Back Again

The clock on the bedside table read 11:42. Candice turned her head to see the sunlight. It was morning. For a moment she mused with a half smile 'how long has it been since I woke up before noon in a bed of my own?' She rolled to the edge of the bed and fell off.

Walking toward the doorway, Candice checked the launching pad to discover the coat and keys were not there. She opened the front door to find the car she had driven home was gone.
"Well done Sally."
She continued to her garage which was shut up tight. Her glance fell to the ground as she searched for something. She twisted and turned and looked behind her.
"Ah HA"
She took a hop backwards, then a deliberate step forward. She readjusted her other foot, and lifted her face to the garage door. She lifted her right hand to the sky and a smirk curled her lips. The garage door creaked, and the sound of metal on metal started to squeal into the afternoon air. The light from the noon sun illuminated around her form, casting her in silhouette, as her favorite stage/fan/hiding place waited in passive disinterest. The door was all the way up, and clanked to a silent stop.
Inside, her PT cruiser was smiling, or so she thought, to see her.
Candice walked into the garage. With her keys and purse in hand she fell forward onto the hood of the car. "WINNIE! I have longed to see you!" Candice did what she could to hug the mass of metal and plastic. She stood and nodded to her old friend, then excused herself to climb inside.

The cell phone on Charizma's living room table began to whir. She looked up from her brand new collection of photos to watch the phone buzz across the table. She leaned forward, picked it up, and checked to see who was calling. A smile erupted across her face as she flipped the phone open.
"Candy Cane!"
"Hello Miss La Tigra!"
"hi."
"what are you up to?"
"nothing, what are you up to?"
"nothing... I mean, I am just sitting in my driveway looking for somewhere to go."
"Really?"
"yeah, what are you doing?"
"I just got these photos from Toby, Oh my Goodness Candy, You have to see them-"
"-yeah?-"
"...yeah..."
"are they popping?"
"you have no idea."
"So you wanna go get did?"
"she said, you wanna go get did"
"I did!"
"This girl is so crazy."
"Who?"
"whatcha mean who?"
"has someone gone insane, or contracted some brain disease?"
Charizma laughed a little laugh, "but, you know-"
"Do you wanna go get your nails done? Mebbe have a cocktail?"
"Yeah, but I have to get ready."
"WHAT?!? But I am already there!"
"..."
"I can't believe how you waste my time, we're through!"
Charizma clicked her tongue, "Are you Serious?"
"..."
"Candy you know I love you."
"I know bitch, I could never stay mad at you. Put your wig on, I'll be there in a few."
"BITCH?!?"
"Yeah, G, Cause You My Dawg! Bitch! My Female Dawg!"
"That is so wrong, Candy! I don't know why I am wasting my time with you."
"it's because I'm a rock star and you're a model. What was it you said, We are Made for each other?"
"you know that's right."
"plus your walk is fierce."
"Nuh-uh, Your walk is Fierce."
"My walk is nothing, it's all you."
"Oh don't even..."
Candice chuckled "If we get into another loop right now it will be sunset before I leave the garage. do you need me to come get you?"
"no thats alright, I can meet you there."
"Awesome, I am on my way then, Let me let you go so I can operate this crazy machine."
"O K"
"i'll see you soon my dear, kiss kiss, love love Muah! talk to you later."
"O K Bye."

"O K SO let me tell you how..."
It had been months since the two had seen one another, weeks since their last conversation, but they picked up as if it had never stopped.
"...I would have waited until the winter."
"What does winter have to do with anything?"
"You know how ice-sickles grow on the house? I would have taken one of those and stabbed him, there wouldn't be any finger prints since ice melts."
"Totally."
"So I wouldn't be incriminated, right?"
"There wouldn't be any proof"
"Right?"
Candice smiled while looking at the cracks in the sidewalk, "Still, that's hellish. to get married, come back from the honey moon, and be asked for a divorce. Poor thing. What does she do with herself?"
"I guess she stays at home."
The pair walked into the salon and paid upfront for their service. Charizma was turning heads as they were lead to a long table, reminiscent of a bar with little stations with small racks of manicure supplies.
"Someone will be with you in just a moment."

Candice inspected her fingers. The nails where all different lengths and shapes. She hoped someone would be able to make something from them. A young man set down a cosmopolitan in on the table in front of her after dropping a long island before Charizma. She looked at her drink and sighed. there had to be another way to get through the days. 'But until I can find it...' Candice lifted the glass and drank it until it was gone.

Candice felt the walls of geniality collapsing around her.

"What can I do for you today?
Another plump young woman, brimming in beauty and style took her seat before her. In addition, Candice could see that she was teaming with confusion.
"can you make my hands beautiful?" Candice placed her hands down on the table, splaying her fingers wide.
"Of course we can. It's not like we're starting from scratch or anything, You're gorgeous."
"Oh, Pishaw... I'm nothing special."
"stop that, you are magnificent, if you weren't people wouldn't be falling for you."
Candice shook her head. "No one is falling for me, just the image I portray."
"Candy, the image you give is just a fragment of yourself. There are people who can see beyond it."
Candice rubber her head once more. "So you know who I am..."
"Who doesn't?"
"The Maasai, people from Africa who don't listen to American popular music."
"I bet if they saw you, they'd be just as enamored."
Candice chuckled to herself. People in Africa had been enamored. But this was long before she was Candy Cain. When she was still young, she was only Candice. The young lady started clipping her nails.

Candice wanted to start a conversation. She had months to think only about herself, and it had made her confused. "So, if there someone you think about? A special young thing who drives you?"
The young lady smiled. "There is a man who is always in my thoughts. But I have never met him."
"AH you have a crush on some star eh?"
"Never!" she was excessively loud in her response.
Candice leaned in close and asked her gently whom this mystery person was.
"Have you ever read a book called "Monstrosity?"
"The one about the monsters? And about their messy affairs?"
"its more a love story about people who deviate a little from the norm."
"I suppose the wolf man would do well with a vampire..."
"So you have read it."
"Crobin Dallas."
The girl said nothing.
"He is an enigma."
Candice took the moment to look at her compatriot to see her happily flirting with her Nail Guy.
"I'll tell you a secret," Candice leaned forward toward her Nail Girl who was absently starting on her other hand. "Mister Dallas is a childhood friend of mine."
At this the young thing busied herself in her work.
"What's your name?"
"Annie."
"Annie What?"
"Annie Joseph."
"Does anyone call you Josephine?"
She pulled back and crinkled her nose. "Why would anyone call me that?"
"Cause it suits you better than Annie."
Annie started applying a primer to Candice's nails.
"Anyway, why don't you send the boy an email. He has a webpage just for that. for people to tell him what they think. deadtexas.com"
"what color would you like?"
"Would you mind picking one out you think one that would be best for me?"
"I..."
"I leave myself in your capable hands."
without too much effort she took a small vial from the wall and sat herself back down. "I hope this suits you."
She painted her fingernails in an iridescent pink. "It's lovely,"
The two sat in silence. Candice listened to Charizma passionlessly. Her friend turned to her and questioned her.

"Right?"
"completely."

They both finished their treatments at the same time. Both threw down tips as they stood.
"Thank you for everything."
"It was nothing," Annie was obviously upset.
Candice shrugged once and took her place next to Charizma. They took one step back outside and her phone began to ring.

"Hi.
Oh, I am out with a friend.
Candice.
Cozmo's
Are you serious?
Allright, I'll be there.
Of course! It's right up the street.
Yeah, give me a few minutes.
Chk!" Charizma's smile was infectious. "Yes.
O K Fine Bye."
The lovely young model started fidgeting with her phone.
"Where do we need to be?" Candice asked.
"Midori."
"Allright," And Candice started off in the direction of the restaurant. "So," She turned around to see her friend engrossed in her phone. "Midori's right?"
"Yeah, gimme a sec."
Charizma took small steps in the direction they were both headed. Candice's phone rang.

"Hey!
Yeah!
I am out with LaTigra. We just got our nails done. we're headed for Midori's now.
Yeah?
If you need a ride to I can assure you that.
I am planning to pick up Cici.
Right.
Wanna meet up somewhere for food?
Sure.
Definitely!
O K, I'll get a table and wait for you there. When can I expect you?
Sounds good.
See you in an hour."

Candice and Charizma entered the posh restaurant as Candice was putting her phone away. "I have to hit up "Don Chow."
"HELLO!"
Candice raised her eyebrows to see Charizma throwing herself at a young man she had thought her friend had finished with. It was not her place to judge.

"Hey babe." He placed a kiss on her cheek. Candice watched as they embraced one another.
"Well Carrie, I have to get up town."
"Candy! I love you!" Charizma embraced her friend.
"I love you too dear heart," She looked towards the man. "You be good to my bitch. Or else I'll make you cry."
He forced a laugh and nodded. "right-o Queeny."
Candice grinned and turned from the pair. Charizma called out as she was exiting the place, "I LOVE YOU FOREVER!"
Candice spun around and blew three kisses to the couple and continued on her way.