SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER….
Chapter 8
"I miss you so much, honey…"
Miss Pony sent Candy to Mary Jane school for nursing, she knew the owner. She started her course to become a nurse. They were good days and bad days. But she was determined to reach her goal, to do something with her life and most of all, to be with Terry.
Terry had found some work with the Strafford troupe. The two lovebirds were writing each other almost everyday and were encouraging each other.
Candy finally wrote her friends in London. They were very happy to hear from her. Time passed and Candy was transferred at St. Joan Hospital in Chicago with other nurses. She didn't have time to write Terry to tell him. She said to herself, she'll write him once she's in Chicago with her new address. Terry wrote her to tell her that he's going on tour in a lot of cities for "King Lear". Candy didn't get the letter because she'd already left for Chicago. Once in Chicago, she wrote him a long letter he did not receive because he was on tour with his troupe. She had news from Georgie, she got her letter from Miss Pony and they were writing each other often. Candy was very happy to be in the same city as Georgie now, she missed her a lot.
The reunion with Georgie was filled with tears and cries of joy.
- How are you ? Georgie asked, are you ok?
- To be without Terry, you mean? It's been hell! And you how's your research?
- Well my "supposed" parents are both on a trip. So I'm waiting for them to come back at Laurent's uncle.
- Oh, so what do you do with your days?
- Not much, I'm so bored sometimes…
- You should find something to do…
- Laurent doesn't want me to work
- Laurent said Candy, you're not going to be like those old people that think that a woman should stay home…
- She doesn't need to…
- It's not the need, it's to occupy herself, to do something
- She's right Laurent, I'm bored…
- Ok, said Laurent, two against one? I'm vanquished… What do you want to do ?
- I thought you'll never ask! I can take care of kids or help out in schools…
- I'll see what I can do…
- It's good to have someone taking care of you said Candy
- But I will like to do this alone, if you don't mind, darling
- Ok. No problem said Laurent. You have the same ideas !
Candy and Georgie laughed. Georgie found some work in an elementary school as an assistant. She liked working with kids and Candy thought she'd be perfect working for the Pony House.
Terry was asking himself how was his wife. He knew he couldn't get any news unless he was back in New York and it wasn't anytime soon. He was in corner of the theatre playing his harmonica thinking about his beloved.
- Terry, you want something to eat? Asked Susanna Marlowe a young actress of the troupe.
Terry thought that she was kind of annoying. She was too nice with him, defending him when they were saying he got the job because of who his mother was. Always taking care of him. Was she falling in love with him? No don't think about that, he said to himself. He thought about Candy, how much he misses her.
"A little longer he said to himself, soon, I'll have a big role and we'll be able to be together and you'll be a nurse, a career woman. I'm so proud of you my darling."
**********
Candy had her first patient, Mr. McGregor. He was mean in the beginning and arrogant, but our Candy with her goodness contagious had softened him. She'd even brought him his dog called Mina in hiding to cheer him up. The old man told her that as soon as he leaves the hospital, he was going to hire her as his personal assistant. One day while she was walking with him in the hospital garden, he fell asleep and never woke up.
Candy was completely devastated by the loss of her first patient. She started to think about her life, her parents, are they dead? Anthony… Terry, how much she missed him!
"Oh Terry, I need you so much"
Mary Jane sent her to the Pony House for one day so she could get herself together.
- You're going to face a lot more losses in this work field, you have to be prepared to be strong, if you want to succeed in this profession.
- Yes, I understand, Thank you she simply said
So she went to the Pony House, with Mina the dog. The children were glad to see her with Mina which they adopted immediately. Miss Pony and Sister Maria were glad to see her and cheered her up.
- You can help us clean up, we're putting a little order in our stuff said Miss Pony
- Ok, it's going to keep me occupy…
They started cleaning up. They threw away useless stuff and kept the useful ones. Among the things there was the basket and the doll in which Candy was found.
- My basket she said
She looked inside and was touching it to see if it was still good. She felt something inside the basket when she took out the little mattress.
- I think there something inside she said to Sister Maria
- Really ? Said Miss Pony. When we found you, there was the doll, we never looked to see if there was another thing inside
- You couldn't have known, you can't see it said Candy
Candy continued feeling the basket and took a pair of scissors. She cut the little mattress and find an object hidden inside. She couldn't believe her eyes when she took a gold bracelet out of the basket.
- Oh My God ! She cried
- What? Asked Miss Pony and Sister Maria at the same time
- It's a bracelet, a gold bracelet ! She said still stunned
- Wow ! said Jimmy, that's nice !
- Maybe it's a clue on your family said Miss Pony
- So you can find them said Sister Maria
- No, you don't understand! Said Candy
- What? Asked Jimmy
- It's Georgie's bracelet! Well the exact copy…
- Georgie… said Miss Pony
- The girl from Australia I met in London…
- The one that looks like you? Asked Sister Maria
- Yes said Candy
- That's odd said Miss Pony
- Where did Georgie got her bracelet from? Asked Sister Maria
She told them what happened in London.
- You gave it to her? Said Jimmy, so this can't be the one
- Of course not, she always wears hers
- Looks like Georgie and you have more in common than you think… said Miss Pony
- You can say that again! Said Candy. Wait until Georgie hears about this!
When she got back to Chicago, she learned that Georgie was on a business trip with Laurent for a few days. Darn, she'll have to wait. But she was very surprised to find her friends in Chicago. With the rumours of war, the Great Aunt Elroy had called them back home. Annie was there too. They came to see her after her work. There were kisses and hugs and laughs.
- Candy, I've missed you so much said Annie hugging her
- You too, all of you she said smiling. How is Patty
- She will be here soon according to Stear said Archie.
Stear blushed
- He knows everything about Patty said Archie
Candy and Annie were laughing
- Candy tell us about you adventures in London, you really literally made the Prince of Liege walk… What was wrong with you?
- Well, I only wanted to dance with Terry
- You already had you Prince said Annie.. What was Terry's reaction, to have such a nice proof of love in public?
- I think he was embarrassed and proud at the same time
- I wished I could've seen Grandchester embarrassed said Archie
- You know where he is? Asked Annie
- In New York acting. I don't have any news …
She was sad because she didn't know what was happening. Terry hadn't answer her letters since she was in Chicago. And it's been for ever !
- Come on Candy, I'm going to show you the Andrew Mansion, this is where we're going to stay said Stear
- You're staying here, in Chicago? That's great!
The Mansion was huge!
- Wow said Candy, you'll need an hour just to get from the gate to the front door…
Neil and Eliza were at the mansion. Always as mean and ignoring Candy completely.
- Stear, can you drive me in town, I have to buy a dress for the theatre Thursday night. The Stafford troupe is coming to play King Lear and Terrence Grandchester will be there.
Candy's heart jumped! Terry will be in Chicago, Thursday…
- He won't remember you! she said to Candy, he's very close to his partner, Susanna Marlowe…
"What? said Candy to herself My Terry, impossible ! He's my husband! He won't cheat on me!"
But why was she learning from Eliza that Terry was coming on Thursday? What was happening?
- We are all invited, but not you she said to Candy
- Candy is part of the family too said Stear
- She has as much as right as any of us to be there said Archie
- We'll see who's the boss! Said Neil
- Find yourself another driver, said Stear to Eliza, I have other thing s to do.
She looked at Stear bad and left the room with her brother.
- Don't worry Candy you can come see Terry said Stear
- Oh, don't worry. I won't miss this that for all the tea in China! Said Candy
There was no way she was going to miss her husband's show. She went in the bedroom with Annie to try on some dresses and new hair do.
- According to the picture in the paper in London, you don't nee any lessons from me on elegance said Annie, your dress was perfect and your up do perfect.
- Thank you I wanted to be beautiful for Terry
- He's your inspiration! Said Annie, Thank God!
They were laughing.
- Can I join you? Said a voice with the British accent
- PATTY !!!! Said Candy and Annie as they ran to her to kiss and hug her, what a nice surprise!
The three friends were glad to be together again. It has been so long!
- When did you get here? Asked Candy
- This morning, Europe is not good at all she said
- Oh said Candy, what about the college?
- Always as cold as ever, and the sister with it!
They were laughing and spend a nice time together
**********
The next day, at the hospital they gave the nurses the schedule for the night shift. Candy had to work on Thursday night ! She was devastated by the news. She won't be able to see Terry! No, impossible! Nothing will stop her from seeing her beloved, her husband. She'll find a solution, her roommate Flammy.
- Flammy she asked when they were on a break, you work on Friday and me on Thursday, you don't want to switch?
- No, she said coldly
- But I have to see a friend on Thursday night, he's just passing
- That's not my problem! Said Flammy, you have your schedule and I have mine.
- But…
- I have to work and you too for that matter…
She left without another word. Candy tired with the others, but no one will switch with her. What was she going to do? Too bad, if she's going to get herself in trouble.
"I have to see my husband, or I'll die she die", she said to herselff
She'll go to the play and will come back later for her night shift.
On Thursday morning, the Stafford troupe arrived at Chicago and went immediately to the theatre for the repetition. Terry knew that their time was limited, he was wondering if he could go to Candy's school.
"Probably not, the time is way too short !" he said to himself.
But if I could let her know that I'm not that far from her. I miss her so much more ever since we got here. It's like the fact that she near me, is adding to my missing her.
- Terry said Susanna's voice, the rehearsal is starting
- I'm coming… thanks Susanna.