I Want Candy (16 page)

“Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry,” Candy said as she watched half of the glass of lemonade slosh onto the floor.

“Y’all better stop runnin’ in this damn house! I done told you three times. No more warnin’s, Amena and Armani!” Diane’s raised voice and furrowed eyebrows sent temporary silence through the house. “Oh, and you never mind. It wasn’t your fault. It’s Paula’s bad ass kids. They don’t mind her. That’s Eric’s cousin. She’s floating somewhere around here.” Diane ripped off a paper towel from the roll and began to clean up the spill.

“Oh, let me help you,” Candy insisted.

“No, Baby, that’s fine. You’re the guest. Have yourself a seat. The ribs are on their way into the house, and I want you to be first in line to taste my brother’s miraculous creation!” Diane laughed heartily as she struggled down onto her knees.

Suddenly a swarm of multicolored faces began to huddle together as an older man with a peanut-shaped head, brandishing a wide smile and gold tooth, entered the kitchen. He set down two large platters of slathered babyback ribs, the meat so tender it was barely hanging on the bones. The hickory scent and natural oils mingled together, exuding the smell of summer. The basement door swung open, and the men, once zombies, came to life. Their eyes were glazed over as they followed the aroma. Diane popped up, pushing people back.

“Now everyone, calm down. You know the routine. Let Ed cut it up, then get in line. No fightin’, cuttin’, or cursin’. Let the elders go first, and the children will be served by an adult. I ain’t playin’! I don’t wanna see any kids diggin’ in their noses, then reachin’ for ribs.” Diane took Candy’s arm and pressed it into her waist. “Let Candy go first. Candy, get Eric some too, and you two can go eat wherever you can find a seat.” She winked at Candy and disappeared into the crowd like a fog had enveloped her.

Candy looked at everyone as they stared at her silently, but intensely. She watched as Ed finished cutting some of the bones apart. He wiped his hands on his apron and smiled at Candy pleasantly, motioning for her to get her share. She smiled back, feeling the perspiration accumulating at the nape of her neck. Candy removed a modest amount for herself then took another paper plate in her hand. She heard Eric call out from the back of the crowd.

“Baby, don’t be stingy. Make sure you gimme a Fred Flintstone-sized rib!” he chuckled.

“Oh, shut up, Eric!” someone laughed. “Quit tryin’ to send your woman in to hog up all the hog!” Laughter erupted. Candy took Eric a portion that was double that of hers and quietly said “excuse me” as she made her way timidly through the thick crowd, carving a tunnel in his direction. Suddenly gregarious chatter emerged, the music started again, and she could smell Eric’s distinct scent next to her. He kissed her cheek, took his plate from her hands, and escorted her back outside under an umbrella-covered table with two sunken-in chairs. The scent of freshly cut grass, grilled meats, and sweaty children filtered in the air past Candy’s nostrils, making her smile as she carefully sat down, placing a shiny red plastic cup of lemonade on the table.

“Thanks for comin’, Babe,” Eric said as he dug his teeth into a rib bone, holding it delicately with both hands.

“Thank you for invitin’ me,” Candy responded as she surveyed her plate. “Your mom seems really nice, Eric,” she added before deciding that the potato salad would be a good starting point.

“She is,” Eric nodded. “She’s like a saint. I have no idea how she put up with us kids and Dad. I figure we’ll be here another hour or two, then check in at the hotel and get some sightseein’ done if you want. I wanna swing by here tomorrow morning to say goodbye.” Eric looked up dreamily.

“Of course.” Candy looked down at her plate then back up and observed two teenage boys laughing and slapping each other’s shoulders.

“Are you OK?” Candy asked as she looked back at Eric, who seemed to be deep in thought. A breeze caught his scent, bringing it towards her once more, intoxicating her with lusty sensations. Eric looked at Candy and smiled faintly. He touched her hand, looked down at his shoes and back up.

“Candy, it’s really a big deal for me to bring you here. My mother’s a good judge of character, and this was really the final confirmation for me. I just wanted you to know that I love you very much, and I’m just glad you’re here.”

Candy blushed and nodded as she leaned close and kissed Eric on his cheek.

“Eric, you’re gonna be late!” Candy yelled from the hotel bathroom. “Your mother said she had to leave this mornin’ for church, and you’re in here playin’ around!” She wrapped the thick, white, luxurious, five-star hotel towel around her body and exited the shower. Her loose curls were pinned up and damp. She reached up into her hair, gliding the metal duck clips out of her tresses with agitation as some of them caught onto tangled strands. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. On the unmade hotel bed was a single red rose. Candy’s loins vibrated as she recalled their night of carnal passion after returning from the family cookout. She turned to her left and saw wedged between the pillows, a white satin box with a red bow atop it.

Standing there speechless, Candy finally managed to utter, “Eric?” She received no response. She walked closer to the bed and slid the tiny box closer to her as she picked up a card that was underneath it. She opened the card, handwritten from Eric. Two doves were pictured on the front. Her trembling hands opened the card.

‘Just keep standing right there,’ it read. Suddenly Eric entered the room. His matching white towel was tied around his waist as he approached Candy, hugging her from behind and kissing the nape of her neck.

“What is this?” Candy asked quietly. “What’s goin’ on?”

Eric gently picked up the box from the bed and sat down in front of Candy. He looked up at her, his eyes slightly glossy.

“I don’t need,” his voice cracked. “a lifetime to know when I’ve found ‘the one.’ I don’t need to waste precious time. To me, this is like winning the lottery. You’re my winning lottery ticket. This is hard for me, because it’s like do-or-die, but I love you.” He stared deep into her dark-brown eyes, taking her by the hands.

“I want you. I need you.” Eric licked his lips sensuously as he opened the small, white satin box, exposing a platinum, one-carat, emerald-cut diamond. It shone brightly in the light of the bedroom suite. Candy placed her hands to her mouth and sighed. Her eyes grew wide as Eric pulled her towards him.

“Candy, will you marry me?”

“Eric, this is just so sudden. I mean, I love you, I just…”

“You’re still scared,” Eric said quietly as he closed the ring box. “I don’t want to rush you. I just…”

“Yes!” Candy blurted as she jumped up and down, causing her towel to drop to the floor, exposing her curvaceous body.

Eric laughed as he grabbed her, throwing her onto the soft, layered bed. He opened the box once more, removed the ring and slid it onto her ring finger, then slowly moved stray strands of hair from her eyes. She fought back tears as she felt her heart opening up to him. He delicately kissed her full, soft lips, then her neck, sucking softly as he made his way down the middle of her chest. She ran her fingers through his curls and sighed. They made love once more, both of them tired and woozy from one another’s essence.

“Eric, look what time it is,” Candy said sleepily, waking from her short post-lovemaking nap. “Your mom has to be gone by now.” She slowly rose and dug into her luggage, searching for a clean bra and panties.

Eric stretched and stood up, yawning. “Trust me, she’s still there.” He smiled as he pulled his black tank top over his head and unfolded a pair of jeans. They quickly dressed and headed back over to Eric’s mother’s house. As they pulled up, the house seemed completely different. Without the crowd of people, it looked smaller to Candy. Eric opened her door and let her out. He took out a key from his pocket, unlocked the front door, and let himself in. The house smelled of sage sausage and blueberry pancakes. Only the sound of the television and a distant lawn mower could be heard.

“Mama!” Eric called out, smiling a mile wide as he went from room to room. Candy stood in the living room timidly. Suddenly she heard the back door slam, and Diane emerged wearing garden gloves and holding a handful of weeds.

“Boy! I waited for you for so long I had to try and keep busy to keep my mind off of everything!” She immediately looked at Candy’s ring finger and smiled.

“She said ‘yes,’ Mama.” Eric beamed proudly.

“I can see that!” Diane laughed. “Congratulations, you two. I’m very happy. I’m glad Eric finally found someone to settle down with.” She walked up to Candy and gave her a big hug. Candy could smell the fragrance of disturbed earth mixed with light vanilla musk on her skin. It was comforting and caused Candy to melt in her embrace.

“Welcome to the family, Baby.” She kissed Candy on the cheek. “I’ll be right back. Have a seat you two.” Diane disappeared into the bathroom.

“So, how long did your mother know what you were up to?” Candy asked as she elbowed Eric in the side.

“I told her before we left to come up here.” He smiled wickedly.

“Eric, who’s Sanye?” Candy asked suddenly, crossing her arms. After a brief silence, Eric studied Candy’s face.

“What did she do?” he asked pensively.

“Let’s just say she’s not over you, and tried to mark her territory – like a bitch in heat.” The jealousy in Candy’s voice was thick despite her veiled attempts to push it aside.

“Sanye is someone I dated a long time ago. She’s an ex-girlfriend I was with for a number of years. We grew apart, and I broke it off. We remained friends, but every now and again, she calls me to try to find out if I want to give it another try. There’s really nothin’ more to it than that. I know she’s had a hard time lettin’ go. I’m sorry for whatever she said to you.” Eric took Candy’s hand.

“Why was she here yesterday?” Candy asked, still obviously annoyed. The happiness from her new engagement caused her to suddenly feel insecure. She needed to know that her position was safe.

“My sister invited her. She didn’t know I was bringin’ anyone, and they’re friends,” Eric explained. Candy nodded in understanding.

Diane walked back into the room, drying her hands on a paper towel. “Candy, now I need you to pick out a weddin’ date, and if you want my help with any of the plannin’, please let me know!” she said with a gracious smile. “I look forward to gettin’ to know you better. You seem like a very nice young lady, and my Eric’s just crazy about you. He talked my ear off about you before you two arrived. He told me about your job, your family, your personality – everything. He usually keeps his love life stuff to himself, so I knew that you must be really special.” She gave Candy another warm hug.

The three of them engaged in small-talk before Eric gave his mother one final hug and the couple headed back to his car.

“OK, Baby, what do you want to do?” he asked as he plugged in his cell phone to charge it.

“I need to share the news with my family and friends,” Candy laughed.” Eric nodded as he drove back to the hotel and Candy dialed her parents’ phone.

“Mama? Hi. Did I wake you?”

“No, Baby,” Aubrey answered as she yawned and sat up in bed.

“Oh, good. Mama, I’m gettin’ married!”

“Oh, my goodness! Congratulations, Baby!” Candy’s mother said. “I’m so happy for you, Sweetie!”

* * *

Candy took a deep breath and closed her diary. She poured herself a glass of wine and returned to her bedroom before eating another slice of memory pie.