HAZY SHADE OF WINTER - PART NINE

PREVIOUSLY

"If you chase Uncle Anton away again I will never forgive you," said Roseanne sneering at Téa and walking off to her room.

Téa's eyes found the living room window and she began to stare out of it.

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December 1998…
The Llanview Police Station
. The Client Interview Room…

Téa walked in and sat down across from Hank. She put down her briefcase and took off her winter coat.
"So Hank, is this going to be a difficult negotiation?" asked Téa taking the seat across from Hank.
"No. I've got a simple offer. If Alverez agrees to plead guilty to first degree robbery I'll cut him a deal for six months in Statesville," said Hank folding his hands on the table.
"Mighty big of you. Especially since my client is not guilty," said Téa, imitating his gesture.
"Well, you seemed convinced of his innocence," said Hank.
"I have to be," replied Téa.
Hank paused before continuing, "Well, Georges's buddies, Manny and Tonio have given statements indicating that Georges knew about the robbery going into that bodega."
"And Manny and Tonio don't lie?" questioned Téa.
Hank laughed and held up three long rap sheets.
"This is a Manny's rap sheet, it's the longest," said Hank, "This is Tonio'
s rap sheet – lots of attempted burglary and robbery – and this is Georges – it's not as long but it's got plenty of attempted burglaries and larcenies on it."
"I get the hint, Hank. All three of them are liars," said Téa.
"Georges is a criminal, Téa," said Hank smiling at her, "And you as his attorney have the responsibility to bring the offer to the client and let him make the decision."
Téa returned Hank's smile, "Hank, I'm well aware of my duties and responsibilities to the client."
"So, when can you get back to me?" asked Hank.
"Well, as soon as we're done here I'll present your offer to him," said Téa.
"Good. Good," said Hank.
There was a bit of silence between them.
"So, we're done?" asked Téa.
"Yeah – we're done," said Hank, "Ah, Téa – I'd like to talk to you for a minute – not about this case…"
"Oh?" asked Téa leaning back in her chair.
"Are you truly happy defending criminals? Don't you ever get a nagging suspicion in here," Hank pointed to his head, "That they aren't innocent? That maybe they should be held accountable for their actions?"
Téa paused, "Are you talking about Todd's recent case?"
"Maybe if Manning was held accountable for his actions…maybe things might have been different," said Hank, "But this is about more… it's about the Manny's and Tonio's and Georges's…"
Téa sighed, "Well, I have been doing a lot of thinking about that lately."
"You have?" questioned Hank.
"I decided to go to law school – because I saw a lot of people get mistreated – by the legal system…and I had something to prove…that a latina was just as good as…all those snotty people on the tenth floor but – but a lot has changed since I obtained my J.D. and passed the bar…" started Téa.
Hank raised an eyebrow, "What's changed Téa?"
"When I first passed the bar, I was single, working as a junior ex - balancing my checkbook to the last ten dollars and within one year, I became a wife, a stepmother, a millionaire, and I…fell in love," Téa paused to catch her breath. Hank raised his eyebrow again.
"I've changed. I'm not that self-centered, chip-on-her-shoulders girl anymore. I've grown – I've matured – I just need to be true to myself and learn to take responsibility for my own actions."
Hank smiled, "I'd like to give you that opportunity."
"What opportunity?"
"The opportunity to be true to yourself – and show off your new found maturity," replied Hank.
"Hank?"
"ADA Cyrus has moved onto to bigger and better things and I need a new ADA," said Hank.
"Are you offering me a job?" asked Téa.
Hank smiled, "Yeah, I'm offering you a job. After you conclude the Alverez case."
"Me? An Assistant District Attorney?" questioned Téa. She was clearly surprised by Hank's offer.
"Yeah. You." said Hank.
"I need some time to think about it," replied Téa.
"You've got that, however long it takes to conclude the Alverez case," said Hank.
Téa looked up at Hank, "Thank you."
"Sure." said Hank. He got up and left.
Téa had arranged to meet Georges Alverez as soon as she finished with Hank.
As the guard was bringing up Alverez from his cell, she went out into the busy police room and bought a cup of coffee from the vending machine. "Counselor," came a voice.
Téa looked up, "Commissioner. I need a favor."
"Oh?" said Sykes approaching her.
"I need a few rap sheets. I'll give them back. I promise," said Téa.
Sykes leered at her and complied with her request. As she stood there waiting for the rap sheets all she could think about was Hank's job offer.
She thanked Sykes for them and walked back into the client interview room. Alverez was all ready there.
"What's up ma'am?" asked Alverez.
"The DA wants to offer you a deal," said Téa crossing her arms. Alverez stood up.
"A deal? What deal?" asked Alverez.
"Plead guilty to first degree robbery and you'll get six months in Statesville," said Téa.
"Six months?" questioned Alverez.
"If we go to court, and you're found guilty, the judge could sentence you to a max of five years," said Téa.
"Oh," said Alverez.
"Georges, you know what I have in my hand?" asked Téa holding up the rap sheets.
"No."
Téa let all three rap sheets fall to the ground, "Yours, Manny's and Tonio' s rap sheets. And you know what they tell me?"
"What?"
"The three of you get in trouble in a lot. And you all like to lie…" said Téa, "Now, I'm willing to go to court with you…if your innocent…but it's your call."
There was silence between them.
"I need time to think about this," said Alverez.
"Take as much time as you need. You know how to reach me," said Téa. She gathered her coat and briefcase and left.

That Evening… Carlotta's kitchen…

Téa and Carlotta were sitting down at her kitchen table. Carlotta was drinking a tea. Téa was drinking a beer.
"You know, Hank offered me a job today – as an ADA," said Téa kicking back in her chair.
"Really? Are you going to take him up on his offer?" asked Carlotta.
"I'm thinking about it," said Téa.
"Anton came by to see me today," said Carlotta, "And he took Roseanne Christmas shopping."
"Oh? Is Roseanne here?" asked Téa.
"No. But I don't like her antics when it comes to Will Rappaport," remarked Carlotta.
"Well, I'm in no position to give out advice to the lovelorn. My husband is supposedly in Switzerland seeking out therapy for his DID," said Téa, "Viki and Sam are convinced it's real…"
"And you?" asked Carlotta.
"I want to believe. My heart wants to believe. My head…that's another matter," replied Téa, "It's strong, Carlotta…this bond between Todd and I…"
"And the bond wasn't strong between you and Anton?" questioned Carlotta.
"It's different," said Téa.
Carlotta just nodded her head and took a sip of her drink, "Dorian is displaying Anton's work in her art gallery."
"I know," said Téa.
"I saw him with you at the ball," said Carlotta.
"What?" asked Téa, "I'm not in love with him."
"Who are you in love with?" questioned Carlotta.
Téa made a face.
"Well, if Anton doesn't want you – what does he want?" asked Carlotta.
"Oh – he wants me. But he also said I have something to tell him – something that I know and he doesn't," said Téa.
"I see," said Carlotta.
"I can't tell him Carlotta. It's still too painful to think about," said Téa sipping her beer, "I can only deal with one painful thing at a time."
"You want him to continue to think you had an abortion?" asked Carlotta.
Téa made another face.
"That's why Anton ran out – why he left. He was appalled at your decision to have an abortion…" said Carlotta.
"…And his impulsive decision to leave – without telling anyone – caused AnnaRosa's depression that led to her suicide…" finished Téa.
"Only you didn't have that abortion…" said Carlotta sipping her tea.
Téa took a sip of her beer, "No, I didn't. Eighteen year old Téa Delgado had a child and gave her up for adoption. Then she went to school and got a law degree and never looked back on what she considered was her lack of parental responsibilities. She abandoned her own child like her mother abandoned her."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of," said Carlotta.
"So you say," said Téa giving her a feeble smile.
"You made the right decision for the time…" said Carlotta.
There was silence between them.

Téa's apartment…

Téa walked into her apartment. It was late. Past midnight. She left the lights off and made her way around the apartment by the moonlight that filtered in through the windows. Téa peeked into Roseanne's room.
Roseanne was in her bed sleeping. Slowly, Téa opened her bedroom door and went inside. She took off her coat and threw it on a nearby chair. She went into her bedroom's bathroom and got ready for bed.
Her conversation with Carlotta was unsettling. She put on her pajamas and sat down on her bed. She reached into her nightstand and pulled out a drawing – a drawing Starr had made for her…

…Nights of singing Starr sleep – playing with her – her smile – building blocks – stuffed animals – swinging on the swings – learning from Starr – how to be a – mother…

She put the drawing back in the nightstand and felt an object. She pulled out a case and opened it. Earrings. The earrings Todd gave her when she came home from the hospital. She put the earrings back and flopped down on the bed.
"You don't have to do this Todd – I love you – Anyway…"
His soft lips on mine – his hair – his chin – dancing in his arms at our wedding – his scent – feeling him – his touch on her –
She could feel his hands on her on her body like they were on their wedding night – kissing him – playing with his hair.
A tear flowed out her eye.
"Come back to me Todd…" she whispered.
TO BE CONTINUED

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