| SMALL BLESSINGS BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 1 - 5 |
chapter 1:
[Todd Manning sits behind his desk as the publisher of The Sun newspaper, happily plotting the downfall of the numerous residents of Llanview that have crossed him recently. He's also going after anyone who crossed him in the distant past. Basically, anyone in town that he can get dirt on, he's willing to take down, besides a few select individuals he cares too deeply for, to destroy their lives.
As his sister, Viki, approaches his office, she hears his maniacal laugh as he reads the latest headline of his newspaper, set to humiliate several of Llanview's so-called finest.
Viki knocks on his door.]
Todd (bellowing): I'm busy squashing insignificant bugs. Go away!
Viki (entering): Any bugs I happened to know?
Todd: I didn't say come in.
Viki: I certainly hope you are not planning any more surprises for the citizens of Llanview.
Todd: You haven't seen anything yet.
Viki: I've seen more than I care to already. What were you thinking sending that tape to all the television stations?
Todd: I was thinking that it's more entertaining than most of that garbage they usually air. But, I was disappointed that they edited out all the really good stuff. Those station managers are such wimps, giving in to rules of decency, or whatever. I'd be really bummed, except I kept a copy for myself. Want to see it?
Viki: I certainly do not. That video was of a private moment between a man and a woman.
Todd: And, the old pervert in the bushes taping it all. An old pervert who is married to the chick in the video, by the way. And, it's the guy that the old pervert thought was his son who he was videotaping doing his wife. That's priceless. That's a guaranteed sellout on the newsstand.
Viki: It is appalling to use such an incident to sell newspapers.
Todd: Maybe running that little newspaper of yours is nothing but a hobby for you. This is business for me. This is big business. The Sun has been outselling The Banner every day that I've put a different shot from that video on the front page. I don't want it to get stale, though, so I'm thinking about using some shots that are more revealing. To keep any prudes from causing problems, I could put a graphic of a little Sun newspaper over all the good body parts. And, I do mean little. I saw the uncensored video. I understand even less now why so many chicks have lost their minds, not to mention their underwear, over that gigolo.
Viki: What has happened to you? Your journalistic sensibilities were always questionable, at best, but lately you've been crossing the line, even for you.
Todd: And, selling tons of newspapers. Thank you, for coming by to congratulate me. That's really big of you, Viki.
Viki: I came to check on you, to find out what's wrong. Clearly, something is.
Todd: Here we go! Another lecture about journalistic integrity from Viki Lord something something something something something something Buchanan Carpenter Davidson.
Viki: I haven't been married that many times.
Todd: I have a hard time keeping track. But, I know this lecture by heart. It's the one that masquerades behind a bunch of journalistic crap but is really about covering up all the dirt all your friends seem to enjoy rolling around in all the time. You know, I couldn't catch them doing stuff they weren't actually doing. The old guy really did videotape his wife doing his pseudo-son. That's not my fault.
Viki: That is something that should have been handled in private.
Todd: By who? The old guy? He was videotaping the whole thing? That chick with the accent? I could tell from watching the tape, she knew the old guy was outside the window the whole time. Holden? He's such a sleazebag, he's probably trying to work out a deal right now to release the tape as an adult video so he can make some cash on it. Nobody in this sordid little tale is a good guy, except me.
Viki: You think you're a good guy for exposing this video to not only all of Llanview, but much of the country?
Todd: That's right. I uncovered a sex scandal of the rich and famous. Do you know how many less than rich people feel a hell of a lot better now, knowing that as bad as their lives may be, at least they're not as screwed up as everybody in the wealthy, powerful Buchanan clan?
Viki: My daughter, your niece, is a part of that Buchanan clan, or have you forgotten?
Todd: I thought she was still on the outs with the old man after he dared to try to prosecute her live-in boy toy for the money he stole from that charity fund that had their dead baby's name on it.
Viki: Could you be more crass?
Todd: I could try.
Viki: Why do I try?
Todd: I don't know. Why do you?
Viki: Because, no matter how atrocious your behavior is, I still believe that, underneath that heart of stone you so proudly parade around this town, there still is a kind hearted young man who desperately wants love.
Todd: I'm willing to listen to your journalistic lecture, or what I should call a journal-ass-kick lecture, because I always feel like I've been kicked in the ass after you leave my office, but I draw the line at anymore of your lectures on the wonders of love. You're batting zero in that department.
Viki: You have had moments of happiness.
Todd: Followed by years of agony. No thank you. I'm never listening to you again. I'm never opening my heart and getting kicked in the nuts again. Sorry, Viki, you'll have to find another monster to work your fairy tale magic on. I've given up on fairy tales.
Viki: That's too bad. I imagine right now Tea could use some fairy tale magic.
Todd: Tea?
Viki: Your ex-wife, Tea Delgado, remember her?
Todd: That name sounds familiar. So, let me guess, it didn't work out when you tried shoving me at Blair this last time so now you're back to trying to convince me that Delgado is the one I should open my heart up to. Am I right? You want her to have another shot at taking out the big, bad Todd monster. Because, in case you've forgotten, I gave Delgado everything and she went ahead and stomped on my heart, anyway. Luckily, I don't actually have a heart so no damage was done.
Viki: Did you really give her everything?
Todd: I bought whatever she ask for, and some expensive stuff she didn't even have to ask for.
Viki: Did you try giving her what she really wanted? Did you give her your heart?
Todd: I don't have time for this nonsense.
Viki: You have more sensationalistic headlines to think up?
Todd: That's right. I have this little goal of being the only newspaper in town.
Viki: Too bad I have a conflicting goal of being the one newspaper in this town that people can count on for real news, not sensationalism.
Todd: Sensationalism sells, as your slumping sales have shown.
Viki: Perhaps it is better that Tea is free of you. It was enough of a struggle for her, trying to get through that stone heart facade, to the tender heart you keep hidden, in the past. With everything she's going through right now, I would imagine fighting that battle is the last thing she would need. Although, it would be really great if you could stop playing games long enough to offer a little compassion to woman you once loved so dearly. I know that, despite our divorce, and all of the difficult times between us, Clint and I would be there for each other whenever one of us needed a friendly shoulder. It's too bad that Tea doesn't have the same luck with her ex-husband.
[Viki walks out of Todd's office. He sits down in the chair behind his desk, feeling like he not only has been kicked in the butt, but also in the heart.
He wants to ignore what Viki was hinting at. Clearly, she knows something about Tea that he doesn't.
His mind tries to determine what his sister could have been referring to. All he can come up with are horrible scenarios that make his heart feel even more twisted in his chest than normal.]
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chapter 2:
[Late that night...
Viki and her current husband awaken to the sound of the doorbell ringing non-stop.]
Ben Davidson: Who could that be, this late at night?
Viki: There's only one person I can think of...Todd.
Ben: Now that his split from Blair is permanent, he won't be showing up for late night visits every night, will he?
Viki: I dropped a cryptic bombshell on him earlier today. I'm surprised it took him this long to talk himself into finding out what I was trying to tell him.
Ben: Let's go down and get this over with.
Viki: Go back to sleep. I think Todd and I are due for a sibling heart-to-heart.
Ben: Good luck! You'll need it!
[Viki puts on a robe and goes downstairs.
Todd continues ringing the doorbell, even after he hears his sister call out to him as she nears the door.
When she finally opens the door, he rushes inside.]
Todd: Spill it!
Viki: Let's go into the kitchen. I'll make us both some tea. You look like you need something to calm you down.
Todd: I don't want tea. I want the dirt you have on Tea.
Viki: So you can print it in your newspaper?
Todd: Only if it's juicy enough. I do have standards.
Viki: Since when? I don't believe you would do that to Tea, anyway.
Todd: I plastered my other ex-wife's dirt on my front page. Why not Tea's?
Viki: You tell me. But, first, let's get that tea. I think we may even have some cookies.
Todd: Oh, goody! I get to have tea and cookies with my old sister!
Viki: That's older sister.
Todd: Same thing.
Viki: You'll need to improve your mood before you see Tea tomorrow.
Todd: I never said I was seeing her. I just came to get the scoop. That's all. She's not coming back to Llanview, is she? Well? Tell me!
[Viki smiles knowingly as she turns and walks toward the kitchen. Todd follows her.
As they enter the kitchen, Viki immediately begins to work on their late night snack. Todd sulks near the doorway, questioning why he bothered coming at all.]
Todd: I didn't come here for the grub. Just tell me what you know about Delgado, so I can get out of here.
Viki: Her brother died.
Todd: That FBI guy...what's his name...Del?
Viki: No. Carlotta said his name was Enrique, I believe.
Todd: I never met him.
Viki: Did I get his name wrong?
Todd: No, that's his name. I just never met him. He took off a bunch of years ago, after his wife croaked, or something. Roseanne's his kid.
Viki: I see.
Todd: So, Tea's a little bummed about her brother croaking? That's the big dirt you have on Delgado?
Viki: The funeral's tomorrow.
Todd: So?
Viki: So, some ex-spouses go to funerals when they know that their former spouse, someone they cared deeply for, is hurting because of the loss of a loved one.
Todd: How do you know she's hurting? Maybe she thought he was a creep.
Viki: Carlotta told me that Tea is devastated.
Todd: Devastated, huh?
Viki: It would be a nice gesture, one that I'm sure Tea would appreciate, if you went to the funeral.
Todd: I didn't even know the guy. Why should I go to his big send-off?
Viki: You know Tea. She has been an important part of your life. That's why you should go. It's the right thing to do.
Todd: I've never done the right thing in my life.
Viki: That is simply not true.
Todd: You could go. You could scope things out. Drop some tears, like chicks do at those kinds of things. You could report back to me on what you saw.
Viki: You mean, how Tea looks?
Todd: How she looks. If she's got some other sap caught in her web. The usual.
Viki: So, you are still interested in Tea? I thought so.
Todd: If that were true, which it isn't, but if it were, why have you been shoving me at one ex-wife if you thought I still had a thing for my other ex-wife?
Viki: You seemed intent on trying to make a family with Starr and Blair.
Todd: Yeah, well, Blair had other plans with that porn star Max.
Viki: Have things changed between you and Blair, since you exposed the videotape of Max and Gabrielle?
Todd: Somehow it's my fault. I wasn't the one doing the screwing or the one doing the videotaping, so I don't know why it's my fault.
Viki: You did expose it to the whole town.
Todd: So? I exposed the truth. I thought you were big on that?
Viki: You should have used better judgment. It must have been humiliating for Blair.
Todd: So humiliating she's still going through with marrying the guy.
Viki: Does that upset you?
Todd: It upsets my daughter. Starr thinks Max is scum. She's a good judge of character.
Viki: How do you think she would feel about you renewing your relationship with Tea?
Todd: Even if I went to this dead guy's finale, it wouldn't mean anything. It would just be like you said, one ex-spouse faking like he cared about what the other ex-spouse is feeling lousy about.
Viki: That could be a start. You can build from there.
Todd: Build what? She ditched me. She walked right out the door and never looked back.
Viki: Do you know that for certain?
Todd: You have more scoop?
Viki: No.
Todd: I thought maybe your good buddy let something slip.
Viki: Carlotta only told me about Tea's brother. And, where the funeral is being held. I'm sending flowers.
Todd: Did you sign the card -- From Viki, her brats, and her brother?
Viki: You shouldn't send flowers.
Todd: Is that bad ex-spousal etiquette? Because, you are the expert on ex-spouses.
Viki: I think you should deliver your flowers in person.
Todd: Why are you pushing this so hard? Did Carlotta tell you that Tea wants me there?
Viki: We didn't discuss it.
Todd: Tea probably wouldn't even want to see me right now. You said that she's already bummed about her brother going under the dirt. If she saw me she'd just end up being bummed and pissed off.
Viki: I thought she was the one who ended your most recent relationship?
Todd: She was. Chicks never take the blame for anything. They take it all out on the guys around them.
Viki: Maybe Tea will surprise you. There's only one way to find out.
Todd: I can't go. I have a newspaper to run.
Viki: I think your staff can manage without your for a few days.
Todd: That's your real motive, isn't it? You're trying to get me out of the way so you can steal all my employees for your own rag.
Viki: My...rag...has standards. My employees must possess vocabularies that include words with great than two syllables.
Todd: Is that supposed to be an insult? Because, I'm not insulted.
Viki: Starr could stay here, while you're out of town.
Todd: She's got a nanny, a maid, a chauffeur, and a cook. Why would she want to give that all up? When she stays here, you always put her to work.
Viki: It's good for children to have chores.
Todd: She's rich. She knows she's rich. She doesn't need any chores screwing her up.
Viki: All of my children had chores when they were young.
Todd: Exactly! Look at how much you screwed your own kids up. You expect me to let you screw mine up, too?
Viki: Why don't you ask Starr if she'd like to stay here? I'm certain she'll agree. No matter how many people you hire to spoil her, none of them can offer what I can.
Todd: Non-stop lectures?
Viki: Sit down. We'll have our tea and cookies.
Todd: I've had a lousy enough day already.
[Todd quickly exits the house through the kitchen door. Viki calls out to him as he rushes off.]
Viki: If you're going to get there in time for the services, you'll need to leave early in the morning.
[Viki closes the door and takes the snack upstairs to share with her husband, and inform him that she thinks they'll have a house guest for a few days.]
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chapter 3:
[Several hours later...
Todd and Starr arrive at Viki's house, early in the morning. Viki opens her kitchen door to them and holds out her arms. Starr rushes into her embrace.]
Viki: Do you remember what bedroom you used the last time you stayed here?
Starr: Sure.
Viki: Go on up and put your things away. Your daddy and I need to talk for a few minutes.
[Starr looks at Todd.]
Todd: Go on. Do what Auntie Viki tells you or she'll have you cleaning the chimneys. I'll see you before I go...if I go.
[Starr takes her small suitcase upstairs.]
Viki: You look like you could use a hug this morning, too.
Todd: Don't even try it.
Viki: I hope your mood will improve before you see Tea...or, perhaps, when you see Tea.
Todd: People aren't supposed to smile and be happy when there's a dead guy involved. I should fit right in with all the miserable people.
Viki: Just remember that Tea will be one of those miserable people. Try not to make this day harder on her.
Todd: Now you're telling me not to go? Make up your mind.
[Viki hands him a slip of paper.]
Viki: These are the directions. And, the name of the church. If you leave now, you should make it in time for the services.
Todd: Oh, goody!
Viki: Feel free to stay with Tea as long as you feel you need to. Starr can stay here for as long as necessary.
Todd: I'll be back later today. I'm just going there, slapping Tea on the back, telling her it sucks that her brother bit the big one, and getting the hell out of there.
Viki: If you should have a change of plans and you decide to stay over, know that Starr will be fine without you for a few days.
[To avoid anymore encouragement from his sister, Todd bolts up the stairs to say good-bye to Starr.
Minutes later he sneaks out the front door, to avoid anymore pep talks from his sister.
Later that day...
Todd stays outside the church, in his car, during the service. He doesn't feel comfortable with the idea of going inside. If Viki is wrong and Tea doesn't really want to see him, he doesn't want to ruin her brother's funeral.
As the service ends and the mourners leave the church, Todd ducks down in his seat, not wanting to be spotted by his ex-wife.
As he peers out his window, he doesn't see Tea at all. He wonders if Viki sent him to the wrong funeral, until he sees Tea's brother Del exiting the church, carrying a baby in his arms.
Moments later, Tea exits with her arm around her distraught niece. Todd also recognizes Tea's grandmother joining them as they enter a waiting limousine.
He waits until they've left and several cars of mourners have followed behind them, before he joins the procession to the cemetery.
At the cemetery, he also tries to keep a low profile. He doesn't want to disturb anyone, especially Tea.
As the brief ceremony comes to a close, Todd approaches the mourners at the gravesite, a strong grip on the flowers in his hands. He feels more awkward than he has in a long time. He also feels like he's invading on a family event for a family he never really felt a part of, except with Tea.
He continues walking the distance from his car to where his ex-wife sits. As he approaches her, Roseanne hands to Tea the same baby, now loudly screaming, that Todd had earlier seen Del carry out of the church.
Todd hears Tea speak softly to the infant, in Spanish, for a moment and then stops his progression toward his ex-wife as she speaks to Roseanne in English.]
Tea: That's his hungry cry. I need to feed him. (to the baby) I'll feed you and then you'll feel better, won't you? Then we can go home. You can spend the rest of the day being cranky for me again, just like yesterday.
[Tea says a few more words to the baby in Spanish before Roseanne gets her attention. Tea follows the direction Roseanne is pointing in and recognizes the back of Todd's body as he briskly walks away. The flowers he had brought are now lying in a heap on the ground where he had been standing moments earlier.]
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chapter 4:
[Later that day...
Todd returns to Llanfair. Viki answers the door. Todd storms passed her and bellows up the stairs.]
Todd: Starr? Starr? Get your stuff together. I'm getting you out of this hellhole.
Viki: Todd, what happened? Didn't things go well?
Todd: You forgot to mention the kid.
Viki: What kid?
Todd: Tea's kid. She's got a brat. A son. Did that slip your mind? Or, were you expecting me to take one look at Tea and not care that she's a package deal now with some other guy's kid? Or, maybe she's hitched. Did you even ask Carlotta about that?
Viki: Of course I did. She assured me that Tea isn't in a serious relationship right now.
Todd: Well, she must have been involved in something serious enough to end up with a kid.
Viki: You really were hoping to rekindle things with Tea, weren't you? You wouldn't be this upset, if you weren't.
Todd: Oh, yeah. I wanted to go from one ex-wife knocked up with another guy's kid, to my other ex-wife who's no longer knocked up with another guy's kid, because she already popped the ugly little brat out.
[Starr arrives at the top of the stairs.]
Starr: What's wrong, daddy?
Todd: Nothing. Everything is amazingly the same as it has been lately. Get your stuff. We're going home.
Viki: Starr, give your father and I a chance to talk alone for a few minutes.
Starr: What about?
Viki: Grown-up things.
Starr: Daddy says I'm smarter than most grown-ups.
Viki: I agree with him, but this is a discussion that your father and I need to have alone.
[Starr looks at Todd for guidance on what to do.]
Todd: Go ahead and go back upstairs. Auntie Viki won't let us out of the house until she's done lecturing me.
[Starr returns to the bedroom she's staying in. Viki leads Todd toward the living room. He quickly pours himself a strong drink.]
Todd: Go ahead. I'm actually looking forward to hearing you try to make this into something I should consider a good thing.
Viki: You don't think Tea having a child is a good thing?
Todd: Are you nuts? Have you not been paying attention to all the hell Blair's been putting me through lately with Max's kid festering in her belly?
Viki: You have been apart from Tea for a long time now.
Todd: It hasn't been that long.
Viki: You think Tea should have waited longer before having a child with someone else?
Todd: Damn right!
Viki: How long would have been acceptable for you?
Todd: Never.
Viki: Is that fair to Tea?
Todd: Do I care?
Viki: You moved on.
Todd: That's different.
Viki: You entered into a different relationship, after your break-up. Why shouldn't Tea?
[Todd plops himself down in a chair and stares into his glass, without offering a response.]
Viki: What about Starr?
Todd: I'm not telling her anything about this. It's bad enough that she's related to Max's spawn.
Viki: You had Starr with another woman and Tea accepted her, didn't she?
Todd: That's so different.
Viki: Why?
Todd: Because, it totally is. Are we done here yet? Can I take my kid and get away from you now?
Viki: Go ahead, Todd. Throw away the rest of your life because of your stubbornness.
[Todd leaves the room and goes upstairs to help Starr pack her things. They soon return to the penthouse.
Later that evening...
Todd is working at his desk in the living room. The telephone rings. He answers it, expecting the caller to be one of his employees that he, minutes earlier, faxed a new story to, attacking the Buchanan family again.]
Todd: It's about time you got back to me. If you want to keep your job, you better learn to dial faster.
Tea: Todd...
[Todd freezes for several seconds. He wasn't expecting to hear her voice. In fact, he's been working non-stop since returning home, just so he wouldn't have to think about her.]
Todd: Wrong number!
[Todd slams the phone down. It quickly rings again. He allows the answering machine to answer the call.]
Tea: Todd, pick up the phone and give me a chance to explain.
[Tea pauses for a few seconds, before continuing.]
Tea: Fine, Todd! I see you'd still rather play games than share a mature moment with me. I don't have the time, or the inclination to play your games anymore. Good-bye Todd. I would thank you for the lovely flowers you brought today, but they weren't so lovely anymore after you threw them to the ground and stomped on them.
[Her voice softens as her anger is replaced by a noticeable longing.]
Tea: Tell Starr I miss her.
[Tea hangs up. Todd listens to the dial tone for several seconds, before the answering machine shuts off. It's a sound that slices into his heart. Or, was it the sound of her voice that is making his heart feel that way?
Todd pushes a button on the answering machine and listens to his ex-wife's voice again.
It's definitely her voice that creates that overwhelming feeling in his chest. Despite the anger in her voice, Todd smiles a little as he listens to her message...over and over again.]
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chapter 5:
[The next day...
Viki is working in her office at The Banner. She's surprised when her secretary informs her that she has a telephone call from a Tea Delgado.]
Viki: Hello, Tea.
Tea: Hi, Viki. I can call back if I'm interrupting an important meeting.
Viki: I'm just dealing with some boring paperwork. I could use a break. How are you? Carlotta told me about your brother. I'm so sorry.
Tea: The flowers you sent were beautiful and the card was just lovely. Thank you for thinking of my family right now.
Viki: Of course. If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know.
Tea: You know why I'm calling, don't you?
Viki: Todd?
Tea: Right on the first guess. You did know that he came to the burial?
Viki: Yes.
Tea: Probably after a great deal of encouragement from you, I'm sure. Did he tell you what happened?
Viki: Not in any detail. I assume he made some sort of scene.
Tea: Not really. He misunderstood something and stormed off without saying one word to anyone.
Viki: He told me that you have a child now. A son, isn't it?
Tea: Yes...no...sort of. He's actually my nephew. How much did Carlotta tell you about the situation?
Viki: Just that your brother passed away suddenly.
Tea: That explains why Todd jumped to the wrong conclusion. My brother and sister-in-law were in a car accident a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully, the baby wasn't with them at the time. My sister-in-law died that night. My brother held on for almost two weeks. It's been a rough two weeks for all of us.
Viki: I imagine it must have been.
Tea: None of my sister-in-law's relatives are in a position to take the baby. My grandmother doesn't feel she's up for the challenge at her age. Del has to travel a lot for his job. Roseanne is...well...Roseanne. So, that leaves me. I'll be raising the baby. I knew that Todd misunderstood the situation. Frankly, I don't even know why I'm calling you about this. I tried to call Todd last night to explain and he hung up on me. I should just walk away from this. But, it's Todd! So, I'm calling you, hoping that you'll explain the situation to him, even though I know it won't make any real difference. I guess I just don't want him to be upset about something that he doesn't need to be upset about. Does that make any sense?
Viki: I think so.
Tea: I honestly have no expectations. I don't expect to hear from Todd again. I have no delusions that anything more will happen between us. It was very sweet of him to come to the burial, though, even if it did require a great deal of prodding on your part.
Viki: He wanted to go.
Tea: I know Todd. I know that it wasn't a casual decision for him to come. I guess I just don't want him to feel like he's been kicked in the teeth again for trying to do something nice.
Viki: I'll have a talk with him.
Tea: Thank you. Please, make it clear to him that he doesn't need to apologize to me. Not that he would ever do that, of course. Just tell him that I'm not upset with him. That's what I really want him to know. I have so much in front of me right now, raising my nephew, I don't have time for anything else right now.
Viki: Raising a child is an immense responsibility, and to take on the task so suddenly must be overwhelming, but it is also the most rewarding thing you'll ever do.
Tea: I'm already learning that. Thank you, Viki, for being such a great sister-in-law, even though that's not what we are anymore.
Viki: You will always be my sister-in-law, Tea. Good luck.
Tea: Thank you. Good-bye.
Viki: Good-bye.
[Immediately after hanging up the telephone, Viki informs her secretary that she's leaving the office for the rest of the day.
Minutes later, at Todd's penthouse...
The doorbell rings. Starr answers the door.]
Viki: Have you already unpacked your bag?
Starr: I think my nanny did. Why?
Viki: You're coming to stay with me again.
[Todd walks into the doorway of the living room.]
Todd: No way! If you want a kid so much, have one with Benji. Stop trying to take mine.
Viki: You, my dear brother, have an important trip to take.
Todd: Forget it, Viki. I took your advice. It blew, just like it always does. I'm not letting you send me out to be humiliated again.
Viki: Starr, sweetie...
Starr: I know...go to my room so you can talk to daddy about stuff you don't want me to know about. Daddy tells me everything anyway. I should be able to stay.
Todd: Starr, go upstairs. I'll give you the truncated version later, minus all the sanctimonious lecturing.
Starr: Okay.
[Starr goes upstairs.]
Todd: What is it this time, Viki? Did you come up with a new angle on why I should overlook the fact that Tea has a brat?
Viki: As a matter of fact...
Todd: As a matter of fact, I don't give a damn.
Viki: That child you saw...
Todd: Did you not hear me? I said I don't care. Now, leave! You've bored me enough the last couple of days. Maybe we should go back to that thing where you ignore me for weeks because you're so appalled at my behavior.
Viki: Are you sure you don't want to hear about Tea's nephew?
Todd: Nephew?
Viki: Yes, Todd. If you had talked to Tea, instead of making assumptions, she would have told you herself. She's raising her nephew, after her brother's death.
Todd: That kid was the dead guy's kid?
Viki: When you speak to Tea, try not to refer to her brother as the dead guy.
Todd: Well, he is dead, isn't he?
Viki: Tea is taking on a great deal of responsibility. It must be overwhelming for her. Perhaps, she could use some help.
Todd: You want me to hire her a nanny?
Viki: I was thinking more of someone visiting her and offering advice and support.
Todd: You're planning on seeing her?
Viki: I'm taking your daughter home with me. You're going to see your ex-wife.
Todd: Why should I do that?
Viki: To apologize for being such a...
Todd: Go ahead, Viki. Make it really profane. I dare you!
Viki: Do you feel bad for what you did?
Todd: I didn't do anything to feel bad about.
Viki: Maybe I was wrong. Maybe it would be better for Tea if she focuses all her attention on her nephew, instead of wasting any of it on you.
[Viki turns and walks toward the front door.]
Viki: If you change your mind and decide to start acting like a grown-up, instead of an oversized child, you can drop Starr off at my house any time.
to be continued...
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
2001 COPYRIGHT BY TIMA
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