Part 3
Darkness
Darkness surrounds me.
Heartache envelopes me.
Sadness consumes me.
My mind, Once so clear
Is now overflowing with thoughts of you.
My heart, once so closed
is now shattered because of you.
The light that once reflected in my eyes
Is replaced with the emptiness of my soul.
I whisper sweet prayers
Hoping you’ll somehow hear them,
but knowing that my words are lost in infinity.
Darkness.
My whole being is lost to you.
Everything that I am,
all that I will ever be is lost until you bring me back to the light.
Llanview, PA Andrea’s Office
Tea is standing in Andrea’s office, staring blankly out the window. The office overlooks the river, bringing back memories of Todd retrieving her mother’s necklace. She is wearing a purple Ralph Lauren pantsuit, with ruby studs in her ears. Around her neck is an 18K gold necklace, with her wedding band dangling near her heart. She takes the ring gently in her hands, and begins to play with it.
“What are you thinking?” Andrea asks as she watches Tea’s body language.
“I’m just remembering a time when Todd risked his life for me. We were on the docks one night, and my mother’s necklace fell into the river. Todd knew that it meant the world to me, so he jumped in the freezing water to get it. He didn’t come up right away, I thought I had lost him,” she pauses and takes a deep breath. “Now, I really have lost him.”
“You didn’t lose him, he chose to leave.”
Tea sits in a chair opposite of Andrea. “But I drove him to it.”
“How?”
“I told him to get out of my life.”
“Yes, but ultimately, it was his decision.”
“I thought I was past this, talking about him and looking back to what we could have done differently. But lately, I’m thinking about him more and more.”
“Any ideas why?”
“I don’t know, I mean, I think maybe it has something to do with my breakup with John Syko, I mean Sykes.”
“How?”
“Well, I know now that I was using him to prove that I was over Todd. To tell the truth, I was never really attracted to him, he was just there. Actually, I was flattered, but that’s about it. Everytime I was with him, all I could think about was Todd, and how John could never compare.”
“Can anybody really compare to Todd? Can anybody compete with him for your heart?”
“No, I won’t let them.”
“Why?”
“Because I loved Todd, and still love him, more then anything else in the world. After all I allowed him to do to me, I still love him,” she laughs at the irony.
“There’s nothing wrong with loving him. Sometimes it’s impossible to completely let go of someone we love.”
“So what am I supposed to do?”
“What do you want?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you really not know, or are you afraid of the answer?”
“Maybe a little of both,” Tea answers.
Later that Day The Country Club
Vicki Carpenter is sitting alone at a table near the terrace. She is eating grilled salmon, and drinking an iced tea. An open notepad is in front of her, and she’s jotting down notes in between bites. She doesn’t notice Tea, as she approaches the table.
“Hi Vicki,” says Tea. Vicki is slightly startled but she quickly regains her composure. She stands up and embraces her friend.
“Please, sit down. How have you been?”
“Good, and you?”
“Fine. What have you been up to? I heard that you resigned as ADA, and I must admit, I was a little shocked.”
“Being a prosecutor, just wasn’t for me. I’ve been thinking about joining Sam’s practice, but I’m not sure yet,” Tea begins to wring her hands. Talking to Todd’s sister was a little difficult for her.
“Two of Llanview’s finest, together. That would be a force to be reckoned with.”
“I don’t know about that, but I do think it would be interesting.”
“I heard that Rachel was released, have you seen her?” asks Vicki.
“She stopped by last night. She looks great, said she’s going back to school for her teaching degree.”
“That’s wonderful. You know, I talked to Renee’ and she said you moved.”
“Uh, yes, I moved back into the penthouse.”
“Oh?” Vicki says, raising an eyebrow.
“No one was living there, so I figured why not me, you know?”
“Is it hard for you?”
“Some days are harder than others, I have a lot of memories of that place, and of Todd. I’m okay though, really.”
“Who are you trying to convince?”
“The truth is, I moved back to the penthouse so that I could feel closer to him,” Tea’s eyes fill with tears.
“Let me ask you something, if he were here, would you take him back?”
“I honestly don’t know. I should say no, without hesitation, but I can’t.”
“Tea, you have go find him, or you have to let go. You can’t keep living you life like this. Waiting for god knows what.”
Late that Night Angel Square
There is a festival in the park. As Tea wanders aimlessly through the park, she hears the salsa music being played by the live band. She follows the sound of the music, and sees Carlotta, Christian, Roseanne, Will and Jessica.
“Hey, Tea, over here,” Carlotta waves a hand in the air to get her attention.
“What’s going on?” Tea asks.
“It’s the festival, don’t tell me you forgot,” Christian says.
“Yes, actually, I did.”
“Her mind was otherwise preoccupied,” spits Roseanne.
“Whatever,” responds Tea.
Carlotta looks at her friend, with a worried expression. “What are you doing out here so late?”
“I just needed some air, so I thought I’d go for a walk.”
“Slumming,” Roseanne says under her breath.
Will takes Roseanne by the arm and leads her away. “Let’s go for a walk, let you cool off.”
“What was that all about?” asks Tea.
“Who knows, she’s always in a bad mood.”
People around them are starting to feel the beat of the music. A couple standing next to them start to salsa. Tea and Carlotta look on, also moving to the beat. A man has been watching Tea, and notices her feeling the music. He walks over to her, and takes her hand.
“Dance with me,” he says.
Unable to resist, she allows him to lead her to an open area. Everyone turns their attention to them, clapping, cheering them on. The man is gorgeous. Tall, with smooth skin, dark brown eyes, broad shoulders and beautiful dimples. They make an attractive couple. After the dance, he leads her back to where she was standing.
“Tea Delgado-Manning, it’s been a long time,” he whispers in her ear.
“I don’t believe it,” she says staring in his eyes.
“It’s been a long time.”
“Nicholas Bastian, what have you been up to?”
“Wandering the world aimlessly, searching for new challenges.”
Carlotta rejoins them, and gives Tea a cup of lemonade.
“So, what challenges are you searching for in good old Llanview?”
“You.”
“Oh?” Tea asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I talked to Del, and I asked about you.“
“What did he say?”
“Guy talk.”
“That means, butt out, right?”
“Can I walk you home?”
Carlotta stands in the background, watching them.
“Changing the subject, huh? I would debate this with you, but I really do have to get going. Oh, and thanks for the offer, but I think I can see myself home. Here’s my number, give me a call,” she gives him her number.
“Some other time then,” he reaches for her hand and kisses her palm. “Thanks for the dance.”
Carlotta waits for him to be out of hearing range, and approaches Tea. “He’s very handsome.”
“Yes he is.”
“And polite.”
“Uh huh.”
“So, how do you know him?” Carlotta asks.
“We’ve known each other for a long time,” Tea looks at her watch and sees it’s almost midnight. “It’s getting late, I think I’m going to head home.”
TO BE CONTINUED
2001 COPYRIGHT BY TORRI
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