SECRET LIFE SECRETS REVEALED

Set Fire to the Rain

Sorry for the unusual lateness of this summary, but life can get away from you.

In this wrap up we will continue where "BURNING BRIDGES" left off.

After Bunnie enter's the office and see's Ben behind the desk looking exactly like his Grandfather Benjemin Helen, she is shocked and sad to see that she has failed at keeping the promise to his mother. Ben realizes her shock, and assures her that it is not her fault she chose to ignore her promise in order to adhere to Ricky's needs. He doesn't blame her, it is what everyone in his life had always' done save for a few.

Bunnie cannot understand Bens' cold nature, and how he could believe that she of all people played favorites when it came to them. Ben simply ask's her about her feelings toward his marriage to Adrian and Ricky's marriage to Amy. Bunnie must admit that she was more supportive of Ricky and Amy than he and Adrian, but she tries to remind him that Ricky and Amy were different. Ben does not buy her excuse and reminds her of the chaos that is now taking place, because of Ricky.

She once again tries to defend her decision by reminding him, how fast his and Adrian's relationship was compared to Ricky and Amy's. Ben only reminds her of the drama, and problems that were created from Ricky and Amy's relationship before, during, and after they were together. She admits to the trouble, but reminds him that most of that trouble came from him. He reminds her that she is no longer his boss, and has no right to be there considering she no longer works for the company.

Bunnie: Ben I came here to see you, and see how you were doing.

Ben: Well, you've seen me. As you can see I'm doing fine so you can go.

Bunnie: Ben how can you say that to me, I have known you since the day you were born.

Ben: You knew of me Bunnie, but I can assure you. You didn't know me. If you did then you would not be standing here now.

Bunnie: Ben, before you try and act like I didn't give a damn about you let me tell you about how much I cared about you.

Ben: Bunnie I know you were there since the day I was born. You were one of my mother's best friend's. But my mother is gone.

Bunnie: Your mom asked me to be there for you. I loved you as if you were my own son.

Ben: (Becomes dark and colder than he ever had before) But, I'm not your son. You are not my mother. I ahd a mother, and she actually loved me. She didn't pretend to love me out of some sense of obligation, or because my father paid her like you. She never traded me away for anyone like you and he did for Ricky.

Bunnie: Ben, I was your boss I couldn't play favorites.

Ben: Leo was my father, and you both played favorites. But, you are no longer my boss, nor are you an employee of this company. Like my father I no longer need you, and you were of little to no use when I did. So please leave.

Bunnie: (becomes sad and angry at that) Ben, I might not have always been there, but I tried.

Ben: Like my father you didn't try hard enough, and when it got to difficult you gave up. Which is something a real mother would never do.

Bunnie: Everything I did Ben was because....

Ben: Because my mother asked you to do it. She made you promise to do it, and you failed. I still became my grandfather.

Bunnie: How do you know that?

Ben: Because I was there, under the bed listening to everything. I was there until the day my mother died. She told me everything. Everything about my Grandfather, my uncle, and why she was so worried about me. But after everything I understood. Understood my mom, my grandfather, and even my Uncle, and all of you. My Grandfather was doing what my Father never did for me and tried to protect his kids from the horrible people in the world who would use them, and hurt them, and toss them away. Like my Dad he failed. Because that is all you and my Dad ever did to my mom.

Bunnie: (becomes angry not sad) Don't you dare say that to me. I loved your mother, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't miss her or mourn her death.

Ben: Yet, I was the only one who held her hand when she breathed her last breath. The only one who made sure she didn't die alone. The only one who visits her grave on the anniversary of her death so she knows, she is never alone. Unlike you and my father I kept the promise I made to her. Can you stand there looking at me the way I am now, say the same? So were you really my mom's friend, or were you just like everyone else a beggar looking for a hand out?

Bunnie: (is sad and angry at the man Ben has become) I don't know what has happened to you Ben, but Sarah would be ashamed of the man you've become.

Ben: No, Bunnie that is where you're wrong. My mother is Damn proud of the man I have become.

Bunnie: With how you're acting, how could she.

Ben: I only act this way toward people who have proven they can't be trusted. Which is something you did a long time ago. If you don't like it, you can leave. Since you no longer work here, you don't have to come back.

Bunnie: Fine. I once thought that you were the better man Ben, now I see Ricky was always the better man.

Ben: Bunnie, don't be so pessimistic you all always thought he was better than me.

Bunnie leaves angrily and sad. Looks at the picture of Ben Helen on the wall, and throws Nora's stapler at it, but it doesn't damage the picture only crack the glass a little. Nora goes in to see Ben, and ask how he could be so cold and cruel to Bunnie. Ben has once again sat and acted as if nothing has happened.

Nora: Ben how could you say all of that to Bunnie of all people?

Ben: I didn't want to say it Nora, but she brought it on herself when she came. You created this situation when you invited her here.

Nora: Ben, Bunnie and I were only trying to help.

Ben: With what Nora? I don't need your help? I'm fine. Even if I wasn't there is nothing that either of you could do to help. Or don't you remember what happened the last time you tried to help me? (referring to the incident where she got drunk at Geoff's)

Nora: I remember Ben, but this.... This isn't you.

Ben: This what Nora.... This is me. This has been me for quite some time. If this me isn't what you like then, you should take the job as my liaison as I asked.

Nora: (looks sullen and sad) Ben you are the new C.E.O. at are busiest time of the year. You can't handle this job on your own, you need help.

Ben: Nora, I know you don't understand this, but I am not the same foolish kid you met so many years ago. That fool is gone for ever. But, even he dealt with matters' onl his own. I have been gone for almost 9 years, and you will never know how much I have had to handle. So you have no idea of what I can handle on my own. If I do need help I'll get it. But, you are not the one that can help me.

Nora: Ben I just care about you, I'm concerned. You are turning away everyone who loves and cares about you. I know we made mistakes, but that was then we can start again.

Ben: (once again takes a dark tone) Nora, with all due respect I appreciate what you tried to do, but I DON'T NEED IT. You are not my mother, you are Ricky's mother. The only person you should concern yourself with is him. I had a mother, and she's gone. I don't need you or anyone else in this town trying to take her place. I didn't come back here to see any of you. The only person I came to see is Chloe, that's all. I came here to fix your son's mistake. I didn't come back for revenge, or to gloat about his donwfall. I came to close the door on this chapter of my life once and for all. So I don't need people from my past coming here pretending we can catch up on old times, or rebuild old bridges. I came here to burn those bridges down. Because that was a lie. (takes a more solemn expression and tone) So please gather your things put them in storage, and keep your P-E-T handy at all times.

Ben goes back to his office to continue his work Nora gather's her things, places them in the basement storage aream, and leaves. She sits in her car in the parking garage crying for the young man whom she now see's is completely gone.