Chapter 585: Olde Mystic Village

Friday, March 3rd, Afternoon

Once her daughter arrived home from school, they changed and got into the car. They had to drive across the state. They got caught in two traffic choke points, but they got to their destination near the appointed time. Living on one side of the state and working on the other, she's used to it.

Angela got out of the SUV and looked over the car at Jess. Angela gave Jess a tense smile. Jess looked up at her mom and gave her a curious nod.

"We had to come all this way to meet Uncle Dash, Aunt Elise, TJ, and Fox?" Jess asked.

"Yes, Aunt Elise, TJ, and Fox just flew in for the weekend," Angela said.

"Well, you are flying out tonight with Grandpa and Grandma," Jess said.

"You're going to Tessa's," Angela said.

"Yeah, it's going to be a good weekend," Jess said.

"Well, you, Emma, and Tessa better not force me to fly home to bail you out," Angela said.

"What could we do to get in trouble?" Jess asked.

"I'm not giving you any hints," Angela said.

"Mom, no fun," Jess said.

"That's my job," Angela said, "Let's go meet them."

"Okay," Jess said.

They walked into the shopping venue. They looked at shops in buildings designed and built to resemble an older style of buildings. They found a cafe where they were meeting the other family. Angela ordered a coffee and Jess a hot chocolate. They sat at a table and watched the door.

Eventually, the door opened, and Dash walked in; Angela looked up at him and sighed. She didn't want to be here. Dash was followed by a short woman, well short compared to Angela; this woman was about average height, with mousey brown hair. Two boys followed one about twelve and the other around ten. They ordered their drinks and joined Angela and Jess at the table.

"Angie, it's so nice to see you again; Travis said you look good; I will have to say I agree," Elise said.

"Thank you," Angela said.

Elise turned to Jess. "Why Jessi, you're growing into a beautiful young woman," Elise said.

"Thank you, Aunt Elise, but I prefer Jess now," Jess said.

"Oh really," Elise said, "Getting so big."

"How have you been, Elise?" Angela asked.

"I've been good; how have you been?" Elise asked.

"I can't complain; the Northeast has been very good to me," Angela said.

"I have to agree; you look outstanding; I'm jealous," Elise said.

"Nothing to be jealous of; you look good as well, Elise," Angela said.

"You flatter," Elise said.

Angela looked over and noticed Hess and the two boys were talking. The three of them were always close and seemed to reconnect. Angela smiled and turned back to Elise.

"They're reconnecting, again," Elise said.

"They were always close; it's nice to see," Angela said.

"Yeah, it's always good to reconnect," Elise said.

Angela nodded, "Some ways better than others, and some ways can't be repeated," she said.

"I see," Elise said.

"You've always had good vision," Angela said.

"Some better than others," Elise said.

Angela nodded and sipped her coffee. "Always a good thing," she said.

Elise looked into her bag, then at Angela, and finally at Dash. "Travis, I forgot something in the car, may I have the keys to go fetch it?" Elise asked.

Dash reached into his pocket and handed Elise his keys. "Here you go," Dash said.

"Thank you, Travis," Elise said.

"You're welcome," Dash said.

Elise looked at Angela. "Angie, come take a walk with me," she said.

"What about the kids?" Angela asked.

"Travis can watch them, right Travis?" Elise said.

"Yes, dear," Dash said.

"See, no excuse, Angie," Elise said.

"Alright," Angela said. The two women got up and left the cafe. They walked side by side, and when they were about ten to fifteen paces away, Elise turned to Angela.

"Are you thinking of reconnecting with Travis?" Elise asked.

"Until not too long ago, I didn't even know he was in state," Angela said.

"You know, I know what happened three years ago," Elise said.

"I know," Angela said.

"Many things can be said about that, Angie," Elise said.

"Yes, they can, Elise, and one thing I can say is I live on the other side of the state," Angela said.

"The other side of the state will make things difficult; what is it an hour, hour and a half?" Elisa asked.

"Yeah, about that," Angela said, "But I, well, don't know."

"It's certainly harder than next door," Elise said.

"As I said, I have no idea he was at the subbase," Angela said.

"You think I'm mad about that?" Elise asked.

"Well, I don't want to get involved in that again," Angela said.

"Angie, I told you three years ago, I didn't mind, that Travis tells me everything, I found it kind of hot, and we have our arrangement," Elise said.

"It's nothing I want to be involved with, again," Angela said.

"Angie, you think that's what I want to talk about?" Elise asked.

"It isn't?" Angela asked.

"No, not at all," Elise said.

"Then what do you want to talk about?" Angela asked.

"It might seem kind of old-fashioned, but as a mom, I well don't know what to do," Elise said.

"So, it's about the boys; what can I do to help?" Angela asked.

"I'd like to keep the boys close with Jess; maybe something will happen, maybe nothing, but at least they could stay friends and give the boys some stability," Elise said.

"So, you want to arrange a friendship between your sons and Jess?" Angela asked.

"Well, not quite, but yes," Elise said.

"What do you propose?" Angela asked.

"They email, social media, and spend time together," Elise said.

"How long are you up here for?" Angela asked.

"Just the weekend," Elise said.

"The third will be tough," Angela said.

"Why?" Elise asked.

"I'm leaving tonight for a couple of weeks. Jess will be at a friend's," Angela said.

"So, you're on board with my plan?" Elise asked.

"If there is no pressure, and if it peters out, it gets left, we'll let it be," Angela said.

"That's the plan, Angie," Elise said.

"Okay, I'm in," Angela said.

"As for the other thing," Elise said.

"No, not going to happen again," Angela said.

"Are you sure?" Elise asked.

"Yes," Angela said.

"No fun, but it's your choice," Elise said.

"Thank you," Angela said.

"You're welcome," Elise said.

They went to the car, got what Elise wanted then returned to the group. They spent a couple of hours together before Angela and Jess had to leave to return to Greenwich.