|
1981:
Jenny Gardner’s traumatic childhood came about from an abusive father
and a detached mother who never knew how to say she loved her. Her mother,
Opal, uprooted her to Pine Valley to reunite with her brother, Tad Martin,
who had been adopted there. When they arrived, Tad was nowhere to be found.
But, his adopted family, the Martins, opened the home to the Gardners.
Jenny believed her mother to be suffering from a heart condition, and
agreed to take on a job at a sleazy bar, Foxy’s. There she met Jesse
Hubbard, a high school drop out who was down on his luck. Jenny recognized
the potential in the street-wise teen. She was able to persuade him to
re-enroll at Pine Valley High School on the contingency that she help
him catch up on his studies.
At PVHS, Jenny met Greg Nelson, a son of one of Pine Valley’s richest
families. Jenny knew that they could never be together. This fact was
made abundantly clear by Liza Colby, who believed that she deserved Greg.
1982:
Jenny’s life turned around with Greg in her life. She was in love.
He pushed her to her potential, putting more faith in her than anyone
in her life ever had. She entered the Miss Teen Pine Valley contest and
was the immediate favorite to win. When the results were called out, Liza
was declared the winner. But, Opal polled each judge individually and
discovered something was amiss. Liza and Amanda Cousins had rigged the
contest, and Jenny was the real winner.
Liza pledged revenge. She confronted Jenny with articles that chronicled
her father’s arrest. Jenny was filled with shame over her father’s
deeds. His greatest crime was the rape of Ruth Martin. Jenny begged Liza
to let the matter die, but she threatened to tell Greg if Jenny did not
leave town.
Jenny paid a visit to Ray in prison. The fear she felt in her father’s
presence was still there. She immediately packed her bags and left for
New York to pursue a modeling career.
But
life in New York was not as glamorous as it appeared. Jenny arrived at
an audition, only to find it was for an adult video. When the producer
tried to rape Jenny, Jesse broke in and saved her. Liza had accused him
of rape forcing him to go on the run too. That summer, Jenny and Jesse
found a new home way from the dramas of Pine Valley; though their hearts
ached for the ones they loved to be with them.
Erica Kane arranged for Jenny to work at a fashion house and introduced
her to her modeling agent, Olga Swenson. Things were going well for Jenny
when Jesse returned to Pine Valley to tell Greg why Jenny really left
town. He was arrested for Liza’s rape. Jenny finally summed up enough
courage to confront Liza. She was forced to admit to her lies again. Greg
and Jenny reunited. By Christmas, they were engaged to wed.
That New Year’s Eve, Greg rushed into the Martin home and warned
everyone Ray had planted a bomb in the cellar. They heard a loud explosion
outside. Ray died trying to disarm the bomb after learning Jenny was inside
the house.
1983:
Though Jenny mourned her father’s death, she was excited to have
Tad back in her life. They began to model together as a brother and sister
team. But, Tad’s wayward ways threatened to ruin her good reputation
in Pine Valley and New York. He played a pornographic film at the University
Film Club, not knowing someone had placed Jenny’s face over the
film. Jenny ran to the rooftop, as Greg chased her. Greg tried to reach
for her, but missed and fell to the ground below.
When Greg woke up, he was paralyzed. Jenny blamed herself for Greg’s
current state. Greg’s depression strained their relationship. After
graduation, she left once again for New York.
In
New York, Olga planned a new campaign for Jenny with a young model named
Tony Barclay. They had instant chemistry, and began to go on couple shoots.
Olga proposed a public engagement to boost their exposure. Before she
agreed to go through with the plan, she needed to resolve issues with
Greg. Greg admitted that he never blamed Jenny for his paralysis. He pushed
Jenny away so that she would not be burdened with a cripple. Jenny returned
to New York, unsure about her future. She realized she still loved Greg
and wanted to marry him again. She sent him a letter, and anxiously awaited
his response.
1984:
Jenny stood by the altar on her wedding day to Tony, ready to take the
plunge. She had given up on Greg after he did not respond to his letter.
When the priest asked if anyone objected to the union, Greg burst into
the chapel. He ran to the altar, knocked out Tony, and begged to speak
to Jenny. Enid and Amanda had kept the letter away from him. He still
loved Jenny wanted to make her his wife for once and for all.
Back in Pine Valley, Jenny and Greg finally married on Valentine’s
Day. The couple and the Hubbards later invested in a joint venture, The
Steampit Nightclub.
Unbeknownst to Jenny, Tony had become obsessed with her. Jenny, Tad and
Greg decided to take a vacation by the lake. Jenny insisted on using Greg’s
new jet ski the next morning. While taking the first ride, the engine
of the jet ski suddenly exploded. Tony had set it to combust so as to
hurt Greg, but instead Jenny was its victim.
Jenny was rushed to the hospital. Greg pleaded with Jenny to hold on,
but her injuries were too severe. Before she died, she made Greg promise
to move on with his life.
1994: Jenny’s spirit visited Tad as he lay in a
coma. Tad wanted to stay with her heaven. Jenny made Tad see all that
he would be leaving behind, including his wife and kids.
|