Harper walked into the candy store to big beautiful signs saying

Happy Valentine's Day.

Odessa had ordered all types of candy in small to huge beautiful heart shaped boxes.  

As usual she made the candy store festive according to the celebration. 

Harper couldn't believe how many the men were in the store picking something out for their mate.  Most opt to pick out the largest box of candy.  Some wanted to purchase the stunning roses she had the florist deliver and had to tell the guys they weren't for sale but did refer them to her favorite flower shop.  

Odessa told Harper that maybe the next thing they should open is a flower shop.  Harper told her that might not be a bad idea at all. 

Harper stopped in the candy store to see Odessa and pick up a drop.  Odessa was already decorating for Mother's Day.  She had all kinds of novelties to represent the special day.   Harper really didn't like it but with so many good people she was dealing with meeting their demise, there was more pressure on Odessa to accept payments.   She even had to store some product in candy containers.  She didn't mind, handled the business discreetly, did her thing and made good money. 

The candy store was fill with more adults buying candy than there was kids. Of course they claimed it was for the kids but we knew the real deal. 

Harper was glad the candy store was doing so well for it was Odessa first passion.  She made the store look like a wonderland sometimes.  

She got Odessa from behind the counter just long enough to have to quick chat and pick up the package, when a customer  needed help with a bulk purchase.

She told Odessa she would catch her later and headed to the Café.

Before she left Harper told Odessa that they had a new partner that had joined them.  His name is MarcoV.  She gave Odessa a picture of him.   He was going to taking over the collections for her sometimes.  That way when he was in town he would collect and payments when he wasn't available.  That way she would have to wait until Harper was in town and wouldn't have to keep them on hand long. She told him MarcoV would be stopping in to introduce himself in a few days.  Harper told her he was a good guy and she would enjoy working with him.   Odessa agreed that was a good thing and was looking forward to meeting him..

Harper waved goodbye again and made her way out the door with some extra candies for herself. 

Harper just had to stop back by the candy store to see Odessa's Mother's Day wonderland.

That's exactly what she walked into.  Beautiful flower, big large balloons and the huge sign made of candy dots said

Happy Mother's <font color="#990033"> Day</font>

Harper wondered how long it took Odessa to glue all the candy dots on.

The candy store was extremely busy and Odessa seemed short handed so Harper just opened a cashier and started helping her out. 

Odessa had been sick for awhile with a vey bad cold but was up and in good spirits when Harper arrived at the candy shop.

Of course she had the store decorated in red, white and blue with American flags flying throughout the store.  The large sign read.

Welcome Veterans 

Happy Memorial Day

All veterans were receiving fifty percent off. 

When Odessa was free they chatted for a few minutes and she gave a drop-off to Harper.  MarcoV had been very busy and not been able to pick up  the collections there so she was holding quite a large sum of cash and was a little nervous about it. 

As Harper was leaving she loaded up on a few bags of candy for herself.  She had to tell @Renbrant about this place.  She remembers how much candy they ate back in the day.  She couldn't remember Rem's favorite candy but knew she would love the store. 

Harper met MarcoV at the candy store.  She wanted to introduce him to Odessa and let her know he would be picking up her deposit when I can't make it to the store.  When they walked in Odessa was just finishing up her decorations for the Fourth of July.   Everything was red, white and blue and she had some beautiful candy containers decorated for the occasion.  A large banner ran across the store.

Happy 4th of July

MarcoV was amazed at the assortment of candies we had.  Harper introduced him to Odessa. Odessa was glad Harper had arrange for someone besides her to pick up the money.  Having that much money on hand made her very nervous sometimes.  MarcoV assured her once he knew the schedule she wouldn't have to worry about that.   Harper explained to Marco that Odessa had her own clientele for special candy containers. He knew exactly what she meant. They went into the back office, Odessa lock the door behind them. MarcoV and Odessa had a little chat, exchanged phone numbers, while Harper engaged in a Snicker Bar. They and told each other they would be in touch. Odessa asked Harper if she wanted the deposit or was Marco going to handle it and Harper said Marco would.  

She gave the candy container to MarcoV and told him there was 240K in it.  MarcoV just said "Damn"

When Harper arrived at the candy store it was pretty busy.  She grabbed two Snicker bars, dropped a dime on the counter and told Odessa she was going to chill in her apartment to come upstairs when it slowed down a little.  She had to fumble for the key to the apartment because it had been awhile since she had stayed with Odessa.  Odessa had really fixed the apartment up nicely when she walked in.  She grabbed herself a coco-cola out of the fridge and climbed out on the fire escape.  Odessa and her had some long conversation sitting out there.   She walked the people go in and out the store and waved to a few of them.

A few minutes later Odessa climbed out and joined her.  Odessa love sitting on the fire escape so much she had the window expanded to make it easier for her to get in and out.  Odessa knew Harper wanting to talk out there she had something important to discuss with her. She lit up a joint, took a few drags and passed it to Harper. Harper took a long drag, held the smoke in a few seconds the slowly blew the smoke out her mouth.

Harper knew Odessa was starting to have feeling for Matias.  She knew that they had a few dates. She pass the joint back to her and started to explain what happened with Matias.  She told Odessa that Matias had stole product, stole it to a guy that is working for an undercover agent and was in a safehouse.  They were still undecided what they were going to do until they found out how deep this was.  Odessa said she wondered why she hadn't heard from him and was so sorry he did that, she had no idea.  Harper assured her she believed that. 

Odessa went back down to check on the store and Harper just sat there was awhile watching the people.

The Candy Galore Store

The name rang true to the contents of the establishment, which was a large building filled to the brim with what one could only imagine as chocolate and candy galore. Before the sickly sweet smell reached his nostrils and filled his mind with the swirling notion that it could all be his for only a few thousand dollars, he stopped himself and grabbed a single candy bar from one of the many aisles that were filled with the confections.

"I should really stop at just one, right?" the large imposing man asked nobody in particular, seeing as how he had entered the shop entirely on his own volition, knowing fully well that he had quite the addiction to things of a sweet nature. Instead of questioning what he was doing here, he instead opted to unwrap the chocolate bar and take a quick bite of its contents which was, what they say in the business, a rookie mistake, and now that he was completely inebriated on the tasty morsels there would be no stopping him.  

He walked from aisle to aisle scooping up chocolates and candies into his massive arms until there were pounds of the stuff wrapped tightly in his grasp. Once he was satisfied with his haul, he walked it over to the counter and dropped it all in front of the person in charge of checking things out.

"How much will this all be?" before he was answered, he pulled a couple of hundred dollar bills from out of his pockets and set it beside the treats that he had curated for himself. Hoping that it was enough to cover the debt, he quickly popped a few red hot cinnamon jellies into his mouth and sucked them down as if he were a vacuum. 

Hopefully, his eyes would not be attracted to anything else in the establishment.

Harper had been crashing at Odessa’s apartment above the Candy Galore Store the last few times she was in Detroit. She was still quite upset about Matias ‘s betrayal and even more upset with Harper for not telling her his whereabouts.  But Odessa knew it was for the best.  Before heading out she went down to the store to tell Odessa she was getting ready to leave.

When she walked into the store seeing GreekFreak walking around the candy displays choosing what seemed to be his favorite candies really made her day.  It was strange how the simplest thing like a candy store could make the strongest men so vulnerable.

She looked around to see if she could find a shopping basket but with arms filled she saw GreekFreak make his way to the counter. She saw him take out two bills and placed them on the counter next to his candy.  From the expression on Odessa’s face they had to be large bills.  She rang up his candy, handed him one bill back, placed the other in the cash register then attempted to give him more change and he told her to keep it.  She thanked him packed up his candy and told him she hoped he enjoys his candy and to come back soon.

You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating red hot cinnamon jellies.

After a couple of frantic calls from Odessa, Rain finally made her way to Detroit. She just couldn’t understand Odessa. The woman slings cocaine but afraid to take the money to the bank.  Rain had fronted her quite a bit but she turned that over in no time and was on her own now.  So she could understand she was accumulating quite a bit of cash. The store was in a pretty good area but she didn’t feel comfortable in the streets or depositing the cash

Odessa had a beautiful store.  She took so much pride in decorating it and making it so festive. It was a little quiet when Rain walked in, only a few customers were in the store but it was rather early.  Odessa was stocking some candy displays when Rain walked in.  When she saw Rain she came over and hugged her and rushed her into the office.   She told Rain she was so glad to see her and hurried off to the stockroom in the back.  She came out with a nicely red, white and blue decorated candy containers.  She pulled out two envelopes with a wad of money in them and handed it to Rain.  She told Rain there was fifty thousand in them.  Rain just placed the envelopes in her purse.  She had to laugh her purse was really bulging. 

She told Odessa that she didn’t have to worry.  If she wasn’t able to pick up the deposits she had a very good friend that would.  That his name was  Apollyon and he would be in touch with her.  She told Odessa she could definitely trust him.  Odessa told her if she trusted him she knew she could.

When Rain was leaving she grabbed three snicker bars on her way out.  Odessa yelled behind her you going to have to pay for those candies.  Rain just lifted up her hand and waved Bye. 

Pete walked into the store with a few guys they were laughing when the entered the shop.  Pete saw the candy on display  Pete choose candy canes mixed colors and one pound of boston bake beans and sugar babies mixed and fifthteen Chick-o-sticks.  The Lady behind the counter smiled and commented on his sweet tooth.  Pete laughed with her then he pointed to the large window where a bunch on the neighborhood kids stood.  She nodded to Pete and he nodded back.    Pete then handed the bag to the kids as soon as he stepped outside.  That was payment for looking after his car.  

Pete walked in with a few of his men, the store was packed with kids buying penny candy.  Pete was there because Roxie spoke to Big Moe asking Pete to assist with the collection.  Pete asked Moe what was wrong with his feet but realized that Moe was getting up in age.  Moe laughed it off and told Pete back in his day he would have bounced Pete of all four walls.  

Odessa smiled when she saw Pete she recognized Pete from Roxie description.  She even told Pete that Roxie describe him to a T.  Pete smiled and asked was that a good thing or a bad thing?  She replied it was a good thing because she was noticed you and when Roxie pays attention it means she likes what she saw.  Pete thanked her for that bit of information.  

Pete asked if she could keep a secret Odessa smiled and nodded then she wishpered you noticed her too didn't you. Pete gave a positive nod with a smile.  She then handed Pete two satchels filled will hundred dollar bills.  Pete looked at her and said business must have been very good.  Pete told Whispers to grab the bags and take them to the car.  Neil walked out with Whispers and Pete continued the conversation with Odessa.  

Odessa loved Roxie as her best friend and she made it known that if he ever hurt her she would skin him alive.  Pete smiled as this was the first time a woman ever spoke to him like that.  He assured her that he would never do that besides Roxie's not a push over and she might kill him before anyone can get to him.  

Roxie stopped by the candy store to check and make sure everything was alright with Odessa.  Halloween was almost a month away yet Odessa was busy in the office planning and ordering candy for her Halloween event.  Roxie remember a few years back when she held the Halloween event and she would swear every child in Detroit showed up. It was so much fun watching the kids shows up in their creative costumes.  She knew that they handed out over 100 bags of candy.

Odessa thanked Roxie for having Peter-Gangi pick up her collections and make the deposits for her.  She said he was very nice and also so very handsome.  She said if Roxie wasn’t interested she might just have to try and make a move on him herself.  Roxie was going to share her feelings about Peter with her but decided to just let it go.  Stop letting her paranoia get the best of her. 

Pete returned to the Candy Galore store but this time he had his pee wee football team with him.  They wanted just about every type of candy in the store and Pete told them they could if they won all sixteen games.  He was impressed that they did and kept his promise.  Pete handed Odessa two one hundred dollar bills and told her that he needed her help in getting them what they wanted.  

Pete told the kids to form a line and they can choose five dollars worth of candy.  Each one made there request and got there bag and thanked Mrs. Odessa when she was done with all the kids she rang it all up and tried to hand Pete his change but he told her to keep it she earned it.  He explained that she should buy herself something nice.   She said it was only ninety dollars to take a hundred and ten dollars as a tip was to much.  Pete looked at her and smiled and told her each of these kids just bought five dollars worth of candy and they got a hundred dollar bill.  

Then they all walked out of the store and Pete took them all home.  

It was almost that time of the year again. When folks dress up in costumes and parade about gleefully in search of candy. Julius would be taking no part in the celebration however he did enjoy the spirit of things by treating himself. He made his way over to the Candy Galore Store. There he would purchase two snickers and a three musketeer bar. Not much but enough to satisfy a short craving.

She had to decide what to do this year. What kind of candy did she want to give out? How many children would be coming around these parts? She noticed many kids on her daily walks and strolls through the parks. On top of that, was she going to get a costume? No, she didn't think she would. If anyone asked she could claim she was pretending to be a serial killer, after all they blended in with regular people. She would know.

A smile curved her lips as she entered the candy store. Checking the menu real quick she knew what she wanted.

"I'll take 48 snickers bars and two pounds of sugar babies please."

As she waited for the purchase, she settled up the bill and took a look around. There would no doubt be kids swarming to get in here soon enough. Passing the bags to her bodyguard, she left the store.

When Roxie walked into Candy Galore she didn’t know if she had walked into the Haunted Castle, witches den or what.

Odessa had the store decorated with ghost, witches, spiders hanging from the candy displays and everything with large banners saying

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Don Sonic had never patronized the store but heard all the good things Odessa was doing for the kids in the neighborhood he send her a very nice donation.  Odessa really did good with the money.  When she had Roxie check out the stock room she had enough trick or treat candies bags and gifts for the nicest costumes to supply every big or little kid in the neighborhood.

Roxie hope she could be in Detroit for the big event. 

Roxie was able to make Odessa's Halloween event and what a grand gala it was.  Luckily Roxie could park in the alley way next to the candy store or she would have had to park almost three blocks away. It look like every kid in Detroit was on the block.  The kids were having a good time all dressed up in the costumes.  It seemed like so many kids had the best costumes as they sported the nice gift they received for theirs.  With the generous donation she received she put it to good use and made the day so special for the kids, and also a few dentists. 

Roxie knew that Pete was going to Detroit and she asked him to check out the Candy shop.  Pete understood and agreed.  When he arrived the place was packed with people dress in all kinds of costumes and buying candy.  Odess'a spotted Pete and walked over to him.  She greeted him with a hug and kissed his cheek.  Pete returned the greeting and asked how was she doing.  She nodded as she said okay.  Pete took her hand and pointed around the shop and said Roxie love's ya O' the success was based on all the work she put in she needed to hire a few people to work go for it it would make things easier and the faster the sales the more the sales.  She nodded and thanked him.  Then took him to the back office and handed him a fat envelope for Roxie.  Pete took it and nodded as he put it away.   He smiled and told her to think it over and enjoy herself and her success.  

A thirty minute drive from the airport to the Candy Galore Store took Roxie and her driver about an hour and twenty minutes.  Benny her drive to a wonderful job handling the ice and snow on the streets.  As they turned off the main highway and drove down Nine Miles Road the place looked like a ghost town.  There was no one on the street even though it wasn't that late in the evening.  

They took the side steps up to Odessa's apartment.  When Odessa open the door she told Roxie she was getting worried about her because of the bad weather.  Roxie told her it was pretty bad.  She asked Odessa if it was possible for Benny to stay the night there.  Odessa said of course, that the guestroom was ready and he was welcome. She wouldn't think of him going back out on those icy roads.  

Odessa fixed them a nice snack and they chatted and enjoyed a few drinks.