Terry and Candy
Chapter 9
"Life is life"
Life is good, life is bad, and life is life. Candy used to do a lot of charity work in Chicago. She had a lot of contacts with social services and housing people in Chicago who recommended her to social services and housing in New York. Terry's accounts were frozen. They had to open another account his father had no access to. They did all the paper work. They moved to a complex with subsidized housing. They had emergency furniture, which meant, two folding beds, a little stove. Candy and her condition was very tired as she sat on the folding bed. Terry looked at her.
- I can't believe we did all this today! He said, you know everything!
- Well, there's a reason you didn't know who I was, I was never home! I was always on some humanitarian mission…
- I'll say! Most girls spend their time shopping…
- I used my shopping money to help the poor…
- Never in my life I thought I would go on Welfare!!
Candy looked at him smiling.
- How's the baby?
- Fine, I'm just a little tired
- We need to see the doctor
- We'll go to the free clinic… Terry are you ok with this? You left everything for me…
- Candy, listen to me. When your family took you away and I was back with Lacy for a second…I was alive… I was like dead
- You pushed me away…
- I was in shock… I'm sorry baby, I didn't want to hurt you…
- It's ok… you came back to me…
- I had all the money and my marriage to Lacy was going to make everything fine for our family business… I was going to become CEO of the company… but I was grouchy and I yelled at every body, Lacy was my target, I kept yelling at her…I was unhappy. Now being with you and being broke, doesn't matter to me, because you're here, with me, I feel good.
He hugged her, on that little bed.
- I don't know how I'm going to sleep on those beds…
- We can put the mattresses on the floor…
- On the floor? Why?
- So we won't break the bed with…
Terry burst out laughing and hugged her.
- I love you, he said kissing her neck, how did we get a three bedroom?
- Because I have friends…
- That's really odd, I used to have friends in high places who let me down…
- And I have friends in…"low places" who helped me…
- Those are real friends, you realise who your friends are when you've got problems…
- I'm sure your friends got a threatening call from my father and yours … don't blame them…
- Candy, the rich let us down, because they're afraid of getting poor like us… the poor people are the one helping us!! I really never thought about them, I've sent check for charities, without really thinking about it. Mostly for tax purposes… I had no idea what they did with the money… and I would never thought that the money helps so many people…and that I would be one of them…
- Well whether it was for tax purposes or not, your money is doing a lot of good…by tomorrow we'll get some furniture…
- Donations?
- Yes…
- All right…
The bed they were sitting on was shaking…
- You're right, said Terry; let's put the mattress on the floor!
They burst out laughing, they put the mattresses on the floor and they took their clothes off and they had a lot of fun. Then they went to the supermarket to buy some food for the day, since they didn't have a fridge yet…
- You need milk freckles…
- Yes, but we don't have a fridge yet…
- Let's take a little one then…
- All right…
They went back to their apartment to eat and sleep. The next day, in the morning they had a delivery…very nice furniture, with a stove, a fridge, dishes, pots and pans… Terry was speechless.
- Freckles?
- Well I called my contacts in Chicago and they sent me the best furniture they had… sometimes we get those stupid rich people who decides on a spur of a moment to change their furniture of the whole house…or the new wife, want to get rid of the other wife's stuff… and we get nice bedrooms because the husband was caught cheating on the bed…
- So we're getting other people's soiled furniture? Beats sleeping on the floor! He said smiling
The people who brought the furniture also had a carpet they fitted in the apartment. After a little while, the apartment was fully furnished! Shortly after, they received some milk eggs butter, yogurt…
- This is from the pregnant women program…They're going to help with diapers too and other stuff, like gift certificates for baby stores…Terry we're not going to starve, or sleep outside… we're just going to have just enough money to pay the bills… and the phone people are coming today too… the hydro people too…and the cable…
- Since we're practically black listed, we need to find other jobs…
- Yes, we have to… I saw a sign "Now hiring" at the bar close by
- A bar?
- Terry, we need the money…
- Candy you're pregnant… I don't want you in a bar with men hitting on you…
- Terry, I need to work …come on…I've sent resumes to advertising companies, but…
- Candy, I'm going to find a way to take care of you, but…
- Terry, we're in this together…
- I don't like this…
- I know, but only for a while and the tips are good…
- All right… he said against his will
- So let me get ready to go for an interview, you can stay here and wait for the hydro people and watch television, I'll be back in a bit and we'll got grocery shopping…
- We don't have a car…
- We can take a cab or even better have it delivered!
- Really?
- Yes really, said Candy smiling
She finished getting ready and she went for the interview and she got hired after she made sure that there was no smoking inside the restaurant.
- So I'll see you around 12?
- Yes, said Candy, thank you…
Candy went back home to Terry.
- I got the job…
- I want to be happy, but I can't… a bar!!
- I know baby…
- All right, congratulations, he said without smiling
- You're enthusiasm is touching
- I'm not going to lie to you
- I appreciate that…now let's go shopping
- Ok…
They went shopping for groceries; they had fun playing around with the cart like children.
- I love shopping with you, said Candy smiling
- You rock too, said Terry smiling
The cashier was looking at them smiling. They paid to have the food delivered in an hour.
- Food is not that expensive, said Terry
- Thank God for that, said Candy smiling
- I'm learning a lot, I met the phone guy, the hydro guy… I don't think I've ever seen a phone bill in my life!
- You're learning how to be poor? She said laughing out loud
They lived the simple life. They had food, shelter, and just enough money to pay the bills… The little money they saved was to buy a car, a uses car.
- A used car, well as long as it rolls…
- And take us places faster…
- I kind of like the subway, he said smiling
- We could still take the subway…she said smiling
Terry started looking for any job available. He had one as a delivery driver and he had to look at a map to find his way home. He would come back exhausted. And Candy would come back a little later. She would cook something and they would eat together, watch a little television and they would fall asleep, then go to their bedroom.
One Saturday morning, they got a visit of a social worker.
- What can we do for you? Said Candy whose belly was getting bigger
- Well said the worker, I just came to see if you were fine…
- Why? Said Candy who knew almost everything about social workers
- Because, we have this new program, that happens once in a while where we choose a family to be sponsored…
- Sponsored? It's not Christmas time yet, said Candy
- Well some rich family choose a family to help out throughout the whole year and you've been chosen, since you need help and you've got a baby on the way, we're going to get you the necessary for the baby, the crib, stroller, bouncer, clothes, diapers- I already have a program helping me with that
- Then this one is a separate one…
- But…
- Freckles, said Terry, the man is trying to help us here… can you just let him… you're the client today, not the worker
- Oh… right. Thank you honey. I'm sorry for being sceptical, said Candy. Thank you for your help
The man gave them coupons, vouchers, gift certificates and a cheque for 2000 .
- Oh my God! Said Candy surprised
- And I'll be back in a few months to give you more.
- Thank you very much, said Terry smiling
- You're welcome, here is my card, if you need anything… we can also cover your hospital bill if you don't have medical insurance… Good luck.
- Thank you, said Terry and walking him to the door.
He came back to the living room and he looked at Candy.
- Honey, what was that?
- Terry, I've never heard of this program
- It doesn't mean it doesn't exist…
- Yes, but…
- Freckles, some rich couple decided to help us out… just take charity, we're in no position to refuse. We have a baby on the way…
- You're right! 2000 we can buy a used car with this!
- A used car? What about the baby stuff
- We're going to have enough baby stuff… you can buy a car so we can go places easier…
- All right! I hate using our babies money, but I'm going to give back every penny …
- I'm sure you will…
So they bought a used car. A 10 year old, Lumina in good shape, they had enough money left for the insurance and all formalities of the license plates.
In a far away mansion a woman was getting a phone call.
- Yes, you did it? Good… I wish I could do more, but… all in due time right. Thank you again for the update.
She hung up the phone.
- Melissa? Said a voice
- Albert…
- Who was that?
- My personal assistant
- Who are you helping out this time?
- A young couple, having a baby and looking for a job…
- Oh, you're so generous
- With your money…thank you honey.
- You still won't forgive me for Candy?
- Albert, you threw our little princess out in the streets!
- I didn't throw her out, she left!
- She left because you gave her no other choice
- She chose the man she loves over her family!
- That doesn't mean that she doesn't love us!!
- I invited her to William's wedding…
- Without her husband!! She's pregnant!
- What? How…?
- I'm keeping tabs on her, what do you think!? We're linked to the Grandchesters for good now!
- NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! How could she be so stupid!?
- Get pregnant after marrying the man she loves?
- I don't want to hear this, Melissa! My little princess baby!!
He left the room and slammed the door! But he was glad his wife was taking care of his little princess.
Maxine Grandchester was talking on the phone with someone. When she hung up the phone, her husband was looking at her.
- What the hell are you doing?
- Taking care of my son…
- How dare you?
- No, how dare you!! Cut off my baby boy and throw him in the streets!! You really didn't think that I was going to cross my arms and let you treat my son like a criminal?!
- He's my son too, you think this is easy for me?? Said Liam
- Looks like it! Don't worry, I'm using my own money from my trust fund… you don't have to worry about your money
- Maxine…
- And I'm getting the money to them through different channels they'll never know it came from me!
- You're undermining everything I did…
- Like telling every one of your friends not to hire him? She said bitter, how could you be so heartless??
- He's with the enemy!
- Candy is the sweetest girl I've ever met… they got married and they're having a baby…
- Oh my God!! I need some air…
Liam left the room to go breathe some fresh air. He was angry, but a part of him was happy his wife was helping them.
Candy and Terry got more charities donations and cheques with thousands of dollars. Candy was getting suspicious again, but Terry told her not to worry.
- Freckles enjoy! He said
- All right
With their car, they could go shopping at their ease and buy a lot of thing and come back home less tired then if they had been in the subway.
- Candy, you think you can quit your job at the bar now?
- Why?
- You need to rest until you have the baby…
- Terry….
- It's just a thought…
- I know baby…
She knew he didn't like her at the bar. Sometimes he was come and stay until her shift is over. Candy loved going back with him especially when they got their car. One evening, Terry couldn't make it on time and Candy was outside waiting, but she decided to walk… She felt like someone was following her and she started walking faster. The man grabbed her and wanted to take her in a dark alley… Terry was in the car and he saw that, he stopped the car and followed them in the alley…
- Let me go! Said Candy , please, I'm pregnant, don't hurt my baby
The man had a knife.
- If you stay still and let me do my work, I won't hurt your baby, if you scream, I'll stab your baby!
- NO!! Please, said Candy crying, don't hurt my baby…
The man was kissing her neck, he had the knife on her belly and he smelled like alcohol. Candy was crying begging him to stop he was undoing his pants, when he pulled away from Candy all of a sudden. He got a blow on his nose
- Terry! Said Candy
Terry was stunned to see that it was his wife…
- Candy!!
He punched the guy harder, this last one ran away putting his pants back on and he left the knife…Terry ran to Candy.
- Candy baby, are you ok?
- Yes, she said crying in his arms
- Did he hurt you? You want to go to the hospital?
- No, I'm fine, she said crying… just take me home baby
He picked up the knife and then they took their car and they went back home. Candy took a shower, she could still smell the alcohol in that man's breath, she was disgusted. Terry took her in his arms and they went to bed.
- Thank you Terry
- You don't have to thank me…
- You were right, that was a dangerous job, I should've waited for you
- Why didn't you?
- I just wanted to breathe some air, I was feeling nauseous … I'm sorry
- It's not your fault…
- I won't be working anymore…I'm going to stay home
- Candy… don't worry too much. You can draw during the day
- Yes, my comic…
- I want another job too…I can't stay a delivery guy for ever…
- You want to quit too? We won't have any money coming in…we can manage with our savings…for a little while…
- I'm putting our finances at risks…let me try little companies, who can't pay too much but…I can start from scratch…
- Yes, you can…
- If we really need money… I'll find something you know that, right
- Yes, I do… I want you to be what you want to be…
- I love you…
- I love you
He took her in his arms to reassure her after that big fright. Candy quit her job, stayed home and concentrated on her comic. She finished the first one and sent a copy to publishing companies… The replies were not following. Terry was looking for work in small companies, without any success… He was on Broadway one day and he saw "auditions", on the spur of a moment he just went for fun he read the part, left his name and address… he went back home to Candy and forgot about it.
