be awake to flirt with him anymore...but he will return. This time she knows that he will.
In the hallway, Todd realizes that he forgot the room key when he left the room a few minutes earlier. He pounds on the door, hoping Tea hasn't had enough time to get all weepy on him yet.
Tea slowly walks to the door, knowing it's Todd.]
Tea: Who is it?
Todd: You know who the hell it is. Now, open up.
Tea: Todd? Is that you?
Todd: Open the damn door, Delgado.
Tea (opening the door): Well, it must be you. No one else sweet talks me the way you do.
[Todd ignores Tea and walks passed her, into the room. He turns on a light and drops the bag in his hand on the bed. He rummages through the contents for a moment and finally tosses a pair of his boxer shorts on the bed.]
Todd: There you go. Now you don't have to sleep naked.
Tea: I wasn't planning on it to begin with. Although, now that you bring up the idea...
Todd (frustrated): Just put the shorts on and go to bed.
[Tea picks up the shorts. She knows that her shorts, the ones she bought a few days earlier, are in the same bag that Todd just brought in but for some reason he chose for her to wear his shorts. She wonders why but knows not to ask. He might leave again if she does and he certainly wouldn't give her an honest answer to that question, anyway.
Tea sits on the side of the bed and puts the shorts on. Todd watches. Tea notices him watching.]
Todd: So, are we done now? Can we go to bed now?
Tea: I would love to go to bed with you, Todd.
[Todd grumbles. Tea smiles. Tea climbs into bed and gets under the covers. Todd tosses the bag on the floor near their other bag and turns off the light before getting into bed and lying on top of the covers.]
Tea: Todd?
Todd: Oh, great! You're in the mood to chat.
Tea: Conversation can be a good thing.
Todd: Never has been before.
Tea: Oh, really?
Todd: Just tell me what you want, Tea, so we can get some sleep.
Tea: Do you really want to know what I want?
[Todd turns over onto his side, facing away from Tea, prepared to ignore her for the rest of the night.]
Tea: I was just going to suggest that we bring all of our clothes in with us from now on instead of just one bag.
Todd: I never needed more than one bag before you showed up.
Tea: I didn't show up. You came and got me, remember? Now you're not one person anymore...your two...you're a couple instead of an individual.
Todd: I don't need a math lesson.
Tea: How about a relationship lesson?
Todd: I've had plenty of those in my lifetime.
Tea: All relationships don't have to come to an end.
[Todd rolls over to lie on his other side, facing Tea.]
Todd: So, tell me, Tea, how many of your relationships have worked out?
Tea: Well, I was hoping that a certain one might.
Todd (rolling back over): Not a chance.
Tea: Why?
[Todd doesn't respond.]
Tea: Todd, I know that you want this to work out, too. If you didn't, you wouldn't be here. You wouldn't put up with me if you didn't genuinely want to be here...to have this relationship last this time. You wouldn't have come back for me. You wouldn't have bothered trying to convince me to come with you. You wouldn't still be here even though you think it will end in a couple of weeks.
Todd: A couple weeks, huh? Is that how long before...
Tea: It doesn't matter when.
Todd (speaking softly): Yeah, it does.
Tea: Todd, I already told you that I'll tell you when that happens or if it doesn't happen. The chances are, though, that it will. I was careful.
Todd: Not careful enough.
Tea: When it does happen, you won't have that excuse anymore for leaving me. Maybe you should start thinking of a new one now. Not that you really need a reason, do you?
Todd: I always had good reasons before.
Tea: Yeah, like the time you threw me out because I wanted to have a client other than you.
Todd: You went to work for the enemy. You chose him over me.
Tea: I did not choose Bo over you. I simply wanted to work on a major murder case.
Todd: Yeah, one that your client was trying to pin on me.
Tea: I didn't know that at the time.
Todd: Well, you should have listened to me.
Tea: I did. I left when you told me to get out.
Todd: You walked out on me...like you always do.
Tea: Because you threw me out...like you always do.
[They're both quiet for several minutes.]
Tea: Todd?
Todd: Tea, haven't you figured out yet that if we talk we're gonna fight?
Tea: We don't have to fight. We don't have to even talk, in fact.
Todd: Good. Shut up and go to sleep.
Tea: We could communicate a different way.
Todd: Fine. Communicate to me that you're asleep by snoring.
[Tea turns on her side, with her back towards Todd. Several minutes pass.]
Tea: Do I really snore?
Todd: Yes.
Tea: I mean, seriously, do I?
Todd: Seriously...yes, you do.
[Several more minutes pass. Todd rolls back over to face Tea again.]
Todd: Okay. Fine. It's not that bad.
Tea: I could get one of those things to put on my nose if I'm disturbing you so much.
Todd: You don't disturb me.
Tea: What was it you said that one time...I shook the building?
Todd: I was kidding.
Tea: That should have been a romantic evening. Your proposal was very romantic. I guess I was naive to think that the romance could last longer than two minutes.
Todd: Hey, two minutes is a major accomplishment for me.
Tea: Well, congratulations for lasting two minutes, Todd. I, however, need longer.
Todd: Three minutes?
[This time Tea is the one who chooses to remain silent.]
Todd: It's not really that bad...the snoring, I mean.
Tea: But I do snore?
Todd: It really isn't that bad, Tea. It's not like that irritating kind. It's kind of...uh... Never mind.
[Tea rolls back over so they're facing each other.]
Tea: What kind is it? Tell me. I want to know.
Todd: I don't want to tell you.
Tea: Because it is really bad, right? You just don't want to hurt my feelings, is that it?
Todd: When have you ever known me to keep my mouth shut because of that?
Tea: True...painfully true.
[Several more minutes pass silently.]
Tea: Come on, tell me. Whatever it is, maybe I won't even remember in the morning.
Todd: This you would remember. You'd never let me forget I said it.
Tea: Now I won't let you rest until you tell me.
Todd: That's no threat. I don't sleep anyway.
Tea: Just tell me.
[Tea is surprised when Todd reaches his hand out and begins stroking the side of her face. She closes her eyes, enjoying the sensation. As Todd speaks in a whisper she can tell his face is extremely close to hers.]
Todd: It's kind of cute.
[Tea, distracted by the nearness of his face to hers and his hand gently caressing her skin, forgets what they were talking about.]
Tea: What is?
Todd: Your snoring.
Tea: Really?
Todd: Yeah. Now, can we never talk about this again?
[A few seconds later...]
Tea: How is it cute?
[Todd pulls his hand away and faces away from her again.]
Tea: I'm curious.
Todd: Just go to sleep.
Tea: Because you want to hear me snoring...cutely?
[Todd grumbles. Tea smiles. She closes her eyes and eventually falls asleep. Todd listens to her until he falls asleep himself.]
to be continued...
