The call of love
Chapter 10
"The return of Candy's friends"
Candy went back to the apartment, very very sad. Terry, without Terry, she felt so sad. She was used to seeing him everyday. The routine continued. Georgie had another idea for her Community Centre. She added a legal service, with lawyers to help those who can't afford it; if Abel had had a good lawyer… she wanted to help those who were wrongfully accused and who didn't have the money to pay for a lawyer. After paying their debt to society, those youngsters will be trained to learn a job and make a life for themselves.
Days and weeks passed, Candy was receiving letter from Terry and she sent him a telegram almost every night before his play.
Terry needed his Freckles; he spent his free time writing letters to her. Susanna was trying to get close to him, without any success, if he was not writing Candy a letter; he was playing the harmonica alone in his own little corner.
Susanna didn't give up. She loved Terry like crazy. Karen was trying to teach her out of it.
- Susanna, you're wasting your time
- I love him Karen… I love him so much it hurts
- Susanna, he's engaged, give it up. You're making yourself suffer for nothing
- Well his fiancée is not here; let me have fun in her absence…
Karen shook her head and said to herself that Susanna was a masochist.
A few weeks later, Candy received a telegram that made her so happy;
"CANDY stop ARRIVING IN NEW YORK BY BOAT stop CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU stop WILL BE THERE IN 2 WEEKS full stop"
- Great! Said Candy
- Candy? called Georgie
- Yes, I'm here…
- Is Terry back?
- No
- So why are you so happy?
- Oh… I just got a telegram from my cousins, they are arriving in two weeks
- It's the same boat, as Charlotte said Georgie
- That's wonderful, said Candy laughing
Georgie and Candy were relieved that the people they loved were going to be safe and sound soon with them in America.
- Georgie, said Candy, can my cousins and Annie spend a few days here if they want?
- Of course Candy, you could with them to Chicago too, if you want, for a few days…
- You're reading my mind Georgie, said Candy smiling
- I know you Candy, she said smiling
They burst out laughing.
The Atlantic Ocean was calm and the boat was bringing back the passengers to America, to security. Alistair, Annie, Neil and Eliza were all very glad to be going back home.
- You sent the telegram to Candy? Asked Archie to Stear
- Of course, she will be at the harbour waiting for us, you'll see
- "Georgie Jr.", said Annie, I can't believe they think she's Georgie Bateman's daughter
- She looks like her, don't you think so? Said Archie
- That's not it, said Archie, she could really be her daughter, she looks so much like her, but Candy practically appeared out of nowhere, as if by magic. Georgie, who was without a child, suddenly becomes the mother of a teenager…
- It proves that we could make people believe anything, said Archie
Eliza arrive with her brother and they have heard Archie's last words.
- The stable girl is playing dress up by pretending she's Georgie Bateman's daughter. That shows how desperate she is! Poor Mrs. Bateman.
- Candy is not pretending to be her daughter, it's what people are thinking, said Stear
- Where there's smoke, there's fire, said Eliza, she must have planted a seed somewhere with the reporters
- Or they saw that she was as pretty as Georgie, not to mention the resemblance, and they assumed that she was her daughter, said Archie
- And Candy probably told them that she was at St. Paul college, said Annie
- So, they concluded that she was away at school, said Stear
- If I see Georgie Bateman, I'm going to tell her that Candy is just a little orphan a thief, with no money who's taking advantage of her name, and she will, probably throw her out said Eliza
- You're the one that's going to get thrown out, said the voice of a woman, if you dare to say anything bad about Candy to Georgie!
The youngsters turned around and they saw a lady in her fifties that looked 40 very elegant in her Georgie Bateman original ensemble she was wearing.
- Who are you, and how dare you interrupt a private conversation? Said Eliza
- When you talk about my daughter and granddaughter I think that's my business, said the lady
- You're Georgie Bateman's mother? Said Annie
- Charlotte Wells…
- But Candy is not your granddaughter! Said Eliza outraged, she's a stable girl, an orphan, a thief, without any money who's taking advantage of your daughter
- Enough! Said Charlotte, you're going to restrain yourself in calling Candy names in my presence. That young girl brought so much joy to my Georgie… God bless her.
- But she's not her daughter! Insisted Eliza, she's shamelessly taking advantage of your daughter!
- If someone is taking advantage of anyone in this story, it's Georgie. She taking advantage of the goodness and the presence of Candy or it's mutual, they need one another… anyway, why does that bother you? Candy looks like Georgie, whether they take them for mother and daughter of not, why is it of any interest for you? Asked Charlotte
- Mrs. Wells, said Archie, Archibald Cornwell, my bother Alistair, Annie Brighton, and my dear cousins, Neil and Eliza Reagan
- Please to meet you. Eliza? You're the one that set the trap for Candy and Terry?
- Candy told you said Annie
- I don't know what you're talking about, said Eliza mad
- I wanted to thank you, said Charlotte, because without your trap, Candy wouldn't have met Georgie and brought her so much joy. Thank you with all my heart Eliza.
Eliza was mad, the left them and her brother followed her. He didn't say a word during the whole conversation, not a bad word against Candy. The others burst out laughing.
- You're Candy's friends. She talked so much about you; her cousins and you Annie, her sister…
- You know her well said Annie, smiling
- That young girl has made by Georgie so happy… and I fell in love with her too, said Charlotte
- That's our Candy, she brings joy every where she goes, said Archie
- Except for Neil and Eliza said Stear
- Those two are hopeless! Said Archie
- So, Mrs. Wells, about your models, said Annie, I saw pictures in magazines; Candy is wearing the same dress as Georgie, I thought the models she wore were unique…just made for her…
- That should tell you how much she loves Candy. Ever since she found her crying Terry's departure, her life changed for ever. She hired her but she treats her more like a daughter than an employee. The staff thought she was her daughter, so did everybody that saw them together. They simply stopped correcting them… they behave like mother and daughter anyway, said Charlotte
Charlotte spent the rest of the cruise with Candy's friend and they had a good time together. Neil and Eliza stayed away, but Neil wanted to be with his cousins to hear them talked about Candy, but Eliza didn't leave him alone for a minute, preventing him that way to go see their cousins.
They finally arrived in New York, happy and impatient to see their friend. There were a lot of people.
Candy and Georgie were waiting on the pier, very impatient to see Charlotte and Candy's friends. The passengers started to come off. Candy saw Annie from afar and she started to run to her making big sign with her arms.
- OH HE! ANNIE! OVER HERE! She yelled
This last one was looking for her friend among all the people that also came to pick up their friends and family members; she saw Candy from afar who was making her signs with her arms.
- CANDY! She yelled running to her
- ANNIE! Cried Candy also running to her
The two friends, the two sisters, hugged for a long time laughing and crying at the same time.
- Candy, I missed you so much!
- I missed you too, Annie! Oh I'm so happy
They let go of each other and Candy hugged Alistair and Archie in her arms. She saw Charlotte who was hugging Georgie in her arms.
- "Grandma" Candy joked hugging her too
- Candy, my granddaughter, said Charlotte laughing
- Georgie, said Candy, here are my friends and cousins, Alistair and Archibald, and my sister Annie
- Pleased to meet you, said Annie
- Mrs. Bateman, said Alistair, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance
- I happy to finally meet you, said Georgie smiling, Candy talks about you a lot
Everybody was laughing. Neil and Eliza were looking at them from afar, they approached them. Georges Johnson had come to pick them up
- Mr. Georges, said Alistair, we're going to spend a few days here with Candy. Can you tell the great aunt that we'll come in a few days?
- But the great aunt is going to be furious said Eliza, especially if you stay with Candy
- They will be at my place, said Georgie to George, hello, Georgie Bateman, Mr. George
Everybody was laughing because of their similar names.
- I don't count the number of people thought I was a man, said Georgie laughing
- You have a very beautiful name, Mrs. Bateman said Georges smiling
- Thank you, likewise, said Georgie smiling
- Thank you. Don't worry, I will inform the Great Aunt, that Alistair and Archie are staying with you for a few days. Goodbye
- But… started Eliza
- Let's go Eliza, said Neil pulling her arm angry
- Bye Mr. Georges, said the others
Neil really wanted to stay with his cousins and Candy too. She was so beautiful… he walked away with Georges and his sister. He was fuming, because he didn't have the courage to do what he wanted, which was to stay with his cousins.
Candy and her friends went to the apartment with Charlotte and Georgie. The staff took care of their luggage and put them in different bedrooms. They were all sitting in one of the living rooms having tea.
- Mrs. Bateman, said Archie
- Archie, you can call me Georgie…
- Ok. Georgie. I like your models a lot. I've got a business proposition for you…said Archie
- I'm listening…
- Here goes. Have you ever thought about doing a line for men? I wish I could buy my clothes in your stores…
- Archie, said Stear, if you have an idea of what you want to find in Georgie's store, you can put it on paper and show what you would like to find…
- You can make your own models, while you're at it… said Charlotte
- What? Said Archie. You're serious?
- Archie, said Georgie, you know fashion, you like fashion. Who better than you could tell us what you would like to find in "my collection for men…"?
Archie was a little disoriented. To create models? But Georgie understood his confusion.
- Archie, "there's no stupid job, there's only stupid people". You, who like fashion you shouldn't find the job of a designer degradable…
- No, Georgie, that's not it. I always had those ideas in my head, it's the first time I hear that I can make it my job…
- Archie a designer? The Great Aunt is going to have a cow! Said Stear laughing
- Heyyy at least the models I'm going to create are going to work… said Archie
They all burst out laughing. Candy brought Annie to her bedroom to show her all her pretty dresses.
- Candy, you're lucky, all those pretty dresses…
- Annie, I also have some for you…
- For me? Asked Annie who didn't understand
- Yes, you're my sister Annie. I want to share these dresses with you… I know how much you love fashion, so I kept some dresses for you too…
She took a stunned Annie by the hand in the room that was prepared for her, and showed her the dresses in walk in the closet.
- This is all for me? Said Annie opening her eyes
- Yes, said Candy
- Oh Candy! Said Annie jumping to her neck, thank you, thank you with all my heart!
Annie was crying of joy. Candy had made had gave her a very nice present. Annie tried the dresses on, one by one and Candy was making comments. Annie walked to the living room to show the dresses to the others.
Charlotte and Georgie looked at each other; they were thinking the same thing… a fashion show! And if Archie manages to create his men's line…
- Archie, said Georgie, are you serious about your line? Asked Georgie
- Yes… I think… said Archie
- It could be the beginning of a big business relationship… said Charlotte
- But I live in Chicago, said Archie
- It's not the end of the world, said Georgie, I thought about opening a boutique in Chicago soon… but if you manage to create your line and we make them, we could inaugurate the Chicago boutique with the men's line included…
- What do you say Archie? Said Charlotte, are you ready for the challenge?
- But, this is all so sudden… said Archie
- Early birds get the worm… said Charlotte, you have a good idea and you're lucky to have a designer ready to back you up … it doesn't happen everyday…
Archie thought about it for a while. His family… but it was his life and that's something he really wanted to do… a window of opportunity had just opened in front of him; he couldn't let it close…
- Annie, what do you think about that? Asked Archie
- I think that you're very lucky to have the opportunity to work in something you like; you'd be crazy to let it pass...
- Archie, I remember how you transformed the dresses you and Stear bought for me for my first ball, said Candy. Fashion, comes to you naturally…
- Yes, you're obsessed with fashion bro, said Stear, it's your world…
- Ok, finally said Archie, I'm going to try…
- Super! Said Candy, you can do it. You'll see!
- I would like to see the Great Aunt's face when she will learn about it said Stear
They burst out laughing. They had dinner, telling stories about the boat and Candy and Georgie talked about their adventures in New York. In Candy's room, Annie was on Candy's double bed with her.
- Annie, there's a room for you…
- Candy, there's no way I'm leaving you, I missed you so much!
- I missed you too, Annie
- I happy to be with you, I'm happy I was found the same day as you, I'm happy to have grown up with you… I love you Candy
- I love you too, Annie said Candy hugging her
- Now, tell-me about Terry in details and I mean every single thing!
- Ok said Candy laughing, did you see my ring? She said showing her hand…
- Oh…
- It's a family jewel, said Candy
- Wow….Where is Terry, he's he coming to see you later?
- No, he's on tour with his troupe in different cities… I miss him so much!
- Oh… but at least you know he loves you and he wants to marry you. Congratulations! Said Annie hugging her
- Thank you. That stupid Eliza kind of helped me… said Candy, without her, I would never have met Georgie
- There's a silver lining for everything, but the college wasn't the same without you…
- How's Patty?
- She's fine. I pray she comes here soon. In Europe, the war it's scary. We could hear bomb exploding or something from afar…the atmosphere is heavy and tense… I'm happy to be back in America
- Me too. You want to come with me tomorrow, while I run my errands and work tomorrow?
- Of course. I want to spend my day with you…
There was a knock at the door. It was Georgie.
- Come in "mom" said Candy laughing
- Are you ok? Do you need something?
- No. Georgie said Annie. Thank you. And thank you for the dresses…
- Oh you're very welcome, I have enough to sell! she joked
They burst out laughing. Georgie left them to go to her bedroom and Annie and Candy spent the majority of the night talking.
Candy's friend spent a week in New York and they had fun like crazy. The Great Aunt was angry, but she couldn't do anything aside wait for her nephews to come back.
Candy went to see Georgie in her office on the eve of her departure for Chicago.
- Georgie, I would like to go to Chicago with my friends and also go to the Pony House…
- Of course. A little vacation will be good for you… you can rest a little…
- Maybe, but I wanted to take advantage of my time there to have some work done at the Pony House, make it a little bigger so they could have more children and if possible another person with a heart of gold to help them…
- Candy, I have no problem with that honey, but don't forget to rest. You've got "carte blanche" with the Pony House…
The charities Georgie and Candy created now had their own funding. They received donations from everywhere and even from the government.
- Where are you going to live in Chicago? Not at the Andrews? Said Georgie
- Of course not. I'm Georgie Jr. I'm going to book a suite in a hotel...
Georgie burst out laughing. Candy was making her so happy…
- Do you know where Terry is?
- Boston, I think…
- When is he going to Chicago?
- In a few days…
- Hum… coincidence?
- Yes… said Candy smiling, I'm going to surprise him… I miss him so much
- Ok, Candy. I'm going to miss you. It's the first time we're going to be apart since we've met…
- Yes "mom" I'm going to miss you… but I'm going to come back and I'll stay as long as you need me…
She approached Georgie and hugged her.
- Candy, if you weren't adopted by the Andrews, I would've adopted you...
- That's really nice of you to say that…
Candy got ready for the trip with her friends. She was sad to leave Georgie for a few days, but she was happy to go to Chicago with her friends and to the Pony House too so she could put her plans into motion.
- Candy, will you come to see us at the villa? Said Archie, we're going to live in Chicago now, not Lakewood
- The adorable Great Aunt is not going to throw me out? Asked Candy
- Well, you'll be our guest, said Archie
- Well now you're Georgie Jr. You're a big lady and you don't need the villa, said Stear
- Ok then, I will come and see you, said Candy smiling… I'm also going to go to the Pony House
- I will come with you, said Annie
- We'll come too, said Archie…
- Perfect, said Candy, so let's go to Chicago!
At the train station when they were about to board the train, Georgie who had accompanied them, told Candy;
- Candy, would it bother you to meet our associates for the Chicago boutique?
- Of course not…I love to work you know that
- Thank you, honey. Don't forget to rest. Goodbye. I love you…
- Goodbye "mom" said Candy smiling, I'm going to miss you, I love you too.
She got on board with her friends and the train left. Georgie look at her "daughter" leave. She was going to miss her. She felt a void in her heart all of a sudden. She prayed for time to go by fast.