Learning about one another and conquering fears

Candi was quick to take Amanda’s hand and head off into the park. “I like haven't done any of the slides yet, I umm was too afraid to do the cliff slide. Maybe we can skip that one, if that is okay.” Candi said looking up at the tall slide coming over the tree line. “We can do whatever you like dear, I am just happy to spend some time with you. Tell me did Bailey leave you behind so she could go on it?” looking over at Amanda Candi gave a small ashamed smile. “Umm, no she tried to calm my nerves, but when I got to the top I just couldn’t. You know that feeling you get when you fall? I was kind of getting that just looking down and ran down the stairs when Bailey wasn’t looking. She was being so nice to try and help build me up and make me feel brave like she is. I have never had a friend like her before.” Amanda gave a little squeeze to the teenagers hand to show her support, happy to hear her Bailey was building this girl up. Bailey wasn’t a bad person, but building others up didn’t usually fit into his personality. Maybe seeing things from the other side has really opened him up, and why he wasn’t afraid to show his feelings and cry in front of others.

“Tell you what, there is a foam mat slide over this way and we can loop around and do the slide your father and I did earlier. On the way over you can tell me more about yourself, from what I have seen you are already brave and outgoing. Your father tells me you have your own youtube channel that generates income, I hope you know how amazing that is. And if you are doing something amazing, that means Candace Ann Connors is amazing, does it not?” the comment brought a smile to her face and caused her to blush a little. “According to my pass I’m Candace Ann Connors-Best. The best shows how modest I am and that for at least here I can have a mom and a dad.” Amanda thought this girl was just too precious, and was sure she was a handful when she wanted to get her way, but right now her goal seemed to win over her heart, and the pretty teen was doing just that. “The last name can be a burden, for as long as you have it try to live up to it. Before being the best Candace, what are some things that you are not good at or things you wish could be better at?”

The two got to the line for the simple slide and each grabbed one of the blue foam mats. “Well you already know about the heights, but I am also not very coordinated for things like cheerleading and that is okay I guess, I have trouble with my grades sometimes and they have requirements, but it would have been like nice to make the team. What I’m like trying to get better at though is softball! I was able to play in a group outside of school for fast pitch softball and it was so fun, Daddy even said he would love to coach if he had the free time, but well you know. I’m just so happy he could come to the games. I’m like not too good like some of the other girls, but he said this summer he will help me so I might be able to make the starting lineup, that would be totally amazing!” Amanda watched her talking and gave a beaming smile, the more excited she got the faster she was talking. “Too bad you are not staying longer, while I never did softball. My sister played it for years, she was good from what I remember. I spent most of my time playing tennis and golf.” Candi’s face lit up hearing how Megan was good at her favorite sport, but it turned to a sour look at the mention of golf. “Ick, golf just seems so boring. Daddy does it now and then with coworkers or people he needs to make a deal with, but it just seems I dunno, not something fun.”

“Well Princess Candace, everyone has different ideas of fun.” Amanda teased her a little using her full time. “But tell me, do you like playing mini golf?” pursing her lips Candi looked to Amanda not sure if she wanted to concede the point, but reluctantly nodded. “I learned golf from my dad, it was time just the two of us had together. I am sure you can understand growing to like something like that, but I have not had a chance to play in over a year with how busy I have been.” she also thought of how Bailey said it was like watching grass grow and if she wanted to go play she could, but he would just be at the club house drinking, not exactly her idea of spending time together. Candi gave Amanda a hug and pulled back with a big smile on her face. “Maybe Daddy and I can stay longer, that way you and him can go golfing and Aunt Megan can like totally give me some tips on playing softball. One week with you and Bailey just like isn’t enough.” leaning over Amanda gave the girl a kiss on the top of her head as she thought of spending more time with her and Derrick. “That would be nice, but your dad has a lot of his plate. Now what is this about Aunt Megan?” Candi told her all about the mall trip and the different things they each bought. When she was telling her about what Bailey got, Amanda covered her mouth, it was precious thinking of her Bailey the way she looked that day holding all the different things and telling the stories. “I can see why my sister is so taken with you after you included her, that was a sweet thing to do.” Candi tilted her head at that and looked puzzled. “Why wouldn’t we?” The question was so simple and yet in it gave Amanda a better understanding of how this young woman saw others around her.

The two continued to talk as they moved about the park enjoying different slides and just having a good time together when Candi stopped them both and look back up to the tallest slide. “Do you think you could try that one with me, I don’t know if I can like do it. But I want to try again, that way at lunch I can tell Bailey I was able to overcome my fear like she said I could.” Nodding to her Amanda led the way to a slide that she would have liked to turn down going on, but it would be a little difficult to say so now.

When getting in line the two encountered a mother with her child who looked like she was collecting from the line he was too small to be in. He looked at the pair and smiled “Pretty!” the little man said to them. “Sorry about him, but your and your daughter are lovely.” Both Amanda and Candi smiled at the comment and thanked her, not seeing a reason to correct her, but Candi knelt down to eye level with the boy. “If you think I’m pretty you should see mom here when she has both her daughters, my sister is just as pretty as me.” the child smiled at Candi before the mother said her goodbyes. “My other daughter huh?” Amanda questioned. “Well if Bailey is my little sister, and this pass says Best on it. For at least today you can be my mom. Is that okay?” giving Candi a lopsided smile Amanda needed to make sure she tempered the girl. “Sweetie, you have to remember that come Saturday you and your dad will be headed back home to California. But for today, you can be my second daughter.” Amanda said the last park when she saw the crestfallen look Candi had gotten like she was being reminded that happiness can’t last forever.

Soon with a little encouragement and reassurance Candi was able to go down the slide, facing her fears and forcing Amanda to do the same though she didn’t have the luxury of someone telling her it would all be okay. At the bottom Candi hugged Amanda fiercely full of excitement and pride. “Oh my god, I like did it! I did it! Thank you, like so much. No way could I have done that on my own, oh my god I can’t wait to tell Bailey! Do you think we could meet up for lunch?” Nodding Amanda glanced up to the sun shining down from overhead. “I think that is a wonderful idea, I for one feel like we a free meal should be the next thing we do.”