| AGAIN II BY TORRI |
CHAPTER 4 |
Chapter 4
I used to think that there was somebody
For everybody;
but me.
I wandered through life aimlessly.
Detached.
Broken beyond repair.
Hating myself.
Unworthy of love.
Past tense.
Now I have my somebody,
who will love me forever.
I no longer wander,
But I walk with a purpose.
Toward something.
Toward someone.
The fractured pieces of my soul,
repaired by your unconditional love.
The Manning Estate
Todd lay in bed, sleeping soundly, until he felt the cold, empty spot beside him. He reluctantly opened his eyes, and
looked around the room; looking for her. The scent of coffee, and bacon, and eggs seeped through the vents. He hops
out of the bed, throws on a pair of boxers, and saunters down the stairs.
The kitchen is empty. A covered plate rests in the middle of the table, and the light to the coffeepot is brightly lit.
Where the hell is she? He pours himself a cup of coffee and spots a note left on the counter.
T,
Don't worry, I'm out by the lake. Join me if you'd like, otherwise, I'll see you in a bit.
I love you
T
*****
The water ran smoothly over the rocks. The hypnotic sound of running water, always soothed her soul. She sat alone,
thinking of the significance of the date, August 29, and all of the pain that it brought with it.
He strolled purposefully toward the river, needing to see her, to touch her. He stopped cold, drinking in her beauty.
She heard his approach, but did not bother to turn around. She simply hugged her knees to her chest, and held herself
tighter. She wanted to reach out to him, but was afraid that her trembling body would betray her happy exterior. So
she waited for him, trying to gather her bearings. She felt his presence coming closer, then she was wrapped in the
comfort of his arms.
"You okay?"
"Uh, huh, I'm just thinking."
"About?"
"About tomorrow," she lied.
"You nervous?" He began to massage her extremely tense shoulders, easing away the knots.
"With Suzanne's affidavit confirming the DID, I think we have a pretty good chance of being granted visitation. I
know the judge in this case, and I think she will be fair."
"So why are you so stressed out?"
"I'm think I'm just tired, that's all."
"That's it, no more midnight snacks for you." He smiles to himself, remembering the previous night.
"I'll deal with being tired if that's what's keeping me up at night."
"Why don't you call Rachel and what's his face and cancel. You tell them that you're tired, and cancel, then we can
spend some time together. Maybe we can work on making another little Manning." He rubs her stomach while he
brushes a stray hair from her neck.
She abruptly stands up and brushes the dirt off of her clothes. "As tempting as that sounds, it wouldn't be right. I
should go to the store and pick up the stuff for dinner."
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No, I just didn't realize how late it was getting. You want to come to the store with me?"
"Yeah, okay."
*****
The Palace Restaurant
Renee had tried to give them the worst table in the restaurant, in the back corner, but Todd pitched a fit until she
relented. They now sat at a prime table in the middle of the lunch crowd. In a strange way, irritating the Llanview
citizens with their visible happiness, was a turn on. Maybe it wasn't their happiness, but their "I don't give a damn"
attitudes.
Tea wasn't really hungry, but decided to order a salad to appease Todd. While they waited, he watched her
demeanor, knowing that something was off. But he didn't push her, he figured that she would tell him when she was ready.
"Hey Delgado."
"Yes."
"I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?"
"I'll tell you when I get back." He leans over the table and kisses her lightly on the lips.
He disappears through the doorway, and she returns to her thoughts. As he walks toward the front desk, he spots
Blair talking to Max. She sees him too, and decides to have a little fun.
"Hey, Todd, where's your rent-a-wife?" Blair asks, smiling wickedly.
"Why don't you go back over there to Maxipad, and leave me the hell alone." He tries to brush past her, but she
moves in front of him.
"Let me tell you something, Todd Manning, you, and all of your altars put together, will never see my little girl again."
"Yeah, well we'll see about that tomorrow, won't we?"
"Yeah, we will. Hey, you better not leave that wayward wifey of yours too long, she was known to "wander" while
you were gone." Satisfied that her words had the desired effect, she goes back to her conversation with Max.
*****
John Sykes looks around the restaurant for his lunch companion. He doesn't see her, but he does see Tea sitting
alone in the middle of the restaurant. He smiles, unaware of her marital status, and strolls over to her table. "Hello Counselor."
"Oh, hi John," she says, smiling politely.
"How long have you been back in town?"
"A few days."
"And you didn't call me?"
"John, I'm married."
He is visibly shocked, but quickly regains his composure. "I thought we had something good going Counselor."
"We had something going, but it was over long ago. We both know that I wasn't over Todd."
"We also both know that he was no good for you."
Her eyes grow cold and angry, but she tries to keep her voice level. "No, we don't know that. You think that, but the
truth is that he is the best thing for me. You'll find out soon enough, so I'll just tell you. Todd and I remarried."
Todd, unseen by Tea, but immediately spotted by John, walks in and stands by the bar, making sure he is within earshot.
"You know, we had some pretty good times when we were together, like that time in the shower." He says it loud
enough for Todd to hear. "When I washed your hair, do you remember that?"
Todd doesn't give her the chance to answer. He tosses the roses that he left to buy on the table, and gets in Sykes'
face. "Get the hell away from my wife, Sycko. I know you always had a thing for her, but she's mine, so deal with it."
"You know something, Manning, when you were gone, your wife wanted me close, very close."
"The fact of the matter is that I couldn't get you away from me. The more I said stay away, the more you came
around. I'll say it for the last time, I want nothing to do with you so stay the hell away from me!" She takes a few
breaths, and calms herself. "Todd, let's just go." Tea grabs her roses and Todd's arm, and they depart from the
restaurant.
*****
The Manning Estate
Todd grabs a beer as Tea puts the finishing touches on dinner. He sits at the table silently, angry and jealous. Tea
peeks at the clock, noting that they have a half-hour before their guests arrive. He runs his finger along the rim of the
beer bottle, then takes a long gulp from the bottle. She grabs a beer too, and joins him at the table.
"You want to talk about it?" She asks, opening her beer and taking a sip.
"No."
"What if I do?"
"If you do, then talk. You're going to do it anyway," he says sarcastically.
"We went out a few times."
"Did you screw him."
She looks him straight in the eyes, hesitating before answering. She doesn't want to hurt him, but she has to tell the
truth. "Yes."
He picks up his beer bottle, and sends it flying against the counter with a crash. Tea jumps, but remains in her seat.
"I'm gone for a few months, and you sleep with every Tom-"
"Hold it right there, before you say something you'll regret. First of all, I didn't sleep with every man that
approached me. I can't believe that you would think so little of me. You left me, remember? I didn't think that I
would ever see you again, much less marry you."
He turns away from her so she cannot see the hurt in his eyes. "I just hate thinking of some other guy with his hands
on you."
"I've never made love to anyone but you. I have never loved anyone, but you." She steps through the broken glass
and embraces him from behind. He closes his eyes and places his hands on top of hers.
"I'm sorry I scared you."
The doorbell rings, breaking the spell of the moment.
"You get it," Todd says, "and I'll sweep up this glass."
"Okay."
Nick and Rachel wait patiently for someone to answer the door. Tea greets them with a warm smile.
"Hey, guys," kissing them both on the cheek, "come on in."
"Wow, this place is beautiful," Rachel says, looking around.
"Thank you. Todd found it. The first time I saw it was when we moved in. Can I get either of you a drink?" Tea
shows them to the living room.
"I'll have a beer," Nick says.
"Do you have any wine coolers Tea?"
"We bought some just for you. I'll be right back."
"I'll help you. Be right back Nick." Rachel follows Tea into the kitchen and helps with the drinks. Todd has just
finished cleaning his mess.
"Hi, Rachel." He says politely.
"Todd. I love your house."
"Thanks."
"Tea, do you mind if I talk to your husband alone for a few minutes?"
Todd frowns, not wanting to be read the riot act, yet again, from Rachel.
"Only if you're not too hard on him," she laughs good- naturedly. She takes Nick's beer and leaves the two of them
to talk.
"So, if you wanna talk, talk."
"Last night, at the ball, I got a taste of what you go through all the time."
"Rachel, you wanna speak english?"
"I'm an ex-con too now, and I'm treated differently. When I walked by, people stared at me, or whispered; they
never did that before. I used to think you were just paranoid, but now I know differently. I always wondered why you
walked around so angry all the time, but I never took the time to try to understand why you acted the way you did."
"Yeah, well you didn't have a reason to understand me."
"I'm sorry Todd. Now that doesn't mean that I have to like you or anything, but I'm willing to call a truce."
"What's in it for you?"
"Nothing. We're never going to be best friends or anything, but I am willing to wipe the slate clean. Deal?" She
extends her hand for him to shake, which he does.
*****
"Tea, this is so beautiful. Nice, quiet, isolated."
"Thank you. I love it out here. It's so peaceful." They walk along the cobblestone trail back toward the house.
"Are you okay, about today and all?" He stops and turns her toward him.
"Yes."
"Does Todd know?"
"I haven't told him yet."
"Are you going to?"
"I don't know, Nick." She sees Todd watching from the kitchen window, and starts walking toward the house. "I
don't want to talk about it anymore."
*****
They were just finishing dessert, when the conversation inevitably turned to Starr's custody hearing. Todd's face
drops as he thinks of his daughter.
"The hearing is tomorrow right?" Rachel asks.
"Yes. I think we have a pretty good chance." Tea reaches over and lovingly strokes Todd's hand.
"With the best lawyer in town, there's no way you can lose," Nick says, trying to lighten the mood. "So, Todd, when
are you going to fill that stable?"
"When we get Starr for her first weekend visit, we're taking her to a horse show and letting her pick out her own."
"Oh, she's going to love that," Rachel says.
"So, how serious are you two?" Tea asks, redirecting the conversation.
"You are so nosey," says Rachel.
"Hey, you do the same thing to me, so just answer the question."
"What is going on between us, honey?" She scoots closer to Nick and leans her head on his shoulder.
"I'll tell you what, when we decide to get married, you'll be the first to know."
"You always did know how to dodge a question."
Nick and Rachel notice that it's starting to get late, and that the Manning's have an early morning, so they decide to
call it a night. Both Todd and Tea walk them to the door.
"Thanks for having us." Rachel hugs Tea and shakes Todd's hand. The gesture does not go unnoticed by Tea and she
makes a mental note to ask Todd about it later.
"Yeah, we have to do this again. Bye."
Todd and Tea stand in the doorway, and watch their friends back out of the driveway.
"See, Todd, that wasn't too bad."
"Yeah, whatever."
TO BE CONTINUED
2001 COPYRIGHT BY TORRI
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