I Want Candy (22 page)

CHEATING-HEART-SHAPED COOKIES

1/2 sugar cookie dough (room temperature)
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
2 tablespoons red sanding sugar

Black frosting (to draw crack down the middle of the heart)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Stay super mad and hot as long as needed.

* * *

CHAPTER 9

“So in conclusion, the next fiscal year will have a lottery system for the top three awards,” Gabriel explained as he handed out a flyer for the new autumn line of products. “Please look these over and give me your ideas.” The marketing team rose from their seats and paraded out of the conference room. Candy gathered her notebook and reports and headed towards the door after discarding a paper cup in the nearby waste basket.

“Uh, Candy,” Gabriel said, waving to her. Candy turned around and walked up to him.

“Yes, Mr. Justice – I mean, Gabriel,” Candy smiled.

“Thank you for sitting in on this meeting. I want you more involved with the marketing team from a control management standpoint. I know your plate is full, but I’ll reward you handsomely if you personally train the account manager on expense reporting. Time management doesn’t appear to be their virtue,” he laughed. Candy smiled and nodded.

“I understand, Gabriel. Sure, no problem,” she said.

“Have you been ill?” he asked suddenly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Well, um, I’ve been a bit under the weather but not what I’d consider sick,” Candy answered.

“Candy, you’re a workaholic like me. It’s unhealthy, especially for someone so young and vibrant. You’re pale, and you look tired. Why don’t you take a couple of days off and see a doctor, too,” Gabriel suggested.

Candy fought the anger building in her gut. ‘Who the hell does he think he is?’ she thought to herself as she frowned and remained silent.

“I mean, no offense, but I recognize this all too often. Seriously, it’s not an option at this point. I insist.” He grabbed his briefcase and exited the room, leaving Candy standing there with the taste of fury in her mouth.

Candy drove home and waited for Dallas. Tonight she decided to prepare a large chef salad as a surprise for her overworked friend. Humming to herself, she pulled out a large wooden bowl, baked chicken, eggs to boil, and two heads of lettuce. As she cut carrots into thin strips, she felt her head begin to pound. Queasiness started at the pit of her gut and rose like fiery embers to her temple.

“Oh, Jesus,” she said faintly as she made her way to the half bath several feet away. Standing over the toilet, she pushed her hair back and purged. Much to her surprise, she didn’t feel better. She sluggishly walked into the guest room and grabbed her mouthwash before returning to the kitchen to finish preparing the meal. “That’s the third time this week. I guess Gabriel was right. All this stress from Eric’s bullshit is killin’ me.”

Candy thought about the last forty-eight hours. Eric had repeatedly tried to call. He sent flowers and cards. He even got his mother to call Candy which did nothing but infuriate her further.

Around seven that evening, Dallas walked inside and threw her keys angrily at her couch. “Candy! Girl, I’ve had a day that only Satan could’ve designed! Let me tell you!” she said as she marched into the kitchen only to see Candy slumped over asleep, her head resting on the marble island. Dallas smiled and carefully shook her friend. Candy woke suddenly.

“Huh?” Candy said as she came to, rubbing her head. Dallas laughed.

“Girl, you fell asleep. I figured you were in here ’cause the light was on, but I had no idea you were knocked out.” Dallas looked closely at Candy’s face.

“Honey, you don’t look so hot. Are you feelin’ OK?” She put her hand up to Candy’s forehead and felt the heat.

“I’m OK,” Candy said weakly as she rose from the chair. “I made you a nice salad. It’s in the refrigerator.”

“Forget about the salad, you’re really sick. Have you seen yourself? Never mind, go lie down.” Dallas wrapped her arm around Candy’s and escorted her to bed. “Now sleep the night away. I’m gonna bring you a cup of tea, and I want you to see your doctor in the morning,” Dallas said.

“You sound like Gabriel!” Candy barked as she pushed herself under the covers.

“Well, I don’t care who I sound like. The truth comes out of the mouths of many. Good night, Sis.” Dallas closed the door behind her, leaving Candy to an evening of strange dreams and deep sleep.

* * *

“Well, you do have a slight temperature. What’s been going on?” Dr. Kister asked as he sat down and reviewed Candy’s chart.

“Oh, just my job and some personal issues with my husband. I’m just stressed out.”

Dr. Kister nodded as he continued to read. “You’ve gained a bit of weight since I last saw you. Are you still exercising and watching your diet?” he asked as he stood back up and checked her ears.

“Not the way I should, quite honestly.” Candy lowered her head.

“OK, let’s get a blood test too, just to make sure you’re not anemic or anything. I want to rule everything out,” he smiled as he left to get the nurse. Candy waited as she pulled the flimsy robe around her body a bit tighter. A few minutes later, blood was drawn and she drove back to Dallas’s condominium to go back to sleep. As she stepped out of her car, she noticed Eric, clearly unshaven, waiting by the front door. Candy rolled her eyes and gathered enough energy to prepare for verbal battle.

“Candy! I called your office and was told you were out sick,” Eric said with sincere concern.

“Yes, sick of you! Leave me alone, Eric.” Candy pulled out the key Dallas had given her. The golden angel key chain dangled from it, swinging to and fro. “I suppose you disguised your voice again so you could be privy to that information. I wish you had put this much effort into our marriage,” Candy snorted, forcing down the tears that wanted to well in her eyes.

“Just listen to me for a change! That’s been our problem, Candy. You never listen to me. It’s always your way or the highway. The hell with what I want. I know there’s no excuse for me cheatin’, but you do share some of the responsibility. You made me feel lonely, even when you were home. I love you Candy, damn, but you haven’t made this easy.”

“You know what, the first time you said this crap to me, I thought my ears were deceiving me. Here you stand sober and are still sayin’ it,” Candy snapped.

“I cheated. We both know this. I never wanted to hurt you. I needed somethin’ you weren’t givin’ me – attention. You’re too wrapped up in your career,” Eric whined.

“My career? You had no problem with it when we were dating, but now you turn everything into a pissin’ contest, even with your own wife!” Candy yelled.

“You put your job before me, so I put my needs before you!” Eric screamed.

 “Eric, you have a serious problem with accountability. Go fuck yourself!” Candy swung the door open, slamming it behind her as she breathed heavily. Eric screamed obscenities from the other side. Candy drowned them out with her tears.

AUDACITY PIE

2 tbsp pride

3 tsp revenge

1 cup lukewarm disbelief

Stir and bake in an oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Best served hot.

* * *

“Hello, may I speak to Mrs. Fields?” came the voice with a slight lisp.

“This is she,” Candy said sleepily. It was 10:00 in the morning, but her exhaustion made it feel more like 2:00AM.

“Good morning, Mrs. Fields. We have your blood tests results. You’re not sick. You’re pregnant. According to the dates of your last cycle, you’re about two months.”

Candy rubbed her eyes. She felt her stomach heaving tightly. Black and white splotches danced across the room as her vision doubled.

“I’m what?” Candy asked.

“You’re pregnant. Congratulations. If you’ve any questions or need an obstetrician-gynecologist recommendation, please let us know.”

Candy hung up the phone and sat straight up in the bed. She rubbed her forehead before falling back onto the bed’s headboard and sighing in disbelief. She picked up her cell phone and dialed Jasmine.

“Jasmine, are you busy?” Candy asked, trying to sound calm.

“Of course, but you must really need something to call me at work. You never call me at work. What’s up, Girl?”

Candy cleared her throat. “What are the chances of a woman getting pregnant while on the pill? This lady I know has been on the pill for about seven years. Her period is regular for the most part, and she’s never missed a pill in the last five years.”

Jasmine leaned back in her chair and crossed her ankles.

“So, Candy, how far along are you?” Jasmine asked smugly.

“Just answer the question, please!” Candy yelled. Jasmine burst out laughing.

“I’m gonna be an Auntie!” she giggled.

“Jasmine, this is serious! How did this happen?”

“Um, you had sex with your husband. That’s how it happened.” Jasmine continued to laugh.

“Jasmine! I’m serious.” Candy gritted her teeth.

“Well, it doesn’t happen all the time, but no birth control is one hundred percent. I know you’re religious about takin’ your pill, but it must’ve been meant to be, because despite your efforts, Eric still knocked your butt up, and now I get to have a baby through you, but send her back home when I’m done playin’ with her!” Jasmine teased.

“You’ve been a load of help,” Candy said sarcastically. “I can’t believe this,” she sighed.

“I thought you’d be happy,” Jasmine said, concern entering her tone.

“I’m confused, is what I am. Look, I have to go.” Candy hung up and called Dallas, pulling her out of a meeting. The two spoke for nearly a half hour. The first few minutes were spent with Dallas saying “Oh, my God!” over and over. Dallas came home early to find Candy packed and exhausted. Dallas leaned up against the guestroom door, crossed her arms, and smiled.

“You know what, Candy? I don’t believe in coincidences. I hate what Eric’s done to you, but this may be a sign of some sort.”

Candy sniffed as she pushed her laptop into its case. “Well, whatever it is, I need to speak to my husband. I love him so much, Dallas. I hate him, too. I’m in shock. I’m confused. I’m a little happy, but scared. I can’t even…”