A Providential Accident
Chapter 3
"The Premiere…"
The Andrew villa in New York was a little out of town. The whole gang took a taxi to get there.
- The Reagan family is going to be there, said Annie
- We could go to a hotel, said Patty
- No way, said Archibald, you're our guests and you're going to stay with us at the villa.
- The last time you said that, said Annie, Candy and I had to spend the night in the tree house…
- Well this time, we're not going to let them do that to you! Said Archie
- I hope so, said Annie.
- I really feel like going to a hotel, said Patricia, just to be far from Neil and Eliza
- Come on, said Alistair, let's not those two brats ruin our stay in New York!
- We have to buy tickets for the theatre and we don't know where Candy and Albert are…, said Archibald.
- We'll see them at the premiere. Candy is not going to miss that for all the money in the world!
The taxi arrived at the villa. They got out of the car and their luggage and they were about to ring the bell. A butler opened the door and let them in.
Eliza, who heard the noise, walked to the door to find her cousins with their girlfriends.
- Well the stable girl is not with you? She said, I suppose she gave up running after Terrence, since he's in love with me…
- In fact, said Alistair, Candy got an invitation from Terry with the best place…
- You're lying! Then where is she?
- At Terrence's of course, said Annie, where do you want her to be?
- With you guys.., said Eliza.
- So that you could use your mother again to throw her out? Said Archie.
- So Terry decided to take care of Candy, in fact, she arrived here before us, even before you Eliza, said Archie
During that little chat, the gang was settling in the villa with their luggage.
Eliza was angry. She gave Annie the eye and se said:
- Annie is not going to stay here, she's Candy's sister from the Pony Home, people are going to start talking, if they know we're harboring an orphan from the Pony Home…
- Eliza, don't start, said Archie angry.
- Annie is our guest, said Alistair, and she's going to stay here with us…
- I can go to a hotel, said Annie sadly, it's ok.
- I'm coming with you, said Patricia.
- Non! Said Archie, you're staying here, there's enough place for everybody!
Mrs. Reagan arrived and gave them the eye.
- I thought you understood, there is no way an orphan from the Pony Home stay here in the villa. You can let Candy know that too…
- Aunt Sarah, said Archie, Annie is my guest
They were all in the big living room.
- As members of this family, said Alistair, we have the right to invite our friends in the villa.
- You friends from good families, like Patricia O'Brien, there's no problem, but Annie Brighton…
- … has the right to stay here because Archibald invited her, said a voice coming in the living room
Everybody kept quiet and looked at the person who had just spoken.
- Mr. Albert? Said Alistair.
- William! Said the great aunt surprised.
- Hello everybody. Welcome to my villa…, said Albert.
- What? Said Eliza, what is that wanderer doing here?
- That's the looser who was living with Candy, said Neil.
- Shut up Neil! Said his mother, and you too Eliza!
- But mom, said Eliza.
- Hello, said Archibald, William as in the great uncle William?
- In the flesh! Said Albert.
- Oh my God! Said Annie.
- William, said the great aunt.
- I'm back, aunt Elroy, my daughter needed me…
- Candy? Said the great aunt.
- Yes, Candy. I absolutely had to help her, so I came out of hiding
Albert was wearing a black suit and Mr. Georges Johnson was behind him with a briefcase. Eliza and her brother were stunned.
- He's the great uncle William? Said Eliza in disbelief
- That means that Candy is going to live here too? Said Neil in disgust
He was pretending, because in reality, he couldn't stop thinking about Candy ever since she saved his life with those thugs…
- That's none of you your business, said Albert, but she has the right to live here, she's my daughter…
Annie approached Albert with a big smile…
- Thank you Mr. Albert for your hospitality
- You're welcome, said Albert smiling. Make yourself at home…
- Thank you, said Archie smiling, let's go Annie
- Thank you ,said Alistair and Patricia
The little group left, the Reagans were sulking. The great aunt was speechless.
- Mr. Albert? She said, you're the one who was living with Candy?
- Yes, she took care of me when I lost my memory… she didn't care about what people were going to say. All that mattered to her was that I get my health back, said Albert
- Oh my God! Said the great aunt upset
- Now that I'm back, my daughter is off limits, do you hear me?
- Yes, said the other
- Very well, I've got business to attend. I suppose you're going to the theatre tonight?
- Yes…
- Don't cause any problem in the family lodge… everybody living in this house have the right to sit there.
Albert left the living room followed by Mr. George, living the great aunt, Mrs. Reagan, Neil and Eliza flabbergasted.
oOoOoOoOoOo
It was the day of the premiere and Susanna Marlowe was on hot coals. Her dream to play with Terry on stage, without that damn accident, it would've been a reality. Terry was hurt and his condition was critical… She was going to go see him after the play. And Candy who was in New York! She had received Terry's invitation! But after all the noise she made at the hospital, she was hoping that the staf was no going to let her see Terry… she had given specific orders…
"Oh Terry, I don't know how I'm going to do it without you by my side on stage, but I'm going to dig my strength in my love for you and I'll make you proud… and I'll come right after the premiere. I won't go to the reception, without you, I don't feel like going at all… Hand in there my love, I'll come after the premiere, I love you so much."
She had stage fright, but the thought that she was going to see Terry after the play gave her the courage she needed. She was going to shine on stage and make Terry proud of her.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Eleonor Baker has a lot of things to do, before she freed herself to go stay with her son at the hospital. She had appointment, she couldn't really miss or cancel, she had to honor them. She had planned on going to the premiere under a disguise to see her son perform on stage. She had had seen him during the auditions and she was amazed by his natural talent. Her baby had inherited her talent and she was so proud of him. Now that he was on a hospital bed, unconscious and she didn't know in what state he was going to be when he wakes up. She was praying that he'd be all right.
"Please Lord, heal my son…" She prayed.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
The gang of Chicago was ready to go to the theatre. Albert could've told them that Terry wasn't going to be in the play, but he needed a quiet evening to work.
- Uncle William, said Archie, you're not coming with us?
- No, I'll see the play another time, I've got a lot of work to do, he said, you're very beautiful ladies.
Annie and Patricia were very elegant with their evening gowns.
- Thank you, they said at the same time.
- Let's go, said Alistair, if we want to see Candy before the play, otherwise we might not see her at all!
- Uncle Albert, do you know in which hotel Candy is staying? SO that we could see her in case we miss her at the play? Asked Alistair
- You're going to see her, don't worry about that, said Albert, enjoy your evening…
- Have a good evening! Said the gang leaving.
A few minutes later, the other group, Mrs. Reagan, her children and the great aunt Elroy came downstairs to leave.
- Have a good evening, said Albert.
- You're not coming to be with Candy? Asked Eliza.
- I've got work to do, said Albert, don't forget, she has the right to be in the family loge…
The group left, sulking.
oOoOoOoOoOo
The gang, especially Eliza were disappointed not to see Terry on stage.
- Terry is in the hospital? Said Annie.
- That's why Candy is not here, said Patricia.
- Albert had to have known, said Archie.
- He probably wanted us out to have a quiet house for a few hours, said Alistair.
- By getting rid of everybody! Said Archie smiling.
- Candy, has to be in the hospital with Terry,s aid Annie.
- Yes, said Patricia, let's watch the play…
Eliza was fuming.
- Terrence is at the hospital! I have to go and be near him!
She stood up.
- Sit down Eliza! Said the great aunt, we're here to see the play and we're going to stay until the end!
- But aunt Elroy…tried Eliza
- Don't argue!
Eliza had no other choice but to stay put. Neil on the other hand, was glad…
- I can't say that I regret not seeing that third rate actor dirty face!
- Shut up Neil Said Eliza angry, you can't measure up to him!
- Shut up, both of you! Said their mother
- I thought you were better raised than that! Said the great aunt Elroy with disdain.
Then everybody was silent until break time. Eliza was on hot coals. She has lost interest in "Romeo and Juliet" without Terry. She looked at her cousins and while she didn't want to join them, she knew they were going to go see Terry after the play. Candy wasn't there, she was probably by Terry's side!
"Terrence is mine! Candy has already spent too much time with him! I have to get to that hospital and see my Terrence! All's far in love and war…" she said to herself
She walked to her cousins' little group.
- Hi, she said
- Eliza, said Alistair
- What do you want? Asked Archibald
- Well, I wanted to know if you were going to the hospital to see Terrence
- Why? Asked Archibald
- I would like to come with you to see him, said Eliza
- Really Said Archie, well no! You're not welcome in our group!
- But I'm really worried about Terry! Please Archibald…
- No…
- Archibald, said Alistair, you can't stoop to her level…
- With Eliza, I think we should…
- Archibald, said his brother
- All right, but at the first sign of trouble, we dump you!
- All right, dais Eliza sulking! Thanks!
The break was over and the little group went back to their places.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Eleonor finally arrived at the hospital to see her son. She arrived in the room and she opened the door. She found a nurse reading a book to Terry. She was reading well with the correct intonation, role playing for Terry. Who should've been on stage at that moment playing the role of his life … That was very nice of that nurse to read "Romeo and Juliet" to him… She listened to the reading for a moment, then she knocked on the door and she got in the room.
Candy was reading and she took a little break when she heard a knock on the door and she turned around and her face lit up. Despite the scarf and the sun glasses, she recognized Terry's mother. She stood up to greet her.
- Hello Miss Baker! Said Candy smiling
- Candy? Oh my God! It is you!
Eleonor approached her to hug the young nurse hard.
- Oh! It's so good to see you! Said Eleonor, now, I know my son is going to be all right, thanks to you!
- Of course he's going to be all right! He's going to wake up soon…
- Yes, I've made arrangements to have a room for him in my house, said Eleonor
The head nurse, who was coming in to make sure everything was fine, because she still doubted Candy's skills as a nurse, heard Eleponor's last remark.
- Mr. Grandchester is going to go live with his fiancée Susanna Marlowe and her mother.
- My son is going to come and stay with me! Said Eleonor angry, how dare Susanna Marlowe make decisions concerning my son?!
- She's his fiancée… she was here from the start, since Mr. Grandchester was brought here, said the nurse with disdain…
- Maybe it's because she was with him on stage and we got the news a lot later, said Eleonor, I don't have to justify myself to you! Terrence is my son! And he's going to come and stay with me!
- I'm going to inform Miss Marlowe.
- Why is that? Asked Eleonor.
- She's the one who signed the admission papers, said the head nurse.
- I'm his mother! Said Eleonor angry.
- Calm down, Miss Baker, said Candy.
Then she turned to the head nurse.
- Eleonor Baker is Terry's mom, if Miss Marlowe thought she was in charge of Terry, it's because she didn't know he had a mother… a fiancée would know these things… Terrence has parents, Miss Baker here and his father, the Duke of Grandchester, who hired me from England…
- Si Susanna Marlowe is my son's fiancée, I have to hear it from his mouth… as along as my son hasn't told me anything, I don't believe a word coming out of that very talented actress's' mouth! Said Eleonor.
The head nurse looked at Eleonor and Candy. Eleonor's last remark made her smile. By calling Susanna a little "very talented" actress , she was saying that Susanna could play any role to the perfection, so she was not trustworthy… She smiled.
- My apologies, Miss Baker. And to you too, Miss Andrew, you're a really good nurse.
- Did I pass your test? Asked Candy
- I got a telegram from Professor Leonard… Mr. Grandchester is in good hands…
She got out of the room, closing the door behind her. Eleonor looked at Candy.
- The Duke hired you from England?
- When we came to see Terry, Susanna prevented us from getting in his room… we even got thrown out, because I made so much noise… My adoptive father, William Albert Andrew, pulled some strings and spoke to the Duke and here I am, as Terry's personal nurse!
- Does Susanna know?
- Not yet… she's probably come after the play…
- I wouldn't miss that for all the money in the world! Said Eleonor smiling
A doctor came in.
- Ladies…, he said smiling
- Hello doctor, said Candy smiling
- I don't remember ever seeing you here Miss…
- Andrew, Candice White Andrew, I came from St. Joan's Hospital in Chicago…
The doctor in question was blond with blue eyes, very attractive.
- St. Joan's? At Professor's Leonard? Yes, I've met him during a medical conference with Professor Kleis…
- I've met Professor Kleis a few days ago in a mission to Florida, said Candy smiling
- I like Florida a lot, especially the beaches. Do you like beaches, Miss Andrew?
- Yes, I also like swimming, said Candy
- Were you able to swim?
- No, I didn't stay for long. I had to go back to take my vacation.
- But you were in Florida, you could've taken your vacation there…
While he was talking he was examining Terry, taking notes and comparing the results with previous ones.
- Yes, said Candy, but I had to come to New York for the premiere of "Romeo and Julie" in Broadway…
- So you're on vacations? You're spending your vacations working?
- My friend, the one who invited me, had an accident at the theatre… so…
- You decided to take care of him personally?
- In a way, said Candy.
- He must be a very good friend then…
- We were in school together.
- When you'll have some free time, can I offer you a cup of coffee? You could tell me how you met the famous Terrence Grandchester in school.
- All right, said Candy smiling, Doctor…
- Goldman, Robert Goldman, you can call me Bobby
- And you can call me Candy…
- You did a good job, Candy. Mr. Grandchester is looking better already and his vital signs are much more stable than before. There's a significant amelioration ever since you got here. Continue doing what you're doing… I was pleased to have make your acquaintance, he said with a nice smile, good bye Candy.
- Likewise, said Candy still smiling, goodbye Bobby.
- Miss Baker? Said Bobby looking at Eleonor
And he got out of the room. Eleonor looked at Candy smiling.
- That's the doctor on call, said Candy.
- Hum hum…
- He came to see how Terry was, you saw it yourself.
- What I saw was a man outrageously flirting with you in front of your unconscious boyfriend and his mother!
- He wasn't flirt…
- He invited you for a cup of coffee? That's flirting!
- I just wanted to be nice, I wasn't thinking anything bad…,said Candy bright as red
Eleonor looked at her smiling.
- I understand why Terry loves you so much. You are so cute!
Candy became even redder and Eleonor burst out laughing. The atmosphere in the room was very happy. A great medicine for our young unconscious patient…
oOoOoOoOoOo