Remember me
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 13
"Those sick men who govern us…"
There was, very far far away from there, on the other side of the Atlantic, in the middle of bombshell and gun fire, in a hospital held by catholic nuns, a lot of wounded from the war. This horrible war, which made no sense. Those who had started this war were safe in their palace, their bunkers, not in front of guns and under bombshells. No, those were poor boys, still in their teens sometimes, a little naïve, courageous, who thought it was an honour to die serving their country. An honour for whom? For the grieving families? For those head of states who didn't know them from Adam? Those leaders when they thought about the war, were they thinking about the future of the human race? If all the young men and husbands were at the war, 90 or more were getting killed, the women and the children who were lucky enough not to get killed by a bomb, remained widowed and orphans, most of the time. Some husbands went back home, those who were lucky not to die, but they went back half a man, literally, unable to perform, for the rest of their natural life. The countries were destroyed, they will have to rebuild, if they finally decide to stop this nonsense… those head of stated, those leaders, those sick men who govern us, took the world for a big chessboard in which we were the pawns.
But for all those young men, those teenagers, whom, instead of thinking about their future, or what they were going to do, or about girls they were in love with and with whom they wanted to create a family one day, were thinking about how to kill and surprise the "enemy"… Who had made that decision that they were the enemy and vice versa? Right…! The leaders…so young teens who certainly had a lot more in common than this horrible war, were now killing each other.
A lot of them lost their lives with reaching the age of 20, a lot of them found themselves amputated, blinded, deaf, mute, with amnesia… This war will be over some day, after talking and discussions… but why didn't they do that before declaring war to their neighbour? People had to kill each other in order to have peace?
There was in a room, with a lot soldiers that were found in the forest, after their planes had crashed. Some of them were dead, and others were barely alive. They were taken to the hospital to be treated. No one knew how long they had been there, agonising in the forest, it could have been hours, maybe days before they were rescued. One of the wounded had awful cut on the arm, he got gangrene and they had to amputate. Another one lost his left leg. Another, miraculously had no big cuts, but he had fractured practically every bones in his body. His whole body was in a cast and his vocal cords were damaged during the accident. So he couldn't move, talk or write. The nuns called him "the man in the cast". The one that was taking care of him was Sister Josephine. She was barely older than him, she was British and had volunteer to take care of the wounded.
- Hello, man in the cast! How are you this morning? I'm speaking to you in English, I don't know whether you're Italian with your black hair… well when your voice comes back, you'll be able to tell us your name and where you came from so we could sent you home. The war is over for you! You're going home! Do you know the chance you have to be alive? Your friends weren't so lucky and those who survived, are your enemies, if you see what I mean… they can't tell us anything.
"The man in the cast" had only his head movable, he was unable to talk and was listening powerless. If it was only that! Sometimes he felt an itch and he couldn't scratch himself, but since he couldn't move or say anything… But he thanked God he was alive. Sister Josephine continued to care for him, then she went to see other patients. To be so also powerless and unable to do anything, all he had left was his mind, and thinking. He had read a book on the power of suggestion. Since he had nothing else to do with his days all he was doing was think, think, think, think…
"They must think I'm dead… or at least missing in action. Patricia, I'm alive, I'm going to come back as soon as I can. Don't be sad, honey, I'm going to come back. Trust our love."
He kept repeating that in his head, night and day and believed with all his strength that his telepathic message will get to destination…
Patricia was snoozing in the living room at her place. She wanted to go to her bedroom, but she fell asleep reading a book in which she kept Stear's letter. She was supposed to be sad, but she had hope, Madame Clara's words, Juliet's encouragements… She was dreaming; she was running in a field with Stear, they were dancing at the May festival, she was happy. Then she saw him running to a plane, fly it and crash it.
"Alistair!" She yelled with all her strength in her dream.
She started to cry.
"Where are you?"
She saw him from afar, on the other side of the river.
"Patricia, I'm alive, I'll be back, as soon as I can. Don't be sad, honey, I'll be back… trust our love…"
- ALISTAIR! She cried out loud waking up.
- Patty, said her Grandmother who was there, you had a nightmare.
- Grandma, Stear is alive, I can feel it…
- Of course, honey, he's alive in your heart.
- No, grandma, I had a dream, it was so real… I think it's a premonition; it was so powerful… he's alive, I'm telling you!
- If you believe it…
- Grandma, Terry was dreaming about Candy when she disappeared, she was asking for his help… and now, she has amnesia and Terry is the key to her recovery…
- Oh, said the grandma, if you believe it so much; I can only be on your side. Hang on to your dream, the one you're seeing the man you love alive!
- Thanks, grandma, said Patty hugging her.
They went to her grandmother's room, which had a big bed and they spent the night together, talking most of the time.
Juliet and Terrence went back downtown.
- You want to eat something before we go back to the hotel?
- Ok, just a little thing.
He took her to a nice restaurant.
- It's weird, said Juliet, Alistair, I don't remember him, but I'm sad, maybe not as I should, because for me he's still a stranger… Madame Clara told Patricia to have hope… I think she's refusing to accept his death because his body was never found… she can't help, but hope, said Juliet.
- Madame Clara knows what she's talking about, if she told Patty to hope… said Terrence.
- She told me to follow my heart… and it lead me to you, not Neil.
- I'm glad you listened to her.
- I'm glad, I'm your wife, even if it's only so Neil won't marry me…
"Not more happy than me, Freckles, not more happy than me… I assure you!" thought Terry in his head.
They went to their hotel room, when they finished their meal.
He never thought he would be able to marry Candy; that train accident was providential to the both of them… he was thinking of leaving Susanna and get drunk to forget the pain of loosing Candy, when her friends came to tell him that Candy had disappeared…Yes, Candy's accident, her memory loss, was a blessing in disguise, because now, he saw her everyday, he married her and he was the happiest man on earth!
Juliet went to take a shower and get ready… she still had no memory. She loved Terrence and she was about to consummate her marriage.
"I don't know what happened between you two, Candy, but I know you love each other and it's a crime that you're separated. I love him too, so this is not a sacrifice I'm making. I hope what I'm doing is going to help you be together when you come back… I'm doing this for you, for us…," said Juliet talking to herself.
She went to the bedroom and Terrence replaced her in the bathroom. He also took a shower and got out of the bathroom when he was done. He was going to spend the night with the woman he loved, without her memory of course, but it was still his Candy with a daring side she never showed before and he liked it. He liked her prude side, and her nice and sometimes shy side, but he also liked that little brutal side who didn't let anybody step on her toes. He approached her, she was sitting on the bed, she stood up and their lips were welded to each other in a deep and ardent kiss, they took off what was left of clothing… the warmth of their naked bodies against each other, was a intoxicating and delicious sensation. They lay on the bed and he started to kiss her neck and caressing her breast, she had a moaning of pleasure and she had her hands in his wet hair. His mouth was now on her breast he was caressing it with his tongue. She was moaning, caressing him everywhere… when they were both ready, he entered her with all the gentleness of the world, trying not to hurt her. She felt him in her, and she also felt the sharp pain that followed for a little while, but it transformed itself into a growing pleasure that took her to the first orgasm of her life and the man she loved had joined her and they were screaming their pleasure together. They were breathless.
- Terrence, she said against his torso, I love you.
- I love you, Juliet, you've made me very happy.
- You too, British…
They were resting and they continued talking.
- Well, I never thought of doing this with Neil… did you know I yelled at Eliza?
- Really? She didn't tell me anything.
- You really think she was going to talk about the lie she told?
- She didn't expect you to react, maybe Candy would've let it slide.
- I think the Great Aunt and Mrs. Reagan didn't expect me to react either, when they wanted to force me to marry Neil…
- They thought they could manipulate you without your memory…but you were more rebellious than Candy.
- Thanks for getting me out of there, thanks for coming here to save me.
- The pleasure was all mine, honey, there's no other place I would rather be, than beside you…
He kissed her and they spent the rest of the night discovering together all the pleasures of love.
Susanna woke up and got ready. She was going to put her prosthesis on today. She was very excited. Lionel was coming to get her to go to the hospital. She was singing.
- Susanna, said Mrs. Marlowe, it's your big day today, and your fiancé is not here to share it with you…
- Mom, didn't you tell me that he loved his ex-girlfriend?
- But you… you saved his life, you lost your leg…
- Candy needs him for now, it's temporary… he'll come back to me and find me independent from my wheel chair, I will be able to walk to the altar…
- You're not afraid he's going to dump you because you became independent?
- Whether I'm walking of not, I still lost my leg, mom… Lionel is coming to pick me up. He supports me, like I support him, we mutually support each other, he's having his operation soon.
- But you still love Terry, don't you…?
- Mom, please, not today, I don't need this today.
Lionel came to get her and they went together to the hospital. Susanna got into the hospital with a wheelchair and came out walking, with prosthesis, she was in 7th heaven! She was happy, very happy! She will be able to act again, Robert had promised her that he would take her back… Lionel, who went with her, was very happy for his friend. He hugged her.
- Lionel, without you, I would still be in my wheelchair feeling sorry for myself…
- You're very welcome, Susanna. I'm really happy for you. I wanted to create a centre for those who are discouraged because of an accident like us, but also for those who can't afford to get the proper treatment.
- I'm going to help you… but for now, let's go celebrate!
They went to have lunch in a very nice restaurant. Mama Sally went to get Mrs. Marlowe and they celebrated together. Mrs. Marlowe was thinking in her head that Terry should've been with Susanna, she continued to blame him for her daughter's accident.
Susanna and Lionel went to the theatre to see Robert Hathaway, who was very happy to see her on her two feet.
- Susanna, oh my God! It's wonderful! You can walk! Don't forget to send us the bill; we'll take care of it…
- Ok, thank you Mr. Hathaway. I'm ready to go back on stage.
- Ok… let's see. You know Juliet's part already… Karen, can you let Susanna play Juliet… tomorrow night?
- So soon? Ok, said Susanna, thank you, Mr. Hathaway. I've been ready for ever you know it.
- Ok, said Karen, unfortunately for you, your accident gave me my big break. I can rest a little, Susanna, thanks to you.
- You're welcome Karen, you are excellent actress, thanks.
- No Susanna, I'm the one that should thank you, it was your role…
- But tomorrow night? You think I can do it? Mr. Hathaway? I'm not so sure…
- You know the part already, don't you? Said Mr. Hathaway.
- Yes, but I didn't think it would be so soon…
- Susanna, you can do it, said Lionel, I'm going to help you rehearse…
- Really Lionel? Ok, then it's yes… I'll be ready tomorrow , Mr. Hathaway, you can count on me, said Susanna.
- Perfect, said Hathaway, we're going to start with making announcements… your big come back…
- Oh… no pressure, please, said Susanna.
- You can do it, said Lionel.
Susanna rehearsed the role of Juliet with Lionel. He had the book in Braille and was reading the other roles for her. Terry… she wished he were there… she remembered how excited she was to play Juliet with Terry in his first leading role… and then the accident happened…well, Lionel was there for her.
She had a nervous wreck, the following night she had to go back on stage. The theatre was full, Hathaway made the announcement, and everybody came to see the return of Susanna Marlowe on stage. Everybody was counting on her; Susanna had a little stage fright. Lionel was trying to cheer her up.
- Susanna, you're the best, everything will be fine, he said.
- I wish you could see me….
- Soon, soon, I'll be able to see you… said Lionel, but I'm going to hear you. Break a leg!
- Thanks.
She went back on stage and she was a triumph. The critics were more than nice "No one saw she was wearing a prosthesis, she was breathtaking, she was born to be Juliet…"
Terry saw the papers and was very happy for her. But he knew that he would never love her. Especially after marrying Juliet, whether Candy comes back or not, he would never let her go again.
Eliza Reagan and her brother learned that Juliet married Terrence by their cousin, Archie. They were in a store downtown.
- Hello cousin, said Archie with a triumphant smile, Where's your pretty fiancée?
- Shut up! Said Neil.
- Oh… not so sure about yourself anymore, hein?
- I'll get her back, you'll see!
- Oh, but, you see, now she's Mrs Terrence Grandchester.
- WHAAAAAAAAT! Said the twins at the same time.
- But she didn't want to marry me without her memory, said Neil.
- Well apparently, Grandchester was able to persuade her… you see Neil, what should've done, is like him; you had the occasion of courting her, you had a clean slate, because she didn't remember how awful you've been to her… you could've shown yourself in a new light… but you lied to her…
- But Grandchester lied to her too…
- No, he didn't tell her they knew each other. That's different. He was able to win her over. He could hit on her knowing that it was just a matter of time, because she was already in love with him… she just fell in love with him, all over again, her heart recognized her love for Terry. But he had an advantage on you, the memory! You couldn't do the same because you have no happy memory with Candy and she can't stand you. While Grandchester on the other hand… that's why you wanted to trap her in marriage, without her memory. But Juliet was the wiser… you lost, cousin, big time!
Archie walked away laughing. The twins were fuming and hatching up a new plan.
- Shit! Said Neil, all this is your fault!
- Neil, calm down. It's a marriage in name only, just so you won't marry her… if we could find…
- …the proof, said Neill, we could get the marriage annulled and force her to marry me! But how?
- I'm sure that prude Juliet won't do anything with Terrence, there's still some Candy in her…
- Oh, now she's a prude? Not a slut anymore?
- Well she's better be a prude for your sake, or we can't get the marriage annulled… Susanna Marlowe; Terrence's so called ex-fiancée. I can bet you that she doesn't know that Terrence is married… if she comes and confronts him, they will tell her the truth. I will write her.
- That would take too long, said Neil, let's go get her…
- You're right, I wrote her a letter, I don't think she got it.
They made arrangements to go to New York to go look for Susanna, for the next day.
Susanna and Lionel were having a quiet evening at his place. Mama Sally wasn't there. It was her night off. So Susanna was his eyes for the evening. She was feeling so good with him. Terry… but she still thought about Terry. How much she missed him. Lionel was blind, but he was "looking" at her more than Terry ever did. But…
They were sitting on the couch; Susanna was reading the critics in the paper about her performance.
- The critics are nice to you, said Lionel.
- I hope it's not pity, said Susanna.
- You're kidding right? Those people don't know have the word "pity" in their vocabulary.
- I owe you a big thank you, Lionel, thank you very much.
She approached him to kiss him on the cheek, but kissed him on the lips. Lionel responded to the kiss, he wanted her… and she wanted Terry, but he wasn't there, even if he were, he would never kiss her the way Lionel was… she abandoned herself in Lionel arms. When you don't have what you want, you content yourself with what you got. They fell asleep on the couch. Susanna woke up and felt guilty. She got dressed quickly and left. What had she done? Oh my God! What about Terry? No, she wanted Terry! But she had Lionel's attention. Terry was in Chicago, helping Candy! But… no, no, no! She had to avoid Lionel in the future. She was with Terry. She loved Terry! So why did she succumb and gratified the desire of a sinful nature with Lionel? She went back home and went to her room to cry.
The next day, she woke up sad, in the beginning of the after noon. She looked at the pile of mail on the table, and she saw a letter addressed to her personally. It was not a cheque from Terry. It had been there for a few days, she didn't have the time to open it. She opened the letter and found Eliza's anonymous letter, she read it and became pale. What was that about? Who was this Juliet?
The butler announced that she had some visitors. The Reagan twins entered.
- Hello, Miss Marlowe, I'm Eliza Reagan and this is my brother Neil.
- What do you want? Asked Susanna still in a bad mood.
- We want to talk to you about your fiancé, Susanna… can I call you Susanna? Said Eliza.
- Terry? You want to talk to me about Terry? Said Susanna.
- Yes, we're from Chicago, said Eliza.
- You have news from Terry? Who's this Juliet?
- Juliet is Candy, said Eliza.
- Candy? But I don't understand…
- She's pretending she lost her memory and she's calling herself "Juliet", said Eliza.
- What do you mean she's pretending? Asked Susanna.
- To dupe Terry and she did it! Continued Eliza.
- Eliza, stop it! Said Neil, she has really lost her memory and you know it! Susanna, Candy was supposed to marry me, but she ran away with Grandchester.
- Ran away with Terry? Said Susanna.
- Yes, they're living together… said Neil.
- Oh… but I know he's in Chicago to help Candy, said Susanna.
- Really? Said Eliza, but it gets worse…
- Worse?
- They got married! Said Neil.
- WHAT? Yelled Susanna, Terry married Candy?
- Yes, said Neil, so I won't force her to marry me… well my family won't…
- So it's your fault, then, said Susanna.
- My fault? Said Neil.
- Yes, you and your family! If you hadn't forced Candy to marry you, she wouldn't have asked Terry for help and you pressuring her didn't help matters! Now why are you telling me all this?
- Go see Terry, said Eliza, if he tells you that the marriage is in name only, and we could find a way to prove it, we can get the marriage annulled… then Candy will marry Neil…
- What do you mean by "we"? Asked Susanna.
- Do you want Terry or not? Said Eliza.
- Yes, but…
- So help us, so she's going to marry Neil.
- But she doesn't want to marry Neil! She's rather have Terry with or without her memory…! Cried Susanna.
- I still say she's faking, said Eliza, go see her and remind her that you're engaged to Terry, don't let her win.
- But she's his wife… said Susanna.
- It's a charade, said Neil, and you can help us prove it…
Susanna remained silent for a while, she was completely devastated! Terry married Candy? But he was her fiancé! Tears started to come down her cheeks. Terry, Terry… She was not going to lose him now! Not after she lost her leg! No, she couldn't take that! She had to see him. But Lionel… he had his operation and he would want her to be with him. But after what happened last night… no, she had to save her relationship with Terry. She will go to Chicago with the Reagan. She will see Lionel when she comes back… if she comes back…
- Ok, I'll come with you, she finally said wiping her tears, Terry is mine! I'm not going to let her steal him from me again!
- You made the right decision for the both of us, said Neil with a mocking smile.
- Let's go and expose Juliet and Terrence's sham of a marriage! Said Eliza.
Susanna was in no mood to laugh. She went to get ready to go to Chicago with the Reagans. Lionel had his operation in the morning… but… No, Terry, first. They left for Chicago the next day.