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| STILL IN THE SHADOWS BY TIMA |
CHAPTER 3 |
Tea suffers through her day and leaves work as soon as she can. On her way to meet Todd she stops off to pick up dinner from the deli in her favorite supermarket. She also picks up a few extra items since she knows that Todd's small pantry will be bare like it is every time he returns from one of his trips. Tea is thrilled when she makes it through the store without encountering anyone she knows. She doesn't want to have to explain to any overly curious acquaintances why she's buying such a large amount of food since she lives alone and as far as the people in town know isn't seeing anyone romantically.
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After driving the long distance to where Todd is, Tea parks her car next to his motor home. She smiles to herself, still amused that Todd would actually choose to live in a motor home.
Tea knocks on the door several times before she hears Todd grumbling and bumping into things inside. As the door opens Tea takes in his beauty -- wrinkled clothes, tired facial expression with a noticeable scowl, messed up hair -- and instantly smiles brightly, thrilled to be in his presence again.]
Todd: Cut it out, Delgado.
Tea: What?
Todd: I hate it when you're perky in the morning.
Tea: It's not morning. It's evening. The sun setting should have been a clue.
Todd: Whatever. Morning...evening...it's all the same to me now.
Tea: Would you like me to leave so you can go back to sleep?
Todd: No. You came all this way. You brought dinner, right?
Tea (holding up her grocery bags as she enters the motor home): Of course. I also brought a few other things since tomorrow's Thanksgiving and you might find it hard to find any place open to get a decent meal.
Todd: The convenience stores are always open.
Tea: So are the emergency rooms when you get sick from eating that food.
Todd: Hey, I survived just fine without you.
Tea: I don't want to fight with you, Todd.
Todd: That's not what it sounds like to me.
Tea: I really don't. I just thought I'd bring a few extra things.
Todd: Every time you come here you end up bringing more stuff.
Tea: And every time I look you've eaten it all.
Todd: What makes you think I haven't just been tossing it out after you leave?
Tea: Have you been?
Todd: Look, let's just eat, okay? You have to be leaving soon, right?
Tea: It is a long drive back.
Todd: You could stay here tonight.
Tea: We've talked about this.
Todd: But you never made any sense.
Tea: Why won't you come to the penthouse?
Todd: That's different.
Tea: You could wear a disguise. No one would have to know it's you. Although, I still think you should stop hiding and come back permanently.
Todd: To the penthouse?
Tea: Would you rather live somewhere else?
Todd: If you can't even spend the night here with me then how would it work for us to be living together again? Everything's changed.
Tea: I know it has.
Todd: So, stay the night.
Tea: It would be easier for me if I'm in town in the morning.
Todd: Why? You don't have to work because it's a holiday, right?
Tea: I'm going to the community center in the morning.
Todd: Why?
Tea: Andrew is heading the effort to feed the homeless again this year. I offered to help.
Todd: Why would you want to do that?
Tea: You could join me.
Todd: Why would I want to do that?
Tea: Your daughter will be there.
Todd: What?
Tea: I spoke to Andrew today and apparently Starr will be there.
Todd: All that money I left her isn't gone already, is it?
Tea (smiling): No. Actually, you should be proud of your daughter. Andrew told me that it was her idea that she be there to help out.
Todd: Proud?
Tea: I know it's a difficult concept for you -- someone giving of themselves without wanting anything in return.
Todd: She probably wants to look good so she'll rake in a better haul on Christmas.
Tea: Todd...
Todd: Fine. My kid's a...(contorting his face)...good...person. There. I said it. Are you happy now?
Tea: I'll be even happier when I see the two of you together again.
Todd: Count me out of anything decent, warm and fuzzy.
Tea: Come on.
Todd: No way. I'll be nearby though, okay? So, take her outside for a walk or something.
Tea: I really wish you would come forward and leave the shadows behind.
Todd: The shadows are my friends.
Tea: Fine. I give up.
Todd: Good. Are we eating or what?
[Todd and Tea eat dinner in silence.]
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