The Hill of happiness
Chapter 3
" Some good advice"
Terry went back home and he called his lawyer.
- Archibald?
- What the heck? Grandchester?
- Corncob!
- To what do I owe the honor?
- What I can't call an old friend?
- No, not you… you need something…
- You're right, I need your advice…
- About what?
- My brother just died…
- My condolences...
- Thanks…
- I lost a cousin when I was younger, he was like a brother to me, it was horrible.
- I wasn't very close to my brother...
- Why am I not surprised? You've always been a loner…
- But I was your friend
- Yes you were… what did your brother left?
- A widow… she's pregnant…
- Wow! So you're going to be an uncle! Congratulations…
- I need your help…
- Why?
- Richard was my mother's favourite, so she wants Candy to go live with her, to keep an eye on her and the baby.
- There's nothing wrong with that…
- She's a monster-in-law, who blames everybody except her darling son…
- How?
- Richard was with another women when he died and my mother is blaming Candy for not being able to keep him near her…
- Hum, I see what you mean, she makes me think about my great aunt Elroy...
- Elroy? You've got a great aunt named Elroy? Said Terry with a mocking tone.
- Yes, like Elroy Jetson! You can say it!
They both burst out laughing.
- How is your love life? Asked Terry.
- I'm married and I'm expecting a baby…
- You're pregnant? How did you manage that?
- Terry!
- You're wife must be the one wearing the trousers in your house, because you're the one pregnant…
They burst out laughing again. It felt good to find an old childhood friend. He was not going to miss his brother, but his had missed his friends…
- Ok, are you going to tell me why you called me?
- What? You don't trust you dandy charm?
- Terry!
- All right… We have to stop my mother from getting Candy's child.
- Usually, the mother gets custody, unless she's unable to take care of a baby…
- Candy is the sweetest woman in the world, she's going to make a wonderful mother…
- Whoa… wait a minute…I'm sensing an attraction there… in fact I'm sensing love…
- Archie…
- You're in love with your brother's wife!
- I'm not dancing on his grave…
- I wouldn't blame you if you did, because according to what you used to tell me in school, he was a real SOB… he probably stole her from right under your nose!
There was a silence. Archie knew him too well! He should've called him a long time ago. But since he was used to fix his problem on his own, he forgot what friends were for.
- Tell me, said Archie
Terry told him the whole story.
- Well Grandchester, you've been carrying that on your shoulders by yourself. You should've called me earlier… I'm always there for you, you know that right?
- I'm realising it, thanks mate…
- Now, how do we keep your mother out of the life of your baby… it's going to be difficult, unless you tell Candy the truth…
- No…
- But Terry… her husband was cheating on her, what's one more lie?
- I know, but this time I'm part of the lie. I don't want her to put me in the same bag as my brother…
- Then marry her…
- What?
- Yes, that way she becomes your wife in the eyes of the law and the baby becomes yours… officially.
- That's not going to stop my mother…
- That's going to put a very big halt to her plans, you mean. If you become Candy's husband, she will be your responsibility with her baby… if your mother wants to take the baby, she will have to prove that Candy and you are incapable of taking care of your child… and if nothing works, tell her the truth…
- We're not there yet…
- So, go marry the woman you love and be happy.
- Can you be my best man?
- Of course… I have to introduce you to my wife too…
- I have to ask Candy to marry me first… She just lost her husband…
- I'm sure that the smooth talker you are will find a way… you're going to help her put her husband's affairs in order, are you not?
- Yes…
- I don't need to tell you that you should take advantage of the situation.
- You don't need to give me lessons, I taught you everything!
- We can see how the pupil becomes ungrateful… without me you wouldn't have dated a girl…
- Without me, you wouldn't have banged a girl…
They burst out laughing.
- Thanks for the advice, mate…
- I'll wait for the wedding invitation.
- You're the best man, I'll keep you posted.
- Hurry up before someone else steals her from under your nose again.
- Very funny…
- You let your brother steal her while you'd seen her first, right?
- I wanted to play the indifferent so that he wouldn't care about her…
- And how did that work out? A real fiasco! What would you do without me? Bye Terry…
- Bye Archie… and thank you!
Terry hung up the phone smiling. He remembered how much he had fun with Archie, his best friend… They had done so many fun things together… they had lost touch while growing up , having other responsabilities… he knew that his friend had become a lawyer… and his friend had given him the best advice… Marry Candy was music to his ears…
oOoOoOoOoOo
Candy woke up and she realized it was morning. She had slept for a very long time in the guests' room. She was still feeling the emptiness in that house chosen by Richard and his mother. She had never felt at home there…Richard had left her nothing? She will have to leave the house for another place to stay. She woke up to go puke in the bathroom. She put her hand on her little belly…
- Hello there! Are you all right? Another day is starting and life goes on for you and me… Mommy thought that she was going to stay with daddy until the end of times… but my wedding vows did say "til' death us do part…" Oh baby… what are we going to do? And your grandmother who wants us to go live with her… There is no way that's going to happen! I'm going to go crazy if I live with her… But I can't consciously keep you away from her, you are all that's left from Richard… The future seem a little confusing, your daddy didn't leave anything for me, he didn't think he would go before us…
Candy wiped her tears; she took a shower and got dressed. She ate something before feeling sick again. She was eating sour pickles and having a lemon tea. There was ring at the door and she went to open.
- Miss Pony! Sister Maria! She said jumping in Miss Pony's arms.
- Candy, my little one, how are you?
- I'm fine! It's so good to see you! Come in, please…
There was a man with them. He was tall and handsome, blond with very blue eyes.
- Oh Candy, said Sister Maria after letting go of her, let me introduce you to William Andrew, is one of the benefactor of the orphanage who came to see us and he wanted to come here when we told him we were coming to visit you.
- My condolences, said William shaking Candy's hand.
- Thank you , said Candy moved.
They went to sit in the living room. Candy went to the kitchen to make some tea. Sister Maria followed her to help her out.
- How are you?
- I'm fine…
They went back to the living room and Candy served Miss Pony and William.
- Thank you, said William smiling.
There were also cookies on a plate.
- Candy, said Miss Pony, after taking a sip of the hot beverage. We wanted to know if everything was all right after your husband's death…
- According to my mother-in-law, he didn't leave me anything, so she wants me to go live with her…
- Oh, said Sister Maria.
- But my brother-in-law is coming in a little while to see what he could do to help me, since I'm with child…
- Oh Candy! Said Miss Pony in tears.
- That's wonderful, said Sister Maria.
- Isn't it? Said Candy, at least he left me one good thing…
- Congratulations, said William.
- William has shelters for young women who need help, in case you don't know where to go, you can come back to the orphanage, said Sister Maria, so you can think about things.
- I hope Terry will be able to help me…
- He's going to take you in charge? Is he married? Asked Miss Pony.
- No, he's single and I don't think he's engaged.
- So, he could totally take you in charge? Said Miss Pony.
- I especially don't want to be a charge, said Candy.
- Candy, he's your brother-in-law, in some African countries, the brother-in-law marry their brother's widows and take her in charge with the children…
- What? But we're not in Africa, Sister Maria…
- It's to give you an idea of the sense of the family, you are his sister in law, his duty is to take care of you and the baby…
- But…
- Candy, I know you always think about others before you, think about yourself… but also think about your baby…his uncle could be a father for him…
- I wouldn't want to impose…
- Let him decide, you did say he's coming today to see you, right?
- All right, said Candy a little ashamed.
William was looking at her smiling.
- Mrs. Grandchester…
- Call me Candy, Mr. Andrew.
- If you call me William.
- All right, William.
- Candy, if for one reason or another, you need help, call me.
He gave her his calling card.
- Thank you.
There was a ring at the door. Sister Maria went to open. She came back with Terry surprised to see Candy with visitors.
- Oh Terry, said Candy smiling. Let me introduce you to Miss Pony, Sister Maria, my mommies from the orphanage and…
- William Andrew, continued Terry shaking his hand.
- Terry! What a surprise! You're Candy's brother-in-law?
- Yes! Small world, uncle William!
- You two know each other? Asked Candy surprised.
- He's my best friend's uncle, said Terry smiling.
- Oh, said Candy.
- I see that you're in good hands, said William, Terry is going to take good care of you. But in case…
- Thank you Uncle William, said Terry, I'm going to take care of my sister-in-law and her baby…
- All right, said William giving up.
Terry was marking his territory. Nobody was going to steal Candy from him, this time around, especially since she was having his baby!
Miss Pony and Sister Maria got up to leave.
- All right Candy, I see you're in good hands, like William said, I think the African tradition could work here…
- Sister Maria! Said Candy blushing.
- Good bye my child, said Miss Pony kissing her on the cheek.
- Good bye Candy, said William smiling, I was pleased to make your acquaintance
- Good bye, said Candy, and thank you.
She walked with them to the door. She found Terry sitting at the dining room table having a cup of tea.
- I hope it doesn't bother you, I helped myself with a cup of tea…
- Please…
- What was Sister Maria talking about with the African traditions?
- Oh, said Candy blushing, Sister Maria was saying that in certain African countries, brother-in-laws married their brother's widows and would take them in charge with their children…
- Oh…
- That's a stupid idea…
- On the contrary, I think it's an excellent idea!
Candy looked at him with big eyes.
- Are you kidding?
- Not at , will you marry me?
