Melrose Place1992

Martin Abbott:
[to his large congregation] I was seven, and Robert was nine, and this one day we snuck Mom's car out of the driveway. Robert was going to drive first. He put his foot on the accelerator and floored it, and in about two seconds he lost control of the car and we careened into a tree. Robert was fine, but I hit my head on the dashboard and I was bleeding all over. He got really scared because I wasn't moving.

Rikki Abbott:
Did you have a near-death experience?

Martin Abbott:
No, I guess I was just stunned. Only Robert thought that I was dead. So... he left me there and ran away. And then, I remember waking up and seeing these... two strong arms lifting me out of the wrecked car. It was a neighbor of ours, an older man named Mr. Rizzo. A bachelor. Never paid much attention to us kids, but he knew who I was and I knew who he was. He saw the accident and came to help me out of the car. He carried me home, but by that time Robert was already there and he told my parents that "I" was the one who stole the car. "I" was the one driving when we had the accident, and that "I" forced him along with me. So, here I am, in my parents living room, with a serious head wound, being held by this neighbor, feeling so warm and safe, looking down at Robert who was looking at me so smug because he knew that I was going to get a beating, and that I was going to be punished... not him. Then I looked over at my father, a psychopath just like Robert, because he always took my brother's side against me. In that instant, I realized that I'd never felt loved and protected like this by my own family. At that very moment, I knew I could never trust them to take care of me again. Nine years later, when I was old enough, I ran away. I had to leave.

Sydney Andrews:
You still see them, don't you?

Martin Abbott:
Never. I had to let them go because they never put their trust in me again since that day. The day that Robert lied to them about me stealing the car. I had to find the courage. Now, many more years later, I have a new home now. I have a new family... all of you... my family! We begin our journey tomorrow by taking the first step to release the chains of our painful past. Rest up. We have a very exciting day ahead of us. Sleep well. Go in well.