Lost Cause, Chapter 20
by SIPort

“ So, you’re a Crane.”

” From what I’ve heard, it seems only ONE of your parents hates the Cranes.”

Simone sighed. “ Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

” Look. I’ve spent nearly all my life away from Harmony. Please tell me that you’re going to give me a chance on my own. It wouldn’t be fair to judge me based on my father and grandfather.”

” Maybe not, but there’s also your mother. She’s a nasty piece of work too.”

” And, she didn’t raise me either. I, um, raised my self.”

” Not very assuring.”

” Maybe not, but it made me my own person.”

” Cranes are arrogant, spoiled, rude brats who think that they can run the world.”

“ This Crane saved your life.”

” True.”

” Simone, if you get to know me and don’t like me, ok, I won’t say anything. But, you shouldn’t make assumptions about me just because of my last name.”

“ I know. It’s awfully narrow-minded of me.”

” Yep.”

” Ok. You’re Nicholas and I’m Simone. And, whatever crap our families get into won’t have an influence on us.”

” Sounds like a good deal.”

” Then, sit down. And, in this spirit of cooperation, how about you provide to me a little information.”

” Information? About what?”

“ About your father.”

“ Simone..”

” Is it true that he helped my father save my mother?”

” Yes.”

” And, is it true that your father still loves my mother?”

Fox looked at Simone. He could lie, but won’t. “ As impossible as it seems, even though my father and I aren’t close, I would have to reply in the affirmative. Yes, I do think he’s still in love with your mother.”

Simone sighed. “ I thought so.”

” And, how do you feel about it?”

” How do YOU feel about it?”

” I have to admit that I’ve seen a side of my father that I never thought existed. When he talks about your mother, it’s like this new person talking. The look in his eyes, the sound of his voice, the tone of it. I can literally FEEL my father’s love for your mother, which is terrifying.”

” Terrifying?”

” I grew up thinking that my father was incapable of loving anyone. Now, I see that he was capable of love..just not me or my siblings.”

” Oh.”

” And then, I think about…..the kid. You know about the kid, right?”

” Confused?”

” Yes…how could someone who was so obviously loved by her parents remotely think of taking her life? You’ve had that kind of love from the beginning. Me..”

” Not there, huh?”

” TOTALLY not there. I knew my mother could love, because my sisters and I stood on the sidelines as we watched my mother bestow endless devotion upon Ethan. So, I knew she KNEW how to love, she chose not to…..and now I know why – because we were Julian Crane’s kids, and NOT Sam Bennett’s. I gave my father a pass. He was decent to Ethan, and he was the favorite, but it wasn’t as obvious. Oh, damn, why am I telling you all my family business?”

” Because you see in me someone who understands? You grew up in Ethan’s shadow, I grew up in Whitney’s. She was the ‘Perfect Princess’, and I was ‘ the other one.’ So, I know more than a little bit about being in the shadows. It’s not a good place.”

” No. But, to make my point, it’s that WE have a sibling out there. A son. It’s been hard enough taking my mother’s fawning over Ethan…I don’t think I could tolerate my father rhapsodizing over a brother that will essentially come out of NOWHERE and leapfrog me in the Crane pecking order.”

” I thought your grandfather was a racist.”

” He is, but he can’t live forever. It’s unreal. I wait for practically forever to get my shot in the spotlight, and then my fortunes turn good when Ethan turns out to be a Bennett, and now, some bastard son is out there?”

Simone could hear the anger in Fox’s voice.

” Maybe he’s a nice guy.”, Simone said quietly.

” He could be the POPE and I wouldn’t care.”

” Well, why don’t you try and work on a relationship with your father. And maybe your grandfather.”

” It doesn’t matter what kind of relationship I have with my father; he’ll throw me over for this kid. And, as for my grandfather….anyone who’s tried to make a deal with him always regrets it.”

” Stop thinking so negatively. Since he’s out there, the law of averages says that one day he’ll be in your life. You might as well prepare for it. That means, getting along with your father. Getting along with your mother.”

” My mother?”

” Yes. Her lie about Ethan was exposed, so he’s not a Crane. You are, and you’re her son. From what I know about Ivy Crane, on General Principle, she’d want you to have your share of the Crane Empire, and she knows where a lot of the bodies are buried. You don’t stay married to a man for 25 years without learning something about the family. At the very least, your mother could help you with the behind-the-scenes stuff. I thought Cranes were very strategic.”

“ You know, for you to not know anything about the Cranes, you’ve crafted a pretty good strategy for me. “

” I’m glad I could help. I’ve not really thought about our ‘ brother’. I’ll deal with him when he shows up. Don’t worry about him, prepare yourself.”