Mommy Dearest
by Mallory Quinn
Chapter 2
"Rumour has it..."
Candy was in Florida for a week taking care of a little boy who had a blood disease. He was very weak, but she was trying to cheer him up. She knew his days were numbered. His mother was at his bed side day and night. She cried only when she was alone, she didn't want her little boy to see her sad. Candy thought how much that woman was loving her child and how sad she was going to be when he dies.
- I'm prepared, said the mother, no that's not true, because nobody is prepare to lose a child.
"But some people are ready to abandon their child…" Said Candy bitter in her head.
- Nobody should be prepare to lose a child, said Candy, it's ok…
She hugged Candy, who wasn't only being the nurse, but she was a moral comfort for the parents and the patient.
Candy was walking in town looking for an address…She finally found it. It was a big mansion and she rang the door. A butler opened the door.
- Yes?
- I would like to see Miss Patricia…
- May I ask who's asking for her?
- Tell her , it's Candy
- Very well, said the butler, wait here
The butler left and a few minutes later, Candy saw her friend running towards her. She jumped to her neck.
- Candy!! Oh my God! It is you!!! I thought the butler was playing tricks on me!!
- Patty! Said Candy hugging her back
- Oh Candy! What are you doing here in Florida????
- Well I'm working on the road, so I thought I'd say hello to my dear friend Patricia
- That's nice of you and also a nice surprise
They walked to the living room. A maid brought them some tea and sandwiches.
- Candy, you look… sad… what's wrong?
- Well I'm still thinking about Terry…
- Yes, I still think about Stear… do you know he never kissed me?
- Well Terry did kiss me…
- At least you've got that memory… I have nothing physical to remember him by…
- What about the dances?
- That's not enough… I wanted him to kiss me! He left without even saying goodbye… a dear Jane letter!
- You sound like you're angry with him…
- I am! How could he leave me for that stupid war! And get kill on top of that!
- I don't think he knew he was going to get kill
- Yes he did, he knew by going to risk his life at the war, he might not come back…he just didn't care about us enough to stay with me! That was more important than me!!!!
- Patty, said Candy hugging her, it's ok to be angry, you need that to move on… I've been angry too lately…
- Against Terry?
- No, against my mother…
- Your mother?
- For abandoning me…
The two friends continued talking, and then Candy had to leave.
- I'll come and see you on my free time, ok?
- I'm so glad you're in Florida with me!!! Said Patty hugging her hard
In New York, Terry was with his new friend, spending a lot of time together. People started to talk But Terry didn't care. He went to see his mother after the theatre one evening.
- Mum! He said smiling
- Terrence, you remembered I existed?
- Mum!
He hugged her and they walked to the living room.
- Rumour has it, that you've been seeing Lynda de Rothschild a lot…
- Rumour…hum
- Terrence, are you sleeping with her?
- Boy, you go straight to the point, don't you mum?
- Are you sleeping with Lynda de Rothschild? She repeated
- Mum…no I'm not!
- Don't lie to me…
- I'm not lying mum…she's only a friend
- A friend?
- Yes, she's fun to be around …
- That's all?
- Yes…
- I believe you…but Terrence…
- I'm not going to stop seeing her because of some stupid rumours
- She's old enough to be your mother
- You're my mother…not her
- What are you saying? Did she try to sleep with you?
- No! Mum! I told you we're just friends…
- Not "friends with benefits"?
- Like you used to have?
- Terrence!!! I'm still your mother!
- I'm sorry mum…But if I tell you that Lynda is just a friend, it's the truth
- What does Susanna thinks about that?
- Susanna… I don't really care what she thinks
- Terry…
- Mum… I was forced to be with her. I don't like it, I will never like it…
- She saved your life…
- Why couldn't I just buy her dinner and move on? I had to spend the rest of my life with her, give up the woman I love…
- Candy….right! Now I get it!
- You get what?
- Why you befriended Lynda de Rothschild…
- You do?
- Yes…
- You lost me…
- Can you describe her to me?
- She's blond, green eyes and she's got some freckles on her nose…
- Hum hum… sounds familiar?
Terrence looked at his mother surprised.
- Oh my God! I just described Candy! Said Terry
- Yep!
- Lynda looks like Candy? But… no! That's gross! I don't want to sleep with her!
- But something is attracting you to her; she reminds you of Candy!
Terrence remained silent. Was that the truth? Was he friends with Lynda because she looked like Candy? He did feel good in her presence…But…no! It was nothing sexual!
- You're right… that's kind of scary…but… , said Terrence
- Well as long as you don't sleep with her thinking she's Candy…
- Mum, you had to burst my bubble, did you? You're jealous!
- Jealous?
- Yes, that I spend all my free time with Lynda! She makes me feel good! That's all! She could be my mother, in fact she mothers me most of the time…
- I'm your mother…
- I know mum… you'll always be my mother. You don't have to be jealous of Lynda… she's just a good friend. I promise you.
He stood up and hugged her, she hugged him back.
- I was a little jealous, baby, said Eleonor, you're my baby
- I'll always be your baby, mum. That will never change. Lynda de Rothschild is just a good friend.
He had dinner with his mother and then he went back home to find Susanna sulking again.
- Terry! Where were you?
- I was having dinner with my mother…
- Yeah right! I'm sure Lynda de Rothschild can pass off as your mother!
- Susanna…
- How could you sleep with an older woman???!!! She's old enough to be your mother!!!!
- That doesn't mean she is…she is a woman though…
- Terry! How could you say that to me?
- I come back home and you accuse me of sleeping with another woman!
- That's because everybody is talking about it! You're not even hiding!
- Why should I hide the fact that I'm friend with a rich woman???
- Aren't you ashamed to be her boy toy??
- Actually no. I enjoy her company a lot…
- Terry…I'm here, I'm beautiful. You can have me whenever you want…I know I lost my leg but it was to save your life…it was worth it, because I love you so much… I forgive you…
- You forgive me? For what?
- For sleeping with Lynda de Rothschild…
- I didn't ask you for your forgiveness…
- You don't want me…?
- Susanna, before the accident, did I give the impression I was interested in you?
- No, but on stage…
- That was work, acting… I never wanted you before, and I don't want you now… I chose you, but I don't want you…your mother forced my hand and Candy left me, so I could be with you. Don't forget that. So, you and I, can never ever have a normal relationship…
Susanna was crying.
- You'd rather have an older woman…, said Susanna
- We are not having this conversation. I'm going to bed, Susanna. I'm exhausted…Good night
Terry left the room to go to his bedroom. Susanna's jealousy was annoying him…
The following weeks, Robert Hathaway called Terrence in his office.
- Terrence, your personal life is none of my business, but… rumour has it that you're very tight with Lynda de Rothschild…
- You're right Robert, my personal life is none of your business…
- Your "friend" just donated a lot of money to the theatre…
- What?
- Yes… she's very generous too…
- I've got nothing to do with this. She enjoyed the theatre long before I was in the picture…
- Yes, she did…but she never gave us any money
- Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
- It's a good thing…I just wanted to let you know, how generous your friend was…
- Thank you for the information, would that be all Robert?
- Yes…
Terry left the office and instead of being upset he was amused. Lynda was full of surprises. A generous donation? Robert thought he was intimate with her…
She came to see his play that evening and he had her in his loge after the play.
- Terrence, she said you were marvellous, as usual
- Thank you Lynda…I wanted to talk to you about something…
- The cheque I gave the theatre?
- Yes…
- Well you know we the rich people like to throw money away a lot, so I figure why not help the theatre instead of buying myself a new diamond necklace I don't really need…
Terry looked at her. Those green eyes… like Candy's…he couldn't get upset with her.
- That was very nice of you. Only everybody thinks it's because I keep your bed warm…
- We can't control what people think, Terrence.
- Unfortunately…
- Ready for dinner?
- Yes, let's go…
They went for dinner and then Lynda went back to her place. She found her father waiting for her.
- Lynda, he said, I was waiting for you…
- Father, she said coldly, what do you want…?
- Rumour has it…that you've got yourself a new boy toy
- You should know better than to listen to rumours father…
- The King of Broadway… he's young enough to be your son…
- He's a man…
- Lynda!
- Father, what do you want? I doubt you came all the way here just to talk about my new boy toy…
- You were always the most stubborn of my children… you've ruined all the marriages I've arranged for you…
- Please tell me you don't have another one planed…
- I need a merger…
- A merger?
- Yes…with the Lloyd's Bank…
- And that's my problem because…?
- Because a marriage would be a good thing for you and for business
- I can't believe what I'm hearing!!!! Not again, father!!!
- Lynda, I need this, please be mature this time and don't ruin it for me…
- It's not like you need the money…
- I want this…
- So I'm a pawn on your board game…again!
- I don't need a scandal. It wouldn't be good for business… you don't want to ruin our business, do you?
- Of course not…
- So your boy toy…
- I'm not giving up Terrence…
- Lynda…
- There will be no scandal, I promise you… who's my suitor this time?
- Steven Lloyd…
- What??? That playboy?
- Well apparently his father is desperate to have him married too… you know him, from school, don't you?
- Yes, I do… said Lynda bitter
Steven? Her father was arranging a marriage between her and Steven Lloyd?? This couldn't be happening!
- Why him?? He's a womaniser!
- Well you like young boys, you're going to be the perfect couple!
- Father!!!
- No scandal… the Lloyds need this too…Please Lynda
She looked at her father. Oh what the heck? She should get married… She'll just have to get rid of her husband later…but it was Steven Lloyd…
- All right, I'll do it this time…, she finally said
Her mother entered the room. She was pleased with her daughter's words.
- Lynda, finally! I'm happy you agree, said her mother
- Mother…
- You have to get married. At your age living alone and entertaining younger men…
- You're listening to the rumours too? Said Lynda, don't believe everything you hear
- As long as you don't have a bastard child, we're fine said her father
- Yes, rumours go up in smoke, but a child is concrete and we can't deny it…, said her mother, so keep your rumours and avoid the concrete bastard child, that is until you're married…
Lynda remained silent. She felt so sad all of a sudden. She had tears in her eyes, but she didn't want to show her parents.
- You'll have to adjust to married life and stop your affairs …or be more discreet. You can even pass of someone else's kid as your husband's…, continued her mother
- I can't believe what I'm hearing!! Said Lynda, you two are both out of your minds!
- We're trying to accommodate you, since you seem to be enjoying your liberty…, said her father, just stay married long enough for the merger to go through…
- You're trying to accommodate me, by telling I can cheat on my husband and even pass off another man's kid as he's?? What kind of parents are you???
- We're just trying to be on the same page as you…, said her father
- You really need this marriage, do you? Said Lynda
- Yes, said her father, we need this…please Lynda, no scandal
- All right. I promise you, no scandal…, she said with a weary tone
- Very well…,said the father, we're going to leave you now
Her parents left and Lynda went to her bedroom and she burst into tears… Her parents had unwillingly opened an old wound…
Mother's Day was kind of new celebration in America during that time. Anna Jarvis was among the first to celebrate Mother's Day in America. There was big party for the occasion on Sunday afternoon, organised by Anna Jarvis. Lynda, who went to lots of charity events, was part of the celebration. She met Terrence there with his mother Eleonor Baker.
- Lynda! Said Terrence smiling
- Terrence! She said hugging him briefly
- This is my mother, Eleonor Baker, mum this is Lynda de Rothschild
- Please to meet you…,said Lynda smiling
- Likewise, said Eleonor smiling
- Lynda, said Terrence, you're celebrating mother's day? I didn't know you were close to your mother. Because I know you don't have children…
Lynda felt bad. But she didn't show it.
- Well I just think that it's about time we celebrate mothers! I might become a mother one day…
- You're getting married or something? Asked Terrence with a mocking tone
- Or something… said Lynda
- What??? You're getting married??? You're not even dating!
- Terrence, I'll tell you about it later…not here
- All right, said Terry
Eleonor was looking at them. They looked so close, but it was more like best buddies kind of closeness, not lovers. She was reassured. Terry needed someone because he was going through something hard, adjusting to life without Candy and Lynda was actually helping him a lot with her friendship.
After the Mother's Day festivities, Terrence went with Lynda to have dinner. It was just the two of them
- So Lynda, tell me…you're getting married…
- Well my father has a merger….
- A merger??? An arranged marriage? Again?
- Yep!
- Are you going to ruin it again?
- Well…
- You actually want to do it…
- Yes….
- Why?
- I'm in my thirties… I want a family…
- Yeah right! Who's the loser?
- Don't call him that….
- Touchy….
- Terrence…
- You like him…
- Well I was in school with him…
- Oh… an old boyfriend
- Something like that…
- What do you mean?
- Well something happened when I was fifteen…
- He kissed you and you slapped him? Said Terry with a mocking tone
- Is that what happened to you?
- With the girl I loved, yes…
- Oh…cold shower
- No kidding! But we were talking about you…
- Right… when I was fifteen…I went with the school to Paris for the summer. I had a crush on him…
- What about him?
- Well I don't think he even knew I existed… so when we had the party to end the summer, he had a little too much to drink and I thought he wanted me finally so I…
- You let him play with you…
- I lost my virginity that night, it was wonderful… only the next day he couldn't remember anything…
- Oh…
- To this day, he doesn't remember sleeping with me… I was so upset I wanted to forget too…but I couldn't…
- Why?
- I got pregnant….
- Oh my God! What did you do?
- I just hid it from my parents. I was in boarding school I was able to hide it from the nuns… when my due date came close, I went to our castle in the country. Nobody ever went there… I had the baby and I left her on the door step of an orphanage…
- "Her"?
- Yes, it was a girl, said Lynda crying…I didn't want to leave her, but I had no choice… Nobody knows about this. You're the first person I've told…
- I'm very flattered you trust me with your secret…come here…
Terrence stood up and he went to hug her. She cried for a while. Then they finished their dinner and went to the living room to have some tea.
- So that's why you agreed to this marriage, because he's the father of your baby?
- He doesn't even know we had a thing… well if I'm going to get married one day, it might as well be with someone I used to love…and I'm tired of rebelling against my father…
- It's Mother's Day and I said you had no children! How insensitive of me! I'm so sorry Lynda
- You didn't know, it's ok…
- Did you ever try to look for your daughter?
- No…my family could take my affairs, but not a bastard child…
- She's still your child and their grandchild… I'm a bastard child… my father still thinks of me as his heir…
- I know I sound weak to you, Terrence, but you don't understand my family…
- I say if you put them in front of a fait accompli they would have no choice
- My family is not ready for that…
Terrence didn't insist. He was hurting for her.
- Today, especially today I'm think about her… I wish she was here…
- You can look for her…
- But…
- You want your daughter, don't you?
- I'm getting married…
- To the father of your baby… you can be a family if you find her….
Lynda remained silent. Her daughter, and… Steven…
- He doesn't remember being with me…
- Well you'll have to make him remember that his careless night left a permanent impact….
- I really miss my baby…
- Then go and look for her…
- I will…thank you Terrence.
- You're welcome Lynda. I hope everything works out for you
- It's going to be dicey…. Oh my God! Please give me strength!