THE BROKEN HEARTS

Chapter 7: " Complete changes"

Mrs. Brighton served a cup of tea to Archie and she was observing him silently. Dumbfounded by what he had just learned, he was just prostrate without saying anything. Annie had left Chicago? But to go where, great God? How was she going to manage on her own where nobody is there to help her or guide her on the right path? Really that was a bad joke, she was going to appear in a few seconds and greet him with her eternal smile to his attention. He had trouble imagining his ex- girlfriend all on her own somewhere in America. Leaning on the table, his head resting on his hand, he was frowning and Mrs. Brighton sat in front of him. The sad look she gave him explained to him that Annie was really gone. That earth shattering news for the young man who thought he was going to see her again, so he could tell her how much he missed her and how much he needed her by his side. His attitude was unspeakable and he regretted what he had said to the young lady. Blaming her for Candy's death was unfair and the slap she gave him made him think. He was surprised to find out that the sweet Annie was capable of raising her hand on someone and it was at him. Yes he had deserved that violent treatment but he realized that after the slap. During those months of separation, he had courted women and had fun bedding them out of wedlock, and during that, still thinking painfully about the pain of losing his eternal love, Candy. Nevertheless, one morning waking up, and seeing the vulgar creature that was lying down next to him, the image of Annie had come to invade him. He needed her to continue taking care of him. His heart started beating and his decision was made, he was going to get her back. He went back quickly to Lakewood to find Albert on his way to New York for Thanksgiving and to see that bastard Grandchester on stage.

Every time his name came back to his mind, he had shivers of hatred going through him, he couldn't stand this man in College and today his aversion for him seem to have multiplied. God he hated so much that arrogant guy with no manners who had dumped Candy with no hesitation, sending her to her death in France and coming to her funeral looking like a fool, faking a big sadness. He had felt like punching him on the face but out of respect for Candy's memory, he restrained himself. But it was difficult for him to cross his eyes numerous times without the feeling of wanting to kill him on the spot. And he had dared coming with his new fiancée to the funeral of the one he pretended he loved. What a shame... that man was really a...

- I'm sorry you came for nothing, my dear Archibald.

Mrs. Brighton's voice brought him back on earth. He was gone in his thoughts without even realizing it, thinking about Grandchester while he was the source of Annie's sudden departure. He looked at the women stirring the spoon in her teacup with a sigh, and then he asked:

- You really don't know where she is?

- She became crazy after Candy's funeral, with ideas of suffragettes that made her lost her mind and started thinking about wanting to work.

- I beg your pardon?

- I know it's a shame. I didn't stop telling her but she wasn't listening. And she told me about your break up with so much bitterness that is seemed that nothing was keeping her here. She took a sewing course with that crazy Mrs. Smith and when Eliza told me about it, I wanted to make her change her mind, but she left for the Pony Home taking all her belongings.

- The Pony Home? Maybe she's still there.

- No... I sent someone over there to bring her back and try to convince her again that your couple might not be over and that I was ready to forgive her her craziness if she stopped, but she had already left the orphanage.

- Where could she have gone? Annie is not like Candy, she's not capable of making it on her own.

- I know that. She was talking about becoming one of the biggest designers of her time. I thought she might have gone to Paris.

- Paris? In this time of war? I don't think she's courageous enough to confront the war chaos.

- You're right. That's why I gave up that idea.

- I have to find her, you were right on the fact that our separation wouldn't last. I have the intention of finding her and marry her as soon as possible. The war took my brother and Candy; it showed me that it was easy to lose those we love. Annie was the one holding me together despite her brittleness; she was a good tutor for me. I'm going to look for her and bring her back.

- Oh thank you Archibald. You're so good with her. I hope she'll understand her mistake and she'll come back.

- I will be able to convince her. For starter, I'm going to go to the Pony Home. Those brave women will tell me where she is. I'll keep you inform every step of the way.

Archibald stood up and left Mrs. Brighton walk her to the door. She couldn't stop thanking him for his kindness and encourage him in his mission. Once installed at the steer wheel of his car, he went right away to the Pony Home. He didn't have a minute to waste if he wanted to find Annie quickly. The road separating him from the orphanage was short enough and soon the lights of the soft home appearing in the horizon.