Angela pulled into the driveway, parked the jag, and sighed against the steering wheel. It hadn't been the best of days. It really hadn't been a great week. She was trying to get a new account, a Brazilian wine, and it had been difficult. The owner was a male chauvinist, Angela at first was willing to let Jack take the lead. She wanted the account, her first in South America, and she'd made concessions as she dealt with Mr. Sousa's demeaning and condescending nature. However, as the week wore on, the harder it was to ignore his snide remarks. She'd finally blown today, when he'd made a remark that she must pay her male assistants in blow jobs since she steals their ideas. That had done it, and Jack to for that matter, she'd stated that she was a Harvard graduate and quite frankly his wine tasted like cow piss, and he could take his business elsewhere.
Angela opened her car door and pulled herself out, dragging her briefcase with her, and started inside. What she wanted was a hug, a home cooked meal and maybe a foot rub. Tony was usually good at helping her handle and bounce back but this week he had been busy with the team. Every night she'd come home, the kitchen was full of high school baseball boys in need of advice, either about an upcoming test, next year's course schedules, restaurants for prom, and summer jobs. Angela was proud of Tony, and so thankful that a teaching and coaching job opened at Fairfield High once he returned from Iowa. She always knew he'd be great, and he was the most popular teacher with the students and parents. A few of his fellow teachers didn't always agree with some of his unorthodox methods, but Dr. Dennison, the new principal loved Tony. While she was glad for Tony's success, she really hoped tonight it would just be the two of them.
"Oh Angela," the shrill voice of Joanne Parker brought her to a standstill.
"Good evening, Joanne, what can I do for you," said Angela trying not to sound too condescending as she turned to face Joanne who was walking up her driveway.
"How much longer will you be hosting all these juvenile delinquents?" asked Joanne with a fake smile. "I mean they come all hours of the evening and aren't leaving until late. On skateboards and bicycles, at a time of night when it's hard to see and cars with stereos too loud. Angela you must remember our HOA guidelines."
"Students from Fairfield, you know Tony teaches and coaches there, I believe on of the delinquents is your son if I'm not mistaken," Angela smiled back.
"Well yes, we all think Tony is just wonderful," Joanne said with a dreamy smile which irritated Angela to no end. Joanne always threw herself and Tony and he was just a bit too cordial for Angela's tastes. "But we have guidelines, Angela."
"What guidelines is that?' asked Angela ready to get this exchange over with.
"Our curfew guidelines we sat last summer," Joanne stated, "all neighborhood traffic should really cease by 10pm."
"Really, seems like that guideline does apply to Ericson Pool Service," Angela bit back, "They seem to make a lot of late-night calls Joanne, especially when Walt is out of town."
"Well…." Joanna was aghast. "Angela, my back injury, sometimes the hot tub, well…I don't have to explain myself."
"And neither do we Joanne," Angela said, "Now if you please, I'd like to get inside and call it a day."
Angela turned and walked away leaving a fuming Joanne Parker to stomp back home.
She walked to the back door, and she heard the muffled sound of voices, and her heart sank. She thought that with Sam now off to California to work, Jonathan at college, and Mona moved into a Manhattan townhouse, she'd have wonderful nights of just she and Tony. However, it appeared that was a dream. She opened the door to find three high school boys huddled around her kitchen table, notebooks, and textbooks as they seem to be working on a project.
"No way, I'm telling ya, she likes Jason," the boy with brown hair said.
"Until he started crushing Heather," said the blonde boy. "Now she's got the hots for our man Chris here."
"Shut up retards," the boy that must have been Chris said.
"Oh hey, Mrs. Micelli, remember me, Josh from the baseball team?" the brown headed boy greeted her, "We got this English paper and Mr. Micelli said he'd help us out, he made spaghetti, and we saved you some."
"Hi Josh, yes and welcome," Angela tiredly greeted. "It's nice to see all of you again, though I don't believe we've met, she said to the blonde boy."
"Oh, yes I'm Grady," he replied sheepishly blushing. It was cute.
"Hello Grady, glad you guys are making yourselves at home." Angela said walked to the swinging door. "Where is Mr. Micelli?"
"Oh, he's in there with Scottie," replied Josh. "Yeah, he was dumped by Ashley this afternoon and Coach is trying to cheer him up. We got a big game with Meadowbrook tomorrow and we really need Scottie to bring his A game. He's really taking this hard."
"I see," said Angela. "Well, you boys have a good night."
Angela walked out of the room.
"Dam, I'd like to take her for a ride, if you know what I mean," said Grady.
"So would I," said Chris dreamily.
"Yes, we all think Mrs. Micelli is hot," said Josh. "You guys better cool it and not let Coach hear you talking about her like that."
"Why, Coach worried he'll lose his girl," Grady laughed.
"To one of us, no way dweeb," replied Josh. "He just doesn't like us guys talking about girls like they are some kind of commodity."
"Yeah, he's always telling us to respect the ladies," chimed in Chris.
"So unless you wanna be running steps till you puke, I suggest you cool it about giving girls rides," Josh directed to Grady.
Angela found Tony on sitting on the couch talking to Scottie. She sighed; it looked like he would be quite busy for a while.
"Hey, honey," Angela put on a fake smile and spoke.
"Hey sweetheart," Tony said from his position on the couch. "Scottie and here are just have a little man to man talk. Dinner is on the stove," Tony said turning his attention back to Scottie.
"Hello, Mrs Micelli," Scottie greeted.
"Oh, thank you," Angela stated. "I've had a hard day; I think I'll just turn in."
Tony was paying her no attention.
"I know it hurts Scottie," Tony was saying. "But this is like the 3rd time this month this has happened. It may be for the best for you to move on."
"But I loved her Coach," Scottie replied.
"Yeah, but to her I think you are just a base warmer," Tony stated, "she's with you only when she doesn't have anyone else. You shouldn't let her take advantage of you like that."
Normally Angela would jump in and try to help with matters when it came to the boys. Tony's team had a special place in her heart. After all she was the Coaches wife, and normally she was happy to indulge from time to time. Especially since they'd made the decision not to have kids of their own, sometimes it was nice to have a house full of young people again, with the two of them dishing out wise anecdotes to their eager minds. However, tonight Angela was just irritated, this was the fourth night in a row that someone on the team needed him. It seemed here lately that his team came before everything else, he'd missed a dinner reservation last week due to Chris needing advice on a US History paper. He was late picking her up from work, when her Jag was in the shop, because he had to take Scottie and Josh to the dentist because their parents were out of town. There were more times like that and usually Angela didn't mind, but today she did. She just wanted a quite house, attentive husband, and a back rub, and here she was with a house full of teenagers.
"Ok well, good night," she said, neither seemed to hear her. She slumped her shoulders, walked to the stairs and sluggishly made her way up.
A few hours later, Tony entered the bedroom to find Angela lying in bed, reading, a bed side lamp the only light in the room.
"Ahh Angela, I tell ya, it's good to be Lord of the Diamond," Tony boasted as he shut the door and started taking off his shirt readying for bed.
"I'm sure," Angela replied, not looking away from her reading. Normally she loved watching Tony change into his pajamas and get into bed. It was a turn on, but tonight, she had decided to ignore him no matter what, as she had been ignored these last few days.
"Yeah, I think our boys are going to be alright," he said shrugging off his jeans and putting on his sweats. "Thankfully, Socttie seems to finally realize Ashley is just using him until something better comes along and he's going to ask Rebecca Worley to prom. I think Grady, Chris and Josh are going to get passing grades on the papers, and practice today was a good one." Tony finished from the bathroom.
"Mmm," commented Angela.
"You know not for nothing," continued Tony as he came out of the bathroom, "but I might have played a part of Scottie and Rebecca budding romance, she's been making google eyes at him for the last two months, so I teamed them up for the last group project, wouldn't it be something if those two, end up high school sweethearts, get married and have babies, of course their first born will be Tony," he laughed.
Tony looked to find Angela engrossed in her reading.
"Angela," Tony insisted, still Angela didn't pull her attention away from her reading. "Angela, I'm sorry I'm not as interesting as," he looked at the book, "Wuthering Heights, Angela what gives,"
"Oh, Tony I'm sorry, you were saying," Angela finally paused and looked at Tony.
"You didn't hear a word I just said did you," Tony stated, a little irritated at her lack of attention. He'd always listened to her recaps of her days, rather good or bad and didn't understand why she wasn't paying him the same courtesy.
"No, dear I did, the boys, healed from heartbreak and good papers," she said patting his cheek.
"Well a little more than that," Tony replied, "Not for nothing but you've been kind of distant the last few days and tonight you weren't your usual engaging self."
"Oh you actually noticed," said Angela.
"What do you mean, of course I noticed," Tony said, "You weren't a good coaches wife tonight, you know the boys look up to you."
"Well I'm sorry Tony, but my other bigger role kind of took a lot out of me this week," replied Angela bitterly, "maybe I didn't have the energy for my part time gig, not that you care."
"What is that suppose to mean?" Tony bit back.
"Well, you haven't noticed I've come home late every day the last week," Angela started, "How could you when our house is like grand central station every evening."
"Well, I mean, yeah you've been later but you've had that big account, which how is it going by the way?" Tony asked civilly.
"Oh, now you ask," replied Angela, "now, after I've been verbally, emotionally abused for weeks by a Brazilian blowhard, oh and add sexual harassment, after I worked for a month on a campaign for the worst tasting wine in the history of wine, yeah I even brought some home for you to try, being Italian and a family business yourself, but you never even bothered, off being the Coach to the guys."
"Hey, calm down," Tony said reaching for her but she just shrugged off his touch which irritated Tony more. "Where is this coming from? You know my work is important, these boys look up to me, some of them don't even have a stable home life and come here for it."
"Oh yes, the boys, the boys, the team, the guys, the class," Angela continued ranting, she was on a role and everything she'd been holding in just came out, regardless of the consequences. "Always something, you get so consumed and short sighted you forget the people who need you, depend on you, we just get cast out like chopped liver."
"No, I don't, Angela your being ridiculous, now what has you all bothered?" Tony tried again.
"Oh, I'm ridiculous now, my work is ridiculous," Angela spat. "And what has me bothered is the fact my husband doesn't even know I exist or care that his wife, goes out day after day working her ass off to make sure we can keep this idyllic life and provide the boys with a stable environment for their fragile little egos."
That set Tony off. While they had dealt with Tony's insecurity about Angela making more money than him, he still at times had relapses. Having one's wife throw it up in his face was a trigger that sent Tony into overload.
"I work just as hard little lady," Tony said his eyes turning dark with anger. "I don't appreciate the disrespect, or maybe you can't handle that I have a real job now and am no longer at your back and call, catering to your every whim."
His words hit her as if he'd slapped her, even Tony was surprised at his malice. Neither would back down, too prideful, too caught up on being right.
"Get out," Angela said vehemently. "It's my bed, my room, you go sleep in the guest room."
"I'll do one better than that sweetheart," Tony stated menacingly, getting up and throwing on a shirt, "Your bed, your room, your house, I'm out of here and don't look for me to be back anytime soon."
Tony slammed the door and stomped down the stairs. He grabbed his car keys and headed out of the door to the jeep. He was angry and needed to cool off. He fired up the engine and started driving, no destination in mind, just away from her.
Upstairs, Angela took stock of what had happened. Tears streamed down her face as she realized how quickly the issue escalated. She just wanted Tony to know what it felt like to be ignored, how in the world had it ended up the way it had. All week she had longed for Tony's tender touch, his warmth and love, and yes, he'd been busy himself, but he had tried and all she had done was attack him. She loved him, she was so proud of him and proud he included her, it was never his career or her career, it was always their life, and Angela had just thrown a temper tantrum all because of a bad day that wouldn't matter five years from now. How could she have done that? Yes, she wished Tony wouldn't get so consumed about his job, but that was also like asking the sun not to rise. Tony was driven by his passion to make a difference and it was just one thing Angela loved about him. Tonight, she'd used his passion against him, and she knew her comment about her work that kept up their life had hurt him. She pushed away the one person she most wanted most, and she had no idea when he'd be back and what would happen when he did.
She leaned over and picked up the phone by the bed, she knew it was a shot in the dark, but she didn't want to be alone to think about what would happen when he came back. She dialed and waited while it rang.
"Dear, it's the middle of the night, someone better be dying," came the raspy voice of Mona on the other end.
"Mother, I'm sorry, I know it's late, but Tony and I had a horrible fight and he's gone..." her breath hitched and she started to cry.
On the other end Mona knew her daughter well enough to know this hadn't been a usual sickly spat they sometimes had that they pretended to be a fight. No, the tears meant her baby was hurting and confused.
"I'll be there in an hour," Mona replied, "Tony will be back, and it'll be ok dear."
"Thank you mother, see you in a bit," Angela said and hung up.
Meanwhile Tony drove around Fairfield. It was late and he pulled into the park by the beach. He and Angela loved it here, the came often for walks and picnics. They'd even found a secret spot away from the beaten path and had a hot glorious evening of love making. Tony smiled at the memory and thought back to the last time he'd been with Angela. It took a moment, he was racking his brain, when was the last time they had indulged in love making? Horror hit him, as he realized it had been two weeks, and it hadn't been indulgent, it had been a quickie, in the kitchen because he'd forgotten new equipment for practice and had to come by the house to get it. She'd gotten home early, and wanted him, and he could never say no to her wearing those pencil skirts, but he had to be back a practice and so he'd thrown her up on the cabinet pulled up her skirt and had his way with her right there. Hardly any fore play, and as soon as he was finished he'd kissed her good bye ran off to practice. Ok, that had been a little insensitive of him.
She had been getting in later in the evenings than he'd like. However, she was working on that big wine campaign and she had he work cut out for her. She'd left a bottle of that wine on the counter and Tony had opened after one of the games, wanting to celebrate and little upset at her for not being there; thinking it was one of their normal bottles he poured himself and glass, toasted his greatness and her absence, and took a swig. It took three days of mouth was to rinse the taste out. He had no idea how she was going to sale that disgusting product. However, he loved how she threw all of herself into her work, it really was a part of who she was. It was a part of her that Tony treasured, even more now that she had once been willing to separate from it for his benefit. She'd become a shell of herself, at the time Tony hadn't noticed, too consumed in his new life, to notice how a part of the women he loved was missing.
They did that a lot, Tony realized, they would both get consumed by work. Tony and Angela had grown up in different circumstances and had lived very different lives, however, in some ways they were the different sides to the same coin. They were both passionate about their work and it could totally take over and consume them. To the point where they neglected everyone and themselves. They recognized that in each other and usually were the tonic the other needed. Tony had a skill of pulling Angela out and she him. However, neither had been consumed at the same time. Usually when he was consumed it was Angela who had the light load to remind him that there was more to life, and the last time Angela had a major campaign was back in the fall. Tony had been able to see and pull her back from getting to wound up. This was one of the rare times they were both caught up at the same time. She with the big campaign and he with playoffs and finals. She had to understand that at times he wouldn't be able to revolve everything around her, just as he didn't expect that of her. But did he? Tonight, he couldn't wait until the boys left so he could get upstairs and tell Angela all about his day, and his wins. He didn't even think about her day, the campaign or how things might have been for her. He mentally kicked himself. She'd been running on empty and just needed someone to talk to that she knew was on her side. She'd been exhausted and he knew that an exhausted Angela lashed out. She was trying to tell him, and he couldn't see past his own ego. He'd said things he'd regretted, and he knew she didn't mean anything she had said, that she was just angry and being ignored. He fired up the engine and headed home. She didn't want to see him tonight; he'd have to sleep on the couch. Yes, his old room had been converted into a guest room, but he couldn't sleep in there anymore. That room signified a barrier between them, it was silly, but it was Angela's employee's room, and he never wanted to go back there again. Not out of pride, but out of longing. No, he was her husband, a husband that had made her angry, and he'd take his rightful place on the sofa as a banished husband should.
Mona used her spare key and unlocked the front door. Coming in she shed her hat, as she turned to the lock the door as it closed. The desk lamp was still on as she removed her coat and hung it on the mirror rack along with the hat. She then took the stairs to the bedroom where she knew her daughter was crying her eyes out. Mona knocked softly and opened the door to find Angela had dozed off. Mona could see the dry tear tracks down her daughter cheeks and frowned. While she loved to tease Tony and Angele, relentlessly, about their now sappy love story; she was so happy her daughter had found a man worthy of her. Tony had been wonderful for Angela; Mona had noticed how much her daughter had gained in confidence since he came back from Iowa. She was so much more relaxed and no longer had the edge to prove herself to anyone. Angela had really come into her own since her romance with Tony blossomed and Mona had been delighted. She also knew that the fight they'd had must have been bad for insecure Angela to call her mother to comfort her.
Suddenly Angela woke startled.
"Oh mother, you scared me," cried Angela holding her hand to her chest.
"Took me a little longer than expected," Mona said, "I had to tell Derek no to the hot tun tonight."
"Mother," Angela shrieked.
Mona came and joined Angela on the bed, she lays down on top of the covers.
"Tell Mummy what happened," Mona said. Never one to beat around the bush.
"It was awful, mother," Angela said, "I still can't believe I said some of the things I said."
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad," Mona said.
"Oh mother, I didn't mean to get so angry it's just I needed him, and he hasn't been there," Angela said punctually.
"Angela dear, you sound like a spoiled brat," Mona admonished.
"Well Mother, it's been a hard week, with Mr. Sousa and usually Tony is here to massage it out of me and brighten my day, and he's been too busy with his team, to pay attention to me." Angela cried.
"Yes, dear but has Tony been aware of the issues you have had with this campaign?" asked Mona, not at all phased by her daughters' outburst. "I mean have you actually given him a play by play or just wrongly assumed he'd read your mind?"
"With our schedules it's been hard to find time to talk, and every time I try it seems as though one of the guys are here, or he's running off to something," said Angela.
"Yes, it is a busy time of year for him, it's spring, baseball season, practice every day, games plus he's making sure his team is eligible for playoffs and prepare his own finals," Mona stated.
"I know he's busy, I know he's had a lot on his plate, and I know I missed a game last week, but dammit I am busy too," Angela cried defensively.
"Yes, dear you both are, so busy in fact that you haven't been communicating to each other and it finally blew up in your faces," Mona stated calmly.
This stopped Angela.
"Haven't I always told you that men are incredible stupid," Mona said, "and while I love Tony and he is brighter than most, he still has stupid moments and if you don't show them and tell them then they don't get it."
"Oh mother, I feel so stupid, I actually threw up that my work is what keeps up our lifestyle," Angela said regretfully.
"Yes, dear that was stupid," Mona replied, "but people say stupid things when they are in love and angry."
"Mother he left, and he said he didn't know if he'll be back," Angela said frantically.
"He didn't go far, and he'll be back," Mona said unfazed, "Angela, that man loves you with every fiber of his being, he isn't going to be anywhere you're not."
"Oh Mother," Angela tearily said, "I just want him here, I want him to know how sorry I am, how proud I am of him."
"You'll get the chance to show him," Mona started, "tomorrow is the big game with Meadowbrook, you won't be needed at the office, now that you've told that blowhard to buzz off, take the afternoon off and go to the game."
"I will," said Angela. "I still kick myself for missing the one last week."
"You know he loves having you there," Mona said, "and not to show you off, well only maybe a little, he loves rewarding the faith you showed in him all those years ago, he's driven to succeed to prove to you that your belief in his was not in vain."
"Oh mother, that is a sweet thought, but Tony went back to school and accomplished what he did because he is a great man that wanted to challenge himself." Angela replied.
"Wrong dear," Mona said, "That man has been driven ever since you opened the door to prove he was worthy of you."
"And I was the one that felt inadequate to him," Angela said shaking her head.
"Yes, insecurity really did a number of both of you for a long time," Mona said standing up. "But you came through all that, and you just had a spat, you and Tony are just like any old married couple now."
At Angela's nose wrinkle, Mona kisses her head, "Sleep dear, I'm going to go down and wait for that son in law of mine, he clearly needs a reminder."
"Oh mother, please don't be hard on him, it really is my fault," Angela replied.
"Yes dear, it's both your faults," Mona replied, "But look on the bright side, the make-up is going to be hot and long, I loved when your father and I fought, couldn't wait until the night after the fight."
"Mother!" Angela scolded. "Please."
Mona laughed.
"Good night, dear, you two will be fine," she said as she closed the door and made her way downstairs to make some tea and wait for Tony to drag his behind home.
Later Tony walked into the kitchen to find a red headed mother-in-law waiting for him.
"Uh oh," Tony said shutting the door, "She called you."
"Yes, she did," said Mona putting her face on her hands. "So, let's talk about this problem the two of you have of over obsessing about work."
"Mona, we don't over obsess, we are just passionate about what we do," Tony said sitting down.
"I know," Mona said, "You're both cut from the same cloth and sometimes can't see the forest for the trees."
"I didn't know she was worn down," Tony said.
"No, you were too busy with the boys," Mona replied, calmly, she wanted to make a point to Tony but she wanted Tony to arrive at the point.
"Well, it's my team, I got to make sure they stay on the right track," he said. "I've also got my finals I'm writing, and Angela needs to understand I'm not always going to be able to just drop everything for her."
"I think she does," Mona stated. "You know she spends the first five minutes of our staff meetings talking about the Fairfield Blue jays diamond triumphs."
"Yeah!?" Tony stated surprisingly.
"Yes, she's very proud of you," Mona said, "It's very annoying how happy she is for you."
"I'm proud of her too, you know I tell the guys all the time what a woman she is," Tony said dreamingly. "She's a partner and works so hard, and she's great at what she does, and they'd should search the ends of the earth to find a woman like mine."
"Yes, the two of you are so lucky," Mona replied. "You both truly share each other's lives completely."
"Yeah, I love hearing about her day, her wins in the boardroom," said Tony with a big smile.
"When was the last time she had a big win, Tony?" Mona asked knowingly.
"Let's see," Tony replied thanking carefully. "That new body wash campaign for Ladies Fresh, she really nailed that one."
"Ah yes, last November," Mona replied.
"It wasn't that long ago," said Tony defensively.
"Yes, it was, and in that time, she's gotten three new accounts," Mona said. "And you can't name any of them."
"Well, look I'm sorry Mona but things really picked up for me after Christmas, the team in winter workouts, practice, scouting, meetings, lesson planning."
Mona just gave him a knowing look.
"She missed two games this season so there," Tony said like same spoiled brat Angela has been earlier.
"Tony don't be childish and just admit the two of you have been neglecting each other," Mona said.
"We've both been busy," Tony said defending both.
"So busy that you haven't even been talking about life," Mona said, "I bet you didn't even know that this latest campaign had been rough."
"That I did know Mona, that Brazilian wine and boy does she have her work cut out, that stuff is horrible." Tony said.
"She didn't get the account," Mona said.
"No," Tony said devasted. "What happened?"
Mona smiled, now she was getting somewhere.
"Why didn't you ask her," Mona asked.
"Well, um, I was….." Tony trailed off giving her an ashamed look.
"Yep, I know, busy," said Mona. "I bet you didn't even know that Mr. Sousa insulted her, harassed her, it was ugly Tony, he impugned her honor."
"The bastard," Tony stated his eyes feeling with rage at the thought of anyone doing anything unpleasant to his wife. "You know where this asshole is staying, I'll show him what happens when he insults my wife's honor."
Mona smiled.
"Don't bother," Mona said, "Angela defended her own honor very well, I might add, no doubt thanks to you and your influence on her."
"That's my girl," Tony said with a wide grin.
"Yes, you've done wonders for her, and her self-esteem," Mona started, "she walks around with confidence, and security, and it's all because she is being loved, and loved well."
"Oh yeah, we love alright," Tony stated, his mind turning to just how well he loved her, even if it had been a while, he simply loved loving her and knew they needed to love with more frequency.
"Hey that's my daughter you've got in the gutter with you," Mona stated.
"Oh sorry," Tony said sheepishly, "I love her Mona."
"Then get up there and tell her and stop daydreaming," Mona said.
"Nah, she kicked me out," he said. "For good reason too, I was an insensitive jerk, and banished to the couch. She doesn't want to see me."
"Tony, I love you but sometimes you are just a dumb lug head," Mona said leaning back and throwing a napkin at him. "She called her mother because she didn't want to be alone, she was upstairs moping about your fight, she's had a horrible week at work, she wants her husband to hold her."
"Are you sure, because she was really mad when I left," Tony said uncertainly.
"Yes, Tony, that is what caused this whole debacle," Mona stated. "She wanted her husband, but he was too busy to notice."
Tony conceded.
"Thank you," he said. "Your right too, both of us just get too consumed, it can't be that way, I almost lost her because I was too consumed in Iowa, I'll do better."
He nodded to Mona, and she lifted her teacup with a smile and took a sip.
"You're staying right?" Tony asked. "It's too late to head back to the city."
"Late, Tony do you even know who you are talking too," Mona said.
"Yeah, forgive me, totally forgot, we are talking about the Lady of the Evening," Tony said with a laugh, where are you off too?"
"There is a new club that opened downtown called The Social," she said rising and turned to the swinging door. "Thought I'd give the kids a thrill."
"Go easy on them Mon," Tony said as they walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. "And thank you for being here for Angela."
"We'll always be there for Angela," Mona stated as she went to the mirror and put on her coat and hat. "Won't we?" she looked back at Tony.
"You bet," Tony replied.
They smiled at each other in understanding and Mona opened the door and walked out.
Tony locked the door behind her, he stood for a moment and looked up the stairs, his eyes going up in the direction of their bedroom.
"What's the worst that can happen Micelli," he said, and started up the stairs.
He quietly opened the door, to find her sound asleep, the soft glow of the end table light casting a shadow on her delicate features.
Tony stood for a moment gazing at her longingly. She was simply the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. She took his breath away at any and all occasions. He was lucky, that not only did she find something worthy in him to love, but she was just as passionate about his life, as he was hers. He couldn't keep putting everything into his team and the kids. She needed him. Tony was never going to be able give her fancy things. He'd made peace with that. His purpose was to take care of her, give her safety, be her refuge, her shelter. The day he slipped that ring on her finger, he made solemn silent vow to always protect her heart. It'd taken a fight and Mona to remind him and put it into perspective for him.
He moved to the bed quietly, he noticed how her hand was reaching to his side in her sleep. He removed his shirt and shoes and got into bed beside her. He turned reached back to the nightstand and turned off the lamp. He gathered her close, holding her, she didn't stir. He wasn't going to wake her, yes, they needed to talk, but right now they both needed to sleep.
"I'm sorry," he said placing a kiss to her cheek, as he pulled her close. "I love you," he said kissing her temple.
She sighed in her sleep and cuddled into him.
He smiled tenderly as he drifted off the sleep.
The next morning the light from the bathroom and sound of water running woke Angela up. She sat up in bed just as Tony came out of the bathroom putting on his tie. Their eyes caught and he stopped.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi" she replied. "What time did you get back?" she asked.
"Around midnight," he replied. "Mona was here, we talked for a bit and, I um," he walked over and sat down on the bed beside her, "I couldn't let you sleep alone, hell what am I saying, I can't sleep without you."
"I know," she replied, "I'm sorry I got angry Tony and said those things."
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry," Tony began taking her hands in his. "I'm sorry that I made you feel neglected, I'm sorry I get so wound up and consumed."
He leaded in and captured her lips in a tender but passionate kiss. When they parted, he rested his forehead to hers.
"I never want you to feel ignored," he whispered, "you're everything to me Angela and I promise to do a better job of showing you that. I love you" he said kissing her again.
"Tony, I love you too," she replied when they'd parted. "I promise to do better of telling you when I'm starting to feel overwhelmed."
"I know, Mona told me about that scumbag Ang," he started, "I wish I could have decked him for you."
She smiled at him.
"From now on," began Tony. "I'm limiting the kids, only opening this house up two afternoons a week and they have to be gone by 6, they have parents and I'm the coach."
"Tony, you know I don't mind the boys being here, you don't have to banish them," she replied leaning up and finishing his tie.
"This is our home, and your refuge, and it's my job to make sure you have a safe, quiet place, when the world gets too tough," he said raising her left hand, kissing her wedding band.
"I love you," she said.
He smiled, capturing her lips again, kissing her back onto her pillow, her arms wrapping around his neck, running her hands through is hair.
You drive me crazy," he mumbled, not wanting to release her lips.
"Mmm," she moaned in his mouth with a smile.
She knew what her moans and hands in his hair did to him. They'd fought, now it was time to make up. She wanted him and it had been two weeks.
He released her and placed a tender kiss on her forehead and sat up.
"I'd love to lose myself in you," he cupped her face in his hand, moaning as she kissed the center of palm and gave him a knowing look. "You have no idea."
"Oh, I think I do," she said sitting up grabbing him by the neck and taking his mouth again, opening her mouth and demanding entry with her tongue. She ran her other hand up the inseam of his pants and softly touched his growing bulge.
"I want you," he said.
"We have all weekend," Angela said. "Mother is going out of town, no kids, you've neglected me for too long Mr. Micelli, and I expect you to make it up to me."
"My love, you will have my undivided attention and my sole focus will be being at your beck and call, fulfilling what ever wishes you have," he said kissing her eyelids, nose, chin and capturing her lips again.
"Hmm sounds good," she replied with a smile. "What time does your game start?"
Five," he replied. "I know you've got work."
"Nope, I'm taking the afternoon off, this is a big one, win and you're in the playoffs, I want to be there," she said.
"I want you there too," he said. "I love having you there."
"Then I'll see you at five," she said. "And when you win, I have a reward for you," she bite the corner of her mouth as rubbed him through his pants.
"Dam woman you don't play fair," he said taking the hand off his manhood and kissing it.
He'd much rather call in and forget baseball games, classes, work and let her unbutton his pants and bask in her attention.
"I need to shower," she said. "And you need to a moment to get yourself together."
"I'll get your juice and coffee," he said as he stood up, careful of his erection.
Angela got out of bed and sashayed to the bathroom. She turned to him and smiled.
"I can't wait to be with you tonight," she said with a knowing look on her brown eyes.
He blew her a kiss.
"I'm just going to go downstairs and stick my hand in boiling water," Tony said, "I love you and I'll see you this afternoon."
Angela made her way down the stairs of the stadium. Tony had left while she was getting ready that morning. So, she'd decided to surprise him taking his away jersey out of the closet and slipping it into her bag with the jeans that usually made him go numb. She'd changed at the office and then took the train back to Fairfield and a cab to the ballpark. As she took each step, she looked for him on the field, knowing he'd be coaching up to the last minute. She caught site of him standing by the home dug out filling out the line up card. The closer she got the dug out she could hear the murmurs of some of their neighbors and caught some of the appreciative glances of the husbands. She smiled politely, but she didn't care, she'd dressed for Tony, she wanted to cause a reaction, to remind him of what he had waiting, she didn't want to compete.
Tony finished filling out the card and handed it to the Umpire. He turned to walk back to the dugout when he saw her. Angela, wearing his away jersey, the first two buttons left undone, he caught site of the top her of cream bra, wearing those tight jeans, that showed off her legs and butt. His cup was getting tighter as he walked over to her.
"Hi," she said demurely.
"Hey," he replied, looking her up and down, his mouth watering and desperately wishing he didn't have a game to coach so he could take her back to the locker room.
She smiled knowing her outfit had the desired effect, now she worried he wouldn't be able to focus on the game.
She leaned in and kissed him, her left hand coming to rest on the small of his back, resting on his belt.
"Good luck," she whispered, dropping her hand to graze the top of his clothed tight tush but not low enough to be lewd.
She wiped the lipstick off his lips and then turned and walked up a few steps to take a seat on the bleachers, teasing him by wiggling her butt a little as she walked.
Something about seeing the '5 Micelli' as she walked caused Tony's heart to race. She was his, and she was stating she was his by wearing his uniform. He loved it when she wore his clothes. How in the hell was he supposed to coach.
Angela took her seat by Wendy and smiled at him. He smiled back and waved to her.
"Uh Coach," said Jason, "we are lining up for the national anthem."
Tony continued to stare up at her.
"The game is about to start coach," Jason said again, snapping him out of it.
"Right, let's get the guys lined up," said Tony turning to notice that both benches were lined up down the baselines and the first chords of the national anthem started to play. Sheepishly, Tony took his place on the line, the Umpire giving him a knowing look.
The game started and Tony never had to concentrate so hard on the task at hand in his life. He kept his instruction short and sweet, mainly because he just wanted this game to go as efficiently and quickly as possible. He could hear her cheering the team on, he'd look back between inning and catch her eyes and they share a look and she'd blow him a kiss. He was getting more and more aroused by each inning.
The team was playing well, they had a three-run lead, but Tony's mind kept wondering. He'd send in the signals and then his mind would drift, Angela in his jersey, Angela moaning as he peeled the jersey off of her worshipping her skin with his mouth and lips, Angela's screams as he brought her to climax with his hands and tongue, Angela her legs and arms wrapped around him as he moved inside of her, Angela in the bath as her body reacted to his touch, Angela in the shower as he washed her hair, Angela's hands, lips, skin, Angela, Angela, Angela, when the hell will this game be over.
Smack
The sound of the ball hitting the bat brought him back to reality, just to see the opposing team hit a pop-up fly and Jason to catch it for the final out. That was the ball game, they'd won! He was going to the play offs. The boys celebrated and he walked out of the dugout to wish the other team well.
"Good game coach, good luck in the play offs," said someone.
"Thank you," he said.
He turned looking for her, the field was in full celebration, parents cheering and running out to greet their sons, administrators wanting to congratulate and shake his hand. All he wanted to do was find her and get out of there.
He saw her then, out of the corner of his eye, she was running toward him, her eyes shining a big smile on his face.
"You did it," she screamed as she wrapped her arms around his neck in celebration. "I'm so proud of you," she said.
He captured her lips. Bending her over and giving her a passionate kiss that surprised her with its intensity.
"Tony," she giggled, "the kids are watching,"
"So," he said smiling at her. "I have a sexy wife."
They smiled at each other.
"Hey coach we did it!" Jason screamed as he came over with Scottie.
"Yeah coach, we are headed downtown for pizza," Scottie said, "Come on and join in."
"No thanks boys," Tony replied, his eyes never leaving Angela's. "I've got other plans,"
He turned to the boys.
"Have a good time, and we'll pick back up Monday with practice," he said.
With that he turned and placed his hand around Angela's shoulder as she wrapped her arm around his waist and together, they made their way out of the ballpark.
"Hey Herb, clean up this mess" Tony shouted as he walked by his assistant coach.
"I want details Angela," they heard Wendy shout.
They kept walking out of the park and all the way to the school parking lot where Tony's jeep was parked. He escorted her to the passenger side, he leaned her up against the door and kissed her deeply, pressing into her as her ran his hands down her shoulders and back to her butt as he cupped each cheek into his hands.
"You look fantastic," he said releasing her lips
"Mmm, I'm glad you like my outfit, I dressed just for you," said Angela. Her hands resting on lower back.
"I honestly can't even tell you what happened during the game," he said, "I kept thinking about you and things," he finished with a gulp.
"What kind of things," she said knowingly.
"All kinds of things," he replied.
"I think you are going to have to give me a demonstration," she replied.
"Oh, I intend to," he said with a smile, "Let's go home."
He unlocked and opened the door for her.
Before she got into the jeep, she turned to him and cupped him.
"Can you take this out?" she asked.
"Yeah, why," he said.
"You won," she kissed him softly, "I want to give you a reward."
Tony's ears turned red, and he looked around to make sure they were alone in the parking lot.
"Here," he asked shockingly.
"Yes," she said. "It's just us, everyone else is going home," she took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply again. She then ran her lips across his jaw, and nuzzled his neck, "I want to taste you," she whispered hotly in his ear.
She then turned and got into the car shutting the door, smiling at his dumbfounded expression. She then laughed as he ran around the car, unlocking the driver's side as he undid his pants, yanking out the cup, throwing it in the back seat as he closed the door. He moaned as she took his mouth again in a kiss and he felt her hand pull him out of his pants. He leaned back against the head rest and shut his eyes as she took him to heaven.