Meet Angel

“Gerald Scott Williams the third, you come here and let me get a look at you.”

Suzie looked at Scott puzzled, she’d probably never heard his full name before, because only one person ever called him that.

“Auntie Angel, good to see you.”

“Look at our boy Martha, he grew up right.”

“Angel, please.” Martha had her head in her hands.

Angel didn’t look her age, she never had. She was in great shape, even with the first tinges of gray streaking into her black hair she could easily be a model.

“Wait till Lydia sees you; she’s going to flip. I didn’t tell her you were back, so we can surprise her.”

“How is Lydia doing?”

“She’s working at the hospital right now, she finished up her classes, she’s an RN now. She hasn’t gotten over you running out on her, you know.”

Scott grimaced; he was going to be apologizing for leaving for the rest of his life.

“Speaking of, who is this pretty thing? Amanda, right?”

Scott felt the color drain out of his face.

“It’s Suzie ma’am.”

“Suzie?” Angel looked at Scott, puzzled.

“Amanda and I aren’t together anymore.”

Angel laughed, “Another failed marriage for the Williams family, two more and you can catch up to your father and I.” She looked at Suzie and snorted. “Oh, sorry sweetie, I’m sure you guys will work out.”

“We actually aren’t dating, I’m Suzie Carter, Scott’s best friend’s sister.”

“The Carter girl? Huh.” Angel said, “So Scott, does that mean you are single?”

“Yeah, divorce was finalized two weeks ago and I’m trying to not rush into anything new.”

“Good decision, rushing’s how I ended up with Ralph, the first marriage wasn’t great, the only thing redeeming about the second was how short it was.” She looked Scott over. “Plus being single has a lot of other advantages for an attractive young man.”

Scott scowled, he knew Angel would go there sooner or later, he just hoped Suzie would write it off as harmless banter like her mother teasing him. He wasn’t going to risk it going any further though.

"I'd love to stay longer, but I’m meeting Doug at 6, it’s Raul’s birthday.”

Martha laughed, “You kids still doing that?”

“Yeah, it’s been a few years, it’ll be good to bring back the tradition.”

“You going to the Stable? If so, I’ll see you later, I work tonight.” Scott looked at Martha, it was good to hear she had a job, he had worried about coming to see her, it always hurt so much when he was **** to watch her throwing her life away, but she seemed to be doing much better for herself now.

“I might have to stop by.” Angel looked at Scott, subtly licking her lips.

“Jennifer is going to be there.”

Angel scowled, and Scott smiled on the inside. Angel wasn’t scared of many people, but Jennifer was one. Scott was looking forward to having fun tonight and that wouldn’t happen with Angel’s drama.

“Come inside, it's only 4:30, you've got a bit of time, and I’ve got a coconut cake, we’ll celebrate.” Martha said, getting up and snuffing out her cigarette.

They followed Martha inside, Scott doing his best to avoid getting too close to Angel.

“Scott grab Angel a beer and tell me about the Army.”

Scott was in the small trailer kitchen talking to Martha about the exciting life of an Army mechanic. Soon Martha handed him a couple of paper plates with slices of store-bought frozen cake on them. He walked out and handed one to Angel and one to Suzie.

As they ate their cake Angel kept asking him about Amanda. Scott did his best to answer while giving out as little information as possible, and Angel responded by prying more. Hearing juicy stories of her betraying their marriage would delight Angel, and Scott intended to deny her that.

Suzie had been looking around the trailer, and she had stopped and was staring at one picture.

“Is that your cousin Scott?”

He looked and felt his stomach turn.

Angel bounced over to Suzie.

“Yes, that’s my Lydia. Don’t we look like twins?”

“She’s gorgeous.”

“I know, right?”

The picture was at the lake, he was standing, one arm around his aunt Angel, the other around Lydia.

“I love that photo; you know that was only a week before Scott ran off to join the Army. . . we had a lot of fun that weekend.” Martha had come up behind them and was smiling at what, for her, was a happy memory. Scott didn’t remember that trip fondly at all, and he doubted Lydia did either.

Angel put her arm around Suzie. “Oh honey, if you knew all the stuff we got up to that weekend.”

Scott grabbed Suzie and started leading her out of the trailer. “I’m really sorry to run, but if we don’t get going, we’ll be late to meet Doug.”

“Bye, it was nice to meet you!” Suzie called over her shoulder as they walked to the bike.

“Bye Scott, love you!” Martha called.

“Bye!” Angel called, “Martha, look at that ass, tell me he doesn’t take after Gerry.”

“Angel, please.” Martha responded.

“What, a girl can look can’t she?” They were back in the trailer and Scott was on his bike, waiting for Suzie to get her helmet fastened.

“Scott?”

“Yes Suzie.” His voice sounded meaner than he wanted, he was fuming inside.

“Are you okay?”

Scott sighed, took a deep breath and let it out.

“It’s just, there’s a lot of baggage there, and Angel is always looking to cause trouble.”

“Your entire family is beautiful Scott.” Suzie said as she climbed onto the bike behind him.

He didn’t know what to say to that, so he just drove off.