Remember me
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 8
"The fun fair"
There was a fun fair and Juliet went with Neil and Eliza. They met Annie, Archie and Patty. Those last ones, were so happy to see Juliet, that they didn't let the Reagan twins intimidate them this time. They missed Candy so much; they couldn't talk to her during the debutantes' ball because of Neil, but now they needed their friend, with or without her memory.
- Juliet! Said Annie, happy to see you again, you remember us?
- Yes, Annie, Patricia and Archibald, said Juliet smiling.
- I'm engaged to Neil's cousin, Archie, and Patty is with Stear, Archie's brother.
- He went to war, said Patty.
- We're going to be in the same family, said Annie, we have to know each other.
They took her far before Neil could react. A girl got his attention and he followed her. Archie looked at him and shook his head. Eliza had already disappeared.
Juliet, Annie and Patty were happily talking.
- Why don't you come and see me at the manor? I will tell the butler to let you in, said Juliet, I'm so bored sometimes.
- When are you getting married, Neil and you?
- I wanted to wait for my memory first, said Juliet.
- Very good idea, said Patty.
- Yes, I feel like a stranger, I don't know myself, those who know me, know me better than myself…
- That's funny, said Annie.
- Patty, you're not too sad that your fiancé is at war?
- To tell you the truth, we're not engaged yet, said Patty, but if he comes back…
- "If he comes back"? Asked Juliet.
- He's at war… you never know.
- You have to be optimistic, Patty, "when" he's going to come back…
Annie looked at her sister and best friend. Even without her memory, she was so compassionate.
"Please God, let her memory come back quickly!" said Annie in her head.
They had so much fun together. At one point they met Terrence.
- Hello, ladies, said Terrence.
- Hello, Terry, said Annie and Patty.
- Hello, British, said Juliet with a soft voice, are you looking for Eliza?
- Yes, have you seen her?
- No, said Patty.
- But if you look for her you'll find her. "Ye who seeks, finds, said the Lord," said Juliet without getting her eyes off of him…
Annie and Patty were looking at them surprised. They continued talking, and flirting for a while.
- Ok, I'm going to look for Eliza, said Terrence.
- See you later, said Juliet smiling.
Terrence started to walk away.
- I'm coming, said Annie following him, Terry wait!
Terrence turned around.
- Annie, are you ok?
- Terry, yes. It's about what I just saw.
- What?
- She's falling in love with you…
- She's already in love with me…
- "Candy", is in love with you, not "Juliet".
- But isn't that what we wanted? I had to hit on her, and make her fall in love with me so she will stop thinking about Neil as her fiancé…
- Yes, I know it's what we said. But now that I think about it… if she thinks she can be with you… Terry that's why she lost her memory in the first place, to forget about the pain of you separation… You're not free…
- I know Annie, but I'm the only one who can help her recover her memory…
- You're going lead her on? She's going to suffer when she learns the truth…
- Don't you think I know that? It's the only solution, Annie. You don't make an omelette without breaking any eggs… When Candy comes back, she'll understand…
- I don't want her to suffer. She seems so happy… ok, I have to go. Find Eliza and continue your undercover work…
She went back to Patty and Juliet and they had a wonderful time.
The reason why Terrence and Juliet were so… close, it's because they were meeting in the little house in the wood, every chance they could. They would give each other the time they had to meet when Terrence came for diner at the Reagans. They had become close without crossing the line, they were close friends. He liked to meet her in hiding; he had her for himself during all the time they spent together in the little house. She was starting to trust him.
Neil was kissing a girl behind a tree. He loved Juliet, but since she didn't let him touch her, he said to himself for the thousandth time to justify himself, he turned to other girls because, they were willing. Archie saw them and told him about it.
- Your "fiancée", doesn't count for you, does she?
- Of course, she counts, but she put an embargo on herself…
- "Embargo"? You mean she won't let you touch her, despite the lies you've told her? I bet you didn't count on that, did you? All this is going to blow up in your face, cousin, you'll see.
- No. You're the one that's going to see! I'm going to marry that pious hypocrite and you will all going to be green with envy, said Neil leaving with the girl.
Terry found Eliza with other boys, he used his charm, even if he hated every second of it, to lure Eliza far away from there, he had to continue the game for Candy.
Juliet, Annie and Patty arrived in front of a tent of a fortuneteller.
- Let's go in, said Annie.
- You believe in that? Asked Patty.
- Well I don't remember anything, said Juliet, maybe she'll be able to tell me something about my past or if I'm going to get my memory back.
- Juliet, wait said Annie, you think it's wise?
- Come on, it's the fun fair… it's for entertainment, said Juliet.
Saying that, she entered the tent. It was dark; there was a table with a crystal ball.
- Come in, said a lady dressed like a gypsy, come in my child, have a seat.
- Thank you, said Juliet.
Annie and Patty followed her. The lady closed her eyes and took Juliet's hands.
- Yes, there's a black hole in your mind, a closed door… Said the lady.
- I lost my memory, said Juliet.
- All your memory is behind that door…
- Will I ever recover my memory?
- When your heart will be ready to confront your painful memories… don't close your heart to love. Follow your heart… and your instincts… even if it's not what they are telling you. Love is the key to your memory, but you have to be strong to face the truth and live with your memory. Your memory is hiding for a reason…
- Which one?
- I can't tell you, you have to figure it out on your own.
- Oh… thanks anyway. Mrs…
- Clara, Madame Clara.
- Madame Clara, said Juliet smiling… Annie, Patty you want your fortune told?
- I already know my future, said Annie, Patty?
- Euh… ok, said Patty.
Patricia went to sit in front of Madame Clara who took her hands.
- You're sad because someone dear to you left… You're asking yourself if you could've done something to prevent it…? No, you couldn't have stopped him, he was determined…
- Will he come back?
- Love, the real love can take anything. It's the most powerful power of the universe… believe in love and everything will be fine, even if everything seem to go wrong…
- Euh, thank you, said Patty a little confused… Annie, are you sure you don't want to know?
- Yes, I'm sure, said Annie.
- Ok, said Juliet, let's go then. Bye and thank you. I think…
They paid and got out. Candy and Patty were a little confused.
- So, said Annie, how are you feeling?
- Confused! Said Juliet and Patty at the same time.
- Clairvoyant? It's like you put a blur on your mind, that's more like it…
They all burst out laughing. Terry and Eliza came near them.
- Hello, said Terry, where do you come from?
- Madame Clara, said Juliet .
Terry had a worried expression; Madame Clara from the train?
- Did she tell you anything interesting? Asked Terrence.
- No, not really, said Juliet in fact, I came out more confused than ever…
- Oh… said Terry who was secretly relieved, I'm going to go see her… Wait for me here, Eliza.
- Oh… ok, said Eliza.
Terry entered the tent and he saw Madame Clara with her eyes closed.
- Terry, she said without opening her eyes.
- Madame Clara…
- You came to make sure I didn't say anything upsetting?
- No… I came to thank you.
- She has to remember on her own… she needs you… you have to persevere if you love her. You're the only one who can save her.
- I'm trying, but it doesn't seem to work…
- You have to be patient, persevere, and especially love, you will need all the love you have for her… have the dreams stopped?
- They are less frequent.
- Because you see her… hang in there, Terry.
- Thanks.
He paid and got out of the tent.
- So? Asked Eliza who was waiting outside.
- Juliet was right, he lied, I'm more confused than ever…
- Well she won't get a penny from me! Said Eliza, let's get out of here…
Juliet, Annie and Patty were having fun like crazy. Neil finally came to get Juliet, after he finished fondling another girl… No shame at all.
- Juliet, honey, you're coming? You're neglecting me…
Terry and Eliza were also there. Terry wanted to die! And Candy's friends wanted to yell!
- I'm sorry Neil, said Juliet nicely, I was having fun with Annie and Patty. I'm going to take care of you now… Sorry girls, I have to take care of my fiancé.
Neil had a triumphant smile. Eliza was laughing and Terry pretended he was laughing. Juliet left with Neil before the powerless eyes of Terry and her friends.
- Terrence, said Eliza, you want to win a teddy bear for me?
- Of course, said Terry smiling.
They walked away. Annie, Archie and Patty remained alone.
- He's an excellent actor… that Grandchester, said Archie, I'll give him that.
- It must torture him to be with Eliza… said Annie.
- …and seeing Candy be nice to Neil, said Patty.
- He must really love Candy a lot to stand my cousin.
And it bothered him to say it, to admit it to himself, but Terry was tolerating the intolerable for Candy… he really loved her a lot, as much as him if not more.
Meanwhile, Juliet and Neil were at a stand where you had to throw plastic rings on a stick. Neil couldn't make it, even after he tried a lot of times.
- Neil, said Terry who had just arrive with Eliza, you can't win a teddy for your pretty one?
- It's not easy, said Neil, you can try…
- Ok, said Terry.
Terry took a ring from Neil's hands and threw it, and he succeeded! He won a pink rabbit he gave to Juliet.
- But you have to give it to Eliza, said Juliet.
- It was Neil's ring, said Terry, it's for you…
- Oh… thank you, said Juliet smiling.
- The pleasure was all mine, said Terrence smiling.
Eliza took her brother aside.
- You can't even win a teddy for her without Terry?
- You didn't need to bring him here! Said Neil.
- At the debutantes' ball I let it slip that you and Juliet were intimate…
- WHAT! Are you out of your mind? She doesn't even let me kiss her!
- He doesn't need to know that, silly! All you have to do is to act in love every time Terry is there.
- I don't need to act, I love her.
- Whatever! Exaggerate in front of Terry if you prefer…
- Ok… I thought he broke up with her…
- Yes, but I don't want to take the risk that he falls under her charms again.
Terry and Juliet were talking.
- Have you ever tried throwing the rings? He asked Juliet.
- No…
- You should try…
Terry knew she was skilful with the ropes on tress…
- Ok, but it looks difficult…
- It looks more difficult than it is… concentrate… go ahead.
He had given her a ring that she threw right on the stick! Than another one… and a third one. She couldn't believe it! Wow! She got three teddies when Neil and Eliza came back.
- Neil, look! She said smiling, I won three teddies!
- Really? He said smiling.
- Here's one for you, and for you, Terrence, Eliza… now everybody has one!
Eliza looked at Neil who went near Juliet and hugged her briefly.
- You're very skilful, honey, said Neil.
- Terrence, said Eliza, you're going to win one for me?
- Of course, said Juliet, go ahead Terrence!
Terrence didn't want to win a teddy for Eliza, missed on purpose in the beginning, but he finally succeed despite his efforts to miss…
It was getting dark, so our friends decided to go back home. They were all waiting for their cars. The Reagans were waiting for the driver. Archie went to get his car.
- Terrence, said Eliza, you want to come for diner? After this long and beautiful day, you must be tired and we'll find dinner ready when we get there…
How could he resist such an offer?
- Ok, Eliza, let's go.
Neil gave his sister the eye. Why was she exposing Juliet to that no good actor that way?
Annie and Patty said goodbye and they left with Archie who had just arrived.
At the Reagan's, the dinner was fine. But for Terry, seeing Neil with Juliet was a torture. Neil was on her like a second skin. Juliet tired and she left to go to bed early after excusing herself. Neil of course went with her and never came back down, which made Terry very angry… Eliza whispered in his ear:
- It's an excuse; they want to be alone, if you see what I mean…
Was Eliza telling the truth? Terrence excused himself to go to the washroom, but he made a turn to go upstairs to listen what was going on in Juliet's room and he heard:
- Do you forgive me? Said Juliet's voice.
- Yes of course… you know how… said Neil.
- You big baby, said Juliet, come here…
There was a silence and then Juliet burst out laughing…
- Oh Neil…
Terry went back to the living room hurt. He didn't know that what he thought he heard was not what was going on behind the door… Eliza had poisoned his mind…
Susanna was spending a lot of time with Lionel. It was good to have the attention of a man, when the one she wanted and she loved was miles away helping the woman he truly loved. Lionel was handsome, rich, but blind. She also had a handicap. His blindness was not important; he was treating her like a normal woman and she treated him like a normal man. She decided to help him to fight for the rights of handicap persons, mentally of physically. So she spent a lot of time with Lionel organizing conferences and writing speeches.
- Lionel, she asked one night while they were having dinner at his place, your blindness is curable. Are you going to stop you campaign when you get your sight back?
- If you had asked me this question before my accident, I would've said yes… but now, after living in the darkness… a world I had no idea existed, or didn't care existed… I mean I knew there were blind people, but I never thought I would become blind and so powerless. No, I'm not going to stop; I'm going to use my money to build schools and centres for the blind and handicap people physically and mentally. Susanna, you know that there are treatments available for you too… prosthetic legs…
Susanna knew about it, but if she became independent, that would meant she was going to lose Terry…
- I know, but… my fiancé.
- Your fiancé who is gone to take care of ex-girlfriend?
- Yes, but she needs help…
- What about you? You've lost a leg…
- She saved my life and she sacrificed herself so I could stay with Terry.
- Yes, she's an angel… she saves you, and leaves you her boyfriend, without asking anything in return… not like you…
- What do you mean?
- You saved Terry's life, and unconsciously or not, it's like you forced him to stay with you because he owed you his life… the girlfriend saves you and leaves you the love of her life, without asking for anything… pretty selfless…
Susanna didn't say anything for a while; Lionel was right.
- But he chose me… she said.
- She had just left him to make it easy for him to choose you…
- But I told him to go after her…
- You knew he wasn't going to do it, because he had just let her go… I don't judge you, Susanna. That's why you can't say anything when Terry leaves you to go save the woman he loves… Susanna, even in your worst nightmare, what you are living, cannot be what you had in mind. To be with the man you love but who's thinking about another woman… you deserve better… in the meantime, your handicap has a solution, put a prosthetic leg on and become independent from Terry, become a strong woman, that doesn't feel sorry about herself!
- Well, Lionel, you're pretty straightforward!
- I call it like it is, I don't mince my words…
- That's the least we can say…
- I spent my time having fun until I became blind. And the irony is that it's by being blind that I really started to "see" the world…
- You've got a solution to your problem too.
- I know, but I'm not in a hurry. I'm continuing working and to fight for the handicaps rights. If I get my sight back, I will never see the world like before…
- Me neither, after I have been in the less perfect part to the world… ok, Lionel, I'm going to start inquiring about the prosthetic legs.
- I'm one step ahead of you, Susanna… Mama Sally, can you bring me the flyers and leaflet on prosthetic legs? I took the liberty to make an appointment for you in three days…
- What? How dared you?
- That gives you 3 days to prepare yourself…
- But I need more than that to prepare…
- Susanna, there is only one life to live, and this is it. There's not rough copy. We almost lost our lives; God gave us a second chance. Let's not waste it…
Mama Sally arrived with the leaflets and gave then to Susanna. She read them. She was a little afraid… But Lionel was right, she had to stop feeling sorry about herself and take control of her life.