Chapter 7

The Manning Mansion,
Late in the evening…

Téa hung up the phone and walked back into the living room. Terri was lying on her stomach, on the floor, propping her head up on her elbows watching TV. A comedy was on. Téa sat down next to her little girl and lightly rubbed her back.

“That’s nice Mommy,” said Terri sweetly.

“Umm…” said Téa sadly. She bit her lip. That had been Todd on the phone. Finally, Trevor would be all right. He’d made it through the worst part. Viki would be bringing the twins home shortly. But Todd was short with her on the phone and she knew something was bothering him but she wasn’t sure what. Was it actually staying with Trevor that had upset him or Bo and Brady’s visit that had unnerved him? She desperately wished she knew more of what was going on.

“It’s past your bedtime Mija,” said Téa softly.

“But Mommy, you need someone to keep you company. You’re too sad to be alone,” said Terri sweetly looking at her mom.

Téa smiled at that, “I’ll be fine sweetie – now go get your PJ’s on.”

Terri stood up, “Okay, Mommy.” She raced upstairs leaving Téa alone.

Téa drew her knees up, wrapped her arms around them, and began rocking. She found the motion relaxing. Almost comfortable. While the immediate crisis was over with Trevor, another was brewing on the horizon with Taylor. Taylor was so young…so young…

Terri came bounding down the stairs and rushed into her mother’s arms giving her a good night hug. Téa got up and tucked Terri into bed. Then she went downstairs to wait for the twins. A few minutes later the twins walked in with Viki.

Téa talked with Viki for a bit while the twins went upstairs to get ready for bed. She got the distinct impression that Todd had asked Viki to “check her out” and make sure things were okay with her. Their conversation was light and after a few minutes Viki left.

Both twins came downstairs, dressed in their PJ’s and sat down on the couch next to their mother. Téa grinned at their affectionate nature and put her feet up on the coffee table. Taylor rested her head on her mother’s shoulders.

“How you doing Mom?” asked Tyler, “Dad wanted me to ask you about your stress level.”

Téa let out a small laugh, “I dunno. It’s one storm after another in this house.”

“Speaking of storms, have you seen the clouds outside? I think a storm is moving in,” said Tyler.

“Just what we need,” muttered Téa.

“T.D. will be all right Mom,” said Taylor softly.

“I’m…glad,” said Téa, “Tyler, I hate to ask you, but could you go upstairs? I’d like to speak to Taylor a bit. Girl talk, you know.”

Tyler rolled his eyes, “Sure, Mom…”

He gave her a light kiss on the cheek and stood up.

Téa impulsively reached for his hand, “Hey! If you want later on…we can do a girl talk thing.”

Tyler wrinkled his brow, “Ah, Mom…we might want to hold off on that…ah…my bra size isn’t as big as yours quite yet.”

His comment caused her to smile.

Taylor snickered, “I dunno about that Ty…I think your pecs are really starting to bulge out there from all that weightlifting…”

“Shut up!” said Tyler getting red in the face and playfully running his hand through his sister’s hair.

“Good night mijo,” said Téa smiling at her son.

“Night,” said Tyler bounding up the stairs leaving Téa and Taylor alone.

“What’s up mom?” asked Taylor gently, “You are feeling okay, aren’t you?”

“I’m fine sweetie…” said Téa, “But I want to talk about you and boy B.”

Taylor swallowed, “Ah…what about boy B?”

“Boy B is Brady Buchanan, isn’t he?” asked Téa. Her voice betrayed how nervous she was. Nervous to hear Taylor’s confirmation. She didn’t know how to feel if Taylor said ‘yes.’

“How…did you know? I didn’t think…it was obvious…” muttered Taylor sitting up.

Téa’s heart sank. She was nervous. Her daughter was…attracted to a boy who constantly hurt her son. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, saying a quick prayer to herself that she would handle the situation in the right manner. For her family.

“Mom?” whispered Taylor.

Téa opened her eyes and bit her lip, “Well, I guess to those who have seen you around Brady…well, let me say others have picked up on it,” said Téa beginning to play with her head.

Stay calm…dear God, help me to stay calm…and rational…

“Oh,” said Taylor looking into her lap. She was just as her mother.

“You’re right. I don’t like boy B,” said Téa. Her voice wasn’t hard. The opposite in fact. It was soft. And drained.

Calm…and rational…

Taylor told her mother about Brady’s actions in the hospital. Téa listened patiently as Taylor recanted everything that occurred, wincing at the rather painful remark that Brady made towards her and not quite sure what to make of Brady’s obvious display of remorse.

“Well, mom? What are you thinking?” asked Taylor lightly.

“Honestly Taylor, I don’t know what to think,” replied Téa.

She was very aware of the gene she carried. She hated the fact it was thrown in her children’s face. But then Brady – Taylor had made Brady aware of how callous that remark was.

“Oh,” said Taylor. She paused, “Why?”

“Because listening to you talk about Brady reminds me of another difficult man. Your father. I see in my mind Todd and Téa Junior and it scares me…” said Téa honestly.

“Why?” asked Taylor sincerely, “You and Dad are…great together. Dad…loves you. He…respects you.”

Téa let out an ironic laugh, “Taylor – yes…your father loves me and he respects me but you’ve only seen that side of him. It’s hard for you to picture your father as a “meanie”, isn’t it? Well, he’s got a mean streak…one we’ve protected you from. Not only that, your father and I were a lot older when we met – in our late 20’s. Taylor – you’re only 14! What’s the rush? I thought you wanted to hold off…on boys for a bit…” said Téa trying to sound compassionate and understanding.

“Mom! I don’t know what the rush is! All I know is what I’m feeling – I’m feeling things I never have before and it’s…I dunno…confusing…” remarked Taylor trying to make her mother understand.

Téa pulled her daughter into a hug, “Oh Sweetie! Yeah – I can imagine it’s confusing. Trust me, I’ve been there. But sweetie, your father and I have to draw a line…” continued Téa.

“What do you mean, draw a line?” asked Taylor.

“Tail, honey, there’s no way we’re going to allow you and Brady to go out together or spend time with him unsupervised. You have to understand Brady can’t…control…his impulses. He’s hurt Trevor. Your brother! He’s hurt this family everytime his behavior puts your brother in the hospital,” said Téa firmly.

“Mom! Look…I understand too. But I…I can change him…I think…” said Taylor.

Téa dropped her head, “Do you know how much you sound like me, right now?”

Taylor looked into her mother’s eyes, “Well, I am your daughter.”

“Believe me, I know,” said Téa.

“What about the play?” asked Taylor.

“The play? Taylor, the play is your choice. But we’re going to have to modify the rules,” started Téa.

“Modify the rules? How?” asked Taylor.

“First off, your father will be furious and instantly demand you quit, but I think we can work around it,” started Téa.

“I don’t mean to make him angry,” said Taylor, “But I can’t help the way I feel. Brady, mom…today was a big turning point for him…”

“Well, your father will be upset, and honestly, I can’t say I’d blame him. So, if you want to continue with the play than I’ll need to be at play practice. If I can’t make a play practice, no practice for you,” said Téa. She was clearly torn in two and she hoped this would be the best solution for now.

“Mom? What? You don’t trust me?” exclaimed Taylor.

“Yes, I trust you and so does your father but we do not trust Brady Buchanan. We don’t trust him not hurt another child of ours,” said Téa vehemently.

Taylor was surprised. And torn herself. She saw both sides. Brady’s and her parents. Brady wasn’t worth the heartache.

Téa reached for her daughter’s hand, “Tail, what’s going on?”

“You’re…you’re right. You guys come first. My family comes first. You’ve always put me first and now it’s my turn to put you first,” said Taylor mildly, “I’ll do the right thing, I will Mom.”

“Good,” said Téa.

Taylor said, “I’ve got a play practice on Monday.”

“I take it you want me to attend?” asked Téa.

“If you don’t mind,” remarked Taylor.

“Good,” smiled Téa.

Taylor retired to her room and Téa fell asleep on the couch.

Llanview General,
The next morning…

Trevor stirred in his hospital bed. The room was dark – cast in shadows. The blinds were drawn. He felt the IV in his arm. Slowly, he brought his hands up to his face and rubbed his eyes. The hand that had hit Brady ached but he could tell the swollen tenderness of his knuckles had gone down. He was going to be all right. He knew the “drill.” He took a deep breath and looked around, surprised his room was empty. He wrinkled his brow. Surely she was there. And then he remembered that she hadn’t been there while he was suffering but…but she would come.

“Mommy?” he asked. His voice was unsure.

Suddenly, with a quickness, a person got up and walked out of the shadows that was allowing him to hide in the corner of the unlit room.

“Your mother isn’t here,” said Todd crossing his arms and standing in front of his son’s bed.

“When did she leave?” Trevor’s voice betrayed his fear and his concern for his mother. She was ALWAYS there for him. Why didn’t she come THIS time?

“Your mother didn’t come,” said Todd.

Trevor swallowed. Something had to be wrong!

“Why? Why not? She never leaves me. What’s wrong with her? Why are you here?” his voice was defensive and hurt.

“Nothing is wrong with your mother. I told her to stay at home. I didn’t want her to come to the hospital to see you like this,” said Todd.

Trevor could feel the confusion drain away only to be replaced with a feeling of anger. He didn’t like being separated from her. And it was his father who had insisted on their separation! Right now, Trevor was furious with his father.

“So what was your excuse? How did you sweet talk her into staying away from me?” spat Trevor allowing his anger to build, doing nothing to calm himself down. His father! With his foolish decision to get his mother pregnant had put her life in danger, or so he was convinced, and finally he was going to allow himself to be mad about it.

“Your mother is going through a high-risk pregnancy. She needs to keep her stress down and seeing you like this is stressful for her. And we both know it,” said Todd. He could tell his son was livid with him but he had to make Trevor understand that it was not good for Téa’s health to see him like this.

“All you think about is you! You totally disregard my wishes – her wishes! You don’t understand us and you could care less too!!” exclaimed Trevor frustrated that he couldn’t get out of the bed.

“Look, I know you’re upset…” started Todd, trying to remain calm.

“You bet I’m upset! I’m pissed! I’m pissed at you! You had to get her pregnant!” spat Trevor.

“Your mother…consented to this pregnancy. It was a mutual decision!” said Todd raising his voice, “No. You’re right. I did it. “I” got her pregnant. It’s my entire fault - blame me. Put the all the blame of your mother’s pregnancy solely on my shoulders. But remember this – I AM your father and I will not nor do I have too defend myself to you!”

“When you do something to take her from me, you do have to defend yourself!” yelled Trevor.

“Your mother is not going to die! She’s going to have a baby! There’s a BIG difference!” cried Todd not knowing how to reach his upset son. He picked up an empty food tray from the bed rack and threw it across the room displaying his own temper.

Todd turned to Trevor. Both father and son saw the fire in each other’s eyes.

“What now? You going to tear up the room?” asked Trevor.

“Oh – like how you trashed your room last week?” spat Todd, “I was not going to risk your mother’s health over you. So I did that. I kept you two apart. Your mother is healthy! And calm. She will not lose another child of mine!! It’s my responsibility to keep my family safe and I will!”

Trevor was still mad but he said nothing. In a way, his father made sense. He was watching out for them. But Trevor was seeing an emotional side to his father. An angry side. A side he’d only had glimpses of. And once again, he didn’t know what to think about that.

“What? What do you want to say?” asked Todd lowering his voice.

“Nothing. You know, I did it for mom…” said Trevor shifting around nervously in his bed.

“You hit Brady for Téa?” asked Todd confused.

“He was insulting my mother. I wouldn’t put up with that,” said Trevor trying to cross his arms. The IV prevented it.

Todd swallowed and wiped his mouth, “Well that Brady’s a punk. Him and Taylor claim to be friends. I don’t like it.”

“Taylor…holds her own with him,” said Trevor, “I don’t see it.”

Todd walked over to the side of his son’s bed. He knew what he saw yesterday, “Look, next time – no matter what with Brady – walk away Trevor. Okay. Walk away. For your mother. For her love. You know your mother and I – our hearts…break seeing you like this. One day we’re afraid we won’t be able to get you here on time. I know that you think you did the right thing defending your mother like that but you broke her heart too putting yourself in here. So I’m telling you – for now – walk away. For her. For her health,” finished Todd.

Trevor nodded his head, “When can I see her?”

“I’ll take you home as soon as the doctor allows it,” answered Todd.

Trevor turned away from his father and looked at the wall.

Todd lowered his head frustrated with himself. At his inability to really connect with his son.

TO BE CONTINUED…