Miss Candy Nash: The Quest

By Patricia Schmidt Jameson

Based loosely on the life of a real person, this story is about a girl who grew up with three strikes against her. She was unwanted, overweight, and plain. The only person who really cared about her was her grandmother, who died when she was a teenager. Like the saying goes, she sought love in all the wrong places. The one constant in her life was her quest for a god, who may or may not be real. And if he was real, did he care about her?

Miss Candy Nash takes our heroine from a fourth-grade girl struggling to keep her name to a young woman shaking behind a locked bathroom door while her would-be attacker threatens to drag her by her hair to his bed.

Does God care? Will he deliver her from the nightmare she finds herself in?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543446265

Patricia Schmidt Jameson

Patricia Schmidt Jameson was born and raised in Rochester, NY. She was married to John Schmidt for thirty-seven years until he went home to be with the Lord in 1991. The couple have five children and seven grandchildren, plus one great granddaughter. Pat taught Sunday school for several years at the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, and also worked for eighteen years as bookkeeper for 3WG radio station. She lives with her son, John, in Henrietta, NY, a suburb of Rochester.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Will Miss Nash please step forward? The tall stern-looking teacher stood in the front of the room, addressing her fourth-grade pupils. It was the first day of school, and the class, dressed in their newest duds, was fidgeting and talkative.

Cynthia Smart had done her best to keep her charges in hand. If she allowed any tomfoolery now on the first day of school, she would lose control for the whole school year.

Miss Nash, will you please come forward? she asked again.

Timidly the heavyset girl stood and walked to the front of the class. She was mortified. Being the center of attention was the last thing she wanted to do. She knew what she looked like. She didn’t have to be set apart from the others to accentuate it. While the other girls had curls and ribbons in their hair, Candy Nash’s mousy brown hair refused to hold a curl. Her mother had done it up in rags the night before, but this morning when she combed it out, it hung limply. The ribbon Mama had fastened to the top of her head slid down to hang sadly beside her left ear. There just wasn’t enough volume to her hair to hold it in place.

Her green dress, which was obviously designed for a much slimmer girl, bunched up around her chubby hips and hung unevenly. She looked down in dismay at her brown oxfords. The other girls wore Mary Janes, but Daddy said they cost too much and weren’t practical. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her.

Now then, Miss Nash, Miss Smart said, would you please tell me what is your Christian name?

Candy looked up at her, puzzled. My Christian name?

Yes, the name by which you were baptized.

Candy Darlene Nash, the timid girl replied.

No, no, not what you are called. I want your Christian name.

I … I don’t know what my Christian name is, the girl replied softly.

The class started laughing. Miss Smart tried to quiet them. Well, I suggest that before you return to class tomorrow, you find out what it is. Is that understood?

Candy nodded.

Go back to your seat, she commanded.

The afternoon seemed to drag. While the other kids were called by their first names, any and all who spoke to her were told to address her as Miss Nash. As soon as the dismissal bell rang, she grabbed her sweater from the cloakroom hook and headed out of the classroom toward the street.

Don’t feel too bad, her only friend, Caroline Crawford, said as they walked slowly. I think it’s sort of neat being called ‘Miss Nash.’ It kind of sets you apart from the other kids.

That’s just it, the sad girl replied. "I already am set apart from the other kids."

The sun was still shining, and it played peekaboo behind the leaves on the trees that lined the street. Candy loved this time of year. It was as though the seasons couldn’t make up their minds whether they wanted to let summer go and head into fall or hang on to summer as long as they could. She looked down as she walked, kicking up what leaves had fallen to the ground. She took her time. She knew there would be work waiting for her once she entered her front door.

Do you think you can come out and play after supper? Caroline asked.

I doubt it, she replied.

She didn’t really mind helping her mother. Mama had plenty to do taking care of the four younger ones. Candy knew her mom could use all the help she could get. Sometimes though, she’d remember sadly how things were before Bonnie and the others were born. She was the only child then, and even though her daddy didn’t pay much attention to her, her grandmother doted on her like she was a princess. She spent most weekends at Grandma’s house until just after her fifth birthday.

Then Bonnie was born. Candy loved her baby sister, but she soon noticed a change. She was no longer the star attraction at her grandmother’s. Bonnie had pretty, blue eyes and curly blonde hair. Her father doted on his new baby daughter like she was his first. Her mother dressed the new baby in frilly dresses and raved about her to anyone who would listen. For a five-year-old, Candy had a lot of wisdom, and she realized that the new baby girl was much prettier than she was. She wasn’t jealous, but she felt very alone.

Then a year later Larry came along, and the following year the twins, Alex and David, were born. Mother had her hands full. Candy took her little sister under her wing. She figured that since all the attention was now on the boys, Bonnie would feel alone just as Candy had when Bonnie was born.

She watched her father play with the boys, and sometimes he’d spend time playing with Bonnie, but he never spent any time with Candy. How she wished that just once he would make a fuss over her, but even when she was the only child, he never seemed to have time for her. Sometimes it seemed he didn’t like her at all. He was always talking about putting her on a diet. He said she was getting fat just like her mother. He also said she was lazy. Sometimes he’d put a broomstick behind her back, looped through her bent arms, trying to make her stand tall. She didn’t know why she was fat. She’d always been that way as long as she could remember. It was true her mother was heavy also, but her grandmother wasn’t. Why couldn’t she be like her?

Grandmother told her not to pay any attention to what her father said. She said that her father was like a little boy who never grew up and didn’t know how to handle responsibility. He couldn’t keep a job, but then times were hard and jobs were hard to come by. For one reason or another he never seemed to be able to stay at one place very long.

Her mother was at the stove when she came in. Something sure smells good, Candy said.

Yeah, your grandmother gave me this recipe. She made it last week. You all seemed to like it. Hopefully your father will like it too. How was school?

Mom, what’s a Christian name? the child asked.

A Christian name? Why I suppose it’s a name that’s in the Bible. Why?

Is Candy in the Bible?

Not that I know of, but then neither is mine. I don’t recall ever reading about an Arlene in the Bible either. Hmm, I guess I don’t know what a Christian name is. Why do you ask?

The teacher asked me what my Christian name was. I told her I didn’t have any other name than Candy. She asked me what name I was baptized with. I told her ‘Candy Darlene Nash,’ but she said that wasn’t right. What name was I baptized with, Mother?

Why, Candy Darlene Nash. Just like you said. That’s what your father named you when you were born, and that’s the name you were baptized with!

Why did he name me Candy? Miss Smart says that’s not a Christian name.

"Well, he is your father, and I guess that gives him the right to name you whatever he wants."

Arlene Nash paused and thought back to the night her husband had declared their daughter would be named Candy. He had gone out drinking with Ernie, one of his friends, at some club. She begged him not to go. They couldn’t afford it. When he came home having had a little more to drink than necessary, he announced that if the baby was a girl, they were going to name her Candy. He and Ernie had talked it over, and they decided that Candy would be the perfect name for a girl.

She didn’t want Ernie having anything to do with the naming of her daughter, but there wasn’t much she could do about it. She was certain he had met someone named Candy at the bar. In fact, she was certain he had seen her several times after that. But of course, he had denied it. Her mother told her to let it go. She had nothing to gain by confronting him. The worst scenario would be he’d leave her. She couldn’t afford that, especially with a baby on the way. So she didn’t bring it up again.

"But why Candy? I don’t know anyone else named Candy."

Mother sighed. I know, but your father and Ernie decided they liked the name, and they chose it for you.

Why didn’t Ernie name his own daughter Candy?

He and Carrie didn’t have any kids at the time. Maybe he thought they never would have any. I’m not really sure.

But when I was baptized— She stopped. "I was baptized, wasn’t I?"

Certainly you were baptized. Your grandmother insisted upon it. We took you over to the Methodist church and had it done.

Did my baptismal certificate say, ‘Candy Darlene Nash,’ on it?

I’m certain it did. Why wouldn’t it?

Because Miss Smart says it’s not a Christian name! the girl repeated.

Well, let’s take a look at it then. That’s the only name you ever had, the woman said as she turned off the burner on the stove and headed upstairs.

Pulling a trunk out of the closet, Arlene Nash opened it and rummaged around through folders of papers. Finally, she found the ones she was looking for. Here’s your birth certificate. It says, ‘Candy Darlene Nash.’

What does my baptismal certificate say?

Hold on. I’m checking, her mother replied as she searched through more folders. Ah, here it is. It says … She stopped. It says, ‘Candice Darlene Nash.’ We didn’t name you Candice. Why would they put it on there?

Maybe it’s my Christian name. The girl suggested.

Christian name or no Christian name, this is wrong, her mother declared. You’re our baby, and we named you Candy!

She hadn’t been called her mother’s baby in a very long time, and she liked the sound of it. How was I registered in school? Candy asked.

Well, I can’t seem to find a school registration copy, but here are all your old report cards. She thumbed through them. They all say, ‘Candy Nash.’

The teacher said I have to tell her my Christian name. What shall I say?

Your name is Candy. That’s what you need to tell her.

I did. She said it wasn’t my Christian name.

So, she’s asking for the name the church put on your baptismal certificate then. I guess you’ll have to tell her Candice Darlene Nash.

No, I won’t tell her that! Then she’ll start calling me Candice, and all the other kids will too. I don’t want to be called Candice.

The only other thing I can tell you, Candy, is that you ask her to check your school records.

Mama, I can’t. I can’t get up in front of all those kids and tell her that. Will you come and tell her?

Now, Candy, you know I can’t leave Bonnie and Larry and the twins to go traipsing up to the school. You’ll have to do it.

But, Mama, the child wailed.

There’s no two ways about it, child. If you want the teacher to call you Candy, you’ll have to be the one to tell her to check the school records. Now go change your clothes and take Bonnie and Larry for a walk while I finish supper. The twins are still taking their nap.

She found her two siblings in the living room playing Chutes and Ladders. You kids want to take a walk? she asked.

Yeah, I do! Larry shouted with glee.

Okay, but no worms. You hear me, Larry? Leave the worms alone, his older sister warned.

Bonnie didn’t care what they did as long as Candy was in charge. She loved it when Candy minded them. Candy took the time to actually play with them. When Mother took them anywhere, she left them to their own amusement while she talked to Grandmother. She often wondered what they found to talk about for so long.

They started down the steps. Be careful, Candy warned. The workmen left potholes everywhere.

The city was tearing up the old trolley tracks. The electric trolley cars were being put to rest as the population switched to gas-driven buses. The potholes were the ideal place for an adventurous boy and a curious girl to play. They had been warned more times than once about getting themselves dirty sitting in the holes, but it was as though they never heard.

They started on their walk, but it wasn’t five minutes before Larry had let go of his sister’s hand and had knelt down in one of the dreaded holes. Look, Candy. There’s all kinds of worms and creepy-crawly things in here! he cried, delighted.

Larry, get out of there this minute. Just look at you. Your hands are filthy. Put those bugs down right now. Come on, we’re going back home. She turned back toward the house.

Aw, come on, Candy. Just look at them. They’re great. He lifted one particularly ugly-looking bug close to her face. Please don’t make me go back home, he pleaded.

Sorry. I don’t think they’re great, and neither will Mother when she sees your face and hands, not to mention your pants and shoes.

Grabbing her little brother’s arm, Candy marched him back down the street toward home.

Well, you weren’t gone very long, Mother called when she heard them come in.

I know, but just look at your son, Candy said. I warned him, but he wouldn’t listen. Now just look at him!

Mother took one look and sighed. Get him in the bathtub, will you, Candy? It’s going to take more than a simple wiping to clean him up. What about Bonnie? Is she dirty too?

No. Bonnie didn’t go near the road.

Good. Their mother sighed. Your father will be home soon. Let’s get this mess cleaned up before he gets here.

Candy stripped off Larry’s shirt and pants. Even his socks were dirt filled. My goodness, Larry, she exclaimed. I wonder if you weren’t a worm in your past life. Maybe that’s why you like dirt so much.

I weren’t no worm, the little tyke cried. I just like dirt, that’s all.

She filled the tub with warm, sudsy water. Bonnie, why don’t you climb in too?

I’m not dirty, and I don’t want no bath, and besides, I don’t want to get in the tub with him. He’s a boy!

Candy laughed. She wanted to ask, What was your first clue? but was afraid the conversation would get out of hand. Okay, just stay right here where I can see you while I wash Larry. If you’re a good girl, I’ll play paper dolls with you after supper.

Playing paper dolls was the way Candy acted out the scenes she had seen at the picture show. Most of her girl paper dolls had curly blonde hair and big blue eyes. The guy dolls were tall and handsome with either sandy or dark-colored hair. Grandmother had bought them for her at the drugstore on one of the days she spent with her without the other kids. Candy had painstakingly cut out each doll and piece of clothing by herself. She had taught Bonnie to interact with her with her own set of cardboard dolls.

Ever since she could remember, Mother and Grandmother had taken her and Bonnie to the picture show on Sunday afternoon while Daddy stayed home with the boys. He didn’t watch them very closely though. Every time they came home, he and Mother would have an argument about what the boys had done while she was gone.

Candy loved being at the picture show and pretending that she was the leading lady and that someone loved her. She used to pray at night that if God were real, He would answer her prayers and send her someone who would love her.

She wrote to her favorite movie stars at their studio address, asking for a personally autographed photo. Several albums were filled with big glossy pictures sent in response to her requests. Her favorite actor was Van Johnson. She had several different photos of him. She loved his red hair and spent several hours dreaming she was his leading lady. When no one was around, she’d sing songs from his latest movies.

After supper that evening, Candy washed the dishes and persuaded Bonnie to dry so they could get to their paper dolls quicker.

Boy, I hate doing dishes. She sighed. When I grow up I’m going to have a maid do them for me.

Yeah, that will be the day, her father exclaimed. Who’s going to pay her?

My husband, the girl replied.

And who’s going to marry a fat girl like you?

Stewart, stop talking like that, her mother chided. Candy is a very pretty girl, and someday she’ll find a man who will love her for who she is, not for how much she weighs.

In your dreams, her father said as he walked out of the room.

When the dishes were finished, Candy and Bonnie played for quite a while. Candy was so lost in the life of her doll that she forgot what time it was. Her heart was hurting at her father’s words. No one would dare say a bad word against Betty, her paper doll. Betty’s husband would never allow that. To him, she was the most perfect wife a husband could ask for. She transferred her dreams to her dolls.

Candy prayed that she would find a handsome man who would love her and be kind to her and that she would have a maid to do the dishes.

Candy, it’s late. Put the paper dolls away. You’ve got school tomorrow, her mother reminded her.

School and Miss Smart had, for a very short time, escaped Candy’s mind. Tomorrow she had to tell Miss Smart to check the school records or else she would be called Candice for the rest of the school year.

Silently she put the dolls away. Come on, Bonnie. It’s time for bed, she said sadly.

Why do you look so sad, Candy? We can play tomorrow night, can’t we? her little sister asked.

Yeah, sure. Tomorrow night, she said absentmindedly as she climbed into bed.

Chapter 2

The morning broke bright. The sky was blue and clear, not a sign of rain. Candy rolled over in bed, careful not to awaken Bonnie sleeping beside her. Larry and the twins were still asleep in their bed. A house with only two bedrooms didn’t seem ideal for a family of seven, but that’s all they could afford. Candy’s dad looked periodically for a steady job but seemed to have no luck. Grandmother suggested that if he spent as much time looking for a job as he did with his friend Ernie and his boat down at the marina, she was sure he’d find steady employment. She supposed that was too much to ask of the thirty-year-old would-be man.

Candy’s stomach hurt. She wasn’t sure if it really hurt or if she just didn’t want to go to school and face Miss Smart. Actually she hated school. The only two things she liked about it were the air-raid drills, where they’d all march down into the school tunnel, and library day.

The walls of the tunnel were made of shiny tan bricks. There were lights on the wall every so many feet. A lot of the kids were frightened, but she wasn’t. It was all an adventure to her.

On Friday the fourth-grade class would go to the school library. They could each pick out two books to take home for the week. Lots of the kids weren’t interested in reading, but Candy loved it. Besides paper dolls and the picture show, reading was her escape from a world that seemed less than friendly to a heavyset young girl. She’d hurry home, and as soon as she could find a spare minute, she’d open one of her books and start to read. She had both books read in a day or two, and then it seemed like an awfully long wait until the next Friday.

Candy knew that Mother would let her stay home from school if she didn’t feel well. In fact, she actually liked it when Candy stayed home. Then she could walk down the street to Grandmother’s while Candy watched Bonnie and the boys. Daddy hated it when Mother went to Grandmother’s. She always came home ready to do battle. He said that Grandmother made the grenades, and Mother threw them.

She managed to stay home for two days, but even she knew that if she complained of a stomachache any longer, Grandmother would insist that she see a doctor. On the third day, Candy trudged back to the dreaded school and the dreaded encounter with Miss Smart.

To her surprise, Miss Smart never mentioned Candy’s Christian name again. Mother said that perhaps Miss Smart had gone down and checked the office records for herself. In any case, it was never brought up again in class. However, Miss Smart continued to call her Miss Nash. Soon all her classmates were also. Anything was better than Candice. Candy didn’t complain to Mother again.

You’re sure lucky, Caroline said to her on the way home from school. I wish the teacher and kids would call me Miss Crawford. It sounds so grown-up.

Hmm well, I don’t like it. I want to be called by my regular name, Candy. Why does everyone have to make such a big deal out of it?

Don’t you want to be grown up, Candy? Caroline asked. Don’t you wish you could be your own boss and do what you wanted to do without having to ask permission? Just think, when you’re grown up you won’t have to take care of Bonnie and your brothers.

I don’t mind taking care of them, so much, she replied. And what good is being grown up if no one cares about you?

What do you mean, no one cares about you? If you were grown up and beautiful everyone would care about you.

Is that how you see yourself when you grow up, beautiful? Candy asked her friend.

Well, sure. I think seventeen is the perfect age. I’ll be tall and thin with long hair. I’ll wear high heels and tight skirts. Everyone will love me.

Boy, that sure is some dream. How can I picture myself tall and thin when I’m so short and fat now?

Yeah, but you’ll grow taller.

Maybe, but my hair will never be long and beautiful.

Sure it will. You’ll get a job and buy yourself beautiful clothes and have your hair done every week. Everyone will love you, Candy.

If only. Candy sighed.

If you want to be beautiful later on, you have to act beautiful now, Caroline said wisely.

I pray all the time that God will give me wisdom and help me be kind, but I don’t know if He hears me. I think I would be out of line praying that I’ll be beautiful when I grow up.

How do you know there is a God? And if there is, what makes you think He’d listen to your prayers?

I don’t know. I just feel in my heart that there is a God. Whether or not He hears me is something I’m not sure about. I wish I knew someone who did know.

Let’s start a quest, Caroline said.

A quest?

Yes, let’s start looking for people who know God. Maybe they can tell us if He’s real or not.

We could start by praying together, Candy said. We could pray that if God is real, He’ll reveal Himself to us. What do you think?

Hmm, it might work. Okay, let’s do it. Should we start now?

Yeah, I’ll pray first. Then you can pray after me, okay?

Okay.

Candy folded her hands and closed her eyes like she had seen in the movies. Dear God, she started, Caroline and I want to know if You are real. We don’t know much about You, but we’d like to. If You are real, please send someone to us who knows You. There are so many things we’d like to ask You, but most importantly, we’d like to know You’re real. Would You show us? Amen.

Caroline followed Candy’s example of folding her hands and closing her eyes. Dear God, Candy and I want to know if You are real because if You are real, then You can help us be beautiful when we grow up. Please give us an answer. Amen.

I wonder if that was right, asking Him to make us beautiful. Do you think that’s a little too pushy? Do you think He’ll feel that’s all we want from Him?

Well, what else do we want from Him? Caroline asked.

I don’t know, but I’m sure He would want more from us.

What does He want from us? Caroline asked.

Well, I guess that’s what we’re going to find out, Candy replied.

When she got home, Candy found her mother at the stove as usual. Feeding a family of seven was a lot of work. Arlene Nash seemed to spend all her time in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

Mom, she said, Caroline and I were talking about God. Do you believe He exists?

Oh, of course, Candy. Everyone knows God exists.

How do you know?

Like I said, everyone knows, her mother replied.

Has He ever spoken to you? she asked.

No, I can’t say that He has, but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t exist, her mother said thoughtfully.

Well, Caroline and I prayed that if He did exist that He’d show Himself to us.

Show Himself to you? How? her mother asked.

I don’t know, maybe by letting us hear His voice or maybe by showing Himself to us physically.

That seems like a pretty tall order, Candy. No one has seen God.

That’s the strange part. No one has seen Him, yet everyone is certain He exists. Why do you suppose that is?

Arlene Nash sighed. I don’t know, Candy. You ask a lot of questions. I hope you find the answers.

Well, that’s what we prayed, that He’d show Himself to us or lead us to someone who knows Him.

Hmm, if He answers your prayers, then by all means, let me know. It would be interesting to know for sure. I mean concretely, that God is real, her mother said.

That night at the dinner table, Candy brought the subject up again, this time to her father. Daddy, do you believe in God?

What kind of question is that? Everyone believes in God, her father replied.

I know everyone believes in Him, but why? What has He done to prove Himself to you?

Prove Himself to me? Why should God prove Himself to me? Who am I that He should take the time to do that?

Well, if He hasn’t proven Himself, how can you be so sure He exists?

Where do you get these questions from? her father asked. Why would you doubt His existence?

Because I’ve never seen Him. He’s never spoken to me, and up until now He has never answered any of my prayers. Why should I believe in Him?

Up until now?

Yes. Caroline and I prayed that He would show Himself to us if He is real.

Well, good luck to you, her father said, and he turned and asked Larry to pass the bread.

Chapter 3

A few days after they started their quest, Caroline and Candy met again.

Has God shown Himself to you yet? Caroline asked.

No, but maybe He needs more time, Candy answered. Why don’t we pray again? Let’s ask Him for something really hard.

Like what?

I know, Candy said. My dad has been looking for work for a long time now. To tell you the truth, I’m getting tired of sleeping in the same room with the other kids. Let’s pray that my father gets a job so we can move.

Hmm, I don’t know. That seems like a pretty big request.

I know, but if God is real, nothing should be too big for Him, right?

Okay, you pray since it’s your father we’re praying for, Caroline said.

Once again the girls folded their hands and closed their eyes. Candy prayed, Dear God, we know it hasn’t been very long since we asked You to show Yourself to us. Maybe we should have asked for something specific. That way when You answer, we’ll know it’s from You. So we’re asking that You find my father a job. I think if You’re real, You can do this. Please find my father a job, and thank You in advance. Amen.

How come you’re thanking Him in advance?

I just think that’s like a show of faith. If He’s real, He’s going to get my father a job. That’s why I’m thanking Him.

Hmm, how about two weeks? That’s not too long or too short a time, is it?

Two weeks? That sounds good. Okay, let’s see what happens in the next two weeks, Caroline said.

Ten days later, Stewart Nash came into the kitchen waving a letter in his hand. Look at this, Arlene. It’s a job offer.

What?

Yeah, Kodak sent me a letter offering me a job. It’s working the swing shift, but at least it’s a job, he said excitedly.

At the dinner table that night, Stewart Nash made the announcement to his family. Hey, guys, starting Monday night, I finally start working again.

Candy almost dropped her fork. You do? Why Monday night? she asked shaken.

It’s the swing shift. I work one week days, one week afternoons, and one week nights. I’m starting working nights.

Isn’t that going to be hard to get used to? his wife asked. How are you going to get your proper sleep?

I guess that’s something I’ll have to handle when the time comes, he answered.

God will help him, Candy said.

Her father turned and looked at her. God? You believe in God now all of a sudden?

Yup, Caroline and I asked Him if He was real to get you a job within two weeks.

Oh, you did, did you? And just when did you ask Him that? her father asked.

Exactly ten days ago, she answered with a grin.

Candy couldn’t wait until dinner was over so she could tell Caroline.

You’re kidding! Caroline squealed. He got a job?

Yes, he did, Candy said. Do you know what that means?

It means that God is real, Caroline said shocked. I’ve got goose bumps.

Should we ask Him for something else, just to be sure? Candy asked.

Do we dare? Wouldn’t that be rude? I mean after all, He did what we asked Him to do.

I don’t think He’d be too upset with us, if we asked for one more proof, Candy said thoughtfully.

What shall we ask, then?

Candy thought of what it meant to the family to actually have a paycheck coming in every week. That meant they could move. I know. With more money we’ll be able to move in to a better place. Let’s ask God to fix it so that our new house is still in the same school district. I sure wouldn’t want to have to change schools.

Yeah. You’re right. I wouldn’t want you to have to leave our school either. Okay, let’s ask Him to keep you in the same school district. I’ll pray this time, she said as she folded her hands. Dear God, thank You for getting Candy’s father a job. That pretty awesome of You. Now we’re thinking about her moving and what school she’ll have to attend. Please, God, would you fix it so she can stay in the same school district? Thank You. Amen.

"Dear God, Candy prayed. Thank You so much. It was pretty awesome of You to get my dad that job right within the time line we gave You. That’s pretty cool. Now we’re asking that You fix the school district problem. You know my family wants a bigger house and that they’ll take whatever is offered even if it is in a different school district. Please don’t let that happen. Make the house in the same school district, please. Amen."

When do you think your parents are going to start house hunting? Caroline asked.

They’ll probably wait until my dad gets his first paycheck in two weeks.

Okay, that means that God has about a month to show them a house in our school district. I’m really excited about this, Candy.

Me too, but I’d still like to learn more about Him. I mean now that we’re certain He exists, how are we going to learn more about Him?

Let’s just wait and see. One thing at a time. First, let’s see what He does about the school district. Then we’ll start praying definitely for Him to lead us to someone who really knows Him.

Mr. Nash started his job Monday evening. He came home Tuesday morning exhausted. Don’t talk to me. Just show me my bed, he said when he got in the door.

Wednesday morning, he didn’t seem quite so exhausted. Maybe you’re getting used to it, his wife suggested.

Maybe so, he agreed.

The following Monday morning, he started work at seven thirty.

Well, at least you’ll sleep regular hours, his wife said.

Yeah, for one week. Then next week, I’ll have to work afternoons. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to these different hours.

You will, Daddy, Candy said. I’ll pray that God gives you rest every time you’re supposed to be sleeping.

He got his paycheck at the end of the second week. It looked gigantic. When was the last time we saw this much money coming into this house? his wife asked excitedly.

I think, Stewart said when he got his second paycheck, I think it’s time we start house hunting. We need a bigger place.

Excitement filled the Nash home. They were going to start looking for a larger house. However, rentals were still hard to find, especially on a limited income. Even though more money was coming in, the bills they had accumulated were eating it up as fast as it came in.

Every Saturday night around midnight, Stewart Nash went out to pick up the Sunday morning newspaper. Any houses for rent were rented as soon as the paper hit the streets. They had shown up at many a bleary-eyed landlord’s homes on several occasions only to find that someone else had beaten them to it. Week after week they made this their routine.

We’d better pray my folks get a house pretty soon, Candy said. This is getting pretty wearing. It seems like everyone in the whole city is looking for a house to rent.

Haven’t they been the first at any of the places they’ve been to? Caroline asked.

Oh sure, but when they said they have five kids, that ended any discussion. You know we prayed about the school district, but it never occurred to me that houses would be so difficult to find.

Which means, Caroline said, that it will be even more of a miracle if you find one in our school district.

And then it happened. Mr. Nash heard that a supervisor at Kodak had a seven-room house he wanted to rent. He and his family had been living in it, but they had just bought a bigger home and didn’t want to sell their previous house. He just happened to mention it to Stewart Nash.

When he came home and gave his family the news, they went wild. Candy, have you and Caroline been praying that we’d find the right house?

Yes, Daddy, she answered excitedly.

Are you still asking God to show you if He’s real or not?

No, Daddy. We’re pretty sure He is, she replied.

Well, I should say so, her mother said.

Um, Daddy, just exactly where is this house located? she asked timidly.

Actually, it’s two streets over from us. Why?

Because Caroline and I prayed that we’d stay in the same school district, she said with a grin.

Well, I’ll be, her father said.

Chapter 4

Though her parents were impressed by her quest, Candy’s place in the home did not change. There never seemed to be enough money to buy her nice dresses like Bonnie had. Her mother said it was because the larger-size dresses cost more. There always seemed to be enough to buy the boys clothes, but the clothes Candy was forced to wear seemed to be made for a dowdy housewife.

They’re all I could find that would fit you. They’re all we can afford, was her mother’s response when she would complain. Caroline asked her why she didn’t pray that her folks would come up with more money to buy her the clothes she needed, but Candy felt like she was imposing on God. He had answered her prayers to make Himself known, He had found her father a job, and He had given them a house in her old school district. She felt ashamed to ask for anything too personal for herself.

The girls went from fourth grade into fifth and then into sixth and seventh. When they entered eighth grade, they started going to the neighborhood high school. Candy hated it even more than her former school. Now she had to face six or seven different groups of kids each day.

Caroline continued to be her only friend. She was the middle child with a couple of younger brothers and two older sisters, but they never seemed to find time for her. She spent as much time as she could at the Nash home. However, Mrs. Nash always ended up telling the girl to go home. Honestly, she would declare, that child would move in with us if I let her.

It was during her eighth grade that Candy’s beloved grandmother started complaining of pains in her stomach. Arlene took her to one doctor, then another. After many visits to different doctors, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. They said she had six to eight months to live.

Much against Stewart’s wishes, Arlene moved her mother in to live with them. The boys had finally gotten their own room. Candy and Bonnie did not have to bunk with them any longer. Now Grandmother was given their room, and once again all five kids slept in the same room.

Candy was heartbroken. It was hard seeing her grandmother getting weaker by the day. How she longed for the times they spent together without the others around. Grandmother’s house was the only place where she felt loved and cherished. Now Grandmother needed care and attention herself.

While Mother was busy with the four younger ones, Candy spent time in her grandmother’s bedroom reading to her.

One day her mother called her into the living room. Candy, your father has a vacation coming up next week. We’re going to Virginia to visit your cousins.

Oh, that will be great. I haven’t seen them in a couple of years, she exclaimed. Then she became somber. What about Grandmother? She’s too sick to go with us. Who will take care of her?

Well, your father and I talked about it, and since you love being with her so much, we decided that you should stay home with her. That will give you plenty of time with her without Bonnie and the boys interrupting.

But …, the girl began.

I think your grandmother will enjoy having you to herself. Just think of the fun you two can have.

Fun? Mother, Grandmother is too sick to have fun. You know that. She’ll need lots of care, care I can’t give her. Who’s going to change her dressing every day? Who’s going to cook her meals? I can’t do all that, the child said wearily.

Don’t worry about a thing. The visiting nurse will come in every day and change her dressing, and if you have a problem, she’ll tell you what to do.

But, Mother, without a telephone, how can I get help if I need it?

There’s a phone at the corner drugstore. I’ll leave you some change. All you have to do is run down there and make the call.

But, Mother! the girl wailed. If I go to the drugstore, who will stay with Grandmother while I’m gone?

You worry too much, Candy. I’m sure she’ll be okay. And just because you’re such a good girl and a good sport, your father is going to bring you home a surprise tonight.

Candy was terrified. How could she take care of her grandmother? What if something should happen? She ran to her room and sobbed. O God, she prayed, You proved You are real, so please help me. I’m so scared.

That evening when her father came home, he brought a puppy with him. This is for you, Candy. You can name him anything you like. He’s your very own puppy. How do you like that?

Bonnie and the boys were thrilled with the newest addition to their family. What are you going to name him, Candy? Bonnie asked.

Um, I don’t know. What do you think is a good name? she asked her sister.

I know! I know! Larry said. Let’s name him Laddie!

Yeah, Bonnie said. That’s a good name.

Okay, we’ll call him Laddie, Candy decided.

After the family left for their vacation in Virginia, Candy found that having a puppy to take care of added more work to her day. Laddie wasn’t trained, and every morning she’d have to clean up the messes found on the living room rug and the kitchen floor. Bathing her grandmother and getting her whatever it was she wanted to eat exhausted the young girl. She ate mostly cold cereal all week because she was afraid to light the kitchen stove to cook something. Caroline had come over the first day after her parents had left, but Candy didn’t have any time to play because she had to stay so close to Grandmother, and Caroline said Grandmother’s room smelled. She didn’t come back.

Often she’d sit beside Grandmother’s bed and talk to her, though by now the older woman didn’t speak much because of the pain she was in. The visiting nurse came every day just as Mother said, but she really didn’t offer much help to the young girl.

Most times Grandmother didn’t want anything to eat. The doctor said to give her anything she wanted, and many mornings Candy ran down to the corner drugstore and ordered a strawberry milk shake for her grandmother’s breakfast. That was all the older woman wanted. Those were heartbreaking days for Candy. Between taking care of the puppy and listening for Grandmother to call, Candy couldn’t wait for the week to be over.

She was absolutely delighted when the family finally came back home. The first thing Bonnie and the boys did was run to find the puppy.

How have things been while we were gone? Mother asked.

Okay, I guess, she replied. Grandmother doesn’t want to eat anything, and neither does Laddie. I don’t know why. I tried to give him dog food, and even some treats, but he doesn’t want anything. He just sleeps.

Larry came