- Chapter 9 -
Two cars left the Andley Mansion that Sunday morning, May the 9th 1915. One carried Albert and Eleanor, driven by George, the other carried Candy and Terry, driven by James. Candy and Terry were oddly quiet, dreading the moment they were going to have to say goodbye, longing already the months that were going to have to pass by until they saw each other again. Both were committed to what they had promised each other at Lake Shore Park, but still…
"This is all a bit of a dream, for me, Candy…" Terry finally said, taking her hand. "When I left New York I was at the lowest point in my life, hoping to drown and die along the way in an alcohol-induced pool of misery and hopelessness. And now, thanks to you, I am ready to take back my life and fight for all my true desires and dreams. I guess I had to hit rock bottom and have a near death experience to find it in me to pull myself up back again. Of course, you are still my biggest inspiration and the cornerstone in my life Candy…so the honor and glory should be all yours…" He took her hand up to his lips and kissed it. "This dream, now…our dream…may I never wake up from it…"
"Terry…" she said, touched.
"Well, at least this time you don't have to run after the train to say goodbye." he said, trying to lighten up the mood between them.
"I've had to run after you a few times…" Candy informed him.
His left eyebrow raised. "Eh? How so?"
Candy sighed, melancholy. "When you left England…I barely missed you at the dock in Southampton…when I returned to Pony's Home, you had just been there and I still could see the tracks in the snow you had made on Pony's Hill…" her voice cracked, holding back the tears.
Terry had no idea of this. "You…you went to Southampton after me?" he asked, his eyes widening.
"I had to…I myself found the letter you left on your desk…I went to your room because I wanted to see you and then I read that letter…my whole world turned over, Terry…because I didn't want you leave that way…I had to see you… then I overheard what your plans were so I tore out of there as fast as I could and hired the fastest coach to Southampton…we traveled all night…but it wasn't fast enough…dawn was breaking…your ship had just left… right then and there I realized that I loved you and that I didn't want you to leave without me…staying at St. Paul's had no meaning for me if you weren't there…all I could do was scream out your name in the wake at the top of my voice…"
"Then it wasn't my mind playing tricks…I did hear you!" Terry murmured.
"You did?" Candy asked, surprised.
"Yes, I did…oh dear God…" Terry had to embrace her at that point, "if we would have run into each other, against my better judgment but with great joy, I would have taken you with me…that would have been the biggest proof of your love to me and I would have not doubted it for one second…you know…when you were in the dungeon I kept you company on the other side of the wall and I kept telling myself if we were just a bit older I would have taken you with me…"
"I know…" Candy said.
"How so? I never told you until now…"
"Because you said so when you were in delirium after your operation…" she admitted. She wasn't sure if she should have told him.
Terry looked at her and smiled. "Did I? What else did I say? That how madly in love I am with you, my little St. Paul's interloper?"
"You said everything that I yearned to hear from you for so long…" she smiled. Her emerald eyes looked at him fetchingly.
"So if you almost caught me at Pony's Hill, that means…" he continued.
"Yes…I came back to America right after you did. I didn't want to stay at St. Paul's, I wanted to get on with the life I felt I needed to live. I knew we would see each other again, but wasn't I surprised how close I was to seeing you at my Pony's Hill…"
"You probably would have had to pinch me, because I would have been so happy but so shocked to see you there…I would have certainly thought it was a hallucination…why couldn't we have reunited in either place? Things would have certainly been different…you and I would not be riding in this car at this very moment…we would probably be having a nice, languid Sunday brunch in our bed…" he smiled.
"Terry!"
"It is true, darling…if I had seen you in either place, I would have never let you leave my side."
"Things happen for a reason…all is part of God's plan…that is what Miss Pony would tell me…" Candy mused.
"I suppose that is so…"
"Miss Candy…we've arrived" James said, stopping the car in front the Chicago Central Station. He walked out and opened the door for them.
The mood became sober again between the two. Candy had made up her mind not to cry or shed even the smallest tear…she didn't want that to be the last memory Terry had of her when the train pulled away. Unbeknownst to her, he had made up his mind to do the same.
They alighted from the car and Terry put on his new Burberry trench coat. Silently, they watched James fetch the porter for his luggage. It was until then they heard Albert calling them "Candy! Terry!"
"Oh…" Candy said, "They arrived already…" The couple made their way over.
"Well, the train leaves in 10 minutes, so we should go ahead and get you on board." Albert said, as they all started walking towards the depot. Candy noticed they weren't going through the main door.
"Albert…aren't we supposed to go in that way?" Candy motioned.
"Little one, owning the railroad has its perks." he winked. They went in through a side door that said "Private-Owner's Entrance". The attendant guarding the door greeted them very ceremoniously. Following Albert, they quickly found themselves on the platform. The train had several cars full of passengers but there was nobody around on the platform anymore…it was as if the train was waiting for Eleanor and Terry. They passed the 3rd class cars, the second class cars and they were starting to go by the first class car. Albert kept walking towards the locomotive engine.
'Where is he going? Why has everybody boarded?' Candy wondered to herself, as she kept seeing faces of the passengers from the windows looking at the small party with flummoxed stares.
As if he read her mind, Albert said "Terry and Eleanor should be able to ride in complete privacy back to New York, so they will be using my Private Car." He smiled warmly at them.
"Private Car?" Candy asked.
"Yes, Candy…we have our own private car. Fully furnished with its own private dining area…would you like to see it?" he asked.
"I..." Candy said. She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to leave the private car if she boarded.
"I think Candy and I will say our goodbyes here…" Terry said, sensing her hesitancy.
"Oh! I see…" Albert said, understanding.
Eleanor moved towards Candy and embraced her. "Thank you again for everything, dear child…I owe you his very life and you always will have my eternal gratitude…time will pass by quickly, you'll see, and I will watch over him for you in New York…" she said, giving her a motherly kiss.
"Thank you, Eleanor…I will miss you…" Candy said.
"I will miss you too, Candy. God bless you…" she replied, a small tear in the corner of her eye forming.
"I'll see you in, Eleanor…" Albert said, "I'd personally like to make sure everything is ready…"
With that, Albert helped Eleanor board the private car and they both disappeared.
Terry and Candy now were all alone on the platform. The locomotive let off some steam and it briefly enveloped them. For a split second, it was it they were on the Mauretania's foggy promenade, that New Year's Eve.
Neither of them wanted to say good bye and neither of them wanted to close the small distance between them. Both of them felt that if they did so, they would not be able to carry out their promise…their selves would demand not to let the other one go.
"We shouldn't hold up this train, Freckles…" Terry finally said, trying to keep his voice level.
"Yes…" she agreed.
"I will write the moment this train departs…." he promised.
"Please make sure to address it to Pony's Home…I am leaving for there tomorrow…" she reminded him. She tried to remain stoic.
"Give my best to Miss Pony and Sister Lane…tell them I will see them soon…and give my love to the children…you keep them in line, you hear!"
"I will…" Candy felt the tears well in her eyes.
"Darling…"
"Yes, Terry…" her voice was a whimper.
"I love you…" he said. He turned around and started to board the train as fast as he could. He had to remove himself from the scene, because he could no longer hold the urge to take her in his arms and give her a deep kiss and whisper all the love declarations spinning around in his mind.
"Terry!" she cried out, unable to hold herself back any longer. Her tears burst from her eyes. She ran to him.
He turned around without hesitation and ran to her and they embraced. The locomotive let out another burst of steam. Cloaked for a few seconds, they passionately kissed, the kiss flavored with the liquid salt flowing from both of their eyes.
"I love you, Candice…more than my own life…I'll make you proud and come back for you as soon as possible…but know that as far as I am concerned, you are my loving wife already…"
"Oh Terrence Grandchester…I love you so much…go on and seize your dreams, I'll be waiting for you…go now before I decide that I can't let my charming husband go on his new adventure without me!"
With that, Terry gave her one last kiss on her forehead and quickly boarded the train.
Candy wept bittersweet tears. Her whole self already mourned the separation from her soul mate, but was glad to see him off on this new journey in his life.
Albert came out and joined her. The conductor shared a word with him then blew his whistle before boarding the train. Albert checked his wristwatch…the train was leaving right on time.
"Oh…Albert…" she sighed sadly as the train pulled out. Terry had not sat at a window, but she knew well why he didn't. It was better that way.
Albert gave her a bear hug. "I know it pains you, little one, but you'll see…time will be on your side and before you know it, he will come back to you…"
The stayed on the platform until the train was lost in the horizon. Candy was still sad, but felt better.
"Albert…"
"Yes?"
"Can we have the children from Pony's Home ride in the private car once?" She had to organize some sort of field trip to the Andley Mansion and to the Art Institute. Wouldn't that be fun!
"Certainly! We don't own this railroad line for naught!" he winked.
Terry and Eleanor arrived in New York and were greeted by agents of the Andley's. They were escorted to a car and were told they were being taken to their respective homes, Eleanor's penthouse on Fifth Avenue, which is in the Upper East Side in Manhattan, and Terry's flat in the West Village1 in front of Washington Park.
"There is a stop I need to make…" Terry told the driver "I need to go to 3rd Avenue and West 12th."
"East Village2, right away!" was the prompt reply.
"Terry…are you sure you want to do this now? Shouldn't we wait until tomorrow?"
Eleanor asked. It had been a long day.
"No, mother…this is a conversation I needed to have the night of my Romeo and Juliet premiere, the night I let Candy leave…I cannot wait any longer…the sooner I speak with Suzanne, the better.."
"Then, I will go with you…"
"Mother…" Terry started to protest.
But Eleanor replied, adamant, "It seems to me that Mrs. Marlowe pressures you, so I only find it fair that they know you too have a mother who looks out for your best interests…I don't care if you think you are of age, young man…you are still my son…" she said, sweetly.
The last person Mrs. Marlowe was expecting when she opened the door was Terrence G. Grandchester. After her initial shock, she was quick to scold, "Well! It was abou..." she stopped when she realized the young man wasn't by himself. She couldn't believe her eyes…behind him was Eleanor Baker! Why was Eleanor Baker, the most famous actress on Broadway, there with Terry?
"Mrs. Marlowe, good evening…" Terry said, dryly, not wanting to prolong pleasantries with Mrs. Marlowe. "May I present my mother to you, Eleanor Baker…"
"Your…your mother?" she gasped.
"Yes…Terry is my only son." Eleanor said. "Pleased to meet you." she said, politely.
"I've come to speak with Suzanne…" Terry said. He did not want to stay in that woman's presence for one more second than necessary.
"Mrs. Marlowe, perhaps you and I can visit for a bit?" Eleanor suggested.
"Er…yes…I suppose so…let me get Suzanne for you…" Mrs. Marlowe said. She was caught between awe struck and flustered. She suspected Eleanor's presence there was to foil any intromissions she was intending to have with the discussion between Terry and Suzanne. Something told her that Terry had come to tell Suzanne something that Suzanne did not want to hear.
"There is no need…if Suzanne is in her room, I shall meet her there…" Terry said, "I suppose she can receive me?" he asked.
"Umm…yes…yes she can…" Mrs. Marlowe admitted.
"Very well, thank you…" he said heading down the hall. He was thankful that Suzanne's bedroom was the farthest from the front door and therefore probably did not realize he had arrived.
"But…but…" gasped Mrs. Marlowe in Terry's wake.
"We've just arrived from Chicago…may I bother you with a cup of tea, Mrs. Marlowe?" Eleanor asked.
Mrs. Marlowe knew she could not intervene. "Why, yes…how impolite of me…please, Madame Baker…such an honor…please follow me…" she said, defeated.
Terry stood in the doorway, and regarded Suzanne with kind eyes. She was reading what seemed to him to be Shakespeare's Sonnets.
"Suzanne…" he said, gently.
She looked up, unbelieving, for a split second.
"Oh, Terry! You've returned…I knew you would come back to me!" she exclaimed, but her happiness was short-lived the moment she looked into his eyes. True, there was a warmth there, but the warmth of a friend and a colleague, the one he had always had for her, neither the burning passion or the ardor of a lover that she so dearly searched for.
"Yes, Suzanne, I am here, but we need to talk." he said.
She knew what was coming and decided to cut ahead of him. "Your Duty is with me, Terrence, not with her!" she recriminated.
"My Duty, Suzanne, is to help you as far as I can, as a friend and as a colleague. Not as a fiancé or as a husband. I cannot make you happy if I love another woman, another woman whom you knew I loved deeply well before the accident happened…well before you even met me…you knew that and you know that I love Candy. I tried to deny her in my life, but to do that was to deny my very own life. Believe me, Suzanne, I do not want to hurt you, but this is the truth and I prefer to tell you the truth than to bind ourselves in a lie, bind ourselves in a marriage that would be a lie. I have been the direct victim of someone who put Duty before true love and I have been terribly unhappy in my life as a result of that. There is nothing on this earth that is going to make me put her, me or you through that purgatory that I've had to live through my entire life up until now."
Terry took Suzanne's hands. She tore them angrily away from him, tears streaming down her face, but he softly retook them again and looked at her intently. "I know this is difficult for you, Suzanne, but you have had to have noticed what happened to me ever since Candy left me, when she gave me up in order to make you happy. If you did not notice, then, let me tell you, I took myself to the edge of unreason…I hit rock bottom and if it weren't for her, for Candy, I would not be alive here talking to you. Yes, I've returned, but I've returned resolved to give you my word of honor to help you and to pledge myself as your friend, but nothing more."
"Terry! You can't ….you can't do this to me! I cannot live without you!" Suzanne screamed, dramatically.
Terry took a deep breath, because what he was about to say was going to pain him more that it was going to hurt her. But he had to do it. "It seems to me that you got along just fine the time I was away."
"How can you say that to me…I had to because I hoped…" she retorted.
"Suzanne…look into my eyes…are you honestly going to tell me that you believed that I was going to come back to you? I really want to sincerely apologize if you thought so, because instead of telling you what was going on with me inside my head, I tried to escape, escape myself in alcohol, drowning myself in pain, allowing myself to fall deeper and deeper into a well without end, evading what I should have done when Candy came to see me. The experience I have just lived has given me a second chance and to face life as a determined man, not as a scared, confused youth. I should have told you this long ago, but I do it now, with my head clear. I thank you again for what you did for me and my debt to you is to help you rehabilitate yourself so that you can have a life of your own again."
Suzanne just cried silently. The game was up, and she could not prolong it any longer. It was like trying to catch running water in a fist.
"What are you going to do, Terry?" she asked at length.
Terry replied, "First of all, you and I are going to visit a resident at Columbia Hospital, Dr. Spitz, who specializes in prosthetics and is looking for volunteers for his program. I will help you with the therapy, as long as my rehearsals allow for it."
"Are you coming back to the Stratford Troupe?"
"Yes, for the time being, I am coming back to Stratford." he affirmed.
"And what about her?"
"She is going to wait for me until I am satisfied that you are fully rehabilitated. For the time being, she is going to help out at the orphanage where she grew up. We decided this was the best course of action so that I could focus on helping you and getting my career back in order."
"Candy…Candy was an orphan?" Susanne asked, stunned. She had always thought she was a little rich girl.
"Yes, Suzanne…she is a member of the Andley family, but she was adopted as an adolescent. Candy has had a very hard life, but that is what I admire most in her…she has always faced life with a lot of bravado and confidence, ready to overcome any problems or trials that have come her way. She inspired me to change the course of my life when I met her…you know, if it weren't for her, I would have never had the courage to pursue my dreams of becoming an actor. She was the only one who could help my mother, Eleanor Baker and I reconcile after so many years of being apart…" Terry's eyes shone as he spoke about Candy, and Suzanne realized that gleam and sparkle, full of love, passion, admiration and adoration was for Candy alone. Just for Candy.
"Eleanor Baker is…your mother?" she asked, surprised . The rumours were true, then!
"Yes Suzanne, she is. She also is ready to help you. Of course, you have to be willing to do so. You don't have to spend the rest of your life in that wheelchair. Your whole life is awaiting you, if you decide to life it fully. Will to Power, Suzanne…Don't you agree?"
Suzanne thought about it and Terry let some minutes go by, as to not pressure her.
"Yes, Terry…I agree.." she finally acceded.
1 West Greenwich Village, Manhattan
2 East Greenwich Village, Manhattan
