I Want Candy (43 page)

“Honestly? A part of me would love to see the faces drop of all the women at work who are vying for your attention.” Candy laughed.

Gabriel chuckled. “They’re only flirting with me because of who I am,” he smiled.

“You’re delusional. Have you looked in the mirror? Even if you were the custodian, you’d have a lot of admirers,” Candy grinned.

“Well, that’s very kind of you,” Gabriel smiled. “Allison says I’m cute for an old guy.” They both laughed.

“Hey, forty-six is the new thirty-six!” Candy snorted.

“That’s what they keep telling me,” Gabriel smirked. “That reminds me. I should’ve asked you this early on, but how do you feel about our age difference?”

Candy smiled and shrugged. “You’re only nine years older than me. That isn’t too bad.”

“It’s funny. I guess I’m a bit naive because I thought that would be the reason you didn’t want to date me initially. I never considered it was because of my being your supervisor or because of race. Well, I take that back. I did think about the boss aspect but didn’t give it much thought, and race never entered my mind at all.”

“That’s because you have rose colored glasses,” Candy smiled.

“I do about matters relating to race. It’s not something I ever really cared about, quite honestly. I’ve never cracked a racist joke in my life. I’ve never called a person a name based on their race or ethnicity. I’m not saying there aren’t any prejudiced bones in my body, I’m sure there are, I just don’t recall thinking ill of anyone based on skin color. To me, assholes are assholes regardless of their race, and good people are good people just the same.”

“That’s true,” Candy nodded.

“I notice racism though,” Gabriel added. “I’ve heard my share of jokes, especially growing up in Bumblefuck, Ohio – also known as Bloomville, Ohio. There were hardly any Black people there. All we saw were characters on TV, and those characters usually weren’t very flattering. My hometown had mostly lower middle-class white folks. It was very small-town America. There just wasn’t any diversity.”

“I’ve been wanting to ask you this, and since we’re on the subject, I’m hoping you won’t get all crazy about it,” Candy smiled.

Gabriel looked down at her. “Oh, please, you can ask me anything. You know that by now,” he huffed.

“Have you always been attracted to Black women?” Candy dug her foot into the sand.

“You know, I never really thought much about it. I was just attracted to women, period. It was never a conscious decision,” Gabriel explained.

“Have you dated Black women in the past?”

“Yeah, briefly back in college. It wasn’t a big deal. No one gave me grief about it – no one I knew, that is. I had one girlfriend who complained about the looks we were getting. People just aren’t used to seeing Black women with white men. You usually see the opposite, at least in Cincinnati. I don’t think it’s always racism. Sometimes I think it’s curiosity and ignorance. My thing is, people are people, and we all have the right to live our lives how we see fit. I just see you as a woman – a smart, lively, gorgeous woman who I’m so very much in love with.”

Candy smiled and pushed herself closer to Gabriel’s face. “I love you too,” she whispered as she kissed his cheek.

“Do you want to go in the Villa to rest?” Gabriel offered. “You’re probably tired after your shopping spree, your run-in with an Aussie Oompa Loompa, and public sex with your perverted boss,” Gabriel teased.

Candy burst out laughing. “You’re an idiot. Let’s just lie here and watch the sunrise.”

“Excellent idea,” Gabriel said. “Wait a minute.” He stood up, brushed sand off his arms and ran to the Villa. When he returned, he had Candy’s swimsuit and a blanket. After both of them covered up, they lie back down, Gabriel wrapping up their bodies in the blanket. He looked over at Candy and kissed her.

“Wake me up in time,” she yawned. “Tonight couldn’t have been more perfect,” she whispered as she fell asleep.

“The best is yet to come,” Gabriel said as he watched her drift away into a blissful sleep.

PEACHY BEACH PIE

4 large peaches pitted and ready for action

1 buttery crust

2 cups sugar – one brown, one white

1 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 365 degrees with the rising sun.

Let cool and enjoy.

* * *

CHAPTER 14

“I’m on my way downstairs,” Gabriel whispered into his cell phone. “I miss you.”

“You just saw me! Well, you walked past very quickly, I mean.” They both laughed. “OK, I’ll talk to you later,” Candy said.

“Wait, just so you know, I scheduled a meeting with Justin in HR today. I don’t want you to be taken off guard.”

“Oh, Lord,” Candy sighed. “OK, let me know how it goes.”

“Will do!” Gabriel said as he hung up the phone.

“It’s hump day,” an employee in the break room shouted. “I can’t wait ’til the end of the week. Sometimes my job sucks!”

Gabriel walked in, doing his typical monthly rounds to speak to the staff. “I know the feeling. I can’t either,” he smiled. The employee looked up, turning red.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Justice. I appreciate my job,” he stuttered.

“Relax, David,” Gabriel laughed. “We all have days like that. No need for apologies.”

“You know my name?” David said, looking up from his flat peanut butter and jelly sandwich in amazement. He scooted his glasses further up his nose while his mouth slightly parted.

“Yes, is that surprising?” Gabriel asked as he went to the vending machine and slid a dollar inside.

“Well, Sir, it is. No one notices me. I’m quiet I suppose. You’re the Chief Executive Officer. It’s just, well, strange is all – in a good way.” David looked over at his coworker who nodded back.

“David, everyone has purpose and is significant. I know who you are because you’re reliable, and when I receive something from you, I can count on it being accurate. I meet with the accounting managers every quarter. I happen to know you do an excellent job.” He patted David on the back as he walked past. “Don’t think of yourself that way anymore.” Gabriel looked at David’s lunch. “You’re quite noticeable, and to brighten your day, lunch is on me. Come to my office before you leave today. I’ll have my assistant pick up a gift certificate for you. And no, it won’t be a company expense. It’s on me,” Gabriel laughed.

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Justice!” David said.

“You’re welcome,” Gabriel said as he walked out of the break room and headed towards the elevators. Mandy from Human Resources walked swiftly up to him as he waited.

“Oh, Mr. Justice! I’m so glad I ran into you. We’re having an important meeting and would love your input if it isn’t too much to ask. Can you spare five minutes?” Mandy batted her eyelashes.

Gabriel looked at his watch and sighed. “I have another meeting I’m supposed to attend in fifteen minutes. I tell you what – I’ll come with you, but I have to leave soon afterward.”

“Oh, thank you,” Mandy said as she pushed the tenth floor button. “This means a lot.”

Gabriel stepped out of the elevator, holding the door and allowing Mandy to pass. He entered the small conference room where two other HR employees sat alongside his friend and coworker, Kyle. Gabriel took note of Kyle’s pale, clammy complexion. He waved to Kyle, who looked up and waved weakly back.

“Hello, Mr. Justice. It’s wonderful you could join us,” one of the HR managers said as she watched him sit down.

“Yes. Mandy said there was an issue you all wanted me to weigh in on?”

“That’s correct. We’ll cut right to the chase as we understand your time is limited. As you know, it is against company policy for there to be romantic relationships between coworkers. There are sexual harassment laws that Blue Sun must enforce. Mr. Norris, here, has been engaging in a relationship with his receptionist. Their marital status does not play a part in any decision made, but it surely doesn’t help from a morale standpoint,” the manager said as she removed a paper from a large file.

“Here is the policy as of today’s date: Blue Sun, Inc. strongly discourages employees from dating one another. This policy is meant to alleviate problems that may arise should said couple discontinue their relationship or encounter issues which could cause a decline in work performance. Blue Sun, Inc. also strongly discourages public acts of affection of any sort.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened. He cleared his throat, folded his hands and looked over at Kyle, who was now avoiding all eye contact.

“OK, here is my opinion. Though Kyle may be having an affair that I don’t condone, he shouldn’t be disciplined based on what has been shared. We can discourage dating between staff, but we can’t put employees on administrative leave, terminate them, or dispense any other form of punishment because they engage in relationships outside of the workplace,” Gabriel calmly explained.

“Well, that’s just it, Mr. Justice. A staff member who wishes to remain anonymous discovered Mr. Norris engaging in sexual intercourse with Mrs. Toler. This staff member was working late and witnessed the two in the act. When initially confronted, Mr. Norris and Mrs. Toler denied the allegations. Unbeknownst to them, their activity was captured on a security camera,” Mandy explained. Gabriel dropped his head.

Kyle looked at Gabriel. “Gabe, if my wife finds out about this, I’m dead!” Gabriel looked up. His golf outings, dinners, and family functions with Kyle flashed quickly through his mind.

“Kyle, how could you do this to Anne?” Gabriel asked softly.

Kyle swallowed deeply. “Is there some way we can ensure my wife doesn’t find out?” he asked.

“Why isn’t Mrs. Toler here as well?” Gabriel asked angrily.

“She has already resigned,” explained Mandy. “Kyle, your records aren’t public. We won’t disclose to your spouse the nature of your dismissal. Due to the circumstances however, we’ll have security escort you to your desk. You have five minutes to pack up your things. Anything which remains will be shipped to you.”

“Just like that? I want an appeal,” Kyle pleaded.

“I really have to go,” Gabriel said, standing up. “Kyle, I’m sorry. I’m leaving the ultimate decision to Mandy. I know you’re a good person, but my hands are tied. I’d like to speak to you later once you gain your composure. Call me in the next couple of days.”

Gabriel got up and left the room. He walked briskly to the elevator, wiping the sweat from his brow and looking at his watch. “Shit!” he said out loud as he realized the meeting with Justin from HR was to take place in two minutes.

“Hi, Justin,” Gabriel said, out of breath from racing down the hall after exiting the elevator. “I’m sorry I’m late.” He closed the door behind him and sat down at Justin’s desk.

“Oh, Mr. Justice, one minute is no big deal. Now, what is it you wished to talk to me about?”

Gabriel hesitated. He thought about the meeting he had just left. Fear seized his heart. He felt faint as the color drained from his face.

“Mr. Justice, are you OK?” Justin asked as he moved a book from his desk.

“Yes, yes, I’m sorry. I just left a meeting that has me a little disturbed. It deals with the very issue I want to discuss with you. You know that fraternizing rule regarding employees dating one another?” Gabriel began, trying to sound removed from the situation.