SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER…
Chapter 9
"I wouldn't miss that for all the money in the world…"
The night of the theatre arrived and Candy was trying to finish her work as soon as possible, so she could go see Terry. Since the morning, she had the strong need to see him.
"Maybe the fact that we are in the same city is adding to my missing"
She finished her work, change her clothes very quickly, she was late.
- Where is she? Asked Annie, she's going to miss the representation
Candy's friends were waiting for her in front of the theatre.
- Here she is said Patty seeing her from a far
- Candy hurry up! They're going to close the doors said Archie
- Thanks for waiting for me. Let's go. I have to go back to the hospital later after the representation.
- Oh, but you're going to miss the reception said Annie
- I know but… I can't do nothing about it
They got into the theatre and arrived in front of the family lodge. The great aunt Elroy was there so were Eliza and Neil.
- Candy doesn't come in here said Eliza, she's not invited
- The whole family is invited said Stear and Candy is part of the family
- I don't want her in my lodge said the aunt
- But aunt Elroy… started Archie
- Never mind Archie said Candy hurt, I…
- Candy? Said a familiar voice
Candy turned around and a smile illuminated her face.
- Georgie you're back! She said hugging her, Good evening Laurent
- Good evening Candy said Laurent
- You're with your family or you're coming with us? Asked Georgie
- I'm coming with you! My family will be fine without me, she said
- Hi Georgie, said Annie
- Good evening everybody said Georgie, nice to see you again. See you later!
Candy was on a cloud while walking to Laurent's family lodge. Eliza and Neil were fuming. Eliza was about to burst. The great aunt seemed motionless. Candy's friends were happy for her.
Candy thanked Georgie with all her heart.
- Thanks for saving me again, Georgie
- It was a pleasure Candy. That Eliza gets on my nerves
- I think she's going to blow a gasket said Laurent
They all laughed with joy.
- When I learned that Terry was playing, I knew you'll come and see your husband against all odds, said Georgie
- I didn't know he was coming. I learned about it just a few days ago only. We seemed to have lost contact.
- They're on tour said Laurent, that's probably why. Don't worry your husband loves you.
- Thanks Laurent said Candy
The three knocks indicating the beginning of the representation were heard. There was a silence in the auditorium, every body was concentrating on the play. Candy was watching her beloved and was moved by his performance. For Terry it was like the most natural thing in the world for him, being an actor. It was is calling. She hadn't seen him since their separation at the Pony house, she missed him so much. She was dying to go to the reception, but she had to go back to the hospital. She was on the night shift. She had tears coming down her cheeks. She won't be able to talk to him. When the play was over, Candy stoop up to go.
- Are you sure you don't want to come to the reception? Said Georgie
- It's not that I don't want to, I can't Georgie. I have to go… Thanks again for everything she said kissing her, Laurent
She left them and went back to the hospital. She found an exit where there was a lot of people. She saw Terry and Susanna getting out and her heart was hurting to see him with another woman. She knew she was only another actress with whom he worked. Terry loves her. But her heart was still hurting. Her husband had another woman at his arm. The fans started to scream
- TERRENCE. TERRENCE !!!!
Candy was in the back and she said to herself it was no use to call him in the middle of all those screaming fans, he won't hear her.
" Terry, I'm here my love, I'm so close to you" she said to herself.
Terry and Susanna were walking toward the coach. Susanna got in and Terry hesitated when he was about to go in.
" Candy ? he said to himself, no, what am I talking about ? She's in another city !"
He got in the coach and left.
- Are you ok Terry? Asked Susanna
- Yes, I'm fine
For Candy, to see him so close and yet so distant at the same time, made her change her mind. She couldn't sleep without seeing him. She decided to go wait for him at the hotel, since she couldn't go to the reception without an invitation. But in which hotel was he staying? Darn! She'll have to look in every hotel of the city!
**********
Meanwhile, at the reception, Annie and her group were talking with Georgie and Laurent.
- Thanks for saving Candy, Georgie said Annie, that was nice of you
- The pleasure was all mine. I knew how much she wanted to see Terry
- Who are you? Asked Eliza, how dare you help Candy ?
- She's a friend of Candy said Annie, I doubt you know what that is….
Georgie and Laurent walked towards Terry who was a little a far. Candy's friends followed them.
- Georgie? Said Terry smiling and kissing her. Good evening he said seeing Laurent and the others
- Good evening Terry said Eliza with a big smile
- Eliza
- Good evening said Candy's friends
- You have any news from Candy? She's still at the nursing school?
- No said Georgie, Candy was here…
- Here!? He asked stunned where is she?
- She watched the play but she had to go back to the hospital said Annie
- But… which hospital?
- You forgot about her haven't you? With all those actresses, she's not important anymore to you…
- You don't know what you're talking about, Cornwell! Where is she? Which hospital?
- Why? Asked Archie
- She's at St. Joan's hospital said Annie
- Thank you Annie! Said Terry
Annie had barely finished her phrase that Terry ran out of there after excusing himself to his friends.
- Terry, wait! Cried Eliza, Candy, Candy, Candy, but what does he sees in her?
- I don't know Eliza… she has a heart? Said Annie
Susanna Marlowe had assisted to the scene and saw all her hopes go up in flames. Terry loved another woman. Who was this Candy? Why was he going after her? She loved him so much!
- Terry? She said
But he was already gone.
Terry arrived at St. Joan Hospital and asked to see Candy at the reception. A young woman with dark hair and glasses told him firmly that Candy was not back yet and he had to wait for her outside.
" She didn't get my letter ? and I didn't get hers…"he said to himself.
But time passed and she was not arriving. He decided to go back to the hotel and to come back very early in the morning to see her.
**********
Meanwhile, Candy had finally found the hotel where Terry was staying. She got in and asked for the room number at the reception.
- I'm sorry Miss, we cannot give out that kind of information because of the fans'
- But I'm not a fan…
- I'm sorry Miss, but I can't help you.
Candy was devastated. She wanted to tell them that she was his wife, but who would believe her? They're going to take her a crazy fan. She saw Susanna from a far, she was with other members from the troupe.
- Excuse me she said, my name is Candy, I'm looking for Terrence Grandchester…
Susanna had a heart ache. She was the girl Terry love?! No, It's wasn't true, she was the one who loved Terry, she loved him so much! She had to get rid of this girl before Candy comes back.
- Oh you must be a fan said Susanna coldly. Mr. Grandchester is asleep and cannot be disturbed, especially by a fan…
A fan? Candy couldn't believe her ears! A fan?! She was his wife! She had to call on every strength in the world, not to explode. She had spent most of the evening looking for the hotel and now…
- I'm not a fan she said calmly, I'm his w… I'm his best friend
- If you don't leave, I will have to get you thrown out said Susanna
- But, insisted Candy, tell him it's Candy…I'm sure he'll come and see me, you won't have any problem, he will be grateful to you…
- I said no, Miss!
Susanna was talking louder, which attracted the other members of the troupe, Mr. Hathaway the troupe manager, arrived and asked what was happening.
- It's a fan that is insisting on seen Terry said Susanna very fast
- I'm not a fan… Candy started
- Miss, said Mr. Hathaway, you're not a customer in this hotel, please leave. You're disturbing the customer and the members of my troupe
- But said Candy, I have to see him…
- Leave! Said Susanna louder
- Even if I were a fan, you would've lost me…. Said Candy
- Come on, said Hathaway taking her arm, I'll escort you outside
- No! Said Candy, Let go of me! How dare you …?
- What in God's name is going on in here? Freckles? Said a familiar voice.
She turned around and saw Terry who'd just arrived and seemed surprise to see her arguing with Hathaway and Susanna.
- Terry? She said with a sight of relief and a smile
- You know her? Asked Hathaway
- Yes, and would you please, let go of her, said Terry as calm as possible.
No sooner said than done, Hathaway let go of Candy, she ran into her husband's arms and had her lips on his, before the stunned eyes of Susanna and the other members of the troupe. Susanna felt her heart breaking into a million pieces.
The two lovebirds were kissing passionately for a while, almost forgetting where they were. When they finally stopped they were breathless.
- We have an audience again said Terry smiling
- It's becoming an habit and you should be used to be in public by now she said smiling
- I've missed you so much, let's go to my room?
- I thought you'd never ask! She joked
As they passed the members of the troupe, Terry was holding his wife by the waist and tell them;
- May I introduce you to Candice White Andrew, my fiancée. The next time she comes looking for me or call me, don't tell her twaddle tales, tell her where I am or come and get me. Ok?
The troupe nodded. He should've been mad, but Candy's presence made his anger and frustrations melt right away. Candy looked at Susanna who turned her head away ashamed.
"Why did she treat me that way? Is she in love with Terry? We'll see that later, for now, let's savour Terry's presence" She said to herself
They went in Terry's hotel room. Once the door was closed, they jumped at each other with passion. They will talk later, for the moment, they needed satisfy the hunger they had for each other. It's been too long, way too long! All those months…
About an hour later, they were finally talking.
- Freckles, what happened?
- I was transferred here in Chicago and I wrote you to tell you about it
- I didn't get the letter I was on tour and I was still writing you a the school
- I was wondering why I wasn't getting any answer…
- You didn't think that I've forgotten about you? He said laughing
- Stranger things have happened…. But no, I know you love me. I thought there was certainly another explanation, but Eliza was saying that Susanna and you…
- You're not going to listen to that trouble-maker…
- No, but I couldn't stop my heart from hurting
- Oh my darling he said tenderly, you don't have to worry. You're the only one that's in my heart. I don't see any other woman, literally…
- She was throwing me out of the hotel, she called me a fan…
- It's a good thing I showed up, hein?
- Tell me about it! Where were you?
- I went to look for you at the hospital
- Oh… and I was looking for you in the hotels of the city
- At the reception, I saw Georgie, Laurent and your friends who told me you were in Chicago and that you had to go back to the hospital. I was almost running getting out of there!
- I saw you at the exit of the theatre with Susanna and all the fans…
- You were there? He said stunned, I felt your presence, but I said to myself it was impossible, you were at school in another town.
- Wait a minute, you felt me? But, I was talking to you in my head….
- That's how much we're connected, honey he said softly. We almost missed each other. But I had the intention of coming to the hospital in the morning to look for you before I left for the train station. So I came back to get some sleep so I could wake up early and go to the hospital.
- Wake up early? With me in your bed? After all these months? She joked
He laughed and kissed her.
- Obviously, now it's out of the question, my little freckled nurse. By the way, why aren't you at the hospital?
- Seeing you on scene was wonderful. I didn't even congratulate you, my love. I'm sorry. You were great, you make it seem so easy and natural…
- Thank you darling, coming from you it's special
- You don't think I'm biased?
- No, you're one the most honest person I know…even if you're in love, if I was bad, you would've told me so…
Candy laughed and kissed him on the chin.
- You know me too well… sweetie. As I was saying, I was getting ready to go back to the hospital, when I saw you with Susanna and all the fans. Seeing you so close and so far at the same time…
- You wanted to see me…
- After looking for you in all the hotels in town, I get you "colleague" who calls me a fan…
- She wanted to protect me…
- No, I had the impression she knew who I was and was calling me a "fan" on purpose. I think she's in love with you.
- And I think she's wasting her time, because I have only eyes for your pretty little face! You won't have any problem at the hospital?
- To be with you? Problems seem meaningless I've missed you so much.
- I've missed you too. When I'm on scene acting it's for you, Candy.
- Oh Terry ! How long are we going to be separated?
- Not much, my darling. There's going to be auditions soon for "Romeo and Juliet" and if all goes well, I will get to play Romeo
- That's going to be great! You already know the part by heart
- If all goes well, it should launch my career
- And I'm going to graduate soon and earn a salary while I'm working
- And we'll finally be together…
They remain silent for a moment.
- When are you leaving? asked Candy
- Tomorrow at noon
- I'll come to train station, it's during lunch time
- Don't you have to go back to the hospital?
- Yes, but…I can't leave you
- Freckles, don't neglect your work for me
- Ok, I'll go… but, do it to me one more time, darling…
Another hour later, they were still talking
- I almost missed the play …
- How?
- Well the whole family was invited; I arrived late because I was on the night shift. Once in front of the lodge, Eliza and the great aunt wouldn't let me in, even after Stear and Archie insisted
- My poor baby, what did you?
- I heard Georgie's voice calling me…You can't understand how good it was for me to hear her voice
- She invited you into Laurent's family lodge Terry guessed
- Yes, you should've seen Eliza's face…
- I wish… Georgie is a really good friend to you
Candy remembered all of a sudden, the bracelet she found in her basket.
- I think she's more than that said Candy
- What do you mean?
- With everything that happened, I even forgot to tell Georgie about it…
- Freckles, can you explain to me…?
- Yes of course, dear. A few times ago, I lost my first patient, Mr. Macgregor. You'll find my letters when you get back to New York explaining everything. Mary Jane sent me to the Pony house for one day so I can relax a little. Once I was there, I found Miss Pony and Sister Maria doing a very big clean up. Among the things there was the basket in which I was found and the doll. So I started to feel the basket and look at it, to see if it was still in good shape. While I was feeling the mattress I found something inside. I took a pair of scissors and cut and I found a bracelet inside…
- A bracelet?
- Yes but not any bracelet, identical to Georgie's…
- What? My God! That would mean that…
- Georgie and I are sisters?
- That would explain your resemblance. Candy that's wonderful, that would mean if Georgie finds her parents…
- They could also be my parents…Wait until Georgie heard about this!
- That's great honey! By the way, we almost missed each other…
- Terry, nothing and nobody would've stopped me from seeing you…
- I know, honey, but I'm going to give you the telephone number from the theatre, so if there's an emergency, you can call me. Ok?
- Ok, my love. But for now show me again, how much you missed me….
- Flammy I'm sorry. I'm going to make up for my time
- I wonder what goes through your head sometimes, Candy said Flammy
- Flammy I had to see him. I had been months… If you have a boyfriend, I'm sure you understand me
- He came looking for you here, if you were at your work place, you would've seen him anyway… But you had the good sense to finish your work before you left.
Candy was looking down.
- Well go back to work said Flammy. I won't report you. But don't do it again.
Candy couldn't believe her ears! Flammy was nice to her? She wanted to hug her… but knowing Flammy…
- Thanks a lot said Candy, Thank you very much
And she went back to work.
*********
Around 11h30 in the morning, Terry came to pick her up to go to the train station. When they arrive at there to find everybody ready to go. Eliza was there also to see Terry. But she got mad when she saw Candy with him. Susanna was looking at them from a far and felt her heart breaking into a million pieces. She still couldn't believe that Terry wasn't free. He spent all the night with her… where does she come from…?
- Hello Terry said Eliza, I came to wish you a safe trip…
She acted like Candy was invisible.
- Eliza…
And he went on his way with his wife, like there was nothing to it. Eliza was furious! Candy, Candy always Candy!
When Candy and Terry arrived in front of the train, he asked;
- Do you need any money, Freckles?
- No, thank you Terry. I'm fine
- I'm going to give you some any way he said putting an envelope in uniform pocket
- But Terry, there's no use…. Ok.
- By the way, you're very beautiful in your nurses' uniform
The speaker announced the last call for the New York's train.
- That's you she said with tears in her eyes. I don't want you to leave. I love you.
- It's not for much longer, honey. Be patience. I love you, don't forget that
He kissed her on the lips and got on the train, which left. Candy was on the platform watching the love of her life leaving. She wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"I have to get back the the hospital, she said to herself"
While she was getting out of the station, she heard a voice calling her.
- Hi Candy!
It was Alistair in his car with Archie, Annie and Patty.
- Hi everybody she said smiling
- You took Terry to the train…? Asked Patty
- Yes
- You were able to see each other last night? Asked Annie, he left like a fury when he learned you were here in Chicago
- We almost missed each other said Candy, but we saw each other
- I'm happy for you said Annie
- I have to get back to the hospital
- Get in! Said Stear, I'll drive you…
- Ok said Candy, tried to get me there whole she added laughing
- It was nice of Georgie to save you again said Annie
- You have no idea said Candy, her timing couldn't have been better
- I thought Eliza was going to explode said Archie
They all started laughing.