She started to feel a little uneasy. It had been a long time since a man had made her feel this way; like a self conscious teenager.
“I see you met Angelina, Michael.” Dot said, having made a sudden reappearance.
“Actually, the name is-” Angela was about to correct her yet again.
“It’s Angela, Mum, not Angelina,” he pointed out.
“Angelina. Angela. What’s the difference?”
He helped his mother into her chair. “Well, I’ll leave you ladies to your books. It was nice to meet you,Angelina,” he joked.
“It was nice to meet you too... again.” She smiled as she sat across Dot and nearly missed her seat.
“What in the world are you still doing here?” Dot asked her. “Don’t you have a home?”
“Yes. You’re right. I didn’t know we were done.”
“Well, you didn’t bring me a book.”
“I didn’t know which one you wanted. I tried to get the information-”
“Actually, I have tons of books here. Let me think about it. I’ll ask Ellie to fetch me a few. I’ll let you know.”
“So, you would like me to come next week?”
“Yes. Have you not been listening?” Dot was obviously quite irritated.
“Ok, I think I’ll be leaving now.”
“She wasn’t too hard on you, was she?” Ellie asked as Angela was putting on her shoes.
“Not too bad. She’s alittleabrasive.”
“Little?!” She smiled.
“Why did she sign up for this service? She has plenty of books and I’m sure you or someone else can read to her,” Angela asked, curious.
“She does have many people at her disposal. I think she just wants to torment someone new. I’ve grown calluses all over my body over the years. She doesn’t faze me the least bit anymore.” She paused and looked back discreetly. “Fresh new blood, I suppose.” She smiled.
“I hate to say this but I don’t think I’m going to last past the second visit,” she confessed. “See you next Monday, I hope.” She grinned at Ellie on her way out the door.
Michael could see the parking lot from his bedroom ensuite window. He was getting out of his clothes, getting ready for a much needed shower. He had had some business to finish up when he came back from his meeting, and hadn’t had a chance to get out of his dirty shirt. He smiled at the thought of Angela; what a quirky, sweet little number; feisty and stubborn but delicate and beautiful. She was sweet all right, but he did notice the diamond on her finger; she was obviously spoken for. But then again, what was the harm in looking. She was certainlynice to look at; a little distraction. He actually liked the fact that she was unavailable; he had no interest in getting involved with anyone; considering what he was going through at the moment. Besides, there was no way she would last. His mother had managed to get rid of all the others in less than two weeks. It she lasted three weeks, she would set a record.
Two
Angela had just leftthe convenience store to pick up a pack of gum when her cell phone rang.
“Hi, Krysta,” she answered, knowing it was her best friend calling to tell her she would be late. They had been friends long enough for her to know Krysta was always late and, add a toddler to that equation and, it had been even worse these days.
“I know Krysta. I’ll just wait for you.”
“I’ll just be twenty minutes late or so. I’m actually making good time.”
Angela and Krysta had been best friends since college where Angela studied Marketing and Krysta studied Journalism. The two could not have been more different. But maybe it was that difference that attracted them to each other. Angela needed to take care of someone, and Krysta needed to be taken care of.
Angela arrived a bit early at Evelyn’s Cottage where she and Krysta would usually meet for lunch. The elderly lady who owned the place greeted her as usual.
“Hi, Angela. How are you?”
