You Are My Candy Girl

By Cynthia Cordell

Stunning! This is the word to describe Candy Girl. She is girl independence and compassionate do-gooder all rolled into one. She teaches housewife Marion Sanders how to empower herself. She tells Marion that it is okay to feel lowly and under appreciated sometimes because we all have to start some place. Our dear Marion leads a bleak life but things are about to turn around for her when she is asked to speak in a lecture circuit. She begins to earn money for her profound computer concepts knowledge. Despite Marion’s homely facade, inside beats the heart of a warrior – fierce and ready to face the world. Candy Girl brings these once locked away features out of Marion. In the persona of Marion, we bear witness to a shy girl spreading her wings and becoming the beautiful and wonderous butterfly that all her new friends already recognized her to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665528184

Cynthia Cordell

Cynthia Cordell is a Filipino-American author. She is a light-hearted soul who truly enjoys getting along with other writers and learning from them about the craft of writing. She is easy to get along with and she will drop everything to tell you about her kids. Cynthia has aspirations of wanting to reach her full writing potential and then to go beyond that. We all have our dreams and Cynthia’s is just to experience a lifetime of physical fitness – to be of sound mind and body. Writing has been a Godsend. One can only imagine what life would be like if there was nothing to fall back on. When figuring out about how to score the arrangement of her novellas and novels, Cynthia will sing the feel-good songs she finds on YouTube. She reads the lyrics and sings along. She is old school when it comes to her music selections.

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© 2021 Cynthia Cordell. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/09/2021

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2819-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2818-4 (e)

Author photo taken by Crissy Lee Cordell

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

1. Introducing Candy Girl to the World

2. Brunch at the Mayberry Household

3. Entrepreneurial Headquarters

4. Coffee Blurb

5. A Helen Stansky Lecture

6. Question and Answer Venture

7. Meeting Timothy the Outfitter

8. An Eventful Day

9. A Classroom Full of Entrepreneurs

10. Drake and Eesha

11. Conference Call

12. God Conversations

13. Marion’s Chocolate Consumption

14. Candy’s Continued Talks with God

15. Girlfriend Time

16. A Walk Around the Park

17. Meeting Gary Sanders

18. Getting Ready to Meet Drake Henry

19. An Enchanting Dinner Date

20. Friends Gathering

21. Pasta Dinner at Sophia’s

22. The Marion Project

23. The Humility Theory

24. Arts and Crafts

25. Practicing in Front of the Mirror

26. Practicing Some More

27. Meeting Ace & Millie

28. Admitting Being Lowly

29. Dinner at Ace & Millie’s

30. The First Leg of the Lecture Circuit

31. Girl Talk

32. Katan’s Journal Entry

33. Mantras as Part of the Lecture

34. Spending the Day with Drake

35. Saving Drake

36. Apple Orchard Examples

37. Uncanny Coffee Blurbs

38. Nearing the End of the Marion Project

39. Wrapping Things Up

To my mom, Teodocia Panes Jurilla

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Chapter 1

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Introducing Candy

Girl to the World

Stunning! That’s what he wanted to tell her – visually stunning. Time just had a way of proving that if you’re patient enough, life just gets better and better. May I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor? My eyes are on you even when you don’t notice me looking at you. Say anything to me because I’d be happy just to hear your voice. If only you can hear thoughts – you’d hear my heart a-fluttering. When I’ve worked up the nerve to introduce myself to you, I think the heavens will open and a bundle of balloons, confetti and streamers will make its escape and fall like rain on us. This is where it starts and this is where it will begin – my unwavering adoration for the person that you are. There will be no beginning and no end because a relationship with you is all I will ever, ever need. Now, to learn how to woo your heart – all this was running through Sherman William’s mind.

Hello Candy we’ve never met and I would like to introduce myself. I am Sherman Williams and I am known in the community as The Task Master. I list down the computer commands needed to implant network cables all along the cities worldwide. I also have to make sure that each command on the list will be carried out through mitigation. Sometimes that means hiring new recruits and other times it’s making sure that our senior citizen workers who are about to retire will have a comprehensive retirement plan. I am sorry, I feel like I’m talking your ear off. Please tell me about yourself, Mr. Sherman Williams prompted.

Sherman hello, my real name is Candy Girl. It reminds my mother of an Archies song called Sugar Sugar. We lived the Evita Syndrome. My Father had another family and all I could do was feel sad when it became imminent that he was about to be with ‘the-other-side.’ Anyway, that song has the lyrics ‘Honey ah Sugar Sugar – You are my Candy Girl and you got me wanting you’ because at one time that is how my dad felt about my mom! My mom during her hey day was the utmost beautiful girl that walked the Earth. People ask me ‘Why are you always so happy?’ I tell them ‘because I have a pretty mom’, Candy Girl candidly said.

Sherman Williams was very glad that the circumstances that brought him to this moment in time were created just for him. Kismet! Time was whispering to Sherman Candy Girl opened up to you, bearing her soul. Don’t let her go. Take charge of the situation and continue conversing with her. Time might stand still just long enough for you to look into her eyes and if you can see forever in them then you will know that she is the one for you – now go out and get her!

Uhm Candy do you like coffee? I am somewhat of a Barista myself and I make the most interesting of coffee beverages. Would you like to come along the next time that I sample coffee beverages from different coffee houses along the boulevard? It’s part of the research of creating new and innovative coffee-style drinks. It will be fun – a great time to be had, guaranteed, Sherman Williams said in his most heartfelt way.

Mr. Williams I am having a grand old time just chatting with you so if you are telling me that sampling caffeinated coffee variations in the form of fun beverages that will have me jumping for joy, well then yes! But of course – because you can’t go wrong with coffee. One day will you show me where all the coffee beans are grown – the coffee plantations where they come from? Mister Williams I know a few things about coffee and how it is grown. The plantation owner will have a cantina – like a food galley – built to the right of the plantation. This is where all of the coffee workers working for him will be able to have a decent meal, where they can have a seat and rest at very little or no cost to each worker. This cantina has to be located right next to the coffee plantation. As long as all those parameters are in place, Coffee will be grown and all the costs will be covered! Candy smilingly said.

You know I’ve never had the process of growing coffee fully explained to me in that way before – thank you Candy Girl! I was going to ask you out just because you’re pretty but I see that there’s more to you than meets the eye. There’s this blindingly bedazzling starlet quality about you and even if we can just be friends, I know things will work out for us just fine, Sherman said, digging deep into his soul.

Mister Sherman it is I who is the lucky one. You see I don’t drink alak– this is the Filipino word for any type of liquor such as whiskey. People are expected to drink at these social gatherings but I tend to gain a whole, whole lot of weight when I had drank alcohol in the past. So please forgive me if I decline any offers of going bar hopping – I just don’t do alcoholic drinks, it’s not my thing Candy Girl said.

There will be no alcohol. By the way you can bring along friends when we go coffee tasting, Sherman Williams said.

Then from somewhere across the room…

CANDY ohh C – A – N – D – Y my darling! Oh, my goodness, did you by any chance catch a glimpse of not one but all of the cute waiters? Mega Handsome, Oops is that even a word? Oh now, who is this handsome hunk of a man you’ve just snared? Oh H-O-N-E-Y he most certainly takes the cake. You know Candy Girl that there a lot of men in the sea but your parents trust me because I’m gay. Am I right? Did your Gay-Dar otherwise known as a gay antenna spot me a mile away? It’s just an event horizon when I’m about to make an appearance. Having you on my arm is enough to make people think that I’m straight – you know hetero. Introduce me!

I am Sherman!

I am ‘me’ I am ‘you’ where was I going with this? I don’t mean to say that I am you. It’s just that if Chaka Kahn can sing in her song that She is Every Woman - I mean she literally belts out to the highest mountains ‘I’m Every Woman’ then I was trying to say I am every man. I’m not trying to come on to you. But I am as queer as a bell, but don’t worry I don’t bite! I am Katan. You are attractive but I’d rather be just friends so that we can hang out and be pals. Oh, those one-night-stands always never work out unless you’re going to marry the guy, Katan said.

Well would the two of you like to meet me tomorrow at the Mountain Coffee Café? Candy Girl, and you also Katan, we’ll make it a fun-filled day out of it, Sherman asked.

Absolutely! Katan yelped for both himself and Candy Girl.

It’s a date then, the three of us can meet for coffee tomorrow. Sherman, Katan and I can pick you up. Where do you live? Candy Girl asked.

Actually, I am a guest of the host and hostess of this soiree. I am staying in their guest house. So just announce yourselves at the front door, let’s say around 10am tomorrow? Sherman offered.

Oh, Sherman we’ll be there with bells on! You are such a gentleman. You know if you can accommodate Katan here into your good graces then everything will be okay. It’s my parents’ way of insuring that I won’t be misled or mistreated by the wrong kind of guy. Katan is very, very discerning when it comes to choosing in whom he places his trust, Candy Apple (a variation of her name that others know her by) said in earnest. Candy Girl likes to change up her middle name.

Thus, concludes this introduction of Candy Girl, Mister Sherman Williams and BFF (Best Friends Forever) Katan.

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Chapter 2

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Brunch at the Mayberry Household

The next day Monday, Candy Girl and Katan arrive at the Mayberry’s residence – that’s where the soiree was held the other night. Gaston let them in and he immediately phoned the guest house to let Sherman Williams know that his guests had arrived. Gaston offered them some breakfast.

OooOh marvelous idea Mister Gaston. It will put a dent in both mine and Candy’s dietary allowances but off we will go to the kitchen with you – we will be very, very discreet, Katan said, practically swearing under his breath because he was SoOo hungry. He thought of himself as being extremely emaciated.

Darling, we don’t want to put extra stress on our Mister Gaston here. Besides Katan, you do know that it is actually called brunch now. Yes, we have crossed the breakfast border and we must now proceed to the interim meal in between breakfast, lunch and even a Filipino merrienda moment – that’s Tagalog-talk (Filipino-speak) for a lavish snack of Pan de Sal (a type of such a delicious bread roll) with slathers of mantiquilla (a creamy buttery spread) and a soda beverage. Anyway, you had to have been there to appreciate that whole Filipino experience, Candy Cookie explained.

Did you know that brunch here in the United States and I’m sure, also everywhere else, is served with mimosa? A blend of orange juice and champagne? But you know I do not imbibe alcohol, so let us see if they have squeezed juice made from mixed fruits? I’ve been to a fancy brunch where you can have anything in your omelet, like ham pieces or chives, even plain good old fashion grated cheese – oh! and then one time, I had a very good shrimp omelet, I mean you could tell it was made with such expertise and love, Candy Sugar continue.

Madam and young Master our very own home chef Arcadia, can accommodate you. I shall send Master Sherman Williams to join you in the kitchen. The kitchen island is a more personable dining area versus the formal dining room, Gaston proceeded to say.

Candy Cranberry (I’m still referring to Candy Girl. It’s just that she and all who know her like to change-up here middle name, it’s a crowd pleaser) and Katan walked the winding path to the kitchen – Katan was almost falling over because of how winding it really was. Home chef Arcadia, complete with her flowery apron gave them a simple menu made from parchment paper.

We have lots of eggs for making omelets, I also have homemade loaves of bread, my very own specialty is a blueberry bread loaf. This may sound silly, but you actually have to have a liking for cranberry baked goods like cranberry muffins, cranberry cookies – any pastry with cranberries to fully appreciate and enjoy taking a bite out of my blueberry bread loaf slices. Cranberries and blueberries, I think, have the same baking texture. I make the blueberry bread with cinnamon, allspice, cardamom and of course, blueberries. It is very heavenly! Arcadia offered.

Oh! Arcadia dear, you had us at H-E-L-L-O, what a sweetheart you are. Come show us where you keep all the fresh ingredients and Candy Sugar – she likes to mix up her middle name and as long as you say her first name correctly which is of course C-A-N-D-Y you can give her any other middle name or initial you like – totally wild isn’t it? So now that Candy Apple and I have wrapped ourselves in these extra aprons that have the fun design on them, can you tell, that we are ready, yes ready, and so totally ready to read what your recipes have to instruct us with? Katan asked while making himself busy in the kitchen.

Arcadia do you have your own special way of remembering what my name is? Candy Lemon asked.

Well, Candy Fruits comes to mind – maybe Candy Kiwi, or Candy Avocado? Arcadia offered.

Yes, now you get the hang of it. That’s how people remember me because, I’m sweet as candy and you can get creative altering my middle name and have fun with it! Candy Apple rejoiced.

Dahhling I’m mixing these eggs, Katan proudly said.

It’s called beating the eggs and you can add a little milk to that mixture and then sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste, Candy insisted.

Just then Sherman Williams came walking through the French doors.

Hi folks what did I miss out on? Mister Williams asked.

You know Candy, I meant to tell you this last night – that I’d just like to be friends with you. I originally had romantic intentions. But just watching the dynamics between you and Katan has convinced me that just being one of your trusted friends is better than anything that I can think of, Sherman confessed.

Fabulous Sherman, just fabulous! That is great news. Okay now, you are in for a treat. You are about to witness Katan here, trying to be Chef Emeril Lagasse and Gordon Ramsey all at the same time and he even adds a hint of Martha Stewart to his cooking mannerisms. In the meantime, while he’s cooking up a storm with the help of our real home chef Arcadia, I want to talk to you – Sherman - about how Katan and I make a living, Candy Salsa said.

I’m all ears, Sherman responded.

Okay, we interview potential entrepreneurs, just like in a venture capital type of project. There is a fee and we pool all the investment money our entrepreneurs are willing to give up, into either a high yielding bank account or a brokerage portfolio. The lump sum of all their money put together can earn interest and we can pay them a salary just on the interest alone - grown from their investments. Picture this, 1% of $200 Billion dollars is $2 Billion dollars and you never have to touch the initial $200 Billion. You can keep on living off of the interest earned from the principal, Candy Cardamon explained.

Intriguing, please go on, Sherm encouraged.

"Well you see our favorite client is Marion. She has bouts of amnesia and she does not know that she earns Social Security Benefits and that’s only the beginning. Katan and I researched her background. Marion was an honor student both in high school and college. As noted by her psychiatrist, she told him: That she Marion, was once abducted by handsome pirate-like swashbucklers and taught to live their Rockstar-like lifestyle – This happened in between her Sophomore and Junior years in high school. They took her back in time with them but when they saw that their lifestyle was making her feel bad – actually causing her to gain weight, lose her hair and who knows what else? She began to question ‘If she was really their girl, then how was she going to stay attractive when they were making her ugly?’ To reiterate, this is what her psychiatrist told us in private. As a matter of public record, it is known that she once worked for an Aerospace company and also prior to that as a bank teller, and even before that, as a buffet waitress at a Japanese restaurant. She even worked one night in a stock room of a fashion-conscious-dress-shop during the Christmas season. According to Social Security, she remains eligible for supplemental benefits. But for some reason she has no clear memory of her time as a Rockstar’s girlfriend much less the girlfriend of a whole slew of Rockstars," Candy Honey relayed.

…So, you’re focused on Marion. Candy, a business in this modern day can’t be sustained without a good cause that it is fighting for. If you really want to heal Marion in her state of mind, and to offer her spiritual guidance and to be her emotional Rock of Gibraltar, then yes, I can understand your venture capital business, Sherman agreed.

Sherman, Social Security allows Katan and I access to Marion’s untouched monetary benefits as long as we explain how Marion will benefit from it – we can even double the money she receives from Social Security and the other financial institutions that has her money. She has a monthly annuity alone from a major life insurance company. She funds the money that our other would-be-entrepreneur clients need to raise on their own. My mom once said that my dad has socked away so much money here and there – that he forgets where he placed them. Marion is approaching that kind of buying power, Candy Marshmallow said.

Please go on Candy, Sherman Williams prompted.

"Okay, bear with me. Here’s the scoop: I have it on good authority that the newest insider product in development, is a pattern-maker for sewing fabrics used in the fashion industry. It is a customizable-from-every-conceivable-angle-computerized-garment-maker. It will mechanize the way haute couture - high fashion - is created and designed. As long as Marion has the funds, we are going to tie her in with these sure thing investments. Our one concern is that she is emotionally depressed because of her