From Drags to Riches

The Chase family sits around the only furniture in the house. The dining room table and chairs look lonely alone in the room. Soon enough the house will be filled with the antique furniture Blair and Nicole have collected over the years.
"Well this is just perfect. In a couple months, the whole family will be living in the same city again."
Alex and Denver exchange looks of irritation. They love their mother very much, but sometimes she is a little too family oriented.
"Mom, you know we are going to have our own lives and won't be able to visit you all that often."
"Alex, I know this. I have a life of my own you know."
Again Alex and Denver look at each other. After a few minutes of silence, the family starts to interrogate Alex on her love life.
"Honey, what ever happened to that last boyfriend of yours?"
"Mom, you know what happened to him. He proposed and I freaked about a week after saying yes. Don't you remember I moved in? There were all these quirks that I just couldn't handle."
"Oh yes, I do remember that now. Well isn't there anyone new?"
Slightly embarrassed about not having met anyone in the past 3 years, Alex changes the subject.
"No, but what about you Denver? Isn't there anyone that you haven't been telling us about?"
Denver blushes visibly as his heart begins to race.
They don't know, how would they? What should I say?
"Ummm, no I haven't really met anyone."
Blair doesn't believe his son.
"Oh c'mon Denver, there has to be at least someone that has sparked your interest."
He stands up quickly, slightly losing his cool.
"No, there isn't anyone okay."
Denver runs out of the dining room.

"WHAT?! What are you talking about?"
Brayen is furious with his father.
"Brayen, this woman is your mother. I should have told you a long time ago, but we just couldn't do that to you. I thought I would never see her again."
"How could you keep this from me? Do Colby and Claire know?"
"No the twins have no idea. For all they know you are their full brother."
Brayen turns around, to face the family picture on the bookshelf.
"So this has been a lie?"
Brayen throws the picture on the floor and storms out of the office.

"Mom? So are you going to talk to Dr. Scott? Are you going to find out who this kid is?"
"I'm not sure Braxton. I'm not sure Weston has even told him. Maybe I will call."
Joyce dials the phone. She is shaking with nervousness. Nothing but the voice mail is heard on the other end.
"He's not answering. We should go see if he is in his office at the hospital."
"Okay, let's go then. I can't believe I have a sibling."
Joyce smiles at the thought that Braxton is very supportive and almost excited.

"Hawke?"
"Hey Jason, what's up?"
"Well, Dad has a little proposition for the two of us."
"Oh gosh, what is it this time?"
"No, it's something actually serious this time, a business prospect."
"I'm intrigued, where should I meet you?"
"How about at the mansion? That way after we talk, we can talk to Dad about it?"
"Sounds good. I'll be there in a bit."
Hawke hangs up his phone.
Well this should be interesting. I wonder what kind of trouble my father is getting in this time.

Brayen walks into his father's office at the hospital. Confused about Weston's phone call, he stares at his father as he starts to speak.
"What's wrong with my mother?"
"Brayen, sit down. This is going to take some explaining."
"No, what's wrong with mom? Is she sick or hurt?"
"Brayen listen."
Weston sighs heavily for the burden he is about to expose. Brayen was adopted at the age of 5, enough to remember that he was adopted. It was explained to him, when he was a little older, that the parents who adopted him were his biological parents. It was a lie Weston should not have told, and now he was to correct the error.
"I ran into someone today that I thought I would never see again. This woman was very special in my life back during my years of college. The man she was with turned out to be a criminal and the first time he was in jail, I was there to comfort her. The comfort turned into something that should not have happened and a little over a month later she informed me that she was pregnant."
Brayen's jaw drops with disbelief. His father had another child.
"What does this have to do with Mom?"
"Brayen, this woman is your mother."

Joyce nods her head at Braxton's statement.
"Yes, it's true. That doctor that you met today is the father."
"Mom, I still don't understand why you never told me this. Why didn't you just let me know. We've always shared everything."
"I regret every day never telling you. I always wished I could have kept the child. You grew up so lonely with just your mother."
Joyce begins to cry again. Braxton sits down next to his mother and puts his arm around her.
"Mom, it's okay. I understand."

Alvin hears his front door open and close. Jason walks in.
"Dad, what do you need to talk to me about?"
"Jason, I want you to run the new marketing firm I have just purchased."
"What?"
"I know you never wanted to work for me or any of my companies, but I also know you've been having troubles finding a job lately. So, I want you to take this opportunity."
"Dad, you know I don't want your help like this."
"Jason, you're more than qualified to take this position. Besides, I'm planning on having your brother in on it too."
Alvin smiles as Jason looks confused.
"A family business is what I've always wanted for you boys. With your business skills and Hawke's artistic talents, this firm should do wonders."
Jason finally agrees to take the job from his father. Alvin has promised him full control over the firm, of course with his brother's input. The two will be able to do whatever they want with the company.
"I will call Hawke and let him know what you have offered."

Octavia senses that Braxton and Joyce need some time alone. She stands up, says her goodbyes, and walks out of the room. Once inside her limo, she sighs with a feeling of loneliness. She has no family where she lives now. There was no one to spend time with or to share any of this wealth that she has stumbled upon. Octavia dials her phone.
"Yes, I'm planning on moving. Get everything ready for sale."

Braxton stares at his mother in silence. This is unbelievable.
"Braxton, are you okay?"
"Mom.. I'm.. why didn't you ever tell me? How could you keep this from me?"
"Darling, you're mother was trying to protect you from what she had done."
Octavia speaks for Joyce as the mother begins to cry.
"Braxton I'm sorry. I thought you would have never forgiven me. The child was put up for adoption and I thought I would never see the father or the child again."
"What?! You mean to tell me you saw one of them?"
"Yes, I saw the father."
In disbelief, Braxton stands up and moves toward the window. A half-brother? How could I have a half-brother and not even know it? How could she do this to me? What am I saying, it's not her fault. It's my horrible excuse for a father. Who is the father of my brother? Braxton turns back around to face his mother.
"Who is the father?"
Braxton speaks slowly as if he is figuring it out as he asks the question. Suddenly, he shouts out.
"It's that doctor, what's his name. Dr... Dr. Weston Scott."

Brayen is interrupted in the seduction of Denver by the ring of his phone. Looking at the annoyance, he realizes it's his father and ignores the call. Putting the phone back in his pocket, he resumes his activity.
"Now where were we?"
Suddenly the phone vibrates, for this time it was on silent. It must be his father again. He continues to ignore and Denver and Brayen resume. For a third time the phone begins to ring.
"Maybe you should answer that."
"Fine, excuse me for just a minute."
Denver wanders downstairs to join the rest of his family while Brayen talks on the phone.
"Dad what do you want?"
"Brayen, I have to talk to you immediately."
"I don't have time for this."
"It's regarding your mother."
Brayen hears a click. Wondering what that was all about, he rushes downstairs to inform the others of his departure and find his father.
"Alex, and the rest of the family, I apologize for my early departure, but my father has just informed me there is something wrong with my mother."
Family in confusion, Brayen rushes out of the house.

After hearing the conversation between Braxton and his mother, Skyler can't help but need to spread the news.
"Braxton, please excuse me. I want to leave your family in privacy. Just give me a call later."
Skyler leaves the tensed hotel room. As he walks from the hotel to his car, he dials a number on his phone.
"Hello?"
"Hawke, you're not going to believe this! Braxton Bouchet just found out he has a half-brother. And supposedly it's some hospital doctor's son! Dr. Weston Scott."
"WHAT?! Do you know who that is? That's Brayen's dad!"

"Perfect! It's a deal then."
Alvin escorts some businessmen from the conference room in his mansion.
Finally, the contract has been signed. I've been waiting for this for months. Now who can I get to run it?
With a sudden exclamation of understanding, Alvin picks up the phone.
"Yes, I need to speak with you right away."

Skyler is busy introducing himself to Braxton's mother and aunt when something starts to vibrate in his pocket. Skyler excuses himself to talk on his phone.
"Hey Hawke, what's going on?"
"Skyler, let's go clubbin' tonight. It's been awhile since we had some fun, and the last event was ended abruptly."
"That sounds great but, is it okay if I bring someone along?"
"Of course, who is it?"
"Braxton Bouchet. He's had a rough time here in Garladine. We need to show him a good time."
Hawke can hardly keep himself calm.
"Where did you meet him?"
"Well I was in the Hotel Grandivo, when I ran into him. He seemed desperate for something to do, so we went out for some food and drink. It turns out he is going to put the tour on hold and stay in the city for awhile."
"That's so sweet. I can't wait to hang with Miss Busty Bouchet."
Hanging up the phone, Skyler calls over to Braxton. The two women proceed with their conversation as the guys talk between each other.
"Hey, I was wondering, since you'll be in town for awhile, if you might want to go to the clubs with a few friends of mine tonight."
"I would love to."

The shadow moves closer and closer to Joyce's room. Stopping just before the open door, Weston listens carefully to the conversations of the room. He cannot believe the one person he regretted losing returned to his life.
He had been in love with Joyce back in the days of early college. He was never sure how she felt about him, but when the time came he took advantage of her. When Antoine was sent to jail the first time, Joyce was in pain over the temporary loss of her lover. Weston was there as a friend that turned into something more. In her depressive state, she slept with him. It was not until over a month later she realized what she had done. She was pregnant with another child. Antoine was released, and Joyce swore the baby was his until he was born. The light-haired, fair-skinned baby could not possibly be Antoine's. The child was given up for adoption because Weston did not have the resources for a child and Joyce was forced to by Antoine.
A few years later, Weston had learned of his son's whereabouts. Acting upon this, he managed to adopt his biological son and reconnect with a part of Joyce.
Still in love with Joyce, Weston continues to listen in on the conversations.

Talking very softly to Octavia, Joyce mentions the doctor she met at the hospital.
"Octavia, it was amazing. I couldn't believe it was him. You do remember Weston right?"
"Of course. It was too bad you had to put the child up for adoption."
"But wait, he knows where our son is!"
At that moment, Braxton walks up to the two.
"Our son? Mom, I'm right here, and why are you two talking about my father?"
Octavia looks at Joyce.
"I think it's time you told him."
Joyce nods.
"Braxton, honey, sit down. There's something I need to tell you about... well... our family."
Braxton sits down slowly in a chair near his mother.
"When your father was in jail the first time, I was in a state of need and depression. A good friend of mine was always there for me, and one night it turned into more of a friendship. Well a little over a month later I found out I was pregnant."
"Are you trying to tell me I have a sibling someplace?"
"Well... yes, a half-brother."
"Why have I never met him; why don't I remember this?"
"You were just over a year old when I gave birth to your brother. And the reason for not knowing him is I gave him up for adoption."
Braxton stares at his mother.

Hearing this whole conversation, Weston panics. He never told Brayen about his real mother, or who she was, or why she gave him up. He quickly runs to the elevators to get out of the building to call Brayen.

Joyce wakes from a nap and winces at the pain in her arm. She remembers the night of the shooting as if she had just remembered it for the first time. Suddenly she hears a loud knock on her door. As she nears the door she smells a mix of liquor and expensive perfume.
"Octavia Bouchet, what the hell are you doing here?"
The middle-aged, beautiful black woman saunters through the door.
"Darling, when I heard about my brother's escape I knew instantly he would head for you and your precious son. So I came to warn you. Where is Braxton by the way?"
"Octavia, Antoine came, and tried to kill Braxton. He shot me before, then another woman stood up as Antoine fired the gun. The woman has just regained consciousness. This was almost 2 weeks ago."
Horrified, Octavia stumbles backwards onto the couch. Unable to speak, Joyce tries to snap her to.
"Octavia, we're okay. You're brother is back in jail and will be on trial for the murder of another young man."
The black woman begins to cry. How could her brother be so cruel? She had always looked up to her older brother when they were growing up, until he went off the deep end. When Antoine reverted to crime, she reverted to prostitution. It was something she will always regret.
"How could he do this? He was never this bad. He was just misguided since Mom died."
Joyce tries to comfort her would-be sister-in-law. Knowing about Octavia's past, Joyce reminds her that she is nothing like her brother.

Skyler and Braxton head to the bar down the street. Walking in, they notice the bar to nearly empty. It was early for a bar, especially a gay one, to have anyone in it. By slight chance this bar has small food menu to order from. Famished from recent activities, Skyler orders some food while Braxton orders a simple martini. Bored of the silence Braxton decides to ask some questions.
"So how long have you been in Garladine?"
"A few years now. I dropped out of college 'cause I was sick of it and decided to move here. How did you get into the performing business?"
"Ah, it was always second nature. I used to sing for my mother, the neighbors, and whoever else would listen when I was little. It was always just natural to perform."
"You're pretty good."
"Thanks."
Skyler thinks about it for a minute then speaks.
"My going rate is $600/hr. Do you want to go back to your hotel later?"
appalled, Braxton slaps Skyler across the face.
"How dare you? That is not the reason I asked you to keep me company!"
"I'm sorry. I'm just not used to guys interested in anything but that. So I make a slightly living out of it. I apologize."
"Yeah, well, I guess we both have our self-esteem issues."
The continue to talk and realize they have quite a bit in common, just in different ways.

Blair and Nicole approach the driveway of their new house.
"The kids will be so shocked."
Nicole steps out of the now parked car. She watches Alex and Denver closely as the get out of Alex's car.
"What the hell did you two buy?"
Denver walks up to the front door. The place is a huge mansion. Entering the house, the rest follow him. The three not moving into the house drop their jaw in awe. The ceilings are high, the rooms are spacious, and the area of the house was considerably more than the one the Chase's left.
"This place is amazing Mom. What are you going to do with all this space though?"
Blair tries to explain he reasoning behind the ginormous house. During the middle of the story, Denver wanders up the stairs to explore everything. Brayen is soon behind him.
"Now where were we?"
"Brayen we can't here, my parents and sister are downstairs."
"Relax, I'm not going to take your pants off like last time. I just want to kiss you."

Skyler and Braxton head back to the hotel. After their little misunderstanding, they have become quite good friends.
"Hold on, let me check on my mom."
As he opens the door, Braxton spots a black woman on the couch.
"Aunt Octavia!"
Braxton runs over to Octavia.
"How have you been? Tell me of any adventures."
Octavia insists the trip she most recently took was not very interesting.
"Oh, how could I forget? Mom, Octavia, I want you to meet a new found friend of mime. This is Skyler Sterling."
As Braxton introduces Skyler, a shadow approaches the room from down the hallway.

Kathryn moves as if uncomfortable while Jason, Braxton, and the doctor all watch. Suddenly she stops moving and opens her eyes slowly.
"Where... where am I?"
"Kathryn, buddy, you're in the hospital. Do you remember what happened?"
Suddenly everything flashes back in her head. She remembers the club, the man with the gun, his booming voice. Then she remembers standing up, hearing a gun fire, and searing pain all at the same time.
"I was shot."
The doctor tells Kathryn to rest and not talk. Though she is awake, she is still very weak. The doctor then ushers Braxton out of the room to leave Jason and Kathryn alone.

"You know where my son is?"
"Yes, I do. It took a long time but I finally found..."
"what are you two talking about? I'm right here."
Braxton interrupts his mother's conversation with Dr. Scott.
"What were you two talking about?"
Both Joyce and Weston are quiet. Weston excuses himself to go check on a patient and Joyce stands up to leave.
"Oh Mom, I forgot. The woman who was.. well you know.. she just woke up."
"Good I'm glad to hear that."
Feeling uneasy about seeing Weston after such a long time, Joyce starts to walk out of the building.
My son, my son. Weston knows where our son is. But, how am I going to tell Braxton. He'll be so shocked and hurt that I gave away the child. I can't let him know yet.
Braxton helps his mother into the car then drives off to the hotel.

In the car, Blair and Nicole decide to head to Alex's apartment first figuring that she would be done with work for the day. The couple climb the stairs to the 4th floor and head to Alex's apartment. They are surprised to find Denver there, but, nevertheless, they are happy to see him.
"Alex, now we know it was your first day back at work today, so we wanted to take you out for dinner."
"Mom, the three of..."
"Now hold on. Instead of going out we want to cook you dinner in our new house."
"New house?!"
Denver is shocked. They had not informed him of any move. Blair explains the story.
"Yes, Denver. Your mother got a position at the hospital that she just couldn't pass up, so we decided to move. So what do you say? Do all of you want to come over for dinner and check out the new place?"
With mixed reactions from Denver and Alex, they all decide go see the new house.

Skyler pecks Alvin on the cheek.
"'Till next time."
He walks out the door and runs into Braxton near the elevator.
"Oh hey, Braxton."
"What were you doing in that room?"
"Oh nothing. I was just visiting with a friend that I haven't seen in a really long time."
"Cool. Would you like to go get some dinner or something? I'll make it my treat. Not a date or anything, just a friendly get together."
"Sure, why not? I could use some food."

"Mom, can you wait here for a few minutes? I want to go see the woman who was... with me at the club."
As his mother nods, Braxton walks back to the hall of patient rooms. Finding the room of Kathryn Stone, he walks in. Braxton sees the woman's husband sleeping in a chair next to her bed. Braxton moves slowly towards the bed. The man wakes up.
"Hello, I'm Braxton Bouchet, a.k.a., Busty. I'm so sorry that your wife was caught in the middle of this."
"Jason Stone. My wife was just trying to help. Why did she have to get hurt?"
Jason gets up, turns away, then walks towards the window.
"She's a good woman, she didn't deserve this."
"I know she didn't. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Jason shakes his head.
"Please, just go. I would really like to be with my wife alone."
Braxton turns to leave and just as he is about to walk out of the door, the monitors attached to Kathryn start to do different things. Jason turns towards his wife as a doctor rushes in.
"I think she is about to wake up."

Joyce waits patiently near the exit of the hospital. Someone taps her on the shoulder.
"Ms. Bouchet is it?"
Dr. Scott is standing there before her with the same stance he had 20 some years ago.
"Why yes, Dr. Scott."
Joyce was feeling uncomfortable. She was certain this was the man from her past. Taking a seat next to her Weston looks right at her.
"Have we met before?"
At that moment Joyce knew that he remembered. He probably just didn't want to say it.
"Weston how could you forget. It's me, Joyce Marden."
With a sudden change of expression, Weston understood. How could he have forgotten.
"I can't believe it. After all these years I finally see you again. What ever happened to Antoine?"
At that question Joyce looked down at her arm. Quietly, she begins to tell a story.
"It turns out Antoine went to jail for legitimate reasons the first time. He was not innocent as he claimed. When he got I out, I still believed that he was though. So, I had told him about you; how I had cheated on him while he was in jail. That was how it all started. He began to abuse me, beat me. Then it spread to Braxton. He called me a slut and swore that Braxton probably wasn't his child. I filed the restraining order. Then he lost all control."
Sitting in silence, Weston cannot believe what he is hearing.
"Somehow he broke out of jail, and decided to come after Braxton. Antoine was an extreme homophobe to the point of extermination. Supposedly there was a warrant out for his arrest in the murder case of a young gay man. And he attempted to kill his own son just the other week. That's where this happened."
She points at her arm. Weston is still shocked. He remembers Antoine from long ago. They had gone to high school together. Weston had always been jealous of Antoine for stealing the heart of the woman he always loved, Joyce Marden.
"Do you know what happened to our son?"

Brayen walks over to Alex's desk.
"So you start tomorrow, being the temporary editor?"
"Yeah, I'm so nervous though."
"Eh, don't be. I'm sure it's not much different than what you are doing now."
Sensing her uneasiness, Brayen decides they should leave and go back to her apartment. Alex is more than happy to get out of that place.

Denver continues to chat with Mrs. Crandall as he brings the last of his stuff up to the apartment. Alex and Brayen walk in.
"Hello Mrs. Crandall."
Alex sounds annoyed that Mrs. Crandall is in her apartment.
"Hey Alex, Mrs. Crandall and I were just chatting. So she lives across the hall?"
"Yes, she does."
Mrs. Crandall decides it is time for her to leave. She says her goodbyes to Denver and passes by the other two in silence.
"Ugh, Denver how can you stand that woman?"
"What? I think she is sweet."
Just noticing that Brayen is with her, Denver gets suddenly quite and a little shy.
"Hello Denver."
Brayen greets him with a wink.
"Hey why doesn't he join us for dinner?"
"Brayen, that sounds perfect. Will you Denver?"
"Of course."