PROMISES-PART FIVE
Todd drags himself behind some crates on the loading dock. His lungs are filled with fire from running so long...grimacing in pain from his throbbing ankle he glances down at his ankle noticing that it is swelling noticeably with each passing moment. Swearing under his breath he berates himself for using Pete to freak out the doc. Who knows what charges they had against him now? Knowing this town probably something for 700 years this time...Damn......if he hadn't been so impatient to convince the doctors they wouldn't have considered keeping the ankle monitor on him.....if he had waited and went for a trial instead of letting the charges be dropped...or if he had only met the old man before he took that wrench to the monitor.....if.....if.....if.....what's the use questioning it now? Sliding further back into the shadows Todd leans back against the wall struggling to stay alert. His eyes are burning with fatigue and he closes them for just a moment. The second his eyes close the image of a familiar face appears to him. Tea. He allows himself the luxury of imagining her as she was the last time they made love. He can almost taste her... the vision of her in his mind is so clear and her voice is ...Todd sits up slightly thinking of the last time he heard her voice. He had taken a dangerous chance and called her. Stupid thing to do, when would he ever learn? He can't seriously expect any of them to ever forgive him.... they are lost to him now but he just had to try one more time. Unfortunately, for all his trouble all he got was her voice mail. He allows himself a small smile at the thought of 'Cat' with the monitor on. Hehehe I bet that really choked up all those cops. Another dagger of pain shoots up his leg and he tries a different position, which seems to help.
Todd thinks back to his first meeting with 'Cat'.
Todd had run as far away from the penthouse as his lungs would allow, but he knew with the monitor on it didn't matter how far he ran...they would find him. He ducked in and out of alleys looking for something, anything to help get this damn thing off! In one of the alleys he found a discarded wrench near a broken window. Shaking his head in disgust he thought to himself.... great.... a wrench.... just what I'd need if I had a plumbing problem. Oh what the hell, it's better than nothing. Todd took the wrench and gingerly at first starting tapping at the monitor. He began using bolder strikes without success. His frustration and fear building he used every bit of strength he had left.... and missed - hitting his ankle instead. Desperately holding in his howl of pain he hopped around for a bit and then threw the wrench away in a fury. Frantically searching around, Todd spotted what looked like an iron rod of some sort and thought why not? He sat down and placed the rod in between his ankle and the monitor and proceeded to try and force it off. After numerous attempts Todd also threw away the rod. He ankle was definitely in bad shape now. Taking a deep breath Todd realized that there was no hope left. That was it.... the end. The cops shouldn't have too much trouble tracking him down now. He leaned his head forward in defeat and was startled by the sudden appearance of a very proud looking cat. The cat sauntered its way over to him and presented itself proudly waiting for some attention. Todd looked in disbelief at his new companion.
He reached over and petted the cat, which was all the invitation the cat needed. Loudly purring she leapt onto Todd's lap and snuggled right up to him. Shaking his head back and forth Todd started to laugh softly...at how ludicrous this situation was he started laughing even louder.
"Cat...Cat...where are you?"
Startled Todd jumped up and looked for a hiding place. The cat let out a very indignant shriek at this treatment and before Todd could move a very old man came into the alley.
"There you are you naughty girl..." the old man stopped when he seen Todd. He looked at Todd sizing him up and watched as the cat continued to rub against Todd's leg looking for more attention. Todd winced as the cat touched his ankle.
"So Cat, you have a new friend?"
Todd was frozen wondering what to do. The old man walked up slowly to him and picked up his cat. Looking down at Todd's leg he saw that there was blood on his pant leg. The ankle monitor was barely but still clearly visible.
Todd seen that the old man was looking at his leg and he considered running again but was so weary. What threat could this old man and cat be?
"So give this old man one reason not to call the police."
Todd attempted a threatening look but leant back against the wall and sadly said, " Can't even think of one."
The old man came up close to Todd and looked him straight in the eye looking for something. Nodding to himself he said, "Come with me"
Surprised Todd asked "Come with you where...why should I go with you when you can't even think of a better name for your cat than 'Cat'?"
The old man gave Todd a stern look "Why shouldn't you come with me when it looks as if I'm the only one you've got ?"
Suspiciously Todd asked "Why? ...Why would you want to help me? I'm a complete stranger to you."
"Because you need help. That's why."
"You're kidding.... right?"
Frustrated the old man said, "I think the police should be here soon. So you want to wait here for them?"
Getting the point Todd limped towards the old man and with a shaky sigh said "Fine then..."he looked at the cat and added " lead the way Cat"
The old man put an arm around Todd to help him walk "My name is Henry..."
Trying not to put much weight on the old man Todd started to say, "My name is..."
The old man interrupted him with "Shhhh....I know who you are. We will talk later. Now we get you someplace where I can take that off you."
Henry led Todd through a couple of alleys until they came to a very battered old door that he gingerly opened with an equally old key.
Inside was a different story. The room was filled with life… pictures and paintings on every wall. Todd looked around in wonder. Most of the pictures were of a very beautiful young woman.
Henry saw Todd admiring the pictures and said "My wife. She is long gone now but she lives on here" and he covered his heart. "Come...sit over here."
Bewildered Todd sat down on the sofa and carefully placed his ankle in the most comfortable position he could find.
Henry said "Wait a minute...I'll be right back."
He returned a moment later with an official looking assortment of tools. Todd looked questioningly at this selection of tools.
"You do this much?"
Laughing heartily Henry replied "Locksmith by trade.... painter by heart."
Within moments Henry had removed the ankle monitor and carefully checked out Todd's ankle. He called Cat over and lovingly stroked his long time friend.
"I have a favor to ask of you Cat...here try this on for size."
The cat looked somewhat indignant at having the collar placed on her but it was light and not cumbersome. Looking very pleased with himself Henry smiled at Todd.
"Shall we send Cat out for a stroll? What do you think?"
Todd's face broke out in a genuine smile "And who says that dogs are a man's best friend...."
Laughing Henry walked with Cat over to the front door and gently put her outside. When he returned he stopped by a drawer and removed a first aid kit.
Todd watched Henry's movements closely. The old man sat on a stool in front of Todd and carefully began tending to Todd's ankle.
"Why are you helping me? ...How do you know me? I'd think knowing who I am would make you want to run the other way. Most people do."
Henry was intent on his task when he started to explain.
"One of the few pleasures I still have is at Sunset Park. I could sit there all day. I love to watch the children play. Their laughter is like music to my ears and their joy for life fills me with such happiness."
Todd started to understand." My daughter loves that park."
Looking up Henry said "I have watched you with that little girl for a very long time now. Such love......it is a good thing. I look in your eyes and I see your heart and it is good too."
Stunned, Todd was reminded of Starr. He closed his eyes seeking composure but the emptiness of her loss was overwhelming and the kindness of this old man was reaching deep inside him.
Henry seen Todd's distress and patted him on the hand.
"Do not despair.... you are in her heart always. She is part of you and you part of her. Nobody can take that away from you.... ever."
Todd wipes away a tear and stands up carefully.
"I don't know how I can ever ...I'm not very good at thank- you's, but ....thank you."
Henry smiled fondly at him "That was a fine thank you and you are welcome. You can stay for a while and rest if you like "
Shaking his head Todd said "No....you've done enough. I have to be somewhere..." Todd looked at his watch " and I don't have much time left to get there. I don't want to get you in trouble."
Todd walked over to the back door and Henry followed and said, "What can they do to an old man like me? "
Henry held his hand out to Todd and Todd shook hands with him
"Henry.... thank you."
"Todd.... I hope you find a second chance somewhere."
After that last statement he had left and now here he sits. Todd feels a pang thinking of that conversation with Tea on the way to Niagara Falls. Second Chance...is there such a place? He stands up in the darkness and starts once more on his journey.
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Tea continues her pacing driving everyone in the room crazy.
"Could you just sit still for even one minute Tea?" asks Blair
Tea just looks at Blair and says "Oh shut up Blair" and continues her pacing.
"Why? Why haven't we heard anything? This is driving me crazy."
Blair rolls her eyes "I guess there is nothing to hear yet Tea."
The phone rings and Tea makes a mad dash across the room nearly tripping in her anxiety. "Hello..."
Tea listens silently for a moment and then says "WHAT… a cat?"
Sam,Viki and Blair look flabbergasted.
Tea says, "Well okay...thanks for letting us know.... bye."
Tea is so quiet that Blair yells out "For god's sake.... NOW she's quiet. What happened Tea?"
Tea looks at them and starts to giggle quietly at first and then she bursts into a full-blown attack. Stunned at her behavior Sam quickly walks over" Is everything okay Tea? "
Tea is trying to compose herself " They.... they found the.... they found..."
She is helpless with laughter again...which is slowly turning to tears.
Viki is truly concerned now "Tea.... calm down and tell us"
Tea sinks down onto the sofa." They found the ankle monitor."
Blair looks impatiently at Tea "AND...."
Tea adds" Todd wasn't wearing it.....a cat was"
Sam sits beside Tea "So he managed to get away then?"
Nodding at Sam she looks away to hide the feelings at war inside her - happiness that he had escaped and deep sorrow that she would never see him again.
Tea looks around the penthouse and stands up.
"I...I can't stay here.... I have to go for a walk and get away or something. I just hope he's okay. I hope...." but she can't finish the statement.
Sam and Viki nod in agreement. Viki walks over and hugs Tea.
"You go and try to get some rest. There is nothing you can do now anyways."
Closing her eyes in misery Tea says "Don't I know it."
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Tea arrives at her Palace suite and doesn't even bother to put on the lights. What for? There is nothing to look at that she wants to see anymore. There is nothing left. Todd took part of her with him that she will never get back. Rubbing her eyes Tea sees there is a message waiting on her answering machine.... wearily she thinks to herself.... who cares? It suddenly occurs to her that it might be news of Todd. With a trembling hand she pushes the play button on the machine and hears the deep rich timbre of Todd's voice filling the room.
"Tea..."