Ethan finished up his report for Julian and the board of Crane Industries. Once he was done, Julian smiled.

” Ethan, that was excellent. I believe I speak for the board when I say that I feel very at ease with you as President. Your review of our strengths and weaknesses was on the money, and I do think Alistair will be pleased.”

The rest of the board clapped and filed out of the room, shaking Ethan’s hand on the way out. Julian came up to him and patted him on the back.

“ We deserve a celebration. How about a good Havana and some brandy in the Library?”

“ Sounds great. I’m going to call Gwen, and meet you back home.”

“ Thanks, Son.”

Ethan heard the door close and dialed the phone.

” Gwen Hotchkiss Crane.”

” Well, Mrs. Crane, do you want to hear how brilliant your husband is?”

” My husband? Brilliant? Nawwww.”

They both laughed. “ So I take it that the board meeting went well.”

” Gwen, it was fabulous! I mean, they even accepted the new entertainment division. Didn’t hurt that Chad did a terrific presentation.”

” He did? I know you were nervous about it.”

” Yes, but I knew that he HAD to do the presentation himself. That the board would have to believe in Crane Industries’ investment in Chad. In the end, he was his own best salesman. I don’t think that they understood half of what Chad was saying, but it was the WAY he said it. He is a natural.”

“ You sound giddy.”

“ I am. Father was so pleased. He was proud of me.”

” Ethan, he’s always proud of you. He loves you.”

“ I know.”

“ Well, you aren’t the only one with a shock today. My mother was unbelieveable with the government building inspectors.”

“ You mean ..”

“ I mean that the Community Center project is going forth, full speed. ALL of the roadbumps and delays were eliminated because of the will of one Rebecca Hotchkiss. Ethan, I’ve never seen her like this. I mean, I know that my mother isn’t a dummy, but the way that she’s taken control of this project, and understanding it, from top to bottom, I think my mother’s been abducted and replaced by aliens.”

Ethan laughed. “ I was going to the Club with Father, but..”

” Ethan, I think my mother has earned a Girls Night Out. You enjoy your time with Julian. Love you.”

” Love you.”
 

“ Doc, I was GOOD! I was more than good. I kicked ass!”, Chad exclaimed in Eve’s office.

“ You kicked butt.”

” I kicked SERIOUS Crane Board Member butt! I was so nervous.”

” TC and I told you that you didn’t have to be. We told you that you were the right man for the job.”

” I know, Doc, but these were serious people I had to talk in front of today. Serious people who controlled serious money. When I first started this job a few months ago, I really didn’t know if I could do it. I mean, music is one thing. The music BUSINESS is something else.”

” Why, because you didn’t have the education for it?”

” That’s a lot of it. But, you and Coach…you two have faith in me.”

Eve came over to Chad and gave him a hug. “ You’re the type of son that a mother dreams of having.”

Chad blushed. “ You wanna know what I thought about right after I finished the presentation and Ethan gave me the thumbs’ up?”

” What?”

” That I couldn’t wait to come and tell my mother. That I couldn’t wait to share this moment with you. “

” I missed so many moments…”

” That don’t matter. Not anymore. Because, I know you’ll be there for the rest of them.”

Eve kissed Chad. “ That is for sure. Well, I was going to Whitney’s tournament. I thought it would be good to give her some support.”

” She hasn’t been doing well lately.”

” I know. TC has been worried about her game. He can’t explain it. She hasn’t slacked off on practices or anything; she just isn’t playing up to speed.”

” Well, I’ll go with you too.”
 

Eve, Chad joined Simone in the stands for Whitney’s latest tournament. Whitney was winning the second set 4 –2, and was serving for the win in this game.

The ball went back and forth, with every hit getting more intense than the next. Volleying back and forth, going from one part of the court to another.

Until.

Whitney goes down. She’s out on the tennis court.

First TC, then Eve comes down from the stands. They try to awaken Whitney, but no deal. She won’t move. She’s so still.

“ Whitney! Whitney! Whitney! Whitney!”, they yell to no avail.