Chapter 10

Everyone stairs in disbelief at the person who has just entered the room.
Pilar: Oh, thank you God! Mi bambina!
Theresa holds her arms open with tears running down her face.
Theresa: Paloma!
Paloma equally emotional runs to Theresa and they hug tightly.
Paloma: Mi hermona.
They hold each other and cry as everyone wipes their own tears. The girls pull back and look at each other still holding hands.
Theresa: I'm so, so happy to see you.
Paloma nods still very emotional.
Paloma: I...I wasn't going to come. But...but Kay convinced me I needed to.
Everyone turns to Kay who smiles and blushes.
Kay: I can't fix everything but I'll fix what I can.
Luis: And that's only one of the million reasons I love you.
He kisses her softly.
Pilar: Muchos gracious Kay.
Theresa: Thank you Kay.
Pilar hugs Kay and then goes to Paloma who pulls back when Pilar tries to hug her. Pilar tries to hide her hurt.
Pilar: Mija, it's so good to see you. How long are you home for?
Paloma: I don't know.
Theresa: I hope you are here for a while. Your nieces and nephews would love to finally meet you.
Paloma: I will stay for a while I just don't know how long.
Luis: Well, it's great to have you here.
Luis tries to hug her but she pushes him away.
Theresa: Paloma...
Luis: Hey sis come on.
Paloma: Look, I came back because Theresa is sick and Kay said she needed me. I'm not going to pretend that everything is great with us. I'm not saying thing can't improve but let's not act like everything is perfect with us. The two of you are the ones who sent me away.
Kay: Paloma I...
Paloma: Kay, logically I understand it but I'm not going to tell you it didn't break my heart!
Luis: And you think it didn't break ours!
Paloma: Well, it sure didn't seem to!
Pilar: Mija!
Ethan stands up.
Ethan: Enough! My wife doesn't need this stress! If you're going to argue then get out!
Theresa: But Paloma just go here. Please don't go Paloma we have so much to catch up on.
Kay seeing how upset and angry Luis is and how emotional Pilar is makes a decision.
Kay: Luis, honey, why don't we go get some coffee and call the sitter to see how the kids are doing.
She catches her mothers eye and Grace nods. Kay begins to edge Luis to the door.
Kay: Come on, Theresa and Paloma need some time to catch up.
Grace moves over to Pilar and wraps a comforting arm around her.
Grace: Let's go get a bite to eat. I don't know about you but I'm starved.
Pilar let's Grace lead her out of the room right behind Luis and Kay. Sam gives Ethan a supportive pat on the arm.
Sam: I'll be down in the cafeteria if you need me.
Ethan nods
Ethan: Thanks Dad.
Sam nods and leaves.
Chad: We'd better check on the kids.
Whitney nods
Whitney: I'll be out in a minute you go ahead.
Chad nods and leaves.
Whitney: Paloma, may I have a word with you?
Paloma nods and the two move out of ear shot of Theresa and Ethan.
Whitney: Look, I'm glad you are here. Theresa is thrilled to see you and I want her happy. I love her like a sister. But I also want her well and that means she has to avoid upset. So unless you can control yourself and treat your family with a little more respect I suggest you leave. Cause right now your bitterness is the last thing this family needs to deal with.
Before Paloma can respond Whitney walks over to Theresa and Ethan and hugs them.
Whitney: I'll be back later.
Then she leaves.
Ethan: I'd better go check in on the kids. Paloma it's nice to see you again, I hope you do stay awhile.
Theresa: Give the kids my love.
Ethan nods and kisses her then leaves. Theresa pats the side of her bed indicating Paloma to sit down.
Theresa: I really am glad you're here.
Paloma laughs trying not to seem bitter.
Paloma: Oh come on you have Whitney and Kay.
Theresa smiles at her and takes her hand.
Theresa: But they aren't my sister. Yes, they are wonderful, dear friends. But you are my sister, and sisters are forever. You know family is family no matter how far apart we are Paloma. You will always be my sister, and I will always love you and need you.
Paloma has a flash back to an earlier time. She and Theresa are in the back yard. Paloma has just fallen down the back steps and is crying. Theresa jumps out of the sand box and goes running to her. She hugs Paloma tightly.
Theresa: Don't cry, I'll make it better.
She then grabs a stick and pretending it's a magic wand starts waving it around.
Theresa: I make boo boo go bye bye.
Paloma starts giggling at her sister.
She then flashes to a night a few years down the road from then. Both girls are sitting in their bed room crying.
Paloma: Why did Daddy leave?!
Theresa: I don't know, I don't know. But...but Mama says he'll come back.
Paloma: I'm scared. Is everyone going to leave.
Theresa: No! No, we are a family. And family doesn't leave.
Paloma: But Mama said she doesn't know how she's going to care for all of us alone!
Theresa hugs Paloma close.
Theresa: You are my sister and we'll always be sisters. Even if we aren't together we're sisters. And sisters are forever.
Paloma softened by the memories now allows the tears to re fill her eyes.
Paloma: I still love and need you too.
The sisters hug once more and Theresa begins to cry. Paloma realizes it is now Theresa who needs her.
Paloma: No tears Mi hermona. I'm here, and I won't leave you, I promise.
Eve sits in her office and takes a deep breath then picks up the phone and dials a number the phone rings and rings until voice mail picks up.
Eve: Hi, it's me. Listen, I know you haven't wanted much to do with any of us recently but I also believe that despite everything you still love your family. And...and right now your family needs you. Please, call me.
Eve hangs up. Just then there is a knock at her door.
Eve: Come in?
A nurse enters.
Nurse: Dr. Russell this note was just delivered by messenger for you.
The nurse hands Eve the note.
Eve: Thank you.
Nurse: You're welcome.
The nurse leaves as Eve opens it.
Eve
Your presence is urgently needed at the Blue Bird Blue's Club. Hurry.
Eve searches for a signature but finds none. Her interest peaked she gets her coat and heads out. Soon she arrives at the club which appears empty from the outside. When she walks in all the lights are out except for a candle burning at the center table which has two perfect roses in a vase beside it. Along with two wine glasses filled up with what appears to be white wine. There is also a blue spot light lighting up a small portion of the stage.
Eve: hello? Anyone here?
Just then Julian comes up behind a surprised Eve and wraps his arms around her as he kisses her neck and places a rose in her hand.
Julian: A rose by any other name would have to be Eve.
Eve laughs as she turns to face him.
Eve: What on earth are you up to?
She lovingly stairs up at him as he holds her close.
Julian: Well, it's our anniversary of course.
Eve stops her mind racing trying to figure out what anniversary she has forgotten.
Julian: Today is the day that I heard your beautiful voice sing for the first time. And I thought it was only right to commemorate it in a blue's club.
Eve shakes her head and smiles.
Eve: It's amazing the little things you remember.
Julian: When it comes to you my dear I remember everything.
Eve: Do you remember the night everything came out? I knew things were over with TC and I was so afraid my whole life was going to be over too. And you got me back up on that stage?
Julian laughs thinking back.
Julian: How could I not? It's not everyday a Crane sings you know.
He flashes back to the packed club. Eve is back stage crying tears of relief and fear. Whitney is trying to comfort her as she works to understand.
Whitney: Mom...listen. I love you, and nothing, nothing is going to change that. Please, calm down. I don't know how, but things will work out. I just know they will. You still have me, you still have your career. I think your friends will come around in time. And...and maybe you and Dad will work things out. Or...or maybe you and Julian will get back together. I mean, I know he still has feelings for you.
Just then they hear music begin to play and Chad runs up to them.
Chad: You guys have got to see this!
He practically drags them both to the side of the stage. They pear out and gasp when they see Julian on stage.
Julian: Livin my life in a slow hill, different girl every night at the hotel, i ain't seen the sun shine in three damn days. fuelin up on cocain and whiskey, wish I had a good girl to miss me, Lord I wonder if i'll ever change my ways.
I put your picture away, sat down and cried today, I can't look at you while i'm lying next to her, I put your picture away, sat down and cried tdoay, I can't look at you while i'm lying next to her!
Eve is over come with emotion and with a small push from Whitney and Chad takes the stage. Julian turns to look at her as everyone gasps and Eve begins to sing.
Eve: I called you last night in the hotel, everyone knows but they won't tell, but their half hearted smiles tells my something, just ain't right, I've been waiting on you for a long time, fueling up on heartaches and cheap wine, i ain't heard from you in three damn nights.
I put your picture away, I wonder where you've been, i can't look at you while i'm lyin next to him, I put your picture away, I wonder where you've been, i can't look at you while i'm lying next to him.
I saw you yesterday with an old friend.
Julian: it was the same ol same have you been.
Eve&Julian: since you've been gone my worlds been dark and gray. you reminded my of brighter days, I hoped you were coming home to stay, i was headed to church, i was off to drink you away!
Eve: I've thought about you for a long time, can't seem to get you off mind. I can't understand why we're livin life this way.
Eve&Julian: I found your picture today, I swear I'll change my ways, I just called to say I want you to come back home, i found your picture today, i swear i'll change my ways, i just called to say i love you, come back home.
The song ends and Julian and Eve stand before one another holding hands.
Eve and Julian smile at each other both moved by the memory.
Eve: It's amazing.
Julian: What?
Eve: That night started out being the worst night of my life, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.
Julian smiles
Julian: I couldn't agree more Mrs. Crane.
He pulls her into a long passion filled kiss.

Miguel sits at the bar trying to sort out his head.
Miguel: Why did I start wanting Kay as soon as she wanted someone else? And why the minute I married Charity did I stop wanting her? What's the matter with me? And why can't I connect with my own kids? What kind of man am I? Here I am drinking my life away, in love with my brothers wife, unable to love my own wife and kids, and I can't seem to feel anything but numb sadness for my sister who may die! Maybe Antonio had the right idea. Maybe I should just go away. They'd all probably be better off without me.
Miguel sighs heavily.
Miguel: Why is life so freaken hard?
Miguel slams some money on the bar and stumbles out. He gets in his car and thinks for a minute.
Miguel: I can't go home. I can't pretend I love Charity. But I can't steel my brothers wife. No matter how much I love her I just can't. I can't help my sister, and my family is ashamed of me. I can't love my kids and I don't have a clue why. I guess there is only one thing to do.
He starts the car and drives off.

Chad and Whitney are driving along.
Whitney: Chad where are we going? I don't want to leave Theresa alone, what if she needs something?
Chad: There are plenty of people there who can help her, and she has your cell phone number. You need a break.
Whitney sighs knowing he's right.
Whitney: So where are we going?
Chad: You'll see.
Chad takes Whitney to the old recording studio. Whitney laughs.
Whitney: A trip down memory lane I see.
Chad laughs.
Chad: Well it is where we began.
Whitney smiles thinking back. Whitney had cut herself off from her father. Told him she was going to live her own life and fallow her own dreams. That he could either except her and Chad, and except her not playing tennis and singing instead. Or he could simply not be in her life but those were the only choices. To which her father had told her to take a hike. She had shown up on Chad's door crying. He had held her most of the night. And in the morning he'd played a beautiful love song for her and asked her to merry him. This had also been the place she'd excitedly barged in on him in the middle of a recording session with one of the hottest groups of the day and announced to everyone that she was pregnant with their first child.
Whitney: Yes, this place is all us.
They go in and Whitney is surprised to find a fully set table with good china and her favorite foods. Also candles are burning and soft music is playing.
Whitney: When did you...?
Chad smiles
Chad: You're lucky to have such a great step Dad. He was more then happy to help.
Whitney smiles and shakes her head.
Whitney: It's amazing what a great guy Julian is.
Whitney turns to Chad and wraps her arms around him then smiles up at him lovingly
Whitney: But not as great as you my love. You knew just what I needed. You always do.
Chad: And I always will.
They kiss tenderly and then more passionately.

Paloma comes out of Theresa's room and finds Pilar walking towards her. The two stop and look at each other closely.
Pilar: Do you really believe I wanted to send you away Mija? Do you honestly think it didn't tear my heart into to send my baby off? How can you not know how much it grieved me? I cried every night. I prayed everyday that God would give me away to have all my children under one roof again one day. I did not want things like this. How can you think I did? do you really not no me at all? You are my baby. I love you with all I am.
Paloma looks at her mother with tears in her eyes.
Paloma: Then why did you choose me? Why was I the one sent away? Why not one of the others? What made me less important!
Pilar: Dios Mio! You cannot believe that you were ever or could ever be less important! How can you say that!
Paloma: How can you not see why I feel that way?!
Pilar: But it's not true!
Paloma: Then explain it!
Pilar takes a deep breath trying to pull herself together.
Pilar: When your Papa and Antonio disappeared there was no way I could support all of us. We were near homeless as it was. Choices had to be made. If we'd stayed together we'd have ended up out on the street. That is the sad reality. I needed Luis to help me. He was the oldest by default and I needed his help caring for the others and bringing in whatever money he could. Theresa was already so far along in school and had so many close bonds with friends I just felt that she was to old to be up rooted. I thought you or Miguel would be a wiser choice. You were both younger and there for in my opinion more resilient and wouldn't have as hard of a time starting over. I new it would be hard on all of us no matter who I chose. I knew that I'd be hurting a child of mine and it broke me. But I had no choice and as I said after speaking with Eve and a few other doctors I was fairly certain that it would be easier for you or Miguel instead of Theresa.
Paloma: So then what you just flipped a coin?
Pilar: No! Of course not! How dare you make light of such a painful and difficult decision!
Paloma sighs
Paloma: Okay, okay I'm sorry. So how did you make it?
Pilar: Eve told me that since your Aunt Maria lived out in the country and Miguel has such bad allergies and you have none it made more medical sense for you to go. I took everything into consideration and I made the best choice I could where there simply was no good choices.
Paloma is crying.
Paloma: But Mama, it was harder because I was young. I was so scared! I felt abandoned and alone. I had no idea what was going on or why it was happening. Yes, when I got older it was explained but, for a long time I thought I had been given away because you didn't want me!
Pilar shakes her head sadly tears racing down her own face.
Pilar: I'm so sorry Mija, I'm so sorry you thought that. I was only doing the best I could. But I pray you now know how much I love you and why I did what I did. I'm so sorry. I love you Paloma I love you so much.
Paloma: I love you too Mama.
They hug each other both crying.

Miguel stands at the pay phone as it rings and rings. Soon he hears his Mama's voice come on telling him to leave a message. Miguel takes a deep breath as he rubs his head trying to pull his thoughts together.
Miguel: Mama, it's me Miguel. I...look I know I'm a disappointment to you. And I know I'm a failure as a husband and a father. Not to mention a brother and a son. I've been doing some thinking and I think Antonio had the right idea. If you have nothing to offer you might as well hit the road. Please know I love you and tell Theresa I'm praying for her. I wish there was another way but I don't think there is. I'm sorry to be leaving like this but I just don't see another way. Good bye.
Miguel hangs up as they call his plane to board he heads towards the gate. As he boards Miguel turns back one last time and takes a long look.
Miguel: Good bye.
He then turns and quickly boards the plane.

Charity is reading on the couch when she suddenly starts having a vision. She sees Miguel walking away from her and the kids. She keeps calling to him but he won't respond. There is a thick mist around them and as he walks away he vanishes into it. She hugs her children and cries. Then suddenly she hears Miguel's voice call out her name. She looks up and sees him coming out of the mist. Only he isn't alone. There is someone walking by his side. She can't see who it is or even if it's a man or woman but the person and Miguel seem to be very close. The vision then shifts. She sees Pilar crying and hugging someone but she can't make out who Pilar is hugging. She then feels someone's arm around her but she can't figure out who it is, only that she loves the person. Just as quickly as the vision starts it ends.

Ethan and Luis meet up in the hall at the hospital.
Luis: How are the kids?
Ethan: Fine, fine.
Ethan shakes his head.
Ethan: It's amazing how kids just go right along. How the world just keeps going no matter what, you know? I mean, here we are facing this horrible thing and the world...it just keeps going. The kids are playing, people are going along with their lives. You'd think nothing was happening. And yet...
Ethan shakes his head sighs and rubs his tired face.
Luis: And yet for us the worlds not moving at all. I know man, I know. I remember when Sheridan was sick. I just, I just wanted the world to stop. I wanted everything and everyone to just stop and see what was going on.
Ethan nods
Ethan: I've been thinking a lot about Sheridan these past couple days.
Luis: It's hard not to.
Ethan: Yeah, but I wish I could stop. You know Eve, she, she did everything right and even so...
Ethan's emotions begin to take control.
Ethan: I can't lose her Luis. I...I can't. I mean, what, what's a life without Theresa? What's the world without Theresa? She's, she's everything to me. If...if she's not here then, then what...
Ethan starts sobbing. Luis takes him by the shoulders.
Luis: Hey don't even think that!
Ethan: How the hell can I not! I am being as strong as I can and I know I have to stay strong and positive for Theresa, but so help me God inside strong and positive are the last things I'm feeling!
Just then Sam comes up behind Ethan and places his hand on Ethan's shoulder.
Sam: You don't have to always be strong son, I'm here.
Ethan turns and collapses in his fathers arms sobbing away.
Ethan: I'm so scared.
Sam: I know son, I know.