The Turns Life Takes (Eve/Julian) - Chapter 23
by yhh
"How long would it take to get DNA test results back?" Simone asked, barging
into Julian's office.
A replay of last time. Of all the traits to inherit did she have to inherit,
TC's brutishness, rudeness, and temper? "Simone, barging into my office
again and on a school day again. It's nice to know you have no respect for
your education or myself," he greeted sarcastically.
"Just answer my question," she retorted.
Julian stared into the eyes so like Brenda's, so like Eve's, and saw the
hurt, confusion, disillusionment, and anger radiating out of them, but he
was strangely unaffected. Maybe it was because he saw the look of hurt and
disappointment in Eve's eyes and face when she thought no one was looking
because every family event, now that Brenda had temporarily moved to Harmony,
was missing Simone and on some occasions Whitney, when she couldn't think
of an another excuse or lie to tell TC and Simone. Eve may feel guilty and
let this teen rule her life, but he had no such compulsion. "If you would
like my help or for me to answer your question, I suggest you march yourself
right out my door, close it, then knock and wait for me to tell you to enter.
I am not your mother. I don’t owe you anything. I'm not begging for your
forgiveness, for having a life before you were even born. It's a pity, I
really wanted to like you but I don't. You were wanted and loved from the
moment you were conceived, which is more than most of my children, Sheridan,
and myself had, yet all you can do is harp on a past that wasn't any of your
business. I love your mother so for her sake I will tolerate you, but nothing
more. So if you would like my help, then I suggest you start acting like
you have some sense and try again. Now get out!"
Simone's mouth hung open from the way Julian spoke to her. The things he
said. Who did he think he was?
"Did I stutter? Get out or I'll have security help you out," he threatened.
Walking backwards out of his office, Simone closed the door and paused
on the other side, leaning her head against the door. What was she going
to do? She needed his help, didn't she? She did- -she knew she did. Every
since that morning with her mother and Kay, she'd watched her father's behavior
and it was different. He was distant. He was always busy. He never had any
time for either her or Whitney. He was always gone. Family dinners were a
thing of the past. It was as if he couldn’t stand being in the same room
with them. She knew Kay had spoken the truth. Her dad didn't believe he was
her dad or Whitney's. He actually believed Julian Crane could possibly be
their dad. She was so hurt and couldn't believe, that even if Julian were
her biological father, that her dad would let that affect their relationship.
She knew in her heart, Thornton Chandler, was her father; but the fact that
he doubted it and pushed her away, hurt her even worse then her mother's
secrets. Because at the end of the day, she had come to realize her mom's
life with Julian before she existed was just that, her mom's life, not hers.
She knew Whitney was sneaking out and going to the Crane mansion to spend
time with their mom, Endora, and now Brenda. When she had asked Whitney
how she came to forgive mom, Whitney asked what was there to forgive. Their
mother had lost her parents, been stuck with an unloving aunt, found drugs,
alcohol and a man to keep her from completely falling over the edge with
the strength of his love, but then she lost him and their child. It was
amazing their mother was still standing, Whitney had preached to her. Upon
hearing her older sister's words, she realized how much admired their mother
for dealing with the pain, and moving on enough to start a new family. Simone
missed her family. She longed for a family. She longed for her mother, Endora,
and she was even curious about Brenda. She needed Julian's help. Raising
her hand, she knocked on his door.
Julian drew a sigh of relief. He had been afraid he had scared the teen
off with his gruff talk. He didn't want to ruin Eve's chance of repairing
her relationship with her daughter. "Come in," he commanded.
"Good Afternoon, Mr. Crane. May I come in?"
"Simone, good afternoon, please come in. Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you." This was weird. Odd. She was having a conversation, a
polite one at that, with the man she had heard nothing but evil things about
her entire life. Yet, he loved her mother and she was beginning to think,
her mother loved him, too.
"How can I help you?"
"I was wondering if you could help me with something." Reaching into her
backpack, Simone retrieved and put on Julian's desk six plastic bags.
"What are these?" Julian asked, already knowing. This poor child had somehow
found out about TC's doubts. Eve would not be happy about this.
"These are hair samples and the toothbrushes of my dad, Whitney, and myself.
I would like DNA tests run on them."
He wouldn't disrespect or lie to her by pretending not to know what she
was talking about. "I'll send them off immediately. We should have the results
in a day or so. Can you wait that long?" Could she continue to stay in a
house with a man whose love depended on her parentage? Brushing away the
childishness, the bratiness, he saw a girl whose life had been torn apart
recently. And now the man that claimed to her love, might not at all, depending
on the result of one test. Her life hinged on this test. Walking around his
desk, he pulled the unresisting girl into his arms and awkwardly she went.
She didn't know why she was in his arms. She wasn't even sure she even
liked this man. But it was so nice to share her secret with someone and
not have to pretend everything was okay. Before Simone Russell knew it,
her arms were wrapped around her father's sworn enemy as she cried for all
she had lost, all she had learned, and all the pain she felt and had caused.