The Price of Penny

by T. C. Rybicki

  Maggie started driving down the busier streets, paying absolutely no attention that I hadn’t uttered a word. She texted as I left Dr. Brown’s and invited me for margarita night at our favorite place. Not today was my first thought, or many many other days to come. However, I needed a shoulder to cry on, so to speak. Chet was across the globe, Mum was in Monterey. I needed my sister, my best friend.

  “Oh, listen to me, running my mouth without a break. I’m rude. How’d it go? I know the lady doctor is not your favorite place on earth. Come to think of it, it’s no woman’s favorite pastime. So did you get the pill or something more permanent?”

  “Permanent.” I cleared my throat. More like a lifetime commitment, but she never gave me a chance to say more.

  “Really? I’m shocked. What? Like an implant? Did it hurt?”

  “No, Mags, nothing hurt. At least, not today.”

  “What’s that mean?” she glanced over at me at a red light. “Are you okay? You look off.”

  The light turned green, Maggie started through the intersection and I blurted out the news. “I’m pregnant!”

  Maggie swerved her precious new car, then she swore, “No way. Holy shit. Are you serious?”

  My expression was not the joking kind. Maggie could barely chew gum and walk simultaneously, so she pulled over as soon as she could. She wanted me to tell her everything. What she really wanted to know was how could I be so stupid, what were we thinking and how was I going to tell Chet?

  I didn’t have good answers to those questions.

  Her last question was a no-brainer, “Well are you?”

  “Am I what?”

  “Are you keeping the baby?”

  “Of course, Mags. This is me we’re talking about.”

  “And Chet.”

  “I’m thinking about Chet too and that’s why I know we will.”

  Maggie changed her demeanor. She clapped her hands together to give me a little applause. “I’m going to be an Auntie. We have to shop immediately.”

  I grabbed her arm and made her swear the sister oath. “First, I need to tell him so you are sworn to secrecy. No shopping just yet.”

  “Except for Keats, right?”

  “Fine. Keats, but that’s it.”

  She wanted to know how I was telling Chet and only one way made sense. I had to tell him in person and I couldn’t wait weeks. I had to get to Argentina as soon as possible. Maggie was suddenly overjoyed to be an aunt, but we were going to be parents together- Chet and I. This unbelievable turn of events was not news I could ever break via Skype. Many things changed for both of us in a short amount of time. Our relationship was big news according to the latest gossip site, but having Chet’s baby was a total game-changer. More accurately, this was a life-changer.

  This was the last thing I wanted to hear. “Man, fuck off. You aren’t the director.”

  “No, I’m serious. You’ll hear this sooner or later from the big man and his cronies. You’ve got to get your head back in the game. You and Grace have lost your magic and I know why.”

  I shoved him gently. If he didn’t shut up, the next time I’d knock him on his ass. X grabbed my arm refusing to let this nonsense go. I jerked away. “Get off me!”

  He held his hands up in surrender, “Fine. But I have a solution. Look, you don’t have to totally get it on with her again, but maybe let her give you some much needed relief. It’s obvious you’re in a bad way being thousands of miles away from the golden P . . .” My fists clinched. He saw and corrected himself. “Jesus, bro. Penny. I was only going to say Penny, her name. Relax. Told you. I’m right. So tense.”

  I warned him again. “Don’t ever disrespect her.”

  “No way. She’s great, but our group goes way back, pre-Penny if you will. No one will ever know. What happens in Argentina, stays in Argentina. That means Penny won’t ever have to know. You’re not a monk, far from it. I know things, remember? Now go find Grace and tell her what you need and I’m sure she’ll deliver.”

  I told him the only reason he was still standing was because of our long running friendship, but no way in hell was I ever asking Grace to deliver me anything again.

  “That was ancient history and that’s Vegas’s motto, moron, not Argentina’s. Grace and I are professionals and we were getting this shoot done perfectly fine just like last time.” I hadn’t slept with her last movie either and this jackass never once said we’d lost our magic when we were in character.

  “Penny is my girlfriend.” She was about to be more, but I wasn’t publicizing it to this dumbass. “I’m faithful, unlike you. And furthermore, I suggest you worry about yourself, not me.”

  X wanted to know what I meant by that. He claimed he was killing it since filming began. I knew better. The loud shouting matches between him and the production team were well known by everyone on the project. Xavier was drinking too much. He was taking some new prescription for his anxiety and I was pretty sure he was abusing more than one medication. I also knew they were flying in a personality specialist to deal with his mood swings. X needed a full-time babysitter, so he was more off the rails than I believed if he thought I’d listen to one word of his advice.

  I turned around, done with our conversation, done with him until I had no choice but act a scene with him. He grabbed me. A scuffled ensued. He was right about one thing, I was tense being apart from Penny and it was bad enough I didn’t care about the consequences if we got into a fist fight.

  “Hey, knock it off, you two.” Kip, my assistant for the project grabbed my arm before I unleashed on X. Hitting him wasn’t a good idea, since he’d invariably strike back. We would screw up the schedule if either of us got bruised or broke anything, but I was that fed up with his bullshit. I definitely hadn’t thought it through when I lost my temper.

  I composed myself enough to hear what Kip tried to tell me. “I doubt you want your visitor to witness this moronic behavior.”

  Visitor? I wasn’t expecting anyone. In fact, to be on the list at this shoot was nothing short of obtaining a top secret security clearance.

  “What visitor? So help me if they let press in, I am going to blow. Tell them to fuck off. I have no comments. They can talk to me during promo.”

  Kip tried to pull me away, but I wouldn’t let him touch me. I followed him to the common area. Before we made it to the door, she stepped out.

  I must be dreaming, hallucinating or fully out of my mind. Penny wasn’t supposed to be here for at least two more weeks, but she was standing no more than twenty feet in front of me.

  Her lips spread into the widest grin. Kip stepped aside and pulled X away. I hadn’t realized he was following us.

  “Are you just going to stand there catching these pesky gnats with your tongue or do I get a kiss? I’ve come a long way to get my Chet fix.”

  This was reality. I hadn’t imagined her. We erased the distance between us in seconds

  I had her wrapped up in my embrace and gave her the kiss we’d been deprived of for over a month.

  She slowly pulled away and glanced around to see if anyone was watching. I was oblivious if they were. “Taste any gnats?”

  “Maybe one or two.” I smiled and gave her another quick kiss before taking her indoors.

  I was happy to see the portable unit where we ate and spent our downtime was totally empty. We went inside to talk. Of course, I wasn’t letting go of her. I pulled her into my lap so I could figure out why she was early for her visit.

  Penny told me she had a good reason and Gage and Kip facilitated her travel arrangements. They never said a word. She had them wrapped around her finger almost as bad as she had me. The only problem was, I couldn’t take her back to the hotel immediately. I had several hours of work remaining. Penny said she’d rest.

  “Trust me. After that flight and the bumpy ride over, I need it.” I wish there was better way to take her back than the rustic Jeeps we used but that was the only means of transportation in this remote area.

 
I hadn’t even decided if I was going into the city this weekend or not. I sure as hell was now.

  “Did you stop off at the hotel?”

  “Yes, I dropped off my things.”

  I interrupted, “In my suite?”

  “Yes, of course. Why? Did you want them to go to Xavier’s room instead?”

  “Always funny with that dry British wit, but hell no. I don’t even want him to speak to you the way he’s been acting. He’s a fucking prima donna and borderline delusional these days. I’m about to beg Steins to lean on the writers and kill him off.”

  “That bad?”

  “Yep. The worst he’s ever been and that’s saying something.”

  “Oh well, at least you have your old pal, Grace. I’m sure she’s being supportive.”

  “Penelope Elaine.”

  “Sorry. I know. You’re just colleagues, old mates. Whatever they’re calling it.”

  “Who’s they?”

  She shrugged. Penny only changed the awkward topic of Grace to fuss over me. She said I’d lost weight and looked tired. My girl looked amazing and was always beautiful, but I was way more worried she looked exhausted and her color seemed off. I hoped she hadn’t caught a bug on the plane. The quicker I got her back to our five-star hotel and pampered her, the better.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “Just water, please.” I got her a bottle from the fridge and reminded her never to drink one that wasn’t from a sealed bottle while she was here.

  “You sure you don’t want some food? It’s catered daily, so it’s all good. We have fresh fruit and sandwich supplies as well.”

  “Do you have any crackers?”

  I was puzzled by her request but dug around until I found one opened box of soda crackers. “No good, someone left the bag open. With the humidity, I’m sure they’re ruined.”

  Penny held her hand out and said they’d do. I wanted to spend a whole lot more time catching up. I still didn’t know why she was here. She didn’t need a reason and I assumed if it was bad news, she would have hinted at that, but she kept smiling at me, so I doubted that was the case.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine, well . . . I do have something . . . err . . .” her voice trailed off when Kip opened the door.

  “Man, you’ve got to go. I tried to hold them off as long as I could, but everyone is ready to wrap this sequence.” I kissed Penny goodbye and promised to be back soon. I told Kip to watch out for her and get her anything she needed. Time to focus. I wanted this work day over and done with more than anyone else. The day started out fairly shitty, but all that had changed. Sometimes, circumstances could change on a dime. In my case, they changed on a penny.

  Penny surprised me wanting to stop off in the restaurant before we ever went up to our room. She was suddenly starved and had to eat immediately. When it came time to browse the menu, she turned pale as a sheet. She said all those choices made her stomach turn. What in the hell? Was she allergic to Argentina or something? I started to order rack of lamb and then she said not to say the word rack. She stopped me several times. I couldn’t say pheasant or veal either.

  I sent the waiter away momentarily. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. I told you, order anything. We generally like the same things.”

  I tried again, but Penny frowned at every mention of food. I was about to give up when she said the bass sounded good. “Fine. The lady will take the Chilean sea bass and I’ll have a whiskey neat.”

  Penny stomped my foot under the table, so I carefully pointed to what I wanted. I didn’t dare speak it out loud in case it started her up again. The rest of dinner went well. We talked like we’d never been apart. That’s how we were from the start. She was quick to mention X stopped by and interrupted her nap. I was pissed that X had bothered her. Kip was supposed to be keeping watch.

  “What did he do?”

  “Nothing. I’m truly not wanting to be that girlfriend. I tried. I just can’t. I don’t like him. I thought at first I could, but I don’t. I know he’s your friend and I’m sorry, but he makes me uncomfortable.”

  I really wished she could be more specific, but Penny said he gave her a strange vibe. I had to be around him, occupational hazard, but there was no point to keep pushing them into social situations hoping they finally clicked.

  For a hungry girl, she barely picked at her fish. I offered to get dessert, but she said she was tired and wanted to go to our room. I couldn’t get there quick enough. I made arrangements with our server to send up a few surprises in about an hour. I knew Penny generally got her sweet cravings once her food settled. I thought champagne was also in order. This was a celebration reunion.

  Penny attempted to unlock our door, but I swept her off her feet. “From this day forward, I’m carrying you into every hotel room we stay at.”

  She laughed and said she hoped she didn’t get fat one day.

  I brought her to my bed. I had spent way more nights on location than in the hotel. The room was nicer than I remembered. The bed felt almost as good as the one Penny bought for me. I had spent plenty nights remembering where we made our best memories. Once we were alone, I wanted to show her how much I missed her. Penny put her hand against my chest after a few minutes of making out.

  Had I lost my magic touch? I was well on the way to having some of her clothes off. “Wait, even though I showered, I feel like a sweaty sow.”

  She was far from that, but I wriggled my eyebrows a few times. “So you want a shower? I can make that happen. We’ve had some pretty fucking awesome showers.”

  “Chet.”

  “Penny.”

  “I need to say what I came here to say first.”

  She looked a little too serious for my comfort. “What’s wrong?”

  “Showers.”

  “Huh?”

  “Remember San Diego?”

  “How could I ever forget that trip? Of course, I do.”

  “We took showers together.”

  “Yeah. Some of my best moments with you.”

  “We were pretty carried away that weekend.”

  “You were pretty damn hot, so that’s an understatement.”

  “Chet, do you remember one time, we got started in the shower, but by the time we made it to the bed, we were a little too far gone and we weren’t careful?”

  I was slow, but I wasn’t completely dense. All the facts started sequencing in my head. I remembered without a doubt about the instance she was referring to. I’d never taken a chance like that in my life. I always used protection and I noted the difference when nothing was between us. Penny knew her body. It was supposed to be a safe time. Judging the look on her face and the fact she’d been damn near green this entire afternoon, I guess it wasn’t one of her safe days after all.

  “You’re . . .”

  “Pregnant,” she finished my statement. “Chet, I’m pregnant. I’m so sorry.”

  I pulled her against me. She burst into tears. “Don’t cry. It’s okay.”

  “I promise, I wasn’t trying to trick you. I really did think it was too late in the month.”

  “I know. I trust you. It’s going to be okay. I’ll always take care of you, of us.”

  Penny told me how far along she was. I understood little about all that medical stuff she recited by the doctor, but her last words stuck. “So, I’m due in April.”

  I held my breath. That made it seem so real. At first we were saying pregnant and talking about last menstrual periods, but when she said a due date, it hit me. We were having a baby together, a real-life dependent on us for everything, tiny human.

  Penny stiffened, “Oh no, now you’re upset.”

  I shook my head, “No, I’m not upset at all. I’m in awe of you, the mother of my child is in my presence. I feel like the luckiest man on earth.”

  “You mean it? Because this is so soon and not part of our plans.”

  “Yes, the plans are up in flames. We’ve never stuck
to a plan if I’m remembering correctly. We’ve been on a fast track with our relationship since the beginning. This is so us.” I snickered at the irony.

  “But your image.”

  “What image?”

  “You know you have an image and I never fit with it.”

  “Everyone knows we’re together. You fit perfectly with me so stop spouting that nonsense.”

  “But I doubt anyone expected you would knock me up so soon. Your fandom will rake me over the coals.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. She made fun of the fact I had a so-called fandom all the time and now she was worried about upsetting them. “No, they won’t. If they do, I don’t care. I’ll pull down all my social media accounts if I have to.”

  “I’m so daft, Chet. I should have figured this out weeks ago. I’ll be showing soon.”

  “Good. I bet you’ll look adorable pregnant. I think it’s hot.”

  “You really aren’t upset?”

  “The only thing I’m worried about is telling Frank.”

  “Daddy will be shocked, but he’ll be happy for us.”

  “So I take it no one knows, but Maggie?”

  “Yes, I had to spill to someone. I was bursting.”

  “And Keats?”

  “Yes and she told Keats but no one else knows except Gage.”

  “You told Gage before me?” That was a little annoying.

  “Of course not, he guessed when I insisted on this change of plans. I never confirmed his suspicion, but he said it’s his job to head off disasters. He called my pregnancy a disaster!”

  “That’s not what he meant. His idea of a disaster pregnancy is me knocking up some random chick I don’t know. You’re good. I know you. I knew you pretty well apparently since I made you pregnant.” I tickled her until she stopped her fretful look thinking about whatever Gage must have said to her.