HAZY SHADE OF WINTER - PART TWELVE
PREVIOUSLY
Susannah wanted to talk to Todd more once he'd let it sink what happened here today. If Todd was growing as strong as she suspected, then a trip to Llanview to finish the re-integration was in order.
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February 1999 Late Evening Carlotta's Kitchen…
Téa knocked on Carlotta's kitchen door. Carlotta was washing a dish in the sink. She paused to look through the window. Carlotta smiled and motioned for Téa to come in.
Téa walked in and exchanged a hug with Carlotta. She also noticed Anton was sitting at Carlotta's table drinking a beer.
"It's been a while. How are you?" asked Carlotta.
"I'm fine. Hello, Anton," said Téa.
"Hello Téa. Can I get you a drink?" asked Anton.
"Sure, I'll have what you're having," said Téa taking a seat at the kitchen table. Carlotta joined her. Anton handed her a beer.
"So, how was the trial?" asked Carlotta.
Téa smiled, "It was a hung jury. I have to go back on Monday to brief the state DA. He wants my opinion if they should drop the case or to re-prosecute."
"Well, you've gotten back just in time. Dorian's benefit is tomorrow. Are you going?" asked Carlotta.
"I'll be there. Hank feels it's important that the DA's office shows support. And all though I never met David Renaldi, I admired him – his courage – his strength," said Téa softly. She sipped her beer.
"So," said Téa again, "Anyone seen Roseanne? My wayward niece wasn't around too much when I attempted to call from Pine Valley. I talked to her a few times but she was always brief. I'd like to know what she's up too." "Well, school's treating her well," started Carlotta, "She's usually at the diner around three to help out. She'll help close the diner and then goes over to Jessica's for a study group. She'll be at the benefit tomorrow."
"Jessica? She's gotten friendly with Jessica? Something's up." questioned Téa.
Anton nodded his head, "And that is not all."
"Don't tell me she's done another stupid thing in regards to Will Rappaport," asked Téa.
"No. She has made several inquires concerning your mother's affair with her father, your step-brother. She has even talked about a trip to New York on her school break in April," replied Anton sipping his beer.
"I see," said Téa frowning at Carlotta, "There's not much else to tell and she'll only dredge up bad memories. We all know it was an affair. It happened. My mother ran away."
There was a moment of silence.
Anton's eyes found Carlotta's. Carlotta nodded her head, "Do the right thing Anton."
"Huh?" questioned Téa looking back from Anton to Carlotta back to Anton. "I have something to tell you. Something I am not proud of," started Anton.
"Oh?" questioned Téa.
"The night you left to go to Pine Valley – after you left the country club I was approached by Blair Cramer. We talked. We drank. I went to her penthouse for a nightcap and spent the night with her," continued Anton, his voice beginning to shake.
"Blair, huh? Well, she has a way with men, just don't tell me the details, o.k.?" said Téa lightly.
"Téa… I told her about your abortion and how I was the father of you child," said Anton looking down at the table, "I was frustrated by your re-buff and that is why I did it."
"Oh," said Téa pausing, shocked by what Anton had just told her, "Blair Cramer knows about…that. That's knowledge she would gladly use against me Anton. Blair and I don't get along. She's accused me of baby snatching, golddigging, husband grabbing, pushed me out a window…" started Téa.
"I know. Carlotta has told me of your history with her. At the time I did not know," added Anton looking at the table.
Carlotta turned to Téa, "I know it hurt Téa, but Anton was honest with you. Maybe now, you can be honest with him."
Téa took a breath, "Carlotta's right. I need to be honest with you."
Anton looked up from the table and at Téa, "About what?"
"Anton, I lied about the abortion. I didn't have it," said Téa softly.
Anton frowned, "I suspected as much. But you let me think it and I ran away. Now, tell me what really happened."
"I had the baby Anton. She was a girl. I named her Marisa Maria Delgado. Initially, I decided to keep her and raise her…" started Téa.
"What happened?" asked Anton seeing the pain in Téa's eyes as she recalled this memory. A tear rolled down her cheek. Anton reached out to her and took her hand in his. She gladly let him hold it.
"I got scared Anton. It was the summer after my high school grad and the start of college. I put in for that scholarship the political science department at NYU was offering and I got it. And I thought…I couldn't do both – go to school and be a parent…I thought it best for Marisa… to put her up for adoption…give her parents who would be good for her…" Téa said, her voice cracking.
"You named our daughter Marisa? It is your middle name," remarked Anton.
"Yeah. I always liked that name," said Téa, tears freely flowing down her cheek.
"Do you know anymore?" asked Anton, "Do you have a picture?"
"No. I don't know anymore and I never took a picture," said Téa shaking her head, "Please, don't hate me Anton for never telling you…"
"No. I do not hate you. I would never hate the mother of my child," said Anton softly, "I only wish I could have had the opportunity to be a part of her life."
"What…are you thinking Anton?" asked Téa.
"I am thinking I will try to find her," said Anton firmly, "I want to know my daughter. I have no other children, since I spent my time roaming the world in search of…art."
"Anton – is that wise? Marisa would be what? Twelve now? She's probably living a comfortable life with good people – parents who love her. Who are we to disrupt that?" asked Téa.
"I intend to find our daughter with or without your help," replied Anton.
Téa frowned, "What if…she resents you – us?"
"That is a chance I am willing to take," said Anton.
"I'm scared, Anton," whispered Téa.
Carlotta handed Téa a tissue to wipe the tears away and placed a hand on Téa's shoulder, "It will be all right. Your life will turn around."
Téa feebly smiled at Carlotta as she wiped her eyes, "Yeah. I've got my work. I've got you…" She closed her eyes – thinking of Todd – wanting him to be here beside her now – especially now – to help her deal with this. She said her good-byes and went home to her empty apartment. Tomorrow was going to be an early day at the office and she needed to unpack from her trip.
February 1999, The next day… Heathrow Airport, London, England
Todd and Susannah were transferring planes. They were coming from Geneva, Switzerland and their final destination was Llanview, Pennsylvania. Todd was nervous as they walked through the airport. He ran his fingers though his hair. His hair wasn't as long as before. He had gotten a more conventional haircut and had shaved off his goatee – a physical manifestation of the emotional changes inside him. He took a breath as he thought of Téa…the last time that he saw Téa…
It had been three months since he'd seen her. Angry, hurt words had been exchanged between them when last he saw her. He'd rescued her from a fire and had cried over her as he held her in his arms telling her to live and lamenting over the burn on her face…but he also remembered one thing that gave him hope. She had told him she loved him. He vowed as he held her in his arms that he wouldn't go back until he was well. And lately, Pete had been silent and he – Todd – had been the strong one…not Pete…not Rodd.. Him. Todd. He had talked about the awful things his father had done to him and he'd done to others and Susannah had helped him find an inner 'acceptance' of that. He was anxious and nervous to see Téa again…too nervous. Again, he found himself asking would Téa run or stay…would she want him in her life? He needed to know how she felt about him now. Right now.
As they passed an international newsstand he saw a copy of the Sun. He paused to buy a copy. Susannah waited for him. He tucked it under his arm and they continued to their gate where they had to wait a bit before they boarded the plane. Todd sat down next to Susannah and began to read his copy of the Sun. The headline read, "Lord Hayes to give ALS benefit." Todd raised an eyebrow and continued to read…
"Dorian Lord Hayes is hosting another a masked ball, tomorrow, this time to benefit ALS research in David Renaldi's name. World renowned pianist David Renaldi has recently passed away and was afflicted with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gerig's disease. The ball will be held at the Llanview Country Club and cocktails start at eight. Generous donations have all ready been given in his name by Victoria Lord Carpenter, Asa Buchanan, and Assistant District Attorney, Téa Delgado…"
Todd looked at the paper's date. February 3rd. Today was February 4th, the day of the masked ball.
Todd turned to Susannah, "Téa's an ADA now."
"Does that surprise you?" asked Susannah.
"Yeah. The Téa Delgado I knew reveled in being a defense attorney. She would take care of the law – and you would take care of your conscious," said Todd remembering Téa's motto.
"You want to hear my new philosophy of love? It's just as easy to fall in love with a man who can open doors for you and it's just as easy to fall for one who can slam them in your face."
"Maybe Téa's changed too, Todd. Maybe, she's changed – like you have. Maybe, she's dealt with what haunts her…" suggested Susannah.
"Maybe. What time is it?" asked Todd.
"2 p.m. We board in fifteen minutes," said Susannah.
"That makes it eight a.m. in Llanview. Can I use your cell phone?" asked Todd.
Susannah dug in her coat and handed Todd her cell phone. Todd dialed a few numbers.
"Information? Good. Connect me with the Llantano Country District Attorney's office," said Todd. He smiled at Susannah. Susannah opened her mouth to speak but Todd held up his hand.
"Trust me," he said.
"Llantano County…Office of the District Attorney, Jeff speaking. How may I help you?"
"Ah, Téa Manning, please?" said Todd
"Who?"
"Ah, I mean Téa Delgado," said Todd using an accent.
"Just a minute,"
There was a pause. Susannah was worried.
"ADA Delgado. How can I help you?"
Todd paused. It was music to hear her voice. He closed his eyes thinking of her.
"Hello?"
"Ah, sorry. I'm calling from Herman's outfitters. I understand the costume you ordered is ready for tonight's masked ball…"
"I didn't order any costume for tonight's ball…"
"Well, your name is on this invoice. Aren't you attending?"
"Yes, I'll be attending but I all ready have a costume…"
"I don't understand…your name is down on this invoice…for a – cinderella dress…"
"I'll be going as a gypsy again. I'm afraid I'm not very original. Are you sure that my niece, Roseanne Delgado, didn't order that costume?"
"It says T. Delgado. I suppose the "T" could be an "R."
"You can reach her at the Angel Square diner around three p.m. when she gets out of classes…"
"Thank you. Goodbye."
"Bye,"
CLICK.
"Todd? What did you just do?" questioned Susannah.
"Susannah – this masquerade ball is absolutely perfect for me to find out how Téa really feels about me now. Right now. Let me tell you what I have in mind…" started Todd.
TO BE CONTINUED
