Page 3 of A Chance for Candace

“I don’t have a lot of time!” The woman’s face turned ugly. Candace was staring at the true picture of Theodore’s wife. Her face looked haggard, as if city living had worn her down. Or, perhaps she had been working day and night looking for the leather pouch.

Candace almost felt guilty for a moment.

“What is it, dear?” Margaret was quick to see the slight change in Candace’s demeanor.

“I better go. Good day, Margaret. I truly hope you find the receipts.” Candace didn’t stay for another second. She took one last look at her mentor’s grave site, turned and hurried out of the cemetery to the safety of the sidewalk.

Chicago was growing by leaps and bounds. Candace truly loved the city and yet in that moment she felt so alone. The place where she had found solace in such a big city was no longer there. The building would be sold, the chocolate shop would die with Theodore and she’d have to start over somewhere else.

As Candace walked by a shop, she noticed the front page of the Chicago Tribune. She dished out a nickel and paid the newsboy, rolling the paper up to carry it home. She saw an article that held her interest, but she’d read it when she got home.

Candace knew she’d have to leave the city if she were to carry on Theodore’s legacy. Perhaps a small town like the one she just saw in today’s newspaper might be a good place to start. Margaret would go back east one way or another and forget about the receipts. Theodore had told her she had enough money from his business in the bank she didn’t even need the receipts.

Candace walked up the three steps that led to her small apartment. The stoop in front of her door reminded her she’d have to put out her two plants early in the morning if she wanted them to get more sun. Now that the days were longer, they needed more sunshine.

She placed the key in the lock, but the door opened slightly. Confusion alerted her that someone may be inside her home. She cautiously pushed the door and it creaked slightly. “Hello? Anyone here?”

There wouldn’t be someone breaking into her apartment in the middle of the day. This part of town was relatively safe. She’d never had any issues with burglars before. Taking a deep breath, Candace stepped inside.

Her hand went to her mouth. She almost screamed but sucked air into her lungs instead. Papers were everywhere! Her personal belongings all over the floor, thrown around carelessly as if they didn’t mean a thing.

Her apartment had been ransacked!

---