Two on a Train
As always, all the credit goes to the amazing WTB cast, crew, writers and staff. This takes place early in season 7, while Tony is dating Kathleen and Angela is with Andy.
Early Wednesday morning, Tony was busy in the kitchen making the family's breakfast. He was also making dinner for the family as he had a date in the city with Kathleen. He had bought Broadway tickets and made reservations at an Italian restaurant near the theater. Normally he wouldn't have made plans on a school night, but he was able to get discounted tickets.
Jonathan and Angela walked through the swinging door and sat down at the table. Tony had placed a glass of orange juice and coffee at Angela's spot and an empty plate by Jonathan's spot.
"Good morning Tony! It smells wonderful in here! You don't normally make dinner this early. What's the occasion?" asked Angela as she sipped her coffee.
"I… I have a date tonight with Kathleen and won't be home for dinner. I'm going to have it ready in the fridge to reheat when everyone gets home tonight" he said, trying not to make too long of eye contact with Angela.
"Oh… that sounds nice Tony. Where are you going?" she asked, trying to feign interest and continue the conversation.
"Uh… dinner and a Broadway show. I was able to get cheap tickets. So Angela, feel free to reheat this lasagna in the oven, 350F for half an hour, uncovered. Otherwise, just take a piece and put it in the microwave for two minutes okay?" he asked.
"I think I can manage Tony" she said as she finished her drinks and stood up to put them in the sink.
"And if not, I'll be stopping for pizza!" laughed Jonathan as he continued eating the breakfast Tony had placed on his plate. He quickly glanced away as both Tony and Angela gave him a death stare.
"Good morning family!" said Mona as she floated into the kitchen, stopping to eat off of Jonathan's plate.
"Grandma! Get your own plate!" yelled Jonathan as he pulled his plate away from her, shoving the rest of his breakfast in his mouth and putting the plate in the sink. He stuck out his tongue at Mona before heading out the door.
"You're in a good mood Mona! Your date last night turn into a breakfast one?" asked Tony with a laugh.
"Don't you know… I heard you have a hot date tonight too. Don't do anything I wouldn't do now…" said Mona as she grabbed a muffin from the counter.
"Mother! We need to head out soon or we will miss the train. I'm going to finish getting ready and I'll meet you in the car. Tony, have a good night tonight. See you later or… tomorrow morning" she said as she walked out of the kitchen.
Tony tried to busy himself with tidying up the kitchen, trying to block out the vision of Angela's hurt expression whenever he brought up Kathleen. That's why he tried not to mention her often. He knew she tried to hide it, but he knew better. He hoped she was happy with Andy… well, not too happy.
"So Tony, dinner and a show… on a Wednesday. Things must be getting pretty serious between you two. What's next? Meeting her parents? Picking out china patterns?" she smirked.
"Mona! It's not that serious! I got a good deal that's all! Now, butt out would ya?" he said as he went back to forcibly washing the dishes.
"If you say so… looking forward to hearing all about it Tony…" she said as she took the muffin to go, walking out the back door.
Angela opted to head out the front door and jumped into the driver's seat. She always felt a sense of strength, of self-confidence when she sat in the driver's seat. She took a few deep breaths as she tried to shake the uneasy feeling she had after her conversation with Tony. Things seemed to be getting more and more serious with her… she hated to say her name. She didn't hate her, but she didn't like her either. If she was to be honest with herself, she was more angry at herself for allowing her expectations to get out of hand with Tony. If she was really being honest with herself, she'd have to admit she was angry at Tony. Irate at Tony. Furious at Tony… but those thoughts were only reserved for her true alone time in bed or in the shower. The times she allowed herself to unravel, allowing the tears she'd held back all throughout the day to fall freely. This was neither the time nor the place for these thoughts as Mona opened the passenger side door and sat down, dropping all her stuff all over the car.
"Mother! Can't you try and be a little neat in the car? Tony just had the jag cleaned and now there are muffin crumbs everywhere!" she shouted.
"Take it easy there Angela! What is it with this family today? Did everyone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" said Mona as she half heartedly tried to clean up her mess.
"Never mind Mother. We are going to be late" she said as she backed out the driveway. Traffic was light for the morning rush hour and Angela got a spot close to the station, slightly improving her mood. It was a perfect early autumn day, the sun shining, the leaves still green not yet turned to the beautiful colors of fall. Angela couldn't help but stop and take in the beauty of the day as the train slowly pulled into the station. Mona was able to find two seats towards the front of the train and Angela sat down beside her, not even minding that Mona took the window seat.
"Okay Mother, I want to review some of these files with you on the new clients we just signed. I'm thinking we need to take a different approach with this new potato chip company. I don't think the same tactics will work that I used with the Guacamunchies campaign" she said as she pulled a bunch of papers out of her briefcase.
"Oh Angela… lighten up! Relax and take a load off for once in your life! All you do is work- on the train, at the office, back on the train, at home. You need to take a chapter from my book and learn to live a little!" said Mona.
"Mother, the only chapters in your book are R-rated! I'm perfectly happy with my life as it is, thank you very much. I don't work all the time, if you have to know. Andy and I just came back from a lovely evening out last weekend and we have plans this coming weekend" she said as she kept flipping through her paperwork.
"I'm not sure I'd consider Mr. Personality I mean Andy as having fun, but who am I to judge. Life's too short Angela, that's all I am saying. And if the reaction I saw on your face when we were talking about Tony and his date this evening is any indication of how actually happy you are, then there's more to talk about, don't you think?" asked Mona.
"Mother, what Tony does or doesn't do is none of my concern. He is free to go to dinners, Broadway shows, meet her parents, go away for the weekend or anything else he sees fit to do. He's a big boy- he made his bed and now he can sleep in it!" she said, letting a rare moment of her real, raw emotions come through. Mona saw this and pounced all over poor Angela.
"Angela! That's some pretty strong words for Tony. Can I make an assumption there's something else going on here? C'mon Angela! Ever since we got back from Jamaica last year, the two of you were like love sick puppy dogs around each other. The electricity alone could light up a small city. Then bam! He goes off and sleeps with another woman. Now, you two can barely be in the same room together without it being awkward. You have got to be livid, if you are in fact related to me…" she said.
Angela just stared down at her hands, not knowing what to say. Of course she was right… about everything. She was having a nice time with Andy, but that was about it. She wasn't in love, not with him at least. Maybe she could see herself with him if circumstances were different, but as she had to remind herself almost daily, they were not.
"What do you want me to say Mother? Yes, I like Andy. He's a nice guy and we have fun together. Do I love him? Do I see myself being with him long term? I… don't know. Yes things have been tense between Tony and I but we will be fine… eventually. We have to be… I can't lose him…" she said as tears threatened to fall.
"And why is that Angela, hmm? Could it be because you're in love with him? Is it because you spent the past six years building a life together with the obvious conclusion to everyone with a brain that the two of you would end up together? Because he broke your heart Angela and it still breaks every time you see him or are reminded of the horrible choices he made?" she asked, with more than a hint of compassion in her voice.
Angela could no longer hold back her tears as she quickly wiped her eyes. She wasn't sure what was making her cry more, the truthful words being spoken or the very rare show of love and affection she was receiving from her mother.
"Yes okay! Yes, yes and yes! Yes I love him! Damn it we talked about getting married! And then he goes and sleeps with someone else! Not just sex, but he enters into a relationship! How could he when we have the history that we do? Am I just supposed to sit back and wait for him to come to his senses? What if he never does? What if I lose him forever?" she says as she finally looks over at Mona.
"The real question is, why are you telling me this? Shouldn't you be telling Tony? I think you will be surprised he's feeling many of the same feelings you are, well maybe some shame and regret verses anger and sadness. Talk to him Angela! You owe it yourself, to Tony" she said.
"To Tony? Tony! I don't owe anything to Tony!" she practically shouted, as other commuters began to stare at them.
"I'm getting up and using the restroom. I suggest when I get back this conversation is considered over" she whispered to Mona, with anger still very evident in her voice.
"Whatever you say dear…" said Mona as she looked out the window.
Angela stood up and walked to the restroom sliding door. No way would she ever use the bathrooms on the train unless she was desperate, but she needed some space. She took a quick look in the mirror and assessed the damage. She definitely needed a good touch up of her makeup and quickly took out her makeup bag. After a reapplication of her eyeshadow, blush and lipstick, she grabbed her things and headed back out. The train would be arriving in a few short minutes. She headed back to her seat, having to make her way through a crowd of people that gathered near the exit doors, anticipating the train's arrival. As she got back to their seats, Mona was standing up, making eye contact with a gentleman standing by the doors.
"Since our conversation is over, I think I will find someone else to… engage in conversation. I'll see you at the office Angela" she said as she made her way to the front of the train.
Angela moved over to the window seat and looked out at the upcoming station. She tried to put the morning's events out of her mind and concentrate on her work day ahead. As the station came into view, Angela had a fleeting thought that the train was moving faster than normal, being this close to the station. She looked around and saw some other passengers with the same confused, worried looks on their faces. She turned back to the window just as she saw the station platform speed by, followed by a loud crash and screaming. And then it went black…
To be continued…