ETHAN MAKES PLANS TO APPEAR ON SPRINGER

Ethan Crane had a secret, and it was killing him,  But apparently so did Miss Gwen Hodgekiss, and   he couldn't believe she wanted to air it on national television.  That certainly wasn't like Gwen.  But then again, Gwen had not been herself lately, he thought. She had been so touchy  these days, almost jealous it seemed over every little thing. It all started with the marriage proposal she had turned down. And recently she blew up over a case of mistaken identity in a dark theatre.  How was he supposed to know it wasn't her next to him in the dark.  She was beginning to be a bit unreasonable, so it stood to reason that she would resort to something like the Jerry Springer show to claim her man!

That's the way it seemed to him at this point.  He had gotten the letter inviting him to hear a secret revealed, and the letter specifically stated that a marriage proposal could be involved, so right away he knew what was going on....what else could it be?  He would never understand women, and especially Gwen, even though they had been together it seemed their whole lives.  She knew that she was the only girl in his life, so what ever possessed her to resort to something like this?  He supposed the attention was needed after all the fuss over the stalker and the messes Gwen had seen Sheridan get into lately.  She seemed to be doing everything she could to make him part of the local scene, and this fit right into that plan. 

Now all Harmony would hear her proposal to him on nationwide television, and he would accept, telling the entire world how much he loved her.  Well. if that's what she needed, she usually knew best.  After all, he wanted to give the town a fresh image of the Crane family.  He wanted to be someone the town could relate to and care about, to break the stigma associated with the Crane name once and for all.  This seemed to be pretty far out there, but he was willing to do anything for the woman he loved.  Things had never really calmed down since the stalker incidents.  Now the detective, Frank, was out of control looking for someone who was obviously gone, Gwen  was out of control for attention , and Sheridan seemed to be getting attention from all the wrong men.  He really had his hands full, but he would certainly make the time to please Gwen for something so important.  Now all he had to do was make his final plans to leave without letting her know that it was obvious to him  what was going on. 

Theresa, his mother's secretary had been like a good luck charm since she came to work at the Crane household.  The stalker had disappeared the day she arrived! He needed someone to bring on the show with him for support they had said, so she would be his lucky charm. It was perfect!  He would ask her today.  Mother could come along too, and the whole family could celebrate afterwards.  Theresa could arrange for Mother to think she was going to some other function or shopping excursion, and the whole thing would be a great big wonderful surprise for everyone.  Gwen would be so proud. 

The next day, Ethan quietly told Theresa he wanted to speak to her privately after Gwen left. He asked her to meet him in his room before she went home, that it was very important. 

Theresa's knees almost buckled beneath her as he whispered his secret plan, while Ivy answered a phone call.  "Of course, Ethan", she whispered back, wondering if he could hear her heart pounding through her chest or maybe even see it!  She could see the soft movement of her chest heaving in and out as she tried to maintain her composure.

"Alright then, I'll make sure you know when Gwen is leaving."  he quickly answered back, and left just as Ivy was hanging up the phone.

"Did Ethan need anything, Theresa?"  Ivy asked.

"Oh, no, Mrs. Crane, Ethan was just being polite I think.  He really didn't have anything to say.  I guess he just wanted to  say hi or something, I don't know," she babbled as she nervously  clutched the collar of her blouse tightly around her neck. She  promptly adjusted her glasses up to meet her wide eyed stare.  "Was that something you needed me to take care of Mrs. Crane, " she changed the subject, referring to the phone call. 

"No, Theresa, that was no one, just Julian", she replied grimly as she turned to pick up her drink.  Then, smiling, she turned back and asked,"  So what was that trip you were telling me you had planned for us  next week my dear.  Chicago, was it?" 

"Yes, Mrs. Crane that new designer that Sheridan is so crazy about will be there, and since she can't attend because of her work at the community center, we can shop for both of you.  I've completely planned  for the trip and the hotels and everything,"  Theresa answered.  In the back of her head, she was spinning over what Ethan had to say to her.  Did he know she was behind his invitation to the Springer show.  Oh no, what would she say if he confronted her tonight.  She would just die!!

 "Oh dear God, she prayed silently, please don't let Ethan spoil my plans for everything.  I've just got to get this chance to make him see the real me.  It's the only chance I have to get out of this ridiculous costume and into his arms where I belong"  She wrapped her arms around herself, locked in the cocoon of her dream world as Ivy busied herself with travel brochures Theresa had handed to her.  

"Yes, Theresa, I think this a fabulous plan!  And by the way, dear, have I told you lately what a great job you're doing.  I am so happy with your work!  I just knew from the moment we met, you'd be perfect for this job.  And now, it seems, we'll have our first shopping excursion together, and you'll do things you never dreamed possible.  We'll meet some of the world's most beautiful and influential people, models, designers...Theresa you are going to have the time of your life.  We'll dine in places so elegant, you'll think you're in Paris.  Ah, yes Chicago, these brochures bring back many memories.  You'd better start packing for both of us.  I'll give you some pointers later today, and you can pack tomorrow.  You'll need to bring something elegant too, Theresa, so if you need to borrow anything of mine , my complete wardrobe is at your disposal.  I trust you implicitly."  Ivy glanced at the time, "Oh goodness, I'd better get going.  I have a tennis lesson scheduled"  

Fortunately, there really was a designer show in Chicago. That had given Theresa the idea for the Springer show in the first place.  Everything was sounding so perfect!  First they would attend the show, then the next day Theresa would bow out of luncheons to attend the Springer tapings.  Mrs. Crane would come back from her fabulous lunch to find out  that she had revealed her secret to the world, and she and Ethan, and Mrs. Crane would all laugh and enjoy a wonderful, exciting night in Chicago together. Everything would be over, and she could throw away her mousey disguise and let Ethan see and know the real Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald. Ethan would be kissing more than her hand that night!! 

But what if he already knew!!?  Her dream was suddenly broken when she remembered his request for her to meet him later.  He had seemed fine though, not at all like something was wrong. No, she had been much too lucky for anything to be spoiled now.  If Ethan knew the truth, she would just have to play it by ear. He obviously was not behaving like he wanted to have her arrested when he asked her to visit him later.

Theresa busied herself with her daily duties, and just before Ivy was to arrive, ,she saw Gwen leave the mansion.  Another bedroom tryst, she told herself, trying to put her jealousy and disgust aside and knowing Ethan would be down shortly. That would soon be a thing of the past anyway.  Ethan wouldn't even remember Gwen's name once he knew the real Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald.  

Just then, Ethan came down the stairs.  "Oh Theresa, you're still here, good!  And we're alone, perfect."  

Theresa glanced up at him wide eyed, fear in her heart, and then looked down as he continued.

"I'd like to talk to you about something, a favor actually, and I hope you will agree to help me.  I would normally ask Sheridan , but she's busy these days , thanks to that brother of yours, and, anyway, I'm sorry Theresa, I know you and your mother are nothing like your brother, you have been like a good luck charm to me.  Since the day you came into our lives, everything has gotten better.  The stalker has disappeared,   Mother has you to help her with her work, and everyone here is happy about how things have turned out. The favor is this, Theresa:  You see, Gwen has written to Jerry Springer of all people and arranged to propose to me on nationwide television, can you believe it! " Ethan handed Theresa the letter he had received from the producers.

As she pretended to pour over the letter, the only part that glared out at her was the part about the possibilities for the secret to be revealed.  Marriage proposal seemed to jump out of the page at her, and suddenly what Ethan was thinking became clear! The name of the show was no where to be seen, so he had no idea that she was the one revealing a secret to him.  If they would have written the name of the segment, "I Don't Want to Hurt You, I Just Want You", he surely would have guessed differently!   

She was safe, and everything was working out just the way she had planned.  She originally thought Ethan would believe Gwen had invited him appear on television so that she could actually break up with him, not propose.  No wonder he was so happy!  She was really hoping that the invitation would stimulate  Ethan's fears about Gwen's rejecting him....that the invitation would   put him in a state of depression, a state of needing someone to turn to, namely her. But this was ok, and certainly better than his knowing she was the one he would be confronting.  Once he knew the truth, he would be happier than he had ever been; she would see to that.

"I need someone to be there on stage with me for support," Ethan continued, "and since you've been my lucky charm, I was hoping you'd agree to be there just to back me up and share in our joy.  Mother could come too.  I'm sure we can think of something.  Gwen really likes you too, Theresa.  So I know if you'll just agree, this could be a huge celebration for everyone.  What do you think?"

Theresa beamed up at Ethan through her glasses, "As a matter of fact, Ethan, Mrs. Crane and I are going to be in Chicago that very week for a fashion extravaganza.  I'd be free to join you that day while she attends some other functions in the area, so yes, of course I'd be happy to be there for you.  You can always depend on me for anything, anything at all. It must be fate, I mean,  can you believe it, both of us going to Chicago at the very same time?  You don't have to worry about a thing, I'll be there, and I won't tell a soul.  It'll be our little secret.  And I have a feeling everything is going to be even more wonderful than you think."  Theresa was really getting excited now.

"Well nothing could be more wonderful than making Gwen happy.  She hasn't been herself lately, obviously, so if this is what it takes, I'll be there with her.  To tell you the truth, Theresa, it's not exactly my style, or any Crane family members' style.  Father will probably get quite upset, seeing our family business on nationwide television, but I'm sure Gwen and I can convince him it was well worth it for all the happiness it will bring, not to mention the fact that the whole town will see that Cranes are just as human as anyone else.  Some of us do have feelings."  Ethan seemed so sweet. "And of course we'll have to keep this to ourselves, Theresa.  Gwen is a very perceptive woman, and I don't want to do anything to ruin her surprise. "

"Yes, Ethan, I'm sure it will bring a lot of happiness, and everyone will be pleasantly surprised including your father and your mother. Like I said, I won't breathe a word to anyone." Visions of that day filled Theresa's head:  Ethan would be waiting on stage while Mr. Springer announced that someone special was waiting back stage with a secret.  He would be expecting Gwen, and lo and behold out she would come in her little mouse outfit taking her place beside her.  "I don't understand Theresa," he would say and after hearing her innocent explanation for all those crazy accidents, she would tell him how she had always cared about him.  Then, she would take that terrible disguise off right before his very eyes and transform into the princess of his dreams.  Ah yes, with everyone watching, Ethan would have to at least take the time to politely listen to her story, and once he understood everything, he would be forced to look at her and see her true beauty.  There was no way Ethan could get away without giving her a chance once he got on the stage.  And that was all she needed, just one little chance.

So while Theresa and Ivy made plans for their Chicago adventure, Ethan planned with Theresa as well.  He made sure that he was traveling at a time when there would be no possibility of running into his mother.  His misconception about Gwen's involvement went largely unnoticed since she had said she would be away on a modeling assignment.  He saw this as a mere ruse, and neither had mentioned plans for Chicago to the other.  He wondered what Gwen must be thinking.  Did she think he was hiding something from her? She must have known he got the invitation and hadn't mentioned it to her.  Would she think he had assumed a local girl had a crush on him?  After all, she was always accusing him of being interested in other women, but he had always taken that as a joke, a sort of compliment meant to boost his ego.  Gwen was a very sophisticated woman who knew how to make a man feel good about himself.

  Suddenly his thoughts turned to Theresa.  She seemed so sweet.  It was a shame there never seemed to be a man in her life, but that get up she always seemed to be dressed in, the plaid skirt, the dumpy blouse and hair and those glasses.  Maybe she couldn't see, but wouldn't contact lenses be more attractive.  When this was all over, he would speak to Gwen about helping Theresa with her 'look'.  It amazed him that his mother valued her opinion on wardrobe choices, but she did seem to have a sense of how Mother should dress. Supposedly, Theresa wanted to appear to be professional, but  Ethan feared she would never get a man to look at her dressed like that.  He just felt sorry for her, that's all. 

Just then there was a soft knock at his door. " It's Theresa Ethan, I'm leaving now.  Do you need anything?"

"No thank-you, Theresa I'll remind Mother about tomorrow's trip. Have a good evening, oh, do you want me to have one of the drivers take you home?" he asked with concern.

Oh no, my friend Whitney is here.  She brought your mom some things from the pro shop for the trip.  They have a wonderful tennis court at the hotel where we'll be staying.  Everything is set.  I left Mrs. Crane a copy of her agenda right on her desk where she'll be sure to see it before she goes upstairs.  So I guess I'll see you the day after, where we planned,"  she asked through the door.

"Yes, I'll pick you up outside your hotel at noon.  Just make sure Mother is no where near, ok Theresa.  And be careful going home tonight.  It's late, and I don't want anything to happen to my good luck charm," he chuckled.  "Good-night!"  From the comfort of his bed, Ethan couldn't help but think to himself  how Theresa had probably never even seen a man's bedroom much less had the chance to  use one.  Of course, she was young, but it would be a long time before she would be getting any offers of that nature with her looks. What a crazy thought!  

As they walked down the stairs, Theresa turned to Whitney, "Whitney, the next time I'm talking to someone in that bedroom, I'll be in there with him! "

"Theresa" Whitney shot back," What a crazy thought!...coming soon: 

JERRY! JERRY! JERRY!

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