PREVIOUSLY

Todd whispered to Anton, “What’s Alton like around my kid?”
Anton shrugged his shoulders, “I do not know. Your daughter appears happy and gets along well with Samantha.”
Todd made a face and grimaced, “My daughter belongs with me…and my wife.”
Anton made a face.
Todd turned away from Anton and joined Téa at her side. Téa and Samantha exchanged good-byes and promises to see each other again.

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Early June 1999
That evening
The Manning Estate…

Téa walked in the door, carrying a bag full of groceries. She made her way to the kitchen and began unpacking the bag.

Todd walked into the kitchen, crossed his arms, and leaned up against the frame.

“Did the store have everything you needed?” he asked lightly.

She turned around, surprised, “Todd, I thought you’d be at work.”

“Your kid is coming tonight for dinner and sleepover and the judge comes by tomorrow with Blair and Shorty…and well, it’s important…that we…do that family thing. You know…I kinda like that family stuff…” he said awkwardly.

“Oh,” she said finishing unpacking the bag.

“Don’t you kinda like that family stuff?” he asked going into the frig and grabbing a beer.

She turned to look at him holding up an onion, “Is that what we are? A family?” she asked, sounding scared.

“Yeah,” said Todd abruptly, “Me: husband. You: wife. Samantha and Starr: the kids.”

A thin smile escaped her lips and she got out a cutting board.

He walked up in back of her and stood while she began cutting up the onion.

“Should you be around knives?” he asked grinning.

She turned and looked at him, frowning.

“Just a joke,” he added.

She turned around and began slicing the onion.

“Téa…Sam’s spending the night,” he said, holding back.

“I know Todd,” she said focusing on what she was doing.

“Téa…I want…you to…come back…to me…to our bedroom. I don’t want you sleeping…in the spare room anymore…” he said between awkward pauses.

“I don’t know…Todd…” she replied putting down the knife and taking a breath.

“Téa…we don’t have to make…love…but I know…I miss you…in our bed…” he added finally placing his hands on her shoulders.

She let out a deep breath.

The doorbell rang. Todd closed his eyes and stepped away from her going to answer the door. Téa put the knife down, wiped off her hands and followed him.

Todd opened the door revealing Samantha and Cameron. Téa walked up and a small grin crossed her face. Samantha bolted inside and hugged her mother.

“Hola Mija…” said Téa softly.

“Hi Mom…” replied Samantha happily.

“Hi Cam,” said Téa looking up at him.

“Hi Téa. Todd,” said Cam awkwardly.

Todd grunted.

“Did you want to come in for a minute?” asked Téa.

“No, that’s o.k. I’ve a…got a date…Anton will pick Samantha up tomorrow afternoon,” said Cameron looking down at the ground.

“Anton is taking me to the Art Museum in Philadelphia tomorrow…” explained Samantha grinning.

Todd just stood there – his arms crossed, his expression hard.

“O.k., well, have a nice evening Cam,” said Téa politely.

“Give me a hug little “S”,” said Cameron affectionately.

Samantha smiled at her father and hugged him. Cameron left. Todd abruptly shut the door.

“So, what are you doing?” asked Samantha, her eyes wide and inquisitive.

“Well, I thought I’d make us a dinner. Want to help?” asked Téa lightly.

Todd finally cracked a smile as he watched them.

“What are you making?” asked Samantha.

Todd reached out and took Samantha’s overnight bag from her, throwing it on the living room couch.

“I’d thought I’d do enchiladas,” said Téa as they walked into the kitchen.

“What’s that?” asked Samantha innocently.

“Salsa Food Sam,” said Todd following them into the kitchen.

“You don’t know what enchiladas are?” asked Téa a bit surprised.

Samantha nodded her head ‘no’.

“You’re not in touch with your roots, are you kid?” said Todd sitting on a stool in the kitchen.

Téa handed Samantha a tomato, “Can you slice this?”

“Well, I’m learning Todd,” replied Samantha nodding her head and reaching for a knife.

“Todd, ah…why are you in the kitchen? It’s not your usual hang out,” said Téa looking at Todd, putting her hands on her hips.

“Well…maybe I want to help…” said Todd firmly.

“You…cook?” asked Téa surprised.

“Hey! I can boil water. I can pour cereal. And I even made tomato soup for Shorty once…” replied Todd defensively.

Samantha giggled.

“Can you warm up tortillas?” grinned Téa.

“You have a nice smile Delgado,” replied Todd.

Téa blushed.

Samantha just grinned, happy to see her mother smile.

Later, that evening…

Téa sat on the bed in the spare bedroom, looking at an old photo album. Samantha, dressed in her PJ’s, walked in.

“Whatcha’ doing?” asked Samantha.

Téa threw the book aside, surprised, “Ah, nothing…”

“You can’t fool me,” said Samantha, “Are they pictures of your family? Of your parents? They’d be my grandparents, you know…” Samantha sat down on the bed, next to Téa. Téa grabbed the book and held it in her lap.

“Yeah. They’re pictures of my family. My brothers. I don’t have any pictures of my parents,” explained Téa composing herself.

“Why not?” asked Samantha.

“I didn’t want any,” said Téa honestly.

Samantha opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Todd, who was standing in the doorway.

“Hey, isn’t it your bedtime?” asked Todd.

Samantha turned to Téa.

Téa looked at her watch, “Todd’s right. Bedtime.”

Téa stood up, “I’ll…ah…tuck you in.”

“You’re still sad,” said Samantha standing up too.

Téa looked from Samantha to Todd back to Samantha, “Yeah. I’m still sad.”

“I’m glad you let me stay over tonight,” said Samantha, “It was fun learning how to make enchiladas.”

“I had fun too,” said Téa briefly smiling.

Todd watched them intently and Téa escorted Samantha to her bedroom.

After Midnight…

Todd sat up in his bed, his back against the headboard. His pajama shirt was unbuttoned, revealing his masculine chest, his pajama bottoms gathered up to his knees. He was frustrated, glancing at the clock. It was hard to believe that for once he was the one who had to…keep it together.

He reached over on his nightstand grabbing his expensive watch and flung it across the room. It hit the adjoining bathroom door with a dull thud. He wanted to do more than fling something…

Suddenly, the door slowly opened.

Todd’s heard turned around.

Téa walked into the room, her bathrobe draped over her.

Todd flung off the covers and stood up staring at her. Moonlight filtered into the room from the window, dancing off the highlights in her hair.

“You came,” he said softly.

She nodded her head yes.

He walked over to her, extending his hand, his whole body shaking.

Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his. He escorted her over to her side of the bed, sitting down next to her.

“Téa…I just gotta’ ask…did you come to me because Sam’s here?” he asked, holding her hand, finding her eyes. Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight. She could feel him trembling.

“No. I…wanted…to come,” she replied softly.

Todd smiled at her.

He reached up and slid the bathrobe off her shoulders and got up, placing it in the closet. Téa got underneath the covers. Todd noticed she was wearing her silk teal nightgown. He walked over to his side of the bed and paused, standing over her, eyes meeting. Then he slid in under the covers, next to her. He turned to face her. She was lying on her back, staring at the ceiling.

“Téa…can I hold you?” he asked.

Her eyes told him ‘yes.’ He snuggled into her, finding a feeling of relief overcoming him…

The next morning…

Téa was in front of her vanity brushing out her hair when Samantha walked in smiling, “Todd wants you to hurry up.”

Téa allowed a slight smile to escape her lips, “He’s nervous, huh?”

“I’ve never seen anyone so nervous before,” said Samantha putting her hands in her pockets.

“It’s because it’s our last visit with the judge. Then she’ll file her report and hopefully we’ll get custody privileges back…” explained Téa finishing up. She adjusted her shirt’s collar.

“Why don’t Todd and Blair get along now?” asked Samantha.

“Maybe they’re just too stubborn too,” said Téa.

“Téa! Will you hurry up!” came Todd’s bellowing voice.

Téa held out her hand and Samantha took it. They ran out of the room and down the stairs. Todd was pacing the living room.

“It’s about time!” said Todd.

Téa just frowned.

The doorbell rang.

Samantha ran for the door and opened it. Blair, Starr, and the judge stood there.

“Sam!” said Starr.

“Starr!” said Samantha.

They exchanged a warm, familiar hug.

Todd and Téa looked on affectionately, glad that the girls got along.

Blair walked in with her arms crossed and the judge followed.

“It’s good to see the girls get along,” said the judge, “I take it this is your daughter, Ms. Delgado?”

Téa nodded her head ‘yes,’, “Yes, Samantha Alton.”

“Daddy!” exclaimed Starr looking up.

Todd smiled and Starr broke from Samantha to hug her father. Starr then hugged Téa and Todd took Starr in her arms.

“You’re looking better Téa,” said Blair civilly.

“I’m working on it,” said Téa.

“I heard about your loss. I’m sorry,” said the judge sympathetically.

“Yeah,” said Todd, happy to hold Starr in his arms.

Blair walked around over to the coffee table and picked up a prescription bottle, “Todd? What’s this? Anti-depressants? Is something wrong? Being treated for mental problems?”

The judge raised an eyebrow.

“Nothing’s wrong,” said Todd defensively.

“They’re…ah…mine…” muttered Téa, “You would have known that if you read the label.”

“Yours Téa?” said Blair surprised.

The judge wrinkled her brow.

Samantha didn’t like what Blair was doing and walked protectively over to her mother.

“Are you o.k. Tee?” asked Starr sweetly.

“Tee’s fine…” said Todd softly.

“It’s…ah…part of my treatment – my therapy…” explained Téa.

“Both Mannings in therapy?” questioned Blair, “That can’t be a very stable home environment.”

“Stop it Blair!” said Samantha firmly, “I stayed the night last night and had a great time. Mom showed me how to make enchiladas, Todd and I played videogames, and we all had breakfast together this morning.”

“Sounds normal to me,” added Todd.

Blair looked at the ground, ashamed at herself, knowing this ‘fit’ had disappointed Samantha.

Téa reached out and placed her hand on her daughter’s back, rubbing it gently, “It’s o.k. Samantha.”

Téa turned to the judge speaking honestly, “I took the loss…of our child…mine and Todd’s… very hard. I’m in counseling to deal with it. The anti-depressants were prescribed as part of my treatment.”

“I appreciate you being so forthright with me,” said the judge, “And honest.”

Starr visited a while longer and then it was time to leave. As she left, Anton had arrived to pick up Samantha leaving Todd and Téa alone.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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