The Price of Penny

by T. C. Rybicki

  “What the hell is this?”

  Heather threw a decorative pillow at me but missed. “What does it look like, loser? You know the knock before you enter rule still applies.”

  “Shut up, you don’t even live here.”

  “Neither do you. I needed to give Penny the full picture about you.” They both giggled again. I walked closer to see what they found so damn funny. Oh no, not the eye surgery pictures. Embarrassing as hell.

  “Really Heather, why are you showing her all this crap? Mom took ridiculous photos throughout our childhood. Penny doesn’t care about this shit.”

  She interrupted our sibling chatter. “Oh, I disagree. I’m having the best time. You were adorable, even with an eye patch and big ears.”

  “Let me see that. My ears weren’t big, that’s a bad haircut.” Heather stood up, ruffled my hair and pulled on my ears. She told Penny they still were a little funny looking. I told her to get lost.

  “It’s my room. Mom says.”

  “Get out. I haven’t seen Penny all day. I want to hear about what you guys did to her today. Mom needs help out there and Wayne’s here.”

  “Ugh, seriously, he’s not going to do that leering thing again, is he?”

  “No, he’s a grownup, weirdo. That was like seven years ago during his awkward phase.”

  “Liar, it was two years ago and he’s never left that phase nor will he.” She was kinda right, but I always defended my buddy. Heather told Penny to watch out for Wayne. I shook my head side to side. He’d be fine. I hoped. He had a weird crush on my sister which was extremely gross to me. Finally, Heather stopped annoying me and left us alone. Penny tidied up the albums in front of her. I had a seat on the bed.

  “Sorry about all that.”

  “Why? I like her. She’s fun. We had a blast today.”

  “You did?”

  Penny had nothing but nice things to say about Mom, Heather and Mimi. I told her they were firing up the grill any minute if she wanted to come outside.

  “Um, I need to change first.”

  “Change? Why? We don’t dress for dinner, Penny. You look great as is.” I hadn’t had enough time today to appreciate her butt in those jeans or the way her blouse’s neckline went to almost exactly the right spot.

  She shrugged.”Okay, do you want me to get your bag out of the car?”

  “You can, but I want to wear my new dress. How was your day?”

  “Tough, but I rested most of the afternoon. I missed you.”

  She rolled her eyes at me. If she hoped to convince me she didn’t miss me, she failed. “Chet, one more thing.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Could you please dial it back in front of your family? I think everyone has the wrong idea about us.”

  I pushed the rest of the stuff on the bed so I could scoot in closer to her. Penny responded by scooching backwards. I put my hand over hers. “Stop trying to get away from me.”

  “I’m not. I’m trying to be serious. I don’t like people having unrealistic expectations concerning me.”

  “Penny, it’s one day with my family. They’re getting to know you. No one has an expectation. Be honest. What’s really bothering you?”

  “I told you. They think we’re together.”

  “We are. I’m here, you accompanied me. That makes us together.”

  She tried to shove me back. “Ugh, stop it. You’re frustrating me.”

  “Why do you care if they think you’re my girlfriend?” I pointed her face toward mine and I rubbed my thumb over her trembling lip. I thought it was a good sign she didn’t flinch or push me away. Penny took a deep breath and nodded. “Relax. I enjoy your company and you think I’m pretty damned terrific. Let the chips fall where they may.”

  I made her crack, she smiled big and never disputed I was terrific.

  The fifteen minutes I waited outside seemed endless. Mom said Penny looks gorgeous in her new sundress. I couldn’t wait to see her now. She wore dresses in the best way. I also used the time to tell them all how much I appreciated them for making her feel welcome.

  “When have I ever not made a guest feel welcome?” I knew that was true but something told me everyone was trying a little harder to be nice to her. It had to be obvious that I was really into Penny.

  I iced down a few beers just as Penny stepped out on the patio. Holy shit, I need to ice down my pants. She seriously got this dress because of my mother? Here we were again, Penny dressed in white and me with my mouth hanging wide open. The dress floated in the breeze, tiny straps held it up, but it was longer, appearing modest and revealing at the same time. I immediately wondered how a bra worked with that open back, but she had to be wearing one because of all that white.

  Heather rushed to her before I got a chance. “Yes! This is the best dress ever. I’m too afraid to go all white, but you pull it off perfectly. I love it. Don’t you Chet? Your girlfriend looks hot.”

  I looked at all the faces. Wayne and Teddy needed to avert their eyes soon or I would bang their heads together with great force. Dad was a gentleman, so he focused entirely on the grill. Mom also complimented Penny again.

  “Yes, you look lovely Penny.”

  “Thanks, again. I’m happy with it.”

  Heather needed to move out of the way. I made my way over to Penny to give her a hug and touch some of that creamy exposed skin on her back. “I love this so much. Heather is right for once; my girlfriend is hot.” She didn’t look too happy about my statement. “Go with it, please. I like calling you that. Come on, you have to meet Wayne.”

  I introduced them and Wayne said she looked way better than her DMV photo. What a charmer.

  “You’re joking. Did you really see that?”

  “Of course.”

  “It’s dreadful.”

  “I know,” he agreed and I slapped him on the back of the head. “They all are.”

  “She counted, but snapped the picture too soon. Who stops at two to take a picture? I thought we were going to three. I hate showing my ID. It’s the worst.”

  Wayne tried to make her feel better, now I wanted to see this horrendous driver’s license photo. It was only fair, she’d seen my eye patch one. I was only nine but still.

  “Sons of bitches. They do it on purpose to make themselves feel better about themselves since they’ve sold their souls to work for the DMV.”

  She giggled at everything Wayne said. I could feel how relaxed she was just by touching her. I knew what Penny’s body felt like when she was tense.

  “Want a beer?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  I opened three bottles and we sat down in a few pool chairs pulled in a semi-circle. Penny asked my mother if she needed any help but she told us to enjoy our visit.

  We spent the next half hour talking and hanging out. Penny seemed perfectly fine getting acquainted with my best friend. Occasionally, he’d glance my way and make goofy expressions. She was in the middle, kinda in front so I doubt she noticed. Heather walked by and I caught Wayne leering just like she’d mentioned in her room. I kicked at his foot.

  “Stop.”

  “Sorry, she’s gets prettier with age.”

  “No, she doesn’t, she never changes and that’s my sister.”

  Penny interrupted, “Seriously, Wayne’s right, Heather’s so pretty. I hate to tell you this, but I’m pretty sure I hung out with the most attractive Parker all day and it wasn’t you.”

  Wayne loudly laughed. He drained his beer, sat it down and waved his hand for Teddy to grab him another. “Get up, my kid brother isn’t you manservant and quit talking about Heather. Don’t you have a new obsession?” She would always think Wayne was strange and I was pretty certain Heather only dated eligible doctors.

  He jumped up and offered to get us both another, but Penny and I were taking it a bit slower. We both had over half left. I used Wayne’s brief absence to bring up something. “So next weekend, I have this thing. I kinda have to make an appearance.” Wayne was back too
soon. He tried to dominate the conversation again, but I told him to hold up. “I was in the middle of asking Penny something.”

  He leaned in closer. “Oh, what? Did she say yes?”

  She looked confused. I didn’t want her to think I was rude, but I could use some privacy and pushing him into the pool was all I could think about at the moment.

  I tried to get her to focus only on me. “So as I was saying, it’s the director’s big birthday bash for his 70th.” I had less trouble asking her to my parents’ house for the weekend. I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t spitting it out.

  “Oh, well, that sounds fun. You probably miss all those people after working so closely with them for months.”

  Maybe, some of them. I didn’t elaborate who I missed and who I didn’t. “Penny, I’m asking you to go.”

  “You are?”

  Wayne seconded that, “Yeah, you did? I missed that. Jeez, man. You’re terrible at this.”

  “Could you get the hell out of here for a minute? Go assist Dad.”

  “No, Don never talks. I feel like I’m annoying him.” I didn’t add that was true.

  Penny told him to stay put because she couldn’t go to the party. There was nothing to discuss in private.

  “Are you busy?” I had to remember Penny was different. She would not drop everything because I asked her on a date. There were plenty of women that would have done just that but I was not interested in them. I was bummed. I knew about the party for at least a month, I should’ve asked sooner.

  She turned her attention back to Wayne and his computer skills. I thought I deserved a better explanation. “So what is it? I asked if you were busy.”

  Penny looked around and then back to me. “No, not exactly, I don’t want to go. I’m sorry. I appreciate you asking though. So as you were saying, Wayne. Finally, the girl in accounting might be on the rocks with her jerk boyfriend . . .”

  Dammit, she had to know what she was doing. No one was this calculating without trying. Wayne had to tell her more about the woman, Aubrey at his office and then he mentioned Suzanne. Jesus, if I let him get started with that, I wasn’t getting another word off to Penny.

  “Oh, who’s Suzanne?”

  “No one,” I looked at Wayne, “unless you want to go swimming in your clothes, get outta here for a second so I can sort this out with Penny.”

  “Fine, but take that back.”

  “Take what back?”

  “That Suzanne’s no one. She’s someone to me and millions of other Krissy fans.” Millions? Was he serious? Yep, he was.

  “No Wayne, don’t get up on my account. I need to take a break from this conversation, anyway.” She left and walked in the house, so I didn’t have to be the least bit nice to Wayne for butting in so much.

  He looked completely confident with himself. “Wow, I get it now . . . great girl. She’s got lots going for her, real depth to her conversation and hubba hubba, she’s a knockout in that dress.” He whispered. “Psst. I don’t think she’s wearing a bra either.”

  I leaned in closer like I had a secret for him as well except I shouted near his ear.

  “Stop looking, fucktard! Trust me, she is. I’m going in the house to talk to her. Don’t move.”

  “She already said no, Chet. Don’t you know anything about women? No means no.”

  Of course, I respected a firm no, but this was a unique situation. I asked her to go to a party and she declined. This was not a simple no. I wanted to know her reason.

  I found Penny and Mom putting together a tray to take outside with some chips and dips. I tried to act helpful and asked if they wanted me to carry it, but Mom spotted my desperation. She was in and out the whole past hour. I knew she picked up on some of our conversations outside.

  She grabbed the tray, so Penny and I were alone at the bar. She tried to follow Mom, but I asked her to please stay a minute longer. “Are you having fun?”

  “Yes, Wayne’s so funny. At first your friendship didn’t make sense to me, but he’s the yin to your yang. I really like him.”

  “I’m glad. He annoys the shit out of me, but he’s like another member of my family. Not sure about yin? He doesn’t complete me.”

  “You’re probably right, I doubt anyone completes Chet, but Chet.”

  She tried to walk away again, but I spun her back around. I had my hands on her delicious back now. I secretly searched for that bra, but I couldn’t find it. Penny squirmed which made me want to pull her closer and hold her still. “Go to the party with me, pretty please. We don’t have to stay long and then maybe we could go back to my place and hang out. I’m always showing up at your house, and you’ve never been over.”

  “You never invited me.”

  “I am now.”

  “But I don’t know those people.”

  “So, you know me and that’s all that matters. Please, Penny. Is that why you don’t want to go, or because you don’t want to be seen in public with me?”

  “Stop Chet. You know that’s a ridiculous thing to say.”

  “Then go. I swear it won’t be miserable. I’ll make sure you have a good time.” I raised my eyebrows at her a few times.

  She tried to pry my hands off when Dad stuck his head in the door. “Food’s done.”

  I nodded, “We’ll be right out.”

  Penny’s head fell hard against my chest. “Now, he thinks we’re in here making out.”

  “I wish, but seriously, will you?”

  She finally said if I let her go, she’d think about it. She stated she needed to take care of some important stuff at home, because the weekend after the party, she’d be out of town for a long weekend for her father’s birthday. I thought ahead to that weekend. I wouldn’t see her at all and I already missed her despite the fact we were together at the moment.

  When we got to the back door, she scolded me, “Stop feeling all over me. I know what you’re doing and it’s built-in, okay. I wouldn’t go braless in front of your parents.”

  We made our way out to the patio table and everyone piled their plates high with Dad’s great barbecue and Mom’s sides. It was a typical Parker meal. Mom wanted to hear how each of us were doing in life. Wayne dominated a lot of the conversation like he was one of her kids. He never lacked making small talk. Penny sat close and I swore I could smell her peaceful, lavender scent over the smoky meats spread all over the table.

  Mom brought Penny into the conversation. “So Penny, do you visit home much? Sounds like you have a busy schedule with two jobs.”

  “No, not nearly as much as I’d like. Dad’s retired and Mum does part-time work at a dance studio she helped establish years ago when my sister and I were little.”

  Seriously, I knew Penny a while now and had met her mother, but I didn’t know she was a dancer.

  “I love that area up the coast. It’s beautiful.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I can’t remember the last time we were there.” I remember being on a family trip once to San Francisco and Mom made us stop in all sorts of places along the way. It was strange to imagine I was in Penny’s hometown all those years ago, but our paths weren’t destined to cross yet.

  She mentioned the trip up for her father and aunt’s combined birthday celebration.

  I could count on Wayne when I least expected it. He stated with a mouthful of food like it was nothing. “Oh, is Chet going too?”

  I felt her stiffen next to me. I tried sending out brain waves directly to her, ask me, I’ll say yes.

  She politely pushed her half eaten plate to the side and took a dainty sip of her longneck. “Well, my parents really like Chet, but I wouldn’t subject him to such things. He’s busy, I’m sure.”

  I put my hand on her leg and leaned over. “No, I’m not. I’ll go if I won’t be in the way.”

  She turned her head and shook it slightly. “You don’t . . .”

  “I want to.” She smiled, politely moved my hand off her lap, but still let me hold hers in betwee
n us.

  I wasn’t sure if that was a ‘yes’ or a real invitation, but in my mind I was planning a weekend in Monterey. Mom used the conversation about Penny’s family to dig for details. She wondered if Penny’s dad was a twin. “No, he’s turning 48 and his sister is 50 so they’re making it a bigger celebration than normal.”

  “That sounds like fun, seems like you have a close knit family.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Like us, huh, Chet?”

  “Yeah, Mom. Penny comes from a nice family.” Mom could back off a little. I wouldn’t have felt any differently about Penny if she’d been raised on skid row or if they were all career criminals, perhaps international jewel thieves. I think my mother was trying to prove a point we had similar backgrounds and it was rare to find families like ours these days.

  “What does your Dad like? Chet should buy him something nice, gotta get on the father’s good side,” Wayne said in between his first and second helpings.

  She giggled. “No, that’s unnecessary. I already have my father’s gifts. He’s easy to please.”

  “Oh yeah, that’s surprising, most dads are hard to buy for or so I’ve heard.” Wayne lost his father before I met him, he had little memory of him, but he didn’t elaborate. I’d tell Penny about it later.

  “Books.”

  “Your retired general father only wants books? He doesn’t have a kickass hobby?”

  “He wasn’t a general and I wouldn’t call them kickass by any means, but he has several hobbies that relate to the books.” She was too sweet. She even lowered her voice to say kickass, in case it offended my family. That was highly unlikely.

  I grinned, because Wayne’s nosiness would result in a shock. Penny already shared some of her father’s strange obsessions, one particularly peculiar one that wouldn’t bode well with my highly phobic friend.

  I couldn’t pass up this chance. “Tell Wayne what you and your father like to do in your spare time.” She looked at me confused. I helped refresh her memory, “The drives . . .”

  “Oh, you mean our cemetery jaunts.”