Chad broke away from Julian and they stood there for a few moments.

” I’m sorry you’re in so much pain.”, Julian said.

” Thanks.”

” It will get better. You did what was best for everyone.”

” Did I? I think I did what was best for ME…so does that make me a true Crane?”, Chad said bitterly.

” You were in an impossible situation. Please don’t beat yourself up about it. You didn’t create it. You had to respond to it. “

“ I hurt people that I care about. I can never have Whitney. But, I might have cost myself a relationship with Theresa.”

” Oh, I doubt that.”, Julian said with cynicism.

” What? You gonna dog Theresa?”

” No. I’m not going to ‘dog’ Theresa. But, since we’re being honest, here it goes. You haven’t lost your relationship with Theresa, because there’s NO WAY that girl is giving up a CRANE.”

” What? You think I don’t know about Theresa and her Crane obsession?”

Julian looked at Chad surprised.

” I’m not Ethan. I know her. But, I also know that when I didn’t have a pot to piss in, or a place to stay, she was my friend. Theresa is complicated. Someone who’s had a silver spoon in their mouth their entire lives wouldn’t possibly understand how complicated Theresa is. I know her. “

“ And, you want her in your life.”

” I need her. I have craziness around me, and I need an anchor. I don’t trust you yet, Julian. I like Sheridan, but I don’t know her. I already love my mother, but our relationship has to be secret. On top of everything, my business is out in the street for the ENTIRE world to know, and so, even with a big truth being out there, I STILL live in a world of lies and secrets. The only truth I have is Theresa. Life ain’t been no crystal stair for either one of us, though I doubt you know what that means.”

” Langston Hughes.”
Chad nods.

“ You’d be surprised at what I know, Chad. Very surprised. Well, if your relationship with Theresa is so important to you, then you better repair it. IF she’s pivotal to your life, use your Crane charm.”

” The Crane charm?”

” Haven’t you noticed…we’re women magnets.”

” Don’t you think that as a lot to do with your bank account?”

Julian laughed. “ Of course, but it’s the money, power, looks and Crane charm that is the potent picture.”

“ If you say so.”

“ I..I don’t want to pry, but I have to ask. Was that the first time you slept with Theresa?”

” Not that it’s any of your business, but no.”

” Ok. I thought so.”

” What?”

” I was just thinking….I think you ought to find a new place to live. Pilar has been very nice to you, and she’s very ‘ old world’, and I know she would have a problem with you sleeping with her daughter under what is essentially her roof. Don’t disrespect her like that.”

” When have you EVER had respect for Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.”

” Parent to parent. She’s been good to you, so you be good to her.”

Chad realized that Julian was right. “ Ok, so what can I do?”

” Find another place.”

” You think that’s so easy?”

” I have privacy at the Lopez-Fitzgerald place. Odd to say, but it’s true.”

” I think I know of a place for you.”

” Where?”

” Here. On the Crane grounds.”

” Live HERE? Oh, I don’t think so.”

” Not in the Mansion. In the guest house.”

” If you haven’t noticed, SHERIDAN lives in the guest house.”

” She lives in ONE of the guest houses. There is another one. It’s further out on the Estate. It’s only around 3000 square feet, if that. It was my mother’s private place. Her place to ‘get away’. Has a lot of windows and light. Private. You could talk with the kitchen staff, and they will come and replenish your kitchen once a week. Also arrange things with the cleaning staff. Plus, I’ll make sure that Crane Security is intensified, so no reporters will be bothering you. You don’t ever have to come to the mansion if you don’t want to. “

Chad thought about it. He needed space, and an isolated, protected house sounds really good.

“ Ok. If I like it, I accept your offer.”

Julian smiled. “ Good. I can have it cleaned up for you in 72 hours.”

” Cleaned up?”

” Have the maids clean it all, and get more modern furniture in there.”

” No. That’s not necessary. If there’s any cleaning to be done, I’ll do it. With my own hands.”

” But,..”

” I won’t take it otherwise.”

” Fine.”

” So, where is this house?”

Julian took him over to the window, and pointed in the direction. “ See that small path?”

” Wow. You weren’t kidding. It is secluded. I wondered where that path went. Well, may I have the keys? I’ll go look at it after…”

” You go talk to Theresa.”, Julian replied, getting the keys from his desk and handing them to Chad.

“ Thanks, Julian.”

“ You’re welcome, Son.”

Chad left the library, and Julian smiled. His son was coming home.
 

Pilar was in the middle of fixing dinner when she heard a knock on the back door.

” Hello, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.”

” Chad? How are you?”

” May I speak to Theresa?”

” Sure, you can. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She’s in such a mood. She’s in her room.”

Chad goes to Theresa’s door and knocks on it.

” Come in.”

Theresa looks up to see Chad.

” What the hell do you want?”

” I need to talk to you.”

” I think you’ve said enough, don’t you?”

” No. Theresa, I REALLY need to talk to you. But, I can’t do it here. Can we go back to my apartment?”

” Why? You wanna FUCK some more? After all, that’s what I’m good for.”

” Theresa, please.”

It was the way he said it. The defeat in his voice. Theresa didn’t say anything, she just got up and went out her window and around the house to Chad’s garage apartment. She stood in the middle of the room by the time Chad got there.

” I’m here.”

” Ok. I’m sorry, Theresa. I’m sorry that I hurt you. I’m sorry that I used you. I’m sorry that I’m a cruel mutherfucker who thought up this plan. I’m even sorry that I had to hurt Whitney, but I had to.”

” Chad, why? You could have just broken up with Whitney. That would have been enough.”

“ Now you stop lying, Theresa. WHEN would it be enough. You’re infectious, Theresa. Since the moment I met Whitney, you’ve been whispering in her ears about love and holding onto love, and never giving up. You don’t think that would have took with Whitney? It did.”

” Ok, then explain to me WHY you had to break up with her? I know Coach Russell and Dr. Russell wouldn’t approve of Whitney dating a Crane, but you didn’t know who your father was. They would come around.”

” It’s more complicated than that.”

” More complicated.”

” Theresa, you have to trust me…”

” You have got to be fucking kidding me. You use me in the worst way, and destroy a friendship that I’ve had since I was in diapers, and I’m supposed to TRUST YOU?”

” I did what was best for everyone.”

” Who gave you the right to decide for ME?”

” I did. I’m hanging on by a thread. You don’t understand how hard it was for me. How much I hate myself for doing it. I had to kill the feelings that I have inside of me for Whitney. I had to.”

Theresa really looked at Chad. He looked so wounded it seemed as if he’d bleed if touched too hard. She slowly crossed the room to get next to Chad.

Chad looked Theresa directly in the eyes.

” I had to destroy any feelings that Whitney felt for me, and any that I had for her because we can NEVER be together. Not because of her father. Or mine. But, because of our mother.”

Theresa processed that statement in her head and then she looked at Chad in shock.

” Yes, OUR mother. Eve Russell is my mother. Whitney is my sister.”

Theresa fainted dead away.