HAZY SHADE OF WINTER - PART TWO

PREVIOUSLY

Tears escaped down her cheeks. What was she going to do? Was there a chance? For them? Or did it die in the ashes of the cabana? She tried to breathe. Her face hurt…and she was too numb…to make any decisions now.

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Late November 1998 Llanview General

Téa Delgado Manning sat in her hospital room waiting for her niece, Roseanne to come and escort her home. She was being released today. Her facial burn had cleared up for the most part but the burns on her arms and leg were still painful. She had a prescription for painkillers.
Viki visited often. So did Roseanne and Carlotta. Roseanne had found a place near Rachel's old apartment and had moved their stuff out of the hotel.
Téa had a lot of time to think while her burns healed. Todd was in a clinic in Switzerland… and she was Mrs. Todd Manning. For what it was worth. Could he do it? Could he get better…. well…. Could they have a future together?
There was a knock on the door. Roseanne and Dr. Larry Wolek walked in. "How are you feeling, Téa?" asked Larry Wolek smiling.
"Better," said Téa. She was dressed in civilian clothes. A long sleeved shirt hid the burns on her arms and she wore slacks.
"First stop, our new digs," said Roseanne smiling.
"I can't wait to see them," said Téa.
Roseanne grabbed Téa's overnight bag and they walked out. Larry Wolek followed behind them.v "I want you back in a week for a checkup, o.k?" said Larry.
"Not a problem," said Téa.
Larry walked off and Roseanne and Téa got to the elevator. Roseanne pushed the button.
"Have you made any decisions?" asked Roseanne.
"About?"
The elevator doors opened and Blair Cramer walked out. Téa and Roseanne paused.
"Téa…the hospital letting you out?" questioned Blair.
"Do you care?" asked Téa.
"Frankly no," said Blair, "Todd made a fool out of you, Viki…and well…Sam. And now you have nothing. No husband. And I have The Sun. Let's face it…when you look at what's left… all I see is Starr's latina nanny standing in front of me," said Blair rather coldly.
Téa wasn't about ready to take Blair's shit, "Let me tell you what I do have, Blair. I'm Mrs. Todd Manning. You're not. That means what's his is mine and what's mine is his. All those millions…the Manning jet – it's mine…all mine… including the Sun…because that contract you have won't hold up in court, and I'll be running the Sun by the end of the week. And as for Starr, you're wrong. Starr and I do have something…"
"What?" said Blair making a face.
"My stepdaughter loves me, Blair. And you can't stop it or stand between it. What are you going to tell your little girl when she wants to see me…and spend time with me? The latina nanny can't make it today? I don't think so…" goaded Téa.
"That's it!" said Blair lunging for Téa as Téa lunged for Blair. Roseanne got in the middle but couldn't keep them apart. Another set of hands grabbed Téa and held her firmly while Roseanne grabbed Blair.
"What's going on?" demanded Dr. Lange.
Téa glared at Blair.
Blair glared at Téa.
Blair shrugged off Roseanne and walked away.
Dr. Lange let Téa go. Téa winced.
"Are you all right, Mrs. Manning?" asked Dr. Lange.
"My arms…" muttered Téa, "Are still sensitive."
Dr. Lange made a face, "Ah…do you need to be examined?"
"No, I'll be all right," said Téa. She could see the concern on his face.
"Ready Aunt Téa?" asked Roseanne.
"Yeah," said Téa, "Thank you…Dr. Lange."
"Sure," replied Dr. Lange.
Téa and Roseanne got on the elevator and left.

That Afternoon… Carlotta's Diner

Téa sat in Carlotta's diner talking to Carlotta.
"Fancy apartment Roseanne got, huh?" asked Carlotta.
"I'm impressed," said Téa.
"So, Téa, what are your plans now?" asked Carlotta.
"Tomorrow I'm going to find Sam and ah…get a job…doing lawyer things…" replied Téa.
"What about a month from now? Or two?" inquired Carlotta.
"Carlotta…I can't think that far ahead. I'm going one day at a time right now…" replied Téa.
"And what about Todd?" asked Carlotta.
Téa made a face, "He's in Europe getting treatment for his illness." She carefully selected her words.
"Are you going to get the marriage annulled?" asked Carlotta.
"No!" replied Téa, "No. Why are you asking me these questions?" "Someone has got to ask them," said Carlotta softly.
"Carlotta, when it comes time to do the right thing, I'll do it," said Téa, "Besides, my first priority is to get the Sun back from Blair."
Carlotta made a face.
"Hey, I hear this diner makes a good ham and cheese," came a voice from behind Téa.
"Dr. Lange?" said Téa turning to face him.
"Mrs. Manning. Fancy meeting you here," replied Dr. Lange.
"One ham and cheese?" asked Carlotta.
"On rye," he added.
"Do you live nearby?" asked Téa.
"Not far," said Dr. Lange, "Ah, call me…Tim."
"Téa," she replied.
Roseanne walked up to the counter holding a pot of coffee, "Would you like a cup?"
"No thanks," replied Dr. Lange.
"Roseanne, you know the new school semester starts in January. Have you thought about enrolling in classes?" asked Téa.
Roseanne went behind the counter and put the coffeepot down.
"Maybe part time…" started Roseanne.
"Why not full time?" asked Téa, "I can swing it."
Roseanne frowned, "I want to earn my way."
Téa made a face, "I didn't mean to imply…look, if you want to earn your way we'll apply for tuition assistance and I'm sure Carlotta will give you hours around your school schedule."
"Sure, I'm flexible,' said Carlotta, "Your sandwich is almost ready."
"Thanks," said Dr. Lange.
"Really? Can we do that?" remarked Roseanne smiling.
"Yeah, really," replied Téa.
Carlotta produced a brown paper bag and gave it to Dr. Lange, "Here you go."
"Thanks. Have a nice day, girls," he said.
"You too," they replied.
"He seems nice," said Roseanne, "He comes here every so often for a ham and cheese on rye."
"Well, I think I'll head back to our new pad – settle in," said Téa.
In walked John Sykes. Téa, Roseanne, and Carlotta gave each other a quick look and frowned.
"How are you Carlotta? Miss Delgado? Mrs. Manning?" asked Sykes walking up to the counter.
"We're fine," said Téa.
"What can I do for you? Pastrami on sourdough?" asked Carlotta.
"I guess I come in here a lot," said Sykes. He smiled at Téa, "So you have any plans?"
"Ah, I'll be going back to work tomorrow," said Téa.
"You know Téa, there's a group down here that could use your talents. Feel like some pro bono work?" asked Carlotta.
"Well, I don't know. I guess it would be a good way to get back into lawyering…" mussed Téa.
"Sounds like a good idea," added Sykes.
"Yeah," said Téa, "I've got to go."
Téa got up and headed for the door. Sykes followed her.
"Ah…Mrs. Man – Téa…" he said grabbing her attention.
"Yes?" she said turning to face him.
"There's a dinner…I have to go to…a police function…would you want to come…with me?" he asked.
"Ah, I don't know," said Téa trying to let him down easy, "I'm not ready…for social functions…or anything else…"
"No, hey," said Sykes, "I understand."
"Commish! You're sandwich is ready!" yelled Roseanne.
"My sandwich…" he pointed.
"Go get your sandwich…" said Téa watching him walk toward Carlotta.
She made a face and walked out.

TO BE CONTINUED