I Want Candy (6 page)

CHAPTER 4

“We’re three deep and three tight! How are you gonna keep the details from us?” Dallas asked as she leaned up against the bathroom mirror watching Candy apply her makeup.

“I’m just afraid I’m gonna jinx it. Just know that he’s a good conversationalist and oh-so-fine,” Candy said, shooting Dallas a look out of the corner of her eye as she smirked.

“Where’s Jasmine?” Dallas asked, uncrossing her arms.

“Probably going through your mail,” Candy teased.

“We’ve been close since the eighth grade, Candy. I think we deserve some details. This date is different. You’re gettin’ extra dolled-up.” She smiled as Jasmine walked into the bathroom with a carrot stick in her hand.

“Damn you and your diets, Candy. Ain’t nothin’ in this broad’s refrigerator except diet teas, fresh fruits and veggies, and some damn water,” Jasmine laughed. “You look good though, girl. What are you now – like a size eight or ten?”

“Seven,” Candy said proudly as she applied her plum colored lip liner.

Jasmine snapped her fingers in approval, as the carrot dangled out the side of her full lips. She swayed her narrow hips to imaginary music. “So are you and this mystery man goin’ dancin’?” she asked.

“No, we’re goin’ out to dinner.” Candy started to work on her neutral eyeshadow blend.

“Hmmm, you gonna order a salad like you always do on first dates? Men hate that, by the way.” Jasmine sucked her teeth.

“Look you two, I’m gonna be late,” Dallas interrupted. “Andre and I are goin’ out to see that new movie with Tom Cruise. I forget the name of it, but I need to get home and get ready.” Dallas patted Candy on the back. “Bye, Miss Thang. You better call me tomorrow and tell me all the details!” Dallas giggled.

“Maybe.” Candy stuck her tongue out as Dallas left.

“Well, I better get goin’ too. I’m goin’ out to the club tonight with Tiffany.” Jasmine rolled her eyes and laughed.

“Tiffany? You said you couldn’t stand her,” Candy said, raising an eyebrow.

“I can’t, but her new boyfriend is the bartender, and I get free drinks.” Jasmine danced in a circle behind Candy. Candy shook her head and laughed as she finished putting on her mascara.

“OK then. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Candy said.

“You better. Love you,” Jasmine said as she blew a kiss, then walked out.

Candy put the finishing touches on her facial masterpiece. She fluffed her hair, put on a light jacket, and grabbed her purse, taking one last look at herself in the mirror. She loved how her form-fitting black dress perfectly displayed her slender body. She checked her opaque black tights for rips and her black high heels with tiny red roses adorning them for scuffs. She accessorized her outfit with a rosy beaded choker and small sapphire earrings. She decided to wear her hair down, tucked behind both ears. She liked herself, in fact, she loved herself tonight. She heard her stomach growl and popped a piece of chewing gum in her mouth before heading to her garage. She opened the door to her silver Chrysler 300 and got inside, urgently looking for her Tic-Tacs.

‘I don’t want to be sittin’ there, chewin’ like a cow,’ she thought. Just then she heard a car pull up. She immediately made her way back inside the house. Checking herself out one final time, she heard the doorbell ring and opened the door. There stood Eric, dressed casually but nicely in a light-blue, button-down shirt; jeans; and casual shoes. He smiled as he looked her up and down.

“Whoa,” he said, laughing. “Just when I thought you couldn’t look any better.”

Candy smiled. “Please, come inside. Let me just grab my purse.”

Eric walked inside and looked around Candy’s house, appreciating her decor.

“Yeah, we did work out this way. These are some really nice homes. Your house is fantastic,” he called out as he nodded.

Candy raced to her car and retrieved the purse she had forgotten, relinquishing her quest for the missing Tic-Tacs. She returned to her living room and smiled. “I’m ready.”

Eric led her to his bright red Audi A6, and Candy felt him gently tug her to the side as he moved her out of the way to open her door. She smiled as she got into the car, all the while watching him admire her legs.

‘Damn, she looks good,’ he thought as he licked his lips.

He quickly got into the car, putting it in reverse as he left her driveway. The ride was filled with small-talk. Candy took note of how carefully he drove. He was methodical and assured.

“You’re gonna love this place,” Eric finally said as they pulled into the parking lot.

“I’m sure I will,” Candy said, even though she was worried about the neighborhood. She looked around cautiously as he came around and opened her door. Several homeless people loitered about, panhandling. Instantly, the smells of spicy fried chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, and collard greens dancing with fat slices of salt pork hit her nasal passages. All of her worries disappeared as the medicine she longed for coated her in warmth and imminent fellowship.

“It smells great!” she exclaimed.

“Now, you better not be one of those salad-eatin’ women,” Eric teased. “We could’ve gone somewhere else for that. This here is for those of us who aren’t ashamed to get our grub on. Let’s do this!” he cheered playfully as he opened the front door of the establishment for her. Candy walked inside and saw that the restaurant was tastefully decorated. There was a crowd of people with platters of smothered pork chops, hot wings, butter beans, and yams. Her mouth watered as her eyes caught a glimpse of a teenager about to bite into a heavenly slice of moist pineapple upside down cake.

Eric walked up to the front. “We have a reservation – two for Fields,” he said as he raised two fingers for clarification. “Eric Fields.”

“Yes, we have you here,” the hostess replied, scratching off his name. “Right this way, please.”

Eric and Candy walked to their table, a small one in the corner with an unscented votive candle. Eric pulled out Candy’s chair, then took his seat.

“I haven’t been here in a few months, but I’m tellin’ you, I’m gonna have a good time watchin’ you have a good time!” he smiled.

“I’m sure I will.” Candy looked around the restaurant and put her napkin over her lap. A waitress immediately came over and poured both of them tall glasses of water, then took their beverage orders. Candy took a quick glance at Eric head on. She felt her knees knock under the table.

“Does he understand how fine he is?” she thought.

The waitress smiled, a gold tooth flashing, as she handed them their menus. “Tonight’s special is a freshly caught lobster tail with collard greens and Louisiana dirty rice. Of course, the popular dinner for two is also available.” She was a young woman with dyed blonde hair and a seven-month pregnant stomach.

“What’s the dinner for two?” Candy asked.

“It’s like a mini-buffet brought right to your table.” She pointed over at a family that was devouring theirs. “It’s called dinner for two, but it’s more like for four,” laughed the waitress. “It includes our famous collard greens, four pieces of fried chicken, two big fillets of fried whiting, four buttery pieces of cornbread, super sweet yams, homemade macaroni and cheese, blackeyed peas and onions, and a choice of desserts. Tonight we have lemon crunch cake, pineapple upside down cake, and peach cobbler.”

Candy felt like she was going to have an orgasm. The pit of her stomach bubbled with delightful anticipation.

“Well, what do you think about that, Eric?” Candy asked, as her eyes glossed over with hope.

He looked at her, then back at the waitress and smiled. “Hey, it’s whatever the young lady wants. Dinner for two it is.” He closed his menu and handed it to the waitress. “Now, don’t let me down, Candy. I expect you to help out on this,” he teased.

“I will. I promise,” Candy giggled as she sipped her water.

Eric folded his hands on the table and looked across at her. Contemporary jazz instrumentals, barely audible, played in the background. “OK, first of all, you look really nice,” he complimented. “I’m being serious. You’re one of the most attractive women I’ve ever gone out with. I have no idea how I got this lucky.”

“Thanks. You look nice too!” Candy smiled shyly.

“No, I’m dressed down because I knew this place was pretty casual. I clean up better than this. Hopefully you’ll have a chance to see – but I mean, damn – sorry for cursing – you’re just a sight to behold. If things go right tonight, maybe I can take you to a scary movie later,” he laughed. “How did you like ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street?’” He took a gulp of his water.

“It was really good. I slept OK afterwards, but I did have to leave my nightlight on.” Candy laughed.

Eric smiled. “Yeah, that’s back when movies were still scary and original. That was an innovative idea. It’s still creepy, you know, to think about someone who can enter your dreams and take your life. What’s your favorite horror movie?” he asked as he leaned back in his chair.

Candy’s mind got lost at the sight of him licking his bottom lip. It wasn’t seductive, just a casual habit. His full shapely lips were framed with perfectly trimmed facial hair. She saw an earring sparkling from his right ear and enjoyed how his extremely long eyelashes hit the top of his cheeks with each blink.

“There are so many, but I have to say, without a shadow of a doubt, ‘The Ring.’ That had me shakin’ in my boots.”

“Yeah, that was pretty scary. Some of those foreign horror movies are really good for scaring the pants off you.” Eric smiled. His thoughts turned from PG to downright dirty.

“Yeah, I like the original ‘Halloween,’ too,” Candy added.

“OK, now we’re talking!” Eric laughed and lightly hit the table. “That right there – classic! Michael Myers still gets the crown. Yeah, Freddy is scary, but Michael Myers was just all-around creepy. No conversation, you just hear him breathing and walking in the woods, and before you know it, he’s gotcha!” Eric and Candy laughed.

“That’s what I never got!” Candy giggled. “The person running would be ten miles away and as slow as he moved, I was always surprised when he’d suddenly have them in his grip. That didn’t make any sense, and why does the black…”

“…person always have to die first!” Eric finished her line, causing both of them to burst out laughing together. “I know!” he said. And why does the woman always trip and fall? They need some new formulas. ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ was pretty live, too.”

Candy nodded, “Yes! I was so messed up after that movie! I loved it. We’re really sick. We’re gettin’ ready to eat and talkin’ about slice-and-dice movies.”

Eric smiled and shrugged. “Hey, we like what we like,” he said, then looked into her eyes dreamily.

“So what do you do for fun, besides watch scary movies?” Candy asked with a grin.

Eric sighed and contemplated. “All sorts of things, I like to grill out. I like to walk and go to the gym. I like my job, believe it or not. I like to go to the park and just people-watch on a nice day. I really like going outta town and hittin’ up new spots. In the winter I’m more of a homebody. I really like to just chill, have a nice dinner and a movie. If I go out, it’s to the club occasionally but mostly to the movies. I’m not really big into plays or anything, but I’ll go occasionally to try and change it up a bit. I like comedy shows. I used to go a lot more than I do now.”

Candy nodded. “I haven’t been to a comedy club in years. Those are fun. Who’s your favorite comedian?”

Eric laughed and said, “Dave Chappelle, hands down! That man is a comic genius.”

Just then, their food was brought out. Candy looked in amazement as each bowl, platter, and plate, was lovingly placed on their crowded table. Eric had to move the salt and pepper shakers and his water to make room for everything. He laughed as he watched Candy’s facial expression.