Chapter 236: LA
Tuesday, January 24th Mid-Morning
Walking down the stairs in the center of the narrow beach house, she stopped at the stairs' bottom. Typically for her, she had been up before dawn and worked out. With a day off, she intended to take advantage of living on the beach. She crossed through the living room/dining room/kitchen combo; it's an open concept space. She paused for a minute at one set of double doors.
Dr. Candace Lynn "Candi" Scott, MD, looked out to The Strand onto Hermosa Beach. After a deep breath, Candi opens the doors and stepped out onto the patio; after two steps, she turned around, closed the doors, and shivered.
She returned to her bedroom on the second floor, which is in front of the house. Candi grabbed a zip-up hoodie with the faded graphic of Duke University. Shaking her head, she pulled back her brown hair and made a ponytail with a scrunchie. Candi found a baseball hat and her Bella sunglasses; she dropped her beach bag with a sigh and grabbed her book. Candi headed up to the roof deck.
On the roof deck, Candi found a chaise lounge, where she could look out on the beach; she dropped her bag. Fawn kept some adult beverages in a mini-fridge up here, so Candi went to the fridge and retrieved one. Candi returned to the chaise lounge and got comfortable. Slowly, she started to read her book, and after opening her drink, sipped at her drink. Perhaps it will warm up enough to head to the beach in the afternoon.
After a few minutes, the door to the stairs opened. Candi looked over her shoulder and saw Dr. Madyson Longford, MD, came out on the deck. Madyson took a seat on the chaise lounge next to Candi.
"Here's where you're hiding," Madyson said.
"Yeah, there's more of a windbreak up here. I'd rather be on the beach," Candi said, "Maybe this afternoon."
"Are you excited about going home?" Madyson asked, her distinct Australian Accent coming through in her voice.
Candi shrugged, "It'll be nice," she said.
"So, where are we staying?" Madyson asked.
"Originally, I was planning on us going to a hotel, or the Carriage House Apartments at Leighton," Candi said.
"Where's the but in all that?" Madyson asked.
"My Aunt Brooke got involved, and she's giving us three rooms," Candi said.
"She has that much room to spare?" Madyson asked.
"You can say that," Candi said.
"So, I'm getting the converted closet?" Madyson asked.
Candi shrugged, "I don't know what Aunt Brooke has planned for us," she said.
The doorbell rang; Candi shrugged and looked at Madyson. Madyson shrugged.
"That's the front door," Candi said.
The doorbell rang again. "Yeah, it is," Madyson said.
"Is there anyone else here?" Candi asked.
"Flynn's sleeping, after working a thirty-six," Madyson said.
Candi nodded.
"I'll get it," Madyson said, knowing that Candi was generally anti-social.
Madyson went down the two flights of stairs to the main door. She heard the doorbell ring; it's rung several times now; wandering down the hallway, she stretched and yawned. Madyson rubbed her eyes as she turned into the foyer. The stones were cold on her bare feet as she reached the door; the doorbell rang again.
Opening the door, Madyson was greeted by a taller older woman with about shoulder length darkish hair. Madyson found herself looking up at her; this older woman gave Madyson a courteous smile.
"Hi, is Lynn in?" The Woman asked.
Madyson canted her head, "Lynn? There's no Lynn here," she said and started to close the door.
The Older Woman stopped the door from closing. "This was the address I was given," The Older Woman said, with a more forceful tone.
"Who gave you this address anyway?" Madyson asked, still trying to close the door, "I'm also pretty sure there isn't anyone named Lynn living here."
"She told you to say that, didn't she," The Older Woman said, pushing harder against the door. Madyson noted this woman was strong.
"Hey, look, how could she tell me not to let you in? When I don't know who you are and there is no Lynn that lives here," Madyson said.
"She lives here; I've seen her," The Older Woman said.
"Are you stalking someone? You're going to have to leave, or I'm going to have to call the police," Madyson said.
"Let her in; she's okay," a voice boomed from above and behind Madyson, "For now."
Madyson stopped, turned around, and looked up to the feature known as the bridge. It was a catwalk that connected the second floor's front and rear halves, as the foyer and stairs were open to the second-floor ceiling. This condition caused an echo in the foyer. Standing by the bridge's rail was Candi, still dressed as she was on the roof deck; tight shorts, bikini top, and faded Duke University faded zip-up hoodie. Her sunglasses now rested on the brim of her baseball cap.
From the floor of the foyer, Madyson could say she had never seen Candi look this way. The taller woman's eyes were on fire, and her body language was tense. Madyson swore she could see Candi's knuckles were turning white as she gripped the rail.
"Are you sure?" Madyson asked.
"Yes," Candi said, with a nod, "Send her up."
Madyson nodded and stepped aside. The Older Woman walked past Madyson and walked up the stairs. The Older Woman came face to face with Candi on the bridge; Candi showed the woman down the hall to a computer/study area. Candi looked at the woman. Madyson slowly crept up the stairs.
"We'll talk, but before we do, please be respectful; one of my housemates is sleeping," Candi said.
"If we talk, then fine," The Older Woman said.
"Follow me," Candi said. The two women walked the rest of the way down the hallway to Candi's bedroom. The bedroom door closed, Madyson snuck up to be near Candi's door.
Inside the bedroom, The Older Woman sat on the bed. Candi took a seat at the desk.
"What's that painting?" The Older Woman asked, looking around the room.
"It's a present someone gave to me," Candi said, guarded.
"When?" The Older Woman asked. Candi knew she was trying to get her to lower her guard.
"About four years ago, all my sisters got one," Candi said, making sure she understood she had siblings.
"The same painting?" The Older Woman asked.
"No, each painting tailored to their personalities," Candi said, "And based on their life."
"She believed she could, so she did," The Older Woman read from the painting, "Why is that for you, Lynn?"
"Because I've always wanted to become a doctor, and I went out and did it. You of all people should know that," Candi said.
"I believe you mentioned it, but you also talked about basketball and books, so I wasn't sure," The Older Woman said.
"Why am I not surprised?" Candi asked, with a surrendered tone in her voice.
"I had a lot going on," The Older Woman said.
"Until you sent me away," Candi said, anger starting to creep into her voice.
"I also see you changed your name," The Older Woman said.
"I didn't change my name; I reclaimed it," Candi said, the anger darkening her voice more.
"Still, there were reasons," The Older Woman said.
"Just like those reasons, you disappeared as well," Candi said, still with anger.
"You've had a good life since," The Older Woman said, gesturing to the room.
"Right, if you only knew," Candi said, bitterness started to replace the anger.
"Then tell me, Lynn," The Older Woman said.
"No," Candi said, "You should know."
"That's not fair," The Older Woman said, her voice starting to show frustration with Candi.
"Like its fair, you sent me away and distanced yourself?" Candi asked, her voice a balance between anger and bitterness.
"You needed to be looked after," The Older Woman said, trying to defend herself.
"There were others; you didn't have to send me away," Candi said.
"That's what you tell yourself, isn't it?" The Older Woman asked, cold now.
"Maybe," Candi said coldly.
The Older Woman sighed and looked around the room. Finally, in her eyes, she studied one of the posters that adorned the wall. "Did every member of Nordwind sign that poster?" The Older Woman asked, trying to change the subject.
"Yes, they did," Candi said.
"When did you see them in concert?" The Older Woman asked.
"Several times, actually," Candi said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" The Older Woman asked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Candi asked. "Just what I said."
"Lynn, you've always been a wiseass. I've seen age hasn't tempered that," The Older Woman said.
"I've not gone by Lynn in a long time," Candi said, a matter of fact.
"You go by what? Candace?" The Older Woman asked.
"I usually go by Candi," Candi said.
"A porn star name?" The Older Woman asked.
"Is Lynn any better?" Candi asked.
The Older Woman looked at her, "I'm not sure," she said.
"Why did you come here?" Candi asked.
"I wanted to get back in touch," The Older Woman said.
"Well, I'm a doctor, working on my second specialty, and I love my job," Candi said.
"That's good," The Older Woman said.
"Thanks," Candi said.
"You're welcome," The Older Woman said.
Candi sighed, "I need to take a nap, so you're going to have to leave," she said.
"Work?" The Older Woman asked.
"Yes," Candi said.
"Okay," The Older Woman said.
Candi escorted the Older Woman out of her bedroom. They went to the front door, and Candi showed her out. Candi headed upstairs and ran into Madyson.
"Who was that?" Madyson asked.
"Just one of my Albatrosses," Candi said, "I'm going back to the roof and relax."
"Okay," Madyson said, and they parted ways.
