“Oh, what have I done? I thought,” Krysta went on, over dramatizing. “My cards wouldn’t all fit. The money was tight. My picture of Madison was too big, I couldn’t close it. It was a disaster.”
Angela stared at her, not amused.
“Well then, I put everything back in my old wallet. So the story has a happy ending.”
Angela was still not quite sure what she was saying.
“The story is different for you though. Your old wallet might not take you back.”
“Robert is not an old wallet,” Angela argued, quite agitated. “And Michael is not a flashy new hot pink wallet either, he’s just a friend.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Krysta didn’t believe her for a second.
Angela stood in front of her bathroom mirror, straightening her hair smooth. She loved wearing her hair straight; it made her feel glamorous. And although this was just a party for an eighty-ish year old woman, she still wanted to look glamorous. And it certainly had nothing to do with Michael Bowman. She had the first half of her day all set up. She would do herself up, have lunch at the mall, go shopping for Dot’s gift and go to the party with Robert. She could see her driveway from the bathroom mirror and she was surprised to see a strange red car pull in. “He must just be turning around.”
The car parked on her driveway and the engine turned off. Who the heck was that?
But then she saw a familiar middle-aged lady come out around the car, reaching for something. Then she saw her pull Madison out.
“Oh crap.”
Angela had completely forgotten about Madison. She had promised Krysta long ago that she would look after her this Saturday. Krysta had a workshop she was teaching that Saturday and her mother could not look after her, and would have to drop her off at Angela’s for the day. Her plans were shaken up. What would she do? Maybe she could ask Robert to look after her? Nope. Robert would be like a fish out of water. He would never agree. Besides, he wanted to go to the party just as much as she did. Maybe she could forgo the party all together. She thought about it for a minute, straightening iron in hand. The doorbell rang. She had to go.
She greeted Madison and her grandmother at the door.
“Thank you so much Angela.” Madison’s grandmother handed her the baby bag.
“You don’t know how much of a help you are. You’re a Saint.”
“Well, I have been told that before,” she joked, taking Madison on her hip. “I love having her. We have such a great time together.”
Her grandmother seemed in a hurry; she handed the portable high chair to Angela and kissed Madison and was quickly on her way. She stopped as she grabbed the door.
“Oh... do you want Madison’s car seat? I can take it out for you.”
“No. I don’t think I’ll be taking her anywhere-”
But on second thought...
“Wait, maybe I will actually. Do you mind?”
“Absolutely not.”
Maybe she was going to take her somewhere after all. “How do feel about going to the mall and a party?”
“Yeah!” Madison said, flashing her big grin.
“Well, it’s settled then.”
The telephone rang three times. Michael answered; all business.
“Hello. Michael Bowman.”
“Oh...Hi, Michael, this is Angela.” She said, nervous.
His voice softened. “Hi, Angela.”
“I was surprised to hear your voice. I was expecting Ellie to answer.”
