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| LAST CHANCE BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 171 - 180 |
PREVIOUSLY...
Todd: But, I came back.
Tea: But, you left, Todd. That fact didn't go away when you came back.
Todd: What about you? Are you still angry about that, too?
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
chapter 171:
Tea: Yes, I'm still angry. Wouldn't you be if I had left you?
Todd: You did...every other week during our first marriage. You turned your back on me on our second wedding night, too.
Tea: I was hurt and humiliated.
Todd: Yeah, well, maybe I left because I was hurt.
Tea: Is that why you left?
Todd: Maybe we should stop talking about this stuff.
[Todd walks toward the sofa and sits down. Tea follows and sits next to him.]
Todd: Talking never helps.
Tea: Yes, it does.
Todd: No, it doesn't.
Tea: Todd, it's okay with me if we don't talk about that night.
Todd: Good.
Tea: But, you need to talk to Starr about it. She needs to understand why you left.
Todd: It didn't have anything to do with her.
Tea: She needs to understand that.
Todd: How can I make her understand something that doesn't make any sense?
Tea: I don't know. You'll find a way. Maybe Viki can help. She knows why you left, right?
Todd: I guess, sort of. She knows stuff. I don't want Starr to know some of that stuff, though.
Tea: Maybe you could talk to her about when your mother left you.
Todd: No way. Forget it.
Tea: Why not?
Todd: Would you want to spill your guts to her about when your mom left you?
Tea: If I thought it would help her, I would talk about it.
Todd: Okay, you talk to her then.
Tea: She needs to talk to you. I know that you already know that, Todd.
Todd: That doesn't mean I'm okay with it. She's just a little kid.
Tea: She's growing up. She could handle an age appropriate discussion about this.
Todd: How do I know what's appropriate for her age?
Tea: You'll know. She'll help you. She'll probably ask questions.
Todd: Oh, this just gets worse.
Tea: It won't be easy...
Todd (sarcastically): You think?
Tea: ...but it will be okay. It could bring you closer.
Todd: Well, it wouldn't take much at this point since she's so far away right now.
Tea: I'm sorry this is so hard for you.
Todd: Life kind of sucks right now, you know?
Tea: Not completely, I hope.
Todd: No, not completely...I am about to get my newspaper back.
Tea (smiling): Is that the only thing that is looking up in your life?
Todd: I haven't been in jail in a couple of days.
Tea: Anything else?
Todd: Are you pushing for compliments, Delgado?
Tea: Hey, it's the only way I seem to get any from you.
Todd: That's not true. I compliment you all the time. I just don't do it out loud.
Tea: I suppose you're right. Words aren't the only way to let someone know you care.
[They hear the noise of someone else awake and moving around in the kitchen.]
Todd: Great! Perfect timing.
Tea: When I get you alone, Todd...
Todd: Are you threatening me?
Tea: I'm guaranteeing you.
Todd: What?
Tea: Whatever you want.
Todd: I'll have to think about that.
Tea: You do that.
[They both leave the living room and walk toward the kitchen together.]
chapter 172:
[In the kitchen at Llanfair, Viki is beginning to prepare breakfast as Todd and Tea enter.]
Viki: Good morning!
[Todd cringes at the perky quality in Viki's voice.]
Todd: Not you, too.
Tea: Todd, is having a difficult time with cheerful people this morning.
Todd: It's the same problem I have every second of every day. Can't both of you just keep your perk to yourselves?
Tea (to Viki): What can I do to help?
Viki: Take a seat at the table. You're a guest. Todd will help me.
Todd: Have you lost your mind again? I don't do kitchen duty.
[Todd takes a seat at the table. Tea sits next to him.]
Tea: Todd is a very good cook, actually.
Viki: Oh, really?
Todd: So, now you're joining forces against me?
Viki: No one is against you.
Todd: That's a lie.
Viki: Well, no one in this kitchen...except perhaps you.
Todd: You think I'm against myself?
Viki: You are an expert at shooting yourself in the foot.
Todd: That's because you people keep trying to knock the gun out of my hand. It throws my aim off.
Viki: You're in some mood this morning. Didn't you sleep well last night?
Todd: In that flower pot you call a bedroom?
Viki: If you had a problem with the room you were in why didn't you tell me? I would have put you in a different room.
Todd: Probably one that would be even worse. Although, I think it would be hard for you to top the one you stuck me in last night unless you have one with a clown motif.
Viki: No clowns. You don't have to worry about that.
Todd: It won't matter anyway since this was a one time, one night deal.
Tea: What about Starr's next overnight visit?
Todd: It will be at the penthouse, like normal.
Tea: Well, let me know when it is and I'll stay at a hotel.
Viki: Tea, you are more than welcome to stay here. I hope you know that.
Tea: I wouldn't want to put you out.
Viki: You wouldn't.
Todd: Tea, it's a mansion. She's got tons of room. But, you don't have to go through floral hell...she's my sister. I'll make the sacrifice, at least until we figure out how to do this without messing up Starr's life.
Tea: There has to be a way, not just for Starr but for all of us.
Viki (to Tea): I was hoping you had spent the night and that it meant that particular problem had been solved.
Tea: I've only been here a few minutes.
Viki: Well, it is good that you both came through yesterday and you're still together and clearly in love.
Todd: Were you eavesdropping on us?
Viki: Of course not. I wasn't even aware you were awake until you walked in. I simply assumed that since Tea is here this early in the morning and I didn't hear you yelling that the two of you must have come to terms with what happened yesterday.
Tea: We're fine...(looking toward Todd)...I think. We are back to were we started, though...still unable to spend the night together but not being able to easily spend the night apart, either.
Todd: Speak for yourself.
Tea: You didn't have any trouble sleeping last night?
Todd: Nope.
Tea: Then why were you up in the middle of the night? Why did you call me? And, then why were you up so early this morning, calling me again?
Todd: I knew you'd have trouble making it through the night without me. I was just trying to pretend I was a nice guy.
Tea: Really?
Viki: Todd, if you truly want to work on your problems, honesty would probably be your best choice right now.
Todd: You think I was lying?
Viki: Well, I suspect it wasn't the complete truth.
Todd: Do you really think I want to sit here in this kitchen talking about that kind of stuff with my sister and my...uh...
[Todd gestures toward Tea, feeling uncomfortable about what to call her.]
Viki: Your wife?
Todd (standing up): Forget it. Our little chats are over.
Tea: I'm confused.
Todd (approaching Viki): If you can't keep your mouth shut like you promised...
Viki: Why would you want to keep that hidden from Tea?
Todd: It's my business.
Tea: I'll just go back into the other room and let you two discuss this...whatever it is.
Todd: Don't bother. I'm leaving. I'll go upstairs and see if Starr's awake. I don't want her coming down here and hearing the two of you discussing this stuff.
[Todd quickly runs up the stairs, leaving Tea and Viki alone in the kitchen.]
chapter 173:
[Upstairs, Todd slowly enters the doorway of the bedroom Starr spent the night in. He sees that she's still asleep. He stands in the doorway and watches his daughter sleep, wishing he knew what to do to make everything okay for her again.
Downstairs, Tea convinces Viki to allow her to help with breakfast. She's concerned about what caused Todd to leave the kitchen so abruptly. She's also worried about Starr and what her reaction will be to Todd when she wakes up. She feels like she needs a distraction from her thoughts right now.
Viki watches Tea as they prepare breakfast together. She's surprised that Tea hasn't questioned her about what she knows about Todd's angry outburst.
For several minutes, Viki struggles internally, not knowing if the best thing she can do for her brother is to keep quiet or discuss it with Tea. She feels that Tea should know at least some of the things that Todd has told her. She knows, however, that it would be best if Todd told Tea himself. She also knows that if it's left up to Todd he probably would never say anything and Tea would never know some of the wonderful things that Todd has told her.]
Viki: My brother is a challenge, isn't he?
Tea: A pleasant one...well, pleasant may not be the right word.
Viki: But, you do enjoy his challenges?
Tea: For the most part. Some are more frustrating than others.
Viki: Why haven't you asked me yet?
Tea: Asked you what?
Viki: What caused Todd to lose his temper.
Tea: Todd always loses his temper. He needs to.
Viki: Life would be easier if he didn't.
Tea: For us, perhaps, but not for him. I honestly don't mind sometimes when he loses his temper.
Viki: Really?
Tea: Okay, sometimes it sets me off, too. But, when I look at it from a distance I see it differently. In the moment it can be infuriating when things seems to be going okay and he says or does something to purposely ruin that moment. I think that he needs to do that, though.
Viki: Why do you think that is?
Tea: There are probably several reasons.
Viki: The well of anger inside of him.
Tea: That's a big reason. He has so much anger it's overwhelming.
Viki: For you as well as him, I would imagine.
Tea: It would be easier if he could take it out in less direct ways. When he ran the newspaper he would use that to relieve some of the anger. He also took a lot of it out on his employees, especially Mr. Briggs.
Viki: Todd has made it clear to me that he expects to be returning to the newspaper business very soon.
Tea: We probably shouldn't discuss that.
Viki: We don't have to directly. Do you think that having that outlet again will take some of the pressure off of you?
Tea: If he were to return to the newspaper business, or any other business, for that matter, it would change things. He would probably go back to using it as a way to hide from the things that make him uncomfortable, starting with me.
Viki: And, you're supporting this?
Tea: I'm supporting Todd.
Viki: Do you want him to return to working?
Tea: I want him to be happy.
Viki: He always did seem to take a certain glee in coming up with those atrocious headlines attacking whomever he was angry at. Perhaps it will give him some joy again...although, I'm not looking forward to returning to having to defend him constantly to my friends or family members that he chooses to attack.
Tea: It must be difficult for you.
Viki: And, you.
Tea: There are only a few people in this town that I care about who care about me. You, on the other hand, are actually related to some of the Buchanans. I think you're more likely to have to deal with the fallout. (quickly adding) If, in fact, Todd is even returning to the newspaper business.
Viki: That sinister glint in his eyes every time Todd brings up the subject tells me that he thinks he's close to making it happen. I do wonder how he intends to wrestle Asa's shares from him, though. I don't think Asa would willingly give up those shares for anything now that he actually owns part of the Sun.
[Todd walks back down the stairs, startling both Viki and Tea.]
Todd: Don't worry about it, Sis. I've got it all worked out.
Viki: You do?
Tea (surprised): You do?
Todd: Yep.
[Todd takes a seat at the table.]
Todd: Where's the grub? I don't want to brag about my brilliant idea on an empty stomach.
chapter 174:
Viki: Breakfast is almost ready. Is Starr still sleeping?
Todd: Nope. She just woke up.
Tea: Is she feeling better this morning?
Todd: She's talking to me.
Tea: That's great.
Todd: Yeah, she told me to get the hell out of the room and her life.
Tea: Did she really?
Todd: She asked me to leave the room because she said she wanted to change her clothes but I know what she really meant.
Tea: Todd, don't make this worse by assigning negative meanings to simple words.
Todd: I don't have to. I know she hates me. Everybody hates me.
Viki: That is simply not true.
Tea: I'm willing to tell you how I feel about you if you need reassurance that you're not hated by everyone.
Todd: Don't. I haven't even eaten yet. I can't handle all this...whatever it is...on an empty stomach.
Tea: It's love.
Todd: Cancel my breakfast. I think I lost my appetite.
Tea: Todd...
[Todd's face softens slightly as he enjoys the smile on Tea's face. After a moment, his face stiffens again.]
Todd: So, were you revealing all of my secrets?
Viki: To whom are you speaking?
Todd: Both of you.
Viki: Your secrets are safe.
Todd: Then what were you talking about? I heard you mention Asa.
Viki: You are the one who has been hinting for weeks now that you plan to somehow acquire your newspaper again.
Todd: It's a done deal.
Tea (surprised): It is?
Todd: Unless you were lying to me.
Tea: Todd, I only have 49%.
Todd: I know. I'll get the other 49% from Blair when I take Starr back today.
Viki: What about Asa's 2%?
Todd: I'm going to let the old guy keep it. And, don't look so surprised at me, either of you. It's a brilliant plan. You see, Asa hates my guts, right? And, he always hated that the Sun, unlike the Banner, was honest about what a bunch of pathetic, hypocritical, criminal losers that whole Buchanan clan is.
Viki: Excuse me, but I have children who are Buchanans, remember?
Todd: Fine. Jessica and Johnny are okay.
Viki: Johnny?
Tea (explaining): Joey.
Viki (to Todd): Don't you know your nephew's name?
Todd: Joey...Johnny...Jimmy...whatever. He's never really ticked me off so he doesn't matter.
Viki: He does to me.
Todd: Do you want to hear my plan or not?
Viki: I want you to show my son enough respect to use his correct name.
Todd: Fine. I'll go find Joseph and tell him my brilliant plan since you're irritating me with some little pronunciation differences.
Viki: I would really appreciate it if you didn't...mispronounce...his name in front of him.
Todd: You don't have to worry about that. I think I've spoken to him once in the last three years. It's not like we hang out together or anything. You should just be glad that I don't hate his guts like your other little boy.
Tea: Perhaps we should return to the subject of Asa's shares of the Sun.
Todd: Clearly, Viki doesn't want to hear my brilliant plan.
Viki: And, what plan is that?
Todd: Well, now you've upset me and I don't feel like telling you.
Tea: Todd...
Todd (feigning distress): Oh, no. Now Tea's mad at me, too. No dessert for me tonight, I guess.
Tea: I can think of something more appealing to withhold.
Todd: You wouldn't.
Tea: Todd, just reveal your plan and stop trying to pick a fight.
Todd: I'm not trying to pick a fight. It's the two of you ganging up on me that's causing problems here.
[There is silence for a moment as everyone feels the uncomfortable tension in the room.]
Todd: Okay, fine. I'll tell you my plan but only because it's too brilliant to keep to myself anymore.
chapter 175:
[Tea and Viki begin placing food on the table as Todd continues telling them his plans for taking back ownership of the Sun.]
Todd: Asa would never sell me his shares, right?
Tea: He hasn't so far.
Todd: Right. I gave it my best shot. I threatened him and everything.
Viki (appalled): You didn't.
Todd: Oh, he threatened me, too. We both had fun. Anyway, so Asa won't give me back what rightfully should belong to me, right? So, I decided to let him keep his little 2% of my paper. That way when the Sun goes back to exposing the Buchanan clan for what it really is, the old guy will own part of the paper that's responsible for their downfall. It's a great plan. He'll have no say in anything I do. His 2% won't mean anything against my 98%. Maybe I'll let him come to meetings once in a while just so I can have the fun of seeing his face when he gets a look at the headlines I have planned. I think I'll start with Bo. I didn't appreciate him throwing me in jail again for no reason.
Viki: He was simply doing his job. You had assaulted an officer.
Todd (angrily): Who had assaulted my wife.
Tea: Todd, let's just put it behind us.
Todd: Sure...just as soon as I make Bo pay.
Viki: Why Bo? Why not Detective Sykes?
Todd (lowering his voice in a menacing manner): I'll take care of him.
Tea: No, you won't. I don't want you to spend anymore time in jail.
Todd: No problem. I just won't get caught.
Tea: Todd, there are more important things to deal with now.
Todd: Things are better with Starr. At least she's speaking to me.
Tea: That's great. There is more, though.
Todd: What?
Tea: Remember, I told you there are some things about the paper that we still need to discuss.
Todd: Go ahead.
Tea: Right now?
Todd: Yeah. Why not? Viki's too decent to use anything against me. Unless... It doesn't benefit a Buchanan, does it?
Tea: No. Although, they probably will be happy...theoretically, anyway.
Todd: But, I won't be, right?
Tea: I don't think so.
Todd: Well, out with it already.
Tea: You can't own 98% of the paper.
Todd: I don't yet but I will when I get Blair's shares and the ones you got from Kelly.
Tea: That's just it. You can't have mine.
Todd: Yours?
Tea: That was the condition that Kelly insisted on. I can't sell or give them to you...ever.
Todd: Fine. You're selling them to Viki and she's selling them to me.
Tea: It's impossible, Todd. Ownership of Kelly's shares can never go to you, no matter who currently has possession of them.
Todd: Do your lawyer thing and find a way.
Tea: There is no way. Legally, you can never own those shares. Ownership will revert back to Kelly if anyone tries to transfer them to you.
Todd: How could you do this to me, Delgado?
Tea: I didn't...
Todd (angrily interrupting): So, all of this was some kind of trick, is that it? You were working with the Buchanans all along, weren't you? Weren't you?
chapter 176:
Tea: Of course I'm not working for the Buchanans. You know that. I love you.
Todd: Forget it. You can't sucker me in by saying that kind of garbage anymore.
Tea: It's not garbage. It's the truth. I love you.
Todd: Well, I don't love you. I never have and I never will.
Starr: Daddy?
[Todd turns in the direction of his daughter's voice and is surprised to see her standing on the kitchen stairs, a distressed look on her face.]
Todd: Starr...
Starr: Why are you mad at Tee? Why don't you love her anymore?
Todd: I...
[Todd feels like his breath has been kicked out of him. He doesn't know how to respond to Starr. He doesn't know why he said what he did to Tea.
He instantly knows that his first paranoid instinct about Tea working for the Buchanans couldn't be correct. He feels almost certain that Tea will understand what he said and why he said it but he doesn't know how he can make Starr understand.]
Tea (to Starr): Sweety, it's okay. Your daddy didn't mean what he said.
Starr: Why did he say it?
Tea: He was just a little angry. He's not angry anymore. (to Todd) Are you?
Todd: Uh...no...no, I'm not.
Starr (to Todd): Did you mean what you said? Did you stop loving Tee because you're mad at her? Did you stop loving me, too?
Todd: No.
[An overwhelming pain rips through Todd. The one thing he never wanted was for Starr to ever doubt his love for her.
Both Tea and Viki watch Todd carefully, knowing that he's having a difficult time dealing with the situation and what to say after his previous words ended up causing more damage than he had intended.]
Viki: Starr, why don't you and I go for a walk for a few minutes and let your daddy and Tea work things out together.
Todd: No.
[Todd nervously clears his throat and slowly approaches his daughter.]
[Todd sits on one of the steps and motions for Starr to sit next to him. She does.
As the silence in the room continues on, both Tea and Viki are tempted to speak to Starr about why Todd said what he did in anger. They both force themselves to be silent, though, knowing that Todd needs to be the one to talk to Starr even if it's painful for him.
Todd keeps his gaze down, trying to formulate in his mind what to say and how to say it.
Finally, he looks up at Tea and Viki.]
Todd: Don't just stand there staring.
[They both begin to leave the room.]
Todd: Wait. I didn't say anything about anyone leaving.
[They both return to the room and busy themselves making more food for breakfast even though they both know that they've already made more than they'll need. While they work, they each sneak glimpses in the direction of the staircase that Todd and Starr are sitting on and wait anxiously for Todd to speak.
Todd turns his body so he is facing his daughter. The hurt in her eyes breaks his heart.]
Todd: I didn't stop loving you. You know that, right? I could never stop loving you.
Starr: But, you stopped loving Tee because you were mad at her and you're mad at me.
Todd: No, I'm not.
Starr: I know you are. I can tell.
Todd: Why would you think I'm mad at you?
Starr: You left.
Todd: Not because I was mad at you.
Starr: And, you got mad at me yesterday when I wouldn't talk to you.
Todd: I was frustrated...there's a difference.
Starr: You're mad at me and that's why you don't love me anymore and that's why you're going away again.
Todd: I won't leave you again. And, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself.
Starr: Why?
Todd: Because I hurt you. I never wanted to do that.
Starr: Why did you leave if it wasn't because you didn't love me anymore?
[Todd pauses for several moments, trying to figure out what to say that will calm her fears but won't confuse her too much.]
Todd: It wasn't because of you. It was because of me. I needed to deal with some stuff and I had to go away to do that.
Starr: What stuff?
Todd: Stuff...bad stuff.
Starr: Like what?
Todd: Well...you know that your mom loves you, right?
Starr: Yeah.
Todd: And, I love you, too, even if right now you don't believe me. And, you've got your aunt and your Tee over there who love you. And, I guess, those other Cramers love you, although, you should never believe what they tell you about me, especially your Auntie Dorian.
Starr: I love Auntie Dorian. She's funny.
Todd: Funny to look at, maybe.
Viki (in a disapproving tone): Todd...
[Todd ignores his sister's admonishment.]
Todd (to Starr): So, you've got all these people who love you this huge amount, right?
Starr: Then why does everyone keep leaving?
Todd: Well, sometimes people...adult people...don't have a choice, they have to leave, at least for a while.
Starr: You had to leave?
Todd: Yes.
Starr: Who said so?
[Todd lets out a sigh, knowing that he's no closer to making Starr understand than when they started this conversation.]
chapter 178:
Todd: Look, Starr, I didn't have to go because anyone said I had to go. I had to go because I had to go, okay? Do you understand?
Starr: No.
Todd: Okay, how about this...how would you feel if you didn't have any of these people that love you around you anymore?
Starr: Is everyone leaving?
Todd: No, everyone is not leaving. I'm not leaving.
Starr: You did before and you stayed away a long time. And, yesterday when I woke up you were gone.
Todd: But, I came back, right? Yesterday, I was only gone for a few hours. I know before that it was a lot longer...too long. I hated being away from you but I didn't have a choice, okay? Just trust me on that.
Starr: Where were you?
[Todd pauses again. He knew that this would be an impossible conversation and Starr's inquisitiveness isn't making it any easier.]
Todd: I was taking care of that stuff that I needed to take care of.
Starr: What stuff?
Todd: The stuff. Remember, earlier I said I had stuff I had to take care of.
Starr: You didn't say what the stuff was.
Todd: It was just stuff. It isn't important.
Starr: Then why did you have to leave me to take care of it?
[Todd looks toward Viki and Tea in desperation. Neither can help him, though, since Viki knows she can't reveal to Starr what she knows about where Todd was and what he was doing and Tea still doesn't have any of the answers herself to the questions Starr is asking.]
Starr: Did you still see Tee when you were gone with your stuff?
Todd: No.
Starr: Because you stopped loving her?
Todd: No.
Starr: Did you see Aunt Viki?
Todd: No. And, no, I didn't stop loving her, either. Look, Starr, sometimes even though you care about someone, you need to be away from them for a while. You've had friends move away on you, right?
Starr: Well...Carrie and Terry and Sherry and...
Todd (interrupting): Okay, it's not really important. Why do all your friends have names that rhyme?
Starr: I don't know. No one's name rhymes with mine.
Todd: That's a good thing. You don't know anyone who has a name that rhymes with mine either, do you?
Starr: I don't think so.
Todd: Why are we talking about names?
Starr: You started it.
[Todd hopes that the brief meandering of their conversation may allow him to end the conversation without Starr realizing that he hasn't actually answered some of her questions.]
Todd: So, we're all straight about everything now, right?
Starr: You still haven't told me what stuff made you leave me.
Todd: Right. You had to have a good memory, didn't you? Okay, we'll try this again.
Starr: Try what?
Todd: I'm going to explain as much of this to you as I can, okay?
Starr: Okay.
Todd: Now, I need you to really pay attention when I tell you this, okay?
Starr: Okay.
Todd: This isn't something that I like talking about and this isn't stuff that I should be telling a kid but I know you're old enough to handle it, okay?
Starr: Okay.
Todd: You have all of these people around you who love you, right? And, you love them too, don't you?
Starr: Most of the time.
Todd: Not all of the time?
Starr: Sometimes I get mad.
Todd: You know, you don't have to stop loving someone just because you get a little mad at them.
Starr: You do. That's what you said to Tee.
Todd: But, I didn't mean it. Tee even told you that I didn't mean it.
Starr: Do you still love Tee?
Todd: That's not really important right now.
Starr: If you stopped loving Tee because you're mad at her then you stopped loving me too when you were mad at me and that's why you left.
Todd: I wasn't mad at you when I left.
Starr: Yes, you were.
Todd: I swear to you, Starr, I wasn't mad at you and I definitely did not stop loving you. That would never happen.
Starr: I know you were mad at me. I heard people say it.
chapter 179:
Todd: Who said I was mad at you? Who told you that?
Starr: No one. I heard them talking but they didn't know I could hear them.
Todd: Who?
[Starr doesn't respond, refusing to tell who she eavesdropped on.]
Todd: Look, it doesn't really matter who it was anyway because they were wrong. I wasn't mad at you.
Starr: They said that I was bad to play that tape of you talking.
Todd: What? They said you were bad?
Starr: Maybe not that way but they said you went away because everyone heard that tape and I'm the one who played it so you left because of me. You knew I had done something bad so you didn't love me anymore and that's why you went away.
Todd: That's not true. None of that's true.
Starr: I know it is. I heard it.
[Starr turns her head away from Todd and begins to cry. Everyone in the room watches Starr's anguish, their own hearts breaking for her.
Todd pulls his daughter into his arms and tries to comfort her, wanting to do severe damage to whoever gave her these ideas.]
Todd: Starr, I wasn't angry at you for playing that tape. I know that you were trying to do something special for me. I know that. I was never upset at you. I swear, I wasn't. I was upset at myself. Yeah, some of the stuff on that tape I didn't want anyone to hear but that was my fault, not yours. I didn't leave town because you did anything bad. You didn't do anything bad. I did. I messed up. I did stuff I shouldn't have. And, there was so much stuff going on in my head. I couldn't take care of you anymore, not the way you deserve to be taken care of. That's why I left. I went away for a little while because I needed to take care of that stuff so I could take care of you again. I did it because I wanted to be a good dad to you. I wanted you to be proud of me. I wanted there to be something...anything...about me that you could be proud of.
[Starr wipes at her tears and looks up at Todd with complete devotion in her eyes.]
Starr: I'm always proud of you. You're my daddy.
[Todd has a difficult time keeping his own eyes free of tears as he looks at his daughter's innocent, loving face.]
Todd: You see, Starr, daddy's sometimes do stuff...they can make mistakes...and they can really mess things up. Sometimes, they're pretty messed up themselves. Sometimes, though, they want to fix the stuff that's messed up...or, at least, make it less messed up...because they don't want to be that messed up anymore, especially if it's gonna hurt their kid. Do you understand?
Starr: No.
Todd: I didn't leave because of you. I left because of me. I wasn't mad at you then and I'm not mad at you now. I never stopped loving you and I never will. Do you understand that much?
Starr: Yes.
Todd: Okay. Finally...progress. That's all that you really need to know, Starr. None of it was your fault.
Starr: Are you sure?
Todd: I'm positive. Now, do you want to tell me who said it was your fault?
Starr: No.
Todd: Why not?
Starr: You'd be mad.
Todd: No, I won't.
Starr: I don't believe you.
Todd: Starr, I'm your father, you can tell me.
Viki: Todd, perhaps you should let this go.
Todd: Are you nuts? Don't answer that. It was a rhetorical question.
Viki (ignoring him): It's time for breakfast.
Starr: Are we having pancakes?
Viki: Of course we are. We made your favorite kind.
[Starr stands up and grabs Todd's hand, forcing him to the table.]
Starr: Come on, Daddy. I want you to sit next to me.
[Thoughts of revenge on the people Starr overheard get pushed to the back of Todd's mind as he enjoys knowing that his daughter wants to be around him again.
Starr spends most of breakfast telling Todd all of the things she couldn't tell him the day before because she wasn't speaking to him. Todd spends breakfast listening to her and smiling because of her.]
chapter 180:
[Todd and Starr spend much of the day together.
In his car, on his way home, after dropping Starr off, Todd is driving through the streets of Llanview. Stopped at a red light, he picks up his cell phone.
At the penthouse, Tea is in the kitchen when the phone rings.]
Tea (answering the phone): Hello?
Todd: You're not wearing anything, are you?
Tea: Todd?
Todd: Who else do you think?
[There's a slight pause as Todd's paranoia kicks in.]
Todd: Who the hell else is calling you and asking you to get naked?
Tea: Is that what you were asking me, querido?
[Todd's paranoia calms down as he hears Tea use the word she uses while they're together...intimately together.]
Tea: Why are you calling, Todd?
Todd: I thought I should check out my phone and make sure you didn't bust it.
Tea: All I did was pick it up from your desk and bring it to Viki's with me.
Todd: You know, I'll be checking the bill and you'll owe me for any calls you made.
Tea: What kind of payment do you prefer?
Todd: I already told you.
Tea: Would you like me to greet you in nothing at all?
Todd: Well, clothes might slow us down.
Tea: You're right, they might. You should take all your clothes off before you enter the penthouse.
Todd: Very funny, Delgado.
Tea: You think I'm kidding?
Todd: So, uh, I'll be there in a few minutes. You'll be ready, right?
Tea: I'm making dinner. You could join me.
Todd: I'd like to join you but it has nothing to do with food...well, unless you're into that kind of thing.
Tea: Todd! I'm shocked!
Todd: So am I. What's wrong with me? It feels like it's been weeks or years since...
Tea: I know. It feels that way for me, too. It's been like this every time we've been together. As soon as we finish, I want to start all over again. Maybe it's that we waited so long and our bodies are desperate to catch up.
Todd: Well, mine's desperate for something.
Tea: We'll have dinner first, okay?
Todd: We'll eat after...or between.
Tea: Careful what you say, Todd. I just might take you up on it.
[Tea hears Todd laugh into the phone as he thinks of a raunchy comment that he chooses not to speak.]
Tea: How close are you?
Todd: You have no idea.
Tea: Well, uh, that's a great image but I meant, how close to the penthouse.
Todd: Oh. A few blocks.
Tea: Okay. Dinner's not quite done but I guess I could turn the oven off and, hopefully, it will finish cooking on it's own.
Todd: So, you'll be ready?
Tea: I'll be very ready, Todd.
Todd: Okay.
[Without saying anymore, Todd hangs up. Tea smiles to herself, knowing that when he arrives in a few minutes his lack of enthusiasm for conversation will be irrelevant as their bodies take over the communication task.]
to be continued...
