Remember me
Chapter 17
"A vague of hope"
Susanna stayed with Lionel during his recovery. She was trying to forget what happened in Chicago. Lionel felt she had things in her mind.
- Susanna, something is bothering you, I can see it… said Lionel.
He was making jokes about his newfound sight, and Susanna smiled.
- I love your smile. And I'm happy I can finally see you. So, tell me what's bothering you. Is it your fiancé?
- Terry, yes…
- What happened?
- You know I went to Chicago to see him…
- Yes…
- What you don't know is that I got the visit of Neil and Eliza Reagan. Neil Reagan is in love with Candy.
- Terry's ex-girlfriend…
- Yes. And since Candy has amnesia, Neil wanted to manipulate her to marry her…
- But, Candy wanted him?
- Candy, can't stand him, but without her memory…
- Oh…
- Neil found her first, and he told her they were engaged to be married…
- What?
- I know… So he tried to persuade Candy to marry her, but Terry took her and they ran away…
- Oh… even without her memory, she still trusted Terry?
- Weird, isn't it? Eliza told me she was faking. To make a long story short, to stop Neil's family from forcing Candy to marry him, because in the absence of the Great Uncle William, the head of the family is the great aunt and she wanted to force those nuptials… so Candy and Terry found themselves with their back to the wall… so they got married!
- Terry married Candy?
- Yes, to stop Neil from forcing her to marry her.
- Oh, Susanna, I'm sorry…
- Thanks.
- What did you do?
- I confronted Candy to remind her that she had left me Terry.
- Remind her? She lost her memory, Susanna… and…?
- She said her name was "Juliet" and that I had my agreement with Candy…
- What?
- She's calling herself "Juliet" without her memory and she told me that she had no intention of giving Terry back to me, that he was her husband, and that she needed him. When Candy will come back, she'll give him back to me… but for the moment, he was her husband…
Lionel could help himself and he started to laugh.
- You think it's funny? Said Susanna.
- Yes! I'm sorry, I'm just trying to picture your face…
- I told her everything, everything…
- And what did she say?
- She was surprised to learn about Candy's sacrifice, and since Candy had saved my life, I should give Terry back to her…
- She's got a point…
- Lionel!
- Yes. Admit it Susanna, you manipulated the situation to be with Terry…
- No, I… I even told Terry to go after her, when she left…
- You knew he wasn't going to do it, because he already had let her go… and you knew he was in love with her.
- I love him so much, Lionel.
- That's why you're putting up with this situation. The second he heard that Candy was in danger, he left you so fast he made your head spin. He married her… without telling you… for him it's a dream come true. You think he's going to let her go a second time? Susanna…
- Candy will make the right decision, you'll see…
- Ok, but Susanna, you're going to content yourself with a man who's thinking about another woman? Ok, well… it's not my problem after all, he said dryly.
Ever since they spent the night together, they were acting like nothing happened. He'd kissed her at the hospital, but since then, nothing. Susanna was thinking about Lionel's words. Should she content herself with a man in love with another woman? Didn't she deserve better than that? Terry… no, she loved him too much to give him up!
In Congo, in Africa, Albert had the letters of Georges, that he had found more interesting than an adventure novel; Candy had amnesia too! Did he contaminate her or something? He regretted not being there to help her in return. He would've stopped the fiasco with Neil, by revealing himself as the Great Uncle William… But his absence, had forced Terry to come and help her, because they were separated; Terry was with Susanna Marlowe who had saved his life. But he had married Candy to stop Neil from marrying her… well Terry was better than Neil for Candy anyway. Destiny had separated them, and Destiny had found a way to put them back together… Candy will be surprise to wake up Mrs. Terrence Grandchester, when the last memory she'd have is a very painful separation…
But the news of his nephew Alistair's disappearance was very painful. He decided to go to Italy to see where the plane had crashed to put some flowers there. Terry took care of Candy's problem; as her husband, he's her next of kin and he won't let anything happen to her. He had to go to Italy in wartime to see what happened to his nephew. But he hoped going there and have time to get back for Archie's wedding, he just got a telegram form Georges, he had to hurry.
He left Africa for Italy to look for his nephew, missing in action and presumed dead. His research to him to Pavia a city famous for it's university, but was now in ruins because of this senseless war. The population was unhappy, the food was rationed and they didn't know if they will get any the next day. There were children playing in parks in front of their houses. They were carefree, but they were feeling the atmosphere of sadness that spread throughout the whole country, the whole continent, the whole world.
Those responsible for this war, didn't seen to want it to end. All those lost lives, all that bloodshed…. It was not enough for them, it seemed, they needed more. There was no excuse for all that needless bloodshed, when everything could have been solved with talks. Well, those "sick men" that govern us, were having an unhealthy pleasure to see all those people die and the population suffering morally, physically and emotionally.
Albert met a young soldier in permission named Paolo; he had injured his right leg after a truck accident. His right leg was fractured in multiple places and the healing was going slowly and it was now a little shorter than the other one, which now gave his walk a light limping he was trying to hide. You had to pay attention to see that he was limping a little. He spoke English that he had learned at the university. He helped Albert find a truck, so he'll be able to move around without any problems, aside from saving on gas, which was of course rationed during wartime.
They arrived after a lot of days and a lot of hours of research, to a place where two planes had crashed. It was not the first time that they arrived in that kind of area where you can smell the blood, desolation, death; they looked, they dig the debris to see if there were any sign of Stear… they looked without a lot of conviction, because after looking at all those disaster fields, they were tired and hungry. They went to an inn where they were staying to rest and order dinner.
- Albert, you really think we're going to find something?
- His body was never found, Paolo, there's always hope.
- But maybe he was put in a common hole…
- Maybe, but he's my sister's son, I have to do all these research to get some closure.
- Ok, said Paolo… do you have a fiancé waiting for you in America?
Albert thought about Candy, all that time they spend together… he felt so good with her. But she only had one name in her head; Terry. She loved Terry, even if she hadn't married him, he would've always be in her heart. He didn't want to be second best.
- No…
- Your eyes are telling me that there's someone…
- No exactly… I was living with this young girl…
- Living?
- It's not what you think; I adopted this young girl per my nephew's request. But he died before he could take advantage of the happiness this young girl was bringing him…
- I'm sorry.
- Thanks. I sent her to college in England and she met this young British aristocrat…
- And she fell in love with him?
- Yes, but a couple of years later, I found myself in the hospital where she was working as a nurse, without my memory, so she took care of me.
- That's why you were living together. She's your adoptive daughter… oh….
- I know, it's a little incestuous…
- A little…
- So you see? I can't hope. After my memory came back, I didn't tell her anything. She went to New York to see the play of the man she loved… I decided to go back to my travelling. But I just learned that she broke up with the man she loved and that she was in a train wreck and that she has lost her memory…
- What?
- Funny, hein? It's like I contaminated her, said Albert smiling.
- Funny indeed.
- To make a long story short, she's married to the one she loves now. But I wished I could've helped her in return, but…
- No more hope for you…
- There was never any hope… there, I'm free.
- You're still young, you'll find a girl… maybe here in Italy, you never know…
- Maybe… what about you?
- Me? This war has stopped me from making my dream come true, to marry the girl I love.
- Where is she?
- Her father is a business man, they travel across Europe.
- Do you know where they are?
- No, when I was at the front, we used to write each other, but now…
- The war has slowed the mail, you know…
- I know, but… maybe I'm just a fling for her and since she goes from country to country…
- If she loves you, you're the one she's waiting for…
- I hope…
There was a little girl and a little boy that were playing in the inn. They were speaking Italian; while they were playing, the little girl threw something that landed on Albert and Paolo's table. It was a little shield with an "A" in the middle. It was the Andrew family crest! Albert looked and pickup the shield… his heart jumped! The little girl arrived to get the shield.
- Scuzi signor, said the little girl.
Albert smiled to her and talked to Paolo.
- Ask her where she found this; it's the Andrew family crest…
Paolo ask her the question and the little boy arrive and they started to talk in Italian for a while. Finally, Paolo told Albert:
- They found it in the woods, not too far from here. I had to talk for a while, because they were not allowed to go that far and they were afraid I was going to tell on them to the innkeeper. I promised them not to say anything if they give us the shield and promise not to disobey their parents anymore and not return to the wood.
- Thank you, it must be Stear's, said Albert all happy. Thanks Paolo, thank you very much, then he told the kids, grazie…
The children smiled and ran to play.
- It's Stear's, I'm sure of it…
- We can go look in hospitals in the area if you want, said Paolo.
- It's late. Let's finish our meal and go to bed and tomorrow after breakfast, we're going to look in all the hospitals of the city…For the first time since I've heard this story, I have hope. Alistair, if you're alive, hold on. I'm coming!
Juliet, Terrence, Annie and Patty went to the Pony House on Saturday morning. They took the train together. When they got to the orphanage, the children saw them from afar. They ran to meet them. When they arrived near them, they saw Juliet and they started to scream:
- The boss! It's the boss! The boss is here! Candy! You came to see us! Yay!
Juliet smiled, she felt good with all those children; they jumped on her and made her fall on the ground of course. Juliet was laughing and stood up to run with the children and climb trees. Annie, Patty and Terrence were looking at them running and climbing trees. They arrived at the Pony House and Annie introduced Patty.
- Hello, Miss Pony, Sister Maria, said Annie kissing them, let me introduce you to Patricia O'Brien and…
- Terrence Grandchester, said Miss Pony, were know each other, Hello…
- Oh… said Annie.
- Good morning, Miss Pony, said Terrence, Sister Maria.
- Hello, said Patty.
- Hello, said Sister Maria.
- Candy is outside? Asked Miss Pony.
Annie, Patty and Terrence explained Candy's story to Miss Pony and Sister Maria. Candy's "two mothers" were stunned. Candy had lost her memory? She was being called "Juliet'? And she was married to Terrence Grandchester? The door opened and Juliet arrived with all the children laughing and breathless!
- Miss Pony! Sister Maria! Said Juliet jumping to their neck.
- Can… Juliet, said sister Maria.
- Juliet, hello, said Miss Pony
- The others have told you? Asked Juliet
- How are you, little one? Said Miss Pony.
- I'm fine, thanks. It's was only weird to wake up without knowing who you are.
- "Juliet?" Said Sister Maria, why "Juliet"?
- It's the only name I had in my empty head. The hospital staff was calling me "angel face" and "sleeping beauty", the doctor wanted to call me "Jane Doe".
- Oh… said Sister Maria.
- I preferred "Juliet" of course! She said smiling, I don't have Candy's memory, so…
- I understand, said Miss Pony, well, "Juliet" is a very pretty name.
They started to talk and Juliet told them about what she remembered and Miss Pony and Sister Maria made comments. Candy's two mothers were surprise to see Juliet so comfortable in the kitchen, she cooked diner with the help of Annie and Patty. During diner, the children told her about their stories and everybody was laughing. After diner, Juliet did the dishes with Annie and Patty, while Terrence went on the Pony hill with some of the children who ran with him.
When he arrived on the Pony hill, he asked the children to tell Juliet he was waiting for her on the hill. The children left and Terry sat on the grass, he was on the other side of the tree, so from afar, you couldn't see him. He was lying on the grass and closed his eyes.
Juliet and her friends finished the dishes and they continued talking with Miss Pony and Sister Maria.
- Do you know where Terrence is? Asked Juliet.
- You can't stay away from him for long, can you, Juliet? Said Annie.
- I love him, said Juliet smiling, I'm going to see outside.
- Ok, said Annie, go, we're staying here…
- See you later, said Juliet smiling.
Juliet got out of the house and she saw Jimmy from afar screaming;
- Candy! Candy! Your friend Terry is looking for you…
Juliet saw herself with a suitcase in the winter. Jimmy had told her that her friend had come to see them. She saw herself talking to Miss Pony and Sister Maria, she saw the cup still warm on the table that Terry had left. She ran outside and to look for Terry, despite the calls of Miss Pony and Sister Maria. She ran as fast as she could in her memory and in reality… she had to see Terry! Her heart was beating so hard that it ready to explode! Terry she was going to see Terry, the boy she loved! Oh, she missed him so much! Terry, Terry! She arrived on the Pony hill…
- Terry, Terry!
Nobody was there, he was gone. She saw the footsteps in the snow… she missed him again! Her heart was broken into a thousand pieces… Not again!
- TERRY! TERRY! I missed you again…! NO!
She started to cry. His cup was still warm on the table at the Pony House, he was just there… but he was gone.
- TERRY! NOOOO!
- Candy? Said Terry's voice.
Juliet turned around like in a dream. Terry was standing in front of her. She jumped to his neck. While she was running to the Pony hill, she had relived simultaneously the memory of her missed meeting with Terry. It was so intense, that for a moment, she thought it was real… but fortunately, it was only one of Candy's memory! Terrence was there.
- Oh, Terrence! Hold me hard!
- Juliet? Are you ok?
- I just had a flash… Candy was running to the Pony hill calling your name, it was in the winter, and when she arrived, you were already gone…
- It was when she came back from America… I came here to see the Pony hill… we probably missed each other by a few minutes…Oh my God! If we had seen each other, everything would have been different between us… oh….
- Oh… Candy has too many painful memories… I don't want to feel like this ever again. Hold me hard, Terrence.
Terrence held her in his arms. He understood that for Juliet, that memory had just happened with all the feelings and it was still upsetting for her. He too had just realised that if he had waited a few minutes more, he would've seen Candy, he would've taken her to New York; he would've married her…
- I'm here honey, and I will never let you go again.
He looked for her lips, and gave her a deep long kiss to reassure her.
"Oh, Candy," said Juliet to herself… "you've suffered and I'm not even going to imagine what it did to you to leave Terrence to Susanna! But I'm here and I'm going to try to fix things. I'm going to make you some nice memories and if everything goes well, in other words, if you're not stubborn, you'll be happy with the man you love, the man we love…".
- I love you, Terrence.
- I love you, Juliet. Are you feeling better?
- Yes… thank you. We're on the Pony hill, she said, pulling away from him.
She turned, and he put his arms around her waist from the back. They were looking together on the top of the Pony hill.
- It's nice here, said Juliet.
- I'm glad to share it with you this time, said Terrence.
- Me too… I feel good on this hill, I feel good with you… I don't know when my memory will come back completely. When Candy comes back, she might resist you. Be patient, please. Don't discourage yourself. She loves you and in the end, she will realise that being with you, is the thing to do…
"I will make sure of it," she said to herself.
They went back to the Pony house, a few moments later, they spent a nice evening with the others.