Chapter 3


Two weeks before in New York, Suzanne was in her wheelchair near by the fireplace. She was thinking of Terry. She was wondering where he was, how he was, what he was doing. She didn't have any news since the day he left, 4 weeks ago. When he told her that he wanted to go for a little trip, she didn't ask any questions. She thought it would be a question of days, not of weeks. She missed him so much. The name of Candy came through her mind, did he go to see her? Her mother kept telling her he was a waster that he left her for good and would not come back. No, he would not have done that. She lost her leg for him and she loves him more than anybody, even more than Candy does or used to. He would soon come back and they will be able to prepare for their wedding.

The butler knocked at the door and came in.

"Miss Marlowe, Robert Hathaway is here" he said

"Mr Hathaway...what does he want? Maybe he has some news from Terry" she hoped

"Let him in please" she said

Robert Hathaway came in the living room and looked at the young fragile girl in front of him. She was still very nice to look at even in a wheelchair.

"Mr Hathaway, what gives me the pleasure to see you today" She asked with her soft voice

"Suzanne, you look as nice as ever" he answered in a paternal tone.

Suzanne blushed, she was not used to receive compliments anymore.

"I just came over to see how you were" Said Mr Hathaway

"Oh, I am fine, thank you. My mum went to do some shopping she should not be long now" She answered

"In fact, it is a good thing you are alone, I need to talk to you about something"

"Yes, I am listening"

"First, do you have any news from Terry" he asked prudently

Suzanne's smile disappeared. "No I don't" she said with tears in the voice

"Listen to me Suzanne, I know you have been through very difficult times with the accident and … Terry's behaviour. But don't you think it is time for you to move forward. You cannot live in the past! What if TERRY doesn't come back?"

"No don't say that" she cried "I know he will come back; he will never leave me, he owes me his life"

"This is true, but does it mean that you are ready to wait for him for ever. Don't you want to make something of your life? You have so much talent Suzanne"

"You mean I had talent, I cannot perform anymore" she said bitterly

"No, I know you still have talent. You did not lose it with your leg. On the contrary, I am sure it has given you some maturity. We are planning to play Othello in the next months. Auditions will start in one month and I would like you to give it a try. You would be perfect as Desdemona"

"But I can not walk anymore. Do you imagine Desdemona in a wheelchair ?"

"No, but I know a very good prosthesis doctor whom you should meet. A lot of people are walking with only one leg. Why not you ? Do you want to stay the poor little Suzanne who lost her leg and her career at the same time for another actor forever? What did he bring you so far except tears?" Hathaway knew he was going far, but this was the only way to convince her.

Suzanne kept silent. The hope to be on stage performing great roles was such a temptation. She knew he was right. She had been living like a ghost since the accident. And it was worst since Terry left. Acting was the thing she loved most (after Terry). Maybe Terry left because he was feeling too guilty seeing her in a wheelchair. Maybe he was not seeing her like a woman at all but like a disabled only. But if she shows him that she can be strong, that she can walk again, move forward and begin a new career, than he will admire her and finally love her.

"OK Robert, I am ready to try. Where should I start?" She asked in a determined voice.

"Start what?" asked Mrs Marlowe who had just come back.

"Mum! Mr Hathaway just convinced me to put a prosthesis on and to go back on stage" said Suzanne with a big smile.

"Good Morning Mrs Marlowe. Nice to see you again. Yes we are planning to play Othello in a few months and I thought that Suzanne would be perfect as Desdemona. She still has some time before the auditions start and I know a very good doctor who could help her" Said Hathaway with an exciting tone.

"Really" Said Mrs Marlowe coldly " Why didn't you talk to me first? What if she doesn't get the role? Did you imagine what her deception would be? She has been disappointed enough with Terry's departure… and the rest"

"Mummy, please, Mr Hathaway just wants to help me. He knows that I miss the stage and since I do not know when Terry will be back, I should start to do something of my life" pleaded Suzanne

"Well, I am glad to see that at least you are making project instead of staying home waiting for Terry's return all the time. But I love you so much, I do not want to see you miserable. Are you sure you want to try all this? It is not certain that it will work out for you" Said Mrs Marlowe

"Listen mum, I know two things, I love Terry and I love performing. I want Terry to be proud of me. He will not see me as a disabled anymore but as a woman and we will be able to be on stage together again"

Mrs Marlowe did not answer. She was thinking that when her daughter still had two legs, Terry did not see her as a potential wife at all, he was too much in love with that Chicago girl. But she kept silent. It was the first time since the accident that she was seeing that light in her daughter's eyes. If there was a chance, she wanted to go for it.

"Ok then. Mr Hathaway, Tell us more about that Doctor?" Said Mrs Marlowe.

And Mr Hathaway gave them all the details. He was in college with Professor Macgregor and had not seen him since then. He met him again in Jacob Hospital where he was visiting one of his relatives. Professor Macgregor explained him what he was doing in that Hospital and Robert Hathaway immediately thought about Suzanne. This was several weeks ago but he did not dare to mention it to Suzanne at that time. But now that Terry had left to who knows where and for how long and that Othello has been decided for the next theatre season, he thought the moment had come. The results that Prof Macgregor was obtaining were amazing according to him and he had already made an appointment the day after just in case Suzanne would agree, in order not to lose time.

"I will come back tomorrow morning at 9h00 to take you to the hospital. You will not regret it Suzanne, I promise" Said Mr Hathaway before leaving.

Suzanne was cheered up. She was still desperately hoping that Terry was fine and would come back soon. But the hope to be on stage again had given her a nicer vision of her future. She was eager for tomorrow to arrive.

Suzanne, her mother and Robert Hathaway went to meet Professor Macgregor the day after. Prof Macgregor was a fifty year old man, with very sweet manners. All his patients were feeling safe just to look at him and to listen to him. Suzanne felt exactly the same. He convinced her that even with one leg, a young beautiful girl like her still can accomplish plenty of things in life. Play on stage, walk to the altar on her wedding day, have children and finally have a normal life.

They decided that they should not lose time at all and he took her measures to prepare the prosthesis. He told Suzanne that he wanted to see her in the rehabilitation center every two days so that she would be ready for the audition for Othello that was taking place in three weeks. Mrs Marlowe was still a bit reluctant but she did not want to break her daughter's hope. She was also hoping that everything would be fine and admitted to herself that it would be a relief if Suzanne could walk again.

The weather was very cold in New York. It was snowing and Christmas was in 2 months. But although it was very cold outside, Suzanne who usually was always complaining about the outside temperature in order not to leave her house; was very happy to go to the Hospital every two days to do her therapy. She was making big progress and Professor Macgregor was very happy with his little patient. He even asked her one day:

"Suzanne, when you will be comfortable with your prosthesis, I hope you will come back to the hospital to share your experience with other patients. We are expecting more and more of them with this war in Europe. And because of your notoriety, your comments will have a big impact on the others."

"With pleasure, Professor Macgregor, you are changing my life, so I owe you something" answered Suzanne with a smile. It was the first time since the accident that she thought she could be useful for others.

That night she dreamt about Terry, like each single night since he left. But this time he was not telling her that he was in love with someone else. He was watching her coming to the altar on her both legs. When she finally reached him, he took her hand and said "I am very proud of you. We are all very proud of you, I love you". She changed position in her bed, a large smile on her face.

Candy was back in Chicago. She had the impression she had left her apartment for ages whereas it was only that very morning. She went straight to her room and lain on her bed thinking about Terry. She touched her lips with her fingers. She could still feel Terry's kisses. Well, she didn't expect her day to end up this way. She thought that Albert might have set the whole thing up. He was not in Rockstone at all but Terry was. Terry… she was shivering just to think about him. She was confident now that there would still be a possible future for both of them but she could not help a feeling of anxiety. What if he could not leave Suzanne? What if he just told her he loves her to reassure her? No Terry had always been sincere too her. He would not have changed that much. She could see in his love for her in his eyes. She stood up and went to the kitchen to get something to eat. Her appetite had come back since she had seen Terry.

Suddenly she heard somebody knocking at the door.

Candy went to open the door wondering who it could be that late.