by Tina Martin
“You’re right, but I don’t have a plan. I was hoping I could bounce some ideas off of you.”
“Okay. Let’s hear ‘em?”
“Um, what if I dropped it all on everybody at the same time during family dinner?”
“Ooh…I don’t think you want that. You’ll have like eight people screaming at you all at once.”
“Then should I tell them all individually?”
“No. I think certain people should know before the whole squad knows. Like your parents. Bryson. The girls.”
Candice chuckled. “You’re naming everyone.”
Kalina sat up and said, “I am, aren’t I? Alright, scratch that. First, tell your parents. Then, after that we can have a girl’s night and you can tell the ladies. Eventually, the news will get to your brothers without you having to tell them directly.”
Candice bowed over with knots in her stomach.
“Look, Candy—it is what it is. If you love this man, and you must do since you married him, you should want to tell the world about him. I’m sure Kurt doesn’t want to remain a hidden husband. He should know the family.”
“I know and I want him to know the family and I shouldn’t feel so nervous to introduce him. It’s killing me…and then there’s something else—something I can’t quite wrap my mind around.”
“What’s that?”
“When you married my brother, did you ever feel like something was missing?”
“Not at all, honey. Bryson got everything I need, and trust me when I say it ain’t nothing missing. Nuh-thing!”
“Okay, okay. Spare me the visuals,” Candice said. “I mean it’s this feeling I’ve been having like what if there’s someone else out there, you know.”
“But I thought you said Kurt was your everything.”
“He is. That’s why I can’t explain this feeling.”
“I’m sure it’s just a fluke. It’s sort of like cold feet, but women usually get that before they get married. Since you and your lil’ corporate crush got married so quickly, maybe the cold-feet-thing is happening.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“But it won’t last, especially if you know in your heart he’s a good man and he’s the one you want.”
“Yeah. You’re right.”
“Anyway, stop stressing out and go get dinner, girl. You have a long way to go before this thing is over.”
“Yeah, you’re right about that.”
“Don’t make yourself sick, oh and don’t worry. I won’t mention anything to Bryson or anyone else.”
“Okay. Thanks, Kali.”
“No problem.”
Chapter 5
After talking matters over with Kalina, Candice woke up Tuesday morning more optimistic than she’d been in a while. With her head held high, confidence on fleek, flat-ironed hair hanging around her shoulders, she sashayed into her office, placed her bag next to her desk and sat down taking a bite of the blueberry bagel she picked up from Panera Bread along the bumper-to-bumper morning drive. She logged into her computer and took a sip of coffee, reading emails as she picked up her cell to call Kurt.
FROM: Barringer Blackstone
TO: Candice Blackstone
CC: Garrison Blackstone
SUBJECT: Transition Issues @ Telmark
Candice,
I got a call from the CEO today over at Telmark. It seems they are having some issues integrating their system with ours. Follow up with IT and let’s get this resolved quickly. We don’t need any issues with this new client.
Thanks,
--
Barringer Blackstone | CEO
Blackstone Financial Services Group (BFSG)
Ext. 200
_____
“Hello?”
“Oh, hey. Sorry ‘bout that, babe. I was in the middle of reading an email Barringer sent me this morning.”
“I tried to call you last night,” he said.
“Well, good morning to you, too,” she replied.
“Where were you?” he asked.
Candice was immediately taken aback by his tone. “What do you mean? I was home.”
“Then why didn’t you hit me back?”
“Because I had a pretty rough day, Kurt, and all I wanted to do was go to bed.”
“So if I’m hearing this correctly, when my wife has a rough day, instead of talking to her husband about it, her solution is to go to bed. Or is that what this distance does to us? You’re comfortable going to bed and not confiding in me because I’m not there.”
“That’s not it at all, Kurt—”
“I’m sure it is. When you’re in Wilmington, you revert back to single Candice. When you’re in Asheville, you’re married Candice.”
“Nope. Not at all. I didn’t call you because I was thinking—more like doing some strategizing. My stomach was in knots. I was thinking about you. About us. About how I’m going to relay the news about us to my family. It sounds easy to you, I know, but it’s not so easy for me. So yes, I had a rough night of trying to process all of this—trying to think about how I was going to let my parents know I’m married and possibly moving from the east side of the state clear to the west side.”
“Wow. Possibly, you say.”
“Kurt, why does it seem like everything I say is offending you this morning. That’s not what I’m trying to do.”
“I know. I’m just frustrated by it all. Every morning I wake up in bed without you frustrates me.”
“I know, but it won’t be that way for long.”
“I hope not. Anyway, I have to get to work. I’ll check in with you later.”
Candice placed her phone on the desk and sipped coffee, keying a reply to Barringer’s email.
“Ay, are you coming?” Garrison asked, standing at the door.
“Oh. The meeting. Yes. And, good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Tell Barry I’ll be there in a moment. I need to get my files.”
“Yep. Okay.”
Candice took a moment to get herself together. She grabbed a few folders and her tablet. Barringer would want to know about the new clients she’d been working on, especially since he was back on the prowl, trying to increase Blackstone’s revenue after losing The Blakeney Agency. She’d been working diligently to not only keep the current clients they had happy but also to get others to sign on with them.
She took her coffee cup and headed down the hallway to the conference room.
“Well, well, well, look who decided to show up,” Barringer said.
“Don’t start with me, Barry.”
“How are you doing this morning, Candice?” Garrison asked.
“I’m doing okay, Gary. Thanks for being polite and asking me.”
Barringer rolled his eyes. “Anyway, let’s get down to business. First off, did you see that email I sent you this morning regarding Telmark?”
“Yes. I replied to you. I’ll work on it today.”
“Good. We need to keep our clients happy as well as secure new clients to get The Champion Corporation off of our backs. Have you had any luck in that arena?”
Candice opened a folder and flipped through some papers while saying, “Not really. I have some prospects, but they’re with other companies right now and not ready to budge.”
“Continue working on them,” Barringer said. “I may have something for you to look into as well.”
“Did you send me an email?”
“No. I’ll just let you know now. Mom and Pops were out having dinner a few nights ago when he ran into an old business partner of his. He owns a company called CheckMate and it’s just as big as The Blakeney Agency. Granted it doesn’t have the same revenue stream Blakeney had, but it’s a good prospect. Plus, the CEO knows dad already so it’s pretty much a done deal. However, to seal the deal, he wants to break bread over it.”
“When and where?” Garrison asked.
“Ribeye’s, the restaurant over on Cantle Court. They want to meet on Monday around
5:30. Is that good?”
“They?” Candice questioned.
“Yes. The big boss is sending two of his executives.”
“Are we all going to meet them?” Candice asked.
“No. I figured you and Gary could handle this.”
“Yeah. No problem,” Garrison said. He was just now getting back into the swing of things at work. It had been hard on him for a while after losing Vivienne. Work gave him the distraction he needed until he could get back home to his son.
“Is that good with you, Candice?”
“Yes. That’s fine,” she said. Anything to help the company, she was willing to do.
“Beautiful,” Barringer said, dramatically closing his laptop. “Well, that’s all I had to discuss. Do you have anything further?”
“What’s the latest on that Champion Corporation deal?” Garrison asked.
Candice cringed at the mention of The Champion Corporation.
“As far as I’m concerned there is no deal. There will never be a deal. They can’t walk in here and take everything we worked so hard for. Everything dad built. I won’t let that happen. What kind of businessman would I be if I folded and handed over everything without putting up a fight?”
Candice stayed quiet on the subject as she made the habit of doing with all discussions pertaining to The Champion Corporation. She’d already had a not so ideal conversation with Kurt early this morning and right now, she wanted to go call him and at least see where his head was at.
“Alright, guys, I need to get back to the office,” Candice stood up and said.
“Me, too,” Garrison added.
“Hey, Candy, let me holla at you for a minute,” Barringer said.
Crap, she thought. I almost made it out…
Garrison proceeded toward the door and after he exited, Barringer looked at Candice and asked, “You good?”
“Yeah. I’m good. Why are you asking me if I’m good?”
Barringer narrowed his eyes. “I have a hunch about these things.”
“What things?”
He shrugged. “Don’t know. I just feel like something is off with you. I haven’t quite put my finger on it yet.”
“That’s because nothing’s off. I’m working and minding my own business like always.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Now, tell me how my princess is doing,” she said, a slick way to change subjects.
Barringer took the bait. He instantly smiled thinking of his daughter. “She’s good, and that’s another reason I asked you how you were. You used to come by to spend some time with Bella and hang out with Calista. Now, you keep to yourself.”
“I’m not keeping to myself, Barry.” To be honest, she was – spending her time with her new husband, but he couldn’t know that. “I’m just busy. I have a life too, you know.”
“Doing what? Running in and out of nail salons and beauty supply stores?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m going back to my desk. Call me if you need assistance with something job-related.”
“Yeah, ah’ight, sis. I catch your drift.”
Candice took her folder and walked back to her office. She dialed Kurt from her cell and waited for him to answer. She wasn’t sure if he would since he was at work.
“Hey,” he said in a much softer, caring tone than before.
“Hi.”
“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said. “Sometimes I sit here and get so worked up with this situation, Candy.”
“I know, and if it’s any consolation, it’s equally irritating for me. I want to be with you, too. That’s why I’m going to talk to my parents tonight.”
“Tonight? I thought you wanted me to be there so we could break the news to them together?”
“It’ll probably be better this way. I don’t want to wait anymore. I’m tired of waiting. I want to go ahead and do this right now.”
“Okay. Do you need me to be on speakerphone?”
Candice chuckled. “No, I don’t need you on speakerphone to talk to my parents. I got it. I’ll call you later on tonight after I’ve dropped the news on them. I love you.”
“I love you, too, girl. Now, get some work done.”
“You get some work done and put a smile on your face before Desmond realizes something’s wrong.”
“Will do, baby. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Chapter 6
She was a ball of nerves when she stepped on the first few steps of her parent’s house. She knew they were home. They were always home. She could smell the aroma of food as soon as she pulled up in the driveway. Several times she considered turning back, putting it off yet again, but the time had come for her to finally get this off of her shoulders and tell them.
She pushed the doorbell and her father opened the door immediately almost like he’d been standing there. Waiting.
“Hey, daughter. What are you doing here, girl?”
“I can’t just pop up to see my daddy?” she asked, then hugged her father. “I brought you some soda.” She held up the bottle of root beer.
“I see. Come on in. Your mother’s doing her thang in the kitchen.”
“I know she is. I could smell it from the car. I hope you have enough for me, Ma.”
Elowyn took a napkin and wiped her hands. She walked over to Candice and embraced her. “Of course I got some for you. How you doing, baby girl? I ain’t seen you since the last family dinner about four weeks ago.”
“I know. I’ve been busy.”
“Barringer hasn’t been working you too hard has he?” her father asked.
“No, not at all. It’s just—”
“Did he tell you about CheckMate?” he cut in to ask.
“He did. Me and Gary are going to meet with them on Monday.”
“Good. Like I told Barringer, it’s as good as ours.”
“Ours?” her mother said. “You hear that, Candy? The man doesn’t know how to stop working to save his life. You may as well go back to Blackstone Financial honey,” she told him.
Theodore smiled. “I’m not going back, dear, but if I see where I can assist, I don’t mind throwing in my two cents every once in a while.”
Candice walked over to the table where her mother had prepared her a plate. Elowyn then made one for herself and her husband before they joined her at the table.
A few bites into their meal, Candice said, “So, mom, dad, I have something I want to discuss with you two. Now, before I say this, I want you to keep an open mind.”
“What’s going on, sweetie?” Elowyn asked. “You know I don’t like being kept in suspense. I’m too old to be waiting around for stuff.”
“You’re not old.”
“Tell my knees that,” she said chuckling.
Candice smiled. “Dad, make her stop.”
“I will not,” he said. “I’m glad she’s complaining to somebody else about those knees for a change. I hear it every night, and every night she got me under the covers rubbing this and that. I don’t mind it, though,” he said then winked.
“Oh, jeez, please stop,” Candice said.
“Ain’t no need in hiding nothing,” Theodore said. “We have five children—”
“Yep. Un, huh. I get it. I understand. Moving right along,” Candice said. She cleared her throat. “So, as you’re both aware, I took a break from relationships for a while—”
“You know, I meant to talk to you about that,” Elowyn said interrupting. “Is it because of your brothers, because you know I can set them boys straight for you?”
“No, Ma,” she replied, even though she had her reservations about introducing Kurt to her brothers. Kurt wanted nothing more than to feel a part of her family so he’d do whatever necessary – like endure countless interrogations from her brothers to win their favor if that would prove his love.
“What’s the news you want to discuss?” her mother asked.
“Okay. Um—I’ve been seeing someon
e.”
Theodore and Elowyn’s forks hit the plates, giving Candice their full attention.
“His—his name is Kurt. Kurt Hempstead.”
“And how long have you been seeing this Kurt? He must mean something to you if you’re telling us about him now,” her father said.
“Yeah, telling us after the fact,” her mother added on.
She could already detect the impatience in their voices. Now was a good time to just let it all out. She said, “In answer to your question, Dad, we’ve been together for six months. Married for one of those months.”
The frown in her father’s forehead was deeper than the ditch beside a lonely country road. “You say what, now, because I know I didn’t hear you correctly? I couldn’t have.”
“I said we’ve been married for a month.”
Her mother crossed her arms and used the backrest of the chair to lean against. “You eloped, Candy?”
“Yes. I’m married.”
“I—I don’t know what to say,” Elowyn said. “This is not how I expected my only daughter to get married.”
Candice could see the hurt in her mother’s eyes. That’s what she didn’t want – to hurt someone else by her actions.
“Did you not want me to be a part of your special day?”
“Mom—”
“And what do you want me to say now?” Elowyn probed further. “I don’t even know the guy. And what about the things a mother and daughter do together when they’re preparing for a wedding? The parties, bridal showers, the fun of looking for a dress together, cake tastings, picking out venues and setting up registries—we didn’t get to do any of that. And where did you get married? Please don’t say Vegas for goodness sakes…”
“Okay, first of all, please calm down. Of course I wanted you to be a part of my day. The decision to get married without all the family being around wasn’t about you, Mother. And no, I didn’t get married in Vegas—it was a small ceremony in Asheville.”
