Chapter 476: Hermosa Beach
Tuesday, February 14th, Evening
After hiding on the roof for several hours, Candi returned to her room and showered. After brushing her hair out, she pulled it back into two pigtails. Her hair was beaten up from the hospital. Rubbing her eyes, she went into her room and started looking for what she wanted to wear.
Candi quickly slipped into panties and a bra and looked at the dresses in her closet. She looked through the dresses until she found one, which was a bit of fun and not too formal. Slipping into it, she adjusted it until she thought it looked perfect. This was one of her lower cut dresses, and she could see the top of her faded surgical scar.
Shaking her head, Candi went into her jewelry box and picked out three sets of earrings she wanted to wear and put them in. Looking at her tongue studs, she debated, putting one in, but decided against it. Finally, she picked out a necklace her dad gave her after her junior year basketball season and put it on.
Looking in her mirror, she sighed, "You can get through this tonight," she said to her reflection and decided to put on a little eye makeup.
Once she finished, she picked out a pair of strappy heels and put them on. After one last look in the mirror, Candi left her room and headed downstairs.
The bar service had started in the main room, and the DJ played music. Candi put on a fake smile and walked over to the guest of honor.
"Congratulations, Dani, Marcel," Candi said.
"Candi, oh my god, thank you, and wow, that dress is killer, Daniela "Dani" Pena Carven, RN, said to Candi.
"Thank you, and this old thing," Candi said, cliche but true she owned it for years.
Dr. Marcel Arce, MD, leaned over and kissed Candi on the cheek, "You look lovely, Candi, almost as beautiful as my fiancée," Marcel said.
"Marcel, you flatter," Candi said and playfully slapped him.
"Now Candi, don't try and steal my man," Dani said, laughing.
"I won't," Candi said, "promise much."
Dani laughed, "Well, let's introduce you," she said.
"Of course," Candi said.
The engaged couple took Candi over to someone. Candi sized him up and nodded; he was just average, nothing stood out.
"Candi, this is my cousin Istvan Traversa," Dani introduced.
"A pleasure to meet you," Candi said.
"All mine," Istvan said and tried to kiss Candi's hand, but she pulled it away.
"I see," Candi said.
"Moving on," Dani said and glanced at Istvan.
The following person they came upon, Candi, thought he looked familiar. After a minute, it clicked for Candi; he was a nurse at the hospital.
"Candi, I don't know if you've crossed paths, but he works with me," Dani said, "Candi, this is Milton Roberts."
"Nice to meet you, Milton," Candi said.
"Please call me Milt," Milton Roberts, RN, said.
"Okay," Candi said, but her smile said no.
"Yeah, well, I'd like to introduce you to a few of my friends from med school," Marcel said.
"Sure," Candi said.
"You'll love these guys," Dani said.
Candi shrugged and saw a man and a woman. "Candi, this is one of my old med school roommates and his wife," Marcel said, "Candi Scott, Avraam Doctor, and his wife, Luna."
Candi smiled, "Nice to meet you," she said; Dr. Doctor and Mrs. Doctor talk about name picking a job. Didn't Joseph Hellar have a character that was named Major Major?
"A pleasure," Doctor Avraham Doctor, MD, said.
"Mrs. Doctor," Candi said.
"It's also Doctor," Doctor Luna Doctor, Ph.D., said.
"Doctor?" Candi asked.
"Yes, I'm a doctor of letters," Luna said.
"Cool," Candi said.
"Marcel said your last name is Scott?" Luna asked.
"Yes, it's the name my daddy gave me," Candi said.
"Interesting, are you related to Sir Walter Scott?" Luna asked.
"I believe we are descended from Scott of Buccleuch while Sir Walter Scott was from Scott of Harden, or so my brother tells me," Candi said.
"Nice, I guess," Luna said. Candi tried to hide her eye roll.
Marcel showed her to another person. "Candi, this is my friend Roi Fabian," Marcel said.
"Nice to meet you," Candi said.
He nodded, "Me too," Dr. Roi Fabian, MD, said.
"Nice to meet you," Candi said.
"He nodded, "Me too," Dr. Roi Fabian, MD, said.
Candi nodded and looked at Marcel. "Is this everyone?" she asked.
"No, my best friend hasn't arrived yet," Marcel said.
"That's always like him, late," Dani said.
"Well, he only got into town late last night," Marcel said.
"Is Abuela here?" Candi asked.
"Yes," Dani said.
"Well, I'm going to say hi," Candi said and walked away. As she crossed the room, she grabbed a drink. Finally, she stopped in front of an older woman.
"Hola, Abuela, ¿cómo has estado? " Candi asked.
"Doctor Candace, venga a darme un abrazo." Leto Pina-Craven, Dani's grandma, said, "He estado bien ¿Cómo has estado? "
"He sido buena, ocupada, pero buena" Candi said.
"Entonces, flaca, necesitas comer, ven a buscarte algunas empanadas que tanto te gustan," Leto said.
"No, no, Abuela, hago mucho ejercicio, por eso estoy tan flaca. ¿Hiciste las empanadas?" Candi said.
"Un hombre quiere una mujer con curvas, no una bolsa de huesos, y sí, yo hice las empanadas," Leto said.
"Tengo curvas, deberías ver a mi hermana, es flaquita. Vamos por unas empanadas," Candi said.
Leto chuckled as they walked over to the food table. Before Candi knew it, she had a plate in her hand, and Leto filled it with different Empanadas. Candi always liked Leto's cooking and often found herself pigging out on them to her regret the next day.
Just then, the front door opened with a bang and then closed hard right after. Everyone turned to look at the door. Standing in the entrance was a tall man, Candi figured six foot four inches, or thereabouts, light brown hair, rugged physic, and looked like he hadn't shaved in a week. He wore blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a battered leather jacket.
Candi's eyes grew wide for a second, then borrowed. She put down the plate. Slowly, she walked away from the food table, out onto the patio, and closed the door behind her. Leaning against the wall, Candi put her hand against her chest and sighed out of sight of the windows.
