Candy knew Sandy was speaking the truth. “I'm sorry, honey. I truly am. But I promise no one will ever hurt you again. You're safe here.”
“Like, I totally know that,” Sandy quickly agreed. “I felt safe from the moment I, like, arrived on the plane and all. And today, when we arrived on the island, like, I felt as if God put His loving arms around me. I guess I totally freaked out when I saw Marty's eyes in the painting...sorry about that.”
“No need to be sorry.”
Sandy sighed. “I guess my nerves are, like, not the greatest. But that's okay because I know I'm safe here, Candy. Like, Peppermint is totally awesome...and Marty, well, he's like, really cool and all. Betty feels like the grandmother I never had. Ralphie is a moron, but he's harmless. Chris makes me think of Santa Claus.”
“And what about me, honey?” Candy asked.
The painful shadow that had entered Sandy's eyes disappeared. Sandy looked at Candy with a curious heart—the heart of an innocent child. “Well, like, this may sound strange and all...because we barely know each other...but you feel like my guardian angel. Totally.”
Candy smiled. “And you feel like the daughter I never had...uh, totally.”
Sandy giggled. “Hey, you sounded just like me.”
Candy giggled back. “Don't tell Ralphie.”
“Ayo...botta bing...I said what I said.” Sandy spoke, trying to sound just like Ralphie.
Candy giggled again. “Perfect.”
Sandy giggled and then looked at Candy with eyes that glowed with hope. “Do I really feel like your daughter?”
“You sure do.” Candy nodded. “I feel like God brought you to me for a reason, Sandy. One reason is to protect you and make sure you will always be okay. That's what mothers are for...well, real mothers.”
“So, are you like...wanting to adopt me?” Sandy asked. Instead of sounding nervous or fearful, her voice filled with excitement and hope.
“I already have...in here.” Candy touched her heart. “I adopted you as my own when I saw you at the airport and when I looked into your eyes and saw how scared you were and how lost and alone you were. There's not a legal paper in the world that can make the adoption more real because I made a promise to God when I saw you, that I would dedicate my life to your welfare.”
“You did?”
“I did,” Candy promised in a soft voice. “I told God that I would love you and take care of you for the rest of my life. That means...well, you're kind of stuck with me.”
“Like, that's radical...I mean, awesome and totally amazing!” Sandy exclaimed. She wanted to get out of bed and run and hug Candy. In time. For the moment, Sandy still hesitated to hug anyone. “When I saw you at the airport I, like, thought I heard a voice tell me that I could trust you. I thought I was, like, going insane. But maybe...God spoke to me?”
“I'm sure God did speak to you, honey.” Candy smiled. “Tonight you can rest peacefully. You're home. This island is now your home. Everyone on this island is your family, and I think, deep down, you know everyone will give their life for you if needed, even Ralphie.”
“I...like, yeah, I kind of sensed that.” Sandy nodded. “I'm, like, afraid to completely trust anyone but you right now. I know Betty is, like, great...and so is everyone else.”
“Give it time.” Candy spoke in a soft voice.
“Yeah, I know. It's just that out in Los Angeles, there was this guy who I thought really liked me. I trusted him, and he, like, became this fatal attraction-type weirdo. I'm like...well, I know I'm very pretty, Candy. I've, like, got eyes to see myself in the mirror and all, but that's all guys see, my face and body. I, like, want a guy to see my...heart...who I am on the inside. The only problem is, I, like, come across as a Valley Girl all the time because of the way I talk.”
“Sandy—”
“It's true,” Sandy insisted. “I can't, like, help the way I talk. My mother talks the same way...and my dad talks like a hippie. I was raised hearing my mother saylikeandtotallyall the time, and my dad sayingradicalandfar out. My first words weretotally rad.”
“They were not.” Candy laughed.
“They were, too,” Sandy insisted. “Like, my brain is wired to talk like a Valley Girl, and even if I didn't, no guy is going to take the time to see me for who I really am.”
“And who are you?” Candy asked.
“What do you, like...mean?” Sandy tensed up some.
“Who is Sandy Winchell?” Candy asked. “For instance, what do you like to eat and read? What's your favorite song, color, and poem? What dreams do you have for the future? Do you ever want to get married and have a family?”
“Wow...like, no one has ever asked me those types of questions before,” Sandy exclaimed in a shocked voice. “Like, major tidal wave.”
