"So, what do we know about this Tom guy - anything juicy?"

"Apparently, he inherited a fortune from his father. He's so wealthy that he doesn't have to work, though Angela said he has a dream of opening up a used car dealership with his brother. Supposedly, he is one of the biggest financial supporters of the church."

"Why do you insist on calling it the church, like Angela does? However much they claim to be Christian, don't believe it! They live on a compound, they only socialize with other members of the church, and they don't read or watch television. If you were ever looking for people in denial...there you go."

"Don't you think you're overreacting a bit. Aren't you in the least bit happy for her?"

"No! She only had one more year of college left, now that's down the tubes. I'm sure the cult ministers will suggest that they start a family right away, which means she'll be spitting out babies pretty soon."

"Unfortunately, you may be right. I asked her about finishing school and she explained that she didn't need a degree to teach for the church."

"Oh, that's just great," Will said as he rolled his eyes. "What do Angela's parents think of all this?"

"I heard that they're very disappointed, but what can they do, really? They'll just have to let her go I guess."

"Too bad your parents haven't learned that lesson yet."

"Please, let's not get into this again."

"Okay, whatever you say, dear." Will turned to look around t and a saw high school buddy who lived nearby paying for some gas. "Hey Hank!" he shouted across the convenient store.

"Hey will!" he shouted back as he made his way to Will and Sandy. "Its great to see you."

"You too, you too. You've got quite a family out there Hank."

"Thank you. I'm sure you'll have one of your own in the near future."

"Yeah...I'm sure. Hank, I don't think you know Sandy. She's a...um...a very good friend of mine. We met at school. And Sandy, Hank is an old friend from Hixon county High."

"Its very nice to meet you Sandy."

"Its nice to meet you too Hank."

"I'd really like to stay and catch-up with you will, but it looks like my gang's getting restless. Give me a call sometime."

"Will do Hank," he replied as Hank walked back to his family. Turning back to Sandy, Will said, "I can't believe he has settled down. He was so wild in high school. He'd be in a fight almost once a week."

"Why did you introduce me as you very good friend? Aren't I more to you than that? the last time we checked we had been together more than two years."

"Don't start with..."

"With what?" she interrupted. "The fact is you won't acknowledge our relationship in public."

"You're blowing this way out of proportion. I simply couldn't think of a better way to introduce you at that instant. Next time I'll make it easy and I'll just say, 'This is Sandy,' and that's it. How does that sound?"

"Just great," Sandy said softly as she turned to look at the reflection of people enjoying themselves in the window.

"What would you rather me say?"

"Nothing, just drop it okay," she said while still staring at the window.

Will took a sip from his glass and muttered, "I don't know why you were upset at me - we already determined who the one in denial of our relationship is."

You always have to have the last word, Sandy thought, but didn't dare say it out loud. "I'd like some ice water, could you get me some."

"Yeah."

<- Take me home.