PREVIOUSLY

Tea: No small thing, you sleeping. Is it any easier now?

Todd: Harder as the court date approaches.

Tea: I'm sorry. What can I do to help? (Takes his face in her hands.)

Todd: Don't leave me.

Tea: I have no intention of ever leaving you, and you know it.

Todd: Just don't.

Tea: I won't.

[Scene ends.]

**************************************************************************************************

[Scene: Afternoon, same day. DK Diner.]

Cris: Mami, we have something to discuss with you.

Carlotta: (Apprehensive:) You didn't get Jessica pregnant, did you?!

Jess: No, Carlotta, it's not that. We said we'd wait, and we have.

Cris: Si, Mami.

Carlotta: (Very relieved.) Sorry, Jess, it's nothing against you. You two are so young.

Cris: Well, see, that's part of what we're concerned about.

Carlotta: Did you elope?!

Cris: No, Mami!

Jess: No, Carlotta. We were thinking of maybe getting engaged for real this year. We're asking our families first.

Carlotta: Oh, that's so sweet. Are you two sure about this?

Jess&Cris together: Yes.

Carlotta: I see... Does your mother know yet, Jess?

Jess: I've spoken to her, but not my Dad.

Cris: She's afraid he'll go ballistic.

Jess: I haven't even talked to my uncle yet. I'm not sure what Todd'll say.

Carlotta: Well, I won't comment on your uncle. You know how I feel about Todd.

Cris: He's always very protective of Jess, Mami.

Carlotta: Have you spoken to Tea, Cristian?

Cris: She's on the list.

Jess: Are you ok with this, Carlotta?

Carlotta: As long as you take it slowly and do it right. Have you talked about the religious aspects of this?

Cris: We're of different faiths.

Jess: (Turns to Cris:) Maybe we should talk to Andrew?

Cris: (Nods at Jess:) That's going to be thorny.

Jess: I guess we should talk to him about it. I'd like to get married here, surrounded by our families, rather than across town -- what am I saying? (Rolls eyes, looks at Carlotta:) There's a Catholic Church in Angel Square, right?

Carlotta: Yes.

Jess: Would I have to convert?

Cris: Hmm. You might have to consider it.

Carlotta: Would you like me to ask the priest?

Jess: Would you? I'll ask Andrew. It's kind of nice having a step-uncle who's a Minister, sometimes.

Carlotta: If you're serious, the mothers are going to have to be in charge of arrangements. I'd have Diego do the fatherly things if he were still with us, bless his soul, may he rest in peace.

Jess: You really loved each other, didn't you?

Carlotta: Oh, very much. Sometimes I go to sleep and as I fall asleep I can swear I hear him quietly snoring next to me. He's never far away.

Cris: I miss Papi, too, Mami.

Jess: I miss my Dad, too. Maybe we should call him tomorrow.

Cris: Are you sure you're ready?

Jess: Not in the least, but to hear your mom talk about your late dad... I just miss my Dad.

Cris: I understand. You know? I miss your Dad, too.

Carlotta: (Smiles at them:) I guess you'll be calling Clint tomorrow.

Jess: I guess so. I just don't know if I'm willing to have this conversation with him yet.

Cris: So don't. Just let him know you miss him. We both do.

Jess: He'll probably call Mom if I tell him we both do, thinking there must be something up.

Carlotta: I think it would help if you talked to some others before you called him so you'll know whose support you have. If he's upset, you'll know that others do support your decision even if he's not comfortable with it. I have to tell you, there's this voice in my head that keeps saying to me, "my baby wants to get married!"

Cris: Oh, Mami. Even when we have kids of our own I'll still be your baby.

Jess: What about Eli?

Cris: We should find him and let him know we're thinking about this step. Mami, where does he spend most of his time these days? He's never home except for his medications.

Carlotta: Hmmm. I'll have to think about that and let him know you're looking for him. He's so independent, but at least now he's been staying out of trouble for a long time, and he's been healthy.

Cris: I'm so relieved. He has so much less time left to live than he could have I can't even think of him spending it behind bars. I actually like him now. I finally do think of him as a little brother, even though no one ever sees him.

Jess: I wonder if he'd like to be in the wedding?

Carlotta: I think he'd be honoured to play a role in it.

Cris: I wish he'd spend time at home.

Carlotta: Well, he did place in advanced classes and he's been taking some college courses this summer, so he's been very busy. He's a blur most days. It's "Hi, Mom!" as he grabs some food, and then, "Bye, Mom!".

Cris: He finally calls you "Mom?".

Jess: That must have been such a fight.

Carlotta: Believe me, it was. So I think he'd feel so honoured to be part of your wedding when you get married. He can't work here, because he's ill. I think he's felt very seperate from us all along.

Jess: Has he seen Todd recently?

Carlotta: They still don't get along very well.

Jess: Todd has that effect on people. (Checks wall clock.) Hey, we better get going.

Cris: Who's next on the list?

Jess: Joey.

Cris: Bye, Mami.

Carlotta: Bye, you two! Don't rush into this.

Jess: We're not. (Waves to Carlotta as they leave.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: PH2, evening.]

Tea: (Answering phone.) Hello?... Viki, hi... Uh-huh... Ok, I'll tell him... Mhm... Bye. (Hangs up. Calling into the kitchen:) Todd?

Todd: (From kitchen, off-camera:) What?

Tea: Viki says Starr's been dropped off with her.

Todd: You go.

Tea: Todd...

Todd: (Enters livingroom.) Viki's pretty ticked at me, I don't think she wants to see me. You go. (Picks at back of overstuffed chair along top, at stage left.)

Tea: Todd...

Todd: (Looks at her:) No, really. I've got work to do, anyway. I've got a-a-a, a big article to write, you go get Shorty.

Tea: Todd, you're not gonna do this. Todd, you're going to Viki's.

Todd: No, I'm not.

Tea: Do you want Starr to think you're too busy even for her?

Todd: Umm... No. No. No. I'll go, then. She's gonna think you didn't care enough to go along, you know.

Tea: She'll be fine. It's her Daddy she wants most. You'll be fine without me.

Todd: I'll be --

Tea: Yes,you.

Todd: Viki probably won't even speak to me.

Tea: I think she will. Why do you need her approval so much?

Todd: (Shrugs.) I don't.

Tea: I think you do.

Todd: Well, I don't.

Tea: Starr's waiting.

Todd: Yeah. Guess I better go. (Turns to leave.)

Tea: Todd?

Todd: (At the door.) Yeah?

Tea: I don't think she's still mad at you.

Todd: I wouldn't know about that.

Tea: Go pick up Starr.

Todd: (Leaves.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Mill House. Same evening.]

Kevin: (In the livingroom.) Hey, Duke? Could you come here a sec?

Duke: (Comes down the stairs.) What?

Kevin: Got something to show you outside.

Duke: What?

Kevin: You'll see. Come on. (They exit from the front door to the left.)

Duke: Oh.

Kevin: You like it? You think you'd like riding it?

Duke: I guess...

Kevin: If you don't like it, we can exchange it and you can pick it out...

Duke: No. No, this is ok.

Kevin: You don't sound too happy. Do you like the helmet? Is the helmet ok? I hope it fits right. Here, let's try it on you... (Grabs helmet, fits it gently on Duke's head, who patiently lets him do this.)

Duke: Why are you doing this? (Kevin snugs the straps on the helmet and snaps it on under Duke's chin.)

Kevin: There. (Steps back a little to look at Duke.) You're my only child, and I love you. You can take it off now. (Duke removes the helmet and dangles it by its strap on a few fingers casually.) I want you to be happy here and safe. I thought I'd give you a set of your own wheels. I thought you'd like that.

Duke: (Shrugs, looking bike over with his eyes.) It's ok.

Kevin: Would you rather a motorbike or something else?

Duke: (Looks at Kevin. Holds helmet against body.) Why are you trying so hard? It's like you're trying to buy me or something.

Kevin: Whoa. I am not trying to buy you.

Duke: Yeah, I think you are. It's not gonna work. (Hangs helmet on bike handlebar.)

Kevin: Do you have a bike at home?

Duke: (Looking bike over casually.) Yeah.

Kevin: Do you miss it?

Duke: Yeah.

Kevin: Would you rather be there than here?

Duke: (Shrugs, not looking at Kevin, but at the bike.)

Kevin: I don't know what to do to reach you, son. I don't know how to please you. I don't know what to do.

Duke: (Looks right at Kevin, hard:) Stop trying so damn hard, Dad.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Llanfair, moments later. Todd approaches the front door and stops short, his fist raised to knock on the front door, but he stands back on his heels and backs a little away. He begins to pace a little in front of the door. Viki comes downstairs and crosses into the livingroom carrying one of Starr's stuffed toys. She hesitates a moment in front of the front door, listening quietly while looking at the door. She seems almost to be willing it to open on its own. When it doesn't, she sighs, shrugs, and proceeds to the livingroom/study.]

Viki: Here, honey, I found it in Jessie's room like you told me I would.

Starr: Thank you, aunt Viki.

Viki: You're welcome, Starr.

Starr: Aunt Viki? Where's Daddy?

Viki: He's on his way, sweetie. Do you miss him already?

Starr: Yes. Sometimes I wonder if he still loves me, though.

Viki: Oh, sweetheart, he does. He loves you so much. Come here. (Sits on couch and pats a spot next to her.)

Starr: (Clambers onto the couch.)

Viki: (Gathers Starr onto her lap and hugs her close.) He'll be here soon, Starr. Don't worry, ok?

Starr: What's taking him so long? I'm tired.

Viki: I wonder...

Starr: What, aunt Viki?

Viki: Well, Tea said he was on his way and wasn't sure I wanted him to come.

Starr: How come?

Viki: Well, we had a little bit of a disagreement the other day, and I wonder if he thinks I might still be mad at him. I think I know just how to fix that when he gets here, too.

Starr: How?

Viki: When your Daddy gets here I'll give him a big hug. He doesn't like hugs much, but I'm not taking no for an answer this time.

Starr: (Giggles.) He's gotta let you.

Viki: (Laughing and hugging Starr again:) Because I'm the Big Sister!

[Todd bursts into the house, apparently having given up on knocking. Viki and Starr get up from the couch and walk to the doorway of the study, Starr hangs back, knowing what Viki has planned. She goes back to the couch and picks up a toy.]

Todd: Where's my kid, Sis?

Viki: (Very serious expression:) We have some unfinished business, Todd.

Todd: (Seems to flood with anxiety and some discernible shame.) No. No we don't. I just want my kid, and then we're outta here. We're outta your hair.

[Viki blocks his passage across the entryway with her body and quickly reaches out for him. She brings his body close against hers and simply holds on. His posture is stiff, but he closes his eyes and she keeps holding him like this until he puts his head on her shoulder and relaxes. She cuddles him against her and strokes his back as he relaxes more against her. Then he takes a deep breath and stands up again. She holds onto him a moment or two more and then allows him to step away.]

Todd: You-you don't hate me for what I said?

Viki: Do you remember the last things I said to you in my office before you panicked and fled?

Todd: I didn't panic, I had work to do.

Viki: You panicked and you ran.

Todd: Ok, so I left your office a little quickly. You were right, it was a busy day for both of us.

Viki: Todd, I said that I love you. You panicked. Before you panicked I saw how much you'd needed to hear me say that after our very tense exchange. I told you I thought that's why you'd come to me, to hear that from me.

Todd: (Takes a deep breath. Frowns morosely a moment.) Yeah-ok. Fine. Can I get my kid now?

Viki: (Reaches up and kisses his cheek.) You know, sometimes I wish I'd been around when you were younger to tuck you in or soothe your nightmares, or something. I'm sorry you're having such a tough time now. I'm not going anywhere and I'm not sending you away.

Todd: (Sighs deeply, looking troubled.)

Viki: Starr's waiting in the study, sweetheart. She's tired and she missed you tonight.

Todd: (With feeling:) I missed her tonight, too. (Walks into the study.)

[Study.]

Starr: (Has been playing with some toys while she waited.)

Todd: (Walks into the room catlike as usual and as quiet as a panther, watching her as he moves.)

Starr: (Looks up from her toys, tosses them on the couch and runs to Todd.) Daddy!

Todd: Starr! (Picks her up and hugs her.) Everything go ok with your Mom at dinner?

Starr: Uh-huh.

Todd: No Max?

Starr: Nuh-uh.

Todd: Did you eat a good dinner?

Starr: Uh-huh.

Todd: Did you eat enough?

Starr: Uh-huh.

Todd: Let's get your stuff and go home.

Starr: Ok.

Todd: (Picks up several toys and he and Starr carry them as he carries her. Quietly in the entryway as they pass Viki:) Bye, Sis.

Viki: (Leans up to him as he leans in towards her, and she kisses his cheek.)

Todd: (Sighs, thinking. Looks at Viki.) Look, I'm sorry about the other day. I wasn't --

Viki: It's ok, Todd. Go tuck Starr in. We can talk more later, ok?

Todd: (Nods. Looks at Starr, who has been watching them closely. Quietly:) Let's go home, huh?

Starr: (Nodding:) Mhm.

Todd: (Crossing to door:) Tired?

Starr: (Big yawn, lays her head on his shoulder.)

Todd: (Opening the door, standing in the doorway just long enough to kiss Starr's cheek and exit, closing it behind them.)

Viki: (Watches them go quietly.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: PH2 livingroom. Todd enters, still carrying Starr and her toys.]

Todd: I'll put you and the animals to bed, ok? (Closing the door.)

Starr: (Tiredly:) Ok, Daddy.

Todd: You ok?

Starr: Tired.

Todd: I'll get you right upstairs, then. (Crosses to the stairs and goes up.)

[Scene: PH2 upstairs hallway. MBR nightstand lamp is on, lighting behind closed MBR door is muted. Todd pauses a moment and looks at his bedroom doorway, then he proceeds carrying Starr to her room.]

Todd: You should brush your teeth and get ready.

Starr: Ok. Will you read to me?

Todd: Pick out a book. I'll be back to check on you in a moment. (Exits to hallway.)

Starr: (Busies herself getting undressed for bed.)

[Outside MBR Todd pauses, looking indecisive. Inside, Tea gets up from her homework and crosses to the door. She opens it slowly and finds Todd there. In the background Starr can be heard brushing her teeth in the hall bathroom.]

Tea: (Quietly:) Hi, stranger.

Todd: (Quietly:) I told you I'm not -- well, actually I am pretty strange.

Tea: (Smiles at him gently. Strokes his face as they lock eyes.) Not to me you're not.

Todd: Shorty's home.

Tea: Does she want me to read to her?

Todd: She asked me to.

Tea: Ok.

Todd: Maybe she's just tired, but she was quiet all the way home.

Starr: (In her room:) Daddy?

Tea: Showtime.

Todd: Yeah. (Goes to Starr's room and sits on her bed, tucking her in.)

Starr: Daddy?

Todd: Yeah?

Starr: Do you love me?

Todd: Always. Always, Starr. Your being in the world makes it a better place. My world is a better place, 'cos I have you.

Starr: How come you don't have time for me anymore?

Todd: I do have time for you. I have less, but that can be changed.

Starr: (Seriously:) Change it, Daddy.

Todd: Ok.

Starr: (Snuggling under the covers.) I'm too tired for a story tonight.

Todd: I'll tuck you in, then. (Adjusts the blanket around her, kisses her forehead, stands.) I do love you, Starr. I'm fighting so hard to keep you here.

Starr: I'm glad, Daddy. I don't wanna go and live with Mommy even if she left Max.

Todd: Is it what you want because you want it, or because you think I want you to stay?

Starr: I want to stay with you, Daddy!

Todd: I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy and keep you safe, Starr. I promise.

Starr: Ok, Daddy. Goodnight.

Todd: (Strokes her cheek, looking in her eyes, and finally straightens up again and stands.) Goodnight, my Princess Shorty. (Leaves her room, turning off her light and closing her door partway. He enters the MBR.)

Tea: Carlotta called earlier. She wants us to visit at her house tonight, since we missed the other night.

Todd: I gotta stay with Shorty.

Tea: Tina's on her way home, I thought she could watch Starr and we'd make it a short appearance only and just come home.

Todd: (Pre-occupied:) Whatever. (Leaves and goes downstairs.)

[Livingroom]

Tina: (Just arriving.) Hi.

Todd: Hi.

Tea: (Close behind him.) Tina, we were thinking of a quick visit to Carlotta's, could you watch over Starr while we're out?

Tina: (Looks from Tea to Todd, he looks uncomfortable.) Sure. Is that ok with you, Todd?

Todd: Hmm? Yeah, whatever.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Carlotta's house. Kitchen, at night.]

Todd: (Lingering behind Tea, looking very uncomfortable and scouting the environs, settles his eyes on watching Tea from behind for a moment as they approach Carlotta's back door.)

Tea: (Turns around and, stage whispering with some small urgency:) Todd! Come on! You're not getting out of this, you know.

Todd: I'm looking for a booby trap, Delgado.

Tea: Booby trap? Todd...

Todd: No, that spook of a brother of yours is supposed to be here, right? You know he has it in for me.

Tea: Todd...

Todd: Go ahead, say it, Delgado.

Tea: Say what?

Todd: You know. You always say it when I get hinky like this. When something happens you tell me I'm right. So say it. (She just looks at him as if he's not quite right.) Oh, come on, Delgado. I know you want to say it.

Tea: Todd, you're being childish.

Todd: No, the other thing.

Tea: What? (Sighs irritably at him.) Todd...

Todd: Well?

Tea: I'm not so sure you really are being paranoid, actually.

Todd: See? I knew you knew what to say. So, you think I'm right?

Tea: I don't know. I haven't talked to Del in about a year.

Todd: You won't go with him, right?

Tea: Not even if he tries to drag me away. He knows better. You know better.

Todd: No, I don't. Does he? He says family's really important to him, like he thinks it isn't important to me. You stay by me.

Tea: Why wouldn't I?

Todd: 'Cos he's your brother, and then there's the lovely Antonio, oh, and then your surrogate Mom. Really, Tea, why did I come with you? Why did you talk me into this? I don't want all this 'togetherness" and 'bonding' with your family. They hate me.

Tea: You wanted to go out with me, try for a little normality for once. You still want that? 'Cos this is 'out'.

Todd: This is very 'out', Delgado. I think this was a very bad idea, Tea. Very bad.

Carlotta: (Opens door.) Hi! I thought I heard voices. Please come in, you two.

Todd: See? Bad. (Looking even more uncomfortable and anxious, seeing Antonio and Del at the kitchenette. Muttered:) Very bad. Oh, great. The Bobbsy Twins. (Louder:) Tea, I've -- I've got some work to do at the office. When do you want me to pick you up?

Tea: (Insistent and a little impatient:) Todd, we've come this far, why don't we just go in?

Todd: Because I'm about to get crucified in there and you know it. You gonna stand by and let them do this?

Tea: Nothing will happen, Todd.

Todd: Right. Your psycho-spook brother and that ex-gangster friend of yours just love me tender, huh?

Tea: Todd...

Carlotta: Tea? Todd?

Todd: (Not looking away from Tea:) No.

Tea: You said...

Todd: I know what I said, Tea. I know what I said. I just can't do this.

Carlotta: (Watches Todd carefully, observing his reaction.)

Tea: (Enters doorway.) Del, 'Tonio, I want you both to behave. We're under a lot of pressure right now and neither of us wants a scene, ok? My dear husband is here because I asked him to come, not because he wants to, and we can't stay long because his sister is watching Starr.

Del: What's wrong with his sister that she can't watch Starr all night on her own?

Tea: She has two kids of her own staying at Viki's --

Del: There's another sister?

Todd: Yeah, there's more of us, Agent Delgado. Be afraid.

Tea: Todd... (Looks back at Del:) -- and she's had a long day. Besides, we want to be with Starr as much as we can. (Turning:) Right, Todd?

Todd: (Has been pacing outside, visible in the background with almost every camera shot of Tea from just inside the kitchen. Stops and steps up to stand behind her, putting his hands gently on her upper arms.) Yeah, so nice seeing you again and all, but we gotta go now. My kid's waiting.

Antonio: (Growls:) I see you're just as cordial as ever, Manning.

Tea: Antonio, don't start...

Antonio: Don't start what, Tea? Is your rich psycho hubby here too good for us?

Todd: What do you think?

Tea: You've both done time, Antonio, so you're not one to talk.

Del: What has he done to you lately, Tea? Why do you still defend this bad boy?

[All three simultaneously:]

Tea: He's my husband, Del, and I love him!

Todd: (Angry, stepping aside from Tea and in front of her to shout into the room:) Is that how you talk to your sister?

Carlotta: That's enough, Antonio! Del! All of you!

Cris: (Comes into the kitchen, sleepy.) What the hell is wrong with you people? Eli and I were asleep, he needs his rest, ok? I don't want to hear this, and he's kept well out of it. If you have to argue, the least you can do is argue quietly, but the best thing would be not to.

Carlotta: Cristian's right. We've all had long days, it's hot, Todd really doesn't want to be here, you don't want to see him. This was a bad idea.

Todd: How's the kid doing, Cris?

Cris: He's doing ok. He's been very busy this summer, healthy. Taking some courses at LU.

Todd: (Gentle and quiet, a private conversation with Cris held in public.) Good. Good. I'm glad.

Del: Tea should've come alone.

Tea: Tea should have stayed at home with her husband and his child.

Todd: Let's go. (Takes her hand, and turns but she doesn't follow as fast and he has to stop and look at her.)

Tea: (Looking in his eyes. Quietly:) Can you wait a moment in the car? I think my brother needs a stern talking-to.

Todd: (Quietly, to her:) He needs much more than that, Delgado... Fine. (Louder, so they can hear him clearly:) You have (checks watch) 3 minutes and then I'm leaving, Delgado.

Del: He calls you by your last name?! What kind of respect is that, Tea?

Tea: (An expression crosses her face that makes it very clear she's ignoring Del.) Fine.

Todd: (Glares at Del. Looks around at everyone else, hesitates, brings his face close to hers and after a moment of nuzzling foreheads, he kisses her gently and then breaks all contact, dropping her hand and walking off into the night without looking back.)

Tea: (Wheels around and enters the kitchen, closing the door. She crosses to the table and stands over Del. Seething:) I know what you think of him, I know what you think of me for being with him, but you will never speak to either of us, either of you (looking for a long moment at Antonio), like that ever again. Do you understand me?

Del: I make no promises.

Antonio: Me neither.

Cris: (Scowls at Antonio.)

Carlotta: (Crosses her arms, observing the room.)

Tea: You will have to deal with me, Del. Remember that. I love Todd, no matter what you think of me for it, no matter what you think of him. I know you both think he's an animal, you've said it often enough to my face. That animal makes me happy, and I make him happy. If you can't support that then either leave us alone or at least stop trying to make our lives hell for it. (Before she wheels around and begins to cross to the door:) I'm going home, with my husband, whom I happen to love with all my heart, and he me. You two should be so lucky to have something this good, boys. (Going through the door:) Buenos noches, tante Carlotta.

Carlotta: (Turning on them, once she's gone, seething:) Nice job, mijos. You've driven her right into his arms with this. Happy now?

Cris: Mami...

[Scene ends.]

[Scenes: PH2 MBR, later that evening.]

Tea: You managed to stop pacing next to the car long enough to drive me home.

Todd: (Darkly, agitated, starting to pace:) Don't start with me.

Tea: I'm teasing you, Todd... Talk to me?

Todd: No... Not-not now, ok, Delgado?

Tea: Come to bed. Lay with me, Manning.

Todd: Can't.

Tea: Can't lay with me?

Todd: Can't sit still, let alone lie down. My head's spinning.

Tea: All the more reason to lie down. At least sit.

Todd: I gotta go. (Turns away. Spins back toward her.) It -- it's not you, it's me... (Locks eyes with her.) Sorry. (Bolts.)

[Scene ends]

[Scene: PH2 MBR, dead of the night. Tea wakes up and Todd's side of the bed is empty. She calls him at work, no answer. She dials up and logs in on a laptop from her work things retrieved from across the room. No email from him. She shuts it down and unplugs it, and as she puts it away, she looks very sad. She returns to sit on the bed against the headboard and brings the blanket to her chin, thinking and worrying.]

Tea: Where are you this time, Todd? Are you ok? What did I miss?

[Scene ends]

TO BE CONTINUED