Now that Todd set Téa up with the man he hoped would save her, Frank saw no relief in Todd’s eyes. He saw anger and jealousy. Every now and then Todd’s eyes would burn with those feelings. With his back to Téa and Andrew, Frank did not see Téa take Andrew’s hand on a couple of occasions or hug him. Frank didn’t want this to escalate into a situation. “Okay Todd, it’s time to stop this. You still need to clean up and change your clothes. You can either say goodbye to Andrew or go on to start your ADLs and I’ll tell Andrew you said goodbye.”
Todd didn’t care if Andrew left. He’d seen enough. “I’ll go say goodbye myself.”
“Okay, buddy. I’ll walk you over there.” Frank wanted to be within arm’s length of Todd.
*****
Andrew was telling Téa about a playdate Starr had with River when Todd walked back to where they sat.
“I’m baaaaaaack,” Todd said in a singsong voice. He forced a broad smile. “Andrew, did you raise Téa’s spirit or were you the only one to get a rise out of this little get together?”
“Is there anything else you’d like to talk about before I go?” Andrew asked calmly, despite his own feeling of discomfort.
Todd turned to Téa. “Are you going back to Andrew’s with him?”
“No.” There was an angry edge to Téa’s voice. “Did you really think I would be?”
“I thought you’d be smart enough to do what’s best for you,” Todd’s voice matched Téa’s in anger.
“I am.” Téa’s tone became softer. “That’s why I’m staying right here.”
Todd’s eyes blazed with anger. “I don’t need your charity or pity.” Todd’s angry glare shifted to Andrew. “Does she score extra points in heaven for helping the insane? Or does she win first prize, time alone with you, and your righteous staff?”
“Andrew.” Téa kept her eyes on Todd as she spoke. “You need to leave now.”
Andrew stood up. “Yes, I think I do.”
“You don’t have to go anywhere,” Todd barked. “They want me to go get cleaned up. You see, it takes me a while because I’m not as fast as I used to be. I guess I’m in only one here who can say that.”
“Andrew,” Téa pointed to the doors. “I have some things I need to say to Todd and I don’t think he would want me saying them in front of you.”
Andrew faced Todd. “You have a chance to get well and have everything you’ve always dreamed of. Allow yourself to take it Todd. Don’t throw it away because you believe something that isn’t true. You deserve the love Téa and everyone here has for you. Let yourself feel it. You’re Téa’s choice. You are now and you always were. There’s nothing either of us can ever do to change that.”
Todd’s eyes were filled with fear and desperation as he looked into Andrew’s eyes. His lower lip quivered. “Thanks for coming. You tell Viki I said to give you a big check for the donation plate.”
Andrew smiled. “When you’re discharged, you can come to mass and put it in the plate yourself. It can wait till then.” With that, Andrew left the unit.
Todd faced Téa. “Frank,” Todd called out, without taking his eyes from Téa. “I’m ready to do my ADLs now.”
“They can wait!” Téa was obviously still angry.
“Hey you know they keep a tight schedule around here. I wouldn’t to screw up everyone’s day.”
“Frank, would it be all right if I spoke to Todd before he takes his shower?” Téa asked.
“Sure it would. I’ll be right over here,” Frank pointed to a seat a few chair lengths away from where Téa stood with Todd.
Todd glared at Frank furiously. “You work for me! You do what I need you to do.”
“I work for the hospital and I do what’s best for you,” Frank responded gently.
“Whatever,” Todd mumbled. He turned to Téa with a sheepish look on his face. “You’re mad.”
Téa took a deep calming breath. “That was a lousy thing to do to me and to Andrew.”
“He didn’t seem to mind being there too much, at least once you showed up.”
“He came here because you asked him to. He had no idea I’d even be here.”
“Once you were, it was like old times, wasn’t it!”
“What was . . . Andrew and I having a conversation?”
“You couldn’t wait to get me out of the room so you could be alone with him?”
Téa looked up to the heavens in frustration. “Ay dios mio. You purposely left the room so that I’d be alone with Andrew.”
“You two didn’t waste any time getting all touchy and feely with each other.”
“What!” Téa didn’t know what he was taking about.
“I’m not blind anymore. I saw you. You and the good Reverend Grab a Feel While You Can couldn’t keep your hands off of each other.”
“What are you talking about?” Téa didn’t even realize that she had taken Andrew’s hand or remember hugging him. Neither gesture meant anything to her.
“I saw you holding hands with him. I saw the two of you holding each other. Maybe his hand wasn’t the only thing you were holding.”
Téa felt Todd pushing buttons he hadn’t pushed in a long time. It went just so far this time. Téa knew too much and understood too much to give Todd the reaction he was aiming for. “Stop it,” she said softly.
“Stop what?” Todd asked angrily.
“Stop trying to get me so angry with you that I’ll walk out on you. It’s not going to work. You might make me angry. You’ll never push me away . . . not anymore . . . not ever again.”
Todd took his eyes from Téa’s. He looked down at the floor. “You liked having Andrew here. You like talking to him. Why don’t you just admit it?” The anger was gone from Todd’s voice. Desperation replaced it.
“Andrew will always be my friend and I will be his. Yes, I like to talk to him. I especially liked talking to him today because of what he had to say.”
Todd’s eyes met Téa’s again. “What did he have to say that was so special?” he asked anxiously.
“That he recognizes love when he sees it. He recognizes it when two people are meant to be together for the rest of their lives. He understood about choices. He understood that you have always been and will always be my first choice and my only choice, no matter who else is around.”
Tears stung Todd’s eyes. He turned his back to Téa. However, he didn’t move away.
Téa tenderly placed her hand on Todd’s shoulder. “Did you really think I’d leave you for Andrew if I had the choice?”
“You should. You’ll be safe with him.”
“I’m safe with you. When are you going to believe that?”
“I don’t believe it because it’s not true. I hurt everyone I care about and love. When are you gonna believe that!”
“Never. Why should I believe something that’s not true either? I know you’re afraid of what you’ll do to me because of things you’ve done in the past. When you were a child, you weren’t given a choice Todd. You were forced to do things that you never would have done otherwise. You had no choice,” Téa said firmly. “As a young adult you made some bad choices and some people were hurt. You made those choices because things from your childhood twisted your mind and made you want to do things that you hated yourself for doing. The part of you that made those the choices that hurt people has changed and will continue to change even more. You’re getting help to make it change all the way.”
Without turning around, Todd reached up and grasped Téa’s hand. He held it tightly. “What if you’re wrong?”
“When was the last time you wanted to cause someone pain? I don’t just mean not caring if you manipulate someone a little to get what you want or feel you want to embarrass someone out of revenge or jealousy. I mean when is the last time you wanted to physically hurt someone or to see someone truly suffer?”
“Patrick,” Todd whispered. “I wanted him to go to jail.”
Téa rested her free hand on Todd’s other shoulder. She leaned in until the sides of their faces were almost touching. Todd still didn’t pull away. “Okay, Patrick . . . even Patrick . . . did you want him to die or be hurt physically?”
Warm tears trickled down Todd’s cheeks. He shook his head. “I never meant for that to happen to him. I never meant for Marty to lose him and for their baby to grow up without a dad. Don’t you see, Delgado? Even when I don’t do the hurting, people around me get hurt anyway. I’ve been trying to tell you that ever since we went to that inn.”
“I know you have,” Téa confirmed. Her tone was soft and gentle. “I knew you wouldn’t hurt me then and I haven’t changed my mind. Do you know why?”
Todd shook his head again. His grasp on Téa’s hand tightened.
“Because I saw how frightened you were over what happened to Patrick. You weren’t frightened of the terrorists. You were frightened of yourself . . . of the part of you that hated so much that you set something in motion you couldn’t control, and Patrick got hurt in a way you never wanted him to be hurt. You were also trying to protect Marty from someone you thought would end up hurting her and instead you hurt her. That was a turning point for you Todd. I saw your face the day Patrick died on our floor. I knew then that you would never go after someone like that again and I was right, you haven’t.”
Todd thought about what Téa said. “I tried to go after Andrew when I thought . . . when . . .”
“When you thought I chose him?” Téa helped him say what he couldn’t.
“Yeah,” Todd said in a voice barely above a whisper. “And I tried to go after Bo in my newspaper.”
Téa smiled. “Yes, but it was not in the same way you went after Patrick. I think you felt the difference.”
Todd nodded. “Yeah.”
“You never again hurt or caused someone to get hurt after you saw what your rage and jealousy set in motion. You were able to break that pattern on your own, just the way you were able to break the cycle of abuse on your own and be such a good father to Starr. You’re the strongest person I know Todd. You did those things without help. Now you have help. You don’t have to struggle alone to fight the demons inside you. They won’t win Todd. They are overpowered and outnumbered. You don’t ever have to be afraid of loving someone and letting someone love you. We are safe. We will stay safe. The only thing that will ever hurt those of us that love you is losing you.”
Téa felt Todd’s body tremble. He turned around and rested his head on her shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and held onto her for dear life.
Téa stroked Todd’s head. “Mi amor, I promise you it will be all right. If you can’t trust yourself to keep from doing things you don’t want to do, trust in my belief in you until you can trust yourself.”
“I’m really your choice?”
“You always were,” Téa whispered in his ear.
“You really won’t be sorry that I’m your choice?”
Téa smiled. “I haven’t been yet, not with everything we’ve been through. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for bringing you into my life. I know that as long as we’re together, I’ll always have something to be thankful for.”
Todd lifted his head from Téa’s shoulder. His eyes met hers. “I love you, Téa. I love you so much it hurts.”
Téa reached up and caressed Todd’s cheek. “It’s a good kind of hurt. I know because it’s the same way my love for you makes me feel.”
Todd pulled Téa to him and held her tightly.
“I love you Todd . . . only you . . . forever . . . only you.”
“La mia Téa bella.”
Téa knew that voice. She pulled back enough to look into his eyes. They were warm and filled with love, without a trace of fear mixed in with the love. Téa smiled. “Rodd.”
“Guardo I vostri occhi, gli angeli cantano le canzoni dolci.”
Téa’s smile broadened. She understood enough to know that Rodd told her that the angels sing sweet songs when they look into her eyes. “I’m always very happy to see you Rodd. It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Better, now that I’m with my Téa.”
Frank stood up. “Hello Rodd.”
Rodd put his arm around Frank’s shoulder. “Frank, it is always good to see you. You are so kind to me. When I am free, I take you and your wife out to dinner, yes? I know some very fine restaurants in Philadelphia. I make a show of the town for you.”
Frank patted Rodd’s back. “That’s sounds great. Rodd, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”
“Not at all. I will be of help in any way I can.”
“Is Todd able to hear what’s going on or is he with Goodone?”
Rodd’s eyes moved as if were looking for someone. He also appeared to be listening very hard. “I don’t know if Todd is with Goodone. I do know that he is not seeing or hearing us.”
“Could you tell what Todd was feeling right before he went inside?”
Rodd smiled. His eyes shifted to Téa. “He was feeling very much what I am feeling right now.”
Téa blushed.
“Téa, I’m sorry,” Frank apologized. “I’ll talk to Rodd in the dayroom.”
“No. It’s all right. I want to hear what Rodd has to say,” Téa assured him.
Frank wanted to ask his questions while everything was fresh in Rodd’s mind. “Rodd, are you saying that Todd wanted to be sexual with Téa?”
Rodd’s eyes stayed on Téa. They burned with passion. “Todd’s mind was already making love to Téa, now his body wanted to as well. He could not handle that.” Rodd stroked Téa’s cheek with the back of his fingers. He lifted her right hand and brought it up to his lips. He kissed it gently. “Those feelings do not scare me. I am not afraid of what my body will do. I know that I would never hurt my Téa.”
Téa felt herself respond to Rodd. Guilt washed over her. The way she felt around Rodd always made her feel like she was cheating on Todd.
Susannah walked down the hall from her office. Terry let her know Rodd came out. Frank would fill her in on what happened with Andrew later.
Susannah smiled warmly. “Hello Rodd.”
“Doctor Hanen.” Rodd returned Susannah’s warm smile. He held his hand out.
Susannah took it.
Rodd placed his other hand on top of hers and shook it. “It’s always a pleasure. You have been doing wonders with young Tom. He is not as upset as he used to be. He has his little Randy back. This makes him very, very happy much of the time. He is also happy because Téa loves him. He believes she will marry him when he grows up. I don’t think there is harm in allowing the child to believe this. He’s happy because his Coach and Viki love him. He is also very happy that Kevin is his friend. He doesn’t cry as much anymore. He becomes frightened sometimes. Still, he is doing better. It makes things easier for Miss Perkins. She is getting on in years and she has her hands full with our little Timmy.”
“Can you tell me what’s going on with Timmy?” Susannah asked.
“He acts very much like a child younger than his four years. He doesn’t listen to Miss Perkins the way he used to. He gets angry and he has the tantrums. He cries for his friend Andy. Pete gets angry because Timmy cries so much. Although Pete will never admit it, he wants love and attention from Miss Perkins too. Pete stays in his room most of the time. Tom tries to play with Timmy. Timmy gets easily frustrated and ends up more upset. Timmy does like to cuddle with Randy. Tom, as always, is generous. He shares. Timmy does get some peace when Miss Perkins holds him and rocks him. As I said, she is getting on in years. It is not easy for her. She loves all of us very much and will do whatever it takes to help us. I try to help. I play with the children. I hold them. I tell them stories. I tell them that I will take them to visit my family when I can go home. I tell them there is more than enough love to go around in my family. It is not enough I suppose. They need more.”
Téa, Susannah and Frank were upset to hear that Timmy was still suffering so and that everyone else in that compartment of Todd’s system was suffering as well because of it. They were happy to know that Tom was doing better.
“Is Miss Perkins ill?” Susannah inquired.
“I pray not,” Rodd answered. “I believe it’s just more aches and pains than before. She seems very tired.”
Susannah thought for a few moments. “Rodd, I would have to discuss this with Todd, Viki and Sam and first and get their consent. If they agree, do you think it would be helpful to you or to Miss Perkins, or even to Pete, to attend group sessions with other people who live inside someone else?” Susannah remembered that some of them were offended by the term alter or by being referred to as other parts of Todd. “The other members of the group would have jobs similar to those each of you has. Miss Perkins could attend a caretakers’ group. Pete could attend a group with people that are very angry over what was done to them or what they’ve seen done. You could attend a group of people whose job it is to help the person they live inside of deal with . . .”
“Romantic matters,” Rodd said with a smile, finishing Susannah’s sentence for her.”
Susannah smiled back. “Yes. The groups are small, perhaps five people in each group at the beginning. Many in the groups are already outpatients. They can tell you or some of the others that live with Todd how they cope with life outside a hospital setting. The members of each group have their job in the system in common. They discuss how this job makes them feel . . . problems they might have because of it . . . things like that. Everyone hears how the others cope or some might make suggestions to help others in the group cope. Group members can talk about anything they need to and discuss any issues they have.”
“Of course I cannot presume to answer for Miss Perkins or Pete,” Rodd began. “As for me, I would very much like to attend such a group. I enjoy socializing. I like to be of help when and where I can be. I cope quite well; perhaps I can help others to do so.”
“Great,” Susannah said enthusiastically. “I will talk to Viki, Sam and Todd as soon as possible. If it is all right with them, I will ask for each of you to come out when that particular group is in session. If you can’t come out on your own, I will try to help whoever is out to relax. It will make it easier for you to come out.”
Rodd looked into Téa’s eyes again. “Perhaps there is a group for those in love with people that are in the same situation as we are. I think my Téa has feelings that confuse her.”
Téa’s mouth hung open. She realized Rodd could read her down to her very soul. He knew she was feeling confused and guilty over her feelings for him.
“Actually, Téa,” Susannah informed. “There are groups for the significant other of someone with DID. Rodd’s suggestion that you attend one of these groups might be very helpful to you. It is normal to be confused by what you feel for Todd and each of the people that live inside him. There are other women and men that share this confusion. I won’t push you. If you feel you’d like to attend one of these groups, let me now and I’ll make arrangements.”
Téa was still overwhelmed by Rodd being able to read her the way he did. “I . . . uh . . .”
Rodd placed his finger on Téa’s lips. “Shhh, I’m sure Doctor Hanen does not expect you to decide at this very moment.”
“Of course I don’t,” Susannah assured Téa. “You take all the time you need to think about it. These groups are ongoing and there are several for each special need DID patients, those that live inside them, and those that are close to them have. You can join one at any time.”
“Thank you. I’ll think about it,” Téa managed to get out.
“So,” Rodd broke the tension. “I see there is sun out. Is it morning or afternoon?”
“It’s morning,” Téa volunteered.
“I am famished. I wanted to know if it was for breakfast or lunch,” Rodd announced with a smile on his face. “Téa, have you eaten breakfast?”
Téa shook her head.
“Good.” Rodd took Téa’s hand. “My appetites always increase when I’m around you. Would you care to have breakfast with me?”
Téa stared into Rodd’s eyes. She was mesmerized by them. “Yes. I would love to have breakfast with you.”
Susannah whispered to Frank, “His ADLs can wait. Let him have some time with Téa.”
“I would like so much to cook for you,” Rodd said wistfully. “I would make you a feast.”
Susannah smiled. She knew this was one wish she could make come true for Rodd. “That can be arranged, if you don’t mind working in a small kitchen?”
Rodd turned to her. His eyes danced with happiness. “I can truly prepare a meal for my Téa?”
“You sure can. Two of the techs would have to be with you, right outside, but you can be in full charge of the kitchen. If what you need is not here, we can order it from the hospital kitchen or someone will go to a nearby grocery for it. The pantry has a two burner stove, a microwave and a regular oven. There are different kinds of bowls and utensils and some pots and pans. I believe there’s a blender or some kind of mixing device.”
Rodd laughed. “You do not cook, do you Doctor Hanen?”
Susannah laughed too. “No, Rodd, I do not cook, not at all.”
Rodd faced Téa. He now took both her hands in his. “You would like this, yes?”
Téa saw the excitement in Rodd’s eyes. “Oh, yes. I would like this very much.”
“My Téa likes Eggs Benedict.”
“How did you know?” Téa asked in surprise. “I would hear and see you order that when you and Todd went out to breakfast. There were times I was able to watch. Sometimes you would order Eggs Benedict and sometimes French toast with powdered sugar on it.”
Téa smiled and nodded. “Yes, those are my two favorite breakfasts.”
“Then that is what my Téa shall have. Frank, I can give you a list of ingredients I will be needing, yes?”
“You bet buddy. Let’s go to the nurses station and make that list.”
When Rodd added alcoholic products to the list, he prefaced it by assuring Frank, “I know Todd’s body is on medication and there is to be no alcohol consumed. It is for my Téa’s food and glass.”
Frank patted Rodd on the back. “You got it.”
“Excellent. Thank you Frank. Please bring back enough ingredients so I can make a feast for everyone. You like to eat, yes?”
Frank patted his stomach and laughed. “Yes, very much, as you can see.”
Rodd smiled. “Terry, if Sam and Viki have not eaten, please tell them there will be enough for them and for Kevin too if he’s here.”
“Will you be able to do all of that in such a small kitchen?” Terry asked.
“When Todd was in college, I prepared the most wonderful meal for a girl he went out with. I did it on a hotplate. Unfortunately Todd came back near the end of it. He was frightened and confused as always when he came back in the middle of something he knew nothing about. He said some unpleasant things to her. He wanted her to leave and she did.”
*****
Rodd and Téa waited in the dayroom while Frank shopped. Rodd asked Angelo to turn on the radio. Rodd found the station he was looking for. The sounds of opera filled the room. As Rodd translated for Téa, tears would fill his eyes. It was obvious he was deeply moved by the music.
Viki came back to the unit. She had been gone for nearly two hours. Instead of going to the hospital cafeteria, Viki took a long walk. The cool spring air felt good. She tried to clear her mind of her worries and breathe it in. It worked for a few minutes at a time before thoughts of Todd, Sam and her own demons would intrude and peace was nowhere to be found.
Viki was stunned to hear that Todd had called Andrew. She was equally as stunned to discover why. She was pleasantly surprised to hear that Rodd had come out. Viki went to the dayroom to say hello to him. She knew he wanted to be as alone as he could be with Téa. She declined his offer of a home cooked breakfast.
Rodd knew Viki understood. He hugged her warmly. “There is much love in all our hearts for you,” Rodd said softly.
Tears formed in Viki’s eyes as she hugged him back. She excused herself. Viki went to the lounge to check on Sam. No one had seen him. She hoped it was because he was still asleep and not because he left without anyone noticing.
*****
When Frank returned with everything Rodd needed, Rodd took Téa by the hand and led her to the pantry. He sat her down at the small table in the room. “You will inspire the food to be even more delicious,” Rodd said softly.
Frank and Angelo stood outside the cramped pantry/kitchen area. Soon everyone on the staff, including Susannah, peeked in to catch a glimpse of Rodd’s culinary skills. He seemed to be a master. The tight space and less than ideal cooking area didn’t faze him. He hummed to himself as he worked. Soon wonderful aromas filled the air. Rodd looked very happy and in his element. Téa was shocked when Rodd pulled out the bottle of Brut Rose Champagne that he had stashed in the freezer to chill it quickly.
To Rodd’s delight, Frank picked up some plastic champagne glasses. Rodd popped the cork and poured some into Téa’s glass. He opened and poured some sparkling cider into his own.
Rodd held his glass up.
Téa did the same with hers.
“Al soltanto donna dei miei sogni. To the only woman of my dreams.” Rodd toasted.
Téa gazed into Rodd’s eyes. She felt like a schoolgirl out on her first date.
“My dreams of my Téa are the sweetest dreams of all. Do you ever dream about me?” Rodd asked hopefully.
Téa looked up at him shyly. “I have dreamed about you Rodd,” she confessed.”
Rodd smiled knowingly. “I hope they were as wonderful as mine about you were.”
Rodd saw Téa blush again. He got his answer. He stood up. “Time for me to make the hollandaise sauce.”
“Ummm. Oh my god!” Téa exclaimed when she tasted the first bite of the egg dish Rodd served her. She was not exaggerating for Rodd’s benefit. This was one of the most amazing dishes Téa had ever tasted. The delicate flavors came together in her mouth. There was a unique taste to it that Téa had never known one of her favorite dishes to have.
“It is to your liking, yes?” Rodd asked with a grin on his face.
“It is to my liking most definitely yes,” Téa responded and took another forkful. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”
“My parents enjoy cooking. I’m sure I have told you that.”
Téa wanted to kick herself. She remembered Rodd telling her that. It was apparent Rodd’s belief in his warm, loving family was as intact as ever. “Yes, Rodd, you did. I’m sorry. All my brain can think about is the incredible taste of these Eggs Benedict.”
“You keep room inside for French toast. That is coming next,” Rodd announced joyously. “I will make more eggs now, for everyone.”
Téa was not the only one who thought she died and went to heaven after one taste of Rodd’s cooking. Susannah and the staff exchanged smiles and looks of amazement at the never-ending talents of their young patient.
After everyone had been served the egg dish, Rodd started on the French toast. When he finished, he placed two slices of it on a plate for Téa and two slices on his own plate. He placed a paper doily on top of each slice and sprinkled powdered sugar over the doilies. It left a lace pattern of sugar over each slice. Rodd left many portions of it in the oven to keep warm. He told the staff to help themselves.
Despite some moans over how many calories they were consuming and their growing waistlines, no one could resist Rodd’s cooking.
Rodd placed one of the plates in his hand in front of Téa. He sat down next to her and placed the other plate in front of his seat.
“This is so lovely,” Téa commented as she looked at the pattern of sugar.
“There is nothing in this world more lovely than you,” Rodd said softly.
From almost any other man this would sound like “a line.” When Téa looked into Rodd’s eyes and saw the sincerity and love in them, she knew he meant every word. Rodd made Téa feel like the most special woman on the planet.
As with the eggs, this was the most delicious version of this dish Téa had ever tasted. “Rodd, you could be a professional chef,” Téa stated honestly.
Rodd smiled. He ran his hand up Téa’s arm. His fingers stroked her neck. “I love to cook, but most of the time I prefer to put my energy into other talents.”
Téa felt a tingling sensation rush through her body. She could hardly catch her breath.
Rodd’s smiled knowingly. He held the champagne glass up to Téa’s lips. “I think my Téa needs a cool drink, yes?”
“Yes,” Téa whispered. She could barely get the words out.
“I’m afraid I make things too hot in here for my Téa,” Rodd said softly.
“Rodd . . . I . . .”
“With the stove and oven going in here, of course. It makes it hot.” Rodd gracefully let Téa off the hook.
Téa’s eyes welled with tears. “Rodd, I always have such a good time with you. It wasn’t just this extraordinary breakfast you cooked. I love to spend time with you.”
Rodd stared deeply into Téa’s eyes. His own eyes filled with sadness. “There is another falling shoe coming, yes?”
Téa looked puzzled for a moment. Then she smiled sadly. “You’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Rodd nodded. “Si.”
“Rodd . . . I do love you. I love every . . . you are very special to me. You . . .” Téa couldn’t find the words.
“It is Todd that you want this kind of love from. I know you have special feelings for me, but it is Todd who owns your heart.” Rodd stroked Téa’s hair. “I want you to be happy and have what you desire. I will do all I can to help Todd someday give you the kind of love I want to give you now.”
Tears streamed down Téa’s cheeks.
Rodd picked up a napkin and gently wiped them away. “So much sadness. It is all right. If you are happy I will be happy. Today you made me very happy. To cook for you has been a dream of mine. It is selfish of me to take up all the time. I cannot find Todd for you, but I am sure Timmy or Tom or both of them want to spend some time with you.” Rodd kissed Téa tenderly on the forehead. He allowed his lips to linger for an extra moment. He pulled away slowly. He stroked Téa’s cheek and cupped it in his hands. Love emanated from his eyes. “Arrivederci per ora la mia Téa bella. Avrete sempre mio amore.” Rodd smiled again. This time there were tears in his eye. “Goodbye for now my beautiful Téa. You will always have my love.” Rodd seemed to be taking one last look at Téa before he slowly closed his eyes.
