"Angela I…"
"Teresa.."
They both laughed awkwardly. Angela motioned for her to go ahead.
"I just wanted to thank you for inviting me to brunch. I know this probably isn't easy for you."
"No, it isn't. But that's my problem not yours."
Teresa nodded. "Well the thing is I do know how you feel. You see I don't know if Tony told you but I was married before."
"No, he didn't. Are you divorced? Or widowed?"
"Divorced."
"Me too."
"Jonathan's Dad right?"
"Yes, Michael."
"Anyway the reason I'm divorced is because one day he came home and told me he was having an affair with his co-worker."
"Oh gosh! I am so sorry. That must have been devastating for you."
"It was." she wiped a tear away that had fallen down her cheek. "The sad thing is I liked her. I considered her a close friend. "
"So you were betrayed by two people you cared about."
"I was. And the thing was I never thought or even wanted to fall in love again. My ex-husband and I were high school sweethearts and we got married after we graduated from college."
"So you knew each other for a long time."
"We did. " She paused and took a sip of her coffee. "I guess I just wanted to, I don't know….maybe make things okay between us? I know we're never going to be best friends. I just thought that it would be the best for everyone?"
"If we got along?"
"Yeah." Teresa smiled.
Angela looked down at her plate and fiddled with her napkin. After a few moments she looked back up.
"When Jonathan's Dad Michael got remarried Jonathan was really taken by her. He thought she was so cool and pretty. And I admit it was hard for me. But Tony convinced me that it was best for Jonathan if we all got along that way he wouldn't have to take sides. And now here we are years later. I know when you marry Tony you're going to be Nicky's Grandma. And I don't ever want him to feel like he's stuck in the middle."
"Me either."
"So, I agree. I do think it would be best for everyone if we got along."
Teresa smiled.
"Here you go ladies!" Renata smiled as she placed their meals in front of them
"Thank you Renata." Angela smiled at her.
"Yes, thank you."
"You're welcome. Is there anything else you need?"
"I'm fine."
"Me too."
"Okay. If you change your mind I'll be around. Enjoy your meals!" she smiled at them and walked away.
For a few minutes Angela and Teresa were silent as they ate their meals. But their thoughts were both running a million miles a minute.
'I want to hate her. I do but she seems like a nice person. And it isn't her fault that I left Tony. '
'I always thought when we met I wouldn't like her. I mean she left a great guy like Tony. But, she does seem like a good person. But, I just can't help but wonder why she broke up with Tony?!'
They both finished their meals and pushed their plates off to the side.
"That was delicious."
"It was. They have excellent food here."
"Angela?"
"Yes?"
"I was just wondering something. I've been wondering about it for a long time actually. "
"What is it?"
"Why did you leave Tony?"
########################################################
"Hi Nana Mona!"
"Hey kiddo! What brings you and Grandpa Tony here?"
"Sam said that he left some of his toys here when he stayed the night a few weeks ago."
"That he did." Claire smiled. "Come on. Let's go get them and let your Nana and Grandpa visit." She held out her hand and Nicky placed his in hers.
"Okay Auntie Claire!" They both walked up the stairs.
"So how are things going Mona?"
"You tell me. How are things going?"
"Good. Okay. "
Mona sat down on the couch and pointed to the chair closest to the front door.
"Park it!"
Tony shook his head but did as he was told.
"Something on your mind?"
"I have a lot on my mind. And at the top of the list is Angela and Teresa having brunch together."
"What about it?"
"Do you really think it's a good idea?"
"Yes. No. Maybe. Gee Mona if that's what they both wanted then who am I to say that they can't."
"Well you are the fiancé of one and the ex fiancé of the other so I'd say you would have a little say in this."
"Mona, they're both grown women. If they want to have brunch together, or go shopping they should be allowed to do that."
"And you would be okay with that?"
"What? Going shopping together?"
"Or just generally hanging out."
"I guess. I mean it wouldn't be the end of the world would it? When Teresa and I get married she will be one of Nicky's Grandmas. Wouldn't it be better for him if Angela and Teresa were at least civil with each other?"
"That's funny. That's kind of what Angela said at Nicky's party. "
"What did she say?"
"She said that she was doing it for Nicky. That she wanted him to see and know that you could all get along. I remember you telling her the same thing when Michael married Heather. You told her that it was best for Jonathan if he saw that everyone was getting along that way he wouldn't have to feel like he had to take sides."
"I remember. And I was right. Jonathan never felt like he was stuck in the middle between Angela and Heather. I know they never became best friends but they were always polite and civil to each other."
"And you think the same thing will happen this time?"
"Yeah, maybe. I mean stranger things have happened."
"They have. So tell me something else Tony."
"What is it?"
"Maybe it is best for the kid if you all got along but ask yourself this: Is it the best for the three of you?"