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| IN THE FUTURE BY TIMA |
CHAPTER 1 |
At an unknown time in the future...
[Llanfair: Viki answers the door and is surprised to see Tea Delgado Manning.]
Viki: Tea!
Tea: Viki, I got here as soon as I could. Is something wrong? Jessica, didn't go into labor, did she? She's not due for months yet.
Viki: No. Jessie is fine. She's upstairs resting. Tea, I'm afraid I'm confused. Why are you here?
Tea: I got your note. (Viki looks at her with an uncomprehending gaze) The one you sent to my office, at the Sun.
Viki: You must be mistaken. I didn't send you a note although I have been meaning to call and invite you to dinner.
Tea: Viki, I'm not losing my mind. You sent me a note.
Viki: No, I am quite sure I did not.
Tea: Well then who did? Who would send me a note inviting me to your house? You don't think...? No, he wouldn't? Would he?
Viki: Well, I suppose it could be possible.
Tea: Have you spoken to him?
Viki: Not one word since he left.
[Viki leads Tea into the living room and gestures for her to take a seat on the couch]
Tea: You know, Viki, I never mentioned it because, well, I'm not really sure why, but I have been getting these phone calls.
Viki: From Todd?
Tea: Well, I don't know. Maybe. The person doesn't say anything but doesn't hang up either, at least not right away. It might be Todd or maybe I've picked up another stalker I don't know about.
Viki: Maybe they're just wrong numbers.
Tea: Every night since the anniversary of the day Todd and I went to the Bayberry Inn together?
Viki: Perhaps it's a coincidence.
Tea: Yeah, I've been trying to tell myself that but it's getting harder and harder every day.
Viki: Tea, do you ever say anything to this person? How do you handle it?
Tea: At first I didn't really know what to do. If it was Todd and he was reaching out to me how could I just slam the phone down on him. Don't get me wrong, Viki, I know there's no chance for a future with him, he's made that clear, but for Starr's sake I can't turn away if he's reaching out, if there's a chance that I can help him.
Viki: For Starr?
Tea: Yes, for Starr.
Viki: Okay, if you don't hang up on him then what do you do?
Tea: Well, at first I didn't even think it was him, just a simple wrong number but then I noticed a pattern developing and I started to wonder if it could be him. I let it continue for a few more nights but one night I just couldn't take it anymore so I came out and ask if it was him.
Viki: I take it you did not get a response.
Tea: I got a response all right. He hung up on me the second I said his name.
Viki: So, you do think it's him?
Tea: I wasn't sure if he'd call again but the next night, at the usual time, the phone did ring and there was silence. So I just started talking and telling him, or whoever, about the local news and all the boring details of my day. I figured if it was a stranger they'd get bored and stop calling me.
Viki: And if it is Todd?
Tea: If it is then at least he's up on the current happenings in Llanview. He knows I took over the Sun and circulation is up. He'd be happy about that. So, anyway, that's the pattern now - the phone rings, there's silence, I talk and talk about anything and everything until the person hangs up. Maybe it's Todd and maybe not. I don't know...but it is cheaper than therapy.
Viki: About whether or not it's Todd, what is your gut feeling?
Tea: My gut feeling told me that Todd had DID and that he loved me and would never leave me. I don't exactly put much faith in my gut feeling anymore.
Viki: Tea, don't say that. I have told you before loving Todd is not an easy thing to do but the rewards can be so immense. Don't give up on him.
Tea: He was the one who gave up. He could have trusted me with whatever was going on with him, DID or no DID, but trust is not something he's ever been able to give me, not fully.
Viki: I think he does trust you or you wouldn't be the only one that he's communicating with. He hasn't even contacted Starr yet.
Tea: A silent phone call is not communication.
Viki: For my brother it is.
Tea: Yeah, well, maybe I need more than that.
Viki: And maybe Todd is finally ready to give you more. If Todd is the one who sent you the note to come here tonight there must be a reason.
Tea: What reason?
Viki: That I do not know. I guess we'll have to wait and see what my brother has in store for us. It could be an interesting evening.
Tea: Or the worst night of my life.
Viki: I'm choosing to think positively.
Tea: You do that I'll prepare myself for reality.
Viki: And if the reality is that Todd loves you and wants to make your marriage work?
Tea: What marriage? I only put off the divorce so I could legally be in control of his finances so Starr's inheritance would be safe.
Viki: Is that really the only reason?
Tea: I'm sorry, Viki, but every time in the past that I have gotten my hopes up about my relationship with Todd he has always managed to destroy all of my hope and I just can't blindly give it to him anymore. It's safer for me if I stick to my original purpose in all of this, helping Todd take care of Starr. And since I'm no longer allowed to see her the only thing I can do for Starr is manage Todd's assets so she'll have the inheritance that he wanted her to have.
Viki: I refuse to give up on you and Todd so if you can't be hopeful then I'll be hopeful for both of us. I'm going to go check on dinner. There's plenty of food, would you like to stay?
Tea: That would be nice. Can I help you?
Viki: No thank you. You stay here and enjoy the fire.
[Viki leaves. Tea walks to the fireplace and stares at the flames trying to figure out what Todd's game could be this time - if it's even Todd who's playing with her. Suddenly Tea has an intense sensation that she can't quite gauge. A pleasant and at the same time terrifying feeling engulfs her. She wonders if Todd could be near but immediately dismisses the idea. Tea's cell phone rings, startling her.]
Tea (into the phone): Hello? (silence) Hello? (Tea looks through the living room doors into the darkness outside) Todd? Is that you? Todd?
