16 Going on 30
Chapter 3
"The dinner at Eleonor's »
Terry and Susanna arrived at the theatre. Terry got out of the car and looked at the theatre building. He was fascinated. He was at least able to realise that dream. He was an actor and he liked it because despite having to take care of the family business, he was still acting. There was at least one think he liked in this lost world of his, the theatre. He followed Susanna who showed him his dressing room.
- Here is your dressing room, you seem kind of lost today…
- Thanks… Susanna, he said getting in
- I'll see you later, she said
Terry got in his dressing room and he looked around, there were costumes, wigs… That was his dressing room he was a talented actor…
- All I need now is my Candy… I still don't get how I could make my life without her… Now, which play am I supposed to do?
There was a knock on the door...
- Come in! Said Terry
A woman in her fifties came in. She looked young and she was very elegant wearing a designer dress.
- Terry honey! I missed you so much! She said hugging him
- Oh no, not another one! Said Terry out loud, let go of me!
- What's the matter, has Robert talked to you? He doesn't know anything, I promise you!
- Who the hell is Robert and who the hell are you? He said walking away from her
- Honey? You want to play that game? All right… My name is Jane Hathaway, my husband is the manager, Robert Hathaway and I have a crush on you!
- Mrs. Hathaway? Are you kidding me?
- Terry honey, she said remember the first time we did it? It was here, very quick with our clothes on, I leaned on the table
- Oh my God! Would you please get out of my dressing room? Or I swear to you , I'm going to scream!
- What's got into you? If you tell Robert I'm done…and you too!
- Well I guess I still have the family business if that happens…now get out!
- You bastard! She said leaving looking at him with mean eyes
She slammed the door and she met Susanna in the hallway.
- Mrs. Hathaway? Said Susanna, how was your quickie with Terry today? I bet he threw you out… He woke up another being today… I think it's the first time today I'm truly happy Terry is not the old Terry! Stay away from him you bitch or your husband is going to hear from me…
- You go to hell! said Mrs. Hathaway leaving
Susanna had a nice smile on her face, then she thought about Terry's good mood… if he wasn't having quickies, who the hell put him in a good mood… she got in her dressing room there was the morning paper, the society page talking about charity galas, there was a picture of William Albert Andrews' fiancée…
- Candy! Said Susanna, oh no! It could only be Candy who put him in such good mood! Damn you Candy! You probably slept with him too! You're engaged to be married for got sake! How could you do that!?
She was sulking and ranting on her own in her dressing room.
*
* *
Terry looked at Mrs. Hathaway leave.
- I can't believe I'm such a loser! The boss' wife??? And she's older than my mother! Eww! This dream just turned back into a nightmare! I think I'm going to be sick!
There was another knock on the door…
- I hope it's not another crazy lover… Come in!
Susanna came in.
- Did you sleep with Candy?
Terry looked at her with a mocking smile
- That's actually none of you beeswax!
- That's why you're in a good mood! How could you do this to me?
- I thought you didn't care about my affairs…
- It's Candy! You love her!
- Oh, you're aware of that?? He asked ironically
- Of course! How could you do this to me?
- Am I in love with you?
- No, but…
- So why would I care about your feelings?
- You are so cold…
- You're the one who wanted a man who was in love with someone else!
- I love you Terry, I saved your life…!
Terry who had not lived those events, was tired of hearing it!
- Would you stop the whining already? You are not gaining any points for that! If anything it makes me want to leave…
- Terry…
- Shall we go on stage now and work?
- Of course, said Susanna
They went on stage and they worked and Terry thought it was very interesting, he didn't need to recite any lines but he looked at how the others were working…
He was a happy camper when he and Susanna got ready for the dinner party. Susanna looked at him and she hoped he was happy like that for her, but…
- You're ready? He said
- Yes, Terry, do you think we could…?
- Could what?
- Have a little …
Terry looked at her, he wasn't feeling anything for this woman he woke up in bed with.
- I'm sorry, but I really don't feel like going late to the party because you and I were hitting the sheets…
- But we… Candy must have satisfied you quite well for you to reject Mrs. Hathaway today
- Shall we go? Or do I have to continue listening to your constant whining?
Terry walked to the door and Susanna followed him. They were in the elevator and Terry saw a young man there, he had long brown hair, he reminded him of himself several years ago, no… last night! He had never been very social in school, but waking up with all those grown ups around him, he missed seeing people his age!
- Hi, said Terry smiling
The young man looked at him a little surprised.
- Hello…
- How are you?
- Good… you?
- I'm fine I'm going to a party…
- Good for you said the young man…
- How old are you? Asked Terry
- I'm 16…
- Me too! Said Terry
The young man looked at him stunned.
- Euh I mean, I feel like I'm 16! I remember it like it was yesterday! Said Terry
- Oh, said the young man smiling
Susanna was there listening and she looked up and shook her head. They arrived on the ground floor and they all got out. Terry turned to the young man.
- What's your name?
- Steven, but why are you talking to me? You always ignore me…, you're the King of Broadway, the big star
- I'm in a good mood today, would you like to be friends?
- I'd love to! Said Steven smiling
- Good, come and see me if you need anything…we should hang out sometimes…
- Terry! Said Susanna, are you done being childish, we have to go! We're going to be late
- Funny you didn't think so when you were asking me for a quickie a few minutes ago…
Susanna became bright as red. Steven started laughing.
- I'll see you later Steven, said Terry, you can call me Terry!
- Bye Terry, said Steven, bye Miss Marlowe
Susanna didn't reply and walked to the car. Terry followed her and Steven walked away when they got outside. The ride to Terry's parents' house was made in a heavy silence. They arrived at a big mansion. As they entered the party room among all the guests, Terry only saw Candy, very elegant and laughing with some guest. Eleonor saw her son and she walked to him…
- Terrence baby!
- Mum! Said Terry hugging her hard
She was surprised but she hugged him back.
- Are you all right baby?
- I'm fine, I'm just happy to see you!
- I see that! What's got into you?
- I woke up a new man! He said smiling
Susanna looked around and she saw Candy, she was upset.
- Candy is here! She said
- I've got 20/20 vision Susanna, thank you…
- Don't you dare go to her! Said Susanna
- I don't take orders from you, said Terry
- You're going to humiliate me!
- By saying hello to an old friend?
- To your mistress!
- Does she have it tattooed on her forehead? I don't respond well to threats Susanna…
- Terry…!
- I'll see you later mum
He walked away to talk to Candy. She turned around and smiled to him.
*
* *
Susanna looked at Eleonor.
- You see what I have to deal with?
- I see that when it comes to Candy you're losing it…
- He slept with her!
- How do you know that?
- He came back from lunch in a very good mood and I know for a fact that he didn't do anything with his regular sluts…
- Haven't your mother ever told you to never assume anything?
- I know Terry Mrs. Grandchester, he was with a woman and that woman is Candy!
- Why don't you try and relax and have fun…
- Without Terry
- It's not like he paid attention to you before… you're used to this…
- It's Candy Mrs. Grandchester! He's going to leave me for her!
- He did leave her for you, so the reverse is possible I guess…
- I saved his life! I lost my leg!
- Surely you don't think that forcing him to be without you after was going to make him love you… Susanna, I'm very grateful to you for saving my son's life, I'm sure he's grateful too… but your constant whining is kind of a turn off for any man…
- I'm going to go get something to eat, said Susanna leaving
Eleonor looked at her go. Terry was behaving like he always behaved, but since this time it was with Candy, Susanna was feeling threatened …
*
* *
Terry arrived at Candy's level smiling. She was wearing a red dress, she was very beautiful. Candy looked at him and she was melting.
"Oh my God! I still love him so much!" She thought
- Good evening Freckles, he said
- Good evening Terrence, she said, you haven't outgrown the nicknames calling yet? You know my name!
- Why should I? This one is perfect for you Freckles
- You're hopeless, she said smiling
- I love your smiling Candy
- Where is Susanna ?
- Somewhere… I don't care
- Terry…
- I woke up with no memory of the last decade… I'm having trouble caring about a woman whom, to me , is a perfect stranger
- She saved your life…
- I don't remember that… I'm sorry…
- Well it's not like you cared for her before, said Candy, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that…
Terry smiled.
- It's ok Freckles… you want to go get something to eat
- Sure, let's go…
They walked to the buffet together and they talked and laughed. Susanna was looking at them from afar, heartbroken.
The duke walked to his wife.
- Hello sweetness , he said
- Honey…
- Is that Terrence with…?
- Candy, yes!
- Where is Susanna?
- Sulking over there…
- What else is new?
- She usually comes alone while Terry is out banging some woman somewhere… This time he came, but he is only looking at candy…
- I think Susanna should let it go… Terry doesn't love her
- Oh gee you think?
- We need to talk to our son…
- Yes, I think we do, but let him have fun with Candy, I never seen him so… happy!
- He does look different. Isn't Candy engaged to be married?
- Yes…
- That can't be good…
- He wants her back…
- What about Susanna?
- You know more than anybody what it is be with a woman out of duty and obligations…
- Indeed… let's go get something to eat…
They walked to the buffet and they looked at Candy and Terry laughing like an old married couple. They shook their head.
Candy and Terry went to sit in a corner to eat, talk and laugh. Terry had completely forgot about Susanna. You have to say, for him he had just met her that morning and aside from the little help at the company for the meeting and showing him his dressing room, he wasn't really impressed with the one legged broad…
There was an orchestra playing some classical music. The proceeds for the evening would go to charities. At one point Candy and Terry were talking by the back door , and this music started. It was the music she danced with Anthony, she remembered the May Festival, Terry's anger, so she didn't say anything but to her big surprise, Terry declared:
- Remember this music?
- How could I forget, she said looking at him in the eyes, I danced it with Anthony, you and Michael…
- Michael? Said Terry stunned, who the bloody hell is Michael?
- He's a doctor I met years ago, he came to the mansion in Chicago and he helped me come down a very high tower with a rope…
- That's way too much information, do you have his passport number too?
- You're jealous…
- Who me? That's a waste of time…
He turned to her , bowed and said giving her his hand:
- Princess Juliet, would you do me the honor of dancing this waltz with me?
- Terry, this is not a dancing party…
- Says who? There's the nice music, I say we can dance… Come on Freckles… let's dance, let's have fun
Candy looked at him. He really did seem like he was still 16 again, so spontaneous… So, she did a curtsy and they started dancing their waltz. Every body was looking at them smiling, other couples started dancing as well and having a lot of fun. Susanna was sulking some more…
Candy was dancing with Terry and she felt so good… It had been years since she had felt that good, that happy, she was with Terry she looked at him… but it was just an illusion, Terry was engaged to Susanna and she was engaged to Albert! Her smile vanished and she stopped dancing…
- What's wrong? Asked Terry
- I have to go, Terry, I'm sorry…
So she just ran out of there before Terry could say anything. He was a little surprised, but he knew she was confused, she was engaged and he was putting the moves on her… She was his Candy, not Albert's, and she getting so upset meant that she was sharing his feelings too… That was music to his ears!
His parents were still dancing and he looked at them. Candy was gone, his joy should've been gone but he was happy he got to dance with her, he was sure she was melting.
Susanna who was sulking walked to him:
- How could you humiliate me like that?
- I was just dancing…
- You could've dance with me first, I'm your fiancée!
- Whining!
- Terry…
Meanwhile the waltz was over, his parents walked to them.
- Father, said Terry coldly
- Terrence, it's good to see you
- I can't say the feeling is mutual…
- I thought we were passed all the animosity…
- I haven't quite been myself today…
- Today only? Said Eleonor ironically
Terry looked at his parents, he remembered his father with his step monster, he looked at him now and he could see the difference, how happy his father was. Wasn't he trying to get Candy back so he could be happy? So he smiled…
- Mum, I'm very happy for the both of you…Dad, I don't recall seeing you his happy when I was growing up except when you were with mum… I'm happy you realised in time that you had to live with the person you love that the duty only made you unhappy… Like I am…
- Terry! Said Susanna hurt
- Don't tell me you think we're doing good Susanna, said Terry
- I'm happy, I'm with you…
- What about me? I'm not happy…
- Can we not do this now? Said Susanna, people are looking at us…
- I don't give a rat's ass what people think! Said Terry walking away
He went outside to breathe some fresh air… Yes, as long as this… "dream" was going to last, he was going to make sure he gets Candy back… And it's going to be bye bye one legged broad! That can't arrive soon enough!
*
* *