PREVIOUSLY

“Téa told me once she wanted to be a lawyer when she grew up. Partly because it paid good and partly because she felt there were people out there, like her, misunderstood and never given a chance because of someone’s prejudice that needed someone to present their case for them,” explained Patricia.
Samantha turned to Carlotta and Anton, “I may not like what I’m finding out but it sure does help me to understand better.”
“The world is more than fancy mansions and material things,” said Anton.
“So I’m finding out Anton,” said Samantha seriously.
*************************************************************************************************

The Condado
San Juan, Puerto Rico…

The Condado was a boardwalk shopping area near the ocean in San Juan. Téa and Roseanne were sitting down at a sidewalk café having a cool drink. It was late in the afternoon and Roseanne had a shopping bag filled with stuff at her side.

Téa checked her watch, “We should be going to Uncle José’s soon.”

Roseanne sipped her drink, “He’s a nice guy Téa, but what else do you think he’s gonna’ tell you about your Mom? I mean from hearing him talk the other day, he pretty much idolized her. She didn’t do much wrong.”

“All right – my mom was a good student. So was I. My mother had my smile. My eyes. She abandoned me. I abandoned Samantha. She liked to dance. So do I…” said Téa playing with her necklace. She wore a light pastel top and a matching skirt.

“You did not abandon Samantha! God! Get over that. She got a chance to live a good life because of your decision to give her up for adoption. When your mom left, nothing improved, did it? What good life did you lead? You didn’t. Can you see the difference?” asked Roseanne sounding exasperated.

“Well, if you put it that way, there’s a big difference…” whispered Téa. She looked at the table and then looked up.

“Aw, Geez…” muttered Téa gazing off down the boardwalk.

“What now?” muttered Roseanne following Téa’s gaze. Santiago Cruz was trying to look occupied as he perused a bunch of silk scarves.

“Him again?” asked Roseanne sipping her drink, “Is he stalking us?”

“We won’t know unless we ask him,” said Téa standing up. She whistled and motioned for Cruz to join them. He smiled, motioned he would and paid for the scarf.

“What are you doing?” exclaimed Roseanne, “Asking him to join us?”

“I’m going to find out why he’s following us,” grinned Téa.

Roseanne rolled her eyes.

Santiago joined them, “Hello ladies. Gracias for inviting me over.”

“Hola,” mumbled Roseanne.

Cruz took a seat, “You may call me Sonny.”

“So Sonny,” grinned Téa resting her chin on the palm of her hands, “Why have you been following us?”

“Me? Follow?” he started.

“Yeah. You’re wicked obvious…” said Roseanne crossing her arms.

Sonny paused, opened his mouth, and then closed it.

“Now,” said Téa, “You’re thinking of excuses to tell us.”

“You read me well,” said Sonny.

“I’m a lawyer. It’s my job to read people,” said Téa.

Sonny just grinned.

“So, who’s bankrolling you?” Who are you reporting too? Todd?” questioned Téa, her voice staring to sound serious.

“Who?” muttered Sonny.

“It ain’t Todd, Téa. Why would he send a tail when he sent me?” asked Roseanne.

“You don’t know Todd as well as I do,” said Téa.

“I’m working for no one,” insisted Sonny.

“Fine. Lie to us. Don’t tell us. But we’re on to you,” said Téa. She stood up, “Roseanne, it’s time to go. I suggest you stay seated here until we’re out of sight.”

“Sure,” said Sonny in a suave tone of voice.

Roseanne stood up, grabbed her bag, and walked off with Téa. As soon as they were out of sight, Sonny stood up and felt a hard hand on his shoulder, digging into him. It forced him to sit down. He did so and recognized the man who threatened him the other day.

“You,” said Todd, “Are a pain in the ass. I told you to leave those two women alone.” He wore jeans and a t-shirt.

“I have done nothing to them,” said Sonny crossing his arms.

“No, you just follow them around all day. I’ve been watching you watch them,” said Todd matter of factly.

“Now what’s your interest in them?” asked Sonny.

“That!” exclaimed Todd, “Is none of your business. I swear to you if you - hurt either one of them you’ll live to regret it. Now leave them alone.”

“The woman with the light brown hair called me over. She wanted to talk to me,” said Sonny meeting Todd’s intense stare.

Todd looked confused. Why would Téa do that? He recovered quickly though, “I don’t care if she wants you to do taps. Don’t go near her. I don’t trust you,” said Todd standing up, “Now I’m giving you a headstart back to the hotel. Get going. Run along…shoe!”

Sonny sneered back at Todd, stood up, and left.

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

Later that evening…

Roseanne and Téa had gone to Téa’s Uncle José’s house for diner. José’s wife, Maria, had prepared a wonderful meal for them and despite Téa and Roseanne’s insistence, Maria did the dishes after the meal so Téa and Roseanne could talk to José.

José’s house was modest and in a residential area of San Juan. It was warm and cozy and adorned with pictures of his own children and family. José took Téa and Roseanne into the family room and showed them pictures of Téa’s mother when she was a little girl. Téa said nothing as she reviewed the pictures, haunted by her own physical resemblance to her mother. Roseanne just looked at the pictures to be polite.

Téa looked up and bit her lip.

“Is something wrong, Téita?” asked José with concern.

“No, not really. You know they just… capture a side of her I never really saw. I mean, I remember her voice. Soft but distant. She had a job working as a seamstress at a local dry cleaners and she’d go to work at eight in the morning and come home late. We never really talked much. On Sundays, when the shop was closed, she’d make the family a big meal and she’d let me help a bit. I didn’t see her smile much, and here she does. When she was having the affair with Enrique, I would never have guessed. Here in your pictures, I see a little girl, growing up, pretty – with features similar to mine – I never knew this woman – but we’ve got so many things in common despite my lack of awareness. For example, she loved to dance. I never knew that. But I grew up, drawn to dancing…” she stopped, took a deep breath and ran her hands through her hair, “I’m scared José. I’m scared I have too much in common with her.”

Roseanne opened her mouth as if to say something but José held up his hand. He paused before speaking, “Your mother was not a bad woman – yet – because of your experiences you…think so. She was married to a difficult man – a man that due to his own hang-ups – didn’t make life easy for her or her family. You do not need to be scared of what you have in common with her – after all, dancing is not such a bad thing, is it? Your looks? Are beautiful on you! You are an attractive young woman – like you’re mother…”

“She left me José! She gave up! She quit! Just like I gave up on my own daughter!” insisted Téa.

“You didn’t just say…you have a daughter?” asked José, full of surprise.

Téa lowered her head, “She’s 12 now. Her name is Samantha Alton. I gave her up for adoption but just recently her adopted mother died and she wants me to be…the mom…and I want to be, but I don’t want to make the same mistakes…” Téa stopped abruptly unable to tell him of the miscarriage and how she was convinced she wasn’t mother material.

“You are your own person – Téita. You are not your mother – you are not destined to follow in her shoes. Take the inherent good qualities Anna gave you – dancing – her smile and give them to your own daughter. Inspire your own daughter in the ways Anna was denied to inspire you. And you will not make the same mistakes Anna made with you,” said José, his voice full of passion and conviction.

It was quiet as Téa let his words sink in.

Finally José spoke up again, “Téita – Téita…” he said softly, “Do you have a picture of your daughter? I would love to look at her…”

Téa looked up and suddenly swallowed, “No…no…” she whispered. She closed her eyes as if in deep pain, “I don’t…have a picture of my own daughter.”

“When you go home – make that the first thing you do Téita,” said José softly.

“Oh, I will,” said Téa first looking at José and then turning to Roseanne, “You bet I will.”

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

The Hotel…

Téa sat down on her bed. It was late. Roseanne was in bed – in her own room. Téa left the balcony door open so a light sea breeze could circulate around her room. She was still dressed in her light summer top and skirt. She lay down on her bed, on her stomach, propping herself up on her pillow and began writing in her journal.

Dear Journal,
Uncle José said a bunch of stuff that made me think. Really think. I should take the good stuff and build upon them with my own daughter. With Samantha. But while my mother wasn’t all bad, she wasn’t as good as José makes her out to be. He saw a different side of her than I did. But still – it was my mother. I wonder what Uncle Fidel will tell me tomorrow when Roseanne and I go to visit him?

Well, I asked the guy following Roseanne and I why he was following us. I have a sneaky suspicion Todd might have hired him. Part of me doesn’t mind because I’m finding I miss Todd more than I thought but part of me is infuriated that Todd can’t honor a simple request. I don’t know. I’m confused. Why would he send another guy when he sent Roseanne? Todd isn’t into overkill. Maybe he didn’t. Oh Todd! Todd! You are INFURATING but I love you just the same…”

Téa drifted off into sleep.

Todd stepped out of the shadows from her balcony and softly walked into her room. He watched her for several anxious minutes. He picked up her journal and brought it to the moonlight and read her latest entry.

“I love you too Delgado and trust me – I find you INFURATING at times too…”

She stirred.

He returned the book and left the same way he entered, shutting the door behind him.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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