She was gone.

He had wanted her to stay but she was gone. He thought for sure that he had her when he said he was going to watch Singing In The Rain and they both started singing together. But as soon as he jumped up and said he was going to make some popcorn her words crushed him.

"I can't. I have a date with Andy."

He nodded. He was disappointed but he knew there wasn't anything he could do about it. He certainly wasn't expecting her to 'drop Captain Andy like a hot anchor' like Mona thought she would. No, Angela was far too classy. But, still it hurt knowing she was out with another man.

"Come on!" he chided himself. "What the hell were you expecting to happen? For Angela to jump in your arms after the way you broke her heart and her trust in you?!" And that was the bottom line. He had broken her heart and her trust and a simple movie and popcorn date wasn't going to make up for it. He had to give her this time. He had to respect the fact that she was dating another man.

He looked down at his paint splattered clothes. He was a mess and was definitely in need of a shower. He got up and went up to his room and removed his clothes and threw them in his hamper. He took a quick shower then dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He made his way downstairs deciding that he would still watch the movie. He went into the kitchen and began making his popcorn when Mona walked in.

"So did you tell Angela you're back on the market?"

"Yeah, I did."

"And? Come on, don't keep me in suspense! Are you two together? Where are you going on your first date?"

Tony turned away from the stove and looked at her. "Our first date? Mona, what are you talking about?"

"You. Angela. First Date."

"We're not going on any date."

"What are you talking about? Of course you are. You are no longer dating Kathleen. Angela is no longer dating Andy."

"Yes, she is. In fact she is out on a date with him right now."

"She's what?! Tony, please tell me you're kidding!"

"I'm afraid not."

"But, that doesn't make any sense. Why would she continue dating him when you're now free?"

"Because Angela is far too classy to dump Andy just because I am 'back on the market' as you put it."

"Oh okay. That makes sense. I mean knowing Angela she wants to let him down easy and tell him face to face. But why tonight of all nights? I can't believe she left you all alone."

Tony shrugged. "I'm a big boy Mona. But, if you want to know the truth, I was disappointed when she told me that she had a date with Andy. But, I also know that I broke her heart and her trust in me and I just can't expect for her to forgive and forget just like that."

"She still should have stayed."

"Mona! You need to stay out of this!" Off her 'oh please!' look he tried another tactic. "Okay fine, if you insist on butting in at least go easy on her. We're in this mess because of me. Because of the choices I made. I no we need to give her time. "

"Time? The two of you have had more than enough time."

"Mona! Enough!"

"Okay fine. But, let me ask you one thing Tony."

Tony sighed. "Okay. What is it?"

"Do you love Angela?"

"Well she's my best friend and…"

"Cut the crap! Do you love Angela?"

"I well.."

"It's not a hard question." Mona sat down at the table.

"Yeah, I know." he sat down as well.

"Tony, why did you break up with Kathleen?"

"Well, it was like I told Angela. A lot of stuff was getting in the way."

"Like what?"

"You know. College. Work. And uh 'things''

"And would those 'things' happen to mean Angela?"

Tony nodded. "Yeah they do."

"So you broke up with Kathleen because of Angela?"

"Yes, I did. Because I just couldn't pretend anymore. I mean I had this weird daydream. Everytime something happened with Kathleen and I, Angela was there."

"Like?"

"Like we were getting married and Angela was there singing Ave Maria. Then we went house hunting -this house as a matter of fact- and Angela was the Real Estate Agent, and finally Kathleen and I had a daughter and get this she had Angela's face!"

"Boy, that must have been scary!"

"Mona!"

"I was just kidding. A little. So that was when you decided to end things?"

"No, it was later at Kathleen's apartment. When she asked me what style I thought would look best in her apartment. She told me that she wanted me to feel comfortable like it was my home and that was when I knew. "

"You knew it was over."

"Yeah, I mean I guess it all started when we were having dinner with her Father and he saw the picture of Angela in my wallet."

"I see."

"Yeah, and I tried to shrug it off as not a big deal. But, I could see he was suspicious. Not that I blame him or anything."

"Okay, What else?"

"Well later on he told me that he wanted me to father his grandchildren and when I told Kathleen about it later she was mortified and she went to confront him but I stopped her."

"Why did you do that?"

"Because I told her that I understood how he felt. I mean that's what I want for Sam. And I told her that is what he wants for her. To marry a nice man and have little kids running around the Christmas tree with their eyes lighting up. "

"And that was when she told you that she wanted to get married and have kids."

"Well not in those exact words. She told me that she was happy and threw her arms around me."

"But, you weren't."

"No, I wasn't. In fact it was just the opposite."

"Because you love Angela."

"I do. I do love her."

"Then tell her Tony! Tell her tonight!"

"I can't. She's with Andy now."

"Tony.."

"No, Mona. I can't. I need to give her time and space." He got up and turned off the burner. He grabbed a bowl from the cupboard and poured the popcorn in it.

"Here you go Mone."

"Aren't you going to have any?"

He shook his head. "I'm not hungry anymore. Good night Mona."

"Good night Tony."

She watched him as he left the kitchen. While she knew he had a point about Angela being too classy to just dump Andy she also couldn't believe she would go out with him tonight of all nights.

She was going to have a serious talk with her daughter as soon as she got her butt home!