Boardwalk Brides

  “Look,” one of the pilots said. “This isn’t about Darren or any other individual. It’s simply about Eastway doing the right thing.”

  Darren struggled to keep from responding. Eastway didn’t discriminate against men or women. Never had. From his point of view, the hirings and firings over the past few months had been based on performance. . .or the lack thereof. But how could he say so without hurting Gary and a couple of the others? If Eastway let them go, maybe they needed to go.

  As he listened to the raised voices, Darren prayed. Lord, I need Your perspective on this. If You want me involved, then You’re going to have to really make it clear.

  Though he didn’t agree with the arguments of the others, he couldn’t help but feel he should play some role in calming the waters.

  ❧

  Candy paced the hallway outside the conference room and prayed. She’d cracked the door and peeked inside but only saw the backs of the men’s heads. Darren’s voice hadn’t been distinguishable from the others in the crowd, so she felt sure he wasn’t in there. On the other hand, he wasn’t answering his phone. Maybe he was home. . .sleeping. Catching a few z’s before his next flight. Yes, that was surely it.

  She turned to leave, but a rush from behind caused her to turn back. The conference room door flung open, and men began to flood toward her. Yikes. She’d never seen so many male Eastway employees in one place before. And talk about catching them at their worst. Several were using language she’d just as soon forget, and a couple were even spouting not-so-nice things about female pilots.

  Until they saw her. One of them—Craig, the male flight attendant who’d always treated her kindly, at least to her face—took one look at her and turned the other way.

  Coward.

  A couple of the other men passed by with cold, hard looks on their faces. . .cold enough to cause a shiver to run down her spine. Candy couldn’t control whatever they were thinking or feeling. Only the Lord could do that.

  She stood to the side of the hallway, waiting for the crowd to clear. Just one last peek in the room would do it. She would prove Marcella wrong. Darren couldn’t possibly have supported these guys in their endeavors, particularly not with them so worked up.

  The last of the men passed, and she breathed a sigh of relief. See. I knew he wasn’t here.

  Then she heard his voice. “Gary, you’re my friend. You can count on me. You know I’d do anything for you.” Darren slapped him on the back and cracked a smile as wide as the Hudson.

  “ ‘Count on me’?” she whispered the words. “He’s getting caught up in this now?” She ducked behind a large silk tree as Darren and Gary stepped out of the room, side by side. Thankfully, he never turned to look her way. And after today, she didn’t know if she would ever turn his way again.

  THIRTEEN

  Candy managed to avoid a couple of calls from Darren in the days following his meeting with the men. She replayed his words in her mind several times over, trying to make sense of them: “Gary, you’re my friend. You can count on me. You know I’d do anything for you.”

  How did this happen? Darren, of all people, knew Gary’s record with the airline. Why not let the union officials take it from here? Why did he feel compelled to get involved. . .and on the men’s side, no less?

  Candy stewed over his sudden participation, but decided not to say anything about it, wondering if, instead, he would bring it up. Ironically, the two phone messages he’d left were completely unrelated to work. One had to do with meeting his parents, who were coming to Newark for a visit in a couple of weeks. The other had to do with the singles group trip to Atlantic City on Saturday. Candy didn’t respond to either, unsure of what to say. Or do.

  On Thursday morning, with plenty of free time ahead of her, she decided to take a walk to clear her mind. Maybe she could get some prayer time in along the way. She’d already poured her heart out to the Lord about all of this, but He seemed distant and quiet on the matter.

  Though she and Darren had seen some of the sights in Newark, there were still so many places she had yet to discover. She’d heard the girls talk about Washington Park but had never seen it, except in passing. Today would be the perfect day to see things for herself. And to straighten out the troubling thoughts rolling through her mind.

  Minutes later, Candy strolled the streets of the historic district, taking in the sights. By the time she arrived at Washington Park, she’d already hashed out several of her more troubling questions with the Lord, questions like, “Whatever happened to all of that discernment I used to have?” and “When am I ever going to feel like an equal in this industry?”

  Before long, she took a seat on a park bench, staring up at a statue of George Washington, mesmerized. Now, there was a man who’d stood up for what he believed in. A man who stuck to his guns, even when everything. . .and everyone. . . opposed him.

  “Hmm.” Things hadn’t really changed all that much in the past two hundred years, had they?

  Looking at the other statues, Candy’s mind wandered. This whole place was filled with the memories of people who’d stood up for what they believed. Heroes who’d won the right. . . to live where they wanted, worship where they wanted, and work in occupations they loved. They’d sacrificed. . .and come out winners in the end.

  “Lord, have You brought me here for a reason?”

  Goose bumps covered her arms as she recognized the similarities to her situation. She began to pray. Lord, I know You’ve called me to fly. I’ve known it since I was little. And I’m not ashamed of the fact that I’m doing what You called me to do. Help me overcome the fear of not being good enough. Take my insecurities and my worry about what people think. This isn’t about what they think anyway, Father. It’s about what You think. As long as I’m doing what You called me to do. . .

  Peace settled over her heart as she contemplated that fact. What was it Pop always said? “The safest place to be is at the very center of God’s will.” Storms could swirl around her, but in that safe place, she could move forward with confidence.

  Still, there was that issue with Darren and the other men to iron out. Whenever she replayed the scene in her head, Candy could hardly believe it. Had Darren—the same man who’d first kissed her that day at Essex County airfield—turned on her? Or was she just imagining it? Every time his name flitted through her imagination, she saw those beautiful blue eyes. That dark wavy hair. She heard his voice. . .kind and yet authoritative. She saw his broad shoulders and the captain’s bars on his sleeve. Every thought, every memory was a good one.

  Still, all of the good things she knew of him faded away with the memory of his words: “Gary, you’re my friend. You can count on me. You know I’d do anything for you.”

  Ugh. So much for trusting him. Now she couldn’t even imagine spending time with him. How would she make it through the upcoming trip to Atlantic City with the singles group?

  Candy cringed, thinking about going anywhere with him right now. Not with so many unspoken words between them. Still, how could she avoid the trip, especially when Jason and Brooke had gone out of their way to plan it with her in mind?

  She rose from the bench and began to walk through the park, finally settling on a plan, one she felt sure everyone could live with. One that would give her the perfect opportunity to spend some time alone—to think and to pray.

  Candy made the trek back to the apartment, then gathered her roomies together in the living room for an announcement.

  “I, um. . .I’ve got several days off, so I think I’m going to head back home this evening.”

  “Home?” Lilly gave her a funny look. “You mean Atlantic City?”

  “Yeah. I miss my family. And my younger sister, Tangie, is coming in from New York for her birthday. I really want to be there for that.”

  “But what about our trip to the boardwalk on Saturday?” Brooke’s brow wrinkled. “You’re not canceling, are you? I know Darren is really looking forward to meeting your family and seeing your
old stomping ground. You’re not going to let him down, are you?”

  Let him down? Candy sighed. Maybe she should just come out and tell Brooke and the others what she’d overheard. Then they’d understand why she couldn’t possibly spend a casual weekend with him. And they’d also see that he was the one letting her down, not the other way around.

  On the other hand, why stir up a hornet’s nest? The men were already worked up enough. Why get the women more involved than they already were?

  “Candy, I haven’t known you long, but I feel like we’ve been sisters forever.” Brooke gave her a pensive look. “If you’re going through some sort of problem with Darren—or anyone else, for that matter—don’t run from it. You of all people have sticking power. Hang on and deal with it. That’s what you’d tell me.”

  “I’m not running.” She frowned. “It really is my sister’s birthday. And I’m really going to Atlantic City to see my family.” She paused, then added, “And I’m sure they’d be thrilled if you guys stopped by the candy shop for the party. It’s going to be on Saturday night at eight, just after the store closes.”

  “Okay. Well, we’ll be there. It’ll be fun to see Ryan and Taffie again. And I wish I could talk you into joining us on the boardwalk for a couple of hours before that, but I understand if you want to be with your family.”

  “Yeah.” Candy sighed. “I need to be around my sisters right now. Does that sound silly?”

  “No.” Lilly bit her lip before continuing. “But are you saying you might be thinking of quitting your job? ’Cause if you are. . .” Her voice trailed off.

  “I just don’t like to see everyone so worked up. And based on the reactions of some of the guys, things aren’t going to get any better for the female pilots. I sure don’t enjoy working under this kind of stress.”

  “Well, forget about all that.” Brooke gave her a sympathetic look. “Spend time with your sisters, and then we’ll join you Saturday night. We’ll put all of this other stuff out of our minds for now. How does that sound?”

  “Amazing.”

  “I can’t wait to meet your sisters.” Shawneda grinned. “I have a feeling we’re all going to be friends. If they’re anything like you, I mean.”

  “Hmm.” Candy couldn’t help but smile as she thought about them. “To be honest, we’re as different as night and day. Taffie’s a homebody, always staying put. And Tangie. . .”

  “What?” Lilly gave her a curious look.

  “Well, she’s going to be the next Broadway star. At least that’s what she believes. And I don’t doubt it. She’s very at home on the stage. Performing.”

  “Wow. You are different, then,” Shawneda said.

  “Not so different, really.” Brooke shrugged. “You just have a different stage to perform on. Yours is in the cockpit. But you’re still the star of the show.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “Well, you know what they say, ‘The show must go on!’ So, whatever you’re struggling with, work through it with God, then get right back to the stage, okay?”

  Candy sighed. “Okay. But in the meantime, just be praying for me, all right? I have a lot on my mind. A lot to work out.”

  “Will do.”

  Candy ventured off to her bedroom to pack. Surely a few days at home would do the trick. She hit the road by late afternoon, fighting traffic as she headed south on the Garden State Parkway. As she drove, she did her best to collect her thoughts and to focus on her family. Surely these next few days would help her put everything in perspective.

  ❧

  Late Thursday afternoon Darren tried one last time to call Candy. She’d avoided him for two days, but why? Had he done something—said something—to offend her? Had he somehow overlooked a birthday or forgotten a date? Not to his knowledge.

  When she didn’t answer the phone, he decided to give Jason a call. His best friend answered on the third ring with a jovial, “Hey, Darren. How are—”

  “I blew it.”

  “Blew it? Blew what?”

  “This thing with Candy.” Darren paced the room. “I think I kind of. . .sort of. . .”

  “What are you talking about? What have you done?”

  “I have absolutely no idea.”

  Jason laughed. “Welcome to the world of male-female relationships. I’m not kidding when I say that half of the arguments Brooke and I have make no sense to me at all. Usually by the end of them I can’t even remember how they got started.”

  “Well, we’re not arguing. It’s not like that.”

  “You’re not? That’s so strange, because Brooke just told me Candy had asked you to act as mediator in the Eastway dispute.”

  “Wait. . .really? ’Cause she never talked to me about that. In fact, she hasn’t talked to me in days. And she won’t answer my calls. Not a one. So, I’ve been thinking—”

  “Well, that’s your problem. You spend too much time doing that. Cut it out.”

  “Please. I might like to analyze things, but I don’t usually overthink them.” Darren exhaled, frustrated with the direction this conversation seemed to be going.

  “Go ahead and believe that, if you like.” Jason paused. “But maybe she just needs some space. Sometimes women are like that.”

  “Well, I’ve given her plenty of it. And actually, that’s what I’m calling about. Trying to decide if I should give her even more.”

  “Oh?”

  “I have a flight tomorrow,” Darren explained, “but I’m still free on Saturday. Should I still go to Atlantic City with you guys, even if she doesn’t go?”

  “I think she’s already there, actually.”

  “What?” In Atlantic City? How come I’m the last to know this?

  “Brooke mentioned something about Candy driving down there tonight to see her family. I think she’s staying till we get there.”

  “Really?” Darren brightened immediately. “So, maybe she’s not avoiding me at all? Maybe she’s just preoccupied with her family.”

  “That’s likely.” Jason laughed. “But don’t worry. Remember, if this relationship with Candy is God’s will, then any obstacles will be overcome in time. Even a deep thinker like yourself can’t thwart God’s plan. So, rest easy, okay?”

  “I guess.”

  Darren ended the call and stared at the aquarium once more. No matter how many circles Fred made, he never actually went anywhere. Oh, he seemed content enough, but was it really enough, to get so settled in your ways you couldn’t break free?

  Darren approached the fish tank and dropped in a pinch of food. Fred swam up to the surface to grab it, then eventually went back to swimming around and around.

  “Don’t you ever just want to bust out of there?” Darren asked. “Swim in bigger ponds?”

  Fred made the Ooo face again, then swam back down to his castle. Somehow the little guy had learned to be content with his circumstances, even without female companionship.

  “I don’t know, man.” Darren sat on the sofa and stared at the fish tank. He watched as Fred swam in endless circles, going round and round the colorful castle in the center of the aquarium.

  Fred, I know just how you feel.

  FOURTEEN

  Darren walked the boardwalk with Jason and Brooke, breathing in the salty air. The others in their group had stepped out ahead of them. A few headed over to the pier and a couple wanted to see a feature at the IMAX theater. Darren was content to stroll with no agenda in mind. It felt good to relax, to just be himself. To unwind. Leave the cares of the world—and Eastway—behind.

  Of course, the crowd along the busy Atlantic City boardwalk proved problematic. And every few minutes another one of those rolling chairs came by, startling him. Interesting idea, folks being pushed around in wicker, canopied chairs-on-wheels. Still, he couldn’t help but find the whole place. . . what was the word the women would use? Quaint? Yes, quaint.

  “So, this is where Candy grew up.” All of his talk about how much prettier the Pacific was than t
he Atlantic might have to be taken back. This was a great spot. And talk about attracting tourists. Umbrellas dotted the sand, and beachgoers toted their gear back and forth from the boardwalk to the water’s edge.

  Yes, this had a familiar feel to it. And with the scent of hot dogs and roasted peanuts in the air, he found himself drawn in.

  “I’m getting hungry.”

  “Yeah, there’s a great seafood place Ryan and Taffie told us about,” Jason said. “Let’s grab a bite to eat.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Minutes later they entered an eclectic fishy-smelling place with the words High Seas above the door. The décor was traditional coastal stuff, though Brooke was quick to warn him to use the word shore and not coast.

  “What’s the difference?” he asked with a shrug.

  Brooke slapped herself in the head. “You’re a California kid through and through, aren’t you?”

  “Well, yeah.” No point in denying it.

  Brooke rolled her eyes. “I don’t expect you to understand. Just trust me on this. I grew up in Jersey, and around here, it’s the shore.”

  As the waiter arrived at the table with their glasses of water, Darren turned to Brooke. “So, tell me what Candy said. She won’t return my calls. And I don’t have a clue what I’ve done.”

  “I don’t know.” Brooke shrugged, then took a sip of her water. “If she’s upset with you, she’s keeping it to herself. I just know she’s been here in Atlantic City since Thursday, seeing her sister. And we’re all invited to the party at the candy shop tonight.”

  “Why don’t we head over there now when we’re done eating? I want to see her.” He glanced at his watch. Three fifteen. Hmm. A little early.

  “Darren, just give her some space. She obviously wants it. I’m sure it’s all going to be clearer before long, but not if you push too hard.”

  “Sounds just like what I told him.” Jason looked up from his menu. “One thing I’ve learned about women. When they need their space, they need their space. There’s no crowding them. And you’ll do more damage than good if you push things.”