The Price of Penny

by T. C. Rybicki

  The drive to Glendale was close in miles but traffic sucked. For once, that hardly mattered. I was anxious to talk to her, see what she was about, what she liked since she was quicker to point out her dislikes, namely me. More than anything, I was ready to ask her out on a real date. Tomorrow was Saturday night, sounded like the perfect day to me. She said we only had a few more blocks to go, that she and Maggie rented a small bungalow, but her sister was often staying with her fiancé.

  “But don’t tell my dad.”

  I laughed, “Already planning on introducing me to the father. Jeesh, you get serious fast, lady.”

  “It’s a figure of speech. I say that every time I mention Maggie mostly lives with Keats. I’m sure you’ll never cross paths with my stern, old school, retired military father.”

  Now I wasn’t so sure I wanted to meet him. He sounded tough, with couple of girls like Maggie and Penny, I was sure he kept a loaded shotgun handy. She babbled on about her mum didn’t care, she knew how Maggie was. I smiled every time she said mum instead of mom. Most of her speech was familiar, but she held onto several anomalies I wasn’t used to.

  Penny’s usually alone, I thought. I liked that but I felt a little worried at the same time. I hoped she was careful. She must be more independent than I imagined. I said my natural comeback a little louder that time, “Good to know.”

  “Huh?”

  “Nothing, so Maggie’s always at Keats’s. Are you going to look for another roommate soon or do you like living alone?”

  “Well, I never said she’s never at home. She comes over for food a lot because she hates cooking. Keats absolutely forbids it. He’s hiring someone when they get married. He’s afraid she’ll burn the place down or poison them. Of course, she comes over when they have a row. Sometimes she stays and boohoos to me for hours, other times we make it a ‘I hate men’ party, eat junk food and watch films.”

  “Any of mine?”

  She rolled her eyes at me.

  “Hey wait, Maggie and Keats are big fighters? And they’re getting married? Sounds risky.”

  She looked puzzled for a split second, “What are you talking about? Of course, they fight. Every couple does.”

  “Not my parents, they never ever fight, disagree, or say a harsh word to each other. That’s why I don’t think I’m suited for marriage. I’ll never be as good as them.” She asked how long had they been together. “Almost 30 years, counting the dating years.”

  “And how many children do they have?” Wow, she was really getting into my personal life. I figured this was her sneaky way of finding out all the stuff she really wanted to know while pretending she didn’t care.

  “I have an older sister, Heather, and a little brother, Teddy. Do you want my social as well?”

  “Hardly, you’re so full of yourself. I’m only asking to prove a point. If a couple’s been together a long time, living together, sharing responsibilities and children, they sure as shit fight. No wonder, you chose fantasy as a career because you live in Lala land and LA is your kingdom, no doubt.”

  I had to argue because my parents really didn’t fight. “My mom is a bit of a control freak and my dad is passive so it works. She says how things are going to be and he says, ‘mmm huh’ and sometimes, ‘sure, whatever you want.’“

  She pointed that cute little finger in my face. “Ha, that proves it. They fight because I can tell you nothing irritates a woman more than a man answering her with huffs and unformed words. Maybe they don’t allow you to witness it, even though you’re- wait, how old are you?”

  “24.”

  “Figures, I knew I had to be older.” I happened to know she was only eleven months older, but if she wanted to pretend she was so much more mature, I’d let her. I doubt there was anything she could teach me. I had more life experience. I was positive of that.

  Penny continued to explain, my folks probably had giant rows in their bedroom, while whispering in angry voices, but she made me think of something that had never crossed my mind. “People that love each other argue, that’s one tenet of successful relationships, whether it’s friendship, family or romantic love.”

  I remembered how I quickly put the brakes on any relationships when I felt like there were too many disagreements arising. I didn’t want to argue normally, maybe I’d inherited that from Dad. Come to think of it, I’d done very little agreeing with Penny and I couldn’t get enough of her. I kept wanting to know more.

  She told me to turn left, we were finally on her street. I changed the subject. One thing I didn’t find in Wayne’s research was what she drove. “So what do you drive to get from point A to point B?”

  “A small SUV, a Ford. Daddy insisted on American, even though I know he’d make an exception if he could afford one of his dream cars.”

  “Why an SUV? That doesn’t sound practical for a single girl like yourself. I expected an economy car, perhaps a hybrid.” She pointed and told me to stop and park in front. I saw her black SUV in the short driveway.

  We were about to get out when she gave her reason for the Ford and I literally froze with fear. “For the kids, silly. Didn’t Maggie tell you about my children?”

  “Hold on, what? Kids? You’re teasing. You don’t have kids.”

  “How would you know? We just met.”

  “Kids, as in plural, more than one?”

  “Oh yeah, I have a bushel of ’em, all by different daddies, of course. Remember, I like variety.”

  I did remember that. I burned that word on my brain as soon as she said it, but this revelation changed everything. It had to, I mean. I didn’t get involved with women that had kids.

  “Well, aren’t you coming inside?”

  “I . . .” stretched out, but didn’t fully escape my tongue.

  She giggled. “Damn, that’s funny. You should see the look on your face. Now, who wishes they would’ve jumped out of a moving car? I work with children, that’s my job. I’m a speech therapist. Come on, the only baby I have inside is the four-legged kind. Time to meet Pepper.”

  She got me good and I was supposedly the actor. We walked up the driveway, through a wooden gate and up to the back door instead of the front. Penny opened up and we stepped into the kitchen. We were immediately greeted by a massive, black Lab who was loudly letting Penny know a stranger was on her heels. The dog appeared vicious toward me and I stepped back, not sure if I should go all the way in. I wasn’t in the mood to be mauled.

  “Go on, she’s harmless.” Penny leaned over and loved on the dog. Dogs had all the luck. She spoke words to her I couldn’t make out, but the dog flew past us into the back fenced area. “You’re not scared of dogs, are you?”

  “No, not normally, but ones that seem like they want to kill me tend to make me a little nervous.”

  “That’s crazy, Pepper’s a big baby, trust me, she’s all bark, no bite. When she comes back inside, talk to her. I’ll let you give her a treat and she’ll be eating out of your hand the rest of the night.”

  “Oh, okay. I guess I can try if you swear she won’t be eating my hand instead.”

  Penny hung her bag on the back of a black chair at the small table on the edge of the kitchen. She ushered me into the living area and told me to have a seat. She excused herself and went down a hall toward the back of the house. I looked around. The bungalow was older, but had been recently remodeled. The wood floors were glossy, but I could see a few stray claw marks where Pepper left her mark. The furnishings were comfy and feminine. It was obvious a couple of chicks lived here. I noticed a tall white built-in shelf next to the fireplace. I was curious about the few framed pictures inside as well as the books she had, but Penny reemerged the second I was about to stand up, so I stayed put.

  She walked passed me. I heard her open up the door. The dog was back again, barking like mad in my face.

  “Easy Pepper. He’s a guest.” She slipped a biscuit in my palm. “Turn your hand up and feed her so she’ll know you come in peace.”

  I
did as she instructed and felt teeth and slobber as Pepper devoured the crunchy dog treat in my palm, but at least the barking stopped.

  The dog quieted down, but proceeded to inspect me for more treats. She took two giant paws and pushed them into my legs, sniffing me all over, including my crotch. Penny laughed. “See, you’re in now. She totally gets you’re a friend not an enemy.” The dog then jumped on the sofa and put her head in my lap.

  “Um, is she supposed to be on the furniture?”

  “Yes, she kinda rules the roost.”

  Penny went to the kitchen and started making a little noise. She brought out a small metal drawer full of coffee pods. She gave me the run down on her favorites. We both went with the donut shop bold flavor. Pepper seemed extremely cozy on my leg while her owner got busy making coffee in the kitchen, but cuddling a dog was not what I had in mind when I got the invitation to Penny’s house. I gently pushed her aside, “Sorry, girl. You’re not my type.”

  I walked around the corner to catch her in the middle of coffee making. Her back was facing me and I had the perfect view of how the pockets on her jeans curved against her. The dog followed me, I was apparently stuck with her now. I whispered, “but she is.”

  Penny turned around. “Did you say something?”

  “Nope, can I do anything to help?”

  “It’s kind of a one person job, but you can watch, I guess.”

  “Oh, I like watching.” She looked uncomfortable at how pervy my statement sounded.

  She told me I could grab flavored creamer or half-n-half out of the fridge if I wanted any. I asked what she wanted and she informed me she drank her coffee black. This girl was full of surprises. The fridge had about three different sweet creamers Penny claimed were Maggie’s, but I only took a splash of cream in mine, so I went with the plain half-n- half.

  She handed me my mug first and then started on hers. I had no idea what she had planned. I could drink a cup of coffee pretty quick, but I wasn’t ready to leave so soon by any means. She didn’t appear to have a television in her living room either. What could I suggest? Board games, perhaps. I stayed in the kitchen leaning against her counter until hers brewed. I didn’t know if she wanted to sit at the small table or go back in the living room. Penny walked by so I followed. She sat on the couch this time. I sat in a nearby chair not to crowd her.

  “Do you like it?”

  I was staring at her. I meant her not the coffee. “I like it.”

  “Um, well, here we are . . . having coffee.”

  “Yes, and this is so much better than any crowded coffee place. Don’t you think?”

  “I guess so.” She seemed nervous. I needed to get her involved in some conversation or this first get together would go south fast.

  “Tell me more about those kids from different daddies. That was pretty sly scaring me shitless like that.”

  “Why? You’d seriously run for the hills if you met a single mum?”

  “Um, no, not exactly. It’s just, I’m not qualified to be involved in that lifestyle. I play pretend, remember. I still feel like a big kid myself most days.”

  “Twenty-four is not a kid.”

  “I know that, Penny,” I liked saying her name because every time I did, she took a deep breath and blinked her eyes rapidly like a breeze caught her. “I’m still not going to date a woman with kids. That’s my prerogative.”

  “Hold on, bro. Just so we’re clear. This sharing of coffee thing is not a date.”

  “I agree, but I was thinking maybe, if . . .”

  She halted me, breaking my train of thought. Penny swiped her left hand across the air in an apparent attempt to erase me. “I’m not interested in dating anyone currently. I don’t date.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t have time for it.”

  “So you never have free time?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Then what’s this?”

  “An ambush because my sister is deranged and I’m not sure what you are yet, but I’m being honest. I don’t date and if I did, a Hollywood playboy would be the last person I’d choose to get to know.”

  “I’m not a playboy.” She wasn’t buying it. “Believe what you want, but I’m just being friendly. Also, I’m really curious about what speech therapists do?” I never had been curious before today, but since I knew that was her profession, I was ready to learn all about it.

  She told me about her regular job at a local clinic in the mornings, but her afternoons were spent tutoring for families in the area. That’s where she made her real money. Apparently, it was also what helped form certain opinions she had on the wealthy. I wasn’t sure if she had any famous clientele because Penny wasn’t a gossip and I could tell she took all ethics surrounding her profession seriously.

  “I’ve seen both sides of parenting from the rich and the poor. A lot of the clinic children on assistance, but overall, I get the impression, the poor, struggling mother is more concerned with what’s best for her child. She desperately wants him or her to succeed and have all the opportunities that will help her child achieve that success. On the other hand, I’ve sat at the table with a Portuguese speaking maid trying to understand why little Johnny’s mother and father didn’t show for our scheduled meeting. I know a little bit of Spanish, but how do they expect me to give a full report on their child’s progress when neither party at the table understands a damn word being said?”

  “I stress I need to see Mrs. B. and the maid smiles, ‘oh Mrs. B., she very busy.’“

  “Right, she’s very busy. Her son’s ten and can’t put together a complete sentence. He wants to, but he can’t and some days he’s so frustrated with himself, I have to hold him tight to stop him from banging his head on a granite counter top. Who is too busy to care about their child? Money can’t buy compassion, good sense or true love. That’s what I’ve learned over the past few years I’ve been doing this job. So that’s the gist of what I do. How about you? You making a movie currently?”

  “Nope, we wrapped on the third film a few weeks ago.”

  “Oh, that’s nice.”

  “Why do you that thing?”

  “What?”

  “Try to make me feel like shit because I enjoy acting.”

  “I don’t. It’s not my business what your profession is. We don’t even know each other.”

  “Bullshit. You’ve made snide remarks ever since you saw me in the dress shop. I realize your profession is noble and necessary while mine is for entertainment purposes only, but I enjoy it. As you pointed out, sometimes real life sucks. If I can give people an escape for a couple of hours so they forget their problems, then maybe, just maybe, I’ve done a good thing.”

  “I . . . I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I apologize, it’s just I don’t allow myself to escape as you put it very often. What’s the point? Reality will always rear it’s ugly head soon. I prefer to be more pragmatic. I gave up on fairy tales around four. I’m not sure who invented that nonsense in the first place.”

  “Penny, come on. I understand the need to face reality, but sometimes you have to let loose, maybe act like a kid a little. That inner child never completely leaves you. Don’t you pretend at all? The opportunities for wishes come pretty often, so I figure we’re supposed to participate. When’s the last time you made a wish on a falling star, tossed a coin in a fountain, or blew out your candles with something extraordinary on your mind?”

  All she could say was she didn’t make wishes because there was no point. I couldn’t stop myself. I had to see what was on that bookcase. It might be filled with a vast collection of non-fiction titles because no way was this chick into anything else, but when I got up, I saw a little bit of everything on the shelf. The girly romance novels had to belong to Maggie, but I was shocked to see several biographies, mixed with religious books, psychology, medical and language books. Okay, Penny was clear before she liked variety. She held a pretty eclectic collection of books, but my eyes were quick to fi
nd the pictures. The larger one was of Maggie and a guy. They were wrapped up tight in an embrace, so it must be Keats. There was a family portrait of Maggie, Penny, their mother and a scary guy that had to be her dad. I saw an old picture of a toddler alongside a cute little girl holding the hand of a bigger boy.

  “Hey, is that you and Maggie? You have an older brother?” Strange, Wayne hadn’t mentioned that and I thought we knew almost everything about her family.

  Penny walked over and picked up the picture. The way she held it with such reverence made me feel like I’d committed a sin by touching the frame, so I promptly apologized.

  “No, it’s all right, but I don’t. I mean, I did. That’s Frankie. He died soon after that. Maggie, of course doesn’t remember him, but I do, just a few bits and pieces I cling to. We don’t talk about it. It’s too sad.”

  I heard what she said, but it didn’t stop me from asking. I slowly slipped my arm around her waist, but my intentions were solely for comfort. “I’m so sorry. What happened?”

  “A raging case of influenza. He was only seven, I was five and Maggie was barely three. My parents never got over it.”

  I couldn’t imagine. I’d never lost anyone close to me other than one of my grandparents that lived in another state.

  I noticed Penny hadn’t pulled away from me just yet. She sat the picture back down, stepped away from the shelf thinking I’d follow, but I saw one last picture in a small heart-shaped frame. Her eyes widened and she shook her head. She most definitely didn’t want me picking that one up, but I already saw. It was her, no doubt. She was pretty young, just as beautiful and she was smiling bigger than I’d yet to witness. A boy was holding her. It reminded me of the way Keats held Maggie.

  “Who’s that?” I normally wasn’t this nosy but what girl had a picture like that of an ex in their house? If they broke up, then she wouldn’t have it on display, but the picture was old, there was more to the story. I remembered Maggie’s words ‘it’s a long story.’ Penny didn’t believe in fantasy, wishes or fairy tales. I wanted to know if that heart shaped picture was the reason. She didn’t answer, so I conceded. “Never mind, you don’t have to tell me. It’s none of my business.”