Episode 12
LAD World
Recap: [Marty is 6 weeks old. Belinda knows Tad`s true feeling for Liza. Marty, Marian and Liza moved into a brand new home. Marian caught Liza and Tad in a compromising but innocent position in Liza`s kitchen. All is quiet on the Adam front.]
Part 12: Sexual healing...
It`s a late afternoon at Jacob`s LADder and Belinda is at her table, waiting for Liza, reviewing legal briefs. Liza comes in. Jacob spots her right away.
Jacob: Well if it isn`t the busy Ms Colby! How`s the little one?
Liza: Beautiful, Foster! Have you seen Belinda?
Jacob (points to her table): You want a menu?
Liza: Yes. Thank you.... Belinda, Hi! Sorry I`m late...
Belinda: (cleaning up her table) Don`t worry about it, I kept myself busy.
Liza: The doctor`s visit took a little longer....
Belinda: Is everything all right?
Liza: Yes! Never better: Marty is in perfect health. Everything is right on schedule. Actually, he is just perfect (giggles): everyday he does something that just amazes me... Mother picked him up at the Hospital so that I could see Dr Cladder, which is why I am late.
Belinda: Are you Ok?
Liza: Oh yes, great, terrific. Actually, Dr Cladder said that I could even resume eh.....my sex life.
Belinda: Oh! (trying desperately not to sound surprise by the idea that Liza might actually have a sex life)
Liza: Yes, that`s what I said. I mean, what`s a sex life, right?
Belinda: Well you know, things have a way of turning around.
Liza: (sighs) The thing is.... I keep ... thinking about.... (she hesitates)
Belinda: Tad?
Liza: How did you know?
Belinda: Well... (trying not to show that she knows more) let`s see: he`s tall, dark and handsome, with a killer smile and baby blue eyes, sweet and sensitive and you spend a lot of time with him, who wouldn`t be... interested?
Liza: And you haven`t seen him without his clothes on! (they laugh) <sighs> This is bad, this is bad! This is terrible!
Belinda: Why?
Liza: We`re friends. Just friends! Sex can destroy everything, especially with Tad and me.
Belinda: You`re exaggerating.
Liza: Yesterday was the worst.
Belinda: What happened?
Liza: He came to my house. I had a little plumbing problem in the kitchen. He just looked so damn good in those jeans! I just wanted to get closer to him... anyway we both ended up on the floor somehow... I came this close to...
Belinda: Ripping his clothes off?
Liza: Yah! ... But before today, I had an excuse not to act on this: I just had a baby, etc.etc. But now...
Belinda: Maybe he`s ready for more than just friendship...?
Liza: But sex is bad with us.... I mean it`s ``great!``...(her mind wonders) really great ...(clearing her throat getting back to earth) but ... you know?
Belinda: You`re confused.
Liza: (exasperated) I`m sorry, I shouldn`t be talking about this..... but I keep dreaming about how his hands feel on my ... shoulders... he has great hands! (lost in another fantasy) ... and I always wake up at the wrong moment! Do you know how frustrating that is??
Belinda: You`re afraid that sex would destroyed the friendship? (Liza nods yes) Liza, I think the question you should ask yourself is: are you ready for a relationship with Tad? Something more than just friendship or just sex?
Liza: You think that`s the question? Why?
Belinda: Because (she hesitates).... No, forget it... (long pause)
Liza: What? Don`t hold out on me! Belinda, I need you to be honest with me...
Cut to Tad entering the restaurant. He goes straight to the bar to say hi to Jacob.
Jacob: (pouring him a beer) Well, look who`s here, the cold shower champion of the world!!!
Tad: Say what you will, but I`ll be a very rich man by the end of the year. That hot water bill is going down....
Jacob: You plan on continuing this little game for a year????
Tad: If I have to. (picking up the beer) Actually, things have been getting weirder and weirder...
Jacob: Really?
Tad: Like yesterday. I was fixing her faucet...(Jacob gives him an disbelieving look) OK, I was *trying* to fix her plumbing problem in the kitchen and I kept getting these mixed signals.
Jacob: Like what?
Tad: I don`t know: looks, mostly. Anyway we ended up on the floor of her kitchen, laughing our heads off. Nothing happened but still...
Jacob: Well you know, she`s a healthy woman in her prime, maybe she`s horny?
Tad: Aren`t we all? (taking a slip of his beer)
Jacob: I think you should ask her out. (Tad shakes his head) Nothing dramatic, just a date. Take things slowly: one step at a time. Ask her for dinner! (Jacob points to Belinda and Liza`s table, Tad spots them)
Cut to Belinda and Liza
Belinda: (choosing her words carefully) If you want my opinion, I think Tad is more than ready for a meaningful relationship with you. What about you? (pause)
Tad walks to their table.
Tad: Ladies!
Belinda: Tad, hi (she gets up). Liza, I will call you.... Tad, looking good! (Belinda gives a look to Liza who shyly looks away)
Tad: Don`t leave on my account!
Belinda: Don`t be silly, I have a busy lawyer`s life. (to Liza) Say hi to Marty for me?
Liza: I will. Bye.
Belinda leaves, and Liza is left with her thoughts.
Tad: Boy, this was a mighty serious conversation. Is everything all right?
Liza: Perfect. I just came from Marty`s doctor and doctor Cladder. Everything is just fine.
Tad: That`s great....(pause - Tad and Liza are both thinking about the day before) So? (long unseasy pause)
Liza: Would you mind joining me for dinner?
Tad: (smiles) Mind??? I`d love to. (Liza smiles back)
Much later that night, Tad is slowly walking Liza back to her house, all the lights inside are off. They`re laughing.
Tad: I swear this is how the wine business works... . Well (looking at the front door) here we are.
Liza: (taking his hand) It was a lovely dinner. Thank you.
Tad: Please. Thank you, you invited me. And as long as you had a good time, that`s all that matters. You have, haven`t you? (Liza nods yes, Tad smiles - long awkward pause) ...God! This is so weird! I feel like a kid on his first date.
Liza: You do?
Tad: hmm! hmm! Like a nervous 13 years old, his mind racing, wondering: should I - shouldn`t I?
Liza: Should what? (half-coyly)
Tad: This.
Tad moves closer to Liza, gently caressing her cheek, hesitating, staring into her eyes. He finally approaches her for a kiss. Liza feels herself swept away, losing all senses of time and space, putting her arms on his shoulders. She closes her eyes. He puts his hand on her shoulder and she`s gone. Their lips almost meet when a light inside is turned on and someone is about to open the door. Tad and Liza pull back from each other quickly at the sudden noise, a little embarrassed.
Marian: Liza, darling, what happened?
Tad (giggling, trying to sound nonchalante): Hello Marian.
Marian: Tad?.... Liza, what are you doing out here at this late hour?
Liza (giving a look to Tad) I`m not 13 anymore, Mother, you don`t need to worry.
Marian: I am your mother, darling, I will always worry.
Tad: It`s my fault, Marian. I wanted to .... talk... about business, you know how it is....
Marian: Business? (innocently) Honestly is that all you two can think about? (Liza and Tad lock eyes, looking guilty, business was the last thing on their mind at that point - long pause).
Tad: Well, I have to go. Liza, I`ll see you tomorrow?
Liza: Of course.
Tad (takes her hand and squeezes it lovingly, he moves closer to kiss Liza`s cheek, their eyes lock): Good night. Kiss Marty for me.
Liza (wishing he would stay): I will. Good night.
Marian: What was that all about?
Liza: Nothing, Mother (Liza lies as she stares in Tad`s direction with a very unsatisfied look in her eyes and a smile).
End of part 12 -- --Millie AMC: LCAS - BABE - T&Lover - SPERM - NoHo! - FAC Chef Larry GL: FGC Tangie Hill - Rolly