" NOT GOING BACK TO HARMONY? Chad, what the hell are you talking about?"

Theresa, who hadn’t been really awake, had been stunned by Chad’s last statement and wanted answers.

" I’m waiting Chad."

" Theresa, I can’t go into it with you. I can’t do it. My life took a WRONG turn yesterday, and there’s no way to undo it."

" You mean, US?"

" Naw, Theresa. Not us. Us is so mild compared to what happened to me yesterday, it’s not even funny."

" Then maybe you need to talk to someone about it."

" No, Theresa. I can’t talk to anyone about it."

" Chad…"

" Theresa, I can’t."

" Well, ok, but you know I’ll always be there for you if you need to talk."

" Thanks."

" But, this nonsense about you leaving Harmony is ridiculous. Chad, you have every reason to stay. You have friends here. And, you don’t even know if you have family in Harmony."

Something about Chad’s reaction to her last statement made Theresa stop and think.

" Chad, did you find out about your family? Is that’s what’s wrong? You didn’t like the family that you found?"

When Chad didn’t answer her and looked away altogether..

" THAT’S IT! You found your family. Chad, isn’t that what you always wanted? I know..maybe they’re not what you expected, but, if you give it a little bit of time, I’m sure that you and your family could find a way to eek out a relationship."

"Theresa.."

" Chad, from the moment I met you, the one goal you had for yourself was to find out your family. "

" Theresa…"

"You wanted a relationship with him. So, it didn’t turn out as you expected."

" Theresa…"
 

" Reunions rarely do. But, that doesn’t mean that you stop working on it.."

" THERESA! It will NEVER be a ‘happily ever after scenario’!"

" Why? Oh…your parents are dead? I’m so sorry, Chad."

Theresa moves to hug Chad, but he stops her. When she gets to him, she sees the tears in his eyes. He’s in pain. Pure, raw pain. He backs away from her and only stops when he runs into the wall. He slides down onto the floor, sobbing.

" Chad, please let me help you. I promise, I’ll tell no one. But, if you don’t talk to someone, you look like you’re about to go crazy."

He looked up at Theresa through teary eyes, and his mouth couldn’t even form the words. She had heard the phrase ‘stuck in his throat’, but, she had never seen it so literally.

After a few moments of silence, barely above a whisper, he said it:

" Eve Russell is my mother."

When he looked up, Theresa’s eyes were wide as saucers, and she was in complete shock.
 

Ivy was sitting at her  vanity when she heard a knock on the door.

" Come in."

Ivy turned to see,

" Ethan."

" Hello, Mother."

" Hello. Where’s Gwen?"

" She’s taking a shower, and then we’re going to have lunch with Rebecca and Jonathan. You’re invited to come."

" No, I’m sure Rebecca would be gloating, and I couldn’t stand that."

" Oh, Well. I wanted to tell you that everything is fine between us. I love you, Mother."

" Ethan, Darling, I’m sorry. My mistakes have forced you to make your own mistake."

" Mother, please stop it right there. I don’t want you to be feeling sorry for me. I don’t feel sorry for myself."

" But, if I hadn’t done my own lie, then you would be married to the woman you loved."

" I AM married to the woman that I love. I realized yesterday that the Theresa I fell for was just an illusion. It’s a remarkable thing that happens when illusions come down; the truths behind them are very awesome and liberating."

" But, I wanted you to marry for love."

" I did. I’m my own man, and I chose my destiny. Not too many people can say that for themselves. You can’t. I have what I want, and someone to share it with. We will never speak of Theresa again, am I understood, Mother?"

" Yes. "

" Well, I have to get back to change. We’ll be leaving this evening for our honeymoon. My secretary has the itinerary, if you need anything."

" Fine."

Ethan comes over and kisses Ivy on the cheek and is about to leave when Ivy calls out,

" Ethan?"

" Yes, Mother."

" You really DON’T blame Gwen for losing Theresa, do you?"

" I never had Theresa, Mother. And, I’m glad I realized that before I threw away my life for her. "

Ethan left a very confused Ivy.

Father Lonigan was searching his bible for text for Sunday’s sermon when he heard a knock at the door.

" Come in."

" Father Lonigan?"

" Well, hello Eve. How are you?"

" Not well, Father. I need someone to talk to."

" Close the door. I don’t have an appointment for another hour."

Eve closes the door, and goes to sit in a chair in front of the desk.

" Eve, what’s wrong?"

" Father, I received the best and worst possible news in my life."

" Yes….."

" Father, my son is alive!"

" No! Really? Are you sure?"

" Yes. I have proof. DNA proof. "

" Eve, a miracle has happened."

" I know, Father. But, it’s more complicated than that."

" Why? Because of all the lies you’ve told TC and your family? Eve, I think they would understand."

" I don’t, Father. I don’t think they would understand at all. "

" Where is your son?"

" In Harmony."

" Harmony? Has he been here all along?"

" No. He arrived a few years ago. From California. To look for his parents."

Father Lonigan got a surprised look on his face. " Eve, do you mean…"

" Chad Harris is my son."