Chapter THREE
"Okay, Dear. Enough with the sappy stuff. I got an idea. It's hot! And, don't be so closed minded either. Take a page out of the child's book," Mona said.
"Mother, what on earth are you talking about," questioned Angela?
"Be like Sam. Get out there and have a good time with a great guy! Listen, I've got a pair of tickets and passes I won't be using for late tonight to the Fourth of July After Dark Bonfire on the Beach. My tickets are all inclusive for Penfield Beach. You and Tony can go, and have a great time, together, and alone. The atmosphere will be just right for you two," suggested Mona.
"Mother. That is a sweet gesture, but Tony and I, can't just pick up and go out, like on a date or something. Besides, who says he wants to date me, he might have plans with someone else. And even with Sam out, we'll, I mean he'll want to be home in case something happens. And we, I mean I still have Jonathan to account for," said Angela.
"Oh, you said it correctly, we'll and we! You two hot blooded adults, will be in the house, with Jonathan, watching boring movies from the 40's. You're not thinking straight and are about to miss a great opportunity, Angela. You can stash Jonathan at a friend's house. You know Steven's family says he has an open invitation; they just love the kid. Besides, this package is so exclusive – you can't pass it up. They pack a picnic basket for each couple. I think they hand it to you when you check in after your arrival. It includes a complementary beach umbrella and (2) beach blanket towels. They have chairs you can rent if you can't find any out on the beach. All you have to do is show up, with a light beach bag if you think you'll need a few "other" supplies. But I hear they also provide fresh fruit, cheese, veggies, crackers, deli meats, chocolate and a few bottles of chilled wine of course. You guys can hear some great live music, do a little dancing on the beach under the stars, enjoy the fireworks show they'll put on, and maybe a moonlit dip in the water. Oh, and Angela, this package allows you access to the beach into the middle of the night. What a night, huh? Go on, Angela! Don't let the tickets go to waste. Surprise Tony with the tickets when we get back home. It's time for you two to grow up and do something different. Come' on, let's be spontaneous! Do it, for my birthday," teased Mona grinning wide!
"Wow Mother, we haven't done anything like this before. It's definitely spontaneous, impromptu and, well, romantic," Angela bashfully said. "Oh, it's too outrageous for me and Tony. We aren't a couple or anything remotely close to one. We're more like best friends, that work together, closely" Angela said shaking her head, and throwing her hands in the air, with a gleaming smile on her face.
"You're a couple of lames, that's what you are. You act and live together like an old married couple. You two are boring and scared of your own shadow. And that's why you can't get anything going between you too. You are constantly hiding behind the circumstance that brought you together. Both of you could make each other so happy, if you stop worrying about your circumstance, and what other people think. Throw caution to the wind Angela, use the damn tickets," said Mona!
Angela was completely frustrated by her mother's aggression, while discussing her relationship with Tony. Even though she knew Mona was right, she didn't want to admit it. In the back of her mind, Angela was very much interested in the event and would love to share the experience with Tony. But like she said she didn't have an answer for Jonathan, there would be no adult there when Sam got home, and she didn't even know if Tony had other plans. More importantly she couldn't handle it if he rejected her invitation. But Mona does make a heart-felt case, in her Mona way, for her to take the tickets and invite Tony to join her.
"Okay Mother. I'll ask Tony if he's interested in going to the Beach Bonfire. I just hope he doesn't reject me," Angela said.
"Great! Happy days are here again," sang Mona while dancing in the aisle. "Don't worry Dear, he won't reject you. You're the delicious delicatessen that delights him," Mona said in her cynical way.
"Mother, don't objectify us! How do I let you talk me into such things? Tony is going to think I am crazy," Angela said with a light grin on her face.
"He might, but at least he'll know you're interested. That's what counts. We can pick you out something he hasn't seen you in or laundered, for tonight. Let's get start in the lingerie department," suggested Mona.
"Mother. Now you're being ridiculous. We can head to the ladies's department and see what they have," agreed Angela. She secretly thought to herself that she should probably get a new, nice set of something; because you never know, but she doesn't want to make that purchase with Sam and Mona around.
Tony has seen everything Angela owns to wear being her housekeeper. He's been washing Angela's delicate undergarments pretty much since he saw Angela naked exiting her bathtub. Angela only hand washed her own items about two weeks before she came home and realized that Tony had already done them, and he's been washing all her unmentionables ever since. They've never discussed it. It just was another unspoken something between them.
"Hopefully we can find a nice festive top and flirty skirt I could wear on the beach," suggested Angela.
"I'll go check on Sam and then I'll head to the men's department Angela. You're going to need a new bathing suit to have on underneath your outfit as well. And Tony will need new trunks, and a nice shirt too. His can be my treat, so it won't seem too awkward for you," teased Mona headed towards the escalator.
"Mother, not one word of this to Samantha. You know how Tony and I are about leading the children on," said Angela sternly.
"Yes, Dear. Don't worry, you don't lead them on, just like you don't lead each other on either," said Mona in her sarcastic tone. Mona headed off towards the escalator to ride down a level to find Sam. Mona was hoping that her absence would allow Angela the privacy and courage she needed to go to the lingerie and swimwear departments and update her personal collection and get something cute for the water.
Angela smiled as her mother walked off. She knew that her mother was giving her the privacy she needed to make the lingerie and swimwear purchases she wanted. She only had a little time, so she rushed right over and picked out: two bra and panty sets – one bra was strapless; a teddy; and two-night gowns – one short and one medium. These were items that Angela had already decided she liked on previous trips to Bloomingdales, so she knew where they were, and was able to purchase them quickly.
She then scurried off to swimwear to beat her mother picking out skimpy swim attire that she nor Tony would want her to wear in public. Afterall, they'll be in Fairfield on the beach, not some island resort far from home.
After she purchased a swank two-piece bikini and a one-piece swimsuit; as well as two pair of respectable trunks for Tony (no telling what Mona would pick out for either of them), she rushed back to the ladies' department for the perfect flirty dress or blouse and skirt that she could wear over her swimwear.
By the time Angela got back to the ladies' department, Mona was returning. She had purchased a button down and festive holiday t-shirts for Tony and Jonathan. She said that Sam would probably be finished in 15 minutes so they had to work quickly. Angela found a cute two-piece blouse and flirty skirt set and a dreamy spaghetti strapless eyelet embroidery shorts jumpsuit. Mona selected a few flirty sundresses for Angela to choose from. Unable to try them on, due to no time to make any decisions based on how she'd look with the swimwear underneath, she bought everything she and Mona picked out.
Then they headed down to juniors to check Sam out. Mona purchased Sam's purse and shoes and Angela bought the rest. Then the three ladies headed for their vehicle with bags in hand to drive back to Fairfield.
Snap Crackle Pop! Chapter THREE