I Want Candy (5 page)

Jasmine burst out laughing. “You know I love you, Candy.”

“I love you too, bastard, but don’t ask me to do your taxes next year. I’m done doin’ ’em for free. Besides, I need the additional income for my fried chicken addiction, wench!” They all laughed. The topic changed, but Candy drifted off into daydreams. She was still confused about what to do with Quentin, and the mention of her previous marriage to Eric stung.

As the evening wound down, Candy kissed and hugged her girlfriends goodbye. Alone in her quiet house, she cleaned up the kitchen and living room, going over everything slowly, ensuring that each and every crumb was discarded. She took the lipstick-stained glasses over to the sink and gently washed them as she deliberated about her love life. The glasses squeaked as she worked the thick, indigo detergent over the skinny stems. The soapy suds ran down onto her soft hands, making them shine. Candy smiled as her cat, Enchanted, rubbed against her leg, giving her an ankle hug.

As Candy finished the dishes, she dried her hands with the towel which hung perfectly in front of the sink. Slowly, she ascended the steps to the master suite. The bedroom had cathedral ceilings, large arched windows, and a pink accent wall. Candy walked towards her bed, a king-sized white canopy made of teak. White sheers hung from the sides. She slid off her sandals and disrobed, standing naked in front of a large, matching teak vanity mirror. She studied her love handles and turned to her side with disgust, looking at the thick, triple rolls of fat on her brown back. She wiped a tear from her face and quickly turned away. She walked toward her mini-library partition. Numerous books lined the walls, some of which had no titles on the spines. Those were her journals. Candy felt compelled to revisit her past this evening. Dallas, Jasmine, Eric, and Quentin all affected her in various ways. She felt like something was missing. She needed an explanation – something – anything to help her remember the feelings she had buried. She knew she would find the answers in her diaries. She pulled out multiple leather-bound, brown and black books and crawled into her bed with them, turning on the bedside table lamp. Enchanted jumped onto the bed and purred as he kneaded the sheets, preparing to go to sleep with the mistress of the house.

THE-JOURNEY-BEGINS BISCUITS

1 bag of flour

Throw it on your face.

You’re about to get a wake-up call.

Serve warm.

CHAPTER 3

Candy turned to the first journal entry and read, reminiscing about her courtship with Eric. She read each handwritten line carefully, starting from the very beginning.

* * *

“If that’s your car, you’re about to get a parkin’ ticket,” the handsome, sunkissed man said with a charismatic grin.

“But I park here all the time!” Candy said as she hurriedly took out her car keys, fumbling as a stout parking attendant drew closer.

“Hey, I’m just tryin’ to warn you,” he said as he looked back up the street, holding his Starbucks coffee in his hand. “By the way, my name is Eric. You can thank me over dinner for savin’ you the price of a ticket.” He walked up to Candy who was now sitting in her driver’s seat.

The cool, Midwest autumn breeze blew her hair softly across her perfectly made-up face.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said in almost a whisper.

“Thank you,” Candy smiled back shyly. “And thanks for the warning. I had no idea there was no parking allowed here. I’ll know better next time.” She closed the door and rolled her window down half way.

“Well, what about dinner – and your name?” he asked as he leaned into the window. Candy took notice of his one-day-old stubble; curly, jet-black hair; and dark eyebrows. He smelled like fresh-cut cedar and wore a button-down shirt, blue jeans, and work boots. An ink pen was tucked behind his ear.

“Oh, my name is Candy. I have a lot to do tonight for work, but maybe over the weekend?” she offered as she wrote her number down on a scrap of paper lying in her car.

“That’s fine with me. I’m an onsite manager for the construction company over there.” Eric pointed across the street. Candy looked around until she saw the worksite he referenced. Half the busy city street was dug up. “That’s why you can’t park here. The signs are new,” he winked and smiled.

“Oh, that would explain it!” Candy laughed nervously. She handed Eric the piece of paper.

“Well, I better be goin’, Candy. I’m gonna call you soon so we can arrange to go out for a nice dinner. It was nice meetin’ you. See you soon!” He waved as he walked briskly across the street. She saw him motion to a man to move a beam, then pick up some blueprints and review them. Candy smiled to herself as she drove off on her way to work.

* * *

The next evening Candy was curled up on her couch watching “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” The large cream bowl of buttery popcorn on her lap sat untouched as her eyes grew to the size of platters. She yelled “Wake up!” at her television in angst. ”Whoa, this is scary. What made me watch this alone?” she thought as she watched Freddy Krueger tear his latest victim to shreds. Just then her novelty phone, bright red lips, rang. She jumped then laughed at herself. She reached over to the nightstand and picked up the phone.

“Hello,” Candy answered, still looking straight ahead at her television as her heart thumped.

“Hi, Candy. This is Eric Fields, the parking ticket savior.” A bright laugh followed the introduction. “Did I catch you at a bad time?” Eric asked as screams flew from her television.

“Oh, no, I was just watchin’ “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” I’ve never seen it before,” Candy explained as she opened a bottle of diet iced tea.

Eric laughed. “That’s a good one. I can’t believe you’ve never seen it. So, you like scary movies?”

“Yeah, but I must be gettin’ old ’cause I can’t stomach ’em like I used to,” Candy chuckled.

“I like ’em a lot. It’s rare to meet a woman who likes ’em. I think you and I’ll get along well.” Candy sensed a smile through the line. “So, I’m callin’ to tie up our dinner plans. I’m free Saturday night. What about you?”

“Saturday is fine. I was just gonna go to the office and work, but I can do what I need to later.”

“OK, cool. Where would you like to go? What type of food do you like?”

“I like all types. I’m pretty open. My least favorite is Mexican, though.” Candy looked back towards the television and winced at the carnage.

“OK, great. I know this little place that has some of the best Soul food you can get your hands on. It’s in the Hood, but it’s really nice.

“Oh, sounds good. I haven’t had any good Soul food in a while.” Candy took another sip of her bottled tea.

“Well, you’re gonna like this. I really look forward to seein’ you again. I thought about you that entire day. I hope it’s OK for me to come by and pick you up. What’s your address?”

Candy deliberated for a moment then responded. “I live in Indian Hill.”

“Oh, really? You’re in one of those nice, expensive houses!” Eric teased. “I did some work out there. That’s a real nice area,” he complimented.

“Yeah, I like it ’cause it’s quiet. I can get some peace. My job keeps me busy, and it’s nice to come home and just chill.”

“I understand. Where do you work?” Eric laughed, blowing out a large marijuana smoke ring.

“I just started a new job at a company called Blue Sun. It’s great, but it’s very demanding. I’m the Director of Finance and report directly to the CEO.”

“That’s wonderful. It’s nice to see our people coming up. Tell me somethin’, Candy. What’s a fine lookin’ woman like you doin’ single with what appears to be everything goin’ for you? I must’ve hit the lottery.” She could feel him smiling into the phone.

“Well, I date a lot. I just haven’t found that special someone.”

“Candy, let me lay my cards on the table for you so you don’t even have to ask. I got out of a long-term relationship seven months ago. I enjoyed being single for a while, but now I’m really tryin’ to settle down again. I like bein’ exclusive with someone, so I’m just lettin’ you know I’m not out for fun and games. I want to get to know you and for you to know me.”

Candy turned her television off and sat up in her bed. Eric had just earned her undivided attention. She leaned up against the headboard as she hung onto his every word. She had been on so many dates in the past few months that she had become accustomed to going out once or twice and that was it, but Eric seemed different. She liked his voice. It was suave but not deceptive. She liked that he seemed to be a hard worker and honest, and the fact that she found him highly attractive didn’t hurt a bit.

“Well, Eric, I do thank you for your honesty. I’d like to settle down too, but I know it’s best to just let things flow. I’m in no hurry,” she lied.

“Do you have any children?”

“No, I don’t. You?” Candy drew her pink pajama-clad legs up to her ample chest.

“Believe it or not, no, I don’t. I’m the only one of my brothers and sisters that doesn’t,” he laughed.

“Oh, you have a big family?” Candy asked, smiling.

“Huge. I’m the youngest. I have five brothers and four sisters. Family reunions are always a big deal. Family is important.” Eric paused. “Well, I’m not goin’ to keep you. I know Freddy’s one, two, comin’ for you. Three, four, he’s at your door!” Eric teased.

Candy laughed, “Oh, please don’t do that! I’m gonna have nightmares!”

“Well, Baby, I hope not. I want you to have nothin’ but sweet dreams. I’m lookin’ forward to seein’ you again. I can hardly wait. Enjoy the rest of your movie, and good night,” he said in a low voice.

“Good night,” Candy responded. They both hung up. She slumped back down into the bed, turned the television back on, and pushed play on the DVD, smiling wide.

I’VE-GOT-A-CRUSH-ON-YOU PUNCH

1 package of cherry Kool-Aid

3 large oranges

2 limes

2 lemons

2-12 oz. cans of Sprite/Diet Sprite

Make pitcher of Kool-Aid.

Cut fruit in half and squeeze juices into punch.

Add Splenda to taste.

Stir in Sprite.

Layer fruit slices on top of punch bowl.

Enjoy!

* * *