"YYYYEEEEEEES!" Ritchie's scream was gut wrenching. His hands formed into tight fists. His eyes were closed tightly. His face was scrunched in torment. He stayed in the chair. He bent forward as if he had been kicked in the stomach. "Oh God! He hurt me. He hurt me over and over and over. It never stopped! Every time I came out he was hurting me. She knew. She knew! I hate them. I hate both of them so much! I didn't want to come out. I hate Mike! I hate me! I had to take it. I should have stopped him. I let him do that to me until I was seventeen! . . ."
"I heard," Todd whispered.
They all exchanged looks.
"You heard what?" Susannah took nothing for granted.
"What he said. That boy. I heard what he said. Papa made me listen." Todd's voice sounded far away and detached.
"Do you remember those things happening to you?" Susannah asked.
Tears trickled down Todd's cheeks. "Yes. . . ."
*****
"Well, my man," Ryan began when Todd sat down on his bed, after the session was over. "You have done a good day's work. I hate to blow my own horn, but I was right. You are smart and brave and you caught on quickly. Even more so than I had figured."
"So I pass blind lessons?" Todd asked seriously.
"You pass with an A plus. I'm very proud of you," Ryan said with a smile.
*****
Todd took a deep breath. They could see he was getting anxious. "I want you to send me away."
"What!" both Sam and Viki said at the same time.
"I want you to send me far away from here. I can get around by myself now. I want you to send me to someplace in Europe or South America or anywhere that's far from here. I don't care where it is. Until you can make arrangements to do that, I don't want either of you coming to here. You can come and say goodbye to me right before they come to take me to wherever it is you're sending me to."
Todd's fingers dug into the arms of his chair. He bit his lower lip. He was desperately trying to keep himself together.
Susannah and the staff kept quiet. They knew Viki and Sam needed to handle this.
"Boomer, what are you talking about? We're not going to send you away, ever!"
"Sweetheart, of course we're not going to send you away. What on earth would make you ask that?"
"I'm not asking! I'm telling you. I have a lot of money. I can pay to have you ship me somewhere. If the new loony bin is more expensive than this one, I can pay for that too. All you have to do is find a place and send me there."
*****
Todd suddenly remembered that Viki hugged him. "You go too. You go too, and wash."
"Todd, stop this. This is ridiculous. Baby, we won't catch anything from touching you. There is nothing wrong with you."
"You go wash up too. And wash your face. Go! You go! YOU GO!"
*****
Blair was shocked to see Todd walk with a cane. She also marveled at how quickly he had learned. When she praised him, he told her it was no big deal. Todd was already minimizing his accomplishment. . . .
"Move your chair close to mine," Todd instructed.
Blair pulled up next to him. . . .
"There're two things I want you to do for me. I want you go to the bank and get me enough money to live on for a while. Then I want you to help me escape from here. . . ."
"Todd, I have no way of getting your money! Please listen to me. Viki controls everything! . . ."
Todd reached out for Blair's face. She thought he was going to caress her cheek. She gasped when Todd grabbed her face between his hands and squeezed her cheeks together. . . .
"LIAR!" Todd continued to scream. "WELL STARR'S ALL YOURS NOW. ARE YOU HAPPY! YOU TELL HER I'M DEAD! DO YOU HEAR ME BLAIR! YOU WON'T HELP ME ANYMORE. YOU DON'T EVEN CARE ENOUGH ABOUT ME TO LET ME BUY YOUR HELP ANYMORE! IF YOU CARE ABOUT STARR YOU TELL HER I'M DEAD! YOU TELL HER I'M DEAD! YOU TELL HER I'M DEAD, BLAIRRRRR. . . ."
"Blair. You need to calm down," Terry said. "I know you're very upset right now. I'm sorry. Todd has had a very hard day. You need to take what he said in the context of that. If you wait until they have Todd settled, Susannah will come out and speak with you and help you to understand."
"YOU GO TO HELL! YOU CAN ALL GO TO HELL! YOU TURNED HIM AGAINST ME! . . ."
"No, Blair! You did that all by yourself." Blair was shocked to hear Téa. She had not realized she was there. . . .
Téa got into Blair's face. Téa's eyes were blazing. "You used Todd and lied to him and manipulated him. You used his daughter as a weapon against him and then you cried foul when he did the same to you. You took everyone's side against him. You took a man who was afraid to trust and proved his fears right. You knew how hurt and damaged Todd was when you met him and still you used him. He was so good to you! How could you do that to him! . . ."
*****
"Here's your cane, hon." Terry held it out to him.
"Thanks," Todd said softly. "Which way are the chairs that are by the couch?"
Once he was oriented, Todd made his way over, by himself, and sat down. As he had before, Todd pulled his knees to his chest and buried his head in them. This time he rocked in a further attempt to self-soothe. Finally he raised his head. "Can someone call Delgado? I'm ready to see her."
"She's here, Todd. Téa's in my office. Do you want her to come here, to the dayroom?" Susannah asked.
Todd shuddered. This was it. He had to do it now. "No. I wanna go to her. I wanna walk by myself." Todd told himself that he wanted Téa to see that he could take care of himself. He couldn't admit to himself that he wanted her to be proud of him and that's why it was so important to him to have his session with Ryan before he met with Téa, this one last time.
Susannah knew Téa wanted to talk to her, but she did not want to put Todd off. He was holding it together by a thread. She had a feeling that the only thing that had helped him to calm himself just now was his desire to see Téa.
"Are you ready to go to my office now?" Susannah asked.
Todd bit his lip and nodded. He stood up oriented himself and positioned his cane the way Ryan taught him. Susannah and the staff stayed as far back as they felt was safe. Todd made it to the door and out into the hallway.
"Do you remember how to get to my office?" Susannah asked.
Todd nodded. "Yeah, I think so."
He headed in the right direction. He did not think about falling or tripping or bumping into anyone or anything as he made his way. All he could think of was having the strength and guts to do what he had to do once he got to his Delgado.
*****
It seemed to Téa that she'd been waiting in Susannah's office for days. Terry finally came in and filled her in, briefly, on what had gone on with Todd. If Téa was anxious before, now she was nearly panicking. Terry let her know that Todd was trying his best to push everyone away. She told Téa that Todd was insisting Viki send him to a hospital far away from Llanview. She warned Téa not to touch Todd unless he initiated it or asked for it. Terry didn't tell her about Todd's success with the cane. She knew some part of Todd would want to surprise Téa.
*****
Todd's natural athletic gift shone through, even here. Todd veered off toward the wall a few times as he made his way to Susannah's office. As soon as he felt the wall, he quickly regained his way. Todd's throat was dry. He asked for a cup of water. Frank told him the pantry was on his left, about eight feet from where he stood. Todd became anxious and hesitated for a moment.
"You can do it, buddy. I'll let you know when you're in front of it. There's no door on it. You'll be able to feel the opening with your cane," Frank encouraged Todd's independence. "Okay, Todd. You're right in front of the pantry. Turn to your left," Frank instructed.
Once Todd was in there, Frank directed him to the sink and cups and ice machine. Todd felt the faucet as Ryan had taught him. He held his hand under the cold water just to be sure. Frank told Todd where the cups were. Again, Todd had no problem. Todd's hand trembled as he brought the cup to his mouth. They could tell he had been scared to death of failing and making a fool of himself in front of Susannah and the staff members that were with him. This was the first drink of water Todd had been able to get for himself in months. The cool water felt good as it made contact with his parched throat.
They all praised Todd.
Even though Todd's comment was, "It's just a stupid cup of water," they could tell that he felt good about his accomplishment. Each achievement bolstered his confidence. It was doing something more. Todd was slowly giving up the "benefits" of this conversion disorder. Todd had not had any memories come to him about the night of his fourteenth birthday. In fact, since Susannah took him to Asa's lodge, Todd's nightmares about that night lessened. He had not had one nightmare about that night in a couple of months. Those memories had been buried very deeply again. Susannah theorized that if Todd were willing to give up some of the helplessness his blindness caused, it had nothing to do with Michelle or that night, at this point. It must have more to do with his need to punish himself, she thought. Perhaps Todd's need to punish himself is lessening or he's found a different means of self-torture? The latter worried Susannah.
Todd's throat and mouth were as dry from anxiety as they were from his medications. He took another long drink and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.
"We have some really good cookies and some nice cold milk here. Would you like something to eat before you go to see Téa?" Angelo asked Todd.
"No. I just wanted some water so I could talk to Delgado good. Let's go."
The staff held back giving Todd directions. He found his way back into the hallway and continued in the right direction without a word from anyone. They all exchanged proud and approving glances at Todd's ability to immediately master this.
*****
Téa had been pacing nervously since Terry left. She felt like she was crawling out of her skin. When Téa heard the outer door to Susannah's office open, she jumped. Téa could not believe her eyes when she saw Todd walk into the office with no one holding his arm.
"Oh, Todd! Oh, querido. You're able to walk on your own. I'm so proud of you." Téa wanted to throw her arms around him and hug him tightly. She used all the self-control she had not to. She remembered Terry's warning.
Todd shrugged. "It's no big deal. People walk by themselves all the time."
"I know," Téa admitted. "But it has to be very difficult to do it when you can't see. You've learned so quickly. I can't help feeling very proud of you."
"Okay," Todd shrugged again. "Go ahead. Knock yourself out."
Todd wanted to believe her. He wanted Téa to be proud of him. One part of him was afraid she was only trying to make him feel good and that she was really laughing at him. Another part was thankful that he could walk into the room like a man . . . an adult . . . and not have Téa see him being led by someone. Todd believed this would be the last time Téa would ever see him. He didn't want her last memory of him to be that of a helpless loser.
Saber smirked as he heard the staff and Téa tell Todd how proud of him they were. He kept quietly to himself. He didn't want Todd to freak out right now. He wanted him to be able to tell Téa what he came there to say.
Todd knew Susannah and some staff members were in the room. It didn't matter. He planned to be quick about this. "Delgado?"
"Yes," Téa answered.
Todd moved toward her voice. When his cane lightly tapped her foot, he stopped.
"Why don't we go sit on the couch?" Téa suggested.
"Do you feel sick or dizzy?" Todd became frightened.
"No. I'm fine, Todd. I needed rest and I got it. I'm okay now."
"Then we can stand here. I'll say what I came to say and then you can go home and rest."
"Querido, I don't want to go home and rest. I came as soon as I heard you were . . . I mean when I heard you asked for me."
"Say it, Delgado. When I came back from losing time . . . from being crazy . . . from an all expense paid vacation to psycholand?"
"When you were yourself again," Téa said softly.
"Oh," Todd nodded. He laughed. "When I was myself again? And who exactly is that? Do you know? If you do, you know more than I do and all the shrink help Viki is throwing her money out on."
Téa moved just a little closer to Todd. "I know that you have a good and kind heart. I know you're smarter and more courageous than anyone I've ever known. I know you make me happier than anyone I've ever known."
"Then your life must have sucked worse than mine," Todd snapped.
"It did suck before I met you," Téa confessed.
"Oh yeah. I brought all kinds of joy into your life, didn't I?"
"Todd, you . . ."
"Look, Delgado," Todd cut her off. His voice was cold . . . business like . . . void of emotion, despite the fact that each word he said and each word he planned to say made him feel as if his heart and guts were being ripped out. "I didn't wanna see you so we could have a trip down memory lane. I wanna talk to you because I have to tell you something." Todd paused and took a deep breath. "I appreciate all the time you've spent here with me. I know you pal around with some of those kids, so thanks for that too. You've done all you can for us. Your job here is finished. I don't want you to come here anymore. I don't want you to call or send any notes or letters for them to read to me. Nothing! You write up some divorce papers and have a messenger bring them over and I'll sign them." Todd turned away from Téa and faced the direction he assumed Susannah, Frank and the other were in. "I'm finished here. I'm ready to go."
"You can go. You can go straight to HELL, Todd Manning!" Téa called out.
She expected Todd to tell her not to visit. What she didn't expect was this cold, business like manner. It made her feel like the headway she and Todd had made connecting to each other was lost.
Susannah and the staff could see the shocked look on Todd's face.
Todd faced Téa again. "Don't do this Téa. Just walk away. Make it easy on yourself."
"You mean make it easy on you! Don't you, Todd?"
"Does that surprise you? Doesn't that fit in with the picture you have of my good and kind heart and my courage? That's because if that's the picture you see, you're blinder than I am, Delgado!"
"No, Todd. That picture of you is an accurate one. So is this one. You tell me. You tell me if I'm drawing this wrong. You're pushing me away because you think it will protect me. You're pushing me away because I make you feel things you don't want to feel . . . like love . . . you think your love and your touch is a curse. You think anyone you love or care about is doomed. You hate yourself because of some of the things you've done and you blame yourself for what your father did to you. You want to punish yourself by isolating yourself from everyone who loves you and everyone you love. You think we'll hate you and leave you, so you're pushing us away before we have a chance to. Am I close?"
Todd trembled. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he kept himself together. "There are enough people around here who are getting paid to shrink me. Why don't you just stick to your job and go work on those divorce papers."
Terry warned her that Todd would try to push her away. Téa tried to get a grip on her emotions and speak calmly. "You tell me. You tell me why you want a divorce."
"Come on, Delgado. You're the lawyer. You don't need me to list the grounds for you."
Téa looked to Susannah and Frank to see if she should stop and leave Todd alone. They motioned for her to continue.
"Yes I do! You're the one who wants this divorce. You tell me why! Did I do something to you? Did I hurt you in some way?"
"Yeah, you hurt me by asking too damn many questions," Todd quipped.
"And you know me and you knew I would, so I hope you came prepared with better answers than that! Why do you want a divorce?" Téa repeated.
Todd bit his lower lip. Damn it, Delgado, he thought. Todd ran his fingers through his hair. He took another deep breath through his nose. He had prayed he would not have to do this.
"Why do I want a divorce?" Todd repeated Téa's question. "Because I'm sick of you always being here! I'm sick of hearing your voice. I'm sick of you! All you ever were to me was a paid for wife so I could keep my kid. Well now I don't want my kid with me, so I don't need you anymore." Todd took a step closer to Téa. "You always wanted to screw Andrew. Maybe it's not too late? Or how about Kevin? Or how about anyone but me, because I don't want you! I don't want you here and I don't want you in my life! Am I going to have to pay you another five million just to get rid of you! It'll be worth it! Now get out! Get out and don't come back!"
"No," Téa answered simply. The pain she saw on Todd's face kept the pain of his words from touching her. She knew he was trying to hurt her because he was trying to save her.
"No?" Todd could not believe she said that. "Is this some kind of sick game to you? Are you getting off by being the noble wife who stands by her demented husband?" Todd paused again. "The joke's on you! None of this is real! I thought I could get rid of you without hurting your feelings by pretending to be crazy. Okay! It backfired and I got stuck in this loony bin. I never figured I'd still be stuck with you too. I'm fine! There's nothing wrong with me. Do I seem crazy to you now? Do you see a zillion people running around in my head now! No! This is what I get for trying to spare your feelings. You fell for this crazy act hook, line and sinker. All of you . . . Viki, Sam, Doctor Hanen . . . everyone here fell for it, but none of them fell for it as much as you did!"
"You don't have to do this Todd. You don't have to test me this way. I love you. I will never leave you. I understand why that's so hard for you to believe. People you’ve loved and trusted have lied to you. I walked out on you over and over again. I'm sorry. If I could take back those times, I would. I told you there is nothing you can ever say or do that will push me away again. So stop trying. It's not working."
Susannah and the staff were very relieved that Téa understood. They didn't know how much of this she could take. In her shoes, they didn't know how they would react.
"Don't make me hurt you," Todd warned.
Téa wanted to take Todd into her arms and comfort him so badly that she ached. "I'm not afraid of you, Todd. I don't see a monster when I look at you. I see a man that I love and respect and trust."
"Todd you are such a moron! Do I have to do all your thinking for you? Think! You're good at driving people away. Think of all the things that drove your mother away. Think of all the things she hated for you to do and say. Think of everything that made her leave. You know what will happen to Téa if she doesn't get away from you. You know, Todd. Don't make me have to show you and that pretty little wife of yours," Saber taunted. He saw Todd was getting nowhere. Saber's head was throbbing and he was losing patience.
Again, Todd felt for Téa's foot with his cane. He got as close to her as he could get, without touching her.
Téa saw the staff move in when Todd got too close to her for their comfort. She held her hand up to let them know she was okay with this.
"You don't see a monster? You trust me? Okay, Téa. Since you trust me so much I'll tell you what I really think. I'll tell you what I've thought since the day I bought you. You're a fucking whore, Téa! You're a fucking expensive whore! And a fucking stupid one if you think I could ever love you . . . the janitor's daughter. You and your whole fucking family aren't good enough to shine my shoes."
Susannah and the staff saw tears well up in Téa's eyes. They saw the determination in them as well. They knew Téa meant what she said. She would not let Todd push her away.
Todd had never used language like that to Téa before. Téa remembered what she learned about Todd, unconsciously, never going against his mother's desire that he not use this kind of profanity. Téa realized Todd was doing everything he could think of doing, including saying things that Peter probably said to Barbara, that would make her leave, the way his mother did.
"You don't have to drive me away to protect me or to punish yourself, Todd. You don't have to let what your dad did to you make you afraid to keep me in your life." Téa's voice softened. "You won't horrify me by letting me see the monster you think is deep inside you. I've seen what's deep inside of you and it doesn't make me stop loving you. If anything it makes me love you more. I've seen all the good parts too, Todd. I've seen how much you want those parts to come out. I don't just love you when the good parts show. My love won't vanish if you do something you or anyone else thinks is bad. No matter what you do or want, I'm in this with you. Haven't I always shown you that and proven that to you? Haven't I always tried to help you get to the good parts and help you accept the parts you think are bad, and not hate yourself for them? I believe in you. I believe that you can be whatever you want to be. Don't be afraid. You won't hurt me, Todd. You won't hurt me by loving me or touching me."
Todd knew what Téa said was true. The only time he didn't see a monster and a pile of garbage in the mirror was when he saw his reflection through Téa's eyes. At times he was even able to find the innocent and good little boy he once was reflecting in those eyes. He wanted nothing more than to be in Téa's arms at that moment. He wanted to rest his head on her shoulder and feel the soft skin of her neck against his cheek. Todd wanted to breathe in the comforting scent of Téa's own chemistry mixed with the perfume she wore that made being next to her unique. It was a scent that made Todd feel encapsulated in safety and warmth, as long as he stayed in those arms. Being in Téa's arms had always made Todd feel like, just maybe, he was worth loving. It made him feel like anything was possible, even happiness. Todd pushed his feelings and needs away as firmly as he would push away anyone or anything that was trying to hurt Téa. Todd's jaw clenched tightly. He knew he had to protect her.
"How do you want me to touch you, Téa?" Todd whispered in her face. "Do you want me to rip your clothes off and rub my cock all over you and then stick it in your mouth? Do you want me to piss on you? I'm good at that. I'm really good at that." A tear trickled down Todd's cheek. His breathing was becoming erratic.
"I'm sorry your father made you do those things to your mom. Oh Todd, I'm so sorry that he hurt you and your mom so badly. Querido, please. You don't have to keep punishing yourself for what he did to you and your mother."
"WHAT DO I HAVE TO SAY TO GET THROUGH TO YOU! IT'S NOT MY FATHER! IT'S YOU! I WANNA GET AWAY FROM YOU! NONE OF THAT SHIT ABOUT MY FATHER IS TRUE. IT'S ALL A LIE! I WANTED TO GET AWAY WITH TAKING EVERYONE HOSTAGE AND I THOUGHT I COULD GET RID OF YOU AT THE SAME TIME SO I PRETENDED TO BE CRAZY! IT'S ALL ONE BIG FUCKING LIE! MY FATHER NEVER DID ANY OF THAT TO ME. IF ANYTHING, HE SPOILED ME ROTTEN. SO DID MY MOTHER. SHE WANTED TO TAKE ME WITH HER BUT I WANTED TO STAY WITH MY DAD! I WANTED TO STAY WITH HIM! MY MOTHER WAS A WHORE, LIKE YOU! I KNEW I'D HAVE IT EASY WITH MY DAD. HE WAS GOOD TO ME. HE WAS! HE LET ME DO WHATEVER I WANTED. MY MOM BEGGED ME TO GO WITH HER, BUT I DIDN'T WANT A WHORE IN MY LIFE THEN AND I DON'T WANT ONE NOW! MY MOM BEGGED LIKE YOU DID! SHE BEGGED FOR LOVE LIKE A DOG! SHE BEGGED ME TO STAY WITH HER WHEN I VISITED HER IN THE CABIN. SHE LOVED ME MORE THAN MY FUCKING STEPFATHER, BUT I WANTED TO GO BACK TO MY DAD. IT'S ALL ONE BIG FUCKING LIE. MY DAD NEVER HURT ME. MY MOM LOVED ME! SHE WANTED TO KEEP ME. SHE LOVED ME! SHE LOVED ME! SHE LO . . ."
"Todd" plopped down on the floor in a cross-legged position. He buried his face in his hand and sobbed.
Téa was shocked by Todd's sudden change. She knelt down next to him. "Todd. Querido. Your mom did love you. She loved you very much."
"Mama didn't want us," Braver managed to get out, between sobs.
"We didn't lie. Mama did send us away," Scared cried.
Téa heard two different childs' voices. She didn't recognize either. She had never met Scared and Braver.
"I know he did. I'm sorry. Todd became frightened and he was trying to get me to leave," Téa comforted.
"Todd" lifted his head and looked up at Téa. The crying stopped. "They're telling the truth ma'am. Scared and Braver never lie. Neither do Sarah and me."
Téa became a little anxious when she realized four alters were out at the same time and that these were the young twin girls she heard about. "Are you Lisa?" Téa asked.
"Yes, ma'am. I am. This is my sister." Lisa pointed to her left.
"Hi! I'm Sarah," the little girl said brightly. "You're pretty! Todd thinks you're real pretty and he loves you. Some day someone's going to think I'm real pretty and fall in love with me."
Téa smiled. "You are already very beautiful. And there are a lot of people who love you right now. They love all of you."
"Nobody loves us. Nobody wants to be our daddy or mama," Scared said. He started to cry again.
Susannah approached them. She knelt down next to Téa. She rubbed Téa's arm and whispered, "You were great with Todd." Susannah turned to the children. She slipped the elastic band from Todd's cane off of Scared's wrist and put it aside. "Hi. Do all of you remember me?"
Each of four different voices said "Yes."
"Do all of you remember Viki and Sam?" Susannah asked.
Again they all answered yes.
"Viki and Sam love all of you very, very much. They want to be like a mama and a daddy to all of you. They are here in the hospital. Would you like to see them?"
"Do you think Viki will let me try on her bracelet if she's wearing it?" Sarah asked.
"Sarah! It's not nice to ask," Lisa admonished her twin.
"Lisa," Susannah began. "I know your mama taught you that, and she's right. Sometimes it's impolite to ask. Here we have different rules and it's okay for any of you to ask for anything at all that you want. If we can get it for you or do it for you, we will, as long as it isn't something that could hurt you."
Lisa looked into Susannah's eyes. "We don't want to get sent away, ma'am."
"We're afraid we'll get sent back to the man," Sarah added.
"Sarah, shhhh!" Lisa put her finger up to her lips.
Susannah, the staff in the room, and Téa all remembered what happened to Lisa and Sarah when Peter brought them home, after Todd had run off to his mother's summerhouse when he was ten.
Tears came to Téa's eyes when she thought of what Susannah, Viki and Sam had told her about the unspeakable tortures those young girls had gone through. She remembered how horrified she was to learn that Peter had dragged the girls to the basement and tied them up. He kept them there for a week while he beat, burned, stomped on, starved and sodomized them, as he tried to get them to tell him where their mother was. Sadly, the girls had no idea because they had come out for the first time when Todd was already on the plane, heading back to Chicago. Peter only stopped his torture when he realized that Todd was dying at his hand. Peter did not want to lose the income that Todd brought in.
"I promise all of you that you will never, ever be sent back to Todd's father. You are safe now. The man can never come here. No one will hurt you. And Téa is right. There are a lot of people here who love all of you very much," Susannah stated firmly.
"Do you think Mama is ever coming back for us?" Braver asked.
"Mama loves her new husband. She loves him more than us and she wants to stay with him now," Scared told his brother and then started to cry again.
"Lisa patted Scared on the head. "Mama Carol loves you a lot. So does Papa."
"We know," Braver admitted. "But our real mama don't love us." He and Scared broke into sobs again.
"I'm glad we don't know who are real mama and daddy are," Sarah announced. "This way if they don't love us, we don't know it. Right, Lisa?"
"It only matters that Mama and Papa love us, Sarah. We don't need a real mama and papa," Lisa told her sister.
"Me and Braver try to be good boys. Why don't Mama love us? Why don't Mama's new husband want to be our daddy?" Scared wept.
Susannah sat down on the floor, next to them. Not knowing what else to do, so did Téa.
"Boys are you both sitting down?" Susannah asked.
The boys nodded.
"Girls, I'd like you both to sit here too, so we can all talk."
"Yes, ma'am," Lisa answered for both of them.
