Due to the content of this story, a M RATING has been given. Hope you enjoy!
(Inside Angela's mind) … Poor Tony. I feel so sorry for him, he can hardly walk. But he wanted to do this barbaric act to raise money for the Parents Association. Well, he wanted to organize it, after I convinced him not to participate. Damn Herb, "Kid Novocain" my ass! He "backed out" on purpose if you ask me. Now Tony is hurt. Of course, Mother didn't help, but when does she ever? I could kill Wendy and Philly for this boxing nonsense, as well!
Mrs. Rossini, she's really has been a loving addition to our little family. I was glad Mrs. Rossini offered to take the kids for the night earlier in the week. Tony trusts my unorthodox mother, his "Boss-N-Law", so I've been trusting of his pseudo-Italian neighborhood mother. I never anticipated how helpful it would be having the kids cared for after the boxing fundraiser event. Because now I have to nurse Tony back to health. It's almost like, she knew.
Angela's thoughts were all over the place as she was driving up the interstate back to Fairfield. Tony was in such agonizing pain laying in the backseat of the jaguar. Mona didn't stick around either. She went to party in Atlantic City with Syd, the gym owner, for the rest of the weekend. He insisted that he take her out in that gorgeous red gown she wore in the ring. Of course, Mother didn't refuse. Leaving me all alone with my banged-up champion, fundraising, prize fighting, housekeeper.
"Ughh", moaned Tony as he woke in the backseat. "Hey Ange, how far out are we from our exit? I need you to stop at the 24-hour Mart on the way home. I'll need a lot of ice and ibuprofen to recover. I already got plenty of muscle rub and my heating pad is in my cedar chest.
"Tony, that's fine. I'm about to get off the freeway now. How are you feeling", Angela asked?
"Like I been smashed between the front grill of two 18-wheeler trucks," groaned Tony, rubbing the top of his head. "Why did I do this, Angela, why didn't you stopped me," Tony asked?
"Oh, you know why you did it, and you know I tried to stop you," she answered! "But at least you won and for a wonderful cause, I might add," Angela said, pulling into the Mini-Mart.
"Angela, don't freak out or anything, but I feel like as my trainer and friend, you can handle helping me recover. For the next 24-48 hours, I need you to not think of me as your housekeeper, but as your prize boxer and you as the trainer. I really won't be able to bounce back without your help, so will ya? I mean, I know you're dating Geoffrey and all, but do you think he'll mind," asked Tony?
Angela turned off the ignition. She turned around and looked at Tony laying in her backseat holding his side and his head. He didn't even see her looking at him. What does he mean, not as my housekeeper, but as a prize boxer and trainer, and for the next 24-48 hours, and will Geoffrey mind – what does he need from me, she thought? "Well, I guess there's no one left but me. Geoffrey, why would he mind me helping you? He knows about the fundraiser. He donated $100.00 on you Tony. He's not even home, this weekend. He's away in Chicago at a conference and tending to some family business for his mother. And I've had to train and coach you, and now I've got to nurse you back to health. I wonder if Rocky Marciano's trainer had to go through this," Angela asked sarcastically?
"Ugh, don't make me laugh Angela. What do you know about Rocky Marciano? That guy lived like a freakin monk. He was super religious about his training regimen. This is nothing like that. I just need your help getting set up, and in and out of position. It's just that, well I may become more exposed, than usual, and I don't want to violate you in anyway. Especially with Geoff in the picture, me working for ya, and being really good friends and all. Long story short, I just don't see how I can get an ice bath without your assistance," Tony said. As he attempted to sit up, he realizes that Angela is flipped around the driver's seat and staring at him as he is saying this. "Ange, I can use the kid's bathtub, since they're with Mrs. Rossini, but I will need your help getting in and outta the tub," Tony added, dropping his head.
"Oh! Well, that is different. Tony, we're adults and friends, really good friends. We're mature enough to get through this. Afterall you've already seen me naked. We've slept in the same bed, twice, and half naked. I'm pretty sure I can manage to assist you, any way you need me to, so you can get through, your recovery process. Thanks for being considerate of my relationship with Geoffrey, you're really a wonderful man. But I wouldn't leave my friend hanging in his time of need, you never leave me hanging Tony. So, I'll just go in this store, and get what you need. You said ice and ibuprofen, right? Be right back, then we'll head home. How much ice do we need, Champ," Angela nervously inquired?
"As many of them large backs of ice you can get in the car, and up the stairs. We'll need to fill the bathtub. You may even need to come back tomorrow and get more," mentioned Tony.
"Oh, sure, that shouldn't be a problem," Angela answered. "Well, let's see, the trunk is clear, I carried all my storyboards in earlier today, so I'll see how many they have and how many I can get my trunk. I'll try for six of the large bags. I think I can get them all up the stairs with no problem. I'm in pretty good shape. You just lay there and take it easy," Angela said as she got out of the car to head inside the Mini Mart.
Angela walked in. The store was empty, except for the clerks behind the counter. They were an older couple that probably owned the store. "Miss, how may I help you," said the older gentleman?
"Good evening. I need to know how many large bags of ice do you have available for purchase? I think I need at least 6," answered Angela.
"Oh my, at this time of night! Whatever would you need six large bags of ice for? You must be hosting some sorts of after-hours party," the older woman said smiling and nodding.
Damn, they're nosey as hell, thought Angela! "No, not exactly. See my, well, I need them for an ice bath to help a boxer recover. He just competed in a community fundraiser boxing match to raise money for Fairfield Community's Parents Association," she said.
"Oh yes, I heard about that. That's the President, right? If you need all that ice; he must have lost. How bad is he hurt," asked the older woman?
"He's really sore, with some bruises, mostly from the contact. It was a friendly match. And he didn't lose, Tony won," Angela exclaimed! "You know, I was his trainer," she gloated Angela.
"Did he, oh I'm so glad! That's so wonderful that he got banged up for the children," answered the older woman. "And wow, you don't seem like the type to be a boxing trainer. But you must be very proud. Congratulations Miss Trainer," she exclaimed.
"Well, we can't have the champion struggling and suffering, now can we. Miss, you get whatever amount of ice you need. Compliments of us. It's our contribution to the cause. Let me get a cart and I'll help you get it out to your vehicle," said the older gentleman.
"Why thank you, that would be very much appreciated. And I am proud of Tony. He was simply wonderful in the ring. And please, I can pay for the ice. Besides I need to get some ibuprofen as well," Angela said.
"Oh, dear don't worry about it. It's okay, we can handle it. We'll throw in the pills too. This man has taken some blows for the Fairfield children. It's the least we can do for our community. I use to box a bit myself, so I understand exactly what he's going through. Let me get you some muscle rub, you'll need plenty of that. I hope you all have a heating pad and plenty of towels too. And give him a high protein diet while he's recovering, stay away from sugar and carbs," added the older gentleman.
"Thank you so much. And for all the tips. He's been trying to tell me what he needs, but he's kind of out of it. I'm glad I ran into you," smiled Angela as she and the older gentleman added the ice to the cart.
The older woman pushed a cart towards her husband and passed Angela two large boxes of Bayer aspirin and Advil ibuprofen. "These will be good for both pain and inflammation Dear," the older woman said with a smile. "These tubes of Deep Heating Rub and Ben Gay ought to help too. And here's a couple of cartons of orange juice, ginger ale, and sports beverages" she added.
"You two have been so kind, really, let me pay you," insisted Angela.
"No not one dime," said the older gentlemen with both arms and hands up in the air. "And you'll probably need more ice tomorrow, so come back by here and I'll load your vehicle up again," he added.
"You're such a lovely couple. Thank you. We'll make sure the Fairfield community knows how supportive you've been as well. You've really made my night," Angela said. Angela held the door as the older gentleman and older woman exited the store with the items. She unlocked the trunk for the older man to get the ice in the trunk and the older woman put the grocery bags in the front passenger seat.
"Miss, are you going to be able to get all this inside on your own," asked the older gentleman.
"Oh yes, don't worry. Our children and my mother are home. They'll be able to assist me," Angela said, lying to escape any future prying from this older couple. If he doesn't believe I have help, he'll probably offer to follow me home. If I get in a bind, I can always call and wake up Wendy, she owes me, thought Angela.
Looking back at Tony, the older woman said, "Congratulations Sonny. I heard you won the fight for the Fairfield children. That's so special and wonderful. We wanted to do our part, because we heard you're a bit banged up, so we are sending you home with a care package. We hope you heal well," she said.
Tony moaned, "Thank you Miss. It was nothing. I appreciate your kindness".
The older woman smiled as she exited the passenger side, closing the door of the car.
The older gentleman peeped his head in the driver's side and yelled, "Congratulations, Mad Man Micelli! I hear you are a champion of children and in the ring too. What a noble thing you did. I hope you heal well and quickly. The lady here has a good care package for you to help you get started. I use to be a boxer myself when I was young. I know how you feel and what you need. Like I said, if you need more ice, or anything else, come by here tomorrow. I'll be happy to stock you up again," the older gentleman said.
"Thank you, kindly Sir. You and your wife have both been so kind," Tony said.
"Now you two get on home and get that treatment started before all that ice melts," said the older woman from in front of the Mini Mart door.
Angela nodded her head and the older gentleman closed the driver's door once she got back in her car. Tony and Angela both waved as they pulled off.
The older gentleman and older woman returned back inside the store and locked the door behind them. They looked at each other and laughed.
"I'd love to be a fly on the wall in that house tonight. He's her housekeeper, and she's gonna give him an ice bath? Well, I just never," said the older woman.
"I know Sweetheart. I've seen a lot of things in my day, but never have I seen a man pose as a housekeeper to have a reason to shack up with his lady. And they are raising their children together in sin like that. Well, to each his own. He does do a wonderful job for the children in the community. I do hope he recovers. Word in the neighborhood is they are both really great people. And I hear they've been hot and heavy for years," said the older gentleman.
"Yes, he's a favorite conversation with the ladies at my bridge club. Joanne Parker's mother always has something to tell us about the events occurring in their happy household. I don't know why they just don't get married. They are both single, good-looking people. Actually, I'd say they're both pretty sexy. There is no way they aren't, you know, sexual. But who am I to judge? No not I," said the older woman. "But you know, he did such a nice thing for the children of this community, and he really got bruised pretty bad. I'm not going to spread the word on what we saw tonight, and you shouldn't either, Honey. Let's just keep their sinful secret between the four of us," suggested the older woman winking her eye.
"I agree Darling. The poor man has been through a lot tonight. We'll just turn a blind eye to this evening's events," confirmed the older gentleman raising his eyebrows at his wife.
Author's Notes:
** Most statements that are italicized and without "quotation marks", are the inner thoughts of a character.
Rub-A-Dub-Dub Chapter ONE