“Angela.” He looked at her in awe.
“Hi, Michael.” She was so nervous. She wasn’t sure why. Her heart was beating so fast. What in the heavens was wrong with her?
“You look amazing,” he told her. He corrected himself. “Um... you look nice.” She wasn’t sure what to say.
“You too.” He certainly did.
“Um...” Krysta broke in. Yes, there were other people in the room.
“You must be Michael,” Krysta noted, smiling.
He shook her hand, curious.
“I’m Krysta, Angela’s long time friend.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Krysta is Madison’s mom,” Angela clarified.
“Oh, she’s just adorable,” he offered, remembering his time with Madison.
“Thank you. She can be a pain sometimes but she is pretty cute,” Krysta joked.
“I’m sorry,” he said, reaching for his mystery date; a tall gorgeous red head. “This is my sister Irene,” he explained. “She lives in the city.”
“Oh... great! We were wondering who your mystery date was,” Krysta told him.
Angela wanted to bury her face in her shawl. Krysta had managed to embarrass her already.
“Irene, this is a friend of Mum’s, Angela,” he told his sister.
Irene had a graceful beauty and Angela saw a younger Dot in her. Her sparkling blue eyes were inviting; they were just like Michael’s.
“It’s a pleasure.” She flashed a bright smile. The woman was beautiful.
“How do you know our mother?” she asked.
“We’re kind of reading buddies...” The relationship was a bit too complex to explain.
“So what brings you here?” Michael addressed both of them.
“My boyfriend Adam isthewonderful, amazing artist.”
“I’m just tagging along,” Angela told him.
“So how long have you two known each other?” he asked Krysta.
“Since college; this girl used to be a wild one,” she told him.
“If you can believe it...” she joked.
“Oh, I believe it,” he said, smiling at Angela.
“So Michael... are you single?” Krysta always got straight to the point.
“Um...yes,” he answered, stunned by her forwardness.
Irene chuckled a bit.
