Lights! Camera!…Candy!

by SweetCandy & Candy's Capers

Chapter 1

Terry just finished putting on his Jerry Goodfellow costume in the bathroom, when he thought he should check with Candy to make sure that she didn’t need anything before he left. He called to her in the bedroom, “Candy, I am off to the theatre now, can I get you anything? Is the fire in the fireplace warm enough for you?”

“The fire is fine. But you could bring me some books from the library Terry?”

“Sure, any particular titles or subjects?”

“No, just something to pass the time away.”

“Okay, I will be right back.”

Terry hurried down the stairs on his errand, as he didn’t want to be late for the first act curtain. “Candy has really been moody the last few days, I can’t wait until she’s totally well. I guess I would be grumpy too after staying in bed for ten solid days.” He quickly grabbed a handful of books and scurried back up the stairs.

“Here you are, Candy.” He said as he sat them on the night table. She lifted her face to receive his kiss on the lips, but Terry not noticing and in such a flurry to leave, kissed her on the forehead instead. She was instantly insulted by this slight, not realizing that he was late leaving for the theatre.

“Hrrumph!” She thought as he left.

“Well, at least he brought me something to read.” She began reading the titles of the books he had brought her. Two were history books, and the there were a few stories, but the last one in the stack was the one that caught Candy’s eye… it was entitled, “How Wives Can Recapture Romance in Marriage” by Veronica Truelove.

She fluffed up her pillow, trying to get comfortable and began to read the introduction page.

Dear Readers,

This book may not be for you. Ask yourself the following questions below to find out if you need this book to rekindle the romance in your marriage.

Does your husband kiss you goodbye on the lips when he leaves you to go to work?

Does he sleep in the same bed with you?

Does he tell you that you look pretty at least once a day?

Did he tell you he loved you today?

Is he quick to praise you?

Does he treat you like a grown woman?

Does he compliment your cooking?

Does he take you seriously?

Candy read the list of eight questions and mentally tallied the answers – if you answered “no” for 3 or more questions, then Veronica Truelove recommended following the instructions in her book would be guaranteed to rekindle the romance in your troubled marriage.

“Well, I have exactly three “no’s”. Terry hasn’t been very romantic or as attentive lately. Is our marriage is in trouble already?” Candy stuck her nose back in the book, hardly coming up for air. She was worried.

Candy continued to read, fascinated with this book. Admittedly, she thought some parts were a little “old-fashioned”, however some of the parts had merit. She checked the publisher’s date and it was 1879, not too terribly long ago to be totally outdated, she decided. After reading for a few hours, she decided to call it a night.

One of the things Veronica mentioned was to wear a long, shapeless flannel nightgown and cap…supposedly by totally hiding your figure from your husband
he would feel deprived and a romantic interest would develop. Candy decided to switch from her pretty pink peignoir set into a grandma-styled flannel gown she found in the bottom dresser drawer. The sleeves were about 2 inches too long
and so were the legs – it was itchy too, but in her desperation to regain Terry’s attention she decided she would bear the discomfort – looking in the mirror the
gown made her look like a little kid trying on adult’s clothing.

She giggled and wondered how this could get her husband to pay more attention to her. “Oh well, I will try it, after all it is recommended by Veronica Truelove.” she mused.

She then turned out the lights and snuggled between the covers. She began to rehearse of some of what she had read so she could remember the “helpful hints” or the dreaded “look out for this or that” warning signs. She could well remember the following…

Bat your eyes to flirt with your husband.

Use rose water instead of perfume.

Remember your marriage is in big trouble if he calls you a nag!

After reviewing a few more hints and tips, Candy went to sleep.

Terry came in very late from the theatre that evening, so being considerate of Candy and not wanting to wake her he slept in the bedroom across the hall.

Early the next morning he came into their room to get his robe and saw Candy walking from the to bedroom to the bathroom dressed in what he thought was a hideously oversized flannel gown and cap.

“Good morning Candy, are you cold?”

“No, why do you ask?”

“That get up, you look like George Washington’s wife!” Terry laughed.

Candy looked down at her nightgown frowning. Then she mentally added another “no” to the list of questions from the book - Is he quick to praise you? NO!

“Never mind my nightgown, just where were YOU last night?”

“I came home late and didn’t want to disturb you, so I slept in the bedroom across the hall.”

“Oh, how convenient for you.” She snapped, adding another “no” to the list of questions as he - didn’t sleep in their bed last night.

“Sweetheart, please get well. That’s the most important thing you can do right now. C’mon get back into bed." He lifted the bed covers and waved his hand for her to obey him, just like a small child.

She grabbed the covers out of his hand and said, “I can do that myself!” No, he doesn’t -- treat me like a grown woman, adding another big fat “no” to the ever-growing list.

Terry looking very perplexed at her, sat on the end of the bed.

“Candy, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings by sleeping in the other bed. Doc Martin..”

“I don’t care what he says!”

“Candy? I am surprised at your attitude, Doc Martin loves you.”

“And do you?”

“Of course I do! How can you ask me such a thing? Candy, you are grumpier today than yesterday and you are becoming a real nag!” He said and sighed.

“Oh no! Now he’s called me the dreaded nag, our marriage is in big trouble!” Candy thought very worried now!

At his sharp words, she started crying.

“There, there, I know you are sensitive right now.” Terry cradled her in his arms, letting her sob.

Terry started sneezing and asked, “What’s that smell? It smells like…like rose-scented soap. I don’t like it!”

She cried all the harder.

“Candy, what is wrong now?”

He finally slipped off his shoes and jumped in bed with her holding her tight until she settled down. After a few minutes she quit crying and he asked, “Are you hungry?”

“Yes”, She said meekly.

“I will ask George to have breakfast sent up then.” He started getting up.

“No!” She said clinging to him.

“What Candy? Are you hurting?”

“No, don’t leave me, hold me Terry!” She insisted and began weeping again.

A very bewildered Terry held her until she fell back asleep, he then loosened himself from her arms and went downstairs to eat breakfast, asking for a tray to be brought up to Mrs. Grandchester’s room.

The rest of Terry’s morning was spent taking care of business matters.

Around noon, he decided to check on Candy again and she was sitting up reading a book when he arrived. She instantly hid it from him under her pillow, but he didn’t fuss about it, afraid he would upset her again.

“Hello Miss Muffet.” He said with a smile.

She pouted at his greeting, but then began batting her eyelashes rapidly at him.

“Candy are you okay? Do you have something in your eye? Here let me look.” He came over to her bedside.

“Terry!”

“What?”

“That was a flirtatious wink!” She told him matter-of-factly.

“It was? Could have fooled me Freckles.” He looked at her strangely.

She turned her face from him.

“I have a question for you Candy.”

“Yes?”

“Doc Martin is coming by later today to examine you.”

“He is?”

“Yes, and if you are well enough to get out of bed, I was going to throw you a small dinner party tomorrow evening with all of your friends. Would you like that?”

“Oh Terry, yes that would be wonderful!” She smiled.

Terry was relieved to see her smile, he still wondered why she was acting so weird though. He attributed it to her weakened condition.

“Okay, now he’s due here any minute.” Just then someone knocked on the door.

“Doc if that’s you, come on in.” Terry called.

“Yes, how’s our patient?” He asked as he entered the room.

“Grumpy!” Terry said as they laughed.

Candy stuck out her tongue at them both.

Terry turned to add wood to the fireplace while Doc examined Candy. Doc Martin happily announced that she was allowed to get up now as her condition was better.

“She can get up and around, but no over doing it.” He turned to look at Candy. “Candy I mean it, Terry is in charge.”

Doc winked at Terry and gave him a secret thumbs up sign for his eyes only. Terry nodded.

“Okay, Doc Martin.”

“I will let myself out.”

“Thanks Doc!” Terry said.

“Yay! I can get up and get dressed now!” Candy smiled as she jumped out of bed to change into a dress.

While Terry sat down on the edge of the bed watching her, he heard something fall behind him. He turned around and saw a book on the floor. He read the title, “How Wives Can Recapture Romance in Marriage” by Veronica Truelove.

“What kind of tripe is this Candy?”

“Ummm…it’s a very good book Terry.”

“It is? I don’t believe it!” He said in a mocking tone and began scanning the pages.

“Terry, you haven’t been attentive to me in days and she has a list of questions….”

“This book is hilarious! Wear a long flannel gown, bat your eyelashes at your husband to flirt, use rose toilet water…..Candy!” He doubled over with laughter.

“Ha ha this is rubbish! She says that you….”

“Terry…I..ummm our marriage is in trouble!”

“Candy, do you really think our marriage is in trouble?” He looked at her in disbelief.

“Yes Terry, and you even did the big no no…calling me a nag!”

He shook his head no and said, “I will show you where this book belongs.” He got up and walked over the fireplace and dropped it into the flames.

He was still laughing until he turned and saw her scowling with her arms crossed over her chest.

“How dare you…you, I wasn’t even finished with it!”

“Thank goodness I got rid of it before it put any more silly notions into your head!”

“So, now I’m silly am I?” Candy wondered if that was another of the “warning signs” in a chapter she hadn’t gotten to read… but the book was little more than ashes now.

“Yes, Candy. Sometimes you are silly. What am I to do with you?” Terry said, as he came up to her. He pulled her cap off and tucked one of her loose curls behind her ear. “I hate that flannel gown thing and this cap too! I bet that Truelove woman is nothing but an old maid.” He said with a smirk.

“Terry, you haven’t been romantic or told me I was “pretty” for days…I do think our marriage is in trouble.” She pouted.

He led her over to the settee and sat down pulling her onto his lap.

“Alright, I will level with you Candy, Doc Martin warned me that you were to rest and that I was not to stress you for two weeks. He was very concerned that your weakened condition would develop into influzena. Your health has been number one and romance…well…”

“He did, he told you that?” Candy asked interrupting him.

“Yes, he did. Since you are well now, how about we have dinner in our room alone tonight Mrs. Grandchester…okay?” He looked at her with one eyebrow raised.

“I’d like that Terry.” She smiled shyly.

“I will tell the cook and be right back.” He helped her stand up and then stood up, walking towards the door.

“Oh and please Candy wash that rose stuff off of you and wear your regular perfume. My grandma wore that smelly stuff and I can’t stand it.”

“Now you are becoming a real nag Terry!”

He just laughed as he shut the door behind him.

When he returned she was dressed in a lovely pink dress.

“Candy, you look so pretty in that dress” and taking a quick sniff, “And you smell wonderful too.” He kissed her.

A few minutes later the house staff brought their dinner up and left them all alone.

Terry lighted some candles and turned all the lights off. “If that Truelove woman had just told wives that a candlelight dinner is a way to rekindle romance, her book would have sold a million copies!” He teased.

“Oh Terry, this is so romantic.” Candy said, as she looked at the room basked in candlelight.

As they ate dinner they talked about the theatre and their home life. Finally, he decided it was time to talk to her about her possible new job.

Terry began explaining about Albert’s job proposal to her. She instantly became excited about the project.

“So, do you want me to tell Albert yes?”

“Oh yes, doesn’t it sound exciting?”

“Yes, I figured you would be interested.”

“Well, we can see our friends Doug and Mary…and you can try out for the motion
pictures too – it works out perfectly!! I have some questions for Albert and will try to meet with him soon. When do you suppose we will be leaving?”

“I haven’t worked that out with the troupe yet.” He said hoping she would believe him.

“Oh…okay.”

“Did you want dessert, it’s on the side table. Hmmm…Cook made apple pie.”

“Yummy!”

While they leisurely ate their delicious dessert, Terry began batting his eyelashes at her. She giggled.

“Mrs. Grandchester….this is a flirtatious wink!”

“Could have fooled me Mr. Grandchester!” She laughed.

He stood up and casually began walking around the room blowing out all the candles one by one until there was only one left on the fireplace mantle. He then came over to her and took her by the hand over to the fireplace. As they stood in front of the fire, he embraced her and kissed her passionately rubbing his hands up and down her back.

He stopped for a moment and asked her, “Now Mrs. Grandchester, do you think you really need that silly book?”

“No Terry.” She said as she rested her head on his chest.

“Good!” He said, as blew out the last candle.

Candy and Terry had breakfast in bed the next morning and picnicked on the side porch for lunch. It was like a holiday for them having Candy up and about again.

Terry invited Albert, Archie, Annie, Stear, Sister Pony and Sister Lane to Candy’s recovery party. Cook prepared all of her favorite dishes. Terry and Candy made their descent down the stairs at 6 p.m. right when their guests arrived. Candy looked beautiful in an emerald green dress, Terry was in a black dress suit.

They had a wonderful time, Candy couldn’t quit smiling. Even though a lot of her friends had visited her during her bed rest, she was so happy seeing them in a different environment.

After dinner, everyone retired to the living room. Terry left for a few minutes only to return with George in tow. “Candy, I have a gift for you from me and Doc Martin.”

“You do?”

George handed her an envelope, Candy quickly ripped it open and out fell train tickets to Hollywood – the tickets were dated one week away. She jumped up and hugged Terry.

“George and Stear are going with us too.” Terry announced.

George and Stear smiled at everyone proudly.

“Oh Terry, I can’t wait!” Candy said.

“Annie and Archie you can join us later after Candy works out all the plans with the movie company.” Terry said to the Cornwell’s. They nodded.

Candy turned to Albert and asked, “Albert, what is the name of the movie company?”

“The company has been know as “Spectacular Motion Pictures, Inc.” but if Adely interests make a final purchase we can come up with our own name. Candy, let’s meet tomorrow afternoon and discuss the details. Will that work for you? I think you have had a busy day today and we should leave you two alone.”

“Yes Albert, that works out fine with me.” Candy said as she looked at Terry and batted her eyelashes at him.

He returned her wink with a wink of his own, sending a signal of love straight to her heart.

A couple of days later…

At an oceanside villa many hundreds of miles from Lakewood a telegram arrived.

The servant signed for it and had an upstairs-maid relay the letter to it’s recipient
on the second floor. She ascended a broad staircase and entered through a door into a spacious bedroom, lavishly decorated with a feminine fancy with accents of
pinks and lavender. Outside on a wide balcony a girl stood looking out at the endless Atlantic Ocean.

“There is a telegram for you, Miss.”

Without looking at her servant the girl said, “Bring it to me” The maid obeyed and
promptly left the room. Upon opening the telegram and reading it, a sly grin came
across the girl’s face, revealing her perfectly white teeth, now clenched in rage.

“So Candy, you and your little hubby are going off to California are you?
If I have my way, I’ll see to it that you will have the most miserable time of your entire life. No orphan stable girl is going to get the best of Eliza Leagan!!

Chapter 2