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| IN SICKNESS BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 21- 25 |
PREVIOUSLY...
Todd: Boring is bad.
Tea: I think so.
Todd: Okay, I promise I'll try my best never to be boring.
Tea: I don't think you'll have to try too hard.
[Tea kisses Todd briefly and then drags him downstairs to have lunch with Carlotta and Viki.]
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
chapter 21:
[Tea and Todd join Viki and Carlotta in the kitchen.]
Viki: Are you both feeling better?
Todd: I'm fine, my wife has a hangover.
Tea: I do not. I just have a slight headache.
Todd: Brought on by excessive amounts of alcohol which I believe is referred to as (leaning close to her and whispering in her ear) a hangover.
Tea (playfully pushing him away): Leave me alone.
Todd (looking around for something to eat): What do you want?
Tea: Nothing.
Viki: How about some toast?
Tea: I couldn't handle that right now.
Viki: Your stomach?
Tea: No, my mouth.
Viki: Your mouth?
Todd: Sometimes her mouth gets sore. Do you want some ice cream?
Tea: Do we have chocolate?
Todd (looking in the freezer): No, but we have neapolitan. I can just give you the chocolate part though, if you want.
Tea: It's okay. A mixture would be fine as long as there's chocolate.
Carlotta: Shouldn't you eat more than ice cream?
Todd: Cold foods feel good when her mouth is sore and, besides, it's easier to get her to eat when you offer junk food. You can blend up some carrots and try to sneak them in, if you want.
Tea: Don't you dare. I did try to eat better when Starr was here but today I get to eat the way I want to. (seeing Carlotta's worried look) I'll try to eat something healthy later today, okay?
Todd (putting a big bowl of ice cream in front of Tea): I think ice cream is perfect. She needs to eat fattening stuff so she doesn't lose any more weight.
Viki (to Tea): How much have you lost?
[The doorbell rings.]
Todd: Too much. I'll get the door.
[Todd leaves the kitchen.]
Carlotta (concerned): Are you all right?
Tea (reassuringly): I'm fine. (looking behind her to make sure Todd isn't there) He is right, though, I do have a hangover. That is the last time I combine getting drunk and chemotherapy. The last thing I need right now is another reason to throw up and feel horrible. (looking at both Carlotta and Viki) So, enough about me, how are both of you? How's the outside world?
[Before they can answer Todd returns to the kitchen.]
Todd: Delgado?
Tea: Yeah?
Todd: How good are your lawyer skills when you're hungover?
Tea (turning around): I'm not hungover and why do you need a lawyer?
Todd: Buchanan says he wants me to go answer some questions.
Tea: At the station?
Todd: Yep.
Tea: A warrant?
Todd: Nope.
Tea (getting up): Then you're not going anywhere.
[Tea marches with determination into the living room followed by Todd, Viki and Carlotta.]
Tea: Bo?
Bo: Tea, how are you?
Tea: I'm not in the mood for you to harass my husband.
Bo: I'm not harassing him. I just want to ask him a few questions.
Tea: At the station?
Bo: I thought that would be a good place.
Tea: Are you arresting him?
Bo: It's just questioning.
Tea: Then he won't be going anywhere with you. Besides, his lawyer is here.
Bo: You? Did you quit your job?
Tea: Not yet but I will if I have to.
Bo: It's just a few questions Tea, nothing to get upset about.
Tea: Then ask them here in front of an attorney or go away.
Todd: I vote for the go away part.
[Todd plops himself down on the couch as Tea gently seats herself next to him.]
Bo: Okay, I need to know what really happened between you and Detective Sykes on that road.
Todd: What really happened? Because you don't believe the truth I told you yesterday at the hospital.
Tea: You talked to him at the hospital? Without an attorney?
Todd: The accident wasn't my fault.
Tea: You know you can't trust the police. You should have waited until you had an attorney.
Todd: I didn't think I needed one. That Sykes guy obviously tried to kill me.
Bo: What exactly happened?
Tea: Wait. (to Todd) Do we need to talk first?
Todd: No. It wasn't my fault. (to Bo) I was coming home after dropping off Starr. I was driving along and this car hit me from behind.
Bo: Were you speeding? Were you driving recklessly? Was he trying to pull you over?
Todd: Because it had to be my fault, right? It couldn't be because the guy was nuts.
Tea: Todd...
Todd: There were no sirens or flashing lights, okay? I don't know what my speed was but I definitely started speeding after he started trying to kill me.
Bo: How do you know that his bumping the back of your car wasn't an accident? The high speed chase may have been because of your overreaction.
Todd: Or it may have been because he was nuts.
Viki: Bo, is this really necessary. This Sykes person is dead.
Bo: Exactly, Viki. When one of my officers dies in the line of duty I want to know why.
Todd: He didn't die in the line of duty he was in the middle of trying to kill me but you're going to make him out to be a hero, aren't you? And you're going to sacrifice me to do it.
Tea: Bo, do you have any evidence that what Todd is saying isn't true?
Bo: We have damage to the back and sides of John's car and no damage to the back of Manning's car.
Todd: That's because he didn't hit me hard enough but he did hit me.
Tea (to Todd): What happened?
Todd: After he hit me I took off.
Bo: Why?
Todd: I don't know, maybe it's all the Buchanans in this town who hate me. Maybe I feared for my life.
Bo: Did you know who the other driver was?
Todd: At that point no.
Bo: When did you become aware it was John Sykes?
Todd: He got into the oncoming lane and was driving along side of me and started swerving his car toward mine. I looked over and I saw who it was. I knew the area we were in pretty well so I waited until we were almost to a side road and then I turned quickly and he kept going down the road we were on. It didn't take him long before he was back behind me again and then he was along my side this time really ramming his car into me. I slammed on my brakes until he was in front of me and then I took off after him.
Tea: Okay, stop talking.
Todd: I wasn't going after him. I wasn't trying to hurt him. I just figured it was better if he was in front of me so I could see what he was doing. I was about to call the police, not that they would have actually helped me, when he slammed on his brakes and I hit the back of his car and he slammed into a tree. My car kind of spun and I hit something and passed out.
Bo: You expect me to believe any of this? Why would a good, decent cop like John Sykes try to kill you?
[Todd doesn't answer but simply looks at Tea who returns his look.]
Bo: Are you going to answer me? Or maybe you don't have an answer because you're lying. You murdered a police officer and you will pay.
Tea: No, he didn't. John Sykes did have a reason to kill Todd.
Bo: And what reason would that be?
Tea: Me.
Bo: I know the two of you were friendly but...
Tea: It was more than that. After Todd left John and I spent some time together. We even...we went out a for awhile. It wasn't serious, not for me. John, though, took it seriously. He took it very seriously. After our first date he started referring to there being an us. He wanted to know where I was and what I was doing and with whom. He wanted to spend way more time together than I did. When I would try to decline he would be very insistent. He kept telling me how vulnerable I was and how he could give me everything that Todd hadn't. After awhile I started to...I started to believe him. He was offering me everything I ever wanted or, at least, it looked that way on the surface.
Bo: So, what happened?
Tea: I tried, I really tried, to convince myself that I could have a relationship with him, that he was a good person, someone who would love me and treat me well. After a while, though, I realized that it would never work out. I would have been spending the rest of my life pretending that he was someone else just to get through the day. And the nights, well, I tried to convince myself that with time maybe I could feel something for him but it became quite clear to me that I would never have any interest in him in that way. I did try, though, for awhile but there was never any spark there. Besides, it became evident that something wasn't right with him. He was showing up wherever I was. He was calling me at odd hours. I think he was following me.
Bo: What made you think that?
Tea: He knew things that I hadn't told him. It was really making me uncomfortable so I told him that I wasn't ready for another relationship, that it was going too fast and I needed some time to myself. He wouldn't give it to me, though. He kept telling me that he knew what was best for me, that I was just scared or damaged from my relationship with Todd and that he would never treat me the way Todd had. I tried to avoid him, I dropped hints, but nothing would make him stop so finally I told him flat out that I wanted him to leave me alone. I think he thought he was being romantic pushing me so hard but he just seemed obsessive. I mean, it was one thing when it was...
Bo: What?
Todd: Go ahead.
Tea: It was one thing when it was my husband but I wasn't going to put up with that kind of treatment from John. I didn't care about him. I didn't love him. I wasn't interested in even trying to have a relationship with someone who needed that much attention and ego stroking, who wanted me to give up my life and do nothing but be with him all the time. I did it once I wasn't going to do it again.
Bo: And how did he react to your rejection?
Tea: He got angry. He showed me who he really was.
Todd (concerned): Did he hurt you?
Tea: Not really. He grabbed me but he didn't do any serious damage. (to Bo) He did tell me that I would regret it.
Bo: Why didn't you say something?
Tea: To whom? To you? Who would you have believed? Me? Or John?
Bo: But you expect me to believe you now? The timing of this is rather interesting.
Tea (laughing to herself): Of course. I'm Todd's wife so I couldn't possibly be trusted to tell the truth and Todd couldn't possibly be telling the truth that one of your cops tried to murder him. Will you be arresting me when you arrest Todd? Maybe we planned John's murder together.
Todd: Uh, Tea, I think you should stop talking. You're joking but he's going to consider it a confession.
Bo: Tea, you have to admit this is hard to believe. After all, John was a brilliant police officer with an excellent record and Todd, well...
Tea: John Sykes was a corrupt cop and you know it. Heck, most of your police force is comprised of corrupt cops and don't pretend that you have no knowledge of their illegal activities.
Bo: I know no such thing.
Tea: Would you like me to make a list of all of the illegal behavior I'm aware of from the officers in your department, including you.
Bo: I have never...
Tea: Save it. I'm not in the mood to hear you lie, whether you believe it's the truth or not. Are you going to arrest Todd?
Bo: Not right now but that doesn't mean that I won't.
Tea: Fine. Just be aware that if you do I won't just defend Todd against any ridiculous charges you convince Hank to bring against him but I will come after you and your entire police force. I will show that you have prejudice against my client and that you have tried to knowingly bring false charges against him in the past.
Bo: You'll never be able to prove that because it isn't true. I've always gone by the book with Manning.
Tea: Really? So that time when you were off the force because of Georgie's murder and you convinced Sykes to issue a warrant for Todd's arrest, you were going by the book?
Bo: The evidence pointed straight to Manning?
Tea: No, the evidence pointed to you or your son. The only evidence you had against Todd was that he had paid for Georgie's burial, hardly proof that he murdered her.
Bo: I had reasonable suspicions.
Tea: And you had power and influence in the police department and a son that you desperately wanted to clear whether he was innocent or not.
Bo: This conversation isn't going to get us anywhere.
Tea: Fine. Then leave before I throw up on you.
Todd: Watch it, Tea. He'll arrest you for threatening a police officer.
Bo: You haven't seen the last of me, Manning.
[Bo leaves.]
Tea (turning toward Todd): Why do these things always happen to you?
Todd: Hey, this one isn't my fault. I wasn't the one who was dating an insane cop while her husband waited at home for her.
Tea (standing up): My ice cream's probably melted.
Todd (standing up next to her): I'll get you more ice cream. You can consider it payment for being such a great lawyer and, well, I guess you're an okay wife too.
Tea: Careful, you don't want to swell my head with your compliments.
Todd: If your head is the only place I can get you to gain weight then I'll do what I have to do.
[Tea and Todd go into the kitchen leaving Viki and Carlotta alone in the living room.]
Carlotta: It never is dull around here, is it?
Viki: With those two I don't think it could ever be dull.
chapter 22:
[It isn't easy but Tea convinces Todd to have dinner at Viki's house, despite the fact that Viki intends to invite his nephew, Kevin. Everything appears to be going fine initially. Todd and Kevin take verbal jabs at each other, like they usually do, but manage to be relatively civil, at least while Viki is in the room.
As the evening progresses, Tea and Viki are talking in the kitchen when they hear a loud, piercing shriek. They rush into the living room to find Kevin rolling on the floor in obvious agony.]
Viki (quickly moving to Kevin's side): What happened?
Kevin (taking his hand off his groin to point at Todd): He assaulted me. (to Todd) I'll have you arrested for this.
Todd: Fine. Go ahead, call your uncle and I'll tell him that I simply defended myself when you molested me.
Viki (looking at Kevin in shock): What?
Kevin: Are you going to believe him? I'm the one in pain here.
Tea (concerned): Todd, are you all right?
Todd: I'm fine but no one gets to touch me there but you. Okay, maybe I'll let a doctor someday, if I have to, but that's it.
Tea (to Kevin): What were you doing fondling my husband?
Kevin: I wasn't fondling him.
Tea: It was an accident? You were reaching for a drink and you grabbed Todd instead?
Kevin (painfully standing up): No.
Tea: Are you gay?
Kevin: NO! Of course not.
Viki: Kevin, what happened?
Kevin: It was nothing. Let's just forget about it.
Todd (playing up the situation): I don't know if I can do that. I'm pretty traumatized.
Viki: Todd, what happened?
Todd: He was trying to get a reaction out of me like he always does. This time he used sex.
Viki (to Kevin): Is that why you did it? You know what his father did to him. How could you do that to him?
Kevin: Nothing happened to him. It's a lie. Can't you see that? He's playing on your sympathies.
Viki: Do you think that what my father did to me is a lie?
Kevin: Of course not.
Viki: Then why can't you believe that it happened to Todd?
Todd: Forget it, Viki. He'll never understand. He'll never believe it and I don't really care but if he touches me like that I'm going to react whether it's appropriate or not. No one gets to touch me like that when I don't want them to ever again.
Tea: I still don't understand why he did it. Was he questioning what your father did to you?
Todd: No. (looking at Tea) Are you sure you'll be okay hearing this?
Tea: Whatever it is I'll be fine.
Todd: Okay. He was saying that since my wife is sick and he assumes that means that we can't...well...you know. So, he said that I was probably getting kind of desperate by now and that the women in this town should be afraid because I'd probably be looking to rape someone pretty soon.
Viki: Kevin!
Tea (moving toward Kevin angrily): You little bastard!
Kevin: Look at that. Manning's little wife is going to protect him.
Viki: Kevin, stop it right now.
Tea: No, Viki, let me handle this. (to Kevin) You think you're a big man, don't you? Attacking the big, bad Manning monster. Well, now there are two of us and if you go after Todd you'll be going after me too and I can fight even dirtier that he can.
Kevin: You know, Todd, you don't look so scary standing behind a woman.
Tea: I have ammunition against you that Todd doesn't have. (speaking quietly so Viki doesn't hear) I could mention how lousy you are in bed or some of the weird games you wanted to play or that time that you couldn't quite...
Kevin (quickly interrupting her): I get your point, okay.
Tea (putting her hand on his chest): Do you? No, I don't think you do. So, let me make it clear to you. (as she punches him in the stomach with her other hand) What happens between my husband and myself in the privacy of our bedroom is none of your business. If you, or anyone in your family, come after Todd again just know that I'll come after you with every charge I can and given your family's tendency toward violence and bending the law I could do just as much damage against your family as you could against Todd. (Tea starts to turn away from Kevin but looks back at him again) You know, they say that physical violence never solved anything but, damn, it certainly feels good sometimes. (to Todd; as she starts toward the door) Are you ready to go home?
Todd: Sure. (trying hard not to laugh as he turns to Viki) Sorry about this, Sis. I told you, dinners at your house never quite work out but I kind of enjoyed myself anyway and I think maybe my wife did too.
[Tea and Todd drive home in silence. When they arrive home they go into their kitchen.]
Todd (looking in the fridge): Why can't my nephew ever wait until after dinner to be a jerk? (looking at a contemplative Tea) Does your hand hurt?
Tea: Huh? No. It's fine. How are you?
Todd: I still have all my parts. You know, he didn't even hurt me but...(smiling)...I know I hurt him.
Tea: I'm sorry he did that to you. I guess...I guess that means...
[Todd dips his finger into a bowl of food, tastes it, decides he doesn't like it and puts it back in the fridge.]
Todd: What?
Tea: Um, nothing...nothing. Why don't you get out of the refrigerator and I'll make us something.
Todd: You don't have to make anything. Carlotta left enough food in here for a couple of months.
Tea: Fine, then I'll heat something up. Just stop jabbing your finger into everything.
Todd: Not everything, just the things I can't figure out what they are.
Tea: Well, whatever, just go sit at the table. I'll come up with something for dinner, okay?
[Todd backs away from the refrigerator as Tea starts to prepare a plate of food for each of them.]
Todd: Is something wrong?
Tea: What could be wrong?
Todd: I don't know but something obviously is? Is it what happened with Kevin? Don't let it get to you, the guy's a jerk.
Tea: I know.
Todd (caressing her back): What is it?
Tea (pulling away from him): Don't do that.
Todd: Since when don't you want me to touch you? Do you feel sick?
Tea: Everything is not about me being sick. You know, there are other things on my mind.
Todd: Like what?
Tea (bringing their plates to the table): Let's just eat, okay?
Todd: Did I do something? Are you angry at me? Is this about this morning? (he can tell from her reaction that it is) This is about what we were talking about, right? Did you decide you don't want to be here? Do you want to leave? You can leave.
[Without saying anything Tea throws the fork in her hand down onto the plate, gets up from the table and walks out of the kitchen. Todd quickly takes a few bites of food before following his wife upstairs.]
Todd (entering their bedroom): I hope you're going to tell me what the hell's wrong with you.
Tea: I don't feel like talking. I think I'll just go to bed.
Todd: No way. You would never let me get away with that. You tell me what's going on with you right now.
Tea (unemotionally): I want to have sex with you.
Todd (turning to leave the room): Okay, we don't have to talk about it. Never mind.
Tea: You don't even remember, do you?
Todd (turning back toward Tea): Remember what?
Tea: Go downstairs. Eat your dinner, play pool, watch television, enjoy your evening. Just be somewhere that I'm not, okay?
Todd: Are you afraid you won't be able to control yourself if we're in the same room?
Tea (sarcastically): You got it, Todd. That's exactly what I'm afraid of, that I won't be able to stop myself from taking all my clothes off and shoving my tongue down your throat. Now get out of my sight.
Todd: You said that we didn't have to.
Tea: So you do remember?
Todd: When my wife rubs her body against mine I tend to notice...and remember.
Tea: Then why have you been acting like you didn't remember? Like it's just another platonic evening with the Mannings.
Todd: I don't know. What was I supposed to do? Grab you when we walked in the door? Maul you in the car? What?
Tea: You could have given some indication that you were thinking about it. That maybe, just maybe, the idea appealed to you...a little.
Todd: It does.
Tea: Does it?
Todd: You know it does.
Tea: I don't know that. You never let me know that.
Todd: Well, I'm letting you know now.
Tea: What does that mean.
Todd (closing his eyes and taking a deep breath): I want to have sex with you, Tea.
Tea: Because Kevin questioned our relationship, right? You want to prove something to him?
Todd: I don't give a damn about that...that...that thing. And what, you think I'm going to go bragging to him after? How old do you think I am?
Tea: Why else would you want to?
Todd: Why else? Are you kidding? Tea, you're my wife, remember?
Tea: That was never enough of a reason in the past.
Todd: It wasn't because I didn't want to.
Tea: Then why?
Todd: There were reasons.
Tea: Are those reasons still there?
Todd: They're there. (Tea turns away from him) That doesn't mean, though... (Todd closes his eyes in frustration) Oh, hell!
Tea (with an unamused laugh): Those are the words I wanted to hear from my husband when he was thinking about making love to me for the first time.
Todd: The first time? I thought you said what we did out on the balcony the first night you were here was making love.
Tea: You know what I mean.
Todd: What about all the nights that we have laid in that bed and held each other. What about the times that you've pressed your body against me. Or the times that we've kissed. Does any of that count?
Tea: Of course it does.
Todd: If I said that I didn't want to have sex with you tonight but that I wanted to lay next to you and kiss you for hours would you consider that to be a wasted evening?
Tea: Is that what you want?
Todd: I told you...(softly)...I want to have sex with you. I want to take your clothes off and...and...and look at you, really look at you. I want to touch you. I want...(having a hard time talking)...I want...
Tea: What do you want?
Todd (looking directly into her eyes): You.
Tea: Then do something about it.
Todd: What?
Tea: This time I'm not giving you the answer, Todd. This time I'm not making the first move.
Todd: It would be easier if you did.
Tea: It would mean more to me if you did.
chapter 23:
[Todd stands completely still for several moments before beginning to walk toward Tea. Tea is nervous as he approaches her and bewildered as he walks past her and goes into the bathroom. When she hears the water running she enters the bathroom and watches as Todd fills the bathtub with water.]
Tea: Are you taking a bath?
Todd: Yes.
Tea: Now?
Todd: I thought now would be a good time.
[When the tub is full enough Todd turns off the water.]
Todd: How do you want to do this?
Tea: Do what?
Todd (looking around nervously): Do you want me to...uh...you know...take off your clothes or do you want to do that?
Tea: Why would I take off my clothes so you can take a bath?
Todd: Well...I thought...maybe...we could...
Tea: Together?
Todd: You don't want to. Okay. We can do something else.
[Tea approaches Todd.]
Tea: Is this what you want?
Todd: I thought it might be relaxing.
Tea: You don't seem very relaxed.
Todd: I'm not big on baths but you like them, right?
Tea: I do but are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure you would be comfortable?
Todd: No.
Tea: Then why?
Todd: I thought you would like it.
Tea: It's a nice thought. It really is. I would probably greatly enjoy it but I don't think that you would.
Todd: I can handle it.
Tea: It would mean we both would be naked right away and, although, that tub is large it's not that large. Our bodies would be touching, intimately touching. Maybe we should wait and do this another time.
Todd: See! You decide what we do. I just mess it up.
Tea: No you don't. It's a great idea and if you tell me that you're positive this is how you want to do this then we'll take off our clothes and we'll get in that tub and believe me we'll enjoy ourselves but if you're not sure, if you wouldn't be comfortable, then maybe we should do this in a way that allows us to go a little slower.
Todd: How?
Tea: Can you think of a way we could be intimate without having to take our clothes off right away?
[Todd thinks for a moment as Tea secretly pictures Todd naked in the bathtub and hopes that someday she'll see it for real.]
Todd (pulling her out of her dream and out of the bathroom): Come on. We're going downstairs.
Tea: Why?
Todd: That's where the jukebox is.
Tea: Why do we need that?
Todd: Need music if you're gonna dance.
[When they get to the door of the bedroom Tea stops.]
Todd: What's wrong?
Tea: Let's not leave the room.
Todd: Why?
Tea: We might not make it back.
Todd: Don't be silly.
Tea: It's not silly. This has never worked out for us before, Todd. Nothing like this ever works out for us. Something always happens. A tape plays or you give me a sedative. I don't want to leave this room. If we do we'll never make it back here, I know it.
Todd: How did you know?
Tea: Know what?
Todd: You said something about a sedative.
Tea: I found the wrapper later on. You know, I wondered why I fell asleep so quickly that night. When I saw the packaging I knew.
Todd: Why didn't you say anything?
Tea: I assumed you didn't mean to hurt me. You didn't, did you?
Todd: No. It was supposed to be for me.
Tea: But I took the glass out of your hand.
Todd: And I didn't stop you.
Tea: You wanted to put yourself to sleep but got lucky and put me to sleep instead.
Todd: Yeah, lucky. I ended up in the woods with a dead body. I should have taken that drink.
[Todd and Tea stand in silence for a moment.]
Todd: So, are you mad?
Tea: Todd, it happened a long time ago. Any negative feelings I may have felt about that night are gone now.
Todd: Really?
Tea: Really. So, can we stay here and not go downstairs?
Todd: Okay, but you have to decide what we do then because you keep turning down my ideas.
Tea: I'm not turning down the idea of dancing but we don't need music for that.
Todd: You want us just to dance around the room without any music like idiots?
Tea: There's no one here to watch us or judge how we look. If you want to dance with me then put your arms around me and start moving. I'll follow your lead.
Todd: Are you sure you don't want to lead?
Tea: I'm more than willing to follow where you lead me, Todd.
[Todd approaches Tea and puts his arms around her as she puts her arms around him.]
Todd: You don't expect me to hum or sing or anything, do you?
Tea: Shut up and dance with me, Mr. Manning.
[They sway together for a few minutes.]
Todd: You know, I feel really stupid doing this without music. How long do we have to do this for?
Tea: Until you make your next move.
Todd: Me? Why don't you? (teasingly) If you really wanted me I think you would.
Tea (with lust in her eyes): Do you really want me to make the next move, Todd?
Todd (scared of what she might do): Uh, no. I control the evening, right? Well, not control. You know what I mean.
Tea: Whatever you want to do, Todd.
Todd: You can say no to anything, you know that right?
Tea: Of course, but I have a feeling I won't be saying no tonight.
Todd (with some trepidation): I had a feeling you'd say that.
Tea: If you don't want to dance then what would you like to do?
Todd: Drink...heavily.
Tea: I drank heavily last night, I don't recommend it.
Todd: Are you sure you feel okay for all this?
Tea: Yes. What about you? Would it be too painful with your injuries?
Todd: Those little bruises? They're nothing. I barely feel them anymore.
Tea: So, what do you want to do next?
Todd: You know, I don't think this is going to work if I have to keep making decisions and think and stuff. Maybe we should just, you know, move ahead. If you're ready.
Tea: I've been ready for a long time, Todd.
Todd: Do you have to say things like that?
Tea: Well, you know, I couldn't talk at all if...
Todd (as he gently touches the side of her face): Are you really sure?
Tea: I am completely positive, Todd. I love you.
Todd: I love you too. Do you believe that?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: You feel that?
Tea: Yes.
Todd: We don't have to wait anymore?
Tea: No.
Todd: We don't have to talk anymore?
[Todd doesn't let Tea answer. He covers her mouth with his own and pulls her body tightly against his. As they're kissing Tea remembers there is something they need to talk about. She tries to speak but has difficulty with his mouth and tongue getting in the way. When he finally breaks the kiss she pulls away from him and quickly sits down on the side of the bed, overwhelmed by the power of his kiss.]
Tea: Uh, there is something we need to talk about.
Todd: Can't we have one time when we don't talk?
[Standing in front of her, Todd immediately tilts her head up as he bends down and kisses her again. As they kiss Tea leans backward until she's lying on the bed. Todd can feel her moaning against his mouth and knows that she's trying to speak so he breaks the kiss and rolls off her.]
Todd: What?!
Tea: We have to talk.
Todd: Do you want to be here doing this with me?
Tea: Of course I do.
Todd: Then can't we wait to talk until after?
Tea: Not about this.
Todd: What?
Tea: You have to use a condom.
Todd: Huh?
Tea: I'm sorry to say it so bluntly but you seem to be in a hurry and, frankly, so am I. So, you'll use a condom, right?
Todd: Do you think I have a disease?
Tea: No. You would tell me if you did. I know that.
Todd: Do you have a disease? I mean, one that's contagious.
Tea: No.
Todd: Then why?
Tea: I can't get pregnant right now. Not with the drugs I'm taking. It would be dangerous for the baby.
Todd: Tea, you take...I know you take... I've seen them.
Tea: I do take birth control pills but with everything happening we can't rely on them. With my system so out of whack and with all of the vomiting I've been doing, I just don't want to take any chances. With the chemotherapy I may not even be able to get pregnant but if I did...
Todd: Do you want me to go and get some?
Tea: You don't have to. I have some.
Todd: You're prepared.
Tea: I figured, you know, just in case. I meant to discuss this with you at a better time but with you, Todd, there's no such thing. If this completely ruined the mood for you I'll understand. We can wait.
Todd: It could be a long wait. It's already been a long wait. We don't have to wait.
Tea: So, you're okay with this?
Todd: I was thinking... It's okay, though.
Tea (moving closer to him and moving her hand across his chest): I was thinking the same thing and any other time that's how I would want it. Every other... In the past...
Todd: Just say it.
Tea: I've never not used a condom before. I wanted to be extra certain not to have anything happen that would mess up my career plans and, frankly, I wasn't really sure I would ever want to have children after, you know, after my own childhood.
Todd: I know the feeling.
Tea: But with you it's different. You and Starr made me think that maybe having children...well, maybe I wouldn't be so bad at it.
Todd: You would be great. You will be, if that's what you want.
Tea: If I'm honest with myself I have to admit that using a condom was also a way of keeping a distance from the person I was with. I know it seems stupid given the, uh, intimate act we were involved in but it is a barrier and I needed that. I wanted, and sometimes I needed, to be physically close to someone but I would never allow myself to be completely with anyone. I've never been with someone when there were no walls, no barriers, no hidden defenses. There was always something to hide behind or I went in knowing it wouldn't work out, that it wouldn't last.
Todd: I understand.
Tea: Do you? With you...with you I wanted it to be different. In the beginning it kind of fascinated me to find someone who was even more determined than I was not to let anyone get to you. I enjoyed the challenge sometimes, you know, to see if I could knock down some of the walls that surround you but that isn't why I stayed or why I kept going back.
Todd: Why?
Tea: At some point I realized that I needed you and, beyond all of your defenses, I had this feeling that you needed me too. The first time we made love I wanted there to be no defense, no barriers, no doubts, no fears, no lies, no deceptions.
Todd: Tea, I get the point. You know, if you want, we could wait. We could wait until you're done with treatment and then it could be the way that you want it to be.
Tea: I don't want to wait. If you use a condom it won't make it any less intimate. That barrier that I thought it gave me was really in my head. With you I know that it won't matter if we use one or not, it will be just as intimate, just as special. The only thing that condom will do is prevent me from getting pregnant. It won't prevent me from being closer to you than I've ever been to anyone. It won't prevent me from opening my heart completely to you, from trusting you with my body, with my heart, with my soul.
Todd: You trust me?
Tea (caressing his scar): I know you and I trust you.
Todd: Is the talking over with?
Tea: I'm done.
Todd: You don't expect me to get all mushy and say a bunch of stuff to you now, do you?
Tea: I don't expect it but if you wanted to you could.
Todd: I'm not good at that kind of stuff.
Tea (kissing his scar): Sometimes you are.
Todd: I'd rather show you.
Tea: Then show me.
Todd: Well, shut up and I will.
[Tea pulls slightly away from Todd and looks at him. She starts to smile as she waits for him to do something, anything. After what seems to Tea to be an excruciating wait Todd finally moves closer to her and puts his hand through her hair.]
Todd: You know, I've thought about this before but in my thoughts you always had longer hair.
Tea: I could get a wig.
Todd: You don't have to.
Tea: Hey, at this point I'm just glad I have hair.
Todd: Could we not talk about any of that stuff right now? Unless you feel sick, you can tell me that.
Tea: Okay.
[Todd leans toward Tea and kisses her gently.]
Todd: If I do anything that hurts...
Tea: You won't.
chapter 24:
Todd touches Tea's cheek overwhelmed by the look of complete trust on her face. He kisses her again softly as his arms encircle her. After several minutes of kissing and embracing Todd pulls back and stands up. He kneels in front of Tea and begins unbuttoning her shirt. She tries to unbutton his shirt but he stops her. As he removes her shirt he moves closer and kisses her breast through her bra. She runs her fingers through his hair encouraging him, making it clear that she's enjoying what he's doing. He stands up and quickly removes his own shirt. Leaning over Tea, he kisses her and arranges her body so she's laying the length of the bed. He joins her on the bed, hovering over her, as she caresses his chest and they continue to kiss. As her hands move to his back he gently lowers his body onto hers, careful not to put too much weight on her.
When Todd feels Tea bringing her lower body up to meet his he adds his own motions to hers for a few minutes before slowly sliding down her body. He unhooks her bra and slowly, far more slowly than Tea would like, lowers the straps and reveals her upper body to him. It's not the first time he's seen her but it's the first time he's allowed himself to touch, to caress, to kiss her body the way he's wanted to for so long. Tea's been waiting a long time too and each touch of his fingers, each caress of his lips and every flick of his tongue sends a wave of pleasure through her body. Tea's never felt so orgasmic in her life. Knowing it's her husband, knowing it's Todd Manning, makes her crave, desire and desperately need, that ultimate pleasure even more.
As Tea caresses Todd's head she gently encourages him further down her body. As he complies, Tea is amazed at how sensual it feels just to have Todd kiss her stomach. As she's lost in the feelings crashing through her Todd moves back up her body. Tea is disappointed until Todd's mouth meets hers and their tongues get better acquainted. Tea again begins bringing her lower body up to meet Todd's but he rolls off of her.
Tea looks into his face afraid that he'll stop, that this will be as far as they go. She would accept that, of course, but she would definitely prefer to continue on the path they're currently on. As she studies his face she can see that he's nervous but she also sees, to her amazement, passion and desire. She rolls over on the bed to meet his body and lightly kisses him, so lightly their lips barely meet.
Todd rolls completely onto his back and brings Tea's body on top of him. Tea kisses him hard and passionately before slowly kissing down his neck to his chest. She lingers at each of his nipples, teasing him with her mouth. As Tea begins kissing down his stomach Todd, quite aware of where she's headed, pulls her body gently back up his own so their mouths meet again as he rolls them over so that she's underneath him again.
When he breaks the kiss Tea raises her body to try to keep their lips connected but he pulls away from her. She doesn't complain, though, as she feels his hand move down her stomach and stop for a moment before touching the top of her pants. He searches her face. He sees trust which encourages him, love which fills him and so much lust it scares him. She senses his fear and reaches out to him. He moves his face against her palm before kneeling on the bed and beginning to remove her pants. After sliding the garment off her legs he allows himself the pleasure of running his hand along the inside of her leg up her body to the place he's desired, and dreaded, for so long. He places his hand lightly over the fabric and begins caressing her. Even though his touch is gentle Tea's body reacts so strongly that Todd pulls his hand away. Tea desperately wants it back and tries to reach down and return his hand to where she feels it belongs.
He grunts his refusal and for the longest minute of Tea's life he does nothing but stare at her. When he closes his eyes and lowers his head Tea feels certain that the moment is over, that their chance has past, that they'll never know what it feels like to completely lose themselves in each other in that way.
Tea sits up facing Todd and slowly moves closer to him, afraid that she'll scare him away if she moves too fast. She runs her hand along his hair and down his bare back as she moves her body forward and embraces her husband, not sexually but with all of the love that she feels for him. With all of the compassion and understanding that she can offer, she holds him.
When she feels his arms return her embrace she feels content. Maybe they won't complete the act she had hoped they would but he isn't running from her, he isn't trying to hide, and that's enough for Tea. Being loved and trusted is enough.
As they continue to embrace they both slowly begin to caress each other until it becomes clear that their embrace is no longer one solely of comfort. Todd nestles his face into the side of Tea's neck. As he begins kissing her skin again he feels Tea's hand move across his stomach. He knows what Tea wants and he wants it too. Without giving himself time to think, or to stop, he quickly finds Tea's hand with his own and immediately moves it further down his body. As her hand stays completely still he senses her trepidation and to make it clear to her that it's definitely what he wants he returns his hand to where it had been on her body minutes earlier and begins slowly caressing her again. Slowly Tea's hand begins to move cautiously as she feels him for the first time in such an intimate way.
As their mouths meet again neither of them holds back. They both release all of the passion they have been holding back from each other for so long. Their hands move out of the way as they begin grinding their bodies together, both desperately wanting their bodies to be connected.
Tea rolls over in the bed and reaches into the nightstand on her side of the bed and pulls out a condom. She quickly removes her last remaining garment and lays back on the bed waiting for Todd's response. He looks at her body and reaches his hand out and almost touches her but doesn't. He lays down and takes his pants off and kicks them onto the floor. After looking once again at his wife's body he removes the rest of his clothing and turns on his side to face her. Their bodies are close but not touching. After a brief pause Tea takes a chance and touches him again, this time with no fabric in the way. Todd only allows her to touch him for a minute before he kneels beside her and gestures toward the condom in her hand. She tries to hand it to him but he refuses to take it. Tea raises herself up to better position herself and puts the condom on her husband. As she lays back down he lays next to her and for the first time his fingers enter the most private part of her body. After several pleasurable minutes Tea pulls his hand away. Todd repositions himself on top of Tea and for the first time they truly consummate their marriage.
chapter 25:
The next morning...
[Tea awakens. When she opens her eyes she finds her husband laying on his side, facing her, and staring at her. As soon as Todd sees her eyes open he touches her face.]
Todd: It's about time.
Tea: Have you been waiting long?
Todd: A couple of hours.
Tea: Sorry. You could have woke me.
Todd: No, I couldn't.
[Tea moves a little closer to him on the bed. They are both now wearing clothing on their lower bodies but nothing on their upper bodies. She runs her hand along his bare chest, enjoying the sensation.]
Tea: Is this okay?
Todd: Okay.
Tea: Can I touch you like this every morning?
Todd: If you have to.
Tea: I could stop?
Todd: No. I can take it.
Tea: You're so brave.
Todd: You have no idea.
Tea: Yes, I do.
Todd: Are you okay?
Tea: I'm fine.
Todd: You're sure?
Tea: Todd, last night was...it was...really great.
Todd: Okay.
[Suddenly, Tea stops caressing Todd's chest and rolls onto her back with a deep depressing sigh.]
Todd: What's wrong?
Tea: I start chemotherapy again today.
Todd: You forgot?
Tea: For a couple of minutes there but now I remember.
[This time Todd is the one who begins caressing Tea's chest, along with her stomach.]
Todd: It'll be okay. You know what to expect.
Tea: Unfortunately.
Todd: Do you want breakfast?
Tea: No.
Todd: This might be the last time you get to eat without feeling sick for awhile.
Tea: But if I eat before treatment it might make the nausea worse later.
Todd: This is stupid. They should be able to make you better without making you sick.
Tea (looking at him): It's not that bad, really. I think it's just, you know, I got to feel good again, for a little while. It was nice but it makes it more depressing to feel bad again. Maybe it would be easier if I just felt horrible the whole time instead the back and forth.
Todd: What can I do?
Tea: Nothing now. Later on you can watch me vomit, if you want.
Todd: Okay.
Tea: I was kidding.
Todd: I wasn't. I'll be with you from now on no matter how horrible or disgusting it gets.
Tea: That sounds pleasant.
Todd: I mean it, Tea.
[Tea puts her hand on top of Todd's hand on her stomach.]
Tea: I know you do. I would like to think, though, that the rest of our time together won't all be horrible and disgusting.
Todd: After...after...um...last night, our marriage is real now, right?
Tea: It became real when the feelings became real, when we stopped just pretending in public.
Todd: I know but now it's really real, right?
Tea: Last night was quite real, Todd. My dreams are never that incredible.
Todd: So, then...
[Todd moves his hand out from under Tea's hand and takes her hand in his. He stares at her hand as his thumb moves back and forth across her skin.]
Tea (confused): What is it?
Todd (as his thumb continues caressing a certain spot on her hand): You know.
Tea: No, I don't know. Just tell me.
Todd: If we're really married now...
[Tea looks in his eyes as she tries to decipher what he's talking about. He looks down at her hand in his. Her eyes follow his and she watches his thumb move back and forth. After a moment she understands.]
Tea: Why didn't you say something?
Todd: I didn't want you to feel like you had to.
Tea: Which one?
Todd: What do you mean?
Tea: I have more than one, remember?
Todd: You could wear them all.
Tea: I think one would be enough.
Todd: Which one would you prefer?
Tea: The one you gave me at The Palace.
Todd: Where is it?
[Tea looks toward the nightstand on her side of the bed. Todd leans over Tea's body as he opens the drawer. He pulls out a small jewelry box. He looks toward Tea who nods her head. He puts the box down on the bed next to Tea, opens it and begins rummaging through the contents. When he finds what he's looking for he takes Tea's hand and slides the ring on her finger.]
Todd: Are you sure? That was supposed to be an engagement ring not a wedding ring.
Tea: I'm sure. The first two were pretend. The last one, well, some parts of that wedding I would rather forget. (studying her hand in front of her) This one...this one is special. You were scared but you did it anyway. You told me that you wanted a real marriage. You told me that you loved me. Rings are just objects anyway it's the feelings, the sentiment, behind them that matters, that makes them something worth treasuring.
Todd: If you say so.
Tea: Chocolate!
Todd: What?
Tea: I want chocolate.
Todd: You don't want breakfast but you want chocolate?
Tea: Yes, I desperately want chocolate. Right now.
[Tea quickly kisses Todd, gets out of bed, puts on a robe and leaves the room.]
Todd (laying back on the bed): Chicks!
Tea (returning to the doorway of the room): I hate that word.
[Tea disappears down the hallway again as Todd smiles.]
Todd: Delgado!
[Time passes. Tea starts another round of chemotherapy. Sometimes she feels okay other time she feels hideous. Todd offers his support, in his own way. They start to settle into their own unique marital rhythm and routine. Until...
Tea enters the bathroom one morning while Todd is taking a shower.]
Tea: Todd? (pause) Todd?
Todd: What? I'm busy.
Tea: Can you come out here?
Todd: Now?
[Tea doesn't respond. Todd shuts off the water and peeks his head out of the shower to look at Tea.]
Todd (seeing the expression on her face): What's wrong?
[Tea just stares straight ahead of her with a look of sadness and incomprehension on her face.]
Todd: Did something happen?
Tea (finally making eye contact with him): My grandmother died.
Todd: What?
[Tea's eyes don't leave his. He immediately exits the shower and approaches Tea. He touches her face not really knowing what to say. She puts her arms around him and brings his wet body to hers. He returns her embrace, caring more about comforting his wife than about his discomfort at standing there naked. They hold onto each other for several long moments before releasing the embrace.]
Todd (looking in her eyes): How?
Tea: I don't know all the details. Carlotta called. Someone had called her.
Todd: Why would they call her?
Tea: She had met one of my grandmother's neighbors before, or something. I don't entirely know. I just know that my grandmother...(she pauses for a moment still not believing what she's saying)...died.
Todd: Do you want to go to New York? Puerto Rico? What?
Tea: I don't know. I'll have to make some arrangements for her. I don't know.
Todd: Let me quickly rinse the shampoo out of my hair and we'll figure this out, okay?
Tea: Uh, Carlotta's closing the diner this morning. Some of the people in town that my grandmother knew will be gathering there. I should be there.
Todd: Are you sure you're up for that?
Tea: I have to be.
Todd: Okay. I'll be done in a minute. (looking at her clothes) You're all wet now. You might want to change.
Tea (looking at his body): You're naked.
Todd: I'm quite aware of that.
Tea (still looking shell-shocked): Well, I'll go change.
Todd: I'll be right out.
[Tea looks in Todd's eyes for another moment before turning and leaving the room. Todd finishes his shower. When he finishes dressing he goes out onto the balcony.]
Todd: I thought I'd find you out here.
[As Tea turns her face toward him he finds the look on her face to be so lost and fragile it scares him.]
Todd: Do you want to go?
Tea (returning her gaze to the mountainside in front of her): In a minute.
[Todd watches her, uncertain how he should proceed.]
Tea: Did you know we hadn't spoken in months?
Todd: You've talked to her on the phone.
Tea: No, before I moved in here, before I called her and told her I was sick, we hadn't talked in months...(speaking more to herself than to Todd)...in months.
Todd: Because of me?
[Tea looks at him briefly before looking at the view again.]
Tea: It wasn't your fault.
Todd: But it was about me, right? I remember how she used to call the penthouse and yell at me in Spanish. I think she was swearing at me.
Tea: If you didn't know what she was saying how would you know that?
Todd: Believe me, I've been told off enough times, I can tell. Besides, she was talking really loud and really fast and I'm pretty sure she wasn't sharing recipes with me.
Tea (turning toward Todd): Probably not.
Todd: So, why weren't the two of you talking?
Tea: She knew when we married it wasn't for love. When she found out about you, you know, the things that you had done, or been accused of doing...
Todd: Most of which I did do.
Tea: But not all.
Todd: No, but most.
Tea: When she found out...I don't know, let's just say she wasn't happy about it.
Todd: She wanted you to leave me?
Tea: She didn't understand why I wanted to stay. It wasn't that bad, though. I managed it. She would never come to visit and she would never accept anything from me because she didn't want the money of a...she didn't want any of your money. We did talk on the phone though sometimes. Okay, most of the time it was lectures about how I deserved more and I was throwing away my life but I could handle it.
Todd: So what changed?
Tea: I did. You did. We did. It became real. The game we were playing wasn't a game anymore. When we got engaged I told her and although she was still concerned when I told her that I loved you, for real this time, she believed me and I thought maybe it would be different. Then you took everybody hostage.
Todd: And she didn't want you to be with me again.
Tea: You kidnapped me, Todd. That wasn't something that was easy for her to overlook. And the DID, she didn't believe in it. And later when we were going to get married again I called her to invite her to our wedding. I wanted her to be there, to share that day with me, like I had pictured when I was a little girl. She refused to come. If I was going to destroy my life, she wasn't going to watch me do it. Of course it ended up being a good thing that she wasn't there with everything that ended up happening. When she said that she wouldn't come though, I got so angry I hung up on her. I actually hung up on her and we didn't speak again until I called to tell her I was sick.
Todd: So, you did work it out then, right?
Tea: We never talked about it. We just talked about how I was feeling and shared memories from my childhood. We stayed clear of all that other stuff.
Todd: I'm sorry.
Tea: It wasn't your fault.
Todd: Because of me...
Tea (interrupting him): I made the choices I made. She made the choices she made. It wasn't your fault. We should probably be getting to the diner.
Todd (sincerely): I'm really sorry, Tea.
[Tea steps toward him and kisses him briefly before walking back into the house.]
to be continued...
