Téa got up and headed toward the bathroom. It was early - 0600 a.m. Viki would be at her room at 0700 a.m. and then they would drive up to Providence together.

A million emotions flooded through her. With the realization the DID was real, her faith in Todd had been restored. And what it must be like for him - trying to deal with the DID by himself. But he didn’t have too. She would help him and so would Viki. After all, Tom was sweet, Rod was…sexy, and Ms. Perkins seemed all right - but Pete - Pete almost struck her with a fireplace poker. It must have been Pete’s uncontrollable urges that caused Todd to strike her in the shed - that and her verbal assault upon him for which she was sorry for.

What would she do if Pete confronted her again? Is that why Todd ran away - to keep them all safe from Pete? Todd fought Pete for her…but could Todd do it again?

After washing her face, she set the automatic coffee maker and got in the shower. Why didn’t she live in an apartment? Why didn’t she work on repairing her fractured relationship with her niece? Why wasn’t she rebuilding friendships that were dropped by the wayside? They all mattered to her. But Todd, and his love, mattered more. She looked up at the shower’s ceiling, made a sign of the cross and prayed for the strength she knew it would take - should she see Todd again.

Providence, Rhode Island
Early Afternoon…

Viki and Téa had gotten to Providence about 11:00 a.m. Two private therapists worked out of the public hospital, however, they had no success in finding Todd. A third therapist, Dr. Jacobs, worked in a town outside of Providence called Cranston, in an outpatient clinic. And surprisingly, they caught him in the office between sessions.

Viki and Téa wandered into the reception area. No receptionist was present, but they could hear filing cabinets being banged around in a back office. They gave each other a grin and Viki knocked on the door. The door flew open surprising not only the doctor, but Viki and Téa as well.

“Hello? You’re not Mr. Albert,” remarked the doctor.
“Ah, no,” said Viki holding out her hand, “I’m Victoria Carpenter and this is my sister-in-law, Téa Delgado.”
They shook hands.
“Dr. Jacobs,” he said. He looked at Téa intently, “That’s a very unique name. And surprisingly, a patient mentioned it this past week.”
Téa’s heart skipped a beat and she turned to Viki. They exchanged knowing glances and Téa turned back to face the doctor.
“Is that patient Todd Manning?” questioned Téa.
The doctor bit his lip, “I’m governed by confidentially rules when it comes to disclosing a patient’s name.”
Téa paused, softening her facial expressions, “Manning. Téa Delgado Manning. That’s my name - I’m Todd’s wife.”
“I see,” said the doctor.
“Todd is a patient of yours, isn’t he?” asked Viki.
“Yes,” confirmed Jacobs.
Todd needs to know that we’re here to help him,” said Téa.
“We know he’s…troubled…with DID. I’ve suffered through it myself,” added Viki.
“Where is he?” asked Téa.
“I’m treating Todd on an outpatient basis,” said the doctor.
“But where is he now?” questioned Téa.
“Todd never expected anyone to find him…” muttered Jacobs.
“I want to help him. I want him to know that…” pleaded Téa.
Dr. Jacobs frowned.
“Todd and I parted badly but I know things now that I didn’t know before…please…I need him to know that I’m here for him - that we can make this work - together.” continued Téa.
Dr. Jacobs took a piece of scrap paper and wrote an address on it, “He’s here.”
Téa turned to Viki, “Let me see him first, alone? There’s so much I want to say to him…”
Viki nodded her head, “I’ll give you an hour.”

Providence…

Téa walked up to the apartment building that Todd was supposed to be at. It was seedy looking and in a dingy place of town. She went inside and approached the apartment’s door. Her stomach was full of butterflies as she knocked on the door.

The door flung open. And Todd and Téa came face to face. Todd’s mouth dropped. Téa was surprised to see he had gotten a haircut and had shaved his goatee. He had a faint five o’clock shadow.

“Todd?”
“Téa?”
“You found me?” he whispered, his face lighting up.
“It wasn’t easy,” she replied smiling at him.
“What fun would easy be?” asked Todd.
With those words, Téa’s heart melted and she rushed into his arms, burying her face into his chest.
“I got all your clues, Todd. I know it’s all real - the DID - the sexual abuse…”
Todd pushed her away.
“You’re a fool Delgado. Todd ran away to protect you but you keep coming back. I thought you were through being abused…by Todd. Isn’t that what you said?” Todd’s voice was hard. His eyes - distant.
“Pete,” muttered Téa.
“Let me guess. You’re here to tell Todd that you love him - yet again,” said Pete sarcastically.
Téa crossed her arms, “I do love him.”
“You’re a liar,” said Pete, “You tore up his check. You took off his ring. Actions speak louder than words.”
Pete approached her. She took a step back.
“Actions do speak louder than words. I’m here now. After hearing Todd admit he faked a personality disorder - it tore my heart out! But Pete, you can’t turn love on and off like a water facet. I tried. It didn’t work,” said Téa using an in-your-face approach.
“Oh, and let’s not forget - if you love Todd you wouldn’t keep bringing up things he can’t deal with…” yelled Pete.
Suddenly his body turned away from Téa, “I can deal with it. I have to!” yelled Todd.
“Todd! Fight him!” yelled Téa.
“Then say it Todd!” yelled Pete. He found Téa’s eyes, “Tell her Todd…” goaded Pete.
“I love you Todd,” said Téa firmly.
“Téa, I was…I am…I love you…”
Téa, believing it was crucial to convince him of her feelings, impulsively ran into his arms and kissed him. The kiss turned aggressive. Pete pinned Téa against the wall of the room and broke off the kiss, hovering over her. Téa’s breathing was fast as the adrenaline flowed through her.
“I always did enjoy kissing you Delgado,” said Pete.
“And I enjoy kissing Todd,” spat out Téa, “Not you.”
Pete got closer to her putting his hands on the buckle of her pants and leaning his body into hers.
“Don’t I scare you Delgado? Aren’t you scared right now? Scared I’ll rape you?” taunted Pete.
Téa went limp, “Todd won’t let you rape me…”
“No, I won’t,” said Todd firmly. Decisively. And confidently.

TO BE CONTINUED…