Terry and Candy
Chapter 11
" A very happy meeting"
- As an actor…, he repeated in disbelief
- Actor? Said Candy, in a theatre?
- Yes…
- How did you get hired as an actor?
- It was a few weeks ago, I was passing by Broadway after yet another unsuccessful interview… and I saw a sign saying "auditions", so I just went in and auditioned, just for fun …and forgot about it! It was a spur of the moment thing…
Terry was talking, but he felt he was living a dream. Candy was looking at him.
- Maybe you've been searching for something that was right in front of you this whole time…
- An actor…
- Terry, if they called you, it means you're talented! Your great grandfather was the King of Broadway in his time…
- So I've heard, but…
- I believe you can do it, honey. You can do anything you set your mind into…
- An actor?
- Didn't you love drama class in school?
- Yes, I did, I felt so alive on stage…
- Well since the white collar job are not coming your way… why not try acting?
Terry's head was spinning, he was excited, he was scared…
- You really think I should do it?
- You've got a photographic memory, perfect for an actor…
- You're pregnant, I don't want to leave you alone, the rehearsals…
- It's going to be fine, she said I'm going to be fine, if anything happens, I have money put away for emergencies, and that special future mom project offered to pay for our medical expenses… we're fine Terry.
- If this works out…I'm going to be able to give you everything you want…
- Terrence the third and I only need you…
- "Terrence the third"? Sounds like royalty! Schrek the third?
- It does!
They both started laughing.
- How about calling him "Trey" for three? Said Terry
- That's a marvellous idea! Said Candy smiling, "Trey" it is!
Terry looked at his pregnant wife. She stood up and he ran to hug her hard!
- Freckles! I'm an actor!! He screamed
- Yes! It took you long enough to react!! Romeo!!
- "Romeo" I actually read for the part of Romeo… a modern day version of the classic tale with "older" characters….
- How could you not tell me?
- I forgot! I never thought it would pan out! I'm so sorry I didn't tell you…
- It's ok, Romeo, said Candy kissing him
They kissed for a long time…
- Are you in a celebrating mode? He asked
- What kind of celebration?
- The very very fun kind…
Candy's baby moved, they both felt it…
- Trey agrees! Said Terry
- Hush! Don't say that, said Candy
They started kissing and took their clothes off in the living room and they made love on the carpet in a very intense passion.
- Wow, honey! You're on fire, you must me very happy…, said Candy
- I guess I am more happy then I thought, said Terry smiling
He took her in his arms.
- It's so good to see you happy, said Candy
- I only need you and Trey to be happy, this is…
- Something you also like?
- Yes…How's your comic coming along?
- Well they're going to publish the first one soon…They want to color it… you think I should?
- Why not…? Your drawings are always amazing… and the story of your great grandmother is just so moving and touching… I'm surprised out father didn't stop this one…
- About that…
- What?
- I used a pen name…
- Come again?
- Well I didn't want our fathers to block me this time, so I chose a pen name…
- Which one? Candy White?
- I really wanted my father to have no idea…so I sent my comic to a Japanese manga company…
- In Japan??
- With a Japanese name….
- What?
- Yes… my pen name is "Keiko Nagita Misaki"…
- Keiko? Like the killer whale?
- Free Willy? Said Candy smiling, yes, like the killer whale. I'm surprised you actually know Keiko...
- I like animals, they exploited that poor whale, they should've done what the movie said, free Keiko!! Now its dead
- Yes, that was sad... But I didn't get it from Free Willy… it's a Japanese friend I met in Paris…
- Ok…
- This way, my father or yours won't be able to stop it…
- Your comic is going to be published here?
- Yes…and in Japan
- Don't Japanese read the other way around or something?
- They'll make the necessary changes…
- Well that was smart!
- You were unwillingly smart too! Your father would've never thought you'd look for a job as an actor! So you got your call back!
- Yes…
- I wanted to start doing portraits, but…I got my comic now…
- Soon you won't need to sell your paintings for a living, you still can, but…
- I'm going to make it on my own time and pace… when you become the King of Broadway and I become a famous author…I'm hungry honey, I'm craving ice cream with chocolate mint…
- Don't move, honey he said, I'll get it for you
- Don't forget the bananas and the whipped cream!
- Did I tell you how much I love you?
- Not in the last 2 minutes!...
The next day Terry was getting ready for his interview but he was so nervous.
- Romeo, said Candy, it's all right…it's going to be fine, I'll come with you…
- All right, he said smiling, I feel better already!
Candy burst out laughing.
- You look so cute nervous!
They went to Broadway with their little car. The found a parking lot, but they had a walk for a while before getting to the Strasford Theatre. They went inside and they met owner and the manager.
- Hello! My name is Robert Hathaway, I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Grandchester!
They were shaking hands
- Like wise, said Terry, this is my wife Candice
- Pleased to meet you
- Hello, said Candy smiling, likewise
- Terrence, said Robert, can I call you Terrence?
- Yes, said Terry
- Call me Robert, I watched all the different auditions and there were thousands of them. But yours caught my eye…you have some sort of charisma on stage, your presence , your stage presence is just amazing and your acting … you said you've never been to acting classes?
- No, I did some plays in school…
- You're a natural…, said Robert, so I'm giving you a job, we're going to do Pygmalion, a revamped version of it… I want a fresh new face and I think you're going to make it… You're my next big star!! You better get yourself a agent… because after the premiere, theatre companies are going to fight to have you…
- Thank you for the advice, said an overwhelmed Terry
- Here is the script so you can learn the lines we start the rehearsals in week…I'll see you in a week!
- Thank you , said Terry. Good bye
- Good bye said Robert
He had other people to see and Terry was still in disbelief. They got out of the theatre to go back to their car…
- Well that was fun, said Candy
- I still kind of can't believe it, can we keep this to ourselves?
- Of course, said Candy until the big premiere?
- They're not going to know what's going on, unless they go to Broadway…
- You know they go to the theatre as an entertainment
- I'll just have to pray they don't and I'm going to use a stage name…
- Which one..?
- Graham Baker…
- Oh… Terrence Graham Grandchester and Eleonor Baker
- Two ancestors who made it big in the theatre world…
- Well I became a Japanese to publish my comic, you can become Graham Baker! She said smiling
They burst out laughing. They finally got to their car and they decided to go see Bobbie and William. The doorman let them go up, since they knew Candy. When they got to the apartment, Candy had a weird feeling. They rang the door…
- Freckles, said Terry, are you ok?
- Yes, I just feel…
The door open and Melissa was standing there.
- Mom!! Said Candy jumping to her neck
- Oh my God!! My baby!! Said Melissa crying and hugging her hard
The two women were crying, kissing each other, hugging, crying some more. They got in the apartment and they went to the living room. Bobbie came and looked at them moved. She had tears in her eyes. Terry was also moved. 20 minutes later, Candy finally looked at Terry and smiles.
- Honey, I'm sorry, said Candy
- Don't apologise baby, come on! Mrs. Andrew…hello
- Hi Terry, said Melissa wiping her tears
Melissa turned to Candy and touched her belly.
- Hey baby! She said
- It's a boy, said Candy his name is Terrence Grandchester III…
- Wow! Said Melissa smiling
- But we'll call him "Trey" for short, said Terry
- Congratulations! Said Melissa
The baby kicked…
- Oh my God!! Said Melissa moved to tears again, hello baby!! I'm your nana!!
- He said hi! Said Candy, he loves music he dances… Bobbie sorry…
- Hey you haven't seen your mom in months… don't mind me! Said Bobbie
- Thanks... put on some music…
- All right, I'm listening to the Macarena song… wait
She walked to the corner of her living where there was a hi-fi sound system and put the music on… Candy was looking at her belly …
- Now mom, look, he's dancing!
- Oh my God!! Said Melissa laughing
The belly was moving with the music and everybody was laughing. Candy was so happy to be with her mother. They spent the night at Bobbie's and Candy was with her mom in the bedroom, talking.
- Mom, I miss you so much, especially since I've been pregnant
- I miss you too baby…
Candy was in her mommy's arms and they reminiscing about the past and of course baby talk. Terry was very happy for his wife. He was in the living room with William talking business.
- Do you have any news about your family business?
- No, said Terry, I've been kind of busy thinking about getting a job and feeding my wife, said Terry
- How is that going?
Terry had to restrain himself not to say that he was going to be an actor in a few weeks…
- Well I have a promise for a job soon…
- With whom?
- I don't want to jinx it said Terry
- All right. Your sister is doing a great job with the company, you taught her well
- She was always the one with the most optimism… she pushed me to go to Candy, that she was going to take care of business, I didn't need to sacrifice my love
- She's wise…
- She's the best…
- Lacy Bartlett? You were willing to marry the town's slut for her millions?
- What wouldn't we do for our family, said Terry smiling
- Thank God you met my sister…I'm sorry for the first time we met how I dragged her out of your bed with your sating sheet by the way…
- It's ok… I was so shocked I couldn't move…I had just realised that I ran out of my wedding with the enemy's daughter!!
- You do know your wedding is everywhere on the net?
- Which wedding?
- The non-wedding one, where you take my sister and run… that was priceless!!
- It's on the net? Well I guess I have more important things to worry about right now and I don't care what people are saying about me!!
- Funny how things you thought were important become futile all of a sudden…
- You have no idea!! Being poor, was a real eye opener for me… Your sister is the greatest. The way she handled things when we had nothing… I just love her more each day… I would break down and cry and she would encourage me!! We never went to bed hungry, we were homeless… we live in subsidised housing, we got other people's second hand furniture… but we had each other and were very happy!! I wouldn't trade that for all the money in the world…
William look at him smiling. Love really does conquers all. They talked until late and then they went to bed. Terry was surprised to see Candy coming in…
- Freckles? What are you doing here?
- I am your wife, am I not?
- Yes, but…
- And I'm sleeping in the same bed as you…
- I thought you'd sleep with your mother
- That kind of sound weird she said laughing
- I know
- I'll see my mommy in the morning and we can spend a few days here with her…
- Of course…
- But you have to learn your role honey…
- William is going to be working… so I can use one of the room to study my role… it's going to be fine. Spend some time with your mother…
- Thank you honey. I never realised how much I missed her…
- Until you realised you were becoming a mom yourself…
- I missed her so much
Candy and Terry spent a few days at Bobbie's and William's with Melissa. They didn't talk much about Albert.
- I miss him, said Candy with tears
- I know you do… he misses you too
- I know. I'm so sorry about everything
- Don't be. You're happy with your husband?
- He's my other half mom, I love him so much. Yes, I'm very happy with him.
- Then it was worth it… your father will come around, or not…
Candy spent every second she had with her mother. She took her to the airport and she cried.
- Baby said Melissa , I love you, don't forget it
- I love you mom, said Candy
- Call me if you need anything
- I will, but I don't want you to get into trouble with dad
- Let me worry about your dad…bye baby…
- Bye mom…
Melissa left and Candy was sad. Terry hugged her hard.
- Let's go baby, said Terry
- Yes, let's go home, Romeo, I actually miss our little apartment, our little place
- Me too…
They went back home to their little routine. Terry studying for his role, Candy drawing her comic…
Melissa went back home and she found her mother in law.
- Melanie! She said smiling
- Melissa! She said smiling
The old woman hugged her. She was still strong and she was aging gracefully. She had short hair and a perm, which made it easier for her to comb.
- How long have you been here?
- Not too long about an hour…
- You came from Lakewood?
- Yes…
- Is Albert here?
- Not yet…
- What brings you by?
- I heard what happened to my little princess, what the hell is going on?? How could you hide that from me??
Albert arrived at that moment.
- Melissa! You're home he said hugging his wife
- Hi honey, said Melissa softly
They kissed on the lips. Then he let of her and hugged his mother.
- Mom! What are you doing here?
- I came to yell at you about my little princess
- Oh…
- How could you do that to her? If your grandmother were alive you would've told , "why are you throwing me out"? How could you treat your grandmother like that?
- She slept with the enemy!!
- A Grandchester!! Oh you're lucky she's dead, she would've scolded you!!
- Mom please!!
- She was in love with a Grandchester… that's where the problem is, isn't what happened with
- Mom! I just came back from work, can you give me a break for now? Look mom, I'm sorry, and I love you. But please, can I go and change and relax? We'll talk later...
He hugged his mother and he went to his bedroom.
- Melanie, we'll talk later. I just came back from New York and I saw Candy, she's fine, pregnant and happily married
- To her Grandchester?
- Yes…
- She's channelling her great grandmother…
- I think so too, we'll talk later…
- Ok, said Melanie
Melissa went to her bedroom.
- Honey, said Albert, I missed you…
- I missed you too, she said approaching him…
They kissed and made love, and took a nap. When they woke up. They were in each other's arms…
- Honey, he said, did you see Candy in New York?
- Yes…
- But...
- She came at William's totally by chance, but you know I would've gone to see her right? I tried respecting your wishes, but I can't anymore… I've been helping them anonymously
- I know
- You do?
- Yes and I love you for it. I'm glad you're helping my baby…
- Albert you miss her
- More than you know, she spent that year in Europe and I was looking forward to spending some times with her when she came back
- But she met the son of your enemy and she fell in love!
- She just went to do a stupid painting job…and fell for the subject!! Why him??
- Albert she can't control her feelings…
- I'm not ready Melissa…
- Your mother came to talk about it…
- It's too soon
- All right, she's going to stay here until you're ready to talk about Candy …
Albert had tears in his eyes every time he talked about his little princess.
"I miss her so much…he thought, my little baby, she's making love to the enemy every single night!!"
So Albert postponed the conversation with his mother, he turned the deaf ear…
Bobbie went into labour and she called Candy to come and be with her.
- I want drugs, drugs and lots of drugs, said Bobbie…
- Bobbie a few minutes ago, you said you didn't want any…, said William
- William, said Bobbie, your face is getting on my nerves right now!
William looked at his wife. He thought it was funny but he was not even going to try…
- Call the doctor!! I want drugs!!
- Bobbie, I've been with pregnant women, your labour is natural, and...
- Natural? We had sex all day long an everyday to make this go faster!! And its not going fast enough for me!!
- Bobbie!! Said Candy
William couldn't take it anymore, he burst out laughing.
- Don't you dare laugh when I'm suffering!
- Baby, said William, I love you , I wish I could feel your pain
- I don't think so! Said Bobbie
- Right… Bobbie… I'm trying here… what can I do?
- Just be there! She said… I love you…!
She was pausing between contraction and he would kiss her on the lips
- I love you, she said softly, I'm sorry, but I'm going to continue yelling at you …. You can't imagine how much it hurts!
- You can yell at me all you want, honey, you want me to call your mother?
- She's in Paris shopping and my dad, well I don't want him in here with me, I'll call him later…I only wanted the two most important people in my life, my best friend and my husband… oh, it's coming again……
Bobbie was in pain squeezing her husband's hand. Candy was on the other side of the bed holding her hand. Terry was at the theatre, rehearsing… the big premiere was in a week… Candy had trouble hiding the fact that Terry was going to be on a Broadway play…Those who followed the theatre news were waiting for Hathaway's new play and the tickets for the premiere were sold out months in advance. Terry had a lot on his shoulders; they were trusting him, a perfect stranger to the theatre world with a very big role.
- Candy? Said Bobbie, are you here with me?
- Sorry honey…
- Thinking about Terry?
- Yes, said Candy and my turn will be in a few weeks…I can't wait to see my little Trey, but those labour pains, I'm not looking forward to…
After hours of labour, Bobbie had a beautiful little boy, William Robert.
- He's perfect, said William smiling
- Perfect, said Candy smiling
Bobbie was looking at her baby.
- Oh my God he's so big! How did he come out of me? She said
- Bobbie! Said Candy smiling
- Look at your godson, said Bobbie smiling
- Oh Thank you, said Candy, taking him… hello there! I'm your godmother!! Yes, that's me!!
Candy stayed for a while, but then she told them.
- I have to go…
- You don't have to, said William
- Dad is coming and I don't want to cause any tension
- Your husband is not here maybe you two can talk…
- Unless I can talk to him with my husband present, I'm not talking to him…I know what he's going to say, to leave my husband, we'll take care of your baby… He doesn't care that I love Terry. I'll talk to you guys later said Candy hugging them
Candy left and a few minutes later, her parents arrived with Bobbie's parents all happy and ready to celebrate the birth of their grandchild.