My Best Friend's Wife
Chapter 4
"The invitation"
Candy looked out the window and she saw the taxi driving away with Terry under the falling snow. The departure left her with a weird impression of emptiness.
- I supposed you've made up? Asked Georgie's voice interrupting Candy's thoughts. You want to talk about it of you want me to let you think about it all alone?
Georgie knew her better than anybody else, but Candy was incapable of answering for the moment. She couldn't put her ideas in order with everything she was feeling at the moment.
- Why don't you take your coat off, sweetie, said her sister.
- All right…
- By the way, you never told me that Terry was handsome as a god! He must be even better looking in uniform!
- The uniform gives presence to anyone.
- In any case, Terrence Grandchester doesn't need it to have an effect. But don't repeat it to Lowell.
- Don't worry… when I met him at the beginning of my marriage with Anthony, I kept my thoughts to myself.
- You were right! That major represents a permanent complex for every husbands!
- Back then, he was a captain for the new comers and I think they were forced him to go to the gym because of him…
- Anthony too?
Candy looked at her. Georgie smiled.
- What happened this morning?
- An incredible story, I'm telling you!
- What was the misunderstanding about? Out with it!
- The short version: he thought I was pregnant with Lowell's baby…
- What?
- If you want the whole version, I have to go lie down, because I'm tired…
- Oh sweetie, I'm sorry, said her sister, I forget the essential…
She went to the living room to arranger the pillows on the couch to allow her little sister to lie down. Candy lay down with a sigh of ease.
- Fortunately, I'm going to give birth soon, You'll need the place for your baby…
- There is no rush, I don't have morning sickness yet…
- You lucky girl!
- Don't change the subject. So?
Her sister sat down in her husband's favourite armchair, to listen to her.
- Well can you believe that he thought I was pregnant by Lowell, like I said earlier. But as soon as he realised his mistake, he didn't know where to put himself!
- After the way he treated you, I wouldn't have wanted to be in his place… you didn't tell me how it happened.
Candy told her about the scene and her sister couldn't believe her ears.
- He made you a scene because he thought you cheated on your husband?
- No, it's worse than that, he thought my unfaithfulness caused the accident. He imagine that when Anthony learned I was pregnant by another man, he was so devastated that … his plane crashed.
- Oh my God! How awful!
- You can say that again.
- And you were wondering why he was so hostile with you…
- Meanwhile he was living a nightmare of his own, Anthony was his best friend…
- Apparently, he hadn't told him everything…
- I was convinced they told each other everything…
- Well, in any case, you both have an overactive imagination! You were on the same wavelength!
Candy felt funny hearing those words from her sister… On the same wavelength?
- In any case, if he hadn't agreed to see me this morning, he would've gone back with the thought that I committed that crime… And I never would've known about it…
- There is a reason for everything , sweetie. God wanted you to know the truth…
- Can you imagine that, I could've met any other member of his squadron with my big belly and they would've thought the same thing.
- I'm sure he's going to set the record straight now.
- When Anthony died, they all called, but I was feeling so bad that I was incapable of talking… I left mom or dad answer in my place and explain to them…
- That's normal Candy. They could understand what you were feeling.
- Yes, I should've called Terry earlier and we wouldn't have had all this mix up…
- Well, I say, there's a reason for everything…you needed this misunderstanding so you could get in touch with each other again… he didn't come to Anthony's funeral, I wonder why.
- Me too, he talked about an impediment, without any explanation… His taxi arrived so fast; I wish I could've talked to him longer.
- He didn't seem in a rush to leave either, added Georgie
- His leave must be almost over soon, that's why he agreed to see me today.
- You were right to hand deliver his letter to his home, then.
- He didn't hide the fact that without his brother's intervention, he wouldn't have budged.
- Maybe you should call him to thank you, suggested Georgie.
- Who? His brother? Asked Candy.
- Why not? If he played a part the rehabilitation of your honor, he will certainly be touched that you 'd express your gratitude.
- Yes…I have the number in my purse.
Georgie took her sister's purse and stood up.
- Let's go in the kitchen. This baby is making me starving… I'm going to eat something while you call him.
- I was always hungry too in the beginning, said Candy.
- If you get along good with the brother, try to find out if Terry is staying for a few more days. We could invite them for dinner.
- You think it would be a good idea?
- Well it will allow Lowell to see another side of Anthony's best friend who behaved like a lout.
- I don't think I've ever seen your husband that furious…
- Me neither… he wanted to the banquet to break his jaw, risking to end up on the floor himself… That would have been a pretty fight…
- Fortunatley that night didn't end in a brawl…
- No, but giving the atmosphere, I waited the next day to announce my pregnancy.
- Oh Georgie, I'm sorry sweetie, I ruined your moment…
- Don't worry about that, honey, said Georgie taking the cordless phone to give it to her, you invite them with their spouses or girlfriends if they have one.
- I didn't see any rings on his finger, but from now on I will not be assuming anything anymore…
- You were looking a this hands?
- To see if he had a wedding band…
- Because…?
- Curiosity Georgie! What are you imagining?
- Me? Nothing at all! He's your husband's friend.
- That I've seen only once before all this…
- Ah! You wanted to see him more often?
- To admire him from afar, but it's just as good that I didn't see him again, my mind could've wondered…
- What are you talking about? Asked Georgie who was making a beautiful ham and cheese. sandwich for herself.
Candy's thoughts went back to that famous day, Terry had come to visit them. After having fun during the whole day, there it was dinner time at the manor with a few guests. There was even a little party improvised by Anthony's cousins who were with their girlfriends and everybody started dancing. Candy of course dance with Terry too, but she never felt like that with another man than Anthony . Terry was so nice, so polite with her and sometimes she had the impression that his eyes were saying something else, that he wasn't saying everything ha had in mind, he was restraining himself because she was his best friend's wife. She was grateful to him for that… but while she was going to the washroom, she met Eliza in the hallway…
- Are you done flirting with Anthony's best friend?
- Eliza, you're talking nonsense…
- Really? Tell me you're not attracted to him!
- Don't generalise your case Eliza! I'm happily married…
- You already stole Anthony away from me, you won't steal Terry away from me…
- You really take your desires for reality, Eliza…
- I warned you! Said Eliza leaving angry.
When she came back from the washroom, she found Eliza stuck to Terry while dancing and she felt a twinge in her heart…
Candy came back to reality.
- You were jealous of Eliza?
- I can say it to you, yes but I'm not proud of it! I was married…!
- I think Terry is very handsome and I'm married, said Georgie , you didn't do anything wrong.
- I asked God for forgiveness…
- So your conscious is calm…. Now you're free and if he doesn't have a girlfriend…
- Georgie, stop it! I don't have the mind to think about that! I'm going to call his brother!
Candy looked for the phone number in her purse and she dialed the number on the phone… Rick was probably at his office.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Rick was at the company's office looking at some numbers in the accounting, he wasn't thinking about the phone. The assistant contacted him to say:
- It's for you sir…
- Thank you, he said without raising his head,I'll take it.
Who could be calling him? His friends usually called him on his cell phone. He hoped it was his ex-girlfriend who was tricking him.
- Rick speaking.
- Hello, I'm happy I was able to get you on the phone,said a woman's voice.
To his big surprise, it wasn't his girlfriend's, it was Candice Brown.
Rick looked at his watch, 12:30, Terry had to meet her at 10 am. If he hadn't made it at "Chez Felix" yet, his brother must be stuck somewhere in the snow somewhere without his cellphone.
- Hello, Mrs. Brown, what can I do for you?
- Excuse me for bothering you while you're working, I'll be quick. I wanted to thank you for what you said to our brother. He admitted to me that without your insistence, our meeting would never have had happened.
- My contribution was the most modest one.
- That's not what he told me, protested Candy warmly, thanks to you, we were able to clarify a very serious misunderstanding. You can't imagine how vital it was for me. I'm eternally grateful to you.
He sat back on his chair, revolving.
- I'm happy that your disagreement found a satisfying issue.
He couldn't see what issue it was, but he was sincere. Rick had never seen his brother show so much hostility and intransigence. If Candy Brown suffered for that misunderstanding in question, Terry had suffered too.
- I have a favour to asked of you.
- Go ahead and try, he answered intrigued.
- If you're free, I would like to have you for dinner both of you, this week or next week… Well if Terry's leave last until there.
So she didn't know that he had retired from the army?
- That's very nice of you .
- I hope it means you're accepting? This morning, we didn't have the chance to talk longer. When the storm started, Terry insisted to take me back home in my car, but his cab arrived very fast and we had to separate really fast.
So Terry drove her home? Touched by a spirit of mercy?
- The best thing would be that I tell him to call you back as soon as I see him, don't you think so?
- Yes, that's perfect. Oh by the way… the invitation is for your spouses or girlfriends too.
Rick opened his eyes wide. How did she know so little about his brother after their meeting?
- I will transmit that to him, he said.
- Thank you. Ok, I'm going to let you work. See you soon, I hope. My stomach is crying hunger.
- Like they say in French; bon appetit!
- Merci.
Rick hung up, puzzled. The object of the call arrived a few moments later, the arms packed with take away food, which meant a radical chance.
- I thought you were going out for breakfast
- We couldn't eat. I'm starving.
Candy too was going to eat after their phone call. Terry put the food on the desk and he started eating like he was dying. Nothing less than four double cheeseburgers, two chicken baskets, two big portions of fries and two cheese cakes… Incredible, especially since he hadn't show any appetite since his arrival.
Seeing his brother in such a great shape, Rick took his time to tell him the news. He looked at his brother devouring half of his food in silence. When his brother finally looked up, it met his.
- What? What's wrong?
- I was going to ask you, answered Rick eating a fry. But , by all means, finish your meal. Take my cake too, if you're still starving.
- Really? You're not hungry?
- Less than you, apparently...
Terry attacked the second cake with appetite. Rick's lips had a big smile.
- How was the weather when you were on your date?
- It wasn't a date. It was snowing hard, in fact, 10 centimeters in 15 minutes and everything melted at the first ray of sun.
The cake had disappeared in three bites.
- That's funny… I heard the storm was so awful that a certain pregnant woman had to be driven home.
His brother was startled and looked up stunned.
- You talked to Candy?
The impression was confirming itself, a radical transformation had occurred since he had left.
- It's "Candy" now? It's not Anthony's widow anymore?
- Rick!
- I just had her on the phone.
- Is she all right?
- She seemed so, why?
- With what I put her through since Saturday, I'm afraid she might give birth prematurely because of me. I would never forgive myself if I'm responsible for that.
Rick was looking at his reaction with attention when he said:
- We're invited for dinner.
- When?
- When you want to, I told her you'd call her back.
Terry was unfolding the wrinkled paper on which Candy Brown's phone number was on.
Rick told him:
- She said that we were invited with our sweethearts. Choose one night next week, it will give us time to hit on a couple of girls to bring there.
On those funny words, he left the room.
Five minutes later, Terry joined him in the conference room, Rick was having a cup of coffee.
- Now what?
- Her line is busy.
- Don't start jumping to conclusions.
- What are you insinuating?
- Just what I said. Her baby will be born when mother nature will decide. So, who's the father?
- Anthony.
Without having the key to the mystery, Rick had to admit that the news made him happy.
- By what miracle?
- Technology…
- I beg your pardon?
Terry told him about what Candy had told him. How could he have not thought about the most rational hypothesis?
- I should've thought about it…
- And why didn't you think about it? You'd rather believe the worse right away like…
- Like what?
- Like you wanted to find her repugnant and reject her…
- You're talking nonsense! Said Terry.
His brother would rather dropped the subject.
- In a certain way, it's kind of miraculous.
- I'm surprised she still wants to talk to me, after the lout I was, I don't understand her indulgence…
- Really?
- What are you insinuating?
- Nothing, I don't understand either, and she really wants to see you again!
- Because I represent the memory of Anthony for her.
- Maybe there's a little bit of that…
- What else could it be?
His reaction was so strong that Rick was convinced his brother was harboring feelings for Candy, he didn't even know he had.
- Nothing, he answered, what were you thinking?
After a pause, Terry turned around.
- I'm going to try her number again.
- Right, you go ahead! Whispered Rick while his brother was walking away.
[CENTER]oOoOoOoOoOo
Candy was making he nephew's be when the phone rang. It was probably Terry. She rushed to pick up the phone in her room. Too late, Georgie had already answered in the kitchen. Terry's voice was nicely asking to talk to her.
Terry? So fast? Her heart started started racing. She intervene vibrating with impatience:
- I'm here Georgie!
- Ok, very well… I'm hanging up.
Her interlocutor waited to hear the "click" to continue.
- Good evening Candy. Rick gave me your message.
After the icy tone of their last phone conversation, it felt good to hear warmth in his voice, a wave of pleasure went through her.
- So, you're going to be free for dinner?
- That's not going to make you too tired?
- No, I wouldn't have offered it otherwise. And of course, you're both invited with your girlfriends.
- We're both single.
- Oh! And when are you going back to the Netherlands?
- I won't be going back.
- Why?
- Let's just say that the situation is uncertain at this point.
- You're asking to be re-affected?
- It's a long story. A upheaval in the family made me quit the army, but it might have been a little premature.
Terry had quit? Candy sat down on her bed.
- Depending on how things happen, I might get the opportunity to be reintegrated, for the moment, my plans are suspended.
Candy was sorry she didn't know him better, Maybe in the long run, he will end up confiding in her.
- You must be bored to death, she said with a teasing tone. I bet you need a little distraction… we better get you in our house as soon as possible!
A deep sight of relief in the background showed that he wasn't against her proposition, she took advantage.
- Tomorrow, Lowell has a meeting, what about Thursday night?
- With pleasure.
- If I'm pressing you a little, it's because at this stage of my pregnancy, you never know when the baby might decide to come.
On Friday, her OBGYN could announce her that cervix was dilated and that she would need to reduce her activities until the big day. Candy didn't want to take the risk to be forced to cancel their dinner. God knows if they postponed it the next opportunity to see Terry might be after the birth.
Her comment seemed to worry him.
- Are you sure, you're all right? No warning signs?
- No, not at the moment, nothing knew on the western front…
This time, he burst out laughing without holding back it ricochet in her clear loud and resounding. Her heard got filled…
- What time the day after tomorrow? He asked when he stopped laughing.
- 6 pm? Is it too early?
- No, we'll be there. I'm impatient to meet your family in more favourable circumstances…
She had a big smile.
- My nephews should please you. Get ready for third degree questions and remember that boys are a handful...
- How old are they?
- Joey is 8 and Axel is 6.
- That seems normal for their age.
- Joey wants to became a pilot in the Air Force.
She thought she heard him smile.
- And Axel?
- He wants to be a race car driver.
- Where did he get that idea?
- From his father Lowell, he would've become a professional if he hadn't married Georgie…
- Now, you're telling me?
- What?
- That I almost got myself killed by a deadly car!
It was her turn to burst out laughing.
- As a matter of fact, he could've done a lot of damage with a sports car, if Lowell wanted.
And then there was silence!
- Candy, I'm sorry about Saturday night…
- Are you going to stop already? I know you're sorry Terry, but frankly, I'm not thinking about it anymore. Would you stop bringing it up already? I don't want to hear about it anymore.
And then there was another silence!
- You're really a remarkable person, Candy.
- In another life, I would've been very upset with you and I probably wouldn't have talked to you anymore, but I'm going to be a mother soon. It's a horizon that replaced futilities on the right perspective
- I understand… are you afraid?
He was showing a surprising sensibility she had rarely seen in men.
- I suppose that every pregnant woman is afraid at one point. For me it's the fear of the unknown, the pain everybody talks about so much…will I be a good mother? And how am I going to do it without Anthony?
- Yes, I can imagine
- But I have to admit that in the ninth month, I now having more simple thoughts like, the time I will have to get to the hospital. A F-16 would be good, but since you don't have yours at the moment…
- There are no back seats in F-16 and anyway, I would be so panicky, that I wouldn't be able to pilot to the maternity
- Then there will be two of us.
She felt he was smiling too.
- Too bad then, I will be on the ground to go to the maternity!
- Is it a boy or a girl?
- I want to be surprised when it comes out.
- That's how it's been for centuries
- But the families don't appreciate it, on both sides.
- It's your baby.
- Thanks for your support Terry. I can't wait to see you and your brother.
- 6 PM sharp… See you Thursday Candy and thank you.
- You're welcome. Good bye Terry.
As soon as she hung up, she went back to the boys room in a very good mood. Georgie had finishe doing the beds.
- I heard a lot of laughs. Do you know how could it feels to hear you laugh?
- I like laughing too. They're coming on Thursday.
- How many?
- Just the two of them, they're single. Anthony always talked about a crowd of women who wanted to become Mrs. Grandchester, but apparently, the queen hasn't been elected yet.
She had a big smile on her face.
- Georgie! Inspire me for the menu! I want everything to be… extraordinary!
Georgie laughed.
- Well, men like roast beef with mashed potatoes and peas and carrots.
- Sold! A very nice and tender filet from the butcher, with little bread with sesame on top, a salad for entry and for dessert…
- An apple pie with mum's vanilla ice cream! They both said at the same time.
Candy realised that she haven't been laughing like that for over a year.