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March 17, 2001

Téa leaned forward, moving her face closer to the bathroom mirror as she applied her mascara. Finishing, she stepped back to check the effect. Satisfied, she grabbed some scented body lotion, and began rubbing it into her bare legs. It felt good and she sighed in contentment. She loved these leisurely Saturday mornings when she could take the time to pamper herself without the usual rush associated with making it to the office on time. As she smoothed on the lotion, she glanced at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She was wearing some new lingerie that she had purchased the day before. The bra and panties were a deep emerald green accented with ecru lace. Although they set off her figure to perfection, she wasn't sure the color suited her. Oh well, St. Patrick's Day was only once a year. With her back to the door, she leaned over to apply some lotion to her heels.

"Very nice," said a lazy voice from the doorway. Téa turned around, startled. It still disconcerted her when Todd sneaked up on her. He was leaning against the doorframe, taking small sips from a cup of coffee. "You know, every penny we spent on all these mirrors was worth it. I can check out your tush from six different angles."

"And tell me, do you like the view?" teased Téa seductively.

"You could say that," he said, moving into the room. He set the coffee cup on the vanity and pulled her into his arms. He had been up for hours and was already dressed in casual black slacks and a soft black turtleneck sweater. It felt good against Téa's bare skin as she snuggled against him. "Is this stuff new?" asked Todd as he caressed her bottom through the silky undergarment. "I haven't seen you wear this color before."

Téa looked up at him with a mischievous grin. "So, Manning, you aren't wearing green underwear today?"

"Huh? Delgado, you know exactly the color of my underwear--all of it." He leaned in for kiss. Just as their lips were about to touch, he felt a rather sharp pinch on his butt, causing him to pull away in surprise. "Ow! Look, Delgado, just tell me when you're not in the mood. You don't have to get violent." He rubbed his damaged posterior. Téa laughed out loud and moved close to him, caressing his chest through the sweater.

"You really don't have a clue, do you?" she giggled. He stared at her in confusion. "St. Patrick's Day? The Wearin 'o the Green?" Realization dawned in his eyes.

"Oh no! You don't mean all that Irish crap?" He pulled away, running his fingers through his hair. "Jeez, Delgado, you really know how to put a damper on things." He shook his head in disgust. "I'll see you tonight, huh?" Turning on his heel, he headed toward the door.

Quick as a flash, Téa blocked his way. "Hold on a minute! It's Saturday! Where are you off to in such a rush? I…I was hoping we could spend the day together."

"No can do. I have to go into the office to catch up on that New Jersey deal."

"Can't that wait until Monday?" she said, trying not to whine. She moved close again. "Look. St. Patrick's Day is a big deal in New York and…and we're New Yorkers now. I thought we could maybe check out the parade, hang out in a pub…"

Todd pulled away again, agitated. "Are you nuts Delgado? Last time I looked, you aren't Irish…not unless some paddy jumped ship in Puerto Rico a couple of generations ago. And me….well, let's just say the closest the Lords got to Ireland was the lassie that scrubbed their floors. Then I had to go and ruin the family tradition by actually going to that God-forsaken country." Téa stiffened, cursing herself for a fool. "Real nice souvenirs there. Like four bullets in the back." He turned away abruptly.

Téa stroked his back gently, calming him. "Querido, I'm sorry. I didn't think." Todd didn't say anything or turn around. "Look, we'll just forget it's St. Patrick's Day, OK? But can we still do something together? Take a drive? Maybe a walk in the park?"

"We'll do that tomorrow. I got stuff to do today." Téa pulled away, disappointed.

"But Todd…remember I told you. Abuelita is staying with us tonight and I wanted to take her to brunch tomorrow."

Todd gave a strangled cry of frustration, whipping around. "You're kidding me! Your grandmother hates me! She has her own place, why does she have to stay here?"

"I already explained that, Todd," said Téa patiently. "Last week, when we discussed this. Her neighborhood gets pretty rowdy on St. Patrick's Day and I worry about her. We have this big penthouse with all this room, and I…I just wanted to pamper her a bit. Kind of give back some of the kindness she's always shown to me. And by the way, she doesn't hate you."

Todd shrugged his shoulders, defeated. "Sure, fine, whatever," he said dismissing her. "I'll call later." He moved into the bedroom and put on his overcoat. Téa watched him warily, disappointed by his attitude and wondering if she risked angering him further. It was important to her career, so she decided to go for it.

"Uh, Todd, there is one other thing," she said, stopping him as he was about to march out the door.

"What?" he barked rudely, fidgeting with his key ring. She moved close again, noticing that he was checking her out in the sexy lingerie. She didn't like manipulating him this way, but she wasn't above using every weapon at her disposal when something was important to her. She reached out a hand and straightened his lapel, hearing him draw his breath in sharply.

"Uh, you know the head of my firm, Ike Dawson?"

"Yeah, we've met a few times. What's this about, Delgado?"

"Well, he and his wife Clarice are having a little St. Patrick's Day party tonight and everyone involved in the firm is going to be there."

Todd groaned. "So you're going out tonight? I'll be here alone with your grandmother?"

"Well….I was kind of hoping you'd come along with me, Todd."

"Oh no, Delgado. No way! You'll want me to make nice and talk to people and junk. I don't do parties."

"Todd…it's important to my future at the firm. This is my boss we're talking about."

"So it's better if I stay away. You know what we talked about before. If anyone finds out what I did it will be all over for you there. Besides, corned beef and cabbage gives me the farts." Téa chuckled.

"Well, there's some information I really didn't need," she said shaking her head. "Look. We just have to make an appearance. Everyone at the firm wants to meet you, and all the other spouses will be there." She moved closer, letting him smell her perfume. Her eyes locked with his. "As for your past, well, there's no reason for it to come up tonight. Please, Todd?"

"Let's see, my choices are staying here with you grandmother, or spending the evening with a bunch of liberal do-gooders trying to pretend they're Irish? No thanks."

"I'll make it up to you," said Téa seductively. She leaned up for a kiss.

Todd held her closely as they kissed, running his fingers through her rich mane of hair. "You don't play fair, Delgado," he murmured, nuzzling her neck. "I'll call you later," he said, pulling away.

"So, you'll think about it?" she said hopefully.

"I'll call you." Fixing her with one last piercing gaze, he stalked out the door.

Heading back to the bathroom with a tiny smile on her lips, Téa caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Maybe green was her color after all.

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St. Patrick's Day revelry was in full swing that evening in the East Village as Todd and Téa strolled slowly down the street on the way to the Dawson's party. They could hear loud music and laughter coming out of every bar and restaurant as they made their way down the sidewalk.

"So we're only staying for ten minutes, right?" growled Todd, clearly not in a good mood.

"Half an hour, Todd. We have to stay at least that long or we'll look rude."

"Who cares? Why are you trying to kiss up to Dawson? It's not like you really need this job."

Téa sighed wearily. Not this conversation again. "I do need the job, Todd. The salary no, but the job, yes. I like what I do and I think I'm making a difference." They walked on in silence for a short distance more. "Look, I'm really hoping Ike will give me the Nesbit case."

"Isn't that the…?"

"The woman who killed her husband by systematically feeding him rat poison."

"And you actually want this case because…?"

"This is a high profile case, Todd. A real chance to get my name out there and to do something for the cause of battered women everywhere."

"High profile, as in media attention?" he asked in a quiet voice.

"Yes. Todd, we have to face the fact that sometime or other our past in Llanview is going to be made public. We'll just have to deal with it. We can't live anonymously in New York forever."

"I don't want to go back to the way it was in Llanview, Téa. It's why I left. I could never get free of all the rotten things I did there."

"Trust me. It will be different here. We'll make a plan. But meantime, just don't antagonize anyone tonight, OK?" Todd grunted as they entered the elevator in the Dawson's building.

"They better not have green beer or I'll puke," he growled.

Téa's co-workers were a loud, boisterous group. Téa fit right in, laughing and joking right along with them. Todd covered his discomfort by stuffing his face with hors d'oeuvres and mostly keeping his mouth shut. He nodded at each introduction and shrugged off all attempts to draw him into conversation. Finally, he left Téa with a group in the kitchen and wandered off into a quiet corner of the crowded apartment, checking his watch and wishing it would run a little faster.

Looking across the room, he caught a glimpse of Téa. She looked great in some tight-fitting jeans and a black sweater. Her hair was up, revealing tiny emerald studs in her ears. Only Todd knew that the earrings weren't the only green items she wore, and he found himself increasingly anxious to get her home. Todd had refused to make any concession to the holiday, and was dressed in his usual black. Not surprisingly, his caustic glare seemed to keep anyone from mentioning his lack of green attire.

"You must be Téa's fiancé," said a soft voice to his right. Someone had dared invade his fortress of hostility. He found himself facing a young woman of 23 or 24 years of age. "I'm Rayleen Owens, her assistant." She held out her hand, but Todd just stared at her, ignoring the gesture. He vaguely remembered Téa telling him that her assistant had been nearly killed by her husband somewhere in the Midwest. She had fled with her baby to get away from him. Téa had helped her get her life back on track.

Todd stuffed some potato chips in his mouth, hoping the woman would go away, but to his annoyance, she settled into the chair next to him. "You and Téa make a great couple," she prattled. "You look good together."

"You don't know anything about us," he growled. Rayleen looked surprised at his tone.

"Look, mister, I didn't mean…I'm just making small talk."

"Well, go make it somewhere else."

Looking indignant, Rayleen lurched to her feet. She was already a little tipsy and was unsteady on her feet. She swayed for a moment, then lost her balance and toppled over into Todd's lap, making him spill his beer.

"What the… Get off me!" he shouted, pushing her roughly away as he stood up. He was busy sopping up the beer with a napkin when he heard a whimper. To his horror, Rayleen was cowering on the floor, shaking.

"No…no…don't hit me," she cried.

"What are you talking about?" snapped Todd. He quickly checked the other guests, but everyone seemed oblivious to the little drama in the corner.

"I didn't mean to do it," continued Rayleen, tears now streaming down her face.

"Look, lady, I'm not going to hit you for spilling beer. Now get up before you make a scene." Reaching down, he held out a hand to help her up. With a little cry, she flinched away from him. Todd slowly dropped his hand to his side and stood staring down at the young woman. The fear he saw in her eyes was all too familiar, and suddenly he felt like he couldn't breathe. He almost ran away, looking frantically for Téa. He pushed roughly through the guests, glancing this way and that, fighting off the feeling that the walls were closing in on him.

Finally, he burst into the kitchen, startling several women gathered there, including his hostess. "Where's Delgado?" he blurted, almost hyperventilating.

"Uh…Todd isn't it? Téa and Ike went into his study to talk shop for a little bit. He promised he wouldn't let business interfere with pleasure, so I'm sure they'll only be a few minutes…"

"I can't wait!" shouted Todd. The women all looked at him with wide eyes. "Tell Delgado I'll see her at home!" He ran for the door, frantically grabbing his coat from the rack, knocking several others to the floor without a moment's thought. He left so quickly, he didn't even close the hall door behind him. He didn't stop running until he was safe inside a cab.

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Bursting into the penthouse, Todd ran to the bar before he even removed his coat. He quickly poured himself some scotch, guzzled it down, and poured some more. He stared at his reflection in the mirror over the bar, filled with self-loathing. "You're so fucked up, Manning," he mumbled. "You may as well tattoo a big 'R' for rapist on your forehead."

"Are you all right, Señor Manning?" Abuelita had appeared in the kitchen door.

"Shit!" shouted Todd, dropping the scotch glass in surprise. "Er…I'm sorry, Mrs. Delgado. I forgot you were here." He grabbed some cocktail napkins and attempted to clean up the spilled drink, covering up his discomfort.

"And where is Teíta?" asked Abuelita.

Todd stood up and did his best to look menacing. "Téa? I drowned her in the East River, of course," he said with a malevolent grin. "What other explanation could there be? Admit it, you think I hurt her." Abuelita considered him for a long moment without changing expression.

"There has been a drowning, sí. In liquor. You are drunk, Señor." Todd swayed a moment, surprised that the tiny old woman seemed unintimidated by him. She and Téa were a lot alike. "Come into the kitchen. I will give you something to settle your stomach." She turned on her heel, not even worried that he wouldn't follow. Todd stared at the empty door, briefly contemplating a temper tantrum. But the fact was, he found Abuelita's presence oddly comforting. After shrugging his coat onto the floor, he meekly followed her to the kitchen.

Abuelita quickly put a teakettle on the stove. Several other pots were simmering on the other burners. Delicious smells of Spanish cooking filled the room, but given the raw state of Todd's stomach, he found it less than appetizing. He settled heavily at the table, rubbing at his reddened eyes. "What's all this?" he asked, gesturing at the pots.

"I'm making some food so Teíta won't have to cook every night this week," explained Abuelita. Todd snorted, wondering what the old woman would say if she knew the beautiful modern kitchen was rarely used. He and Téa ate out at least half the time, and relied on take-out for the rest. The teakettle whistled, and soon Abuelita set a steaming cup in front of him. The tea was yellow, and smelled funny.

"What the heck is this?" asked Todd, turning up his nose.

"Manzanilla tea. Drink it." The old woman took a seat next to him and stared at him expectantly. Todd didn't feel like arguing, so he took a tentative sip. It wasn't too bad, so he drank the whole cup. To his surprise, it did make his stomach feel better.

While he was drinking, Abuelita contemplated him in silence, occasionally rising to stir this or that pot. "Téa said you were going to a party," she said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Yeah. I left. Téa is still there, I guess."

"It was not to your liking?"

"No." He didn't elaborate, so Abuelita began to stir the pots again. "Mrs. Delgado?" asked Todd, unsure of himself.

"I've told you to call me Abuelita," she said softly.

"Uh…yeah. Then you call me Todd, OK?"

"Sí, Todd," she said. It sounded disconcertingly like 'toad' the way she pronounced it with her Spanish accent, but Todd decided he could live with it.

"Do you believe in fate? You know….like no matter how hard we try, we can never really change stuff?" Todd didn't have the remotest idea why he was asking a simple woman such a deep question.

Suddenly, a large plate of arroz con pollo appeared in front of him. "Eat," ordered the old woman, taking a seat next to him. Todd picked up his fork, but waited to hear her answer.

"Bad things will always happen in this world, Todd. But it is the fight that is important. Even if we make mistakes, we should never stop trying to make things right. One must never lose faith."

"My grandmother is a very wise woman," said Téa softly from the doorway. She looked back and forth at Todd and Abuelita with affection. Without being asked, Abuelita bustled around the kitchen, fixing a plate of food. Téa sat next to Todd and their eyes locked. "Are you OK?" she whispered.

"Yeah. Sorry I ran out on you. I guess everyone thought I was a jerk."

"No, but they were concerned. I found Rayleen in the bathroom."

"I didn't do anything, Téa," he said through clenched teeth.

"I know that, Todd, and so does Rayleen. She wanted me to apologize. The spilt beer--she had a flashback. She's been through so much."

Abuelita put the plate in front of Téa and sat across from the couple, waiting for them to taste the food. "Did anyone ask any questions?" whispered Todd. "You know…about me?" He was shaking slightly.

"No, you don't have to worry."

"Yeah, right."

"Eat, children," ordered Abuelita. Shrugging helplessly, they dug into the food.

"This is good," said Todd after a while. "The Irish should take a lesson from your grandma and make this chicken stuff their national dish instead of that corned beef crap."

"Face it Todd," said Téa, laughing. "There is nothing about Ireland or St. Patrick's Day that appeals to you."

"Oh, I don't know," said Todd, eyeing her knowingly. He checked to make sure Abuelita was occupied at the sink. Reaching out a finger, he pulled her sweater slightly away from her chest and looked down her front.

"I'm starting to like green," he whispered, smacking his lips.

© Mary Catherine Wilson 2000