New Beginnings, Chapter 3
 

Theresa looked over at Chad. A secret that she had kept, had cost her love. She would never make that mistake again. Chad was one of her good friends. A friend who had given her terrific advice, and hadn’t abandoned her when it all blew up in her face. The least she owed Chad was the one truth he had been seeking since he showed up in Harmony.

" Chad….I have something to tell you."

" Yeah, Theresa?"

" You’re one of my best friends. I don’t know where I would be without you right now. "

" Theresa, friends do that for one another."

" I know. But, I don’t know if I deserved you."

" Sure you did. What did you want to tell me?"

" I…" Just then, Theresa’s cellphone rings. Theresa answers it. " Hello?"

" Theresa, it’s me, Luis."

" Luis, what’s wrong? Something happen to Mama? Miguel?"

" No. I was wondering if you knew where Sheridan was?"

" Sheridan? No. I don’t know."

" It’s weird. We were supposed to meet, and she’s not here. And, she’s not answering her cellphone either. "

" Luis…I’m sure that Sheridan has a reason for being late."  ‘ Damn good one, too.’, Theresa thinks to herself. " Don’t stress. "

" You’re right. I’ll just get myself a beer, and chill. Thanks. Bye."

" Bye.", Theresa says, hanging up her phone. " Luis is worried about Sheridan."

" I heard. You know, people said they would never make it.", Chad comments.

" I know. Just like me and Ethan. They were right there."

" Theresa."

" No. They were right, and I made it right for them with my lies. That’s why I can’t lie to you Chad. You mean too much to me. I can’t risk losing you."

" Theresa, you ain’t gonna lose me. I promise."

Theresa guided Chad over to the bed, and sat the both of them down.

" Chad……I know who your father is."
 

Sheridan watched as the boats went by. She was down at the most isolated part of the Harmony Pier. She sat there, watching the boats, thinking about what had just happened.

She had gone to do some charity work, and wound up finding out that her brother had a son. And, that her father had tried to kill the boy. And, that the son was Chad Harris. Sheridan closed her eyes. She tried to imagine Chad's face, and wondered if he did resemble Julian.

She shook her head. She knew her brother, and yet, she didn't know how he would react to this news. Would he want a Black son in his life? Would he acknowledge him? The fact is, she didn't know. Could she honestly tell her brother that their father tried to kill his son?

And, what would Alistair do to Chad, now that he would be informed that his plans hadn't worked. Sheridan knew she needed to talk to someone about this. She pulled out her phone to call Luis, but then put it away. She couldn't tell Luis. This was Crane Family Business, and Luis' feelings about the Cranes. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, it was just that Julian would believe it was a betrayal if she told him.

Sheridan let out a sigh, and began looking at the water. She heard a constant tapping sound that seemed to be getting louder. She looked up to find…

" Father Lonigan?"

" Yes. That's me. Who's there?"

" It's me, Father. Sheridan Crane."

" Ah, Miss Crane, how are you?"

" Father, miserable. In fact, I need to talk to you about something, if you wouldn't mind."

Father Lonigan sat on the bench next to Sheridan. " I don't mind at all, Sheridan. What's troubling you?"

" Father, I found out some disturbing information today. Information that could change my entire family. Yet, I don't know how to deal with it. "

" Who does it concern?"

" My father, brother…..and nephew."

" I was under the impression that you didn't have a nephew anymore. Is Ethan a Crane afterall?"

Sheridan shook her head. " No, Father. I found out tonight that my brother possibly has another son. A son that he believes is dead."

" Really?"

" Yes. I went to do some work for Crane Charities and wound up listening to the last confession of a man that told me he had been responsible for making my brother believe that his son is dead."

" You believe him?"

" That's the problem. He told me other things. Horrible things, Father. If this man WAS telling the truth, this could rip my family wide open. But, if I bring all of this up, and it's not true, then I'm exposing my family to unneccessary pain."

" I understand. Is there a way that you can validate what the man told you?"

Sheridan thought about it. " I guess I could get a DNA test done."

" The young man lives in Harmony?", Father Lonigan asked.

" Yes. I even know him."

" Do you think he would be open to your family?"

" I don't know. I'm not even sure that my brother would be open to him. What if I prove that this young man is his son, and my brother rejects him?"

" That isn't your decision to make, Sheridan. You should make sure that you are giving your brother definitive proof about his son. Validating this young man's paternity should be your first course of action. All the rest of the 'ifs', are predicated upon this conclusion."

" You're right, Father. I have to make sure that this young man is my nephew. Father…..I don't believe I should tell Luis about this."

" You're wondering if that's a wise choice."

" Yes. I love Luis. We're supposed to share everything."

" Sheridan, loving Luis, and taking care of personal family matters, should not be mutually exclusive. I think that your first loyalty in this case should be to your brother. He deserves to know if this is his son. Even if you love Luis, your brother should know first."

Sheridan nods. " I agree. This is an explosive situation, and I just don't feel right telling Luis before Julian. Thank you father for affirming what I already knew."

" I'm glad I could help. I hope things work out for your family."

" Me too, Father. Me too."
 
 

" What did you say, Theresa?"

" I said that I know who your father is."

" How? Are you sure?"

" Pretty sure."

" Well, TELL ME!!"

Theresa shook her head. " I'm sorry, Chad. I can't."