New Beginnings, Chapter 59
Theresa slid atop of Chad, and he moaned in response.
She kissed him all over his chest and he moaned some more. They moved in
sync with one another, getting into a rhythm until the climax together. Theresa
places her head on Chad’s
chest and sighs.
” Damn, girl. You are something else.”
Theresa laughed. “ It’s you..you’re the inspiration.”
“ Yeah, sure.”
Theresa loved the view from Chad’s bedroom.
Even in the dark, with the wall of windows, she loved the light from the
moon beaming into the room. Theresa made her way next to Chad to
cuddle him. She loved the time after with him because he made her feel so
safe. Theresa let her fingers roam through Chad’s hair, then kissed him
on the lips.
” You thirsty?”
” Yep.”
Theresa slid out of bed and went to the small fridge
that Chad
had installed in his room, bringing back two waters for them. They sat up
in bed, covered only by the sheets, with Chad absentmindedly stroking
her arm.
” What would you say if I told you that I wanted to change my name legally
to Crane.”
Theresa almost choked on her water. “ What?”
” I could change my name to Crane.”
Theresa stared at Chad.
“ How did this come up?”
” I was talking to Veronica.”
” Veronica?”
“ She said that if I wanted to be taken seriously, then
I had to become a Crane – legally.”
Theresa’s mind was racing. She absolutely HATED that
the idea had come from Veronica – she didn’t trust her AT ALL. But, Chad taking
the name Crane, well……….
” I have to tell you that I don’t like the idea coming from Veronica. She’s
suspect ever since she arrived with Alistair. That said, I can’t argue with
her logic. Chad,
you ARE a Crane. You were born one, and you’re not just ‘ A’ Crane, you are
THE Crane. You are the Crane Heir. And, how will it look for the Crane Heir
not to have the Crane name. By not taking the Crane name, you’ll just be telling
people out there that there’s something different about you. People already
have certain ideas about you because you’re the Black Crane. I don’t like
it, I know you don’t like it, but it is what it is. By taking the name Crane,
you will be embracing ALL of who you are. One day YOUR portrait is going
to hanging in the walls of the Mansion, Chad, and the nameplate should
read Chad Harris CRANE. I think it’s a good idea.”
“ What is this going to say to Alistair?”
” Who gives a shit what it says to Alistair? Let him CHOKE ON IT when he
gets the papers from you.”
Chad
laughed. “ I’d love to be there when he reads them.”
” Me too. Chad,
this is a big step. You live here, on the Estate, you work at Crane. You’re
trying to build a relationship with Julian. All of these mean that you have
accepted who you are. Taking the name is natural progression. You were born
Chad Crane – you just didn’t know it.”
“ I don’t know who Chad CRANE is, Resa.”
” Sure you do. It’s you. You are the best thing the Cranes EVAH produced.
EVAH. They should be honored to have you.”
” You really are the best cheerleader a guy could ever have.”
” Don’t you forget it.”, Theresa said as she kissed Chad.
Julian was sitting in the private room set apart for
him in the Executive Dining Room at Crane Industries. He was waiting for
Chad and Sheridan to come for
their weekly luncheon. Chad came in and sat down.
” Hi Pops.”
“ Chad.
Thanks for coming early.”
” I know you wanted to talk about the Townsend project.”
” Yes. I’ve read your initial reports.”
” And?”
Julian smiled. “ Brilliant. On spot. “
” Really?”, Chad
asked.
” Yes. This project will be excellent for the company. And, for you, you’ll
make your mark.”
“ I think so too. I, um, really think this is going
to be what sets me apart. Earning my stripes.”
” I got a call from Alistair this morning.”
” And?”
” He’s very pleased with the project.”
” You’re kidding.”
” Alistair is a racist, but he’s a greedy bastard above all else. Nothing
matters more than the dollar. And, this project, if as successful as we think
it will be, will bring boatloads of them into the Crane coiffeurs. “
” Figures. “
” So, how are things going between you and Veronica?”
” There is NO me and Veronica. I’m with Theresa, remember?”
” Chad,
I wasn’t implying anything. But, you’re a young man. You might want to sow
your oats.”
” Sow my oats? Please tell me that you didn’t say that.”
Julian laughed. “ So I date myself. I’m just saying, Veronica is a beautiful
young woman and if anything were to happen, I’d understand.”
” From your rep, I don’t doubt it. You put the ‘ D’ in Dog.”
” Yeah. I did.”
“ You have absolutely NO shame, do you?”
” When it comes to women, no. I have a PhD in women, my boy. Sigh….they’re
wonderful.”
” So, no possibility of you being a one-woman man?”
” There’s only one woman that could make that happen.”
Suddenly there was a strong silence between them. Chad
had ventured into the territory of ‘ too much information.’
“ She loves the Coach.”
” I know that.”
Before they could go further Sheridan came to the table. She kissed
both of them.
” How are two of my favorite men?”
” Fine.”, they both answered half-heartedly.
” OK….I know something’s up between you two, but I won’t push it. Julian,
what is this week’s lesson.”
Julian pulled out folders and handed them to Chad and Sheridan. “ Ok, you two, it’s time you
learned about Crane Industries, Mexico.” For the next hour and
a half, in between their courses, Julian detailed this part of the company
for them, as he had with so much else of Crane Industries over their weekly
luncheons. Julian would listen to and answer their questions. He was their
private tutor.
“ Well Julian, once again, I thank you for the lesson.
“
” Yeah, thanks.”, Chad
mumbled.
Julian and Sheridan gave one another a knowing look, and Julian spoke up.
“ Well..”
” Before you say anything, I have something to give you.” Chad handed
them envelopes. They opened them. Chad looked at their faces as
they read the document. Sheridan looked up
and stared at Chad.
Her eyes melted. Chad
looked at Julian, who was still staring at the papers. He didn’t look up
from the papers. “ I…is this what you want? You want to change your name?”
” It’s already done. The papers were filed, and fully processed this morning.
I didn’t want to tell you until it was completely legal. I’m officially Chad
Crane.”
” Chad Crane.” Julian finally looked
up and stared directly into Chad’s eyes. He got up and went
over to his son, pulling him into a bear hug.
“ Welcome home, Son.”