Terry Terry
Chapter 12
"Fun during the summer"
Terry went back to the Reagan's on the Sunday, the night before the summer internship was supposed to start. He made sure little Marty had everything he needed, in the hospital before he left.
- Are you sure you have everything you need?
- Yes big brother, said Marty, thank you again for caring about me…
- You're very welcome, said Terry smiling, take it easy for a while, ok?
- Ok. Bye Terry.
- Bye Marty…
Terry left to go back at the Reagan's. Life wasn't fair and he regretted agreeing to be taken by the Reagans. But he was going to persevere and make things work. He got a call from Tammy who was in Chicago working for the summer.
- Terry?
- Tammy!
- How are you?
- Not too bad. I just got back in the house of hell.
- Oh… where were you?
- I was at the Pony Home, they had a little medical emergency when I was there…
- Really? What happen?
Terry told her about little Marty. Tam was moved by his generosity.
- You've always had a heart of gold, she said , giving up your car…
- It didn't seem that important anymore and the doctor said they found his appendix about to burst, a moments later, it would've been too late
- Thank you Terry for your generosity, you save Marty's life
- He almost die because of medical insurance…that's so not fair! We were all brought in this life and we should all get the treatment we deserve to get well. I've been thinking a lot Tam…
- About what?
- I think I want to be a doctor and I'm going to make it my cause to treat the needy without medical insurance…
- Wow! I'm glad that experience showed you what you wanted to do with your life… you always liked to help out at the Pony Home and you did know how to clean wounds when you were little…
- I just want to make sure that some people get the medical care they need. But I'm just a teen; I've got a long way to go…
- With your determination? I'm sure you can make it Terry.
- I hope so…
- You will, I trust you completely little brother…I have to go honey. Sweet dreams… are you still with Nina?
- Yes…
- Wow, she lasted for a long time…. What happened to the Casanova?
- The Casanova was tasting his candies…
- She's the flavour of the month?
- The flavour of the moment… if you want…
- Did you go all the way?
- I wasn't pressuring her…
- You never pressure girls, they usually beg for your attention…
- Except you…
- I'm your big sister! How many times do I have to repeat that?
- I love you too Tammy! Said Terry laughing.
- I love you Terry, she said, good night.
- Good night honey.
Terry called Nina and Antonia called him. He went to bed thinking about what he just talked about with Tammy. He wanted to be a doctor… he had just made his decision during that conversation; he was going to become a doctor and help the needy…
oOoOoOoOoOo
The big day had finally arrived. They had breakfast with Mr and Mrs. Reagan and they were ready to go. Neil was sulking, he was dressed normally. Terry and Eliza were dressed like professionals.
- I wish I could ditched all this and go have fun, said Neil.
- Having fun is what got you into trouble in the first place, said Eliza, the driver is waiting, let's go!
- Good luck, said Mr. Reagan.
They all went outside to get in the car. They arrived in front of the company's building. The three cousins were waiting for Terry in front of the building.
- Hey Terry! They said smiling.
- Hey girls! Said Terry.
- We were waiting for you, said Antonia.
- That's nice of you ladies, he said.
- Let's go, said Allyson.
They took Terry by the arm and they went inside.
- What do they see in that stupid Oliver Twist? Said Neil.
- Well for one, he's not stupid…, said Eliza, that's why he's in the CEO's office and you're in the mail room!
- Shut up sis!
- Neil, you have to get your act together… you're making Oliver Twist look like the golden boy, with you stupidity…
- He's only an orphan…
- He's ambitious, unlike you!
- I don't need to shine, dad's company is going to be mine.
- Yeah and you might not be able to run it… because you're doing very bad in school… Oliver Twist might end up running it!
- Over my dead body!
- Go to the mail room, Neil you've got summer school…
Eliza went to her department to start her internship. Neil was fuming all the way to the mail room.
"I'm going to get that son of a biyotch, if it's the last thing I do!" He mumbled to himself.
Everybody was excited to start their internship. Terry was working with Georgina on a budget for charity. He had to prepare a plan on the best way to distribute the money. Terry saw an opportunity to help is kind. He managed to present a plan which was going to help orphanages with a health plan…
- Wow, said Georgina, I'm impressed by your project, a health insurance plan for the less fortunate, and part of the money will be used to finance the free clinic in town. Well you've been at the other end, you know better than anybody what they need. Very good Terrence. Now I want you to read this contract and tell me what you think…
- All right said Terry.
Terry was feeling right at home with his job. He analysed contracts, pointed out the weakest points and the loopholes, worked on a lot of projects with Georgina. The hours when by very fast. It was lunch time. They all saw each other and they were all talking. Neil had gone to summer school.
- Antonia, how was your first day?
- Wonderful, I'm learning how to create a rose…, she said all excited.
- Cool…, said Terry.
- And I'm creating a new fragrance, said Ashley.
- And I'm building an engine, said Allyson.
- What are you doing Terry?
- Oh bunch of stuff … reading contracts, making financial plans…
- This is going to be one fun summer, said Antonia.
- Yes! Said Ashley.
Eliza was sitting alone at another table sulking. After lunch, they all went back to work. At the end of the day, they were all getting out of the building. A surprise was waiting for Terry outside.
- Nina? He said.
- Terry! She said, look at what my dad gave me as a present!
- A car?
- Yes…, she sad jumping to his neck.
- Great!
- I can come and pick you up, at work…I'll pick you up in the morning too… the salon doesn't open until 10, and since you start at 9…
- That would be great…
- I thought you weren't allowed to come to our house…? Said Eliza, I'm going to have security stop you!
- Oh, you're so nice Eliza, said Nina smiling, but I'm going to wait for my baby outside your gate, not that I don't want to come into your lovely house from hell, but I absolutely hate the atmosphere there!
- How dare you talk to me like that?! Said Eliza angry.
- Like what? The slut that you really are, throwing yourself at my man? How was it to get the crumb of a crumb? You're hungry for more? I hope you had a great time, because that's all you're ever going to get from him!
Eliza didn't answer. She was furious. She walked to her car, fuming. The three cousins burst out laughing and Terry was kissing Nina.
- You want to drive, baby? She said.
- Yes, thank you, said Terry taking the keys, let's go baby. Bye guys!
- Bye Terry, said the three cousins.
Terry got into the Ford Focus, which had a beautiful metallic blue colour. The three cousins too their car and they left.
- Thanks for the surprise baby, said Terry smiling.
- You're very welcome, said Nina, I'll come to pick you up in the morning too.
- All right, he said, thank you for doing this.
- It's normal. My father got me a car because of my good grades. He thought that since I had a boyfriend, I was going to be dreamy and my grades would slip. But he didn't know that I had the best boyfriend in the world, one who would tutor me and made me improved my grades…So he was surprised that my average jumped to 3.8! The car I wanted to buy, he bought it for me…
- That's wonderful. You're very lucky to have such great parents.
Nina felt some sadness in his voice. She put her hand on his shoulder.
- You're lucky to have two loving mothers, and a foster family giving the best education you can have…, she said.
- Yes, but sometimes I still wish I had a normal family with a mom, a dad, brothers and sisters…
- I know honey, sometimes I wish my parents had another kid…
- Life is not perfect, we can try to make sure we make ours as perfect as it can get…
They went for a ride and then for a milkshake and Terry told Nina about his busy day.
- You don't let pass an opportunity to help the needy, you're wonderful, you know that, instead of thinking about yourself, you think about others…
- It's one of the reason I'm putting up with the Reagans… I can get the best education and become a doctor…
- Become a doctor? You want to become a doctor?
- Yes. I want to help those who need it and can't afford it…
- You're going to be performing free surgery on the needy… that's wonderful Terry!
- So I can put up with the house from hell, if that's going to help me…
- Well, if Antonia has anything to say about that, you're going to be living in her mansion…
- Don't be jealous…
- I can't help it…but on the other hand, her mansion would be much better for you.
They continued talking and they went for another ride when it was dark and they had a little fun in the car, before she dropped him off.
- I'll see you tomorrow morning baby, she said.
- Thanks again for the surprise…
He kissed her and she left. That was the end of a wonderful day. He was just in time to change for dinner. Mrs. Reagan was taking a walk and she saw him with Nina saying goodbye. She wasn't technically on their property, she was in her car, on the street. She wanted to be upset, but…
- Good evening, Mrs. Reagan said Terry passing by her.
- Euh… good evening, she said a little flustered, how was your day?
- Wonderful; thank you ma'am.
- Dinner is almost ready.
- I'll go wash up and change right away
Terry left a little puzzled. Why was Mrs. Reagan so nice to him? He usually got the silent treatment from her. Why did she looked a little flustered when he passed by her? It was probably nothing.
During dinner, he talked with Mr. Reagan about his day at work. Mrs. Reagan was upset her son didn't have a more challenging job, like Terry's. But she knew deep down inside that Terry deserved the job and Neil didn't. She vowed to get rid of Terry if it's the last thing she does.
The summer was going well the internship, the challenge the money. Every body was having fun at the company except for Neil. He started to go out and come back after his curfew. His father was angry at him, but Neil wasn't listening.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Towards the end of the summer, Mr. Reagan was on a business trip and a brand new car was delivered at the Reagan's property. It was beautiful, red mustang convertible. Nobody knew who the owner was. The rumour said it was Mrs. Reagan's new car. The staff was joking about it.
- The dragon lady has a new car, a present from her pathetic hubby, said one.
- How could he let her walk all over him like that? Said another.
- Well apparently it's working, she just got a new convertible as a present for her meanness!
They all burst out laughing. Terry looked at the car and he thought about the one he wanted to buy. He was going to save up and buy his car in due time.
- Don't you just love this car, Oliver Twist? Said Neil's voice.
- Hello to you too, loser! Said Terry.
- Why are you still here? I thought you would've given up by now…
- Well you see Neil, some of us persevere, despite having to deal with morons like you!
- I'm going to get rid of you if it's the last thing I do…
- Same old song, said Terry leaving.
It was a Sunday afternoon towards the end of the summer and Terry went for a walk by himself. Nina had to go out of town with her parents and Antonia had gone to Chicago to meet with her father who was going to stay for a few hours at the airport, then leave again. Ashley and Allyson went with her. So Terry was a little bored, he went for a walk by the river. He saw Billie who lit a fire and was roasting some fish.
- Hey! Said Terry smiling.
- Hello there! Said Billie smiling.
Billie was wearing jeans and a big t-shirt and a scarf on her head.
- You want to join me for a snack?
- Yes, with pleasure, said Terry.
- You look happier than the last time I saw you.
- Well I took your advice and I stayed in the house from hell.
- Good for you…don't let anything stand in the way of your dreams…
- Yes, my dreams… I just realised what I want to do…
- What?
- Well we had a little health crisis with one of my little brothers at the orphanage…
He told her the whole story.
- You are so nice, you know that. Most teenagers go through the "me, myself and I" phase, not you…, said Billie.
- Well I'm used to sharing and helping…
- Not everybody in orphanages end up as good as you. You've got a heart of gold Terry. I've been around, and you don't find people like you everyday.
- All that experience made me want to be a doctor and help the needy with surgery and other medical procedure they might need…
- You're going to be a local hero, said Billie smiling, I admire your courage and determination. Good luck in accomplishing that…
- Thanks. You said you've been around, can you tell me about your trips?
Billie started to tell him about her trips around America and around the world. They had a good time talking, eating and laughing. They went to a little house where Billie was staying with a lot of little furry friends.
- They follow you here… amazing, said Terry.
- They are my friends and they keep me company. At least I can tell them whatever I want without being worried they're going to gossip.
- Yes, that could be an advantage, you can confide in them without any danger…, said Terry laughing.
- You want to play a game of chess? Said Billie smiling.
- All right, said Terry.
They played chess, cards, even monopoly. Billie had one of the first editions of the game.
- That's a collector's item, said Terry, wow!
- Yeah, I love old stuff. I found this one in a garage sale in Florida… I got it for 5 $... I guess the owner didn't know how valuable it was.
- I guess not, said Terry laughing.
He was feeling good with Billie, she so simple. Living with simple things. No phone or cell phone, no electricity. Terry had to go back home a little late, he had lost track of time.
- I have to go Billie, said Terry, though if I stay here, no one would notice…
- Oh they will, they can't be too hard on you, or Social Services is going to have their head…
- Somehow, that doesn't sound very reassuring, said Terry smiling.
- I'm glad I spent the day with you… I'm going to take off tomorrow at dawn…
- Oh… would you come back soon?
- Yes, I'll come back, don't worry. Just come by sometimes, I might be here…and you can use my house if you're looking for a place to get away from everything
- That's very generous…
- Or you can bring your girlfriend for some hanky panky….
- Billie!
They burst out laughing. Terry hugged her before he left.
- Goodbye Billie, have a nice trip.
- Bye Terry, take care and be careful with those dragons…
- I will, said Terry smiling.
Terry went back to the Reagan's . Dinner time had passed and since Mr. Reagan wasn't there any way, Terry didn't care much for dinner. He got on the property and he found the police there asking questions. He approached the mansion.
- What's going on? Said Terry.
- THERE HE IS! Said Neil's voice, the thief is here! Get him!
Before he realised what was going on. Terry was grabbed by a couple of officers, pulling his arms back and handcuffing him.
- Terrence White? Said a police officer.
- Yes, said Terry, let go of me! What the hell is going on?
- You're under arrest for grand theft auto…, said one of the officer.
- What? Said Terry who didn't understand what was going on…
- You have the right to remain silent, everything you say, could and would be used against you in a court of law… if you…
Terry thought he was having a nightmare with his eyes wide open. He just stopped talking. He didn't want to compromise his Miranda rights… he was just praying he would wake up from this nightmare.