| UNFINISHED BUSINESS BY TIMA |
CHAPTER 10 |
Tea: But, it's not dark when I'm with you. Don't you understand that?
Todd: No. I don't understand that or anything else about this. I don't understand what you see when you look at me. I don't understand why you think you see something okay.
Tea: I do, Todd. I see so much that's more than okay.
Todd: You're just saying that. You're just imagining that.
Tea: I'm not imagining this...
[Tea quickly places her arms around his neck and kisses him. He kisses her back.]
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[Several moments later, they both end their kiss and pull slightly away from each other. Within seconds, they both are back in an embrace, kissing passionately, while they awkwardly move toward their bedroom.
When they finally enter the bedroom, they continue to kiss while they each try to loosen and remove the other person's clothing.
Suddenly, Todd stops and steps away from Tea.]
Tea: The storm cloud's back?
Todd: I think there's going to be a thunderstorm...tornado...tsunami.
Tea: Does there have to be?
Todd: I don't know.
Tea: Does this happen with your other women or just me?
Todd: What's it like with your other men?
Tea: There's no one else, Todd.
Todd: There's nothing serious maybe, but you've got guys hanging around you. I know you do.
Tea: Well, you must not be stalking me this time. If you were, you would know that there is no one.
Todd: There's someone.
Tea: Why are you so sure of that?
Todd: Look at you. Guys are probably making you tons of offers.
Tea: I have been asked out a few times but I always make it clear that I'm not interested.
Todd: Why?
Tea: I haven't felt like getting back into that yet.
Todd: Because of me? Because I screwed you up so much?
Tea: Because of you. Because...I still have feelings for you. Until those feelings are resolved, I thought it was best not to get involved with anyone else. It wouldn't be fair to put anyone else through that right now.
Todd: Yeah, we wouldn't want to be unfair to anyone like that, especially any good looking guys.
Tea: What about you?
Todd: What about me?
Tea: Are you in an exclusive relationship right now?
Todd: Yeah.
[Tea is crushed for herself but happy for Todd.]
Tea: That's great...for you...that you've found someone.
Todd: She's a really great girl. I could bring her here if you wanted me to sometime.
Tea: I don't think that would be a good idea.
Todd: Why not? You'd get along great.
Tea: Would we?
Todd: Oh, yeah. You could do all kinds of stuff together.
Tea: What exactly do you think I would have in common with your...with this other person?
Todd: Well, you'd have me in common. Isn't that enough?
Tea: Todd, it's getting late. You can spend the night in the spare bedroom if you're too tired to drive. I really think it's time we put an end to this evening.
Todd: You don't want me to share your bed? You were so into that the last time we were together, even before we got married again.
Tea: I don't think that would be appropriate, especially since you're in an exclusive relationship. You really should respect that commitment.
Todd: I don't think Starr would mind.
Tea: Starr?
Todd: Of course. Who else?
Tea: Starr is the exclusive relationship you've been referring to?
Todd: I'm her only father and she's my only kid.
[Tea looks down and Todd instantly regrets what he said.]
Todd: I'm sorry, Delgado. I didn't mean...
Tea (looking back up at him): It's okay, Todd.
Todd: I still can't quite...
Tea: Believe it?
Todd: I know that you're telling me the truth. I know you were pregnant with our kid. It's just... It's weird. I thought you were taking stuff so that couldn't happen.
Tea: I was. After we left Llanview together, though, I was off them until we settled here. I guess I hadn't been back on the pill long enough before we made love for them to be completely effective.
[There is silence again as neither knows what to say or do next.]
Tea: Todd, maybe we really should say goodnight. You can sleep in the other bedroom. If you'd like, you can stay for breakfast. We could talk and see how we both feel in the morning. If you'd prefer, of course, you could sneak out before I wake up.
Todd: You're going to hold a grudge about that, aren't you?
Tea: It left an impression.
[Todd is silent for almost a minute as he thinks about Tea's invitation.]
Todd: Okay, I'll spend the night. Are you sure you don't have any booze? It's easier to fall asleep when there's passing out involved.
Tea: Sorry.
Todd: Okay, well, I guess I'll figure out some other way to fall asleep. Maybe I'll try that counting sheep as they go to slaughter thing.
Tea: I don't think there's supposed to be any slaughtering involved in counting sheep.
Todd: There will be when I do it.
Tea: Good night, Todd. If this is also good-bye, I want you to know that I am glad you came tonight. I'm sorry about springing so much on you today.
Todd: I can handle it.
Tea: I really did love you, Todd.
Todd: Past tense?
Tea: Do you want to talk about the present?
Todd: I think you've sprung enough on me today.
Tea: Okay.
Todd: Delgado?
Tea: Yes?
[Todd moves closer to Tea unnerving, yet exciting, her.]
Todd: I'm glad you told me. I'm sorry that I blew it, that I wasn't here for you. I'm sorry that getting hooked up with me got you hurt.
Tea: It wasn't your fault.
Todd: We both know it was. I've been lying so much to so many people lately that this sincerity thing is feeling pretty weird. Maybe I should get out of here before I implode or something. I loved you, too. I want you to be happy, Tea.
[Todd leans in and places the softest kiss on Tea's lips that she's ever felt. He quickly pulls away from her and exits their bedroom. Tea soon hears the front door close behind him.]
to be continued...
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