Ray Barone got of his car in the garage and walked into the kitchen where his mother was cooking dinner for him and his kids. She had been such a big help since his wife Sarah had died 6 months earlier but Ray wanted his children to have a mother.
"Hi, Ma," He says kissing her on the cheek.
"Hello, Dear." She says as she stirs the sauce for the spaghetti.
"Where are the kids?" He asks hanging up his coat.
"Oh they're upstairs. Ally has a new friend that came home from school with her, her name is Lily. I told her she could stay for dinner and her mother will be picking her up later."
"Okay. I'll go get the kids."
After dinner the kids are upstairs doing homework and Ray is downstairs finishing up some changes for his column when the doorbell rings. He gets up to answer it.
"Hi," an attractive brunette says, "I'm Debra Whalen, Lily's mom."
"Oh, sure come on in. Have a seat." He says as she steps inside.
"Thank you for inviting her over. She has had a hard time since we moved here and I am glad she and Ally are friends." She says.
"How long have you lived here?" Ray asks, intrigued by the woman standing before him.
"Oh, about a month ago, I got transferred with my job." She explains.
"Really, what do you do?" He asks.
"I do PR for the Rangers. Fortunately I don't have to travel anymore. I stopped when my husband died." She explains.
"Oh, I am so sorry. My wife died about 6 months ago. I know what you mean. I write for Newsday and travel a lot. My parents live across the street so that helps a great deal." He says nervously.
"You write for Newsday? Wait, you're Ray Barone? Wow, the guys at work talk about your column all the time. They will be jealous I got to meet you." She smiles a smile Ray had never seen before. It was like the sun came out.
"Well, I don't know how jealous they would be," he pauses looking at his watch, "Oh, I guess you probably want to get your daughter and go home," He says then calls upstairs.
"Thanks, I do need to get her home to bed," She says.
"She's a great kid. Ally has had it really hard since her mom died. My mom is great but she misses Sarah a lot." Ray says sadly.
"I know. Lily and her dad were close. He was serving overseas and died in combat. I didn't know how either of us was going to get through it."
"Hi Mommy," Lily says as she and Ally come downstairs.
"Hi sweetheart," she says giving her daughter a hug.
"Mommy, can Ally spend the night Friday? Please?" She looks up at Debra with the same brown eyes.
"Well, if Ally's dad says okay." She says, then turns and looks at Ray.
Ally also looks at Ray, "Please Daddy?"
"Alright, how can I say no to that face?" he jokes.
"Yah!" both girls exclaim.
"Come on Lily we need to get home." Debra says.
"Bye Ally," She says and turns to Ray, "Thank you Mr. Barone for letting me come over."
"Well Lily, you are more than welcome."
Debra smiles again, "Thanks, so I guess Ally can ride the bus home with her Friday if that's okay, we just live on Edgewood."
"That's fine. Well, good night, Debra, and good night to you Lily." He says as they walk out the door.