I could feel Candace’s attention on the side of my face, but I was careful to keep my eyes lowered. I didn’t want to draw attention or cause any trouble with the locals, especially friends of the Prices. I focused on keeping my breathing even.
“What was that all—” Candace started to ask.
“Candy Judd, is that you?” Mrs. Brentwood’s exclamation drew our attention as the elderly woman approached with her friend trailing behind. Her wrinkled face creased into a smile of genuine delight.
I didn’t know what compelled me, but I corrected, “She actually goes by Candace now.”
Both women on the other side of the booth shot disapproving stares my way, but I glimpsed Candace’s smile and focused on that.
“Good morning, ladies,” she replied easily enough, but Candace’s hazel eyes were watchful and cautious.
“Well, it has been a good long while,” Mrs. Brentwood continued. “I’m sure your momma and daddy are just delighted to have you back.”
“It’s nice to be home,” Candace replied with a short nod. “How are you both?”
The older women chatted about their grandchildren and their volunteer work while Candace listened politely. The ladies angled toward my tablemate and completely ignored me. I could tell Candace was struggling with how rude they were being. She kept shooting me glances and frowning.
After a few minutes of catching up, Hilda Branson said seriously, “Well, despite the company you’re keeping, we sure are glad to see you back in Kirby Falls.”
My cheeks went hot with shame. I may have been used to the gossip and theknowing looks by now, but it was something else entirely to know Candace had a front-row seat to the display.
She straightened in her folding chair. “I don’t know what you mean by that, Mrs. Branson.”
But Rose Brentwood rushed to fill the awkward silence. “We look forward to seeing you at church. You’ll be at the early service with your folks in the morning, I’m sure. You always were such a good girl.”
Candace’s gaze was still fixed on Mrs. Branson, and she didn’t say one way or the other if she’d attend Kirby Falls Baptist Church tomorrow.
“I do hope you haven’t let the big-city life influence you too much,” Mrs. Branson said out of nowhere.
But Candace just laughed and crossed her legs. “No, ma’am. Not too much. I’m only stripping down at the Leather and Lace Lounge a few nights a week.”
The women gasped and I choked on air. The Leather and Lace Lounge was the strip club just over the South Carolina line.
Candace was grinning as the two busybodies backed away.
“I’ll be praying for you, young lady,” Mrs. Branson called through pinched lips.
Unbothered, Candace waved cheerfully. “Thank you! I’ll take all the help I can get!”
My teeth dug into my lower lip, but when I turned and met my new co-worker’s expectant gaze, I couldn’t hold back. We both cracked up.
When our laughter faded, our smiles lingered, and I noticed Candace was still watching me—likely waiting for an explanation.
She’d seen the way those ladies had looked at me and spoken about me and, finally, pretended I wasn’t there. I might be used to the treatment I received from certain members of the community, but it was different watching Candace experience it firsthand. She hadn’t even recognized me, so I doubted she kept up with small-town gossip. Her confusion was warranted.
But how did you tell someone your whole sordid life story? How did you explain your mistakes and your perceived misdeeds?
I didn’t want Candace to look at me the way those women did. And I didn’t want to lie to her face, which was what I’d have to do.
I didn’t know how to confess that I’d married my best friend when she’d needed me the most, and I’d been used along the way. It wasn’t my story to tell...at least, not all of it.
Hannah and I had been close since middle school, when I’d moved to Kirby Falls with my aunt. When we decided to go to college together at NC State University in Raleigh, I’d been relieved. Making friends had never been easy for me. So having Hannah there with me while we transitioned into adulthood felt safe and right.
But Hannah’s life took a different turn in college. After a childhood and adolescence lived under the thumb of her Southern Baptist minister father, freedom took on a whole new meaning for her. She partied a lot and met new people. By the time junior year rolled around, I hadn’t seen much of Hannah. We didn’t have classes together anymore, as we’d both finished with general education requirements and settled into our respective majors—agriculture science for me and elementary education for Hannah. Our friendship was slowly dissolving, turning into something we were growing out of.
And that was fine. I didn’t take it personally, and I didn’t begrudge Hannah the life she wanted to lead. I had my own life to keep me busy, and I was tired of being blown off and ignored. But when Hannah turned up at my dorm room one night in a panic, I had no idea everything between us would shift yet again.
Hannah was pregnant and needed help. The father of her baby wasn’t ready to be a dad, but Hannah didn’t want to give the baby up. She begged me to marry her and claim the baby as my own to keep her family from disowning her.
