Candy tensed up some. “Betty, I'm not interested in romance.”
“Well, why not? Chris is handsome and single...you're beautiful and single...you two are a match made in Heaven!” Betty fussed up a storm.
“Because I want to focus all of my time and attention on the island. We have tons of work ahead of us, Betty. We have to build a toy factory and then establish the island as a—”
“Tourist attraction?” Betty moaned.
“Well...for the children.” Candy understood Betty's moan. Tagging the island as atourist attractionseemed to restrict and demote the truth and beauty of what the Christmas Toy Island was going to become in time. “All I know, Betty, is that God worked so many miracles for us to be where we are right now, and God will continue to work all the miracles we need to get us where we need to be.”
“I suppose you're right,” Betty agreed. “I love your positive attitude.”
“Well, my positive attitude is based on the fact that God allowed me to win the lottery for a reason. What were the chances?” Candy asked.
“None,” Betty answered.
“Exactly.” Candy picked up her coffee cup. “I think we should cast all our worries aside and just focus on building the toy factory. One step at a time. After the toy factory is built and all the outside buildings are turned into Christmas buildings, we can start work on the island itself.”
“Well, the airplane hangar is in pretty good condition. A few walls are all we really need to build. The other outside buildings will be used as storage and supply buildings.” Betty again focused on her sandwich. “Turning the inside of the castle into a Christmas land is going to be a real chore. I forgot how big the castle was on the inside.”
“I know,” Candy exclaimed. “Now I understand how a person can get lost inside the castle. There are so many rooms and hallways...I got lost twice.”
“Me, too,” Betty had to confess. “I—”
Candy's phone came to life before Betty could finish speaking. A strange number showed up on the phone. “I don't recognize the area code,” Candy told Betty as she checked the call.
“Answer the call, honey. It could be someone who is looking for a job.” Betty groaned.
Candy prepared herself and then answered the call. “Hello?”
“Like, is this Candy Baker?” a girl with a serious southern CaliforniaValley Girldialect asked.
“Yes, this is Candy Baker,” Candy confirmed.
“Like, totally!” Sandy Winchell exclaimed. “I'm like, you know, calling about the job I saw online!”
“I...several jobs were posted—”
“I want to be the secretary,” Sandy told Candy. “I just got my associate’s degree and all that. I'm totally ready for the real world...and like, I really need a job because my parents are throwing me out of the house. It's a real bummer and all, but hey, I won't, like, be hanging around the wrong crowd, right? You bet.”
Candy wasn't sure what to think or say. “How old are you?”
“I just turned twenty-one. Totally,” Sandy answered. “I work part-time at a surfboard place, but the place is taking a serious nosedive. I need, like, a real job.”
“But why are you applying for a job on a remote island? I'm sure there are plenty of jobs where you live.”
“Like, for sure there is...I mean, are,” Sandy exclaimed. “But like, well, I need a change of scenery, you know. All the people I run with are…well, let’s just say, not so good for me.
Candy heard desperation enter Sandy's voice. “I...well, what is your name?”
“Sandy Winchell.”
“Okay, Sandy, if you have the time, we can conduct a phone interview—”
“Totally!” Sandy cried out. “I'm totally ready! Hit me with your best shot and all that.”
Candy rolled her eyes a little. Was she speaking with a real woman or a 1980s Valley Girl? “Okay, Sandy, how many words can you type in a minute?”
“Like, ten to twenty. I'm totally rad when it comes to typing!” Sandy answered in a proud voice. “Next question.”
