LIKE A GREEK TRAGEDY
Part 34 by Lady Gato
Ms. Farmer looked at Candy, her lips pursed. Candy knew she wasn't pleased.
"You know, you were a very serious student and focused supervisor, up until recently…do you realize people count on us?" she said, looking at Candy dead serious.
"I'm sorry Ms. Farmer…it's just that everything happened so fast…" Candy apologized.
"Flammy Hamilton is going to be Mrs. William Andrew?" the older woman said, still in disbelief. Candy's request had shocked her, but the reason for the request shocked her even more. She would have never thought in a million years one of the world's richest men would marry someone other than a high society woman, and in less than a month of knowing her.
"But that is what's so wonderful…Albert is so down to earth and so unfussy….and Flammy is the same way, when you think about it! They are perfect for each other!" Candy piped, excited for the couple.
"Well, you would know better than I would, Miss Andrew…still, that brings us back to your request for time off…" Ms. Farmer shuffled some papers.
"I can be gone and back in a couple of days…" Candy offered, hopeful.
"Listen, usually for the last week of the year, we basically shut down, only the emergency room is busy…we have a lot of work with the rehabilitation center, but if you feel you can leave a skeleton crew in charge with a lead you trust, then you can go…I wish you wouldn't have to go, but if you must, we will manage. Your classes also stop that time as well for winter break, so this could work out…."
"Oh, thank you, Ms. Farmer!!" Candy gushed.
Ms. Farmer shook her head "Considering what the Andrew family has done for this institution, it is the least I can do…" she managed a half smile.
Candy could barely wait to tell Terry that she would be able to go to Chicago. She dreamily arrived to the rehabilitation center right at lunch time, waiting for him. Michael was there already and was happy to see her.
"Candy! Good, you arrived right for lunch time!!" he said "I'm starving …"
"Oh, Hi Michael…" she replied, glad to see her friend and colleague, "By the way, remember Terrence Grantchester? He's stopping by for lunch…" she added. She felt she just couldn't blow Michael off, since he had so eagerly received her. Plus, she wanted Michael to get to know Terry better.
Michael's brow furrowed somewhat. "Why is he coming here?" he asked suspiciously.
Candy caught the veiled remark and replied calmly, "Well, he actually lectures here…besides, like I told you he and I went to school together in London…". She looked at him earnestly. She wasn't telling a lie, it was the truth. "I think you two would get along really well…"
"Very well…" Michael sighed. He had wanted to tell Candy that the prosthesis for his special patient had come in and that he wanted to discuss the case with her during lunch. Now, he was going to have to play nice with the man he wanted to strangle for making Suzanne unhappy.
Lunch had gone almost well, but Candy could feel that despite his courteous tone, Michael was glowering at Terry the whole lunch hour….Terry of course was his usual self with people he didn't know, which was removed uneasiness, but for Candy's sake he made polite conversation with the Doctor.
For his part, Michael was more and more baffled with the interaction between them…yes, clearly the two were friends and they clearly knew each other very well, the only way real friends would, but there was something else in their shared glances, and their body positions that screamed that they were more than just friends…even in Terry's reserved demeanor and Candy's modest reticence there was the undeniable electricity that only a couple truly in love gave off.
Terry walked back with them to the Rehabilitation Center. Michael was stewing; Terry had not even mentioned his fiancée once during the lunch time conversation…was he even aware that she was getting a prosthetic? It didn't seem so…in fact, his 1pm appointment was with Suzanne Marlowe. If Grantchester knew about it, he certainly wasn't letting on. Michael was about to mention it to the thespian when Terry said, "Candy, a word in private with you, please?" he stopped Candy by the hand.
"Uh…sure…" Candy replied, just a little nervous….she could feel the tension between the two men now. She somewhat blushed as she retired her hand from Terry's warm one.
"Don't worry, I can take a hint that you two school chums find me the third wheel in all of this…besides, I have to prepare to receive my 1pm appointment…" Michael tried to sound jovial as he moved away but he was ready to belt Terry…he saw how he pulled Candy back by the hand…a man did not pull a woman back by the hand, even if they were friends, unless…unless…
THEY WERE LOVERS!!
CANDY WAS TERRY'S LOVER!!! HOW COULD SHE!!! HOW COULD SHE STEAL TERRY FROM POOR HELPLESS SUZANNE MARLOWE!!
"Terry…" Candy whispered as she saw Michael storm off "He suspects something…"
"No kidding!" Terry snorted " He thinks I can't read people…he's either got a sever case of Archie-itis or he is just too overly concerned with my persona…I don't want to do another group lunch with him, darling, please!"
"Oh Terry, you are not jealous of him, are you? There is nothing for you to worry about…we are just friends and I've never led him on…" Candy reassured him.
"It's not jealously on my behalf, Candice…it's something else…as if he was bloody angry at me…if looks could kill, I would be six feet under with him…"
"He saw the DC picture in the paper….he didn't like it…" Candy admitted.
"Blimey! Did he know it was you?" Terry gasped.
"No…"
"Well, I think he has a hunch now…" Terry declared.
Candy didn't know what to say. She looked down. Terry lifted her chin and his eyes were soft. "Listen, this will soon be over and everything will be in the clear…I'll see you tonight, right?" he smiled.
Candy nodded, looking forward to it. She couldn't wait to tell him she got the time off to go to Chicago for Albert's wedding...they needed to make plans.
Michael was so furious at his realization that he almost couldn't see straight…but his professionalism kicked in, because waiting for him in his office was the object of his secret heart.
"Miss Marlowe! I'm glad you were able to come in on short notice!" he smiled. She was there with her aunt Mabel and looked lovelier than ever.
"How could I not, when I received such good news…" she smiled back, admiring him in spite of herself "I can't wait!"
"Good, a positive outlook will help you during the next few weeks as you adjust to using the prosthesis…and during your rehabilitation…" he was still trying to figure out that part…he was going to ask Candy to help Suzanne, since she was so good with helping patients during therapy and rehabilitation, but now…he didn't have the heart…he felt as if he would be double crossing Suzanne with the woman who was breaking her heart….it was bad enough that she was helping her poor mother right now. He decided right then and there that he would do it, and let Candy continue with Mrs. Marlowe until he could find some other alternative.
He busied himself taking the prosthesis out of its box and went about fitting it on Suzanne. She looked on, her breath eager as he put it on. Mabel watched, curiously anxious as well.
When he was satisfied with the necessary tautness of the straps and the comfort of the fit, he said "Now, hold on to me and try to stand. Try to distribute your weight evenly between both legs…"
Suzanne did as he said. She had enough upper body strength to tentatively pick herself up into a standing position. She wobbled at bit but Michael's strong arms steadied her. For the first time in over 4 years, she was truly vertical again! She let out a cry.
"Does it hurt?" Michael asked, concerned.
"Oh, no! I'm just so happy…" she cried, holding him tighter. She held him so close to her that she could feel and hear his heart race in his chest…she realized that Michael was really head over heels in love with her. Strangely enough, she let herself revel in this feeling and dreamily closed her eyes.
Mabel looked on perplexed…for someone "so in love" with that damned Englishman, Suzanne looked absolutely besotted to be in the good looking Dr.'s arms!
"Hello, Mrs. Marlowe, how are you today?" Candy sang. Since she was going to be gone for a few days, she changed her schedule at the center around so that her leads would cover for her…she wanted to make sure she could make as much progress with Mrs. Marlowe before she left…despite the irony of the whole situation, she was dedicated to making sure Mrs. Marlowe got better.
The woman's eyes fluttered open at hearing her voice and she looked her. Candy saw that her gaze was getting more fixed, instead of staring into space…that was good!
"I see that you doing better, that's great!" Candy said as she gently massaged her right arm "Listen, there will be a bit of a change with my schedule…I will be spending a couple of hours with you in the afternoons instead of the evenings…I will be out of town for a few days over Christmas, but I want to make sure we make good progress between now and then…" Marianne Marlowe looked at the sunny girl, her voice so soothing, her smile so bright, her energy so warm. Marianne was conflicted, she knew who this girl was, and felt equal parts grateful and equal parts guilty…if she could only have her voice to say something, she could…but as hard as she tried, there was no movement, only the numb feeling in her mouth and the right side.
"Today I want to do some phonetic exercises with you, so that you can recuperate your speech…I will show you a card with an object and then I want you to try to make the sound associated with it…for example" Candy pulled a card with a cow on it "What sound does this animal make?" she asked.
Marianne tried to move her mouth, but no sound came out. Candy said, "Don't try to move your mouth yet, if you feel it does not respond…try at least to make the sound with your vocal cards…like this…" Candy mmmmmmmmmmmed.
"MMmmmmmmmmhhh" Marianne tried to repeat
"Very good!" Candy enthused. "Now, let's try with this one" she held up another card.
Michael worked with Suzanne for a little over an hour and a half, showing her how to take the prosthesis on and off, and what strengthening exercises she could do at home.
"I will Michael, when should I come see you again?" she asked.
"Come again in a couple of days…." He said "same time, and you and I will work together on this…"
"Good…I think I will go see my mother now…" Suzanne announced.
"Are you going to tell her?" Michael asked.
"No, I want to be a little more confident on the new leg…" Suzanne said. "By the way, she seems to be making good progress with her therapy…"
Michael didn't have the stomach to tell her who the nurse was, not just yet.
"Therapy is a two way street, the caregiver leads, but the patient must also put their efforts in too…which is why I want to help you with yours..."
"You are so very nice to me Michael, thank you…Aunt Mabel, shall we go? I will see you in two days, Dr." Suzanne smiled.
"Until then…" Michael replied, smiling.
"Okay Mrs. Marlowe, you have made good progress today!" Candy said, as she wrapped up her session "I will see you again tomorrow…and by the way, while I am not here, practice your sounds…if you can, try to make the mouth movements for each one, and soon enough, you will see, your mouth will start responding…you will be able to talk to your daughter again!" Candy said sincerely. She could only imagine what Suzanne was going through seeing her mother thus.
"nnnnnnnnn" Marianne replied, trying to thank her. A tear rolled out of her eyes.
Candy gently wiped it. "Don't worry, Mrs. Marlowe, everything will be alright…" Candy reassured her.
Mrs. Marlowe wanted to tell her the same.
Suzanne was fairly bursting with happiness as she approached her mother's room…she felt as if she was closer and closer to achieving everything now! She looked down at her new leg and touched it, almost unbelieving that she soon would be able to walk again under her own power…as she raised her sight, she thought she caught a glimpse of a blonde, curly haired nurse coming from the direction of her mother's room. Startled, she looked back, but Candy, who had just sat down at the nurse's station to make notes in Mrs. Marlowe's chart was now hidden behind the tall desk. Suzanne paid no more attention to what she had thought she saw.
"Anything amiss, Suzie?" Mabel asked, sensing Suzanne's questioning gaze.
"No, Aunt Mabel…let's go see Mother…." she replied.
Michael got off his shift and headed towards the subway station. His mind was back on Candy, now that he was off duty. He was still trying to figure out in his mind how to broach the subject with her, when he caught sight of the issue of the afternoon paper in the newsboy's arms. Hollering at the top of his lungs, the lad screamed "EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT…WHO IS THE KING OF BROADWAY CONQUERING NOW?!! EXTRA EXTRA!!"
Michael stopped, dead in his tracks…this time on the front page, you could see the profile of the woman Terry held passionately in his arms, returning the embrace with equal if not more enraptured ardor.
Candy hummed happily in her apartment, awaiting Terry's arrival. She had been surprised to find out Terry could get around in the kitchen, so she had gone to Zabar's market and picked up some fresh market items to see what he could turn out with what she picked out. She heard the knock at her front door and sang, "It's open, Terry…come on in!"
She heard the door open and almost slam shut. Surprised, Candy went to the foyer and almost wilted under the scorching gaze coming from Michael's eyes.
"M…Michael…what's the matter?" she gasped, astonished at his presence and at the veritable anger every single pore of his body was emanating.
After leaving Columbia and running a couple of errands, Terry had gone to his mother's house to take tea. He was bringing his parents up to date with what was going on, and the discussion centered around the trip to Chicago.
"Terrence, son…you can't go with Candy to Chicago unless you clear up your situation with Suzanne…" Eleanor admonished softly. "You have to break that engagement sooner rather than later…"
"Believe me, I've tried…and everytime, something seems to cross my path…" Terry argued, frustrated with himself.
"Terrence take it from me…don't let it fester too long or life is going to yank the rug from underneath you, old chap…" Richard said.
They heard the phone ring in the other room and saw the butler take the call. They continued with their conversation when the Butler came in and interrupted, "I'm sorry, your Grace, Madam…Robert Hathaway is on the telephone, for you…"
"Robert?" Eleanor asked, surprised. She excused herself and went to take the call.
"Robert, what a surprise…hello…" she answered, pleasantly but wondering what was going on.
"Eleanor…how are you…I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm actually looking for Terrence…nobody at his house seems to know where he is…I was hoping he was visiting you, since I gave him a few days off after the DC performances…" Robert's voice sounded a bit agitated, Eleanor noticed.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, he is…" Eleanor confirmed, then asked "Robert…is something wrong?"
"Eleanor…do you take the afternoon paper?"
"Why yes…but…"
"You MUST see it..." he pleaded anxiously.
She called her butler over and requested, "Please bring me the afternoon paper…". Shortly it was presented to her.
"OH, DEAR GOD!!"
"WHAT'S THE MATTER?!" Michael stammered angrily, "HOW ABOUT THIS!!" he almost shoved the paper in Candy's face.
"Michael, what has gotten into…" Candy started but felt the color drain from her face when she saw the print.
"HOW COULD YOU!! HOW COULD YOU STEAL SUZANNE MARLOWE'S FIANCEE!! HAVE YOU NO SHAME?" he bellowed. "WHAT KIND OF WOMAN ARE YOU, SHAMELESSLY TAKING AWAY WHAT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU?!!"
Candy stared to laugh and cry at the same time, the irony of what Michael had just accused her of causing her react that way. She was caught up so much so that she just could not stop. He looked at her aghast…now he was sure Candice White Andrew had gone crazy…she continued that way for a good while, until finally she said, "You know Michael, if you only realized what you have just condemned me of injustly, you would be on your knees asking for my forgiveness…" she finally said, calming down. "I also think you are angry because you truly love her, and want her to be happy…so I think I can understand your misguided and misplaced fury against Terry and I…"
Michael was so shocked at this that he opened his mouth to say something but no words found their way out. Candy sighed softly and said "Michael, sit down…we need to talk…"
Terry 's head felt as if it was about to split open…the events that had just unleashed themselves were threatening to grind away his sanity. Had he not given up hard liquor after his rock bottom in Rockston, he would have dearly loved a shot of Single Malt at that very minute.
"God forsaken bloody tabloids!! I hate them!! I can't live my life in peace!!" he had yelled, when Eleanor had showed him, ashen faced, the picture in the paper. Richard Grantchester was shocked by the boldness of the daily….first page?
"Terrence…you see why you have to put a stop to this? Now, the public is really going to think you are cheating on your fiancée! Two such pictures in less than a week!! It is going to damage your reputation!" Eleanor said, trying to keep her cool.
"TO HELL WITH IT!!" he roared.
"Terrence, calm down…think…it is not about you, it is about both Candy and Suzanne…regardless of what is really going on, unless you come clean with Suzanne and you can publicly say what happened, people are going to have a field day with you…you may hate it, but the fact is, you are a public figure!" she cried.
"I don't ask to be followed…" he was furious at the thought that he was being stalked by some lousy photog.
"Terry! You are a public figure!! You sell out theatre shows!! Therefore, a whiff of scandal in your private life will sell papers and will then interfere with your art…Robert has just been deluged already with questions about this picture and he wants to know what's going on, because he can see where this will lead to…don't be a fool!!" Eleanor said strongly , "If you don't care about what happens to your career and wish to throw it all away, fine! So be it! But I'm sure you DO care what will happen to Candy…remember who she is!! I'm sure she will be identified soon, and then what!! Are you going to be so blasé about that, tell me??!!"
That snapped Terry back into reality from his ire. He sighed heavily and admitted, "You are right, Mum…sorry…"
"How much time are you spending together? Clearly, she went to see you in DC…then what?" Richard asked, curious.
"I'm basically spending all my free time with her, when she is not studying or working at Columbia…" Terry admitted. He didn't have to say what he knew his voice was already telling them.
Richard and Eleanor exchanged a worried glance. Spending the nights at Candy's apartment?
"And Suzanne doesn't say anything about this?" Eleanor asked, surprised.
"Mum…even when Candy wasn't in my life as she is now, I always did everything I could to be away from Suzanne, you know that…"
"Yes Terrence, but you at least were spending the night in your own bedroom in the apartment you share with Suzanne…"
"I come back before she wakes up…She doesn't know I'm not sleeping in my bed anymore…"
"Does she? I wouldn't put it past her, Terrence…she may be wise to it already, don't underestimate her…don't you see this whole mess makes her a sympathetic figure in the public's mind? She can have a field day with Candy, if she steps into this fray…"
Terry's blood froze. "She wouldn't dare…" he gasped.
"Why wouldn't she? She tried to commit suicide…" Eleanor stated flatly.
"I've got to see Candy…" Terry got up and was stopped by Richard.
"None of the sort son…you are going to compromise her now…you need to stay away from her, right now…" Richard said.
"Surely, you don't think I'm going to do that!!" Terry yelled, angrily…whose side was his parents on!!
"TERRY!! GET SOME BLOODY SENSE IN YOUR HEAD…THE SHARKS ARE MOVING IN!! YOU MUST BREAK UP WITH SUZANNE BEFORE YOU SEE CANDY AGAIN!" Richard raised his voice "OR YOU RISK COMPROMISING THE VERY THING YOU WANT THE MOST!!"
Michael re read the letters Candy had given to him to read. For the last couple of hours, Candy had told him with great detail everything…the days at St. Paul…the first separation…the aborted reunion in Chicago…the premiere in New York…Suzanne's accident and suicide attempt….the heartbreaking separation…Terry's fall…the lost years of yearning…the letters that ushered the inevitable reunion…Candy was right, even when she told the story in a unbiased way, he clearly understood Suzanne's role in this love triangle…and he had seen with his own eyes, in her own hand, the admission she ahd made to Candy
I know where Terry's heart is...
It had been very hard for him to remain untouched by Candy and Terry's story. "I'm sorry, Candy, you were right…I should have not been so quick to judge you or him…God…if I was in his shoes, I don't know what I would have done…"
"Michael, you are my friend…but you didn't know this part of my life, so if you didn't know, how could you not feel angry…I hope you understand now…"
"I do…" he folded the letters and gave them back to Candy. "I feel miserable now, having yelled at you…can you please forgive me?"
Candy smiled "Of course…besides this is good news for you, isn't it?" she smiled.
"It is?" Michael asked, unsure by what she meant.
"Why yes…think about it…" Candy winked.
Michael smiled, knowingly.
A pleasant calmness had come back to her apartment after Michael left. Still, Candy was a bit unsettled by the newspaper picture…this was certainly another log in the fire! She was wondering where Terry was when she heard the knock at the door. She went over, anticipatingly but was surprised to see who the caller was.
"Eleanor…Eleanor Baker…" she murmured, for a minute she feared the worst.
The older woman smiled gently at her. "Yes, child…don't worry…he's alright…"
"Please..come in…" Candy invited, still worried.
"I won't be long, but it was best that I come…Candice…did you see the paper this afternoon?" she asked.
"Unfortuantely, yes…" Candy admitted, feeling her cheeks blush.
Eleanor took her kindly by the shoulders. "Candice, before anything else, know that Richard and I want to see Terry married to you..." she said "But this photo, which now shows your face, it going to cause trouble for both you and Terry…we feel it is best that you two don't see each other until Terry breaks off his engagement with Suzanne and publicly announces that…"
Candy felt her mouth go dry. The implications started sinking in…dear God…if that picture made it to the Chicago Tribune…she looked at Eleanor, worriedly.
"Don't worry, Candy…he will do it within the next couple of days…he wanted to come here himself, but both Richard and I feel that now he may be being followed…we want to protect both of you now…I promise, everything will be alright and you two can finally get on with your lives as it should have been…"