A few days have passed since Starr left for Llanview. Todd and I drove her to the airport, she left her car parked at Manning Enterprises. She had refused the use of her father's jet. Todd was quiet on the drive back and he did not say much the rest of that day. I thought he had forgotten about my nightmare and I didn't want to bring it up. Starr's departure had distracted him, but tonight he remembered. Dee, the other night when you had that bad dream, I just took off on you. You said you wanted to tell me something, what was it? Oh it's alright Todd, I say, it's been a few days and I really don't remember much about it anymore. I'm lying. I'm really sorry, he says, you always stop and listen to me and when you need me, I bolt. Todd you were needed at The Sun, you're the boss. That's right I am and I could have gotten someone else to handle it, Jacob was there, except for his lack of coffee making skills, he is a genius. It won't happen again, he says, next time you want to talk, I'll listen, I promise.
Now two weeks have passed since Starr left. Todd is working at his desk when his phone rings. It is Starr. Todd smiles bright at the sound of her voice. They talk for a while. Todd asks for everyone, Sam, Dani, Jack, his sister Viki and even Blair. He wishes desperately that he could talk to each of them. But they still will not give him the time of day for what he has done to his brother Victor Jr. Starr says to Todd, I have a surprise for you. Really, what, says Todd. It's not a what, but a who, says Starr. Hold on, she says. Todd's mind is racing, who? Then he hears the little voice. Hello, Uncle Todd. Todd can't believe his ears, it is his little nephew Sam. Todd shuts his eyes and wants to cry. Hey Sam, how are you little buddy? I'm fine, says Sam, I really miss you. I miss you too, says Todd. When are you coming back, asks Sam. Oh well I don't think I can come back for a while, but maybe someday. Can I go visit you, asks the little boy. I can go back with Starr. I would love that buddy, says Todd, but I don't think your mommy would let you, you have school and all. Maybe in the summer, says Sam. Maybe, says Todd, I would really like that. Well I have to go now, I hear mommy calling me. Bye Uncle Todd. Hey, says Todd, be good and listen to your mommy and …..I love you. I love you too, bye. Todd is happy yet sad. Sam should have been my son he thinks, no, he is my son. Starr gets back on the line, dad are you there? Yeah I'm still here. She can hear his voice breaking. Thank you so much Starr, I really needed that, you don't know how much it meant to hear his voice. He came in while I was talking to you and he knew it was you before I could say anything, says Starr. He really wanted to talk to you. Despite everything, Starr says, he says you are his hero. That was it, Todd's eyes are tearing, poor kid, he doesn't know the monster that his uncle Todd really is, he says. Dad please don't say that. Everything that has happened has had a cause, you were ill, you still are but getting better. Maybe I shouldn't have let him on the phone, I can hear you're upset. No Starr, just the opposite, hearing his voice made me happy, thank you again. They say their goodbyes. Todd opens a desk drawer and pulls out a photo of his last Christmas in Llanview. There they are, all smiling, the family he fought so hard to get back to, the family he almost got back and the family he lost. He then glances at the photo on his desk. One of he and I smiling happily. He traces my face with his finger, I love you Dee and you and I will start a family of our very own.
Later that afternoon Starr calls her father back. Hey again Shorty, two calls in one day, what have I done to deserve this? Oh dad I forgot something earlier. What, asks her father. I was wondering if Dee could go to The Haunted Star and to my dressing room. I left some clothes and some very important papers there. I would like her to send them to me, do you think she would mind? I tried to call her but I get her voice mail. Well I know she wouldn't mind but the problem is that she is in New York attending a conference for the magazine, answers Todd. Oh, says Starr. Well I will be more than happy to go down and get the stuff for you, says Todd. But dad I know you don't want to run into Johnny, replies Starr. Do you think Johnny is going to keep me from helping my daughter? C'mom Starr. Well Okay, but no trouble alright dad? Scouts honor, says Todd. You were never in the boy scouts, laughs Starr. I was for about a minute, says Todd, but when I heard you had to do good deeds for badges, I dropped out fast. I didn't need no stinkin' badges. Starr is laughing. Seriously dad, behave. I will Shorty. The call ends. Todd holds up his crossed fingers, sorry Starr, but I can't promise anything where Johnny Zacchara is concerned.
Todd arrives at The Haunted Star. He walks in. There is someone sweeping up and wiping down tables. He heads to Starrs dressing room. Once inside he finds her outfits worn for the shows, He puts them in the suitcase. He collects the papers and music she asked for and packs them as well. He looks around, I think I got everything. As he is walking out, there he is, Johnny Zacchara. Manning what the hell are you doing here? Picking up a few things that Starr left behind, Todd answers as he pushes past him heading for the exit. By the way, how's married life treating you, asks Johnny. Todd stops and turns to face him. Todd smiles, married life is fantastic, you should try it sometime, maybe with Carly. God knows you two deserve each other. Johnny smiles, yeah maybe, seeing as how you tried to break us up and it didn't work. Todd just stares at Johnny. Yes Manning, I know what you did. Of course you do, I'm sure Carly told you everything, so there, case closed, says Todd and he turns to walk out again. Yeah Carly told me everything, but has your pretty little wife told you everything? Todd shuts his eyes and turns back to face this punk. What did you just say? Johnny smiles and turns his back to Todd and heads to the bar. He walks behind it and proceeds to pour himself a whiskey. He has just baited Todd and he is biting. What the hell did you say God dammit, Todd's voice raising. I'll bet you two have your share of secrets don't you, secrets that you are keeping from each other, smiles Johnny. What the hell would you know about anything between us, shouts Todd. Nothing, says Johnny shaking his head. He takes a drink. Todd is breathing hard now, you better tell me what you're talking about or so help me... What Manning, you're going to kill me, asks Johnny sarcastically. Okay, says Johnny, let's just say that I know your secret, you know my secret, but do you know your wife's secret? Todd has had enough, he lunges over the bar, knocking Johnny's drink out of his hand and grabs him around the neck. He is squeezing, Johnny is gasping for air. You mother fucker, growls Todd, I should of killed you the first time. Johnny's eyes widen with his statement. Was it Todd who tried to kill me back at GH? Johnny somehow finds strength and breaks Todd's grasp on his neck. He hits Todd across the face with his fist. Todd is knocked off balance for a moment. Your wife Dee, she has a secret, shouts Johnny. Don't you even say her name, yells Todd. Why not, I use to say it all the time, Johnny yells back. What the fuck you bastard, shut the hell up, Todd shouts. What, teases Johnny with a grin, you don't want to hear that your wife is keeping something from you? A big secret? Well guess what Manning, I am your wife's secret. Todd starts for Johnny again. Johnny breaks a liquor bottle and waves off Todd with it. Keep back you son of a bitch or I'll give you a matching scar on the other side of that mug of yours. You tell me what the hell you're talking about, yells Todd. Oh now you want to know, says Johnny, well let's see, where to start. Do you want to know everything? You can start any time with your lies, says Todd. Lies huh, smirks Johnny, okay then how is this for a lie? Your precious Dee was a dancer. Back when she was barely legal. She danced at my father's club in New York. Men threw money at her. She went by the name of Dee Dee then. You're lying you fucking son of a bitch, shouts Todd. Oh yeah, well it gets better Todd, she and I were together, I know your wife intimately, I know every inch of her, says Johnny smugly. Todd shuts his eyes, he feels heat rising from his collar, he feels the fury. He hadn't felt this way since the supposed night he killed Victor Jr. He doesn't care anymore if Johnny cuts him, he is going to kill him if it's the last thing he does. Johnny is backing up as Todd moves slowly towards him. Can't stand it huh Manning? Well get ready cuz there's more. I got Dee pregnant. Todd stops dead in his tracks. Johnny continues, but she took off and gave our baby away. Dee and I have a daughter almost about Starr's age. Only I don't know where she is because that bitch of a wife of yours gave her away like she was nothing. Todd shuts his eyes again, balling his fists, he moves in on Johnny. Johnny swings the broken bottle cutting Todd deep across his left upper torso. Todd feels no pain and manages to grab Johnny. Johnny drops the glass, Todd begins beating him across the face, never saying a word, just beating. One of the employees that had been cleaning up rushes in, he tries to pull Todd off of Johnny but Todd has the strength of five bulls and he throws him onto the floor knocking him out cold. Finally, when Todd sees that Johnny is almost unconscious, something makes him let go. He gets up and sees his reflection in the mirror over the bar, he sees the blood oozing from his chest, no reaction. He looks down at Johnny who is still trying to get up. Todd turns, he steps over the knocked out employee and heads for the exit. Johnny finally manages to pull himself up a little to a sitting position. As he watches Todd walk out, he shouts as loud as the pain will let him, go home, go home and ask Mrs. Manning if this is a lie. Todd is gone. Johnny laughs and at the same time grimaces with the pain.