Sam watched. He saw how much Timmy loved Téa. He knew how much all of them, especially Todd, loved Téa. That made all of them vulnerable to her, vulnerable and in no condition to protect themselves. Sam turned to Frank. “Can you please help Téa rest Timmy on the bed? I need to speak with her, outside.”

“Sure, Sam,” Frank immediately agreed. He carefully and tenderly took Timmy from Téa’s arms and situated him in a comfortable position. He pulled the sheet and blanket up over him.

“Let’s go,” Sam said to Téa. It sounded more like an order than a request.

Téa was surprised by Sam’s tone. He’d been sitting there like a zombie for most of the time.

*****

Sam walked to the lounge near Timmy’s room. Téa followed.

“He seems to be okay now. He took the news about Kevin and Viki leaving better than I thought he would,” Téa said once she and Sam were seated.

“Didn’t he suffer enough to please you?” Sam snapped.

“Wha . . . Sam, what the hell do you mean by that?” Téa couldn’t believe Sam said that.

“I don’t want you around Timmy or Todd or any of them anymore.”

Téa’s blood ran cold. “Sam, you can’t mean that?”

“The hell I can’t. I let them call you today because of the circumstances. From what I understand, Todd doesn’t want you here and neither do I.”

“I’m Todd’s wife. I have every right to see him and the alters,” Téa said angrily. She immediately calmed herself and tried reason. “You know it will crush Timmy if I’m not here when he wakes up. He will be sure he was lied to and Viki and Kevin will never come back.”

“Let me worry about my kid.”

“Sam, tell me why you don’t want me here,” Téa continued to force herself to keep calm.

Sam laughed a sick sounding laugh. “You and Kevin think you have everyone fooled don’t you? You have Viki fooled, that’s for sure . . . the staff here too . . . then again they probably know all about it . . . might have even been their idea. You’re good. I’ll give you both that.”

Sam frightened Téa. He sounded very ill. “Blair did this, didn’t she?” Téa asked with more anger in her voice now than fear. “She said or did something to get you to believe that garbage she is spewing.”

“I have eyes Téa! I’m not crazy! I don’t need someone else to do my thinking for me.”

“You have eyes? What the hell is it that you think you saw?”

“You and Kevin are quite the team with Timmy, just like you were with Adam. It’s almost like you know what the other is thinking.”

“We both love Timmy and Adam and want the same things for them,” Téa responded. “Sam, I think it would be better for everyone if you just told me what you’re thinking.”

Sam remembered Blair’s warning. If he let on that he knew what they were all up to, they might take it out on Todd. “What I’m thinking is that I have an obligation to honor Todd’s wishes. He does not want you here. You studied the same laws that I did Téa. You know that I have a right to say who visits Todd and who doesn’t. I want you to wait here while I go inside and get your bag and then I want you to leave.”

“Sam, don’t do this,” Téa begged. “Timmy will think I walked out of his life forever.”

“I’ll take care of my child! Do you think I’m incapable of doing that because I let Peter Manning torture Todd and those children right under my own nose? I know I screwed up! I know Todd wouldn’t be this sick if I had helped him. Why don’t you say it! You don’t think I can ever make it up to him or be a good father to him any more than I was a good father to my own children. You don’t think I can be a good husband to Viki any more than I was to Lindsay. I see you and Viki having all those private little chats. You think I don’t know what’s going on? You think I don’t know that you’re telling her that I’m not fit to take care of her and Todd. You think I don’t know all of you are trying to poison Todd and Viki against me . . . except Susannah . . . she made things right between Pete and me . . . NO! It was an act. It was all an act.”

Sam began to pace as he rattled on. “I’m not crazy Téa! I’m not stupid either. My judgment may have been totally off when Todd was growing up, but now I know what’s going on. I’m going to make it up to Todd. I’m going to prove to Viki that I’m not the incompetent lunatic you, Kevin, Susannah and everyone tells her that I am. I’m not losing my mind. I’m just getting it back and I can see everything clearly now. The agony all of you put that child through today will never happen again. Susannah knew exactly what she was doing when she gave Todd that medication. Oh, I’m sure she didn’t intend for Timmy to be out when that poison she pumped into Todd did the trick. No, it was Todd you all wanted to see suffer that way.”

Sam ran his fingers through his hair several times as he continued to pace. “Viki will see. She won’t be sorry that she trusted me. I won’t be a disappointment to her like I was to Lindsay. Todd can trust me. I saw the bruises and I let him go back. I won’t this time. My own kids don’t care if they ever see me. Todd cares. He wants to go home with me. He lets me know and I don’t hear. I don’t want to hear. I hear now. Viki will see. I won’t let anyone hurt our kid. Todd will trust me again. I stopped Garret. You all think I should be sorry. I’m not! Don’t think I’m not on to all of you.”

Sam was babbling almost incoherently. Téa was terrified for him. She was even more terrified for Todd and the alters. “Sam! For God’s sake, listen to yourself. You’re scaring me. Please. You can’t honestly believe that Doctor Hanen or any of us wanted Todd, Timmy or any of them to be in the kind of pain Timmy was in. I know how much you love Todd and how much you want to make things up to him. Viki knows too. I have never told her to cut you out of Todd’s life. Doctor Hanen did want to make things right between you and Pete. I know you love Viki and she loves you. I would never . . .”

Sam stared at Téa. “You don’t fool me. I see the way you’re looking at me. You want me to think I’m crazy. All of you think you can do to me what you’ve done to Todd. No! I’m the coach. I’m the one that takes care of him. I’m going to be a good father to him. You want to take that away . . . from Todd . . . from me . . . all of you do.” Sam stopped pacing and talking and stared into space for a few seconds. “Okay. I want you to leave. You’re stalling for time . . . hoping Timmy will wake up and want you in there with him. Téa, don’t make me force you to leave.”

Téa saw a look in Sam’s eyes that she had not seen before. She could tell he believed every word he said. She did not want to chance upsetting Timmy. “All right. I’ll leave this area. I do want to talk to Doctor Hanen before I go.”

“You can call her up. I want you off this unit. Téa, don’t force my hand. You might be Todd’s wife, for now. I’m his legal guardian.”

“I’ll go,” Téa conceded. “Sam, please think about what you’re doing. I think you know in your heart that I love Todd and the alters with every fiber of my being. I would never deliberately do anything to hurt them and neither would Kevin, Doctor Hanen nor anyone here.”

*****

“You’re leaving?” a surprised Janet asked Téa.

Téa saw that Sam had followed her to the nurses station and was watching her every move. She did not want to make him any more paranoid than he was by whispering to Janet. “Yes. Sam feels it better that I leave,” Téa said loud enough for Sam to hear.

Janet turned and looked at Sam. She immediately knew that something was very wrong.

“I’ll let you out,” Janet patted Téa’s arm and said.

The moment the doors closed behind Téa, Sam walked to the nurses station. “I’m going to the pay phone in the hallway. I’ll be right back.” Sam was terrified of leaving Timmy alone for even the few minutes that his phone call would take. He had no choice.

“You can use the phone here,” Janet offered.

“No. It’s a private business call,” Sam answered and headed for the doors.

As soon as Janet buzzed him out. She rushed to Susannah’s office.

*****

“Tomato or chicken noodle?” Blair asked Starr. Blair loved this time a day. Once the nanny left, she got to spend a few hours with Starr before it was time for her to go to bed.

“Can we mix them and make tomato noodle?” Starr asked.

Blair laughed and thought for a moment. “Sure, why not? We just may have to call up Mr. Campbell and tell him we have a new flavor soup for him. We’ll call it the Starr Manning special recipe.”

Starr giggled. “Can I mix it?”

“You sure can cutie putootie. Just don’t turn the stove on unless I’m there with you.”

“I’m not a baby,” Starr complained.

Blair bent down and hugged her daughter. “You’ll always be my baby, even when you have your own grandchildren running all over the house.”

“Silly, Mommy,” Starr giggled again. They both turned when they heard Blair’s cell phone ring.

“You go ahead into the kitchen and set the table. I’ll be right in.”

“I’ll open the soup too,” Starr stated.

“Can you hold for a sec please,” Blair said into the phone before she knew who was on the other end. “No, sweetie, wait for me to do that. I don’t want you to cut yourself on the edges of the can.”

“Mom! I’m old enough to know how to open a can.”

Blair sighed. “All right, but you be very careful. Hello,” Blair said into the phone after Starr left the room.

“You need to get Starr out of the apartment.”

“What? Sam is that you?”

“Yes! I don’t have a lot of time. Timmy is out and he’s alone. Todd doesn’t want Starr there with him. You need to get Starr out of there now!”

Blair’s heart pounded. “What happened?”

“You’re right. They’re doing things to Todd to hurt him. Timmy was just in excruciating pain from a drug Susannah gave Todd. Kevin and Téa were with him when it happened.”

Blair’s could hardly catch her breath. “I-is Timmy all right?”

“He seems to be. Something terrible happened. Clint and Jessica Buchanan were in a serious car accident. No one knows if they’ll even pull through. Viki has to go to Arizona. Kevin is going too. I can’t watch over Timmy all by myself. If I fall asleep or go to take a shower he’ll be unprotected.”

“Oh my God,” Blair exclaimed. Suddenly the realization hit her. “Then you are the only guardian there.”

“Yes. I’m taking Timmy out of here. I’m bringing him to the penthouse.”

Blair broke out in perspiration. “Now? You’re bringing him here now?”

“Yes,” Sam said quietly.

“You know how much I want Todd here, but I-I can’t get a staff here that quickly. What if he . . .”

“Are you afraid of being around Todd?” Sam accused.

“No! You know I’m not, but the courts . . .”

“The courts have nothing to do with this. I’m not petitioning the courts to take Todd away from Viki or out of the hospital. As his guardian I have every right to take him out of here without anyone’s permission.”

Blair never thought it would work out this simply. No judge to impress or convince. “What about Todd’s medications?” Blair asked.

“He still has the PEG tube in. I’ve seen how they do it a hundred times. I’ll get Susannah to write prescriptions. They’ll have to be legitimate prescriptions. She’ll know a pharmacist will be seeing them. I don’t want Todd on all those drugs anyway. I know he needs the Dilantin. I’ll find out from the pharmacist if the others can be stopped suddenly. Look, Blair, I told you that I don’t have a lot of time. Timmy is alone with the staff. Do you want Todd to come to the penthouse or not? If you don’t, I’ll take him to Llanfair or to a hotel.”

“How can you ask that? Of course I want you to bring Todd here. This is his home. I’ll need a couple of hours. I have to talk to Starr and to Dorian. I have to find out how quickly she . . . I mean that I can get the doctor, nurses and techs here.”

“Fine!” Sam looked at his watch. “I’ll be there with Timmy or whoever is out in two hours.” Sam hung up.

Blair stood perfectly still. She was too stunned to move. Blair knew she was totally unprepared. She would not let that stop her. “Finally, Todd is coming back to us, to his family and away from that sadistic, gold digging bitch. Starr,” Blair called out.

Starr walked back into the living room. Her face was slightly smudged with tomato soup. She couldn’t resist tasting some on her finger after she opened the can. “Yes Mommy.”

“Sweetie, come here. I need to talk to you about something very important.” Blair walked to the couch with Starr.

“Is it about Daddy?” Starr asked.

Surprise registered in Blair’s eyes. “Yes. How did you know?”

“Because nothing is more important than Daddy. Is he bad sick again?”

“No sweetie. In fact Daddy is going to be much better very soon. Sam is going to bring Daddy here. He’s not going to be in the hospital anymore.”

Starr hopped off the couch and started to jump up and down. “Daddy’s coming home! Daddy’s coming home!”

“Yes, baby. He is. There is a little pr . . .”

“Daddy’s coming home.” Starr spun around and around hugging herself. “I’m going to go upstairs and get out all the drawings I made for Daddy and get out all the games we like to play and I’m going to see if there are Cheese Doodles in the pantry. Daddy loves Cheese Doodles. I’ll set up a tea party so it’ll be all ready for when Dadd . . .”

“Starr, honey, you need to listen to me.” Blair looked into Starr’s big blue eyes staring up at her. She didn’t realize it would be this difficult. She never wanted to think about that part. “Starr, Daddy needs to be here with just Mommy and Sam for the first few days he’s home . . . maybe even for the first week or two.”

Starr’s eyes filled with tears. “Why? Doesn’t Daddy want to be with me too?”

“Yes.” Blair hugged Starr. “Oh, sweetie pie, of course he does. It just takes some time for someone to get back to being themselves after they’ve been in the hospital for a long time. Daddy wants to make sure he’s back to being himself before you see him.”

“But I love Daddy no matter who he is.”

Now Blair began to cry. “I know you do. Daddy loves you no matter what is going on with him too. It will just be better for Daddy if he feels confident that he’s okay before he spends time with you. Daddy is on a lot of medication. He needs to stop taking it before he can be himself again. It will take a little time for it to get out of his system. Starr. I promise you. The very second Daddy feels okay enough to see you; I’ll come and get you. In the meantime you’re going to stay with Auntie Dorian and Uncle Mel. Maybe the weather will turn warm enough for Dorian to open the pool soon.”

“I don’t want to go to a dumb old pool. I want to be here with Daddy!” Starr insisted.

“I know you do. Sweetie, I’m sorry. It has to be this way for now. Daddy will become very upset if he sees you before he’s ready.”

Starr thought for a few moments. “I don’t ever want to make Daddy upset and real sick again.”

“Nothing you have ever done or could do would make Daddy sick,” Blair made sure to assure Starr. “It would upset him. You know, make him uncomfortable. Do you remember the way you felt right before you had to make your entrance in that school play last month?”

Starr nodded. “I was afraid that I wasn’t ready and everything wasn’t perfect.”

“That’s right. But you were ready and perfect. That’s all Daddy wants. He wants to be ready and perfect before he sees you. Starr, you’ll be helping Daddy very much if you go to Auntie Dorian’s and you do not try to come back here to see Daddy until I say it’s okay.”

Starr looked down. She pouted, but finally said, “Okay, I promise. You promise you’ll get me the very, very, very, second Daddy says he feels ready to see me?”

Blair hugged Starr again. “I promise. I swear. You’re being such a brave and mature girl about this. I know Daddy will be very proud when I tell him. Now I want you to go upstairs and pack what you’ll need for a couple of days. I’ll bring some more of your things to Auntie Dorian’s in a day or two.”

“Okay,” Starr agreed. “Can you tell Auntie Dorian not to wear so much perfume while I’m there? It makes my eyes itch and it stinks.”

Blair smiled. “Yes. I’ll tell her.” So much like Todd Blair thought to herself. “Todd, I know this is the right thing for you. You’ll be healthy and happy again once you’re back with your little girl and me,” Blair vowed.

*****

Just as Janet sat down at Susannah’s desk to tell her that Sam demanded Téa leave, Susannah’s phone rang.

“Doctor Hanen, it’s Téa.”

“Téa?” Susannah was surprised. “I thought you were in Timmy’s room with him.”

“No, I’m in the hospital lobby. I’m at a payphone near the gift shop. Sam insisted I leave. Something’s going on with him. He believes that you deliberately hurt Timmy and that Kevin and I had something to do with it. Doctor Hanen, Timmy’s going to wake up and he’ll be sure that I left him forever. I didn’t want to set Sam off even more, so I left the area. I’m very frightened. With Viki out of town Sam is Todd’s only legal guardian. It’s too late to do anything today. I was thinking about petitioning the court to get my rights as Todd’s wife reinstated. I know Viki would not want Sam hurt, but . . .”

“Téa, stay right where you are. I’ll be down in five minutes,” Susannah said into the phone.

“That’s what I came in here to tell you about,” Janet said quickly. “I think Sam is losing it. We might be in for some problems with Viki away.”

“I’m going down to the lobby to talk to Téa,” Susannah said as she rushed out the door. “Beep me immediately if Timmy wakes up or if there is any problem with Sam.”

*****

After Téa told Susannah what Sam said and described the way he looked and acted, she could see by the look on Susannah’s face that she was right to be worried. “Do you think Sam is going to force you to stop Todd’s medications or God only knows what else?”

“I don’t know,” Susannah answered honestly. “Obviously Sam was further traumatized by seeing Timmy have that dystonic reaction to the Haldol. Sam has been at the edge for a long time . . .”

“And this might have pushed him over,” Téa finished Susannah’s sentence for her. “I know it would probably not be what Viki wants, but do you think I should try to become Todd’s legal guardian?”

Susannah’s heart broke for Sam. She sighed and shook her head. “I know that Viki would want whatever was best for Todd. Let me talk to Sam. Perhaps I can find out what’s going on with him or help him to understand that nothing was deliberately done to hurt Timmy, Todd, or anyone. I think something more than seeing Timmy in pain is going on with Sam. Perhaps I can find out what.”

“I know Blair had something to do with this,” Téa declared. “I just know it. Viki believes Blair is getting to Sam in some way too. We spoke about it earlier.”

“Yes, that is a possibility,” Susannah agreed. “Téa, I know that you still have some unresolved issues concerning Todd and Blair. I also know that it might have been difficult for you to come back here so soon. I really wanted you to have a chance to think things through. I’m sorry we had to call you when we did. I’m very grateful that you were here for Timmy.”

Téa smiled. “I would never turn my back on Timmy or any of the alters. I don’t blame them for any of the things Todd said.” Téa’s lips trembled. “I don’t even know if I should blame Todd for the things he said. I spoke with Kevin after I left here and he doesn’t believe that Todd meant of word of what he said. He thinks Todd was trying to push me away again, because of his fear that he’ll hurt me.”

Susannah told Téa what happened after she left. She told her how Todd screamed her name when he lost all control.

Téa sat there silently. She was stunned by what Susannah told her. Suddenly she realized something. “Oh my God! He must have seen Kevin and me through the window. I was very upset when I left the hospital. Kevin was just about to walk into the lobby. He was holding on to me, trying to get me to talk to him. He was comforting me. Ay dios mio. Todd must have seen us. You said he was standing by the window when he fell apart. It’s like the time he saw me talking to Del. He didn’t know Del was my brother. Todd flipped out. He thought I was sleeping with someone else and he wouldn’t talk to me about it. He pushed me away then too. He tore up his bedroom. There was broken glass all over the place. I had to call Sam to come and calm Todd down.”

“It sounds like that is exactly what happened,” Susannah concurred.

“Doctor Hanen, you know I love Todd. I love him so much that it frightens me. It’s like the love I feel for him takes over and everything . . . my caution . . . my good sense . . . even my self-preservation . . . I-I think if it came to it I would literally die for Todd. I tried to walk away from him so many times. I would be strong for a while and then I’d see him. I’d see the agony he was in. I’d see the very good man that was surviving under all that anger and pain. I’d feel the tremendous capacity for love in him that he kept so very well buried under all his . . . his . . . rage . . . violence . . . sarcasm . . . insults . . . all the tricks Todd uses to push everyone away. I’d see that wall come crashing down between us every time we’d start to get close. It should have made me run . . . sometimes it did. I could never run far. Something would always draw me back. Sometimes I ask myself, is it love or obsession?”

Téa started to cry. “I don’t know if I know any more about love than Todd does. Yes, I loved my father and my brothers, but I could never feel real love for anyone that I’ve been involved with. I wanted them to want me. I wanted to be good enough to be wanted. I never thought I was.” Téa laughed sadly. “For all the ways he’s tried to push me away and for all the times he’s shut me out even when he wants me with him, Todd is still the only man that ever made me feel I was worth loving. You would think it would be just the opposite, after everything he’s done and said. I swear, just when I think I understand what I’m feeling, I end up more confused than ever.”

“Did you believe Todd when he said he realized he always loved Blair and that he just needed you?” Susannah asked.

Téa thought before she answered. “Yes and no. Mostly yes, for a moment. Todd was so calm. He sounded sincere.”

“Is there still a part of you that is afraid to trust totally in Todd’s love?” Susannah prodded gently.

Téa’s eyes welled with tears again. She nodded. “I want to be who Todd needs, loves and wants, not just who he needs.”

“When you had a chance to calm down and think things through, did you still doubt that you are the one Todd loves, wants and needs.”

Téa’s lips turned up in a small smile. “I’ve felt what Todd feels for me. I’ve seen it in his eyes and in his behavior. I’ve felt it in his body when we’re close or when he’s kissed me. I think, especially when it comes to Todd, those things are far more reliable than his words.”

Susannah smiled too. “I agree. I’ve seen the same things you have when I see you and Todd together.”

Téa’s smile vanished. “I realized something else. If Todd really wanted to go back to Blair, I would not have stood in his way. I don’t know how I would have ever stopped loving him or worrying about him or stopped wanting to run to him and help him, or stopped needing him in my life, but I would have found a way, even it killed me. What does that say about me? Am I a masochist?”

“It says you have the ability to love unselfishly and unconditionally. You are able to put the person you love before you and his needs before your own.” Susannah smiled again. She took Téa’s hand. “And Todd has the ability to do exactly that for you. What happened today was Todd’s way of showing selfless love. It was his way of putting you first.”

Tears splashed down Téa’s cheeks. “I fell right into his trap, didn’t I?”

Susannah laughed. “Yes. Todd is a very clever young man. He knew your vulnerability and he used it.”

Téa shook her head. “Blair’s visit gave him the perfect timing, didn’t it? He counted on my old insecurities surfacing, and sure enough they did. They overpowered my good sense. My God, even if Todd didn’t want me or anything to do with me, I would not want to see him go back to Blair. There was a time, when we were first married, that I pushed him to reconcile with her. That was before I saw them interact. They destroy each other. I believe that Todd truly loved Blair and that she loved him as much as she is capable of loving anyone, other than Starr and her mother. But they both have this insatiable need for revenge and one-upmanship. In some way they both get off on it. They will use and destroy anyone and anything that they have to if it will help either of them do in the other. I can’t speak for Blair. My guess is she still gets off on that kind of thing. I don’t think Todd wants that for himself anymore. I think he wants to be able to have a healthy relationship. I think he wants to stop wanting to hurt everyone. Does that make sense? I don’t know.” Téa rubbed her eyes with her palms and then ran her fingers though her hair. “I’m sorry if I’m babbling. It’s been a long day.”

Susannah rubbed Téa’s arm. “I don’t know as much about Todd’s relationship with Blair or what kind of person Blair really is as I would like to. It was never something Todd talked about much. It is his present situation that is on his mind most of the time. Someday I will discuss it with Todd, when he is ready. For now, I’d say from everything I do know about Todd and Blair and from things that you’ve told me and what Viki has told me, your insights into their relationship are fairly accurate. I also believe you are right about something else. While Todd would never be happy marching to the beat of most people’s drummer, he does want to be able to have a healthy relationship. He wants to be what he perceives as normal in that regard. I also believe that Todd knows he can have that with you and that you and he can still march to a drummer that only both of you can hear. I think you do that for him Téa. You are the first person that can hear his drummer and understand the music and dance along with him.”

Téa hugged Susannah and then quickly pulled away. “I’m sorry.”

“Honey, you don’t ever have to apologize for showing how you feel, at least not with me.” Susannah patted Téa’s hand. “I’d better get back upstairs.”

“What are you going to tell Timmy if he’s the one who wakes up?” Tears rolled down Téa’s cheeks again. “He’ll think I deserted him. It will make him feel he was lied to about Viki and Kevin coming back.”

“If I can’t get Sam to reconsider, I will try to get Timmy to understand that Sam wanted some special time alone with him.”

“Doctor Hanen, I can’t bear the thought of that little boy calling for me. If Timmy gets very upset can you try to get him to go back inside?”

“I promise I will try to get Sam to allow you back. However, sending Timmy inside while he believes that you are never coming back is not a good idea. He will be just as upset inside, and that might be a problem for Todd’s system. If he goes back inside on his own or the system pulls him back, then I would not try to get him back out.”

“Oh God,” Téa cried. She wept into her hands.

Susannah put her arm around Téa’s shoulders. “I know you’re frightened. How about we do this? You go to the cafeteria and I’ll talk to Sam. Perhaps he will talk about what made him want you to leave and then allow you to come back upstairs.”

Téa nodded. She wiped her tears away with her fingers. “I hope you can get him to change his mind before Timmy wakes up.”

Susannah patted Téa on the arm again and stood up to leave.

“Oh, Doctor Hanen, I wanted to ask you about that reaction Timmy had. The medication you gave him stopped it right? It won’t come back again?”

“Most likely he’ll be all right. Sometimes the dystonic reaction does come back, but it’s rare. Now that one of them has reacted that way to Haldol it will never be given to any of them again. Todd has gotten that drug before without any problem. Then again, Timmy never came out that soon after Todd received it. If he has another attack of dystonia another shot of Benadryl will help.”

Téa couldn’t bear the thought of Timmy or any of them feeling that kind of pain again. “Please let me know if he has another attack.”

“I will. I know it’s easy to say. Please try not to be too frightened. Timmy will be very closely monitored for any signs of dystonia and hopefully Sam will open up and let me know why he suddenly wants you kept away from Todd and the alters.”

Téa stood up. She and Susannah walked to the elevator. Téa headed for the cafeteria and Susannah for Todd’s unit. *****

“Renee called. We need to leave for the airport?” Viki said as soon as Kevin walked back into Llanfair. Her bags were ready and waiting in the entrance way.

“I know,” Kevin responded. “Jeff called the airport and told me the flights would be taking off soon.”

“Did you speak with Susannah?” Viki asked. The last she heard Kevin was going there to talk about Rachel.

“Yes. Everything okay,” Kevin said. He hoped Viki would leave it at that. “My bags are all packed. I’ll bring them down and get everything in the car and then we can leave.”

“I spoke with the hospital in Arizona about fifteen minutes ago. Clint is out of surgery. He’s in the ICU. He’s still in very critical condition. Jessie is still in surgery,” Viki informed Kevin as she wiped a tear away.

Kevin took Viki’s hands. “They’re going to be okay. Mom, they are going to be fine.”

“I know. Did you see Todd while you were at the hospital?” Viki asked.

“He was sleeping,” Kevin lied. “I didn’t want to wake him. He’s okay. Sam is with him. We’d better get going,” Kevin said and ran up the stairs. He would deal with Viki’s anger if necessary. For now he wanted to spare her any more grief.

*****

“Now! This evening!” Dorian exclaimed in shock.

“Yes. Sam wants to bring Todd home tonight. Actually it’s little Timmy. He’s out. Dorian, they did something to him that caused Timmy to have some kind of painful attack. Sam sounded panic stricken. Now that he knows about Doctor Hanen’s deal with Asa . . .”

“That’s what made Sam decide to pull Todd out of the hospital, not Viki being out of town?” Dorian interrupted. Guilt washed over her. She knew if anything happened to Blair or even to Todd it would be her fault.

“Yes . . . that and whatever they did to hurt Timmy. Sam had already planned to try to get full guardianship of Todd before he heard the news about Clint and Jessica Buchanan. Now we don’t have to go to court. Viki is not around. Doctor Hanen and the staff have to answer to Sam. Thank God he’s acting quickly, before Téa decides to pull anything.”

Dorian shook her head. “Blair, think for a moment. It’s late. What about the staff? I might not be able to get them to you on such short notice. You can’t be alone in the house with . . .”

“I’m perfectly safe with Timmy. My God Dorian, you know what a sweet, gentle little boy he is.”

“What happens if Todd or an alter that isn’t a sweet, gentle little boy comes out?”

“Sam will be there.”

“Oh, please. Sam Rappaport can’t take care of himself anymore, let alone protect you.”

“Dorian, it will be fine. I don’t want you to let Starr see that you’re worried. Do you remember what I told you to tell her if she starts to ask about her father?”

“Yes! Blair, please reconsider. Let Sam take Todd to a hotel for tonight or to another hospital.”

“Yvette is getting Starr settled in her room,” Mel said as he came down the stairs. All Starr keeps talking about is that her daddy is better and he’s coming home.” Mel turned to Blair. “Honey, I think we both know that’s not true. What’s going on?”

Blair swallowed hard. “Todd has made some progress. He’s gained some weight and he’s a lot more like . . . he’s able to communicate and . . .” Blair didn’t know what else to say. She wasn’t sure how much Viki had told Mel.

“I think we both know Todd is not ready to come home,” Mel said softly.

“Mel, will you stop interrogating Blair,” Dorian chastised. “Can’t you see she’s already anxious? She’s just doing what she believes is best for Todd.”

Mel ignored Dorian. “Blair, if you’re trying to get to Todd now, while Viki is away, don’t do it. I know you feel you still love him. If that’s true do what’s best for him. Put him first. If you’re acting with your emotions first, you can end up hurting yourself and that little girl upstairs as much you might hurt Todd.”

“Blair is not going to hurt anyone. She always does what’s best for her child and she would never hurt Todd now. My heart goes out to Viki, but Viki is the one that acts from a purely emotional level. If anyone will end up getting Todd hurt, it’s Viki. She’s really teetering on the edge these days,” Dorian added.

“Mel, you are all right with Starr staying here?” Blair asked.

“I’m crazy about that little imp. That’s not the point.”

Starr came downstairs before Mel had a chance to say anymore. “Mommy, I forgot to tell you. Don’t show Daddy any of my drawings and paintings until I get home, okay? I wanna be there when he sees them.”

Blair hugged her daughter. “I would never show them to him unless the artist was present. Baby, I have to go now. I need to get some things ready for Daddy and Sam. You be good and you listen to your Auntie Dorian and Uncle Mel.”

Dorian squeezed Starr to her. “My little angel is always good.”

“Sam?” Mel asked. “Sam is okay with this? He’s going to stay with you and Todd at the penthouse?” Mel sensed something was terribly wrong with all of this.

“Mellll,” Dorian motioned to Starr with her eyes. “Let’s not discuss this right now.”

“Starr,” Mel asked, “have you ever heard any stories of Irish folklore?”

“I don’t think so,” Starr replied.

“Ah a fresh young ear to tell the stories of my childhood to,” Mel joked, making Starr giggle. “Come,” Mel took Starr’s hand. “I will tell you tales you’ve never heard before. The first one is called Mongan’s Frenzy ‘The abbot of the Monastery of Moville sent word to the storytellers of Ireland that when they were in his neighborhood they should call at the monastery, for he wished to collect and write down the stories which were in danger of being forgotten,’” Mel began as he led Starr to the den.

“Dorian, do you think he’s going to cause any problems?” Blair asked the second Mel and Starr were out of earshot.

“Leave Mel to me. I’m more worried about you being alone with Todd and no one to protect you besides Sam. He’s almost as ill as Todd is for God’s sake.”

“Dorian, please, I don’t have time to argue with you too. I’ll be fine. It’s Todd I’m worried about. I’m not prepared to handle his medication. Sam says he knows how to give it to him through his feeding tube and how to feed him that way. I don’t know. What if something goes wrong? What if Todd has a seizure or something happens to his heart? Oh God, Dorian. I didn’t think it would happen this suddenly. I thought we’d have to go to court first.”

“Blair, take a breath. You need to calm down. If you’re this anxious, you’ll make Todd more anxious that that’s the last thing you want to do. I’m sure Sam knows how to feed and medicate Todd. But honey, don’t you see that all of this is an excellent reason for Sam to take Todd to another hospital. Maybe Saint Ann’s can take him in for a few . . .”

“No! Todd’s place is in his home, with me and soon with Starr. He’s much more like his old self than he was.” Blair left out that in some ways Todd frightened her the way he sometimes did in the old days too. “I know in my heart that he’ll come back all the way once he’s in his home and those drugs get out of his system.”

“It can be dangerous to suddenly stop some medications,” Dorian cautioned.

“Sam’s taking care of that. He’s going to check with a pharmacist.”

Dorian knew things had gone too far. She couldn’t talk Blair out of this, at least not without divulging her scheme to prove to Viki that her judgment was completely off when it came to knowing what people were like.

“I want you to call me if there is the slightest problem. I’ll try to get someone to go there tonight, if I can’t, I should certainly have some of the staff there by tomorrow. Perhaps Sam can get some kind of medication to put little Timmy to sleep for the night,” Dorian suggested.

“No!” Blair protested. “Todd and the alters have been drugged enough. That’s one of the things we want to put an end to. Dorian, you’re sweet to worry about me, but you don’t have to. I’ll be fine. Now I have to go. I’ll bring some more of Starr’s things over in a day or two if she has to continue to stay here. Now I really do have to go.”

“All right,” Dorian conceded. She walked Blair to the door. “Promise me that you will run at the first sign of Todd or any of them getting violent.”

Blair kissed Dorian on the cheek. “Thank you for worrying about me, but you don’t have to. I know Todd will remember how good it is to be with his real family once he’s back to being himself.” With that Blair left.

Dorian leaned against the front door after she closed it. She rolled her eyes. “As if Todd was never violent with her when he was himself,” Dorian murmured. She sighed loudly. “Perhaps I went a teeny bit too far when I had that young college student transfer that money to Susannah Hanen’s account,” Dorian said to herself. She knew it was too late to change that now. She hurried upstairs to start calling the staff she had on standby.

*****

Sam followed Susannah out of Todd’s room. Susannah had walked in there just moments before. She checked Timmy and then quietly asked Sam to step outside so they could talk. Sam wouldn’t go to Susannah’s office. He refused to go father than the lounge outside Todd’s room. He did allow Carl to go in and sit with Timmy under the condition that Carl get him immediately if Timmy started to wake up.

“Sam, can you tell me why you wanted Téa to leave?” Susannah began.

Sam stared at Susannah for a moment and then looked away. “Timmy is too attached to her,” he mumbled.

“Timmy has a problem separating from everyone he loves. Is there some reason why you singled Téa out?” Susannah probed.

Sam didn’t make eye contact with Susannah. “No, I’m not singling Téa out. It isn’t just Téa. But you know that, don’t you?”

“Why do you think I know that?” Susannah asked gently.

Sam remembered Blair’s warning about not giving up too much information. He didn’t want them to get a chance to cover their tracks.

“B-because you know that Timmy is too attached to all of you,” Sam managed to get out.

“Yes, we have to work on separation anxiety with him. I don’t think keeping Téa away from him is that answer,” Susannah said calmly.

“I told you it isn’t just Téa!” Sam said angrily. He glanced into Susannah’s eyes and looked away. He took a deep breath. “I’m taking Todd home, now.”

Susannah felt tremendous fear for Todd. She could see Sam meant it. “Sam, I know seeing Timmy in so much pain upset you terribly and you are frightened for him and for all of them. Now that we know Haldol caused an acute dystonic reaction it will never again be given to Todd or any alter.”

“No, it wouldn’t look good if his records showed that you gave him the same medication that had already caused a reaction. I’m not stupid or so crazy that I can’t think Susannah!”

“No one here thinks you are. Sam, I know you believe that Todd might do better off of some of his medication. I promise you that is not the case. After all these months Todd is finally on the right combination. His depression is lifting. His thought processes are clearer. His ability to communicate his feelings and thoughts has increased. He’s better able to utilize coping skills for anxiety and anger. He . . .”

Sam held his hand up and cut Susannah off. “He’s still hurting himself, getting tied down, and being tortured because of what you’re all doing to him. I’m Todd’s legal guardian. I have every right to sign him out of here and that’s what I’m going to do. Will you please write prescriptions for his medication? I’m well aware that they should not be stopped suddenly.” Sam knew he had every intention of stopping Todd’s meds if the pharmacist said he could do it safely.

“Sam, psychiatric treatment for Todd was ordered by the courts.”

“Psychiatric treatment, not hospitalization. Viki is giving you consent to keep Todd here, not the court. I will make sure that Todd and the alters continue to receive psychiatric care.” Sam looked at his watch. He saw that Blair had more than enough time to get Starr over to Dorian’s and to get back home. “I’m going in to wake Timmy up now. Please leave the prescriptions at the nurses station. I’ll pick them up on my way out.” Sam sounded cold and detached.

Susannah forced herself to stay calm. She knew she could not legally stop Sam from taking Todd from the hospital without a court order, forever. Nevertheless, she could stop him from doing it tonight. “It’s my opinion that Todd is not stable enough to leave the hospital. It’s your right to request a hearing and a mental health review officer will come to the hospital. He or she will hear arguments for and against keeping Todd hospitalized. The courts are closed now. Other than extreme emergencies, no one can request a hearing tonight. Sam, do you really want to put Todd through that hearing?”

For a few seconds, Sam looked shocked. Then he remembered what Susannah said was true. He was frightened that he’d forgotten law that he once knew so well. Sam’s heart pounded. Then a numbing calm came over him. “You’re the one that’s going to put Todd through that. Why . . . for Nora? . . . For Bill?” Sam shook his head and stared straight ahead. “Oh my God, I was such an idiot. I believed you cared so much about Todd. I believed you loved him like he was your child.” Sam laughed. “I always bragged about my good judgment. What a fool.” Sam banged his hand down on the arm of his chair. “No more. No more! I finally have my head on straight. Okay, maybe you can keep me from taking Todd out of here tonight. But trust me, Susannah, I will get him out of here tomorrow.”

“Sam, I need you to understand that you could be placing Todd in danger if you take him out of the hospital. He’s been sending out clear messages that he’s thinking of suicide. Many of the alter’s memories are beginning to break through into Todd’s consciousness. While the disclosures Todd’s been making are vital to his recovery, they are also very painful and they’re sending him into one crisis after another. The memories won’t stop coming just because he’s out of the hospital. He is also in danger of harming someone else if his episodes of rage can’t be controlled. While his physical health has improved greatly, he is still vulnerable to set backs without constant monitoring.”

Sam’s robot like calm seemed to slip for a moment. Then he flashed back on Timmy’s painful reaction to the medication and to Blair’s warning. “I can take care of Todd. You think because I failed him before that I’ll fail him again. I won’t! There are some people that believe Todd can be trusted to my care and I can be a good father to him. Viki believes that or she wouldn’t have made me Todd’s co-guardian.” Sam stood up and started for Todd’s room.

Susannah grabbed his arm. “Sam, you know that Viki would not want you to do this. Please. I swear to you that Todd is not being harmed here.” Susannah did not want Todd or any of the alters to have to go through the trauma of a hearing and being questioned by a stranger.

Sam looked into Susannah’s eyes. Some of the trust he felt the other night began to come back until he heard Blair’s words in his head. ‘About a month ago, right before Nora provoked Todd into attacking her and Baby came out, Asa had a half million dollars transferred to Doctor Hanen’s bank account . . . a half million, Sam. What do you think it was for, marriage counseling for him and Renee!’

“Sam, I promise you Todd is not being hurt here,” Susannah tried again. “If you like you can bring in another psychiatrist to evaluate him and go though his chart, but don’t take him out of this secure setting.”

“No,” Sam said quietly. “I won’t make that mistake again. You’ve got that sincerity bit down cold, don’t you? I believed you and I let myself trust you again. Because my judgment was off all of you got another chance to hurt him. Téa set Todd off so you’d have a chance to torture him. You knew there was a chance that little boy in there could come out and you did it anyway. If Viki had listened to me and taken Todd home, Timmy never would have had to go through that.”

Sam’s voice sounded more detached than it did before. His eyes looked glassy and dazed. Susannah was terrified for Todd. She thought about trying to reach Viki before she left. She immediately dismissed that idea. She knew she couldn’t further delay Viki’s departure. Susannah had spoken to the doctors in Arizona. She knew how precarious Jessica and Clint’s condition was. They were both holding on by a thread. She knew she couldn’t legally keep Sam from taking Todd out of the hospital if the mental health review officer agreed that Todd was not a danger to himself or others at this time. It was the luck of the draw with this kind of thing. Some officers and judges truly understood psychiatric matters concerning the patients before them, including typical side effects of medication; some had no business being in a position to make these kinds of decisions. They allowed patients who were dangerous to themselves and everyone around them walk. Susannah knew that neither she nor Téa could do anything at this hour. They would have to wait for the courts to resume in the morning.

“Where are you planning to take Todd, if you take him out of here?” Susannah asked, trying to hold back tears. Her emotions were getting the better of her professional demeanor.

“Someplace safe, where he’ll be happy.”

Susannah knew Sam would have to tell a mental health review officer exactly where he was taking Todd, so she didn’t push it. Instinctively she knew Sam had no plans to take Todd to another hospital, where he could be safe. “Todd still needs to be under constant supervision,” she reminded Sam.

“You don’t think I can watch my own kid?” Sam asked angrily.

“I think you will need to sleep and wash and go out. I think that physically, Todd and most of the adult alters can exhibit great strength at times.”

“Todd will be supervised. He’ll have all the care he needs. Now I need to make a private phone call. I’ll be right outside by the payphone. Right outside Susannah.”

It was clear to Susannah that this was meant as a warning.

Susannah took a few moments to collect herself before heading down to the cafeteria. She needed to tell Téa what was going on.

*****

“Hello,” Blair said breathlessly into the phone. She had been running around ever since she left Dorian’s. She had stopped at a convenience store to pick up some foods she remembered Todd liking. When she got home, she had gone from room to room checking windows. She was very happy that she had shatter proof glass placed in all the windows and the terrace doors and added high security locks. Blair had that done shortly after Matthew Allen pointed out that she needed a safe environment for Todd to live in. Blair tried to think of everything she had done to babyproof the penthouse and Dorian’s when Starr was a baby. She knew there was a chance the baby or Baby Todd could come out. Then Blair realized that she’d need to go through the medicine chests in all the bathrooms, in case there was something there Todd could harm himself with. To be on the safe side, Blair hid almost everything . . . razors and razor blades, aspirin, Tylenol, alcohol, even the children’s medications she kept in Starr’s bathroom. Blair was just about to head to the kitchen to tuck away any sharp objects when she heard the phone ring.

“It’s Sam. I’m not going to be able to bring Todd to the penthouse tonight.”

“What! Why? Oh my God, did something happen to him?”

“No. Susannah won’t release him without a hearing. I’m going to request one tomorrow. It might not even be until the day after. I’m not sure how quickly they get these things going.”

“But Todd in danger! Sam, you have to tell them that.”

“I’m a lawyer Blair. I know that! I’m not stupid.”

Blair took a calming breath. Sam was getting more and more difficult to deal with. “I know that. Of course you’re not stupid. It’s just that you’re upset. I don’t blame you. Todd needs you now Sam. You have to hold it together.”

“I will. I’m thinking straight now. You don’t have to worry.”

Something occurred to Blair. “Oh my God, Sam, you didn’t tell Doctor Hanen that we know about the money did you?”

“No!” Sam barked. “I told you I’m thinking straight. I might have to bring that up tomorrow. I need you here tomorrow Blair. I need you to tell what you found out. I need you to let them know that Todd will be safe. You have to show some proof that you have hired a staff to take care of Todd.”

Blair’s head was spinning. “I don’t have any. I mean the staff is on standby and they certainly should be here by tomorrow, but I have nothing in writing. Don’t worry. I’ll get something by tomorrow. I can bring copies of Doctor Hanen’s bank records. They might not have been obtained in the most . . . I mean I’m not sure how the detective I hired went about getting them and they don’t prove that Asa gave her the money to hurt Todd. I never thought things would happen so quickly.”

“That’s all right. This is not a trial. They are trying to do what’s best for Todd. I’m sure this mental health review officer will take everything into consideration.” Sam tried to sound more confident than he felt.

Something else suddenly occurred to Blair. “Oh, Sam, Doctor Hanen has been forewarned now. What if she goes to Asa or Bo or even Kevin and they buy whoever is going to be in charge of making this decision about Todd?”

Sam’s paranoia peaked for a moment, then he remembered. “No, all the Buchanan’s are heading to Arizona. They won’t be here to pull any strings. Even Nora is going.”

Blair breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. I’d forgotten about Jessica and Clint for a minute.” Blair realized what she had just said. “I-I don’t mean that I’m happy that Jessica and Clint were hurt. I just . . .”

“Don’t worry about it,” Sam cut her off. He wouldn’t say it out loud, but he felt relieved that the Buchanan’s were not around too. Guilt washed over him. God alone knows Sam wished no harm on Jessica or Clint. “I’ve got to get back to Timmy now. I want you to get whatever paperwork you can and wait for me to call you tomorrow. I’ll let you know what time to be here.”

“Sam,” Blair began nervously. “They must have an idea that you’re on to them now. You need to watch every move they make.”

Blair had just fed into Sam’s paranoid delusions. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect him.” Sam paused for a moment. “Blair, you do believe that I can protect him now, don’t you . . . I mean even though I failed him for most of his life?”

Blair became even more anxious. Sam sounded unsure. As frightened and panicky as Blair felt. The last thing she wanted was for Sam to start doubting her plan. “Yes. Sam I believe it. You finally have your chance to prove that to Todd and to Viki and even to those like Téa, Kevin, Asa, Bo, Nora and Susannah, who think they can harm Todd right before your eyes, that you are the only one who can save him and protect him. You’re getting your chance to be the father you always wished you had been to Todd. Viki would never forgive you if you let harm come to her brother,” Blair added for good measure.

Sam was nodding to himself as Blair spoke. “I’ll never fail that boy or Viki again,” he said more to himself than into the phone.

“Sam, are you still there?” Blair asked loudly.

“Yes. I do have to go. Don’t worry. I’m here. Nothing more will happen to Todd, Timmy or any of them. I’ll call you as soon as I know what time the hearing will be.”

“Okay, kiss Timmy for me,” Blair said into the phone and hung up.

Blair immediately dialed Dorian’s number.

*****

“Ay dios mio, what is he thinking! Todd isn’t safe enough to leave the hospital. Look what happened just few hours ago. What if he’d been home when he became that angry or when he had that dystonic reaction? Doctor Hanen, please, we have to do something to stop Sam.”

“Téa, we might not be able to. Todd is not here by court order. He’s already been here longer than most courts in Pennsylvania order hospitalization.”

Téa quickly tried to go over the law in her head. “Okay, so the courts usually order someone held for twenty-one days, then ninety days, if they have proof they are still a danger to themselves or others and then if necessary they order hospitalization for another 180 days. Todd’s been here for ten months. So what . . . he still has dangerous behaviors. He’s learning to control himself, but he can’t always do it.”

“I will bring that out and they can extend the period of treatment. Téa, I know you don’t want to go against Viki’s wishes and neither do I, but if she were here I’m sure she would not want Sam to do this. If you still want to try to get guardianship of Todd . . .”

“Of course I do,” Téa cut Susannah off. “I’ll file a petition to become Todd’s substitute guardian first thing tomorrow morning. You’re sure Sam can’t do anything tonight?”

“No. If he tries, we can stop him. There needs to be a hearing first.”

Téa’s eyes welled with tears. “I know Timmy is going to think I deserted if he’s the one to wake up.”

“We will try our best to help him understand that you did not,” Susannah said sadly.

“Damn it!” Téa declared. “I know Blair is behind this. She saw Sam’s vulnerabilities and she pounced on them like the snake that she is.”

“I agree that Blair probably has a self-serving agenda, in part, when it comes to Todd,” Susannah stated. “She also has very traumatic memories of finding her own mother in a place where good medicine was obviously not being practiced. Added into that is Blair’s own fear of mental illness for herself and those she cares about. She does not want to believe that Todd is as ill as he is.”

“How can you defend her when you know that she probably has a hand in doing this?”

“Most people have complex reasons for doing what they do. Sometimes it is out of nothing more than the need to inflict pain. I don’t believe that is Blair’s intention this time, at least not as far as Todd and Sam are concerned. In any case, we don’t know if Blair has anything to do with this. Sam has some very serious problems that have nothing to do with Blair.”

Téa rested her face in her hands for a moment and then shook her head to clear it. “I know it’s been a long and difficult day for you and you need to go home and rest, but will you . . .”

“Téa,” Susannah interrupted and took Téa’s hands. “I will stay here tonight. I would not leave Todd under these circumstances.”

“Thank you,” Téa said softly. “And you’ll call me if Timmy needs me and Sam will allow me to see him?”

“Yes, absolutely,” Susannah promised.

“Any time of the night, I’ll leave my cell phone on. I’ll let you know what’s going on the minute I leave the court tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Susannah said. “I know saying try not to worry rings hollow, but please try to take your mind off of this as much as possible, if not for yourself, than for Todd. You need to be rested to be at your best tomorrow.”

*****

Susannah checked on Timmy the second she got back to the unit. He was sleeping soundly. Mr. Rabbit was still tucked in his arm and his thumb was still in his mouth. Sam didn’t say a word to Susannah. Her smile was met with an empty, distant glare. Carl stepped out of the room for a few moments to assure Susannah that Timmy’s sleep had been peaceful all along. He also told her that Sam had not said a word to him. He sadly informed her that at one point he saw that Sam was crying.

Carl went back into Todd’s room. Susannah stopped at the nurses station to make sure everyone was up to speed on what was going on. She then headed for her office. Once she was seated at her desk, Susannah picked up the phone. “Hi, it’s me . . . I won’t be able to make dinner tonight. I need to stay here. I. . .” Susannah’s voice broke. “Bill, do you think you can come here for a while. I . . . I need you.”

Bill told Susannah he’d be right there. He knew how difficult those words were for her to say. Something had to be very wrong.

*****

“I’ll have a mocha latte, the woman said to the man behind the counter. Once she had her coffee, she sat down at a table that was occupied by a young man. She assumed, like most of the patrons, he was a college student . . . a college student who liked to hang at a local coffee and computer café called Coffee and a byte.

The young student looked questioningly at the woman since there were empty tables around.

“I’m not very good with computers,” the woman purred. “You look like someone who really knows your way around . . . computers that is.” She smiled and stared into his eyes. “Do you think you can give me a few pointers?”

The young man took a longer look at the older, but very attractive, woman sitting next to him. He smiled back. “Not to brag, but I am a computer science major.”

“So you probably have a lot of friends who are very, very good at getting into all kinds of sites and places that are a no-no.”

The young man eyed the woman suspiciously. “I don’t know about my friends, but I don’t do anything illegal.”

The woman shrugged and smiled again. “Too bad. I find that kind of technical brain power very attractive.”

The young man relaxed again and smiled back. He pulled his chair a little closer to hers. “Maybe I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

The woman rubbed his bare arm. “But you’re not wearing any sleeves.”

The young man laughed. “What’s your name anyway?”

“Sam . . . Sam Vance.”

“I’m Paul,” he announced. He was feeling anxious and good at the same time.

Sam leaned in until only a couple of inches separated them. “Well, Paul, why don’t you show me few of those tricks.”

*****

“Yes! Dorian I told you. I need something in writing that proves Todd will have the best of care here,” Blair said into the phone. “I know the bank records alone are not proof that Asa paid Doctor Hanen to hurt Todd. It still looks bad for her and it’s all I have. She will! . . . Oh thank you Dorian . . . No, I don’t know for sure, but there is a chance that Todd can come home with us tomorrow and I’m so happy that you were able to get at least one of the nurses and techs to be here by tomorrow . . . I know . . . I love you too . . . I never would have been able to do this without you . . . she is . . . did she talk to you or Mel or ask anything about her daddy? . . . what did you say . . . that’s good. I don’t want her to get any false hopes that she can come home in a day or two . . . Yes. As soon as I know anything I’ll call you. . . You too . . . Night.”

Blair hung up. She was exhausted and wired at the same time. She did feel better knowing at least some staff would be there if Todd became ill or had some kind of episode. Blair jumped when the doorbell rang. “Oh my God, maybe Sam was able to get Todd out of there tonight,” Blair said to herself, out loud. She ran to the door and pulled it open. “Téa! What the hell are you doing here?”

Téa pushed past Blair and walked into the apartment. “We need to talk.”

TO BE CONTINUED