Love And Anger - Part 19
The next day,
Enrique’s houseboat…
Todd was having an hallucination. He was looking lovingly into her eyes and saw the trust in them. He felt her fingertips on his naked chest. It fascinated him how she believed in him. How she trusted him. Naked - with her body. With his body. He didn’t know it could feel like this - being here with her like this. Naked. In her arms. With a tenderness he didn’t know he possessed, he laid her down on his bed.
“Todd…I love you…” she said.
Gently, he kissed her cheek.
“You make me believe…” he whispered, “Let me know…if I hurt you. I don’t want to hurt you…”
She swallowed, “I will…”
They kissed. Their kissing led to more as finally he took her - possessed her - made love to her - rhythmically…tingles…the scent of her shampoo. Fresh. She’s so fresh. He was hard and firm and excited and it felt so good.
“Téa…Téa…” he whispered.
Immediately he found her beautiful blue eyes and yelped - moaning - feeling himself come hard - deep inside her. Moist. Wet. Her face - red. So very red. Her arms around him…
“Todd!” came a vicious cry.
He looked up. Peter Manning - his father grabbed him and threw him off his…wife?
“Téa!” yelled Todd.
Todd struggled against his father.
“Shut up Boy! What are you doing with this whore?!” yelled Peter, “Why are you naked?!”
Todd trembled. He hated being naked in front of his father. He grabbed his underwear sliding them on.
“Well, I’ll show you! I’ll show you the price of betrayal!” yelled his father.
Out of the corner of his eye, Téa was scampering to put her clothes on.
His father held him tight, using electrical cord to bind his feet and his hands. Using knots that were hard.
“Téa!” yelled Todd.
WHAM! His father’s hand slammed across her flawless face.
Todd swallowed. At least Téa was dressed - she wasn’t exposing her body - her intimacy to his bastard father.
Blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth. She struggled against him.
WHAM!
“Stop it! Leave me and Todd alone!” came her voice.
“Téa! Leave her alone! She didn’t do anything wrong…!” yelled Todd, “Leave her alone you bastard!”
Blood began dripping out her nose. Her cheek was puffy and swollen and she held her arms in front of her to take his hits. Her back against the wall.
“You whore! Stealing my son’s innocence!” yelled Peter. He spit on Téa’s face. Tears of pain rolled down her cheeks.
“Todd! Todd!” she yelled, “Help me!”
“Todd’s tied up girl! He can’t help you!” yelled Peter.
WHAM! Another slap to her face.
“Ooowww!” she cried out from the pain.
“Worthless Bitch! You wanna real man to fuck? I’ll give you a much better fuck than my son ever could!” his bastard father grabbed at Téa’s clothes. She fought him.
Todd hopelessly struggled against his binds that held him back.
“Téa! NO!!” he cried, “Fight him Téa!”
Peter Manning pulled out his engorged, hard cock.
“Oh, I’m ready for you Bitch! You’re so hot and I’m all ready worked up after watching you fuck Todd. Worked up to fuck you. I’ll bet you’re a real good fuck. I bet Todd actually enjoyed you!” yelled Peter.
“Téa!!” cried Todd shooting straight up from the awkward position he was on the bed, “TEA!!”
He was frantic. Where was she? What time of the day was it? He got up yelling - his eyes blurred, “I need you Téa!” he yelled.
He began kicking the furniture - the chairs in the room - his stomach in knots, his pulse racing, it never stops…
The door open and his bastard father walked in.
“Stop it!” yelled his father.
His father didn’t have those eyes! Those deep soulful brown eyes that were Téa’s.
“You leave her alone you bastard! I’ll kill you!” yelled Todd lunging for the man who he believed was his father.
“What?” muttered Enrique.
“I’ll kill you for striking her!” yelled Todd, pumped up by his increased heart rate, fueled by his adrenaline.
Enrique struggled with Todd falling to the ground. This time he fought harder against Enrique. They rolled over. A blow to the ribs. A knee to the chest.
“Téa!! Get away!!” yelled Todd.
Enrique finally grabbed Todd’s hands pinning him to the floor.
“Téa! What about Téa?! Téa is not here!! Téa is fine now that…!!” yelled Enrique his own temper relied up.
“Who are you? You’re not…” mumbled Todd. Sweat poured off his red face.
“I’m not who?!” demanded Enrique.
“My bastard father!!” yelled Todd, finally allowing his body to go limp. Enrique slowly got off Todd and Todd struggled to his feet. Anxious. Nervous.
“What just happened here? Why did you think…I was your father?!” demanded Enrique.
“Téa…Téa…my wife…she’s my wife… how is she? Is she safe? I gotta’ know…” said Todd pacing, “Gotta’ hold her…” The man in front of him - his features - dark…
Enrique crossed his arm, “Your wife - Téa - is fine.”
“She’s not here with me. I need her!” said Todd, “I need to touch her - to smell her hair…I need to see her with my own eyes.”
“I assure you, Téa is fine and safe,” said Enrique.
“How do you know Téa?” asked Todd rubbing his eyes.
Enrique said nothing.
“Did you have a dream? A nightmare perhaps? One involving Téa?” asked Enrique.
“Shut up about my wife! Give me my pills you bastard. Just like my father. You’re a bastard just like him!” yelled Todd. Pounding. His pulse was pounding. He was getting sick. Sick to his stomach.
“No pills. Not until you get better,” insisted Enrique.
“Don’t you see! I’m worse without them. You bastard! My wife is probably worried sick to death with me missing…!” said Todd fighting back the nausea, “She knows I need her…”
“I don’t understand why Téa loves you…” said Enrique softly.
“What? What kind of…” Todd began but the nausea overpowered him and he ran to the bathroom, reaching the toilet just in time.
“I’m sick without her…I need my wife…” muttered Todd. Sweat rolling down his face.
Enrique took a towel and cleaned up Todd who appeared too weak to do it himself. Enrique noticed that Todd’s pulse was rapid and he was hot. There was something physically wrong with his brother-in-law.
“Tell me how you know my wife…” muttered Todd as Enrique helped him to the bed in the other room, “I know you know her…”
Enrique said nothing. He had expected this man to better, not worse without his medication.
“How do you know…” started Todd feeling drained, struggling to look into Enrique’s eyes.
“I was married once. I loved my wife passionately but it wasn’t enough. She died…” said Enrique, volunteering a bit of himself, “It still hurts - to be without her.”
“So you know - what I’m…feeling without her…” mummered Todd, “I’d rather be scared with you - than without you…Delgado…”
Enrique’s eyes grew wide. Delgado. Did he know he was Téa’s brother? No.
Enrique swallowed, “I want you to get better. For her. For your wife. I want you to be a good husband to your wife. Unlike me. I was a bad husband. I want you to get it right for Téa…”
Todd was sick. Very sick. His body began to shake. Enrique noticed that for the first time, Todd’s body was shaking uncontrollably. Enrique tried to hold him to stop the shaking but he couldn’t. It was uncontrollable.
Enrique stayed with Todd until he passed out. He was confused by what was happening with his brother-in-law. And totally fascinated by what appeared to be an interesting dynamic between this man and his sister. He could see how this man would be attractive to Téa. But why wasn’t he getting better without the drugs? Something was wrong and he didn’t know what and he didn’t know what to do.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Love And Anger - Part 20
Late that night,
Carlotta’s Diner…
Téa walked into the diner looking haggard, tired, and worn out. She knew she had bags under her eyes. The diner wasn’t full and Téa unbuttoned her overcoat as she sat down at the counter. Carlotta looked at her, worried and full of concern.
“Téa…you look horrible,” said Carlotta.
“I know,” said Téa.
“You need to get some sleep,” said Carlotta firmly.
Téa swallowed, “I’ve got to find Todd Carlotta. I’ve been all over the docks but I can’t…”
“I don’t understand Téa…” said Carlotta.
“It’s hard to explain Carlotta. It’s complicated. I’ve got to find Todd. He could DIE if I don’t,” said Téa, her voice betraying her worry.
“You need to rest,” said Carlotta.
“I can’t rest without knowing Todd isn’t safe…” answered Téa.
The door to the diner opened and José walked in. He smiled as soon as he recognized Téa and joined her at the counter.
“Something is wrong,” said José picking up on her mood, “You look…sick.”
“Todd is missing,” said Carlotta.
“What?” whispered José.
Téa looked at her brother, full of concern.
“Todd is missing?” asked José surprised.
“Don’t lecture me José,” said Téa.
“I have no intention of lecturing you. If you need me, I am here for you. You are my family,” he answered.
Téa fell into his arms and cried.
“José…I don’t want Todd to die. I’ve got to find him. I need him and he needs me.”
José held her tight. He’d never seen her so upset before.
“Todd won’t die…” said José.
Téa looked up into his eyes, “No, José…Todd - he’s addicted to the Xanax. He’s got PTSD. If he’s not taking the medication - Ha! Medication…he will die. His body needs it. And José…”
“What?” said José digesting this information. He finally had something for Enrique.
“I might be pregnant,” she finished.
José swallowed. There was a minute of silence between them.
“Do you know? Do you know for sure?” asked José.
“No. The results came in today but I couldn’t call for them. Not until I know…something about Todd…” she mummered. She felt so weak in José’s arms.
“Téa - what’s PTSD?” asked José.
“Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Todd’s reliving a nightmare José - a traumatic event he suffered through years ago…I’m tied into it - it’s hard to explain but he was prescribed the Xanax to help him deal with the anxiety the PTSD brings…” explained Téa.
“I will do what I can to help you. Come home with me…” started José, “To rest…”
“No! No way am I going to stay in a house with Blair…!” said Téa, almost hysterical.
Carlotta spoke up, “I’ll take you home and stay with you so you can get some rest.”
“Who will look for Todd?” asked Téa.
“I will,” said José, “Now go to your home with Carlotta and I will see you in the morning.”
Téa allowed Carlotta to take her home.
José & Blair’s Townhouse…
Enrique paced the living room while Blair sat on the couch watching while she read a magazine. Starr was upstairs sleeping.
“What is bothering you Enrique? I’ve never seen you so…upset. Usually you’re Mister Cool…” remarked Blair trying to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
Enrique shot Blair a look, “When will your husband be home?”
“Soon,” answered Blair, “Pacing his living room floor won’t bring him home any quicker.”
The door opened and José walked in, his face full of concern. He walked into the living room and his eyes grew wide as he spied Enrique.
Blair stood up and walked over to José, giving him a kiss, relieved to see him. José returned it.
Enrique made a motion towards José indicating he wanted to be alone with him.
José looked Blair in the eyes, “Quierda, I’m sorry. I must talk to Enrique. Now. Alone.”
Blair looked hurt, “José! I’m your wife…!”
Blair sneered at him and walked out of the room.
“What is wrong Rico that you would come to my home unannounced?” asked José crossing his arms.
“I have a problem José,” said Enrique matter of factly.
“Oh? What?” asked José his curiosity peaked. He had yet to tell Enrique of Téa’s problem.
Enrique motioned for José to come close. He did.
Enrique whispered, “Téa’s husband tried to buy drugs and I refused him. I have him at my houseboat. I have denied him the drugs he craves but he’s only gotten worse, not better.”
José’s mouth dropped, “Téita! Téita’s a wreak!! What have you done?!”
“What do you mean Téita’s a wreak?” asked Enrique, “How can she be concerned?”
“You fool Enrique! How come you are the only Delgado who doesn’t understand what “love” is all about? You never stopped to consider that our sister might be in love with the man and that his disappearance might upset her?” said José in a disgusted, hushed whisper.
“I understand “love” just fine. I wanted the man to clean up his act and kick his bad habit for Téita!” spat Enrique.
“You don’t understand…what you’ve done…” said José, feeling the fury grow inside him.
“Explain it to me,” said Enrique crossing his arms, looking firm.
“Take Téita’s husband to the hospital as soon as you can. He needs medical attention. Especially if you have withheld his drugs from him!” said José bluntly.
“No. He will clean up his problem before he goes back to Téita!” insisted Enrique.
“He could DIE if you don’t!” insisted José in another hushed whisper.
“I don’t believe you!” spat Enrique, “Something is wrong with him, I will admit that but he’s not going to die. I will keep him safe and out of harm until he’s better to go back to Téita.”
“You don’t understand! She is what he needs!” protested José.
“No!” said Enrique. Disappointed with his brother, he walked to the door.
“What are you doing?” asked José, following his brother to the door, grabbing his arm.
“What I think is best!” insisted Enrique walking out.
José glared at his brother torn as to what to do.
The Manning Estate,
The middle of the night…
Téa tried to get comfortable on the couch but she was restless, sleeping lightly. Carlotta watched over her, worried for her. Téa dreamed of finding Todd. Dead. A knock on the door aroused Téa from her sleep and Carlotta went to the door to open it.
José stood at the door. His face hard. Téa rushed to Carlotta’s side.
“Come with me Téa. I will take you to your husband…” said José.
Téa’s eyes grew wide and she immediately left with José.
Enrique’s houseboat…
Enrique walked into his living room after coming from his brother-in-law’s room. He was very worried now and didn’t know what to do. Instead of getting better Todd was worse and José had been absolutely no help. He held a drink and sipped it, savoring its hard taste. He raised his hand and rubbed his eye.
There was a noise and suddenly his door flung open. José and Téa walked in. Téa’s mouth dropped when she recognized Enrique. They locked eyes.
“You…” muttered Téa, horrified at the thought that Enrique had something to do with Todd’s disappearance.
“You ruined my first marriage you bastard…!” she muttered.
Enrique bit his lip.
“Take me to my husband Enrique,” commanded Téa firmly and coldly, “NOW!!”
“No,” said Enrique, “He is a poor husband Téita. Like Antonio. He is abusing drugs Téa.”
“Damn you Enrique - I know that!! Who made you the DAMN moral police?! Has he been without the Xanax Enrique?!” yelled Téa furious. Her voice betrayed her fury. She could feel her body’s adrenaline kick in…
“Yes,” answered Enrique.
“Ooohhh…” said Téa furious, “Take me to me husband.”
“No,” answered Enrique.
“TODD!!” yelled Téa, “TODD!! WHERE ARE YOU?!” She began to walk the inside hallway of the boat searching for him. Her long overcoat flowed out from behind her.
“No - Téa!!” yelled Enrique. He walked up behind her and grabbed her arm, turning her into him. He found her eyes - mirrors of his own.
“Don’t keep me from my husband Enrique. I love him and he loves me. He needs me.”
“Why?” asked Enrique, “How can you love such a man?”
Téa ignored him and started running down the hall, “TODD!! TODD!!” she cried out.
“Téa!!” came a weak cry from a door. There was a bolt on the outside.
She ran up to the door and unbolted it. Enrique and José were right behind her. She flung open the door and went into the room. The air was stale.
Téa saw Todd on the bed. He looked so weak and drained. His face was flush. She ran to his side picking him up in her arms.
“Todd…quierdo…” she whispered, “I’m here…” She felt his forehead and checked his pulse. His pulse was fast. Too fast.
“Téa…”
Todd’s eyes were glassy, “Is it you Téa? Really you?” he muttered trying to focus on the features of her face.
“Si quierdo…it’s me…I’m here…”
“I’m sick…” he muttered.
“I know. I’ll get you to the hospital…” she replied.
“Téa? You all right? He didn’t hurt you did he?” muttered Todd.
Téa turned and glared at Enrique, “No didn’t hurt me.”
Todd tried hard to focus and looked at her, sweat dripping of his brow…
“The…baby, Téa?”
“Hush…darling…not now. We’ve got to get you to the hospital…” replied Téa soothingly.
“Baby?” muttered Enrique.
“Hold me Delgado…”
“No time for that Todd. I need to get you to the hospital,” she said, “José!”
José ran to her side and grabbed Todd on one side. Téa was on the other. They helped him to walk.
Téa paused in front of Enrique, “Damn you. If my husband dies you will pay. And I don’t care if you are my brother!”
“Brother…?” muttered Todd, “He’s…your brother?”
“Téa - He…” started Enrique.
“Shut up Enrique!! I don’t want to hear it!! Right now I have to save his life..!” she spat at her brother walking out with José’s help.
Enrique did nothing, watching them leave. Full of sorrow and remorse. Once again, he had screwed up her life.
TO BE CONTINUED…
