The memory of the heart:
The vow

Chapter 8
"The separation"

Terry had contacted his publisher who had given him an appointment in his office. His father was not happy.

- Come on Terry, what's the use? You're going to get your law degree…

- That doesn't stop me from making sure I have back up, dad.

- Terrence…

- I agreed to go back to school, but I haven't given up writing...

- Terrence...

- I'm going to see my publisher dad… all right?

- Do as you wish

Richard looked at his son. He had become very stubborn… like back in the days, he hadn't changed…

Eleonor arrived… she ran into Terry getting out of the office…

- Where are you going?

- I'm going to see my publisher

- I'll drive you…

- I can take the driver…

- All right, said his mother, good luck

- Thanks…

Eleonor walked towards her husband.

- Are you all right dear? She asked

He was pouring himself a glass of whisky.

- Terry is going to see his publisher

- So what? He's a writer

- He doesn't remember…

- Exactly, he used to just dream about it back then and all of a sudden, he disappears and makes his dream come true…

- I want him to take over after me…

- Richard, don't start. The world is giving you another chance… don't ruin it by trying to manipulate Terry, once again…

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Terry's publisher was named Robert Hathaway. He was very happy to see him again. He stood up to shake his hand warmly.

- Terrence! Your phone call surprised me, amnesia? Are you all right? Is it permanent?

- Yes, yes and I don't know, said Terry smiling

- You're pretty single minded, that's a good sign…

- I saw the manuscript I had in progress on my computer

- I suppose that your inspiration has disappeared with your memory?

- No, in fact my wife is my inspiration. So, even if I don't remember what I was writing about, I was inspired by something else and I started writing

- Oh, that's good news for me! Said Mr. Hathaway smiling, but Terrence, there's no rush, your books are very successful. And I don't think you need money.

- As a matter of fact

- How's your wife?

- We're separated at the moment…

- Oh…

- I don't remember my life with her…

- I can assure you that I've never seen a couple more in love than you two…

- Thank you Mr. Hathaway. I'm going to send you a chapter of my new book and you'll tell me what you think about it.

- All right Terrence…, said Mr. Hathaway.

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Candy went to the Grandchester's family lawyers office to sign the divorce papers. It was hard to do, but she told herself it was for the best. If Terry came back to her, it will be for love and not obligation…

She threw herself into work, working shifts after shifts. There was a new doctor who came from France who was named Michael Durand. Candy and him had sympathized. He like working with her and he often invited her for lunch when they had the same shift.

- Are you all right? You seem a little pale

- I'm fine…

- You're working too much

- It keeps my mind busy

- You've got personal problems?

- I'm freshly divorced…

- Oh… I'm sorry

- Thank you…

- Well life goes on…

- For me it's different…

She told him her story and he listened.

- If I understand you correctly, you're waiting for him to come back to you?

- Yes…

- All right then. Good luck, he said smiling

But after that, he became distant with her. A freshly divorced woman, waiting for her husband to come back to her? He didn't need that kind of distraction. Candy was thinking about starting her life over, she was waiting for Terry. She was sure he was going to come back to her.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Meanwhile Terry was at his law classes and all he could think about was writing… He tried reading his courses, but he was inspired by writing… and that's what he did.

His relationship with Susanna didn't seem to be working in his mind either, it wasn't working for some reason. It had worked in the past, it was what he remembered, but he had the impression something was missing… he spent time with her…

- Terry, you're divorced, we could continue where we stopped the last time…

- Susanna, I just got divorced, please, I don't want to rush into another relationship

- I'll be patient, she said kissing him

Terry couldn't help thinking about Candy … Candy… Her kisses used to take him in seventh heaven… Life was complicated! She was his wife and he didn't remember her, so she had set him free, but now, he couldn't stop thinking about her! He had to go get her back, but his mystery at home was not over… Time passed and wasn't really moving on that side… Until one night when…

He was in a restaurant with Susanna.

- Candy, loved when we ate home, restaurant she used to say it was for big occasions…

- She was probably used to save money, said Susanna drily

- She wasn't interested in money, said Terry, she was a registered nurse, you know she was making a lot of money… with or without my career, we were far from being poor

- I know, your perfect little wife was not after your money

- Can you say the same?

- What do you mean?

- Have you ever dated someone not from our world?

- What was it for you? A social experiment?

- In fact, I have no idea, I've lost my memory, remember?

- You can't stop talking about your dear Candy

- She's my wife…

- I thought you were divorced…

- Waiter! We're ready to order!

And the whole evening was like that, Terry spent his time talking about Candy, he had Susanna in front of him and he could only think about Candy… While when Candy was there, he was thinking about Susanna, because in his memory, she was the one in his heart, but it looked like Candy had manage to replace Susanna. She had to divorce him and leave for him to realise that Candy was in his heart?

- I'll drive you back home, since you don't have a car? Said Susanna

- I can take a taxi…

- Don't be ridiculous…

She was hoping Terry would want to make up to her.

- I'm disappointed, she said

- Why?

- All you could talk about was your ex-wife during the whole evening

- As a matter of fact, forgive me. That was insensitive of me, forgive me

- I'll take a last drink with you

- Don't tell me you're thirsty, said Terry ironically

- You know what I mean… you're not married anymore

- That's funny, if you had said that to me when I first woke up, I would've jumped on the occasion, but I was married and my wife absolutely wanted me to stay with her… Now that she had freed me… I don't feel like it, I still feel like I'm married…

- But you're not anymore!

They were at Terry's. She looked at her, she was wright. He took her to kiss her, but he was thinking about Candy and he couldn't savour the kiss.

- Let's go inside, said Susanna smiling

They got out of the car and got inside the mansion. Susanna was hoping to convince Terry to spend the night with her. They arrived in the living room and they saw Terry's father by the chimney looking to see if the fire was out before going to sleep. Terry has a sudden headache… His father turned around.

- The lovebirds! How was your evening? He asked smiling

- Fine, said Susanna smiling

She turned to Terry and looked at him…

- Terry are you all right?

- I have a headache, said Terry, I'm sorry Susanna, I'm going to bed.

- But Terry…

But he was already gone. His father looked at him go, stunned.

- Looks like you're not moving forward, said Richard

- He can't stop thinking about his wife…, said Susanna dryly.

- You mean his ex-wife; he forgot about her… he remembers you…

- But now he remembers her as well…, you shouldn't have left him with her!

- She was his wife! I tried to bring him here…

- He went to bed without me!

- I practically offered you Terry on a silver platter…

- He's changed… I think he's in love with his wife!

- Good night Susanna, said Richard

- Good bye, said Susanna leaving.

In his bedroom, Terry's head was spinning. Why seeing his father by the chimney upset him that way? He took off his clothes and went to the bathroom to take a shower and he was thinking about Candy… He missed her so much! How long have they been divorced? He wanted to see her… But his head was spinning… He was going to sleep on it… He will have a clear head tomorrow morning.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Candy was thinking about Terry at her place. She was talking to her friend Archie over the phone.

- You're crazy! How could you accept such a deal? Said Archie, you should've taken the money too!
- I don't need their money, I have a good job.

- What are you going to do?

- I'm going to go to the Pony Home for a while and I'm going to buy a house in Chicago.

- You're leaving New York? That's music to my ears!

Candy burst out laughing.

- When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window, said Candy, I'm going to go spend time with my family!

- Annie is going to be very happy!

So Candy went back to the Pony Home where she was always welcomed. The children were happy to see her. Her two mommies were proud of her.

- You can stay as long as you want Candy, said Miss Pony.

- Yes, said Sister Maria, it's always a pleasure to see you.

- I'm going to look for a house in Chicago, said Candy.

- Yes, you need it for your family, said Miss Pony.

Candy smiled. She had told her two mommies her story. They encouraged her to continue living her life…

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