Collision Course, Chapter 36
 

" No problem. Is there anything else?", Eve asked.

" I don't want to push my luck.", Chad replied.

" You're not pushing anything. Just ask."

Chad hesitated and then took a deep breath and exhaled, "  Are you going to tell me who my father is?"

" Your father?"

" Yes."

Eve looked down at the ground. For a long time, and then she looked at Chad.

" Chad, I wouldn't feel comfortable telling you who your father is."

" Why?"

" Because, it's a complicated situation. So complicated. I love you. "

" What about him?"

" He loves you too."

" He does? How could you know that? Have…have you spoken to him?"

Eve looked away once again. " Chad, please trust me. If I were to tell you who your father is, I might as well tell TC and the girls. The situation would spin out of control in rapid fashion."

" Why?"

" Because, I know you. You know how your father treated me. I can see it in your eyes; you would want to confront him. I don't want that. Not now. Yes…your father and I have spoken. I told him that you wanted to keep things quiet, and we decided that would be best for you."

"  Best for him, you mean."

" Chad, this is a complicated situation. But, your father isn't the same man that he was all those years ago. He's older. Wiser. He wants to know you. But, his family is complicated too. He…he has an ill child, and all of his energies has to be placed with that child. It's not fair to disrupt his life until the child is out of danger."

" Oh." It was Chad's turn to look away. Eve noticed this and asked Chad.,

" Is there something wrong?"

" Naw….I was just thinking. This is my brother or sister that you're talking about. I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt this kid anymore than I would want anything that I did to hurt Whitney or Simone."

Eve smiled. " That's because you are a good person, Chad. You have a kind heart. A good heart. It's one of the best things about you. Your father and I have spoken. We've talked a lot, and he's apologized to me about what happened all those years ago. Miracle thing is…once I found out about you, a lot of the bitterness that I felt towards him evaporated. It was almost instantaneous. So much of the bad feelings were gone. That's the kind of miracle that only children can perform. "

" So…I'm a miracle worker now?"

" Absolutely. Just give me time, Chad. I promise, in time, I will tell you everything you need to know. But, not now."

" Ok, I think that's fair. You're right, because I need to deal with my life now. How I can develop a relationship with you. One step at a time. I have a lot of feelings inside. They're all mixed up, but, I know that I want you in my life. Getting to know you is like a dream of mine. "

" Mine too. I want to know about you, Chad. I want to know about the bad times. Don't protect me from them. They made you who you are, which is an exceptional young man."

Chad blushed. "It's sort of weird having your mother talk to you like this. "

"Mother's prerogative. So, ask me some more."

" What's your favorite flower?"

" Lily of the Valley."

" Favorite singer?"

" Dinah Washington for some reason, though, I love Billie Holiday."

" Favorite movie?…….."

Chad just enjoyed asking his mother questions.
 
 

Sheridan Crane thought it was a terrific day for a walk. She loved and hated the Crane Estate. It was a cold place, yet so beautiful. Physically, it was one of the most beautiful places she had ever been. She had decided to take a nice, long walk. It had been awhile since she had gone to her mother's cabin. Located on a remote part of the Estate, Sheridan had fleeting memories of picnics, she and her mother used to take at the cabin. It was her domain. Very feminine and warm. Sheridan's one demand was that the place be kept up. She didn't exert her 'Cranness' on much, but, this was one thing.

As she approached the cabin, Sheridan saw that there was smoke coming from the chimney. She wondered if it was some sort of burglar and decided to sneak up to the back of the house, and look and see.

When she looked through the window, she saw Julian, sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, his head in his hands. Sheridan didn't know why, but, she didn't alert him to her presence. She watched Julian for a few minutes, and when his face rose out of his hands, she could see the tear streaks on his cheeks being illuminated by the glow from the fire. Sheridan's heart broke. In all her years, she had never seen Julian cry, except for their mother's funeral. She didn't know what to do. It was obvious that this was a private moment for Julian. Yet, she thought possibly, he needed someone, and might be open to speaking with her. Letting her help him in whatever bothered him.

Sheridan went around to the front of the cabin and opened the door. Julian looked up from the couch, shocked and startled. Before he could really react, Sheridan was on the couch beside him, and she opened her arms. She was blown away when her brother didn't even fight her, but, welcomed her embrace, and continued to cry in her arms.

Holding Julian, Sheridan first noticed the music. It was the music that Julian would play for hours on end when she was a little girl. She never knew what it meant to him, but, it was obvious that it meant a great deal.

After a few moments, Julian broke away from Sheridan. He stared at the fire, and she did the same. If Julian ever told her anything, it would be his choice.