Remember me
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 20
"The trip to America"
Albert, Alistair, Paolo and Josephine, were at Ostende to take the boat that was going to take them to Dover in England and from there, the boat will leave for America. Going to Southampton would've taken too long, and they wanted to arrive in time for Archie and Annie's wedding. At Dover, Paolo met Mary-Alice, the girl he was in love with, by chance on the boat; among all those passengers who were getting on board to go to America and run from this awful war. The boat accosted for one day and Josephine had sent a telegram to her family from Ostende so that they could come and meet her in Dover. She went for lunch with her family in a little restaurant not too far from the harbour.
- Josephine, said her father, are you sure of what you're doing?
- Yes, dad...
- But ever since you were little ,you wanted to take the holy orders, said her mother
- Leave her alone, said Ethan her big brother, I've always thought it was a shame that such a beautiful young woman like Josephine take the vow of celibacy...
- Ethan... said his mother
- Who is he? Asked his father, a missionary you said in your telegram? Which family does he come from?
- He will answer all you questions as soon as he gets here... said Josephine
- I think it's romantic said the little sister named Amelia
Albert was shaved and dressed for the occasion. He was going to meet his future in laws...Stear who started to talk a little, asked him;
- Not too nervous, Uncle William?
- Call me Albert, please...
- No way! You're the head of the family, I owe you respect...
Albert smiled and didn't argue with him; he didn't want to make him talk a lot.
- Ok. I'm a little nervous...
- Well, you're very handsome, said Stear, and very elegant... like the rich man you are...
- Yes. It's a change from the zoo keeper in London, isn't it?
- Who would've thought that Mr. Albert, the hobo who was taking care of the animals, was the head of one of the biggest families in America...? If I understand you correctly, at Lakewood, all those years ago, there were chasing you from your own land? Oh My God!
Albert burst out laughing. Paolo arrived with his girlfriend to stay with Stear.
- Wow, Mr. Albert, said Paolo, very elegant!
- Yes, said Mary-Alice, your friend is really handsome!
- Thanks said Albert, wish me good luck...
- Good luck! Said the three others!
Albert went to the restaurant to meet Josephine's family. Wilson Chamberlain and his wife Siobhan were part of the England's high society. They were proud to have a daughter in the orders, and a nurse who was helping the wounded at war. But now to know that she had left everything, in a spur of the moment decision, for a man…!
- Mr. Chamberlain, Hello, sir, Madam, Miss, said Albert when he arrived.
Josephine was looking at him like he'd just fell from the sky. Was that her fiancé? This nice and elegant man who seem to be as rich as Croesus?
- William Albert Andrew, I'm pleased to meet you all, said Albert
- Pleased to meet you, said the family
- Hi, honey, he said to Josephine who still seemed frozen on the spot.
He took the chair next to her. He understood how stunned she was.
- William Albert Andrew from Chicago? Asked Mrs. Chamberlain surprised
- Yes, Madam said Albert
- Josephine, said her father smiling, you seem as surprised as we are... you didn't know?
- To tell you the truth, we haven't really talked about it... said Josephine
- I'm sorry, for not telling you, you have to say, I forget about it sometimes, myself
- It's ok, honey... you're just very very wealthy... you're rolling it!
- I hope you still want to marry me, now that you know that I'm filthy rich? Said Albert
- I wanted to marry you when I thought you were penniless... for me money is not important...
- But it is for me! Said Mr. Chamberlain, I now know that you're in good hands in one of, if not the most, richest families in Chicago...
- If you're sure of what you want... you've got my blessing, said Mrs. Chamberlain
- It's even better than my romance novels said Amelia, when is the wedding?
- We'll write you to notify you, as soon as we get to America, said Josephine, so you'll have time to get ready
- My aunt is going to take good care of her, you don't have to worry... said Albert
- Why are you in such a hurry? Asked Mr. Chamberlain
- My nephew is getting married, and I found his brother that was presumed dead...
- Wow, I understand why you're leaving so fast, you want to get there on time for the wedding, said Mrs. Chamberlain
- Yes, said Albert
- Oh... said Ethan, that's great! We're going to America...
- I'm wondering when this war is going to finish, said Amelia
They continued to talk about the war, religion, life...
Meanwhile on the boat, Stear was with Paolo and his girlfriend.
- Paolo, whispered Stear, you're not going to let her go again, are you?
- Not this time...
- But my father... said the girl
- You're father will survive without you, said Paolo, I won't! Do you love me?
- Yes I love you...
- So stay with me and let's get married...
- Can I think about this for a minute? This is a marriage proposal, isn't it?
Stear burst out laughing. Paolo blushed but got a hold of himself. He was on one knee and said:
- Mary-Alice, will you marry me?
- Yes, she said with a smile
- Now?
- I have to talk to my father...
- Let's go! Said Paolo
- Ok...
The father had no objection; he was a little disappointed to lose his daughter, but with the horror of the war... it was better for his daughter to be married and in security in America.
- This war had already separated a lot of people; I won't separate my daughter from the one she loves.
- Thanks, daddy said Mary-Alice smiling
- Thank you sir, said Paolo
- Take good care of my daughter, otherwise I'll come and get her, and I'm not joking!
- Daddy!
They burst out laughing. Mary-Alice went to get her luggage in her father's cabin on another boat, and she had to say her goodbye to him on the peer. She was crying and her father was trying to hide his tears. She was following the man she loved to her future life.
When the boat was in the middle of the ocean, Albert was in the cabin with Josephine.
- So honey, you hide the fact that you're a millionaire to your fiancée?
- It completely slipped my mind, don't forget, that I also had amnesia...
- It doesn't bother me at all... she said laughing
Stear, Paolo and Mary-Alice arrived in the cabin.
- What doesn't bother you?
- That Albert is rolling in it, said Josephine...
- He didn't tell you? Said Stear, Uncle William! Don't worry, he hadn't told his family either!
- The Great Aunt Elroy, your aunt Sarah and your parents know about it... said Albert
- But not the kids! Said Stear, they all going to be surprised, my bother, my cousins, Candy took you in, without thinking about what people would say...
- Did I tell you that Candy lost her memory?
- Yes, it's like you contaminated her! Said Stear laughing... when her memory comes back, she's going as surprised as us!
They all burst out laughing. Stear was happy to go back home after the horror and desolation of the war, America seemed like paradise.
Susanna was with Lionel at Coney Island, an amusement part. There was also a beach where you could take sunbaths and bathe. Lionel was seeing clearly now, but he was still wearing sunglasses. There was a charity gala for a fundraiser in the evening. They had come earlier to take a walk in the amusement park. Mama Sally didn't need to be his eyes anymore, so she was not with him everywhere like before.
- Look, a fortune teller said Lionel, let's go see her
- Do you believe in that? Asked Susanna
- It's for entertainment... let's go listen to twaddle tales...
- Ok, said Susanna
They got in the tent, and waited for their turn. Lionel was first.
- Hello, said the lady, give your hand... You've just came out of a long dark tunnel... the light is good for you... and you're doing good around you now... that was not always the case. In the romance area, it's blurry... but you'll have the light soon, like at the end of your tunnel. Doing good is the way to go. Ye, who sow good, will collect good...
- Thanks, said Lionel happy, Susanna?
- Okay she said after a little hesitation
- You came out of a long dark tunnel too... you have happiness at the reach of your hand... grab it before it's too late. We don't always get what we want... When you don't get what you want, you content yourself with what you've got...especially if what we have is the real happiness and what we want is an illusion of happiness... everybody deserves happiness... don't confuse happiness and obsession...
Susanna remained calm. What did this woman meant? To give up Terry? The love of her life? No way!
- Come Lionel, let's get out of here, said Susanna a little upset
Lionel paid the fortune teller and followed Susanna outside. The fortune teller had a mocking smile;
"The truth is hard to hear, isn't it Susanna? Said Madam Clara, but you're stubborn... Terry will be with his beloved, whether you want it or not!"
Lionel followed Susanna, he was almost running
- Susanna, wait for me! What' wrong?
- That lady is a fake!
- Why are you angry?
- She upset me...
- You took what she said too much at heart, it's only for entertainment, I assure you...
- Really? Well she didn't entertain me at all! She should say nice things to everybody!
- Let's go have fun...
- Ok...
But Susanna couldn't stop thinking to what the fortune teller said. Entertainment or not, she was right on the money...
It was the end of the afternoon, Juliet had just finished last minutes shopping for Annie's wedding. This last one and Patty had left her in front of the theatre so she'll wait for Terrence and they would go home together. She was in front of the theatre for two minutes when she heard Neil's voice.
- Here's the ungrateful little slut...I save her from the void and she thanks me by running away with a no good actor!
- Neil, I'm tired, not now, said Juliet with a weary tone
Eliza was also there, they both had come out from a store not too far from there.
- Yes, when I think that the stable girl married the son of an English aristocrat said Eliza, an orphan from the Pony house...
"Stable girl... Pony house...little monkey...it's Candy!..." All those words came back to her head, she had a flash, her head was spinning; everything that had happened in the past ever since she arrived at the Reagan's, the fights, the discussions, the lies, the tears, the humiliations... she was pretty upset; tears started to come down her cheeks. She was frozen, taking all the words of abuse from the Reagan twins, unable to react because of the flood of memories that was paralyzing her.
- LEAVE HER ALONE! Cried Terrence's voice
The twins stopped and Terrence ran to Juliet who as white as a sheet, pushing the twins aside to get to her.
- Juliet, honey, are you ok? He asked
She didn't say anything. He knew she was having a flash and that it was an unpleasant one, judging by the horrified expression on her face. He took her to his car with her packages and they left. Once they were home, he put her on the couch. He went to change before he went back to sit next to her. After a while that seemed like an eternity, Juliet came out of her trance. Terrence was still in the bedroom changing.
- Terrence? she called with a little voice
- Yes, honey, I'm here, he said coming out of the bedroom shirtless
She stood up and run to him and jumped to his neck. She held him hard, really hard in her arms. Terrence did the same. They went to sit on the couch.
- Thank you Terrence, said Juliet curled up against him
- You're very welcome, but what for?
- To have saved me from the Reagan, from Neil Reagan...
- You remember what he did to you?
- Him, his sister, their parents...oh my God! And he wanted to marry me!
- He fell in love with you...
- After treating me like dirt since our first encounter?
- I'm sure he regrets it, now, everything he did to you...
- Everything was a lie, wasn't it? I was never engaged to him...
- No, he was deluding himself... he was dreaming in colour
- He saw a chance to conquer me and he took it, with a awful lie...my instincts were telling me not to trust him, but since he saved me from the void...
- You felt like you owed him something...
- Despite my feelings for you...
- You were flirting with me in front of him and Eliza the first day!
- I couldn't help myself, you were irresistible with your British accent, she said smiling
- But I didn't tell you the truth either...
- But you didn't say anything it was better. I didn't have to force my head to remember... And to me, you weren't expecting anything from me, not like Neil...I was forcing my head to try to remember being in love with Neil... for nothing! Oh My God! I still can't believe it!
- You didn't even kiss him...
- My head couldn't get use to that idea...but in another hand it was thinking about kissing a young British lad that was interested in Eliza... when I think that I was encouraging her to make herself pretty for you...!
- It felt weird for me too when you were telling me that she was making herself pretty for me...
- When I think that I almost married him... Oh how revolting! If Candy is mad to be your wife when she comes back, I'm sure that the idea the she could have been Mrs. Neil Reagan, is going to calm her... Thank you Terrence with all my heart, she said sincerely touched with tears coming down her cheeks
- Don't cry my love... believe me when I tell you, there's no other place I would rather be, than here next to you…
Their lips were sealed in a passionate and fiery kiss. Terrence carried her to the bedroom where they were able to express, their love with no shame.
Eleonor Baker went to see Susanna who was with Lionel. Maybe they really are more than friends?
- Eleonor, hello, said Susanna
- Hello Susanna, Lionel...
- Can I help you with something ? Asked Susanna
- Yes... well I hope...
- What?
- You have to tell the press that you and Terrence have broken up…,said Eleonor
- WHAT? NO WAY! Yelled Susanna
- It's for your own good, Susanna...
- For my own good? Break up with Terry is for my own good?
- Yes. Lionel and you are going to that gala in Chicago with the troupe are you not?
- Yes, but...
- Terrence lives in Chicago with his wife...
- Don't remind me! Said Susanna dryly
- So, it would be kind of weird for the press to see him married to another woman when he's still engaged to you... it's for your image and so you won't have to answer embarrassing questions
- She's right Susanna, said Lionel; the press is going to have a field day...
- You have to tell them that you broke up even since Terry left...said Susanna
- So you're son won't look like a boor... said Susanna between her teeth
- So the press won't confirm their suspicions that Terrence is with you by duty and obligation only and that he left you to marry the woman he truly loves...
- That's the truth, said Lionel
- Lionel, please... ok I'll do it, said Susanna against her will
So Susanna announced to the press that she and Terry had broken up ever since he left for Chicago and that she hadn't say anything until now to get over her grief. She also added that she and Lionel were only good friends.
Terry saw the news of his broken engagement with Susanna in the papers. Robert called him to tell him that there was a charity gala and that Susanna and Lionel were hosting it.
- It will stop the rumours, said Robert, the news of your break up, that is...
- Thanks for the info Robert, said Terry
- Especially if you're helping your ex-girlfriend... I heard you married her... said Robert congratulations...
- Thank you
- Good luck with Susanna...
- Good bye Robert and thank you
Candy went to see Doctor Green.
- Mrs. Grandchester, are you all right?
- Yes, a little. I don't know...
- Ok...
- It's like Candy is coming back...
- That's good...
- But my mind is troubled
- That's normal, you're having more and more flashes, full of Candy's emotions
- It's a sign that I would be leaving soon...
- You'll still be there, Candy is the one coming back
- A part of me, doesn't want her to come back...but it's unavoidable...
- The part that's afraid of emotions?
- Yes...
- You have to relax, everything will be fine
- Ok, doctor and thank you. But can you guaranty me that I will be there if Candy comes back?
- No, unfortunately, there's no guaranty. You could be there, like you could not bet there the first days...
- If that's the case, Candy will be more confuse than ever, without my memory...
- Yes indeed. Ok, get some rest. Don't get yourself too tired and leave your head alone, don't think too much...
- Ok. Thank you very much doctor.
The doctor examined her and she was able to go back home, after he prescribe her some vitamins. She had an idea in her head; she had already started to write her memories in a notebook... If Candy might not remember "Juliet"... Juliet was going to make sure that she's not forgotten.