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CHAPTER 14 |
PREVIOUSLY:
[They share an intense gaze for several more moments before Todd's head disappears from her window, leaving Tea even more torn between wanting to run from her feelings for him and wanting to give in to those feelings and take comfort in him.]
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chapter 14:
Early the next morning...
Todd awakens while it's still dark out, although all the lights are on in his hotel room. He looks at his watch and groans at the early hour, knowing that he shouldn't take breakfast to Tea for at least a few more hours.
He lies in bed for several minutes, thinking about his ex-wife, wondering how he'll convince her to give him another chance. He knows that she will, if he can just come up with the right way to approach her so she'll stop trying to push him away.
As he continues to think about Tea, he worries that she may have had a nightmare again. She told him that she was having problems with that since the plane crash. His internal sensor is telling him that she may have had another one and is right now lying awake, alone in a depressing room, with no one who cares about her to comfort her.
He doesn't know why he feels so strongly that she may have had another nightmare but he can't shake the thought. He considers calling her, but doesn't want to wake her, if he's wrong and she's still asleep.
Minutes later, Todd is in his rental vehicle, on his way to the rehabilitation facility where Tea is currently residing.
When he arrives, he quickly moves through the shadows, until he's in front of Tea's window. As he peers through the window, his fears are realized as he watches her clearly awake, and clearly crying.
It hurts him to see her in so much pain. He hates it but, even more, he hates not knowing what to do to stop her from hurting so much.
Moments later, Todd appears at the main entrance of the facility and pounds on the door, while continuously pushing a small buzzer, startling the security guard, who was lightly dozing.
As the guard comes to the door, in Spanish, he tells Todd that he'll have to wait until visiting hours. Todd doesn't understand his words but he knows this man is trying to keep him from his Delgado, and he won't allow it.
Todd quickly reaches into his pocket and pulls out $100. He places the cash against the glass of the door. The security officer shakes his head. Todd offers $200. The officer reluctantly declines.
It's only when the offer reaches $500 that the security officer finally offers to ask the nursing staff, and the patient he wants to see, if it's okay for him to come in.
The man doesn't speak English and Todd doesn't understand his Spanish. When the man quickly walks off, Todd assumes that his offer has again been rejected and that maybe the local police are being called.
Todd returns to Tea's window and, not wanting to scare her, lightly taps on the glass, trying to get her attention.
Tea hears the tapping and wipes at her eyes as she tries to see the source of the noise. She pushes a button and the bed electronically brings her to a seated position.
As she realizes that it's her ex-husband at her window, she momentarily feels relief at his presence, until her guilt and insecurity take over again.
Tea pushes a button, summoning a staff member. Minutes later, when a young woman arrives, Tea explains to her that her ex-husband is outside the window and that she wants him removed. She also asks to be moved to a different room as soon as possible.
Minutes later, the same security officer approaches Todd, outside the building. Todd is standing with his back pressed against the building. He knew from the expression on Tea's face, and from the look the young staff member gave him when she closed the curtains covering the window, that Tea was again choosing to shut him out.
When Todd sees the security officer approaching him, he climbs over the shrubbery blocking his path and begins walking away, not in the mood for a hassle right now.
The security officer watches him as he walks away, relieved that he isn't causing an incident.
Moments later, Todd turns and begins walking back toward guard. The guard shines his flashlight at Todd, who just smiles, relieved that at least it is isn't a gun being aimed at him.
Todd again pulls cash out of his pocket, along with another item. He places the object into the beam of the flashlight so that the guard can see what it is. He then gestures towards Tea's window. Todd then places the cash in the beam of light and gestures to the man.
The man nods his head in agreement. Todd hands him the cash and the gift for Tea and watches as the security officer returns to the building.
For several minutes, Todd waits in the same spot. As more time passes, he wonders if the man even gave Tea what he wanted her to have. Maybe the guy just took the cash but didn't bother delivering the item. Or, maybe he did deliver it and Tea promptly tossed it in the garbage.
After more than ten minutes have gone by, without the security guard returning, or the curtain covering Tea's window being opened, Todd is tempted to leave. He feels like he's made enough of a fool out of himself already. The longer he stands around the more foolish he feels.
Finally, after an excruciating wait, Todd hears the guard calling to him in Spanish and gesturing for him to approach him. As he does, he follows the man to the entrance of the building and is allowed in. Todd is even more surprised when the man hands him back the cash that he had been given. Todd tries to make him take it back, but he refuses and goes back to his security desk, a smile on his face.
Todd is nervous as he approaches Tea's room. He's relieved that she obviously told the guard to let him in, but he's uncertain what that means, or what he'll say to Tea when he sees her again. He doesn't feel that he's ever really been very good at comforting anyone and he doesn't want to let Tea down, assuming that she allowed him in to be with her and not to tell him off.
When Todd reaches her room, he cautiously peeks his head in and sees her sitting in bed, holding his gift in her hand. He watches her face as he enters the room, trying to gauge her response to what he feels was a sappy gesture.
Tea looks up at him for a moment before looking back down at the precious gift in her hands...a two of hearts playing card.
to be continued...
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