Savor the Rewrite Chapter 6 A Well Kept Housekeeper
Tony and Angela throughly enjoyed their newfound awareness, so much so that neither of them heard the thunderstorm that came through that night. It was so strong it knocked out the power to the whole neighborhood for a few hours. Thankfully neither of them had to get up early the next morning as every appliance in the house, from the alarm clocks to the microwave to the answering machine, needed to be reset.
"Morning sweetheart! Looks like the power went out last night. I hope everything in the fridge is still good! Although it would be a good excuse to go out for dinner tonight!" said Tony as he cuddled into her side.
"I say we go out regardless. The country club wants us to do a tasting for the wedding. We could make a night of it… only two more weeks until the wedding!" she said as she leaned over and kissed him.
"Okay let's do it! We'll get dressed up and everything! Take you out on the town for one of your last nights as a single lady…" he said.
"I can't wait until I'm no longer a single lady! Two weeks!" she practically squealed.
"It's going to be the best day of my life to finally make you Mrs. Micelli!" he said as he leaned over for a kiss.
"Well Mr. Micelli… the future Mrs. Micelli needs to get up and get ready to work from home for a bit and then I've got to run a bunch of errands for the wedding before our dinner tonight" she said as she got out of bed. She suddenly felt lightheaded and quickly sat back down.
"Angela! Are you alright?" asked Tony, the panic very present in his voice as he ran over to sit next to her on the bed.
"Yes, I think so… I just got a bit dizzy that's all. Must have gotten up too fast!" she said with a laugh.
"Well lay back down for a bit. I'll go bring you up some breakfast in case your blood sugar is too low. You've barely been eating the past week Angela! I won't have my future wife wasting away!" he said as he checked her for a fever.
"I'm definitely not wasting away Tony… if anything, I'm just getting older. I got up too fast that's all. Breakfast does sound good though but nothing too much- maybe some toast and juice… no coffee!" she said as she laid back down.
"You've been off since you were sick a few weeks ago Angela. I think it's all this wedding planning and running around! This weekend I think we just need to relax a bit. Okay, I'll run downstairs and get us some breakfast. You just rest…" he said as he walked out of the room.
"What did I do to deserve such an amazing, understanding, caring guy like him?" she said out loud as she closed her eyes and rested.
Tony was busy making them breakfast when Jonathan and Samantha walked into the kitchen. They both sat down at the table and poured themselves some juice.
"Why are you making Angela breakfast in bed and how do I get that treatment?" asked Samantha.
"She wasn't feeling well this morning so I thought I'd let her rest a bit longer. With all the wedding preparations, she's been running around nonstop. I'm hoping she can rest this weekend. It's only two weeks left until the wedding and I want her to be feeling a hundred and ten percent for our special day!" he said.
"If we can do anything Tony, just let us know" said Jonathan.
"Well actually you two can do something for me. I ordered a wedding gift for Angela that I need you to pick up. It cost me way too much money and to be honest, I'm not sure how I'm paying for next semester's tuition but it was worth it! Angela's going to love it!" he said.
"What did you get her?" asked Samantha.
"A beautiful sapphire and diamond earrings and necklace set. It cost me almost two months salary but it will be worth it! I plan on giving it to Angela the morning of the wedding so she can wear them for the day. I need you to go and pick it up today and take my credit card to pay off the rest of it. Can you both do it today?" he asked.
"Sure Tony. Sam and I can go pick them up" said Jonathan.
"Great guys! Thanks again!" he said as he finished plating their breakfast and headed back up to their bedroom. Once he got up there, he found Angela sound asleep on the bed. He put the breakfast down next to her, grabbed his food and quietly left the room.
Later that evening, they arrived at the country club for dinner. Tony was dressed in a dark suit and tie. Angela chose a new dress that she hadn't worn yet- an off the shoulder emerald green dress. She opted to wear her hair down. They enjoyed the evening and each other's company. They were able to taste a few of the appetizers and each had one of the main dishes they would be offering to their guests. Angela chose the filet of sole and Tony chose the steak dish. Once they were finished and the plates cleared, they requested the bill, opting to skip dessert.
"You know Angela… I don't think I've ever been happier in my entire life. Romantic restaurant, beautiful woman and a half a pound of beef under my belt…" he said as he looked into her eyes.
"It really has been a wonderful evening" she said as she gently squeezed his hands.
"Let me tell you something… when I take my best girl out, everything has to be just perfect!" he said. Just then, the waiter came over with Tony's credit card in hand.
"Pardon me sir… your credit card has been… rejected" he said as he placed the card down on the table.
"That can't be. I just mailed in the payment. Do me a favor and run it through again will you…" asked Tony.
"I did sir… perhaps you have another card…" said the waiter.
"Uh yeah, yeah I do… hang on… do you take JC Penny?" asked Tony with a nervous laugh.
"Security!" the waiter yelled.
"Why don't I just put it on my card…" said Angela as she started to open her purse.
"No, no, no, no! No way! When I take you out, I pay! You do take cash don't you because I got plenty of cash… in my car… I'll be right back…" he said as he got up and walked to the car.
"He'll be right back…" said Angela.
"Yes I'm sure you have to believe that…" said the waiter as he walked away to service another table. Angela just sat there sipping her water when Tony came back in with a hand full of change.
"Okay, okay! I got your blood money! Twenty two dollars for a piece of meat and I didn't get any French fries!" he shouted as he finished counting out the change. Angela just shook her head in embarrassment.
"This should just about… not cover it… look there's an ATM a few blocks from here…" he started.
"Tony! Tony wait! I've got it and I've got enough for the tip. Please no arguments!" she said.
"But Angela…" he started to say until the waiter cut him off. Angela gave him a tip as she paid the bill.
"It's been a pleasure serving you…" he said as he looked just at Angela. Angela just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible before she saw someone she knew. Tony on the other hand, was trying to get his money's worth and took as many extra dinner rolls and mints as his arms could carry on the way out.
The next morning after starting his chores around the house and wondering what other gifts he had gotten Mona over the years that fell into the gag gift category, he ended up in the kitchen to finish folding the laundry. Ernie was already there trying to fix the water stand for the hundredth time. It was agreed that he needed to bring the family a new stand. Not one to turn down free food, Ernie took one of the mints Tony had taken from the restaurant last night.
"These mints are delish!" said Ernie.
"They should be… they cost about six bucks a piece!" said Tony.
"Ooh! A swanky place! How'd ya swing that?" asked Ernie.
"I almost didn't. I came up a little short last night at the restaurant and Angela had to bail me out…" said Tony.
"Pays to be getting married to a babe with deep pockets huh!" said Ernie as he punched him in the arm. Tony was not amused.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Tony.
"Hey don't get me wrong, you're my idol! I mean how do I get a rich, beautiful woman to take care of me?" asked Ernie.
"Hey Ernie… let me just tell you something! I pull my weight around here! When I'm in the house working, I'm working for Angela the same as you!" he said. Just then, Angela walked in from the living room.
"Good morning sweetheart!" she said as she came over to him.
"Good morning Angela" he said as he leaned over and kissed her. Ernie tried to kiss her back, completely confusing Angela.
"Listen… I have to run… don't forget we have reservations for dinner tonight in the city at the Plaza Hotel with some of my clients. If you have any trouble getting in just use my name" she said as she headed back out the door.
"Mr. Tony Bower! Instead of the bride taking the groom's name, you could just take hers! Start a trend! Has a nice ring to it!" laughed Ernie.
"So will your neck when I get a hold of it!" he said as he chased him out the door. He knew Ernie was just being an idiot, but his insecurities about their financial situation started to get the better of him. He pulled out his checkbook and looked over his finances. What he thought initially he had enough saved for, turned out to be much less. He came to the harsh conclusion that he wouldn't have enough money to pay for the wedding gift, the honeymoon and next semester's tuition. Not to mention once they got married his whole income and financial contribution to their marriage would come to a screeching halt until he graduated and got a full time job. He ran his hands through his hair, trying to figure out a way to make it all work when Ernie came back through the side door.
"Sorry! I forgot the water cooler stand! Don't wring my neck!" he shouted.
"It's fine Ernie… I couldn't afford the bail money anyway!" said Tony.
"You having money troubles?" asked Ernie.
"Yeah… I bought Angela a wedding present and now I'm going to be short for the honeymoon and even my tuition next semester" he said.
"Wow… what did that present set you back? A couple of hundred bucks?" asked Ernie.
"Add a zero…" said Tony.
"Two hundred thousand dollars?" shouted Ernie.
"One zero Ernie! One zero!" he shouted.
"But still that's a lot… where are you going to get that kinda money?" asked Ernie.
"I have no idea…" said Tony.
"Don't you have a stash of mad money?" he asked.
"Mad money I got… bonehead money I'm all out of…I have to use next semester's tuition to pay for the wedding present. Christmas is coming too after the honeymoon…" said Tony as he just shook his head.
"Why don't you take a second job? You know… moonlight!" said Ernie.
"You know that's not a bad idea! Hey maybe I can be a waterman like you!" said Tony. They got into a disagreement about the qualifications of a qualified waterman before Ernie suggested a restaurant on his route looking for waiters. He gave Tony the information and headed out the door.
A few days later, Tony scheduled himself an interview at the restaurant, making up some lie to Angela about going to the library. He made a mental note to actually wring Ernie's neck for setting him up in a place like this. It went from bad to worse when his new boss showed him the scantily dressed waiters in their uniforms. He dreaded to think what Angela, or worse, Mona would have to say about him in this place. When Samantha walked in with her friends, he just about died. He knew he had to go home and confess to Angela and hope and pray she would understand. His thoughts were running a mile a minute when he walked into the house and saw Angela sitting on the sofa working.
"Oh hi…" he said as she returned the greeting.
"How did things go at the library?" she asked as she continued working.
"Oh fine, fine…" he said as he put his books down, silently cursing himself for lying to her about where he had been.
"Good, good…" she said as she went back to working. The pressure finally got to him and he rambled the truth about where he had been and what he had been doing. At first, Angela didn't believe him until Tony told her he was serious.
"Tony! Why would you do such a crazy thing?" she asked.
"Because I needed the money…" he said.
"You needed the money… ahh I knew it… this has something to do with your credit card being declined the other night right? And all the expenses for the wedding and the honeymoon?" asked Angela.
"Maybe…" he said.
"I wish you would let me help you out more! In two weeks what is mine is yours anyway…" she said.
"Don't you see Angela… that's the problem! I shouldn't need my future wife to help me out! I'm tired of being Mr. Angela Bower!" said Tony.
"Tony! C'mon! Nobody thinks of you like that! Well maybe the waiter at the Plaza the other night…" said Angela.
"And Ernie…" he said, thinking back on his conversation.
"Since when do you care what other people think?" asked Angela.
"Since I'm marrying a babe with deep pockets… Angela… I don't know if I can handle this…" he said.
"I see… well I guess it's more serious than I thought" she said.
"Yeah… I… I got a real problem here…" he said.
"Well you shouldn't! You of all people know that money isn't the measure of a man!" she said.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah… I got the love, respect and admiration of my family… big deal!" he said.
"Don't be so hard on yourself! You just started this new career! Who knows how far you can go!" said Angela.
"Oh come on Angela! No matter where I end up, I'm never going to be as successful as you… you'll always be the breadwinner and I'll be making crumbs… and besides, my career won't start for at least another six months. I won't be contributing to our marriage for the first six months" he said with a defeated sigh. They argued back and forth for a little while longer until Angela had finally had enough.
"You… you know that every day of my life, I run up against guys who can't handle the fact that I'm a successful woman. I thought you were different. It's one of the things I love most about you… but if you… can't handle it… I guess it's better that we find out now, before we say I do…" she said as she held back the tears that were threatening to fall. She turned around and headed upstairs, going into their room and shutting the door, the tears no longer able to be held back.
Angela stayed in her room for almost an hour, her heart broken. Finally, she knew she had to get out of the room and headed downstairs to the kitchen for a snack. Normally, when she was upset, food was her comfort. She could easily finish off a pint of butter brickle ice cream but her stomach wasn't cooperating. The only thing that sounded half way appealing was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She was just taking out the bread when Tony walked in.
"Okay I thought about it and this is how we are going to handle this… and I don't want any arguments. Upon reflection and in light of overwhelming evidence, I have decided that I am a jerk… I see that it's unanimous… good" he said when Angela didn't answer.
"I have decided that we should open up a joint bank account to help pay for the remainder of the expenses for the wedding. Any money we get from the wedding can go into that account. Once we get back from the honeymoon, I'm going to look for a part time job until I graduate. Hopefully something I can keep my clothes on for…" he said.
"That's wonderful Tony! Are you sure?" she asked.
"No, but I love you enough to give it a shot…" he said.
"I'm glad! I know this isn't easy…" she said.
"I'd like to think I'm mature enough to be married to a woman like you and still feel good about myself" he said.
"That's great!" she said.
"Thank you Angela… for understanding and for allowing me to feel like a man…" he said. She slowly walked over to him and got as close to him as possible.
"You ah… really wanna feel like a man?" she asked seductively.
"What did you have in mind?" he asked as he turned his body so it was flush against her body.
"Open this jar…" she said as she handed him the jelly jar. He slowly and sensually twisted the top until a popping sound could be heard.
"Was it as good for you as it was for me?" he asked as he put down the jar and top.
"Hmmm… yes it was but you know what would be even better…" she said as she leaned into him, their bodies once again completely flushed against each other.
"I have a few ideas…" he said as he kissed her passionately before pulling apart.
"Last one upstairs has to do the dishes until the wedding!" he said as he ran into the living room. Angela was right behind him, but was momentarily distracted by the flashing light on the answering machine.
"I'll be right up Tony. I forgot to check the messages this afternoon and I was waiting for an important call from my new client. I'll meet you upstairs in a minute" she said as Tony bounded up the stairs. She hit the play button as she grabbed a pen and paper. The first message was from her client. She quickly wrote down all the information as she hit the delete button. She was about to turn around and head upstairs when the voice on the answering machine indicated an old message.
"That's funny… I thought there weren't any other messages…" she said out loud as the last message was played. As the pharmacist's words came over the speaker, Angela's eyes got wide and if she was looking in a mirror, she would have seen the color drain from her face. She dropped the pen and paper as her hand came up over her mouth. She looked back down at the machine as though it would magically have the answer to the question that now plagued her mind. Her thoughts were interrupted by Tony calling her name.
"Angela c'mon already! It's getting late!" he called.
"Coming Tony…" she managed to say as the realization hit her… that wasn't the only way she was late.