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| ANOTHER JOURNEY BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 111 - 115 |
PREVIOUSLY...
Neither is allowing their doubts or insecurities to invade this moment, though. Later, their minds will try to talk them out of believing that love could ever have a lasting place in their life. Right now, they each are kissing someone who loves kissing them and they have no intention of stopping until their lips, and tongues, are too exhausted to continue.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
chapter 111:
[Hours later, they finally arrive in their destination for the night. Tea is asleep, as she has been for almost an hour. Todd pulls into a parking space at a small gas station/repair shop and shuts off the car. He looks at Tea for a moment and decides not to wake her. He exits the car, leaving an obliviously slumbering Tea slumped in her seat.
Minutes later...
Todd returns to the car and drives away.
Less than a minute later, Tea awakens to the sound of Todd loudly cursing.]
Tea (groggily): Todd?
Todd: Oh, hey, I didn't know you were up. I wasn't swearing at you so don't start swearing at me in Spanish, especially since you haven't taught me any good Spanish swear words yet.
Tea: What were you swearing at?
Todd: Just some idiot that can't drive.
Tea: Where are we?
Todd: Home...for the night, anyway.
Tea: Butt? I mean, Butte?
Todd: And, you criticize me?
Tea: It's because of you that I'll probably never say it correctly again.
Todd: Just be careful who you say it to while we're here.
Tea (with slight sarcasm in her voice): Whatever you say, dear.
[Todd grumbles but doesn't say anything about Tea's using a term of endearment against him.]
Tea: We are staying here tonight, right?
Todd: Yeah.
Tea: So, why have you passed several motels?
Todd: Because, we're not staying at those.
Tea: Why?
Todd: Do you have to question everything?
Tea: Of course not. Why?
Todd: We're going to a hotel that was recommended to me. Okay?
Tea: Recommended by whom? A billboard? An ad on the radio?
Todd: No, by the voices in my head.
Tea: Please, let's not even joke about that.
Todd: If you must know, our mechanic recommended it.
Tea: Our mechanic?
Todd: Yeah, I found one who's gonna work on the car tonight.
Tea: You did?
Todd: Yeah. You were conked out. Did you know that you can sleep through anything? Except you woke up when I started swearing, for some reason.
Tea: It was probably hearing the sound of your voice.
Todd: Right. Well, whatever. We have a mechanic and we're on our way to our hotel.
Tea: What kind of hotel did you ask for?
Todd: One that didn't have bugs since you're such a girl about that kind of thing.
Tea: Seriously, you must have specified something.
Todd: I just asked the mechanic to name one.
Tea: Are we going to have a whirlpool again? I think we could take better advantage of one now than we did the last one.
Todd: Right. We'll turn around and stay in one of those decrepit looking motels.
Tea: Fine, Todd. No whirlpools.
Todd: Good.
Tea: Any bathtub big enough for the both of us will do fine.
Todd: Is this the point where I declare that it's over between us and you jump out of the car at the next stoplight?
Tea: I'm not in the mood right now.
Todd: So, later?
Tea: I'll wait and see what kind of hotel you asked for.
Todd: Every hotel in this town is probably the same.
Tea: Not if we're staying in the best hotel in town.
Todd: I never said that.
Tea: You didn't have to. Your refusal to say anything told me all I needed to know. You're very sweet sometimes, Todd.
Todd: It's a good thing we're not spending the night together.
Tea: I was just teasing. We have big plans for tonight, remember?
Todd: Those were your plans, not mine.
Tea: Well, I think you'll enjoy yourself. I will have my shirt off. Don't you think you'd like that?
Todd: Whatever we do will have to wait until the mechanic finishes with the car.
Tea: You're going to wait there for it?
Todd: Sure. Why not?
Tea: Couldn't they pick the car up and drop it back off when they're done?
Todd: I don't know these people. I'm not gonna trust them with my car.
Tea: It's just a car, Todd.
Todd: But, it's my car. And, this car is probably worth more than their entire shop.
Tea: But, you'll trust them working on the car?
Todd: Their just doing basic stuff.
Tea: Well, maybe I could go with you.
Todd: You want me to bring a chick to a repair shop?
Tea: You think they'll make fun of you, or do a worse job, if they know you have a girlfriend?
Todd: Girlfriend? Are we in junior high? Besides, when I pointed out my car to them a few minutes ago, I told them the chick drooling in the front seat was someone I had just picked up on the interstate.
Tea: Is this really a guy thing or do you just want some time away from me?
Todd: Yes.
Tea: Fine.
Todd: Now you're going to get all pouty, right?
Tea: I don't do pouty. It shouldn't take too long at the mechanics, right?
Todd: Maybe a couple of hours.
Tea: That long?
Todd: They have a lot of stuff to do. We've been driving a lot and we're going through the mountains. We need to make sure the car doesn't conk out on us.
Tea: I guess I could take a long bath tonight. I have been wanting to do that.
Todd: Well, then it's perfect since you certainly don't need me around for that.
Tea: I wouldn't mind if you were there for that. You will be there later, right? We will have our evening together like we planned?
Todd: What was that plan again?
Tea: Well, we'll be making out, of course.
Todd: Oh, of course.
Tea: And, I'll be sleeping in your arms again tonight.
Todd: So, that's it?
Tea: We'll both be shirtless.
Todd: What about...uh...you said before...you know...
Tea: You'll be removing my bra tonight. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. I'm looking forward to it.
Todd: Really?
Tea: Are you?
Todd: You know, I've seen you before.
Tea: But, now you'll be touching me and...
Todd: I touched you earlier, or have you already forgotten?
Tea: I'll never forget that moment, Todd.
Todd: I'll never forget that you tried to ditch me right after it. Maybe we shouldn't go so far tonight. You might not be able to handle it.
Tea: If it's difficult, you'll take care of me, like you did last night.
Todd: You might not remember, but some of last night really stunk.
Tea: But, some of it was...
Todd (interrupting): Oh, darn! We'll have to stop talking about this. We're here.
[As they pull into the parking lot of the hotel they'll be spending the night at, Tea allows Todd to put an end to their conversation...for now.]
chapter 112:
[Minutes later, they enter their hotel suite. It consists of one small room with a television, sofa and mini-bar, and a slightly bigger room with a large bed, along with a small bathroom.]
Todd: They call this a suite? They've got to be kidding.
Tea: It's not the worst we've stayed in.
Todd: If I had asked for the honeymoon suite, I bet we would have mirrors on the ceiling.
Tea: It is not that bad, Todd. It's a little cramped, I'll admit. We are only two people, though. And, we do like to be extremely physically close to each other, don't we?
Todd: Maybe you think this is classy, but...
Tea: Todd, all we really need is a bed, right? That's the most important feature for me. And, look, we even have a sofa we can have fun making out on later. So, relax. This is fine.
Todd: I just...I thought it would be something more. I thought you'd...
Tea: I'm really okay here.
[Tea approaches Todd and lightly touches her hand to his chest.]
Tea: I do think it's sweet that you wanted something more for me. I don't need it, though. I just need you.
Todd: Okay. It's time for me to get out of here.
Tea: You're leaving already? I thought we might have dinner together before you went to the mechanic.
Todd: I'm paying a lot of money for them to do everything right away. I told them I'd be back in a few minutes. I have to go. We'll do all that eating and other stuff later. If you need to, you can eat without me. They have a restaurant downstairs.
Tea: I saw it when we came in. I'll wait, and we'll eat together later, okay?
Todd: You need to eat or stuff happens with your stomach, right?
Tea: Right now, I feel fine. If it starts acting up, I'll eat but otherwise I'll wait for you. I like eating with you.
Todd: There really is something seriously wrong with you.
Tea: Because I like eating with my boyfriend?
Todd: Do you have to keep saying things like that?
Tea: You object to being referred to as my boyfriend? Would you prefer the term lover?
Todd: Your ex-husband...your companion...your significant other... I really hate words. Your Todd is leaving.
Tea (smiling): My Todd? I like the sound of that.
Todd: If you don't stop it, I'll be spending most of the night at a bar.
[Tea leans toward him and kisses him lightly on the lips.]
Tea: I'll see you later. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool so when you get back, if I'm not here, I'll probably be swimming or getting something to eat, okay?
Todd: You're not gonna, you know, wear anything that shows off your stuff are you?
Tea: My stuff?
Todd: You know what I mean.
Tea: You've seen my bathing suit. It doesn't reveal anything.
Todd: That's what you think.
Tea: If you want, I'll wait to go to the pool until you get back and you can come with me and be my bodyguard. There probably would be less people there later anyway.
Todd: Whatever.
[Todd pulls Tea towards him and kisses her deeply for several minutes before silently turning and walking out the door. Tea slumps onto the sofa, feeling too weak to move for several minutes.
When she finally does move again, she takes their bags into the bedroom. A moment later, she enters the bathroom and is disappointed to find there is no bathtub, only a shower.
With the long bath she had hoped for canceled, Tea returns to the other room and considers turning on the television but decides against it.
As she sits on the sofa with nothing to do, she realizes just how dependent she is now for Todd to entertain her. She looks at her watch and realizes she has far too much time, to figure out what to do with, until Todd gets back.
After several minutes of sitting on the sofa and doing nothing but miss Todd, Tea finally determines to do something. She reaches for a nearby phone and calls her grandmother.
They talk about Todd, Tea's feeling for him, his feelings for her, their trip. Tea assures her grandmother that she really is happy with Todd. Her grandmother doesn't understand why Tea cares so deeply about a man like Todd but she is glad to know that Tea is finally allowing herself to feel something for someone.
When Tea finally ends her phone call, she looks at her watch again. Assuming she has plenty of time before Todd's return, she digs through their luggage and finds one of Todd's sweaters balled up in one of their duffel bags and puts it on. She picks up her purse and her room key and heads out to a small shopping complex adjacent to the hotel.
Later...
As Tea is browsing in a small gift shop, she's startled by someone rudely stepping into her personal space. As she glances to her side, she finds Todd standing next to her, eyeing one of the objects she was considering purchasing.]
Todd: You're not getting that. It's ugly.
Tea: Well, it's not for you.
Todd: Well, whoever you give it to is just going to shove it in a closet...(picking the object up and looking more closely at it)...really, really, really far back in the closet.
Tea: How did you even know I was here, Todd?
Todd: I didn't. I came to purchase tons of whatever this junk is because I have this uncontrollable need to buy way too much stuff.
Tea: So, you came to make fun of me?
Todd: Pretty much. When you weren't in the room, I knew you'd be here.
Tea: I didn't think you'd be done yet.
Todd: It's been hours, Tea. But, you probably didn't know that because when you're caught up in an addiction, your sense of time can be really screwed up.
Tea: I am not addicted to shopping. I needed a few things.
Todd: Oh, yeah, I don't know how we've functioned all this time without one of these snow globe things. Or, here you go, magnets. We really need some of those. Or, how about these stamp things. Ooh! I want the one with the bunnies!
Tea: Fine, Todd. We'll leave. I was just browsing in here anyway. I did my necessary shopping at another store.
[As they continue talking, they exit the store and walk back toward their hotel.]
Todd: Define necessary.
Tea: I bought something for you.
Todd: Really? Gimme!
Tea: Are you sure? You don't want to encourage my addiction, do you?
Todd: That depends. What'd you get me?
Tea: Shorts.
Todd: We already discussed this. You're never getting me into water again.
Tea: They're not for swimming.
Todd: Well, I've got a bunch of the other kind. You should know, you've been wearing them.
Tea: These aren't boxer shorts, either. These are regular shorts.
Todd: You expect me to wear them in public?
Tea: Well, you do seem a little less committed to the layered look than you used to be.
Todd: Let me guess. You also got me one of those T-shirts that doesn't have any sleeves and you're actually insane enough to think that I'd go out in public, half-naked like that?
Tea: Hmmm. I like that image, Todd.
Todd: Forget it.
Tea: Maybe I will buy you one of those shirts and you could model the whole outfit for me.
Todd: You know, I was really looking forward to making out with you tonight but now I'm no longer in the mood.
Tea: Well, maybe your mood will improve if I tell you that I wasn't expecting you to wear the shorts in public.
Todd: Then why'd you buy them?
Tea: So, you can wear them to bed. I assume that you wouldn't be comfortable wearing only a pair of the type of shorts you already have because, you know, they have that opening in front. I thought maybe if I bought you a pair that doesn't have that opening you might be willing to at least consider wearing them to bed.
Todd: Okay. I'll consider it.
Tea: Really? You will?
Todd: Sure. I've considered it. It won't be happening.
Tea: Why not?
Todd: I like wearing pants.
Tea: I just thought that it might be nice if our legs could touch.
Todd: They do touch. You're always draping yours all over me, whether I want you to or not.
Tea: I'd like as much contact with your skin as possible.
Todd: Why?
Tea: Because I enjoy it.
Todd: Why?
Tea (frustrated): Fine. Forget I made the suggestion.
Todd: Okay.
[As they enter their hotel, Todd suggests that they have dinner right away. Tea agrees. She enters the restaurant connected to their hotel and assures them a table while Todd returns to their room to drop off the bags of Tea's purchases.
When Todd joins Tea in the restaurant, they have a quiet meal together as neither individual attempts any significant conversation with the other.]
chapter 113:
[After dinner, Todd and Tea return to their hotel suite. They still have barely spoken to each other since their earlier pre-dinner conversation.
Immediately after entering their suite, Todd plops himself down on the sofa and turns on the television, searching for a sporting event, any sporting event, to give his attention to for a while, until he figures out how to handle Tea tonight.
Tea recognizes his desire to avoid her. She has no desire to watch him ignore her so she goes into the bedroom and closes the door.
Todd slouches on the sofa, relieved, yet oddly disappointed, that Tea doesn't seem interested in trying to draw him out right now.
Minutes later...
Tea exits the bedroom, dressed to go to the hotel's indoor pool. Todd pretends to be engrossed in what's on the television screen and refuses to look at her.
Tea stands near the sofa for a moment, realizing that Todd must really be desperate to avoid her right now.]
Tea: I didn't realize you were such a fan of lumberjack competions, Todd.
Todd: It's a sport, I guess. It's on a sports channel, anyway.
Tea: And, I suppose you're so caught up in your program that you wouldn't be interested in going to the pool with me, huh?
[Todd finally looks toward her. She's wearing her swimsuit covered by one of Todd's unbuttoned shirts and has a towel in her hand.]
Todd: Isn't it getting kind of late for that kind of thing?
Tea: The pool doesn't close for another hour. If you hurry you could change into your trunks and join me.
[Todd turns his attention back to the television.]
Todd: I'm kind of caught up in this. I think the big guy's gonna win.
Tea: Right. Well, I'd invite you to come and watch me but you wouldn't find any interest in that, would you? I'll leave the room key here. I hope you'll be here when I get back.
Todd: Sure.
[Tea leaves. Todd goes through the channels again, trying to find something...anything...interesting to watch.
He eventually gives up and turns the television off. He then spends several minutes going through the bags from Tea's earlier shopping expedition. He finds the shorts she had purchased for him. They're not too repulsive. He's relieved that they at least don't have any pictures of cute animals on them.
Meanwhile, at the hotel's indoor pool...
Tea shares the pool area with several other people. All of them are in the whirlpool, though, so Tea has the swimming pool to herself. She swims numerous laps of the pool, trying to relieve as much tension as possible before returning to the frustration of trying to co-habitate with her ex-husband.
While taking a break, Tea observes the other pool area inhabitants leaving. She exits the pool and sinks into the comfort of the whirlpool.
As she tries to relax her body and mind, one of the previous whirlpool occupants returns and gets into the whirlpool with her.]
Man: I hope you don't mind if I join you. We still have a few minutes before the staff tells us to leave.
Tea: Actually, I was planning to leave anyway.
Man: Don't run off because of me. Trust me, I'm harmless. By the way, my name is Bob.
Tea: I have to be getting back to my room.
[Bob places his hand on Tea's arm, trying to encourage her to stay.]
Bob: Are you sure you don't want to stay and get to know me better?
Tea: I'm positive. Get your hand off me.
[Bob removes his hand and smiles at her, enjoying her feistiness.]
Bob: What's your name?
Tea: That's none of your business.
Bob: Come on, baby. You look like you could use some Bob time. Or, should I say, bobbing time. There's something waiting for you under the water right now that I just know you would enjoy bobbing for.
Tea: I'm not interested in your shrivelled...
Bob: You really are a tough one, huh? I like a challenge. Since this place is going to close soon, how about we go back to your room...just to have drinks and talk.
[Under the water, Bob's hand lands on Tea's thigh, squeezing it tightly.]
Tea: I don't think my husband would appreciate that. And if you don't remove your hand immediately I will be screaming...loudly. Trust me, I can be very loud when I want to be.
Bob: I wouldn't mind finding that out while you're screaming with pleasure. And, believe me, I know how to give a woman intense pleasure.
Tea: If you want to please me...leave.
Bob: Come on, I know you're not married. You're not wearing a ring and I don't know any man who would allow his wife to walk around unmarked, let alone send her out swimming alone when she has a body like yours and a suit that shows it off so well.
Tea: I'm not interested so you can save whatever you think your suave lines are. Go to a bar and find someone drunk and desperate because I happen to be neither. Now, get your hands off of me or I will be touching your wee one and you'll be the one screaming...in agony.
Bob: Look, bit...
Todd (suddenly appearing): You have three seconds to make a very important decision.
[Tea is surprised to find Todd squatting at her side, staring menacingly at Bob. She's relieved to see him, even though she knows that she could have handled this jerk by herself.]
Todd: You either remove your hand from her body or I will remove it from your wrist. One...two...
Bob: Who the hell are you?
[Todd reaches over Tea and grabs onto Bob's wrist. His tight grip on Tea's thigh, immediately loosens, as Todd falls into the water while pushing Bob away from Tea.]
Todd: I'm her bodyguard. If you ever touch her body again, I'll kill you.
Bob (to Tea): Is this creep yours?
Tea: Todd, let him go. He's just a pathetic loser who cruises hotel swimming pools. Let's go back to our room and forget about him. We have more important things to do.
Todd (to Bob): You're lucky that I'm about to go back to my room and get lucky or I'd stay here and finish this.
[Tea and Todd climb out of the whirlpool, leaving a stunned Bob all alone and unsatisfied.
Tea and Todd return to their suite. Tea tries to explain the situation to Todd, worried that he may have misunderstood the situation.]
Tea: Todd, I swear, I didn't give him any encouragement.
Todd: Sure, you did. You dressed like that.
Tea: I was wearing a swimsuit at a swimming pool. So, because I'm female, it's my fault if some jerk expects me to help him to get off in the whirlpool?
[Todd stands against the closed door, staring at Tea in her wet bathing suit, making her extremely uncomfortable.]
Tea: Todd, I swear, the only person I have any interest in making out with tonight is you. You're the only person that I want to touch me that way or any way.
[Todd instantly bridges the gap between their bodies and pulls her body tightly against his, while kissing her possessively. Tea feels uncertain about his response but can't control herself from responding to his surprising passion in this moment.
His hand quickly covers her breast through her swimsuit. Tea senses that she should stop this but still finds herself unable to do anything but respond to Todd with her own passionate need for him.
Todd's hand is quickly pulling on the material of her swimsuit and pulls one strap far enough down her arm to expose her breast to his hand. As he feels her flesh against his hand, his mouth suddenly leaves hers and descends on her exposed breast.
As he feels her nipple with his tongue for the first time, he suddenly pulls away from her. He backs up until his body hits the wall behind him.
The look on his face pains Tea. She immediately tries to ease his concerns.]
Tea: It's okay, Todd. I wanted you to do that.
Todd: No.
Tea: Yes, I did.
[Todd turns toward the door.]
Todd: I have to get out of here.
Tea: You don't have to leave. We could stop or slow down...whatever you want. I don't want you to leave.
[Todd turns back toward her. He's relieved that she pulled her suit back up so she's no longer exposed.]
Todd: I can't do this kind of stuff when I feel like this. I can't.
Tea: Todd, you didn't hurt me. You didn't force me. I swear, nothing happened here that I didn't want to happen.
Todd: I promised myself...never with you. I can't touch you like that when I'm angry. I can't. I won't. Never again.
Tea: We don't have to touch anymore. Stay. We could watch TV together. Or, I could go into the bedroom and you could stay out here until you feel calmer. I don't want you to leave me because of this.
Todd: I won't. I'll come back, okay? But, I have to get out of here right now. I'm sorry.
Tea: Don't be. You didn't hurt me. Please, believe that.
Todd: I don't know what to believe. I just know that I have to get out of here.
Tea: Todd, you're all wet and dripping. You have to change into something dry before you go anywhere. I'm going to go and take a shower so you can go ahead and change here. I'll be taking a long shower so you don't have to worry about me interrupting you while you're changing. Okay?
Todd: Fine.
[The lost look on Todd's face breaks Tea's heart. She wants him to stay but she knows that he can't right now. She wants to ease his concerns but she doesn't know how. All she feels she can do right now is allow him the distance that she knows he needs.
Tea turns and goes into the bedroom, quickly grabbing one of their bags and taking it into the bathroom with her.
As Todd listens to the water running from Tea's shower, he rapidly changes into some dry clothing and quickly leaves their suite.]
chapter 114:
[For hours, Tea reclines on the sofa in their hotel suite, with a blanket covering her body, waiting for Todd to return. She drifts slightly into sleep numerous times but never very deep and not for very long.
In the early morning hours, Tea is startled by the sound of the phone ringing. She quickly answers it, even though she knows it's highly unlikely that Todd would call her.]
Tea: Hello?
Todd: Do you remember that advice I gave you about always making sure you had enough cash for bail?
Tea: What happened? Where are you?
Todd: You didn't spend all your cash on those knock-knocks, did you?
Tea: They're knickknacks. And, no I didn't. Tell me where you are and I'll be there as soon as I can.
Todd: The car's in the parking lot, to the left when you walk out the door, several rows down.
Tea: Okay. Where are you?
Todd: I'm in jail. I thought being a lawyer, you'd have figured that out by now.
Tea: Where is the jail? Why are you there? What happened?
Todd: I ran into loverboy in the bar.
Tea: What did you do to him?
Todd: Why do you assume it was me?
Tea: Because, you're the one who needs bail.
Todd: Is it my fault that he tripped?
Tea: When he tripped, did he happen to land face first on your fist?
Todd: Only a few times. The guy's a real klutz. I shouldn't have to pay for that.
Tea: We can talk about this later. Right now, just tell me how to get to you.
[Todd has his arresting officer give Tea directions to the police station.
Within minutes, Tea arrives and finds Todd sitting outside on the curb, waiting for her.
Tea stops the car near him and he gets into the front passenger seat.]
Tea: Did you escape?
Todd: Yeah, Tea, I escaped. I thought I'd just sit out here in front of the police station in plain view, under a big, bright light, because that's the last place they'd look for me.
Tea (realizing it was a stupid question): Well, there is a precedent with you. Why did they release you?
Todd: I'll tell you but could we get the hell out of here first?
Tea: You want me to drive?
Todd: I just want to get out of here as fast as I can before I break out in hives from being around so many cops.
[Tea drives away from the police station and drives back toward their hotel.]
Tea: So, what happened?
Todd: Mr. Horny decided not to press charges.
Tea: Why would he do that if you assaulted him? Assuming that's what happened.
Todd: That's pretty much what happened. He did provoke me, though.
Tea: By being in the same bar?
Todd: You understand.
Tea: Why did he drop the charges?
Todd: One of his brain cells must have finally gotten a clue and realized that if he pressed charges against me, his wife just might find out that he likes to pick up sexy chicks at hotel pools.
Tea: Sexy, huh? He's married? His poor wife.
Todd: I'm sure that's what people felt about you while we were hitched.
Tea: Todd...
Todd (interrupting): If you're about to try convincing me that I'm not scum, just save it. I'm not in the mood.
Tea: Well, you're not scum. And, we should discuss what happened earlier...everything that happened. We can wait, though.
[The next several minutes are quiet as they drive back to their hotel. As they exit the car and are walking toward the hotel, Tea chances speaking again.]
Tea: Are you hungry?
Todd: Are you?
Tea: I wouldn't mind a light snack.
Todd: If you're gonna snack, what's the point of going light?
Tea: Fine. We'll share one of those big hot fudge sundaes I saw people eating while we were having dinner.
Todd: You want to go to the restaurant?
Tea: Where else?
Todd: They have vending machines.
Tea: I think I'd prefer the restaurant.
Todd: Fine.
[Minutes later, they are sitting across from each other, waiting for their sundae.]
Tea: I really didn't expect there to be so many people here.
Todd: There's only, what, three tables with people at them.
Tea: I know, but it's the middle of the night. I thought we'd have the place entirely to ourselves.
Todd: If you had wanted that, we would have gone with my vending machine idea.
Tea: Is that why you suggested that? Because, you wanted to be alone with me?
[Todd looks around the room, choosing not to answer Tea's questions. Tea allows him to avoid answering her...for now.
Soon, their dessert arrives. Todd immediately scoops out a large amount of ice cream and shoves it into his mouth. Tea smiles as she watches him quickly devouring a large amount in a short period of time as she takes small bites herself. The delicious dessert quickly disappears.]
Todd: You want another?
Tea: I think I've had enough.
Todd: You barely ate anything. Did you lose your appetite?
Tea: Well, normally I'm sleeping this time of night so I'm not accustomed to eating much at this hour.
Todd: I'm usually up now, eating whatever I want to. This is normal for me.
Tea: Is this how you spent your nights, all those months we were apart?
Todd: If you're going to turn this into chick talk, I'm ordering another one of these and I'll have them pour booze over it instead of chocolate.
Tea: It's not chick talk. It's a genuine question. It's one you should expect me to want to know the answer to.
Todd: Yeah, well, I know how you spent your nights during our little vacation from each other. Trust me, sometimes knowing stuff isn't such a great idea.
Tea: But, you do know some things about my life during the last fifteen months. I'd like to know something about yours.
Todd: So, we're done here?
Tea: Fine. We'll continue this conversation when we get back to our room.
Todd: No, we won't.
Tea: Was it really that horrible that you don't want me to know where you were or what you were doing?
Todd: Just drop it.
[Tea looks down with a sad expression on her face. Todd assumes he knows what she's thinking. He hates this. He hates conversation. He hates sharing. He hates hurting her.]
Todd: I don't feel like talking right now, okay? It's late. You're tired, right? We shouldn't do this right now.
Tea: So, we will talk about this sometime?
Todd: No... I don't know. I just know that I don't want to do this right now.
Tea: Okay.
Todd: Okay? You're giving up that easily? Are you feeling okay?
Tea: I am tired. Right now, I just want to go up to our room and pass out in your arms.
Todd: That might not be such a great idea tonight.
Tea: We don't have to do anything. We could hold each other, Todd. We could just be together tonight.
Todd: I don't know.
Tea: Consider it, okay? I'll even give you a few extra minutes. I'm going to go and pick up a little something to take with us.
Todd: I thought you weren't hungry?
Tea: I'm not. The chocolate in that sundae, though, seems to have kicked off a major chocolate craving for me. I want to get some brownies, or something. I have a feeling I'm going to desperately need chocolate when I wake up in the morning. I'll be right back.
[Tea stands up. Todd reaches his hand out and gently takes hold of her wrist to keep her from walking away from the table yet.]
Todd: Delgado?
Tea: Did you want me to get you something?
Todd: That's okay. I'll eat your brownies while you're sleeping.
[Todd pauses for a moment, uncertain how to say what's on his mind and unsure if he should say anything.]
Tea: What is it?
[Todd stands up directly in front of her.]
Todd: This craving of yours...
Tea: What about it?
Todd: It's a craving, right?
[It takes Tea several seconds to realize what he's thinking. She had actually forgotten for a little while about any slight possibility that she could be pregnant.]
Tea: It doesn't mean... There are different kinds of cravings that people have for different reasons. And, women can even sometimes have them once a month.
Todd: Are you saying...
Tea: That question is still unanswered. I promise you, when I have the answer, you will, too.
Todd: But, you do have cravings once a month?
Tea: Sometimes. It could also just be that I ate a little chocolate just now and my body is demanding more of it.
Todd: So, you're choosing to continue to put me through hell about this?
Tea: This isn't a choice, Todd. Believe me, if I had control over this, if I could make my body do this on command, it would have happened already. Although, I should warn you, when it does happen, I might be pretty impossible to live with.
Todd: So, you'd be the same as you are now.
Tea: I'm serious, Todd.
Todd: So am I. You're already impossible. If it happens, and you end up being even worse, we'll get separate rooms.
Tea: When it happens, you will be sharing a room with me. You've been waiting for this, and wanting it, so when it happens you'll have to deal with all of the repercussions. We did have separate rooms in the past so I was able to avoid you somewhat during my worst moments. Now, you'll have to deal with every moment of your wife...I mean...uh...
Todd: My Tea?
Tea (smiling): Your Tea... You'll have to deal with every moment of your Tea going through...uh...
Todd: Her monthly girl thing.
Tea: Right. You know, that may be what ends this relationship. I'm not always the most pleasant person to be around during my...monthly girl thing.
Todd: I'm never pleasant. You don't see me blaming it on my body, do you?
Tea: Speaking of your body... I'm going to get those brownies now and we'll go back up to the room.
Todd: If you're thinking of doing something kinky with my body and those brownies...
Tea: I wasn't thinking that...until now.
[Tea gives Todd a flirtatious grin and walks away to order her snacks.]
chapter 115:
[As they return to their hotel suite, Tea immediately heads for the bathroom. Todd sits down on the sofa and turns on the television.
Several minutes later, Tea exits the bathroom. Not finding Todd in the bedroom, she enters the other room of their suite.]
Tea: Todd?
Todd: Is it too loud? I can turn it down even more.
Tea: The volume is fine. Will you be spending the night in here?
Todd: That would probably be a good idea.
[Without saying anything Tea returns to the bedroom. A moment later, she returns with a pillow and a blanket.]
Todd: I don't need that stuff. I don't like that stuff. You should use it.
Tea: I will.
[Todd is surprised as Tea sits next to him, places the pillow in his lap and swingers her body around so her legs are draped over the opposite end of the couch. As Tea settles her head on the pillow in his lap, he stares down at her. Tea pulls the blanket over herself and looks up at him.]
Todd: Are you comfy?
Tea: Very.
Todd: What the hell do you think you're doing, Delgado?
Tea: I'm sleeping with you.
Todd: You're nuts. Get off of me.
Tea: Is that what you really want? I will if you tell me that you genuinely do not want me to spend the night here with you.
Todd: You'll wake up with a sore back again.
Tea: Is that an offer for a massage?
Todd: That wouldn't be a good idea either.
Tea: Why?
Todd: That involves touching.
Tea: I like the way you touch me.
Todd: Did you like it earlier?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: Can't you ever tell me the truth?
Tea: I knew that there was a problem. I could sense that. I did want it, though. That's why I couldn't stop it. I wanted it too much to stop it even though I knew it wasn't right for you in that moment.
Todd: What about you?
Tea: What about me?
Todd: Was it right for you?
Tea: I don't know.
Todd: But, you were okay with it?
Tea: It was a wrong moment but it wasn't a wrong action.
Todd: Maybe it was.
Tea: Was that something you had been wanting to do?
[Todd looks toward the television, uncertain how to answer Tea's question.]
Tea: Had you ever thought about doing that with me before?
[Todd continues staring at the television in front of him, unable to look at her eyes right now.]
Todd: You're a girl. I'm a guy.
Tea: Was it just because I'm a girl?
Todd: What other reason is there?
Tea: Was it just because I was female and in front of you in that moment? Or, was it because it was me?
[Todd pauses before answering.]
Todd: I don't know. I don't know what was going on inside me. I see this creep with his hands on you. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted...
Tea: Did you want to hurt me?
[Todd looks down at her again.]
Todd: Did I?
Tea: No. Did you want to?
Todd: I don't think so. It's all kind of confused. The way I learned about this stuff, chicks belong to their guys. Guys can do whatever they want, with whoever they want, but chicks can't even look at another guy. And, if another guy comes after your woman you make him pay and then you make her pay.
Tea: Even if she had no intention of having anything to do with that other guy?
Todd: Yeah. You make her pay no matter what because it's her fault even if she didn't start it. She must have done something. If you make her pay then she'll know not to do it again.
Tea: That's what your father taught you?
Todd: Yeah.
Tea: Do you believe that? Do you think that I should pay because some creep was hitting on me? Do you think I did something to encourage him?
Todd: No.
Tea: What were you thinking earlier when you kissed me...when you touched me?
Todd: I don't know. I was ticked off.
Tea: At me?
Todd: I knew it was the creep's fault.
Tea: Did you blame me anyway?
[Todd returns his attention to the television.]
Tea: Did you?
Todd: Yeah, some, I guess.
Tea: What else were you thinking?
Todd: I was thinking that you were wearing a bathing suit. I was thinking that it was wet...that your body was wet. I was thinking that your hair was dripping. I was thinking that I could do stuff.
Tea: What stuff?
[Tea notices as Todd's expression changes as he looks down at her again.]
Todd: You hungry? You want some of that chocolate stuff you got?
Tea: No. I want to know what you were thinking. I want to know what you were feeling. I want to know what you're thinking and feeling right now.
Todd: Why?
Tea: Because it matters.
Todd: No.
Tea: It does...to me.
Todd: Were you scared?
Tea: Of you? Or, the creep?
Todd: That creep wasn't worth being scared over. I knew you could handle him.
Tea: Then why did you come to my rescue?
Todd: I didn't.
Tea: Yes, you did.
Todd: No. I got rid of a jerk who was trying to get my...whatever...to jerk him off, or blow him, or screw him, or whatever the hell he was offering.
Tea: So, you were protecting your property?
Todd: I don't own you. I know that. You'll screw whoever the hell you want to. You've made that clear.
Tea: Why did you step in? If you thought I could handle it myself, why did you involve yourself?
Todd: Fine. Next time I won't.
Tea: I'm not saying that and I hope you know that.
Todd: What exactly are you saying? What the hell is this whole conversation about?
Tea: I think it's about the fact that you thought that if you didn't put a stop to it, I would have gone ahead and screwed him right there in the whirlpool. Because, that's how you think of me. Isn't it?
to be continued...
