Finally, I'm back, after a shamefully long time. My apologies for the absence.

.

.

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN: IN THE MEANTIME…

'Lakewood Village, 25th September 1923

Hello Sis,

If I remember well, you said you planned to come back by the end of September. If so, this letter should reach Chicago when you'll already be home.

So, how are you down there? How was the honeymoon? All happy, lovey-dovey, forever and after like in the romance novels? (Not that I read them! I heard this expression somewhere, I swear!) What place did you visit? The postcard you sent me shocked me. I never though such a land existed! Is it really real? Or is it just a painting, someone's crazy imagination? Because it looks like a green paradise with a fiery hell right next to it! If it's real... WOW. Your trip must have been very interesting! I hope I can hear more of it one day.

We (Jimmy and I), want to officially thank you again for inviting us to your wedding. I told you this at the wedding reception and I will say it again: it was just great! We had fun, all night. We did our best to cover up our provincial manners. And I think it went well, mostly thanks to Patty's grandma. At the table, she gave us advice about this and that and it was very helpful. We were really grateful for it. Thank you for sitting us next to her. She is such a nice person.

Jimmy says he is so proud of you. He was surprised to see you, all dressed up like that. You didn't look like the Candy he knows. Good old Jimmy! Forgive him. He's never stopped seeing you as his 'Boss', you know, in boyish clothes, doing your usual mischief. So, when you joined in that Scottish dance, he triumphed. He kept nudging me and shouting in my ear, 'She is still our Candy! That's the real her, hear me Tom? Our Boss!' Later, he couldn't stop talking about how 'our Boss' showed these stiff city people what a real dance is. And do you know what? I agree with him. That dance was something special.

Now, something more personal.

When George gave me the key to your apartment, I though he made some mistake. No mistake, he said and your letter confirmed it. I had no idea that you would take my idea so seriously of coming more often to Chicago! But anyway – I'm so grateful! I don't know if I can thank you enough. It's a very generous offer, Sis. And spot on! Exactly what I needed! It made me stay in Chicago for longer, you know? Miss Pony, Sister Maria and Jimmy went back home right after your wedding but I stayed two more days and I had used your apartment for that stay. It's so close to the hospital too! I could go and see Flammy at any time, she was just across the park, not across the city. And, I didn't have to bother anyone at the mansion with going in and out.

Flammy seemed glad to see me. And when I returned two weeks later, she was even gladder. Yes, I went back. I couldn't stay away. I just couldn't. But those few days... I wouldn't change them for anything. We went out, you know? Properly. Not just for a chat on her break or sitting on a bench in Douglas Park. We really went out. We walked down the streets of Chicago, just turning wherever we felt like. We chatted about everything and nothing. I was afraid she would be bored but she seemed to enjoy it. And then, we somehow ended up at the lake and I took her for a coffee at the Pier. Just a coffee – but with her, it felt special. Even the cake tasted better. Sounds silly, right?

I asked her if she wants to be my girlfriend but she said she needs time to see. It's not exactly what I wanted to hear. What is there "to see"? She knows how I feel about her and she seems to feel the same way. Usually, that's more than enough to get two people together. Why not now? I just don't get it. But I did say yes to that. If she needs time, fine, I can wait. I'd prefer sooner rather than later, but in the end, she will be mine anyway. She will be mine, you just wait and see. I just know it. I have met "my" girl, everything bone in me knows it. You will think it's crazy but this is how it is. Only you can know this for now: I want this woman as my wife one day. I know that for sure and I don't want any other. It's just a matter of time.

I have been quite busy on the farm recently but now that it's getting quiet here, I'm already thinking of going to Chicago again. Dad is a little nosy about my sudden 'love for Chicago' as he calls it, but he doesn't mind if I'm away for a bit. But if I am to go – can I still use your apartment? Now, that you are back from your honeymooning, maybe you will have use for it again? Please let me know.

Lots of hugs from me and Dad – Tom'

'Lakewood Village, 10th October

Dear Candy,

It's brief this time. I'm writing in a hurry at the post office, I want this letter to make the afternoon mail. There is talk in town (I just heard about it in the store) that "some Andrew guy from The Villa" (they mean Albert) had some sort of tragic accident, broke his back and is either dead like his late nephew or paralysed and insane. And with no reply from you, I'm very worried. Please write to me and tell me that it isn't true!

I pray that this is just a stupid gossip,

Tom'

'Chicago, 15th October 1923

Aloha, Tom,

Having said this Hawaiian greeting, I would like to apologise. I'm sorry I kept you without reply; there were many things that kept me very busy here.

First things first: don't worry. How I hate when people gossip! Yes, it is true that Albert had had an accident but it was in no way near as tragic as you might have been led to believe. The only thing he broke was his leg. And even then, that didn't stop him from getting back to work (from home), so believe me when I say that he is very much alive and also, very much sane. Which cannot be said about the people who started spreading such a cruel tale. When I find out who it was, their fate will be poor indeed!

He will recover from that, don't worry. It takes some time but he is definitely getting better. At the beginning, when his leg was still in the cast, he used crutches to move around the house, now that he is free of it, he uses a cane. But it's only for the duration of the recovery, which is going along very well, as our family doctor says. A few more weeks and he won't need the cane at all.

Talking of the cane... It's an average, wooden cane and yet, it has become a star amongst us. Now that we know that all will be fine, Archie of course, wouldn't be himself if he didn't crack a joke or two about it. According to his opinion, Albert should think twice about getting rid of the cane for good as it finally makes him look like a proper patriarch of the family. We all laughed at it but Archie is very lucky that his joke still hasn't reached Aunt Elroy's ears. I don't think she would find that very amusing.

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed our wedding reception. This is what it was about, having fun on our day! We did our best to sit guests where we thought they would feel the best.

And thanks for still seeing me as your Boss. It brings a sweet nostalgia to me.

It's great to hear about how well you've gotten on with Flammy. I don't get the chance to see her recently so I can't say much about her. I'm sure however, that she must have changed somehow. Otherwise, she wouldn't even be going out with you. That alone is a very good sign and I wish you both the best. But promise me something, alright? Hold your horses a bit, Tom. Don't push her. I don't know her very well but something tells me that she wouldn't like that. Do give her the time you promised her. And you need that time too. Make sure that marrying her is really what you really want. Don't get me wrong, I don't question your feelings for her. I just want you to take a deep breath and give yourself a bit more time to make sure about it. Right now you are seriously in love, for the first time truly and that is a state of mind when you are very much blind to anything else, to any reason. Trust me, I've been there, more than once. Promise?

As for your visit to Chicago – don't ask if you can come. You are always welcomed here, any time! You can stay either here with us or at my apartment, it's up to you. I told you before, it's at your disposal for as long as you need it. I don't know yet what I will do with it, now that I live elsewhere but there is no reason for it to sit empty all the time and just gather dust. If there will be any plans regarding its future purpose, I will let you know but till then, keep using it. This makes me feel that I am helping at least in some way. Just don't forget to tell us when you will be in Chicago. I would be very angry if you came and went without visiting us. I'm sure Annie would like to see you too.

Warm greetings from a very windy Chicago,

Candy.'

'Lakewood Village, 19th October 1923

Hello again, Candy,

Thank you for your reply. What a relief! I was really, really worried.

Not much to say about the farm, same old, same old here. We can't complain, all is rather well at this end. And I only wish I had just good news.

However, I have some sad news too. I haven't been to Pony's Home for a while and found out just recently. It's about your Clynn. He got hurt. Sister Maria told me that the kids found him by the stream. His paw torn and bleeding badly. They did all they could to help and later, they even called the vet from a town nearby. To him, Clynn got caught in a poacher's trap, tore his paw to get out of it, which wounded him even more. I haven't seen it myself but I can imagine how terrible it must look. The vet even suggested putting Clynn down to save him the misery but Sister Maria forbade it.

It's been some time since and it looks like Clynn will live. The sad part is, the vet says that the tendon was damaged and Clynn's paw will never be the same again. If that's true, Clynn won't be able to hunt and survive on his own. He will have to live with people for the rest of his life. And so far, he is not taking it too well. Even as weak as he is, he tries to attack the cage they put him in. He is terrified of people, kids especially. Only Miss Pony and Sister Maria can go near him. And me too. I even thought of taking him with me to our farm. I could easily find him some quiet place. You know how busy and noisy it can be at Pony's Home. But for now, transporting him is impossible. He panics every time the cage is even slightly moved. Besides, I haven't got any medical experience and wouldn't be able to look after him properly. And so he is still at Pony's Home and we just hope that in time, he will get used to people again. Otherwise, he will have to live in a cage. So, we will do all we can to re-domesticate him, I promise.

From other things, I'm coming to Chicago in about two weeks time. I hope we can meet.

Hugs

Tom'

'Chicago, 26th October

Dear Tom,

Thank you for letting me know. To me, it's almost heartbreaking. People might not understand it but Clynn is more than just a pet to me. He is a friend. A dear friend and there is no way I'm leaving him alone in such conditions.

I'm coming to get him. I wanted him to a live free and independent life in the wild but since that's no longer possible, he might as well live with me again. We've discussed it with Albert and he agrees with me. There's plenty of space here, we will work something out.

I'm coming to Lakewood on the 5th and for one night only. Clynn knows me and I hope I won't have trouble putting him in the cage that I bought but just in case, I have some medications that can keep him calm. You can come along with me, since you planned to go to Chicago anyway.

See you soon

Candy'