Page 2 of A Chance for Candace

Margaret shook her head. “I’m afraid he’s trying to take them to the grave with him.” She stared at Candace a bit harder than usual. “Think back to the long conversations the two of you had. Maybe there is something he may have said that would trigger your mind to remember.”

Candance shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Margaret, his demise is upsetting me right now. I can’t possibly think under these conditions.”

Margare’s voice sounded genuine with her next words and yet Candace knew to be cautious around her. She had heard over the years of working with Theodore how ruthless and unkind the woman was. Especially today, she wasn’t about to let the woman get the best of her. “I’m sure you are devastated at losing Theodore. After all, the two of you were extremely close. That’s why I find it such a surprise that he never told you where he kept his receipts.”

Candace feined a sad smile. “I guess he didn’t trust anyone.”

“After the funeral, we will have this conversation again, dear. Maybe by then you’ll remember something that is slipping your mind right now.” The older woman spoke as if she knew Candace was hiding the information. Candace would never reveal what she knew.

Never.

Not in a million years.

She left the brick house, hurrying down the concrete steps and walking briskly down the street toward her small furnished apartment a few blocks away. A few times Candace found herself looking back, feeling as if someone were following her. When the feeling overcame her again and again, she purposely stepped in between two homes in a small alleyway. She watched the people walking by but didn’t see anyone that appeared to be searching for her whereabouts.

What she had in her reticule was making her so nervous Candace was becoming too cautious. Take a deep breath. Lord, help me to calm down enough to make it home!

*****

Four days later Candace stood over the grave of Theodore Kinney. The service had been prearranged and even though he hadn’t wanted her to stay in the city with the precious receipts, she wasn’t able to leave without a place to go and especially without showing her last respects. The day after he had given her the pouch, she had placed the documents in the bank safe deposit box for safe keeping. No one would ever dream she’d spend money on something so frivolous, especially since she had no job.

Except she was chosen to take care of Theodore’s precious receipts and she’d do everything in her power to keep her promise. If not, she feared he’d not rest in peace.

Although Margaret had asked for privacy at the funeral, it looked like the whole town of Chicago was in the cemetery at one point or another that morning causing Candace to feel closed in even though they were standing on over five acres of land that was owned by The First Baptist Church of Chicago. So many people came to say their goodbyes. Candace was overwhelmed with sadness.

“My dear. Now that Theodore is gone, what will you do?” Margaret was standing in front of her. How did the woman move so quickly from a covered chair at the gravesite to the oak tree where Candace was standing?

“I’m not sure, Margaret. It’s too early to say. Perhaps I can get a position in another chocolate shop. Your husband has paid well and I do have some money saved.”

“Good luck to you, dear.” Margaret leaned in. “By the way, have you thought about what I mentioned a few days ago? Have you remembered anything significant so we can find the receipts?”

The woman was persistent. When Candace looked into her eyes, a slice of fear caught her by surprise. Margaret was not a grieving widow. There wasn’t a speck of sadness in her eyes. Theodore had been right. She was doing her duty in order to sell all his worldly goods and especially those precious receipts.

They were worth a fortune. Every sweet shop in Chicago wanted to know why people would rather spend their money on Theodore’s confections than anywhere else. Customers came from miles away to buy chocolates from his shop instead of closer to where they lived.

The bake shop across the street was the worst of them. Logan’s Chocolates & Bake Shop had been pressing Theodore hard these past few months, offering him a fair price for his business including those receipts. Every single time Ralph Logan stopped in, Theodore would get so mad the tips of his ears reddened.

“You get out and stay out and don’t ask me ever again to buy my shop! Now, skidaddle!”

A smile played across Candace’s mouth as she was reminded of the ongoing battle by the two older men. She always had the feeling they truly didn’t hate each other. Ralph would remind Theodore that he had a son that would carry on his business and Theodore had no heir. “It’ll die with you, Theo. You may as well sell to me and I can carry on the best chocolates in the city.”

“You greedy sonofagun! Get out of my shop!” Theodore would pick up his broom and raise it in the air, sending the old man back to his own shop across the street. Whenever Candace was there, Theodore would make her stand at the big picture window and watch to make sure Mr. Logan went back inside his own place.

“He’s inside his shop,” she’d yell to Theodore.

“Thank the good Lord and his baby son, Jesus,” Theodore would say. “Because if God isn’t looking out for that man, I’d have a hankering to knock out his two front teeth.”

“Now you don’t mean that,” she’d always tell him.

“Darn right I mean it,” he’d say. Then, he’d pull out his little pouch and search until he found a receipt he hadn’t tried yet. He’d often laugh out loud, throwing his head back and shaking his white hair. “I’ve got something special here that’ll get Ralph’s goat.”

Candace had watched the two men over the years, the competition fierce. She knew in her heart that even though he didn’t hate Ralph , Theodore still didn’t want the man to be given his legacy. That’s why Candace forced a smile at Margaret and shook her head.

“Margaret, I truly hope someday you find them. All I know is Theodore kept them close to him. He may have hidden them in the shop somewhere. Are you sure you’ve looked everywhere?”

Margaret let out a deep sigh. She stuck her nose in the air. “I hope you are telling me the truth, Candace. I’d hate it if you knew and were keeping them from me. They belong to me now. No one else.”

“I am telling you what I know, Margaret. I’m sure they will show up. Give it some time.”

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