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| LAST CHANCE BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 21 - 30 |
PREVIOUSLY...
Tea collapses on top of Todd, exhausted and very physically satisfied. Without consciously realizing it Todd's arms encircle Tea and hold her even tighter against him. Several moments later his brain begins functioning again and he realizes that he's hugging Tea. Getting scared and thinking that he gave too much away, Todd quickly lets go and moves his arms to his sides. The loss of Todd's touch brings Tea back to reality. Thinking that he's signaling to her that the sex is over so he wants her to leave she rises and quickly leaves the room.]
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chapter 21:
The next morning...
[Todd finds Tea reading the newspaper and drinking coffee in the living room.]
Todd: Is there coffee or are you still forgetting that I'm here and dumping it down the drain?
Tea (not removing her gaze from the paper): There's coffee.
Todd: Great.
[Todd walks toward the kitchen as Tea secretly watches him carefully. As she watches his butt disappear beyond the doorway, she realizes that she looks at his body now differently than she did before they became lovers.]
Todd (returning to the living room): Anything interesting in the newspaper?
Tea: Not really.
Todd: Any new ideas on how to get my paper back?
Tea: Actually, I have a few.
Todd (as he sits opposite her on the couch): So...tell me.
Tea: Not yet.
Todd: What, you don't trust me?
Tea: No.
Todd: That's a pretty lousy thing to say.
Tea: This has to be handled carefully. I don't want you to move ahead too fast and blow it.
Todd: How do I know I can trust you to get the paper back for me anyway? What if you keep it for yourself.
Tea: That's a thought.
Todd: Is that your plan? You're distracting me with sex so you can take my paper from me?
Tea: It's not yours to take anymore. And, you're the one who wanted last night to happen.
Todd: You came to my room.
Tea: You stopped me from leaving.
Todd: You weren't wearing any underwear.
Tea: And you think that was because of you?
Todd: Um, speaking of last night...and...uh...the night before...
Tea: Maybe we should change the subject.
Todd: Are you taking care of things?
Tea: I'm working on some ideas to get your paper back, I promise.
Todd: No, not that.
Tea: What?
Todd: When we've...uh... Well, I haven't been...you know...wearing anything...
Tea: Oh.
Todd: Are you...?
Tea (looking away): Yeah. You don't have to worry. It's okay. (looking back at him) What about you?
Todd: You already know I haven't been...um...careful.
Tea: Exactly. When you were with, you know, other people...while you were gone...uh...were you...were you careful?
Todd: Um...
Tea: Should I be worried about any...uh...diseases you may have been exposed to?
Todd: What about you? You were with other people.
Tea: Only one person.
Todd: Well, there was another person while we were married...and people before that.
Tea: I've been tested in the past. I also give blood on a regular basis. They wouldn't let me do that if I tested positive. Plus, I always use condoms.
Todd: Not always.
Tea: I wasn't expecting what happened with you. I thought I was through with sex for a while. I wasn't prepared. I always have been in the past though.
Todd: But you were prepared against that other thing, right?
Tea: I take birth control pills.
Todd (beginning to stand up): Okay then.
Tea: Wait.
Todd (sitting back down): What?
Tea: You haven't said, were you careful when you were with other people? Did you use condoms? Have you been tested?
Todd: You don't have to worry about that.
Tea: Look, I know you think you're invincible...
Todd: I am. Do you want me to show you all the scars I have from all the times people have tried to kill me and didn't succeed?
Tea (getting frustrated): Just answer me, okay? I need to know.
Todd: I don't have any sexually transmitted diseases, okay?
Tea: How are you so sure?
Todd: Because you need to have sex to get those and...
Tea: Are you saying...
Todd: I'm saying I don't have any of those.
Tea: None?
Todd (uncomfortable): Are you getting your kicks out of this?
Tea: I'm just surprised. I thought for sure...
Todd: What? That I was picking up a different bimbo every night?
Tea: I don't know. I just thought since we never... Since you never wanted to...with me. I just thought after you left you would...
Todd: Well, I didn't.
Tea (stunned): Okay.
Todd: You don't have to worry about having sex with me.
Tea: Okay. Just so you know, what we did last night, we're never doing that again. It was a one time thing.
Todd: It was a two time thing.
Tea: Whatever. I just don't want you to expect it again. I hope you enjoyed last night because that is the last time.
Todd: If you say so.
Tea: I mean it.
Todd: Let's just change the subject, okay?
Tea: Fine. Your sister called.
Todd (standing up): I'm not going to her place tonight.
Tea: We're supposed to be there at...
Todd (interrupting): I'm not going. You can go if you want to.
Tea: I don't particularly want to go either now that I know you told Viki we had sex.
Todd: You think she'll bring it up over the asparagus?
Tea: You should go without me. I'm sure you and Viki have a lot to talk about and work out between the two of you.
Todd: That's exactly why I don't want to go. Well, that and I just know she's gonna invite that loser nephew of mine, and I don't mean Johnny.
Tea (smiling): You're nephew's name is Joey.
Todd: Yeah, whatever. I could handle him it's that other one I'd be happy to never be in the same room with again. Besides, Viki would probably get upset if I got blood on her carpet while killing Kevin.
Tea: I don't think he's as bad anymore. Since Cassie was sent away he seems, I don't know, more human.
Todd: You don't want into his pants again, do you?
[Tea slams the paper down on the sofa next to her and angrily stands up.]
Tea: Don't you dare.
Todd: What? It's not like you've never been hot for his little man before.
Tea: Go to hell!
Todd (as he watches her storm upstairs): Was it something I said?
chapter 22:
That evening...
[Even though he doesn't really want to go, Todd is dressed up to go to Viki's for dinner. He's pacing in the living room waiting for Tea to get ready.]
Todd (bellowing): Delgado, I'm giving you one minute to get your butt down here or I'm not going.
Tea (at the top of the stairs): I'm coming. I had to change my shoes.
[Todd stares at Tea as she descends the staircase. Even more than before he doesn't want to go to Viki's. He's rather take Tea back upstairs and make love to her.]
Tea (showing off her dress): What do you think?
Todd: I don't know. It's a dress.
Tea: You don't think it's too suggestive?
Todd (mesmerized): No.
Tea: I'm sure your sister already thinks I'm a slut.
Todd (shocked out of his sexual fantasy of Tea): Huh?
Tea: You told her we're having casual sex, right?
Todd: Well, I don't remember using the word casual. If we're never doing it again how come we keep talking about it?
Tea: Fine. I won't bring it up again.
Todd (as they exit the penthouse): Neither will I...unless Viki does first.
[Later...outside Llanfair...
Todd is very slowly walking toward the house. Tea has to keep stopping to allow Todd to catch up to her. He keeps trying to delay entering by discussing the landscape or the materials used for the exterior of the house...anything to delay what he knows will be several hours of torture.]
Viki (as she opens the door): You finally made it.
Todd (reacting to her perky smile): That's it. I'm out of here.
[Tea grabs his arm and keeps him in place.]
Viki (ignoring Todd): Tea, I'm so glad you could make it with Todd tonight.
Tea: Of course. I've always enjoyed my times here, Viki.
Viki: Todd...
Todd (looking away): I'm not talking to you.
Tea: Todd...
Todd: Or you.
Viki: Well, then perhaps this evening will be even more pleasant than I expected. (gesturing them in) Come in.
[Tea enters, dragging Todd with her.]
Todd: What stinks?
Viki: Dinner.
Todd: I think I'm on a diet.
Tea: It smells wonderful.
Todd: No, it just smells.
[Tea squeezes Todd's arm more which forces his body closer to hers. They both get distracted as their faces flush. Viki can't help but notice.]
Viki: How are the living arrangements working out? Is it just like old times sharing the penthouse again?
Todd: Didn't you invite anyone else you can irritate?
Viki: As a matter of fact I did invite other people. They're not here yet. Come and sit and we'll talk until they arrive.
Tea: If you'd like I could leave the two of you alone?
Todd (locking his arm around hers so she can't desert him): Oh no you don't.
Tea: I'll just be in the other room.
Todd: If I have to go through this so do you.
chapter 23:
[Tea and Todd sit next to each other on Viki's sofa. They could sit separately but they both choose to sit immediately next to each other, their bodies touching.]
Viki: So, Todd...
Todd: You're not getting anything out of me.
Viki: This is not an interrogation.
Todd: Yes, it is. I know you.
Viki: I simply would like to know how you've been. You were gone for quite a while.
Todd: So?
Viki: I was worried about you.
Todd: You didn't seem worried when I left.
Viki: What do you mean?
Todd: You let me go.
Viki: It wasn't my decision to make.
Todd: If I was one of your kids would you have let me go?
Viki: I don't understand.
Todd: You thought the alters were real, right?
Tea (shocked and confused): What? (to Viki) Is that true? Why didn't you tell me?
Todd: You didn't tell her?
Viki (to Tea): I didn't want to concern you.
Tea: By telling me my husband was sick? I deserved to know.
Viki: I didn't know anything for certain. (looking at Todd) I still don't.
Todd: Leave me out of this.
Tea: If you even suspected that something was wrong with Todd you should have told me. I can't believe this. You were encouraging me to move on, to be with someone else, and the whole time you thought my husband had a mental illness?
Todd (to Viki): You did what?
Viki (to Todd): You weren't here. As far as I knew you were never coming back.
Todd: That's not true. You knew I would come back...eventually.
Viki: I did not know that. I knew that Tea was hurting and I didn't think she should have to hurt anymore. I didn't know that you would come back and resume your relationship.
Todd: Our relationship isn't any of your business. (standing up) This evening is over.
Viki: Todd, sit down.
Todd: Why should I?
Viki: Because I'm asking you to. We need to discuss this.
Todd: You told my wife to have sex with some other guy. I don't need to discuss that.
Viki: I did no such thing.
Todd: That's what it sounds like to me.
[The doorbell rings.]
Viki (rising): Good. Others are arriving. We'll discuss this later. (to Todd) I want to have a pleasant evening.
Todd: No problem. I won't be here.
[Viki exits to answer the door. Tea rises and stands next to Todd.]
Tea: Todd...
Todd: No way. Forget it.
Tea: What?
Todd: I'm not going to stay here and chew on disgusting food that tastes like sautéed feet knowing what she did.
Tea: I wasn't going to ask you to.
Todd: Really?
[Todd notices Tea staring toward the front door with a pained look on her face. Todd turns around and sees Carlotta in the doorway.]
Tea (quietly): Did you know?
Todd (turning back toward Tea): No. I had no idea. (seeing the tears forming in Tea's eyes) I swear.
Tea: You were right. We should have stayed home.
Carlotta (approaching Tea and Todd): Tea...
Todd: She doesn't want to talk to you.
Carlotta: I heard you were back. (to Tea) I had hoped that you had learned your lesson already about this man.
Todd: This man is taking this woman out of here.
Carlotta: Tea, we should talk.
Tea: About what? How much of an pathetic idiot I am? We've had that conversation enough times.
Carlotta: I have never thought of you that way and you know it.
Tea: I don't know that. You have taken every chance you could since Todd left to tell me how wrong I was to have wanted a life with him. You told me over and over that he never loved me. And, you kept telling me how great John was, how special.
Carlotta: He is a very special man who loves you very much. If you could just see how special you are then you would know that you deserve a man like John Sykes not someone...(gesturing to Todd)...like this.
Todd: You're gonna make me blush.
Tea: What is so special about John Sykes? You don't really know him.
Carlotta: I have spoken to him many times in the diner. He's kind, considerate, caring, generous, handsome...
Todd: Maybe you should be the one boinking him if you're so hot for him.
Carlotta: You are disgusting.
Todd: And you're demented. I remember this guy you're talking about from before I left and I knew there was something wrong with him then. The way he was hitting on Tea in front of me. Is that what you consider a special guy -- someone who hits on another guy's wife in front of him.
Carlotta: Tea was never truly your wife because you were never truly her husband.
Todd: Don't talk to me about my marriage. Besides, from what I hear that jerk wasn't so great to Tea.
Carlotta: You don't know anything about what Tea has with John. You wouldn't understand about the bond they have because you are not capable of such deep emotion.
Todd: So, now you think you know me? You've hardly ever even spoken to me.
Tea: I don't need this.
[Tea walks out onto the patio. Todd follows her.]
Viki: I'm sorry. I thought this would go better. I had hoped that you and Tea could work out your differences tonight.
Carlotta: I am sorry, Viki, but I honestly don't know why Tea can't see how horrible your brother is for her. He's destroyed her self-esteem.
Viki (looking toward Todd and Tea on the patio): Are you sure about that?
chapter 24:
[At Viki's house, Tea and Todd are alone on the patio while Viki and Carlotta are inside talking.]
Tea: I don't want to be here anymore.
Todd: Then let's go. I never wanted to come to begin with. You're the one who wanted to come here.
Tea: I thought it would be good for you to work things out with your sister. I know how much you care about her.
Todd: Not anymore.
Tea: She didn't force me to have sex with John.
Todd: No, but she encouraged you.
Tea: She probably didn't think I was the right person for you. She probably was just glad that I wouldn't be in her family anymore.
Todd: That's not true. She always liked you. Sometimes I thought she liked you more than she liked me. (pause) Come on, let's go. We don't even have to go back inside. We can just take off.
Tea (sticking her chin out): No. We'll leave through the front door.
[Tea and Todd re-enter the house.]
Todd: We're out of here.
Viki: Tea, I'm sorry if this evening upset you. That wasn't my intention.
Todd: But you're not sorry you upset my evening?
Viki: I wish you both would stay.
Carlotta: Tea, give me a chance to explain.
Tea: Explain what? Why you revealed something personal, something you knew I didn't want anyone to know, to a virtual stranger.
Carlotta: John is not a stranger. He's the man who loves you.
Todd (to Carlotta): How come you never told me this secret?
Carlotta: It was none of your business.
Todd: Right! I was only married to Tea...twice. I understand.
Carlotta: Why don't you leave her alone? She has a chance now with someone who really loves her.
Todd: Unlike me?
Carlotta: You have never truly loved her. If you had you never would have hurt her all those times. John can give her all of the love that she needs. And, he can be with her physically. That's something you could never give her.
Todd: I've been giving it to her pretty good the last couple of days.
Viki: Todd, don't be crass.
Todd: She started it. Talking to me about Tea having sex with that loser. (to Carlotta) Maybe you should be boinking the detective since you must be frustrated yourself to be talking about Tea's sex life so much. I hear he is available now.
Tea: Todd, shut up.
Todd: You're blaming me?
Tea: Let's just go.
Carlotta: Tea, don't throw your life away. Call John, work things out. Don't waste your time being with the wrong man just because you're angry at me.
Tea: I won't waste my time. I won't waste any time ripping Todd's clothes off and having sex with him when we get back to the penthouse.
Todd: Goody!
Tea (to Carlotta): Go ahead and tell John my new secret. Tell the whole town that Todd and I are lovers I don't care. They all think I'm trash already anyway. At least now I'm trash who's having great sex.
[Tea storms off. Todd smiles at Carlotta before following Tea out of the house.]
Tea: I can't believe I just said that.
Todd: Did you mean it?
Tea: I don't even know what I said. I was so angry.
Todd: Something about great sex, I think.
Tea (looking at Todd uncertain what to say): Um...
Todd: It's okay. I know you were just saying stuff to make her angry.
Tea: I said we were going back to the penthouse to have sex, didn't I?
Todd: Yep.
Tea: You know, I didn't mean it, right? We can not do that ever again.
Todd: I know.
Tea: It isn't that it hasn't been...um...pleasurable. We just can not do that ever again.
Todd: Understood.
[Later that evening...
Tea enters Todd's bedroom.]
Tea (quietly): Todd?
Todd (opening his eyes): Yeah?
chapter 25:
[The next day...
Todd is pacing in the living room. He and Tea had sex again the night before and then she went back to her room like she has the other times they've had sex. When Todd woke up Tea had already left the penthouse. Todd doesn't know where she went. Her clothes are still in her closet so he's pretty sure she hasn't left the country but he desperately wants to know where she is.
Finally, he hears Tea unlocking the door.]
Todd (before he can even see Tea): Where the hell were you?
Tea: I was out.
Todd: I know that. Where?
Tea: Why are you so angry?
Todd: I'm not angry. I just didn't know where you were. (looking down) I thought maybe you were upset about last night.
Tea: Last night was...well...it was great like every time has been. It was the last time though, okay?
Todd: So you've said before.
Tea: This time I really mean it.
Todd: Right. So, where were you?
Tea: I was getting your paper back for you.
Todd: When can I move back into my office?
Tea: Soon.
Todd: So, you don't actually have it yet?
Tea: No, but I will.
Todd: How? Or am I still not allowed to know your plan? You know, I think I should be involved more since it is my paper.
Tea: I thought you would appreciate having more free time to spend with Starr.
Todd: I do but I still want to know what you're doing behind my back.
Tea: Fine. Actually, I need your involvement right now.
Todd: How?
Tea: Well, I'm very close to convincing Kelly to sell her share of the paper to me.
Todd: For how much?
Tea: Does that matter?
Todd: No.
Tea: I don't think the price will go too high. I have the feeling that she's getting bored with the newspaper business anyway. From what I could tell she and Blair seem to be in battle again.
Todd: Don't you mean still?
Tea: I think she may sell to me just because she thinks it will anger Blair.
Todd: That could work. What about the other shares?
Tea: Have you been working on Blair?
Todd: I've mentioned it.
Tea: And?
Todd: She's not real anxious to let go but I'll make it happen.
Tea: Don't do anything too extreme.
Todd: Me? What about Asa?
Tea: I was working on him today.
Todd: How? There's nothing we have to offer that he would want except... (pause) You wouldn't, would you?
Tea: What?
Todd (gesturing to her body): You know.
Tea: That's disgusting. I'm not going to do that for you.
Todd: I don't want you to.
Tea: Well, good, because I'm not.
Todd: So, how were you working on him?
Tea: I was trying to convince him that you and I are in bitter battle against each other. I brought up our living arrangement. You know, how you refuse to get out and I refuse to let you throw me out.
Todd: Wouldn't that make him suspicious -- knowing we're living together?
Tea: He probably would have found out anyway and would have been more suspicious of my motives if I didn't bring it up. I'm trusting that Viki and Carlotta won't be telling the rest of the town about our...um...additional involvement.
Todd: So, what, you made him think we're battling exes?
Tea: Pretty much.
Todd: Did it work?
Tea: I think I'm close. That's why I think you need to get involved.
Todd: How?
Tea: Go to Asa's and demand that he sell his shares to you.
Todd: Can I threaten his life if he refuses?
Tea (smiling): Well, you might as well have some fun while you're there.
Todd: When should I do this?
Tea: You could do it now.
Todd: Yeah, I'll say you came back bragging about how you were going to get the paper just to spite me. This could work.
Tea: That's the plan.
Todd: I'll do it.
[Todd leaves the penthouse.]
chapter 26
[Hours later, Todd returns to the penthouse.]
Todd (bellowing): Delgado? Hey, Delgado?
[Tea is in the small laundry room off the kitchen when she hears Todd yelling her name.]
Tea (calling out to him): I'm doing my laundry.
[Several minutes later, Todd is standing in the kitchen secretly watching as she folds some laundry. She's dressed casually...very casually. She's wearing a small pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Todd continues staring at her until she turns and sees him.]
Tea: How'd it go?
Todd: What?
Tea: You did go to see Asa, didn't you?
Todd (shaking himself out of it): Um, yeah...yeah, I went. I threatened him. He called me names. I think we both had fun.
Tea: Do you think he'll be selling me his shares of the paper?
Todd (still distracted by her appearance): I'm not sure. Maybe.
Tea (gesturing to the crumpled pile of clothes Todd has in his arms): Did you decide to do your laundry too?
[Todd steps into the laundry room and dumps his clothes in a pile.]
Todd: Here you go.
Tea: What do you mean?
Todd: Well, you're doing the laundry, right?
Tea: I'm doing my laundry.
Todd: Well, now you can do mine too.
Tea: I don't think so. Besides, I'm also doing the sheets and towels and all of the other household things. That equals several loads of laundry for me. You can do your own clothes.
Todd: Come on, Tea.
Tea: No.
Todd (stepping closer to her): If you do this for me I could do something for you.
Tea: Like what?
Todd (placing his hand on her bare leg): Well...
Tea (smiling): You want to barter?
Todd: Sure.
Tea: I don't think it would be a fair trade.
Todd: I know. What I would be giving you would be so much greater than what you'd be giving me but I'm okay with that.
Tea: You get your laundry done and you get to have a little...uh... enjoyment in the afternoon. And what do I get?
Todd: Great sex...according to you.
Tea: I could have that without doing your laundry.
Todd: Really? You think so?
Tea: I know so.
Todd: Prove it.
Tea (stepping away): I don't have to prove it.
[Todd places his hand on Tea's arm and turns her toward him as his body presses her body against the machines. They both lose their breath as they make intense eye contact. After a moment Todd gets scared and moves away from her.]
Tea: Uh...okay...but I'm not doing your laundry.
Todd (still uncomfortable): Then what's the point?
[Tea steps into his personal space and brings her hand down to the front of his pants and begins to caress him.]
Tea: We both have had a stressful day, right? We could both use a release...from the stress.
Todd: That's all it is?
Tea: That's all it is for you, isn't it?
Todd: Um...
Tea: We could stop talking.
Todd: Okay.
[Tea begins undoing Todd's pants but he stops her.]
Tea: You don't want to?
Todd: I thought maybe we could do it differently. I don't want you to get bored.
Tea: Hasn't happened so far.
Todd: Well, I don't want it to happen this time either. Especially since this will be the last time...I'm sure.
Tea: It will be. We can't do this again.
Todd (caressing her leg again): But we can do it this time, right?
Tea: Just this once. Just this one last time. Never again. We're never doing this again.
Todd (not believing her): Oh, I know we're never doing it again. So we'll have to really make this time interesting.
chapter 27:
[In the penthouse's laundry room...
Todd gently lifts Tea's body up and sits her on the machines. Tea is nervous not knowing what Todd has in mind. It's easier for her when she's the one in control.
Todd caresses Tea's legs as he gently opens them and steps between them. Tea squeezes her legs tightly against Todd's sides as he leans her back slightly. Tea's head is restricted by a shelf over the machines. Why did they have to put a shelf in such a stupid place? Tea forgets this question as Todd places his mouth over her breast through her shirt.
Todd licks and sucks her through the material of the shirt as he pulls her lower body tighter against him. Tea uses one hand to try to pull up her shirt as her other hand steadies herself so her head doesn't get pushed too hard against the shelf.
Todd caresses her bare back as Tea insistently tries to pull her shirt up but his mouth is latched on to her breast and won't let go. Finally, he stops to take a breath and Tea pulls her shirt up exposing her breasts to him. He instantly goes back to sucking and licking her chest.]
Todd (as he continues kissing her breasts): Do you like this?
Tea: It's very...uh...titillating.
Todd: It certainly is.
[Todd pulls her body toward him with one hand while his other hand pulls at her shorts and underwear. When he has them slightly down he steps away from Tea enough so he can pull them down and off her body. The cool feeling of the machine against her sensitive skin stuns Tea for a moment until she notices the vibrations have increased.
After discarding Tea's shorts and underwear on the floor Todd looks at her. Her shirt has now fallen down over her breasts but doesn't fall very far down her stomach. Tea's eyes are closed as she enjoys the sensations she's feeling. As he opens her legs again he looks directly at her. He kisses her on the inside of her leg once, making Tea shudder slightly. When Todd suddenly pulls her body to the edge of the machine and places his mouth between her legs and begins licking her, Tea is in complete shock. She wasn't expecting him to do that. She opens her eyes and looks down, needing to see for herself that this is really happening. As her hand caresses his hair he looks up at her. She's not sure but she thinks he's smiling. She can't help it, she smiles back at him before closing her eyes again and enjoying all of the sensual sensations moving quickly through her body. Several minutes, and a couple of orgasms later, Todd pulls his face away from Tea. He caresses her leg softly as she continues to lay there for a minute trying to recover. Even though she's been in a very uncomfortable position she didn't care. It felt so incredible nothing else mattered.
As Tea tries to get up Todd can tell that she's having trouble because of the position she's in. He helps her to sit up and get off the machine. Before he knows what's happening Tea has his pants and underwear at his feet as she takes him into her mouth. Todd wasn't planning this but he's not about to complain.
After several minutes Todd pulls Tea's mouth off of him and pulls her up to her feet as he backs her toward a narrow table on the other side of the small room. As her back hits the wall she opens her legs and places them around Todd's body as he enters her. They both pull the other person tightly against them, wanting to be as close and physically connected as their bodies can get. In this position their chests are pressed together and even though they both are wearing shirts this adds to the enjoyment for both of them.
As Todd feels himself getting close he places his mouth against the side of Tea's face. Tea turns her head and grabs his mouth with her own. For the first time since Todd returned to town, the ex-spouses share a kiss -- a very long, noisy, lust filled kiss. Tea's body goes into spasm again which helps Todd reach his climax. Even after Todd is finished releasing inside her he continues to move inside her for as long as he can. They share a final, very sensual, kiss before he steps away from her body.
They both are breathing hard and avoiding eye contact as they both dress in silence. They are both embarrassed that they showed the other how into it they were...how much they wanted each other...how much they needed each other. Neither makes the connection though that it was more than just sex for the other person. They each still think that's all the other wants from them.]
Todd: Um...I...um...should go and let you finish what you were doing.
Tea: Okay.
[Todd leaves not knowing what else to say...wanting to say so much yet wanting to protect himself before he reveals everything. Tea's mind is still in shock for several seconds after he leaves. When she starts to come back to her senses she sees Todd's dirty clothes are still where he left them.]
Tea (quietly): I'm not doing your laundry...not after this one time. (knowing she's about to lie) And, we are never having sex again.
chapter 28:
[After going upstairs to freshen up Tea returns downstairs and finds Todd in the living room.]
Tea: Todd?
Todd: Yeah?
Tea: I put your laundry in the washing machine.
Todd: That was the deal.
Tea: No. We had no deal. I did it as a favor to you. When it buzzes you can take your clothes out and put them in the dryer yourself.
Todd: You started it. Shouldn't you finish it?
Tea: Do it yourself or wear damp clothes, it's your choice.
Todd: Your not being very nice.
[Tea starts to leave the room.]
Todd: Wait.
Tea: What?
Todd: There's something we need to talk about.
Tea: What's that?
Todd: I made arrangements for Starr to spend the night here tomorrow night.
Tea: Really? That's wonderful, Todd. I know you've wanted more time with her. Don't worry, I'll spend tomorrow night at a hotel.
Todd: Why would you do that?
Tea: Well, I can't stay here.
Todd: Why not?
Tea: It might confuse Starr.
Todd: She knows that we're living together again.
Tea: She might think that we're back together, that there's more between us than what our relationship clearly is.
Todd: Look, she's a smart kid...
Tea: Exactly. She'll ask lots of questions. Are you prepared to give her answers?
Todd: I'll just tell her to ask you. (Tea gives him a look) Okay, but she expects you to be here so it will confuse her more if you're not here.
Tea: Don't you want time alone with her?
Todd: Of course.
Tea: Then I'll stay at a hotel. It's just for one night.
Todd: You don't have to. I thought maybe we could all do something together tomorrow night. I pick her up in the late afternoon and I'll probably take her some place to get junk food and then we'll come here and we'll do stuff like we used to. Then we all sleep and we can do stuff together in the morning if your available and then Starr and I would spend the afternoon alone together doing whatever she wants to do. I don't have to have her back until after dinner. You could meet us somewhere for dinner or we could come back here and eat before I take her home. (his enthusiasm lessening as his depression increases) Home? That used to be here. Now home is some place else for her.
Tea (wanting to reach out and physically comfort him): It's okay, Todd. She'll have a great time. Her old room is the same as she left it. You're here, that's the most important thing to her.
Todd: Will you be here?
Tea: I'll be here.
Todd: There's another thing.
Tea: What?
Todd: While she's here we can't be...uh...doing the kinds of stuff we've been doing.
Tea: Of course not. Besides...
Todd: I know. I know. We're never doing that again.
Tea: Well, we're not.
Todd: Whatever. Just not while she's here.
Tea: Okay.
chapter 29:
[That night...
Tea waits up for Todd. He left the penthouse hours ago without telling Tea where he was going. The later it gets the more worried she becomes that something may have happened to him. Another, and very painful, thought occurs to Tea. What if, wherever he is, he met some woman and is spending the night with her? Even worse, what if he were to bring someone back to the penthouse? They don't have an exclusive relationship...not that they've ever discussed, anyway. They don't have any relationship. It's just sex...nothing but sex. How could he be with some bimbo? How could he do that to her?
Too many thoughts, too many questions, rush through Tea's mind. She considers calling different places that Todd might be, but she knows he wouldn't appreciate it if she did. She waits. She paces. She curses in Spanish.
Finally, Tea hears a thud at the door followed by the sound of a key in the lock. She considers rushing upstairs. She doesn't want Todd to think she waited up for him. She especially doesn't want to be standing there like an idiot if Todd isn't alone.
As the door starts to open, Tea quickly sits in one of the chairs and pretends she's asleep. At least she'll be able to tell if he's got a bimbo with him and maybe it would put an end to whatever he was planning if his date saw his ex-wife as they entered the living room.
As Todd slowly makes his way into the darkened penthouse he moves slowly trying not to bump into anything. As he approaches the stairs he notices Tea slumped in one of the chairs. He wonders why she's sleeping in a chair in the living room instead of upstairs. He quickly eliminates the possibility that she could have fallen asleep while waiting for him to come home. Even if she did it would only be because she wanted to have sex with him. After all, that's all she ever wants from him anymore. She used to love him now she just uses him to get her own kicks. Okay, so he enjoys the sex too but he wants more and Tea has made it perfectly clear that she's not interested in anything more than a purely sexual relationship. Maybe that makes it easier. He can be close to her but not risk his heart...well, at least she doesn't know that he's risking his heart. It's safer that way.]
Todd (kneeling down next to the chair Tea is in): Tea? Hey, Tea? Do you want to go upstairs and do stuff? We haven't had sex in (trying to look at his watch in the dark) a bunch of hours. Tea?
Tea: You're drunk.
Todd (startled that she's awake): I don't do drunk. Have you ever seen me drunk?
Tea: I've seen you drink more than you should. Is that what happened tonight? Where were you? Were you alone?
Todd: You talk too much and you ask too many questions. Let's go upstairs and not talk.
Tea: If that's all you're interested in why didn't you pick someone up in whatever bar you were in?
Todd: I tried. It didn't work out.
[Tea is deeply hurt by his comment.]
Tea: I'm going upstairs.
Todd: Good. Just let me get a drink first.
Tea: I'm going to my bedroom.
Todd: Okay, we can do it there.
Tea: No, we can't. We won't be doing anything tonight or any night. You'll have to get your thrills picking up women in bars from now on.
Todd (pressing his body against hers): Come on, Tea. I was out celebrating and now I'm here and I want to celebrate with you.
Tea: What were you celebrating?
Todd: Starr spending the night here.
Tea: And you do that by getting drunk?
Todd: I'm not drunk.
Tea: Did you drive?
Todd: Took a limo. I told you I was celebrating.
Tea: I'm surprised you weren't able to find someone to have sex with in your limo.
Todd: People have no class anymore. I sent the limo away already but if you want we can have sex in a limo some other time.
Tea: Go upstairs and sleep this off. You should have waited to get drunk until after Starr's visit. You're going to feel like hell tomorrow...or, today, actually.
Todd: I feel like hell every day. Tea, come upstairs with me and help me forget.
Tea: What are you trying to forget?
Todd: Everything.
chapter 30:
Tea: You want to use sex to forget? The booze didn't do it for you?
Todd: No. Let's go upstairs. You can make me forget, at least for a little while.
Tea: I don't think that would be a good idea.
Todd: Why not? You like having sex with me, don't you?
Tea: It's enjoyable.
Todd (trying to undo the buttons on her shirt): Then let's go upstairs and enjoy ourselves.
Tea: You would regret it tomorrow.
Todd: Why would I regret it? We've been having sex for days. (placing his hand inside her shirt and roughly playing with her breast through her bra) Come on, Tea.
Tea (pulling away from him): No. We do it sober or we don't do it.
Todd: I told you, I am not drunk. I've just been drinking a lot is all.
Tea: Sleep it off, Todd.
[Tea goes upstairs. She wants to have sex with Todd but not when he's been drinking too much. She doesn't want to take advantage of him or to see a look of regret on his face in the morning.
She knows what he's feeling, wanting to forget...wanting to do whatever you can to make the pain stop. She wants to stop his pain but she also realizes that having sex with Todd is becoming painful for her. Physically it's great...it's really great...it's phenomenal...but emotionally it's getting more and more difficult to distance herself, to pretend it's just sex. Every time they have sex she wants to stay with him, to be in his arms, but she knows that's not what he wants so she leaves the room or he does and every time it hurts her. She doesn't know how much longer she can continue.
Tea lies awake for more than an hour before she gets up to check on Todd. She doesn't find him in his room so she goes downstairs and finds him passed out on the couch in the living room. She notices an empty liquor bottle on the floor. She slowly approaches him making sure that he really is asleep.
He turned a light on after she went upstairs so she can see him clearly. He's sleeping on his side facing her. She kneels down beside the sofa and gently moves his hair out of his face and caresses his cheek.]
Tea (quietly): Todd? Are you awake? (just to check if he's awake) Do you want to have sex? (satisfied that's he's not awake) Why do you do this, Todd? Which pain are you running from tonight? Your childhood? Starr? Viki? What? Maybe if you told me I could help you. I want to help you. I've always wanted to help you. I've always wanted to take away your pain but you never let me. I wanted to love you, I did love you, but it didn't matter to you. (tears forming in her eyes) I know that now. For a while, though, I thought maybe...maybe it did matter. I was actually stupid enough to think that you loved me too. I know now that you didn't, that you've never felt that way about me. I wish you did though. I don't blame you. No one else has ever loved me either. When I was a little girl I questioned it, you know, when my mother left. I don't question it anymore. It's happened so many times with so many people. I'm just not meant to have love in my life, I guess. It used to be okay, until I came here. There's something about you, Todd, that made it different, that made me want your love. Maybe it was because you didn't think you deserved love either. Maybe I wanted to show you that you did deserve it and maybe I wanted you to show me that I deserved it too. But now I know that not only did you never love me but you never even believed that I loved you, did you? When I woke up the day after our wedding, after the fire, I was in the hospital and you had left that letter and a check for me. I knew in that moment that everything I had given you had meant nothing to you. It wasn't easy, you know, letting you have my heart like I did. I was scared and sometimes it hurt but I did it. I trusted you with my heart and you tore it to shreds so I tore your check to shreds. I had tried so hard to show you what I wanted from you...love, trust, understanding...but all you thought I wanted was your money. I didn't want your money, Todd. I wanted you. I still want you but you still don't see that, do you? Now, you just think I want sex. I want to show you, to tell you, what I really want but I know that it will just hurt again. It hurts now too but it will hurt more if I take that chance again and you don't believe me again. If I were to tell you that I love you I know that you would probably walk out the door and never come back. Being your lover when it's nothing but sex isn't what I want but it's the only option I have for being with you, isn't it? I'm so tempted to try for more again. I probably will. I'll probably get sloppy and let it slip and then it will all be over. I am glad that we've done this, Todd. I wasn't lying when I said that the sex has been great. It really has been and there have been a few moments when it felt like more than that. I know it wasn't for you but it did feel that way. That's what I'll remember, Todd, that feeling. I still hold onto that feeling I had when I thought you loved me. Even though I now know it was a lie I'll never forget what that felt like because I know that it's the only time that I'll ever feel that way. It's the only times that I'll ever know what it feels like for someone to love me, all of me, even the parts that aren't so great. I love you that way, Todd. I'm not saying that I like it when you act horribly, just that I know the different parts of you and I love you. I love you, Todd.
[Tea kisses Todd softly on the forehead before going back upstairs to her bedroom.]
to be continued...
