PREVIOUSLY

“I want to go home Carlotta. I want to see her. I want to…hug her. I want to see my Dad,” cried Samantha.
“I’ll talk to Anton and we’ll see what we can arrange. I’m sorry Mija. I’m sorry this trip wasn’t what you expected. I just hope…it helped you…” said Carlotta.
Samantha nodded her head, ‘yes’ and held Carlotta tight.

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INTRODUCTION TO PART 19

Well, here’s the beginning of the end. The story for now, will be coming to an end. In this chapter, Téa sums up in her journal what her recent experiences have met to her, how’s she grown, and how she’s going to make positive changes in her life. Only she’s got to deal with some unfinished business as Cameron Alton, yet again, intrudes in her life…

Time, time, time,
See what’s become of me
While I looked around for my possibilities…
I was so hard to please…

The same day,
The San Marcos hotel,
Puerto Rico…

It was early afternoon and Téa was on the patio writing in her journal. Roseanne was swimming in the nearby pool. Téa paused and sipped her drink before picking up her pen again. She reviewed what she wrote…

Dear Journal,

It was hard to hear what Uncle Fidel said about my mother. His words were harsh and painful. The exact opposite of Uncle José’s words, feelings, and opinions. Where Uncle José thought highly of her, Uncle Fidel did not.

Uncle Fidel called her a nag. I don’t think I’m a nag. I guess maybe at times I can be. He described her as using sex to…validate herself. I guess maybe at times, I’ve done that too. BUT did she marry my father because it was the right thing to do for the babyor did he seduce her and get her pregnant or, was it the other way around? My father was a very complicated man. I’m married to a very complicated man, myself. You know, I think the answer is somewhere in between. Maybe there was a sexual attraction where they didn’t expect one. I know about that. I didn’t plan to fall in love with Todd. I didn’t expect it. It just happened. I don’t know how it did, but it did. And he fell in love with me. Somewhere in between.

Téa picked up her pen and started writing again.

I think my mother was somewhere in between a flirt and serious young girl. I think my mother was missing something I have in my marriage, though. Todd maybe complicated but I know with every fiber of my being that Todd loves me. I don’t think my mother knew that. I think it made her sad and I can see and understand now why she would have an affair.

I think my mother was smart in school but not too smart with her heart. I guess you could say that about me too. Before I met Todd.

I didn’t mean to abandon Samantha. I truly thought I was giving her a better life. Maybe…just maybe…my mother didn’t want to abandon me either.

You know what? I’ve had enough. I’m somewhere in between. Just like my mother. Anna.

I’m going to tell Roseanne that I’m ready to go home. We’ll catch the first flight tomorrow back to Llanview.

I feel…I dunno…refreshed? Stronger? For once…I feel a certain peace with myself. And I know I’m ready. I’m ready to be a sister to Roseanne. This trip has been good for us. We’re “tighter” somehow. And I’m ready to be a wife to Todd. A good, loving and supportive wife, BUT one who knows herself and her own mind. I think to an extent that Todd admires…I dunno…what he perceives is my feisty independence? And well, I do too.

And…I’m ready to be Samantha’s mother. More than anything. I didn’t know her first mother well. Susan, I believe. I owe her a debt for raising my daughter to be a wonderful little girl but she can’t continue the job now. In a way, I feel like she’s looking down at me now and giving me her blessing. Maybe I’m just being too emotional. Ha ha. You know, more than anything right now I just want…to hug my daughter.

“Téa? You’re all right! Thank God!” came a voice.

Téa put her journal down and looked up. Cameron Alton, looking practically frantic stood over her.

“Cameron?!” muttered Téa, surprised and shocked to see him standing over her. Téa slowly stood up. As she did so, a pair of hands came down on Cameron’s shoulders.

“Why you! Stay away from my wife!” came another voice.

WHAM!

Todd’s fist connected with Cameron’s jaw. Cameron stumbled back.

Téa’s mouth dropped in shock, “Todd?”

Roseanne, soaking wet, and dressed in a bathing suit ran up to Téa’s side, just as surprised.

Cameron lunged at Todd, tackling him. Both men began exchanging punches.

“Stop it! Stop it both of you!” yelled Téa trying to break them up.

Waiters from the patio grabbed both men and tore them apart.

Téa got in Cameron’s face. His eye was swollen. Roseanne crossed her arms and looked on.

“What are you doing down here?! How did you know I was here!?” she exclaimed.

“Téa!! What are you doing?! This is the creep that hired your tag-along!!” yelled Todd getting her attention.

“Todd!! How do you…? Unless…” spat Téa, “Ooohhh…” she paused, gained her composure and crossed her arms, “I’ll deal with you in a minute Manning.”

“Téa!!” yelled Todd struggling against the waiters.

“Todd!!” she yelled back.

Todd fussed.

Téa turned her attention back on Cameron. He had stopped struggling and was just staring at her.

“You look good Téa…” mumbled Cameron.

“Start explaining Mister. Did you hire that Sonny guy?” her voice was firm but the fury was smoldering underneath.

“Yeah. I hired him. I hired him to keep an eye on you and keep you safe from harm…!” explained Cameron.

Roseanne just watched with an amused smile on her face.

“Why Cameron? How did you know…?” questioned Téa not knowing what to think.

“Samantha mentioned you leaving – going to Puerto Rico and where you realize it or not, Samantha’s in love with you! You’re her mother now! You mean the world to her. So I hired Cruz to watch out for you. I know – I know we’re not married – I understand that – but we are Samantha’s parents. Me and You. And you could have at least given me the curiosity of telling me your plans. I deserved that respect as Samantha’s father. And since I didn’t know what was going on with you I made it my business to know – because I want you going back to Samantha…! “ explained a frustrated Cameron.

Téa bit her lip. Cameron had a point.

“Téa!! Are you going to buy Alton’s drivel?!” exclaimed Todd. He stopped struggling but the waiters didn’t let him go.

Téa got in Todd’s face, “Yeah Todd. I’m going to buy Cam’s drivel. He has a point. I should have told him. Out of respect for my daughter’s father. I don’t hate Cameron Todd. I don’t want to hate him. He’s Samantha’s father. He had good intentions though a bit misguided. I wish…” said Téa turning around to look at Cameron, “You would have been up front with me instead of hiring a stalker though.”

“I didn’t know what to do,” said Cameron, “You shut everyone out.”

Téa briefly closed her eyes, “I did, didn’t I?” she whispered.

“Téa…” said Todd lowering his voice.

Téa opened her eyes and looked at Todd, “He had good intentions. Which I think you did too…?”

“Aw, C’Mon Téa…there was no way I was going to let you come down here with Roseanne alone. You’re my wife!! I had to watch out for you…” he said, his face softening.

“Where is Cruz Todd? I noticed he hasn’t been around lately. Is he missing? Is that what brought Cameron out of the woodwork…?” said Téa.

“You noticed…?” questioned Todd.

“A good lawyer notices these things…” said Téa finally lightening her own voice.

“He’s in his hotel room. I just thought…he was stalking you and I didn’t know why and I just wanted him to leave you alone and I wanted to know who he was working for…!!” explained a frustrated Todd.

“Uh-huh…” said Téa making a face, “I am so pissed with you Todd Manning…!”

“But I left you alone…to do what you needed to do…!” protested Todd.

Téa said nothing, looked at the ground and then back at Todd. Good intentions. He had good intentions too.

“I know you’ve missed me. I know you thought of me…!!” added Todd.

“Right now, I want both of you to leave me alone…!” spat Téa. She ran off the patio.

Roseanne grabbed Téa’s journal so as too safeguard it. The waiters let Todd and Cameron go. Todd walked up to Roseanne, “Where did she go Junior?”

“I dunno…try her room…” muttered Roseanne. Todd threw her a key, “Let Cruz out of his cage.”

Then Todd walked up to Cameron, “Leave her alone now.”

Cameron watched Todd briskly walk off the patio.

Todd moved with purpose thought the hotel, came to Téa’s room and tried the door. It was unlocked. He opened it and walked inside. Téa stood next to the balcony. Her eyes were moist as if she was holding back tears. She turned to look at Todd, arms crossed.

Their eyes locked.

“Téa, we need to talk,” said Todd decisively as he closed the door behind him, locking it.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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