| AGAIN BY TORRI |
CHAPTER 8 |
Part 8
Lying alone
in this empty bed,
left with only mental images
of your face; your body.
Tossing and turning
throughout the night,
as dreams of what could have been
plague my restless sleep.
The scent of your perfume
lingers,
as if you just left the room,
I wait patiently for your return.
And I wait.
And I wait.
I wait for you to once again
give my screaming heart a home.
Open your hands
And allow me to give you my heart.
Accept me as I lie naked
in front of you,
completely exposed,
ready to love you.
There was a slight breeze blowing off the ocean. The sun was beginning to set, and with it comes the longest hours of the day. During the day, he could fill his time by taking care of his business ventures, but at night there was nothing but quiet.
He stood alone on the balcony, his hair blowing backward, shirt clinging to his chest. He had made few friends on the island, most were intimated by the wealthy introvert. Every now and then, he would have dinner with one of the natives, but this night was not one of them. Tonight, on the table, was a large pizza box with one slice missing. His cell phone rings, gently pulling him away from the beauty of the island.
"Who is it?" Todd asks in a slightly irritated voice.
"Is that any way to answer the phone?" Vicki responds.
"Oh, sorry sis."
"Todd, are you alright? You sound a little strange."
"Yeah. Did you do that for me?"
"Yes, Todd, I did. And I must tell it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever read."
"Yeah, well, you really ought to read more," he walks back into the house and sits at his computer.
"Very funny. Anyway, I have some news for you."
"Have you talked to Tea?" he asks excitedly.
"No, but I have talked to a friend of hers."
"And?"
"And apparently she was very affected by what you wrote."
He stands up and begins to pace. "Okay, I wanna know word for word what she said."
"The friend or Tea?"
"Vicki, quit jerking my chain, and tell me."
"She didn't say anything, it was in her actions. This friend seems to think that if you work very hard, you can win her back."
"Who is this friend anyway?"
"He said-"
"Wait, what the hell do you mean he?" he begins to get angry, and starts to take deep breaths to control himself.
"Relax, they're just friends. According to him, they've been friends since they were kids."
"I bet," the sarcastic edge begins to rear it's ugly head.
"Todd, he said that all he really wants is for her to be happy, and you're the only person that has really made her happy. He wants to talk to you."
"What for?"
"About Tea, I'm assuming. Anyway, he asked for you number-"
"You didn't give it to him did you?"
"No, but if you would let me finish, I can tell everything he said."
"Well, make it snappy," he says as he paces and nibbles on a fingernail.
"He said that it's obvious to him that she's still very much in love with you. She's also very worried about you. Todd, I think you should reach out to her."
"I wrote the stupid letter and let you publish it, didn't I?"
"Yes, but you need to do more. Why don't you invite her to spend a few days with you?"
"Like she'd actually accept."
"You never know."
"Yes I do."
"Well, little brother, I have a very important meeting that I have to get to. Think about what I said. Oh, and, what do you want me to do about Nick?"
"Who's Nick?"
"Tea's friend."
"He sounds like some slick gangster. Why don't you get his number and I'll call him."
"Very well."
Four Hours Later
Todd is lying on his back, staring at the ceiling. It is a very quiet night, the only sound is his rapid breathing. The bed is still made, his clothes slightly wrinkled. His hands are behind his head, fingers locked. This is the position he assumes when he has not intention of going to sleep.
Thoughts flood his mind, of a much happier place, a much happier time. It was nights like this he missed her most. When they lived together in Llanview and he couldn't sleep, he would go to her room and watch her sleep. He would sit next to her bed and watch her chest rise and fall, enjoying her peaceful calm. Sometimes, her sleep was so peaceful, that he would put his hand under her nose, just to make sure she was still breathing.
Then, he would check on his daughter. The innocence on her face brought a smile to his lips. He wished things would always be that simple for her. He would cover her, then head for the stairs.
The view was the reason he bought the penthouse. Every night when he couldn't sleep, he would look out over the town and enjoy the view. He would stand there for hours, before he knew it, it was dawn.
He knew that she woke up too, and would sit on the stairs watching him. He wanted to go to her, let her ease away his fears. There was something inside him that kept him from going to her. It was like an invisible presence that would physically restrain him from her. He knew now that it was probably Pete. It was only after she went back to her room, that he could turn to face the empty space that she left behind.
Why didn't I go to you Delgado? Why didn't follow you up those stairs and let you hold me until I fell asleep? Why didn't I trust you?
Todd walks to the bathroom, and turns on a hot shower. He takes off his shirt, and looks at his body in the mirror. His eyes zero in on the tattoo on over his heart. It was a red heart, with the words Tea Forever inscribed on the inside. He ran his fingers across the words, again, and again, until the bathroom filled with steam.
The water felt so good against his body. It couldn't wash away the pain he was feeling, but for the moment, it relaxed him. He closed his eyes, and enjoyed the sensation that the warm water brought.
She opened the bathroom door quietly, careful not to startle him. She slipped off her red silk bathrobe, letting it drop to the floor. Her hair was in a french roll, some strands hung loosely around her face. She opened the shower door, just as he opens his eyes. He smiles at the sight of her petite body, naked, wanting him. He reaches out a hand for her to take, and pulls her in with him. No words are exchanged, just touches, glances, kisses. He grabs her face with both hands, and kisses her with all the passion his has kept hidden for so long. She returns his kiss, massaging his tongue with her own. He pulls away from her, reaches for her shower gel, squirts some in his hands, and works up a lather. Arm by arm, leg by leg, he washes her. He takes each foot, and massages it. He saves her back for last, working each knot of stressaway. She turns toward him and mouths "I love you."
He opens his eyes, snapping back to the harsh reality of being alone, all alone.
"I love you too," with that he turns off the water, grabs a towel, and dries off.
A few minutes later, wearing only pajama bottoms, he reaches for the telephone. Slowly, he dials the phone number. One ring, two rings, as he waits for an answer, he traces his tattoo. After five rings, someone finally picks up.
"Hello?" answers the sleepy voice.
