Dec 1974 synopsis
Despite a bitter divorce several years ago, Dan and Susan Stewart's lives continue to cause conflict. The problem now, as in the past, is their daughter Emmy. Although the courts awarded Susan legal custody of Emmy, Dan is determined. to raise his daughter alone. Since Emmy has run away twice while living with Susan, Dan takes it upon himself to keep Emmy with him. Naturally Susan protested and had Dan served with a warrant. Luckily, Dan's lawyer, Grant Colman, was present and insisted he let his daughter go for now. Meanwhile a small child is being tossed from one parent to another. Susan states she loves Emmy but one must wonder if this is just a ploy to get Dan back. Dan, on the other hand, is a truly devoted father and wants only what is best for Emmy and is not about to give her up without a strong fight.
While sharing breakfast with Susan, Mark Galloway appears surprised that Susan is planning to bring legal action against Dan. However, her plans may change now that she has been informed Dan is going to have the custody suit reopened. Grant receives a visit from Mark, who pleads with Grant to set up some sort of meeting between Dan and Susan. At first, he states he cares about the child's welfare, but it isn't long before Grant realizes he is thinking mainly about his future with Susan.
He does tell Grant however, that he feels Susan may relent before this case goes to court, as he belleves she does not want the responsibility of raising a child. Knowing how vindictive Susan is, Grant informs Mark he will have to discuss this with Dan, and only he can make the final decision. As Mark leaves, he appears pleased but asks Grant never to let Susan know about their visit. When Grant discusses Mark's request with Dan, he is totally bewildered, but agrees, hoping Mark is correct.
Susan's lawyer informs her about the proposed meeting, but before she makes a decision, she decides to talk it over with her good friend John Dixon. Assuming John will understand, Susan appears humiliated when he, who knew Susan when she didn't want any children, questions why she is letting this go so far when they both know she still loves Dan. Susan finally decides to go through with the meeting, but informs Mark she is ready for a long, hand fight.
Kim Dixon, who wants to, help Dan in any way she possibly can, is thrilled with Betsy's invitation to her school's Christmas play. John, recuperating from surgery and feeling totally alone, questions Kim's sudden interest in Betsy Stewart. John has yet to learn that his attending physician and Kim are very good friends and that she has a special feeling for Dan's young niece. Betsy's play is a terrific success, and Dan takes she and Kim out for refreshments to celebrate. A woman stops by their table and tells Dan and Kim what an excellent actress their daughter is. As the woman departs, Betsy apologizes for her mistake and Kim is quick to tell Betsy that she would like nothing more than to have had her for a daughter However, the woman is only half wrong as Betsy is Dans real daughter, but perhaps she will never learn the truth for he feels she is much too young to understand.
Kim stops by Lisa's bookstore to have lunch and finds her terribly upset over Ellen Stewart's recent visit. She confides in Kim that she feels Ellen was responsible for her and Grant's break-up. Kim tries to persuade Lisa to talk about Grant, however, saying she never wants to see or talk about Grant again.
Joyce Colman, resuming her she job at Memorial Hospital, spots Grant and immediately begins discussing what a trouble maker Lisa is. Knowing Lisa and Grant will never resume their relationship, Joyce, trying désperately for the first time in her life to become independent, tells Chris Hughes she has rented an apartment. Chris, knowing how insecure she is, wonders how she is going to make it. Joyce tells him she firmly believes everything will work out. Could she possibly be thinking Grant will come back to her once he realizes how much she has changed.?
Although the charges against her have been dropped, Natalie Bannon continues to pursue Tom Hughes, At a dinner celebrating her freedom, Natalie admits to Tom that she wants to be more than his ex-client. Tom, just learning about Carol's plans to obtain a divorcee from him, tells her that they are friends and although his future looks dim, he will call her soon. Nancy comes home and finds Chris extremely worried as Carol went to see him about recommending a divorce lawyer for her divorce from Tom. Nancy, refusing to mind her own business goes to see Carol in the hopes of getting her to change her mind about divorcing Tom.
However, upon her arrival at the bookstore, she meets Jay Stallings who is currently dating Carol, and he is quick to put her grandson down for the pain he has caused Carol. Carol finally appears and tells Nancy that she is sorry, but she and Tom are hopeless and is determined to go through with the divorce. Bob, trying not to interfere, goes to see Tom and asks him to call Carol before this situation goes any further. They are interrupted by a visit from Natalie who senses Bob .doesn't like her. Tom assures her that Bob's coolness is just because he doesn't know her. However, if Tom and Carol's marriage breaks up, the Hughes' family will have only her to blame. Bob, feeling he got nowhere with Tom, visits Lisa. Lisa informs Bob that no one can talk two people out of anything once their minds are made up , but she often wishes someone would have tried in their case.
By
Paul Raven ·
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