Scenes From a Soap Opera

Some Version of the Truth

Victoria Newman anxiously paced her living room waiting for Billy to arrive. Today was the day they were going to tell their son, Johnny, the truth about his birth mother. She could feel her blood pressure rising at the thought of Chelsea. Victoria might have been the one to spill the beans, but it was only because of Chelsea. If she had stayed away like she promised, Johnny wouldn't have found out years before she was ready for him to find out.

The eldest Newman glanced at the time on her phone, Billy was late. Of course he's running late on one of the biggest days of their son's life. She wanted to go over one more time what they were going to say to Johnny. They had promised him the truth and he was going to get it, but she wanted to make sure he was told in a gentle way.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Victoria looked up to see Billy walking into the house.

"Where were you?" She snapped as her ex grimaced, slightly softening when he explained the Jabot emergency that delayed him. As former CEO of Newman, there was no room for her to judge. "Well, you're here now, that's all that matters." If Billy was surprised by his ex-wife's sudden mood change, he didn't show it. She motioned for him to sit on the couch with her.

"I'm sorry that I'm so edgy." Victoria softly apologized. "I'm nervous and I want to make sure that we do this right. Johnny's already confused and traumatized, I would never forgive myself if I made it worse for him." She could feel tears starting to form and quickly wiped her eyes.

"Vic, don't. I get it. I'm nervous too" Billy answered, grabbing her hands. "You won't make this worse for him, you can't. We'll just tell him the truth, answer any questions he has and make sure that he knows nothing is his fault. We love him and will always love him." Victoria nodded in agreement, she loved Johnny and her other children more than anything. That fact would never change.

At that moment, Johnny came down the stairs. "Hi Dad." he spoke in a quiet voice. His parents could feel the apprehension radiating off of him. Billy got up to give his son a hug as did Victoria. The young boy let his mother guide him over to the couch. He sat nervously in between them, waiting for one of them to start speaking.

Billy and Victoria shared a look over Johnny's head, Victoria nodded before she started talking. "First, I would like to apologize for how you found out about Chelsea being your birth mother. I shouldn't have been fighting with her in your hospital room. It was inappropriate and the last thing you needed at the time. That wasn't how we wanted you to find out." Johnny sat expressionless, but did grab her hand. Encouraged she kept going, "Yes, Chelsea is your birth mother. She chose to let me adopt you and raise you. She signed away all rights to you. You are my son and I love you."

"I love you too." Billy took over. "Nothing will ever change that fact. I'm sure you have some questions, ask away." The parents nervously sat wondering how they would answer the big question or if Johnny would even ask it.

There were so many thoughts and questions swimming around the thirteen year old's head. He didn't know where to start or what he even wanted to know. "Why did she give me up?" He whispered so quietly his parents had to strain their ears to hear him. "Did she not want me?"

Victoria's heart broke at how devastated Johnny sounded. She took a peek at Billy and he looked as devastated as their son clearly felt. She quickly lowered her head so the boys didn't see her eyes well up. "Chelsea let your mother adopt you because she knew that she couldn't care for you." she heard Billy explain. "She wasn't in the right head space to care for you. She wanted better for you. And you got it." Victoria raised her eyes to see Billy staring at her with deep affection. Despite everything a part of her would always love William Foster Abbott and he would always love her in return.

"Your father is right." Victoria softly explained, pulling her son into a deep hug. "The best thing Chelsea could have done for you was giving you up."