Chapter 2
“From East to West”

The mansion was huge and majestic. It had more than 40 rooms, with all the staff necessary for the good run of the house. The duke of Grandchester had left his beloved England to be with his beloved, a beautiful former actress by the name of Eleonor Baker. She had given up her career to become the duchess of Grandchester. They had four children together. The eldest, Terrence Graham, who was 16 years old. He was tall with dark brown hair and he was very handsome, very smart and a feisty temper. The second one, Bliss Catherine was 15 years old, she had long blond slightly wavy hair, she was the splitting image of her mother. Then there was another boy, Joshua Marcus, who also looked a lot like his mother with his blond hair, he was 13. Then there was the little baby sister, Cassidy, who was 10, who looked like her daddy with her dark brown hair, which meant she looked liked Terrence too. They loved each other and called each other “twins”. But Cassidy had a little pet name for her beloved big brother: “Titou”. He loved it, but he didn’t want his friends or girlfriend to know about it. He was the one taking care of her when he was home, she was his favourite and they loved each other to death.

It was the end of summer, and the older children, Terry and Bliss, were not too crazy about going back to school. Theirs was a boarding school, The Royal College of Saint Paul in California.

It was dinner time, and they were all dressed up to eat, their father wanted it that way, even if the children hated it. Terry seemed a little preoccupied by something that evening. He usually talked a lot during the meal and make jokes. His parents thought it was odd. After dessert , they were all in the big living room. Joshua was playing a piece of Chopin, on the big black piano in the corner of the room. Terry joined him and they did a wonderful four hands. Then, while sipping his tea, Terry who had something to say, took his courage with both hands and blurted:

- I don’t want to go to California!

There was a silence in the room. Every eyes were staring at him. Cassidy, who was sitting by his side, smiled and looked at him and said.

- You want to say here with us, Titou?

- Yes, I want to go to school here in New York

- Oh, said his father

- You want to come with me to my school? Said Joshua

- Not quite, said Terry, I want to go to Julliard…

There was another heavy silence.

- Julliard? Said Eleonor, for your talent in piano?

- No, Joshua is the talented one, mom, I wanted to go to acting school

- What?? Said the duke upset

- I want to become an actor, said Terry

- Oh my God! Said his mother

There! He had said it!

- Did you put him up to this? Said the duke looking at his wife

- What? Why would you accuse me of something like that?

- You’re the former actress…

- You don’t have to look so disgust when you say it!

- Mom, dad! Stop fighting! I made the decision on my own… I love acting! Said Terry

- Terrence, stop saying nonsense, said his father

- Acting is nonsense? Said Eleonor, you had no trouble going to the theatre to see me on stage…

- My son is not becoming an actor!

- It’s my life father; I think I have the right to do with it as I pleased!

- Not as long as you’re a minor and leaving under my roof!!! You’re going to do as I say!!! Said his father red with anger

- Children, said Eleonor to the other, would you go to your room?

The others stood up to leave. Cassidy stood up and looked at Terry.

- Are you coming to tuck me in, Titou?

- I’ll be there shortly sweetie, put your night gown, brush your teeth, say your prayer and wait for me, said Terry

- Ok…

Cassidy followed the others upstairs. Terry was now alone with his parents.

- Father please, can we talk about this?

- No!

- Richard, come on…

- I knew you’d take his side!

- I’m not going to apologise for my son taking after me! Said Eleonor upset

- Honey, be reasonable…

- So acting is such a degrading job for you? I can see how degrading you thought I was…

- Please, don’t fight over this! Said Terry

- So stop saying nonsense, said the duke

- Julliard is a very good school and only the best manage to enter there…

- 8% of the candidates said Terry and I was admitted…

- You were admitted? Said the duke, when did you apply?

- Last year and I had my audition during the summer and I just got my results…

- You got into Julliard? Oh my God Terrence! Said his mother smiling

- You’re not going!

- But dad…

- I said “no” that’s final! Said the duke

- Richard, said Eleonor, do you have any idea how hard it is to get into Julliard?

- I don’t care! The future duke of Grandchester is not going to become an actor!

- You had no trouble marrying one! Said Eleonor upset

- I love you honey

- Terry loves acting!

- How could you do something like that behind our back? Said the duke

- Because I knew you were going to react like this!

- Was your mother in on this?!

- No! I acted alone! Said Terry

- Richard…

- I see there’s no point discussing with you, said Terry, I told you my decision, I’m not going to Saint Paul, I’m going to Julliard!

Terry left the room. Leaving his parents arguing. He was in his bedroom, when Bliss and Joshua came in.

- Terry, are you serious? Said Bliss, you’re not coming to Saint Paul?

- I want to go to Julliard, Bliss

- So I’m going to be alone in Saint Paul? Terry!

- Sorry sis

- Sorry doesn’t cut it! Said Bliss upset and she left the room

Terry was with Josh.

- If you go to Julliard, you’re going to stay here and commute?

- I could do that, but dad is going to be so angry… I think I’ll stay at the dorm

- Terry, Julliard…

- You should apply to go there too, Josh, you’re very talented…

- Well I still have a couple of years before I start my little crisis… Good luck bro

- I’m going to go tuck Cassidy in, said Terry

He went to his little sister’s room and he found her very sad. He approached her and she hugged him hard.

- Titou, are mommy and daddy getting a divorce?

- Why are you asking me that?

- I heard them arguing and screaming… maybe they don’t love each other anymore

- Don’t worry, Cassidy, they are not going to divorce, grown ups argue sometimes, it’s no big deal

- I’ve never heard them yell like that…I could hear them on the stairs from here

- They were yelling a lot then…, said Terry sadly, but don’t worry about that, sweetie, you get some sleep or you’re going to be tired in the morning. Let’s start your story…

Terry didn’t read any stories from books. The story he told his little sister were all coming out of his imaginative brain… Cassidy loved them and she was telling him to write them down, which he did on his free time. Cassidy fell asleep and Terry went to his room, thinking. Was he doing the right thing? He had never seen his father so upset and arguing with his mother that way. He hated that he was the cause of their fighting… but he wanted to pursue his dreams, become an actor and write plays and stories…That was his goal in life. And he was not going to give it up.

The following days Bliss got ready to go to Saint Paul College in California. She was angry at her big brother for leaving her alone in that school. Terry was refusing to back down. His father was not talking to him, his parents were not talking to each other and the atmosphere in the mansion was heavy and sad.

Bliss left for school, without saying goodbye to Terry, whom was a little hurt, but he understood her position.

Terry thought that his parents would end up finally making up, but it was not happening. Eleonor was sleeping in one of the guest’s room for over a week now and everybody was sad in the house.

Cassidy asked Terry one night:

- I think mommy and daddy are getting a divorce…

- Why do you think that?

- Mommy is sleeping in one of the guests’ room, and she and daddy don’t talk…even during dinner

- We’re not supposed to talk while we eat

- I know that, but they don’t look at each other or smile at each other anymore…

Terry felt bad. The situation with his parents was getting worst. He had received everything from Julliard; his mother was happy and sad at the same time.

- I’m going to fix our parents’ problem, said Terry

- How?

- Well, if I agree to go to Saint Paul…

- But what about your dreams?

- When I turn 18, I go after my dream… now, our parents are more important than some school…

- Oh Titou…

- Mom and dad need to be together, for this family, it’s going to be fine

Terry was heartbroken, but he didn’t want to be the cause of his parents fighting. He went to see his mother in the guest room.

- Mom….

- Terrence….

- You should go back to your room

- It’s fine Terry, don’t worry

- How could I not? You’re fighting with dad because of me!

- It’s not your fault you take after me…I’m proud of you

- Mom, I can go to Julliard in 2 years…

- Terry…

- When I turn 18…

- No!

- Yes, mom, let me do this… I’ll go to Saint Paul in California, Los Angeles, I’ll get to see Hollywood

Eleonor looked at her first born, he was tall dark and handsome, girls were already fighting over him… She was so proud to learn that he wanted to follow into her footsteps, but Richard had to ruin everything! She was angry at him

- Terry, are you sure about that?

- Yes, I’m sure… I don’t want you and dad to be sulking, I want to see you two laugh again , wink at each other kissing… I miss that

- But Terry...

- Life is also about compromise mom… I can go to Julliard in two years

- Or you can audition for a theatre and get hired…

- No favours mom, please!

- All right! I won’t do you any favours… do you know how many would like to be in your shoes?

- I have an idea…, said Terry smiling

- All right, I’ll take you to Saint Paul…

- Why?

- Because I want to be away from your father for a while, until my anger passes…

- Fair enough, said Terry smiling

- The guest room is still my room for now

- Please go back to your room, Cassidy thinks you’re getting a divorce

- So this is about Cassidy, you don’t want to make her sad

- I just want her to stop worrying about the two of you… It could affect her emotionally, and with her school work too…

- Terry, do you know how much I love you?

- I love you too mom and I can’t be selfish

- Terry, it’s your dream... your father will come around

- You know how stubborn he is…, mom, I’ve made my decision…

- Oh Terry, she said hugging him in tears…

Terry went to bed and his mother stayed in the guest room. The next morning, at the breakfast table:

- Dad, I’ve decided to do what you wanted…I’ll go to Saint Paul

- That’s a wise decision

- When I turn 18, I intend to do whatever I want…

- When would you want to leave?

- Today if possible

- Done

Eleonor entered the dining room.

- Good morning mom, said Terry

- Good morning honey

- I told him…

- Oh… when are we leaving?

- “We”? Said Richard

- Mom is taking me to California, dad

- But…

He wanted to talk, but he remained silent. His wife was angry at him and she needed some time to cool off.

Terry was leaving and his brother and sister were sad.

- Oh Titou! Said Cassidy, I’m going to miss you!

- I’m going to miss you everyday, said Terry

- What about my stories?

- I wrote them down, like you wanted me to, he said, you can read them before you go to sleep and I will write more and mail them to you ok?

- Thank you Titou! I love you

- I love you too, said Terry with tears in his eyes

- Hey big bro! I’m going to miss you too…

- Hang in there, little bro, said Terry

- Bye mommy, said Cassidy

- Bye honey, said Eleonor hugging her, Josh…

When the train finally left, Terry closed his eyes, still thinking about what could’ve been.

Candy approached the young man, without knowing why. She could see the wind from the open window blowing his hair and she saw tears in his eyes. For some reason, she felt the need to console this young man, who seemed so lost. But then again, she thought since he was a boy, he would probably be embarrassed to be caught crying by a girl, so she turned around to leave when she heard.

- Who are you? What do you want from me?

Candy wanted to turn the deaf ear, but something in this boy’s voice made her turn around.

- I’m sorry, I didn’t want to disturb you, I was just walking around to get some fresh air, because I was a little woozy from drinking too much Champagne and I saw you there, you seemed so sad and I wanted to cheer you up, then I said to myself that you were a boy, and you’d probably not appreciate get caught crying by a girl, so I turned around to walk away…

Candy was stunned to see how much she spoke to a stranger in such a little time. Must be the Champagne!

Terry looked at this girl, she had big green eyes, she had freckles on her nose, her voice was pearly, she was moving her mouth graciously, her long and wavy hair looked like golden silk and she was talking to him… Just knock him over with a feather!! He smiled at her.

- I was sad? Do I look sad to you?

He burst out laughing. Not to mock her, but because he was so happy to be in her presence…

But that’s not how is sounded for Candy, who looked at him stunned.

“I’m sure I saw tears in his eyes! He’s just playing the though guy, just like I predicted. I should’ve continued my way…” thought Candy

- I was sad, you must have been hallucinating, must be the Champagne, how many glasses did you have?

- How dare you?

- You’ve got freckles all over your face too…

“And you look like an angel” he thought

But he said out loud;

- And it doesn’t suit you at all…

- Really? I say you’re just jealous because you don’t have any and you wish you had some!

- Are you kidding me? The next thing you’re going to say is that I’m jealous of your nose…

- What wrong with my nose…?

- It’s…

They were looking at each other, Terry couldn’t continue teasing her, he felt so good with her, he wanted to tell her, to introduce himself, to get to know this angel that had just walked into his life, when he needed her the most. For the first time, he was glad he didn’t go to Julliard; he would’ve missed the opportunity to meet this…

- Candy? They both heard

Candy turned around and Terry looked over her head. It was a young man, about his age, with blond hair.

- Yes? She said

- Are you ok? You’re face is all red

- I’m fine, said Candy looking down

- Dinner is served, said Anthony

- Finally! I’m starving! Said Candy, I’m coming!

She looked at Terry one more time, like she wanted to say goodbye, the she turned around and Anthony took her arm and they left together.

Terry looked at them go; he was jealous. She was leaving with someone else, and he was letting her go! But what could he possibly say to her, he didn’t even introduce himself!

- Terry? Said his mother, you’re ready to go?

- Yes, mom, let’s go

He took her hand, she was wearing an evening gown, her hair was down and she smelled very good. They walked to the restaurant-wagon.

Candy, Anthony and Mr. George were eating their dinner, when Terry and his mother entered the restaurant. People started whispering and everybody was looking at them.

- That’s Eleonor Baker, said George, with her son…

- Her son? Said Candy

- Wasn’t that the young man you were with in the hallway? Said Anthony

- Yes, it is, said Candy

- She's married to the Duke of Grandchester, said George

- He’s the son of a duke, said Candy

- Well his mother is to die for! She’s so beautiful! Said Anthony

Terry and his mother went to sit by a table not too far from where Candy and the others were sitting. Anthony was facing Candy, and Candy was facing Terry at his table. He would look at her and wink at her with a little smile. She would just blush and look down. But she couldn’t help looking in his direction. He was talking to his mother and he was laughing sincerely.

Eleonor realised something had changed with her son.

- Terry, what’s got into you?

- Nothing…

- Terry, ever since we left New York, you’ve been down in the damps despite my efforts to cheer you up! You go and way for me in the hallway and now your Mr. Cheerful? What happened during that time

- Mom…

- Terrence Grandchester, tell me the truth!

Terry looked at his mother. He had been really sad giving up Julliard, but now, he knew there was a reason for everything…

- Well I met this girl…

- A girl, a girl put you in that state? Terry!

- Well if you’re not interested…

- I’m sorry, go ahead…

- No never mind mom… it’s ok. I’m just feeling better, that’s all

- A girl made you feel better…,she said dryly

- Tell me you’re not jealous…

- Well some random girl managed in a few minutes what I’ve been trying to do for hours…

Terry smiled.

- Mommy, you cheered me up too, he said, I’m very happy to make this trip with you. We’re spending some mother and son time and discovering each other…

- But that girl…

- The girl, just made feel good too, mom, that’s all…

- Looks like love at first sight… for you

- Let’s talk about other things… would you show me the plays you wrote?

- I don’t know, they’re not good enough

- Did you show it to some producers?

- No, they’re so pigheaded saying a woman can’t do a man’s job…

- Well I’m going to be a big producer and I’m going to use your plays!

Eleonor smiled at her son and she smiled. He took her hand and kissed it.

Candy was looking at them talking. She could feel the love between them. She envied him, he had a mother of his own. She wished she had a mother…

The trip continued without any new incidents. Candy and Terry would cross at the restaurant, but they won’t speak. It was at long last that the train finally arrived in Los Angeles.

Chapter 3 (to be continued)