I TAKE THE DICE - PART NINETEEN
PREVIOUSLY
Téa’s voice grew hard and cold, “Todd, Fiona is involved in this. She’s screwing with us again.”
“I will protect you Téa. I will find the truth. I will. Now let’s go home. Get you out of those repulsive clothes,” said Todd.
Téa nodded her head, “We’ll find the truth…together.”
Todd, Téa, and Tina walked out.
**********************************************************************************************************
Late that evening…
Téa walked in the door of her house still wearing the denim outfit from the police station. She was tired and emotionally drained from the events of the evening. Upon seeing Jessica and her son on the couch, she realized she had to be stronger for a little bit longer.
Trevor hadn’t slept well and had practically clung to Jessica as they rested on the couch. As soon as the door opened, Trevor had bolted up and was relived to see his father walk in with his mother. Jessica stirred as he wiggled out of her grasp and he ran into his mother’s arms.
Téa knelt down and took her trembling son into her embrace, speaking to him softly in Spanish, gentle words of comfort. The scene moved Todd.
Viki and Tina stayed behind Todd as they watched Trevor with Téa. Todd said nothing but was happy his son was pleased to see his mother. Jessica sleepily got up and approached them.
Téa picked Trevor up and her young son looked her straight in the eyes, “Daddy promised he’d bring you home!! He promised!!” gushed Trevor.
“Yeah, I promised…” said Todd softening. His son’s rejection was still fresh in his mind.
“I was scared mommy. I thought you weren’t coming home…” continued Trevor.
“Mijo how could you think that? Nothing will keep me away from you…” she said softly rubbing her fingers through his hair. The gesture comforted him.
“Daddy was mad and angry…” said Trevor, “I was scared.”
“Sweetie, your Daddy wasn’t mad or angry at me though. Your daddy loves you very much…” said Téa softly.
“Daddy!” cried Trevor.
Todd walked up behind Téa and looked over her shoulder at his son.
“I love you too Daddy!” exclaimed Trevor.
Todd let out a deep breath and lightly extended his hand. He rubbed the boy’s small arm.
“I love you too,” said Todd softly.
“Todd, I’m going to put Trevor to bed and then I’ll join you,” said Téa.
“You do that,” said Todd.
Téa walked off with Trevor.
“Well Todd, Jessie and I should go. I promise the Banner will report the story objectively,” said Viki.
“All right sis. Thanks for being here tonight,” said Todd.
“Your welcome. Bye Tina,” said Viki.
“Bye Viki,” said Tina.
Viki and Jessica left leaving Todd and Tina alone.
“So Todd, do you have a plan to tackle this Fiona person?” asked Tina.
Todd frowned. He had a growing feeling of uneasiness in his stomach.
“No. Not yet. I’m going to bed. You do the same,” said Todd, “We’ll talk some more in the morning.”
Tina watched Todd exit the room. Her brother was a complicated, intense man and she could tell something was nagging away at him.
Todd walked into his bedroom and sat down in the chair across from the window, staring out into his dark backyard. The sun would be up soon.
He heard Téa walk in. He felt her hands massage his shoulders and her kisses on the side of his neck. Her touch felt good. Then he heard her in the bathroom and finally after a few minutes she joined him in the bedroom. She sat down on the bed and Todd turned to face her.
“Something isn’t sitting right with me Téa,” he said. His voice was even but tense.
“What is it? What’s bothering you?” she asked.
“I know you didn’t kill anyone. I know that. Bo’s got the wrong woman. But…” started Todd. He paused and deeply looked into her eyes.
“But?”
“You leaving the party when you did and for the reason you did – I’ve been thinking about that and it doesn’t add up,” he said.
“Ah Todd…” she started.
“No. You didn’t have to get that stupid file, did you?” he said crossing his arms.
Téa looked down at the floor.
“You’re right Todd, I didn’t have to get it,” she confirmed.
“You lied Téa. Look at me!” he said feeling his own anger swell within him.
She looked into his face. He was upset, hurt, and confused.
“It was an excuse…” she began.
“It was a lie…” said Todd, “Say it Téa. It was a lie.”
“It was a lie Todd,” said Téa sadly.
Coldly, he looked at her, “Now why would my wife lie to me? You getting some nooky on the side with the Russian dude?!”
“No! Todd, no!” she vehemently exclaimed.
Todd cocked his head and studied her reaction. He knew her body intimately. He knew when she was telling the truth.
“All right Delgado, be honest with me now and tell me the real reason you went to your office tonight,” said Todd. He wanted his anger…at her to leave his body but it wouldn’t.
It was silent between them.
He struggled hard with his nagging insecurities to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“You were happy to see Tina. You were! You were happy Todd and I didn’t want you to leave her. I wanted you to spend time with her,” started Téa. She was nervous and played with her hands.
“Don’t use Tina as an excuse…” he spat.
“I’m not…I’m just saying…Look Todd…I overheard Nick on his cell phone. He told whoever was on that phone he would steal something out of my office tonight. So I went there to confront him. And I would have told you but you and Tina were enjoying yourselves and I didn’t want to ruin it…” rambled Téa. She wiggled around on the bed aware that Todd was judging her every word. She couldn’t look him in the eye.
He bolted out of the chair and hovered over her, as she remained on the bed.
“Ruin it?! You ruined it all right! When you didn’t come home and Trevor got scared. My boy rejected me tonight Téa and that hurt more than you can know. And now…” he paused.
“Trevor loves you Todd. He was…apprehensive at first since it was just us for the longest time but he’s come around. He kisses you and snuggles you…” began Téa defending her son.
“Well my son didn’t kiss or snuggle me tonight Téa – he was too worried about his mommy!” cried Todd.
“He had a right to be!!” said Téa standing up and getting in Todd’s face.
“And don’t you think your son’s father had a right to the truth five hours ago?” said Todd glaring at her.
“I’m sorry Todd,” she said.
“Sorry isn’t good enough Téa,” said Todd. He walked toward the door.
“Where are you going Todd?” she questioned.
“I can’t sleep in our bed tonight,” he replied, “I’m sick to my stomach because of you!!”
She ran after him and wrapped her arms around him from his backside. He paused at the door, his hand on the doorknob.
“Todd, please…don’t go. I need you. I am sorry I hurt you – it wasn’t my intention. I screwed up a lot of things tonight Todd. Todd, please…I love you. Don’t go…” she said. Desperation filled her voice. She couldn’t stand the thought of him sleeping in another part of the house.
Slowly, Todd turned around and softened but remained firm in his resolve.
“I’m sorry Delgado but right now I can’t. I’m angry Delgado. You understand? I’m angry…” he said.
“I love you Todd,” she said softly, “Tell me…tell me you love me…”
“If I didn’t love you I wouldn’t be hurting as much as I am,” he replied.
Téa dropped her arms and stood in front of him.
“All right you go! You go work out whatever it is but know this Todd Manning I am deeply sorry I hurt you. I love you. And right now I need you more than I ever have before,” her words were passionate and full of conviction.
He turned around and opened the door.
“Todd!! Tell me please!!” she exclaimed.
“I do love you Téa,” he said and for a moment their eyes found each other, expressing their feelings without words.
“Forgive me,” she said.
“I’m working on it,” he replied. He walked out leaving her alone. Suddenly her bedroom seemed too huge for her. She lay down on the bed and cried herself to sleep.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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