Remember me…
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 14
"Susanna's visit"
Juliet adapted to her married life without any problem. Terrence would go to the theatre and came back in the evening. He always found her smiling with nice warm dinner. Terrence couldn't ask for anything more, he was a happy camper! And the nights were more and more passionate than ever. Her memory was coming back slowly something that never happened at the Reagan's. With Terrence, she was at peace and he took her to Dr. Green's office so he could follow her progress. Being with Terrence had a positive effect on her.
- Mrs. Grandchester, said Dr. Green, your husband has the best effect on you and your memory. With patience and perseverance, you'll get your memory back.
- Thank you doctor, said Juliet, but it's only bit and pieces… I still don't feel Candy in me
- Candy will come back in due time, when she's ready. Don't worry, said Dr. Green
- You don't find it strange that I call my memory "Candy'? Asked Juliet
- No, it's a little normal. Candy without her memory, it's Juliet. If the memory comes back, Candy comes back too. I understand, said Dr. Green
- Because my friends sometimes, look at me with weird eyes…like I was crazy said Juliet
- That's because they know Candy and that physically, you are Candy and when you talk about yourself at the third person… no, you're not crazy. I can assure you, said the doctor laughing.
- Terrence, did you hear that? Asked Juliet
- Yes, Juliet, Terrence said smiling
- Ok. Come and see me again in two weeks or sooner if you have any problems, said Dr. Green
- Thanks Doctor, said Terrence.
- Bye, Doctor said Juliet
- Bye Mrs. Grandchester, said Dr. Green
Juliet was outside and Terrence stayed behind with the doctor.
- Don't forget, the less she knows, on her life, the better. Otherwise she could block her mind if she doesn't like the memory
- Like our break up…
- Yes… don't forget, when Candy comes back, every thing will be like it just happened, it's going to be fresh in her mind, so that means very painful… she might reject you
- Thanks, doctor. Goodbye, said Terrence
Patricia continued to believed that Stear was alive, she sometimes spent days repeating the same phrase in her head;
"I love you Stear, come back to me please"
A young patient in a cast with multiple fractures in a clinic held by religious nuns, was asleep and heard the voice of his beloved telling him;
"I love you Stear, come back to me, please"
"She got my message! It worked! Oh my God, it worked!" He said to himself
He woke up smiling. Sister Josephine came in and found him so happy and smiling.
- John? Oh, you're smiling! Did you have a good dream? Close your eyes twice for yes and one time for no…
He closed his eyes twice, Sister Josephine smiled.
- Yes? Whom did you dream of? Your beloved?
He closed his eyes twice.
- Oh she must be worried sick, when you get your voice back, you could tell us who she his so we can contact her… but now, you have to eat. Open your mouth…
The young man ate very well that day, his moral was high and that was very important for his recovery.
Juliet was a little bored at home, after she finished cleaning and cooking, she was reading, waiting for Terrence. Some times, Annie and Patty would come and take her shopping or Annie would bring her some of the clothes that were at the Andrew manor. They had fun together. Juliet continued to encourage Patty to have hope. Annie thought it was useless, but since it made Patty happy, she let her friend hope.
Patty went to see Juliet alone one day, without Annie.
- Patricia? Where's Annie?
- I wanted to see you alone…
- Oh…
- Here goes… I had a dream in which Stear was telling me he was alive and that he was coming back and also to trust our love
- So Patricia, you have to believe and trust in you love
- You don't think that I'm crazy to hope?
- No, never! What about me? I woke up without my memory, not knowing who I was; a fiancé shows up and want me to marry him right away, I said no, not without my memory, I run away with Terrence and I marry him! Without my memory!
- You love Terrence?
- With all my heart…
- And Neil?
- I thought he was likeable in the beginning… but when he didn't say anything when they were trying to force my hand…
- All the sympathy went out the window…
- Yeah… I don't regret anything. Terrence is wonderful…
- Did you two…?
- You want to know if we're intimate? Well I thought that it would have been ridiculous to torture ourselves in abstinence when we were married…
- You're right Juliet. Life is too short. Never let an occasion to be happy pass by… Candy would understand
- You think? She was not with Terrence, even though she loves him, I can feel it
- Well destiny and a very weird combination of circumstances united you to Terrence. Candy will come back and find herself the wife of the man she loves… it could've been worse!
- I could've been Neil Reagan? I understand that none of you carries him in your hearts…, neither did Candy… am I right?
- You guessed it… be strong for the memories when they come back
- Thanks Patricia. Candy was your friend?
- The best! Said Patty and you're a good friend too, Juliet
- It's good to know that I wasn't a monster with my memory.
They burst out laughing. Patty stayed for a while and then she left. Not too long after Patty had left, Juliet heard a knock on the door, again. She thought Patty had forgot something. She opened the door and found a young woman with a cane. She had blond hair in half a ponytail. Juliet looked at her with no reaction.
- Yes, can I help you? Asked Juliet
Susanna Marlowe looked at Juliet and thought about Eliza's words "She's faking", but the young elegant and sophisticated woman she had in front of her seemed sincere. She was different, less little girlish, more mature. Her hair and her clothes were different.
- Candy? Said Susanna
- Call me Juliet, please…
Susanna was frustrated… she was "Juliet" in the play…
- Can I talk to you, Can…Juliet? Said Susanna
- Of course, come in, said Juliet smiling
- Terry is not here?
- Terrence is at the theatre, have a sit please…
"Terrence" she was calling Terry by his given name not his diminutive. Was she doing it on purpose? She sat down in the living room, without saying thank you. Juliet though she was a little rude, she walked in like she owned the place.
- Oh… ok said Susanna. Candy what's this story I heard: Terry and you are married?
- Yes, but…first of all, who are you, and why is that of any interest for you? Asked Juliet
- Because I'm Susanna Marlowe…
- The actress? I was wondering why your face looked familiar! I saw your picture in the magazines… congratulations for your return on stage! Said Juliet smiling
Susanna was surprise, Juliet looked sincere.
- Thank you, she said, but I'm also Terry's fiancée…
- You're what! Asked Juliet
- Terry's fiancée, he didn't tell you I see… I'm going to tell you what happened…
- I'm all ears said Juliet putting her hands under her cheeks without cracking a smile
Susanna told her what happened in details, how she fell in love with Terry, how she sent Candy away, saved Terry, tried to commit suicide, the break up etc. Juliet didn't say a word till the end. She was devastated, but she didn't want to show it in front of Susanna, so she said;
- Why are you telling me all this?
- Because Terry is mine, you gave him to me, Candy
- He's not a toy and I'm not Candy
- What do you mean, you're not Candy?
- I'm Juliet and I don't remember anything. The people that told you that I married Terrence must've told you that I lost my memory…?
- Yes, but…
- You think I'm faking?
- No… but you left me Terry…
- Not, me Candy!
- But that's you!
- Not at the moment, I have no memory of what you're saying, I don't know what you're talking about…
- But I just told you what it was about…
- And I have to take your word for it?
- I'm not a liar…
- Really? You just told me that you told Candy that Terrence was asleep and didn't want to be disturbed by a fan, when he actually went looking for her…
- I didn't want him to see you, I loved him and I still do
- And that gives you the right to stop two people in love to be together? You're really selfish!
Susanna was speechless, Candy would have never talked to her like that. Juliet had convinced her, she was not Candy!
- But things are what they are, you have to give Terry back to me…
- You knew I had no memory and you came here to try and manipulate me so I could give you back Terrence… sorry to disappoint you…
- No… but…
- You knew that Terrence was at the theatre; the logic would have been that you go there to see him and talk to him, since he's your "fiancé", but no, you come here to inform me, his wife, that you're his fiancée! I'm not Candy, I don't have any memory of your little arrangement and I have no idea what your talking about…
- You can't stay with Terry
- And why not?
- Because you left him to me…
- Did you let him come here to help Candy or not?
- Yes, but…
- So, this is what he's doing, helping Candy…
- But I need him too. I saved his life… you left him to me
- You sound like a broken record and you're making me sound like one too! I repeat, that wasn't me, that was Candy! If I understand you correctly, Candy and Terrence loved each other and because you saved his life, lost you leg in the process and you were in love with him, Candy left you the man she loves so he could take care of you? She sacrificed her own happiness? What is she, a saint?
Susanna was stunned to see Candy talk about herself in the third person and also to hear her situation with Terry depicted on another angle. Terrence had arrived in silence and was listening to the two women talking for a while. The spectacle was priceless!
- But I saved Terry's life…
- Candy saved you too by stopping you from falling from the roof… what does she deserve? Nothing? To live without the man she loves?
- No…but…
- You never thought about it, didn't you? You think you deserve Terrence forever, because you saved his life. Candy saved your life; why not call it even and give her back Terrence? That doesn't work for you…?
- He chose me…
- Well, the guilt over your accident, your mother's pressure and Candy's unselfishness kind of tipped the scales in your favour…
Susanna remained silent. Candy had left Terry for her so easily. She still couldn't believe it and Terry didn't follow her…and now, this… "Juliet" was more possessive than a lioness with her cubs! Juliet continued talking.
- Susanna, I don't minimise what you've done, but Candy saved your life too… Terrence is here to help Candy come back. As soon as she's back, I'm sure Candy will send him back to you. Even if I think it's completely ridiculous… but for now, Terrence is my husband, in name only, but he's still my husband. And until I recover, Candy's memory, he will be my husband. I need him to recover Candy's memory
- But he's my fiancé , I love him…
- He's my husband! And I have no intention of giving him to you!
- I found that really fishy that you married Terry just like that, as if by magic… there were no other suitors or candidates? Why Terry?
- You really think I'm faking….
- You said it…
- Who's the actress, you or I…?
- You really want me to answer that?
Juliet was starting to get angry. She stood up and saw Terrence at the door listening!
- Terrence, honey she said ironically, look who's here? Susanna Marlowe… you're fiancée! Isn't that a nice surprise? You want to have dinner with us Susanna?
- Euh… no. Terry good evening she said tenderly with a smile
- I'm going to let you two talk, said Juliet, you certainly have a lot say to each other.
She went to the kitchen to heat up the dinner for her and Terrence. Terry was alone with Susanna. He put his keys on the table.
- Good evening, Susanna, what are you doing here?
- I heard you married Candy….
- How? No, that's not important. We had to stop her from marrying Neil Reagan…
- Why?
- Because, Candy hates him…
- Oh… and she loves you? Doesn't she? Why you and not someone else? I find that odd…
- Because she trusts me, and believe me that was not easy. You talked to her, you saw how stubborn she is…
- It's a marriage in name only?
Terry thought it was better to let Susanna believe that, it would calm her and she would leave faster.
- Yes. By the way, congratulations! You're walking! He said smiling, you're back on stage. The critics are more than nice to you
- Thank you, I wish you were there with me, she said tenderly
- Me too, said Terry. I'm very happy for you… you get the money I send you?
- Yes, thank you. When are you coming back? I miss you Terry
She was missing Terry, that's why in part, she spent the night with Lionel, she felt desired, like Terry never desired her anyway. So saying she missed Terry's physical attention would be a lie, because she never had it. He only gave her his friendship. Lionel… no… she wanted Terry, she will have Terry she thought. A little voice in her head was telling her that Terry had married the woman he loved, amnesia or not and that he will never come back to her… But she was sure Candy will make the right decision and will send Terry back to her. Lionel… she had missed his operation, when he was there for her, every step of the way. How ungrateful of her! She took longer to come to Chicago, because of the guilt of her night of passion, but she didn't go to see him to the hospital either. All that for a man who was with her by duty and obligation, a man who had married his ex-girlfriend with amnesia to stop her from being trapped in a loveless marriage with her worse enemy. What a mambo jumble! What was she doing there? No one wanted her there! Lionel needed her, she had to be by his side, at least he would be happy to see her!
- As soon as she gets her memory, said Terry
- Really? Said Susanna, she doesn't seem to want to let you go
- Would you, in her place?
- I wouldn't have let my man to another woman in the first place!
- I rest my case. She told you she wasn't Candy, she's Juliet. Candy will keep her promise to you, you'll see, ok?
- Ok, I'm going, because nothing I could say will change the present situation… For me you married Candy! With or without her memory!
- I should've talked to you, I'm sorry, but everything happened so fast….
- You knew I was going to say no, that why you didn't say anything… it's for a "good cause", so the sooner she gets her memory back the sooner the marriage will be annulled, the sooner you'll come back to me…
- But it's not that simple. Her uncle William have to come and stop the Great Aunt from forcing her to marry Neil, he's her adoptive father
- And where is this Uncle William?
- We don't know where he is…
- How convenient… so it could take a long time…
- But he could come tomorrow…
- Like he could come in 10 years! Said Susanna irritated, I just want you to come back. I love you Terry
- Susanna… go back to New York and wait for me…
- Ok. I would've had dinner with you, but excuse-me, I've lost my appetite! Don't say goodbye to your "wife" for me!
Susanna stood up, kissed him on the cheek and left. Terrence had a sigh of relief. Now, he had to talk to Juliet. He went to freshen up in the bathroom and when he came out a few moments later.
- Dinner is served, sir! Said Juliet coldly
Terrence looked at her.
- Juliet…he said
- It's getting cold! She replied
Terrence sat in front of her. They started to eat in silence
- It's really good said Terrence
- Thanks she said without taking her eyes off her plate
They finished their dinner, washed the dishes and Juliet went in the bathroom to take a shower, then she went in the bedroom. Terrence let her a few minutes and also went to the bedroom. He found her in her nightgown, brushing her hair in front of the dresser
- Juliet, I'm sorry he started
- Why?
- For Susanna…
- Your "fiancée"… oh it's nothing, you flirted with me and Eliza, you saved me from Neil, you told me you loved me, you asked me to marry you, you married me, we consummate the marriage and during all that time your "forgot" to mention that you had a FIANCEE! She said louder. I thought I was the one with amnesia, here, not you!
- Juliet…
- If you tell me one more time that you couldn't tell me because I had to remember on my own, I'm going to scream….!
- Well, you had to remember on your own….
- AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
- Juliet please… calm down, said Terrence
- Somebody forgot to send a memo to Susanna, because she had a pleasure telling me all about you Candy and the break up!
- It's my fault…I'm sorry
Juliet looked at him, he was really sorry. Engaged to Susanna? That's why he wasn't with Candy? He must've suffered too…
- At least now I know why I woke up with amnesia…Candy had just broke up with you… that dear saint, left the man she loved, you, to Susanna so you could take care of her… I'm not even going to try to imagine what it took her to do that….That's why she was on that train, the heart in ashes…
- You shouldn't have learned it like that
- I know I had to remember on my own… Susanna had a different agenda! She said ironically
- I should've talked to her and to you too
- Tell me what happened, I want to hear your version…
- Ok…
Terrence told her what happened since Susanna's accident until Candy's departure.
- You didn't tell her about Susanna before the play?
- No, she heard it during the intermission, people were talking…
- Oh My God! She went to the hospital, she saved Susanna on the roof…
- I carried Susanna back to her room. She asked to see Candy … when Candy came out of the room, she told me she was going back to Chicago the same night…
- Just like that? You didn't talk about Susanna?
- No…
- Oh my God! Say it isn't so! For two people who loved each other so much, you didn't really seem to care too much about your relationship and your happiness! Susanna must've been surprise to see Candy give up her man so easily… that's why she expected me to do the same…
- But.. started Terry
- There must have been a lot of emotions involve that evening, the guilt, the tension must have been high… You should've talked, Candy and you, about the situation, find a better solution…
- Maybe we would've find the same solution…
- At least you would've talked! This solution was best for whom?
- Susanna…
- Susanna. What about you? And Candy? Were you happy?
- No…
- So the solution was not the good one…I'm not surprised the universe brought me here to fix thing, to rectify this disastrous situation!
- You think that's why you're here?
- There's a reason for everything, they say… But Terrence, you're engaged to Susanna… if I had known that you had a fiancée..
- You would've accepted my proposal?
- Yes, I needed that, because of Neil…but now we did what married people do… when Candy comes back you'll have to divorce, because the wedding can't be annulled anymore…I thought you were free… Terrence I didn't know you had a fiancée to go back to! If she weren't me, Candy would've kill me when she came back!
Juliet had tears in her eyes, she was crying. She was sad for Candy, it wasn't a memory, but she still felt sad. Candy had to make the biggest sacrifice of her life, she must've been so hurt, all alone on that train, with no one to console her. She wanted to forget Terrence and she did it, literally! She understood now, why her memory didn't want to come back. Candy didn't want to come back to suffer… Now she's going to wake up Terrence's wife…but it could've been Neil Reagan! As hurt as she will be, Candy will be relieved to be Terry's wife.
Terrence didn't know what to say, she was right, he should've put all the cards on the table. But he really didn't think about talking to her about Susanna or talking to Susanna about her. He only had one think in mind, to save her from Neil Reagan. He was so happy to do it, that the Susanna matter seemed very distant. He took advantage of the situation, the temptation was irresistible… no he had no regrets, because he was happy, he was the happiest man on earth and Juliet was happy too.
- Juliet, I don't regret anything. I'm your husband, and I love you… if I had to do it again, I'd do the same thing…
- But Candy…
- We'll cross that bridge when we get there. I love you Juliet, please, don't be angry with me… you now know that I'm with Susanna for duty and obligation. You know how much Candy and I loved each other and why we separated. By a mysterious turn of events, destiny has reunited Juliet and Terrence. It's temporary sure, but until Candy comes back…. Let's leave the Susanna matter and the rest to "Candy and Terry" let's be "Juliet and Terrence" and let's take advantage of what we have now; of the chance that was given to us to be happy together…
Juliet thought about it for a moment. "Candy and Terry", "Juliet and Terrence"? Juliet wanted to get Candy's memory back, with all her problems. After learning, what really happened, she was not so sure she wanted to remember all that…
- Candy has a lot of painful memories. I'm able to make her some happy ones with you… you're right, for the moment we're "Juliet and Terrence". Let's take advantage of the present and not worry about "Candy and Terry". "Candy and Terry" will worry about themselves when the time comes…
- It sounds like the gospel…
- The gospel according to Juliet! She joked
- You're blaspheming honey, he joked, so you're not mad at me anymore?
- I can't stay mad at you for long British, I love you…
- I'm sorry…
- I forgive you…
She stood up and walked to him and hugged him, Terrence had a sigh of relief. He looked for her lips and they kissed passionately. Yes, they were "Juliet and Terrence" a happily married couple.