The Sun
Early afternoon…
Starr Manning walked into her father’s office holding a notepad and a
pencil behind her ear. She wore a warm sweater and casual slacks. Her hair
was a bit frazzled and she brushed her bangs out of her face.
“Hey Dad, I’ve got a few questions about the lodge incident…”
“Huh?” muttered Todd finally looking up from his desk. He looked
distracted as he hung up the phone.
“If you don’t have the time, I can come back later,” commented Starr.
“Oh no, I got the time,” said Todd giving his daughter his full attention.
He stood up.
Starr smirked and threw her notepad on his desk, “No. My questions can
wait. It’s about Téa isn’t it?”
Todd gave her a quick grin, “I really didn’t want her to give us this
surprise party for our birthdays but she insisted. She’s bored and planning
the party has given her something to do. I just…it’s just that she’s had a
bunch of dizzy spells lately and I’m worried she might not, you know, last
tonight…”
“Yeah…” whispered Starr, “Well, I wish we could cancel too but I don’t want
to disappoint her either.”
Todd smirked, “I think you got your no-nonsense streak from me,” he
grinned.
“Well, you know. So…what time do we have to be at the Country Club?” asked
Starr.
“At six in our best dress. I got the tux in the closet,” muttered Todd.
He hated getting dressed up for these things but it was what Téa wanted he
wanted her to be happy.
Starr laughed, “So, I take it we’ll be riding over there together?”
“If you don’t mind hanging with your old man,” grinned Todd.
“You aren’t that old,” said Starr, “I’ll call River and have him meet me
there.”
Todd said nothing, walked to the window and looked out.
Starr walked up behind him, “What else is bothering you?”
“Doctor called today. He has to reserve the equipment now
for Téa’s amnio she has to have in a few weeks,” said Todd.
“You’re worried. It’s a bit early for an amino,” remarked Starr standing
beside him.
“We have to have an early amino. He wants to have it in the 12th week.
Téa’s 6 weeks now,” added Todd letting out a deep breath.
“Why?” asked Starr.
“Because of Téa’s age, an amino will identify any potential problems. If
there's something wrong we'll find out," answered Todd, "early enough to…”
he couldn’t continue.
“Let me guess. If something is wrong you can make the decision to end the
pregnancy right?” finished Starr.
“Yeah,” whispered Todd. He didn’t like that thought.
“Dad, what if the amino reveals everything’s okay but the baby will have
hemophilia? What then?” asked Starr softly.
Todd turned to face his daughter, “If that’s all, I want to have the boy.
I’ve lived with hemophilia for sixteen years now. I don’t like it
but…T.D…he’s a wonderful boy. Most of the time. He’s smart, sensitive,
he’ll make a good lawyer.”
Starr’s smile was comforting and she lightly patted her father’s shoulder.
*****
Llanview High
That afternoon…
Trevor had a period off between classes. Usually, he went outside to study
by his favorite tree but it was winter so he found a table in the café. He
had history homework but instead pulled out his “Pregnancy for Dummies” book
and began to read it. Actually, he looked at pictures, somewhat fascinated
watching a baby develop.
“What’s up?” came a voice.
Trevor looked up, “Hey Taylor. Come here. Look. This is Mom’s baby at
six weeks,” he said showing his sister a picture.
“Kinda’ looks like a fish…” said Taylor.
“Hey guys,” came another voice.
“Hi Amy,” said T.D.
Amy sat down across from Trevor and Taylor, “Checking out the pregnancy
book, huh?”
“Yeah…” said Trevor in awe.
“How’s your Mom doing?” asked Amy sweetly.
“She gets dizzy a lot,” said Taylor. She looked up, “Uh-oh. Brady’s
here…”
Trevor looked up. Brady Buchanan walked into the café and caught Taylor’s
eyes. He began walking over to them.
“Amy, take the book,” whispered Trevor closing it and nonchalantly sliding
it to Amy. Amy took it and shoved it in her backpack.
“Hi…everyone. Taylor,” said Brady biting his tongue, trying to be polite
despite the animosity he felt for Trevor.
Taylor stood up, “Hey Brady, what’s up? Did you check the board today?”
“Yeah, Taylor. Play practice is cancelled today. I didn’t know if you
knew…so I thought I’d find you and let you know,” he said awkwardly trying
really hard to be good.
“Thanks Brady but I…” started Taylor. She paused. The chemistry between
Taylor and Brady was obvious. Trevor noticed how they just stared at each
other. It bothered him. He stood up and
walked over to his sister.
“…you what, Taylor?” asked Trevor crossing his arms.
Brady broke eye contact with Taylor and sneered at Trevor.
“I knew that,” finished Taylor abruptly.
“Brady, can’t you leave Taylor alone? You don’t like us Mannings. You
made no secret about that,” said Trevor.
“You’re a…” started Brady pointing at Trevor, getting in his face.
“Stop it Brady,” said Taylor stepping between her brother and Brady.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period.
Brady took a deep breath to compose himself and walked off.
Taylor, Amy, and Trevor gathered their books and left.
*****
The Country Club,
Later that evening…
Tyler ran into the main dining room, dressed in a tux, looking boyishly
handsome, “They’re here!”
Téa, all decked out in her evening gown, signaled to Terri to shut off the
lights. She did so. The room was filled with family and friends, dressed
in fancy gowns and clothes. Todd’s sister’s Viki, Joey and Roseanne, Jessie
and Will, River Carpenter and Starr’s family, Blair Holden, Max and his
kids, Al, Frankie, and Leslie were all there. Rachel Gannon, Téa’s best
friend was there too.
Todd walked in with Starr - the lights flicked on.
“Happy Birthday!” came the crowd’s cry.
Todd made a face. He felt so uncomfortable. Téa walked up next to him and
gave him a peck on the cheek, “Lighten up,” she whispered.
River walked up to Starr and handed her a white rose. He looked very
handsome in his tux. Starr took the rose and brought it up to her nose,
grinning at River.
“Daddy!” exclaimed Terri, looking up at Todd, “Happy Birthday!”
He bent down and gave her a hug. Trevor, Tyler, and Taylor walked up.
“Boy, don’t you all look gorgeous,” said Starr looking at her siblings.
“Awww…” blushed Tyler turning away.
“Yeah. You guys clean up good,” added Todd awkwardly, “Especially you,” he
said looking at Téa.
“Ever so generous with your complements Todd,” grinned Téa.
“The cake’s here!” exclaimed Viki.
A waiter had brought out an eloquently decorated sheet cake with over 60
candles on it. The number of their combined birthdays.
Téa and River escorted Todd and Starr to the cake and everyone gathered
around. Starr gave her mom a hug, looked at Todd, and together they blew
out the candles on the cake.
Todd stood up and whispered into Téa’s ear, “How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good, actually. I only threw up once today,” whispered Téa into
his ear.
Todd’s eyes bugged out.
Trevor and Tyler looked at each other, grinned, and scooped
some frosting off the cake with their fingers.
“Manning!” came a loud voice. the crowd looked up. Todd came forward and
recognized Ari Kalariotes, Amy’s father. Amy was at his side and she looked
totally embarrassed. He was holding a book. Trevor swallowed. It was his
“Pregnancy for Dummies” book.
“What’s going on?” asked Todd crossing his arms.
“I found this in my daughter’s backpack,” yelled Amy’s father.
Trevor tried to sooth Amy’s embarrassment with his soft eyes.
“That’s Trevor’s book,” said Todd.
“What? You know?” exclaimed Ari Kalariotes.
Everyone gathered around intently.
“Know what?” asked Todd. Trevor walked up beside his father.
“Your son - got my daughter pregnant!” exclaimed Amy’s father.
“Trev, I didn’t think you had it in you, dude…” whispered Tyler into his
brother’s ear.
“I am NOT pregnant!” insisted Amy.
Todd and Téa looked at Trevor who vehemently shook his head, ‘no’.
“Trevor, is that your book?” asked Téa confused.
“Yeah - but Amy’s not, you know…pregnant. She was holding it for me ‘cos I
didn’t want Brady Buchanan to find me with it!” exclaimed Trevor, sharing
Amy’s embarrassment. Amy’s face was beat red.
“So why is this book yours?” asked Amy’s father, “Who did you get pregnant?
I don’t trust you Mannings…”
“I am,” said Téa stepping up beside Trevor and putting her
arms around him, “…with my husband’s child. And if I know my son, he was
just trying to learn more about pregnancy - for my sake.”
Without a word, Amy’s father handed the book to Todd who had an amused grin
on his face and walked out with Amy.
“You’re a wild one Trev,” said Tyler grinning at his brother, “So, tell me
- you really scoring with your girl?”
Trevor brought his hand up to his face and nodded his head in disgust.
TO BE CONTINUED…
