Collision Course, Chapter 23
 

Theresa was in her room, with a large garbage bag, making good on the vow that she had took with Chad. Piece by piece, she was getting rid of all signs of Ethan Crane. She was in the middle of throwing away all the bridal magazines that she had collected when Pilar rushed into her room.

" Theresita? You’re home?", she said, grabbing Theresa into a hug.

" Mama…I’m fine. I’m fine."

Pilar looked around the room, and saw what was missing.

" Theresa, throwing away traces of Ethan, "

" Is the first step to getting on with my life. He chose Gwen, Mama. He chose Gwen."

" I know."

" Even after I told him that I knew he wasn’t a Crane, he chose Gwen. No, wait, let me correct that. When he found out that I KNEW he wasn’t a Crane, it almost seemed to validate his choice of Gwen. How could he, Mama? How could he throw away our love like that?"

" Theresa, Ethan was faced with a difficult choice. In the end, he was Ivy’s son more than Sam’s. I’m only sorry that he had to break your heart in the process."

" Mama, he told me that if I told anyone about him being Sam Bennett’s son, he would HATE me. And, I believe him, Mama. He would hate me.", Theresa said with a deep sadness in her voice.

" Theresa, I’m so sorry for you. I had an idea that the Cranes would stop at nothing, and, I was right. That’s why I didn’t want you involved with them."

" You were right, Mama. I couldn’t believe that Ethan acted, well, like a CRANE with me? His eyes were cold, his voice was harsh. He has washed his hands of me, and married ‘the proper woman’. The woman that can help him lead the almighty Crane Empire. God, I hate him, and that family."

" Theresa, you don’t mean it."

" Yes, Mama, I do. Being treated like garbage? I most certainly do. I am finished with Ethan Crane and Fairy Tales. They’ve done nothing for me.", she says, as she throws away the clothes from Bermuda that Ethan had bought her.

" Theresa, I looked for you everywhere…what happened to you?", Pilar curiously asked.

" I….I was with Chad, Mama. We found one another, and he let me cry on his shoulder. I had to get away, and he understood. I’m glad I found him, because I was in bad shape."

" What are you going to do?"

" I don’t know.", Theresa said honestly, sitting down on the edge of the bed, and Pilar sat beside her.  " How pathetic is that, Mama? I’m 19 years old, and I don’t know what I’m going to do with the rest of my life, because the only thing I had planned for my life is being with Ethan. Wow, how ridiculous is that? I have to think. I don’t know what to say…..the rest of my life is out there, and I don’t know what to do.", Theresa said with a little franticness in her voice.

Pilar took her hand and kissed it. " Don’t be worried. We’ll all help you through this: Luis, Miguel and I. We love you, and we’ll get you through this. I promise. You have your whole life ahead of you, Theresa. And, I know that it will be a life full of love, because you have love to give. "

Theresa’s anger had subsided, and once again, she was faced with the enormity of the loss that she suffered. Tears again came down her face, and Pilar opened her arms so that her daughter could release her pain and anger and get comfort.

" I really loved him, Mama."

" I know."
 

Penny and Julian were sitting in the living room, when Ivy came down. " You two playing chess? Whose winning?"

" Father…for now.", Penny said with a slight smile.

Ivy sat in a chair away from them, watching Julian and Penny interact. Watching Julian with Penny was like watching a completely different man. He was so open and loving towards her. Never a disingenuous moment between them. She has his heart. Hell, she was proof that Julian had a heart. Ivy turned to look out the window. She heard Pilar’s words echoing in her head:

" No right? Oh, but, I do, Ivy. You see, I’ve been the one stuck here, day after day, year after year, listening to you whining about how Julian Crane has done you wrong. But, instead of correcting the situation, or finding a profession, hobby, or something to occupy your time, you bring three other children into this situation, and then proceed to ignore them. Oh, I don’t doubt that you love your daughters, but, can you stand here and tell me that you don’t punish them for NOT being Sam’s children? I couldn’t believe it when you sent Penny away to Europe because Mr. Crane actually had as good a relationship with her as you do Ethan, and somehow, that just didn’t fit into your ‘view’ of him, so off she went. You didn’t care that it hurt her. And, yes, sometimes I am ASHAMED to be your friend, Ivy. You are your own worst enemy. Sam loves his wife and family. You broke his heart. You shattered him. But, he decided to move on. He found a wonderful woman to love, who wanted to share his life and who would FIGHT for him in a way that you never did or would. The funny thing is Ivy, I think, if you gave yourself half a chance, you and Julian could make something of the marriage. But, you would have to be honest with him. No more leading him on, getting his hopes up, and then turning on him. You have to have the courage that Ethan has. Gwen may not have been his choice in an ideal world, but, I bet you any amount of money that he will have more happiness in his first year of marriage, than you have had in 25. Because, he accepted his choice, like a man. Maybe YOU should learn from your son."
 

WAS IT TRUE?

Had she been part of her own misery?

No, Julian was a cad. A dog. A loathesome and miserable husband.

She kept on telling herself that. She had to. He HAD to be to blame. Because, if he wasn’t, then what would that make her?

" So, are you coming, Ivy?"
 

Ivy looked up to see Julian and Penny there.

" Huh?"

" Penny wanted to go for a walk in the garden. Would you like to join us?"

" Of course, not. Why would I want to do anything with you?", Ivy said nastily, and got up to leave.

Ivy was almost out of the room when she turned around, and saw Julian whispering in Penny’s ear, and give her a kiss on the forehead. She seemed to be calmed down.

" What the hell am I doing?", Ivy asked herself out loud.

She saw them leave and realized that this was a moment of truth for herself. She had to change her life for the better or live in bitterness. Ivy knew it had to start somewhere, so why not here?

She made a stop first, and then  ran after Julian and Penny and caught up with them at the edge of the garden.

" I’m sorry that I was such a bitch back there. I hope that there’s room for me on this walk. "

Julian looked at Ivy like she had lost her mind. Penny was shocked by her mother too.

" Ivy, Penny and I are fine. No need for you to be here."

" Julian, I apologize for being so harsh. I really mean it." Ivy extends her hand to Julian. " Apology accepted?"

Julian didn’t know if he should check her hand for a buzzer. But, he looked at Penny, who had hope in her eyes, and he took Ivy’s handshake.

" Accepted."

Ivy smiled. " Good. I’m glad. And, I’ve arranged a surprise. We’re going to have a picnic."

Julian looked around to see if  he was in The Twilight Zone, but, thought that everything seemed real.  He leaned over and whispered to Ivy, " what’s going on?"

" Nothing. We fight too much, Julian. We don’t need to."

Julian stopped pushing Penny’s chair and just stared at Ivy. She smiled faintly, and gently pushed Julian to the side.

" Sweetheart, your father looks a bit tired. I’m going to help you now."

" Thanks, Mommy."

Ivy began pushing Penny, and Julian just stood there. Ivy called back, " Come on, Julian."

Julian shook his head, but, rushed to catch up with them.
 

Chad had been wandering the town of Harmony. He didn’t know what he was going to do. He realized that he had wound up at the church. He wasn’t very religious, but, he knew he needed something. He went in and sat on  a bench. He was there for a few minutes when Father Lonigan came in.

" Who’s here? I heard the church door open and close."

" It’s me, Father Lonigan. Chad Harris."

" Chad. How are you?"

" Not well. Things are…confusing."

" You’ve spoken with your mother, then?"

Chad looked at the priest?

" You know?"

Father Lonigan sat beside Chad on the pew.  "Yes, I know. I heard your mother’s pain about you long before she knew it was you."

" Father, I’ve been searching for my parents for so long. I can’t believe it’s her."

" It is."

" Do you know what this means? Did you know…"

" About you and Whitney? Yes, your mother told me."

" Why do you keep on saying that?"

" Because, that’s who she is, Chad. She’s the woman who gave birth to you, and has always loved you."

" Stop it. I didn’t live no fairy tale."

" I know."

" I think she’s lying to cover her own butt. She’s lied a lot."

" Yes, she has. She’s lied well. But, her lies were out of love. Doesn’t make them any less corrosive, but, she didn’t do it to hurt anyone else. I honestly think when she began the lies, she was in so much pain about you, that she couldn’t deal with sharing it with anyone else. "

" Father, I don’t think I can believe her. I don’t see how. What does she want from me? I can’t give her no damn Kodak moment. I’m sorry for my language."

" I understand. But, Chad, you have to decide what you want. She’s taking cues from you."

" She probably wants me to leave town, so that she can keep her perfect family.", Chad says bitterly.

" Actually, that’s the last thing she wants. She came here when she thought you had left town. She was frantic with worry. She was so worried that she wouldn’t have the chance to have a relationship with you. It was a nightmare for her."

" Good, because my whole life has been a nightmare."

" Chad, you don’t mean it."

" Sure I do. Her precious life is about to be blown to bits."

Chad gets up.

" Chad, what are you going to do?"

" I’m going to make sure that everyone in this town knows what a lying hypocrite Eve Russell is. I ‘m going to send her to hell."