Mommy Dearest
Despite her busy schedule, Candy finally found the time to go to Eleonor for the Sunday dinner. She took all her friends with her. Archie was very excited to see his idol's home. He was still starstrucked by Eleonor Baker, even though he saw her at the gala. They were in the car going to the dinner party.
- Annie, shouldn't you be jealous? Said Candy
- Of Eleonor Baker? No…
- She's just jealous of Penelope Sanders, said Archie
- Would you not say her name again! Said Annie, I can't stand it!
- I'm sorry Annie, said Archie laughing
They arrived at Eleonor's town house. She was expecting them.
- Candy! She said smiling, and friends, come in please! Welcome to my house!
- Thank you Eleonor, said Candy hugging her
They all went in, smiling and laughing, and talking. Archie was by Eleonor side smiling like there was no tomorrow! Right before dinner there was a ring at the door.
- Is my mother here? Said a voice
- Yes, Master Terrence, said the butler, but she has guests…
- Oh… then I won't stay long, said Terrence, I just wanted to have dinner with her. I guest I should've called…
- Don't be ridiculous Terrence, said Eleonor coming out of the living room, you're always welcome here! Come in…
She went to hug her son.
- You're alone? Where's Susanna?
- Well, I kind of broke up with her…
- You what? Said Eleonor
- I broke up with Susanna, mum, I want to be with Candy…
- Oh…well at least you've got your brains back!
- What do you mean?
- You saw her in that theatre and she gave you the courage to go back to Susanna instead of her? What was wrong with that picture?
- I wanted to honour our agreement…But I can't, I want her
- She's here… you can tell her…
- She's here?
- Her and her friends are my dinner guests tonight, so you're right on cue!
Terry smiled and he got in the living room. Even though there were lots of people there, the only person he could see was her…
Candy instinctively looked at the living room door when Terry came in. She knew there was a risk she could see him. But… she was glad he was there. Terry was walking towards her.
- Hello Candice, he said
- Hello Terrence, she said
- Don't mind us, said Annie, we're only your mother's guests!
- Sorry, said Terry, hi everybody!
- Hi! Said everybody laughing
A butler came in and said:
- Dinner is served!
- Thank you Hanson, said Eleonor
Everybody walked to the big dining room. Terry went to sit next to Candy. He didn't care about the rest of the world. He was going to think only about himself. Michael was looking at the scene smiling. He was sitting next to Flammy and talking to her. Every body was having a good time.
After dinner, Terry took Candy in the garden where there was a swing.
- I have something to tell you Candice…, he said
- By the way, she said, I read Susanna went back on stage…
- Yes…
- You must be so happy! Why didn't you come with her?
- Because I broke up with her…
- You what?
- I broke up with her… I want to be with you, officially…
- What if I don't want to be with you? What if I'm not ready?
- You want to be with me, you're just a little confused…
- You're pretty sure of yourself…
- Candy listen to me…look at our parents…your parents didn't end up together earlier, because of pride… my parents didn't end up together, because of duty… your parents got a second chance, but their arranged marriage could've happened years ago, with you in the picture…
- Don't remind me! Said Candy upset
- My father married my stepmother but he's a real lout! My mother was his true love, but he followed the stupid rules of nobility and he's miserable… I don't want to end up like him… I want to be with the one I love…
- Terry…, she said moved
- We can take things slowly, we don't have to rush…you need to deal with the situation with your parents…and with me too… but I'm telling you. I'm not attached anymore, I'm not engaged anymore, I'm free to be with you…I want to be with you… I'm here for you…
Candy hugged him and they remained like that for a while. She was glad he was there for her. He was free to be with her, she was so happy!
- I love you Terry, she finally said, thank you for being there for me.
They stayed on the swing until it was time for them to leave. Everybody left and Terry drove Candy home.
- I'm finally going to know where you live, he said
- I wasn't hiding it from you…
- You were just being difficult…
- Well if you were going to come with my mommy dearest at my door step to make me change my mind…
- You made me change my mind about my mother… remember how I tear up her picture the night you came in my bedroom by mistake?
- Yes, you were very cold and very angry…
- So if anybody knows how you feel, it's me…I was boiling with rage! I went to see her, and she pushed me away! All I wanted was for her to hug me, to be with her, since I was getting only insults from my stepmother…but she rejected me… telling me I needed to go back to my father…I wanted her, and she sent me back to hell! I was very angry with her… but you convinced me, to listen to her… You wished you had a mother of your own. Candy, now you do. She made a mistake, like mine, but she wants to make up for it…
- My father gave me building for low income housing…oh my God! Do you hear that? My father gave me a building!!!! Said Candy laughing
- He's a good man too. He accepted my friendship with Lynda immediately…he's trying…
- I know he is…said Candy, Thanks for the pep talk Terry. You want to come up and for coffee…?
They had arrived at her building.
- Do you know what that really means? Said Terry
- Euh … that you come up for coffee? Said Candy innocently
- You are so cute, you know that Freckles…?
- I'm sorry I don't have the experience of your third rate actresses…I don't know the subtle language of dating…I actually don't have much experience…
- That's one of the reasons I love you so much. I'll come up to really drink a cup of coffee in your apartment, with pleasure Freckles, said Terry smiling
They went to her apartment together, talking and laughing. The maid brought them some coffee and some tea and they actually drank it without any other thoughts on their minds.
- Thanks for the coffee Freckles…, I'm going to go back to my hotel…
- You really moved out? Wow!
- I told you. I want a new beginning for us…
- I can see that… Terry, she said with so much love, I…
- I'm not pressuring you… take your time, I'll be waiting…
She looked at him. He was so handsome, so attractive, so charming, he was her Terry, the King of Broadway and he wanted her…and she wanted him at that very moment, more than anything in the world. She knew she shouldn't have brought him upstairs with her! She knew she wouldn't be able to resist temptation…Why should she? And he broke up with Susanna!!!! Terry was walking to the door, ready to leave.
- Terry…, said Candy
He turned around.
- Yes Freckles?
- Wait…she said
She approached him, he instinctively opened his arms and they kissed, for a very long time. When they finally stopped, despite the electricity that was gluing them together…
- That was for breaking up with Susanna, she said turning around and walking away, good night Terry…
- Good night Freckles
He left with a smile on his face. Candy went to bed on cloud nine…kissing Terry was an incredible delicious and intense sensation which made her have wonderful dreams that night.
The Reagans had come to New York to try to fix their financial situation. Mr. Reagan practically had to drag his wife and kids, kicking and screaming, to New York so they can apologise to Candy. The Great Aunt Elroy had come to New York too, to see Archie and if possible, Candy to yell at her…How dare she threaten a member of her family?
Sarah was still being stubborn.
- There is no way, I'm apologising to that stable girl! Said Sarah
- Sarah, you want to live in the streets? Said her husband
- Albert is not going to let us down…
- He's the one with all the money…you treated Candy badly, remember?
- The Great Aunt is going to force him to help us…
- The Great Aunt couldn't manage to make him rescind Candy's adoption…, said her husband
- I can't believe it had come to this! Us begging Candy! This is too humiliating!
Archie and Annie didn't like having company at the villa. Annie was so upset she went to Candy's apartment. She didn't want to see the Reagan kids.
- Can I stay with you for a few days? Asked Annie
- Of course! Said Candy
- I don't know why they all came here, said Annie; I thought I was rid of them by coming to stay here! And my parents are here too!!!
- Well you must miss your mom a little don't you?
- I miss her so much! Said Annie
Candy didn't say a thing. She missed Lynda, she didn't know her, but she was her mother and she missed her!
- You miss your mom too, don't you? Said Annie
- Annie…
- It's normal… you know she exists and you want her…
- No, I don't!
- Candy, come on…it's me…we used to play "parents" remember? Kissing each other on the cheeks on behalf of our parents? I know you want a real kiss and a real hug from your mom and you can have that, if only you stop being angry….you can even have one from your dad too…You can hug your real mom, Candy, that's something you and I never thought was possible!
Candy was crying, of rage… yes, she wanted her mommy, but…
- There's a reception tonight at Jade's said Candy, you want to come with me?
- Of course, I will. Is Terry going to be there?
- I'm going to call him and tell him to come…
- You two seem to be getting along well lately
- I like being with him…
- You love him
- You know I do… I want to be with him… but it's like this thing with my parents is holding me back…but we see each other everyday…but I still haven't gone to see his play yet… what's wrong with me?
- Give yourself a break. The last time you were at that theatre, you heard earth shattering news and your life was never the same again…
- That's why I love my shelter… I don't have to think about all this…
- You can't hide behind your work forever…
- Terry told me that too… anyway, let's go get ready…
- Can I borrow a dress? I don't want to go to the villa, said Annie
- Of course, go in my closet, there are tons of dresses I never wore…, I'm going to call Patty and Jacques and invite them to the party and Michael and Flammy…I'm sure Archie is going to be there…
Candy was with all her friends at the Wallace's reception. But they were disappointed to see the Reagans there, with the Great Aunt Elroy…
- Are we ever going to get rid of them? Said Annie
- They're like an incurable disease, said Archie laughing
- The Great Aunt? Said Candy, what on earth is she doing here??
- She came to see us, said Archie, well me…
- Lucky you! Said Candy smiling, I'm glad I have my own apartment! Sharing the roof with all these lovely people is not my idea of a good time!
- You were the smart one, said Patty, you got the drift a long time ago…
- When I think that Mrs. Reagan came to the mansion to make sure Annie and I don't spend the night there, forcing us to sleep in the tree house…
- Then Neil stole the ladder, my suitcase and put it in the tower to force you to go look for it, locked you up inside so you had to come out the window and she could humiliate you in front of her guests!
- That's why you ended up coming down the tower? Said Michael who was there, oh my God! And Eliza told me to let you be, when I wanted to go and help you and that if you broke your neck it would be a good thing….
- That girl is amazing in charming people isn't she? She wanted to impress Michael, but she couldn't stop being mean to Candy in front of him…, said Patty smiling, Candy, you bring out the best in her…
- I honestly don't know what I did to that girl, said Candy, she just hated me at first sight! That's all water under the bridge, let's not let those awful Reagans ruin our evening…come on let's go and have fun! I wonder if Terry is here already…
They went to the reception and strangely enough, it was like the Reagans were avoiding them they stayed far away from them. Terrence Grandchester arrived and Eliza's eyes light up when she saw him, she approached him but he didn't even look in her direction. She was fuming. He was looking for Candy and he smiled when he saw her. He walked to her and he hugged her briefly.
- Terry! She said smiling
- I'm sorry I'm late, I had to stay a little longer at the theatre
- That's ok, she said smiling…
- Michael, said Terry, I'm still waiting for you to bring Candy to see my play…
- I know, I'm sorry. We've just been so busy at the shelter…, said Michael
- That's ok, as long as you keep your promise to come with her, said Terry
- I will, said Michael, I promise you, when we get the time
Candy didn't say a thing. She was always ready to help others with their problems, but when it came to her own…Michael had tried to take her to the theatre, but she always had an excuse.
Archie was a still a little jealous of Terry and seeing him with Candy so close…
- Grandchester, he said, where's your "good friend" Lynda de Rothschild? You didn't come with her? Said Archie
- Mrs. Lloyd is with her husband, Cornwell, I will see her later, said Terry
- You can't stay away from her for one night? Candy is not enough for you? At least you dumped the poor girl who lost her leg saving your sorry face…
Terry wanted to reply, but Candy put her hand on his arm. She looked at him. That's all he needed to be calm, one look from her.
- Archie, said Candy, we're here to have fun, do you mind not bring up depressing subjects tonight? Come on Terry, let's go get something to drink
- All right Freckles, said Terry smiling
She left with Terry. Annie was sulking. She walked away. Archie followed her.
- Annie…
- Could you be more obvious? She said
- What???
- What??? You're still jealous of Terry! You still can't forgive him for being the one Candy loves!
- Annie, it's not that… he just gets on my nerves!
- Why?
- I don't know, there's something about him…
- Really, and it has nothing to do with Candy?
- Well, maybe a little…She got hurt the last time she was involve with him…
- She loves him, he loves her, they can take care of themselves. Attacking Terry make you look like a jealous ex-boyfriend and I feel ridiculous! If you want to go after Candy, say it now! I don't want to waste my time…You kissing Penelope Sanders…making a jealousy scenes for Terry…
- Annie please, said Archie, I'm sorry…it won't happen again…
They continued talking and Archie was begging Annie for forgiveness. Patty and Jacques were looking at them.
- Well I'm glad you don't have a crush on Candy, said Patty
- Did Alistair had one on her too…?
- Yes..., said Patty, but she only saw Terry, and she still only sees Terry to this day…
- Well, I only see you Miss O'Brien, said Jacques, let's go get something to eat, I'm starving!
Patty burst out laughing and she walked away at her boyfriend's arm.
Michael had come with Flammy who was a little uncomfortable.
- Are you ok, Flammy? Asked Michael
- Yes, said Flammy, I'm just not used to have fun this way… all these rich people, so proud and so full of themselves…
- I know… but they help us a lot in our cause, so if we have to make nice to them and smile to them and pretend to laugh at their stupid jokes for one evening to please them so they can be generous, so be it!
- Michael, said Flammy, you're amazing, you know that? I feel a lot better with you here…
- Don't forget, those rich people are difficult to see in normal times, so if you get the opportunity to speak with one of them, don't hesitate for a second to plead our cause… especially at these parties, they're in a pretty good mood, said Michael smiling
- I get your drift, said Flammy smiling; let's go charm them out of some of their money!
Michael took her arm and they walked away on their mission.
Candy was walking with Terry.
- Will the dandy ever going to forgive me for being the object of your affection? He asked her
- I don't think so, said Candy, and it's not important, because I love you and only you…
- And I love you Freckles, he said smiling
- You know I used to hate those nicknames, but I missed hearing them from your mouth when we were separated…I missed you teasing me…
They saw Lynda and Steven from afar. Candy felt weird.
- You want to go say hello?
- Well, said Candy, why not? You put me in a good mood tonight!
- That's the spirit! Said Terry
Lynda was very beautiful; she was wearing a purple dress. Maternity agreed with her, because she was glowing. Steven was very handsome too, in his black suit, very elegant. Her parents were a very good looking couple!
Candy and Terry approached them. Candy was holding on to Terry, like he was his safety buoy, like she didn't want to get lost in the ocean of the joy and confusion of seeing her parents and feeling softer inside…
- Good evening, said Terrence, Lynda, Steven…
- Hey, it's good to see you together, said Lynda smiling
- You make a beautiful couple, said Steven
- How are you feeling? Asked Candy to Lynda
- I'm fine, said Lynda smiling, how are you Candy?
- I'm fine, said Candy
They looked at each other; there was, a lot of emotions there, it was pretty intense. Candy was drawn to her parents, but she was fighting it…She squeezed Terry's arm, who understood…
- We'll see you two later, he told Lynda and Steven
- All right, said Steven, thanks for coming to say hello
Candy walked away with Terry.
- Are you ok, Freckles? He asked her
- Yes, with you, I'm fine…, she said with a little voice
- You wanted to hug them, didn't you?
- I…
- I know how you feel… give it time. No pressure…
- Thank you Terry. Now I know exactly how you felt about your mother… I'm sorry for being nosy for pushing you…I obviously didn't know what I was talking about…
- I'm glad you pushed me, I'm glad I've reconciled with my mother…thanks to you. When you're ready, you'll do it too…
- Thank you so much for being here with me, Terry. I didn't know how much I needed you until now…
- There's no other place, I would rather be, Candy
They looked at each other and they smiled at each other, with love.
The Reagans were boiling inside. Candy and Terry happy together. They wanted to hurt Candy so bad, except for Neil and Mr. Reagan, who was talking to other people, tired of hearing his family whine.
- I want to strangle that little stable girl so much, said Eliza
- You have to make nice to her, said Neil, or we're bankrupt
- I'd rather live on the streets than make nice to her…, said Eliza
- You and me both, said her mother
- You two are incredible! Said Neil, all we had to do was be nice to her, she was likeable…
- I thought the crush you had on her passed, said Sarah
- Well it hasn't! Our future is in her hands, and you two act like she the devil! She left us alone, but unfortunately, our past came back to bit us in the butt…Now, we have to beg her for mercy…, said Neil
- Neil, said the Great Aunt, I'm going to tell off that wannabe socialite in front of everybody and she would have no choice than to comply to our needs so she won't die of embarrassment
- What? Said Neil, Great aunt, I really think you don't have all your mind…. Father said…
- Your father is weak and a bad business man, said the Great Aunt, forcing my Sarah to humiliate herself like that in front of that orphan!
- Well apparently, she's not an orphan, she's a Rothschild and a Lloyd and she's worth more than all of us reunited and then some! Said Neil
- You're not going to make me change my mind, said Sarah
- But mother, said Neil…
- Aunt Elroy will take care of us…, said Sarah
Neil shook his head. His mother, sister and the great aunt were all blinded by their unjustified hatred for Candy and they were going to ruin everything…
Candy was talking to Jade who introduced her to one of her suitor, name Kent.
- Pleased to meet you, said Candy
- Miss Andrew, said Kent, Mr. Grandchester…
- Hi, said Terry
- I read the papers, said Jade, Master the King of Broadway broke up with his fiancée, Susanna Marlowe who has just gone back on stage after a long hiatus due to her sudden handicap… Some say you're ungrateful, she saved your life… but I know you don't love her, you love Candy and you're back with Candy! I'm so happy for you!
- Thanks, Jade, said Candy smiling, I'm happy to have him back too…
- So am I, said Terry smiling
At one point of the party, Candy wanted to go powder her nose, when she bumped into Mrs. Reagan, Eliza and the Great Aunt. Something she was trying to avoid during the whole evening…They looked at each other…
- Ladies, said Candy, excuse-me…
- Not so fast! Said Sarah, you little twerp! You think because you're now a Rothschild and a Lloyd, you can railroad us into begging you?? It's going to be a cold day in hell when that happens!
Candy looked at her surprised.
- I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, Mrs. Reagan, said Candy, I just wanted to powder my nose…
- Don't try to be a lady because you're not, you'll never will be! You'll always be a little monkey imitating me…and don't try to play game with me, said Sarah, you had your father buy our debt and blackmail us into begging you for forgiveness
- What? My father bought your debt? I had no idea…, said Candy surprised
- Yeah right! I bet your tramp of a mother and you came up with the idea! It's not enough that you shamefully seduced my brother to adopt you…
Candy opened her mouth with stupor. Sarah Reagan was making a scene at a party in front of everybody, talking about her parents… what the hell was going on???
Lynda was standing by her husband and she stopped talking when she heard Sarah's voice getting louder…She heard the last remark and so did the rest of the room. The music had stopped and everybody was looking at the scene now, waiting…
- Oh no, she didn't! Said Lynda out loud
- Lynda, said her husband, calm down
But Lynda wasn't listening.
- Oh no you didn't just call me a tramp and my daughter a monkey and a tramp in a room full of people? Did you? Said Lynda
- But…, said Sarah who was startled to see Lynda defending her daughter, she thought since it was a secret, Lynda wouldn't react to keep up appearances
- I'm not ashamed of my past. I had a baby when I was young and I left her at an orphanage… your family comes along and supposedly adopts her and turns her into a maid, accuses her of stealing, ships her to Mexico, where she got sold… then years later when your stupid son falls in love with her, you get her blacklisted in every hospital in town so she wouldn't find work and leave the town she loves… am I leaving anything out, honey? She asked Steven
- I think you got it the most of it…, said Steven
- Thank you honey. You took my daughter, the sweetest child that ever was, and made her sleep in the stables with the horses… I can't even imagine the smell of my poor baby had to endure every night before she fell asleep…I don't know… were you bored or something? Did you and your children needed a new toy and my baby happens to be your target??? A tramp…I remember you from school Sarah… you weren't a saint… the son of the Indian business man was very cosy with you… Maybe that's why your eldest son is so much darker than you…
There was a gasp in the room. Sarah looked down, her secret was out... Her husband wanted to burry himself.
- Candy didn't know we bought your debt; it was a surprise her father wanted to make her…now you've ruined it! Darn! What goes around, comes around… your future is in the hands of the stable girl, the little monkey you used to make fun off. So you better bend on your knees and suck up to her, or you're done for! Said Lynda
- Never! Said the Great Aunt
- Mrs. Elroy, said Lynda, I've heard a lot about you too… blaming my baby for all the sins of the world… she was a child, a helpless child! What did you had against her??? Now she doesn't need you anymore, she's got the background worthier than yours, but… somehow, that's still not enough for you? Don't you have anything better to do? You left Chicago and came all the way here to insult her again??? Not on my watch, you're not!
- Or on mine, said Steven
Neil decided to speak.
- Mother, great aunt, Eliza, let's go, I think we've done enough scenes for one night…, come on let's go!
- You're not going to get away with this, said Eliza to Candy, I'm going to get you!
- Eliza right? Said Lynda, well this one looks a lot like you, Sarah, she's as lovely as you were… but that red hair…is anybody else that red in your family or your husband's family??? I wonder…
Mr. Reagan was humiliated, he took his family and left the reception, everybody was whispering.
"Why was I stuck with the family from hell?" He asked himself for the thousandth time…
Candy looked at Lynda with tears in her eyes… she ran to her and Lynda opened her arms to hug her hard. Candy was crying, Lynda was crying and hugging themselves hard. Candy felt so good getting defended for the first time by her mother; it felt so so good and it was so long overdue. Lynda was finally hugging her baby girl. She was in seventh heaven. She didn't care if people knew her secret; she was ready to scream it on the top of the world.
- I'm so sorry for everything baby, said Lynda crying
- Just hold me, mom, just hold me hard, said Candy crying
- I'm here, baby, I'm here for you. I will never leave you again…
Candy's friends were looking at the scene stunned along with the rest of the guests. Well Annie knew the truth and she was standing next to her parents, with tears in her eyes. Her mother squeezed her hand. Her father was stunned.
"Well, said Mr. Brighton, if I had adopted Candy, I would've been financially secured for life…, but my wife chose Annie…too bad, too bad indeed!"
Terry was standing next his mother, and she took his hand and he kissed it. Eleonor had tears in her eyes, thinking about her own reconciliation with her son.
Candy had a long way to go until she forgives her mother completely, but that was definitely one big step they just took.