| IN SICKNESS BY TIMA |
CHAPTER 101 |
PREVIOUSLY:
[Todd can't bring himself to say out loud that she could lose her life if it is cancer and she puts off treatment too long.]
Todd: It could screw everything up. I won't allow that. I have to go back in and make sure this happens. You can both stick around if you want to. Tea would probably do that polite thing and insist that you not bother. Too bad I'm not polite.
[Todd leaves the waiting room to return to the room Tea is being examined in.]
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IN SICKNESS
chapter 101:
[Todd soon returns to the waiting room.]
Todd (to Carlotta): Your turn.
Carlotta: She's still refusing to have the biopsy?
Todd: Yep.
Carlotta: She won't when I'm through with her.
[A determined Carlotta follows Todd to the examining room and enters alone as Todd goes back to the waiting room and plops himself down in a chair next to Viki.]
Viki: Carlotta will get through to her.
Todd: I don't think so. She has that determined look she gets when she's dug her high heels in and is too damn stubborn to move until she wants to. She's not going to do this for anyone.
Viki: What about for the baby?
Todd: He's not here to yell at her. I tried, but it didn't work. Maybe I couldn't convince her because I don't really want her to do it. Don't give me that look. I want her to be okay and I want her to do whatever she has to so that can happen. But, she's had enough of people sticking needles in her. And, I totally get why she doesn't want to spend the rest of the time she's knocked up knowing that she's got the big C again and that she might not get to see this kid grow up. If they don't tell her she has it, then she doesn't have it.
Viki: It doesn't work that way.
Todd: In her mind it does. I get that.
Viki: I've been thinking...
Todd: Things suck enough already. The last thing we need is you thinking.
Viki: This will help Tea, and you, as well. Luckily, we have some influence at this hospital.
Todd: You have influence. I have something else. When you give money to them, they name an entire building after you. When I give this place money, they name a john after me.
Viki: They did not.
Todd: That's where they put the plaque.
Viki: I was assured that was a mistake.
Todd: Yeah, they meant to put it directly in a urinal but they missed and it ended up on the wall.
Viki: They did correct that error.
Todd: Whatever.
Viki: Would you like to hear my idea?
Todd: My wife is putting me through hell today, why shouldn't my sister.
[Meanwhile...in the exam room...]
Tea: Carlotta, I appreciate your words, but you can't change my mind. Believe me, Todd has tried. The doctor has tried. I only agreed to stay here and think about this for one hour. That time is almost expired. My mind is set.
Carlotta: You're being stubborn, just like you've always been. This time, you're stubbornness could cost you your life, and time with your family.
Tea: I won't seek treatment while I'm pregnant so waiting to know until after I deliver is soon enough.
Carlotta: What about this child you're carrying? Doesn't this child deserve a mother who isn't under so much stress believing she has cancer, if she truly doesn't?
Tea: But, if I do have it again, my stress will be higher if I know for certain, than if I just think it's a possibility.
Carlotta: I never thought I'd have sympathy for Todd Manning. I don't know how he puts up with you.
Tea: I'm doing this for him, too. It would be agony for him if he had to spend months knowing that I'm sick, while knowing that I'm putting off the treatment. He would be torn between protecting the baby, and protecting me. It would be too much strain for him. This way, we can both be oblivious, until after the baby is born.
Carlotta: Todd clearly wants you to have the biopsy.
Tea: I think he's secretly relieved that I'm not having it.
[Minutes later...
Carlotta is still unsuccessfully trying to convince Tea to have the procedure when Todd bursts into the room.]
Todd: Any luck?
Carlotta: Unfortunately, no.
Todd: Good!
[Todd steps out of the room for a moment and returns with a wheelchair.]
Tea: What are you up to?
Todd: You'll see. And, I mean that literally.
Tea: I don't understand.
Todd: We don't have time for any arguments. Get in the chair.
Tea: I don't need a wheelchair. I'm getting dressed and we're going home.
Todd: No, you're putting that ugly robe thing on. I already talked to the doc, he said he'd stick around and needle you after we get back.
Tea: I'm not doing it, Todd. I've made up my mind.
Todd: You just think you have.
Tea: You won't be able to change my mind. You should save everyone's time and stop trying.
Todd: I may not be able to change your mind, but you're about to get a look at someone who will.
Tea: If you're thinking of introducing me to someone who's battling cancer, no need. I was that person not that long ago, remember?
Todd: You won't let me forget.
Tea: I'm sorry.
Todd: Not as sorry as you'll be if you don't stop being stubborn and get in this chair.
Tea: Fine! I'll go. I'll meet whomever you want me to meet. It won't change my mind. And, I don't need a wheelchair. I can walk just fine.
[Todd grunts with frustration.]
Tea: Okay, I'll sit in the chair. You owe me a back rub when we get home for everything you've put me through today.
[Tea puts the thin robe on and sits down in the wheelchair.]
Todd: I owe you? No way! But, in a few minutes you'll be paying me back for the hell you've been putting me through.
Tea: How?
Todd: You'll see.
[Todd refuses to give Tea any information as he pushes her wheelchair toward another part of the hospital. Carlotta follows them until they encounter a smiling Viki standing beside an also smiling Dr. Larry Wolek.]
Tea: Larry? Todd didn't drag you into this, too?
Larry: Actually, Viki did. But, I'm happy to help.
Todd: Enough chatting.
[Larry opens the door to a darkened room and Todd pushes Tea's wheelchair inside. Carlotta stays outside the room with Viki, who explains to the confused woman what the surprise is.]
to be continued...
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2001 COPYRIGHT BY TIMA
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