Terry Terry

Chapter 20"Dust in my eyes..."

Time went by very fast and Antonia was able to go back to school. She did all of her assignments and she just needed to catch up with the other, but she was a smart girl, so it was not a problem for her at all. She was not talking to Brittany, every time they would look at each other, they would shoot themselves with their eyes. The two girls were enemies for life, because of Terry.

The big party was getting closer. The Great Aunt wanted Terry to learn who was who in the family.

- Come on great aunt, he's going to meet them when he meet them... he doesn't need to learn their names...

- But...

- And he might never meet some of them anyway, I haven't met the half of them.

- Very well, said Aunt Elroy, in our days...

- This is modern days, said Antonia hugging her and kissing her on the cheek.

Aunt Elroy had a weakness for Antonia, she started to laugh. Ashley looked at them shaking her head.

- She's her favourite!

- Don't start Ash, said Allyson.

Ashley left the room.

Terry's adoption party had finally arrived. There were people everywhere in the mansion, caterers, maids... Terry was very nervous; he was hoping to meet his adoptive mother. Georgina came to see him in his room.

- Georgina, tell me she's coming... please.

- Well...

- Don't tell me, she can't make it?

- She was on her way, but there was this problem at one of our companies...

- She couldn't send someone else?

- She's going to do her best to be here, Terry.

Terry was sad. Once again, he was not going to see his adoptive mother. Why did she adopt him if it was only to abandon him to the great aunt?

- So this big party, for me... and she's not even going to show up?

- Terry...

- Why didn't you adopt me Georgina...? I was fine in your house, we got along fine... I would've been proud to call you mom...

Georgina had tears in her eyes.

- I know that Terry... buy things are what they are...

She hugged him.

- I'll be your second mother, all right? You can come to me for anything...

- Thanks Georgina.

- How are you feeling?

- I'm not sure... I'm not feeling that good actually I have a weird feeling...

- Let's hope it passes. This is the day to celebrate...

- I don't quite feel like celebrating... without my "mother"

- It's going to be fine, said Georgina hugging him.

They had given him a kilt to wear.

- You look sexy, she said to him.

- Do I? I thought they wear this for weddings only...

- And other celebrations... let's go downstairs.

Terry went downstairs. Antonia was waiting for him.

- There is our new cousin! She said, I thought you'd never come down.

- Nervous? Said Ashley arriving.

- A little, said Terry smiling.

- I can't wait for the ball in the evening, said Antonia.

- There's the fox hunt first...

- I don't really want to see that, said Antonia.

- Me neither, said Terry, we'll just have to stay here and eat...

- Terry, I thought you like riding, said Antonia..

- Well I'm not feeling very well today...

- Are you all right? Do you need anything? Asked Antonia.

- No, don't worry. It's nothing like that... it's just a bad feeling I'm having.

- A bad feeling? Said Antonia.

- It's probably nothing...

Antonia looked at Terry. She had been feeling weird since she woke up. But she didn't want to be the party pooper. So she kept mum.

- You're right, it's probably nothing; let's go get something to drink...

They got their drinks outside in the garden and then the great aunt called them to approach her.

- Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and family... Let me officially introduce you to the new addition to our family: Terrence White Andrew...

- Welcome to the family Terrence!

- Thank you he said, I'm proud to be part of this family, said Terry and very happy you all came to celebrate with me...

- Now, said the great aunt, let the party begin!

People were getting ready for the fox hunt. Terry went inside the house, he went to the library to avoid going there. Antonia lost him because she was talking to some cousins. She had seen Brittany and her parents, and she saw the parents alone without her. She was looking for Terry everywhere. Neil approached her.

- Hey Antonia, what's up?

- I wonder what you came to do here, Neil, you hate Terry.

- Well I like the food and the drinks... by the way where is your lover boy?

- He's inside, she said.

- With Brittany?

Antonia's heart skipped a beat.

- Why do you say that?

- Because I saw him with her they were talking about the fox hunt, then they would disappear to be alone...

- You're lying! Said Antonia.

- All right, don't believe me... The fox hunt has started...

Antonia looked out the window and she didn't know if it was her imagination or not, but she thought she saw Terry and Brittany among the people leaving.

- Terry said he didn't like fox hunts.

- It was to distract you so you wouldn't pay attention when he leaves with Brittany...

- No...Terry wouldn't do that to me...

- Didn't he make out with her at the Halloween party?

- He thought it was me...

- Lame excuse...what are you just a common piece of meat, he can't make the difference between your kisses and hers?

- Shut up Neil!!!!

Antonia left. She went to the stables, took a horse and followed the people doing the fox hunt.

Terry was in the library and when he heard the dog barking getting quieter, he came out. He was looking for Antonia.

- Dorothy, he asked, have you seen Antonia?

- Miss Antonia just took a horse and followed the fox hunt group.

- What?

Terry had a very bad feeling all of a sudden. He felt very bad.

- I have to go get her..., he said.

Neil approached him.

- Oliver Twist, you're looking for your beloved?

- Back off, Reagan! Said Terry.

- I told her you went on the fox hunt with Brittany so you can get away to be alone...

- You did what? Said Terry holding him by the collar, why would you do that?

- To create trouble why else?

Terry let go of him and punched him on the nose! Terry was angry at himself. He should've stayed with Antonia and not let her out of his sight. That terrible feeling was not going away, it was getting worst.

- I just have to find her, and everything is going to be fine..., he said.

He went to the stables, took the last horse available and followed the fox hunt ...

Antonia was trying to see if Terry was anywhere with Brittany but she couldn't find them. Everybody was riding following the dogs, until they found the fox. A brave man, took the fox, to save him from the dogs, then everybody was riding back home.

- Hello there, said Terry.

Antonia turned around surprised.

- Terry, she said smiling.

- What are you doing here?

- Well...

- Neil lied...

- Oh... I knew I shouldn't have listened to him...

- When he said Brittany's name...

- I'm sorry...

- You want to go back to the party now?

- Yes, she said smiling. I feel so stupid...

- Don't mention it...

They were both riding side by side.

- This place reminds me of my Pony hill... I told you I met a young woman who looked exactly like you?

- Yes... but it couldn't have been me... I would've remembered meeting you...

- My Princess of the hills... that's how I call her...

- I think I've got an explanation for your story... you see...

A frightened fox passed in front of Antonia's horse, scaring it, then one of the horse's foot got caught in a awful trap. The horse screamed loudly, moving, and throwing a screaming Antonia very violently off of it... Antonia fell, broke her neck... Everything happened so fast, Terry didn't get the time to react and take Antonia off the crazy wounded horse... it was too late...

- ANTONIAA!!!!!!!! Yelled Terry.

He got off the horse, ran to her. He knew he shouldn't be moving her.

- HELP!!!! SOMEBODY HELP US!!!!

He took her pulse on her wrist: nothing. He took it on her neck: nothing.

- NO! OH DEAR GOD PLEASE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANTONIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People heard the screams and they all came gathered around Terry. One of the man of the family, a doctor examined Antonia and he looked at Terry and he shook his head.

- I'm so sorry...

- NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Terry took the young girls lifeless body and hug it. Life has left Antonia's body, it was now getting cold her broken neck made her head move a lot. Terry was crying holding on to her. Nobody could get him to stop. Ashley and Allyson arrived...

- What's going on? Asked Allyson afraid.

- There's been an accident answered a woman and...

- What? Said Ashley, who?

- Antonia...

- What??? Said both sisters.

They approached Terry who was crying holding his beloved.

- NO! Said Allyson hugging them both.

- OH MY GOD, said Ashley approaching them too... NO!!! TONIA!!!!!!!!!!!!

It took a lot to convince Terry to let go of his beloved. He was inconsolable. They arrived at the mansion with Antonia's lifeless body and the great aunt was surprised.

- What is it? She asked.

- Antonia... is dead.

- NO!!! She said, holding her chest.

She started breathing fast, very fast and she fell on the floor.

- She's having a heart attack, said someone, quick the doctor!

The same doctor arrived to take care of aunt Elroy. She was taken to her bedroom and given medication and a sedative to rest and sleep.

Darkness had fallen into the family. The happy day became a day of crying, sadness and sorrow. Terry was in his room refusing to come out. The two sisters were together crying their cousin.