The next day,
The Greek festival…
It was one in the afternoon. Todd walked into the crowded Greek festival
hall. He felt very much out of place as he looked into his daughter’s face.
Terri smiled back at him, excited that she was spending time with him.
Starr and River walked in beside him and Taylor and Tyler walked in on the
other side of him. Tyler had a video recorder as he had been appointed to
make the videotape.
“So where’s T.D? We didn’t miss his dance did we?” asked Todd sounding a
bit nervous without his wife by his side.
Starr glanced at her watch, “We’re not late. He said they go on about
1:15.”
“Cool,” said Tyler, “Where should I go to get the good pictures?”
Todd shrugged his shoulders.
“Hey Mr. Manning!”
Todd turned around and saw Amy Karolities walking toward him dressed up in
her dancing clothes.
Taylor smiled and waved at Amy.
Amy walked up to Todd and his family with a bright smile on her face.
“Hi Amy,” said Todd.
“Where’s Big Tee Amy?” asked Terri, “We didn’t miss you guys dance did we?”
“Nope Munchkin, you didn’t. Trevor’s got a stain on his shirt so my mom is
helping him wash it out in the back,” explained Amy.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met your mother Amy,” said Todd.
“So Ames, where do I have to go to get the good pictures?” asked Tyler
holding up the video camera and smiling.
“I’ll get you backstage okay,” said Amy.
“How’s Mrs. Manning?” inquired Amy politely.
“Okay. She’s doing okay,” said Todd.
Just then Trevor and Amy’s mother came walking over to his family.
“Hi Big Tee!!” gushed Terri giggling.
“Trev - you look like a dude out of a Shakespeare play…” said Tyler teasing
his brother.
“I think you look….appropriate for the dance…” said River trying to sound
supportive.
Trevor blushed and humbly looked at the ground. Amy’s mother put her hands
on Trevor’s shoulders. She was very proud at the hard work he had put into
learning the dance.
“Trevor looks very handsome in his costume. He would turn heads back in
Creté,” she said giving him a compliment.
“That’s my boy…” said Todd awkwardly, “Gets his looks from his mother.”
“Trev - introduce your family to my mother,” said Amy smiling at him.
Trevor raised his head. His face was beat red. His dancing costume looked
good on him. It fit him well and he liked the puffy sleeves but would never
say that out loud. Especially in front of his “all-guy” brother.
“Ah, Mrs. Karolities, that’s my Dad, my sister Terri, my sister Taylor, my
brother Tyler, my sister Starr, and her boyfriend
River Carpenter,” said Trevor making introductions.
“You have a lovely family Trevor,” said Amy’s mother.
Amy looked at her watch, “Oh My God Trevor! We gotta’ go. C’Mon Tyler!!
Follow us!!” said Amy grabbing Trevor’s hand.
Trevor smiled and ran off with Amy and Tyler followed close behind. Amy’s
mother helped Todd and his family find good seats.
As the music began and Trevor and Amy took their opening cues, Todd watched
his son dance. He watched Trevor’s every move, and smiled when his son did,
studying every move, every facial expression. It was as if Todd could feel
everything Trevor did. He found the dance interesting and was immensely
proud of his son, his newfound talent, and his newfound confidence in
himself. He couldn’t wait to share his observations with his wife.
*****
Llanview General,
That Afternoon…
Téa sighed as she wiggled around in her hospital bed. She anted to get up
and walk around a bit. She sat up on her bed and flipped her legs over the
side to stand up. She felt weak but she stood up and it didn’t feel all
that bad. She softly put her hand over her protruding abdomen.
“Oh mijo…” she whispered.
“Téa…” came a voice.
Téa turned around and saw Nora standing at the doorway with her two boys
and Anna.
“Nora…hi…” said Téa surprised.
Troy held up a bunch of flowers, “We got you these Mrs. Manning.”
“Oh, thank you Troy. Gracias,” said Téa softly.
“We just wanted to see how you were doing. Everything okay?” asked Nora
walking into the room. Brady walked in behind his mother. Anna held Nora’s
hand. Troy found an empty flower vase and put the flowers in it.
Téa lightly smiled, “Well, the doctor would say I tolerated the procedure
well.”
“Where’s Terri?” asked Anna sweetly.
Téa smiled at the young girl, “Terri went with her Daddy to watch Trevor
dance.”
Brady sneered but hid it by looking at the ground.
“Taylor was telling me Trevor and Amy Karolities were dancing for a Greek
festival…” said Troy.
“Oh Téa - and you have to miss it?” asked Nora sadly.
“Well, Tyler’s making me a video,” said Téa.
“He’s a good boy Téa,” said Nora.
“Yeah. You know, that’s what I’m having. A boy,” she blurted out not
knowing why she told Nora only knowing it felt good to tell her.
“Oh Téa…” said Nora.
Brady cleared his voice and raised his head, “Ah, Mrs. Manning, I hope…I
just wanna’ say…I hope you and your baby will be okay. I know…I know
Taylor’s worried about you…she told me at practice…”
Brady paused feeling awkward. His face was flush from his nerves at
looking Taylor’s mother in the eyes after the painful words he said to
Taylor about her. Troy glared at his brother, protective over Taylor and
ready to shove his brother out of the room if he muttered one wrong word.
“Sure Brady, That’s nice of you,” Téa said politely.
“Well, we’re going to get going. You take care of yourself Téa. We’re
glad you’re well,” said Nora sincerely.
“Thank you Nora,” said Téa. She watched them leave her room, surprised
over Brady Buchanan’s well wishes, noting the effect her daughter had over
both Buchanan boys.
TO BE CONTINUED…
