in may 1987, christopher is devastated when he accidentally overhears a conversation between miss ellie and clayton about his being adopted. his parents comfort him and explain their reasons for not initially telling him the truth. christopher's life is turned upside down when pamela has a bad car accident; when bobby keeps him away from the hospital, the boy believes it is because he is adopted. soon after, pamela disappears from the hospital, leaving a note for bobby that claims she doesn't want anyone to see how badly burned she actually is. christopher is bitter and angry when pamela requests a divorce; later, he's forced into the middle of a custody battle between bobby and lisa alden, jeff farraday's sister. lisa drops the case after hearing christopher tell the judge he doesn't want to be away from his father.