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| ANOTHER JOURNEY BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 71 - 75 |
Todd: You're not going to jump me again, are you?
Tea: I'll keep my legs to myself, I promise.
[Tea's hand lands lightly on his stomach as she snuggles closer to him. It doesn't take her long to fall asleep. As soon as he knows that she's asleep, his hand gently takes hold of hers. He leans his head against hers and closes his eyes. He eventually falls asleep.]
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chapter 71
[The next morning...
Tea awakens slowly, her dream of being held by Todd and her reality of lying pressed against him melding together as she awakens. As she moves closer to wakefulness, she realizes that no arms are holding her like in her dream but someone is holding her hand. Her mind searches for information as she becomes more and more conscious of her true surroundings as her dream world fades further away.
Tea knows that she's pressed against someone. She wants it to be Todd but she cautions herself not to trust that fantasy. She's awaken too many times from too many dreams only to have that expectation painfully dashed.
She cuddles closer to him, her face pressing into his neck. She breathes in his intoxicating scent...it's definitely Todd. A wide smile forms on Tea's face, knowing that she's lying against Todd, her hand in his.
Her mind begins to replay the previous night for her...the kissing...the touching...the promise of more the next night...tonight...
Tea controls a moan that almost escapes at the thought of what Todd might do to her tonight and what she hopes he'll allow her to do to him.
As Tea opens her eyes, the first thing she sees is his hand wrapped securely around hers. She doesn't remember him taking her hand the night before but she's thrilled that he's holding it now.
From the steady rhythm of Todd's breathing she's almost certain that he's still asleep. Realizing that he didn't react at all when she snuggled closer to him a moment earlier confirms it for her.
Slowly, hoping not to wake him, she moves her head away from his shoulder. What she sees makes her smile even more.
Todd has his head leaning back against the bed behind him, his head turned slightly toward her, his lips parted. Tea can't help but think how cute his face is from this angle.
Tea wonders what time it is. She looks down toward their hands clasped together again and slowly moves her hand so she can position Todd's wrist at just the right angle to read his watch.
When she realizes how late it is, she's disappointed. She doesn't want to wake him and she doesn't want this physical closeness with him to end so soon.
She gently places her head back against his shoulder and closes her eyes, trying to soak in more of the peaceful feeling she currently feels, knowing that another day of dealing with Todd is about to begin. She wouldn't have it any other way, though, no matter how frustrating he can sometimes be. She knows that he finds her frustrating, too. She hopes that he enjoys the struggle with her as much as she does with him.
Too soon, she knows she has to wake him. She's not certain what the best way is. She recalls during their first marriage when he held her hand all night long. She woke him up when she tried to end their hand holding in the morning. She decides to try that method first since she's fairly certain that her other idea of kissing him awake would not be his preferred method of awakening.
Tea tests him by moving her hand slightly. His hand stays locked on hers and Todd remains asleep. She tries moving it more sharply. He just squeezes her hand tighter and keeps it pressed to his stomach. Finally, she jerks it harshly, breaking the grasp he has on her hand. His hand instantly knows where hers is and captures it again. Finally, he's awake.]
Todd (groggily): What's going on? Where the hell are we?
Tea: South Dakota. Remember?
[Todd looks at Tea. For a moment she wonders if he's surprised to see her. Maybe he was in the middle of a dream that didn't include her so he wasn't expecting her presence.]
Todd: I know that. What the hell are we doing on the floor?
Tea: We moved off the bed last night. Remember, you didn't trust me on the bed anymore while we were...
Todd (interrupting): Yeah. Okay. I got it now. Was I sleeping?
Tea: I think that's what you were doing?
Todd: Was I saying stuff?
Tea: Not that I heard.
Todd: You don't have to lie to me. You can tell me straight.
Tea: I just woke up myself, Todd. But, since I've been awake I haven't heard you say anything until just now when you woke up.
Todd: Okay.
Tea: It's getting late. We have to check out soon.
Todd: It can't be that late.
[Todd looks at his watch, shocked that he slept so long. He also realizes that his hand is still tightly holding Tea's hand. He remembers taking hold of it the night before after Tea fell asleep. He thought he'd be awake before her and she wouldn't have to know anything about it. He ignores it, though, knowing that she wouldn't be upset about it and realizing that since she likes holding hands so much it might actually make her easier to deal with...at least for an hour or two.]
Todd: You want to use the bathroom first?
Tea: No. You go ahead.
Todd: You sure?
Tea: I'm certain.
Todd: Is something wrong?
Tea: What could be wrong, Todd? I woke up in my favorite place.
Todd: South Dakota?
Tea: Next to you...my hand in yours...
Todd: Don't start this right away, Tea.
Tea: I'm not starting anything. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed waking up with you. It felt right...perfect.
Todd: It's gonna be a rotten day.
Tea: It's going to be a brilliantly beautiful day.
Todd: It just got worse.
Tea: Go and use the bathroom, Todd, and in a few minutes we'll be on our way to our next hotel room.
Todd: Is that what this is all about?
Tea: I'm looking forward to tonight and to the fulfillment of your promise.
Todd: I don't remember any promise.
Tea: Oh, yes, you do. And, I'm holding you to it. You can't get out of this one, mister.
Todd: You keep bugging me about it and I'll have a headache.
Tea: Then I'll have to give you a massage to relax you.
Todd: So, I'm stuck no matter what.
Tea: Todd, you know, this conversation would be over if you got up and used the bathroom.
Todd: Every step I took would be a step closer to...
Tea: Ecstasy?
Todd: This is going to be the day from hell.
Tea: That's not how you'll feel this evening. You'll see. You'll enjoy it as much as you did last night.
Todd: Did I enjoy that?
Tea: Do you really want me to answer that? I could give examples?
Todd: Forget it. I'm using the john.
[Todd finally lets go of Tea's hand and stands up, stretching out his body on the way to the bathroom. After he's safely behind the closed bathroom door, Tea starts the slow process of getting up herself.
She had felt emotionally great waking up next to Todd but physically she knew her body was not as happy with the sleeping arrangements. After so many days of sitting for so many hours in the car while they drove from state to state and now spending the night on the floor in an awkward position, her back and a few other parts of her body aren't feeling too great.
A few minutes later, Todd exits the bathroom and finds Tea leaning against a dresser doing some stretches that from Todd's vantage point appear very provocative. Heck, Tea brushing her teeth is provocative to Todd. Anything and everything about her is exciting to him after having been away from her for so long and spending so much of that time fantasizing about her.
When Tea realizes that she has an audience she stops what she's doing.]
Tea: Are you done in there?
Todd: Uh...yeah.
[Tea starts to walk toward the bathroom, picking up one of their clothing bags on the way.]
Todd: Tea?
Tea (turning back toward him): Yes?
Todd: Are you okay?
Tea: Just a little sore. I don't mind if we...uh...enjoy...ourselves on the floor but maybe from now on we should sleep on the bed.
Todd: Okay. Do you need anything?
Tea: Like a masseuse?
Todd: Some stranger touching you?
Tea: If they know what they're doing...
Todd (angrily): No way are you getting naked for some strange guy who wants to fulfill his sleazy fantasies by rubbing his hands all over you. I won't allow it.
Tea: What's wrong with you? You never objected to my visiting a masseuse when we were married.
Todd: You were doing that when we were married? How many of these guys did you have on the side? Tell me. How many more guys were there that you were cheating on me with? Well?
Tea: I'm going to go into that bathroom, take care of what I need to take care of, change my clothes, brush my teeth and then we are leaving here and we will not be having this discussion anymore.
Todd (yelling): Like hell we won't. You answer me right now. How the hell many were there?
Tea (angrily): Hundreds, Todd. I had a different guy every night and sometimes I even found the time to get a good boinking in before breakfast. Is that what you wanted to hear? Because, I have a feeling that you're not interested in actually listening to the truth. It's too rational for you.
[Tea enters the bathroom and slams the door shut. Todd stands in the bedroom completely stunned, not understanding what just happened.]
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chapter 72
[After finishing in the bathroom, Tea returns to the bedroom. Todd storms passed her and enters the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. He uses his time in the bathroom to brush his teeth and change his clothing but mostly he just returned to the bathroom because he wanted his opportunity to slam the door. He didn't want Tea to have the satisfaction of the last door slam.
Several minutes later, they're back on the road again, neither having spoken to the other since Tea slammed her way into the bathroom earlier.
Their tempers continue to simmer during the quiet drive.
Hours later, Todd pulls into the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. They order their food separately, pay for it separately, dine at separate tables in separate parts of the restaurant, each facing away from the other.
While they eat they both fume internally, knowing that the other person expects them to be the one to apologize for their current fight. Each is determined not to give in to the other.
Tea finishes her meal first and exits the restaurant, purposely walking by the table Todd is eating at so he'll know that she'll be outside waiting for him.
Todd slowly eats the rest of his meal and waits until the last of his beverage is gone before using the rest room and taking great care, and time, washing his hands.
When he finally makes it out to the car, Tea isn't there. He starts to panic, concerned that she may have been kidnapped or maybe she was so ticked off at him that she left him...again.
A moment later, Todd is still standing in front of his car, envisioning the burly guy that he's certain picked Tea up in his truck and sped down the road to do disgusting things to her.
Not knowing the drama unfolding in Todd's mind, Tea casually walks passed him, unlocks the passenger side of the car with her key and gets in.
Todd's fear for her safety eliminated by her presence allows his anger to return. He enters the driver side of the car and slams the door.]
Todd: Where the hell were you?
Tea: The bathroom.
Todd: No, you weren't. You came right out here. I saw you.
Tea: When I noticed through the window that you were walking towards the bathrooms, I thought that I probably should visit one myself. I don't know when you may choose to stop again.
[Todd starts the car and quickly pulls out of the parking lot.]
Todd: I'd stop if you really needed to.
Tea: And, offer me the use of a bush by the side of the road again. No thank you.
Todd: You said it was urgent.
Tea: Not that urgent.
Todd: Well, it worked for me.
Tea: Your requirements are different than mine.
Todd: So, I guess you're speaking to me again?
Tea: Me? You were the one who was subjecting me to your silent treatment this whole time today.
Todd: Me? No way. This is all your fault. Besides, you still haven't apologized to me.
Tea: For what?
Todd: For letting those guys put their hands all over you.
Tea: That was their job, Todd. The only way they can give you a massage is if they touch you.
Todd: You didn't have to let strangers touch you while you were naked.
Tea: If I had asked really nicely, you would have given me a massage?
Todd: Now you'll never know.
Tea: So, you'll give me one tonight?
Todd: That wasn't asking nicely.
Tea: Are you actually jealous that I had a few massages? You know, they helped a lot after I was defenestrated.
Todd: So, it was just a medical thing?
Tea: No. I had massages before that too, on occasion. They can be very relaxing.
Todd: For you maybe.
Tea: What about Bambi?
Todd: Who the hell is Bambi?
Tea: The woman I found straddling you when I walked into the penthouse that one day, remember?
Todd: No.
Tea: It was during the DID fiasco. Now do you remember?
Todd: How could you possibly have questioned my sanity after that?
Tea: Actually, that was one of the reasons I put aside so many of the doubts I had about you having an identity disorder. I couldn't believe you allowed her to climb on top of you.
Todd: Neither can I.
Tea: So, did you do more with Bambi than what I saw?
Todd (shocked): What?
Tea: You're the one insisting that something more was occurring during my massages so I'm wondering, Todd, what exactly did you allow Bambi to do to you? Just what body parts did she massage that day?
Todd: Are you crazy? You think I'd get it on with a bimbo named Bambi?
Tea: Did you?
Todd: Did you?
Tea: Get it on with Bambi?
Todd: No, with those guys.
Tea: No, Todd. I only used those men for their massage skills, nothing more.
Todd: Okay.
Tea: That's it? We've been silently fighting all these hours and that's it?
Todd: Sure. If you didn't screw them, you didn't screw them.
Tea: What about you?
Todd: Do you really think that after Starr forced me to watch that film so many thousands of times that I could ever do that kind of stuff with anyone named Bambi?
Tea: Okay.
Todd (mocking her): So, that's it? You put me through hell for all these minutes and that's it?
Tea (not amused): Very funny, Todd.
Todd: So, the fight's over?
Tea: I guess. Now, it's time to make up.
Todd: We already did if you're not ticked at me anymore and I'm not ticked at you.
Tea: I can think of some ways to show that we're not ticked at each other anymore.
Todd: Why bother? We both already know it.
Tea: Do I have to spell this out for you?
Todd: Apparently.
Tea: I want to kiss you.
Todd: While I'm driving?
Tea: We could pull over to the side of the road.
Todd: Or, we could wait until tonight, after we do that dead guys thing.
Tea: Do you have to refer to it that way?
Todd: Well, they are all dead, aren't they?
Tea: Maybe we should...uh...do whatever you have in mind first before going to Mount Rushmore. I don't know if looking at that will be a very good way to get into a romantic mood.
Todd: You want to drive all the way to Nebraska and then come back to look at the dead guys?
Tea: We're spending the night in Nebraska? I thought we would be staying closer to Mount Rushmore.
Todd: We've already spent the night in South Dakota. We need a new state.
Tea: That's a rule now? A new state each night?
Todd: It's worked out that way so far on this trip...well, almost.
Tea: I suppose it has. But, I thought you wanted to go to Mount Rushmore late at night? At the pace we're going, it will still be light out when we get there.
Todd: Right. Maybe we should skip it.
Tea: Either way is fine with me.
Todd: Really?
Tea: If we don't go there then we'll arrive in Nebraska sooner and find a hotel in the first town we come to. Which means that we'll have longer to enjoy ourselves this evening.
Todd: You know, I have always wanted to look at the image of dead guys carved into a hill.
Tea (not believing him): I'm sure you have, Todd.
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chapter 73
[Todd and Tea spend the next couple of hours enjoying their time together while Todd drives them closer to Mount Rushmore. They argue, they laugh, they have moments of silence.]
Todd: Okay, I figured it out.
Tea: What?
Todd: How we'll be doing this.
Tea: I still don't know what you're referring to.
Todd: Well, we want to avoid the crowds of idiots, right?
Tea: You mean tourists?
Todd: Yeah...idiots.
Tea: Well, if we're going there, doesn't that make us tourists and, by your definition, idiots?
Todd: We already know we're idiots.
Tea: We do?
Todd: Yeah. We're stupid enough to try doing this relationship thing again, aren't we? You can't get more idiotic than that.
Tea: Our having feelings for each other makes us idiots?
Todd: I didn't say anything about feelings.
Tea: I thought you did...in your own way.
Todd: Read whatever meaning into my words you want.
Tea: Trust me, I will.
Todd: Do you want to hear the plan, or not?
Tea: Do I have any say in this plan?
Todd: No.
Tea: I think I will.
Todd: Think whatever you want...we're doing things my way.
Tea: What way is that?
Todd: We're going to stop driving soon.
Tea: I thought you didn't want to spend the night in South Dakota? I thought we were going to Nebraska tonight?
Todd: We are. Would you just listen to my plan without interrupting.
Tea: When have I ever interrupted you while you were speaking?
Todd: Is that supposed to be a joke?
Tea: Just tell me your plan so I can decide whether or not we'll be doing any of it.
Todd: It's already been decided.
Tea: That's what you think. Go ahead and tell me.
Todd: We're doing what I want.
Tea: By the time you tell me your plan we'll be passed Mount Rushmore.
Todd: Well, skipping it might be an even better plan.
Tea: Your plan?
Todd: Okay, here it is. We stop driving, not for the night, just for a few hours.
Tea: So we can do some shopping?
Todd: Have you ever thought that maybe you have an addiction problem, Delgado?
Tea: A shopping addiction?
Todd: Yeah. You never think about anything else.
Tea: Trust me, Todd, I've spent all day so far thinking of something other than shopping. I'll show you when we get to our hotel room.
Todd: It might be late by the time we get there. You'll probably be too exhausted.
Tea: I could always take a nap while you're driving.
Todd: Good. I wouldn't have to put up with your constant flirting anymore. Unless, you start flirting with me in your sleep.
Tea: Believe me, what I do to you in my dreams is not flirting. And, what you do to me...mmmm...Todd...
Todd (cringing): I hate this.
Tea (laughing): That's not what you say in my dreams.
[Todd decides to ignore Tea's playfulness and return to their travel discussion.]
Todd: We'll stop in a town before we get to Mount Rushmore. I'll do the laundry. You'll do whatever you want. We'll have a long dinner. By the time we're done with everything and drive the rest of the way there it should be late. There still might be some idiots around but it probably won't be too bad. We'll go there, see the dead guys and quickly leave. We'll hit the road again and head to Nebraska.
Tea: How long does it take to get there?
Todd: Where?
Tea: Nebraska.
Todd: I don't know. Maybe a couple of hours.
Tea: So, it will be late by the time we get there.
Todd: If we need to postpone certain activities, we will.
Tea: The laundry?
Todd: That's necessary. Certain other things aren't.
Tea: I don't know about you but those certain other activities have become very important to me now that I'm doing them with you.
[Surprisingly, Todd doesn't get upset that Tea is continuing to push for some intimate time with him tonight. He detects the sincerity in her voice and responds to it, rather than considering it just another attempt to flirt with him and make him uncomfortable.]
Todd: If we needed to, maybe we could do an abbreviated version of those activities.
Tea: If we wake up early enough, do you think we could possibly squeeze in a little time for some activity before beginning our driving for the day?
Todd: Like the hugging you've put me through on some mornings?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: You want us to squeeze in some squeezing time, is that what you're saying?
Tea: You're a very good squeezer, Todd.
Todd: Yeah?
Tea: Yeah.
Todd: You're just saying that so I'll let you squeeze me in the morning.
Tea: Will you?
Todd: I don't know.
Tea: Will you at least consider it?
Todd: Maybe.
[They continue on in comfortable silence.
Soon, they enter the town that Todd had earlier decided they'd spend some time in before going on to Mount Rushmore.
They drive around for several minutes until they find a laundromat. Todd begins their laundry while Tea does some shopping in a drugstore that's a few stores down from the laundromat.
When Tea finishes her shopping, she puts her purchases in the trunk of the car and enters the laundromat.
As she enters, she finds Todd reading a magazine, surrounded by junk food wrappers.]
Tea: I thought we were dining out.
Todd: I was just having a snack. (referring to the magazine he's reading) Did you know that sloths spend their entire lives hanging from tree limbs and only go down to the ground once a week to...uh...go to the bathroom?
Tea: Really?
Todd: Yeah. Well, they used different words than going to the bathroom but I thought you'd be more comfortable if I said it that way.
Tea: That was very thoughtful of you.
Todd: You know me.
Tea (smiling): Yes, I do.
Todd: So, did you get what you needed to get?
Tea: Whatever I forgot I'll get the next time we go shopping.
Todd: Don't you mean the next time you go shopping?
Tea: We've had fun shopping together, haven't we?
Todd: The clothes should be done soon.
Tea: Good. I'm hungry. Unlike you, I haven't been sitting here all this time eating.
Todd: You could have been but your shopping addiction was more important to you.
Tea: Shopping is not my addiction, Todd.
Todd: What is?
Tea: You.
[Todd groans, tosses the magazine down on a nearby table and stands up. To get away from a smiling Tea, he goes to check on their laundry.]
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chapter 74
[After finishing their laundry, they drive around until they find a restaurant they both agree on. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Tea chooses to eat modestly. Todd doesn't. He heaps food onto his plate and goes back several times for refills.
Tea is amazed as she watches him shove massive quantities of food into his mouth.
As Todd is about to go back for more, she finally stops him.]
Tea: Todd, don't you think you've had enough?
Todd: No.
Tea: I think you have.
Todd: It's all-you-can-eat.
Tea: That's not meant to be a challenge, Todd.
Todd: Hey, I'm just trying to keep us here for a while. We don't want to go too early, remember?
Tea: I don't want you to end up in the hospital tonight, okay?
Todd: I'm fine.
Tea: Let's just go.
Todd: But we haven't even hit the dessert bar yet. You must be hungry by now. You've just been sitting here for the last hour watching me eat.
Tea: Believe me, just watching you was enough to eliminate my hunger. Besides, I did eat earlier...when we first got here.
Todd: Come on, do dessert with me.
Tea: I'm fine.
Todd: Whatever. I'm going in.
[Tea waits impatiently as Todd heads for the dessert area. He takes his time carefully mixing different desserts together on the same plate. He combines brownies, slices of pie, slices of fresh fruit and a few other things, tops them with heaps of ice cream and finally smothers it all in chocolate sauce.
When he finally arrives back at their table he places his large dessert creation on the table, directly in front of Tea.]
Tea: You're joking, right?
Todd: Nope. Dig in.
Tea: What's in there?
Todd: A little of everything they had.
Tea: Todd, you do realize they have smaller bowls and plates for dessert, don't you? You're not supposed to use a large dinner plate like this.
Todd: No one said I couldn't. Come on, start eating.
Tea: You expect me to eat this?
Todd: Yeah.
Tea: The whole thing?
Todd: You were talking about wanting a challenge last night.
Tea: Well, I don't want this one.
Todd: I could help you out with it, if you want.
[Tea continues to eye his concoction with suspicion, not knowing what precisely he included.]
Tea: You first.
Todd: You're scared of a little dessert?
Tea: Little?
Todd: Fine. I'll go first but I won't be stopping so you better dive in or you'll miss all the good stuff.
Tea: I think I'm willing to take that chance.
[Todd licks the remnants of what he was eating earlier from his spoon and digs it into the dessert.]
Tea: Didn't you bring any clean spoons?
Todd (with his mouth full of his first bite): Nope. Lick your spoon and dive in.
Tea: I'll just go and get a clean one.
Todd: No way. This will all be gone by the time you get back.
Tea: I'll be right back.
[As Tea is removing herself from their booth, Todd speaks to her again but his voice is noticeably lower.]
Todd: Tea?
Tea: Yes?
Todd (gesturing to the seat next to him): Sit down.
Tea: I would love to sit next to you, Todd. Just let me get a clean spoon first.
Todd: Sit down. I can't say this when you're all the way over there.
[Tea seats herself next to Todd.]
Todd: Tea?
Tea: Yes?
[Todd wipes his mouth on a napkin before leaning toward her and whispering into her ear.]
Todd: You've put your tongue in my mouth...
[He reaches across the table to where Tea was sitting earlier and picks up her spoon. As he holds it out to her, he speaks again but now his voice is at a regular volume.]
Todd: I think you can put your used spoon in my food.
[Tea uses a napkin to wipe her spoon clean which makes Todd laugh as he returns to devouring the food in front of him. Tea cautiously places her spoon into the dessert and brings it to her mouth, not knowing what to expect.]
Todd (speaking with his mouth full): It's good, huh?
Tea (not as certain as he is): Oh, yeah.
Todd: Does it need whipped cream, or something?
Tea: Trust me, Todd. This needs nothing more.
[Todd tries in the area that Tea ate from and is disgusted.]
Todd: What is that?
Tea: I think it's rhubarb.
Todd: Well, it's gross. Here try over here where the good stuff is.
Tea: I think I've had enough.
Todd: Come on, just try it. I swear it's good. It's got tons of chocolate. You like chocolate, right?
Tea: Okay. You can give me a little taste.
Todd: Get it yourself.
Tea: But, your spoon's right there.
Todd: You want me to feed you?
Tea: If you want me to eat anymore of that.
Todd: We're in public, Delgado.
[Tea leans toward him, gently moves his hair out of the way with her hand and whispers in his ear.]
Tea: I'm not asking you to put your tongue in my mouth, Todd.
[Tea pauses for a moment, enjoying her physical closeness to Todd.]
Tea: I'll ask for that later.
[Todd freezes. He's trapped in the booth since Tea is blocking his only way out. Unless...]
Todd: You trying to see how fast I can jump over this table?
Tea: I'm being honest with you. Isn't that what you want?
Todd: No.
[Tea's hand begins rubbing the back of his neck.]
Todd: Delgado...
Tea: You seem stiff, Todd. I could help you relax.
[When Tea's hand lands on his leg, Todd tries to stand up, despite the table that's in his way.
Tea removes her hands from his body.]
Tea: You don't have to go over the table. Relax. I thought you'd enjoy yourself.
Todd (whispering): In public?
Tea: Let's find a private place...like the car.
Todd: You want to do that...in the car?
Tea: I want to get back on the road.
Todd: Wait. You did that just so I'd want to leave?
Tea: I thought that either you would have decided to stay here and enjoy yourself or we would have moved on with our evening.
Todd: I guess we can go but you have to try this first.
Tea: I already tried it.
Todd: That part was disgusting but this part is actually good.
[Tea watches in amazement as Todd sticks his spoon back into the desert. He holds the spoon out toward her. She leans forward and places her mouth around his spoon.]
Todd: Well?
Tea (surprised): That's actually really good, Todd.
Todd: You want some more?
Tea: I don't know.
[Todd takes another spoonful and holds it out toward her again. She leans toward it and opens her mouth. At the last second, Todd pulls the spoon away and quickly places it in his own mouth.]
Tea (smiling): Don't tempt me to try sharing that with you, Todd.
Todd: You wouldn't dare.
Tea: If you tease me, I might.
Todd: Okay. I won't tease you this time, I promise.
[Todd dips his spoon in again, bringing out a large amount of ice cream. He again holds the spoon out for her.]
Tea: It's too much. I'll get a headache.
Todd: You're scared of a little ice cream?
[Tea leans forward but only removes a small portion of the ice cream from his spoon. He quickly places the spoon into his own mouth and eats the rest.]
Todd: You want some more?
Tea: I think I've had enough.
Todd: Okay. I guess it's late enough for us to go now.
Tea: Thank you, Todd.
Todd: For what?
Tea: I'll tell you later...or, maybe I'll show you.
Todd: Whatever.
[They leave the restaurant and return to the road, driving toward Mount Rushmore.]
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chapter 75
[As they drive toward Mount Rushmore, there is some traffic but not enough to irritate Todd too much. He actually seems to be in an almost pleasant mood which surprises Tea.
When they finally arrive at Mount Rushmore, park their car and walk toward the monument, they encounter other tourists who were also trying to escape the crowds by viewing the monument later at night. It's not too crowded, though.
For several minutes Todd stares at Tea while she looks at the monument.]
Tea (looking toward him): Todd?
Todd: What?
Tea: What do you think?
Todd (looking toward the monument): Uh...it's there.
Tea: Do you have any actual thoughts about it?
Todd: It probably costs a lot to light it like that every night.
[Tea looks back at the monument.]
Todd: What do you think of it?
Tea: It's an amazing accomplishment.
Todd: Oh, yeah, I meant to say that, too.
[Tea and Todd are silent for several minutes as Tea continues to look at the monument and Todd goes back to watching her.]
Todd: Tea?
Tea: Did you want to leave?
Todd: We don't have to yet. I was just wondering if you're cold.
Tea: I'm fine.
[A moment later, Tea is startled as Todd places his arms around her from behind.]
Tea: Todd?
Todd: You looked cold.
Tea: That's very thoughtful of you, Todd...to be so concerned.
[Tea's eyes close as she leans against his body, enjoying his embrace. His head rests on her shoulder, his face nuzzling her neck.]
Todd: Are you warm now, Tea?
Tea: I do feel warmth.
Todd: Good.
[For several more minutes they stand in the same spot, each enjoying the other's body against their own. When Todd's lips caress her neck, Tea moans slightly.]
Todd: Delgado?
Tea: Maybe we should go.
Todd: I thought you wanted to be here.
Tea: I'm here. I've seen it. We still have more things to do tonight, don't we?
Todd: Like what?
Tea: You haven't given me my surprise yet.
Todd: Does that need to be an every night thing?
Tea: I think it should be. We should have some traditions...some routines...some...uh...
[Tea stops talking...stops thinking...stops breathing momentarily as Todd's lips make contact with her neck again.]
Todd: Let's go.
Tea: Okay.
[Neither makes any attempt to move or lose contact with the other. For several more minutes they continue to stand there with Todd embracing Tea, oblivious to the people around them.
Finally, Todd speaks.]
Todd: Did you want to stay longer?
Tea: No.
Todd: Then you're gonna have to move to get out of here.
Tea: Couldn't we stay like this while we walk to the car?
Todd: You might trip and hurt yourself.
Tea: I'm willing to risk it.
[Tea is disappointed as Todd's arms loosen around her and disappear. Todd walks off toward their car. Tea quickly follows him.]
Tea: Wait, Todd.
Todd: Why?
Tea: So we can walk together.
Todd: I thought that's what we were doing.
Tea: But you're walking so fast...I'm jogging.
Todd: You said you wanted exercise.
Tea: Fine.
[Tea slows down her walking to a normal pace. She feels certain that whatever amazing thing just happened with Todd is over now. He chose to embrace her. He showed her that he wanted to be close to her...to feel her body against his. Now, she knows that he'll shut down. He'll push her away, scared that he showed her too much, that he expressed too much emotion to her.
Todd continues walking at a quick pace even though he knows that Tea slowed down. He knows that he's putting distance between them, physically and emotionally. He wants that...he needs that, although, he's not entirely certain why it's so necessary since he did enjoy being close to her and wants more of that...more closeness, more contact.
He runs his fingers through his hair. He doesn't know what's wrong with him. He actually hugged her. He wanted to hug her. He needed to hug her, to hold her, to take in her scent, to feel her warmth, her softness, her...
The pace of Todd's walking increases even more as he tries to escape the emotions, thoughts, desires and needs that are taking over his body and mind.
He's finding it impossible to escape Tea's pull on him and he doesn't like it.
When Tea finally catches up to Todd, he's leaning against the car, watching her walk toward him.]
Todd: What took you so long?
Tea: I guess I'm just not as experienced a speed walker as you are.
Todd: Let's get the hell out of here.
Tea: That's fine with me.
[As they are both about to get into the car, Tea suddenly remembers something.]
Tea: Todd, wait. I forgot about the camera.
Todd: What camera?
Tea: The one I bought earlier tonight.
Todd: Why would you buy a camera?
Tea: So we could take pictures.
Todd: Why would we want to do that?
Tea: So we can have a record of our trip. So we can have a physical reminder of moments in our lives that we don't want to forget.
Todd: If you don't want to forget then don't forget.
Tea: Todd...
Todd: We're not wasting anymore time here. Besides, I don't know why you'd want a reminder of this lousy night, anyway.
Tea: Right. It was a dumb idea.
Todd: Yeah, it was. Now, let's go.
[They both are quiet as they enter the car and drive toward Nebraska.]
to be continued...
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