The Spring of Candy Apples (A Sweet Seasons Novel) Page 6

  “Penny for your thoughts,” Sue said.

  Candace smiled. “I think with a little more practice we could win this thing.”

  “You’re crazy,” Traci said, staring at her.

  “It’s been said before, and it might even be true,” Candace answered. “But I think we’ve got all the skill we need, we just need to put a little determination behind it.”

  She jumped to her feet, and reluctantly Traci followed suit. They all reassembled around the table and prepared to try again.

  Three hours later they called it a night. Candace’s fingers were cramped up, and her back was killing her, but by the end they had each managed to make a large pyramid and break it down. Even Traci had started to feel optimistic.

  Candace made it home and then staggered upstairs and fell lengthwise on her bed. She was exhausted, but she was feeling good. It was amazing how much they had gotten accomplished.

  She flipped over and grabbed Mr. Huggles. She wondered how the other teams were doing. She realized she didn’t even know what half of her friends were doing for their talent. Josh was still being mysterious. She hadn’t had a chance to ask Martha what her team was doing. Becca, Roger, Gib, and the rest of the crew of the Muffin Mansion were doing the whole Lord of the Dance thing. She could just picture Becca, hyped up on sugar, her feet a blur as she moved across the stage. That was going to be something to see.

  She thought about Kurt and wondered what he was doing for the talent show. She didn’t even know if he was teamed up with some of his mascot friends. Then again, for all she knew, he might be teamed up with Lisa. She growled under her breath and fought back tears. She knew she and Kurt were wrong for each other. Why did it still hurt to think about him? Why did it make her angry when she thought of him dating someone else?

  I need some sort of closure, she thought. Josh was right. Then again, he usually is.

  She crawled back off the bed and changed into her pajamas. Then she climbed under the covers and started to pray. God, help me make the right choices. There are so many paths I can take, and I’m not sure what to do. Help me to be able to let go of Kurt. Help me not to be angry with him or jealous. God, help me to find the man you created for me.

  She drifted off to sleep and dreamed about stacking cups that reached toward the heavens.

  The next day Candace’s victory with the stacking cups faded into the background as she faced total failure at capturing Aldonza’s sense of anger at Don Quixote. She sat on the edge of the stage, legs dangling as Mr. Bailey tried to explain it to her.

  “Look, she’s a peasant; worse, she’s a prostitute. She is nothing. She has nothing, no self-respect, nada. Along comes this guy who refuses to acknowledge the reality of her situation and then has the gall to declare that she is a lady of standing and virtue, the likes of which she has never seen let alone could ever be.”

  “And that makes her mad?”

  “Yes, because it only makes her feel the shame of who she is that much more deeply. He thinks of her as this amazing creature, and he expects her to behave like a lady. It just makes the reality of her life that much worse.”

  The light slowly began to dawn. Candace thought about Josh and how he seemed to have a higher opinion of her and her abilities than she did. It was flattering, but also frightening. Sometimes she felt like a fake around him and was terrified of letting him down, of proving him wrong. She didn’t want to disappoint him.

  Don Quixote, for all his good intentions, made Aldonza feel terrible because she wasn’t what he thought she should be.

  “You’re getting it,” Mr. Bailey said. “I can see it in your eyes.”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Good. Now focus on that. Bring that frustration and guilt and humiliation to bear on Don Quixote. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have to be in so much pain.”

  “I am so angry, I almost hate him,” she muttered.

  “Exactly. But then, at the end, it is his faith in you that gives you the strength to become the woman he always thought you were. And you, in turn, restore his faith in his dream.”

  “That’s beautiful.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Okay.”

  Mr. Bailey stepped back and clapped his hands together. “Okay, people, let’s go again from the beginning of the scene.”

  Candace hopped to her feet and took her place. From the floor of the auditorium Tamara flashed her an encouraging smile.

  “And, action!”

  Candace was still running the lines in her head when she made it to work. She put her purse in a locker in the Locker Room and then exited toward the park.

  She hadn’t gone more than a few steps when she ran into Martha, walking with a guy a couple years older than Candace.

  “Candace, there’s someone I want you to meet,” Martha said.

  The stranger was a tall, shy-looking guy with glasses, a Zone T-shirt, and a quirky grin.

  “Candace this is Gary. He’s a former scholarship winner. Gary, Candace is one of our finalists.”

  They shook hands. “Congratulations,” Gary said.

  “And to you. Wow. So, what’s it like winning?”

  “It’s awesome!”

  “Talk, ask questions, Candace,” Martha said, leaving with a little wave.

  “So you go to Florida Coast?” Candace asked after Martha left.

  “I did. I just took my last final a couple days ago.”

  “Wow, so what are you going to do now?”

  Gary grinned. “You’re looking at the newest Game Master.”

  “That’s amazing!

  “I’m totally stoked. It’s amazing. Four years ago I was you. I remember how excited and freaked out I was. I wasn’t even sure that this was what I wanted to do with my life.”

  “What happened?”

  “Simple. I rode the ride I designed. It was such a rush, I can’t even tell you. It was at the end of my Freshman year. After I got off the Spiral, l I knew that I wanted to make rides for a living.”

  “You created that? They put it up not that long ago!”

  “I know,” he said proudly. “I was here for the opening. They build your ride at the Florida park, and if it does well, it has a chance of coming here.”

  Candace was amazed. The Spiral was one of the coolest roller coasters in the park. “Your ride rocks!”

  “Thanks! Just wait until you see your ride in real life.”

  “That’s if I win,” Candace said, wishing more than anything that she did. She closed her eyes for just a minute and imagined what it would be like to ride the Balloon Races. That alone would be worth the fight with Tamara when Candace told her she was for sure going to Florida Coast instead of UCLA.

  “I think you’re going to win,” he said.

  “Based on what?” Candace asked.

  “You have that look to you.”

  “Okay, you lost me. What look would that be?”

  “You look like a Zoner, like someone who could spend the rest of her life working and playing in the parks. The other four don’t. Sure, they like it here and they’re all interested in design, but they’d be just as happy working for Cedar Parks or Disney or any other theme park. The one guy just wants to be an architect, he’s not even really interested in theme-park design.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Then I take it you’re a Zoner?”

  “From the first day I walked down the Home Stretch,” Gary affirmed. “That was one of the best moments of my life.”

  “That’s cool.”

  Gary nodded. “Look, I’m going to be around now. If you have any questions about the program or Florida Coast, just look me up. We scholarship winners tend to look out for one another.”

  “Thanks,” she said, giving him an impromptu hug.

  “No problem.”

  “Glad to see you’re moving on,” a catty voice said.

  Candace pulled away just in time to see Lisa saunter by. She stuck her ton
gue out at Lisa’s back as she passed.

  “What was that all about?” Gary asked.

  “Trust me, you really, really don’t want to know,” Candace said with a sigh.

  “Actually, I do,” he said.

  Candace laughed. “Well, at least you admit it. That’s my ex-boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend.”

  “Messy.”

  “Yeah. Somehow I expected her to be nicer, or at least ignore me, now that he and I broke up.”

  “Some people just can’t leave well enough alone. She’s probably jealous of you.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Get used to it. Going to Florida Coast on a Zone scholarship is an amazing thing. Unfortunately, you’ll have classmates that will drive you crazy because of it.”

  “Bummer.”

  Gary shrugged. “You know what they say, ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ ”

  “I could go for a little less strong,” Candace sighed.

  “You’ll do fine, Candace.”

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  “You should think so too. Have a little more faith in yourself. From what Martha tells me, you’re a real star. You just don’t know it yet.”

  “I’m really starting to think God’s trying to tell me something,” Candace said to herself.

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  7

  After work, Candace went looking for Becca. She discovered that most of the crew of the Muffin Mansion were rehearsing in the Party Zone. She made her way over there and saw a group of referees on the stage lined up in a straight row. In front of them, Becca paced back and forth, hands clasped behind her back, as she gave orders.

  “The key to this dance is timing. Listen to the music, watch each other. If you’re out of step even by a moment, the entire performance loses its impact. Now, let’s take it again from the top.”

  She moved over to a CD player, and a moment later the finale music from Lord of the Dance was pouring out of its tiny speakers with surprising force. Becca raised her arms like she was a music conductor, paused for a moment, and then let them fall.

  The dancers burst into movement, their feet striking the ground rhythmically and with deep thuds. Candace watched amazed as they bounced and kicked and moved seemingly as one. When it was over, she couldn’t help but applaud.

  “Take five,” Becca instructed before hopping down off the stage. “Hey, Candace, got a little espionage thing going on here?”

  “No reconnaissance, just wanted to see you,” Candace said with a laugh.

  “What’s up?”

  “Mostly I was hoping to catch you on a dinner break so we could chat. I also wanted to ask you some advice in the guy department.”

  “Oh,” Becca said, eyes growing wide. “Gotcha. Well, if you’ve got some time, you can hang out for a few. We’re almost done, and then we can go get some dinner.”

  “Sounds like a plan. You’re sure you won’t mind if I watch?”

  Becca shrugged. “Unlike some people, we’ve made no secret of what we’re doing.”

  “That’s true,” Candace said. “Some people are being quite the pain about it.”

  “I personally think it’s a lack of confidence in their performance. If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with mystery.”

  “I like your theory. I’ll mention it to Josh.”

  “Please do,” Becca said. “And tell him his team is going to lose.”

  “Ah, the competitive spirit of The Zone in full swing.”

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” Becca asked.

  She hopped back on the stage. “Okay, people, one more time . . . with feeling.”

  Candace smiled as she watched. One thing was for sure, they were going to be the team to beat. No matter how good her team managed to get at the cup stacking, she wasn’t sure they could match the Muffin Mansion for pure spectacle.

  They finished the routine with a flourish, and the only one who was off was Roger. Gib lit into him, and Candace couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

  “What’s your problem, galley rat? Not paying attention? Too tired? Look around, we’re all tired. You have to learn to focus.”

  “Sorry,” Roger said dejectedly.

  Gib just rolled his eyes.

  Becca turned her back on both of them and joined Candace. “Ready for food?”

  “Yup.”

  “In Zone or out?”

  Candace hesitated. She would love to eat in the park, but what she wanted to talk about required a little more privacy. “Out.”

  “Cool.”

  They ended up at Rigatoni’s, one of Candace’s favorite restaurants. They ordered and then settled in.

  “So, what’s up?” Becca asked.

  “Well, you are the Zone guru,” Candace said.

  “I think it’s hilarious that’s what you think I am,” Becca said with a smile.

  “You always seem to have good answers.”

  “What do you need an answer about today?”

  “I’m still feeling unsettled about the whole Kurt thing. Part of me wants closure, part of me wants to get back together, part of me never wants to see him again.”

  “All normal reactions.”

  “Which one do I listen to?”

  “That depends on your specific situation.”

  “Okay, specifically me,” Candace said.

  Becca sighed. “You know how I told you fall was a season of change?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Let me tell you about spring.”

  “What, it’s a time of renewal?” Candace asked.

  “It can be, but generally speaking it’s really a time of new beginnings.”

  “As in ‘old things are passed away; behold all things are become new’?” Candace asked, quoting the Bible.

  “Exactly!”

  “So, like what? A new beginning with Kurt? I don’t know if that’s even an option.”

  “More like a new beginning without Kurt.”

  Candace just stared at her. “I don’t understand,” she said finally.

  “You know for a smart girl you can be pretty dense. Kurt’s not the only guy at The Zone who likes you.”

  Candace flushed. “What do you mean?”

  “If you don’t already know, I’m not going to spoil the surprise for you,” Becca said.

  “So what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that I just think it’s time to take your life in a new, better direction. Kurt wasn’t a keeper, not for you.”

  “But why?” Candace asked, frustrated.

  “Because you want very different things out of life. That is never going to change, no matter how much you wish it would.”

  Becca was right, and Candace knew it. It was the thing she had always feared about the relationship. She kicked herself for not having listened to herself sooner.

  They ate dinner and talked about guys and work. When they were done eating, Candace glanced at her watch. “Uh-oh, I’m going to be late,” she said.

  “Date?” Becca said, raising an eyebrow. “In which case, why are you having dinner with me?”

  “Practice,” Candace explained.

  “Isn’t it late?”

  “It was the only time this week we all had free.”

  “Well, then get going.”

  “Thanks,” Candace said, handing Becca money for her part of dinner. “For everything.”

  Becca waved her hand. “Thank me by having a great practice. It’s going to be embarrassing if no team poses any kind of threat to us,” she said, smirking.

  Candace did her best to imitate Becca’s smirk. “Don’t worry, we’re a threat.”

  “To ourselves and others,” she added under her breath as she dashed out the door.

  Twenty minutes later Candace was back in Sue’s dining room, nervously fidgeting with her stack of cups.

  They practiced for an hour. It was hard, frustrating work, but Candace was gratified to see that they were making progress. The
y all agreed at the end to start trying to interlink their designs the next week.

  “Don’t forget to wear green tomorrow,” Sue reminded as they all headed out.

  “Green?” Candace asked, drawing a complete blank as to what she could possibly be talking about.

  “Saint Patrick’s Day,” Sue said.

  “Oh, my! I practically forgot,” Candace said.

  “Trust me, I can’t forget. If I let my little brother and sister go to school without green, they’ll come back black and blue.”

  “Can’t have that.”

  “Uh, no.”

  “What about dress code?” Candace asked.

  “You mean, you didn’t pick up a green striped shirt from costuming?” Pete asked.

  “No, should I have?”

  “Yeah,” Traci said.

  “Look, how is it you all know these things and I don’t?”

  “Candace, you really need to get on the employee website,” Sue said.

  “Fine, but what do I do for tomorrow?”

  “Wear a plain green shirt if you have it,” Corinne suggested.

  “Or a large green brooch,” Pete added.

  “I don’t own a brooch, green or otherwise.”

  “You could always go with green socks,” Sue said.

  “If I got there early, would costuming still have some left?” Candace asked.

  Her teammates blinked at her.

  “You know, they just might,” Pete said at last.

  “I didn’t even think of that,” Corinne admitted.

  Candace rolled her eyes.

  It was after ten when she made it home. She knew she should go to bed but she was still too keyed up. She sat down at her computer and IMd Josh.

  You awake?

  Yup. Guess U R 2.

  Ya. So . . . green costume shirts tomorrow?

  Good, U heard.

  15 min ago.

  Oh.

  Yeah.

  You can probably still get one tomorrow.

  Hope so. So, what is the ref website?

  www.thezonethemepark.com

  Candace clicked on the link and the park’s website came up.