Simone's New Start ~Chapter 19 ~The Pasts We've Made~
by Mademoiselle Butterfly
It’s the middle night, when the lustrous Julian Crane is off on
his nightly strolls around Harmony. He stood at the moment, on the
docks with his mind wondering with thoughts. He had just received a
phone call, and was apparently awaiting for company to arrive.
Suddenly a quiet cool breeze off the ocean’s shore blew against his
face making his eyes squint to look up at the full moon overhead.
“Julian.” He heard a person call out behind him say.
Julian turns around only to see the beautiful Eve Russell approaching
him.
“Eve.” He says reaching out to her.
“Thank you, for meeting with me.” She says taking his hand.
“Of course, what’s wrong?” Julian asks her.
Eve takes a deep breath and starts looking out towards the ocean view.
“I can’t believe it.” She says softly letting her mind wonder
off.
“What?” Julian asked worried.
Eve looks towards the distance, and starts to flashback to finding Gabe
in Simone’s dorm room and in her bed!”
“Oh, I’m a horrible Mother!” Eve cries burying her hands over her face.
“What, Eve don’t say that.” Julian said taking her by the hands,
walking over to a bench.
“Why, would you say that about herself?” he asks concerned.
“Because, its true Julian!” “I am.” “I’m a horrible mother!” Eve
says as big tears start to form in her eyes.
“No, no you’re not.” “You’re a wonderful mother, Eve.” “Loving, caring
and attentive.”
“Julian, no I’m not.” “I can’t protect my girls, I can’t.”
“They’re going to turn out just like me.” “And there’s nothing I can do
to stop it!” “Why?” Eve continues to cry now in deep sobs.
Julian wiped her tears. “Stop saying that.” “What happened, Eve?” “Tell
me?”
Eve sniffed and took a deep breath. “The other day, I found Simone
alone in her dorm room with some boy?” “A stranger, Julian.” “A
complete utter stranger!” She tells.
“What?” “Eve, are you sure?” Julian questioned.
“Yes!” “Julian, they were sharing the same bed.” Eve said painfully.
“Oh, Eve.” “Are you positive?” He asked comforting her.
“Yes, and when I confronted them, they said they had just been studying
and fell asleep.” “But, Julian I would have never expected to see my
baby like that.” “Never.” Eve whined.
“Eve, I’m sorry.”
“Julian, it was awful.” “My baby, my little Simone alone with
some half naked boy!”
“Eve, were they you know. . actually caught in the act?” Julian asked.
“No, they denied it and I believe my daughter really I do.” “But I’m
still upset.” Eve said wiping her face.
“That’s understandable so.” Julian comments.
“I mean, Julian I actually thought I knew what was going on with
Simone.” “I thought that she was okay.” “That she was doing well in
school and seeing Drew from the medical program, and now this?” “The
room, was warm and smelled of candles and there she was sprawled out in
bed with that boy!” Eve rants upset.
“Eve, please try to calm down.” Julian begged.
“I’m going to lose her, Julian.” “I know it.” “I’m going to lose my
daughter just like my parents lost me.” Eve cries.
“No, no you won’t Eve.” Julian assured.
“No, its true Julian.” Eve says softly. “That’s when it all started in
college, with that first taste of freedom and now Simone’s following my
lead.” “Next, she’ll be going out all night into seedy bars and God
knows what else!”
“Eve, stop it!” “Stop upsetting yourself this way, Simone is going to
be fine.” Julian said taking her by the arms.
“How, do you know that?” Eve asked looking at him.
“Because, she has you Eve, you and TC.” “To watch out for her, protect
her, make sure she doesn’t make your same past mistakes.” “The mistakes
that I caused for you, all of that pain Eve.” “You’ll save her from
that.” He tells her.
“I don’t know anymore, seeing her that way was just so unbelievable.”
Eve said burdened.
“Eve.” “Trust me, things aren’t as bad as they seem.” Julian said
comforting her.
“No, Julian they are and of course I can’t confide all of this to TC.”
“His blood pressure would just sky racket.” “It would make him go
insane, and you should have saw Julian.” “He actually believes that
Simone is maturing at the dorms and doing okay.” “If he knew the truth,
who knows what would happen?” “It might kill him.” Eve rants.
“Oh, Eve.”
“So, of course this is all just another secret I have to keep to
myself.” “To hold on to until it eats me up inside.” “It’s all killing
me, it really is.” Eve admits putting her head against Julian’s
shoulder.
“It’s going to be okay, Eve.” “I assure you, it will be.” Julian told
her.
“How?” “I can’t tell TC, and I don’t know what to do about Simone.” Eve
whined.
“Well, TC can’t know of course but Simone seemed to have a reasonable
explanation right?”
“Yes, she said she was studying.”
“See, she’s still you’re little girl.” “And with a wonderful mother
like you to watch out for her, she’ll do fine on her own.” “Eve, you’re
raised both of your daughters right.” “Believe it that, okay.” Julian
expressed looking into her eyes, holding up her chin.
“I’ll try, Julian.” “I just can’t help panicking sometimes.” Eve said
softly.
“I know.” Julian said reaching out to plant a tender kiss on her
forehead.
“But talk to Simone, Eve.” “Let her know how you’re feeling.” “She
should understand you’re her Mother.” “She loves and respects you Eve,
never forget that.” He tells her.
Eve nods silently, “Thank you, Julian.” She whispers.
“For what?” “I didn’t do anything.” He says.
Eve lets out a heavy sigh, “For understanding.” She says softly.
“I always will, Eve.” “I promise.”
Eve smiled quietly nestled in Julian’s arms and then began looking out
towards the ocean view…
The next day, we venture on at tour of Harmony’s resident life
with the beautiful Blair Carrington and eloquent Gwen Winthrop. They
made their way around the town as Gwen showed off the hot spots of the
town. The two had just come from visiting the local country club and
were now headed towards the Book café.
Entering after ordering some morning delights of blended frappuccinos
and blueberry scones to two found a table. Gwen chatted away about her
marriage to Ethan and the lovely future ahead of them. While Blair
expressed her missing the fabulous sights and fast paced life she last
behind in New York. Then Gwen mentioned Blair’s upcoming Housewarming
party and what themes and food they could have there.
The two were sitted having a good time when Gwen caught a look at
Whitney Russell, and her best friend Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, Gwen’s
archenemy.
“Oh, no!” Gwen says turning away.
“What, what’s wrong?” Blair asks concerned looking at her.
“It’s nothing, Blair.” “I just saw someone that I wish I hadn’t seen.”
“Who?” Blair questions curiously sipping her coffee.
“Just a peculiar woman who’s been a longtime thorn in my side.”
“Oh, really.” “So, what’s the story between you?” Blair questioned
intrigued.
“Blair, trust me.” “Its really too long to tell, let’s just say stay
away from Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald!” “She’s nothing but trouble.” Gwen
warns flipping her hair over her ears.
“And the another?” Blair inquiries.
“Oh, well that’s Whitney Russell.” “She’s very sweet, but her taste in
best friend’s is questionable.” “She’s the more level-headed one and
Harmony’s local tennis champion around here.”
“Oh.” Blair says taking it all in, trying to remember all the faces and
names of who’s who.
Seeing the stares that they were receiving, at the moment Theresa and
Whitney caught onto to Gwen and her company.
“Well, Theresa.” “Gwen’s still, staring.” Whitney states in a whispered
tone.
“Well, let her stare Whitney.” “I’m not leaving, she may have Ethan but
she can’t have the whole town.” Theresa said irritated.
“You’re right.” “But, its funny the girl she’s with looks kind of
familiar to me.” Whitney says with a nod.
“Really, hmm.” Theresa says glancing back.
“Yeah.” Whitney replies.
“Well, she’s hanging out with Gwen so, I’d keep my distance.”
“Theresa.” Whitney scolds. “Come on, we don’t even know her.”
“She can be a perfectly nice person.”
Theresa shoots Whitney a look and starts to laugh, “Whit, get real
okay.” “She’s sitting over there with Gwen!” she remarks gesturing with
her hands.
“Now, how nice can she be?” she asks.
“That’s not fair, Theresa.” Whitney says shaking her head.
“Please, hey wait a minute.” Theresa starts.
“What?” Whitney asked flipping through a magazine.
“That girl with Gwen, huh.” “Oh, wow it’s her.” Theresa states.
“What’s her, Theresa?” Whitney questioned.
“Whitney, that girl over there is the same person who almost knocked
you down on Peach Street that day.” Theresa said excitedly.
“What, no.” Whitney said sipping her latte.
“It is, Whit it’s her!” “I remember her face, and that same snotty
attitude.” Theresa tells.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure of it.” “Just, take a good look.” Theresa says.
Whitney slyly glances over at Blair and then turns, “Oh, well
that was a separate incident.” She shrugs off. “I’m not going to judge
her personality based on that.” “We really don’t know her.”
Theresa takes a deep breath. “Well, I’ve made up my mind she’s bad
news.” She expresses.
Whitney takes a glance at her friend and shook her head quietly.
“So, Whitney tell me about your game.” “Did you win your last
tournament?” Theresa asked.
“Of course I did, thanks to all of Fox’s help.” Whitney gushed thinking
of how sweet he was.
“Fox’s help, please.” “Whit, you were born a winner.” Theresa says.
Whitney laughs. “Thanks.” “So, okay, now you’re turn finish sharing
your news with me.” “Will you?” She asked munching on a morning
strawberry danish.
“Oh, right.” “What I was saying before.” “Whit, you won’t believe it
but I finally enrolled in design school.” Theresa said giddy.
“What, Theresa.” “That’s amazing!” “Congratulations, I always knew you
would.”
“Yeah.” “It took some time though to save up some funds through odd
jobs here and there.” “But I did it.” Theresa tells.
“So, why haven’t you shared this news with me before this?” Whitney asks
Theresa shrugs, “I. .I don’t know.” “I just didn’t think it was a big
deal and I know how busy you’ve been training for your tournaments and
all.” “I didn’t want to bother you.” Theresa admits.
“Well, you’re great news is never a bother for me to hear, okay.”
Whitney told her.
“Yeah, I know.” Theresa said shyly.
Whitney smiles, “So, tell me about your school.” “How long has it been
since you’ve enrolled?”
“A while.” Theresa admits. “About a month or two.”
“What?” “Theresa, now I really can’t believe you.” “How could
you not share this with me till now.” Whitney said.
“I don’t know.” “Its bad that I didn’t tell but I just wanted to do
this myself.“ I mean, Mama and my brothers don’t even know.” “I just
realized now, that I have to be an adult and raise my son.” “So,
enrolling in design school was my first step.” “So, anyway I’m almost
finished and my instructors say I have a lot of promise.”
“Wow, that’s really great.” “I’m so proud of you.” "You sound all grown
up." Whitney told her reaching out the hug her.
“Thanks.” “Well, after graduation I’m going to be looking for job
prospects.” “And hopefully through fate and some crossed fingers I’ll
be on my way.”
“Yes, you will.” Whitney said with a nod.
“Watch, Whit next stop, Milan, New York and Paris!” Theresa said
smiling.
Now, it’s around noontime on this bright day, as we find our
series starlet, Simone Russell headed to her old high school, Harmony
High. She wanted to start on her history report finally and her first
stop of interviews was visiting her father, TC. As she wandered the
halls getting a major sense of déjà vu, she thought just
two years before she reside in the hallways with her friends. Carrying
her books with her, she soon appeared outside of TC’s office door.
With a light knock, she heard his voice. Walking in, she saw his desk
covered with game plays and reports to look at.
“Hi, Daddy.” She said.
TC looked up, from his piles of documents “Oh, Sugar Bear.” “This is a
surprise.” He stood to greet her and she sat down in one of the extra
chairs.
“So, how can I help you today?” he asked.
“Well, I was wondering if I could give you an interview.”
“Sure, about what who’s your favorite hero?” TC said with a chuckle.
Simone smiled, “No, Dad it’s a report I’m doing for my history class.”
“Oh, studying hard again I see.”
“Yup.” “So, can I interview you?” Simone asked again.
“Sure, Sugar Bear interview away.” “I’ve got some time.” TC replied.
“Really, because I don’t want to bother you if you’re busy.” She said.
“Simone, its fine.” “This time of day is really quite quiet for me
anyway.”
“Okay.” Simone replies getting comfortable in her seat.
“Well, the first couple of questions are about where you grew up and
all.” “I know that much.” She said.
“Uh, huh.”
Simone then pulled out a notebook and a tape recorder.
“Do you mind, if I record this, Daddy?” she asked. “Just in case I miss
anything.”
“No, of course not.”
“Well, first I wanted ask how would you describe your life before now?”
“Before, you met Mom and had a family?” she asked turning on her
recorder.
TC sat back and thought about her questions. “Well, I guess in one word
my life was simple.”
“Simple, Daddy?”
“Yes.” “I had a mother, father and little sister.” “That’s all I knew,
that was my life.” He said.
“So, when did your life change?” Simone asked.
“Uh, I guess, when I was about thirteen.” “See, my Dad came home one
day with this tennis racket, he had recently saw Arthur Ashe on
television playing at Wimbledon.” “So, he saved up some funds and took
me for a lesson with a trainer one afternoon.” “And I thought we were
going fishing that day.” TC said with a laugh, remembering.
“So, what happened?”
“Well, after a bit of time, he saw my keen interest in the sport and I
continued with my training when I could.” “I got better over time, it
was the start of something for our family.” “Something special, to be
proud of, I guess my big chance to show that I had greater potential
than just living some simple, ordinary life.” TC shared.
Simone ponders his words.
“My Dad saw that too, Sugar Bear.” “He saw my potential and natured it.”
And TC was right; his father felt that this was his son’s chance to
become something great, greater than he. With all his talent, TC
wouldn’t have to suffer his same hardships in life; he wasn’t going to
caddie around any white, rich man. No TC was going places; his drive
and ambition would take him far to the top. His father would say to his
wife, Rachel at night after his long shifts of working, eating his late
night dinner sitting at the kitchen table.
“The sky was the limit, Sugar Bear.” TC continued on.
“Really.” Simone replied smiling.
“Yes, very much so.” “See, Sugar Bear that’s why I’m so involved in
Whitney’s tennis career now, I’m nurturing her potential just like my
Father did with me.” “I tell you, that drive to succeed must be
somewhere down in our genes somehow.” “We Russell’s never stay down for
long.” TC tells.
“Hmm.” Simone says softly, thinking quietly to herself.
“Daddy.” She said reaching over to stop her tape recorder.
“Yes.” TC replies looking up at her.
“Can I ask you something well off the record?” She asked.
“Sure.” TC said with a shrug.
“Listen, its no big deal but I always wondered why you never included
me in any of your tennis sessions like Whitney.” “It always kind of
made me feel left out, like you two had your own secret language or
something.” “When you both would go off to play and practice everyday.”
She admitted.
“Why didn’t you ever include me?” Simone asked in a low tone.
“Oh, Sugar Bear I’m sorry.” “I didn’t mean to be that way, I guess I
figured you were never really interested in the sport that’s all.”
“When you were little you were always off somewhere playing with your
dolls or being pulled around in that little pink wagon of yours.” TC
explained.
“Oh, okay.” Simone says softly.
“Simone, I would have included you in if I had thought about it.” “I’m
sorry.” TC expressed.
“It’s okay.” “Well, um let’s continue with the interview.” She said
restarting the tape player.
“So, everything was good.” “You were winning a lot of matches and
tournaments and everyone was proud and happy, right?” She asked.
“Yes, till everything fell apart.” He said in a low tone. “First, my
mother died she had kidney failure.” “My father’s spirit seemed to die
with her after that, but he kept strong having to care for me and
Nicole.”
“Nicole?” Simone questioned.
“Oh, yeah your Aunt Ruby.” “Back then sometimes we called her by her
middle name.” “She was in junior high when Mama passed.” “It was very
hard on her, all of us really but especially her.” “Being so young at
the time, while I was in my last year of high school.” TC pauses
thinking about his sister.
“You know, Simone you remind me a lot of her.” “You’re very innocent,
and sweet just like her back then.” TC admits thinking about his
younger sister.
“Thanks, Daddy.” “Go on.”
“Well.” TC says taking a deep breath. “So, I tried just like my Dad to
stay focused on my training.” “Tennis was all of our tickets to a
better life, a new start.” “I showed a lot of promise, I crushed my
competition in every match!” “I was unstoppable!” He says smiling.
“So, what happened Daddy?” “Why aren’t you a huge tennis star today?”
Simone asked.
TC lowered his eyes and quietly reached out to his messed up, injured
knee.
“A lot happened.” He muttered.
“What?” Simone questioned with wonderment, her eyes glued to her father.
“I got into an accident, Simone.” TC answered.
“When?” “How?”
“One night, the exact night before I had a big match playing against
Julian Crane.” “That’s when I was in my car accident.” He told her.
“You were.”
“Yes, and it ruined my chances to play tennis again.” TC replied
bitterly.
“Oh, Daddy.” “Why didn’t you share this with us?” “Does Mom know?”
Simone asked concerned.
“Not the full story, Sugar Bear.” “I don’t know why I hid it.” “It’s
just so much happened, life shattering events that I just didn’t want
to share.” He admits looking down at his hands.
“I understand, Daddy.” “It was hard on you.” “So what happened after
the accident?” “Were you able to find out who hit you?” Simone asked.
TC looked away in anger. “No.” “But I swear that it was that lowlife
Julian Crane!” he yells.
“Really, are you sure?”
“Yes.” “See, Sugar Bear that’s why I can’t stand those dirty Crane
bastards now!” “They’re ruthless.” “Just because I was playing against
Julian, they went out and deliberately set out to hurt me.” TC tells
her.
“And the worst part of it all.” “Was that my father, your Grandfather
was crushed.” TC said standing up, remembering his father’s poor state.
“His heart was literally broken in two.” “First, losing Mama so
suddenly and then all of his dreams for me just gone up in smoke.” “The
filthy Cranes, they made him have a heart attack and then he slipped
into a damn coma for three months, Simone.” TC said with tears in his
eyes.
Simone reached her hand out to him.
“Those rancid Cranes are bad news.” “They wore on him.” “Stealing away
the farm he lived on as a boy, our family farm.” “Then taking away his
only sense of livelihood just seeing me going to Wimbledon.” “My
accident was too much for him to take.”
“Poor Grandpa.”
TC grew silence for a moment reliving his past and his father’s
hardships.
“Daddy, please go on.” “I need to hear the full story.” Simone pleaded
seeing his broken face.
TC held onto her hand and looked at her with sadness in his eyes. “Well
Simone, not long after that your Grandfather passed.” “One minute, he
was here and the next he was gone.” He said in a whispered tone.
“By then, I was in college and now I had a little sister to care for.”
“But I was dealing with everything in my own way and I couldn’t raise
her.” “So I sent Nicole to stay with relatives.” “My Aunt Ruth on my
mother’s side, she didn’t have any kids and welcomed Nicole with open
arms.” “It was what both of them needed, I think.” “They wanted me to
come live with them too, but I couldn’t.” “There were still a lot of
things and issues I needed to work through alone.” “I didn’t want to
burden them.”
Simone listened intently, almost not believing her father’s tale of
hardship and personal pain. She didn’t know what to say, so she just
listened while her tape recorder kept playing.
TC looked up at his young daughter. “Well, some years after I was still
holding in all of this pain inside.” “I truly didn’t think that there
was an upside to life.” “But I had to finish school, I went off to
Morehouse searching for a better life.” “So, I studied hard and
graduated, I would visit Nicole and Aunt Ruth a lot when I could.”
“Later, I went in for some more treatment for my knee and that’s about
the time I met your mother.”
Simone smiled, “And that’s when Mom changed your life, right.”
“Yes.” TC answered. “She did Sugar Bear, she helped me smile again.”
“And that was big, she won me over with her warm, loving personality.”
“She’s beautiful, perfect in every way.” TC continued on. “And she gave
me you and
Whitney two special gifts that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”
“Oh, Dad.” Simone blushed.
“It’s true, Sugar Bear.” TC said with a huge grin.
Simone laughed, beginning to smile brightly. Glancing downward for a
moment her cell phone started to ring.
“Oh sorry, Daddy.” She said stopping her tape recorder. “I’ll just be a
second.”
“Alright.” TC said sitting back in his chair left with his thoughts.
Simone gets up from her seat and walks out of the room. “Oh, its Kay.”
“Hey, Kay what’s up?” she asks answering the phone.
“Simone, where are you?” “You’re late!” “You know if I have to take
this dumb history class so do you.” Kay answered.
“History class?” “Oh, wait.” “Our history class, has it started
already?” Simone asked panicked looking at her watch.
“Yes.”
“Oh, man.” “I forgot, look Kay just take notes for me till I get there
okay.”
“Yeah, sure.” “But you better get here, this is usually my sleeping
period.” Kay told her.
“Whatever, see you there.” “Bye.” Simone replies hanging up.
Going back in her father’s office, Simone sees TC almost in a
trancelike state.
Quietly, she interrupts his thoughts and says, “That was Kay, Daddy.”
“I’m late for class, so can we cut this short?” she asked.
“Of course.” TC replies.
“Great.” Simone said packing up her things.
“Look, I understand you have school sweetie.” “That’s more important.”
“Well, thank you Daddy.” “Thank you, for sharing all of this with me, I
really appreciate it.” Simone told him reaching out to hug him.
“My pleasure, sweetheart.” TC replied embracing her in his arms.
“You know, I feel closer to Grandpa now knowing what you and he went
through.” “And you Daddy, I love you.” Simone whispered in his ear.
“I love you too, Sugar Bear.” “Be good at school okay, keep making me
proud.” He said.
“I will.” Simone said leaving.
“Yeah, keep making all of us proud.” TC said quietly to himself as he
reached over for a portrait of his late father.
He held on to the picture tightly, holding it up against his heart. “I
miss you Pop.” He thought staring out of the window...
Thursday afternoon, it’s around three o’clock Fox Crane sits
quietly at a little table in Harmony’s local Country club sipping on a
cappuccino, reading the recent stock exchange. Engrossed in his
newspaper he doesn’t realize it when someone comes up to him. Soon,
standing across from him they speak up, “Hello, Fox Crane.”
They say.
Fox looks up with curious eyes; soon a bright smile comes across his
face.
“Well, well, well.” “If it isn’t the most beautiful girl in the world.”
He states.
“Can I join you?” the person asks.
“Sure, of course you can.” Fox says standing up gesturing them to sit.
“So, are you surprised to see me?” they asked.
“Surprised isn’t the word for it, Blair.” “I can’t believe my eyes, the
beautiful Blair Carrington, the only woman I could never control sits
before me.” Fox said looking at her intently.
Blair laughs, “Well, that’s for sure.” “So, Crane how have you been?”
she asks dressed in a sleek looking pair of cream-colored pants and a
flattering off the shoulder wide necked turquoise sweater and silver
chain belt.
“Quite well actually.” “Better, now that you’re here.” Fox says.
“Thank you, I knew my company was always good.” She responds
with a bright smile.
“So, how long has it been since I last saw you?” He asks.
“Hmm, I guess about five years.” Blair replies.
“Really, that long.” “Man time goes by quick.” “So, Ms. Carrington what
brings you to Harmony?” Fox asks.
“Well, I live here now.” Blair told him sipping on her latte.
“What?”
“Yes, my family relocated here just this past summer.”
“Oh, yeah.” “Right, right Gabe told me that, I can’t believe I forgot
that.”
“It’s okay.” Blair says.
“So, but why?” “Why, leave the lavish lifestyle of New York for
Harmony?” Fox questions.
“Mainly, my Father’s request and other reasons like my getting into
Harmony’s medical program.” Blair says proudly.
“Well, you know that’s great.” “Really.” “You’re finally becoming that
doctor that you always wanted to be.” Fox says.
“Yes, I am.” She says with a bright smile. “As you know, I always go
after what I want.”
“Hmm, that was something that we always had in common.” Fox said.
“Yes, it was.” Blair replied blushing. “So, what have you been doing in
the last five years?”
“Oh well, you know me.” Fox said sitting back in his chair. “Some
traveling, and getting kicked out of school until I finally ended up
back here.”
“Well, I never did see you as the grounded type.” Blair admits.
“I guess.”
“You guess, please especially after you’re getting busted for your
little poker ring back at Waverly.” Blair said.
“Yeah, that definitely cost my family a pretty penny to fix.” Fox
states with a smirk, laughing.
“I bet.” “But, again thank you for letting Gabriel slip by through the
cracks during all of that.” Blair says gratefully.
“Oh, no problem he was just a kid.”
“Yeah, a kid who was busy playing poker at fourteen.” “It still makes
no sense to me.” Blair said shaking her head.
“Hey, you’ve got to learn a good poker face early.” Fox tells her.
Blair smiles, ”You’re still sly Fox as always.”
“Well, minus my past flaws I’m a changed man.” He announces.
“Oh, really.” “What, have you found religion or just a new trust fund
to raid?” Blair asks stirring her coffee.
“No, none of that.” “I’ve just found the love of a good woman.” Fox
tells her.
“Really, now its my turn to be surprised.” “Fox Crane, Mr.
Playboy International has found love.” “Well, why wasn’t I warned
before the world finally came to a crashing holt!” Blair said stunned.
Fox laughs, “You know Blair, you always were a drama queen.”
Blair giggles, “Thank you.” She replies. “So, who is this girl?”
“Someone, very special.” Fox admits.
“Well, she must be to capture your heart strings, that’s like trying to
pull teeth.” Blair says.
“There you go again, you were always something special Blair.” Fox says
with a bright smile.
“Yes, yes I know.” Blair gloats. “So, I heard you and Gabe had a quick
run in the other day.”
“Yeah, we did.” “I guess, our meeting was so short that I forgot about
seeing him.” “But, um your brother’s always been very cool.” Fox said.
“Thanks.”
“You know, I always admired that.” He says.
“What’s that?” Blair asks.
“Your closeness, with your brother.” “Being a Crane that’s not included
in my family DNA.”
“Oh, well I always thought that you were close to Iris and Ethan.”
Blair says.
“Hmp, Iris is one thing but Golden Boy Ethan and I have never been
close.” Fox told her.
“Hmm.” Blair wondered.
“So, Gabe.” “Is he still in school?” Fox asks.
“Yes.” “He’s attending Harmony University now.”
“Oh, under a photography scholarship.” Fox replied sipping his coffee.
“No, criminal justice I think.” Blair told him
“Oh.”
“Well Fox, my love.” “I’ve got to get going I only get a fifteen minute
break today.” “But here’s my number so you can call me.” Blair says
scribbling down her telephone number. “And you know, maybe this time we
can get together without there being five years in between us.”
“Oh, sure.” “Hey, maybe you and I can finally hook up like we were
suppose to back in boarding school.” Fox replies with flirty smile.
“Please, are you forgetting about your lady love already?” Blair asked.
“No, I’m just trying to get reacquainted with an old friend.” Fox said
coolly.
“Oh sure, you are Crane.” Blair says smiling. “But you know, were not
kids anymore I could really hurt you now.”
“Well, I look forward to the challenge, Blair.” “You were always a
worthy opponent in anything.”
“Yes, I was.” “Wasn’t I?” “See, you later.” She said with a flirty
smile leaving the table.
Fox watches her leave he had to blush to himself the feisty, lovely
Blair Carrington had just reappeared back in his life and in Harmony of
all places. “What, was next?” He thought to himself.
Now, at the moment it’s late in the evening where we encounter
Lane Carrington at home in the Carrington household entertaining his
childhood friend, the wealthy, Julian Crane.
The two men sat in his study, listening to old records, drinking
various brandies and chatting about old times.
Julian sits in a huge, lounge chair listening to the sounds of a piano
being played, he grabs a hold his large glass of imported brandy and
takes a long sip.
“Aah!” he said after. “Remarkable, Lane.” “Just excellent.” He says
suddenly.
“Thank you.” Lane replies sitting nearby.
“Look, at all of this you’ve got a emaciate home, lovely family, you’ve
got a life.” “You made a life.” Julian notes picking up one of the
Carrington family portraits.
“Hmm, well it’s been a long road to get here Julian.” Lane tells him.
“Aah, but you did it.” “You’ve even made an career out of your music,
listen to that playing.” “That’s something you’ve created.” Julian
credits gesturing to Lane’s record playing.
“Thanks, old man I’m glad you like it.” “I composed it myself, yeah
that score took me about a month to get just right.” Lane says as he
reaches up to turn up the sound on the playing record. “This is one of
Julia’s favorite songs.”
“Well, this is rare.” Julian says.
“What’s that?” Lane asks sitting back in his club chair.
“This, seeing you after all this time.” “You in Harmony, again
I thought I’d never see the day.” Julian said.
“Me, either.” Lane admits. “So, Crane what’s happened in the last
twenty years or so?”
Julian turns and looks at him and in his oh-so serious deep voice he
says, “Oh, nothing.” “I’ve just been married to an Ice Queen for the
past twenty years.” “Living day in and day out in misery, sharing my
life, my house, my money with a woman that I utterly despised.” “Giving
her everything, she so rigidity desired.”
“Oh, that deep a connection huh?” Lane replied.
“Ivy, is as poisonous as she seems and more.” “I am so pleased to be
rid of her, thankfully to my attorneys.” Julian said raising a toast.
“Yes, I read up on some of her secrets, you know about Ethan in the
press.”
“I still can’t believe he’s a Bennett.” Julian remarks bitterly.
“But, that’s old news and you?” he turned and asked.
“About the same, less rockiness though.” Lane tells him. “I married a
confident, goal oriented, beautiful woman, and had a couple kids.” “I
have traveled just about everywhere touring, opening galleries.” “And
all that success wouldn’t have come unless I left and destroyed my
family, I’ve been estranged from them till now.” “It’s a happy story,
don’t you think?”
Julian paused answering his friend’s question, and then put down his
drink. “You know, Lane you’re better off without your family.” “They
only cause you grief.” He replied speaking from personal experience.
Lane laughs, “You sure didn’t think that before.” “Hell, you almost
decked me when I told you I was leaving for good way back then.”
“Well, I admit it.” “I was wrong.” “I’ve been wrong about a lot of
things since then.” “God only knows.” Julian says.
“You wrong?” “Now that’s something I thought I’d never hear.”
“In all honestly Lane, you were smart.” “You had me worried, but you
were smart enough to get out of the fold while you had a chance.”
Julian tells him.
“You think so, Julian?”
“Yes, I can just imagine how my life would have been had I left
Alistair.” “A thousand times happier than I am now.”
“Well, the definition of happiness is overrated.” Lane told him.
“Of course, but had I left I wouldn’t have all of the power that comes
with the Crane name but I would have more like you do.” “More
happiness, contentment, everything I really want.” Julian continued.
“Yeah, I guess.” “But Julian, you have no idea of the pain I’ve
caused.” “My mother, Leigh, Logan and Father.” “I hurt lot of people
when I left.” Lane told him.
“Well, before I thought you were crazy to leave, everything!” “The
money, women, wealth.” Julian says with a laugh.
Lane nods and chuckle, “Yes, those were the days.” “Staying in the
finest places, drinking till noon on a Tuesday.”
“It was like we had our own world, Julian.”
“I know, it was and we did, we were out of control.” Julian responds
with a chuckle.
“Julian, remember Vegas during our finals?” Lane mentions.
“Yes, that was fun.” “And Lila, and Bambi. . .” Julian shares with a
devilishly laugh.
“Yes, especially after we . . .” “And the women, infamous in their own
right.” Lane continues.
"Delightful creatures.” Julian says.
“So, Lane tell me.” “Does Julia know the full story about all of your
many nights with the fair sex?” Julian questions.
“Julian, now you know some things we keep to our graves.” Lane remarks.
“True.” Julian said raising his glass.
“Hey, remember Boston?”
“Of course.”
“Yeah, we there a long time.” “I think there I started to get that
itch.” Lane expresses.
“Itch?” Julian questions.
“For more, then Edward’s dreams for me.” “You know, my so-called
destiny!”
“Oh, your old man and his destiny kick!” Julian said rolling his eyes.
“Hell, I still remember the lectures.” Lane said rolling his eyes.
“But, yeah I think that Boston was the start of it all.” “What about
you?”
“Back then I was different, Lane.” “One of the only things that I miss
most is my time with Eve.”
“Eve?” “Eve Johnson.” Lane replies.
“Yes, I adored her.”
“I remember her face, it was beautiful, and her voice was like an
angel’s sweet and pure.” Lane expressed.
“And so, it was till I corrupted her.” Julian says.
“I wonder, what ever happened to her?” Lane says reaching to grab his
records.
“She’s married now with two daughters.” “To TC Russell of all people.”
Julian tells.
“What, TC?” “Mr. Tennis Champ, wow things have changed.” “How’d they
get to together?”
“Damn, lucky man.” “Who the hell knows?” “All I know is that I needed
Eve, I loved her.”
“I know.” “But she was special, and you didn’t deserve her.” Lane told
him.
“What?”
“Julian, you didn’t deserve her.” “You left her, I was there.” “I saw
it all, remember?” “You abandoned her, all alone.” “With no one, no
parents, barely any friends, you were a real bastard back then!” Lane
says.
“Well, I guess I was.” Julian admits. “But I loved her, really Lane I
did.”
“I know.” “I knew then.” Lane said quietly.
“Then, why didn’t you stop me back then from making the biggest mistake
of my life marrying Ivy?” Julian asks getting upset. “You were my
friend.”
“Julian, now you know me.” “You know what I was going through then
too.” “I couldn’t help myself, how was I going to help you?” Lane asked.
Julian breathes deeply. “Maybe you’re right.” “But, I guess Lane I just
needed someone in my corner, Eve was already taken away form me, and
then suddenly my best friend in the world was gone too.” “I needed you
there.”
“Well, now, I see why you were so bitter back then.” Lane tells.
“Yes, well we all make mistakes.” Julian mutters.
“True.” Lane says nodding his head. “But, you have to know that I am
sorry for leaving like I did back then.” “It’s just you know me, my
family, Edward…” “He can be so demanding and tiring.” “And after all
those years of constant, ridiculous ridicule …” Lane babbles.
“Lane, Lane, stop.” “I know, you needed to get away.”
“Yes, yes I did.”
“It’s the past now, let’s let it be.” Julian said.
“Okay.” “But, tell me one last thing.”
“What’s that?” Julian asks.
“Eve.” “How do you know so much about her?” “About her life?” “What are
you still keeping tabs on her?” Lane inquires.
“She’s here Lane.” Julian tells. “She lives here in Harmony now.”
“What?” “So you’ve seen her, talked to her?” Lane asks surprised.
“Yes.” “From time to time, we’ll see one other.” “But other than that
we keep our distances.” “I’m here for Eve, as a friend, and confidant
for some comfort when she needs me.” Julian says.
“Oh, so not a lover then?” Lane asks.
“No, but I still care for her greatly.”
“Hmm.”
“You know, that it’s Eve’s biggest fear is her family finding out about
her past with me.”
“You’re telling me that they don’t know?!” Lane said stunned eyeing
Julian.
“No, nothing at all.” “Now, she’s a mother and wife, doctor.” “They
have no idea of the past we share.” “Not that I blame her for keeping
it a secret, I was rotten to her.” Julian says.
“Uh, huh.” “A doctor, huh?” “With that voice of hers.” “I would have
never guessed she’d become a doctor.” Lane said processing all of the
information.
“Yeah, she’s very good at what she’s does Lane.” “Eve’s very respected,
almost perfect in a way.” “She’s adored by her family.”
“And TC doesn’t know a thing?” Lane questioned. “About you two, at all?”
“No, nothing.” “Eve wants it that way, she’s afraid of him and they’re
girls knowing the truth.” “It would destroy her.”
“Well, I understand.” “So, she’s married to TC and has two girls.” Lane
repeated out loud.
“Yes, two beautiful, well mannered daughters and its Eve’s big fear of
her girls turning into something unrespectable and demeaning.” Julian
says.
“Well, I guess it’s all chalked up to the pasts we’ve made.”
“They effect us greatly in the present.” Lane said getting another
drink.
“Yes, they do.” Julian replied. “That they do indeed.” He said with a
heavy sigh.
Chapter Nineteen ~ The Pasts We've Made