Chapter SIX

Before long, some of the guest began to pack up some of the food that was left over at the invitation of Angela and Tony before they depart. Steven's dad picked up Jonathan and Steven for the wilderness weekend and Sam, Eric, and Bonnie left for the Fairgrounds. This left, Mona, Walter, Angela and Tony at the house.

Walter whispered in Mona's ear, "Monie, we need to fess up. It's time for us to go and we need the "big kids" to know you're going away with me for the week".

"Oh, alright Walter," Mona answered. "Angela, Tony, can I see you for a minute," yelled Mona from inside the kitchen.

"Sure Mother. Be right there," answered Angela. She looked at Tony and they both shrugged their shoulders, before entering the kitchen.

Mona was sitting in Walter's lap at the kitchen table when Angela and Tony entered the kitchen. Not surprised to find them like this after today's events, but still slightly startling, they didn't get past the counter.

"Oh, you've practically seen us on top of each other before," Mona said.

"Mother," exclaimed Angela. "Please, your demeanor has been outrageous enough today," fussed Angela.

Walter slightly snickered before saying, "Wow Mona. It's amazing. She sounds so much like Mrs. Reynolds."

"I know, my baby is fifty precent her father, and thirty-five percent my mother. I only enjoy her fifty to sixty-five percent of the time," teased Mother.

"Ay-Oh Mona and Walter! Lay off Angela," Tony spoke up, folding his arms across his chest.

Walter extended his hands forward, gesturing he's not doing anything. Then he smirked and looked at Mona. Mona glanced back at Walter with a smile. Then she turned to Angela and Tony.

"Alright you two. You can stand or sit, but listen up. Walter and I are very much well, enjoying one another at this stage of our lives. We've lived, we've loved, we've lost, and we're lucky to have found each other again, through Sam and Eric. To well, do it all over again, I suppose. And that is what we intend on doing. Walter is taking me away for a week to celebrate my birthday properly, just the two of us. We're going to Aruba," Mona announced. Angela and Tony were speechless, but not completely shocked.

"Angela, I won't be in to work for at least a week and a half. I want to thank you both for the party today. It was a sweet gesture. It was nice to celebrate with some of our favorite folks. Now as for you two, you need to know that the arrangements for Jonathan and Samantha are compliments of Walter and I scheming, to make sure you to go to the Beach Bonfire. The tickets are from Walter. Don't thank us, just go an enjoy the experience. That's the best way to celebrate my birthday, live life to the full extent. You may not get lucky with a second time around like I did, so don't blow the opportunity you have in the present. Now we're headed out to stay overnight at the Holiday Inn LaGuardia, so we can get to the airport in time in the morning. We have an early flight. Now I know all this is a shock to you, so don't worry, we can talk about things after I get back," added Mona.

"I don't believe you," Tony said in a low, but stern voice.

"Mother. Come with me, now," Angela exclaimed, grabbing Mona's arm and dragging her off Walter's lap and into the living room, to her office.

"Angela, turn me loose, I am your mother, and not your daughter," fussed Mona. Angela kept her hold on Mona and continued to drag her until she reached her destination. She flipped the lights on in her office, and closed the door behind them.

"So, I take it you're upset," stated Mona, crossing her arms.

"Mother, you have some nerve. You can't coordinate my and Tony's life, or the kids' lives. I think it's wonderful and fine that you and Walter enjoy each other's company and you're going away together. That's so special for you. But my life is mine, and I'm just not a free spirit or carefree like you. I'm half Daddy and just about half Nanna as you put it. And look at the uncomfortable position you're putting Tony in. Mother, I should have known it was a scam, a scheme, and pity party for me and Tony. I have the right mind, not to even go," Angela said, plopping down in her chair and folding her arms.

"Angela, now there you go jumping to conclusions. I'm your Mummy and I know what is best for you. You two needed a push, and this is a push. Had I told you up front, you never would have explored the option. You aren't dating, and when you do, the men are a drab, making you less and less exciting. Look, I know you. I made you. I know you're all work and you personify class, refinement, professionalism, and hard work. But Baby, you've got to live at some point. I've only seen that good living side of you, when Tony brings it out of you. It's not healthy for two warm blooded adults to live platonically in the house as if they are married and don't have marital relations," said Mona. "You two drive yourselves and each other crazy. Right now, you can do whatever you want. Your kids are accounted for and you can be together privately all night long. Trust and believe, Walter and I will be living it up in Aruba and I want you to live it up on the Fairfield beach. You guys deserve a night together, to explore and enjoy one another. For God sakes Angela, please don't disappoint me, and don't go," said Mona.

"As long as Tony hasn't changed his mind, I'm still interested in going. But I need you to promise me that you'll stop all this coordinating our lives, trying to force us to explore and enjoy each other," said Angela.

"Yeah, I swear," confessed Mona.

"I mean it Mother, nothing more after this," Angela said.

"Okay, Okay. Nothing more," confessed Mona.

Tony and Walter are left in the kitchen in an awkward silence. Tony unsure of what to say after Mona's announcement, and Angela dragging her out of the kitchen, he offered Walter a beverage.

"Just water Tony, I'll be driving so I don't want any alcohol," Walter said.

"No problem, said Tony, headed to the fridge to grab the water pitcher to pour a glass for Walter. "You know, I can drive you both to the airport, and you can catch shuttles in the morning. Plus, I'd be happy to come back and get you when your flight returns," he said.

"I'd take you up on that normally Tony, but you and Angela, the bonfire awaits you. Listen, don't not attend. It's really a great event. And tonight's forecast is great. I know because I have been randomly checking all day. I know I'm new around here, but you and Angela, you're like love's perfect photograph. I can't believe that you two aren't an item. You shouldn't move too slow. If any man can catch Angela in-between her overzealous working, you're going to be left in the dust. She's an amazing woman. Trust me Tony, Rockwell women, if they find a better and more exciting option, will drop you like a sack of potatoes, so don't get comfortable. They mean well, when they make a commitment, but then they just fall off the wagon at first sign of becoming comfortable. I know Angela isn't like her mother in many ways, but Mrs. Reynolds, isn't as prim a proper as she seems either. There's a story there," Walter said winking. "My point is, even if Angela seems like she's comfortable with the status quo, she's not. These are vibrant volcanic woman, waiting to explode with passion mixed with fire and desire. French is their historic tongue, in more ways than one," assured Walter.

Tony sat and listened to Walter with great intense concentration. He knew that Walter knew the history of Angela's family on Mona's side and had to be speaking truth. "I'm taking all this in Walter. It makes sense about Mona. I'm shocked to learn that Nanna was more eccentric than what I've heard about her, but I have a hard time believing Angela is a vibrant volcanic woman," said Tony.

As Tony spoke, he was unaware that Angela and Mona were outside of the kitchen door listening to their conversation.

Mona pulled away from the door and took both of Angela's hands, leaning her forehead against her daughter's saying, "Be a vibrant volcanic woman. Explode with passion with a mix of fire and desire. Honor our French roots. I know I am all week in Aruba and you'd do good to do the same at the bonfire," Mona said squeezing each of Angela's hand.

"You are so incorrigible, Mother," said Angela in a husky tone with a smile on her face. The two ladies hug as they interrupt Tony and Walter's kitchen conversations.

Walter and Tony stood when Mona and Angela entered the kitchen. Mona went to stand by Walter and she slipped her hand in the back pocket of his jeans. Walter's face grinned with excitement, matching Mona's electric expression. Tony and Angela looked at them and then each other and became uncomfortable. They both turned from each other as Angela clasped her hands together and Tony folded his arms.

"These two are never going to get it. Okay you two stiffs, we're off. Please try to have a great time and enjoy your evening. I love you both," she smiled at them as she took Walter's arm and led him out of the kitchen.

"See you both. Have fun," said Walter with a grin on his face. He extended his free hand and shook Tony's on his way out of the kitchen.

Tony and Angela turned to follow them. Tony signaled for Angela to exit the kitchen as he held the swinging door and admired her tush leading the way. They watched in the doorway as Mona and Walter got in the car and pulled out of the drive way headed to the Holiday Inn.

Snap Crackle Pop! Chapter SIX