Collision Course, Chapter 66

Rebecca was in her living room when the maid came in.

” Mrs. Crane to see you, Mrs. Hotchkiss.”

“ Send her in.”

Ivy walked in. “ Hello Rebecca.”

” Here to dance on my grave, Ivy?”

“ No. I’m the last person that should judge you.”

“ My my, Ivy. You almost sound sincere.”

” I AM sincere.”

” Ivy, why are you here? We’re not friends? Not even close.”

” Rebecca, I heard about Whitney, and I thought you could use a sympathetic ear.”

” Why would I trust you, Ivy? Be vulnerable to you?”

” Because who else knows you better than an enemy.”

“ An enemy who’s been in the same position?”

Ivy arched her eyebrow, and Rebecca arched hers back. Ivy looked into Rebecca’s eyes and knew that she knew the truth about Ethan.  Ivy  looked away.

” Thank you, Ivy. Your compassion is duly noted.”

” Have you heard anything about Whitney?”

” Thornton tells me that her condition is stable for now. They’re really hoping for a match with Gwen or Robbie.”

” Thornton….I had to think a minute as to whom you were talking about…TC.”

” That’s not what I called him.”

” Rebecca, I have to ask. The thought of you and TC…”

Rebecca laughed. “ I know he has a temper, but there’s so much more there. To be honest, he’s the only man who ever looked past my chest, and cared about my brain. What I thought. My opinions. He never made me feel trivial.”

“ You could have had an abortion.”

” No. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. She was special to me. No matter if I gave her up, she was SPECIAL to me. …you believe me,  don’t you?”

Ivy took Rebecca’s hand. “ I believe you.”

Rebecca sighed. “ Thank you, but you’re not exactly the people I want to understand.”

” You mean Gwen, Robbie…and Whitney?”

“ Yes. The way Gwen and Robbie looked at me. They hate me, Ivy.”

” They don’t hate you.”

” Ivy, you weren’t there.”

” I didn’t have to be there. Whatever your faults, and your children know ALL your faults, Rebecca. They KNOW that you love them.”

” They believe I ‘ threw’ Whitney away. That’s not true.”

“ What about Whitney?”

” What about her?”

” Do you have any plans for her?”

” I have enough problems with the children I actually raised. I’m not hoping for anything where Whitney is concerned. I don’t think I’ve made a good first impression.”

” Well, considering that she’s Theresa’s best friend, I don’t think so either.”

” Eve hates me too.”

” That’s true.”

“ So, I’m at the mercy of people like Thornton, and you.”

” Me?”

” You’re Gwen’s mother-in-law. That should wield some influence.”

” Rebecca, I don’t know. “

” Ivy..”

” I’ll try.”

“ Thank you.”

Chad was in his room studying when there was a knock on the door.

” Chad?”

” Come on in. Hey ‘Resa.”

” Studying?”

“ Yeah. I went by the hospital, and they said that there was no change with Whitney.”

” How are you?”

” I’m fine, Resa. I’m not the one that’s sick.”

” Everyone knows that you’re Doctor Russell’s son. You are now part of a family.”

“ I wanna thank you for keeping my secret. “

” It was my pleasure.” Theresa hugged Chad. “ How’s your mother?”

” You know, I didn’t check in with her. My mother…I love being able to admit that.”

“ And Whitney?”

” I don’t think she has any problems with me. I hope not.”

” She doesn’t. I would know, I’m her best friend.”

“ Theresa, what do I do? I think I should talk to Coach. I think there are problems.”

” Chad, now is not the time to speak to Coach Russell. Until everything is settled with Whitney, I don’t the man wants to deal with anything else. You’re still living here. That’s what’s important – right?”

” Right.”

” Don’t try to force anything new. Just let it be. Building a family takes time. It can’t be instant no matter how long you’ve wanted it. You all need to find your own way.”

Chad pulled Theresa in for a deep kiss. “ You gotta stay in my life.”

“ Absolutely.”