Actual lines and scenes that should be familiar! However; and I am stating this in advance to ward off any later disappointment, there are no swan boats here. I'm sorry. If it helps, pretend that next year Tony and Angela spend the whole evening on the swan boats.

Angela paced. Back and forth, back and forth; so much so that the jeweler behind the counter was starting to worry she might wear a hole in the floor. As it was he was losing his patience, year after year he'd engraved bon mots and pithy sweet nothings on anything a customer presented to him; but never before had he seen anyone as indecisive as this woman. He couldn't figure out if she was this nervous all the time, or if this was just a momentary fear brought on by trying to put her feelings for this man into words. Whoever he was, he wished this man luck; if she was this capricious all the time, he was going to need it.

Angela was finding it difficult to commit to her plan of action. Her resolution to be honest with Tony was fine in the abstract; the reality was more problematic. Maybe the time still wasn't right? What if he simply didn't care for her in the way she cared for him? Declaring her own feelings would create an awkward situation around the house, to say the least.

Tony entered the store and Angela was startled; she'd run out of time. This was it, now or never. After Tony's short visit she hurried the jeweler to engrave: "It's time I said 'I love you'" on the watch. He complied as quickly as possible; if only to restore some peace to his store.

Home at last, Angela continued to fret about her present for Tony. She hid in her den and wrapped the watch, all the time worrying that it was too much and she shouldn't be so blatant. Even after she completed the wrapping, her misgivings about the possibilities of the evening continued to hound her. Finally, telling herself that she had weathered worse crises than this, she found the courage to leave her home office. She picked up her purse and the watch and headed to the living room, hopefully to see Tony; and no one else.

Unfortunately, it was not Tony who greeted her in the living room, it was her mother. Not being in much of a mood to humor the aura of presumptuous romance currently surrounding her mother, Angela's only choice was sarcasm, "Mother, I'm surprised to see you; no clambake tonight?"

"No dear, although I could make one up if you want to be alone with Tony."

This hadn't started well, "no," Angela said far too quickly.

Mona wanted to call her daughter on that lie; but the box she was carrying was far more intriguing, she aimed for that target instead, "what did you get Tony for your anniversary?" she asked, clearly wanting any and all details.

"Just...something."

"Something? Care to be a little more specific?"

"Not really."

Mona realized that this was going to take a little more maternal deviousness; Angela was grasping that box as though her life depended on it. "If you tell me, I'll tell you what Tony got you," she teased.

It worked, Mona could see Angela was intrigued. "I got him a watch," she answered warily, still clutching the box.

There had to be more to it than that, Mona thought, she wouldn't be that cagey about a watch, "may I see it?"

"Sorry, it's wrapped; you'll have to wait until I give it to Tony," Angela said, "if I ever manage to give it to Tony," she silently added.

"Very well, Angela; if you insist."

"I do."

"Fine," but it wasn't. Mona wanted to see the contents of that box more than she wanted a date for tonight. She wondered how Angela's reflexes were; if she made a grab for the gift, would Angela be able to escape before she nabbed it? It was a plan worth considering, Angela wasn't expecting any sort of attack from her own mother.

"Are you going to hold up your end of the bargain?" Angela prompted, a little annoyed.

"Hmm? What?" Mona's thoughts were still focused on the mysterious watch.

"What did Tony get me?"

"Oh that...I heard him say it was something you put on that's soft against your skin."

Angela was hooked, her thoughts scattered as she tried to unravel the mystery of Tony's gift to her. Try as she might though, she couldn't figure out the answer.

Mona was gratified to see her daughter so unnerved, she decided to have a little fun, "maybe it's lingerie, dear."

Angela was shocked, "No! Tony wouldn't...it's so personal," but then she changed her mind, "do you think it's possible?" The thought was tantalizing, but she didn't want to get her hopes up.

"Sure dear; first he buys you lingerie, then he wants you to try it on and then he wants to take it off."

"Mother!"

"Sorry, I forgot, that's my life."

Angela shook her head, if her mother was correct, and if Angela bothered to examine her feelings closely, she would see that she hoped her mother was; then her inscription on the watch wasn't too explicit. Angela sat on the couch, nervously tapping the box on her knee. Mona watched like a lioness stalking her prey; poor wounded antelope Angela, Mona pounced, snatching the box out of Angela's grasp faster than Angela could react.

Mona escaped from the couch and headed to the front door.

Angela rose from the couch and demanded, "Mother, you give that back right now or I'll..."

"You'll what, dear?"

"I'll cut off your charge account at Bloomingdale's!"

That was indeed quite a threat, but Mona wasn't going to be intimidated. "Was is it about the watch you're trying to hide, Angela?"

"Nothing," Angela answered, hoping she was being casual enough so that her mother wouldn't see her formulating the plan to grab the watch back. She wasn't, her mother could see her overly studied nonchalance; in defense, Mona put the watch behind her back. Angela was only further infuriated by the tactic.

"If it's nothing then why won't you let me see it?"

"It's Tony's present, he should see it first."

"Don't be absurd; it's your duty as my daughter and as a woman to let me see it first."

"What? That doesn't even make sense."

"It doesn't have to make sense, I just have to see it."

"No, you don't." And with that Angela made a move to recover the watch from her mother; she lunged forward, throwing her arms around her mother; Mona tried to escape, but Angela got a hand on the box and wouldn't let go.

From across the room they heard, "hello, ladies." Tony had entered the living room carrying a big box, which he placed on the coffee table. A box too big for lingerie, Angela noted, somewhat disappointed. Unless it was a lot of lingerie, but she really didn't think Tony was going to go that route. At least, not yet; someday, she hoped. There was that 'someday' again. Not 'someday' anymore: today, she had to keep reminding herself, there would be no more 'someday'.

Mona gave up the struggle and released the watch to Angela. Angela pulled away from her, holding the box and giving her a triumphant glare. Mona smirked in return.

"Hello, Tony, happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary to you too, Angela. And to you too, Mona."

"Don't bother with me, it's not my anniversary, remember I met you the day before. You should have given me a present yesterday."

"Mother; today is the anniversary, stop arguing semantics."

"Fine, give Tony his present." Mona pushed Angela towards Tony.

"I will if you stop being such a nag about it."

"Me? A nag?" Mona asked overly innocently.

Angela could have rolled her eyes, but just let her mother's sarcasm go with an,"at the moment, yes."

"Ladies, could we save the arguing for later; trust me, there will be plenty of time."

"Sorry, Tony," she turned and glared at her mother who just shrugged.

Tony gave Mona a 'will you behave?' look as well, then turned his attention to Angela, "c'mon Angela, open your present," he said.

Angela was thrilled by the anticipation of an anniversary gift, she put the watch down on the coffee table, as far away from her mother as she could place it. Her expectations high, she then lifted the lid off the box to find...seat covers. Not at all what she had anticipated. Covering her disappointment, Angela remarked on how soft they were. It seemed to have worked because Tony looked very pleased with his gift, pointing out to her the advantages of the seat covers and reminding her of how much she admired his own. Angela silently cursed herself for ever mentioning the seat covers. Her hopes dashed, she thanked Tony; but inwardly was reeling. How could she give him that watch now? She couldn't.

Mona was scrutinizing her daughter for every tiny clue she could glean from her manner of being. That she was disappointed with the seat covers was obvious to her; if not to Tony. This reaction only made her more interested in just what was so special about the watch still in its box. There had to be something, and she was going to find out what it was. "Give Tony his present," she prodded.

Angela frantically grabbed the box and put it behind her back, "no!" she said emphatically, then started babbling, "you see it comes with an attachment and the attachment didn't come."

Mona was fascinated. Angela had been ready to give Tony this watch; but the seat covers had completely smothered her enthusiasm for the gift. She was going to find out why, even if it did cost her the Bloomingdale's charge account.

"I don't care," Tony answered.

"He doesn't care," Mona pushed.

"I care, I just want it to be perfect, ok?"

"Ok. You sure?" Tony asked.

"I'm sure," desperate to change the subject, Angela asked, "so, where are we going tonight?"

Tony, feeling he was on a roll, cheerfully teased, "oh, someplace very special to us."

Angela, visions of a quiet evening for two suddenly back in her head, felt her heart skip a beat; maybe this evening would work out after all.

Then Tony announced they were going to the carnival, and she was right back where she started. Giving the idea a few moments thought, she decided it might not be so bad after all, maybe they could slip away to the Ferris wheel or someplace even more secluded. All hope was not lost.

Mona was still watching Angela like a hawk; in between feigning surprise, that is.

The kids arrived and everyone rushed out to the car, leaving Angela alone. Suddenly very depressed at the lack of a romantic evening, and barely clinging to the faintest glimmer that she might still yet salvage the evening, she touched the watch box to her lips in a gesture crushed dreams. Then she tucked the gift into her purse, trying to ignore the metaphor of her once again putting her feelings away into a dark and lonely place, and joined the rest of the family in the car.

At the fair, Angela grew more and more dissatisfied. Tony barely paid any attention to her at all; he seemed more interested in keeping Sam's new (or was that old?) boyfriend in line. She couldn't even take any joy from him winning a stuffed animal for her since he'd already won one for the rest of the party, and she was almost an afterthought to him. Her mood was spiraling from romantic to subdued to sullen faster than Tony could knock down milk bottles with a baseball. Although she loved her family, she wanted to spend the anniversary alone with Tony. She was tired of their routine; tired of waiting, tired of not knowing if they were ever to have a more intimate relationship. Hadn't she been patient long enough?

Then Mrs. Rossini showed up; of course. Someday she'd have to thank her mother for throwing herself on the grenade, dragging Mrs. Rossini and the kids away so she and Tony could be alone. It was obvious to Angela that her mother fervently wanted her to be alone with Tony tonight; unfortunately to Angela's mind, it didn't seem like Tony wanted to be alone with her. They wandered the midway, Tony wary; Angela was being very quiet tonight and he wasn't sure why.

"So, what do you want to do? Get something to eat? Ride rides?" he asked, trying for any response whatsoever.

"Whatever you want to do is fine."

"Angela, come on, that's not like you."

He was right. Angela had to pull herself out of this mood; here she was on the midway with her favorite guy, she even had the requisite stuffed animal, she should be happy; but she wasn't. She could see she was making him miserable as well. She looked around and smiled, barely a smile, but it was better than nothing, "how about the Ferris wheel?" she suggested. The second after she said it she regretted it, putting herself on one of the tallest rides at the fair probably wasn't the wisest choice she had ever made; but with Tony with her, she could handle the height, couldn't she? She steeled herself and smiled a tight smile.

That was more like it. Tony agreed and they headed toward the ride. Angela never realized before just how small the seats on a Ferris wheel were. So here there were, both where they wanted to be and yet neither could find the words. Tony was still trying to figure out why Angela was so distant tonight; he thought back, trying to understand why she was barely speaking to him. He couldn't think of anything she would be mad at him for. He really thought the street fair was a good anniversary idea and was disappointed that she didn't seem to be having a good time.

Angela kept trying to come up with a conversation starter; any conversation starter. She clutched her purse, inwardly struggling with it. She wasn't going to have a better opportunity than this; they were alone. All she had to do was pull the watch out of her purse and give it to him. Simple. Then why was her hand was making no move to retrieve the watch? Fear; fear so cliché she should just ignore it; but one thought gripped her mind: If he rejected the sentiment on the watch she'd have no where to run to; they were committed to the end of the ride. It could be uncomfortable to say the least if they were stuck there going around in circles trying to ignore each other. But, Angela reflected, hadn't they been going around in circles for years?

"So..." Tony said, startling Angela.

"So..." Angela answered, tapping on her purse.

"Nice night out," Tony grasped at any straw of a subject, but even he had to admit to himself that discussing the weather was trite.

"Yes," Angela said far too quickly; which left them at another silent impasse. They may have been silent, but the midway was a million sounds combining to create enough noise to drown out their silence. Unfortunately for Angela, the melody of a song she hadn't thought about in years was blaring its way through the loudspeakers; its insistent beat hounding her:

Tell him that you're never gonna leave him

Tell him that you're always gonna love him

Tell him

Tell him

Tell him

Tell him right now.

Angela clutched her purse even more tightly. Tony noticed this and wondered if she was all right, he hoped she wasn't becoming queasy. No, she wasn't feeling sick, at least not in a physical sense; but her head was spinning. Her thoughts were frantic, was the song a sign? Could anything be more blatant? It was silly really, just because this one particular song happened to be playing at this particular moment, when she and Tony were in what could be construed as a romantic setting and she had a watch for him in her purse; it didn't mean anything, did it? Angela was overwhelmed.

For his part, Tony hadn't noticed the song at all, he was more concerned about Angela to pay attention to any stray noise from the midway, "Angela, are you ok?" he asked, worried.

She smiled too brightly, "fine," desperate for any conversation other than the one they needed to have the most she said, "it was nice to see Mrs. Rossini again." There, that was better; she'd banished the song. After all, it was just a song. Wasn't it?

Tony agreed, "I'm surprised Mona volunteered to spend time with her. Do you think she's feeling all right?"

Angela laughed a very small laugh, "it's Mother, maybe the cotton candy has gone to her head."

Tony smiled.

And they were both silent again. The wheel stopped to allow more passengers to board. Angela glanced over the midway, the lights of the other rides combined with the multicolored streamers of lights strung across the midway to create a Christmas like effect. It was very pretty and Angela was lost in thoughts of the holidays and how happy the season had been for her since Tony had become part of her life.

"Are you cold?"

Had Tony somehow read her mind? How could he have known she was thinking about December? Of course he hadn't known her thoughts, he was just grasping at another straw.

"No," Angela answered, absently, then chastised herself for giving the wrong response. That was her best chance to have Tony put his arm around her and she'd ruined it. Now what was she going to do? She sighed, angry at herself, her courage was gone, her wishes for tonight evaporated with it.

Tony was at a loss, when Angela had suggested the Ferris wheel he thought it might be because she saw an opportunity for togetherness. Her rejection left him puzzled. Did she want a closer relationship or not? He had no idea. Perplexed by her behavior, he decided to give up for the night. It was almost midnight now, the fair would be closing soon, and try as he might he wasn't any closer to understanding the current enigma that was Angela.

The wheel started to turn again; most of the couples it carried were happily cuddled up together, but Tony and Angela were too lost in their own insecurities to bridge the very small gap that currently separated them. Their ride soon came to an end. They met up with the rest of the family and returned home.

Sam left for the dorm as quickly as she could; but not before exchanging looks with Jonathan and Mona, as much as they didn't want to admit it, they could see another meeting of their Club would be required. Jonathan also sent himself to bed quickly, hoping that by leaving Tony and his mom alone they might actually make some progress. He knew it was a long shot since they hadn't been able to make any progress so far tonight, but he reasoned that the more opportunity they had, the better. Mona left in disgust, but hid it well.

Tony and Angela locked up and headed to the upstairs landing.

"Good night, Angela, happy anniversary," Tony attempted one last chance for a conversation with Angela.

"Good night, Tony, happy anniversary." with that she slipped into her room, shutting out Tony and the rest of the world.

Angela slumped against the door of her room, she looked around and sighed. The room was dark and empty; here she was sleeping alone; again. She was angry; angry at Tony for messing up plans he didn't even know she had, angry with her mother because she was so obviously trying to get them together tonight; but when she examined her feelings a little more she admitted that she was only angry with herself for once again letting the opportunity slip by.

Angela pulled her purse off and sat down on the side of her bed. She pulled the watch box out of her purse, ripped off the wrapping paper and opened it. The watch mocked her in its cold serenity; there it was precisely ticking away the seconds while she was in turmoil. She snapped the lid shut and cried.

Tony watched the door close and wondered what was going through Angela's mind. He retreated to his own room where he thought about the state of their relationship. Did they have a future together? Did he even want a future with Angela? The second question shocked him; he'd always considered it a given, someday. But didn't their continual mutual silence on the subject speak volumes? He sat down on the side of the bed, suddenly very troubled about his future. Where would he go after he graduated? He'd have no concrete reason to be here anymore, other than Jonathan, but phone calls would be sufficient for any advice Jonathan would need at this point in his life. So why would he stay?

Now greatly disturbed, he took a long look at his past with Angela. Was there ever a moment when she'd intimated she cared about him as more than a friend? The answer was an obvious, yes. Did he still care about her? Of course he did, how could he even question this? Now he was left with one more question: what to do? Normally he and Angela were in sync, but tonight she seemed as remote as the moon. What responsibility did he have in that and how would he go about correcting it? He didn't like the distance between them tonight; even on the Ferris wheel they might as well have been on different sides of the Atlantic.

Dare he actually say the words? Words they had so studiously avoided, ignored and shoved into the darkest regions of their souls whenever they tried to surface? Maybe it was time. It was a terrifying thought; but maybe they had reached a point where not being together was more terrifying. Tony was exhausted, but the decision was made: it was time. Feeling a more relieved than anything else he changed for bed and was asleep two seconds after his head hit the pillow.

Angela dried her tears, this was getting her nowhere. She had to look at the situation calmly and rationally. Tonight didn't work so she had to formulate another plan; one she couldn't back out of. But what? Angela pulled herself together enough to walk over to her dressing table and sit down.

They'd grown so used to the status quo of their relationship that Angela wasn't sure if they would even be able to adjust at this point. Was it even possible for them to be more to each other? Or had they lost their opportunity through neglect and denial? She loved him, she knew that; but did he love her? Had he ever loved her? She thought back over the years trying to find any shred of evidence that she could claim as proof of his love. So many examples presented themselves in her mind, but she dismissed them all as proof of friendship only. He'd never actually said, "I love you," at least not without the help of very good medication.

Angela's thoughts stopped. It was so obvious she was stunned she hadn't considered it before: their second anniversary. If Tony could use a page from their past, why couldn't she?

Had it really been five years since that very important night? That night which started the unspoken: 'There's Something There But The Risk Is Too Great To Discuss It, So We'll Just Ignore It, Even Though The Truth Is Obvious To Everyone' policy. She wondered where the time had flown to. They'd had five years of a great friendship that afforded her some of the most wonderful moments of her life, yet also interspersed with some of the most painful experiences of her life. Overall it was the most profound relationship she had ever been in, Tony was the one person she could count on more than anyone, more than even her own mother. She needed him, she wanted him, she treasured him in a way that she had never cared for anyone before.

The more she thought about it the more she realized how significant that night was. There was a part of her that had always been sorry they never had their chat by the fireplace, but this was countered by the knowledge that what they did establish that night might have been even better. Something had been acknowledged, even if they wouldn't act on the feelings, from that night forward Angela had those words to cling to whenever she felt lonely.

Still, there was that sense of unfinished business. What might have happened had they actually had that chat? Would they have come to an understanding then? Or would they have once again backed away from declaring their true feelings for each other when confronted? It was a question she had turned over in her mind from time to time in the ensuing years, never once coming to a satisfactory conclusion.

Now was the time, they'd been through enough and it was time for her to stop denying the truth. There would be no more unspoken feelings, no more sublimated desire, just the two of them picking up where they left off five years ago. She'd surprise him with dinner tomorrow night, hoping that this time no one would wind up in the hospital.