Ethan's situation was difficult, he was being bullied at school because his father had married a young woman, gossip was rampant and Camila wasn't helping. It seemed that the storm had not completely dissipated.
When she saw Ethan, Deanna tried to help him with his wounds but the boy was still angry. And it made her sad again, her knight in shining armor was taking the blows because of her. How could everything be so complicated?
After dinner she went to Ethan's room.
-Yes, come in.
-Ethan... Can we talk? -
- Well...
- I'm really sorry about what happened to you today. Do you want to tell me about it? -
-No...
- I feel guilty... Please? -
Ethan sighed.
- Do you love Dad? -
- Of course I do.
- That fat jerk said mean things about Mom and you and Dad... Everyone tells me nasty things about you guys.... I'm sick of it -
- I see... -
- I'm afraid dad will forget mom... I still remember her -
- Your dad will never forget Emily, I can assure you. He has 3 living photographs of her, he couldn't -
- That doesn't bother you? -
- Why would it? Ethan, she was your mom. No one can ever replace her, ever. No one can ever make any of you forget her. I'm really sorry these things are happening to you at school... Promise me something, will you? -
- Promise you what? -
- You don't have to defend me anymore, okay? I don't want you to get hurt like that again because of me -
- And how do I do that? -
- Just ignore them... Sooner or later they'll get tired... Please don't fight for me anymore -
The problems piled up one after another. Daniel tried to ignore them but they were starting to affect Deanna, her temper was changing. She wasn't singing like she used to, she wasn't going out except to her mother's house. Was he monopolizing her?
Deanna went downstairs to find him in his office after talking to Ethan. Daniel was about to start another marathon night of work.
- Did you get to talk to Ethan? -
- Yeah...
- Are you all right? -
- I'm worried about him...
- It's kid stuff, it'll pass eventually...
She leaned back on the couch and was quiet. She was overwhelmed, by everything: Laura, Harry, Camila, Ethan... Everything. The rumors that lurked every day, the arguments - would it ever end?
- You know, I've been thinking about your career - Daniel told her.
- About what? -
- I've been told many times that you have talent and it would be a shame if you wasted it, I don't want you to -
- Holding back a few months won't make me waste it -
- If singing makes you happy, do it. You don't need my permission, nor do I intend to deny it. We can find a way for you to start singing professionally, you don't need to finish college for that. Of course, you can get back whenever you want -
- I like being with you and the kids... I can sing anytime, don't worry about that... Maybe next year, when Jonathan will start school, I can make time to make up for college... -
- I want you to be happy -
Deanna looked at him and was filled with tenderness. What a strange man! He would go from a fit of raging jealousy, to uncontrollable lust, to end up encouraging her to do whatever she liked. It was such a contrast. When she first met him he just gave orders, now he was asking with respect.
- How can you be like that? -
- How?
- So sweet out of the blue... You do it so often; you kill me –
- Is that why you tolerate everything my family does to you? - He surprised her with that question.
- It's not so difficult to understand your mother, Daniel... Don't be angry with her -
- Your mother is not like that -
- Oh, that's because you don't know her at all yet!... Camila is just worried about you -
Camila was worried about her son, yes. But she was more worried about the gossip that had formed around Deanna since she appeared in their lives. After the trouble with the photo of the two of them, the rumor that they were having or had an affair, and Laura's suspicions of another woman; it all made even more sense.
Suddenly her eldest son's infatuation was snowballing as the days went by. She was oblivious to the fact that there were hidden agendas behind it all, that there were other players who were trying to safeguard their own desires and interests.
- Daniel Crusher is looking for a way to get his wife into the opera world, he's been asking questions -
- Really? Wow! Looks like my words got through to him - Reed settled back in his chair satisfied.
- He spoke with Professor Marcus, the director of the Ambassador Theater..." His assistant informed him.
- Well, Marcus is an excellent professional, tell him to give her the green light. Mrs. Crusher deserves the opportunity.
Leonard had his hands in every artistic aspect of the city, he was a benefactor of the Ambassador Theater and Professor Marcus was one of his many "friends" in the world of performing arts. Apparently suggesting him was a good idea.
If Deanna got into the theater he would have to play his role as a benefactor more often there.
-Beverly, dear, is determined to hunt Daniel down. I didn't believe her speech last week to be true, but apparently I was wrong -
- The lawyer who works with Crusher? -
- Yes, the same one. Tell Marcus to accept Daniel's proposal. Besides my personal interest, she has talent and a good voice. I want to see her on stage -
Things were unfolding as Beverly had thought. After the problem with Leonard at the company gala and having secured Laura as an ally, she looked for a way to talk to Reed about it. He met with her out of sheer curiosity; whatever was related to Deanna directly or not was of great interest to him.
It turned out she had plenty of reasons to intervene in that marriage, Beverly was looking for a position in the city's political system, she had been after Crusher for years, and apparently she was tired of waiting for him. Well, he could also use Daniel to get out of Deanna's life, why not?
When she called him to ask where Daniel could set Deanna to sing she didn't do it wanting to help, she was giving Leonard the chance to get close to her. Recommending Marcus was the best thing he could think of at the time, it was to Deanna's benefit, but also to his own. He would finally be able to see Mrs. Crusher often without her husband in the way.
Daniel wanted to tell his wife the news right away. He was excited to give her an escape from the routine and, in a way, expiate his guilt for his family's behavior toward her. He asked her to meet him at the company so they could have lunch together.
- Your wife is here, Mr. Crusher.
- Tell her to come in -
- Hello... - Deanna peeked through the door.
- Come on in... -
- How are you?
- Fine. I've got news for you...
- What's happened? -
- The other night we talked about your career and I know you told me you want to wait until next year... But I talked to the director of the Amabassador Theatre and asked him for a favor... He's willing to take you on so you can go sing on stage whenever you want, plus he offered to mentor you -
- Professor Marcus? -
- Do you know him? -
- Of course I know him! He's one of the most recognized in the field... He gave some lectures at the University a couple of years ago -
The idea of being able to work with him made her face light up again. Marcus was considered an eminence and the Theater he directed was respected for the quality of the plays he staged.
- How did you do it? It's very complicated to get tutoring from him....
- I have my methods... - He told him proud of his merit and smiling sidelong.
- Wow! What a smug man... -
Daniel moved closer to her.
- So what do you say, do you want to do it? -
- Yes, thank you...
- Well, I'll call him back in the afternoon –