The Winter of Candy Canes (A Sweet Seasons Novel) (12 page)

Candace gave her a quick hug. “Awesome job!”

“Thanks, I'm so glad you were able to come see it!”

Mr. Bailey laughed. “You'll have to come see Candace play Aldonza this spring.”

“Count on it,” Regina said with a smile. “And if you ever want to come see something I'm in, let me know,” she told Candace.

“Thanks.”

They got a tour of the theater and had a chance to meet lots of people and ask a ton of questions. Finally it was time to leave, and they all trooped back to the bus.

Once they reclaimed their seats, Tamara asked, “So, I saw you staring at the stage but you looked lost in thought. How much of that play did you actually see?”

“I'm thinking pretty much zero. I was distracted.”

“Pity. It was really good. Of course, it did suffer in one area.”

“What's that?”

“It needed a Christmas queen,” Tamara said.

Candace laughed. “You're not letting that go, are you?”

“Not even a little bit.”

“Fine, then I declare you the Christmas queen.”

“It doesn't work that way.”

“Then how does it work?”

“Some kind of authority figure has to proclaim me the Christmas queen.”

“And I'm not an authority figure?”

Tamara snorted. “Please, you're my best friend. Even if you were an authority figure, it wouldn't be the same.”

“Don't say I didn't try.”

When Candace got home she IMd Josh.

Candace was happy for Josh that his brother was coming home. She couldn't imagine how much he must have missed him. She also couldn't imagine how terrified she would be if she had a brother who was serving in Iraq.

On Tuesday afternoon Becca approached her at work. The lines were short, the sun was hot, and Candace was glad for the distraction. Becca stood, eyes bright, but arms folded nonchalantly as she rocked back and forth on her heels. For a moment Candace thought for sure she was going to start whistling.

“So,” Becca said, “what's this I hear about Operation Christmas Carol?”

Candace smiled. She had been inspired to use that name after going to see the play. She also laughed because she finally figured out what Becca was doing. She was trying to do the whole clandestine secret-agent-meeting thing.

Candace played along. She turned so she wasn't looking directly at Becca when she spoke. “Last Saturday at 1815 hours, an agent discovered that Christmas was likely skipping a certain house where a referee and her two siblings live. As soon as the information came to my attention, I contacted one of our men in the field, a cheermeister. An operation to rescue this house from its sad holiday vacuum is set to be executed this Saturday at 1800 hours.”

“What's my role?”

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to bring food, gifts, and Christmas cheer and to help make such a celebration as will live on in the memories of all who attend.”

“Downside?”

“None,” Candace answered.

“Sweet. I'm totally there.”

“Shall we synchronize our watches?”

“No, just make sure you're on Zone Standard Time.”

Candace couldn't keep it up any longer. “Zone Standard Time? What on earth is that?”

“The official time at The Zone as measured by the time clock in the Locker Room,” Becca said.

“Ah. So how did things end up at the dance after we left?” Candace asked.

Becca rolled her eyes. “My date turned out to be grabby.”

“Eew. Did Roger rescue you?”

“He did.”

“And?” Candace prompted, hoping for a fairy tale ending.

“He didn't know what to do next.”

“So, how was it left?”

“Same old, same old.”

Candace sighed. “Sometimes I think I'm going to have to hit him over the head with a two-by-four.”

“You and me both. Well, I gotta get back.”

“See ya.”

Half an hour later Pete showed up, startling Candace. “So, Saturday night we're helping out Sue and the kids?” he asked without preamble.

“Yes.”

“Good. Me and the boys will bring the tree and the trimmings. I just hate the thought of those kids not having Christmas. Everyone should have Christmas.”

“Thanks for helping, Pete.”

“Thanks for asking. You know, most folks around here make their friends and that's it. Not you. You're always reaching out.”

“It doesn't seem that way to me,” she said. “I don't know even a quarter of the names of the regular referees.”

He smiled. “Every one of them knows yours, though. What I mean is, you bring good things to this place,” he said. “People respect you for that. You're friendly to everybody no matter what, and I appreciate that. Most of the year I hate most people. Christmas is the one time of year that it's different. I think it's because overall people are happier or at least are trying to be.”

“Thanks, Pete,” she said.

“Ain't nothing. Just thought you should know.”

Then he turned and walked off, leaving her to marvel over what he had said.

Over the course of the next hour, Martha, Kurt, and Roger also dropped by. Candace seemed to be the information clearinghouse, and she was glad she could answer their questions. When Sue walked up, though, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Who told her?
she thought.

“Candace, I wanted to apologize again for the other day when I was so cranky.”

“No worries,” Candace said, forcing a smile.

“I was thinking about it. I think the important thing when you give someone a gift is to give it from the heart. I know that sounds a lot like “it's the thought that counts,” but it's more than that. A gift is almost like your wish for that person. It's like your wish for them to be entertained or healthy or informed or inspired. So, whatever you get Kurt, just make sure it comes from the heart.”

“Thanks, that's a beautiful thought,” Candace said.

Sue shrugged. “It's just a question of what you want for that person.”

“I want Kurt to be happy,” Candace said.

“Really? Is that all?”

“No,” Candace admitted. “I want him to be happy, and I want him to be right for me.”

“If you're meant to be together, he will be,” Sue said.

“Thanks.”

“Well, I'm off, and I have to get home.”

I wish for you to have joy and hope again
, Candace thought as she watched her friend go.

The next night Candace and Tamara showed up at Bible study early so they could set everything up. They had with them an assortment of cookies and the punch Candace's mother was famous for. They set the food up on a couple of card tables and then put their presents on another one.

“Are we going to do the thing where we draw numbers and then go in order and either choose a gift from the table or steal one from someone else?” Tamara asked.

“That's what I was thinking, unless you have a better idea.”

“This is your shindig, not mine,” Tamara said.

They finished setting up as everyone arrived.

Soon everyone had punch and a stack of cookies as they claimed their seats in the circle.

“Candace, can I talk to you for a minute?” Joy asked.

“Sure,” Candace said, retrieving her crutches and walking with Joy out of earshot of the others. She could feel herself tensing up, wondering what the other girl wanted.

“A thought came to me as I was driving over here tonight that it would be cool if each of us gave our present to a person we felt could use it,” Joy said. “We don't have to. I mean, whatever you want to do is fine.”

“I think that's a great idea,” Candace said. “Let's do that.”

“Don't tell everybody it was my idea.”

“I will tell everybody. When you have something special to contribute, people should know.”

Candace made it back to her chair. “Okay, Joy had the coolest idea. We're going to try something. We're going to draw numbers to see who gets to go first. Then, instead of picking presents, we're going to give our present to the person we think could use it most. Now, it will only work if everybody gets a gift. Hopefully, there aren't twelve presents there that will only appeal to three people.”

“Good idea, Joy,” one of the other girls was quick to say.

They all drew numbers. Candace had number twelve.

“Okay, who has number one?” Candace asked.

“I do,” Joy said. She picked a large, thin package off the table and handed it to Candace.

For just a moment Candace wondered if it was all a trick to get her to open this particular box. Maybe Joy had found a way to get back at her. She took a deep breath, and forcing a smile, opened the package.

It was a painting of a ballerina alone in the center of the stage, poised to begin dancing. A solitary beam of light was before her, but only her toe was in it, as though she wasn't quite ready to step completely into it. It was one of the most haunting images Candace had ever seen.

“It's beautiful!” Candace said.

“I painted it six years ago.”

“You did this?” Candace asked, amazed.

Joy nodded. “When I created it, I called it Fear. I've renamed it, though. It's called Faith.”

Candace wanted to say thank you, but the words caught in her throat. She could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes.

“So, share already!” Tamara said, breaking the spell and forcing Candace to smile instead.

She turned it around so that everyone could see it. She could tell that they were all as impressed as she had been with Joy's skill. She could also tell that none of them saw exactly what she saw.

“Okay, number two. Who has number two?” Candace asked.

One of the junior girls went, followed by two of the sophomores. Tamara had number five, and she handed the small package to Joy.

Joy opened it, and inside was a small, stuffed bear with his paw over his mouth. Candace recognized it as one of the stuffed animals Tamara had on display in her room.

“When I was three, my mom gave me that bear, and she told me that when I understood when to listen and when to speak, then I would be wise. As Candace can tell you, it's a lesson I'm still learning. But I thought it was time for WiseBear to help someone else learn.”

Joy hugged Tamara. Candace smiled. Things were going really well. She was just starting to hope that she would be able to give her present to Jen despite the fact that she was going last and wouldn't be able to choose the recipient.

Amazingly, when it came to her turn, Jen was the only one left. “This is awesome,” Candace said. “I was hoping to give this to you.”

Jen opened the Casting Crowns CD. “Some of their music has really inspired me and helped me through some tough times,” Candace said.

“Thank you,” Jen said, and for a minute Candace thought the other girl was going to cry.

They wrapped up Bible study, and everyone headed home excited about their presents. Jen lingered behind and finally came over to Candace.

“You know how I was having trouble with my friend?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“I thought about what you said, and you were right. It's having a close friend that I'm going to miss, not her. I told her that I don't like the lifestyle she's choosing and I didn't want to be a part of it.”

“Good for you,” Candace said.

“Thanks. It's hard, though. I mean, she's been my only real friend since kindergarten, and I'm not sure how to make a new one.”

“Can I give you some advice?” Candace asked.

“Please.”

“Think about getting a part-time job. Think The Zone.”

Jen's eyes widened. “That place was so cool when we went at Halloween. You really think I could get a summer job there?”

“I'm sure you can. Just make sure you apply by March.”

“Thanks!” Jen said.

“She's going to be okay,” Tamara said as they watched Jen leave.

“I really do think so,” Candace agreed.

The last day of class for the year arrived, and Candace came armed with candy canes. She passed some out in homeroom.

“What, you don't get enough of passing those things out at work?” Tamara asked, pointing to Candace's basket of candy canes.

She shrugged. “They bring people such joy, I figured, why not? Lots of people here could use more happiness in their lives.”

“Especially the teachers,” Tamara said.

The bell rang and Tamara held out her hands. “Give me some. I want to spread a little cheer from Candy in my next class.”

Candace handed her a bunch. “Just remember, one per person.”

“Yes, Mom.”

Candace found herself passing out candy canes all morning. It made her feel good, and the hours flew by.

When they finally made it to drama, Mr. Bailey was in high spirits. He had brought cake and punch, and it ended up being more of a party than a class. That suited Candace just fine.

When she wasn't worrying about appearing as Aldonza, she was thinking about their plans to bring Christmas to Sue's family.

By the time the bell rang, she bolted and breathed in her first taste of Christmas-break freedom. All five minutes of it before she had to head to her doctor's office and then to work.

She sat in the waiting room impatiently waiting for the doctor to see her. The leg brace was really starting to bother her. It was hot, heavy, and made her itch. She figured she had been a good girl and patient. She deserved to get out of it. Finally, the nurse called her name, and three minutes later the doctor was looking at her knee.

“Christmas break just started,” Candace said.

“Hm?”

“I've really been good about the brace. I only take it off to shower. I even wore it all last week and during Winter Formal.”

“I'm glad to hear it.”

“I'll be glad to hear that I can stop wearing it during the day,” she said.

He looked up after a minute. “It looks like everything's healing nicely. I don't think you're going to need any physical therapy.”

“I'm glad,” Candace said. “What about the brace?”

“As long as you continue to wear it to bed until New Year's, I don't see why you can't go without it during the day.”

“Yes!”

“Now, that's not a license to go crazy. Be careful. And if your knee starts to hurt, put the brace back on for a few hours.”

“I will,” she promised.

“I want you to wear it the rest of the day, and then tomorrow you can try to go without it.”

Candace left the doctor's office a few minutes later, and her mom dropped her at work. As she made her way through the park, she smiled at everyone she passed.

“You're in a good mood,” Josh noticed when he hunted her up on one of his breaks.

“I get to take this off tomorrow,” she said, waving her hand at the brace.

“Wow! We're going to have a lot of celebrating to do tomorrow.”

“For what?” Sue asked, appearing as though out of thin air.

“My leg!” Candace said, without missing a beat. “I can take the brace off tomorrow!”

“Congratulations! It's like a Christmas miracle,” Sue said with a smile.

“Yes.”

“See you ladies later,” Josh said, waving as he walked off.

That was a close one
, Candace thought as she smiled at Sue.

Later that night she went over the plan on the phone with Josh.

“Roger, Kurt, Pete, and I will bring the tree and the decorations as long as you, Becca, and Martha can handle food and presents,” he said.

“We've got it covered,” Candace assured him.

“Awesome. This is a good thing you're doing here, Candace.”

“We're
doing,” she corrected him.

“Yeah, we just have to make sure they'll all be home tomorrow night.”

“I'll ask Sue in the morning,” said Candace.

“Good. Let me know once you talk to her.”

“Will do.”

After they hung up, Candace tried to go to bed, but she found that she was far too excited to sleep. She just prayed that everything would go well and that Sue, Mary, and Gus would be surprised. She wanted so badly to do something nice for them after all that they'd been through.