Chapter Seven: On A Pedestal

Thursday, October 25, 1990

Angela had managed to spend all of Sunday afternoon with Andy and upon her return home, it was obvious to Tony what they were doing. He became short tempered, which just encouraged her to work late Monday, see Andy Tuesday night, and even spend half the night at Andy's Wednesday. Tony had confronted her angrily on Tuesday, so she wasn't surprised that when she snuck back into the house at 3am on Thursday morning, he was waiting for her again.

"It isn't like you to be out so late. And it really isn't like you to come home so...disheveled."

"I'm allowed to enjoy my relationship with Andy, aren't I? It's not like we're making out on the couch here. I guess we just lost track of time."

"Have you thought about how Jonathan is going to feel when he sees you do the walk of shame?" he asked rhetorically, and retreated to his room. He was so jealous of Andy that he failed to delve into the situation with Sam.

After a few hours of sleep, Angela got ready for work and packed a small suitcase. She and Mona took the commuter train, as usual. She told her mother she was taking the train to Philly for a confidential meeting, and ducked out around 3:30 pm. She hailed a taxi and checked into the Hilton, a step down from her usual accommodations. It was not far from Dr. Greene's office. The room had two double beds, room service, and cable. It was all they needed. They even had permission to check out late the following afternoon.

By 4:15, Angela had arrived at Dr. Greene's office. Sam was already there in the waiting room signing paperwork. She looked so grown up.

There was a lot of waiting, but the procedure itself was fairly brief. Angela was handed a stack of aftercare instructions. She took Sam's key ring, and pulled the yellow car out of the garage and around to the handicapped zone where the medical assistant had brought Sam. Together they headed to the Hilton, where they parked in the hotel's private garage. Angela pulled Sam's overnight bag from the trunk and slung it over her shoulder. They took the elevator from the garage to the lobby, then to their floor, and finally arrived at their room.

"Are you hungry?"

"No. I just want to lie down."

"I'm going to order some soup and sandwiches. Would you try to eat a little?"

"OK, maybe I'll want something by the time it arrives." Sam pulled back the covers and curled up on her side in one of the beds while Angela placed the room service order. "Angela, can you sit with me?" she called, suddenly sounding like a little girl.

"Sure, honey." Angela crossed the room and sat at the edge of Sam's bed. She automatically reached over to stroke the dark shiny hair laying across the pillow. Sam sighed, contentedly.

"It's so relaxing when you do that," she said. "It makes me feel loved and safe."

"Oh, baby, you are loved and safe."

"But you and dad can't protect me forever. I'm going to really be on my own soon."

"That's true. But we're definitely always going to love you."

"I'm afraid my dad wouldn't, if he knew what I did. He can be so judgmental. How come you're always defending him? Jonathan told me the two of you have been fighting ever since I moved into the dorm."

"This was your decision to make and it's your right to keep it to yourself. But I know he will always love you. Things are more complicated between him and me. He's not happy about me seeing Andy."

"But he was the one who started a relationship outside of whatever weird situation you two were in! And you're not even sleeping with Andy." She paused. "Wait. Are you? Sleeping with that dweeb?"

"Only very recently. Your father doesn't approve. He thinks I'm setting a bad example for you and Jonathan."

"Seriously? Mona has been with as many guys in one weekend as you've been with in the past six years, as far as I know." Sam hesitated. "Do you regret any of the guys you've slept with? I know that's really personal..."

"I don't have much of a history. You met Brian, Brian Thomas. He was my first. We were barely together before it was over. And then it was years before I met Michael. Obviously, he gave me Jonathan, but it was also a real relationship. I don't regret sleeping with him or marrying him. After that, I had a fling with my old boss, Grant," Angela admitted.

Sam gasped. "You did?"

"It wasn't the smartest thing I ever did, but it was kind of fun. I needed it, after Michael left me. You know your dad tried to get rid of him the first night you two stayed in the house?"

"I had no idea."

"Well after that, was Michael again. I do regret that. Then, let's see, Geoffrey with a G. He was such a sweet guy."

"Dad ran him off, too. Actually," Sam considered, "he also ran off Brian, Brian Thomas. And I'm sure Jonathan was the only reason he didn't run off Michael."

"He kind of did. Michael and Heather wanted custody after they got married, and your dad wouldn't stand for it."

"Huh. I didn't have a clue."

"Well, anyway, Geoffrey was not someone I would have been happy with, long term. And he was the last guy I was with until Andy."

"So you've really never had sex with my dad?"

"God, no!" Angela felt no need to let Sam know exactly how far they'd gone.

"But you've kissed. Several times that I know of. And you've traveled without the family more than once. Angela, he's been in love with you for years, and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual. So what's stopping you?"

"If you want the truth, it's because your dad has me up on a pedestal, and being together like that would ruin the illusion. I'm sure that's why he's so enraged by Andy. He can't handle the fact that I'm not pure and innocent."

"He does the pedestal thing to me, too. And he did it to my mom. She wasn't perfect, but you'll never get him to admit it. Such a hypocrite."

"Room Service!"

"I'll get that," Angela said. She allowed the young man to put the tray on the table, then went into her purse for tip money when he continued to stand there. Satisfied, he left them alone. The two ate in silence, both contemplating their conversation. Angela wondered if she would lose Sam's respect.

Sam found the honesty refreshing. Over the years, she had wondered about both her dad's and Angela's past relationships. She had a sneaking suspicion that his history was more sordid than she could handle, but she also knew he would never admit the full truth. It was easier with Angela, but it was nice to know that she wasn't perfect. An affair with the boss! But wasn't that exactly what she hoped for her dad to have? No, once those two got together, they would be inseparable. In a way, they already were.

After the light dinner, Sam brushed her teeth and turned on Nick at Nite. She promptly fell asleep, leaving Angela to work until midnight.

Angela got up at 7am and went down to the coffee shop. She bought a coffee and a tea, plus two scones, and brought them back to the room. Sam was awake when she got back and drank a little tea. Angela was able to get some more work done and check in with the office, while Sam slept intermittently and watched TV.

As their late checkout time approached, Sam showered and changed, and they gathered their belongings. Angela drove Sam's car from Manhattan to Fairfield, stopping in front of the train station. She took her suitcase and briefcase out of the trunk and stepped into the taxi line, while Sam got into the driver's seat and made her way back to the Ridgemont dorms. Neither of them saw Mona being picked up by Tony.