Trivial Pursuit | A Thanksgiving Story
Author's Notes 1.0:
The beginning of this story includes excerpts of dialogue directly from Who's The Boss? Season 2, episode 9-Thanksgiving at Mrs. Rossini's. It's also infused with internal head conversations with Tony and Angela. Then the continuation of the evening begins. Italicizeddialogue are character's thoughts.
"Then I just couldn't," Tony said.
He couldn't. Oh my, she thought. "Tony, lots of men have this problem. Now and then, not with me. Maybe she reminded you of a distant Aunt," Angela said.
What the hell, a distant Aunt? No wonder Mona said this was my affair! I was definitely right about her not warming up to Gina at Thanksgiving dinner. I'm not as out of touch as I thought. So, this is brewing between us. But she doesn't get it when I said I couldn't. I'm Italian. My manicotti never disappoints! I got no problem. She's gotta be kiddin. It's not possible for me not to be able to satisfy a woman. Not for nothin, I bet she does know how to keep the fire burning in a man. Ok, come back to the topic at hand Tony, he thought.
"I couldn't. I wouldn't. I didn't. The problem was up here. Angela, would you forget the articles? You're missing the point here," Tony said.
Oh, it's mental. Maybe he is not the neanderthal I thought he was. Well, he was, back in Brooklyn, but not here in Connecticut. I guess he may have just as easily fallen back into his old ways being reunited with all the folks in Brooklyn. And more about Gina. She sounds like the ideal Italian woman. The kind that family-like Italian men fall in love with, the kind an Italian man marries. Angela tried hard not to start over thinking the entire scenario and to just be in the conversation in this moment.
"She sounds like everything you always wanted in a woman," Angela said.
"Everything I thought I wanted," Tony said.
"Ohhh. What do you mean, Tony," asked Angela?
"Maybe I want more. Maybe I want less. You think I'm flipping out," Tony asked?
"I think maybe you're changing," Angela said, slightly laughing at Tony's analysis.
"Heeyy, I still like girls! I just don't know what kind," Tony said. "I want somebody I can talk to. You know, somebody I can kid around with. Someone that's got more in their life than just taking care of me. Somebody like …," he interrupted himself as he gazed for answers in Angela's eyes.
Frozen by Tony's gaze, Angela delicately suggested, "Meryl Streep"?
Paused with warm eyes, Tony continued to gaze into Angela's. Following her out-of-the-way response, he said, "Yeah, somebody just like her".
Oh yeah, he's been enlightened. But it wouldn't hurt for me to do better in the kitchen and maybe learn to knit, thought Angela.
"Well, I was just about to head upstairs to turn in when you walked in. Mother and Grover just went to her apartment. She's been rewatching herself in the parade all night," Angela said with a snicker of annoyance.
"Oh great, I missed the Mona Marathon," laughed Tony. Angela laughed too. "Well at least I caught you before you made it upstairs. Always nice to return home and be greeted with a smile and good conversation," Tony shyly stated.
"Ohh," Angela sheepishly responded holding her head down as she blushed. She looked back up at Tony and he was standing there gazing at her with a slight smile across his face. "Well, it's like I said, I'm actually shocked to see you tonight. I didn't think we'd hang out much this weekend, since you asked for 48 hours off to be in Brooklyn," Angela said.
"And it's like I said Angela, I thought I should come home in case there was a fire," joked Tony. "And according to you, lambchops are flammable. So, ah Ange, how'd ya set them on fire," asked Tony? He had a partial smirk but it was filled with him gloating out of her need for him. He just admitted that he loves to save the day for her.
"And somehow you think that's great that I burned dinner so you can save the day," she said. "If you must know, I'm not really sure. I tried to cook them like I've seen you and I followed the recipe. I used garlic and everything," Angela said.
"You used garlic, like I do. Humm. And I wonder how high you had the flame and what temperature did you heat the skillet to," Tony asked?
"What does that have to do with me using garlic like you," asked Angela?
"Well, now Angela, garlic is very combustible or flammable. Not so much the lambchops. Garlic is packed with so much natural oil, meaning it burns quickly. So, if you had the skillet too hot and cooked them in garlic too long, then I'm sure it set the meat on aflame," confirmed Tony.
"Oh, and it's just too bad you weren't here to save the day, or dinner. The kids, Mother, and I got McDonald's instead. I guess that's why we need Tony here, to uhm, make the save," she sarcastically stated. She tilted her head and stared up at him, with vulnerable eyes. Tony noticed, and became a bit nervous. He continued the conversation in a playful manner, to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, you're the Kitchen Klutz and I'm the Caped Culinary Crusader," teased Tony posing as a superhero, somewhat mimicking Superman. "I'm always looking for smoke signals to fly in and save the day," teased Tony.
"TON-NNYY," exclaimed Angela with a snarl. "That's so mean. But do you see why we need you here," she said more intensely, pausing the moment from poking at each other.
"You're right, I do. I won't leave you for a whole weekend like that again. Especially without prepared food you can simply re-heat in the microwave," Tony said smiling.
"Thank you, Caped Culinary Crusader," she teased with a smile. Well since we worked out all of our issues tonight, I guess I should turn in," Angela said.
"Do you have to? I mean, I'm home and you are, home. I'm assuming the kids are gone to bed, right," Tony inquired?
"Yes, that's right. Our kids have turned in for the night, Mother's in her apartment, and we are both, home," confirmed Angela in her husky voice. "So, what did you have in mind," she asked?
"And since we don't have to be anywhere early tomorrow as it's still the holiday weekend, maybe we can hang out. I don't know, have a night cap, play a game, finish our conversation. I donno, you got any ideas," Tony asked?
"Okay Tony. Let's hang out. We'll have a drink. I think there's some Sherry here. And we can play a game, a conversation game. Have you ever played, Two Truths and a Lie," Angela inquired?
"Probably not. But how about you grab the Sherry, I'll get a snack and a set up, and join you in a moment. Then you can teach me how to play," suggested Tony with a warm smile.
"Deal," Angela said with a smile. Angela went to her hide-a-way spot to grab the key to the liquor cabinet. She grabbed a bottle of Sherry and locked it back. Then she thought, why not play over here, by a nice cozy fire?" I'll ask him to start one when he comes in.
Tony was in the kitchen. He had the ice bucket and filled it with ice. He grabbed two goblets and two dinner napkins. He also put together a platter with seedless grapes, cheese, crackers, and a knife. He smiled at his quick display and headed out to the living room. Once he got to the living room, he noticed that Angela wasn't on the couch. The light was still out and she was sitting in one of the wingback chairs in front of the fireplace. The only light on, was in front of the front doorway.
"Tony, I thought we could hang out over here. In front of a fire. Would you mind starting one," asked Angela, trying to sound as helpless as possible?
"Sure Angela, I'll start a fire. Sounds like a good idea," Tony said gazing back into her eyes. Honestly, I think the fire is already burning. It's a slow burn, but it's lit, thought Tony.
Angela smiled back at him, as she slowly dropped her head and blushed. Tony placed the food tray on the cocktail table, and the bottle of Sherry on the tray. Then he began to tend to the fireplace. He wanted the mood to be more romantic, so he went to the hallway closet and got a huge blanket. Then he turned the light out at the front doorway and then joined Angela back at the fireplace. Tony pushed one wingback chair back and the cocktail table. He spread the blanket out on the floor in front of the fireplace and brought the tray down to the floor on top of the blanket.
Tony looked over at Angela, and extended his hand asking, "Will you join me?"
"Sure," she said smiling. She took Tony's hand and rose from the chair and lowered herself to the floor on top of the blanket to join him. She was careful not to disturb the tray. They both let out a sigh and slight giggle to lighten the mood between them. After the conversation they just had, they were both kind of flirty with one another. They knew what territory they were crossing, as they slowly adjusted into the mood of the moment.
Sitting on the blanket, Tony poured them both a glass of Sherry and then said, "I'd like to propose a toast". Angela took her goblet and smiled awaiting his toast. "To The Kitchen Klutz and The Caped Culinary Crusader," he said raising his glass to hers.
Angela raised her glass back to Tony's with a smile and laughed, "Yes, to The Kitchen Klutz, The Caped Culinary Crusader, and Meryl Streep."
"Yeah, and Meryl Streep," added Tony as he winked at her. She noticed his wink and it made her heart flutter and crimson fill her cheeks. They clung their glasses and enjoyed their first sips of Sherry.
"Now Angela, tell me how to play this game you suggested. Lies and Truths? We just use to call it Truth or Dare," Tony said.
"Oh no Tony," Angela said with a slight giggle. "Two Truths and A Lie. It's not the same as Truth or Dare. It's more conversational. See, we each give the other person three scenarios. Two have to be true and one has to be a lie. But your job is to make all three sound so believable, that the lie is hard to determine. The person listening in turn has to guess the lie. After the guesses are revealed, the person who stated the scenarios identifies the lie. Then you discuss both the truths and the lie. We can flip a coin to start," she suggested.
"How about ladies first," suggested Tony? "Then I can see how this game here goes and I can reciprocate next go round," he said.
"Okay, Tony. Fair enough. Let me see," said Angela as she took a nice gulp of Sherry. Tony spread some cheese on some crackers as she thought. Then she began. "First, my impromptu date with Harry Dolan, you know the guy I started a conversation with on a misunderstanding. I got really drunk at happy hour when he took me out for drinks after we met in the office. Second, I have a very interesting history of the type of housekeepers I've hired. Third, I have a better relationship with people I went to Yale with than the people I went to Harvard with. Now Tony Micelli, which statement is a lie," asked Angela? She unintentionally slid a cheese cracker in her mouth, drawing his attention to her mouth, her lips.
Dazed by the way her mouth took form over the cheese cracker, Tony was slightly oblivious to what she just said. He raised his glass and took a drink before he mumbled, "Did you just ask me which statement is not true?"
"Yes, Tony," she confirmed as he popped a couple of grapes in before taking a sip of more Sherry.
"Okay, let's see. I am confident that the statement about hiring interesting housekeepers is true, as I am the most interesting of them all," Tony teased as he winked and motioned his arms in the air. Angela smiled and laughed and nodded.
"One down, one to go," he said. "Okay, well, the other truth is," he said pausing to think. He knew Angela has awkward childhood memories and she was chunky at Yale and she lived with Trish Baldwin. Tony remembered smashing her at The Fairfield Inn, but then she dropped him like a sack of potatoes for an Ivy League ex beau that Angela was secretly in love with. So, he figured that undergraduate wasn't a great time for Angela, especially after he thought of all the things, she said Trish did to make her miserable and insecure. Then his thoughts shifted to Harry dating Angela and he got slightly jealous. Not serious, but slightly. But he had nothing to really get upset about since he was dating Wanda at the time. He was so wrapped up in her and all his lies, he never did get all the details on Angela's first date with Harry, except that he thought she was Rosie and she had a meeting with him as a potential client the following week. He didn't know much about her grad school life, except she graduated with honors from Harvard. Tony didn't hear any stories about those days, but hopefully they weren't as gory as undergrad days at Yale. He decided that, "Okay, Angela. Harvard was worst than Yale, meaning you got drunk with on your first date with Harry as the lie," said Tony feeling cocky of being correct.
Angela made a buzzard noise for wrong answer, "You are incorrect Tony. I win this round. I absolutely got drunk on my first date with Harry and Harvard was better than Yale for me," she said.
"What, how'd I miss that," he asked? "It must be the Sherry," he teased with a little laugh taking another gulp, knowing Sherry is like drinking Kool-Aid to him.
Laughing, Angela said, "Oh Tony. Truth is, I was so nervous with Harry because I tried to tell him twice that I wasn't Rosie. He kept cutting me off, because he was nervous about getting his nerve up to ask me out. At that point I was in too deep. But you know for me, that means I couldn't focus. I drank dry martini after dry martini. Then when I came home really tipsy, you had one waiting for me too. It was extra potent, just as I like them on Fridays at the end of the work week," she added. I didn't even do much work. I just went to lay down until you called me for dinner. And undergraduate at Yale was very hard for me. We've already hashed my time there. But when I went to Harvard, I was more secure as a woman. I had dealt with some things; you know like things about my dad's death and even experiences at Yale. When I enrolled at Harvard, I was more secure and you could say the status of my relationship with men had definitely expanded. It's during those years, that I met Michael. I was also in a grad chapter sorority and those ladies were more my speed. We're all really good friends still til this day. We have high end careers, so we are really busy. We try to write, but we haven't had time to visit each other a lot lately. Now you've seen how the game works, it's not that hard. And now it's your turn," said Angela taking another sip from her goblet, but it was empty.
"Wow. And I thought I knew ya. I guess I can learn something new every day. Yeah, the game doesn't seem hard, yet very interesting. Okay, my turn, now let me see," Tony said as he re-filled both their goblets with Sherry.
"Two lies and a Truth, how hard can this be," he pondered aloud? "Ok, okay, I got it. First, after you and I kissed at summer camp at Make-Out Rock, I snuck over to Camp Stuck Up one night and tried to sneak in Ingrid's cabin bunk because I was mesmerized by her, your lips and I wanted another kiss. But I ended up in the wrong bunk, the counselor Ingrid's cabin bunk and got sent back to my Y-Camp and disciplined. And that's why you never heard from Anthony again. Second, Dr. Cindy Muriel and I did run into each other out one day after that horrible altercation here at the house. We had dinner together. I agreed thinking I owed her, but she was just as much arrogant as she was that day, so I never saw her again afterwards. Third, my stock went up in Brooklyn after you had the fight with Teresa at Marty's Melody Room," said Tony. Taking a drink of Sherry, "So tell me Angela, which two statements are lies and which one is the truth," asked Tony grinning?
"Tony, you're suppose to tell me two truths and one lie. Not the other way around. So did you tell me two lies or two truths, I'm so confused," said Angela.
"Wait, so am I. Okay let me think," Tony said pondering. He reviewed in his mind the three statements he just made to Angela. He realized that he did what he was supposed to, he just stated it wrong. "I told you two truths and one lie, I just said that wrong," he said.
"Oh okay. You really said a mouth full here. Now let me see. Based on my experiences in Brooklyn year-to-date, especially this weekend in Brooklyn, I'm going with your stock went up after that horrid bar incident with Tugboat Annie," snarled Angela as she rolled her eyes and took a sip of Sherry. I mean, Gina came all the way from Jersey City to wait on you hand and foot for Thanksgiving weekend. She must have heard about you and wanted to make an investment," Angela sarcastically stated. Tony loved seeing her a bit jealous, it was a real turn on.
"And you love to flirt. And Mother's arrogant professor is another Italian beauty, refined, and educated, so you did have that random encounter with her that ended badly. Making the story from Kissing Rock, not Make-Out Rock, the obvious lie," said Angela with a smile as she popped in a couple grapes and smiled over the brim of her goblet before taking another sip.
"Hate to break it to you Ange, but you are wrong," Tony said.
"I'm wrong," exclaimed Angela scrunching her eyebrows in an uncomfortable shock and disbelief! That story from Kissing Rock has to be the lie, she thought!
Tony took a gulp from his goblet. "Yeah, Angela you're wrong. Now the question is, do you really want to know," he inquired?
"Of course, I want to know," Angela anxiously stated. "It's part of the game," she said taking a gulp of Sherry, batting her eyes. "Don't keep me waiting, do tell," she coyly said.
"Well, of course you know my stock in Brooklyn went up after my gorgeous, corporate executive boss from Madison Avenue, poured our drinks on the head of and then decked my ex-girl, a Pitken Avenue round the way chick. The guys all saw it, Mrs. Rossini saw it. The news traveled like wild fire. Teresa was so embarrassed that she quit working at Marty's and got a job somewhere else in the City, like the upper west side. Last I heard she was at a joint called Manny's; I think. Word is, Teresa is lurking at some high-end restaurant in the City as a manager, waiting for you to come in so she can pay you back," teased Tony laughing, as he drank more Sherry.
"Ha, ha, ha, very funny Tony. She gave me a black eye and I had a presentation the next day," said Angela with a pouty lip. Tony took his index finger and flicked her pouty lip. She gave a soft smile, then drank some more Sherry from her goblet.
"Yeah, she did, but I took real good care of ya. It cleared up, and didn't even leave a mark. Besides, you had a real good 1-2 story to tell at work, to the client, and it helped put the account in the bag," said Tony air pumping his fist. He looked over and noticed Angela frozen and mesmerized with him. He put his goblet down. With one hand he held Angela's face, and the other he used to begin caressing her cheek. Tony's thumb brushed below where she had the black eye and he smiled. "Humm, perfection! Not one blemish," Tony whispered.
Angela shivered at his caress. Even though she appeared froze, Angela felt her faculties become slightly impaired. But oh, did she desire Tony's touch! In attempt to progress the game, she meets his gaze, as they acknowledged their shared unspoken desire. Angela then whispered, "That's one truth." She took a deep breath and asked, "which is the second truth, Tony?"
Tony took a deep breath and said, "The lie is, I never saw Professor Cindy Muriel a day in my life after she left this house." Tony didn't say another word. He just sat and stared motionless at Angela after he spoke. Angela took a gulp of Sherry, finishing what was left in her goblet.
"You never saw Mother's professor again Tony," asked Angela raising her brows?
"Nope. Never," confirmed Tony as he killed the last couple of gulps of Sherry he had left in his goblet, still staring deep into Angela's eyes.
"Then that would mean that you snuck over to my camp to break into my cabin bunk to try to steal a kiss from me, but instead got caught by our counselor Ingrid because that's the name I had given you. You really ended up in my Counselor's cabin," Angela asked? Now she was motionless, staring back at Tony.
Tony blushed and dropped his head slightly. Then he said, "That would be correct Angela. That was the best 57 seconds of my life at the time and I wanted some more. The crime was well worth the time I served cleaning up our mess hall. In fact, Angela, I still want some more," Tony said extremely flirtatious with Angela.
"Well, I aim to please. I'm glad to hear I made quite the impression and you enjoyed yourself, so much that you risked it all coming back for more," Angela said smirking. "To-ny, that was over 20 years ago, I don't know how you could still think that you want, some more, after all this time," said Angela in an attempt to cool off the moment.
"Angela, you don't realize my dilemma. I had a refresher. I've kissed Ingrid, well you, as an adult and it has retriggered all my senses. I desire her lips, your lips," Tony said.
"Tony, you've been kissing Gina all weekend. And from what I saw, you ought to be tired. I'm very flattered, but I think we were supposed to just be playing Two Truths and a Lie, not acting anything out," Angela noted.
"I dare you to kiss me Angela," Tony said gazing into her eyes with all his desire.
"We're not playing that game. And this game is over. This was fun Tony, but I'm going to say Goodnight," said Angela. She motioned to get up, but she stumbled over and landed in Tony's lap.
Tony was happy to catch her between his legs and he wrapped his arms around her. Then he whispered in her ear, "I'm never going to let you go. Not until you kiss me goodnight," he teased.
"Oh my! TO-NY, this isn't funny. Now please, turn me loose. This has gotten out of hand," Angela sternly said as she pushed and tugged to break from Tony's embrace. Tony didn't let his hold on her go. He twisted and turned with her every move. His strong arms engulfed her and even though she wanted him to turn her loose, it felt amazing for him to be holding her so tightly.
"What's the password," Tony continued to tease as he refused to turn her loose from his embrace.
"You're fired is the password. Now release me Tony, please," Angela said forcefully, slightly raising her voice.
Tony was hurt that she chose to pull rank to end their game. He thought they were being playful and she was enjoying it. It made him feel less than and more of a subordinate than anything. He released her from his hold, and she rolled out of his lap on to the blanket. She then scrambled to get up and collect herself.
"I'm really sorry Tony. I didn't know what else to say to make you turn me lose. I just felt more restricted and since we've been drinking, I thought we were entering dangerous territory. You weren't cooperating when I asked, so I only said you're fired, just so you'd let me go. Please don't be mad at me Tony. I'm not blaming you; I know it's late, there is a fire, which was my idea, and we've both been drinking," Angela said.
"Oh no Angela. Don't piss on me and then turn around and tell me it's raining! You pulled rank, and you meant it. This was probably a mistake. I'm sorry, for thinking we were ready for something like this. I'll never let this happen again. I promise Boss," Tony said as he stood to gather their snack, goblets, ice bucket, napkins and knife on the tray. He put the fire out in the fireplace and gathered the blanket. Angela reached over and turned the light switch on against the staircase. She looked sad that she hurt him and she wanted to make it right. Tony took the tray and headed for the kitchen. Angela folded the blanket over a few times and placed it on the couch and headed in the kitchen. She felt like crap. He felt like crap. In the blink of an eye, they'd gone from playful flirting to defensive sarcasm and hurt feelings.
She wanted to try and make things right. She knew they couldn't end the night this way. So, without much of a plan, she entered the kitchen hoping something would come to her. Tony was at the sink, washing out the dishes they used. Even though he heard her come in to the kitchen, he didn't acknowledge her presence. Angela called his name, "Tony." But he didn't say anything, nor did he turn in response to her.
She called his name again, "TO-NY!" He still didn't brake away from doing the dishes in the sink or recognize her for calling his name.
This time Angela walked over to Tony and placed her hands on his shoulder blades. She motioned to turn his body away from the sink and towards her. Tony didn't fight her, he moved in the direction she motioned for him to turn. He leaned up against the sink with is back towards the window and stared in her eyes. He'd lost his optical glimmer; he had a hopeless gaze.
Angela moved in closer and stood on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to Tony's. In a natural response he enclosed the space between them by wrapping his arms around her waist, drawing her nearer. Their mouths magnetically synced as she drew her arms upward, locking them around his neck. Tony opened his mouth welcoming Angela's lips. She responded opening her mouth and a low moan slipped out. He sent his tongue across her lips in search of her tongue. Her hand tussled through his hair; he cupped her butt with his hands. The two of them held each other as they continued to kiss, unable to release each other. Tony's hands released her butt and caressed up and down her back. Only sneaking a breath in slightly in between positioning, they continued to passionately kiss one another in the kitchen. Tony's body was becoming overwhelmingly excited as they continued to kiss. But he didn't want to end their heated make-out session. Tony knew he needed to keep the momentum between them, so he lifted Angela up off the floor and sat her on the counter top. They continued to kiss each other deeper with more passion as time passed. Angela took her hands and cupped his face and continued to run her hand through his hair. Tony moaned in a whisper, "Oh, An-Gel-La!"
She moaned, "Humm," as she spread her legs and pulled him inward between them. She continued to kiss Tony, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her forearms rested on his shoulders, and her hands locked behind his neck. Tony then took one hand around her back and the other roused up and down her chest, caressing her breasts. Angela let out another soft moan, "Oh To-ny," as they continued to kiss. Tony knew he was approaching a full hard on and this wonderful make out session would have to end. He knew this wouldn't go any further to satisfy his full desire, so he'd probably have to manage himself soon in the privacy of his bathroom or bedroom.
Accepting reality of their lives, Tony then lifted Angela off the counter top, still with their lips locked. She didn't resist his lead. She wondered what would happen next, and would she or he resist. He pressed her against the counter and he began to reluctantly release her, still drawing back in for small butterfly kisses and pecks. He smiled at her, and she smiled back at him.
"Angela," Tony said panting. "I feel faint," he blushingly admitted.
"Oh yeah Tony," teased Angela. On the sly, Angela adjusted her wrist to view her watch.
Tony wiped her mouth and then his own. Then he said, "I think we set a new record Ingrid," he teased.
"We did, six minutes and thirty-four seconds," Angela excitingly said.
"Stop-watcher," Tony said dropping his jaw!
Laughing Angela said, "Yeah, so how does it feel to be stop watched?"
"It feels great," laughed Tony. Angela swatted at his arms as she laughed too. Then Tony started not to feel so great, particularly between his legs at the groin area. "Okay, Angela/Ingrid. You win this round. I enjoyed playing games with you tonight," he said.
"To-ny", exclaimed Angela! "And I'm sorry. You're definitely not fired. I never should have fought back like that. Do you accept my apology," she asked?
"That's how you apologize? Don't worry, all is forgiven. Now let's go to bed," said Tony smiling feeling the ache of his manhood stiffen.
"Excuse me Tony," Angela questioned?
"You know what I mean Angela," Tony sarcastically responded. He grabbed her hand and led her out of the kitchen, turning the light out with the other hand. He glanced over and saw that the fireplace was shut down. He quickly adjusted the wing back chair and cocktail table. Then he took her hand and they walked upstairs.
Tony walked Angela to her bedroom door and put his index finger against her lips. He looked back at the kid's doors, which appeared to be closed. He leaned in for one last kiss and she fully cooperated. Reluctantly he pulled away, mouthing the words, "Good Night".
Angela mouthed back to him, "Good Night Tony," and flashing him a blushing smile. She turned to walk in her room and close the door behind her sliding down the door to sit on the floor.
Tony turned to walk in his room and closed the door behind him. He ran to his shower, and turned on the water. He immediately stripped down completely and jumped in.
Angela smiled, knowing that she felt his bulge during their long make-out session. She knew exactly what he was doing and as much as she secretly desired to join him, and maybe even help him relieve himself, she settled in her mind that Meryl Streep, Ingrid, and Angela, had experienced quite the Thanksgiving weekend. It was the wee hours of the morning, and at the end of the day, she took solace in knowing that Tony wasn't obsessed with beautiful Italian women he knew from Brooklyn, or really the women he met in Connecticut, even the Italians. Well, there is this one woman he met in Connecticut. She seems to be reshaping his view on the type of girls he likes.
Meanwhile, Tony was concluding his shower. He handled himself and was ready for bed. In his head, he imagined Angela's body based on when he walked in on her coming out of her bathtub. He wished she'd walk in on him in the shower just once, and join him. Naturally, Tony's wild thoughts extended his shower longer than was probably necessary. Still, he was grateful for their playful banter and their passionate make-out session this evening. Even though Gina was great to reconnect with, Tony was gaining confidence that he was happy at home with the woman he lived with. She wasn't his woman, but it was beginning to feel like she should be. No woman seemed to compare to her and he was growing tired of all the others he was trying to date. Life as Tony knew it was becoming a trivial pursuit with any other woman, other than Angela.
Author's Notes 2.0:
All rights are reserved by the executive ownership of Who's The Boss?. I borrowed the dialogue, concepts, and characters for the purpose of creative writing.
For me, this episode is where Tony and Angela both were slapped with the reality that they each meant more to one another and they began to admit it to each other, in a round about way of course. I just added a little more to extend their evening together. I can't see all of what was developing between them ending with Meryl Streep. But it was a 30-minute sitcom.
This story was written Thanksgiving 2022 weekend and published shortly after. I hope everyone's holiday was wonderful.