A Providential Accident
Chapter 5
"The awakening"
Terry's state was improving a lot, but he was still asleep. The good news was that he was getting better, especially the wounds on his head, faster, because he wasn't moving.
Susanna came to see him every day and she would tell him about her day. Eleonor was spending her days with her baby. Candy never left Terry's side, even when Susanna came to see him. The later was not happy…
- I'd like to have a little more privacy, please…
- I have to look after him…
- You don't have other patients?
- I don't actually, since the duke of Grandchester hired me to take care exclusively of Terry…
- Yeah yeah, I know the story… but I'd like to speak to my fiancée without you listening in on what I'm telling him
- I'm his nurse and I'm only doing my job. What you're telling him is none of my business…
- You're jealous because I'm engaged to him…
- As long as I don't hear it from Terry's mouth, I'm not going to believe you…
- I'm telling the truth…
- Like you told me the truth when I came to look for him at the hotel in Chicago? You called me a fan, while you knew who I was…
- I didn't know who you were… How could have I? Terry never told me about you…
- All right… Now you know who I am and there is no way I'm getting out of here just so you could flirt with my patient… who's unconscious on top of that!
Susanna was sulking. She couldn't have Candy thrown out… She has already tried that and Candy came back by the front door with all the honors. But she wasn't going to let Candy stop her. Terry was hers! So she would come to see him when she had a moment, even if she has to miss the rehearsals at the theatre. Candy couldn't be in Terry's room all the time… And she was right. She was there in the morning, at noon and of course, Candy couldn't always be there… So one fine morning…
The sun was shining, the day had just started and a new day was born without Terry opening his eyes… Susanna was praying day and night for Terry to open his eyes and that she would be the first person he sees, before Candy… And her prayer was answered one fine morning… She had just arrived and she found Terry alone in the room, without Candy and his mother!
"Wonderful! She said running to his bed side. She kneeled and she took his hand…
- Please Terry, I'm begging you, open your eyes and look at me my love, I miss you so much on stage, in my dressing room, during the rehearsals… You were born to play Romeo and I was born to play Juliet… We're going to end up together like the legend says; all the actors who played "Romeo and Juliet" ended up getting married… We won't escape the legend, I promise you… I know you love me; I saw it on stage, the sincerity of your love for me… I was burning of love for you my love… I know I'm the one you want, because, we share the same passion, the theatre, I know you share my opinion and that you love being on stage, like me… we love being together on stage, it's wonderful…
When Candy came back in the room, Susanna was pretending she was reading a book by Shakespeare… Candy had gone to get Terry's lunch for a few minutes…
oOoOo
It was dark and he was hearing a voice talk. But not normally, normally? What he meant, was that the voice was reading, because everything rimed… it was lines of verse! Not prose, like when we're talking… who was reading those lines of verse? That voice was irritating… wasn't there somebody else… to speak to him? Like the nice and soft voice he heard from time to time… the voice which would telling him about everyday things, he liked hearing it… But where was the other voice? This one was talking about the theatre, which pleased him a little bit… he was imagining himself doing some theatre… with a young woman with blond wavy hair… and the freckles…on her little nose… she had a fiery temper and he could see her eyes dance when she was angry and she was so beautiful! Not the classic beauty of the term, but an inner beauty, with the aura she had… how did he know her face? Not her voice? And the other one, how was her face? The one who talked in rimes? Very beautiful? How did he know that? He knew it, that's all. She was talking about love and plans they had together? Was she his love interest? Marriage? Love? Family? But why did it sound so wrong to his ears? That plan wasn't familiar to him at all… Was that all? No, there was another voice, very… maternal. The voice he heard when he was little, a voice very soft and also so far away… there was also another voice, one he couldn't identify, like he hadn't heard it for a long time… Another voice has come back… which one was it?
- Terry my love, you're the most talented man in the world… open your eyes my love… I'm here, show them that I'm the one you want, open your eyes now…
Candy arrived with Eleonor Baker and they heard Susanna's last words… Candy wanted to say something, but she stopped, because it looked like Terry was moving his eyes and that he was about to open them…
Come on Terry a little effort, you have to tell her that you agree or to tell her to go away! He had to make a very big effort… and open his eyes, which were refusing to obey him! But my God! It was his body, wasn't it? Come on, another little effort, with a little effort, we could do anything… Especially for the opposite sexe, it's crazy how easy they become once they're conquered… That girl, who was making plans with him, was getting annoyed… Can't she shut up! ? He was starting to get a headache, trying to find a way to open his damn eyes!
- Susanna, what do you think you're doing? Asked Eleonor.
- I'm going to show you that I'm Terry's fiancée and that he responds the sound of my voice…
- Susanna, said Candy, slow down, we don't know in what state he's in…
- I know it! He's waiting for me! She said lively, you're jealous, that's all
- I'm worried for my patient… I wouldn't want his state to worsen because of you.
- But ever since I'm here, he's been moving his eyelids and he's trying to open them, I did that! Not you!
- That's enough! Said Eleonor, you're behaving like a child Susanna! Terrence is not a toy between you two, he's my son!
"That's my mum all right! I knew it! That maternal voice didn't fool me!" Said Terry.
Another voice was heard… Bigger and more authoritative...
- What the heck is going on here? What's with the noise in front of the patient?
- Candy is jealous because Terry is going to open his eyes soon, because of me!
- I'm sure Miss Andrew is more professional than that…, said the big voice
"Looks like he's defending Candy against Susanna" Said Terry to himself, interesting…
- You're always taking her defense! Said Susanna sulking.
- Of the two of you, she's the one with the medical experience…
- Of course, we didn't all go to nursing school…, said Susanna dryly
Terry made the ultimate effort and he finally opened his eyes. He wanted to say something, but no sound was coming out of his mouth and all that light in the room, he couldn't see anything… everything was buzzing around him, he couldn't hear anything, he couldn't see anything and he couldn't speak,. Like the three wise monkeys…
Susanna had a scream of joy and she jumped to Terry's neck.
- Oh my darling! I knew you were going to wake up!
- Susanna! Said Candy, let go of him, the doctor has to examine him…
- He opened his eyes and he's looking at me!
Actually Terry wasn't seeing anything and he was smelling Susanna's perfume in his nose…
- Miss Marlowe, said the doctor, can I examine the patient, please? We have to make sure he's fine…
- Of course, said Susanna letting go of Terry against her will
- Terry, I'm here, don't worry my darling, she said to reassure him…
The doctor examined Terry, doing the usual tests.
- Terrence, can you hear me? Close your eyes if you can hear me…
Terry complied.
- Can you see me?
- But of course he can see you! What a stupid question! Said Susanna
- Why don't you get out, said the doctor
- No way! Said Susanna, if I get out, she has to get out, she said pointing at Candy
- I'll get out, said Candy to let the doctor examine my patient…
Susanna didn't reply… And she left with Candy and Eleonor.
- Let's go have a cup of tea, said Eleonor
- You like tea like the British, said Candy smiling
- Now you get how Terry's father seduced me…
- What? It's not his big castle and his oversize garden that did the trick? Said Candy smiling
- All he needed was a simple cup of English tea…
- Tell at least it was at Buckingham Palace?
- I made it mandatory for it to be in the Queen's presence…
- I didn't expect anything less from you!
They both burst out laughing and Susanna rolled her eyes in exasperation. Candy and Eleonor went to get a cup of tea… Susanna stayed behind, she didn't was to be too far from Terry's room… She saw the doctor had left the room, so she snuck back into the patient room. She took a piece of cake from the rolling table of an orderly.
- Terry? Hi!
She got in with the piece of cake behind her back
- Are you all right? I brought you a piece of cake! You must be starving! You've been sleeping for days …
"Can't she leave me alone?" Said Terry to himself
"Who the heck are you? " Asked Terry out loud.
- But Terry, it's me, Susanna, your fiancée… You remember, don't you? You've heard my voice and you woke up…, said Susanna very fast
- What am I doing here?
- You had an accident at the theatre where we both work…
- What play?
- "Romeo and Juliet"
- And let me guess; I was playing Romeo…
- As a matter of fact and a spotlight got loose and fell on your head…
- And I'm still alive? I must have a hard head! Otherwise I would've opened my eyes in front of St. Peter… But you're a better vision than St. Peter…
Susanna blushed and she laughed softly…
- You still haven't answered me…
- Sorry, said Susanna, I was distracted
- I asked you who you were…
- And I told you that I was your fiancée…
- Fiancée? Really? Why don't I remember that?
- The accident must have troubled you and you're a little confused… but your memory is going to come back…
She leaned and put her lips on his…
oOoOo
Candy was with Eleonor, still talking when…
- Where's Susanna? Asked Candy
- She must be dragging her feet
- In Terry's room! Said Candy leaving the table
- Candy, calm down…,said Eleonor
But Candy wasn't listening… she walked to Terry's room… to find Susanna's lips on Terry's!
- What's going on here? Asked Candy
- I was kissing Terry to remind him of our relationship…
- And? Asked Candy looking at Terry
- And you are? Asked Terry, what do you want from me? You're my fiancée too?
- Don't flatter yourself, sir!
- Well it's better that way! Because you've got the face full of freckles and I don't like it…
- Well, I love my freckles and my friends say they suit me well… Incidentally, I collect them!
- To everyone their own taste!
- You're jealous because you don't have any…
- That's a good one! The next thing you're going to tell me is that I'm jealous of your nose too…
- And what's wrong with my nose?
- Miss Andrew said the doctor's voice, is everything all right?
- Yes, doctor. I was telling our patient here, that I collect the freckles that are on my nose…and that he envied me because he didn't have any…
- I like your freckles Miss Andrew; I think they're adorable; they put some colour on your peach complexion…
- I knew I liked you for a reason! Said Candy smiling to the doctor
Terry felt a little jealous…
- Your cheeks make me think of beautiful white and juicy peaches, said Terry, I feel like eating them…
- Too late, Mr. Insolent, you shouldn't have been a lout! Said Candy smiling to the doctor
Terry didn't reply. Susanna was looking at them. She was happy to see Candy and Terry argue, while she had had a nice conversation with Terry… but now, looks like Terry was fighting the doctor with Candy…
- Miss Freckles, said Terry, don't leave like that… please…
- You have a fiancée, said Candy ironically
- Miss Freckles, I'm begging you…
- I have to write a report on your awakening, said Candy
- Then you'll come back?
- Only if you behave
- I'll behave, I promise you…
- Then I'll come back, said Candy smiling
Candy got out of the room. Eleonor was looking at Susanna. Mrs. Marlowe had arrived and she had followed the whole scene.
- Susanna?
- Oh mom! Terry woke up because of me! Because of the sound of my voice!
- So why did I just saw him eat in the hand of your rival?
- What? But all they did was arguing
- And I'm telling you that was a flirt, if I've ever saw one!
- He's teasing her, said Susanna
- "He who likes well chastises well", said Mrs. Marlowe, open your eyes honey! I leave for one day and you lose your man?
- But they were arguing…
- They spent time together, said Eleonor, Candy knows him better than anybody else…
- But the fight, insisted Susanna, he insulted her…
- Oh, the "freckles"? Said Eleonor, it's his pet name for her… I think she was reminding him of their first meeting…
- He was insulting her freckles…
- You don't know much about men, said Eleonor, otherwise you would've known he was hitting on her in front of you, his supposed fiancée!
- Mom! Said Susanna whining…
- You've spent time with him too; you have to exploit that…
- All right! It won't happen again! She won't get me anymore!
- Miss Freckles? Said Terry's voice from afar… where are you?
Susanna was sulking and Eleonor was laughing… Candy's friends arrived and Eliza ran into the room to see Terry.
- Terrence? Oh my Terrence! You're awake! Oh my love! I knew you couldn't stay far away from me even when you're asleep!
She jumped into Terry's arms and she put her lips on a stunned Terry! She was like an angry dog! Yuck! He pushed her away with strength
- No, let go of me! You enraged dog!
- But Terrence! Said Eliza, my love…
- Again? Said Terry, the blond…
- That stupid girl with wavy hair and freckles? Don't listen to her; she lies like she breathes…
- Miss Freckles is also my fiancée? Said Terry surprised, really?
- No, she's lying! Said Eliza, don't believe her!
- In fact, she hasn't told me anything, said Terry, which is making me curious, I'd like to know who she is exactly
- Terrence, said Eleonor
- Yes… mum? You are my mother, aren't you?
- Yes baby, I am…
- Can you tell me the truth
- I think I can let you handle this alone, you're doing fine…
- That means that my first impression was the right one… thank mum… you know where she is? Miss Freckles?
Eliza looked at the scene surprised.
- "Miss Freckles?" She said looking at Susanna
- Who else? Said Susanna rolling her eyes
- Where is she? Asked an irritated Terry
It was meal time for the sick. The doctor arrived at the same time.
- Since it's been a few days since you've ate, it's better if you go smooth today, some apple sauce and porridge to start
- Where is Miss Freckles? I want her to feed me, said Terry stubborn
- Miss Freckles? Asked the head nurse who had just arrived
- Miss Andrew, said the doctor
- The nurse his father hired for him?
- And she's at my service too? Said Terry happy, thank you dad!
Eleonor burst out laughing. Susanna and Eliza were sulking, so was Mrs. Marlowe.
Candy was finishing her report on Terry writing every single detail, she knew that the littlest detail could be important or fatal and with all the woods on his skull, it was risky. She didn't want to let anything pass. She was going to take care of the man she loved, the best way she could… She went back to Terry's room. She saw Annie and Patricia walking towards her.
- Candy, said Annie.
- Hi girls, said Candy
- Terry is looking for you, said Patty
- Terry?
- Yes, he wants his "Miss Freckles"! Said Annie laughing
- Oh my God! Said Candy walking towards Terry's room
Terry and his whims! She arrived in the room and she found Terry with Eliza and the rest of the gang.
- You came back! Said Terry smiling, Miss Freckles!
Candy looked at him in the eyes…
- Why are you looking at me like that Miss Freckles? You want to make me your declaration?
- Declaration?
- Well, to tell me how much you're burning of love for me!
- Are you out of your mind? The blow you got on your head is affecting you more than you thought…
- And I'm saying you're lying through your teeth! You're crazy about me!
- Your fan club is not big enough as it is Romeo? How many Juliets do you need?
- Romeo only needs one Juliet… he just needs to choose her wisely…
- Of course, said Candy smiling, now, we have to feed you, otherwise how are you going to take care of your Juliet? Open up say "ahh" wide…
- "aaahhh", said Terry opening wide
Candy put the food in his mouth and he said:
- Yummy! It's good ! He said smiling
Archie was looking at the scene and it was killing him! Grandchester was playing the baby to take advantage of Candy! He had to admit that it was a very good idea! Terry seemed a little disoriented at first except when Candy was there…He got it! Only Candy's presence was making him feel good! He admired Candy who remained professional and would let herself be destabilized by Susanna or Eliza… She knew that Terry would choose her with his eyes closed and she had nothing to fear… That lucky dog! He was flirting with Candy in front of everybody with no shame at all. The doctor arrived to speak with Candy, and Terry's expression changed. The doctor was bothering him… he was jealous. Candy seemed so at ease with the doctor and they were talking medical stuff… Susanna took advantage of that time to talk theatre with Terry… Archie smiled, because Candy seemed a little annoyed by Susanna's intervention with Terry…
- Miss Freckles, said Terry
- My name is Candice White Andrew…, call me Candy
- All right Juliet, said Terry seriously
- You're incorrigible! Said Terry bursting out laughing
- I like your tinkling laugh, said Terry laughing
- So continue making me laugh, said Candy smiling
- Your wish is my command, Miss Freckles
- Candy…
- Juliet
- No, Candy
- That's what I said: Juliette
He was so serious, Candy burst out laughing again.
- I have a head aches…
- You just woke up, you have to rest a little
- Which means that visitations are over, said the doctor, everybody out!
There were some protests. Susanna wanted to lean on Terry to kiss him…
- Miss Marlowe, stay away from the patient, you could contaminate him
- Nonsense! Said Susanna
- Or you could catch a virus. You're in a hospital where people come with all kind of diseases to get well, added Candy
- Well, I don't care if I catch anything, said Eliza
- Rally, if you catch something, you'll be banned from this room, said Candy
- You're not fooling me for a second, you little slut! I want my Terrence for yourself! He's mine! You hear me?!
- If he's yours, I'm sure he's still going to be here if you don't kiss him now… you have no worries… good bye Eliza
- You little twit! Said Eliza sulking
- You see Eliza, you should've gone to nursing school, said Archie
- Shut up Archie! Said Eliza sulking
- Looks like it's working! Said Alistair, because at the moment, I'd rather be in Candy's company than in yours…
- And Terry rather stay with Candy instead of coming to your stupid white party in Scotland! Said Patty
"Scotland? Said Terry to himself. "Help Terry! He heard in his head"
He saw himself diving from the cliff to save the redhead who was preventing she was drowning…
" She pretended she was drowning, how could she play with her own life like that? She probably capable of doing anything…
He looked at the other go, Candy had stopped Susanna and Eliza from kissing him… She was crazy about him; despite everything she making him believe and he liked her a lot too, because he had a very big grin on his face… When he thought about Candy, his heart was heating up and he felt good!