I Want Candy (40 page)

Allison’s facial expression softened. “He’s been through a lot with my mom, is all. I love both of my parents, but they had a bad relationship, and I don’t want either of them messed up by anyone. They’re good people, you know?”

“Yes, I know. Well, I don’t know your mom, but your father has never said anything negative about her, and you seem really lucky to have such great parents that can still get along.”

“Yeah, I am. I couldn’t believe my dad bought this huge house for himself. He said it was for me, too, but I knew it was because one day he wanted to fill it with other people, like a wife and maybe some more kids.” Allison looked away sadly.

“Allison, what’s wrong? Does that bother you?” Candy wanted to touch Allison’s shoulder but remained reserved.

“Not from the standpoint of his happiness, but I’m kinda torn. The wife part is awesome. To me, having two moms, especially if I like them both, would be great. I’d get double the gifts,” Allison smiled.

Candy burst out laughing. “This is true!”

“But, having younger brothers and sisters would take time away from me, I know. Right now, I get all of his attention, and I don’t mind sharing it with a grown-up, but with kids? Well, kids are time consuming. As childish as it sounds, I think I’d be worried about being replaced. Everyone would be looking at the kid, talking about how freakin’ cute he or she is, and I’d just kinda disappear into the background.” Allison looked down at her hands.

“You know what, Allison? Ever since I’ve worked at Blue Sun, which has been over five years now, your father has done nothing but talk about you. I knew about you the very first time I met him. He adores you, and no one could ever replace you. Your picture’s on his desk, on his cell phone, and in his wallet. Your dad has a lot of love to give, and you won’t be shafted,” Candy assured.

Allison smiled as Candy comforted her. “I asked my dad if you and he had sex yet, and he told me to mind my business, but I finally got the truth out of him.” Allison abruptly switched the topic. Candy’s jaw dropped. Just then, Gabriel made his way back into the room.

“Hello, Ladies!” he smiled as he sat back down. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

“Candy, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Gabriel teased. His face suddenly turned serious as he looked at Allison, who was sitting close to Candy and smirking.

“What did you do?” Gabriel asked seriously. Allison looked away as if she didn’t hear him.

“Candy, what did she say?” he asked.

“Well…I,” Candy stuttered.

Allison crossed her arms and grimaced. “I told her that I asked about you two smashing. I’m just keepin’ it real.” Allison rolled her eyes.

The color left Gabriel’s face. His head hit the table.

“Oh, God,” he said in a muffled voice. “I should’ve known not to leave you two alone. I just thought you were gonna ask her about astrology again. Smashing? Why would you – oh, God. Candy, I’m really, really sorry. Allison’s very outspoken and at times straight-out rude. She’s been that way since she was first learning to talk, and it hasn’t stopped since. Allison, we’ve talked about tact and decorum. There are things you can say to me that I don’t want you saying to other people. That was really inappropriate, and you know it. Apologize to Ms. Benet, please.”

“But Dad, I…”

“Now!” the table shook as Gabriel yelled. The entire house became very quiet. It wasn’t in Gabriel’s nature to raise his voice. Allison’s body trembled as her eyes enlarged.

“Gabriel, it’s OK. She just…” Candy said as the tension built in the room.

“No, it’s not OK,” Gabriel snapped. “We’re waiting,” he demanded.

Allison looked at Candy. “Ms. Benet, I’m sorry for bringing up such a personal matter. I’m sorry,” she repeated.

“Thank you for your apology,” Candy said as she patted her shoulder.

“Dad, can I be excused?” Allison said weakly.

“Yes, I think that would be for the best.” Gabriel looked at her sternly. Allison softly disappeared, leaving the two alone together.

“I’m sorry, Candy. That must’ve been very embarrassing for you,” Gabriel stated as he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple pivoting.

“It just took me off guard,” Candy explained.

“Look, I know my way of parenting is unconventional. I’ve found that being honest with her not only keeps her out of trouble but keeps us closer. She’s never done anything more than kiss a couple of boys. She knows should she want to go farther than that, she has to talk to me and her mother first. She’s a straight-A student, bright, gifted, and loving. She doesn’t have a filter though, and it’s caused occasional problems at school. I’m surprised at how popular she is, actually. She tries not to fit in, but the opposite always happens.”

“It’s her personality. She’s full of energy and light. Other kids gravitate towards her because she seems like a leader. Teens want to be led. She’s a mini-you, Gabriel,” Candy explained.

“I know.” Gabriel frowned. “Her mother always tells me we act just alike, so she doesn’t know why I’m mad when she acts like this. Anyway, would you like to watch a movie or something?” he asked as he stood up and stretched.

“Wait a minute, Buster. When she asked if we had been – together, what did you say?” Candy questioned as she stood up and grabbed her purse.

“I told her the truth,” Gabriel said seriously. “I initially told her it wasn’t any of her concern, but she kept asking, so I answered, but I did so in a respectable manner.”

“Mmm hmm,” Candy smirked.

“I did, honestly. I told her ‘yes, we have’ and that the discussion was over. She tried to get more information, but I stopped it. I was honest with her, and she didn’t need to know any more. That’s no one’s business but our own. I know she wasn’t asking because she wanted details. She was asking to see how serious we were because she knows how I am,” Gabriel explained.

“I see you didn’t tell her that I was…”

“Because it wasn’t important. I really don’t understand why things like that would be announced. To me, it’s like announcing that you’re a woman or that you wear your hair up sometimes. Who cares?” Gabriel said as he exited the dining room and walked back into the kitchen, grabbing a beer. Candy followed behind.

“I’m gonna go the bathroom,” Candy sighed. “I’ll be right back.”

“OK. Do you remember how to get to it from this wing of the house?” Gabriel asked as he tilted the beer bottle into his mouth.

“Yes,” Candy smiled as she disappeared down the hall.

Gabriel made his way to Allison’s room. Opening the door slowly, he saw his daughter lying on her bed with her eyes closed and her iPod in her ears. She was wearing a spaghetti-strapped Hello Kitty top and matching flair-leg pajama pants.

“Allison,” Gabriel said as he stood over her with his hands clasped. “Allison!” he said louder. Her eyes flew open. Sitting up abruptly, she removed the iPod from her ears.

“What? You came up here to go off on me again. I get it. I said I was sorry.” Allison crossed her arms defiantly.

“First off, lose the attitude. I’m not having it. Secondly, why would you do something like that? I know that you knew better. That’s what upset me. It was ridiculous and uncalled for. I’m really disappointed in you,” he said as he sat down next to her.

“I wanted to see her reaction, I guess. I know it was childish. I don’t even know why I did it. She seems really nice, actually. We were talking about you getting married again one day and kids, and I got kinda mad. All of the sudden, I just wanted her to go away. This is the first woman you’ve really taken an interest in since you and Mom split. Yeah, you’ve had other women, but this is on a totally different level. I thought I was cool with it, but I guess I’m not totally. It sucks because she seems like a nice lady, and I know you love her. I guess, I feel…”

“Threatened.” Gabriel took his daughter’s hand. “No one can make me love you less, OK? I know that you want me to be happy. You’re the one who wanted me to start dating again, remember?”

“I know, and I meant it. I did.” Allison looked at him, her eyes watering. “I know that one day you’ll get married again, and you might even have another kid. It never bothered me until I saw how you were looking at her tonight.”

“Yeah, this is serious. She and I are in a relationship, but you’re a part of this, too. Why do you think I had her come over? I needed her to meet the most important person in my life. Some people think that because you and I have such lax rules as father and daughter that you feel at liberty to say whatever you wish. Some of that may be true, but please don’t make me change the rules of how we communicate. I really love how we can talk about anything, and I know you do too, but if that means you continue to use that as an excuse to…”

“I get it, Dad. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“It better not,” Gabriel scowled.

“Here’s what I don’t get though. I remember you talking about her after you hired her. You talked about her a lot. You and Mom were still married, and it kinda bothered me when I thought back on it. Did you love her then too? Were you two having an affair?”

“Of course not! I liked Candy, so I spoke about her a lot because she was one of the few people at Blue Sun who did what was needed when I needed it, and she’s very bright and business-minded. We developed a friendship at work, and many bosses – especially ones in my position – feel removed from their employees. We talked about all sorts of things. At the time, she was married too. My mind never went there and neither did hers. I never cheated on your mom – not one time. It wasn’t until long after we were both single that we even considered this. It was a hard decision because of our work relationship. No one in the office knows about it. It’s still a secret which makes it a bit difficult. We can’t just go out in the middle of the day anywhere near our job. Other people can go out to eat and kiss and hug, but we have to look around first to make sure no one from work is there. It’s hard.”

Allison sighed in relief. “What would be the harm in just letting people know though? You
are
CEO. You can do whatever you want. If you love her, don’t hide her.”

Gabriel smiled at Allison and kissed the top of her head. “I wish it were that simple, Sweetheart. Now, let’s go find Candy and watch a movie.” Allison leaped up happily from the bed and left her bedroom with her father, hand in hand.

FATHER-AND-DAUGHTER CORNBREAD

Take 1 adoring father

Add 1 precocious daughter

Add corniness, love, and delight

Mix with electric beater

Serves two, possibly three, or even four or more.

Enjoy.

* * *

“Another weekend?” Jasmine rolled her eyes and laughed. “I really have to give you two props for bein’ able to keep this a secret for so long.” Candy nodded as Jasmine completed the finishing touches to her hair.

“What are you two doin’
this
weekend?” Jasmine asked, smiling slyly.

“I don’t know. He won’t tell me. He said it’s a surprise,” Candy giggled.

“Must be flavored condoms,” Jasmine teased.

“I just feel so good with him. I’ve never experienced a romance like this before. It’s like he can read my mind and knows what I want before I even ask. He’s attentive, kind, loving, good looking, and…”