She had fallen asleep when they entered the highway. Tony glanced at her. From his seat he could only see the delicate features of her profile. Her head was slightly tilted on her right shoulder and her hands were laying on the sides of her stomach. He remembered how Marie used to do that when she was expecting Samantha.

When he felt her move a little on her seat, Tony tried to return his attention to the road. He yawned and put his hand against the heater in an attempt to warm up faster. He then lowered the volume of the radio. He didn't want to wake her up yet but the warmth of the heater was making him sleepy and he had to find a way to concentrate. He tried to focus on what the speaker was saying. He knew the way to Connecticut anyway. There was no need to bother her. He felt better thinking she wouldn't have to spend the night at the hotel. She would be much more comfortable at home. She had to take care of that baby. Tony put his signal on and quit the highway.

" Ah... Tony ? " He turned his head. " Oh hi. I didn't know you were up. " He smiled at her but she looked concerned.
" Tony, I don't think you took the right exit.
- Yes, I did. It's not the first time I drive to Connecticut, ya know. Oh I love that song " He began to tap on the steering wheel.
" Tony, I'm telling you. I think it was the next exit.
- And what makes you think that ?
- Because I don't recognize this one " she shrugged.
" So ? It just means you never tried that exit. There's not just one way to Connecticut. " She didn't seem to be convinced.
" Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.
- Well that's still the wrong exit.
- Hey, Angela, give me a little credit here. I'm a professional baseball player. I spent enough time on the roads.
- Still... " she mumbled.
He sighed. " Look, Angela, even if I took the wrong exit we'll find another road to catch up.
- You're right. Here's an intersection. Turn on the left.
- Fine. " Said Tony trying to stay calm. He turned.
" No, no, the other one !
- What ? But you told me to turn on the left !
- Yes ! The other left !
- In most countries the other left is called the right, Angela. Next time let me chose, okay ?
- Fine. Have it your way. " she pouted.

After 20 minutes when they still hadn't found any sign mentioning Fairfield, Angela decided to take the map from the door of the van, despite Tony's protests that he would get them out of here in no time.
" Okay, we should see a turn on our right side in a few minutes...
- The real right or your right ?
- Very funny... We should see it at any moment now.
- Finally ! Madonna Mia !
- I'll have you notice that we wouldn't be here if you hadn't quit the highway so early !
- Well you're not exactly the greatest copilot either, ya know !
- Instead of blaming me you should have paid more attention because we missed the turn.
- Angela, there was no turn on our right side.
- Well it should have been there...
- Great. Now you're tellin' me that roads disappear ?
- That's not my fault if your map is old ! " she exclaimed.
" Hey, my map isn't old ! Gimme that ! " he slowed down to take a rapid look at the map.

" Angela ! " he grunted " Of course we didn't find your turn ! You got the map upside down ! "
Realizing her mistake she quickly took it back and grumbled " If you have to be so fastidious... "
Tony rolled his eyes.

They spent another 10 minutes driving in silence without meeting any intersections, to Angela's despair.
" Well, seems like we're heading to California... How about spendin' Christmas defrostin' on the beach ? " asked Tony half jocking, half exasperated. Angela run her fingers through her hair and sighed. His voice softened " Hey, relax, I'm just kiddin' around. As long as you don't see a sign that reads Welcome To Mexico, there's no need to panic. " He managed to make her smile but it quickly faded as they realized they were now surrounded by fields and there were practically no habitations in sight. " Alright, I'm gonna pull over and take our bearings. "

Tony turned the ignition off and they both took a look at the map. After a few arguments, Tony guessed where they had landed. " Well, if everything goes right we should reach Connecticut in about... 2 hours " he checked his watch " which means you'll be home between 00 and 1 am. "

Angela opened her eyes wide. He was a little uncomfortable. " I'm sorry. I'm the one who insisted to drive you home... " " No, no, that's my fault. I shouldn't have accepted. And I'm the one who's sorry. I yelled at you while you were kind enough to drive me home... Thank you. " " That's okay " " No, really. I feel bad. You won't be home until tomorrow morning because of me. " " Hey, cut the apologies, Angela. I'm the one who offered to give you a ride home, right ? " " Well yes but it's partly my fault if we took this detour, I... " " Okay, okay ! We're both to blame " he concluded, trying to prevent the new flow of apologies he felt coming. " Still. That was very nice of you. I don't know what's wrong with me lately I'm a little bit on edge. " she said, even though she knew fully well what was wrong. She slowly massaged her temples.

" Let's say we are both tired and got a tiny bit carried away " Tony offered. She looked at him and smiled. He smiled back but quickly averted his eyes and turned his attention to his hands folded on his laps. A thought suddenly crossed her mind. " What about your wife ? She must be worried. " Tony stiffened on his seat " That's okay. Don't worry 'bout it. " he mumbled, hoping she would leave it here. " Are you sure ? Maybe you could call her from my house. " she insisted, oblivious to his discomfort. " No, really that's fine " he said firmly. " But at least you could ... " " Angela, please ! Just give it up. " scolded Tony, irritated.

Angela looked at him with surprise. He turned his head and starred through the window. Angela was speechless. What did she say to make him so upset ? Embarrassed, she just waited in silence.

Why didn't he tell her about Marie when she had mentioned her at the park ? Well, after all she was a stranger. That was none of her business. Still... Tony was unsatisfied. He couldn't find a good reason for lying to her. He hadn't lied to his friends, or even the cashier at the market. Yes. But with Angela it seemed different. Different ? Really ? How ? What was so special about her ? How could he judge her while they had only met a couple of hours ago ? There's something about her, Micelli and you know it. No, no, that was stupid. He sighed, frustrated and angry. Afraid that those thoughts could lead to something he'd better not consider.

After a few minutes, Tony, still looking through the window, decided to break the silence. " My wife has been dead for over a year " he finally said quietly. He had been so careful to say it without any sign of emotion that his voice sounded strangely flat and dull to him.

Angela put her hand over her mouth but kept quiet. Of all the reasons that had crossed her mind the last few seconds this was probably the only one she hadn't thought about. He was so young ! That wasn't fair, she thought, revolted. And what about his little girl ? Samantha, right ? Tony and herself were probably the same age. How would she feel if Michael wasn't here anymore ? He was absent most of the time. Okay. And lately he had been acting like a real jerk. Okay. But to actually lose him for good...

Angela studied his face as he stared in the night. At first it seemed unreadable. But she knew he was trying to hide his feelings, whatever they were and that was why his face had this dull expression. She wasn't fooled. His hand on his right leg was clenched into a fist, tendons standing out under his skin. She didn't know what to say and was afraid of making another mistake but she needed to comfort him. She reached out her hand and timidly placed it over his. Surprised, he turned to looked at her but to Angela's relief he didn't jerk his hand away. The cold, unexpected contact sent shivers down their spine. She felt his muscles tighten under her touch but eventually he relaxed, opened his hand and softly squeezed her fingers.
He was fine. Really.

Tony stared in her eyes as if he was trying to understand something about her, something capital that would explain everything. But he couldn't find it, it was too soon. So he just gave her an hesitant, though grateful smile. That was enough. There was no need to say I'm sorry out loud... or even thank you.

Steam had formed a white screen on the windows since Tony had cut the heater off with the ignition. He felt her fingers slowly warming up in his hand. The moment starting to be a bit awkward, Tony gently slipped his hand from hers. At the sudden loss of contact, Angela shivered a little. " You cold ? " Tony asked quietly but with genuine concern. He turned around on his seat to take a blanket from the back of the van and leaned to wrap her in it. He pulled back a little but left his hand linger on her shoulder just a little longer than he should have. He tucked a blond lock of hair behind her ear. His face was close to hers and he glanced down quickly at her lips. Angela held her breath.