Chapter 28

    "The accident"

    The time came for the auditions for "Romeo and Juliet". All the actors were like a cat on hot bricks. Everybody wanted to have the main part. Terry was very nervous the day of his audition. Candy tried to calm him down.

    - Honey, she said, don't worry, everything will be okay...

    - You know that if I get the role it’s going to officially launch my career? That from now on I am going to get offers only for the lead roles?

    - Yes honey, she said smiling, you told me about it...

    - I am repeating myself, aren't I? I apologise honey…

    - Please don't apologise, my love . I am there for that. If repeating this story is good for you then repeat it..., she said smiling

    - You’re magnificent, you know that?

    - Everything will be all right my love, you will be Romeo and I wish I was your Juliet... or Rose to be your Juliet, not Susanna...

    - Candy...

    - She is in love with you, she wants to be with you, and she dreams about it on stage... I could see it when she played Cordelia...

    - She is a good actress...

    - In love with you...

    - Well pray that Rose is Juliet so, so you would feel better...

    - You believe that seeing you kissing Rose is doing nothing to me? She is a woman... but I trust her.

    - You have nothing to dread from other women, you know that Snow White?

    - Yes, I know, Prince Charming...

    -I am going to leave, he said

    - Good luck my love...

    They kissed and Terry left. Candy finished getting herself ready and she went to her daycare.

    The auditions went off smoothly. Suzanna wanted to have the role of Juliet at all costs to be with Terry on stage. Terry was Hathaway's first choice and Juliet's role went to Susanna... Hathaway found her perfect for the role and the latter of course was in seventh heaven.

    - Karen! It is wonderful! I am going to be with Terry on stage!!!!

    - Don't dream too much, said Karen weary, lucky you!

    Terry was with Rose...

    - Rose..., Terry said

    - Don't worry Terry, I'm going to be okay

    - I wish you had the role...

    - It’s okay, Suzanna is an excellent actress...

    - Candy...

    - Don't worry, she loves you and she trusts you

    - I know...

    In the evening when he came back home Terry had a big bunch of flowers for Candy. This one was waiting for him with a good meal. Candy hugged him and she saw the flowers.

    - Honey? She said, flowers? For me?

    - Yes, I love you honey

    - Thanks, but what’s the occasion?

    - I need an occasion to offer you flowers?

    Candy looked at him.

    - Did you get Romeo's part?

    - Yes, I did, Terry said

    Candy's face lightened up and she threw her arms around Terry's neck.

    - Oh my love ! It’s wonderful ! Congratulations !

    She kissed him on the lips. When they parted...

    - You’re the one who got the role, why did you buy me flowers? Who got Juliet's part? It's Suzanna, isn't it? That’s why you bought me flowers…

    - I didn't want you to be sad...

    - Sad? Terry you just got the biggest role of your career !!! It’s wonderful! And you’re worrying about me? Oh... you are too sweet !

    She hugged him tenderly... he kissed her again and he started unbuttoning her dress and she started unbuttoning his shirt... a few minutes later they were on the bed, making love, celebrating the joy of their good news. Their clothes had left traces all along the way...
    Candy had her eyes closed on Terry's chest.

    - Prince Charming?

    - Yes...

    - Did you buy me flowers because you were afraid of my reaction?

    - I knew it was going to upset you a bit... I wanted to reassure you

    -Terry , after everything we went through, you really don't have to reassure me... you showed me your love many a time... I love you so much...

    - I love you Snow White...

    They made love once again before sitting down to eat. They were happy, everything was perfect.

    **********


    Everything was all right at the theatre too. Suzanna was in seventh heaven to be Terry's Juliet on stage. She was disappointed that Terry didn’t spend more time with her off stage. He was always with Rose and sometimes, Candy would come to get him to go eat something during lunchtime. One day Terry was alone on stage and Susanna arrived.

    - You are wonderful Terry, you know you’re magnificent

    - Susanna…

    - Terry… I’m so happy to be your Juliet

    - You’ve got the role of Juliet Susanna, but you’re not “my Juliet”

    - Terry oh Terry… I think you have to know or you must’ve understood…

    - Understood what?

    - About my feelings for you

    - Susanna…

    - I love you Terry, since the first day

    - Susanna…

    - And I want to be with you, I want to be your wife…

    - Susanna, listen, I’m very flattered, but it’s a secret for anybody that I’m engaged… I love Candy with all my heart and there will never be any other woman in my life

    - Are you sure about that, because I love you Terry and I’m suffering every time she comes to pick you up, I’m suffering when I see you two together… how could you make me suffer like that ? Expose yourself like that in front of me!

    Terry looked at her surprised. Either she was crazy, either she was taking her desires for reality! Susanna continued:

    - You know how much I love you and you’re doing this to me! But I forgive you…

    - Susanna!

    Susanna approached him to hug him. That was it, for Terry! He pushed her away violently! And Susanna fell on the floor and burst into tears.

    - Now, that’s enough! Enough with the foolishness! I don’t love you, I’m engaged to be married and I love my fiancée!!! Get that through your thick skull!!!

    - Terry no! Don’t say that! Please! I love you so much! You’re going to be with you! I promise you!!!

    - Susanna, don’t ever come close to me again, aside on stage for the play! Now get out of here!

    Susanna left crying. Rose had seen all scene. She approached Terry and found him fuming.

    - Calm down…

    - Did you see the nerve?

    - I saw everything… she scares me

    - She’s crazy… Candy was right!

    - She felt it… since their first meeting

    - I’m wondering if this role is worth it, Rose

    - What do you mean?

    - Susanna; I don’t really feel like playing Romeo opposite her

    - Terry listen to me, life is not always like we want it to be, we sometimes have to make sacrifices… this role is your big break , don’t let an actress full of illusions block your way

    - You’re right, but…

    - Terry, believe me. Never mind Susanna… when you’re going to be the King of Broadway, you can decide if who you want as a partner, but for now… you’re climbing the stairs to the top, be patient

    - With that lunatic? Oh my God!

    - You’re going to tell Candy?

    - I don’t hide anything from her, but I wouldn’t want to worry her for nothing…

    - Don’t give Susanna the opportunity to hurt her

    - I can’t control that mentally hill girl…

    Rose burst out laughing… Terry went back home that eveninig with a worried face. Candy saw that.

    - Terry, are you ok?

    - Yes

    - It doesn’t look like it

    - It’s nothing

    - “Nothing”? Nothing will not put you in that state

    Terry looked at her and decided to tell her the truth. Candy listened to him without a word and she stood up to leave…

    - ♪♪I told you so! ♪♪

    Terry didn’t reply. Candy came back and she found him worried. She sat next to him and hugged him.

    - Honey, are you all right? Do you think you can continue playing Romeo with her?

    - I’m an actor and I shouldn’t let my personal feelings disrupt my performance… but

    - You wished you didn’t have to see her…

    - It would’ve been a lot better for me

    - Don’t worry, become famous and then you’ll be able to chose your partners

    - All right. But that put a damp on my enthusiasm like you have no idea

    - Don’t le this girl ruin the best chance of your carrer…

    And that’s how it was. If Susanna thought that Terry was ignoring her… she hadn’t seen anything yet!! Terry acted like she didn’t exist! He didn’t even say “hi” to her anymore off stage… Susanna was hurt,b ut she sill had him on stage and she continued dreaming.

    But the more the premiere approached, the more the tension was rising between Terry and Susanna. Terry was praying every night not to have Susanna as a partner anymore…
    An accident happened; a big spot light was going to fall on Terry if Susanna hadn’t pushed him away, but she wa hit on the leg… Susanna was rushed to the hospital. Terry was feeling bad. He had wished not to have Susanna as a partner and his wish was granted… but at what cost! Susanna’s mother blamed him for her daughter’s misfortune.

    - This is all your fault!!! If she wasn’t in love with you, she wouldn’t have saved your life!!!

    - Mrs. Marlowe, said Mr. Hathaway, it’s not Terry’s fault, Susanna chose to save him

    - It’s his fault! She’s obsessed with him! All she does is talk about him from dusk til dawn! Now she might die because of you!!

    Rose called Candy to tell her what had happened. Candy ran to the hospital. She arrived when Mrs. Marlowe was yelling at Terry… This last one was completed very upset… he raised his head and he saw Candy and he ran to her and hugged her hard.

    - Terry…

    - Candy, oh my darling, just hold me tight

    Candy hugged him hard. Mrs. Marlowe was a little surprised… Terrence had some support… the support of his fiancée, whom Susanna conveniently “forgot” to mention…
    Terry felt a lot better with Candy by his side

    - It’s going to be fine Terry, said Candy

    - I prayed every day not to have her as my partner… be careful what you wish for… she saved me Candy, without hesitation with a strength I didn’t know she had, she pushed me out of danger…oh my God! Please don’t let her die!

    Candy was sad. Terry owed his life to Susanna… Susanna whom she thought was a schemer, had saved her Terrence’s life…

    - We manage to save her life…

    - Thank you God, said Mrs. Marlowe

    - But… continue the doctor, we couldn’t save her leg, it was way too damaged… we… had to amputate…

    - NO!!! Yelled Mrs. Marlowe

    - Oh my God! Said Terry holding Candy hard

    Mrs. Marlowe turned to Terry and Candy.

    - You see? She lost her leg because of you! It’s your fault! Leave this hospital! I don’t want to see you here! Leave!!! Get out of here!

    Candy and Terry turned around to leave. Mrs. Marlowe was hysterical. They went back home without a word. Once there, they were in no mood to eat and Terry went straight to bed. Candy followed him and he took her in his arms and they stayed like that until morning.

    Terry has to go to the theatre for the rehearsals. Rose was now playing Juliet… and the show was going on… Terry felt bad. Susanna was hurt and the show continued like nothing had happened. It was sad, but that’s how it was.

    During lunchtime, he bought flowers and went to the hospital to see Susanna, but Mrs. Marlowe had given strict instructions; Terrence Grandchester was not to see her daughter under no circumstances. Terry left the flowers at the reception desk and left.
    Meanwhile, Susanna was wondering why Terry wasn’t visiting her.

    - Mom? Do you know if Terry came while I was sleeping?

    - Susanna…

    - He came, didn’t he? And you didn’t wake me up! I want to see him mom! Please, wake me up the next time he comes, otherwise I wont take my medication so I won’t fall asleep

    - But you’re going to be in pain

    - I want to see Terry mom, and I don’t care about the pain…

    Mrs. Marlowe saw that Susanna was ready to do anything to see Terrence and that she needed him, because everytime she talked about him, her eyes were shinning… Terrence was the cause of her daughter’s condition; Terrence is going to be her saviour…

    **********


    The next day when Terry arrived with the flowers, Mrs. Marlowe was smiling at him.

    - Terrence! There you are! Susanna is asking for you! She can’t wait to see you!

    Terry looked at her like she had just fallen from the sky.

    - Did I miss something?

    - Come on, come in, she said, she’s waiting for you, go, she’s going to be happy to see you

    Terry got in the room and he found Susanna sitting on the bed. Her face lit up when she saw him.

    - Terry! Hello! I’m happy to see you

    Terry walked to her , like he was a little afraid, because he didn’t understand what was going on.

    - Susanna, said Terry, how are you feeling?

    - I feel a lot better now that you’re here… oh Terry, I’m so happy to see you… are those flowers for me?

    - Yes

    - Thank you so much Terry, she said softly

    Terry looked at her. She seemed… disconnected from reality.

    - Susanna, I’m so sorry about the accident

    - Oh, don’t be.It’s normal for a woman to save the life of the man she loves… I couldn’t no react, I had to save you Terry, I love you

    - Susanna, thank you for saving my life, I don’t know how to thank you… I love you

    - You have the rest our your life to thank me honey…

    Terry looked at her stunned. Mrs. Marlowe arrived and called Terry.

    - Susanna, your mother want to say something to me, I’ll be back, ok?

    - All right honey, said Susanna smiling

    Terry followed Mrs. Marlowe in the hallway, who was with the doctor.

    - Terrence, like you noticed, Susanna is not well…

    - Yes…

    - She thinks you’re going to be with her…

    - She thinks I’m already with her! What’s going on?

    - That’s how she’s been since the accident

    - In fact that’s what kept her alive, said the doctor

    - What do you mean? Asked Terry

    - That the thought that you’re going to be together in her mind, gave her hope to cling on to life… she wanted to live because of you!

    - But, said a confused Terry

    - Her mental state is very fragile, said the doctor, you have to continue encouraging her… Mrs.Marlowe told me you broke up with her daughter… you have to fix that…

    Terry looked at Mrs. Marlowe who turned he head.

    - Mr. Grandchester, said the doctor, your girlfriend cares about you more than her own life. She saved your life and now, she’s waiting for you to live with her… don’t disappoint her, she could have a nervous break down and even become suicidal…

    - But doctor, I’m engaged to another woman, I’m getting married…

    - Miss Marlowe needs you, your support, her mental state is very fragile, she could break at any time…

    - Terrence, I beg you, she saved your life and you owe her that… she love you more than herself

    - Oh my God! Said Terry pulling his hair, I don’t love your daughter, I love Candy…

    - Well my daughter loves you! Without her you’d be dead! And you Candy would’ve lost you anyway! If she loses you now, is the same difference! Because she would’ve lost you anyway, if Susanna hadn’t been there…

    - How could you be so cruel? Said Terry looking at her astonished

    - Cruel? My daughter is over there on her hospital bed with one let because of her love for you! You’re going to take care of her, because she will never walk again, her theatrical career is over, because of you! You have to be with her for the rest of your live and take care of her!

    Terry had a horrible migraine. Break up with Candy to be with Susanna? No, that thought was giving him a headache. Susanna’s voice was heard:

    - Terry? Terry? Are you there?

    Terry had to get a hold of himself to respond….

    -Yes, I’m here Susanna

    - I thought you were gone

    - I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye, Susanna , said Terry

    He took a deep breath and got in the room. Susanna was bursting with joy! The doctor was reassured and he left. Mrs. Marlowe was smiling.
    Terrence Grandchester was in front of a dilemma and Mrs. Marlowe was going to make sure he made the right choice for her daughter.

    Chapter 29