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| ANOTHER JOURNEY BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 146 - 150 |
PREVIOUSLY...
Tea: What's wrong?
Todd: Nothing.
[Tea opens her eyes and sees his face so near to hers. She smiles for a moment but it quickly fades as she recalls the earlier events of the evening.]
Tea: Are you leaving now?
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chapter 146:
[Todd feels a painful sensation in his chest at hearing the sadness in her voice and seeing the hurt in her eyes.
Todd decides to do something that normally in this situation he wouldn't do...he decides to tell the truth. She doesn't know about his nightmare. He could keep it from her. But, for some odd reason, he wants her to know. He wants to share it with her. It must be the beers he had earlier, or maybe he has an odd form of food poisoning, because he actually wants her to know how much he needs her right now.]
Todd: I didn't wake you up so I could ditch you, Tea.
Tea: Then why did you? I may be half-asleep but I can assure you that I remember the end of our evening together. If you think you're going to get a little something, sexually speaking, from me just so you can fall asleep more easily, you can forget it. I'm in no mood to do anything with you. Not after...
Todd (interrupting): Shut up, okay?
[Todd pauses for a moment. His words came out more angrily than he had wanted. He is angry...at himself...at his nightmares...at his pathetic life that just had to bring Tea to him, knowing that he'd never be able to give her the happiness that she needs and knowing that it would eat away at him like acid inside his heart every time he saw pain in her eyes caused by him.
Todd is startled when Tea reaches out her hand and touches his cheek. His hand left her cheek when she started yelling at him. Now, she's the one touching him. She's trying to comfort him like she's tried so many times before. She doesn't even know what's wrong but she wants to comfort him. She wants to know why his eyes show her so much agony right now. She wants to know, to comfort him, to love him, even though she's angry at him. He looks at her, amazed by her, like he always is.]
Tea: What is it, Todd? You can tell me.
Todd: Yeah?
Tea (smiling): Yeah.
Todd: Never mind. Go back to sleep.
Tea: Todd...
Todd: I had a nightmare.
[They both are surprised that he admitted it so easily. Even though he knew that he wanted to tell her, he thought, as she did, that it would take many more minutes of her trying and him stalling before he finally revealed his reason for waking her.
Tea only hesitates for a moment before she slides over on the bed.]
Todd: Okay, I get it. You weren't even there and you're repulsed.
Tea: No...
Todd: Or, you're scared that I'll hurt you like I did that time when you tried to wake me up during that nightmare, during our first marriage. You know, that was a really stupid thing to do. You should have known not to get near me. You never should have gotten anywhere near me.
Tea: Todd, stop. I was just making room for you.
Todd: Huh?
Tea: I moved over so you could join me.
Todd: But you just said, actually you kind of yelled, that you didn't want me anywhere near you...you didn't want me touching you.
Tea: We won't do anything sexual but you can share the bed with me. I'll hold your hand.
Todd: I'm not a little kid. I'm not some pathetic little wimp that can't sleep if you don't hold my hand.
Tea: Holding my hand kept your nightmares away before, didn't it?
Todd: That was a fluke.
Tea: What about all of these nights that we've shared a bed? Have you had nightmares?
Todd: My entire life is one long agonizing nightmare.
Tea: I'm not going to beg you, Todd. You can share the bed with me if you want to. It's up to you.
Todd: Would it help you sleep?
[Tea knows that Todd wants to join her in bed but he wants her to take the responsibility for the need so that he can pretend that he doesn't need anyone, especially her.]
Tea: It might.
Todd: Well, if you can't sleep without me anymore...
[Tea smiles a little as Todd gets into bed with her. He turns the light off and turns toward her. She's lying on her back with her hand at her side, waiting for him to settle himself so she can offer it to him.
When he does settle his body, though, it isn't positioned where she expected. Instead of lying on his back, on his side of the bed, he's lying on his side next to her, his head resting on the breast closest to him.]
Tea: Todd...
Todd: Is this one of the things we can't do because you're in a bad mood?
[Tea is silent for several moments. Todd stays where he is as Tea decides what she'll allow.]
Tea: Let me move my arm out of the way.
[Todd pulls his head off of her breast. She moves her arm. He quickly settles back in, with his head on her breast again.]
Tea: I thought you were going to hold my hand? You know, so I could sleep.
Todd: I wasn't sure if you were okay with that much intimacy right now. You seem to have some issues.
Tea: I think that maybe I could handle it. I also think that I might be more comfortable if you brought your entire body closer to mine.
Todd: Yeah?
Tea: Yeah. We could keep each other warm. It's been kind of cold in here tonight.
Todd: That's not my fault.
Tea: Are you saying it's mine?
Todd: It's the hotel's fault. They're too cheap to spring for a decent amount of heat.
Tea: We could start a fire.
Todd: I thought you were too ticked to do stuff.
Tea: I meant in the fireplace.
Todd: Oh, I thought you were referring to whatever we were doing in your dream.
Tea: What dream?
Todd: When I came in, you were moaning and groaning because of some hot dream you were having.
Tea: I was not.
Todd (feigning imitating her): Oh, Todd! You're so much better than those losers I've been screwing.
Tea: Todd, don't start.
Todd: Oh, Todd! You have such sexy feet. I want to touch them. I want to suck your toes.
Tea: Does having someone suck your toes turn you on?
Todd: That's your fantasy, not mine.
Tea: You're lying.
Todd: Why would I lie about a thing like that?
Tea: I don't know, but I know that you are. Besides, I wouldn't go anywhere near your feet.
Todd: They stink that much?
Tea: Earlier, I tried touching them and you panicked.
Todd: I did not.
Tea: You were trying so hard to get away you ended up underwater.
Todd: I was wetting my hair. I was going to wash it. You know, it's been a while since I did that.
Tea: I noticed.
Todd: Are you saying you want me to move my greasy head off your...
Tea: Breast?
Todd: I was going to say hooter, but whatever.
Tea: Hooter?
Todd: Knocker? Headlight? Shouldn't you have taught me some Spanish slang for your body parts by now?
Tea: I don't think so.
Todd: Knowing you, you'd probably teach me the wrong words for all the good parts, anyway.
Tea: That's a thought.
Todd: Next time I'm in Argentina, I'll have all the hot chicks laughing at me because you'll probably have me complimenting their cattle instead of their legs.
Tea: When were you in Argentina? How many hot chicks were you able to pick up with your limited Spanish?
Todd: Are you hungry? Do you want to order room service?
Tea: Why won't you tell me where you were, what you were doing and with whom, while we were apart?
Todd: You couldn't handle it.
Tea: Yeah, I guess it might hurt my ego knowing that you can share your body with everyone but me.
Todd: Not everyone.
Tea: Just every hot chick you happened upon.
[Tea angrily pushes Todd off her breast and gets out of bed. She puts on a robe and yanks open the balcony doors, quickly stepping out of the room.
Todd stays in bed and waits for her to calm down. After several minutes without her reappearing, he raises his voice to continue their conversation.]
Todd: Why do you give a damn? You were out screwing half of Llanview. Or, did you forget that?
[Tea returns to the doorway.]
Tea: Two people, Todd. That is not half of Llanview.
Todd: Well, it's two more than you should have been screwing.
Tea: You wanted me to be alone, didn't you?
Todd: You're just figuring that out? Damn right, I wanted you to be alone. You think it gives me thrills to think about you moaning and grinding with other guys?
Tea: I was lonely.
Todd: You're always lonely. You're lonely when you're alone. You're lonely when you're not alone. You were lonely every second you were screwing those guys. Sex doesn't stop you from feeling lonely. Love doesn't either. Nothing does. Your mom left that loneliness inside of you and she's never coming back so you're never getting rid of it. You should face that and stop screwing every Harry, Dick...or...that other guy...Tom.
Tea: I assume that's your vulgar way of saying Tom, Dick and Harry.
Todd: Was that vulgar? Vulgar is if I said...
Tea (interrupting): Don't, Todd. I'm exhausted. I don't feel like fighting anymore.
Todd: Well, then stop starting all of these fights.
Tea: I wish things were different.
Todd: Yeah, well, I wish a sandwich were in my hand right now. We can't always have what we want.
Tea: If you're hungry, call room service.
Todd: It is the one thing I like about this place, they serve you food and booze all night long.
Tea: You've had enough booze.
Todd: No, I haven't.
Tea: I could smell the stale beer on your breath.
Todd: Well, it's a good thing we haven't gotten to the kissing part of making up yet, right?
Tea: Are we making up? Are you planning to apologize?
Todd: For what?
to be continued...
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chapter 147:
Tea: Order whatever you want from room service, Todd. I'm through for the evening. I'll sleep in the living room. You can have the bed.
Todd: Wait. That wasn't our deal.
Tea: I don't care. I'm so tired of being treated like...
Todd: Like what?
Tea: I'm just tired, Todd. I feel like we go around in circles.
Todd: You'd prefer squares? Oh, wait, that's right, you do. You screwed Senor Square, didn't you?
Tea: And, who would that be?
Todd: Well, I was thinking of that Sykes guy but I guess that covers most of your screwmates, doesn't it?
Tea: Well, R.J.'s certainly not square and I certainly screwed him.
Todd: Ouch! Ticked off Tea doesn't bother trying to spare Todd's feelings, huh?
Tea: Why should I? You certainly haven't been trying to spare mine.
Todd: Oh, please! You think I can't do better than saying you screwed these guys?
Tea: Fine. Take your best shot, Manning. Get every vulgar thought off your filthy mind and then get the hell out, or throw me out, or whatever your plan is, because this ends tonight.
Todd: I decide when this ends.
Tea: No, I do.
Todd: No, I do. I'm the guy.
Tea: Was it your father who decided that your mother would leave you?
Todd: No, you don't. You're not turning this into a therapy session about my childhood.
Tea: Fine. Let's return to talking about my childhood. Let's talk about anything but you, or me, screwing anybody else. Okay?
Todd: Fine. Get back over here and close that door.
Tea: Don't you dare tell me what to do.
Todd: I'll tell you what to do and you'll do it.
Tea: No, I won't. I'm not some bimbo you can order around.
Todd: Since when?
Tea: Go to hell!
Todd: Been there, done that. Want to see my burn scars?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: Too bad. Your lousy mood has eliminated any chance of you seeing my naked body tonight.
Tea: I'm sure it's my mood that's keeping your clothes on. It couldn't possibly be that you're scared to show me your body.
Todd: I am not scared.
Tea: Then why do you cover up your body so much? Why do you wear so many layers?
Todd: Because, I chill easily.
Tea: Right!
Todd: Do you want the real reason? Do you really want to know why I wear so much clothes around you?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: Because you couldn't handle it if I got naked in front of you.
Tea: Me? I couldn't handle it?
Todd: You see a naked guy, you can't control yourself, you have to jump his bone...and, I do mean that singular.
Tea: Well, that's one thing you don't have to worry about tonight. Your bone is more than safe.
Todd: Really? So, I could take my pants off right here, right in front of you, and you wouldn't care?
Tea: Not even a little bit. Go ahead, Todd. Do it. I dare you.
Todd: Do you think I'm seven and all you have to do is dare me to get me to do what you really, really want me to do?
Tea: You certainly act like your seven.
Todd: Yeah, well, you act like a...
Tea: Like a what, Todd? Say it. Say whatever you think of me. Let's get it all out. This is our last night together. Let's get everything out in the open. Well?
Todd: I'm tired. I'm going to sleep.
[Tea mutters in Spanish, expressing her frustration.]
Todd: What did you just call me?
Tea: Figure it out yourself! I'm no longer your translator.
[Tea angrily leaves the room. Todd gets up and closes the balcony door that Tea left open. When he enters the other room he finds her opening the door of the wooden cabinet that houses the television, VCR and compact disk player.
Tea notices several CDs on a shelf and picks them up. She looks at them for a moment before turning toward Todd, seeking an explanation. He doesn't offer one.]
Tea: What are these?
Todd: They look like CDs to me.
Tea: Did you order these?
Todd: I don't even know what they are. They probably come with the room.
Tea: You did, didn't you? You asked for these. You were planning to dance with me, weren't you?
[Todd doesn't respond.]
Tea: Why can't you just admit that you did something nice for me?
Todd: I'm not capable of doing anything nice, ask anyone, including yourself.
Tea: You can be very sweet sometimes, Todd. You just never let it last very long, for some reason. You always have to put an end to it. You always have to make sure that everything ends up being lousy in the end.
Todd: Everything is lousy in the end. We would have danced. We would have done that arms around each other junk. And, then everything would have fallen apart.
Tea: Why?
Todd: Because it has to.
Tea: Why?
Todd: Because it's me. You expect everything to be great and wonderful because you're involved but you always forget that I'm involved too.
Tea: I never expect anything to be great and wonderful. Nothing ever is.
[Tea places the CDs back on the shelf and closes the cabinet.]
Todd: Now what?
Tea: Now I try to sleep.
Todd: Well, you're not going to have any luck on that tiny couch thing.
Tea (noticing the empty beer bottles): Well, I see you were here earlier.
Todd: What about it?
Tea: Are you drunk?
Todd: Are you looking for an excuse for my appalling behavior?
Tea: I wish it were that easy.
Todd: Nothing with me has ever been easy.
Tea: Don't I know it.
[Tea lays her body out on the love seat, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in.]
Todd: Come on, Delgado. Stop being stubborn. Let's go to bed.
Tea: I'm not the stubborn one.
Todd: Sure, you are. I like you anyway.
Tea: You like me, Todd? It's a good think I'm lying down because such an outpouring of affection would make me swoon otherwise.
Todd: You want me to say it, is that it? Fine! I love you, damn it. Now, get your butt back into that bed.
Tea: That was such a lovely offer. Oddly enough, I'm able to decline.
Todd: If you keep acting like this, maybe this will be our last night together.
Tea: I know it will be.
[Todd's anger lessens at the sound of deep sadness in Tea's voice.]
Todd: You don't know that. We're just fighting. It's no big deal. Couples fight all the time, right?
Tea: Sure, and then they split up.
Todd: Is that what you want?
Tea: No.
Todd: Then stop putting me through this hell.
Tea: Stop insulting me.
Todd: Deal.
Tea: What deal?
Todd: I'll stop and you'll stop. We'll both shut up, go back into the bedroom, and fall asleep on each other.
Tea: That's what you want?
Todd: I've been saying that for an hour now.
Tea: It hasn't been an hour.
Todd: It feels like it's been two. You're a very exhausting person to put up with, Delgado.
Tea: So are you, Manning.
Todd: Well, then we're a perfect match.
Tea: Do you really think that?
Todd: Maybe we should stop talking before we start fighting again.
Tea: Fine. No more insults, Todd.
Todd: Good. I was getting tired of you insulting me.
Tea: Todd...
Todd: Get a sense of humor, Tea.
Tea: Not about this. I need you to stop insulting me. Can you do that?
Todd: Every time I insult you, you can remove a piece of clothing from my body.
[Tea sits up and looks at him with a glint in her eyes and a smile on her face.]
Tea: Really?
Todd: That only counts for tonight.
Tea: I think that should be a permanent rule.
Todd: Not a chance. I'm going to go put some more clothes on now. It's really cold in here.
Tea: Never mind, Todd. I won't take any of your clothes. Just try not to insult me anymore tonight, okay? I really don't think that I can handle anymore. I might burst into tears.
Todd: Now you're really bringing out the big threats. Okay. I'll try, Tea. I will. Just don't do anything to tick me off.
Tea: I'll try.
Todd: Now, I'm going to go brush my teeth. Apparently, I have stale booze breath.
Tea: That's very considerate, Todd.
Todd (sarcastically): That's me...considerate.
[Todd walks toward the bathroom. Tea follows him as far as the bedroom and gets into bed, waiting for him to return, hoping for a better, more peaceful, end to their evening.]
to be continued...
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chapter 148:
[A few minutes later...
Todd returns to the bedroom and finds Tea lying in bed with her eyes closed.]
Todd: Tea? You asleep?
Tea (opening her eyes): No. Not yet.
Todd: I'm gonna take a shower.
Tea: Okay.
Todd: You're not going to offer to scrub my back?
Tea: Don't tempt me.
[Todd returns to the bathroom. After his shower, he returns to the bedroom and finds Tea asleep. He tosses the towel he was using to dry his hair on the floor as he approaches the bed. He gently places his body onto the bed, trying not to wake her. He stares at her face for several minutes.
When he finally stands up and lifts the blankets, preparing to join her under the covers, he's surprised to find her shirtless. He stops for a moment, uncertain what to do.
He knows that she had wanted them to spend the night without their shirts on, but after all of the earlier tension he wasn't expecting her to still want that.
He's fairly certain that she wouldn't get naked tonight but he does lift the covers further and checks. He's relieved to find her wearing shorts. Or, is he?
He places the blankets so that they are placed below her breasts. He looks at them. He looks at her face. He looks at her breasts some more. He's tempted to touch them. Even if it wakes her, and she forces conversation on him, it would be worth it to touch her intimately again...to kiss her...to be with her.
Todd tries to shake himself out of his thoughts. He doesn't want to wake her. Tonight wouldn't be the right night for going any further physically, anyway. They could share the bed together, though. He could give Tea that. She obviously wanted that when she changed her attire before falling asleep.
He decides that he wants to surprise her when she wakes up, the same way she surprised him as he was coming to bed. He slowly unbuttons his shirt and removes it. He also removes his T-shirt. He lies down on the bed, feeling completely tense.
It's not being shirtless next to Tea that's causing him the most anxiety. It's another thought that he has. It takes him almost an hour to talk himself into it but once he does, he quickly gets out of bed before he can change his mind.
If Tea were to awaken in this moment she would be met with a marvelous sight. After rummaging through their clothing and finding the pair of shorts that Tea had bought for him to wear to bed, he removes his pants and, for reasons that even he doesn't comprehend, his underwear. He quickly pulls the shorts on and jumps back into bed and pulls the covers up to his neck.
His bouncing the bed, as he gets in, awakens Tea enough for her to turn her body completely towards him and snuggle against him. In her sleep she's not aware of his daring move. She just knows that his body feels perfect against hers.
She continues to peacefully slumber. Todd's tension gradually eases as he enjoys the feeling of her flesh against his. He finally falls asleep.
Hours later...
As Todd begins to awaken, he groans with pleasure. It feels great to finally feel her hand on his penis.
Wait! What? Her hand is on his penis! Her hand is on his penis!
Todd's mind screams at him to wake up as his eyes quickly open. Tea's naked upper body is draped against him. The hand that when he fell asleep had been on his bare stomach is now inside his shorts, her fingers lightly wrapped around his penis.
Her hand isn't doing anything. It's not stroking him. It's not moving at all. It's just holding him.
Todd observes her for several moments. He's convinced that she's still asleep. He doesn't think that she would have woken up, shoved her hand into his shorts and then gone back to sleep. Her hand just must have somehow ended up in his shorts while they both slept.
Now, Todd's dilemma is how to remove her hand without waking her up. That is, if he wants to remove her hand at all.
He knows that Tea's response if she woke up with her hand where it is could be priceless. And, maybe she'd want to really give him a good morning and not remove her hand at all.
Todd decides against this. It's too much. After all of their fighting the night before, he doesn't think that Tea will want this right now. He's not sure if he's ready for this either. It could lead to sex and that would probably just screw everything up.
Todd places his hand under the waistband of his shorts, joining Tea's hand at his penis. His mind knows that he has to stop this before it goes any further but it's his penis that is starting to scream the loudest, especially when Tea's hand increases it's grip.
Todd finds that eradicating Tea's hand from his penis is much harder than he thought. Not to mention the fact that his penis is rapidly responding to the attention that Tea is unknowingly heaping upon it.
Todd's attempt to pry her fingers away from his flesh only cause her hand to slide along his flesh, in a delectable manner that makes him unwillingly groan again.
Todd tries again but her hand slides back to where it was before. He stops for a moment, trying to will his penis to return to his control. It refuses. Tea's hand beginning to purposely stroke him doesn't help any.
Todd freezes. Tea's hand is more rapidly moving now. Her movements are like that of someone who is aware of just what she's doing.
After almost a minute of stroking, the best minute of his life in a very long time, Tea suddenly makes a noise and her hand becomes completely still. She awakens with a start, her hand positioned quite differently than she recalls when she fell asleep.
They both stay in their awkward position for several moments as Tea realizes that Todd is also awake. She also realizes that her hand is inside his shorts, gripping his quite erect penis while his hand is apparently holding hers.
When she suggested the night before that they could hold hands while they slept, she didn't quite have this in mind.
She's uncertain how to handle this. Clearly, he's awake and is aware of the situation but he hasn't said anything and he isn't moving his hand, or hers.
She realizes that he may want her to continue what she was clearly doing in her sleep but she's not certain. Is his hand inside his shorts with hers, holding her hand to his penis, because he wants her to continue, or stop?
Finally, realizing that he won't be offering her guidance on his own, she speaks.]
Tea: Todd?
Todd: Yeah?
Tea: My hand seems to be inside your shorts.
Todd: I noticed.
Tea: How did it get there?
Todd: The usual way.
Tea: What does that mean?
Todd: It's not what you think, Tea, I swear.
Tea: What do I think?
Todd: You think I shoved your hand down my shorts to get myself off.
Tea: And, you didn't do that?
Todd: No, of course not. I woke up and your hand was...you know...there. I tried to pull it out but it wouldn't let go. It seems to want to stay attached to my...
[Tea's hand quickly lets go of his penis and leaves his shorts. She sits up, quickly reminded that she isn't wearing a shirt.]
Todd: I didn't rip your shirt off, either. You were like that when I got into bed last night.
Tea: I'm sorry. I should have asked you if it was okay if I didn't wear a shirt. I'm sorry that I touched you in a way that you obviously didn't want to be touched. I'm sorry, Todd. I'm really sorry.
[Tea grabs a robe as she quickly rushes toward the bathroom.
Todd is left lying alone in bed, confused about what just happened or how he's supposed to handle this, and with a penis that's throbbing with its own question of what just happened and why it didn't receive the satisfaction it was so close to.]
to be continued...
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chapter 149:
[As Todd lies in bed, he tries to ignore his throbbing appendage. It isn't easy. He tosses the blankets off his body and looks down at the source of his problem. He touches his hand to his penis through the straining material of his shorts and whispers to it.]
Todd: Down, boy.
[After several minutes of staring at the ceiling and trying to focus on things that he finds thoroughly unappealing sexually, he begins to realize that he has more problems than the one inside his shorts.
Tea has been in the bathroom for a long time...too long.
Todd thinks back to the way she ran in there earlier, after waking up and finding her hand on his penis. Maybe she just had to go to the bathroom really bad. Or, maybe she's really upset. But, what upset her? Touching his penis? Was it that repulsive? Is she embarrassed? Did it turn her on? Is she in the bathroom right now getting herself off?
That last thought doesn't help the situation with his own body so he tries to remove it from his mind, after allowing a moment of pleasurable contemplation.
Finally, Todd knows that he needs to do something. He gets out of bed and puts a robe on before approaching the bathroom door.]
Todd: Delgado? Hey, Delgado?
[There's no response. Todd pounds on the door.]
Todd: Did you fall asleep in there?
Tea: No, Todd.
Todd: Well, are you gonna hurry up? You know, you're not the only one who needs to use the john when you wake up in the morning.
Tea: I'll be right out.
[Tea takes a few deep breathes. She dreads this moment. She feels too embarrassed to face him after what she did to him, but she knows that she has to. As she opens the door, Todd quickly storms passed her and enters the bathroom.]
Todd: It's about time.
Tea: I'm sorry. I'm sorry about everything, Todd.
Todd: That's okay. You're a girl. Girls take longer in the john.
Tea: That's not what I meant. I meant...
Todd: Tea, I know you've gone a couple of hours not talking so you really want to yap but I really need to use the john right now.
Tea: Right. I'll give you some privacy.
[Tea goes back into the bedroom. Todd shuts the bathroom door. They both are relieved that they got through that moment, even though they each know that many more awkward moments lie ahead for them because of the events of this morning.
When Todd finishes in the bathroom he finds the bedroom empty. He searches in the other room of their suite and finds Tea looking over a room service menu.]
Todd: What's for breakfast?
Tea: I was just trying to decide. What are you in the mood for?
Todd: Pancakes, waffles, toast, donuts...
Tea: Please tell me you're listing off all of the options and not seriously planning to eat all of that?
Todd: Is there something wrong with a hearty appetite?
Tea: No. I just don't want you to get sick.
Todd: I'll be fine. What are you having?
Tea: Maybe I'll just nibble off of your plate.
Todd: Fine. Whatever. Are you taking a shower this morning?
Tea (smiling): Do I smell?
Todd: Yeah.
Tea: Oh, really?
Todd: You smell great.
Tea: Thank you. Why do you want me to take a shower?
Todd: I don't. I just thought that if you were planning to take one, I could order the grub while you're doing that.
Tea: Okay. That sounds great. Orange juice and fruit, for me.
Todd: I thought you were sharing my breakfast.
Tea: I plan to nibble on yours, too.
[As Tea leaves the room, her words cause Todd's mind to flash to an image of Tea with his penis in her mouth. Todd closes his eyes. The sound of the shower turning on, adds the image of a naked Tea, water cascading down her body, her hand rich with lather soaping her breasts and moving down her stomach...
Todd opens his eyes and looks down his own body.]
Todd (whispering): I told you earlier...down, boy. You better listen to me this time. This isn't just any chick, understand? This is Tea. We're not going to blow this just so you can blow yours.
[Todd looks toward the other room to make sure that Tea didn't come out of the bathroom and catch him talking to his penis. That would be too embarrassing to explain.
After Tea finishes her shower and they both are fully dressed, they quietly share breakfast together. When they finish there's an awkwardness that they both sense.]
Todd: So, uh, what are we doing today? We are staying here, right?
Tea: Sure. That's fine.
Todd: You feel okay staying here now?
Tea: I'll be fine.
Todd: Great. So...what do you want to do? We could do that walking thing. Or, they have all these brochures, we could pick something from them to do.
Tea: Todd, we don't have to spend the whole day together.
Todd: You want to do that shopping thing? You haven't bought anything in ten hours, you must be going through withdrawals.
Tea: I just thought that maybe you'd be more comfortable not being around me for a while.
Todd: Why?
[Tea looks down, still embarrassed about waking up and finding herself stroking his penis.]
Todd: Is this about earlier?
Tea: We don't have to talk about this. I know you're not comfortable talking about intimate things. Just know that I know how upset you must have been when you woke up and found...that situation. I'm sorry that I did that to you.
Todd: You are?
Tea: I know that you didn't want that. We've done certain things together. We've enjoyed ourselves. Well, I know I have. But, I also know that you made it very clear that you didn't want me to touch you there. I should have respected that. I'm very sorry that I didn't. We don't have to share a bed anymore. I understand.
Todd: I don't.
Tea: I must have been sleep...
Todd: Stroking?
Tea: We can have separate rooms. Or, if this is the end...
Todd: Tea, I'm not ditching you because your hand crossed the line while you were conked out.
Tea: I appreciate that you're willing to continue trying but I know that this must be very difficult for you.
Todd: Yeah, because you want to have a long chat about it. Look, it happened, okay? I'm fine. You're fine. We're fine. Let's figure out something to do today.
Tea: You really don't want to leave.
Todd: No. And, before you open your mouth and try prolonging this chat, don't. We can just pretend it didn't happen, if it upsets you this much. We're still waiting to find out if you're knocked up, anyway, right? So, that thing this morning is in the past. Let's just get back to waiting for your girl thing. Now, what do you want to do today? Do you want me to beat you at tennis or racquetball?
Tea: Actually, I'm pretty good at both.
Todd: Well, I'm better at both.
Tea: Oh, really?
Todd: Really.
[Todd picks up a brochure for a spa that's in the resort.]
Todd: Or, you could do this spa thing. They do your face and nails and other girl things.
Tea: Would we be doing that together?
Todd: I'm not a girl. I thought you figured that out this morning.
[Todd smiles slightly knowing that what happened earlier is really having an affect on Tea.]
Todd: So, do you want to do the girl thing?
Tea: What about tennis and racquetball?
Todd: I thought maybe you'd enjoy being pampered at this spa place more than being embarrassed by me on the tennis court.
Tea: I would be the winner, Todd.
Todd: Oh, please. You're just a girl.
[They exchange a glance that makes both of them feel their hearts beating faster. What they both want to do is stay in bed all day exploring new territory with their bodies.]
Tea: I think maybe I will see if I can get into the spa today.
Todd: You're admitting defeat?
Tea: I'm admitting that I don't really feel up to anything strenuous today.
Todd: Is your stomach doing that thing again?
Tea: No. I just feel like taking it easy and relaxing. I think a day at a spa would probably be a good idea. I have a suggestion for what you could be doing while I'm relaxing at the spa.
Todd: What?
Tea: Call your daughter.
Todd: Drop it, Tea.
Tea: Todd...
Todd (raising his voice): I said drop it.
Tea: Okay. I'm sorry.
Todd: And, stop apologizing. It's really starting to tick me off.
Tea: So, we're back to were we were last night, is that it?
Todd: Call that spa and book yourself in. Spending the day apart is a great idea. We'll meet back here later and figure out what we're doing for dinner. Okay?
Tea: Okay.
[Todd leaves their suite without another word.]
to be continued...
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chapter 150:
[Hours later, after finishing at the spa, Tea returns to the hotel suite. She finds Todd watching television, a bottle of beer in his hand.]
Tea: I wasn't expecting you to be here.
Todd: This is my room too, remember?
Tea: I know. I just thought... Never mind. Did you have a good day?
Todd: It was a day. You look the same.
Tea: I wasn't getting a makeover.
Todd: Did you keep your clothes on?
Tea: Is that your way of asking if I had a massage?
Todd: Those spas do some weird things, don't they? They wrap people in spinach and stick them in boiling mud, or something.
Tea: Well, I didn't do anything weird, or anything requiring me to take my clothes off.
Todd: Good.
Tea: Are we having dinner in the room tonight?
Todd: I don't know.
Tea: We could go downstairs to one of the restaurants. Or, we could go into town. Or, would you prefer to have another private dinner on the dock?
Todd: I don't feel like going for an after dinner swim again.
Tea: Then try participating in this conversation about where to have dinner.
Todd: I don't give a damn where we eat.
Tea: You're still upset about this morning, aren't you?
Todd: Shut up about this morning.
Tea: I already apologized, Todd.
Todd: So?
[Todd knows that Tea still thinks that he's upset about the embarrassing situation when they woke up, earlier in the day. He allows her to think that even though he knows that his bad mood is really anger at himself for being away from his daughter for so long.
Although, he did spend a small amount of time with Starr while he was in Llanview, before bringing Tea on this trip, he knows that he can't be a regular part of his daughter's life no matter how much he wants to. The best thing he can do for her is stay far away from her. It's bad enough that he's ruining Tea's life by bringing her back into his screwed up world.
Knowing that staying away from his daughter is the best thing he can do for her, though, doesn't stop it from painfully eating away at him, like it is right now.]
Tea: Todd? Todd?
Todd: What?
Tea: You seem distracted.
Todd: So?
Tea: Do you want more time alone?
Todd: Huh?
Tea: We don't have to have dinner together if being in my presence is so upsetting to you.
Todd: Are you going to threaten to get another room again?
Tea: If that's what you want.
Todd: I want you to shut up.
Tea: Fine!
[Tea storms into the bedroom, slamming the door closed behind her. Todd leans his head back and stares at the ceiling. This evening isn't going at all like he had hoped. If he doesn't do something about it, they'll end up spending the night fighting like they did the previous night. Todd smirks, though, thinking about waking up tomorrow morning the same way he woke up this morning.
After allowing himself several minutes to calm down, and finish his beer, Todd stands up and walks to the balcony doors. He opens them and steps out onto the balcony. He walks the length of their suite and looks into the bedroom.
From his vantage point, he sees Tea sitting on the edge of the bed, her face in his hands. It's worse than he thought...tears.
Tea quickly senses his presence and looks up. She finds him standing on the balcony staring at her through the glass of the door. She stands up and slowly walks towards him.
As Tea opens the door to the balcony, Todd steps back until he feels the railing at his back.]
Tea: Are you okay?
Todd: Shouldn't I be asking you that question? You're the one who slammed your way into the bedroom and burst into tears.
Tea: I did not.
Todd: Well, you were about to. You had your head down in that 'better stay clear, the chick eye flood is about to let loose' way.
Tea: I have a headache.
Todd: Because of me?
Tea: Why else?
Todd: Maybe something they did to you at that spa place.
Tea: Actually, I was quite relaxed, until I came back to the room.
Todd: So, you are blaming me?
Tea: I think I'll just lie down, okay? We can order something in. I'm not really very hungry anyway.
Todd: I thought we were going bar hopping tonight.
Tea: What? When did we agree to that?
Todd: We don't need to agree. I'm the guy, remember?
Tea: So, I don't get a vote because I'm the chick?
Todd: Right.
[Tea starts rubbing her forehead again. Todd smiles at her, taking her by surprise.]
Todd: Lighten up, Delgado.
Tea: Do you really want to go to a bar tonight?
Todd: Sure. Why not? What else are we going to do? Hang around here ticking each other off? Go downstairs and hang around with all the snooty people? Besides, you owe me.
Tea: I do?
Todd: You're the one who's brought up going to a bar, more than once on this trip and then you always back out. Last night you did it again. I think we should go.
Tea: I don't know if my head can handle a noisy bar right now.
Todd: If I make your headache go away can you agree to just once go out and have some fun together?
Tea: I could be mistaken but I think we've had fun many times staying in.
Todd: We could do that tonight, too.
Tea: But first you want to go to a bar?
Todd: Actually, first, I want to find a decent restaurant. You know, one that isn't snooty, or preppy, or trendy, or anything else that ticks me off.
Tea: One that isn't fast food.
Todd: I'm okay with fast food.
Tea: I'm not.
Todd: Since when?
Tea: Since I want to spend a nice evening with you.
[Tea smiles shyly, making Todd uncomfortable as he thinks about how cute she looks in this moment.]
Tea: I bought an outfit.
Todd: I knew you couldn't last too long without getting some shopping in. Is this the outfit that's supposed to knock my socks off?
Tea: It's not quite the elegant outfit I had in mind but I hope you do like it.
Todd: Go put it on.
Tea: I thought you were going to get rid of my headache?
Todd: Are you still griping about that?
Tea: It seems to be a little better but I think I need a little help before it will go away completely.
[Todd steps into Tea's personal space.]
Todd: Close your eyes.
Tea: Why?
[Todd places his hands lightly on the side of her head.]
Todd: Because if I jab you in the eye, you'll be griping about that.
[Tea closes her eyes. Todd places his thumbs on her forehead and lightly massages her for several minutes.]
Todd: Do you feel better now, Delgado?
Tea: I think so.
[Todd removes his hands and steps back from her. She opens her eyes and looks at him with a lusty glint in her eyes.]
Tea: You have wonderful hands, Todd.
Todd: It's all those years with the football.
Tea: Maybe we should stay in tonight.
Todd: I thought you wanted to show me your new outfit.
Tea: We don't have to leave for that. I could put it on and model it for you. We could have a quiet dinner. We could go to bed early and you could...
[Tea pauses for a moment, trying to gauge his mood in this moment. She decides to test the prospects for the rest of the evening.]
Tea: You could remove my dress for me. We could get into bed together and...
Todd: So, you bought a dress?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: Go put it on.
Tea: Will we be staying in tonight?
Todd: No. Go put on your dress.
[Tea senses something odd in the way that Todd is looking at her and in the sound of his voice. She decides to go along with his plans for the evening since he did make her headache go away and they may have an easier time not fighting if they're in public.
Tea returns to the bedroom, leaving the balcony door open. She picks up one of the bags she had left on the bed earlier and takes out her purchase. She's about to go into the bathroom to change into her new dress when she looks up and catches sight of Todd's reflection in the mirror panels on the wall in front of her. She's surprised to find him standing in the same position, staring straight at her. She's not certain, but she has a sense that she's discovered what was odd about him a moment earlier.]
to be continued...
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