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| LAST CHANCE BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 71 - 80 |
PREVIOUSLY...
Tea: There's nothing to be confused about. (caressing his bare chest) It's okay, Todd. I know the deal. I know what this is about. I'm okay with that. I know that you expected me to be gone when you came down this morning. I know that this is just sex. I know that you want me to leave when we're done. I understand. I can handle that. (lowering her pants and underwear to the ground) Let's just enjoy ourselves. This will...this will just be our way of saying good-bye.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
chapter 71:
[Todd watches Tea lowering her pants.]
Todd: Wait.
Tea (pulling her pants back up): You changed your mind? You don't want to be with me now?
Todd: No, it's not that.
Tea (lowering her pants again): Okay.
Todd: Wait.
Tea (raising her pants again): What's the problem? You want to have sex. I want to have sex. Let's just have sex. I still need to find a place to live today.
Todd: Um, what about here?
Tea: I can't. I know this arrangement works for you but it doesn't work for me. I want something from you that you can't give me. You don't have to worry. I won't read anything more into our having sex right now than just two people with a physical need.
Todd: You don't have to go.
Tea: I can't stay here.
Todd: Last night you wanted to.
Tea: Last night I made it clear that I wanted more than just a purely sexual relationship, that I needed you to make an effort, that I needed you to come downstairs if you wanted me to stay and now it's hours later and you just now came downstairs. You didn't want me to stay last night and I know you don't right now. Is it the sex? Is that it? You don't want to lose a sex partner who's across the hall from you, available whenever you want or need, is that it? You want me to stay so we can keep having sex?
Todd: Yes...no...I mean...well...well...yes... but no...I mean...huh?
Tea: Do you want me to stay?
Todd: Yes.
Tea: Then why didn't you come downstairs last night?
Todd: I did.
Tea: You did? When? I was so exhausted I couldn't stop myself from falling asleep on the couch but before I did...
Todd: Exactly. I came down, I did, and you were asleep and I didn't want to wake you.
Tea: But you did come down?
Todd: Yes.
Tea: What time was it?
Todd: I don't know but it was definitely in time for that stupid deadline you gave me.
Tea: Before the deadline? Are you sure? It wasn't after?
Todd: No. I came down and you were asleep so I went back up.
Tea: Are you sure it was before the deadline ended?
Todd: Positive. Why are we standing here talking? Let's go upstairs and stop talking.
[Tea picks Todd's pants up from the floor and tosses them at him before quickly beginning to refasten her own clothing.]
Todd: You're doing it backwards. We should be removing clothing right now not putting it on.
Tea: I'm leaving.
Todd: No, you're not.
Tea: Yes, I am.
Todd: But I want you to stay.
Tea: You just lied to me.
Todd: No, I didn't.
Tea (angrily): I was awake, Todd. I was awake until well after that stupid deadline. You didn't come down. You'll say anything when you want sex, won't you?
[Tea turns toward the door. Todd, in a hurry to stop her, dispenses with his underwear and quickly slides into his jeans. He rushes after her and catches her at the door. His hand wraps around her hand as it picks up her suitcase that she left by the door the night before.]
Todd: I'll take it upstairs for you.
Tea: Let go.
Todd: You're not going anywhere without me. If you don't want to waste the time you spent packing then we'll go somewhere...together.
Tea: I have no desire to go anywhere, or do anything, with you again...ever.
Todd: You don't mean that. You've said stuff like that to me before but you always come back. We're even more connected now. You can't leave. I won't let you.
Tea: Are you going to take me hostage again?
[Tea instantly knows that was a low and unnecessary blow but in her current anger she doesn't care.]
Tea: Let go. Right now!
Todd (hurt and angry): Fine! Leave! You leave. You go ahead. Don't even bother trying to come back this time. I gave you a chance. You're the one blowing it this time, not me. This is all your fault anyway.
Tea: Mine?
Todd: You're the one who came into my room that night and started groping me. You're the one who's been putting the moves on me this whole time.
Tea: You...
Todd: I just went along with it because...because...
Tea: Never mind. I get the picture. Don't worry. I won't be showing up at your door tonight looking for you to throw me a sexual scrap.
[Tea unlocks and yanks open the door. She doesn't bother to look at Todd again as she storms out the door. He slams it behind her.]
chapter 72:
Tea and Todd both stand on opposite sides of the door, stunned. Tea didn't want to leave and Todd didn't want her to leave but yet there they stand -- Tea in the hall and Todd in the penthouse, a door dividing them, offering them physical proof of their unwanted solitude. They both feel more alone than they ever have before and each is convinced that alone is how they were always destined to be, a feeling that has been reinforced in each of them with each abandonment they've endured in their separate lives.
Tea moves very slowly toward the elevator. She's not moving slowly in a delusional dream that if she gives Todd enough time he'll open the door and ask her to stay. She knows that Todd won't be coming after her. She is painfully aware that their relationship is over. Never before in her life has Tea felt emotional pain so physically intense. She feels as if her body is going into shock and she could collapse at any moment.
As Tea finally reaches the elevator she lowers her body onto a small bench against the wall next to the elevator. She's surprised that she isn't crying. The most important part of her world just came to an end. There should be tears...sobs...something...anything...but there's nothing.
Inside the penthouse, Todd sits quietly on the sofa. His eyes stare straight ahead but don't focus on anything. In his mind he is taking the journey with Tea as she rides the elevator to the garage, walks to her car and drives away...away from his life forever. The night before he had wanted her to leave so she would be safe but he never wanted her to be gone from his life.
A part of his brain tries to protect him from the pain in his heart by trying to gather his anger at her. He had said that he had wanted her to stay, he had made himself vulnerable to her, and she just walked out on him. She abandoned him. She was just like everyone else -- telling him that she cared but not bothering to stick around. Sure, he did push her away and knowingly hurt her the night before and, okay, he had just lied to her this morning but that was no reason to ditch him.
No matter how hard he tries he can't seem to bring the anger to the surface. He's not yelling, smashing everything in his sight or plotting his revenge. He's just sitting perfectly still on the sofa listening to the silence of being completely alone.
Todd doesn't know that Tea has yet to enter the elevator, has yet to leave the building. Tea has no idea that her leaving is having any effect on Todd.
They both sit quietly, still physically near each other yet each feeling completely distant from the other.
chapter 73:
[Tea has no sense of how much time has passed while she has been sitting on the bench next to the elevator. Knowing that she has to leave, Tea slowly rises with her suitcase in her hand and stands before the elevator. She reaches her hand out to the side to press the button that will signal the elevator to rise to meet her. Her fingers touch the button but not hard enough to press it. When the elevator comes she will have to leave and her heart just isn't ready to take that final step away from Todd yet.
Suddenly, Tea is startled out of her thoughts as the elevator arrives on her floor. When the elevator doors open Tea is staring into the eyes of her former sister-in-law.]
Viki: Good morning.
[Tea is speechless and the sight of another person along with the realization that she can't delay her exit anymore threaten to bring on the emotions and tears that had been eluding her until this moment.]
Viki (noticing Tea's pained expression): Tea? Are you okay? Has something happened?
Tea (trying to force back the tears): Yes.
Viki: What is it? Is it Todd?
Tea (a tear sliding down her cheek): Yes.
[As Viki exits the elevator, Tea enters.]
Viki (noticing the suitcase Tea's carrying): Where are you going?
Tea (doing her best to compose herself and place a defiant look on her face): On with my life. (reaching her hand out to shake Viki's hand) It was nice knowing you, Viki.
Viki (concerned): Tea...
Tea: I really have to be going.
[Determining that she can't do anything to stop Tea from leaving, Viki lets go of the elevator door.]
Tea (as the elevator doors are closing between them): Take care...(softly to herself after the doors have safely closed)...of him.
[Viki quickly approaches the door of Todd's penthouse concerned for her brother and also curious about what could have happened. She knocks on the door and waits for a response.]
Todd (yelling): Go away. (throwing the first thing he can get his hands on at the door) I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone.
Viki: Todd?
Todd: Especially you.
Viki (sternly): Todd.
Todd: I'll give you a million dollars to go away.
Viki: I already have millions of dollars. I don't need your money. I'd rather talk to you.
Todd (standing next to the door): I don't care what you want to do. I'm not in the mood. Go away. Come back when I'm in a more talkative mood. I should be senile in sixty or seventy years. Try me then.
Viki: I just saw Tea.
[Todd quickly jerks the door open startling Viki. Viki surveys his appearance. His shirt is completely unbuttoned, his hair looks like it hasn't been combed yet today and his face looks like he hasn't slept in days.]
Todd: Yeah?
Viki: She just got on the elevator. You could stop her before she leaves the building if you hurry.
[Todd walks toward the sofa, buttoning his shirt as he goes. He notices his underwear on one of the sofa cushions and quickly grabs it and shoves it into his pocket hoping that Viki didn't see it.
As Viki watches Todd trying to hide what clearly were a pair of his underwear from her, she recalls Tea's blouse wasn't buttoned correctly and her hair looked uncombed too and assumes that whatever happened must have occurred during or after they were intimate together. She decides not to give any hint to her suspicions since she doesn't want to embarrass Todd.]
Todd: Why would I want to stop her? She left me.
Viki: I noticed her suitcase.
Todd: Did she tell you where she was going?
Viki: No. Where is she going?
Todd: How the hell should I know? Do your spouses usually tell you where they're going when they abandon you?
Viki: I thought she was your ex-spouse?
Todd: Whatever.
Viki: What happened? I thought things were going well for the two of you. You had a peculiar situation between the two of you certainly but you looked quite happy and Tea appeared to enjoy your company the last time I saw the two of you together. What did you do?
Todd (jumping up from the sofa): It had to be me, right? It couldn't have been her, could it? No, it's always my fault. You're always blaming me for everything.
Viki: Did you tell her that you love her, like I suggested?
Todd: I told her she could stay. She ditched me anyway. I don't need her. I don't need any of this stupid stuff complicating things.
Viki: Love?
Todd: I got my kid, that's all that matters.
Viki: Do you have a custody arrangement worked out with Blair?
Todd: Not yet.
Viki: Do you have another lawyer because I assume Tea no longer has that job, correct?
Todd: There are other lawyers. That's another thing she did -- she was supposed to help me get my paper back and she just walked away. She doesn't take her responsibilities seriously.
Viki: Do you?
Todd: What's that supposed to mean?
Viki: You weren't the easiest person to live with and be married to but Tea continued to stick it out with you when most people would have walked away.
Todd: She walked away plenty of times.
Viki: Did she walk away or did you tell her to leave?
Todd: Which time?
Viki: Let's start with this time.
Todd: No, let's start with you leaving.
Viki: Are you going to go after Tea?
Todd: Of course not.
Viki: And why is that? You are clearly miserable without her.
Todd: I am not.
Viki: And I saw Tea, she didn't look any happier than you do right now.
Todd: Really? Well, good.
Viki: Go after her, Todd. Don't put yourself, or Tea, through this again. You both were miserable when you were apart.
Todd: Anyone anywhere near me is guaranteed to be miserable...that's how it works.
Viki: Is that why you made her leave -- to protect her from the misery of your company?
Todd: Why do you keep insisting on talking like you know anything about what went on here? You should leave.
Viki: We are not done talking yet.
Todd: Yes, we are.
[Todd casually walks off toward the kitchen leaving Viki alone in the living room.]
chapter 74:
Three weeks later...
Viki has been sitting in the dining room of the country club for several minutes as she awaits the arrival of her dinner companion.
Viki is distracted by her thoughts of Todd. She had stopped by the penthouse on her way to the country club to check on her brother, something she does several nights a week. He never says much to her, in fact, most of his verbalizing is to tell her to go away. She doesn't though. She stays and continues trying to talk to him. He clearly has been miserable since Tea left.
Viki had spoken to Carlotta and was certain that Tea was not staying with her. She had also questioned Renee and knew that Tea wasn't staying at her hotel, as she had done when she had problems with Todd in the past. As far as Viki could discern from her casual sleuthing, Tea appeared to have left Llanview when she left Todd.
Viki has hesitated in seeking any professional assistance in locating Tea since she doesn't want to interfere but she is greatly concerned about how depressed Todd has been. She knows that he hasn't been eating or sleeping much. The only time that she sees anything but pain in Todd's eyes is when he talks about his daughter.
Starr has spent several nights during the last few weeks staying with Todd at the penthouse. Viki knows that those visits from his daughter are the only thing that is keeping Todd from falling apart completely. Viki is also fairly certain that Tea must be just as miserable without Todd.
Viki recalls the tears in Tea's eyes the last time she saw her. She knows those were not tears of joy or relief at being through with Todd but instead were tears of pain and sadness. Despite her preference not to get directly involved, Viki knows that if Tea doesn't reappear soon she'll have to do some more intense investigating to learn where Tea is so she can try to help them reunite so Todd will stop being so miserable and she can go back to focusing more fully on her own life.
As Viki looks at her watch wondering when her dining companion will arrive, she hears a noise from behind her coming from the bar area.
Viki focuses completely and waits for the sound to occur again. It does. Viki quickly turns toward the source of the very distinctive laugh...Tea.
Tea is sitting at the bar, sipping a drink, laughing with a man that Viki has never seen before. Viki rises from her chair and cautiously approaches her former sister-in-law.
chapter 75:
Viki: Tea?
Tea (surprised): Viki? I didn't expect to see you here.
Viki: I am a member here, remember?
Tea: Right.
Viki (gesturing to the man next to Tea): Who is this?
Tea: This is...(looking at the guy)...I'm sorry, what's your name again?
Insignificant man: Doug.
Tea: Right. Doug. (to Viki) Doug here was just trying to convince me that I wanted to go somewhere else and have sex with him.
Viki (surprised by Tea's bluntness): Oh, really?
Tea: I let him know my lack of interest immediately but he doesn't seem to understand how any woman could resist him. (looking directly at Viki and then looking at Doug disapprovingly) Do you find him as disgustingly repellent as I do?
Viki: Well...
Doug: I don't think I'm interested in wasting any more of my time.
Tea: Good. You've wasted enough of mine already.
[Doug starts to wander toward a woman sitting alone at a nearby table.]
Tea (toward the departing Doug): Oh, um...uh...
Viki (helping with Tea's memory lapse): Doug.
Tea: Right. Doug. (speaking loudly) Doug, just so you know, this is a country club not a pick-up bar for pathetic men who would rather have anonymous sex with a stranger than spend some time at home making love to their wife, who has probably spent the day working, picking up your children from daycare, cooking, cleaning... You bastard! How could you do that to your beautiful wife. I hope she's packing her bags right now and you'll be returning home to an empty house. You don't deserve her or those precious children and they deserve so much better than you.
[Tea laughs as she watches Doug quickly exiting.]
Viki (watching Tea take a sip from her drink): You're drunk.
Tea: Not nearly enough. (sincerely) I'm sorry, did I embarrass you?
Viki: I don't embarrass easily. Are you okay? I've been worried about you.
Tea (not believing her): I'm sure you have been. Probably worried that all that sex left me pregnant and I would be showing up wanting money from Todd. You don't have to worry. I'm not pregnant and I don't want anything from Todd.
Viki: Not even love?
Tea: He never loved me.
[Viki studies Tea's eyes and sees a similar level of sadness to what she has been watching in Todd's eyes in the last few weeks. She knows that Tea is wrong about Todd not loving her.]
Viki: Maybe the two of you should talk and try to really listen to each other.
Tea: There's no point. I tried, I really did, but he wasn't interested. He doesn't care about me. He never cared about me. I've come to terms with that.
Viki: Is that why you're sitting here getting drunk?
Tea: I'm sitting here getting drunk because it's either this or I go to the penthouse and pack up the rest of my things. That's the only reason that I came back here today.
Viki: Then why aren't you at the penthouse?
Tea: I thought this would be more fun.
Viki (taking her cell phone out): I'll call Todd.
Tea: No. Don't. I don't want to see him.
Viki (putting her cell phone away): Tea, why don't you join me at my table. My dinner guest hasn't arrived yet and I could use the company.
Tea: I don't want to intrude.
Viki: You won't, I promise.
chapter 76:
[Viki leads Tea away from the bar area and toward her dining table, where they sit opposite each other.]
Viki: Tea, if you don't mind my asking, where have you been the last few weeks?
Tea: Puerto Rico.
Viki: Really?
Tea: Yeah. I figured my life was a wreck so I'd go somewhere that would make me feel good. Somewhere that would feel like going home.
Viki: So, you've been alone this whole time?
Tea: No.
Viki (disappointed): Oh?
Tea: I took my grandmother with me. I had to pay her boss off so she could take the time off without getting fired but what the hell it's just money. Do you have any idea how old my grandmother is?
Viki: No, I don't.
Tea: Neither do I. I'm not even sure she knows at this point since she's been lying about her age for a long time now but I know she's old. She should be retired now. I offered to help her out financially so she wouldn't have to work anymore but she wouldn't let me. I'm surprised she even agreed to go on this trip with me. She probably just felt sorry for me because your brother is such a bastard. All men are bastards.
Viki: I'd like to think there are a few that aren't.
Tea: Have you ever met any that weren't?
Viki: Well, I'd like to think I raised a couple myself.
[Tea laughs, knowing from experience that Viki's son, Kevin, is royalty among the bastards.]
Tea (trying to be sincere): Oh, I'm sorry, Viki. You know, I always have liked Joey. He seems very sweet.
Viki: Thank you.
[There is an awkward silence.]
Viki: Would you like to know how Todd is doing?
Tea: No.
Viki: Are you sure?
Tea: He means nothing to me.
Viki: Really?
Tea: I'll admit, I felt something for him once but that's over now.
Viki: Then why are you here getting drunk instead of at the penthouse saying good-bye to Todd?
Tea: I've already said good-bye to Todd...numerous times. He probably barely even notices that I'm gone, right? Don't answer that. I don't care. He's a bastard.
Viki: You've mentioned that. He has been spending as much time as he can with Starr. She's even spent the night at the penthouse a few times since you left.
Tea: That's great. Is she doing better?
Viki: Better?
Tea: When she spent the night while I was still there she was scared that Todd would leave again. Is she feeling more secure now?
Viki: She clings to Todd a bit but I think she's handling things well.
Tea: Great. I wish I could see her before I go.
Viki: Why don't you ask Todd? He knows how much you care about Starr.
Tea: I wish that I could keep being a part of her life. Would you tell her that I'll miss her and that I'll think about her a lot?
Viki: I think you should tell her that yourself.
Tea: He'll stick it out this time, won't he? He won't leave her again?
Viki: I hope not.
[Tea looks down into her empty glass as an overwhelming sadness threatens her as she wishes that she were also someone that Todd wouldn't leave.]
chapter 77:
Tea (looking into her empty glass): I thought drinking would cheer me up but it just seems to be depressing me.
Viki: Is it the drinking or perhaps something else that is depressing you?
Tea: What else could it be?
Viki: Todd?
Tea: That bastard!
Viki: I understand that you're upset with him for some reason but there must still be a chance that the two of you could work things out.
Tea: Not when one of us doesn't want that and never has.
Viki: Todd?
Tea: Certainly not me.
Viki: So, if he told you that he wanted to try again you would agree?
Tea: You think I'm so pathetic that I'll automatically take him back no matter what?
Viki: Of course not.
Tea: Good. I wouldn't. It's over. It's permanently over this time. He's run out of emergency do over cards.
Viki: Excuse me?
Tea: Nothing. It's just something stupid that Todd tried to con me into once. I won that time and I've won this time too. I'm free of him and I'm not looking back. Never again.
[Tea hopes that she sounded convincing because she knows that she's completely lying.]
Viki: So, if things are over with Todd, what are your plans? Will you be staying in Llanview?
Tea: I don't know. My grandmother asked me to stay with her for a while. It probably wouldn't be the best choice. I should go out and find my own place in this world. Maybe somewhere that no one knows me and no one has ever heard of Todd Manning. Somewhere that I can start fresh.
Viki: And where would that be?
Tea: I don't know.
[The thought of leaving, of really leaving, brings tears to Tea's eyes. She knows it's over with Todd but every time she thinks about moving on without him the pain is too intense.
Viki notices the tears and reaches into her purse and hands Tea a handkerchief.]
Tea (dabbing at her eyes): It's this time of year...allergies.
Viki (knowing it's really a broken heart): Of course.
Tea: I should get another drink. It might help me forget...about the allergies.
Viki: Why don't you sit here and I'll get your drink?
Tea: You don't have to do that. I'm not so drunk that I can't walk over to the bar and get my own drink so I can get more drunk.
Viki: I actually need to make a phone call to see where my dinner companion is so I'll get your drink at the same time? Some coffee or water, perhaps?
Tea: I'd rather have bourbon, or scotch, or compari. Wait. Forget the compari. He ruined compari for me. That bastard!
Viki: Todd?
Tea: Who else?
Viki: Well, I'll be right back. Stay right here.
Tea: Sure...whatever. He ruined that word for me too. That bastard!
[Viki smiles slightly as she walks toward the bar. She orders something non-alcoholic for Tea and takes out her phone and dials Todd's number.]
chapter 78:
Todd (answering his phone): This isn't a recording. This is actually Todd Manning. Don't wait for the beep. Hang up now.
Viki: Very amusing, Todd.
Todd: I wasn't kidding.
Viki: Todd...
Todd: Wait. I didn't lose track of time, did I? Weren't you just here nagging me about...someone...a little while ago? The least you could do is wait until tomorrow to start in on me again.
Viki: Speaking of Tea...
Todd: Who was speaking of...that person?
Viki: You just were. I know where she is. Are you interested?
Todd: No, of course not. She ditched me, remember?
Viki: I'm fairly certain that's not how she remembers it.
Todd: What did she tell you? I bet she gave you a good sob story. Made me look like a jerk, right?
Viki: Why don't you come and talk to her yourself and you can work out this miscommunication problem.
Todd: Miscommunication? I told her I wanted her to stay and she walked out. There was nothing missing in that communication.
Viki: Todd, just do yourself a favor this once. Put away the gun you have aimed at your foot and come to the country club and work things out with Tea.
Todd: Forget it, Viki. You're going to have to amuse yourself watching some other sap get squashed into the rug by Tea's high heel. It's not going to be me anymore.
[Viki watches as a familiar man from Tea's past enters and clearly notices Tea sitting alone across the room.]
Viki: Well, it looks like in about one minute I will indeed be able to watch a different man have that honor. Unless she's so drunk she actually takes him up on the offer I have a feeling he may be making her in the next few minutes.
Todd: What guy? What offer? Drunk? You got her drunk? What the hell is going on there?
Viki: She was drinking when I found her.
Todd: Was she upset about something? Did she say who...I mean, what...she was upset about?
Viki: If you're so interested why don't you come down here and find out for yourself?
Todd: You're probably just making all this stuff up anyway because you think it'll get me down there, storming in all jealous. It didn't work. I'm not jealous and I'm not going anywhere. I have my night all planned already. There's a film festival on the Laugh-A-Minute channel I missed out on because of Tea a couple of years ago and I'm gonna watch it tonight.
[Todd hangs up. Viki turns toward the bartender, anxiously awaiting the beverages she ordered so she can get back to the table and save Tea...from herself, if necessary, but definitely from the man who is descending upon her as she sits alone at the table.]
Chapter 79:
[Tea is resting her head on the table. The alcohol she's had so far tonight, combined with the sleeplessness she's had for the last few weeks, mixed in with her depression and lack of appetite are having an effect on her. She opens her eyes and looks up when she hears someone clearing their throat.]
Tea: Not you.
Sykes: In the flesh.
Tea: Don't remind me. I already feel sick from the booze.
Sykes: You're drunk, aren't you?
Tea (mocking): Wow! What astounding deductive abilities you have.
Sykes: I am the best detective in town.
Tea: Detect this...
Sykes (not picking up on her obvious animosity): What are you doing here alone?
Tea: I'm not alone.
Sykes: You weren't stupid enough to fall for Manning again, were you? I heard he was back in town. I certainly hope you had the sense this time to stay far away from him. He never did anything but hurt and humiliate you. He never treated you like a woman should be treated. I showed you how a real man treats a woman. You remember, don't you? You remember how great it was between us?
Tea: I'm really tired and I'm not even remotely in the mood for you right now.
Sykes: I know it's difficult when someone points out how horribly wrong you were in the past but you know I only do it because I still care about you. Manning never cared about you, did he? He never loved you the way that I did. He never showed you love on the level that I showed you.
[Viki arrives back at the table.]
Viki: Detective Sykes, thank you for keeping Tea company while I was away from the table but if you don't mind would you excuse us? We have some private family business to discuss.
Sykes: I thought that phony marriage was annulled?
Viki: Tea's marriage to my brother may not currently be legal but we are still family.
Sykes: Clearly Tea isn't in any shape to do much of anything right now. I'll take her home and make sure she doesn't get into any trouble.
Viki: Whose home were you planning on taking her to?
Sykes: Well, I could take her to my apartment and she could sleep this off. (trying to pull Tea out of her seat) Come on, Tea.
Tea: No. I don't want to look at your fish.
Sykes: Sure you do. You love fish, remember?
Tea: Only when it's dead and on my plate. Now I'm hungry.
Sykes: (still trying to get Tea out of her chair) Come on, we're going to go to my apartment. You want that, don't you?
Tea: No.
Viki: I think you have your answer, Detective Sykes.
Sykes: She's drunk. She doesn't know what she's saying.
Viki: She clearly knows she would prefer not to go with you. Don't worry. I'll take care of Tea and make certain that she ends up where she belongs.
Sykes: If you're sure about this? Tea can be difficult to deal with when she's drunk. I've had experience.
Viki: I'm certain you have but I can handle it. (dismissing him) Thank you.
[Sykes reluctantly wanders off.]
chapter 80:
Tea (about Sykes): Thank you. I wouldn't have gone with him anyway, I swear, I'm not that drunk, but thank you for getting rid of him.
Viki: Maybe he did have a point. Perhaps I should take you home.
Tea: I don't have a home. I don't have anything anymore. No job, no place to live, no step-daughter, no...no...you know...
Viki: Todd?
Tea: You know, he never loved me. Not even a little. (tears coming to her eyes again) Do you know what that's like? To be that much in love with someone and to think, to hope, that maybe they just might love you a little, too...or at least like you...or feel something for you. Then...then you realize that it didn't mean anything, that you never meant anything to him. Do you know what that feels like? I'll tell you what that feels like -- it hurts like hell except when you just feel numb. I think numb is easier.
Viki: Is that why you've been drinking, so you'd feel numb?
Tea: I haven't really had that much to drink. Oh, I'm definitely drunk, I'm not going to try to lie about that, but this isn't all because of the booze. It's also because I've barely eaten or slept.
Viki: Today?
Tea: Today, yesterday, the day before that, the week before that. I'm tired, I'm hungry and I'm in love with someone who doesn't love me and there's nothing I can do about that.
Viki: I think perhaps there is. Why don't we start with getting some food into your system, okay? Later, we'll work on the rest.
Tea: You're really kind, Viki. I don't want to burden you. I can take care of myself. I've been doing it since I was a kid.
Viki: I don't mind. Besides, I feel that I owe you.
Tea: Why?
Viki: Because you love my brother. I know it hasn't been easy but I'm grateful that you continue to love him. He needs that.
Tea: No, he doesn't. He's made that clear to me so many times.
Viki: Todd has never been known for doing what is in his own best interest.
Tea: He doesn't love me, Viki. If you're going to try to build my hopes up then I'm going to leave because as much as I may enjoy the feeling of thinking Todd loves me the crash to the ground when I have to face the reality that he never loved me is pretty painful.
Viki: What if I agree to try not to tell you how much I know Todd does love you and we'll just have dinner together, okay?
Tea: Okay.
to be continued...
