A New Beginning

by Lady Amalthea

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful day in June when the grand mansion at Lakewood, property of the Andrey family, opened its gates once again. Six years had passed since the tragic accident of Anthony, the pale blond, blue-eyed boy. After his death, Great Grandmother Elroy had decided to close the mansion and return to her home in Chicago.

Today, after six years, the rose bushes were in full bloom.. Thousands of different colors graced the gates of the rose garden where a luxurious car adorned with white flowers was passing through. The whispers among the people inside the property died as soon as a beautiful lady descended from the car. Her skin was fair, with no visible marks. Her eyes were as blue as the summer sky and brilliant with all the happiness she was feeling. Her midnight black hair was arranged beautifully and she had a diamond tiara as a headpiece from where a long veil descended. The bodice of her dress was made of pure silk and embroidered with pearls. The skirt of her gown flowed gracefully in several layers below her feet. One by one she saw the familiar faces of her guests: her parents, Mrs. and Mr. Britter, her two beloved mothers, Miss Pony and Sister Mary. Tom, her brother in her childhood was now a handsome grown man in charge of his father's ranch. Jimmy, Josh, and all the kids from Pony's home whom she considered as her own brothers and sisters were also there. Patty O'Brien, her friend from her years at St. Paul's Academy in London, smiled at her with true happiness even though her sorrow was still plain in her almond eyes.

Frantically, she looked around for her best friend, her sister. She was the only person Annie wanted to be with at this special moment in her life. She turned her gaze to the roses and a familiar face came to view. In her hands, she cradled a candy candy rose and was looking at it with longing,. Slowly, she lifted her gaze and a beautiful smile appeared on her face. The two girls embraced.

"Annie? Why that look in your face? This is supposed to be the happiest day in your life," said Candy.

"I know Candy, but for a moment I thought you were not coming, that it would be painful for you to return to this place," said Annie.

"Don't be silly. It's true I felt miserable when Anthony died, but some of my happiest memories are from this place. Besides, I'm one of the bride's maid silly girl," said Candy. And then her smile widened.

Before Annie could turn around to see who was behind her, she felt herself being dragged into someone's arms. There he was, handsome as ever, smiling mischievously and standing tall and strong in a black suit with a white rose in the lapel of his dress jacket. His hair was perfectly combed. His blue eyes filled with love for her.

"You're not supposed to see the bride until the ceremony," Candy told him with a playful punch in his arm.

"Ouch! Alright Candy, I just came to tell you both that the ceremony will start in no time," said Archie.

The tune from the organ was rising as the nuptial entourage walked down the aisle. Archie marched down the aisle first with Great Grandmother Elroy. She looked very pleased that one of her grandchildren was getting married. Then came Annie's Mother escorted by William Albert, who was dressed in the formal Scottish Kilt. Following them were the bride's maids, Candy and Patty, both dressed in pale blue gowns and each wearing a small crown of white roses as head pieces. Finally, Annie marched down the aisle with her father.

" Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate the marriage between Miss Anne Britter and Mr. Archibald Cornwell Andrey ..."

The orchestra was playing melody after melody. Annie and Archie were dancing to every tune looking blissfully happy and in love. Albert danced with Candy and Patty, entertaining both girls until a familiar melody was heard.

"Candy, is something wrong? You became pale suddenly," said Albert.

"It's nothing Albert. I just need to be alone. Please don't worry," said Candy. She then left Albert and ran before the tears started to fall from her green eyes.

She didn't notice that Patty was following her until she arrived to a stone gate in the woods.

"Why! First Anthony and then Terry. Why did I have to listen to that melody again?"

"Candy, are you alright?"

Startled, Candy turned around to see a worried Patty in front of her. It was too late to try and hide the tears that kept running down her face.

"Oh Patty, I'm just too excited and this place is full of memories," said Candy.

"Don't lie Candy. It is time you confided in someone," said Patty.

"Alright Patty. Do you remember the May Festival at the Academy, when I dressed up like Romeo and Juliet?" After Patty's nod, she continued. "That day my life changed forever. That day I knew my love for Anthony was similar to a sibling's love, and that I was holding on to his memory because I felt lonely. Terry was there with me. We could hear the music coming from the festival. It was the same melody you see. We danced in silence and then he kissed me and it was magical."

Tears were running down her cheeks at the same time the memories appeared in her mind: the smell of the grass, the sun coming through the trees, Terry's strong arms around her slim waste... his sweet lips.

"You see Patty, this melody will always remind me of my first and only kiss. Even if I want to, I can't forget him. It is the only thing that's left from his love... just one kiss, one moment in time."

"Oh Candy, how lucky of you! Don't cry. Don't you see that I don't have a memory like yours. Just think that even though it only lasted a moment, you knew how much he loved you and you will find him again."

"Patty! Forgive me. I should have never told you this."

Both friends embraced and cried for their lost loves. After a few minutes, they dried their tears and returned to the banquet. They didn't want to ruin Annie's wedding.

At the same time in a lovely house in New York, Terry was gazing outside the window. In his hand he held a crumpled envelope that was delivered a month before. From the other room, he could hear the unmistakable sound of a wheelchair and the sick laugh of a woman.

It will be so easy to leave here and search for her, he thought.

"He, he, he... we are going to a wedding or is it our wedding? Hee, Terry, where are you Terry?"

"Please Susannah leave me alone."

"I am not Su-san-naaaah! I am not Su-san-naaah!"

"Stop It!."

"You are thinking of her, aren't you? Day and night you think of her... of her green eyes, of her blond hair... of...of... are you thinking of me Terry? Look at my pigtails! Ha, ha, ha ! Don't you see I'm her."

Terry didn't know what to do anymore. Since they were living together everything was a mess. At first he didn't notice since all his time was absorbed with rehearsals. But as time passed on he started to notice that her gaze wandered all the time and her insane laughter increased until only brief moments of sanity remained. Of course Susannah's mother blamed Terry for her daughter's condition. Lately everything had gotten worse. Since Susannah saw the wedding invitation her insanity increased until she believed herself to be Candy.

"Terry my love, it's me Candy! Don't you recognize me? Look at my pig-taiiiiils !"

"I can't stand this anymore, leave me in peace. When are you going to understand that you are not Candy... that nobody can be Candy. There is only one Candy in this world and you are not her!"

Furious, he moved aside the wheelchair and left the house, not bothering to close the door. With long strides he reached the other side of the street and tried to control the sobs that were escaping from him.

Meanwhile, Susannah panicked and went after him yelling, "TERRY! COME BACK! DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE, TERRY!"

"Huh? SUSANNA, WAIT! DON'T CROSS THE STREET... SUSANNAAAAAH!"

Chapter 2 (to be continued)

© (1999) Laura Zamora