"TÈA'S COMING TO VISIT! I LOVE TÈA!" Tom shouted with glee.

*****

"When's Téa coming? Will she be here soon?" Tom asked excitedly. He suddenly stopped talking and looked sad.

"What's wrong Boomer?" Sam asked.

"Is Téa coming to see me or does she just wanna see Timmy?"

"Téa loves both of you very much. Téa will be very happy to see that you're out," Susannah explained. She knew something was bothering him. He still looked troubled and sad. "Honey, what is it? Can you tell us what's bothering you about Téa coming?"

Tom looked down at the blanket and shrugged.

Sam sat down next to him and put his arm around him. "Come on Boomer. Tell Coach what the problem is?"

"Timmy said Téa's not mad at me, but maybe she still is?" he wondered dejectedly.

"Noooo, Boomer. Téa was never mad at you. What makes you think that she is?"

"Cause last time she visited me Pete pulled me back in and he was mean to her. I tried to get back out, but Pete wouldn't let me. He's a big bully! And I don't care if he hears me," Tom said defiantly . . . almost angrily. This was the first emotion even close to anger that Tom had ever displayed. He told Susannah long ago that he never gets mad.

"Yes, sometimes Pete can be a bully," Susannah acknowledged. "Honey, Téa knows that it wasn't your fault that Pete came out and she knows you would have come back if you could have."

"Really! Téa don't blame me?"

"Really, Boomer. You know Téa just mentioned the other day that she missed seeing you and hoped you'd be around sometime when she came to visit."

"She did!" Tom practically shouted. A huge smile appeared on his face.

"Yes, baby. She did. I heard her say it," Viki added.

"I didn't get to do a lot of stuff with Téa that I wanted to do. Can she come now?"

They all knew that Todd's body had already had a very trying day. He needed rest and sleep. However, they realized a visit from Téa would do him a world of good.

"Tom, it's late and . . ."

"Hhhha! My watch! Where's my watch?" Tom cut Susannah off. The mention of time made him look at his wrist. He panicked when he saw he wasn't wearing his watch.

"It's right here, Boomer." Sam reached in the draw and retrieved the watch and put it on Tom's left wrist.

Tom noticed his right hand was bandaged. "Am I hurt again?"

"You have a cut on your hand and some stitches," Susannah answered. She stroked his cheek reassuringly.

Tom's lower lip started to quiver. "I'm not gonna cry." Tom was trying to be brave.

"Honey, you can cry if you want to. Even the bravest people cry," Susannah informed him.

"They do?" he sounded disbelieving.

"Sure they do, Boomer. Policemen and firemen cry. Soldiers cry."

"What about Luke Skywalker?" Tom asked seriously.

Sam smiled. "Yep. Even Luke Skywalker cries."

"Tom, your hand is healing. It doesn't hurt you does it?" Susannah inquired.

"Nope." Tom replied.

"Good, just take it easy with it and soon you'll be able to use it again," Susannah informed him.

Tom thought for a minute and then realized his hand's limitations. "How will I draw and do my puzzles? How will I play with my video games?" He was beginning to panic a little.

"Honey, it may be difficult for a little while. You will have to try to use your left hand to draw and do puzzles with," Susannah answered gently.

"I can help hold your video games. We'll be a team, how about that?" Sam suggested.

"Like when you used to let us help drive your car?" Tom remembered.

"Yeah, just like that," Sam answered and stroked Tom's head. Sam's eyes welled up with tears at the memory of it.

"Maybe Téa can play too. Is she coming?" They saw his mind was back on Téa's visit.

"I can't promise Téa will come this evening. She may have to work. If she can come, will you be willing to have her visit you here in your room, so you can rest while she's here?" Susannah bargained.

Tom was tired. He didn't understand why because he had just gotten there. He didn't realize that Todd's body was exhausted.

"Okay. Téa can visit me here. Maybe tomorrow we can go back to the art room or the playroom. Or we can walk in the hall. Can I get those cool skates? I forget what they're called. They're different from the kind of skates Todd had when we lived with our mom and dad. Sometimes I would come out when Todd was outside or in the park and I would see people skating on them."

"They're called inline skates or Rollerblades," Susannah responded. She then, seriously, thought about it for a minute. "Tom, not right now, because it would be too strenuous for you and for Todd's body, but maybe a little ways down the road. You would have to let someone hold on to you, on both sides, the whole time you were on them."

"Cool! Coach! Viki! Did you hear? Doctor Hanen says I can get Rollerblades." Tom's face was lit up like a neon sign.

Sam and Viki looked at Susannah as if she had lost her mind. She would explain to them later that it would be a fun way for Todd's body to get exercise and with the two people holding Tom up on either side, making sure he didn't hurt himself or anyone else, there would be very little danger in him just skating up and down the hallway. She wanted to try to give him some small glimpse of a normal life.

"Honey, Viki will call Téa and see if she can come visit you. In the meantime, it's time for dinner. Are you hungry?" Susannah asked.

Tom shrugged. At least he didn't say no. "Can Téa have dinner with me?"

"Well, if she can come and she hasn't eaten yet, perhaps she can," Viki answered. She stroked Tom's cheek and suggested, "Why don't I go outside and call Téa and see if she can come over?"

"Okay, Tom agreed hopefully. He then shyly asked, "Can she bring pizza?"

"If she can come, I think she can bring pizza, but if not I'll go get you some. Okay, Boomer?"

Tom nodded. They could tell he was hoping Téa would come with it. They all hoped Téa could come.

*****

Téa was still in the process of reorganizing her schedule. She contacted some attorneys she knew and in a manner somewhere between persuasive and aggressive, she talked them into putting in some hours at her pro bono practice. She personally called some of her clients and explained that her husband was ill and that she would have to spend a lot of time with him. She assured them that the attorneys that were taking over their cases were handpicked by her and would give their cases the same care and consideration that she did. With her caseload clear for the night, Téa was going to call Viki to find out if Rodd was still out. If he was and he wasn't asleep for the night yet, maybe she could pop in to say goodnight to him? She had been thinking about him ever since she left the hospital. She wondered how many times she had been with Rodd and not known it. She smiled when she thought about his charm and humor. She remembered all the times she thought, 'Who are you Todd Manning?' She still wasn't sure. What she was sure of was that she loved all the parts of him. "Well, except for Pete and that Saber they told me about," she thought out loud.

Téa was just about to pick up the phone when Kevin walked into her office. She was surprised to see him there again. Her surprise turned to fear when she realized he might be there because there was a problem. "Is something wrong with Todd or Rodd or . . ."

"Hey, slow down. He's fine, as far as I know. I was just wondering if you wanted to have some dinner?"

Téa was just about to tell him that she wanted to go back to the hospital if Rodd were still awake when the phone rang. "Hi . . . I was just about to call you . . . no, nothing. I was just wondering if Rodd was still out . . .Todd . . . what happened? Is he all right?"

Kevin tapped Téa's hand to get her attention. He mouthed, "Is Todd all right?"

Téa held her hand up, letting Kevin know she didn't get the whole story yet. "Really? He remembered that? . . . Oh Viki. That must have been so hard on him . . . Tom?" Téa put her hand over the phone's mouthpiece. "Tom is out," she informed Kevin. "He was willing to discuss the DID and two of the alters . . ." Téa turned her attention back to the phone call. "Who . . . I'm glad Susannah told him about them first . . . Oh Viki, he did! He really said that?" Téa put her hand over the mouthpiece again. "Todd said it's all right for me to visit with Tom and Timmy." Kevin heard the happiness and excitement in Téa's voice. Téa went back to her phone conversation. "No . . . Kevin is here . . . hold on I'll ask him." Téa turned to Kevin. "Tom is out and he wants me to visit and have dinner with him. Would you like to come with me?"

Kevin had never met Tom. He had heard what a great kid Tom was. "Sure. Tell my mom we'll be there in about thirty minutes, if that's all right with you?"

"Viki," Téa said into the phone. "We'll be there in about thirty minutes . . . Oh, don't be silly. It's no trouble at all. I would love to bring it. What kind does he like? Todd used to like plain cheese." Téa smiled and continued. "I guess they share that." Téa covered the phone again. "We have to stop to pick up a pizza for dinner. Tom asked for it."

"No problem. We can get one and at Mario's. It's only a couple of blocks from the hospital and it's on our way. Tell mom about forty five minutes."

"We'll be there in about forty five minutes . . . yes, that's where we're going. Kevin suggested it too . . . okay. Tell him pizza is on its way." Téa hung up. She grabbed her jacket, bag and her briefcase and she and Kevin headed out the door.

Tom was absorbed in the Spiderman cartoon he was watching when Viki came back into the room. She smiled and nodded yes to Sam and Susannah. "Hey, Boomer. It looks like you're going to be getting a visit from Téa and a pizza."

"Téa's coming? She's really coming just to see me?" Tom stared up at Sam with sad questioning eyes. He had still been a little afraid that Téa was angry with him.

"Viki took Tom's chin in her hand and gently squeezed it. "Yes, she is coming just to see you. She was very excited when I told her you were out. Kevin is coming to see you too."

Tom looked up at Viki for a moment and then looked down at the sheets. "Kevin is your son, right?" Tom wanted to be sure.

"That's right. He's my oldest son."

"How come he's coming to see me?"

"Kevin cares very much about you. He wants to see you. Sweetheart, is there a problem about Kevin coming?" Viki pressed.

Tom shrugged and asked if he could watch cartoons until Téa and Kevin got there. They told him he could. Tom's attitude seemed to change when he heard Kevin would be visiting along with Téa. His joy over Téa's visit seemed to diminish. Tom didn't seem as interested in his cartoon as he had been. They noticed he was mostly staring off, lost in thought. They knew something about Kevin coming to visit was bothering him. He didn't seem to want to talk about it and Susannah didn't want to push him. Todd's body had been through enough this day. It seemed like and eternity had passed since Timmy woke up this morning and then Todd came out. Then the switch to Bad Boy and Rodd and finally Todd again had come out again, only to switch to Tom. Susannah had hoped the neuroleptic would have slowed his switching a little more than it seemed to be doing. Perhaps it just needed more time and starting tomorrow his dosage was being increased to fifteen milligrams. She hoped that might help. Todd, himself, did seem to be getting some relief from this latest drug combination. He was more like the "old Todd" than he had been in a very long time. He still had a desire to die and still became weepy very easily, but he was able to communicate and the psychotic episodes were not coming on as frequently. He seemed to have a little more energy. Susannah was feeling hopeful.

*****

"I've got pizza!" Téa announced as she came into Todd's room holding up a pizza box.

"Téa!" Tom squealed with glee. Téa placed the box on the table and walked over to the bed. She gave Tom a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "You really came. Are you really not mad at me?"

They realized all the reassurance in the world wasn't enough until he saw Téa standing in front of him and until he heard that she wasn't angry with him from her own lips.

"Tom, I've never been angry with you. What makes you think that I was?" Téa asked gently.

Tom looked down at the bed again. He shamefully admitted, "I wasn't strong enough to keep Pete from coming out the last time you came to see me." A tear slid down Tom's cheek.

"Oh, Tom. I understood." Téa saw he was still upset. Tenderly, she placed her hands on either side of his face and lifted it until they were looking in each other's eyes. "Tom, I don't blame you for Pete coming out. It wasn't your fault. I never expected you to stop him from coming out. Pete wanted to see me that day. We have some unfinished business and he wanted to talk about it. He didn't hurt me."

More tears flowed down Tom's cheeks. "I tried to come back out, but Pete was too strong. You think I'm a big chicken."

"Oh, no." Téa hugged him to her. "I think you are very brave and very special. What upset me was not getting to finish visiting with you."

"Really?" Tom 's question was muffled as he kept his face pressed against Téa's shoulder.

"Really! That was why I was so happy when Viki called and let me know you wanted to see me."

Tom pulled back and wiped his eyes with his left hand. "Do you think I'm a baby?"

"No! Not at all, I think you're a very brave and talented young man."

Tom's tears were replaced with a smile "I'm gonna get Rollerblades. Doctor Hanen said so."

"Wow! Rollerblades!" Téa replied. She looked at Susannah.

"I told Tom when he and Todd's body are both a little stronger we might consider getting him a pair," Susannah confirmed.

"Hey, Tom. That's great. I have a pair at home. Maybe we can take on these hallways together?" Kevin suggested.

"Whatever," Tom mumbled. He did not looking up at Kevin.

Kevin looked at Sam and Viki. He wondered if he had somehow upset Tom without realizing it.

"Ooooh, I think that would really be great. Hmmm? Tom, you and Kevin skating down the hallway." Téa stated. She sat on the bed, next to Tom.

"Téa, do you ever skate? I forgot," Tom asked. He ignored Kevin.

"I used to, but it's been a long time," Téa confessed.

"I'll bet you were the best skater in the whole world. Maybe you can skate with me?" Tom asked timidly.

"I can try, but then I may end up here in the hospital with a broken leg," Téa joked.

"Noooo! Téa, I don't want you to get hurt. No! I'm sorry. You don't have to skate. I don't ever want you to get hurt again. Téa, I'm sorry!" Tom threw his arms around her.

"Tom. Hey, I was just kidding. I was making a joke. I won't get hurt if I skate with you." Tom began to cry again. Téa gently pulled him away from her so she could look him in the eye. She looked into his innocent tear stained face. "Tom, it's all right. I was just joking. I know you don't want me to get hurt."

"I wanted to help you. I saw one time you were all hurt and you couldn't walk good and you were real upset. I wanted to come out and make you feel better, but Todd was there. He made you feel better, so it was okay. Did your dad hurt you?"

Téa realized he was talking about the time she came home covered in bruises and cuts from falling through the window. Téa put her arm around him. "No, my dad didn't hurt me. I fell through a window."

"I'm sorry you were hurt, but I'm glad your dad didn't hurt you. Todd was so sad when you were hurt. He was real scared too. He was afraid you were gonna die and go away forever. I heard him praying and Todd don't pray a lot. My mom says we should always say our prayers, but Todd forgets all the time. Todd started to promise God he'd be good and he would . . .” Tom tried to think of the word Todd had used. "Oh, yeah. He would cherish you." Tom smiled at his ability to remember.

"Todd said that?" Téa inquired. She felt she was somehow invading Todd's privacy by doing so.

"Todd was all scared inside and he didn't know what to do. He held on real hard, so he shouldn't go away. Like he did when Starr was sick. He wanted to be real strong for you. He was in the hospital waiting and he wanted to make you better. 'Cept he stopped talking to God cause he knew he couldn't be good. He got real mad at himself. He didn't know he loved you before that and he wanted to be able to tell you. Then when you got better he chickened out."

Téa had always had shadowy memories of Todd standing by her bed and talking to her while she was in and out of consciousness. She did remember the relieved look on is face when she woke up. 'He wanted to be able to tell me he loved me', Téa thought.

"I'm not chicken. I love you a whole bunch, Téa." Tom looked her straight in the eyes as he said that.

Téa hugged him tightly and told him, "I love you a whole bunch too."

"Can we have the pizza now? I'm hungry," Tom asked shyly.

Téa smiled at this sweet child. He was totally incapable of guile. "Sure, I'm hungry too," Téa informed him. She was as happy as everyone else that he was hungry.

"I heard you like chocolate milk. How about I go to the pantry and get you some?" Kevin offered.

Tom shrugged and answered, "Okay."

"Kevin, bring some paper plates and napkins back too," Téa called.

"Yes, ma'am," Kevin kidded and patted Téa on the shoulder. They didn't notice Tom staring up at them.

Kevin handed the plates to Téa. She started handing out pizza to everyone. Kevin adjusted the table over Tom's bed and placed the cup of chocolate milk and a napkin on it. Téa handed Kevin a slice of pizza for himself and one for Tom. "Hey, buddy. Can you manage with just your left hand or would you like me to help you with the pizza?" Kevin asked.

"I can do it. I'm not a baby!" Tom's tone told them he was upset.

"I know you're not a baby. I'm sorry. It just one time both my hands were hurt really, really bad and I remember how hard it was to eat."

"I'm sorry your hands got hurt," Tom mumbled.

"Thanks. It was a long time ago and they're all better."

"Doctor Hanen says my hand will be better soon and Coach is gonna help me play my video games."

"That's great! I can help you too if you want?" Kevin offered.

"No, Coach will."

Kevin could not seem to make headway with Tom.

Tom had some trouble using only his left hand. Finally Viki suggested cutting the pizza into small bite size pieces for him. Téa noticed Tom looked forlorn and embarrassed at that suggestion. "Viki," Téa called. She held out her plate. "That sounds like a really fun way to eat pizza. Will you please cut up mine the same way?" As Viki took Téa's plate from her, she smiled at Téa and gave her a small wink. Viki understood Téa did that for Tom's benefit, so he should not feel odd or embarrassed.

Téa and Kevin were not as used to being around Tom as Sam, Viki, Susannah and the staff were. They noticed that Tom was very methodical about eating. Téa remembered how Tom was with the art supplies. This was much the same. Tom seemed to have a system . . . a small bite of pizza, a sip of milk and he would then wipe his fingers on the napkin. He never varied the order and always made sure to place everything back in the exact spot he lifted it from. They noticed he kept looking down at his shirt to make sure nothing had spilled on it. His hand shook slightly when he lifted the milk. He looked nervous as he drank it. No one said anything to him. They let him eat in peace.

Now that Todd's body no longer required an IV, the hep lock was removed from his arm. Most of his meds were administered through the feeding tube. Since he was eating now, his feeding would be postponed for a while. Todd's stomach could not hold much at one time anymore.

"Would you like another slice or some more milk, sweetheart?" Viki asked. Tom shook his head. He had finished all the milk and most of the pizza.

"I saw some pretty good cookies in the pantry. Would you like some Oreos or chocolate chip cookies?" Kevin tried to tempt him.

"Téa likes Oreos. Right Téa?" Tom remembered.

"That's right. I remember you gave me some for a present last time." Tom grinned. He realized that Téa also remembered.

"Okay, then. I shall return with Oreos." Kevin headed for the pantry again.

"No! I wanna go and get them for Téa!"

"Honey, I want you to stay in bed. Todd's body is very tired. Kevin can bring the cookies," Susannah reminded him.

"Please! I'll come right back. It's my present and I want to bring them to Téa, not Kevin!"

Susannah realized it was important to Tom that he be the one to get the cookies. Since walking to the pantry wouldn't really be harmful she relented. "All right, but Dave will walk with you. Then right back here. After you and Téa have your cookies you can get up and brush your teeth and wash up for bed."

"Téa, Doctor Hanen said I can bring you cookies," Tom exclaimed excitedly. Tom pulled the blanket from around his legs and quickly pushed them over the side of the bed.

"Slowly! Tom, remember what I told you about not getting out of bed too quickly?" Susannah reminded him.

He looked at Susannah quizzically. Then it came to him. "Oh, yeah. Okay." He slowed down and waited about thirty seconds. "Can I go now?"

"Do you feel dizzy?" Susannah inquired.

"Nope."

"Okay, honey, let's go." Susannah held her hand out to him. He took it. She walked him to the door. Dave was sitting in a chair right outside the room. "Dave, will you please walk Tom to the pantry so he can bring back some cookies."

"Sure." Dave agreed and smiled. "How’re you doing, Tom? I haven't seen you for a while."

Tom filled Dave in on all his "news" on the way to and from the pantry. He seemed talkative to everyone, except Kevin.

*****

"Did I do something to upset him?" Kevin asked as soon as Tom was out of earshot.

"No, honey. I don't think so," Viki responded.

"Is it me or does he seem upset with me?" Kevin pressed.

"Kevin is right. Tom is not acting himself around him," Téa agreed.

"Kevin, I don't think it's anything that you did here tonight. Tom was acting funny ever since he heard you were coming here with Téa," Sam told him honestly.

"Susannah, did I hurt his feelings in some way? Could he be upset because of the way I abandoned Timmy?"

"It's possible. Tom and Timmy are close. I don't think that's it though."

"He'll come around, honey. He's just not used to being around you," Viki assured him.

"I hope so," Kevin stated. He realized he really meant it. For some reason it was important to him that Tom like him. He let it go for now. He walked over to Téa. "Téa Delgado on Rollerblades. That I would like to see. Are you really going to skate with him?" Kevin joked.

"I'll have you know I'm quite athletic, Buchanan. I was an only girl with lots of brothers. I learned to be pretty tough."

"Whoa! I can see it now. In this corner the lightweight champion of the world, Téa Delgado!" Kevin cracked.

"I can probably flatten you, Buchanan," Tea kidded back. Téa and Kevin were both laughing. They didn't see that Tom was back and standing in the doorway.

Susannah saw him. He had a bag of Oreos nestled in his left arm and he was holding a single white rose in his hand. His head was hung down. "Hi, honey. What have you got there?" Susannah asked.

Tom shrugged. He continued to look toward the floor.

Téa walked over to him. "That's a beautiful rose, where did you get that?"

"Connie," he muttered. Without looking at her.

Dave filled them in. "Today is Connie's anniversary and her husband sent her a dozen roses. She asked Tom about the cookies and he said they were a present for Téa. She noticed he was looking at the flowers. She asked him if he would like to give one to Téa."

"I remembered to say thank you," Tom mumbled.

"I'm sure you did, honey. You are always very polite," Susannah pointed out.

Tom had not lifted his head or looked at anyone. "Here." He handed the flower to Téa, without lifting his head. He just stole a quick glance at her.

Téa smelled the rose. She moved closer to Tom. She lifted his face to her. "Tom, the flower is beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much. It is the best flower I have ever gotten."

"You don't have to say that," Tom declared. His eyes filled with tears.

"I'm not. I love it and I love that you brought me my favorite cookies. Can I have some?" Tom handed Téa the bag. "Come. Let's go have some," Téa suggested.

"I'm not hungry anymore," Tom muttered despondently. He turned to Susannah, "Can I brush my teeth and wash up and go to bed now?"

"Sure honey," Susannah agreed. She walked up to him and put her arm around his shoulder. "Dave will help you, okay?"

"Whatever," Tom answered, sadly.

*****

After Dave had taken Tom into the bathroom a horrifying thought came to Téa. "Do you think he thought we were laughing at him?" she whispered to Kevin.

"Oh damn! I hope not. He was upset enough with me to begin with," Kevin whispered back.

"Well, it definitely seemed as if his feelings were hurt," Téa added. She walked over to Susannah and told her what she was thinking. "Do you think I should bring it up when he comes out?" Téa asked Susannah.

"No, not unless he does. Todd's body has been through a lot today. That may be why Tom is upset tonight. He's exhausted and his threshold for frustration is very low right now, as is his ability to tolerate stress. He may also be feeling a little confused. I do think he has some kind of problem with Kevin. Unless he brings it up, I want to let it go for tonight. I'm going have Connie come in and administer his sleep meds through the NG tube. I want him to get some rest."

Tom came out of the bathroom in his pajamas. He looked as dejected as he did when he went in. Téa walked over to him. "Would you like me to tuck you in?" Tom really wanted her to, but he just shrugged. He didn't want her to do it if she really didn't want to. Sensing his feelings, Téa put her arm around his shoulders. "I would really like to, if it's all right with you?" Tom nodded.

"Why don't I go down and bring the car to the front of the hospital?" Kevin suggested. He felt totally useless there.

"Okay. I'll be down in a little while," Téa called out to him. Téa felt Tom's shoulders stiffen. She tucked him in. After she had pulled the covers up around him, she asked him if he wanted a story.

"No. That's okay. Kevin's waiting for you."

"Kevin isn't in a rush. He can wait while I tell you a story. Would you like me to tell or read you a story?" Téa offered again. Tom shook his head. Téa took a different direction. "Would you like me to come see you tomorrow? I can bring you something special for breakfast if you like?"

"Do you really want to come see me tomorrow?" Tom looked as if he were about to start crying.

"Oh, Tom. Of course I do. I love visiting you. Maybe we can go to the art room? You draw so well. I would like it if you showed me how to draw better."

"You really think I draw good?" Tom had tears in his eyes.

"Yes I do. You are very talented. I love looking at your drawings," Téa admitted honestly.

"I teach Timmy how to draw better. I'm a good teacher. I never get mad and yell if he don't do it good and I'll show him a whole bunch of times if he can't do it and I don't call him names."

"It sounds like you're a very good teacher. I am really looking forward to tomorrow." Téa smiled and stroked his head.

Tom's mood seemed to be improving a little. He looked at his watch. "How long before tomorrow?"

"Well, let's see. What time is it now?" Téa inquired.

Tom pressed the button on his watch. They heard the voice say, "seven fifty-three PM."

"It's at night cause my watch says PM." Tom held up his wrist up and pressed the button again to make sure Téa heard it too. The voice saying "AM" or "PM" seemed to be the only way Tom really understood the difference between day and night.

"Then it's about twelve hours until I come back tomorrow," Téa answered.

"TWELVE HOURS! That's forever!" Tom cried out.

"No Boomer. It's not that long," Sam interrupted when he saw Tom was getting upset. "You'll be asleep for most of it. Before you know it, Téa will be back."

Tom looked confused. "If I sleep real fast will Téa come back quicker?"

They all tried not to laugh because Tom was so serious. "No, honey. It doesn't work that way," Susannah stated gently. "You'll see. Tomorrow will get here very quickly," Susannah assured him.

"I'm gonna go to sleep right now," Tom announced. He wanted to get a head start on things.

Téa kissed him goodnight. She then said goodnight to Sam, Viki and Susannah. Carl was sitting at the door as she walked out. She said her goodnights to him as well. She stopped at the nurses station to thank Connie for the flower and wish her a happy anniversary.

"You are very welcome Téa. You should have seen how excited Tom was when he realized he could have one to give to you," Connie filled Téa in.

Téa smiled to herself. Then her smile faded. She was sorry that Tom walked in while she and Kevin were laughing together. She knew that had spoiled Tom’s surprise. Téa wanted to make sure to thank Tom for the flower again tomorrow and tell him how much she loved him.

Secrets 81, Page 2