Something wasn't right. Angie had been distant all night and every time Peggy tried to ask her what was wrong, Angie would smile and wave her off saying she was fine.
When Peggy walked Angie to the entrance of Angie's apartment building, she lingered. Despite Angie's shallow reassurances to the contrary, Peggy knew something was up. When Angie didn't seem too keen on saying anything, Peggy turned to go but Angie grabbed her arm lightly and when Peggy turned to look at her, she saw a look of slight desperation in Angie's eyes. "Could you stay this time?"
Peggy thought about the next day and wondered if there was anything pressing that she may need to do. When she couldn't think of anything, she answered "Alright."
As they ascended the stairs, Peggy realized she'd never been beyond Angie's front door. She wondered at what Angie's apartment looked like. Then she seemed to grasp the possible implications of finally being let into Angie's private space. She felt her stomach flip at the thought. Then after a moment, she shook her head as if to clear it. This was wrong. Peggy knew she wasn't the best at reading romantic situations but a night of distance did not usually end in the expectation of sex.
Angie didn't say anything until she fished her key out of her purse and turned the lock to open the door. "Sorry for the mess," she whispered as she ushered Peggy in the apartment.
It was quite small with a kitchen to their right and a door ahead of them that Peggy reasoned was probably the bathroom. Angie's bed was in the middle of the room with a bedspread covered in butterflies that were various shades of pink and purple. Peggy smiled at the sight of it. It was as bright and colorful as its owner.
There was a small table and chair on the other side of the bed and a T.V. at its foot. As for the 'mess', Peggy didn't think it looked any worse than her own room. Angie had been a couple times to drop her off but never stayed the night. It seemed their schedule hadn't allowed for such things yet.
Angie moved slowly to the kitchen and looked around for something to do. She lifted her head with a thought and asked, "You want some tea or somethin'?"
Peggy shook her head and adjusted her glasses. She considered Angie's nervous posture and said gently, "Can I ask you something?"
Angie fidgeted with the end of a kitchen towel and bit her lip. "Yeah?" she replied.
Peggy moved a little closer so she was in the kitchen but kept a reasonable distance from Angie. "What's the matter?" she asked as she tilted her head thoughtfully.
Angie drew in a breath and sighed, "I wanna tell you something but I-" She stopped and folded her arms across her stomach. She looked like she was attempting to hold herself in order to stay upright. "I don't want you to think you gotta do anything. I just want you to know."
Peggy moved slowly and came to stand in front of Angie. She placed her hands on Angie's elbows and squeezed in encouragement, "What is it?"
Angie lowered her arms and turned her head so she was staring at a wall instead of looking at Peggy. "It's my Dad. He's been real tired lately. He had cancer a while back and he's had a pretty good recovery but lately he's just been exhausted and I'm worried about him."
"Oh Angie," said Peggy as she wrapped her arms around her. Angie let out a sigh and hugged her back. She rested her head on Peggy's shoulder and let out a few shaky breaths. Peggy started to rub her back to help her calm down. "Is that why you're taking business classes?" She felt Angie nod against her shoulder.
It took a few minutes but eventually Angie sniffled and raised her head, "I thought it'd be a smart idea just in case."
Peggy gave her a little squeeze and asked, "Why didn't you tell me?" They hadn't exactly declared themselves anything but Peggy knew they were getting there and she figured this was something you usually shared with someone you're dating.
Angie shook her head and answered, "I didn't want to scare you away."
Peggy placed her hand on Angie's cheek and smiled, "You couldn't."
Angie offered a shy smile and said, "My ma left a voicemail on my phone. I got it earlier today and I haven't been able to listen to it, just in case-"
Peggy nodded in understanding and affirmed, "In case it was bad news."
"Yeah, anyway I thought maybe if I wasn't alone, I could listen to it," Angie looked at Peggy with a question in her eyes. Peggy smiled at her and took her hand.
She led them to Angie's bed and as they both sat down, she volunteered, "I'll stay and you take all the time you need."
Angie smiled at her in appreciation, "You're really something else English."
Peggy shrugged in response.
Angie took a moment and grabbed her phone from her purse that she placed on her nightstand. When Angie opened her voicemail and put the phone on speaker, Peggy squeezed her hand in encouragement. Angie took a breath and pressed play.
"Angie it's Pop. Bet you thought it would be your Ma but I wanted to surprise ya." Angie chuckled and shook her head. "My tests were all clear. I guess I just caught the flu or somethin'. Listen your Ma and me think you oughta switch to those acting classes you always wanted." Angie's eyebrows raised in surprise. Peggy smiled. "Your brother Tony is movin back and while I totally trust ya, I think he really wants to run the restaurant. I love you and I won't be the reason you don't get your dreams. You've done enough for your old Pop, let me do this for you. Call us when you get a chance."
Angie was crying by the time the message ended.
Peggy took the phone out of Angie's hand and placed it back on the nightstand. She pulled Angie to her and started to rub comforting circles on her back.
When Angie calmed down a bit, she lifted her head and addressed Peggy, "I can't believe it! I was so worried and I treated you so bad Peg. I'm so sorry." In an instant, she swing her leg so she was straddled Peggy's waist and started to pepper her face and neck with apologetic kisses.
Peggy shook her head in astonishment and said, "Oh Angie, it's alright. I would have been-" Angie hit a particular sensitive spot just above Peggy's collarbone. Peggy let out a soft sigh and then added in a whisper, "just as worried."
Angie gave her a peck on the cheek and smiled, "Thank you for being here."
"My pleasure," said Peggy as she smiled in return.
Angie tilted her head in thought and asked, "Still wanna stay?"
Peggy bit her lip and bowed her head slightly. "Are you sure?" she replied.
Angie bounced a little in her lap and said "Are you kiddin? I've been dyin to get you in my bed for weeks English." Peggy's eyebrows shot up and Angie laughed at her. Her eyes were kind as she added, "You're real cute when you're clueless."
Peggy let out a small laugh and said, "Yes well I try."
"So what's it gonna be English?" asked Angie.
Peggy winked at her and put her glasses on the nightstand. She laid down on her back and pulled Angie with her. "I'll stay," She brought her right hand up and rested it at the base of Angie's hair. She pulled her left one up to mirror it and pulled gently on Angie's neck, and brought her lips up to meet Angie's.
Peggy woke up the next morning to the sound of Angie humming the kitchen. Peggy smiled as she sat up and picked up her glasses from the nightstand. What she saw when Angie turned from a blurry outline into a clear person made Peggy's heart beat loudly in her chest. Angie stood in front of the stove making what smelled like grilled cheese and scrambled eggs. The part that made Peggy's heart start playing the drums and a light blush appear on her cheeks was the fact that she was dressed in nothing but Peggy's favorite blue flannel.
Peggy bit her lip and tried to quell her desire. It was silly really when she considered what they'd done the night before but Peggy was never one for being too bold. That's Angie's area of expertise, she thought. She offered a quiet "good morning" in greeting.
Angie turned around and flashed her signature smile. Peggy was not much of a poet but she felt she could write sonnets about that smile. Angie chuckled a little and said, "I have to say English I never thought anyone could make bedhead look so good."
Peggy's blush went from a light pink to a deep red and she replied, "Well aren't you the early morning charmer?"
"I only speak the truth English. The whole truth and nothing but." said Angie as she turned the stove off.
Peggy started to move out of the bed, when Angie shouted, "Wait!" Peggy looked a little stunned and plopped back onto the bed. She saw what gave Angie pause a couple of minutes later when Angie brought a breakfast tray over with two glasses of orange juice and what appeared to be the breakfast Angie had been making.
Peggy smiled as Angie placed the breakfast tray in front of Peggy, then went to the other side of the bed to join her. "This is quite sweet of you Angie, thank you."
Angie waved her hand in dismal and said, "Sure thing Peg. You were really there for me last night, it's the least I could do."
Peggy turned to her and took her hand. "I'd do it again. I promise I'm here for you."
Angie gave her a kiss and then turned toward their breakfast. "Enough of that! Eat up. You're gonna need it for what I have planned for you before my shift."
Peggy's blush returned and Angie giggled at her as she picked up some toast and took a huge bite. Peggy turned to the tray, picked up the orange juice, and sipped. She took the opportunity to consider Angie and wondered how she managed to become so lucky in meeting such an amazing woman.
"Hey when did you do this one?" asked Angie as she pointed to a painting of herself. In the piece, she was dressed in her apron from the Griffith and clearing a table. Her hair was in curls and she had a gentle smile on her face.
Peggy adjusted her glasses and looked away from Angie shyly stating, "I started it the first day I met you."
Angie raised her eyebrows and replied in wonder, "Really?"
Peggy laughed and said, "Oh come on Angie, as if you didn't notice me staring at you constantly that day."
Angie shrugged. "Hey for all I knew, you had a thing for Gloria. Took you long enough to realize you weren't the only one staring that day."
"Yes well, thank Heaven for that realization." said Peggy as she took Angie's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
They were attending the show Peggy invited Angie to a month ago and Peggy found it a lot more enjoyable than previous times she'd shown her work. She knew she owed it all to Angie.
"Hey Pegs," said a voice behind her.
Peggy sighed and turned around, "Hi Howard."
He quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head toward Angie in interest. "You want to introduce me to your friend?"
"I'd rather not actually," said Peggy as she rolled her eyes.
"Oh you ashamed of me English?" asked Angie. Peggy turned to her in confusion. Angie winked which let her know she was only kidding. Angie offered her hand to Howard and introduced herself, "I'm Angie. Student, coffee maker, bookseller, and as of a week ago, official girlfriend to English over here." Angie hit Peggy's arm with her free elbow playfully.
"Oh damn Peg, you've done well," said Howard as he gave Angie a once over. He pulled her hand slightly and so her could lean over and add in a loud whisper, "Let me know if you ever get tired of her."
Angie rolled her eyes and released her hand, "Fat chance."
"I'm hurt." said Howard as he brought his hand over his heart.
"You'll live," said Colleen as she came to join them. She turned her eyes to Peggy and offered a smile. "Peggy everything looks awesome and I think I heard a few people interested in buying a piece or two."
She took a look at the painting Angie mentioned earlier and leaned over to address Angie, "Man she had it bad for you."
Angie chuckled and offered, "Well the feeling was mutual."
Peggy looked at her surprised and asked, "Really?"
"Oh English," said Angie as she leaned over and kissed Peggy's cheek. "You have no idea." She put her hand around Peggy's waist and squeezed.
Peggy wrapped her arm around Angie's waist in return and thought, A work of art indeed.
