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| IN SICKNESS BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 11 - 15 |
PREVIOUSLY...
[Todd gently runs his hand along Tea's hair. She keeps her head down afraid to look at him. He lightly kisses her on the cheek before gently raising her face with his hand on her chin. They both close their eyes as their lips touch.]
Todd: Is this okay?
[Tea doesn't respond verbally. She puts her hand on the back of his neck and pulls him close to her and kisses him more passionately than he kissed her. He responds favorably. They both wrap their arms around each other as the blanket that was covering them falls away. As they continue to kiss Tea is surprised when she feels Todd's tongue brush across her lips. He pulls away afraid that he's gone too far.]
Tea: Do that again.
[This time when Tea feels his tongue she enjoys the sensation for a few seconds and then opens her mouth, inviting him in. He accepts the invitation. They continue kissing and embracing as they both move into a laying position. They roll around for a moment with Todd eventually ending up on top. They continue to kiss as they press their bodies together, both enjoying the sensations they are experiencing. As those sensations become more and more urgent they grind their lower bodies with a faster rhythm. When Todd climaxes he lets out a grunt that clearly informs Tea what just happened. Within seconds Todd is off of Tea as he rushes off the balcony and disappears into the house.]
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chapter 11:
[After Tea takes a few moments to recover herself she gets up and goes back into the house in search of Todd. As she explores the house in search of her husband she hears the shower in the downstairs bathroom running.]
Many minutes later...
[After he runs out of hot water Todd finally turns off the shower and steps out. He's shocked to find a pile of clean clothes waiting for him. He's surprised that he didn't hear Tea when she entered the bathroom to put them there. Slowly he dries off and puts the clean clothes on.]
Upstairs...
[Tea is lying in bed trying to figure out what she'll say to Todd the next time she sees him. She realizes, and even hopes a little, that he'll probably prefer to pretend it didn't happen. She consoles herself with the knowledge that at least she'll have until morning before she has to face him.
Of course, at that second Todd returns to their bedroom. Tea closes her eyes tightly as soon as she hears him enter. He stands in the doorway for awhile before he walks around the bed and lays down facing Tea.]
Todd (softly): Tea?
[Tea doesn't respond.]
Todd: Tea? Thanks for the clothes.
Tea: Sure.
Todd: I suppose you want to talk, right?
Tea: Um, actually, it's really late so we don't have to talk. It's okay.
Todd: I'm sorry.
Tea (opening her eyes): Why?
Todd: I shouldn't have done that.
Tea: What do you mean?
Todd: It wasn't right.
Tea: Why? (pause) I wanted it too.
Todd: You don't have to say that.
Tea: I mean it, Todd. I wanted to be close to you, to feel you close to me. In that moment I needed you and you were there. There's nothing wrong with what we did. There's nothing for you to apologize for.
Todd: You don't have to stay if you don't want to. I'll understand.
Tea: Are you listening to me?
[Tea puts her hand on his cheek. He tries to pull away but she won't let him.]
Tea: Stop. Don't do this.
Todd: What am I doing?
Tea: You're trying to get rid of me again. I won't let you this time. What we did out there wasn't wrong and it wasn't disgusting.
Todd: It wasn't?
Tea: We wanted to make each other feel good. It did feel good, didn't it?
Todd: Let's not talk about this.
Tea: Did it feel good? (pause) Answer me. (pause) Are you attracted to me?
Todd: That's a stupid question.
Tea: One that I need you to answer.
Todd: You're pretty.
Tea: Do you want to have sex with me?
Todd (quickly removing himself from the bed): That's it. I don't want to talk about this. I can't talk about this.
Tea (sadly): If you don't want to it's okay. We don't ever have to do anything like that again. Just please don't leave me. I need you. Don't use this as an excuse to leave me.
Todd: I never said I was leaving.
Tea: But you've left before and I know you want to leave now. You want to be with me until you actually are and then you want to leave. I'm sorry if I went too far on that balcony. I just wanted to be close to you. I just wanted to forget for a little while. I didn't want to push you away. I didn't want to make you leave.
Todd: It wasn't your fault. I'm the one that lost control. I should have treated you with more respect.
Tea: How was what we did disrespectful? You didn't force me. I wanted it. I wanted to feel good and I wanted to make you feel good. You didn't do anything wrong, Todd. It wasn't something dirty. It was love.
Todd: It was sex, or close to it, and that always messes everything up.
Tea: No, it doesn't.
Todd: Yes, it does. It just leads to pain.
Tea: That's not true.
Todd: Has it ever lead to anything good for you?
Tea: No, but it has for you.
Todd: You want me to list off all of the pain it's caused in my life?
Tea: You don't have to because there's one example of the good it's brought into your life that will always win out over any of the bad. You made love and you made Starr. She is the one good thing in your life that you never question, that you never look for the dark side of.
Todd: That's so different, Tea.
Tea: No, it isn't. Sex created her. She exists because you made love. Do you love me? Do you?
Todd: Yes.
Tea: Then don't try to convince me that what we did was wrong. We love each other. We made love.
Todd: But we didn't...
Tea (smiling slightly): Hey, that's the closest we've come. I'm counting it.
Todd: You're really not upset we did that?
Tea: No. I hope that someday we'll do something like that again. Hopefully when you're more ready and you won't leave the room immediately after. Maybe we could even do that in bed when we're not fully clothed.
[Todd lies back down on the bed next to Tea.]
Todd: That may never happen. I may never be comfortable with any of this, Tea. I may never be able to get past the stuff that happened before I knew you.
Tea: You will. I'll help you.
Todd: How?
Tea: By showing you, by proving to you, that love doesn't have to hurt and that sex doesn't have to lead to pain.
Todd: How are you going to show me that?
Tea: I don't know but I will. Somehow, Todd, I'll show you that love is worth it. I just hope I have enough time.
Todd: Don't talk like that. How many times do I have to tell you that you'll get through this? (gently touching her face) You'll be fine.
[Todd kisses Tea softly.]
Tea (putting her hand atop his hand on her cheek): You just expressed love, Todd. How did it feel?
Todd (jokingly): Miserable. You have a lot of work ahead of you, Tea, if you're going to convince me that this feeling stuff is a good thing. It could take you years. Maybe even decades.
Tea: You think?
Todd: Oh, yeah. If you're going to do this then you'll have to be stuck with me for a long time and I won't make it easy. You know that, don't you?
Tea: Believe me I'm quite aware of how difficult you are.
Todd: I'm not difficult - I'm complex.
Tea: You're impossible.
Todd: It's late. Do you want to go to sleep?
Tea: Sure. Will you stay with me? Would it be okay if...if you held me, just till I fall asleep?
Todd: Okay...I guess.
[They rearrange themselves on the bed so Todd's arms are around Tea and her head is resting on his shoulder.]
Tea: Good night.
Todd: You said that before. Are you going to repeat yourself every night? I might get bored.
Tea (raising her head to look at him): Oddly enough, Todd, in some cultures saying good night is considered normal and when a person hears someone say it to them they say it themselves.
Todd: Really? I've never heard of that. What a bizarre ritual.
Tea (putting her head back on his shoulder and smiling to herself): Impossible.
chapter 12:
[The next day Todd escorts Tea to her appointment with a specialist. Todd sits quietly as he listens to Tea and the doctor discussing her illness. The doctor explains Tea's options but doesn't sound as optimistic as Todd would like. Todd decides he really doesn't like this doctor.
After they finish with the doctor they drive silently to Viki's.]
Todd (standing nervously at Viki's door): Are you sure you wanted to come? Viki's probably pretty upset with me. There might be yelling.
Tea: And there might be hugs and tears and maybe even...(whispering)...love.
Todd: I'm hoping for yelling.
[Tea gently pushes Todd toward the door. Todd rings the doorbell. After a moment the door begins to open and Todd cringes as he awaits his fate. Todd's relieved when he sees that it's Jessica who answered the door.]
Todd (almost smiling): I'm so glad to see you.
Jessica (hugging Todd): I'm glad to see you too, Uncle Todd. When did you get back?
Todd: Uh, a while ago.
Tea: Jessica, thank you for giving my message to Todd. I really appreciate it.
Jessica: Sure. No problem. I'm glad I could help.
Todd: Um, you weren't supposed to tell her it was you.
Jessica: But she already knows.
Todd: No, she only thought she knew. She was being sneaky and trying to confirm with you because I wouldn't tell her who my contact was. Now you've ruined the secret.
Jessica: I never wanted it to be a secret anyway. You should have come back a long time ago.
Tea: Jessica, is your mother here? Todd's been looking forward to seeing her all day.
Jessica: I'll go get her. She's going to be so surprised.
[Todd and Tea walk into the living room.]
Todd: If you're going to be sneaky and mean then I don't know if I want to live with you anymore.
Tea: Too bad. You've made a commitment. I'm not letting you out of it this time.
[Tea sits on the sofa. Todd sits opposite her for a moment and then gets up and plops himself down next to her.]
Todd: So, are we supposed to talk about that stupid doctor? I didn't like him, by the way.
Tea: Why not?
Todd: The way he was talking to you.
Tea: Todd, he was just being honest.
Todd: I still didn't like him.
Tea: Well, I haven't decided which doctor I'll go with yet, okay?
Todd: Okay. (pause) I think he looked funny.
Tea: How did he look funny?
Todd: He didn't look like a doctor who would know what he was talking about.
Tea: I'll take that into consideration.
[Viki and Jessica begin walking down the stairs.]
Viki: Jessie, that was quite an important phone call you interrupted. What's so urgent that it couldn't wait?
Jessica: You'll see.
Viki: I'll see what?
[Todd nervously stands up and faces Viki and Jessica.]
Todd: Hey, Sis.
[Viki stops in the doorway of the living room and stares at Todd completely stunned.]
Todd: Before you throw anything at me I'd like to point out that Tea's here and you don't want to accidentally hit her with anything because that wouldn't be very polite.
[Viki walks toward Todd. As she reaches her hand up to his face he pulls away.]
Viki: I wasn't going to hit you.
Todd: I knew that.
Viki: I should be angry at you, though.
Todd: But you can't because I'm so lovable, right?
Viki: After everything you did, including not calling and letting me know you were okay all this time... I am glad to see you.
[Viki hugs Todd who awkwardly almost tries to hug her back.]
Todd: Why do all of you insist on hugging me?
Viki (sarcastically): Because you're so lovable.
Todd: Can I sit down now? Is the hugging over with?
Viki: The hugging is over with, for now. Tea, how are you?
Tea: I'm fine.
Todd: She's sick.
Viki: She told us that yesterday. (to Todd) How'd you get back so fast? Where were you?
Todd: I was...somewhere.
Viki: And this place is top secret?
Todd: Yes.
Tea: I know where he was.
Todd (getting up): There are no secrets in this family.
Jessica: Where was he?
Tea: In a beautiful house...
Todd (to Viki): So, how's that thing you publish doing?
Tea: ...he secretly built...
Todd: I bet you love it now that there isn't any real competition with me out of the business.
Tea: ...on the side of...
Todd: Maybe I'll start up another newspaper someday.
Tea (raising her voice slightly): ...Llantano Mountain.
Viki: You've been here the whole time?
Todd: Not the whole time. (getting a beverage) Have you seen Starr?
Viki: Not recently.
Todd: Why not? You used to spend a lot of time with her.
Viki: Well, I've tried but it's hard to arrange the time. She been very busy. She's involved with a lot of activities now. So, why didn't you let me know you were back in town?
[Todd sits back down next to Tea and hands her a glass of water.]
Todd: I wasn't in town. Didn't you hear, Tea? I was on the side of a mountain. I wasn't actually in town.
Viki: Don't give me that. I was very worried about you.
Todd: Yeah right! You probably barely even noticed I was gone.
Viki: I noticed.
Tea: So did I.
Jessica: Me, too.
Todd (sarcastically): I feel so loved. (to Tea) Are you ready to leave?
Viki: Why don't you both stay for dinner?
Todd: Can't do that.
Viki: And why not?
Todd: Because dinners at your house never work out. Do you have any idea how many times I've come here for dinner and never even made it to the food part?
Viki: And whose fault is that?
Todd: Yours.
Viki: Oh, really.
Todd: You always invite people I hate.
Viki: Well, why don't you make a list of the people you hate and I won't invite any of them tonight, okay?
Todd: It would be easier for me to make a list of the people I don't hate. Actually, even if we wanted to we can't stay anyway.
Viki: Why not?
Todd: My wife... Are you aware she's still my wife?
Viki: I wasn't certain but I'm thrilled...for both of you.
Todd: Yeah, well, she's got stuff to do.
Tea: I need to go by the diner and tell Carlotta about...uh...the situation.
Todd: And then we're checking her out of that hotel. Renee's going to have to take a huge cut in revenue losing Tea as a customer.
Viki: You're moving in together? I take it you worked things out between the two of you?
Tea: We came to an understanding.
Todd: Yeah, I give her everything she wants and she lets me live with her again.
Tea: Tell your sister what you agreed to.
Todd: That if she's wearing a robe and starts to...
Tea: Todd!
Todd: You'll have to help me, Tea. It was a long night. I don't remember what I agreed to anymore.
Tea (angrily): Fine! Then maybe I don't remember agreeing to live with you again.
Jessica (quietly to Viki): Maybe they haven't worked everything out yet.
Todd (to Tea): Look what you did. You're confusing my niece.
Tea (standing up in front of Todd): Give me the car keys.
Todd: Why?
Tea: I want to get away from you.
Todd (standing up next to her): Already? I thought we'd last at least a couple of days this time.
Tea: I'm not doing this, Todd. I told you before I don't have the energy to put up with this garbage anymore. Either you get help like you said you would or I'm not going home with you.
Todd: I was just teasing you, Delgado.
Tea: You're trying to get out of our deal. I know it. I know you. Give me the car keys!
Todd: Fine!
[Todd pulls the keys out of his pocket and hands them to Tea.]
Tea (to Viki and Jessica): I apologize for doing this in front of both of you.
[Tea starts to walk toward the front door.]
Viki (to Todd): What do you think you're doing? Do you want to lose her again?
Todd (loud enough for Tea to hear him): She won't really leave me.
Tea (as she's opening the door): Watch me.
[Todd stares at the door as it shuts behind Tea. Jessica rushes after Tea.]
Viki (to Todd): Go after her. (Todd does nothing) If you love her then you start running. You run after her, down the driveway if you have to.
Todd (sitting back down on the sofa): It's a long driveway.
Viki: It's a long miserable life when you're not with the person you love.
Todd: I'm used to that. Miserable is normal for me.
Viki: Is that what this is about? You're afraid to be happy?
Todd: I'm not afraid of anything.
Viki: What about Tea dying? Are you afraid of that?
Todd: Don't say that. She's going to be fine.
Viki: Do you really want her to go through what's ahead of her without you?
Todd: She's always been better off without me.
Viki: Are you better off without her? I don't think so.
Todd: It doesn't matter anyway. I can't give her what she wants.
Viki: Which is?
Todd: It's not important.
Viki: It must be very important if both of you are willing to lose each other over it. Tell me what it is.
Todd: Tea thinks I need help. You know, with how my brain works and with my feelings and all that stupid stuff.
Viki: She wants you to go to therapy and you're afraid to.
Todd: I'm not afraid of anything. How many times do I have to tell you that?
Viki: You're afraid.
Todd: No, I'm not.
Viki: You're afraid of a lot of things, aren't you? (pause) Aren't you?
Todd (begrudgingly): Only everything.
Viki: If you tell her that you're afraid I'm sure she'll help you through your therapy. And I'll do everything I can to help you, you know that.
Jessica: So will I.
[Todd and Viki both look toward Jessica and see Tea standing next to her.]
Viki: Jessie, why don't we leave these two alone. (as they're leaving the room) Tea, if there's anything I can do for you please let me know.
Tea: Thank you. I appreciate the offer.
[Viki and Jessica leave Tea and Todd alone. Neither of them speaks immediately as Tea slowly walks to the sofa and sits next to Todd.]
Todd: Do you want to go home?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: But you still want me to do that therapy stuff?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: Why? You know it's going to hurt me. Why do you want me to go through that?
Tea: Because I don't want this to keep happening. I don't want you to continue to throw our relationship away because you're scared.
Todd: You know I wouldn't really end it between us.
Tea: Even if that's true I can't keep going through the motions of losing you. Not right now.
Todd: You need to focus your energy on getting better.
Tea: And so do you.
Todd: I don't care about me. I care about you.
Tea: And I care about you. I want you to be healthy, Todd.
Todd: I don't need to talk to some stranger, Tea. I just need you.
Tea: You have me but that's not enough.
Todd: It is for me.
Tea: What are you afraid will happen if you talk about it?
Todd: I'm not... (Todd stops himself and decides to tell Tea the truth) That I'll get lost.
Tea: What do you mean?
Todd: It's like there's this huge mound of garbage inside of me that's spread out like a maze. If I go in there I might never come out again.
Tea: But that's what the therapist is for -- to help you find your way through the maze so you can make it out the other side.
Todd: I'm fine where I am.
Tea: Do you really believe that?
Todd: No. What makes you think I'll be any better on the other side? Maybe it will be even worse.
Tea: I don't think so.
Todd: And if it is?
Tea: Then I'll be wrong.
Todd: Tea, can I be honest with you?
Tea (sarcastically): No. I was hoping you'd continue lying to me.
Todd: Really?
[Tea gives Todd a look that tells him she's not amused.]
Tea: What do you want to tell me?
Todd: I really don't want to see a shrink.
Tea: I really think you need to.
Todd: If I did it probably wouldn't be real.
Tea: What do you mean?
Todd: Either I'd fake my way through it and say the stuff this person wanted to hear or I'd just bribe the idiot like I did Dr. Boyd.
Tea: Why are you telling me this?
Todd: Because you can push me to go if you want to and I probably would so you'll stay but it wouldn't do anything to fix me.
Tea: You can't keep going on the way that you are and I can't wait around for you to self-destruct or for you to sabotage our relationship again.
Todd: Then help me.
Tea: I'm trying.
Todd: You want me to talk to a shrink about the stuff that happened to me, right?
Tea: Right.
Todd: And I want to talk to you.
Tea: Could you?
Todd: Not all of it, not right away, but I've always been able to tell you stuff so if I'm going to talk about it then I'll talk to you, okay?
Tea: I'm not trained to deal with this, Todd.
Todd: Come on, you're better qualified to deal with me than almost anyone else.
Tea: I don't know.
Todd: Think about it this way - you need me to help you through what you're going through and I need you to help me through what I'm going through. It might be good too, you know, helping you will distract me from how lousy I feel and helping me will distract you from how lousy you feel. It will work out for both of us.
Tea: But I will have a professional on my side.
Todd: I'll have Viki. With all the therapy she's had she's practically an expert.
Tea: You really think she'd go along with this?
Todd: If she knew it was the only way to help me she would.
Tea: I'm going to regret this, aren't I?
Todd (tentatively taking her hand): You won't regret this because it will work and I promise that if I feel like I'm losing control I'll get away from you so I don't hurt you.
Tea: And if it doesn't work you'll try it with a trained therapist?
Todd: Who decides whether it's working or not?
Tea: I do.
Todd: Oh.
Tea: Is it a deal?
Todd: Okay.
Tea: Should I put this in writing or will you remember it?
Todd: I'm sure you won't let me forget it.
Tea: We'll have to figure out how to do this. Maybe there are books we could read.
Todd: You would want to do research?
Tea: This is your life, Todd. I don't want to mess it up.
Todd: I mess up my life all the time.
Tea: I've noticed that.
Todd: Can we leave now?
Tea: Don't you want to say good-bye to your sister?
Todd: No. She knows me well enough not to expect that.
Tea: Well, what about talking to her about helping you. If you want to do this without a professional then Viki has to help. I'm not doing this alone.
Todd: I'll talk to her tomorrow, okay? Right now let's just go to the diner and then the hotel and then go home. I don't feel like arguing with my sister right now.
Tea: You think she'll argue with you about this?
Todd: Of course she will. She loves to argue and tell me what to do but she'll help us. I know she will. I'll just have to charm her into it. I'll be more charming tomorrow, though, so let's go.
[Tea and Todd leave Llanfair.]
chapter 13:
[Tea and Todd have been at the diner for awhile. Carlotta is crying. Tea is crying. Todd desperately wants to be anywhere but there.]
Todd (to Tea): I'll be back in a few minutes.
Tea: Where are you going?
Todd (as he gets out of the booth they're sitting in): Trust me. I'll be right back.
[Carlotta watches him with suspicion as he leaves the diner.]
Tea (noticing Carlotta's look): He really is coming back.
Carlotta: Are you certain of that?
Tea: I trust him.
Carlotta: That doesn't mean that he's trustworthy.
Tea: He loves me.
Carlotta: Like he loved you at your second wedding?
Tea: That's between Todd and myself.
Carlotta: The last thing that you need right now is stress. Living with Todd before was nothing but stressful for you.
Tea: I know what it was like. I know what I need right now. Living with my husband is what I need.
Carlotta: If you're positive this is what you want.
Tea: It's all that I want. Well, that and better health, of course.
Carlotta (reaching across the table and holding Tea's hand): What can I do for you?
Tea: You're already doing it.
Carlotta: There must be something more. You could live with me. I could take care of you.
Tea: I'm living with my husband. He'll take very good care of me.
Carlotta: Will he?
Tea: Yes, he will.
Carlotta: Well, I can at least stop by from time to time. I'll make sure you have enough food to eat.
Tea: You don't have to go out of your way for me.
Carlotta: That's what family does. Are you hiring a nurse?
Tea: Todd and I haven't discussed it. I guess if I got really sick maybe we'd have to but that might not happen.
Carlotta: So Todd will be taking care of you all by himself?
Tea: I guess.
Carlotta: Then I'll come by at least once a week during the day and take over for him. He can go off and run errands or do whatever it is that he needs to do.
Tea: Carlotta, you don't have to. Todd will take very good care of me.
Carlotta: This has nothing to do with the kind of caregiver he'll be. Although, I do have my doubts as to the quality of the care he can offer you. It would allow him to take a break and it would also allow you to take a break from him for several hours every week.
Tea (smiling): He's not that bad. I like spending time with him.
Carlotta: That may be but spending every minute of every day with the same person, even if they are a wonderful person, can be too much. Besides, this would give me a chance to feel useful. Of course, you can call me anytime you need me but let me do this for you.
Tea: I'll talk to Todd about it, okay?
Carlotta (noticing Todd returning to the diner): Speaking of that...husband...of yours.
[Tea turns around and sees Todd with his hand behind his back.]
Carlotta (getting up): I'll go get your dinner.
Tea (speaking of more than the dinner): Thank you.
[Todd awkwardly moves in front of Tea with his hand still hidden behind his back.]
Tea: What are you hiding?
Todd: Nothing.
Tea: Show me.
[Todd throws a bunch of wrapped flowers down on the table.]
Tea (touched): Todd...
Todd: I remember from when we lived together before that you like having flowers around and you liked smelling them so I figured I'd get some for you to sniff.
Tea: That's very thoughtful.
Todd: And...(pulling a single rose out of his jacket)...I thought you might like this.
Tea: Peach. My favorite. You remembered.
Todd (sitting down opposite Tea): You were hurt pretty bad back then but you got better. You'll get better this time, too.
[Tea doesn't say anything. She just smiles at Todd and holds the rose as new tears form in her eyes.]
Todd: I didn't do this to make you cry, Tea. I can take the flowers back.
Tea: Don't you dare.
[Todd gets up and sits next to Tea on the other side of the booth.]
Todd (quietly, as he dries her tears with a napkin): Are these like those tears you had when I proposed to you? Are these a good thing?
Tea: Yeah, they're a good thing. The flowers are beautiful. Thank you.
[Todd notices Carlotta returning to the table and stops drying Tea's tears and moves slightly away from her as if he was caught doing something embarrassing.]
Carlotta: What beautiful flowers.
Todd: I think she's allergic.
Tea: I am not. I'm just emotional right now.
Carlotta: That's understandable. Here's you're dinner. I gave you enough so there should be leftovers for tomorrow.
[Todd and Tea stand up and gather their things.]
Todd (handing money to Carlotta): Here you go.
Carlotta: I'm not accepting this.
Todd: That's got to be enough. I gave you a lot of money. Did you raise your prices?
Carlotta: You're wife is my family. I'm not taking your money.
Todd: You had no problem taking it in the past.
Tea: Todd...
Todd (to Carlotta): I'm not taking it back. If you don't want it then give it away. Feed people that don't have money or feed people that are sick and don't have anyone to take care of them. I don't care but I'm not taking the money back.
Carlotta: That's a good idea. Maybe I'll do that.
Todd (handing her a wad of cash): Here. In case you need more. (to Tea) Can we go now?
Tea: Sure. (as she kisses Carlotta): Thank you. I'll call you.
Carlotta: You better.
[As Tea and Todd leave the diner, Carlotta stares at the hundreds of dollars in her hand bewildered by that odd creature known as Todd Manning.]
Later...
[Tea and Todd are silently eating dinner at home.]
Todd: So, this is us married.
Tea: We've been married and lived together before, remember?
Todd: But this is different.
Tea: I suppose it is.
Todd: So, what do we do after dinner?
Tea: What would you like to do?
Todd: I don't know.
Tea: Actually, you know, I should call my grandmother.
Todd: You haven't told her yet?
Tea: No.
Todd: Why not?
Tea: I wanted to wait to tell anyone until I told you.
Todd: You told a room full of people before you told me.
Tea: Because it was the only way I could think of to be certain you would be contacted and that you would respond.
Todd (getting up): I'll be upstairs in my office.
Tea: Okay.
[Todd puts the cordless phone on the table next to Tea before leaving the room. Tea sits and stares at it for several moments before finally dialing her grandmother's number. They talk for almost an hour. When Tea finishes talking to her grandmother she goes upstairs and enters Todd's office.]
Tea (looking around): Is my office as nice as yours?
Todd: They're identical.
Tea: Really?
Todd: Really.
Tea: What have you been doing up here this whole time?
Todd: My own research.
Tea (looking at his computer screen): About cancer treatments?
Todd: I thought it might be good if I knew what to expect.
Tea: By the way, Carlotta wants to come by one day a week so you can have a day off.
Todd: She doesn't trust me to take care of you, does she?
Tea: She just thought it might be good for you to have a break once in a while.
Todd: And she doesn't trust me.
Tea: Her feelings for you will change after she gets to know you better.
Todd: She'll probably hate me even more.
Tea: Not if you show her the real you.
Todd: Who is that?
Tea: I guess we'll find out as we dig into your past.
Todd: You still want to do that?
Tea: Yes. I've been thinking about it. We don't have to start with the big stuff if you don't want to. We could start with the little things...the everyday things. As we go through our day if you're reminded of something that your father did to you then you could tell me about it.
[Todd shuts down his computer and they walk toward their bedroom.]
Todd: That won't work.
Tea: Why not?
Todd: Because there are too many things. We could walk through this house and there would be so many things in every room that would remind me of something he did to me. He was very imaginative. He found lots of ways to use ordinary things to torture me.
Tea: Like rice.
Todd: Rice, (looking around the bedroom) pillows, blankets, rugs. Everything is a reminder of something bad for me. Chairs, beds, the sound of the shower running or the toilet flushing, the sound of water boiling on the stove or something frying in a frying pan, the sound of the refrigerator door closing or the newspaper being folded, footsteps coming closer, doors opening, glass breaking, the different seasons, the day of the week, the smell of rain in the air or fresh cut grass. Everything and every moment of every day is a reminder to me of what he did, of who I am.
Tea: Who are you?
Todd: I'm the person he created.
Tea: And who is that?
Todd (softly): I don't know. I don't know if he really wanted me to be a monster like he was but if he did he didn't do a good enough job.
Tea: You don't think you're a complete monster? Sometimes you act like you do.
Todd: I feel things. I don't think he did.
Tea: I'm glad you're human, Todd.
Todd: You would be.
Tea: Okay, so my original idea won't work. What if every day you tell me one thing that he did to you.
Todd: You want me to ruin every day we have together by telling you the demented things he did to me?
Tea: Do you have a better idea?
Todd: I could keep it all to myself.
Tea: You know I won't agree to that. So, one thing a day, okay? We can pick a set time everyday or it can be random, depending on what would be better for you. Of course, you can tell me more than one thing if you want to but you have to tell me at least one thing, okay? Can we agree on that?
Todd: Do I have a choice?
Tea: Not unless you come up with a better idea.
Todd: I'll have to think about it.
Tea: You do that. I'm going to change for bed.
[Tea enters the bathroom leaving Todd alone to think in the bedroom.]
chapter 14:
The next morning...
[Tea wakes up and finds Todd staring at her.]
Tea: Were you watching me sleep?
Todd: Is that okay?
Tea: Sure. You know, I watch you sleep too.
Todd: I never sleep.
Tea: Well, you have several times since I've been here.
Todd: I guess being with you puts me to sleep.
Tea (ignoring him): Are you going to talk to Blair today?
Todd: I have to if I want to see Shorty. Do you want to come with me?
Tea: Actually, I was planning on going to work today.
Todd: Are you sure you should do that?
Tea: Hank gave me some time off because I told him I had a serious personal issue to deal with. I should tell him that I'm sick.
Todd: You should quit your job.
Tea: Why would I want to do that?
Todd: Because you're working on the wrong side of the law. You need to be somewhere that your talents are truly respected and needed. Not where ethics get in the way.
Tea: Ethics and morals are twisted on both sides.
Todd: You should come back to work for me.
Tea: Doing what? You don't run the newspaper anymore. You don't have any criminal charges pending. You don't, do you?
Todd: Not that I know about but as soon as those Buchanans learn I'm back in town they'll start coming after me. Having my attorney living with me worked out for me before. It might be good again.
Tea: How much does the job pay?
Todd: You would charge your husband?
Tea: Do you have any idea how time consuming being your lawyer is?
Todd: It's not my fault if people misunderstand my actions.
Tea: I'm not in the mood to get into this right now, okay? I'll take a leave of absence from work but I'm not quitting...yet. I'll also arrange to start treatment as soon as possible.
Todd: You're not going with that last doctor, are you?
Tea: No.
Todd: Good. Do you want to meet back here for lunch?
Tea: That would be great.
[Tea and Todd get ready and go off on their separate missions.]
That afternoon...
[Tea and Todd are watching television together.]
Todd: This is so stupid. Do people actually watch this stuff every day?
Tea: Maybe it's just an off day.
Todd: The writing stinks. The plots are stupid. The pacing is boring. A couple of characters even changed personalities during the commercial break. They must be idiots to think this garbage would appeal to anyone. I could write a better show than this. Heck, put a crayon in Starr's hand and she could write a better show than this. They should put old Underdog cartoons on instead of this show. At least then there would be something interesting and entertaining to watch.
Tea: Why don't we just stop torturing ourselves and turn the television off.
Todd: And do what?
Tea: I don't know. We could go for a walk.
Todd: Why?
Tea: Pretty soon I might not have the energy to do it so let's go for a walk now and you can show me your property.
Todd: Our property.
Tea (smiling): Our property. Are you willing?
Todd: I suppose.
[Tea and Todd go for a walk on the mountain. Without being too obvious about it Todd leads Tea to his favorite spot, a place that has a magnificent view of the valley below.]
Tea (in awe): Todd, this is incredible.
Todd (trying to pretend he's never seen this particular view before): Look at that. Isn't that interesting.
Tea (giving him a questioning look): You've been here before, haven't you?
Todd: I'm not exactly the mountain strolling type, Tea.
Tea (not believing him): Right.
Todd: Well, we've seen it. Do you want to go back?
Tea: Not yet.
[Tea tries to subtly get closer to Todd. When she reaches her hand out to take his he jumps away from her.]
Todd: Sorry, I thought maybe you were one of those animal things that roam around here.
Tea: Nope. Just a wife who wants to hold your hand.
Todd: Why?
Tea: Because it would feel good.
Todd: It would?
Tea: Well, I think it would. Do you think we could try?
Todd: Uh, if we have to.
[Todd reaches his hand out and awkwardly grabs Tea's hand. As they stand there he starts to slightly swing their arms gradually picking up speed until he's wildly flinging their arms back and forth.]
Tea (pulling her hand away): It wasn't supposed to be a workout for our arms. It's supposed to be a romantic moment.
Todd: Oh. I don't do those. I thought you figured that out by now.
Tea: I'm a slow learner, apparently.
Todd: You're the smartest person I know, besides Starr, of course.
[Tea looks at him, surprised that he actually has a smile on his face. She steps in front of him and caresses his face.]
Todd (pointing behind her): You're supposed to be looking at the view.
Tea (moving her body closer to his): I am. It's very beautiful.
Todd: Uh...
Tea: Are you uncomfortable?
Todd (lying): No.
Tea: Then, it would be okay if we stayed like this for a while?
Todd: Uh...
[Tea caresses Todd's lips with her finger.]
Todd: You know, I didn't put any lip balm on before we left the house. My lips are probably all dry and disgusting. You probably don't even want to touch them with your finger like that and you certainly wouldn't want to touch them with a softer part of your... (Todd closes his eyes for a moment trying unsuccessfully not to let Tea distract him)
Tea: Body?
Todd (opening his eyes): What?
Tea: Isn't that the word you were trying to think of?
Todd: Was that what I was thinking? We should really probably go back now.
Tea: I would love to.
Todd: Although, it's really a nice day maybe we could stay here for...(quite aware of Tea's body against his)...a very, very long time.
Tea: Okay, we can do it here too. It doesn't matter to me.
Todd: It doesn't?
Tea: Not at all.
Todd (nervously): What exactly are we going to do?
Tea: What we agreed to do.
Todd: What was that?
[Tea suddenly steps away from his body and becomes very serious.]
Tea: You're going to tell me something about you childhood.
Todd: What?!
Tea: Remember? Every day you tell me something about your childhood? You haven't told me anything yet. Now is a good time. Tell me something.
Todd: Wait...no...no...wait...wait...no...
Tea: Is there a sentence in there somewhere?
Todd: That's not what you were doing.
Tea (innocently): What do you mean?
Todd: Don't give me that. You weren't rubbing yourself against me because you wanted to talk about my childhood.
Tea: Then why was I?
Todd: Uh... Why are you trying to confuse me?
Tea: I'm not. Look, I wanted to kiss you...
Todd: I knew it!
Tea: ...but you obviously didn't want to kiss me. You couldn't even handle holding my hand. So, let's talk about your childhood.
Todd: No. You can't switch like that.
Tea: Do you want me to kiss you?
Todd: Uh...
Tea: Let's just forget about it and go back to the house.
[Tea starts to walk back the way they came. Todd puts his arm around her waist in front of her to stop her. He turns her body so she's facing him. He steps forward so their bodies are almost touching. He stares at her for a long while without saying or doing anything.]
Todd: Well, are you going to, or not?
Tea: What?
Todd: You said you were going to kiss me.
Tea: Well, you know, you could kiss me.
Todd: I suppose.
Tea: Are you going to?
Todd: I don't know. I'm thinking about it.
Tea: Well, while you're thinking...
[Tea steps forward so their bodies are touching and runs her fingers through his hair. He does the same.]
Todd: You know, I liked it better when my fingers didn't run out of hair so fast.
Tea: Are you saying you'd like it if I grew my hair back out?
Todd: It's your hair.
Tea: Todd, I don't remember you running your fingers through my hair.
Todd: I did it all the time.
Tea: You did?
Todd: Yeah, whenever I closed my eyes. Sometimes, even when I kept them open.
Tea: I see.
Todd: So, are you going to kiss me or what?
Tea: Do you want me to?
Todd: I wouldn't stop you if you did.
Tea: Maybe we could do it together.
[They both move their heads forward and awkwardly try to align their mouths properly. As their lips entwine passionately they both hold each other close.]
chapter 15:
the next week...
[Todd leaves Tea resting in the bedroom when he hears the doorbell ringing.]
Todd (opening the front door): Oh, it's you.
Viki: It's nice to see you too. How is Tea doing?
Todd: She's upstairs resting.
Viki: She started treatment today, right?
Todd: Yep.
Viki: How is it going?
Todd: I don't know. It just started.
Viki: Are you going to show me in or are we just going to continue standing here?
Todd: Come in...go away...whatever.
[Viki enters the living room and sits down.]
Viki: I see you're going to be a joy to be around. I hope Tea can handle it.
Todd: I'm different around Tea. I actually invited her.
Viki: I would have waited for an invitation but knowing you I probably never would have seen your new house. It's quite lovely.
Todd: Tea likes it.
Viki: I'm glad. I'm sure she's glad to have you back right now.
Todd: She seems to want to be here.
Viki: How are you doing?
Todd: It doesn't matter.
Viki: Of course it does.
Todd: All that matters is that Tea's okay.
Viki: I'm sure she will be.
Todd: Why are you here?
Viki: I wanted to check up on Tea.
Todd: And you wanted to check up on me at the same time, right?
Viki: I have been worried about you. I haven't heard from you since you and Tea stopped by the house last week. I thought maybe we could talk. You could tell me what you've been doing all this time you've been away.
Todd: You want to know if I've figured out who I am yet, right?
Viki: Have you?
Todd: Not in the way that you probably want.
Viki: What does that mean?
Todd: I haven't figured everything out yet but I do know...
Viki: What?
Todd: I know that I need Tea.
Viki: And you have her back now.
Todd: Yeah...for now.
Viki: Are you concerned about...
Todd: She'll be fine.
Viki: Of course she will. What about you?
Todd: What about me?
Viki: Will you be fine?
Todd: You know, I think I liked it better when you didn't know where I lived.
Viki: Have you contacted Starr yet?
Todd: I tried but Blair took her somewhere and Dorian won't tell me where. She did say they'd be back in a couple of days. I can't believe you hired Blair.
Viki: It wasn't exactly my idea. Kevin hired her.
Todd: Really? And how did that make you feel, Viki?
Viki: That reminds me, how's therapy?
Todd: What therapy?
Viki: I had the distinct impression when you and Tea were at my house last week that you would be going to therapy.
Todd: Nope.
Viki: It seemed important to your wife at the time.
Todd: You know, sometimes priorities change.
Viki: Todd...
Todd: Look, Viki, the last thing I need today is a lecture from you.
Viki: Me? Lecture?
Todd: Tea and I worked things out, okay? She knows that talking to some stranger isn't going to work for me, like it does for you or everybody else. I'm special.
Viki: That you are. So, if you're not going to work with a therapist then how are you going to get better? I assume that you do want that, don't you? You want it to work out this time with Tea, right?
Todd: I'll do everything I can for Tea, and for Starr. Look, if you want you can help.
Viki: How?
Todd: I have no idea. I just know that doing that therapy thing isn't going to work. It would take me too long to trust anyone like I would have to. So, instead, I'm going to talk to Tea.
Viki: Can you do that? Can you really trust her this time?
Todd: I could always trust her. I just didn't always do it but right now she's really trusting me so I figure maybe this time I should just do it. You know, I've always been able to talk to her.
Viki: I'm glad. I still think that a professional would be better able to help you, though.
Todd: So does Tea but she's willing to try it my way. I know that I can tell her everything. I don't know if I will but I know that she would listen to anything and it wouldn't make her stop caring about me.
Viki: I hope it works out for you this time. I really do. I remember how determined she seemed to be to make your marriage work in the beginning. You didn't make it easy for her.
Todd: Nothing with me is...
[Todd hears noise upstairs and stops speaking as he tries to make out what the noise is. Within seconds he starts running up the stairs. When he gets to the bedroom he doesn't find Tea. He rushes into the bathroom and finds her hanging over the toilet.]
Todd: Are you okay? Why didn't you let me know you were being sick?
Tea: Next time I could holler out to you, 'Honey, come watch me vomit,' if you'd like?
Todd: Okay, except the honey part. I don't think I'm a honey. Are you done being sick?
Tea: I don't know. I still feel kind of nauseous.
Todd: Why don't you go lay down? I'll get a wash cloth.
[Todd helps Tea stand up and she goes back into the bedroom where she finds Viki standing in the doorway.]
Tea (as she crawls back into bed): I was wondering who Todd was talking to.
Viki: I stopped by to see how you were. Are you all right?
Tea (with a fake smile): I'm great.
[Todd enters with a damp washcloth and sits down next to Tea and puts it on her forehead.]
Todd: How is that?
Tea: It's fine. I'm fine. Go back downstairs and finish your visit with your sister.
Todd: I don't want to leave you alone again.
Tea: Todd, I'm fine. We knew this might happen. It's not that bad.
Todd: For you, maybe.
Tea: I'm sorry, is my being sick disturbing you?
Todd: Yeah, so stop it.
Tea: Whatever you say, dear.
Todd: We should call the doctor.
Tea: There's no need.
Todd (starting to get up): I'll get the number.
Tea (grabbing his arm): Don't. (seeing his concern) If I throw up again then you can call, okay?
Todd: Okay.
[Todd stares intently at Tea unnerving her.]
Tea: Well, don't sit here and wait for it to happen.
Todd: You should sleep.
Tea (sarcastically): Sure. I'll just drift right off.
Todd (to Viki): She sleeps less than I do now.
Viki: Maybe I should leave the two of you. Unless there's anything I can do to help.
Todd: Going away would help a lot.
Tea: Todd!
Viki: Don't worry about it, Tea. He just doesn't want me to talk to him about therapy anymore.
Tea (looking at Todd): I see.
Todd: My wife is sick I don't have time for frivolous things like self exploration or any of that other garbage.
Tea: Yeah, and being a healthy individual capable of maintaining loving relationships is such a wasted pursuit.
Todd: You understand.
Tea: Did you ask your sister?
Viki: Ask me what?
Todd: You know, being involved in my...whatever we're going to call this. We can't call it therapy because I hate that word.
Viki: I still don't know exactly what you expect my involvement to be.
Todd: I don't really know but we've been through some of the same stuff, right? Maybe I could talk to you about some of it. I don't know, though, if I could talk about all of it with you.
Viki: You could tell me anything, Todd.
Todd: But some of it's pretty gross. It's not the kind of stuff you're supposed to talk to your sister about. It's going to be hard enough talking to my wife about some of it.
Viki: I know that it isn't easy but you shouldn't be ashamed about anything. You have to remember that it isn't your fault.
Todd: The stuff I did is. (looking at Tea) Look, why don't we do this another time.
Tea: I'm fine.
Todd: You look horrible.
Tea: I had forgotten how sweet and complimentary you could be.
Viki: Why don't I go so you can get some rest. Tea, I hope you feel better soon.
Tea: Thank you.
[Todd walks Viki to the door and then returns to the bedroom.]
Todd: Do you want me to get you anything?
Tea: That's okay. You can go off duty. I'm just going to lay here and see if I can fall asleep.
Todd: Do you need any help?
Tea: What kind of help?
Todd: I don't know. What would help you sleep?
Tea: You could sing me a lullaby.
Todd: What?
Tea: I was kidding, Todd.
Todd: Of course. I knew that. Really, Tea, what can I do?
Tea: You really want to help?
Todd: Yes.
Tea (gesturing to the space on the bed next to her): Come here.
[Todd tentatively seats himself on the bed.]
Tea (noticing his uncomfortable posture): You know, maybe you should go do something complicated and time consuming instead.
Todd: No. I want to be here. Just tell me what you need me to do.
Tea: You probably aren't going to want to do it.
Todd: Yes, I will.
Tea: It involves touching.
Todd: I've touched you before. I can handle it.
Tea: You're sure?
Todd: What do you want me to do?
Tea: Lay down.
[Todd slowly lowers his body onto the mattress.]
Tea: Turn on your side facing me.
[Todd rolls onto his side.]
Todd: Okay.
Tea: You're sure about this?
Todd: I'm sure.
[Tea picks up his hand and places it under her shirt on her bare stomach.]
Todd: Now what?
Tea: Move it around slowly. Don't push hard on my stomach and no wild, jerking movements.
Todd: And this will help you?
Tea: It helps when I'm nauseous and feeling your hand touching me might actually help me sleep, okay?
Todd: Okay.
[Todd starts to slowly caress Tea's stomach as she closes her eyes and tries to forget everything except how his hand feels against her skin. Even after Tea falls asleep Todd continues gently caressing Tea as he watches her sleep.]
to be continued...
