Chapter 8

Todd and Trevor got in the car and Todd drove off. It was silent between them. Trevor had been released from the hospital. His hand was physically fine. But inside, in his head, he was upset. At himself. At this parents. He was unhappy that his parents were having a baby. He was worried for his mother because it was a high-risk pregnancy. He was afraid something would go wrong…and she would die. And he was scared to death about it. And his father…his father was the cause. He’d found out some stuff about his father…his past…and he’d been dealing with it but he saw his father in a new and different light. His father wasn’t perfect. Shades of gray surrounded his father. Trevor thought that his father talked his mother into having another child for purely selfish reasons. And with the new shades of gray, he believed his father was very capable of being…selfish. He didn’t know what to feel or how to act. He’d never been this upset with his parents.

Todd let out a deep breath relieved that his son would be all right but he knew Trevor was upset with him. He couldn’t help but feel that slowly, his carefully constructed family was coming undone. Unraveling. Trevor had been moodier and distant since finding out about his sordid past. But honesty NOW…instead of lies…would keep his family together. He had to believe in that. No matter how much he hurt. Now. He needed a good dose of his wife right now but she would have to wait. Trevor needed to see her first.

Todd pulled into the driveway and parked the car. They walked into the house through the kitchen door. The kitchen was empty. Todd felt a sharp pain in his stomach.

“Téa!” he yelled.

He turned to Trevor. They heard a door slam. Téa must have been in her study. She bolted into the kitchen and paused at the door studying their faces. The air was heavy. She was dressed in a casual pair of pants and long sleeved top. While she looked rested, her eyes looked fatigued.

“Hey Téa, the kids…?” said Todd motioning upstairs.

“They went to school,” she said.

“It’s overcast outside. It’ll start to snow soon,” remarked Todd crossing his arms.

“Probably,” said Téa finding her son’s eyes. Sad. They were…sad.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” said Todd, walking up to Téa, “I’ll be in my study.”

“Come find me when you’re done…I need you…” his eyes said.

She slightly nodded her head in acknowledgement. He walked past her, leaving her alone with Trevor.

Nothing was said as mother and son examined each other in an attempt to verify the other was all right.

“Are you okay Mom?” asked Trevor. His own voice shook.

She nodded her head, “You?”

“Yeah.”

Finally Trevor gave into his emotions and ran up to his mother, embracing her. She hugged him back with equal passion.

They cried and hugged, enjoying the moment. Relieved each other was okay.

Téa looked into Trevor’s eyes, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I wanted to be.”

“So why weren’t you?” he asked, a tear rolling down his cheek, feeling his compassionate mother’s arms around him, “You could have forced the issue. You could have…defied him.”

Téa took a step back and found the anger in her son’s eyes, “You’re mad. You’re mad at him. Your father.”

“So what if I am? I’m not mad at you. I…could never be mad at you…” whispered Trevor, “Mom - he kept us apart!”

Téa let out a breath, “Trevor, don’t be mad at him. He made sense…” she started.

“Sense? What sense Mom?” spat Trevor stepping away from her.

“Trevor…I needed to stay away…for my health…” she continued.

Trevor just nodded his head no, “You did it for him?! You allowed yourself to get pregnant…Mom! I don’t want to lose you!”

“You are not going to lose me!” insisted Téa, “But you’ve got understand - I’ve got a little person inside me. Your… brother or sister and I may not be showing yet - but I have to take care of myself - the baby inside me is EXPECTING me to do that. Trevor, I can’t take the risk…you’ve got to understand! I love you! I do! But…I’ve got to stay calm for the baby…!” she tried to explain. She reached out and pulled him into a hug. She could feel his quivering body in her arms. Softly, she sung a Spanish lullaby. Trevor allowed himself the luxury of crying in her arms. No further words were said. He pulled away and she examined his hand. Their eyes exchanged their hurt and sorrow.

She rubbed her finger over his delicate knuckles and he was comforted by the gesture.

“I love him. I love you. I love my family. I love my family I have with him. Trevor…I love the baby inside of me. You don’t have to be mad about this…” she said softly.

He nodded his head as tears ran down his cheek, ashamed of his behavior.

Todd’s study…

Todd crossed his arms and looked out the window, watching the crisp snowflakes fall. The storm would start out slowly but pick up speed as it continued. He knew the pattern. On his desk, Terri had made him an “I missed you” card. Next to it was a rare baseball card of Babe Ruth that Tyler had gotten for him. Next to that, was an old stuffed, “Fred the magic frog” that Starr had given Taylor for good luck. Taylor had left it on her father’s desk so he could have some good luck. He was frustrated at himself and Trevor. He didn’t understand why Trevor had to act like this. Didn’t his boy appreciate the loving home that he, as a father, worked so hard to give him? He was not in competition with his son for Téa’s affection. So why did it feel like it?

The door opened and closed. Todd turned around. It was her. His wife. She could see the relief on his face. He stood there, running his eyes over her.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

She approached him, “It’s a saltine crackers day…”

Todd just nodded his head.

“How about you? I’ve talked to Trevor. He’s upset. Torn up. Quite honestly, I think he’s mad at us…”

“No,” insisted Todd, “He’s mad at me. Not you!”

“That’s where you’re wrong. He is mad at me. It’s just easier for him to mad at you. He sees your faults…more than he sees mine,” she said stopping before him.

He raised his brow, saying nothing. His look, intense.

“He’s right. I am selfish. I wanted you to have this baby. I talked you into it…” started Todd.

“Stop it Todd. I agreed. We both knew the dangers and accepted the risks…!” she asserted. A sudden wave of nausea overcame her and she turned away leaning over. Todd was immediately at her side.

“What’s wrong? Téa!” he exclaimed.

She said nothing as she began heaving and reached for the waste can. Her meager breakfast came up. When she was finished, she stumbled back, resting on his desk. Todd got her a warm, wet cloth from the bathroom and gently wiped her face.

“Better?” he whispered. It upset him to see her like this.

“Ummm…” she said nodding her head.

“Tell me you’re okay!” he insisted.

“Todd, I’m fine. Really,” she said holding up a hand, as she wiped her face.

“When’s your next check up?” he asked placing his hands on her shoulder.

“Next Monday,” she said answering him, taking a deep breath trying to calm her stomach.

“The amino is coming up soon,” said Todd.

“And you’ll be worried until then,” she said weakly, “I know you.”

“Our son will worry too,” said Todd.

“Trevor is a lot like you Todd. He may be mad at you but he’s all Manning…” she replied, “He will come around once he knows everything will be all right. Just like you will.”

“Right,” said Todd standing before her. He picked up Fred and looked at it, “Taylor left this for me.”

“I know,” said Téa, “The kids missed you last night. Tyler wanted you to have that card.”

“I missed them too. There’s something you should know about…” he started.

“About Taylor and Brady Buchanan?” she finished. She could tell he wasn’t pleased.

“What do you know?” he asked. His lip turned up, revealing how tense he was.

“Todd, I think she…is becoming friends with him,” said Téa.

“Whatever it is, I don’t like it,” said Todd, “I don’t want her near him.”

“I don’t either. I’ve all ready talked to her about it Todd,” said Téa.

He leaned into her, “What do you mean?”

“She’s going to leave him alone,” said Téa.

“The play? She’s giving that up?” he asked a bit surprised.

“No, but I will be there - watching. She’s very aware we don’t want her alone with him,” said Téa reaching up, rubbing his chin weakly with her fingertips.

Todd was seething underneath his skin. Hot. Bothered. His son was furious with him and his daughter was “friends” with the boy who continued to hurt “him” and his family, “I’m not pleased with that.”

“Give her this Todd. She’s aware of our displeasure but if we push her and tell her she can’t do something she WANTS to do, it will drive her right to him and we don’t want that,” she said firmly.

Todd bit his lip, “Not my daughter!” he spat.

“You will remain calm about this Todd. You will…” began Téa.

He pulled away, holding up his hand, “You…? I will keep this family together!”

“Your family is not falling apart, Todd!” spat Téa.

He stood there before her, silent. She knew that look. Frustration. Impulsively, she reached up, giving him a weak kiss, knowing it would ease his troubled conscious.

He realized how weak her kiss was and backed away. He put all his anger aside for the moment and took care of her, picking her up in his arms and taking her to the bedroom.

TO BE CONTINUED…