Mother's Little Boy is Growing Up

"Tyler, why would you want to work for a living?" Mavis looked at her younger son quizzically. "You have a perfectly nice job at Schuyler Industries, a job that isn't taxing in the least. You have an office, a secretary, a huge salary--"

"And nothing to do all day long," Tyler interrupted in a frustrated voice. "It's hard to go to work every day and know that the most challenging decision I'm going to have to make is whether to go to Burger King or McDonald's for lunch."

Mavis recoiled. "Tell me you aren't eating fast food every day! Do you have any idea of how fattening that is?"

"Mother, that isn't my point. My point is that I'm tired of having a job that was handed to me simply because I'm Tyler Schuyler, son of the owner. I want to make it on my own."

"Why on earth would you want to do that when you don't have to?"

"Gee, I don't know. Maybe to feel like a man instead of a little boy?"

Mavis laughed. "You are a little boy, Tyler. You're my little boy. And some day you and Brad will own everything that I have, lock, stock and barrel. It's beyond me why you'd waste your time doing anything as ridiculous as working for someone else. It simply doesn't make sense."

Tyler was silent. He should have known better than to mention his plans to his mother, a woman who had never worked a day in her life. He was just glad that he hadn't mentioned Mindy's involvement in his plans. If his mother knew that Mindy Cooper was working undercover at Kutrate Kemicals, he was sure he'd never hear the end of it. Finally, he spoke. "I'm sorry I bothered you, Mother."

"Does that mean you've come to your senses? That's my good boy. Now why don't you go and change into something nicer and we'll go to the club tonight. I've invited a new friend to join us for dinner."

The last thing Tyler needed was dinner at the country club with his mother and her latest fling. "No, thank you. I'm going out tonight."

"With that reporter?" Mavis questioned.

"Yes."

"Honestly, Tyler, a reporter? Can't you find a nice girl to date? One who isn't quite so nosy and who has better taste in clothes?"

Tyler left the room without saying another word. The only plus of talking to his mother about anything was that he usually knew what he wanted to do when the conversation was over--and it was almost always the exact opposite of what his mother wanted him to do.

Schuyler Square Day 65 Baby Talk

Veronica stared at Chelsea. “What do you mean?” she asked. “Who else could possibly be the father of your baby? I can’t believe you’d ever sleep with anyone but your husband.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Chelsea told her, “but I was upset and so hurt by what was going on between Peter and Mavis that I went to a bar one night and met someone.” 

Veronica was afraid to ask but she did anyway. “Who?”

 “A co-worker of Peter’s. His name is Jim Waterston. He's really not very attractive. Actually, he's pretty much a creep but I wanted to get even with Peter and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.” Her voice became reflective. “Of course, I’d had four glasses of Merlot and just about anything seemed like a good idea at that point. Oh, Veronica, what should I do? What did you do when you found out you were pregnant with Ron’s child?”

“I left town,” Veronica replied. “I don’t recommend it. It doesn’t really solve anything.”

“So you think I should tell Peter that Jim might be the father of my child?”

“I don’t think you should say anything yet. Give it a day or two and then decide what to do.”

Chelsea shook her head. “I think I should tell him right away. Not the part about him maybe not being the baby’s father but the part about being pregnant. Peter and I tried for years and years and nothing happened.”

“And you don’t think that might indicate that someone else got the job done instead of Peter?” Veronica asked.

“Still, Peter doesn’t have to know the truth if the baby isn't his. He’s always wanted children and that’s one thing I know for sure that Mavis can’t give him. She’s too old.” 

“You can’t lie to Peter about anything this big. You have to tell him the truth.”

Chelsea’s face hardened. “Why? He didn’t tell me the truth all those night he was with Mavis and he said he was working overtime. Why should I be honest with him?”

“Because that’s what a good marriage is based on—the truth?”

“Not necessarily. I want Peter back and I’ve just been handed a golden ticket. This is better than a free pass to Willy Wonka’s factory any day.”

“Wait,” Veronica cautioned.

“Wait for what? Until I show?”

“Until you know for sure what you want to do.”

“I know what I want to do. I want Peter back and I want to make Mavis Schuyler pay for what she did to us.”

“Chelsea, revenge and bitterness is not exactly an ideal environment to raise a baby in.”

“It may not be ideal but it’s all I have to work with at the moment.”


A knock at the back door interrupted them. Chelsea rose to answer it. On her steps stood a handsome middle-aged man dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. "Hello," he said. "I'm Steve Robertson. I'm looking for my wife DeeDee."