XVII
"Ethan," Gwen said firmly.
Ethan didn't get up nor did he turn around to face her. Instead he sat on the
ground feeling defeated, lost, and broken. He lifted his head slightly. "What?"
He mumbled hoarsely. Ethan felt guilty, but he also felt resentment towards
Gwen. He couldn't believe that Gwen would take their daughter away from him.
Then again, he knew why she was doing it. He knew it was because of his
actions- of his inability to dedicate himself fully to their family.
"Have you said goodbye?" She asked coldly.
Ethan stood up and turned slowly to glare at Gwen. "What's the use?" He
retorted. "She's not even going to remember."
Gwen pursed her lips in anger. "You don't have to be such an ass." She snapped.
"You don't have to be such a bitch." Ethan crossed his arms.
"Get out." Gwen said in a menacing tone. "Now."
Ethan looked at Gwen with a mixture of disbelief and disgust. "I was a fool for
choosing to marry you."
The words stung Gwen. His words were sharp and so hurtful that they brought
tears to Gwen's eyes. She fought them back and defiantly lifted her head. "I
was a fool for ever loving you. God, Ethan, I loved you with all of my heart
and soul and what did you do to me? You shoved me away for Theresa- some delusional
girl who believed you two were destined to be together. Well you know what? You
two deserve each other. You're both despicable. I can't even stomach the
sight of you. I hate you!" Gwen cried.
Sarah awoke with a start and began crying from being abruptly awakened from
sleep. Her loud cries pierced the air.
"Now look what you did." Gwen said as she rushed over to her daughter.
"You were the one who was yelling." Ethan remarked. "Stop trying to
blame everything on me."
Gwen tried placating her fussy daughter. "Get out, Ethan." She said glaring at
him. "You're just making it worse."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "I'll be back later for my things." He said angrily as
he stormed out of the door.
Sarah's cries didn't die down. Gwen's head began pounding. She sat in the
rocker with her daughter and tried desperately to stop her daughter's cries. It
was no use. Gwen bent her head and let the tears fall. Mother and daughter both
cried themselves to exhaustion.
~*~
Ethan slammed the front door and walked quickly to his car. He drove recklessly
through Harmony streets still fuming from the argument with Gwen. After nearly
running over a stray dog, Ethan pulled over. He took a few deep breaths to calm
himself down. Ethan rubbed his eyes. He glanced at himself in the rearview
mirror. Ethan couldn't even recognize his own reflection. "What kind of man
have I turned into?" He asked himself.
Ethan got out of his car and walked. He aimlessly strolled through the small
town and occasionally passed people he knew. They glanced at him with concern,
and asked him how he was doing. Ethan gave them all a forced smile and told
them that he was just out for a stroll. Their sympathetic gazes drove Ethan
insane. He walked back to his car. After putting the car in gear, Ethan paused.
"Where do I go now?" He thought. Ethan searched his pockets for his wallet.
"I'll just get a hotel." He thought to himself. "Where's my damn wallet?" He
thought frustrated. Ethan cursed when he realized he had left it sitting on the
nightstand. He hit the wheel in frustration and anger. Nothing was going right.
Ethan turned off the ignition and sat in his car contemplating possible places
where he could stay. "Mother," Ethan thought. Ethan turned his car on and drove
to the Crane Mansion. Ethan walked quickly
to the door and rang the doorbell.
"Phyllis," Ethan said breathlessly when she opened the door. "Mr. Winthrop."
Phyllis said in surprise. "May I help you?"
"My mother, I need to see her." Ethan said urgently.
"Let him in." Ivy instructed.
"Yes ma'm." Phyllis said as
she motioned for Ethan to enter.
Ethan walked over to his mother. He couldn't decipher the expression on her
face. "Mother, is something bothering you?" He asked warily.
"What the hell were you thinking Ethan!" Ivy suddenly
yelled. "My God, Ethan! Why couldn't you just let
Theresa go?"
"What?" Ethan said unable to say anything else.
"It's your fault that Gwen wants this divorce. It's all your
fault Ethan."
"Mother." Ethan said in disbelief. "I~"
"I don't want to hear it Ethan. Your behavior is inexcusable."
"But Mother~" Ethan protested.
"But nothing, Ethan. Don't even think about trying to
stay here. I won't allow it."
"I can't believe~"
"Get out." Ivy interrupted coldly.
"You're throwing me out?" Ethan said in disbelief. "I'm your son!"
"As of this moment I take no claim of you. You've upset me too much. I don't
want to even look at you right now. Leave Ethan."
Ethan was rendered speechless. He walked to his car still shocked from his
mother's words. He sat in his car and drove off still in a daze. He drove to
the one place where he felt he would find someone who would show him
compassion. He was going to see Theresa.
~*~
Angela sat alone in her darkened room. "Mommy?" Belle
said as she peeked into the room.
"What?" Angela asked tiredly.
"Do you know where my dolly is? I can't find her." Belle said quietly.
"I don't know. Angela replied. "Go find something else to play with."
"Okay," Belle said. "Mommy," She said.
"Hm?" Angela asked.
"Why are you sitting in the dark?" Belle asked.
"I like the dark." Angela replied simply, "Now go and play."
Belle closed the door leaving Angela immersed in darkness. Her soul felt heavy.
She was slowly sinking into depression. In a few minutes, Angela knew she would
reach into her medicine cabinet to pull out a syringe. It was the only escape
from the pain Angela felt day by day. The syringe held her only comfort.
Angela hadn't always been this way. Long before she had gotten pregnant, Angela
was a promising business student who went to New York for the opportunity
to advance her career. Yes, she had once been involved with the charming Fox
Crane, but it meant nothing to her nor Fox.
While in New York, Angela had long
forgotten about her short fling with the witty Crane and moved on with another
man. He was smart, handsome, and a very successful businessman. His name was
Joshua Wright, and he appeared to be perfect. Joshua helped Angela with her
business career and in the process he stole her heart. Angela worked closely
with Joshua. They often flirted with each other, but that's as far as it had
gone until Angela decided to do something audacious. One night while alone, and
working together Angela kissed Joshua.
The kiss initiated their relationship. Joshua asked for Angela to keep their
relationship quiet, for he claimed it was unprofessional for them to date.
Angela believed him whole heartedly because she was in love. Angela and Joshua
began to have intimate relations. Joshua never invited Angela to his place. He
was always at hers, but Angela didn't mind. She was high on love.
It wasn't until a month later into the relationship that Angela found out the
real reason why her relationship with Joshua was kept a secret. She followed
him home one night, curious about where he lived. She tailed him to a quaint
little home that had small toys strewn all over the yard. The home didn't look
like the home of bachelor. It looked like the home of a family man.
Angela felt sick to her stomach when she watched her lover open the door to be
greeted by his wife and three small children. Angela had gone home to her
apartment upset and angered. The next day at work, she yelled at him in front
of everyone in the office. As a result, Angela was fired from her job and was
left unemployed and alone.
After obtaining a part-time job at a department store, Angela went to a doctor.
She had been feeling queasy and on one occasion she had passed out. Angela was
no longer going to be alone. She was pregnant.
~*~
"Tell me about your wife." Theresa said quietly.
Justin swallowed nervously. He hadn't expected to talk to anyone about his wife
after her disappearance, but Justin felt compelled to tell Theresa everything.
He felt that he could trust her with his feelings. He knew she wouldn't judge
him. He knew that she would listen. "Lindsay was beautiful." Justin said
softly. "She looks kind of like you."
Theresa frowned. She shifted uncomfortably. "I don't mean it in a creepy way,"
Justin said immediately when he sensed Theresa's discomfort.
"Go on," Theresa said.
"Anyhow, she had these wonderful and warm brown eyes that took in everything. She
had this ability to take everything she saw and put them into words on paper.
She was this amazing writer. You could actually see, feel, hear, and smell
anything she described even though they were simply words. She was so
intelligent, so full of life. She was witty, caring, and sweet. She was also a
hopeless romantic." Justin smiled as he thought lovingly about his wife.
"She always wanted children," Justin said. "Before she disappeared we were
talking about having children." Justin eyes began filling with tears.
Theresa touched Justin's arm comfortingly. "You don't have to keep going if you
don't want to."
Justin nodded. "Okay," He said as he wiped his eyes. "It's hard." He admitted.
Theresa nodded sympathetically. "I know, but it's
okay."
"Thanks." Justin said. "Thanks for understanding."
"No problem. You can talk to me anytime you need to." Theresa offered.
"Believe me, Theresa." Justin said. "I probably will."
~*~
"Why didn't you ask Theresa where the first aid kit was before you offered to
go get it?" Chad asked as he watched
Whitney scurrying to find the kit.
"You'd think it'd be in the bathroom." Whitney said. "But it's not."
"It's right here." Fox said holding it in his hands. Little Ethan reached for
the plastic container.
"Where was it?" Whitney asked.
"In mine and Theresa's bathroom." Fox answered.
"Oh." Whitney replied. "Well, can I have it? Justin's bleeding."
"So was I." Fox replied.
Whitney rolled her eyes. "Yeah, but you started the fight."
"I know." Fox replied. "And I'm not too proud of myself either. Now, if you'll
excuse me, I'm going to apologize for being such an asshole."
"You're not going to start another fight now are you?" Whitney asked warily.
"No," Fox said. "I'm already in enough trouble with Theresa."
~*~
Justin looked up when he saw the front door open. "Uh-oh.
Lover boy's back."
Theresa looked at Fox and crossed her arms. She set her lips in a firm line and
raised her eyebrows in wariness.
"I come in peace." Fox said as he handed Justin the first aid kit.
"Thanks." Justin mumbled.
Fox shifted Little Ethan in his arms. "I brought someone to see you." He said
quietly to Theresa.
"Not fair," Theresa frowned. "You brought him so I couldn't yell at you,
right?"
"Maybe," Fox said sheepishly. "But I'm sorry." He said.
"Don't tell me." Theresa said. "Tell him," Theresa said nodding to Justin who
was attempting to clean his cut lip.
Fox walked over to Justin. "Look, I'm sorry I jumped on you."
"That hurt like hell." Justin admitted.
Fox held out his hand. "Are we okay?"
Justin looked at Fox's hand warily. "You're not going to do anything to hurt me
again are you? Because I may be forced to kick your ass."
Fox smirked. "No, I won't hurt you again." Justin shook Fox's hand. "Well, I
better be going." Justin replied.
"Why don't you stay for lunch?" Theresa asked.
Fox looked at her in surprise. Theresa looked back at Fox. "After all," She
said. "It's the least we can do. Right Fox?"
"Uh- sure." Fox said.
"Great, I'm starved." Justin said.
"Why don't you head inside and ask Whit and Chad to stay too? Fox and
I will be in a minute."
"Would you like me to take your son in?" Justin offered.
"I think I should hang on to him." Fox frowned. "Theresa's freakishly strong ya know. It might be wise if I kept little Ethan here."
"Okay," Justin laughed. "I'll leave you three alone."
"Fox," Theresa said crossing her arms and tapping her foot. "Why did you jump
to conclusions?"
Fox looked down at the ground. Little Ethan tugged Fox's ear. "I was-uh-
jealous." Fox said quietly.
"Why?" Theresa asked. "There's no need to be jealous."
"Easy for you to say." Fox replied.
"Fox," Theresa said sighing. "I married you. You told me that the only woman
you have eyes for is me. Well, Fox the only man I have eyes for is you, all
right?"
Fox looked at Theresa with a loving gaze. Little Ethan smiled at his mother.
Theresa went up to both of them and kissed them on the cheek. "Why would I want
to leave this?" She asked as she wrapped her arms around Fox. Fox smiled and
wrapped his free arm around Theresa.
Theresa, Fox, and Little Ethan were a sweet picture as they embraced each other
in the driveway. Whitney, Chad, and Justin watched
from the living room window. "Would you look at that?" Whitney. "That's the
cutest thing I've ever seen."
Justin smiled sadly. "I wish I had that." He said softly.
"What's that?" Chad asked.
"Nothing." Justin replied. "I just wish I had a family
of my own to embrace." Justin thought sadly.
~*~
