Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
2. Hyacinth
Mona didn't even bother knocking as she entered Angela's room. She just pushed the door open and proceeded to stumble over a pile of clothes lying in the middle of the room. Picking up a stray garment, she called out "Angela? Are you lost in the middle of this trash heap or did your closet just throw up?"
Angela poked her head around the bathroom door, "Mother! I thought I heard your voice downstairs. Thanks for coming up, I could really use your help." She shyly stepped into the room and struck a modest pose. "What do you think? Does this say fun, daring, and sexy? Do you think it's me?" The dress was crimson red, completely form fitting, and more than a little revealing.
"Angela, I don't think you and that dress even speak the same language." Mona raised her eyebrows and took a second look at the dress, starting to understand Tony's quick exit from the house.
"It's too much isn't it? I knew I shouldn't have bought this, but when I put it on in the store, it just made me feel...""
"Hot to trot?" Mona interjected.
"Mother!" Angela blushed furiously and then admitted, "Maybe a little." She turned and began to primp in front of the mirror.
Mona waited patiently for a full five seconds before giving into her curiosity. "So. Tell me about him. Tell me why you want to be fun, daring, and sexy, and why I have a feeling HE isn't Tony."
Angela paused and turned to look at her mother. "Tony?"
"Yeah, you know the guy, Italian, brown hair, big puppy dog brown eyes, Brooklyn accent, and a butt you could..." Angela glared at her with a look that said 'get to the point'. Mona shrugged and gave her a sly wink before continuing. "I just saw him downstairs, looking a little less then his usual goofball self. Shot out of the room like a bat out of hell."
"Oh Mother," sighed Angela, annoyed, "you're reading too much into things. He was probably just in a hurry to go on his date."
Mona looked unconvinced. "Tony's got a date?"
"Yeah, and so do I. I met him today while waiting to meet with the Squeegee Pop people. He was just sitting there when I walked in, reading the only copy of 'Business Week'. He got up and made room for me and we just started talking. His name's Barry, and he's just, he's just wonderful!" The last came out as an excited sigh.
Mona had stopped listening somewhere around the words 'Squeegee Pop'. This was bad. Whoever this Barry was, she was sure he was just another guy in a long line of Michael's and Grant's, and Geoffrey's with a G. She liked seeing her daughter so happy and upbeat, but she wasn't sure she could handle another of Angela's bland and boring dates. "Gee, he sure sounds like quite the catch!" She wondered how obvious the sarcasm was, and if Angela would pick up on it or remain oblivious.
Angela felt her excitement deflate a little at her mother's words. Just once, she'd like to feel encouragement from her, some sign that she was actually happy for her. It had been a long time since she'd met a guy who was smart, funny, and eager to get to know her, no strings attached. For a brief second her mind flashed on the image of Tony she carried around in her head. Then she quickly pushed the thought away, determined to forget about the Tony factor, at least for the night.
Guilt crept over Mona as she noticed the slight wince on Angela's face and saw how her shoulders sagged. "You do look wonderful though. Knock him dead!" She squeezed Angela's hand and headed for the door. "I'm out of here. You're not the only one with a date tonight you know!"
"Goodnight Mother. Knock him dead yourself." She smiled as her mother left the room, then turned back to the mirror for another look. She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders, preparing herself to be the wonderful woman she kept trying to convince herself she was.