IT’S OVER…
Chapter 14
“The end of the war”
The morning of Patty and Stear’s wedding, Candy woke up and she felt nauseous, like every morning ever since she knew she was pregnant. She was thinking about her own marriage with Michael, on Valentine’s Day, in the middle of bullets and bombs. Michael… she loved him so much, he was so good to her, and she wanted to see him so much. And Terry… she got used to seeing him from time to time and her heart was always happy when she saw him. She wiped a tear of sadness, on her cheek, and another one… she was crying. There was knock on the door.
- Candy? Annie called, are you awake?
- Yes, Annie, you can come in…
- You’re crying…?
- I’m thinking about Michael….and Terry
- Candy, come on…tell yourself they’re fine. And today it’s Patty’s day, you have to stop crying… think about happy things…
- Ok. Is Anthony awake?
- No, he’s still asleep. Come on, get ready and come to Patty’s room
- Ok, said Candy with a smile, I’m coming
The three friends were in the same room getting ready for the wedding. Patty had secretly done a little diet to look thinner in her dress.
- Patty you’re very beautiful, Said Candy
There was a hairdresser, an esthetician for the make up and the nails. They had to follow the tradition; something old, something new, something borrowed and something bleu.
- Patricia, now the tradition, said Annie, something new… here is a very nice pearl necklace that goes very well with your dress…
- Thank you Annie, said Patty
- Something borrowed, said Candy, I have a nice angel brooch Michael gave me. I’m letting you borrow it…
- Thank you Candy, said Patricia
- Well something bleu….the garter…! Said Annie laughing
Patricia smiled and pulled up the dress skirt and Annie put the garter on he leg. Her mother and grandmother were also there.
- Something old, said Patty’s mother, here are the diamond earrings your grandmother gave me for my wedding
- Thank you mum, thank you grandmother…
They got ready. Patricia in her beautiful muslin white dress and her bride’s maids had light pink dresses. Neil’s wife was one of the bride’s maids. They all went to church and Patricia walked to the altar with her father. Stear was waiting at the altar. The ceremony was beautiful everything was perfect. The reception was at the manor, there were more than 400 guests. Eliza who was at the reception, talked to Candy for the first time ever since her return.
- Candy, she said, back among us? A bullet didn’t kill you?
- I almost died Eliza, a bullet almost managed to kill me, but guess who saved my life? Your dear Terrence…
- What? He was at the war with you? So you were cheating on your husband with him?
- Yes of course, under the bullets and the bombing, it was a real party of pleasure! Said Candy walking away
Eliza didn’t say anything, because deep down inside, she knew Candy was courageous for going to the war. But she would never admit it in front of Candy. She was jealous, because Candy was with Terry…
Everybody was having fun, but Candy’s thoughts were in France with her husband….and Terry. Albert invited her to dance.
- Your thoughts are far away, Candy
- Albert, I can’t help it…
- Now you know how I felt when you were at the war…
- Oh, Albert. I’m sorry to have worried you…
- He’s fine. And he’ll come here soon, you’ll see…
- Thanks Albert…
Patricia was packing for her honeymoon. Candy and Annie were teasing her…
- You’re finally going to find out what married women do, said Annie
- Who says I don’t already know? Said Patty
- Patty! Said Annie, did you do it before the wedding?
Patty smiled and Candy burst out laughing. They went downstairs to walk the newly wed to their car. They left for Florida where it was sunny.
Candy decided to go spend a few days at the Pony Hone. The children and her two mothers were all very happy to see her back, safe and sound.
- Candy, said Miss Pony, it’s good to see you alive and kicking!
- It’s good to be alive, Miss Pony!
- We prayed for you everyday, said Sister Maria
- I don’t doubt it, said Candy, to come out alive from that war, your prayers were protecting me, I’m sure of it…
- Are you ok? Why did you come back before the end of the war? Asked Miss Pony
- Well Michael, my husband, didn’t want me to put our baby’s life in danger…
- Baby? Said Sister Maria, Oh Candy, that’s wonderful!
She approached her and she hugged her little protégée. Miss Pony did the same.
- Candy, that’s a very good news, but it’s like you’re not happy…
- Oh no, I’m very happy to be pregnant, but it meant leaving France and my husband… I miss him so much! She said with tears in her eyes…
- We’re going to continue our prayers for him every day and he will come here to join you, said Sister Maria, you’ll see
- Thank you Sister Maria, said Candy
- Now. You’re not going to climb trees anymore…, said Miss Pony
- I might be a pro at climbing trees, but no, I won’t put my baby’s life in danger and I’m all grown up now… I see life differently, ever since I left the war…
- What do you mean? Asked Sister Maria
- After seeing how people died by the thousands every day… it was traumatising… those young men dying without even have done anything with their lives, no marriage, no children… if the situation with Terry and Susanna had happened now instead of all those years ago, I would’ve never left Terry to Susanna… But it’s no use crying over spilled milk, things are what they are. I’m married and Terry is married and we both have our own families now…
- You’re regretting you sacrificed your life with Terry?
- Oh yes, I regret it… but it’s too late…
- Candy, my child, we all had to make decisions we’ve regretted later. But life goes on, our mistakes should serve is as lessons. You’re having a baby and your husband will soon come and join you here. Life gave you a chance to be happy, don’t ruin it…
- I know, thanks Miss Pony. I think it’s the pregnancy that’s making me emotional, said Candy laughing
- Boss, are you coming to play with us? Asked the children
- Yes, said Candy, I have to see Tom and Jimmy… you want to come with me?
- Yes, yes, yes!! Said the children
She went to Jimmy’s first with the children. She found Jimmy feeding his horse…
- Hello boss ad interim… said Candy with a little voice…
Jimmy was startle and he turned around. A smile illuminated his face.
- Candy!!!! You’re back safe and sound! He said running to her
He hugged her for a long time.
- I wish I were there with you…he said
- And I’m glad you weren’t! I’ve seen too many young men getting killed without even knowing anything about the cause of the war… no Jimmy, I don’t regret you weren’t there, because to brush death at every moment, is not a party of pleasure, I assure you…
- I’m happy you’re back, said Jimmy hugging her again
- Let’s got say hi to your father. How is he?
- He’s fine, but he’s very old and he’s not working anymore…
- I’m happy he’s resting, let’s go see him…
They got into the house and they found Mr. Cartwright sitting in his armchair.
- Dad, said Jimmy, look who’s here…
The old man turned his head and smiled.
- Candy! You’re back! Thank God!
Candy approached him and she hugged him for a while.
- Mr. Cartwright, it’s so nice to see you again…
- I’m happy you’re still alive, to see you before I …
- What are you saying? You’re a young man!
- That’s nice of you to say that, my child…
Candy spent some time with Jimmy and Mr. Cartwright. The children were playing outside. She left the Cartwright farm, with the children to go at Tom’s, Jimmy went with them. She found Tom with a little girl who was about a year old on his lap.
- Pick a boo! Said Candy, Tom…what a nice surprise!
- Candy! Thank God! You’re back!
Tom stood up; put the little girl on the floor and rant to hug her. He kissed her on the two cheeks.
- Tommy! Oh my God, it’s so good to see you, my saviour!
The little girl had followed her father. Candy saw her and took her in her arms.
- Hello! What’s your name?
- Candice-Marie, said the little girl
Candy was speechless.
- Candice-Marie… that’s a really pretty name, my name is Candice too, but they call me Candy
- Candy, said the little girl
- Tom….thanks for the name
- Oh you’re my sister…I missed you so much
- I missed you too…
- How are you?
- You know I got married… and I’m having a baby…
- Oh. Said Tom, that’s why you’re back, the baby?
- Yes…
- Thank God! At least we won’t worry about you anymore…
Candy smiled.
- So, tell me, you finally married your fiancée….
- Yes, and I have this adorable little girl…
- Candice-Marie…
- My sister and one of my mothers, said Tom
- I see, said Candy smiling
- Your husband is French; you’re going to live in France?
- Not during the war… and until I have my baby… the crossing was horrible for me being pregnant and all…
- Nausea times a hundred?
- A thousand!
They burst out laughing. She stayed with Tom during a moment and then, everybody including Tom and the little one went to the Pony Home to celebrate Candy’s return. Tom left his little girl at the Pony Home with Candy and went in town with Jimmy to get some food, ice cream and drinks. The children had fun until they were tired. The rest of Candy’s stay at the Pony Home was just one big happy party.
Time passed and around the end of October, the 31st in fact, there was an Armistice signature between Turkey and the Allied, which gave the whole world some hope. Then, on November 2nd, there was another Armistice signature between Austria and Italy. On November 7, Germany was shaken up by revolutionary movements… it was about time! Even if it happen after the death of so many men. On November 9, William II, who had transformed Germany, his country, in a big industrial power, but whose ambitions provoked the first world war, abdicated and was replaced by a democratic government lead by the socialist Ebert. A general strike started in Berlin… Germany was ready to end the war, because finally on November 11th 1918 at 11 AM, it the signature of the Armistice between Germany and the Allies, in Field Marshal Foch’s train wagon, in the Rethondes clearing in the Compiegne Forest. Even if officially, the end of the First World War was at the signatures with Germany at Versailles, on June 28, 1919, for the moment, the Armistice of November 11th meant that the shots had ceased for good. It was the general joy for those who had survived this long nightmare. All the soldiers were able to go back home in their families. The whole world was celebrating the end of the horror.
Candy learned the news on the evening of November 11th during dinner. Every body was waiting for Stear who was late, and who arrived in the dining room breathless…
- Honey, said Patty you’re finally here…we were waiting for you
- Yes, said the Great aunt, Alistair it’s not polite to make everybody wait for you, we’re hungry…
- Oh but I have good news…
- What news couldn’t wait after dinner? Asked Albert
- Oh a very good one… especially for you Candy
- For me? Asked Candy surprised
- Yes, you all know that William II has abdicated two days ago…
- Yes… said the others
- Well, Germany has just signed an Armistice with the Allied, THE WAR IS OVER!!!!!!!!!! Yelled Alistair
- What? Said Candy, are you sure?
- Yes, it’s over Candy! Your husband is going to be here soon and you’ll be able to hug him…!
Candy stood up, screamed and jumped to Stear’s neck.
- That’s wonderful! Oh my God, the horror is over! Oh thank you God! Michael… I’m going to see Michael…
- That’s great, said the Great Aunt, now, calm down and let’s eat…
But everybody was too happy to listen to the great aunt. Everybody was talking at the same time and laughing and screaming of joy.
In New York, Susanna got the news of the end of the war like an answer to her prayers. Terry was coming back and they were going to live happily ever after, till the end of their days.
- You see, God heard my prayers, mom. Terry is coming back…
- Yes, the war is over… said Mrs. Marlowe
- You’re not happy that Terry’s coming back?
Mrs. Marlowe remained silent. A husband who didn’t ask for a leave to come and be with his wife for the birth of his son or even to come and see him later on… but what did she expect? She had forced the poor boy to take care of her daughter after the accident and to marry her... Now she was thinking that she should’ve stopped at the financial aid from Terry, because her daughter, who is so crazy in love with her husband, didn’t want to believe what was really going on and refused to see the truth…
- Yes, of course, honey, since it’s making you so happy….
- I’m in seventh heaven, mom!
Karen who had also heard the news like everybody, arrived running at Susanna’s.
- Susanna, said Karen coming in, the war is over! Terry’s coming back!
- Yes, thanks Karen, at least you’re happy for me… unlike my mother…
The mother had an exasperated sigh.
- Susanna… started Mrs. Marlowe
- No mom; if you can’t share my joy, leave me alone and don’t say anything…
- Alright, said Mrs. Marlowe, I hear the baby cry, I’m going to go take care of him…
Mrs. Marlowe left the room to go take care of the little one. Karen stayed with Susanna.
- Your mother is still trying to reason with you…
- Karen, I’m Terry’s wife, I have his baby, nothing my mother could say is going to change that…
- I didn’t come to lecture you today, but to share your joy, you must be ecstatic!
- Yes… and I’m impatiently waiting for Terry’s return!
In France, happier than the soldiers, was not possible! It was the general joy, the big party in the whole country for days… the foreign soldiers went back home. Some didn’t have all their body parts, but they were still alive. Terry was happy that the war was over; at least he won’t see his comrades die one after another anymore. The war had kept him alive, he was going back to New York to his wife and son….his son, he had a son and he couldn’t wait to see him.
Michael was also making arrangements to go to America to join his wife. France was rebuilding itself like the rest of Europe. Some months in America far away from the land filled with awful memories of the war, would do him some good. Candy, he missed her so much, he couldn’t wait to see his wife and be with her during her pregnancy. It was a good thing the war was almost over when she went back to America. He met Terry on the boat that was taking them back to America.
- Doc! Said Terry, we’re going to make this trip together…
- Yes, buddy! I can’t wait to see my wife…
- She’s going to be at the harbour?
- No, she’s resting. I told her to wait for me in Chicago, the trip by train is not really recommended for pregnant women…
- Oh yeah. I’m going to surprise my wife home… she doesn’t know what day I’m arriving…
- Be careful, she might have a heart attack, if she’s too happy and very surprise to see you…
- Don’t worry her heart is solid, but I can’t wait to see my son…
- That I can imagine, said Michael laughing, you have a lot of time to make up with him….
- Yes…. I was at war. But I have the impression I let him down like my father let my mother down when he took me away from her…
- But you were at war, it’s different…
- Yes, that’s what I’m telling myself but…
On the boat, the party atmosphere continued during the whole crossing. Everybody was happy not to have been killed during the war. A page of world’s history was turned and they were hoping that this horror won’t repeat itself anymore.
