Chapter 9

A week later,
The Manning Mansion

Trevor walked into the house through the kitchen. Terri followed him in. He had picked Terri up from school since Téa had gone to an appointment with her doctor earlier on in the day. Tyler had hockey practice and Taylor had gone to the mall with some girlfriends.

“Where’s mommy biggest Tee?” asked Terri looking around the kitchen noticing her mother wasn’t there.

“I dunno. Her car is in the garage,” said Trevor. He threw his books down on the table.

“Help me look for her T.D.,” said Terri seriously taking off her coat and flinging it on a chair in much the same manner her father would.

“Okay T.V.,” said Trevor. He could feel his own concerns slowly creep their way into the pit of his stomach.

“I hope Mommy is all right. She threw up a lot last night…” said Terri running into the living room. No Téa.

“I do too,” was all Trevor could say hiding his own fears from Terri.

They walked upstairs and noticed their mother’s bedroom door ajar. Slowly they pushed it open. Their mother was sleeping on the bed with a bottle of water on the nightstand. Trevor let out a deep breath, glad she was all right.

Terri walked into the room, took off her shoes, and got on the bed, snuggling next to her mother. Téa stirred but didn’t wake.

Trevor wrinkled his brow, “What are you doing?” he whispered.

“Keeping mommy company,” answered Terri.

Trevor shut the door and walked back downstairs to the kitchen. Instead of doing his homework, he paused, and reached for his “Pregnancy for Dummies” book, choosing to read that instead.

The Sun…

Todd briskly walked into his office, followed by Starr and Kelly Cramer.

“We did it Todd! We nailed Amos Braxton! Got him dead to rights!” shouted a clearly excited Kelly. She crossed her arms and squealed with delight.

Starr was furiously scribbling on her notepad. She had cracked the story.

“Cramer, I want you to hold the presses for Starr’s piece. Starr, can you be ready in time?” asked Todd, obviously proud of his daughter’s reporting skills.

“Sure thing Dad,” grinned Starr.

“Good! Go to it!” instructed Todd.

Kelly Cramer ran out of Todd’s office. Starr went to leave but paused at the door. The phone had rung and her father was talking to Dr. Clayton. Her stepmother’s ob/gyn.

“You did a what…?”

Pause.

“She’s what?”

Pause.

“Yeah. I’ll be right down to pick them up.”

Starr could tell her father’s voice was full of concern. He hung up the phone and she turned around. She was very aware that her father, while elated by the fact Téa was expecting again, was also very worried for his wife.

“Dad…? Is something wrong? Is Téa okay?” asked Starr softly.

“Téa needs iron,” said her father abruptly.

Starr wrinkled her brow in that familiar Manning way, “Is that good or bad? Didn’t Téa have a checkup today?”

Todd looked away. Guilty. Embarrassed.

“Yeah, she did,” he said.

“You didn’t go. You stayed in court with us. Watched Amos get convicted. You delighted in it,” said Starr matter of factly, “And now…you’re feeling, I dunno, guilty about that?”

Todd looked up into his daughter’s eyes, “Maybe I am.”

“What did the doctor say?” asked Starr frankly.

“He did a complete blood count on the blood sample Téa gave today. She’s anemic. Clayton says it’s common during pregnancy. Not too worry, he says. He’s prescribed an iron supplement. I’m going to pick it up and bring it home,” explained Todd.

“Well, I’m sure once she starts taking the iron it’ll bring her iron count up. It takes a lot of iron to make a lot of blood you know,” said Starr.

“Yeah…it’s just that…last night actually she got wicked sick after eating dinner. Threw it all up. Whoever called it morning sickness lied. It’s more like morning, noon, and night sickness,” fussed Todd.

“That’s probably why she’s anemic Dad. She can’t hold a thing down,” said Starr, “Lighten up.”

Todd looked away, “I want you to come by more often. Help me with Trevor.”

“T.D? Is he all right?” asked Starr making a face.

“He hates me,” said Todd melodramatically.

“Hates you? I doubt that,” said Starr.

“He hates the fact Téa’s pregnant again,” said Todd turning away, walking toward the window.

“Why?” asked Starr.

“A million reasons I guess. He’s convinced I’ve done something to take her away from him. My selfishness has “forced” Téa into doing something that will hurt her. He thinks I’m a selfish bastard for having this baby with his mother,” said Todd putting his hands in his pockets, looking down on the Llanview skyline.

“You’re overreacting Dad. Chill out,” said Starr.

Todd turned on her, “Me? I’m overreacting?”

“Well, if Trevor really does feel that way, he’s overreacting too,” remarked Starr, “Look, as soon as I get this article to print, I’ll come by, all right. Meanwhile you go get those iron pills for Téa.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Starr, I don’t know how you turned out so smart and all considering your biology…” commented Todd.

“I think you’re having a mood swing,” grinned Starr, “Téa’s probably suffering from one as we speak and with your “connection” it’s making you hinkey. Let me remind you, biology had nothing to do with it. I had a loving father and a great mom. See ya tonight Dad.”

Starr walked up to her father, gave him a light, affectionate kiss on the cheek and walked out.

The Manning Mansion…

Téa woke up and rolled into her youngest daughter. She was a bit surprised and raised her head to look at the clock. 4:30 p.m. She looked down at Terri who was sound asleep, snuggled next to her. Téa realized the young girl was holding her hand. She smiled at that. Terri could be so very sweet when she wanted to be.

“I love you mija,” said Téa softly giving her daughter the lightest of kisses on her forehead. Gently, Téa got up and left a sleeping Terri on her bed. She walked down into the kitchen. As soon as she walked in, Trevor’s head shot up out of his book.

“Mom? You’re up?” he said surprised.

She sat down at the table across from him and sipped on her water bottle, “Yep. I’m up. What are you reading?”

Trevor’s eyes burned with seriousness, “Did you know for an amniocentesis a thin, hollow needle is inserted through your abdomen and into the kid’s amniotic sac so that some fluid can be withdrawn? An early amnio carries a higher rate of miscarriage.”

Téa’s face looked shocked, “You sound like a cold statistic. Let me guess. You’re reading “Pregnancy For Dummies” again?”

Trevor proudly held up the book.

Téa frowned.

“It sounds like it’s going to hurt Mom,” said Trevor firmly.

“It may. A bit,” answered Téa, “You know I have to have an early amnio don’t you? You’ve read the book. You understand better now, don’t you?”

“If there’s something wrong - if the kid has Downs Syndrome or some other chromosomal abnormality, will you…terminate it?” asked Trevor. Again, his voice was serious and intense.

Téa ran her tongue around her teeth, “First of all, Trevor this baby is not an it. This baby is a he or a she. And your father and I will make that decision when we come to that…situation…if we come to it.”

“I didn’t mean to make you mad,” said Trevor.

“I know,” said Téa.

“The book says…you can test for hemophilia as well,” he continued.

Téa ran her hand through her hair, “I know. What’s your point to this conversation Trevor?”

“What if he or she has hemophilia? Like me…?” asked Trevor pushing her.

“Then this family will deal with it just like we deal with your hemophilia,” sniped Téa.

“You’re upset,” said Trevor.

“I’m having a mood swing. Right now I want to cry. I can’t believe you’re asking me this…” started Téa.

“Mom…”

“You are not this child’s father Trevor! You are his or her brother…” continued Téa, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I know…”

“So stop acting so damn…protective! Between you and your father’s desire to protect me - from God knows what - each other I suppose - you’re both going to drive me crazy!” she finished, the tears rolling down her eyes.

Trevor got up, grabbed a box of tissues off the bar and gave them to his mother. She continued to cry as she wiped her face.

“I’m sorry,” he replied, “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“I know,” she said as the tears finally dried up, “Look, how’s school? How’s Amy?”

“Amy?” asked Trevor surprised at his mother’s question, “Amy’s fine.”

Téa had wanted to change the subject, “You haven’t said much about her…since the dance,” said Téa composing herself.

“It’s just that…Amy’s dad is a bit strict. It’s hard to spend time with her when he’s forbidden her to see me. Amy says his big thing now is he’s always preaching to her the values of going out with a good, sensible Greek boy…” fussed Trevor hanging his head.

“He’s not impressed with your “Latin” roots I take it,” remarked Téa fighting back a sniffle.

“He’s not impressed with me period,” said Trevor sadly, “Amy and I are getting sick and tired of lying and hiding…our…selves from him.”

“Maybe I should talk to him,” suggested Téa.

“No! Mom!! Don’t do that. It would only make it worse for her!” cried Trevor.

Téa rolled her eyes, “Don’t distance Amy because of this.”

“What else can I do? I’m not…good enough for her!” he spat.

Téa shot up, furious, “Good enough?! Is that what YOU think?! Is that what Amy’s father thinks?! And what does Amy thing?! Does she think you’re not good enough for her?!”

Trevor said nothing, nodding his head ‘no’.

Téa reached over the table and lifted her son’s head up with her hand, “Don’t ever let anyone make you think you’re not good enough! You are. You can do anything you want to Trevor Manning!”

“No, I can’t mom, and you know it,” said Trevor. His voice was even. He wasn’t upset about it - just realistic.

“Trevor, if you want to be with Amy, you can be. You can win over her father. Be proactive instead of reactive. You CAN do that,” said Téa firmly.

He said nothing and swallowed, letting her words sink in. Téa noted how much Trevor reminded her of…Todd. She got up from the table and threw out her empty bottle of water. As she did that, Todd walked in the kitchen door holding up a brown paper bag. Téa and Trevor’s eyes fell intently upon him.

Téa walked up to Todd and pointed to the bag, “What’s that Todd?”

“Iron. You need Iron, Delgado. Doctor says you’re anemic,” said Todd very seriously.

“Oh,” she replied.

Trevor watched his parent’s every move. What would his father make her do now?

Todd broke eye contact with Téa, pulled the bottle of pills out of the bag, opened them, and held up a big red colored iron pill.

Trevor looked shocked, “That’s a horse pill!!”

“You’re telling me,” said Téa.

Todd allowed himself a slight smile, “Stop with the bug eyes and take the damn pill. You need lots of iron to make lots of blood for you and the baby.”

Téa bit her lip, grabbed the pill and walked over to the sink, pouring herself a glass of water.

“Drink up Téa,” instructed Todd.

“Yeah, Mom…drink up. You can do it,” added Trevor.

Téa swallowed the pill.

Todd laughed.

“I’ve got homework,” said Trevor getting up. He collected his books.

“Hey, aren’t you…glad to see me?” asked Todd turning towards his son.

“Sure Dad,” said Trevor. His voice was even but betrayed his emotions. He walked out of the room.

Téa studied Todd’s silent face.

“Hey Todd, he’s just got a lot on his mind,” replied Téa.

“Don’t make excuses for him,” said Todd putting his hands in his pockets.

“I don’t intend too. Trevor’s a big boy. I’ll let him make his own excuses,” replied Téa.

Todd said nothing as he studied his wife’s features. A bit older. A strand of gray blended in with soft brown hair. After all these years, she still…enthralled him, like no other woman he had ever known.

TO BE CONTINUED…