Mommy Dearest
by Mallory Quinn
Chapter 11
"Do what you have to do…"
Candy went back to her gala to play hostess, with Michael and her friends by her side. The gala, despite a few whispers, was a big success. The donations were flowing.
Annie took Candy aside for a little while.
- Candy, that's her right, she said looking at Lynda
- Yes…
- You look like her… she's beautiful and she looks nice
- She is, said Candy
- Then why…?
- She abandoned me, Annie… and I'm still upset about that! Please don't plead her cause to me…you'll be preaching to the choir…I'm angry and I can't help it…I wish I could just hug her and be with her… but I can't!
- You need to find out why…but it's not by avoiding her that you're going to find out…
- I know that! But not now Annie…a part of me wants to go and hug her, but another part of me is boiling with rage… I want to hurt her!
- That's not you, Candy…
- How would you know?
- I've known you since we were babies together…you've always protected me…you're a good person.
- Annie…
- Ok… how is it to see Terry with his fiancée?
- Like they're sticking a needle in my eye!!!!
- Why did you invite them then…?
- I was hoping they wouldn't come…
- Really? Or you were hoping they would so you could see Terry again…
- You know me too well Annie, said Candy smiling
- You're rubbing Michael in his face
- He's engaged to another woman…
- She's walking…
- Yes, that's great, said Candy sadly
A part of her was feeling like, since Susanna was walking again, Terry's duty was over…But that was the nonsense in her talking again.
"Nonsense? The nonsense was to leave him without even discussing with him! You left him, not once with twice and you're complaining because you're unhappy? You've made your bed Candy, lie in it!" She said in her head.
- Candy, you can take him back, you know, said Annie, you have the right to be with the one you love.
- I…can't…
- Yes you can… no one is stopping but you...
- It's not that simple…
- Yes, it is…
- What if he doesn't want me?
- Candy, come on! Terry???? You're kidding right?
- Annie, please I've got guests…we'll talk about this later. Let's go, Michael must be looking for me
- Michael…you're not going to use him to forget Terry, I hope?
- I have to forget about Terry, Annie…
- You can't forget about Terry…
- Annie, you're not helping!
Candy walked back to Michael who was glad to see her again.
Terry was with Lynda and her husband, they were all looking at Candy.
- Terrence, said Lynda, so what's it going to be?
- Lynda, said Terrence
- Don't do what I did, said Steven, I liked Lynda since school, and I didn't say a thing until I was too drunk to remember…and we lost our daughter and all those years… if you love my daughter, go after her…I know you've got a duty…but there are ways to take care of that duty without tying your life with a woman you don't love…
- Where is she? Asked Lynda, you're fiancée, I mean…
- I don't know and I don't care, said Terry
- You see, you only care about Candy and who she's with…, said Steven, Susanna could be kissing another man right for all we know, and you don't care one bit….
Susanna was with Nicholas Pratt, getting smooth talked. She was feeling so desired, but she knew he only wanted to play with her.
- You're New York's Casanova, said Susanna smiling
- You'll think with a nickname like that, women would stay away from me…but on the contrary…I think you're very beautiful Miss Marlowe, I think the sun and the moon have nothing on you…
- And I think you're a very smooth talker, Mr. Pratt
- How am I doing?
Susanna wished, she didn't feel anything, but it was no use. She had the attention of a very attractive man, and she was feeling good…
"Use the big guns… said her mother, a lot of people do it!! It's normal…"
The big guns… she looked for Terry with her eyes and she saw him with the Lloyds looking at Candy…It was only a matter of time, before he comes and tell her he was going back her…she had to use the big guns, fast!
- Keep talking, said Susanna to Nicholas, and you can call me Susanna….
- If you call me Nicholas, he said smiling, I would like to see you again
- Me too, said Susanna
- Somewhere more calm and more quiet…
- What did you have in mind? Said Susanna smiling
Terrence was still with the Lloyds, he couldn't get his eyes off of Candy. He thought about everything that had happened to them… her image was what brought him back. Seeing her, made him very happy, seeing her with that doctor, so close and friendly…She was slipping away… well she wasn't his anymore, but in his heart she was and he wasn't going to stand there and watch the woman he love get swept off her feet by the good doctor!
- I'm going to go after her, I'm going to take her back, said Terrence
- That's the spirit! Said Lynda smiling
- But it's not going to be easy, she's very very angry at the world!
- At us, you mean, said Steven
- Well, your parents are your whole world, said Terry smiling, excuse me Lynda, Steven…
Terry walked to Candy and her little group. He smiled.
- Hello everybody, he said, hello again, Candy, doctor…
- Grandchester, said Archie, where's your lovely fiancée? You ditched her already to run after Candy again?
- It's good to see you too, Cornwell! Said Terry, sorry to hear about your brother, he was a very nice guy…
Archie was a little ashamed.
- Thanks, he mumbled
- Patricia, said Terry, I'm sorry…
- Thanks Terry. This is Jacques, my boyfriend, said Patty
- Pleased to meet you…, said Terry
- The King of Broadway, said Jacques, it's an honour to meet you, I've seen you on stage, you're magnificent
- Thank you , said Terry smiling, I'm just doing what I love
"He's so humble, said Candy in her head, oh my God, I want to hug him so much!"
- Annie, said Terry, it's good to see you!
- Hello, Terry, said Annie smiling
- Candy, he said, can I talk to you in private?
- Now? Said Candy
- Yes…
- Can it wait?
- I wouldn't ask you if it could, he said, come on Freckles, just a few minutes
Candy was on the spot. All her friends were looking at her. She turned to Michael.
- I'll be right back, ok?
- I'll wait for you here, said Michael
Candy walked away with Terry. They went in the hallway and he opened a door and they got in an empty room full of stacked up chairs.
- Why did you have to take me all the way here? I have guests you know!
- Yes, indeed, I know…you're exclusive to your doctor!
- You didn't bring me here to talk about Michael, did you?
- As a matter of fact, I did…
- What?
- Are you two dating or not?
- I told you it was none of your concern
- Yes it is…
- No, it isn't! You're engaged to another woman! What do you want from me Terry?
- I want you…
- What?
- I want you back…
Candy opened her mouth with stupor.
- Just like that? You think we could just pick up where we left off??? Too little too late!
- Candy, yes… we have to pick up where we left off, on those hospital stairs…
- What?
- We have start again from where we ended our relationship…
- You want to relive that moment? Are you a masochist or something?
- We need to relive that, yes… so we can move forward…
- Forward to what?
- To our life together…
- Our life together?
- Yes, we belong together Candy, you and I…, he said softly
Candy looked at him, she wanted so much to say what he wanted to hear…but…
- Is this the part where I'm supposed to jump to your neck crying and happy? She said bitter, sorry to disappoint you, Master the King of Broadway, no can do!!!
Terry looked at her surprised. How could she say that? She was very angry at him…
- Candy…, he said hurt
- Did you break up with Susanna?
- No…but…
- Did you come here with her?
- You know I did….you sent us the invitation
- I was hoping you wouldn't come…
Terry looked at her astonished.
- Really? He asked
- Yes, really! I was being nice…
- What's got into you? I love you, and I know you love me too
- Well sometimes, love is not enough! And we have to make though decisions…
- Candy…
- Terry, you can't come here and make me a speech on your undying love for me, while your fiancée is in the other room waiting for you…!
- Candy…
- I was your girlfriend Terry, she came with her obsession, saved your life, lost her leg… and she became your responsibility, your fiancée! You've asked her to marry you!!! What on earth would make you think that I would enjoy being the "other woman"?
- Candy…
- I've got a lot to deal with, Terry… please leave me alone…
- I can't… I won't. I'm going to convince you that you and I belong together if it's the last thing I do!
- Terry…
- I know you're confused right now…I want to help
- I don't need your help, you're part of the problem…
- I know I am… we're going to get through this together. I want to be here for you
- You've got Susanna to take care about, your career…
- I will always have time for you Candy…
- Terry…I've got my friends, Michael…
Terry's heart jumped when he heard Michael's name.
- Since I'm part of the problem, you're going to have to deal with me eventually…, said Terry, I just want to be your friend too…
- You want us to be together…
- I don't deny it… but I'm willing to wait until you're ready to deal with me and our problem…
Candy looked at him. She had so many things on her mind, Terry was part of it…
- I know I'm going to regret this…, said Candy, but all right Terry…but if you push me when I'm not ready… I won't see you anymore…
- Like in the theatre, the other day…
- I forgot, what happened again?
Terry looked at her with a mocking smile. She was provoking him…
- You want a refresher course? He said…
Before Candy could respond, she was in Terry's arms getting kissed passionately… she was surprised at first, then she responded to the kiss… When they finally stopped, they were breathless…
- If you do that one more time, Master the King of Broadway, I will never speak to you again! And I'm not joking!
- I believe you Miss Freckles, it won't happen again, unless you start it…, he said taking a handkerchief to wipe his lips.
- Don't hold your breath… you might run out…
- I have confidence in you… in us…
- You said you were willing to wait until I'm ready…
- I will… I was just responding to your tease, since you pretended not to remember our fiery kiss…
- You don't miss one, don't you? I have to go back to my guests…
- Let's go. I've said my peace…
- Where's Susanna?
- I have no idea and I don't really care…
- Terry, you brought her here…oh what the heck? I don't care! You do what you want! I've got my own problems!
Terry smiled. He was glad he wasn't going to lecture him about Susanna of all people…They walked back to the reception together. Susanna, who was now with her mother, saw them, heartbroken…
- I thought you now had two legs to keep up with her, said her mother
- What do you want me to do… run after him?
- Why not? You did before when he was ignoring you…now that you're engaged… you're justified…
- You're right! How dare she monopolise my man??!!
Susanna walked to Candy and Terry, who were talking to Jade.
- Jade, honey, I'm so sorry I'm neglecting you…, said Candy
- Come on Candy, said Jade, you take care of me everyday…this is your gala! I can lend you to your guests for one night!
- Thanks Jade, said Candy smiling, this is Terrence Grandchester…
- I know, said Jade smiling, it's an honour to meet you! I'm one of your biggest fan!
- That's good to know, said Terry smiling
- You came to my birthday, but we weren't properly introduced, said Jade
- Yes, thank you for the invitation…, said Terry, I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you….
- It was my pleasure, said Jade
Susanna arrived.
- Terry honey, said Susanna, where were you? I've been looking for you everywhere! How could you leave me alone for so long?
- I'm here now, Susanna, said Terry, I was talking to Candy…
- And I was going back to my guests, said Candy, let's go Jade, see you around Terrence…
- Bye Terrence, said Jade smiling
Candy walked with Jade back to her friends. The rest of the evening went on fine. The rich were all very generous…like they all had dirty little secrets to hide. Anna Jarvis was there too, very proud of her new friend.
- There should be more women like you, she told Candy
- And more like you, said Candy smiling
Candy's parents were there and they stayed very late… They were so proud of their daughter. Candy acted like she didn't care, but she was observing them and she noticed they stayed late. She was glad.
Michael stayed near Candy and Terry was always looking at them. Susanna was sulking, but she was looking at her secret admirer…
After the gala, Candy and her friends went back to the apartment. The girls were in Candy's bedroom talking and brushing their hair.
- That was a nice party, said Patty…
- Yes, said Annie, congratulations, Candy
- Thanks girls, said Candy
- How was it to see Terry with Susanna? Asked Annie
- Well that's life, said Candy..
- Candy? Said Patty, you don't care?
- I've got my own problems, said Candy
Annie looked at her.
- What happened when you two went to talk?
- We came to an understanding…
- About what?
- The two of us?
- The two of you?
- Yes…I told him I had a lot on my mind…
- What are you talking about? Said Patty
- Never mind that, said Annie, did he kiss you?
- Why are you asking me that?
- Because he was looking at Michael with dagger eyes…
- Why don't you girls go say goodnight to your men… and take your time! Said Candy
Patty and Annie laughed and they got out of the room to say very long goodbyes to their men… Candy went to bed, thinking about her parents, her grandparents, thinking about Terry and everything that had happened to her…
Terry was in his room thinking about his Miss Freckles. He didn't know how, but he was going to get out of that situation and be with the woman he loves.
Susanna was thinking about Nicholas Pratt, how charming he was making a play for her… she felt desirable and safe…
"If I play my cards right, she said to herself, I could pull it off…Terry is going to be with me forever… Candy who?"
She went to bed smiling, for the first time in a long time…
Lynda was a happy camper in her husband's arms.
- Honey, he said, you're very happy tonight
- I saw my daughter, she was so beautiful… don't you just want to hug her all the time?
- Yes, I do…
- And my parents….
- And my parents…
- Singing her praises…
- I want to help Candy with her cause…
- Doing what?
- I have a plan in my head. I will just have to talk to my lawyers…
- Anything you do for our daughter, I approve…
- I've read, the PI's report…those Reagans made her suffer
- And that's just a report… I'm sure it was much worse than that…I want to know exactly what happened to her… That's why she's so angry at me… she was treated like crap, like garbage, when I could've given her a much better life… she could've had it all… Oh my God! My poor baby…
- I'm going to look into the Reagan's business… they're going to be sorry they even looked at my daughter the wrong way…
- Between the Rothschild and the Lloyds, the Reagans won't have a leg to stand on!
They burst out laughing and they continued having fun in bed. Yes, the Reagans are going to be very sorry they treated Candy so badly!
Candy's friends had to go back home after the gala. Jacques was going to come back in a few weeks for a job interview. He wanted to move to New York.
- That's great, said Candy, Patty, you can move here too and stay with me…
- Yes, said Patty smiling, that would be great…now we have to convince Archie to come and work in the New York's branch of the family business…
- Well, said Archie, a little change could be nice…what do you think, Annie?
- Are you kidding? Living in New York with Candy? That would be wonderful!!!! Said Annie
- Well, Candy, said Jacques, you must be a very good person, because all your friends want to stay with you…
- Candy is the best! Said Annie, we all love her…
- And I love you all! Said Candy smiling
- I'm going to talk to Albert, said Archie, it shouldn't be a problem to move here
- Away from the troublemakers Reagans? Said Annie, that's enough to me want to stay here forever!
- And I thought you wanted to live here because of me! Said Candy
They all burst out laughing. Candy took them, to the train station and they all took their train back home to make arrangements to come back and live to New York with Candy.
Candy became very busy after the gala. Taking care of her shelter. George had hired an accountant for her to help her out with all the money she got. The shelter had opened its doors the next day and a lot of homeless young women came…Some of them had children, some of them were in abusive relationships, some of them were pregnant and had no place to go, or were in trouble with the law…. Candy didn't turn anybody down. They needed help, she was going to give it to them. With all the work, she didn't get time to go see Eleonor for the Sunday night dinner she promised. And she forgot about, making an appointment with the psychiatrist… actually she didn't, she was just postponing telling Dusty to make the appointment for her. Michael was working with her at the shelter. He got some of his friends to work at the free clinic with him. They were able to buy a lot of medicine with the donation money. They also hired some nurses and Candy was working from time to time too, as a nurse.
- You're a wonderful nurse to work with, said Michael
- Really?
- Yes, I wish all the nurses were that happy… I had one in France, an American nurse actually, who was cold as ice…
- "Cold as ice"? That reminds me of my former room mate, she was cold to…Her name was…
- Mine was named…
- Flammy Hamilton! They both said at the same time
They looked at each other and they burst out laughing.
- You know Flammy? Said Candy
- She was your roommate? Said Michael, how did you get along?
- We didn't… she rejected all the attempts I made to be friends with her…But she was a good nurse
- She's way too serious, said Michael, if only she could smile, from time to time, it would be a very good thing!
- What happened to her? Did she come back from the war?
- Yes…she did. She's back here in America…
- You think she would agree to come and work for us, for the good cause?
- You really want that ice cube in your shelter? She's going to chase the sick homeless people away!
- Michael, stop it! Said Candy laughing, she does a good job. And she will only make me look perkier!!!!
They burst out laughing. Candy sent a letter to Flammy to ask her if she wanted to come and work with her in New York. She got a response saying that she would be glad to see her again and she will come with pleasure. Candy was surprised, by the happy and quick reply. Flammy arrived a few days later and she was a changed woman. She was smiling and she was happy.
- Flammy, said Candy, I'm happy to see you!
- Candy! Said Flammy hugging her, to Candy's biggest surprise
- Flammy…
- I'm so happy to see you!
- Me too… I was afraid for you at the war…
- It was the most horrible place on the planet! Sometimes I regretted not taking you up on your offer to take my place…I thought you were just a spoiled brat who wanted to prove a point to her rich family…but you did good with your money…I'm so sorry for rejecting your attempts to form a friendship with me…You're not going to believe this, but I missed you Candy! Your perkiness, your joy of life, I missed all that. The war was only desolation after desolation…
Michael arrived and saw the change in Flammy. She was smiling.
- Well I'll be damned! He said, I never thought I would live long enough to see your smile…
- Dr. Michael? Said Flammy surprised, what are you doing here?
- Well Candy is a friend of mine and I'm helping her at the free clinic…
- Oh, said Flammy blushing…
Candy saw that…Flammy… the war had changed her!
- Are you two dating? Asked Flammy
- Well I had to take her to see the play of her friend Terrence Grandchester…
- Oh, said Flammy the one who came to look for you at the hospital? He's the King of Broadway… I saw the posters and I can't believe I told him to wait for you outside! Now he's this big star!!!
Candy felt a twinge in her heart, when Flammy mentioned the hospital incident…
- Did you managed to see him? I know it's been a long time, but strangely enough, now I want to know what happened…
Candy looked at Flammy like she had fallen from the sky.
- Since when? All right, who are you? Said Candy, and what have you done for my former ice cube roommate?
They all burst out laughing and they continued talking, about the past, the war, the future…
Terry was very busy at the theatre, and he didn't have much time to go see Candy in the evening, and she still hadn't given him her address.. So he went to see her at the shelter. She was in her office.
- Candy, he said, hello
- Terry, she said
- It thought we were going to be friends…
- I'm swamped, don't you see?
- Yes, I can see, said Terry, I've got some free tickets for your boarders who are interested
- That's very nice of you Terry…
- How are you doing? He asked. Have you thought about Lynda?
- No, she lied
She actually thought about her mother all the time.
- She's pregnant; her belly is getting bigger…
- Tell me you didn't come here to talk to me about my mother's belly!
- I promised her I would help you see the light…
- So you're here to try and convince me to talk to my mother??? That's why you want to be my friend? So I could change my mind about her??? Anything for Lynda de Rothschild!
- Why are you so defensive? She's your mother!
- I don't need you to remind me of that! And don't compare my situation to yours anymore; it's not the same thing!
- All right, said Terry, I'm going to stop… but think about it… Do what you have to do, but you can't hide behind your work forever…
- I will think about it, thanks Terry.
- You still haven't come to see my play with your friend…
- You're actually looking forward for me to come on a date with Michael to see your play?
- I can do without the good doctor, but if he's the only one who can bring you see my play
She looked at him, he was disappointed.
- Terry, it's not that I don't want to see your play… it's too hard to see you and the last time I saw you act…
She stopped, she was thinking about the sordid theatre; she had walked away from him, she had left him, there, she abandoned him…
- I know, it was the premiere of "Romeo and Juliet" continued Terry, and you learned about Susanna's accident… I'm sorry. I should've been more sensitive; the theatre must bring back bad memories for you…
Candy didn't answer. She was looking down. He actually didn't remember seeing her in that theatre!
"Oh Terry, she said in her head, you really don't remember? Or you thought I was a vision?? Oh my God!!! Your mother was right, you saw me but you thought I was a vision and my crying sent you back to Susanna instead of me??? I'm so confused! I don't get it!!!! Why didn't you come back to me???!!!"
She felt abandoned again…by Terry! Well she walked out on him and abandoned him in that theatre… All that was too painful…
- Terry, I will come with Michael to see your play when we both find some free time one evening, ok?
- I wished you'd come alone, but… I'll take what I can…I have to go back to the theatre…
- Thanks for the ticket Terry…, bye
- You're very welcome Freckles. Bye.
Terry left and Candy felt lost. Despite everything that was happening in her life, every time Terry was there, she was feeling good… she hadn't dealt with her anger against him yet…but she was still feeling good in his presence. He was her soul mate and every time she saw him, she could feel it. She wanted to hug him and kiss him…but…
"Oh Terry, you don't know how hard it is to be in the same room with you and not be able to touch you or kiss you…. I love you so much. But my life is a big mess I need to clean up before I think about anything else…starting with my family…but that can wait… My shelter needs me"
She was postponing the inevitable, but she knew she will have to deal with it someday.
"Well, tomorrow is a day too…, she said to herself"
Susanna Marlowe had changed since she got her prosthesis and since the gala. She was now going out with her friends to lunch. She stopped whining by herself at home. She had changed. Her mother was looking at her.
- Susie, honey. What's got into you? Where do you go all the time?
- I have friends to see…
- Not a male friend?
- You're the one who told me to use the big guns, mom… I'm doing what I have to do…
Mrs. Marlowe looked at her daughter. That wasn't good…
- The big guns? You mean you…?
- Yes mom…
- With whom?
- You don't need to know that. The less you know the better…
- Susanna…you're playing with fire.
- I know mom…don't worry about me.
Susanna went out and came back late, right before Terry. She would wait for him with a smile.
- You want a cup of tea, Terry?
Terry looked at her; she was a little different, more confident, since she got her prosthesis.
- Yes, why not? Said Terry
Susanna gave her a cup of tea.
- Have you thought about what I said? Said Terry, and come back to the theatre?
- Yes, I have an appointment with Mr. Hathaway tomorrow. I'm so excited!!!!
- You should. Acting is your passion.
- Are you going to be there with me…
- We could leave together in the morning…
- You'd give me a ride?
- Of course….
- Thank you Terry.
- You're welcome. This cup of tea is really good
- It is, isn't it…?
- But I'm really tired… I'm going to go to bed…
- All right, said Susanna, I'm done, let's go…
They walked to the bedroom; she got in Terry's bedroom.
- What are you doing? He said
- I'm just making sure you're fine…you look out of it…
- Oh… I must be really tired, said Terry yawning
He jumped on his bed and fell asleep. Susanna smiled, he was so handsome.
"I'm doing this for us, Terry. Please forgive me…I'm doing what I have to do…" she said in her head
She took his clothes off, she took her clothes off and she lie down on the bed with him.
- Candy? Said Terry in his sleep, I love you so much…
That last declaration was enough to make Susanna remorseless….
"You will never be with her, you're mine! I lost my leg saving your life!!! Damn that insipid nurse!!! Damn you Candy, damn you to hell!!"