"I know things haven't been right between us but I am willing to try"
Todd sighed loudly and leaned back in his chair. "Why now? Why the sudden effort to save this? You never seemed interested in our marriage before this"
"Yeah baby, but I'm making an effort now." As if to confirm this, Toni reached out to hold his hand.
"Okay, fine, where do you want to go"
"I was thinking we could take a weekend and go to New York. I know you have some family there"
Todd remained quiet. When he finally spoke he avoided eye contact. "There is something I need to do. I've been offered a part, ona television show as an advisor." He paused, to let it sink in.
"What do you mean"
"Well, its a new television show, about doctors. They need a technical advisor, someone who knows the field, to help the show seem more real"
"Okay, you can stop by and see what its all about, but this trip is about saving our marriage." Toni said trying to end the conversation. She had a nagging feeling about where it was heading and was doing her best to derail the conversation before it got there.
"Toni, I can't just stop by. This is a permanent position"
"So what do you want me to do? I'm taking this one step at a time Todd. You are the one who is springing all of this on me"
"Drama Toni"
"Yeah drama, you know that things are just starting to go well at work! I can't be giving up my life to follow you to New York." Hoping to show that she was finished discussing the situation, Toni got up from the table and began to clear away dishes from the table. But Todd was not finished.
"No one asked you to give up anything," Todd said. He got up from the table, went straight to teh bedroom and slammed the door.
Pausing for a moment to sort everything out, Toni felt a chill in her spine. "Todd! Waht do you mean 'No one asked me?' Todd"
When he didn't answer, Toni returned to the kitchen and finished cleaning up. She hoped by the time she was done, he would have calmed down considerably, enough so that they could talk this out. But still she couldn't help but wonder. Would he leave her if given the chance?
By the time she was done cleaning the kitchen, Toni was exhausted. Cleaning things was beneath her. She had left Fresno with the intention of becoming fabulous, and she had done just that. Or was doing that until she met Todd. His debt forced her to give up so much, like her maid. But it was worth it, she was convinced, but Todd was worth it.
The house had fallen eerily silent. She went tot he bedroom door and was about to knock when it opened. It was Todd and he was carrying a suitcase.
"No Todd!" She reached for his arm but he shrugged her off and continued to the front door.
"I'm going to a hotel for the next few days. I'm leaving for New York on Monday"
"No Todd, Don't leave me, We can go to New York together. We can work this out, together"
"No Toni, this is too little, too late." With that, Todd turned on his heel and left.
Meanwhile at Joan's House.
"I mean, I have strong feelings for him. I really do, but we've been friends for so long, I don't know if I can breach that, that"
"Contract?" Maya and Lynn chimed. They were helping Joan prepare dinner for the night. Maya did not want to go home to her empty house, and Lynn as ususal had no home.
"Look Joan," Maya said speaking frankly "I love you honey, but you are too damn neurotic. Look at you... you are not even in the office, and you are using your 'lawyer language'. It isn't that complicated. This is cut and dry, you like William. No correction, you love William. Just tell the man." That said, Maya took another sip of her wine. Lynn took note and moved the wine bottle farther away from Maya's reach.
Smiling at Maya's audacity, Joan tried to defend herself. "Number one, I am not neurotic." Ignoring the grunts of protest from both girls, she continued. "Number two, its not that simple. I mean, William still has feelings for Monica and I don't think that will ever change. Besides he's off to a some conference in New York for a week. I can't tell him now"
"That's where you are wrong Joan," Lynn Said. "Why don't you just go to New York with him? Better yet, suprise him"
"That's not a bad idea...I'll do it!"