Mommy Dearest
by Mallory Quinn
Chapter 6
"A drastic change..."
It was a beautiful morning and Susanna was making sure breakfast was on the table for Terry even if he didn't eat with her. She was making sure, Terry had everything he needs. But she knew it was no use. She had seen Candy at the park and ever since that day she was dreading for Terry to tell her that he was going back to her. Candy was in New York, it was only a matter of time until she sees Terry…Of course, she didn't tell Terry about her meeting with Candy, he would've been only too happy if he didn't already know the information. Her mother was starting to regret everything she had set in motion. She should've asked for financial help from Terry and take care of the daughter and encourage her to continue her life. But now it was too late, all her daughter had in mind was being with a man who barely looks at her. He was never home and he came back when everybody was asleep. She was looking at Susanna setting the table in her wheel chair.
- Susanna, you're wasting your time, he's not going to eat here and you know it
- I just want to make sure everything is on the table if he wants to eat, said Susanna
- He never eats here, either if it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner….
- I saw Candy mom….
- What?
- Yes, I saw her…
- What is she doing here?
- I don't know she was with some rich girl, taking care of her… Jade Wallace….
- Jade Wallace? Said Mrs. Marlowe, Trudy Wallace's daughter? They're a very rich family…
- So Candy is leaving or taking care of Jade Wallace here in New York… I thought she went back to Chicago! She's been here the whole time?
- Well Jade Wallace had been sick…maybe Candy is her personal nurse…
- So Candy is living at the Wallace's… I'm wondering if Terry had seen her yet…
- Terry is busy having an affair with an older woman… do you really think he saw Candy? How was he when he got a letter from her when he was ignoring you?
- He would be all happy after reading the letter over and over again! And playing the harmonica. It made me want to puke!
- Well has he been that happy lately?
- No…
- There you go, you've got nothing to worry about… he's going to marry you. Lynda de Rothschild is already married…
- I hope you're right mom. With Candy in town at the Wallace's…
- Who's at the Wallace's? Asked Terry coming in
Susanna and her mother were startled.
- Oh Terry, good morning! Said Susanna smiling
- Good morning ladies. What were you talking about? Who's at the Wallace's?
- I met Jade at the park the other day, said Susanna, she's been sick
- Oh…is she your friend?
- No, but everybody knows the Wallace's… she introduced herself to me, when she recognised me…
- You see? You should get a prosthesis and go back on stage Susanna, your fans miss you…
- I'll think about it…
- You've made breakfast? Great! I'm starving!
Terry sat at the table and started to eat. Susanna and her mother were stunned. It was the first time Terry had breakfast with them since like…forever! He was in a very good mood.
- It's very good...,said Terry smiling
- Are you coming back for lunch? Asked Susanna
- I don't know, I'll let you know…did you get the morning paper?
- Yes, here it is…, said Susanna
- Thanks…
Terry read the paper, finished his breakfast.
- I'll see you later ladies. Susanna think about what I told you, about the prosthesis…you should go back on stage…you were very talented
- I will… have a nice day, Terry
- Thanks, you too.
Terry left still smiling. Mrs. Marlowe was speechless; it was the first time Terry was so warm with them!
- Ok, she said, what's wrong with him?
- What? You always say he's cold, now that he's warm …
- Susanna, you just said that the last time you saw him so happy was when he got letters from Candy…
- Mom…
- He's happy…
- You think he saw Candy?
- That would explain his good mood…
- So in your mind, I can't be the source of his good mood?
- Susanna… it's me! You know damn well Terrence doesn't love you…something else made him happy…
- Candy… damn that girl! Can't she leave us alone????
- Well actually she did…but it seems like she's got his heart…and seeing her gave him his heart back, thus he's happy…
- Mom! Damn that girl!!! She was very bitter when I saw her…she told me she wouldn't want to be the other woman…
- I don't know what to tell you honey, I just know that Terrence is very happy this morning and that maybe he got lucky last night…
- Stop saying that! Said Susanna with tears in her eyes… that hurts!
- All right, burry your head in the sand all you want… it won't change the truth…
Susanna was crying. It was making her crazy not to know what was going on. The Wallace's she wanted to go there and see if Candy and Terry were meeting there in secret….
Candy woke up after a very agitated night. She had a headache from lack of sleeping. She felt like she had slept for 5 minutes only. She was so upset, she was still upset. Jade came to see her in her room.
- Candy? Can I come in?
- Jade…
- Are you ok? You look like hell…
- Thanks…
- I'm sorry. What happened last night? After the interview?
- Oh nothing, said Candy
- Come on…
- I'm not ready to talk about it…I'm not taking the job…
- Oh, sorry about that… are you leaving New York?
- I don't know… I have to think. I want to leave… but …I can't!
- You can stay here…
- I don't want to overstay my welcome…don't worry. My adoptive father is very rich…
- Adoptive father?
- Right, you don't know…I'm William Albert Andrew's adoptive daughter…
- WHAT????????!!!!!!! What the hell are you doing working as a nurse, when you should be enjoying life partying????
- I like to earn my living and help people…
- Candy…you're special you know that?
- I'm going to call my father and ask him for a place to stay. He must have an apartment or a mansion here in New York somewhere…
- All right. You can use the phone to call your dad…
- Thanks, Jade.
Candy was still feeling so sad, hurt and betrayed…
- I'm going to let you get ready, said Jade
- Thanks Jade…
Candy got ready, she took a shower, washed her hair and she cried all the time. Her mother…and Terry!!!! In love!!!!!! She got out of the shower, and she got ready. Her hair was falling on her shoulders. She didn't have the strength to fix it in a particular way. Her natural wavy hair looked beautiful on her shoulders. She went downstairs and she found the whole family having breakfast in the morning.
- Good morning everybody, said Candy smiling
- Good morning said everybody at the table…
Candy sat down and a maid brought her come coffee and some toast.
- I would like to thank you for the job you gave me, said Candy, but I will be leaving you soon
- Oh, said Mr. Wallace, what's the rush? Did you get another job? How did that interview go yesterday?
- It didn't work out, said Candy
- But how are you going to live? Asked Trudy
- Don't worry about me, said Candy, I'll be fine, my father will find me a place to stay…
- Your father?
- Candy is William Andrew's daughter, said Jade
- What??? Said Trudy, and you're working? Why?
- I just like to have something to do, and help people get back on their feet…
- You're very generous, said Mr. Wallace
- So I will probably leave sometimes during the day…, said Candy
- All right then, said Trudy. Thank you for taking care of our daughter and making her your friend. She likes you a lot…
- You're very welcome. I'm glad I was able to help her. I like her too, said Candy
Candy called the mansion inn Chicago and she got Georges.
- Mr. Georges, do you know if Albert is still at Lakewood?
- No, Miss Candy, he's on a trip…
- For places unknown, as usual…
- Do you need anything…?
- Yes, a place to stay in New York…
- Oh I can take care of that, said George
- You can? You're a godsend! My job here is done, but I have some… personal things to take care of… I can't go back on the road for the moment…
- That's fine, Miss Andrew. Can you give me the phone number where you're at; I will call you back with the details?
- All right.
Candy gave him the number she took from Jade and she hung up the phone, waiting for Georges to call back.
- Did you get him? Asked Jade
- No, he's away on a trip as usual, but his right hand man is going to take care of me…
- You can always stay here, you know…
- Thank you Jade, said Candy smiling, but I need to be alone…for a while…and sort my problems…
- With Terrence…?
- Among others…
Candy's face was motionless, she was thinking about her mother… Lynda de Rothschild was her mother! She did looked familiar when she saw her, she actually felt good in her presence, they liked the same cake until she told her who she was…her mother… A tear came down her cheek, she wiped it. And Terry, was having an affair with her mother? Her mother was a tramp with no morals? Well she did get pregnant after a party and dumped her like yesterday's trash…
- Candy, is everything ok?
- Yes, said Candy, don't worry about me…
They were in the living room having tea, when the phone rang and Trudy answered.
- Candy, it's for you, George Johnson…
- Oh, thanks, said Candy standing up
She went to answer the phone.
- Yes, Mr. Georges, said Candy
- Miss Candy, you have a pen and paper ready?
There was a pen by the phone and a note pad for messages.
- Yes, go ahead…
- We've got an apartment on Fifth Avenue, right across from Central Park… I thought you would like that one, so you could take walks in the park
- Across from Central Park? That would be perfect! Said Candy
- I spoke to the supervisor, he's going to let you in and you'll be getting some help from the staff I've just hired
- You've hired people over the phone?
- Yes…so you're going to find a maid, a cook and a driver for your errands and also everything you need to have access to a small account at the Rothschild bank…
- Rothschild? Said Candy
- Yes, we've been doing business with them for years…we're partners in fact… I don't want to bore you with that.
- You've jumped on the opportunity to make me live the high life…
- It's your right Miss Candy, but of course, you can do whatever you want…
- It's fine. I don't feel like working, so all that would be good for me while I figure out what I want to do next… Thanks Mr, Georges
- The driver should be there any minutes to take you to your new apartment…
- The driver? Already? Boy you sure work fast George! Said Candy laughing, I hope my father is treating you right
- He's the best, Miss Candy.
- Yes, he is, isn't he? Thank you so much George. I'll talk to you later…
She hung up the phone and turned around. They were all looking at her smiling.
- 5th Avenue? Said Jade, wow!
- Yes, said Candy a driver is coming to pick me up in a few minutes. Thank you so much for everything, for letting me stay beyond my work time…
- You're very welcome, said Trudy smiling
Candy went to get her suitcase ready and when she came down, the driver was there. Jade was waiting for her at the door.
- I'm coming with you, I have to see that apartment!
- All right, said Candy smiling, let's go! I could use some company
She left with Jade and they went to the apartment on 5th Avenue. It was very big…
- Wow, said Candy that's too big for me…
- Well it's just wonderful!!! Said Jade, I wish I could live here alone
- Well you can spend as much time as you like here, said Candy smiling
- Really?
- Of course, we'll have fun…
- That we will! We're going to go shopping!!!!
- Shopping?
- Yes, shopping! We need new clothes!
- No we don't…
- Yes, we do…we're going to buy new clothes and shoes!
- You're crazy…, said Candy laughing
Candy looked at Jade, so happy and carefree. She had her two parents growing up, she was happy... What if she had grown up with all the Rothschild money?
- All right, said Candy, let's go!
- Great!
They took the driver and they went on a shopping spree. Candy went by the bank first; Rothschild…She got in…When she gave her name, the manager came out and took her to his office.
- Miss Andrew, he said, I got a phone call from George Johnson that you were going to come by.
- He told me he set up an account for me here…, said Candy
- Yes… and he also told me to give you a list of stores where your family has accounts…
- Accounts?
- Yes, you just go to the store and identify yourself and they will let you take whatever you want. I've called ahead to tell them to expect you, to avoid any awkward moments…
- That's very kind of you
- We've been doing business with your family for years…your father is one of my bosses…Have a good time shopping!
- Thank you said Candy, I will…
Candy got out of the bank and she went back to the car where Jade was waiting for her…
- So? Said Jade, you've got enough money to spend?
- I've got lots of accounts in different stores, said Candy giving her the list…
- Oh, said Jade opening her eyes, wow! I can't believe you work for a living, when you can afford all this!!!
- I like working, I told you…and all this wasn't important to me…
- What's change?
- I don't want to work anymore, I'm taking a sabbatical, for the moment…
- Terrence has nothing to do with that?
- Terrence who? Said Candy dead serious
- I'm sorry, said Jade, that was insensitive of me…
- That's ok. Let's forget about it and let's go shopping!
They went on a shopping spree and they had a lot of fun. Candy had to deal with her problems, but for the moment, she was having fun…or so she says.
Lynda called the private investigator the next morning to tell him what happened.
- Is there anyway to find out where she lives?
- I tried calling the hospital in Chicago. They told me she quit her job…
- She quit? Oh my God!
- I'll try to track her down here…
- Maybe she left town
- I've done tons of these cases, Mrs. Lloyd, and I can tell you, your daughter is still in New York…
- Are you sure?
- You parted in bad terms…you need to talk again, and no one walks away from her mother completely…
- I hope you're right
- From what I've learned, your daughter is a very good person, very generous, always helping other before she thought of herself… she might be angry at you at the moment, but she's going to come around…
- I hope you're right
- I'll try to track her down here. If she's still in New York, I'm going to find her…
- Thank you, said Lynda smiling
The private investigator left and Lynda was alone, thinking about Candy. She was so pretty, so lively and so compassionate. The way she instinctively took care of her when she got dizzy…Maybe she should've hired her as a nurse without telling her the truth. She would've spent some times with her before she got angry at her after learning the truth… But what's done is done.
Terrence came to see her for lunch. He was still so, perky.
- Still very happy? I thought it would pass, said Lynda
- Candy is in New York, Lynda…
- Yes, and I don't know where she is…yesterday's events are still making you so happy?
- Yes…
- I can't believe the power she has on you…
- Believe it…
- What the hell are you doing with a woman out of duty and obligation? You love my daughter, and she loves you, judging how upset she was when saw us together. You two should be together…
- My duty…
- Your duty should be to make sure Susanna has everything she needs
- She needs me…
- She needs you in love with my daughter? I don't think so…Is she happier with you miserable?
- No…she's ready to wait until I fall for her…
- Are you going to fall for her?
- No…
- Terrence, I've been with you for months, and I've never seen you in the state you were in yesterday and that you're still in today after seeing my daughter for 10 seconds…
- Lynda…
- Listen, Terrence. When I find Candy, and solve my problem with her, I hope, you can try and solve your problem with her too…
- We'll see…
- "We'll see"? When was the last time you were this happy?
- When I was with her…I love her so much!
- So you have to be with her…
- What about my duty? What if she doesn't want me anymore?
- When you're done convincing her to forgive me, we will both convince her to be with you…
- All right…, said Terrence smiling
- I hope my private investigator finds her fast… Those few minutes I spent with her were magic. My baby girl…she loves the same cake as me.. it took me everything not to take her in my arms and hug her until she couldn't breathe anymore! She's so beautiful, so compassionate…
Lynda was crying, saying that. Terrence came and hugged her.
- We're going to find her and we're both going to be happy with her, he told her
- From your mouth to God's ears!
Candy was with Jade at her new apartment, tired of shopping all day. Cook had made something for them to eat.
- I'm exhausted! Said Candy
- You were unstoppable!!!
- You're one to talk! Said Candy smiling
- Well it's fun shopping like we want to!!!
- Yes it is, isn't it? Tomorrow we're going to do the opposite
- The opposite?
- Yes, we're going to go shopping but we're going to give what we buy to orphanages…
- Oh…right… all right! I'm game!
- Thanks Jade.
- Thank you for giving me such a great time.
- Thanks for staying with me on my first day…
- You're very welcome. I'll come back tomorrow for the good cause…
They finished their meals and Jade left. Candy stayed alone and she thought about her mother again. She wanted her mother, she needed her mother, she needed her more than anything in this world… but that anger was still there… And her relationship with the man she loved her Terry… her mother and Terry…that was so gross! But something was keeping Candy in New York. In normal times, she would've ran away to the Pony Home, to see her two mothers…but this time, she needed her real mother…and she needed Terry too, despite everything.
- Well mommy dearest, looks like I can't leave… you made me want to stay here and get to know you…you're sleeping with the man I love…but I can't stay away… I need you…but I'm still very angry and even angrier since I found out you're Terry's mistress…but I can't stay away…why am I torturing myself?... I want to know you…but I'm still in rage…Well I guess blood is thicker than water…Because I can't leave!!!! You've won mommy dearest!!!
She went on her bed and she cried herself to sleep, reliving the scene when she heard Terry and her mom declaring their love for each other, over and over again…