A Candy Candy Miracle on 34th Street
Chapter 3
"A surprise decision"
Cia was in her bedroom thinking about Terry. She couldn't stop thinking about how good she felt with him, it was the same feeling she had when she was with her mother. That was odd, really odd. She also thought about the hostility Susanna felt for her… And the way her mommy and Terry looked at each other, she could feel the love between them. What on earth was going on? Was her mommy the woman Terry talked about, the one he had to let go to be with Susanna? Cia always had a curious mind and her imagination was running wild! Her mom had told her that her father was gone and that he would never come back… Cia doesn't remember her father… for as long as she could remember, it always been her and her mother…no men what so ever… something was going on…Where was her real father? Her mother was always very vague when her father was concerned… She will have to look into that. Who was her real father? Maybe if she could find him, they could be a family again, like her friends at school, who had two parents and brothers and sisters… she wanted that too.
"I want my real father… but if he's not available, I want a father, I want my mommy to get married again…"she thought
She got ready for the Thanksgiving dinner at Terry's.
Candy in her room was strangely calmed. Terry was living across the hall, there's nothing she could do aside from uprooting her daughter again so soon? If she could disappeared half way around the world and live her life, she can survive a dinner with Terry and Susanna. She was ready. She took her baby girl and she went to Terry's apartment. The maid opened the door..
- Come in, please, she said smiling
- Thank you, said Candy and Cia
They got in and they went to the living room were there were a few guests and Candy was relieve to see that they were not going to be alone. Terry was glad to see them. And there was another surprise…
- Candy!!!!!!!
- Miss Baker! Said Candy smiling
They hugged for a long time.
- Where have you been? Asked Eleonor
- I've been abroad, I got married and I have a little girl…
- Oh, said Eleonor, you got married? Where is your husband?
- We're no longer together, said Candy
- Oh, I'm sorry…
- No it's all good, said Candy it was a long time ago when my daughter was just a baby, she doesn't remember him at all
- Where is your daughter?
- Cia? Said Candy
Cia was talking to some people. She always behaved like a grown up making conversation on current events.
- Yes, mommy
- Come and say hello to my friend
- Ok!
She walked to her mother and Eleonor.
- This is Eleonor Baker, she's Terry's mother
- Oh, pleased to meet you, said Cia
Eleonor looked at the little girl. She looked so much like Candy and yet…
- Hello, said Eleonor, I'm pleased to meet you too! I love your tan!
- Thank you very much, I love your up do, said Cia smiling
- Thank you, said Eleonor smiling. You look exactly like your mommy
- I don't have the freckles, said Cia smiling
- That's what Terry liked the most about Candy, her freckles…
- Really? Said Cia smiling
- Yes, he used to tease her about them
- He called her "Freckles" earlier, said Cia
- He's incorrigible, said Candy, I told him a thousandth times that my name was not freckles!
They all laughed. Candy couldn't help looking at Terry and they would just stare at each other for a few seconds. Susanna couldn't miss that. She was expecting them to look at each other… She knew it was no use to hope that they were going to ignore each other. Her mother was there too. Whispering in her ear.
- Susanna honey, what the hell is Candy doing here with her daughter?
- She's our new neighbour!
- What?
- Yes!
- You have to keep her away from Terry at once!
- Mom, I don't have the strength. I've spent year trying to get Terry to notice me… He barely looks at me… this little girl come in and she's got all his attention! I don't know how she did it!
- Well for one, she looks exactly like the woman he loves…
- "The woman he loves…" she's gone for years, she comes back, and he looks at her more than he ever looked at me during all these years!
- Susanna…
- Let me go to the kitchen and see what's going on, said Susanna leaving with her wheelchair.
The dinner was ready and everybody prayed saying what they were thankful for. Cia thought it was great! After dinner Candy was leaving, so she and Cia went to say goodbye to Terry who was with his mother.
- Cia and I are going to leave, we have to go to the Andrew Mansion and eat some turkey there too…
- Oh, right, said Terry, thank you for coming he said smiling
- You're very welcome, said Cia smiling, good bye Terry, good bye Miss Baker, it was nice to meet you…
- Goodbye little one…, said Eleonor
- Bye Miss Baker, said Candy smiling and hugging her
- Bye Candy, I'll call you to invite you to my place…
- No problem, said Candy smiling
They left and Candy closed the door behind her.
- Are you ok, mommy?
- Yes…
- That was really fun! I like Terry and his mother… Susanna is a little bitter… she won't put on a prosthesis… I asked her why but she wouldn't answer me
Candy looked at her daughter surprised.
- You did what?
- I told her she should get a prosthesis
- Honey, that's none of your business!!!
- Did I overstep?
- Yeah!
- Terry seemed happy
- He was?
- Yes…
- Well next time try not to talk about things that won't hurt people…
- She can get a prosthesis and walk again instead of staying in her wheelchair…
- Cia! That's enough! Get your coat, we're going to the mansion!
- Ok…
They left for the mansion and Cia had fun with Candyce; Annie's daughter. Candy went to talk to Albert.
- Albert
- Candy, take this opportunity to solve your thing with Terry
- I've solve this "thing" years ago!
- No you haven't! You're still bitter…
- I can be bitter
- Not my little Mary Sunshine…
- Albert…
Neil and Eliza were there and Neil hated the fact that Candy got a job at Macy's.
- She's got no experience at all, she was living in the jungle and he gives her a job!
- That Santa Claus was pretty convincing, said Eliza, she scored big with the parade and with nice little Santa Claus…
- I'm going to keep an eye on him, one slip she's going to be out!
- You're really going to wait for a slip?
- Of course not! You know me… I'm going to sink that Santa!
- You're going to use a nice little old man to sink Candy? You're cruel! Said Eliza with a mocking tone
- Anything to make that stable girl regret she pushed me away…I wanted to make her legit, honourable! Now she comes back with a brat she had who knows where with who knows who!
- You're jealous, because she had a kid with someone else!
- She's going to pay for betraying me! You're going to help me dig up some dirt on that Santa Claus!
- To hurt that pathetic stable girl? Anytime!
They started to hatch a plan to sink Candy's nice little Santa Claus.
After the guess left at Terry and Susanna's Thanksgiving dinner. Susanna was motionless. She went to see Terry in his room.
- Terry? Can I talk to you?
- Sure Susanna, what can I do for you
- You invited Candy to our dinner knowing how I feel about her…She now lives across the hall with a little girl you bounded with in 5 seconds, you care more about that little girl than me!
- Susanna
- I've had enough. I'm out of energy… I can't do this anymore! I'm leaving…
- What? But…
- You don't love me, you never will…. You've got Candy back across the hall, that's my cue to leave. I can't fight Candy with a child!
- I'm not the father of that girl
- Really? You could've fooled me! The way you bounded…or is any child of Candy's yours by your love for her…. Right you love a tree you also love its fruits!
- Susanna
- I'm leaving Terry, seeing you and Candy look at each other like nothing happened over the years… your love is too strong for me, I'm wasting my time here… you three looked like one big happy family with your mother as a bonus. She likes Candy more than me who saved your life! I can't take it anymore… I'm going to become bitter and I don't want that… So I'm setting you free… I'm going to go to my mother's get my life back on track and move on…
- Susanna, you don't have to do this…
- Yes, I do…I want to live Terry, and this… is not living! After all these years… Candy left you, she abandoned you and she comes back, she still has your attention, she's got someone else's kid, but that doesn't even bother you one bit! She can't do no wrong and I can't compete with her anymore. She was far away and it's her name you call out at night… you called me Candy a few times in the house without even realising it… I couldn't fight her when she was away, now that she across the hall… I'm done…!
- Candy chased you away?
- I couldn't fight the ghost of Candy less of all her physical presence!!! I'm obsessed with Candy, more than you…I don't want to go nuts… Good luck with Candy, Terry…
Susanna left the room and called a cab. She was going to send for her stuff later. Terry was in shock… Candy chased Susanna away??? This holiday season is starting out well for him. He smiled… he did his duty, she couldn't take it… he was feeling free and guilt free…
The following day at the store, the new Santa was a big hit. The line to see him was very very long. Candy had him fill some forms and officially put on the payroll He was so nice and so sweet.
At Candy's, Jinny had an emergency, so she asked Terry to take Cia to Candy at the store.
- Please, can you do this for me?
- Of course, said Terry smiling , come in Cia
- Thank you Terry, said Cia smiling
She got in.
- Where's Susanna?
- She's gone at her mother's
- Gone? For good?
- Yes…
- Oh… then you're available now?
- Available for what?
- To date my mommy…
Terry looked at her smiling.
- You want me to date your mommy, you would be ok with that?
- Yes, I will… and if you play your cards right, you can end up being my new daddy too!
- Cia!
- You like my mommy, I can feel it when you two look at each other…
- You can?
- And tell me, she's the girl you gave up to be with Susanna right?
- You're very perceptive…
- You told me you still love the girl in question and I saw the way you look at my mother and the way she looks at you… I just put 2 and 2 together!
- And you got 4! Smart kid! Said Terry smiling
- So we have to put you two back together…
- But your mommy might resist…
- The way she was looking at you? I've never seen her look at anybody like that! She loves you Terry, you can take that to the bank!
- I love the way you talk, said Terry smiling
- And I love your British accent!
They burst out laughing and they left for the store.
Santa Claus at the store, had little boys and girls on his lap promising them presents. He promised a little boy what he wanted and the mother was upset.
- I can't afford that, she said, it's too expensive
- Well if you go to Gimble's you'll get it half price…, said the Santa
Neil who was lurking around to find some dirt on Santa, heard that. He had a wicked smile on his face. He ran to call his sister…
Terry was with Cia and he wanted to show her Santa, they were in the line up…
- I don't need to see Santa Terry, let's go see my mom
- It will only take a minute, said Terry and it's for fun, don't you want to have fun?
- There's no fun in sitting on the lap of a nice old man and ask him for things I'm never going to get…
- How do you know you won't get them?
- Because my mom provides for me and she'll get me anything I need…
- Cia, just talk to Santa, then we'll go see your mom
- All right, I'll talk to him, but I'm going to be truthful
- I wouldn't have it any other way, said Terry smiling
When her turn arrived she approached him.
- Hello he said taking her on his lap, what's your name?
- Cia Ann Marie Andrew…
- I'm Santa Claus, what would you like for Christmas?
- Nothing, she said
- Nothing?
- My mommy buys me everything I need
- Oh and you don't want me to bring you anything?
- No… you see I know the secret, my mommy is the one who hired you…
- Right Miss Andrew…so you don't believe in me?
- No, I don't but your beard looks real and you do look like the drawings I've see of you…
- My beard looks real, because it is real you can check if you want; pull it
Cia pulled the beard and Santa pretended to scream, then he smiled. She smiled too and burst out laughing.
Candy was passing by and she saw Cia with Terry visiting Santa. She walked to them.
- Mommy! Said Cia hugging her
- Hi baby, let's leave Santa talk to the other children…
- Yes, mommy…
They went backstage and Terry followed them… Candy was not very happy.
- Cia can you let Terry and I talk?
- Sure mommy…
She went closer so see Santa talk to the other children. Candy was talking to Terry.
- What are you doing here with her?
- Jinny had an emergency and she asked me if I could bring Cia to you, I agreed, since I don't have to be at the theatre until later…
- I got Jinny's message about you and Cia, I meant what are you doing here visiting Santa with her…?
- Euh, she's a little girl, I thought she would like to see him?
- I've raised my daughter to be realistic, without filling her head with silly hopes and dreams. I tell her Santa is a myth and you bring her here and she sees other children, more gullible one after the other talking to a very convincing nice little old man… you're undermining everything I thought her…
- There's no harm in saying hi to Santa…
- Yes, there is , then she's going to have hope that she can live happily ever and before you know it, everything is over and you're miserable…
Candy stopped talking and looked down.
- We were talking about Cia, Freckles, not you… she's just a little girl
- Yes, and she's my little girl and I'm going to raise her as I see fit! Life is not easy!
- You don't have to tell me that… I regret letting you go every single day God has let me live…
They looked at each other…
Meanwhile, Cia was looking at Santa. There was this African American mother and daughter…
- What's your name? Said Santa
- She doesn't speak English, said the mother, she from the Belgian Congo orifinally, I told her you wouldn't be able to understand her, since I couldn't bring the interpreter with us here, but she wanted to come anyway…that you were the real Santa and that you speak all the language of the world and that you would know hers too…
Santa Claus looked at the little girl…
- Mbote na yo! Oza malamu! Said Santa
- Mbote Papa Noel! Naza malamu! Nayebaki olobaka lingala pe ! Said the little girl smiling
They started talking in Lingala, then they were singing both:
♪♪Muana abotami kombo Emanuele
Tina na yango nzambe na biso elongo
Ye mobikisi ya bato na mokili
Noele, masiya abotami
Noele, noe noe noe noe noele…♪♪
Cia had her mouth opened with stupor… Santa and the little girl continued talking and she told him what she wanted for Christmas. The mother was crying of joy and hugged Santa when they left. Cia was amazed… he knew African languages!!! She went back to her mom and Terry.
- Mommy, are you done? She asked
- Yes, honey, said Candy, thank you Terry for bringing her here to me
- You're very welcome! I'll see you later than
- Bye Terry, said Cia
- Bye honey! Said Terry, Candy…
- Bye Terry, said Candy and thank you again!
Terry left and Candy went upstairs with her daughter. She found Mona waiting for her.
- Miss Andrew, we've got a problem
- Now what?
- The new Santa…
- Yes…
- He's sending people elsewhere to buy the stuff we don't have instead of telling them to get something we do have…and if we have it and it's expensive, he tells them where to get it cheaper…
- Oh my God, said Candy, that's what I would do, I have to admit
- But it's bad for the store…
- I know that! Said Candy, but…
- Miss Andrew
There was a knock on the door, store floor manager came in.
- Are you here about the new Santa? Said Candy
- Yes…
- I already know
- I don't think you know this
- He's sending people elsewhere…
- Yes… and the customers love it! They say it's great to see a store put the spirit of Christmas before commercials!
- What? Said Candy, you're kidding
- I wouldn't kid about something so serious… let's go tell the big boss before he hears it in a weird way…
- All right, said Candy, honey you wait for me here with Mona
- Ok mommy…
Candy went to the big boss' office to present the idea… Neil was already there…
- You have to fire that Santa and the person who hired him
- Candy? Are you kidding?
- No, she's going to ruin us!
- No, she won't the idea sounds good
- Are you out of your mind? Sending people elsewhere?
There was a knock and Candy came in with the floor manager. Albert loved that Candy was behaving like an real employee… and the idea seemed like a good one…
- No! Said Neil
- Neil, said Candy, the customers love it and they say they're going to come back to Macy to shop because of it…
- Then, it's settle said Albert
- No, said Neil, this is nonsense!
- Neil… the customers are happy, thus they will come back and shop more to our store…Great job Candy for hiring this Santa Claus, he's brilliant!
Candy smiled to Albert who winked at her and she went back to her office and she found Santa Claus talking to Cia…
- I'm glad I found you, he said, I'm going to make you believe in me
- Really, said Cia
- Yes, really…
Candy went to get his file, she read the name.
- What's your name ? She asked Santa
- Kris Kringle…he said
Kris Kringle was Santa Claus' real name…
- No, said Candy, I mean you're real name…
- It is my real name…he said
He continue talking to Cia… Candy said to herself if anybody found out her Santa was a little delusional, they would take advantage to hurt the store.
- Where do you live?
- Bellevue, the home for old people…
- That's far away, said Candy
She went to see the floor manager and told him.
- We need to keep him close, if Neil Reagan finds out he might harm him
- How?
- I don't know, and I don't want to know, we need to have him with one of us, can you take him?
- I'm not sure with my wife, why don't you take him
- Let's try with you, if it doesn't work, I'll take him…
- All right, I'll call you tonight
- I'll bring him home for dinner at my place then…
Candy made arrangement s and she took Mr. Kringle home with her. Cia was glad, she loved talking with Mr. Kringle…