Sacrifices of the Soul, Chapter 57
 
 

Whitney Russell strolled into the party, determined to make people turn their heads. She had a slinky dress, which hugged all her curves. Her hair had been blown straight, and looked very dramatic as it hung on her head. She reeked of subtle sexiness. She knew she was beautiful and turned heads; just the way she wanted it. She came to the receiving line and smiled brightly at Ethan.

" Hello, Ethan."

" Whitney. You look wonderful. Thank you for coming."

" It’s my pleasure. Hello, Gwen."

" Whitney. You look…..different."

" It’s the hair. "

" Oh yes, you look wonderful."

" Thank you."

Whitney looked at Julian and Ivy. Her expression changed completely. No warmth at all.

" Hello, Mr. And Mrs. Crane.", Whitney said cold and ice.

" Whitney, thank you for coming.", Ivy replied.

For Julian, looking at Whitney like this took him back years ago, to the beginning of himself and Eve. It was uncanny how much Whitney looked like Eve, and the undercurrents she was giving. He knew her, because he knew her mother. She was looking for a conquest, and from the way she greeted Ethan, Julian suspected that it was him. But, Ethan seemed oblivious to Whitney, which was a good thing. He had thrown Ethan in Theresa’s direction and it almost wound up a disaster. He was going to keep his mouth shut on this.

" Whitney, you can go over to one of those ladies, and they will tell you your seating assignment."

" Thank you, Mrs. Crane."

" Ethan, did you think it was a good idea to invite Whitney, when you knew Chad was coming?", Julian asked.

" Father, Whitney and I have been developing a sports incentive charity program through Crane Industries. I thought it was a good idea to have her here. Of course, she won’t be sitting at Chad’s table. We all have to learn how to live in the same town, Father. I’m sure Whitney understands that."

" If you say so, Ethan."

Julian shook his head. Sometimes, Ethan was too naïve for words. He thought nothing good could come out of this.

Ivy smiled to herself. Julian didn’t fool her. She knew he was worried about Chad. And, he had a right to be, though Whitney wouldn’t be the root of his troubles.
 

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Theresa was sitting at the table when Chad arrived.

" Well, how were things between you and your father? I saw that you gave him a hug."

" Yeah…I dunno where the hell THAT came from."

" Because, you care, Chad. You can try to hide it, but, it’s true: you care about your father."

" I don’t know if I care about him…I was thanking him for helping my mother."

" Your mom is OK?"

" He says so. He says that she needs a little R&R before she faces the reality awaiting her."

" Well see? I told you that everything was ok."

" That, you did. And, did I thank you for coming with me tonight?"

" Yes. And, I told you it was no bother."

" How was it….seeing Ethan and Gwen."

" It was tough. Don’t think I didn’t notice you taking my hand. I could kiss you for that."

" Why don’t you?", Chad said with a wink.

Before he could say anything else, Theresa did just that. She leaned in and gave Chad a kiss. Though he was surprised, he responded to her. When they broke away, they had grins on their faces.

" You can surprise me like that all you want.", Chad said.

" Don’t think I won’t. " Theresa looked in her purse for her mirror. " Chad, could you do me a favor? I picked up Luis’ keys because I knew he’d be missing them. Would you take them over to him? I would, but.."

" They’re at the table with Ethan and Gwen."

" Yep."

Chad takes the keys. " No problem. It’s my pleasure."

Chad got up from the table, and Theresa picked up the program to look at it. It was professionally done. Shiny and glossy, similar to a corporate report. In the middle of the first page was a trifecta of pictures: Alistair, Julian and Ethan. She couldn’t help but think how handsome Ethan looked. How in command he seemed. She looked up from the program to the main table. He seemed deeply in his element, and somehow, Gwen looked right at home by his side. They did look like the perfect couple. They were talking with some country club friend of theirs, and Ethan could see the trio laughing as he casually put his hand up to Gwen’s stomach. He was bursting with pride. Theresa couldn’t help but remember a time when she thought Ethan would be doing that to her. She shook her head. Those times are past, she reminded herself.

She had a future. It was uncertain, but it was hers. And it didn’t include Ethan. But, it might include Chad.

Chad.

Theresa couldn’t believe how their relationship had changed. But, I guess evolved is the better word. There was always a connection between them. He supported her when nobody else would. He liked her spirit. And, she liked his goodness and kindness. His strength. She looked at the picture of Julian Crane and realized, for the first time, that Chad had his eyes. She knew all the stories about Julian Crane; she was sure so many of them were true. But, she also knew that Chad needed BOTH his parents in his life. Growing up without one parent had taught her that, and if there was any possibility that Julian wanted to be a part of Chad’s life, Theresa wanted him to take it.

Theresa looked up from the program and looked to see who was sitting at the table. Some people she recognized from the Society page. One couple were a pair of young executives at Crane Industries. Everyone was someone, and she suddenly felt out of place. She felt a pair of eyes looking at her. Theresa looked up to see an older man sitting across the table from her. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but, she definitely didn’t like the look he was giving her. It was upsetting. She sent up a silent prayer, hoping Chad would return soon. Her resolve would be refortified if Chad was here.

Chad made his way to the main table, where Luis sat with Sheridan.

" Hey, Luis. Theresa told me to give this to you."

" Thanks, man. Glad to see you here. You ok?"

" I guess. Not as bad as I thought."

" The night’s still young."

With that, Luis felt a punch in his arm," Hey!"

" Hi Sheridan."

" Hi Chad. I saw you and Theresa were um…"

" Theresa and I are just friends."

Sheridan laughed. " Now whose kidding whom?"

" Well, I better get back. See ya."

Chad walked back over to the table. Before he could get back to his seat, he felt someone tugging at his arm, and the next thing he knew, there was a drinking glass, full of ice in his face.

" Get me another one, Boy.", the man said.

" Excuse me?", Chad asked.

" I set get me another double bourbon. Hurry up. I’m thirsty."

" You have me confused with someone else."

" You’re a waiter here. I don’t give a damn what table you’re assigned to. Give me my goddamned drink, or I’ll have you fired."

" What makes you think that you can fire me from ANYTHING?"

" Because, I’m the type of person that pays the taxes for when you go applying for unemployment when you get fired."

" Why would you think that I’m a waiter."

" Because…."

" Because what?"

" Because, that’s what ‘you people’ do. Though the Latinos are good at service too."

" Who the hell do you think you are?"

" Don’t raise your voice at me, Boy."

" I have a name. I’m not your ‘ Boy.’ "

Theresa’s eyes widened, watching the confrontation between Chad and this man escalate. Her eyes went straight to the table with Luis, who caught the look of terror on his sister’s face.

" You’re anything I say you are."

" The hell I am. Get this straight. The days of us shining your shoes, licking your boots and kissing your racist ass is OVER. "

" I’ll find out who you are, and I’ll make sure the Cranes blackball you. I’m one of their best business associates. I’ll put you in your place. "

Chad snorted at that comment, waived his hand dismissively, and went over to Theresa.

" Let’s go. We are SO outta here."

Theresa said nothing, but took Chad’s hand, and they began walking towards the door.
He was stopped by Ethan.

" Chad? Where are you going?"

" You know what? I thought you wanted me here. But, now, I see it was all a setup. You didn’t want me here. You wanted me to ‘know my place’. That you’re the big bad President, and that I shouldn’t even think about venturing into ‘your ‘ territory. Well, you know what, Ethan? I don’t care. I never cared. You didn’t need to sit me with a rabid racist to get that point across. You should have come to me MAN to MAN, but, I guess that’s not the ‘Crane’ way."

Chad begins to move but Ethan jumps in his way. " Chad, what are you talking about?"

" Don’t play dumb, Ethan. Please don’t insult me that way. "

By this time, Julian and Sheridan had made their way over to Chad and Ethan.

Chad pointed to Sheridan, " YOU told me that they wanted to have a relationship with me. What a crock. I thought YOU were for real."

Then, he pointed to Julian, " And, I should have known. You don’t have to worry, Pops. Don’t worry about your chocolate child messing things up for the Golden Boy here. I heard the message. Loud and clear."

Chad didn’t give them a chance to respond. He and Theresa rushed out of the room.

Gwen came up to Ethan, " What the hell just happened?"

Ethan shook his head. " I have no idea. Father?"

" I have no idea. Sheridan?"

" Beats me."

One of the young executives at the table came up to the group. " Pardon me, Mr. Crane. But, I think I can shed some light on the situation."

Julian looked at the young woman. " Well, speak up!"

" Mr. Harris was at my table. He got into a heated argument with Mr. Archibald Forysth. It was…..racial in matter. He thought Mr. Harris was the waiter."

She let that sink in, and Julian put his hand over his face, then asked, " How bad did it get?"

" Pretty ugly, Sir. Mr. Forysth was very ‘politically in-correct’. "

" Thank you. You can go."

" Of course, Sir."

Julian turned to Gwen." Everyone in our circle KNOWS that Archie is a pure-racist of the John Birch kind. How in the HELL was Chad seated at his table?"

Julian fumed at Gwen, and Ethan looked at his wife too, who began to protest. " Wait a minute. I didn’t do the seating for the party. I have a company to run."

" Well, if you didn’t do the seating Gwen, who did?", Ethan demanded.

" It was your mother."

Ethan turned and looked at Ivy. He started towards her, and the entire group followed. She was speaking to someone.

" Ethan Darling, I was just telling Millicent.."

" Millicent, excuse us. Mother is needed now.", Ethan said, pulling Ivy away.

" Ethan, what is wrong?"

Ethan brought her to a private corner. " What is wrong, Mother? Did you happen to know that my brother Chad, was seated at a table with Archie Forysth, one of the most avowed and open racists that I know?"

" Really? How did that happen?"

" Oh, I don’t know, Ivy. Maybe, you planned it that way? To hurt Chad.", Julian said, calmly, but with a deliberate coldness.

" Now, why would I do that, Julian?", Ivy said sarcastically.

Julian was about to reply when Ethan spoke to his mother. " I am deeply disappointed in you, Mother. Deeply. Tonight was supposed to be MY night. "

"It is.."

" I’m not finished. Tonight was supposed to be my night, and you’ve ruined it. I wanted it to be a new beginning between my brother and I. But, now, he thinks that I was in on it. You didn’t need to protect me from Chad. Chad doesn’t think like a ‘Crane’ mother, which is why I like him so much. I expect for you to go over and apologize to Chad to his face tomorrow morning. "

" But.."

" No buts, Mother. We have a party to attend to, so I can’t tell you just how displeased I am. But, we Cranes have been taught by birth to not let pain show in public, so I won’t. You can’t possibly know how much it hurt me to know that my own mother would hurt me like this. I thought you wanted what was best for me."

" Ethan..", but he had already begun to walk away, holding hands with Gwen. Ivy tried to slink away, but Julian grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear ferociously, " Listen up, you bitch. You hurt my son. Don’t think that I’m going to forget it anytime soon."

He shoved her away with such force that she almost lost her balance and fell, but, she recovered in time. Straightening up her dress and squaring her shoulders, she put on her best ‘Crane face’ and went back into the ballroom.