Parallels That Collide

    by Vasaki

    Prologue

    It’s been several months since the party in Pony’s hill. Life goes on. All our friends have taken their separate ways away from each other and have been trying to overcome their losses. It seemed to be ages since the whole gang was happy and vivid in St Paul’s. Stear was still alive, inventing his little inventions, Archie was overprotective with Candy and Annie, Terry was getting along with the others, Patty was in love, Annie was in love, Candy was in love. Even Mr. Albert was there to complete the happy scenery.

    But now everybody’s life had changed. Stear was dead. Leaving behind Patty with shattered dreams and his friends heartbroken. Terry was gone, trying to make a life of his own in New York as an actor looking after Susanna. Archie and Annie were living in Chicago and Patty after spending some time at Pony’s Home went back to Florida to live with her parents. But most of all Albert was Great Uncle William.

    Candy had decided to live in Pony’s Home. This was her homeland, these two women who run the house where her mothers. She was happy there, she felt secure, unconditionally loved, protected from getting hurt again and again by people. Her whole life she’d never hurt a soul but life was not fair to her. She had lost Anthony, Stear, Terry; she had lost her self and her smile so many times. She needed to live in
    Pony’s Home to find her self again, to rebuild her strength, to get her smile back. Yes, it was time to move on.

    Chapter 1- Candy

    It was the beginning of September. During the summer she had stayed at Pony’s Home with Patty and they were helping Miss Pony and Sister Maria with the children. It was a full time job because the little ones were a handful. The two women were grateful to the two girls but they knew that this couldn’t last forever. These two girls, so hurt and still unhappy, should quickly move on with their lives and try to make the best of it.

    The last days of August Patty left for Florida to be with her parents and her beloved grandmother. She had decided to become a teacher. She had grown a great attachment to the children in Pony’s home. They were her joy and laughter and the only people that made her forget about Stear. So she thought it was a good idea to dedicate her life to children and that was exactly what she was going to do no matter what her parents would say. To her surprise her parents didn’t have any objections when she wrote to them about her decision. Maybe she owed it to grandma Martha but then again, her parents had realized her pain and frustration and they didn’t have the heart to deny her anything. Patty left with tears in her eyes and promised to come back as soon as she could. Little Steward her favourite orphan was crying in her arms

    - Miss Patty, don’t go away, don’t leave me, don’t leave us. Said Steward through his tears.

    - I’ll be back soon little one, please don’t cry. I’ll be back and I’ll teach you many wonderful things, I promise, said teary Patty holding the little boy as tight as she could.

    She turned and kissed Miss Pony and Sister Maria and then she hugged Candy as hard as she could.

    - Honey, I’ll be just fine. Don’t worry about me anymore. Promise me you’ll do the same.

    - I promise said Candy sobbing.

    The sun was almost setting leaving a purple colour in the horizon. The nature was calm and serene. Her eyes wandered around the scenery and she wheezed. She knew this was home but in her heart something was missing.

    “You have to move on Candy” she said to her self. “ He is in your past…Terry … I hope you’re well and happy”.

    She was coming down Pony’s Hill lost in her thoughts when she saw the familiar black car parked outside the house and a bunch of children playing around it. Her heart started beating fast. “ Albert…could it be?”

    She entered the house hastily looking to find his tall figure, his blond shiny hair, his enchanting smile! To her surprise it was George. She gave him a shy smile and extended her hand.

    - Good evening Miss Candy, started George with his polite manners, as always, I’m afraid my visit is not a pleasant one.

    - What happened George, asked Candy worried. She looked at the two women whose eyes where calm but profoundly sad.

    - Miss Candy, continued George, it’s Stear’s memorial service in two weeks and Mr. Albert asked me to come and escort you to the Lakewood mansion as soon as possible. We can leave in the morning if it’s ok with you.

    Candy looked at him in disbelief.

    - Is that all George?

    - Well, he wanted me to inform you that the whole Ardley family will be attending the ceremony and reassure you that he will take all measures so that you won’t be disturbed what so ever.

    - You mean the Rangans will be there also, said Candy firmly.

    - Yes, said George lowering his head.

    Candy turned to her two mothers, looked them in the eyes and said with her most sweet voice.

    - You don’t have to worry about me; after all I’m still an Ardley. I’m ready to face them. Besides what more can they do to me? Albert will be there too. Don’t be sad. I’ll come back when the memorial is over.

    - If you say so my child then we should help you pack, replied Miss Pony and gave the young girl a warm smile.

    - Yes Candy, you know we are with you and we’ll be expecting you back soon, dear, added Sister Maria still looking concerned.

    They showed George to the guest room and went to help Candy pack her bag. George went in the room after thanking the women. He gave Candy a condescended look and closed the door behind him.

    “ You are a strong young lady Miss Candy. I know everything will go well. Sir William and I will make sure of it. But I couldn’t tell you about Miss Annie. All in due time.”


    *****

    The next morning Candy was packed up, she said her farewells to the children and hugged her mothers who were in tears.

    The black, imposing car started its journey and the two passengers stayed quiet for a long time.

    Candy was thinking about Lakewood. Her life there, when she was a child with Anthony and Stear and Archie, her faithful companions, her guardian angels, her saviours, her best friends. Her beloved Anthony, how much she had missed him through the years! She was going back and her feelings were mixed. She longed to see her Sweet Candy roses again. She wondered if anyone would look after them like he did once. But now everything was different. Two of her beloved friends were dead and the pain was still so acute. How could she ever get over their death? These boys were the first people who believed in her when she left Pony’s Home. Poor Archie…he was devastated. This memorial service couldn’t be that good for him. She should be strong for him and Annie.
    Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted when George spoke.

    - I wanted to tell you something more last night but not in front of your mothers, started George seriously.

    - I knew it. I just thought that the right moment would come and you’ll tell me on your own without my asking, replied Candy with her soft voice.

    - Miss Candy, I’m afraid your dear friends have some problems.

    - My friends? Please be more precise. What happened?

    - Miss Annie and Master Archie no longer speak to each other. And I’m sorry to say that, but I think Miss Eliza had something to do with that. That’s why Sir William was so worried about you. But he couldn’t go through the ceremony without you.

    - Oh, my poor Annie! She must be devastated! Did Archie say anything about what happened? Asked Candy worried.

    - No, he didn’t say a word and he kept closed to himself ever since. But things got worst now that the memorial service is getting closer. He is always in a bad temper and avoids getting out of his room. Great Aunt Elroy is really worried about him, added George and looked into Candy’s eyes.

    - I see… dear Eliza opened her mouth again and ruined everything. That’s why Albert is worried. He’s afraid I’m going to have a quarrel with her again, said Candy and closed her eyes with despair. Eliza is never going to have feelings for others what so ever!

    - Well, are you Miss Candy? Are you going to have a quarrel with her? Asked George.

    - No, George. I’ll never put Albert in an awkward situation again. He has done so much for me. I’ll be grateful to him all my life.

    So their journey continued in silence. Both of them had a lot to think about. George knew the fragile state of mind in both men in the house. Archie was more like a ghost lately. Walking around the house, silent and sad. He missed his brother terribly and after he broke up with Miss Annie he was worst. Albert had to conform to all the high society rules and he was getting more and more distant. Their only hope and joy was this tiny, fragile, blond girl sitting right next to him. She could turn their world around with her smile like she did many times in the past. George was counting on that. This was why he admired Candy with all his heart. She had the healing power. Not only because she was the nurse of the body but of the soul as well.

    On the other side of the car Candy was lost in her own thoughts. Her friends needed her once more and she should do everything in her powers to help them. What could Eliza have said that would upset Annie and Archie so much? George said they had stopped talking to each other. Things were more serious than she could have imagined. And Albert caught in the middle. Not having a person in a sober state to talk to. She should have gone to Lakewood sooner but her heart wasn’t ready yet. On the other hand being preoccupied with all these problems might have taken her mind of her own. So that was why George seemed so worried since the moment she saw him. He knew this wouldn’t be a fun trip for her. She felt grateful she had told her everything, he was treating her like an adult and not as a child any more and she felt she should be more responsible and helpful to him. Yes, she decided she would do everything in her powers to help her friends and George as well.


    ******

    When they finally arrived Candy thanked George cordially and headed for the entrance. She didn’t have the heart to look at the garden and see the dieing roses. So many memories rushed into her head but she didn’t have the time to contemplate. When the main door opened the first person Candy saw was Dorothy. Her dear friend was working for the Ardleys now. The girls fell in to each other’s arms. Their joy to have found one another after such a long time was beyond words.

    - Dorothy, I’m so happy to see you after such a long time, said Candy happily.

    - Me too, Miss Candy. You haven’t change a bit. Maybe you look much prettier now, replied Dorothy.

    - Oh, stop teasing me Dorothy, said Candy and they both burst out laughing. Where is Mister Albert? She asked.

    - Who? Answered Dorothy looking confused.

    - Oh my God, you’ re right! You know him as Mister William. Is he here?

    - Yes, Miss Candy. I’ll summon him for you, said Dorothy and run up the stairs to fetch Albert.

    Candy was waiting in the grand hall remembering her dance with Anthony, when suddenly she felt a presence behind her. She turned and saw Great Aunt Elroy. “Great” she thought, “let the show begin!!!”.

    - Welcome Candy, started aunt Elroy with her cold voice.

    - Good afternoon Aunt Elroy, replied Candy respectfully. It’s nice to see you. How is your health?

    - I’m fine thank you. And how are you? It’s been a long time since I last saw you, answered the old woman.

    - I’m very well, madam, thank you for your concern, said Candy with a confused look on her face.

    Aunt Elroy looked up the stairs and saw Albert coming down. She turned to Candy and saw her beaming with joy looking at her guardian and added.

    - Candy, I hope we two have the chance to talk for a while before you leave, said Elroy and left before Candy could say anything.

    She turned towards Albert and started running to him. He opened his arms, held her tight and spinned her around like a little girl. They were both in total bliss.

    Chapter 2