All My Children 1971

Tara tried repeatedly to warn her brother Jeff about Erica. But Jeff was mesmerized by Erica's beauty and flattery. The news of their wedding jolted their families. Marriage to Jeff wasn't anything like she thought it would be! Stuck in a dinky, drab apartment while Jeff spent most of his time at the hospital, Erica grew frustrated. While Erica grew more distant, Jeff found he had much more in common with a sweet nurse, Mary Kennicott.

When Phillip couldn't remember her, Tara turned to Chuck even more. When Chuck proposed, Tara said, "Yes." By the time Phil's memory returned, Tara was engaged to Chuck.

Joe's Grandmother, Kate, encouraged Tara to follow her heart. But with no encouragement from Phillip, Tara couldn't accept Gran's advice. And the day of her wedding to Chuck finally arrived! She was nervous, but determined to marry Chuck.

Nick was convinced that marrying Chuck Tyler would be the biggest mistake she could make! And the more he thought about what Tara was about to do, the angrier he became. He'd been drinking, and when the minister asked that fateful question, "Is there anyone among us who knows why this wedding should not take place?"







Nick spoke up, shouting, "I do! Because Tara still loves Phil!" But Chuck had not heard Nick's statement. In the same moment that all heads turned to Nick, Chuck collapsed, his kidneys had failed. The wedding was over before it was finished.

Ironically, it was their mutual and deep concern for Chuck that brought Tara and Phil together again. As Chuck hovered between life and death in the hospital from his kidney problem, Tara and Phil kept a constant vigil.

While they waited, Phil tried to reassure Tara. His hand touched hers. And even if Phil had tried to deny it, Tara knew from that touch. He still loved her. And she could no longer pretend to herself that she didn't love him. After barely clinging to life, Chuck finally rallied. The doctors told Tara that they were convinced that it was his love for her that pulled him through and that his recovery would be a slow one. Tara knew she would have to remain Chuck's fiancee until he fully recovered! And Phil agreed to wait until the time was right for them to be together. While Chuck slowly recovered, Phil received his draft notice -- he was headed for Vietnam!

Erica dropped out of college and began a new job at Ann Tyler's Boutique. The job kept her going on buying trips to New York City. This was her destiny.