“ Sheridan, I don’t know if this is such a good idea.”, Julian said, bothering with his tie. “ I mean, you won’t even let me get a brandy to relax.”

“ Julian, this is the first family dinner with Chad, and I want you cold sober.”

“ Father, Sheridan is right. Let Chad warm up to you.”

” Ethan, where’s Gwen?”, Sheridan asked.

” She thought it would be better if I did this one solo. She thought it would be best not to overwhelm Chad.”

” You don’t think dinner at the Sea Scape would overwhelm him?”, Julian asked.

” It’s not the Country Club.”, Ethan replied.

” And, you wouldn’t go to the Lobster Shack, Julian.”

” Sheridan, I’ve done that experience ONCE. Once is enough.”

” So, then the Sea Scape it is.”

They were still in the middle of arguing when the Maitre’D came over with Chad.

” Y’all were early.”

” Guilty as charged.”, Julian said.

Chad sat down and the waiter came over.

” May I get you something to drink, Sir?”

” Um, a nice beer would help.”

” Certainly.”

Julian stares at Sheridan, as if mentally saying to her, ‘ See, he has alcohol.’, and she replies, ‘ But, you’re NOT!’ Julian rolled his eyes, and took another sip of water.

” Chad, I’m so glad you agreed to have dinner with us.”

” Sheridan, it’s not like you gave me much of a choice. You were pretty insistent.”

“ Sheridan can be bossy like that.”, Julian replied.

“ Well, I thought it was time that you got to know your family.”

Chad shook his head. “ Family. I don’t mean to offend, but please understand, that concept with regards to the Cranes STILL is very odd.”

” Chad, we know that. But, you need to know us. We’re not a bad bunch.”, Sheridan said. Both Julian and Ethan nearly choke on their drinks.  “ Ok, so, we’re not part of a Normal Rockwell painting.”

“ That’s the truth, Sister Dear.”

” But, we’re not a cult, either.”

“ Chad, how are things at the Russells?”, Ethan asked.

” Getting better. It was touch and go for awhile, but I think it’ll be Ok. “

“ TC isn’t making things difficult?”, Julian asked.

” Nope. Coach isn’t tough on me. We’re not as close as we used to be, but he’s made it clear that he wants me to stay put. “

” You don’t mind that?”, Sheridan asked.

” No. I….I like being close to my….well, the Doc.”

“ I know she likes having you close. I went to see her the other day. Did she tell you that?”, Julian asked.

” No. What did you talk about?”

” We talked about you, Chad. You and your future, and how much I wanted you at Crane Industries.”

” Whoah. I don’t have any thoughts about going to Crane Industries. I’m not the corporate type, Julian.”

” There is a lot that someone with your smarts can do at Crane Industries. Isn’t that right, Ethan?”

Ethan was stunned that his father had even brought up Crane Industries to Chad, but he had to cover. “ Uh, yes, of course. I’m sure there’s a place there for you.”

” Yeah, Ethan. Don’t be so excited. Don’t worry, I won’t be involved in Crane Industries.”

” Chad, I’m not saying that at all. I know you’re smart. And, you will be an asset to Crane Industries.”

” I’m serious. I don’t want it.”

” Not want Crane Industries? You’ve got to be kidding.”, Julian asked.

“ Nope.”

” But…it’s your birthright!”

” Maybe I don’t want it.”

” Maybe you don’t quite understand what you’re turning down.”

” A whole lot of trouble.”

” Opportunities beyond your imagination.”

” I’m not the corporate type.”

” You are a Crane – that’s the only ‘type’ you need to be.”

” It really doesn’t interest me.”

” What do you intend to do for the rest of your life? Wipe tables at the Book Café.”, Julian sneered.

” It’s an honest living, which is something you probably don’t know anything about.”, Chad replied with the same forcefulness.

Sheridan and Ethan looked at one another, and began laughing. Chad and Julian stared at them.

” I…I’m sorry.”, Sheridan said in between laughs. “ But, I’m getting serious flashback time, here, to you and Father, Julian.”

” I’m not Father!”, Julian protested.

” And, I ain’t NOTHIN’ like him!”, Chad pointed in Julian’s direction.

” I’m sorry, but I have to agree with Sheridan.”, Ethan  said. “ Watching you and Father, Chad…no one would ever know that the two of you just found out about your relationship. You two argue, well…..like an old father/son team.”

Julian and Chad looked at one another with curiosity while Sheridan motioned for the waiter.
 
 

“ Where’s Theodore?”, Madelaine asked Eve as she walked into the kitchen.

“ TC’s decided to make it a ‘boys night out’ with Sam. I invited Grace over. You can join us if you wish.”

” That would be nice. Where are the girls? Chad?”

” Simone is out with Kay and that bunch. They were going to do pizza and a movie. Whitney is with Theresa. Chad…is at dinner with the Cranes.”

” The Cranes? He agreed to that?”

Eve laughed. “ I know, but Sheridan insisted.”

“ She always seemed like she had a gentle soul.”

” Sheridan is a gentle soul. She’s the best of the Cranes.”

” You’re not afraid for Chad?”

“ No. It’s his family. Julian is his father. He needs a relationship with him in order to more forward. “

” You are very open-minded about this.”

” I have to be. I’m living a life full of the truth for the first time, Madelaine. We have to proceed with new chances for everyone. Until Julian messes up, I have to have faith in him.”

There was a knock on the door and then Grace came in. “ Hi Eve. Miz Madelaine.”

” Grace! I invited Madelaine to have dinner with us.”

” Wonderful. Do you need anything, Eve?”

“ No. You and Madelaine can go enjoy yourselves in the living room.”

Grace and Madelaine go to the living room. “ Grace, I had fixed some iced tea. Would you like some?”

” Of course.”

Madelaine gave Grace a glass. Grace was in the middle of drinking her glass when she dropped it.

Madelaine looked at Grace. “ Is there something wrong?”

Grace looked at Madelaine, like she was in a trance. There was no eye contact. Eve came into the living room. “ Madelaine, what happened?”

”Grace was drinking her tea, and then the glass dropped. I went to her, and she looked like this.” They looked at Grace, who ignore him and went over to the window. Grace looked out the window. “ He’s out there. Waiting for you.” Eve and Madelaine went over to Grace. “ Grace, honey, who’s out there. You see someone?”, Eve asked. Grace just kept repeating it, over and over. Madelaine shook Grace, who came back to the present.

” Madelaine, Eve, what’s wrong?”

” You don’t know what happened, Grace?”

” No. What happened?”

” You had some sort of trance.”, Madelaine answered.

” Oh no. It’s happening again.”, Grace said, crying.