chapter six | cotton candy

I was hesitant to tell Eunice anything about Owen for the following reasons:

1. He was a God and she would want him.

2. If she wanted him, she would get him somehow.

3. I had no chance against her because she played dirty and had experience.

4. She would make fun of me.

5. She would want me to actually do something about this infatuation instead of what I wanted, which was to admire him from afar and sometimes up close.

I couldn't keep the secret any longer (it had been a total of twelve hours, which was, like, a total record in girl-history). I called her, and I couldn't say I was surprised about her reaction.

"Describe him to me!"

I did.

"He sounds totally perfect. You have to send me a picture of him."

"I'm not going to send you a picture of him, Eunice. That would require taking a picture of him, which sounds sort of stalkerish."

"Do you know if he's on any social networking sites?"

"Why would I know?"

"I don't know. It's what girls do. Just send me one, okay?"

"No! You can come to rehearsal with me one day and see for yourself."

"Okay. But I call him."

"What? No! You can't do that! It's against some sort of code you told me about, remember?"

"But it's not like you're actually going to do anything," Eunice reasoned. "You have your dental career to think of. Isn't that your ultimate goal in life? Why risk it for a silly boy?"

"What about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your ultimate goal in life. What is it?"

Eunice laughed. "You already know it, Flossy. It's to find true love."

I suppose I did know that, but I so badly wanted it to be something else. It was a good enough goal, but I wished her aspirations and expectations in life to be so much higher. She had the potential. Now she just needed to release it. My philosophy in life was that love would come when it wanted to. She needed to stop searching for it. Maybe then she would find it.

I sighed despairingly. "Oh, Eunice..."

"I know you don't agree with it," Eunice whispered quietly, almost sadly. "But it's all I want out of life."

As she said those words, I felt my heart breaking for her. She was more passionate about her dream than I was about mine. She chased hers almost every day of her life. The difference between her and I was that mine was more materialistic and hers was not. Hers was a simple human desire that I couldn't and probably wouldn't ever understand. Hers went beyond skindeep like my infatuation for Owen.

"Eunice..." With those words, she left me speechless.

"I really admire you, Flossy. You're independent and you don't need anyone. I'm not like that. I need people, specifically someone I can share my life with."

"You can share it with me..." I had no idea what to say other than that.

I could picture her face--a sad, wistful smile pasted on where her chocolate covered teeth should be. I imagined she'd be stuffing her face with Hershey's and Cadbury's and Dove after our phone call ended.

"It's not the same. Look, I have to go. Bye, Flossy."

Before I could say adieu, I heard the click the signalled the termination of our conversation. I still saw Eunice as boy-crazy, but now I had insight on her motives. Today, I saw a glimpse of the real Eunice stripped of her food and inadequate "boytoys." I gained a new perspective of her and a newfound respect for her. In the words of Shrek, Eunice was like an onion, and I was determined to reveal her layers.

Today I had the day off from rehearsal, which meant I got to visit the office. Yolanda was my partner in crime today. Ginger was on a two-weeks leave visiting her family in South Carolina. Yolanda was in the middle of telling me a story about a party she went to on Thursday. It seemed as if Yolanda partied on the weekdays and worked on the weekends--completely inverted to what everybody else did. It was a good thing there were few clients and Dad stayed in his own dome of dental work because what she was telling me would've gotten her fired.

Yolanda's escapades were impressive, and I was glad she was one to leave out details. I hated people who described things graphically, not that any of my friends actually did anything that they would need to describe in such vivid detail.

I sat at the computer, scrolling through the names that were entered in the database. One in particular caught my eye and I could suppress the tiny squeal that evaded me. Owen Carter.

"What?" Yolanda questioned, looking at me with certain curiosity.

"Uh, nothing."

"What is it?" she pressed further.

"Oh, it's not a big deal. Someone liked a photo of mine."

To be honest, I didn't have any social networking platforms. I  was a part of a Future Dentists of America forum, but that was about it.

Yolanda rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath. It was probably something about me being unpopular, which I was. I didn't mind. Friends in high school were only going to be lost in the bustle of college. It was in my adulthood that I would make my lifelong friends. Of course Eunice would be a part of that list. There was no way she'd let me escape her life. It was as if we were bound by numerous ropes that were tangled together with a number of difficult knots that refused to be undone.

I wanted so badly to snoop through his dental records, but that would be an invasion of privacy that would technically be illegal. I was never a rule breaker, but the opportunity presented itself to me. It wasn't as if anyone would find out. I could always argue that it was for business purposes if I was ever caught.

I took the risk and peeked. It was probably the worst and best things I could've done for myself. His teeth were swoon-worthy. He had checkups regularly, no cavities, and gum disease did not exist. If I didn't think he was perfect before, I definitely did now. While I should've been concentrating on my dental studies as Eunice had said (although I suspected that she wanted him to herself), Owen was such a major distraction. Last week, I didn't know such a being like him existed. Now that he was sort of in my life, I didn't want him to leave. Whether or I liked it or not, Owen already had me wrapped around his finger, and I could do nothing about it.

---

She was looking straight at him with cognizant eyes. It was as if she was staring directly into his soul. He wouldn't lie and say it didn't bother him, because it did. She made his hands feel clammy and he was intimidated by her. Not just by her size but by her exuberant attitude.

Alfie cleared his throat. "Well, I guess I better get going."

Eunice's grip tightened on his wrist. "No, stay. We can get to know each other."

Alfie didn't want to be around her, let alone get to know her. Getting to know her meant having conversations with her, which seemed torturous. Maybe this was Fran's way of getting back at him. He made a mental note to start listening to her when she was telling him a story, and also to stop introducing family members to him.

"Okay..."

Eunice beamed. "Well, my name is Eunice Ellen Gables. I was born on Saturday, August 2, 1996. My mother says I was quite the chubby baby but was a trooper doing birth."

You're still chubby, Alfie thought rudely.

"My favorite pastimes include short walks on the beach, taking selfies, and reading cheesy romance novels. What about you?"

"Well--"

"Oh! And my favoritest food in the entire world is chocolate."

"My name's Alfie. I was born to my mother and father. I like eating. My favorite food is any candy from Marty's Candy Emporium."

Eunice frowned at the lack of description in his introduction. She wished he would've elaborated more, even just a smidge would've been better than the lame crap he threw out. Unlike anybody and everybody else, she saw it as a challenge that she would accept.

"Marty's Candy Emporium?" she echoed. "What's that?"

"It's only the best place on Earth. It's sort of like Willy Wonka's factory, except for it's real."

"That sounds absolutely marvelous."

She immediately realized that Flossy would not approve at all. This boy liked candy more than anyone she knew--she could tell by the condition of his teeth. They weren't exactly up to par with Flossy's high diamond, or in this case pearl, standards.

"Oh, it is," Alfie said, completely convincing Eunice of its magnificence.

"Do you think, maybe, you could take me there?"

Alfie was silent.

"Hello? Did you hear me?"

Alfie mulled his options over. If he took Eunice to Marty's, Fran would surely reward him with even more baked goods. It would also give Marty permission to mock Alfie for the rest of his days. Eunice wasn't exactly the catch of the day. Marty had no room to judge. He wasn't married and the last girl he courted was Jessie Wayne, who married and escaped Pinto with a suitcase and her husband. Marty always said he would get her back one day because he firmly believed that the two of them were soulmates. He would never follow through with his elaborate plan because he wasn't that sort of person. He would never purposefully try to make Jessie unhappy. He was just hoping that her big-city husband was treating her right. When he said it, I knew that Marty's feelings were true. He was married to his work now.

" Alfie?" Eunie repeated.

"Hm? Yeah, sure, okay. I can take you."

Eunice let out a gleeful squeal. "Really? That'd be great! This is so exciting!" she screeched into Alfie's hear, throwing her arms around him.

Alfie thought she would smell bad or like twinkies, but strangely, she smelled like cotton candy. Alfie didn't return the hug, but he didn't push her away. Instead, he let his arms hang limply by his side, fidgeting only slightly. The embrace wasn't terribly horrible, but it also wasn't enjoyable either.

"Do you think we could go today?" Eunice asked.

Alfie hadn't made his daily candy stop, and he'd rather just get the tour out of the way. He didn't think he could handle a badgering Eunice. He nodded. "Right now?"

Eunice smiled shyly. "If it's not too much of a burden..."

Alfie wanted to roll his eyes and snort. If it's not too much of a burden. If only she had said that five minutes ago. Nevertheless, they took off on their journey to a not-so-distant candyland. For most of the way, they were arm in arm. Eunice forcibly joined them together. Alfie just hoped no one that had the tiniest measure of respect for him walked by and saw him with Eunice.

Alfie stopped just outside the shop. "Well, this is it. Go on in."

Eunice's eyebrows wrinkled with confusion. "You're not coming in with me?"

"I will in just a second. I just have to go into this store for a little bit."

"You're going into the Knit Factory?"

"Uh, yeah. I have to get some knitting supplies for my aunt."

"Oh, well I'll go with you! I could always use some new yarn. I crochet, you know?"

Alfie's plan was not going well. "On second thought, I can always go shopping for her later. Let's go in." There was no point in shelling out more money if Eunice was just going to go in with him.

"Wouldn't it make more sense to do this now, though?"

Alfie shook his head vigorously. "I forgot what she wanted. I'll go later."

"Okay..." Eunice trailed uncertainly.

She wasn't budging, so Alfie had no choice but to grab her hand and lead her inside. Much to his dismay, this made Eunice's insides tickle with happiness.

The bell rang and an expecting Marty looked up from his Paula Deen magazine. "Hello, Alfie! What can I--well, who is this sweet young lady?"

"This sweet young lady is Eunice. Eunice this is Marty," Alfie said.

Eunice giggled. "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine, darling. What's your delight?"

"My delight?" Eunice repeated questioningly.

"Yes. What do you enjoy eating?"

"Oh. Well, I really enjoy chocolate."

"Chocolate, you say? Then you, my dear, must see this room."

Alfie's ears perked up. In the fifteen years he had been alive, he had never been told of the secret room Marty spoke of. He pictured something along the lines of El Dorado, but instead of gold there was chocolate. He was immediately grateful of Eunice and was extremely glad he brought her along.

Eunice seemed as happy as Alfie was when Marty mentioned the room. "What room?"

Marty gestured her over. "Just follow me."

Eunice went behind the counter. Alfie went to follow her but was stopped by Marty. His hand was up, his head was shaking, and his frown was only a little bit sympathetic. "Sorry, Alfie. You can't come back here."

"Why not?" Alfie demanded.

Marty's answer was simple and straightforward. "You don't like chocolate."

"I do too!"

"Not as much as Eunice here. I'm sorry. Feel free to check out the merchandise while we're gone."

And with that, Eunice and Marty disappeared behind the door. Alfie thought about following them, but concluded that it would be too risky to disobey Marty. Disappointed, he settled for looking at the multiple glass jars of candy. They were filled to the rim, almost overflowing. The emporium seemed more mysterious now that Alfie knew Marty had something to hide from him. He wasn't sure if that added to the magic that surrounded it or not. At this point, all he knew was that he wanted to find out what was in the chocolate room. He pictured a chocolate river and waterfall, dozens of Oompa Loompas, and five children wandering around. Perhaps Eunice would be the equivalent to Augustus Gloop.

Half an hour later, when Alfie was finished, Marty and Eunice came back. Eunice's mouth was smothered with chocolate sauce, and her clothing was stained brown. Her arms were filled with all kinds of chocolate. Eunice had the record for the biggest smile Alfie had ever seen. She looked so happy, content, and satisfied. Alfie was jealous of that. He wanted to go into the room. He thought he deserved it more than Eunice did.

"Ready to go, Alfie?" Eunice asked.

In his envy, Alfie completely forgot to buy candy of his own. "Yeah," he mumbled.

Once outside, Alfie asked Eunice what was in that spectacular room of Marty's.

Eunice's eyes glimmered, sparkled, and glittered. "I can't tell you, Alfie. But I can tell you this: it was the best experience of my life. Thanks for taking me!"

Once Eunice dumped her chocolate on the chair on the front porch, she gave Alfie yet another hug. She no longer smelled like cotton candy, but a sickly sweet cocoa.