Previously, in Picket Fences…
Angela’s run-in with Connie, an unwelcome figure from her past, shook her. After she reluctantly revealed part of that past to her husband, Bruce, he stormed off in disbelief. We rejoin the story the following day, with Angela distracted at work.
As the residents of Benicia carry on with their midday business, Angela is no different as she sits at her desk drawing up contracts. In the back of her mind, she wonders what Connie is planning and where Bruce went last night. With all that simmering in the back of her mind, Angela’s escape is work. “Angela … glad I caught you. I have a showing in 20 minutes,” Mark says, handing her a blue folder. “I did some digging and found out who bought the Baxter house.” Angela cuts him off, “I already know, but thank you for looking into it.” Surprised, Mark replies, “Oh… You met the family already?” Taking the folder, Angela pauses, “Wait… a family?” As Angela starts to read the papers, she’s interrupted by a chipper voice. “Angela! I’ve been trying to talk to you all week about the F.A.C.T. fundraiser – I just ran into Payton, he said you would be here,” Madalyn says in one breath. “I have to go – we’ll talk later,” Mark calls over his shoulder as he dashes out the door, running squarely into a beautiful dark-haired woman in the process. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there… Wow, you’re stunning… I’m Mark Chambers,” he says, as the two lock eyes. “Hi, I’m Angela’s friend, Connie. And believe me, all is forgiven,” Connie says with a sexy smile. Mark holds the door open for her. Gliding through the doorway, Connie cuts into the conversation between Angela and Madalyn. “I am so sorry to interrupt. I’m here to take Angela to lunch,” Connie says, fixing her icy gaze on Angela. “We had a lunch date?” Angela asks as calmly as she can, her breath catching in her chest. “Why, yes… I was going to lay out the plans and timeline,” Connie says with a bit of a smirk. She then turns to Madalyn with a falsely sweet smile, “I’m sorry, how rude of me. I didn’t ask your name.” “This is Madalyn Walker,” interjects Angela, “Madalyn, this is Connie Spalding.” “So nice to meet you. I do hope I wasn’t interrupting,” Connie responds. “Not at all! We were just talking about the clock tower fundraiser for F.A.C.T.,” Madalyn says with excitement. Connie’s ears perk up. “A fundraiser? How wonderful. Angela, why haven’t you mentioned this to me?” Connie asks with a glimmer in her eye. “It’s an annual fundraiser for Feed America’s Children Today,” explains Madalyn, “We sell tickets and tables —“ “Nothing you would be interested in, Connie,” Angela cuts in, hoping to end the conversation. “Why would you think that? It sounds like a noble charity,” Connie replies. Angela glares at Connie, knowing that she has never had a heart, and certainly had never cared about anyone else. “Suddenly she cares about charity?” thinks Angela. Connie turns her gaze to match Angela’s. “In fact, I’d like to give right now,” she says, pulling out a red checkbook and gold leaf pen. “Great! Every little bit helps. Make it out to F.A.C.T.,” Madalyn recites cheerfully. Angela, a feeling of dread creeping within her as she thinks about the strings attached to that check, tries to halt the transaction diplomatically. “Connie, that’s nice of you but you really don’t have to…” “Don’t be silly Angela,” Connie says, handing the check to Madalyn. Madalyn’s mouth falls open. “Connie! This check is for $40,000!” Madalyn gasps in disbelief. “Yes, I know. Angela is a very dear friend and if it’s important to her, it’s important to me. Sorry, Angela, I’m going to have to reschedule our lunch date… I might have a project for us and really should get to planning it… I’ll call you later.” Connie says, dashing out the door. Madalyn, in shock, is still staring at the check. “You have some great friends… what does she do?” Madalyn asks. “She deals in agriculture… You know, dirt.” Angela replies, watching Connie speed away in her black sports car.
To be continued…
