Collision Course, Chapter 64

“ I… must have misunderstood. I could have sworn you said that Whitney Russell was your sister, Robbie.”

” That’s EXACTLY what he said, Ivy.”, Gwen replied.

Just then, Ethan walked into the room. Ivy grabbed his arm. “ Did you know this? Did you know about this?”

” About what, Mother? All I know is that Rebecca called Gwen over to the mansion. Whatever she said about that, sent Gwen and Robbie to the hospital. And, Gwen wouldn’t talk on the way home. So, what EXACTLY am I supposed to know?”

“ That Whitney is my sister, Ethan.”, Gwen quietly replied.

Ethan thought about that. “ WHAT?”

” Yep. Mother Rebecca had an affair with Whitney’s father, and Whitney is the result.”, Robbie explained.

” No. It can’t be. Rebecca and COACH RUSSELL?” Ethan shook his head. “ Unreal. I need a drink.”

Ivy followed Ethan to the bar. “ Fix me one too.”

They got their drinks and sat down near Gwen and Robbie. Ivy shook her head. “ I’m trying to get a vision of TC and Rebecca together, and I just can’t do it.”

” Well, now welcome to OUR world.”, Gwen replied.

” She can call it whatever she wants, but the bottom line is that she threw Whitney away like garbage because she was the wrong skin color, and I don’t want anyone like that in my life. EVER.”, Gwen exclaimed.

“ Well, you know, Rebecca was in an untenable position.”, Ivy pleaded.

” Nonsense, Ivy. She threw away her child, and didn’t blink about it. That makes her a monster.”

” Ethan, what about her? It’s not like we can have any kind of a relationship.”

” Why not?”

” First of all, she’s Theresa’s best friend. So, I doubt that she’d want to have anything to do with me in the first place.”

” You’re sisters.”

” We’re strangers.”

” Just think about it.”, Ethan offered.

Gwen sighed. “ I think I’m going to take a walk.” Robbie and Ethan  followed Gwen outside.

Ivy sat there, thinking about Rebecca. She shuddered and thanked her blessings that Ethan forgave her for her lies. She’d be heartbroken if he had reacted to the news of his paternity like Gwen and Robbie did.

Rebecca was looking at photo albums of her children when the phone rang.

” Hi.”

” I just wanted to thank you for telling your son and daughter. I checked by the lab, and they said they’d been there to get the test done.”

” I only hope it helps Whitney.”

” Me too.”

” So, aren’t you curious as to how my children took it?”

” I guessed well, since they came in to take the test.”

” They called me all sorts of names and cut me out of their lives.”

” They’re just upset, Rebecca. They’ll come around.”

” It was beyond upset. They hate me.”

” They don’t hate you.”

” I know my children. They despise me. They looked at me as if I was a monster.”

” You’re not a monster, Becky.”

“ Well, it’s good to know that SOMEONE doesn’t think so. “ There was a silence between them. “ Has…has she asked about me?”

” Um….no. Rebecca, it’s been a shock to her. I don’t think Whitney is emotionally ready to deal with you right now.”

“ And, you. Did YOU lose your children today, Thornton?”

” My daughters are displeased with me.”

” But, they haven’t condemned you. They haven’t cut you out of their lives!”

” Rebecca, your children will come around.”

“ I want to hope so. But, at this point, I highly doubt it. Will…will you give Whitney my private number? Tell her, that I’ll talk to her, anytime, day or night.”

” I will.”

Eve walked into Whitney’s room. She was sleeping. Eve put her hand out to stroke Whitney’s hair.  Whitney woke up.

” Mom.”, she said groggily.

” I just came to check on you. And, to tell you that Gwen and Robbie took the test.”

” The nurse from the lab told me.”

” Oh. Where are your sister and brother?”

Whitney looked at Eve.

” What is it, Whitney?”

” It’s weird to hear you say that sentence – sister AND brother. Of course, in your mind, you’ve been saying it since the moment you found out that Chad was your son. “

Eve smiled slightly. “ You’re right. My mind has been used to it for awhile now.”