“ Please leave me alone, Theresa. I can’t handle you right now.”

Theresa watched as Chad walked out of the living room, on his way to his apartment.

She was sitting on the couch when Pilar came through the door a few moments later.

“ Theresa, I saw you and Chad leave in such a hurry. I was worried about you.”

” Mama, it was awful.”

“ Theresa, what happened?”

“ Mama…it was awful. Truly awful. “

“ Theresita, what happened?”

“ We went to Ethan’s party. I thought everything was going to be perfect. I was pleasant to Ethan and Gwen. Mr. Crane was there, and Chad even gave him a hug! I thought everything was fine.”

“ So, what happened?”

“ One of the men at our table was a horrible racist. He said despicable things to Chad. And, Chad wasn’t going to sit there and listen to him degrade him. Never. And, because it was assigned seating, Chad believed that Ethan sat him there on purpose, because he wanted Chad to make sure he knew he wasn’t welcome at Crane Industries.”

Pilar shook her head. “ That’s not Ethan. That’s not something he would do.”

“ I know, Mama. I was sort of on the fence until I saw Ethan’s face. He was shocked by what Chad was saying.”

“ Of course, he was.”

“ But, Mama, the seating was arranged. I find it hard to believe that they didn’t know that they were seating Chad with a pure racist.”

“ But, Ethan nor Gwen had anything to do with the seating arrangements. That was all Ivy Crane.”, Pilar throws up her hands.
“ Now, I understand.”

“ You do? Well, tell ME, Mama. Tell me what’s going on.”

“ Ivy Crane has always thought of Chad as a threat to Ethan’s position.”

“ That’s ridiculous, Mama. Chad’s not interested in Crane Industries. He doesn’t want to do what Ethan is doing.”

“ That doesn’t matter to Ivy. She sees Chad as a threat, and that was her way of eliminating it.”

“ Well, I thought it sucked. Chad stood strong, but that man wanted to humiliate him.”

“ Thus pushing him away from the Cranes forever. Just as Ivy wanted.”

“ And, Chad was looking forward to working with Sheridan. If you could have seen the look on his face, Mama. He felt do betrayed by all the Cranes. All the work of the past few months was wiped out tonight.”

 Pilar shook her head. “ I doubt it. Chad is upset, of course, but, I think once he gets a chance to think on it, he will understand what’s going on. He’ll place the blame where it’s appropriate.”

“ Mama, I think I should go to Chad. I think he’s had enough time alone.”

“ I understand, Theresa. He’s fortunate to have a friend like you.”
 
 

The Cranes walked into the Mansion in silence. Luis had let Sheridan go home with the family, and had promised Sheridan that he was going to check in and see Chad and report back to her later.

They crossed the threshold, and Julian went straight for the bar, pouring himself a generous drink.

Ivy was trying to walk up the stairs unnoticed, when Julian, who didn’t even look up from the brandy sifter called out,

” Why my pet, going up to bed? So soon? Nonsense. We have things to discuss.”

” Well, I…”

” Father is right, Mother. There are things that we have to discuss. Like what happened to my brother tonight.”

Ivy slowly walked into the living room. She was giving off an air of she didn’t know what they were talking about, but, on the inside, she knew the crap was about to hit the fan.  She tried to cross the room, but Ethan stopped her, sitting her on the couch, standing over her.

” So, Mother…do you have anything to say for yourself?”

” Ethan, how could you think it was on purpose?”

Julian snorted, Sheridan rolled her eyes, and Ethan just looked at his mother with contempt.

” Most days I allow you to play me, Mother. I choose not to see what others have said about you for years. Today, I woke up. What you did tonight was unbelievably cruel. Chad is a proud man. He’s got pride in his heritage. Only the cruelest of people would have him sitting with an avowed racist. I’m ashamed that Crane Industries does business with the man, but, to submit my brother to him? What is your problem?”

” What is my problem? I’ve done everything for you, Ethan.”

” For me? I never asked this of you. I WOULD never ask something like this of you.”

” Ethan, you are a wonderful person, but you’re naïve. Oh, I know what Chad is saying right now, but come on, we all know that eventually, he’s going to be coming to the Cranes for a handout.”

” If you believe that Ivy, then you don’t know Chad at all!”, Sheridan volunteered.

” Sheridan is right, Mother. Chad doesn’t do handouts. Chad believes in hard work.”

” He’s a Crane, Ethan.”

” In blood only.”

” One of these days, he was going to come gunning after you.”

Julian laughed. “ You have GOT to be kidding me. We have HOW many BILLIONS? How many companies around the world, and you don’t think that Crane Industries is big enough to fit in Chad? What about our other children, Ivy.”

“ That’s different, because..”

” Because they are OUR children? Well, Ivykins, let me clue you into something. Chad is MY son. He will get EVERYTHING he has coming to him as MY SON. I will excuse this instance from you, because heaven knows, you believe the sun rises and sets on Ethan. I’ve never understood what sets him apart from our other children, but I have accepted your pathological love for him, and think it makes you somewhat human from the Ice Queen I’ve lived with all these years. But, until you go over to Chad, in person, and apologize to him and make me BELIEVE that you are sincere, all your accounts are frozen.”

“ YOU CAN’T DO THAT!”, Ivy protested.

” I can, and I just did. That little call on the way home…that’s what THAT was about. You can’t buy so much as a toothpick with Crane money. And, if Chad isn’t convinced…..then you are outta luck, Darling.
……..Sheridan? Will you join me in the library?”

Sheridan nodded and followed Julian to the library.

Ethan looked at his mother. “ I’ve never understood your love for me, Mother. I used to enjoy it, but, it’s almost become smothering at times. I know that I will never treat my children the way that you’ve treated me. I am ashamed of you, Mother. And, in case you’re wondering…No, I will NOT help you get back your accounts. Father’s right. The only thing that you seem to understand is money. I support him all the way. Gwen, let’s go upstairs…it’s been a long night.”

Gwen and Ethan leave the living room, and Ivy goes over to pour herself a brandy. “ Well, Ethan, I don’t care what you think. I did it to protect you. To protect what I’ve been hiding all these years. I didn’t lie all this time for Eve’s bastard to come in and take YOUR place as the Crane Heir. If you knew what I knew, you would be thanking me, instead of scolding me. “ Ivy swallowed up her brandy. “ Oh well, I have to go practice my most convincing tears for Chad. How dare Julian take away my accounts!”

Sheridan followed Julian into the library.

” Damn!  I can’t believe she did it! I can’t believe it.”

” Sadly, I can.  We should have known better.  Ivy has been too calm where Chad is concerned.”

” I suppose you’re right.” Julian looked up at Sheridan. “ Do you think it’s over?”

” Where Chad is concerned? No. Chad is mad as hell, but Julian, it will become very clear, very soon, that IVY was acting ALONE! Once Chad knows that, he’ll realize that you had nothing to do with it.”

” Sheridan, Ethan said something that is ringing in my ears. Chad will call me on even doing business with him. And, he would be right. We still do business with men like that.”

” Ok, so, he might be upset.”

“ What will I tell him?”

” Let it come from your heart. Maybe….in order to show Chad some good faith, we’ll have to cut loose that business arrangement.”

” It’s been very profitable….but, this is my son. I can’t lose him, Sheridan. I can’t tell you how much I was looking forward to this evening. Both my sons there. I was so happy. And, he HUGGED me, Sheridan!”

” I thought I saw that. Why?”

” He thanked me for taking care of his mother. He hugged me. It was brief, but it meant everything.”

Sheridan hugged Julian. “ I know it did……How is Eve?”

” She’s getting better everyday. I know she’ll be returning to Harmony soon.”

” And, you’re happy?”

“ Of course….for Chad.”

”Of course….for Chad.”, Sheridan replied, raising her eyebrow.

“ I’ll be leaving in the morning…..to get back to Eve. I’m going to trust you, Sheridan. Trust that you are going to try and get Chad on board. Keep him involved with the radio station. And, make him realize we need him. Hell, I need him.”

” I will Julian.”

” And, to keep an eye on Ivy. I’ve frozen her accounts, and they will remain frozen until I return. “

“ Don’t worry. I won’t let her get away with anything else.”

Julian smiled at Sheridan.
 

Theresa found Chad sitting in the Lopez-Fitzgerald  backyard.

Theresa sits down next to Chad at the picnic table.

“ Hi Chad.”

” Theresa.”

” Feeling any better?”

” Not really.”

” Chad, I know you might not want to hear this, but I really don’t think it was Ethan’s fault about tonight.”

” It was HIS party, Theresa. He doesn’t want me pissing in his pool. I get it. “

Theresa shakes her head. “ Chad, I was looking at Ethan and all the Cranes. They were all shocked by your accusation. All….except Ivy. She didn’t seem surprised at all. Chad, I think I know Ethan. And, I definitely think I know Sheridan. They are NOT like that. They would tell you the truth. Ethan asked you to be the godfather to his child. Sheridan wants you to work with her at the radio station. WHY would they  want to upset you?”

” Maybe they have changed their mind?”

” I don’t think so. It’s not like them. And, your father was SO happy with you. Why would he want to hurt you?”

” I’m not his Golden Boy, Ethan?”

” Chad. He’s done so much for your mother. He did it for you. And, maybe..”

” Maybe, what?”

” Maybe because he really cares about your mother. “

” Do you think so?”

” I do.”

Chad stood up and held out his hand to Theresa. “ You know…you really do look beautiful in that dress. I wanted to dance with you all night.”

” Well, we can dance here.”

“ Now?”

” Yep.”

Theresa went into Chad’s arms, and they began to dance. Theresa felt like she was floating on air. They danced for awhile, and then Chad spoke up,

“ I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t in my life.”

” You don’t have to worry about it.”