What if their first date had been a little different? And if instead of going with the fortune teller they would have done something more fun, and even new friends?
Chapter 1
An unforgettable date
Candy and Anthony walked together through the village, looking for whoever wanted to keep the calf that Anthony won at the rodeo. They asked and the answer was always negative. Suddenly a man in a hat and apron said to Candy:
- If you do not need it, I'll take care of it.
- How good. Candy said smiling.
The man walked away with the calf, but suddenly Anthony screamed to see where they were going.
- A Meat shop!
- Aaah!
- Come on, let's go!
Candy and Anthony pulled the calf from there while the butcher reproached:
- Get back here! What's wrong with you?
A short distance away, a man was struggling to get customers by cheerfully saying:
- Come everyone to the merry-go round! A lap is a dream land, two laps and will be a merry-go round full of beautiful flowers!
Just then Candy and Anthony were passing by.
- Hey you two! Do you want a ride?
- Could you please take care of this calf, sir? Candy asked.
- No! One moment, I work only with horses, not with cows.
- Candy, Candy!
- It's Steve!
Mr. Steve, Tom's adoptive father, arrived in his wagon.
- I came to get the calf from Tom, I'll take it Candy.
- Thank you, Steve.
- Here it is, please say hello to Tom, Steve. Anthony said after giving the calf. Tom was a brother to Candy, because thanks to him, Candy and Annie were picked up at Pony's home. And recently, he had created a great friendship with Anthony. He helped him practice for the rodeo, and taught him to work in the field.
- One moment, I cannot take it for free, I'll pay for it.
- We can't charge him.
- Take it as a present. Said the young ones, who only wanted the welfare of the animal.
- It will be a hindrance for rich people like you, but for me it is very valuable. If you do not charge me I will not take it, decide.
- What are you going to do, Candy? Anthony asked. –
- Okay, we'll take the money.
- Thanks, here's your candy. Said Mr. Steve, handing him five bronze coins.
- Thank you.
Anthony came over to stroke the calf and say goodbye.
- Behave well, we will not forget you.
- You're going to make lots of friends on the farm. Candy said embracing him.
- I'm leaving; see you soon guys.
- Thank you, Steve.
- See you soon. The blondes said. –
- We have a lot of money.
- Have you ever spent Candy?
- I never spent. And you?
- Me neither, Great-aunt does not always give me what I want.
- Seriously? It seems that not only the poor cannot afford to spend money, right?
They both laughed at that comment.
- How about we spend it as we please? Anthony suggested. –
- Buying?
- We spend it without buying anything.
- Not buying anything?
- Look! Pointed the boy.
- Oh, never in my life I got into a merry-go round!
- Neither did I, let's go.
- Yes. - The guys approached the attraction again. And Candy called, - Sir?
- I don't want cows.
- No, sir, we want a ride.
- Oh yeah? Can you do it for free? Today are my first customers!
When both of them rode their horses, the manager asked Candy:
- How many laps?
- Here you go. - Candy said giving him a coin.
- One lap and you will have a dream land, two laps a land with flowers of love!
-Two please. She replied.
- Then flowers of love.
That comment made Candy blush.
- He doesn't mean it ...
The ride began, and a cheerful melody played. Candy felt very happy, imagining how well the children of Pony's Home and her two mothers would pass it. Her smile grew brighter as she felt Anthony's warm hand beside her.
Meanwhile, Great-aunt Elroy was in a bad mood after hearing rumors of what her favorite grandson and that naughty girl were doing. Who, in her opinion, had complicated the life of the family since she arrived. So she sent Mr. Hank to fetch them, and bring them to the mansion as soon as possible.
- I have to find them soon, or Great-Aunt is going to scold me. Eh? ... Anthony's horse, should be close. Anthony, Candy!
The two blondes had seen Mr. Hank peering out from behind a building.
- Don't let him find us, we still have money left. Anthony said. –
- Anthony, Candy!
The man came to see them for a second, the two ran away.
- Looks like he saw us!
- Let's hide here. - They entered a local of hot dogs, and they hid under the bar. -
- Candy, Anthony! He called again, then walked away from where they were.
- He's gone.
- DO YOU THINK YOU CAN COME TO PLAY HIDE AND SEEK HERE? PLAY OUT! Shouted the cook. -
- We are not playing. Candy explained. –
- So you came to eat?
- Yes, Yes.
- VERY WELL, GET OUT OF HERE AND GO TO THE BAR!
The man's attitude did not please Anthony, as they emerged from his hiding place, he said:
-He's a screamer!
- DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?
- No, he was talking to me, Anthony, I'm hungry. Couldn't we?
- Yes.
Anthony, seeing that no one seated, asked:
- Sir, don't you have chairs?
- What? Chairs?
The other customers couldn't help laughing.
- Everyone eats standing up here Anthony. Candy explained. Then, she ordered two hot dogs. –
- Never in my life had I eaten standing up.
- Here they are. The cook put two plates on the counter. Anthony was confused. –
- But…
- Do you have any other complaint?
- Knife and fork, please.
- WHAT DID YOU SAY?
The other customers this time laughed out loud. The annoyed cook grabbed the young man from his shirt.
- I THINK YOU ARE MAKING FUN OF ME, AREN'T YOU?
- Let go of me! What's wrong with you?
- No!
- DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT ME?
- One moment, please! He had never eaten a hot dog. - Candy intervened to avoid the argument.
- How? Isn't he American?
- Yes, what happens is ... Anthony, hot dogs are eaten without cutlery.
- No silverware?
Anthony had never seen anything eaten with his hands, other than the biscuits or toasts. He saw Candy take the first bite of her hot dog.
- How tasty.
- Of course miss, I make the best hot dogs in the country.
Anthony also began to eat.
- How tasty! I had never tasted anything so delicious!
- What youth. Thought the man. Now being calmer, he looked at the boy in detail. -
- Seems I have seen you before.
- Another one, please.
- I know who you are!
- You confuse him with another.
- Candy! Anthony pointed out, He saw Hank coming in. So they hid again under the bar. –
- If he asks, do not tell him you saw us. Candy asked. –
- How?
- Excuse me sir, by chance. Did not you see a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy around here? I thought I saw them enter.
- Two young ones, you say?
- Shhh.
- No, I'm afraid I have not seen them.
- Oh, sorry, thank you very much, sir.
Once Hank got out of there, the two got up.
- Thank you very much sir.
- You're welcome, I covered you up because I know you're a brave man. He winked at the young man.
- Listen everybody, this guy is the winner of the last rodeo.
- Really?
- Is it him?
- Eat everything you want; you do not have to pay me.
- We would like more if you charge us, sir. - The boy had said. But other clients intervened. –
- Okay, fine.
- I invite you too!
- You were very good, congratulations!
After having eaten, they continued their stroll.
- I've had enough.
- Yes, but we haven't spent a penny Candy.
- It's impossible to spend it in a day, right?
- I'm sure I'll spend it soon.
- It's hard to spend it without buying something.
At that moment, they saw a group of people standing in front of a large car.
- What'd that be, Anthony?
- Let's see.
They approached, and saw in detail that the car had a stage.
There was a young man some older than Anthony, performing a dance with katanas.
A girl of the same age as Candy, having fun playing with two lion cubs, were one white and one black. Candy thought they were adorable, and reminded his faithful friend Clint.
But what Candy liked the most, was when the dancer came out. She was blonde, very beautiful, and her movements were magnificent. At the end of the presentation, everyone applauded loudly.
- It was wonderful! I had never seen anything like it.
- Me neither, it was fantastic!
The artists were joined by five others, to thank the audience with a bow.
- Thank you all, for witnessing our show. We are the Dandelion Troupe. - Said a large and muscular man.
Anthony deposited some of the money inside the hat on the stage. Suddenly he heard Hank's voice again searching for them.
- Run, Candy.
The only thing that occurred to him at the moment was that they hid in the back of the car. They remained silent, until Hank left, and the rest of the people as well.
- Hey! What are you doing here? - A beautiful lady asked them firmly that they had seen in the group thanks at the end of the function.
"We're sorry, it's just ... we didn't want to be found." - Candy replied -
- Why?
- We take a stroll, and we still don't want it to end. Anthony said. –
- I see, did you like our performance?
- We loved it! - They answered. -
- I'm glad, my name is Sylvie Arte. - said the lady smiling. –
- My name is Anthony Brower.
- And I'm Candy White, nice to meet you.
- Guys, would you like to meet the group?
- Sure!
- Come with me
.
Inside, the car was set up as if it were a house. It was the first time they had seen something like this, they were fascinated.
- Come on everybody, we have visitors!
The rest of the group arrived to greet.
- Welcome, my name is George Haskill, leader of the troupe. - Said the muscular man. –
- I'm Anna Petrova, costume designer. Everyone calls me grandma. - The short, old woman appeared. –
- Greetings youngsters! I'm Abel Geiger, comedian of the group.
- My name is Kennosuke Tsurugi, car mechanic, and samurai.
- I'm the circus violinist, Thomas O'Brien.
- I'm Rita Rossi. Caretaker of our little friends. - Next to the girl were the two little lions. –
- They are Mint, and Licorice.
- And I am Nadja Preminger. Dancer of the
troupe.
- My name is Anthony, and she's Candy.
- It's a pleasure to meet you.
They spent a pleasant time chatting, and laughing with amusing anecdotes of the constant journeys of the traveling circus.
The two blondes had certainly learned much that day, each member of the circus was from a different country. Kennosuke, was Japanese, Mrs. Anna was Russian, Sylvie came from France, Rita from Italy... they were delighted to meet new people, and a little of their culture.
- Miss Nadja, I found your dance very beautiful.
- Thank you very much Candy, but please, call me Nadja. The young dancer asked gently.
- Okay. Have you been dancing for a long time, Nadja?
- Yes, I joined the circus when I was your age.
- Really? Wow!
- The show was great.
- Thank you, Anthony.
- Candy, shall we continue?
- Yes, Anthony.
- We leave, thanks to everyone for this pleasant time.
- It was a pleasure, young man. George Haskill said. –
- Thanks for everything, I hope to see you again. Candy commented. –
- Of course you will, we will be around here until next spring. - Kennosuke commented.
- What a joy! Then, see you soon.
- See you guys! - They said goodbye in chorus –
- And now, where are we going Candy?
- To a higher place!
- Higher?
- Since I was little, one of my favorite things is climbing the trees, it gives me a great sensation of peace.
- Come on Candy.
They reached the church, and quickly went up the stairs. Candy felt a little nervous.
- They're going to scold us for this.
- Don't fret.
Once they reached the tower, Candy exclaimed,
- What a beautiful sight!
It was certainly nice to see the town from there at sunset.
- This is the tallest building in here.
- The wind clears my thoughts.
- Candy...
Anthony raised his arm and opened his hand.
- We have little money left.
- Just two coins, each one will keep one as a memory of this day, choose Candy.
-Yes.
As a memory of this day. – Candy said in her mind with the coin in her hand. –
Suddenly, the bell rang. And by surprise, Candy circled the boy around the waist. As he circled her shoulders.
- Anthony, I hugged you!
- What?
- I HUGGED YOU! IT'S SOMETHING BAD?
- YES VERY BAD! He joked. -
They both covered their ears and began to laugh.
- There are people up there!
- Who are they?
A group of people saw them, between them was Hank.
- That's Anthony!
- There's Candy with him too!
The guys kept their hands in their ears.
- It's going to ring again!
- Yes!
It was night, they were in the carriage back to the mansion.
- Great-aunt must be furious. Candy said.
- Are you afraid?
- How strange, I feel nothing, I seem unconscious.
- We've spent together a very beautiful day Candy.
- So beautiful it's been the happiest day of my life.
Candy is very happy, to have spent such a beautiful day, with her Anthony.
To be continued…