Chapter 13: NightOut

In the post office, Candy picked a stamp set with pictures of cars. Neo said he liked cars. She stick one stamp on the envelope and dropped it into the mailbox. As she came out, she bumped into someone. She stepped aside and apologized when she heard he murmured.

"Ms?" he called louder. "Ms…!"

Candy turned around.

"Remember me, right? We met at the hospital gate."

"Oh hello!" said Candy. "Yes, I do!" He's the person she met when she was waiting for Albert.

"It's so good to see you again," said the man jubilantly.

"Likewise," returned Candy. "How do you like it here?"

"I love Chicago!" He smiled ear to ear. "The music, the lake, the bar, the museum,... Talking of which, I still owe you some money." He groped his pocket and pulled out his wallet.

"Just keep it, please... It's just a small token of friendship," declined Candy.

"Then what about I treat you to lunch?" he asked. "Ben. A brain surgeon specialist in St. Vincent Hospital. I'm from Austria." They shook hands and he gave Candy his name card. "Without your help I doubt things would move as smoothly at that day."

Lunch, Candy's lung tightened. Her heart beat painfully remembering the lunch picnic she had with Albert on the day she first met Ben. Now she could never marry Albert.

"Candy. Medical student," said Candy, toughening herself from tearing up. "It would be nice but I have a job to do in a clinic." She just wanted to be alone and spill the content of her heart to Neo. Neo would understand her. Only Neo could.

"Oh, of course. Medical students are busy! Have done that. I'm glad it's over." Ben smiled again. "Listen, there's a new TV and vacuum cleaner exhibition. Today is Friday, I and a friend, also a doctor, are going to grab a dinner and watch the exhibition. If you had the time, come by. Bring a friend!" He pointed to his card. "Call me."

Candy politely thanked Ben for the invitation. They parted and Candy went to Happy Clinic.

oooOoo

For the rest of the day, Candy absorbed herself in taking care of her patients. Seeing the smile on her little patient's face sooth her heartbreak. After the last patient left, Candy hurriedly sneaked out of the room to avoid Natalie and Judy. Telling them her failed love life and cry in front of them would be way down on the list of things she wanted to have. But Natalie caught her first.

"Candy, you are so quiet today."

"I'm fine," said Candy tersely.

"She doesn't look like it."Judy entered, too. "Want to talk about it?"

Candy groaned inwardly. Gone was the opportunity to run away now that Judy was here too.

"Fine, I feel like shit. Aunt Elroy called a detective to investigate who my parents are. She said Albert and I are cousins," burst Candy.

Natalie and Judy gasped and watched Candy with their mouths hung open.

"Are you serious?" asked Natalie.

"Right on! You bag a lottery there…!" exclaimed Judy effusively. "You're an aristocrat!"

Unexpectedly to Natalie and Judy, Candy brokenheartedly screamed. "I don't want to be an aristocrat." In one heartbreaking sob Candy let out all the pain she felt in her heart. "I want... I want... Albert!" Candy wailed tearfully.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," Natalie whispered."Don't cry… don't cry." She gathered Candy into her arms while Judy patted Candy's back.

"My life is over," Candy cried hopelessly.

"No… no... Don't say that," said Natalie.

"You'll be a doctor soon. Your life has just begun, I say," said Judy gently.

Candy didn't answer. She continued sobbing, her head in Natalie's shoulder. Her two friends sat silently with her.

"It might not be a good time to ask. But, how's your pen pal doing with his girl of interest?" asked Judy after Candy's sobs grew quieter.

"Neo said he's been too busy to pursue her," replied Candy. She pulled away and blew her nose.

"What if you tell Neo that you're not with Albert anymore?" asked Judy. "We arrange a time where you two meet. He'll be pleased as punch since you're a sweet pretty girl. Oh, I can hear the wedding bell!"

"I will never meet Neo," Candy said slowly. "We... agree to... never meet and we just reiterated our promise."

"Aw, don't be stubborn," Judy groaned. "Who knows Neo is blonde with ocean blues eyes like Albert."

"It's not that. We promise to never meet! Nothing to do with his look," replied Candy.

"But you two are so cute together." Judy pressed. "Are you worried that he's a short ugly troll?

Candy shook her head. She looked like at the brink of tears again.

"Candy doesn't care about how he looks, she only cares about the heart." Natalie cut in. "If she doesn't want to meet him, let her be." She frowned at Judy.

Candy got up and sling her bag in her shoulder.

"Where are you going?" asked Natalie.

"Home. I will spend the rest of my life writing to Neo." Candy sniffled.

"Duh...!" Judy patted Candy's cheek. "What's the use? You can't marry a letter!"

Before Candy answered, they heard someone knock at the outside window. It's Natalie's husband. Natalie's face bloomed instantly at his sight.

"My husband is here. We will go to watch a play tonight," said Natalie. She and her husband exchanged a look that was so filled with love. Candy felt that pang of sadness again and quickly hid it by pretending to button her coat.

"Are you sure you'll be okay, Candy? You can come with us," Natalie offered generously.

"Very sure! Enjoy your night!" said Candy. She forced herself to smile so Natalie stopped persuading her to come.

Witnessed by her two friends, Natalie took all her stuffs and ran out to her husband's embrace.

"I want to go out with a man who looks at me like that," said Judy.

Me too, Candy thought, staring at the couple walking hand in hand, her head in his shoulder. She had dreamed to do such a thing with her Prince of The Hill since she was six. She felt her tears was about to rush again when she heard a sob. To her surprise, Judy was crying.

"I'd rather sit in a room quietly with my ex and get bored to death than stayed single."

"Oh Judy!" said Candy. Judy looked so sad that Candy forgot of her own heartbreak. At least, she still had Neo. "You'll find a better one, Judy!" Whatever that sentence means.

"When? I don't want to be alone tonight. I thought I was strong," she burst into inconsolable tears.

"No, no! You won't be alone." Candy pulled the card Ben gave her and showed it to Judy. "Both are doctors and single!" She told Judy about Ben and his friend.

"A vacuum cleaner exhibition! What is a vacuum cleaner?"

"A little machine that can be used to remove dust from carpet. It's a hot product these days," explained Candy. She passed a box of tissue to Judy.

"My ex would love it. He likes to stay lazy." Judy dried her tears.

"Hush! Stop thinking about your ex! We meet new guys. I call Ben. We go!"

Judy agreed. The four met and went together to watch the television and vacuum cleaner exhibition. A box with a moving black and white pictures. Little tool that could clean carpet. They spent hours watching those new electronic tools being demonstrated and had a hand on experience on the little cleaning machine.

Then they went to a restaurant to fill their stomach. The restaurant was crowded from people who watched the exhibition. No waiter came at their table to serve them.

"I talk to the manager." Candy got up.

"I accompany you." The other three got up too at the same time.

"No need!" Candy chuckled. "Sit. Someone will steal our seats if we all go."

Candy went off to take care of their order. On her return, after spending much longer time than she anticipated trying to grab the manager's attention, she found Ben and Judy engaged in carefree conversation.

"Candy, Ben's hometown is the same as my grandparent's hometown in Austria. Can you believe it!" Judy said.

"Cool!" Candy said, amazed."From your father or mother's side?"

"Father," answered Ben. "We found out that we went to the same lake when we were kids in two summer."

They laughed and the conversation flew easily like they've been old friends for years. The four of them had fantastic dinner. Candy felt grateful she went out with them instead of crying alone in her room.

Then Ben's friend got up. "Great dinner but I have a night shift."

Judy and Ben were still chatting. Candy could sense that Judy hadn't finished talking with Ben and she wanted to leave her alone. "Me too," said Candy, getting up. "I have an early hospital shift tomorrow."

When Ben and his friend paid the bills Judy talked to Candy. "Would that be okay if I stayed longer with Ben? He's the best, I never feel so connected with any guy before."

"Of course! I can't be happier."

"What about you?"

"I'm great! See!" Candy gave her most brilliant smile. "I have a good time. Thanks for making me come tonight."

Judy hugged her. "Thanks Candy. I'll see you out."

"No need! See you in Happy Clinic!"

Sitting inside the car, Candy felt Neo's letter in her pocket and thought about the evening. A sense of longing crept inside her. Would Neo like to talk to her like Ben was to Judy? Would someone return her love and marry her one day? She had a lot of friends but not one seemed interested to pursue a step further. Terry was not. Albert's intention was never clear and now seemed even more improbable. Only Anthony did...

Candy entered her apartment. With a lump in her throat, she closed the door and switched on the lights. For a moment she stood still seeing Albert and her smile and laugh together in that tiny place. His toolbox still lay behind the chair which kept falling off, the pot he used to cook soup lay on the counter, their cups with initials C and A were next to it...

Then, she saw a stack of letters next to the cups. Her heart leaped with joy. One letter must be from Neo!, Candy thought confidently. She smiled. It gave such a comfort to know that there's always someone there for her.

Candy impatiently picked up the letters and spotted a telegram on top. She read it first.

"Have tried to call you STOP We will come to Chicago STOP Stear Archie have business emergency STOP I am pregnant STOP We miss you STOP Annie Patty Stear Archie STOP"

Candy danced excitedly. "Annie is pregnant! Second child! They will come here!"

She looked at the clock. Too late. She would call later.

Then, as she had guessed she saw Neo's letter. Never before she had such a trusting relationship with anyone as she had with Neo. Free of look. Free of prejudice. Just be herself. Of course, he was also fun to write to! His comments were daring yet so caring and kind.

With that Candy sat on one chair and put her feet up on the table, ready to soak in Neo's words. She would have a tear-free night after all!

-To be continued-

Thanks for reading.

Note:

Candy met Ben before lunch with Albert: chapter 5

Judy and Natalie are characters taken from manga. Candy's fellow nurses.

Vacuum cleaner was invented around those times. HO HO