“Where are you going?” asked Elliot, yawning. “What’s going on?”
“That was Tammy,” I explained. “We did it, the auction made enough, we can buy the building! So, we’re going to meet at the real estate agent’s office in a little bit to do just that.”
“Wow, how exciting, congratulations,” said Elliot, propping himself up on one elbow. “I can drive you down there to meet Tammy so that you guys can buy the place.”
He got up and started looking for clothes to put on, and in a wild whirlwind, we were in the car within ten minutes. I was so excited. This felt just like it did when I first started the bakery. The air felt electric, magic, and I was on top of the world. I couldn’t wait until we were standing in our new building.
When we got to the real estate office, Tammy was already there, waiting by the curb in front of the office. She jumped and clapped excitedly when she saw me.
“Can you believe that this is happening?” she squealed. “I never thought it would really happen, I couldn’t bear to get my hopes up.”
“I know what you mean,” I agreed, walking with her into the office.
“Ladies, I’m happy to see you here,” the man greeted us, standing at the open door already. “I have the papers drawn up and ready for you to sign.”
We had been in the office, talking and joking for a few minutes when the door swung open.
It was Jim and he was furious. He stormed into the office and up to the agent’s desk, evidently not even noticing us in his rage.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing, Frank?” he screamed in the agent’s face. “I made you a good deal and you turn it down? What exactly do you think will happen if I walk away from this deal?”
Then, Jim looked around the room and finally noticed Tammy, Elliot, and I sitting there. I could almost see the lightbulb go off in his head.
“You again,” he snarled at me, “You stupid bitch, I wasn’t good enough for you, now you have to come stick your fingers into my plans and fuck everything up?”
He walked around the agent’s desk and stood right in my face, his fists clenched. I started to sweat, feeling those old feelings welling back up. I wanted to run out of the room and hide. I had hid from Jim so many times before it would be just like old times if I did. I just sat there, pressing my lips together in silence.
Before I knew what was happening, Elliot had stepped in front of me until he was standing toe-to-toe with Jim. Elliot reared back like he was going to punch Elliot in the face. “Don’t!” Tammy suddenly stepped in front of Elliot, stopping him from punching Jim, to my shock.
She turned towards Jim and instead, wound up and socked him in the face herself. I let out a whoop of shocked delight. I couldn’t think of a more deserving face to take that right hook. The punch knocked him flat on his back. He scrambled to his feet, holding his face in shock. He couldn’t believe that she had hit him, either.
Frank, the agent, stood up, glaring at Jim.
“Get out of here,” he said. “And if you ever show your face around here again, I’ll call the cops.”
Jim stood there like he was trying to muster up an inkling of courage, but it escaped him. Plus I think he was a little preoccupied with the blood pouring from his nose. He turned on his heels and left like a dog with his tail tucked between his legs.
After he left, Frank turned back to Tammy and I.
“Now, ladies, shall we get back to the paperwork?”
We both nodded and sat back down at his desk, ready to start a new chapter of our lives.
Epilogue Candy
Four Years Later
I was used to not being able to see my feet. As a girl with D-cups, it was nothing new to me. But it was new to look down and see a belly slowly catching up with the curves on my chest. But my rapidly growing baby bump grew more and more every day.
I was really feeling it the more that I walked around the graduation, though, so I went and found my seat in the front row.
Elliot had done it. He had realized his goal of graduating with a teaching degree, and I was happy that I could be there to cheer him on. I was practically vibrating with excitement and pride and was trying to contain myself.
I saw Elliot’s row stand up and prepared myself. When they called his name, he walked across the stage with so much poise wearing his cap and gown. Everyone clapped quietly and with decorum. I, on the other hand, could no longer contain my excitement. I let out a loud cheer, clapping loudly. Everyone looked at me, but there was no disdain, just amused smiles. They got it.
When the ceremony ended, I searched the crowd for my love. When we found each other, he landed a soft kiss on my lips. He put his hand on my belly and smiled at me tenderly. I couldn’t believe how happy he made me.
It made me stop and think about all of the good things that we had going in our lives. For one, we had each other and we were as madly in love as ever. There was no “honeymoon phase” for us, we were as crazy about each other as we’d been from the moment we laid eyes on each other.
Elliot had a new dream, molding bright young minds and shaping the future. Tammy and I had
