"Teresa! Hi honey!"
'Hi Candy." Teresa gave her a hug and entered her apartment.
"So tell me how was the trip?"
"It was good."
Candy eyed her. She had known Teresa for years and something seemed off about her.
"Okay toots! What's the matter?"
"How do you know something is the matter?"
"Oh come on! I have known you for years. I can tell when you're not yourself. Like when that jerk of an ex-husband broke your heart."
"Okay you're right."
"Of course I am. Now come on, sit down and tell me all about it."
They walked over to the couch and sat down.
"So did something happen in Connecticut?"
"Yeah, you could say that." Without thinking she rubbed her eyes with her left hand. Candy noticed and grabbed her hand.
"Honey? Where is your engagement ring?"
"I gave it back to Tony. We broke up."
"You…. you broke up? What do you mean? What happened?!"
Teresa sighed. "Tony is moving back to Connecticut."
"Wait a minute! What do you mean he's moving back? And what about the two of you?"
"He got a job offer and well I was against him taking it so we broke up."
"He got a job offer? He's leaving Wells? I thought he loved it here."
"He did. He does. And I can understand him wanting to take it because of Sam and Nicky but I told him that we had phones and email but I guess that wasn't enough."
'"But, why did you break up?"
"Because I refused to move with him. I mean come on! My whole life is here. My family. My friends and my job."
"That is true."
"And then he said two words I don't think I'll ever forget."
"What?"
"Angela did."
"Angela did?"
"Yes, Angela did. After I told him that I wouldn't move to Connecticut he started going on and on about how Angela was willing to whatever it took so he could have this job. That she put his wants and needs ahead of hers."
"And so you broke up?"
"Yeah." she wiped away the tears that fell down her cheeks. Candy noticed and handed her a box of tissues she kept on the side table.
"Thanks." She took a few and wiped her eyes.
"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry."
"Me too. But maybe it's for the best. I mean maybe Tony had a point. If I really loved him I would have moved with him. "
"Still it must hurt."
"It does."
"So Tony is really leaving?" Candy asked sadly.
"Oh Candy! I'm so sorry. Here I am going on and on about myself and I know you must be shocked and hurt too."
'Yeah, I am shocked. I mean I thought Tony was happy here."
"And you love him too don't you?"
Candy nodded. "Yeah, I do. He's a great boss and he has always treated me with respect. And I'm going to miss him." she sniffled and took a tissue and wiped her eyes.
"Yeah, I bet at this very moment he's telling Dr Graham."
They both sat back against the cushions.
"You know what we need to do?" Candy asked.
"Drink a whole bottle of wine?"
"No. I mean yeah.. But after that."
"What?"
"Go on a trip. A Girls trip. We can invite Rosie."
"That sounds like fun."
"So where do you want to go?"
Teresa thought about it for a moment.
"How about San Francisco?"
"Okay. But why there?"
"I have a friend who lives out there and she keeps asking me if I would come out and visit."
"Do you think she would mind if Rosie and I came along?"
"Oh, I'm sure she wouldn't. But just in case I'll call and ask her."
"Well you're welcome to use my phone."
"Thanks."
"And while you're doing that I'll open the wine."
Candy went into the kitchen while Teresa picked up the phone. She dialed her friend's number and waited for her to pick up.
"Hello?"
Hi Serena!"
"Teresa! It's good to hear from you. How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you?"
"I'm fine. So I hope this phone call means you have accepted my offer to come out and visit?"
"It has, but there is one thing."
"What's that?"
"Would you mind if two other ladies come with me? If it's too much trouble for you.."
Serena cut her off. "Nonsense! The more the merrier."
Teresa smiled. "Okay if you're sure?"
"I am. Just let me know when you're coming."
"Will do!"
"Well I have to go. My cousin is here visiting."
"Oh gosh I'm sorry. I'll let you go then."
"Okay, bye Teresa!"
"Bye Serena!"
Serena hung up and turned to cousin.
"Who was that?"
"My friend Teresa. She's coming out to visit."
"That sounds like fun."
"Yeah, it does. So Tom, what would you like to drink?"
##########################################################
"Hey Coach!" The guys all screamed when Tony entered the locker room.
"Hey guys." Tony smiled at them.
'"So what did you want to talk to us about?" asked Jason, one of the senior members on the team.
Tony sighed. He knew this wasn't going to be easy. In the past few years he had gotten to know and care about these boys. Not just as their coach but as their friend. He couldn't count how many times one of them came to him with some problem they were having. He felt like in some way they were his younger brothers. And even though he knew he was making the right decision by leaving he also knew he was going to miss his boys.
"Coach? Is anything wrong?" Ben, one of the younger members asked.
"Well yes and no. Please have a seat guys."
They all sat down on the benches
"So you all know that I was in Connecticut visiting my daughter and grandson."
"Yeah, for his birthday." Jason nodded.
"Did something happen? Is he okay?" another senior member Mark asked in concern.
"Oh yeah he's great. I mean he drove his Grandpa ragged. I guess I'm not as young as I used to be." he chuckled.
The guys chuckled too but there was a nervous undertone to it. They knew something was up. They could feel it. Tony wasn't his usual jovial self. Whatever he had to say to them was serious.
Tony cleared his throat. "You see, while I was there I was offered a job at my old College."
The guys looked at one another.
"Coach, you're not leaving are you?" Ben asked.
"Yeah, I am."
"But, I thought you liked it here." Mark protested.
"I did. I do. It's just that if I take the job I'll be able to be with my daughter and grandson."
"And you've always said family comes first." Jason smiled.
"Yes it does. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to miss you guys."
"So when are you leaving?
"In about a month."
The guys all nodded. A few of them stood up and walked over to Tony.
"Take care coach."
"I'm going to miss you coach."
One by one they all said their goodbyes.
When the last one left Tony sighed and sat down on the bench.
Next he had to say goodbye to Candy.
And just like saying goodbye to the boys, saying goodbye to her was going to be one of the hardest things he would ever have to do.