Page 11 of Mending Fences
“Yes, yes, I do.”
He turned toward the voice. This time her hair was in a blonde bob.
Candace struck a pose worthy of a Grecian goddess. “Go ahead and ask. I know you are dying to.”
“What’s up with the wigs?”
“Every year I get a cancer free checkup, I buy a new wig. I already have my eye on the one I am going to get in June, my tenth. My father and sister also give them to me for birthdays and Christmas. I have seventeen. Plus a few cheap ones for fun.”
“If you’ve been cancer free for almost ten years, why do you still wear wigs?”
“Alopecia. After my chemo ended, my hair didn’t grow back. At first my mother got me natural wigs. But I decided to have some fun. Hence, tonight I’m a blonde off to a party at a friend’s. So, what are you two kids doing?” Candace gathered her purse.
Mandy answered. “I invited Daniel in for some ice cream.”
“What? No takeout and a movie?” Candace’s idea sounded great to Daniel.
“Just don’t forget the rules. Bye, kids.” She flitted out the door.
“What rules?”
“This is a smoke and alcohol-free house. If you want to know why—the cancer is part of it, and the details are for Candace to tell. It’s also drug free. Usually we don’t even have anything stronger than ibuprofen, but Candace insisted.” Mandy pointed to the empty Rx bottle.
“Okay, I guess I will not decide to start smoking while I am here. Chinese or pizza?”
Mandy shifted her position on the couch to raise her foot. “Do you mind burgers? When I’m in pain, I always want cheeseburgers and chocolate milkshakes.”
“Your wish is my command. Would you like fries with that?”
“Sure, and let yourself in when you come back, okay?”
“Are you sure it’s safe to leave the door unlocked?”
“This isn’t Chicago. I’m sure I’ll be safe for the twelve and a half minutes it will take you to go get burgers.”
Pain was evident in the tightness around her eyes, and Daniel was sure she was trying to use humor to help ease it. “Okay, start the timer.”
