Lawfully Chosen

by Ginny Sterling

  “I don’t know if she’s welcome here anymore. You know that money was not the only thing taken, wasn’t it? Bonnie, you took it from me without even saying anything. I might have needed that money for bills or to keep the water on in this place, yet you took it anyways.” That was what hurt Penny the most, the fact that they had started a friendship with the girl and now she was abusing the fact. She hated to be taken advantage of or dumped upon, it reminded her of how her mother had abandoned her. She’d had to clean up a mess before, she didn’t want to do so again.

  “And I returned it,” Bonnie countered smoothly, taking her seat yet again at the small table. Her fingernails tapped upon the enamel table top in the kitchen. The silence stretching between them.

  “Did you take my gun too?” Penny finally asked, her words echoing between them heavily. She could see the shock and surprise on Ruby’s face, as well as the sly smile on Bonnie’s instantly setting her on edge. Part of her had known but she didn’t want to admit it.

  “What’s going on?” asked Ruby softly, looking at Penny and Bonnie as if she was seeing them for the first time. Her face was awash in confusion and disbelief. Penny could understand because she’d never told a soul that she had kept her father’s revolver.

  “That gun was dangerous and misfired the first time it was shot. Now if you want to gun, I can get you a gun,” Bonnie offered steadily, staring at Penny. It wasn’t an admission or a denial. Just a simple statement that confirmed her suspected guilt. How else would she know it misfired? Penny instantly felt sick to her stomach and grabbed a chair weakly before her knees gave out.

  “You shot my gun? Did you kill somebody?” she whispered aloud, feeling a wave of nausea wash over her. Would it be tied to her? Was it someone she knew, someone’s father or brother? How would she ever sleep again knowing that it was her gun that took a life.

  “What would happen if I did?”

  “Bonnie, that’s not funny. That gun is registered to my father,” she said mortified at the callousness of her answer. Didn’t she realize it could be traced to her? How it would affect her life as well as others? Penny cared for her, could it be she didn’t feel the same? She would never deliberately harm Bonnie nor wish it upon her but she was finding that the feeling wasn’t mutual. What about Ruby – what did she think of this mess? Could she live with someone that would harbor or aide a criminal?

  “You’re old pops has been gone for a long time, so they would never have attracted to you unless you switched it over to your name. So, did you?” Bonnie explained, rolling her eyes at the shock on Penny’s face. The woman had the nerve to look absolutely annoyed and disgusted, where Penny and Ruby stared at each other in complete disbelief at the carelessness she showed.

  “You didn’t answer the question. Did you shoot someone with my gun?” Penny repeated, more firmly this time. Would she got to Will? Could she turn in Bonnie and would Clyde come after her? Would anyone else? Penny felt her stomach clench painfully as the feeling of entrapment washed over her. Bonnie had the one up on her and she was helpless.

  “Bonnie I think both Penny and I need you to answer that question,” Ruby said quietly, grasping at Penny’s hand for supportive comfort. The two young women looked completely shell-shocked at Bonnie’s disinterest.

  “Look you two don’t have to get upset or get your knickers twisted, I came here to tell you that I’m leaving. I also wanted to see if I could get a little bit a help before Clyde and I headed out. I came here because when I thought we were friends. But I should’ve known better, because friends don’t sick the police on other friends.”

  Penny didn’t say a word either way. She’d never put the police on Bonnie’s tail nor would the woman believe her. She just watched her warily as Bonnie got up and started to pace in the small kitchen. Her shoes making soft taps on the linoleum floor. She looked almost distraught, aggravated and was watching the clock mounted on the wall above the sink.

  “Are you waiting for somebody?” Penny finally asked and felt Ruby clench her hand tightly. She shook her head negatively indicating that she didn’t want Bonnie any more upset, especially if her gun was missing. Did Bonnie have it on her?

  “My ride should be here soon,” Bonnie said flatly, peeking out the lace curtains.

  “Clyde Barrow?”

  “Maybe? Maybe not. Depends on if he could give your boy-toy the slip.” They were on the run from Will and the other policemen. Bonnie had lumped them all in the same category together. It was obvious now how her mind was working. If you weren’t helping her, you were against her- and a threat. If Barrow felt the same way she did, they were in danger. They needed Bonnie to leave quickly and forget about them.

  “Bonnie, I don’t want to be a part of anything that you two are in. I know that you’re a better person than this and I think that you can know that too. I can’t help you do anything against the law. I started my life over and I like where it’s going. Clyde is dragging you down,” Penny told her gently. “You are welcome here if you choose to start over again. We’ll help you.”

  “We miss you Bonnie,” Ruby agreed. “Come back to the restaurant and let’s find you a nice boy. Someone you can introduce to your father and have children with.”

  “You too don’t get it do you?” Bonnie laughed at them, her face awash with disbelief and disgust. “Clyde is holding me back and I am destined for more. I don’t want to just bring home a boy, I want to be married to a real man. You two birds might be happy with having a baby on your knee, but I am not. I want excitement and power in the thrill of being Clyde’s woman.”

  “Bonnie please,” Penny began seeing that she was getting irate. Bonnie slammed her fist down on the countertop, making Ruby and her jump anxiously at the display of temper. How would her cohorts or Clyde react at seeing her this upset?

  “No Penny – you were acting like such a Mrs. Grundy. No fun and no excitement. Dull! Where is your zest for life? Don’t you want more than this, more than your sheriff? I mean, there is no excitement in that stick in the mud so why bother with him? You need a real man – a man like my Clyde.”

  “And I hate to say it – but Bonnie you are acting like some gangster’s moll and you are so much better than that. Don’t let him bring you down.” Bonnie just smiled at her finally, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. It was more like seeing a dog bare its teeth, dangerous and potentially lethal. Bonnie was a threat and there was no doubt in her mind any longer.

  “Someday you’ll understand, ladies. I love Clyde and from the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew that he was the man for me. There’s a way that that he looks at me that nobody else has ever done. If you don’t want to help me I understand that, but you won’t hold me back either.”

  Bonnie stormed out the door to the kitchen that lead out to the side of the house. Penny and Ruby peaked outside to see a roadster pull up and sure enough Clyde Barrow was driving. Bonnie went flying into the car with excitement leaned over, kissed him and waved goodbye.

  Penny turn to Ruby and said, “Do not let her in this house again. I’m afraid he’s going to be too much for her and she can’t see that this is the wrong path. She needs more help than we could ever give her.” Unfortunately, Penny did not have to give Ruby that warning, because Bonnie never came by their house again.

  8

  It was several days before Penny saw Will again. He had come by the diner during one of her shifts, to tell her that he was heading out as part of an investigation and might be a few days. He was very courteous of him, and he was extremely polite. She was almost afraid for him and felt guilty that they had parted before he could have finished kissing her.

  “Hang on just a second I’ll be right back,” she whispered to him. Penny walk over to the table and topped off several coffee cups while taking their order. She noticed that he was standing at the back of the restaurant waiting patiently. She dropped off the order slip with Joe, told him she would be right back, and took his hand leading him outside on the back stoop.<
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  “Is everything all right?” he asked, his eyes concerned. She liked that about him, that he seemed to care about every little aspect of her life. She felt like she could tell him anything and he would listen or help her. It was terribly wonderful to have someone to be able to rely upon and she cherished it.

  “Yes, I just needed to do this,” Penny admitted softly and grabbed his lapels have his jacket pulling him to her. It did not take a moment for Will to realize that she was going to kiss him. She felt extremely forward and nervous, but it was well worth at the moment his lips touched hers. They stood there kissing in the dim, dusky sunlight for several moments before he broke the embrace.

  “What was that for? Not that I am complaining at all, mind you.” His eyes watched her tenderly and pushed a curl that had fallen onto her forehead off to the side. His finger lingered on the side of her face, outlining her jaw almost reverently.

  “That was for good luck, because I want you to know that I want you to be safe and come home soon. I will pray for your safe return tonight. I also wanted to tell you that I took your advice, and Bonnie will not be coming over to my house anymore.”

  “Did something happen?” he asked anxiously, his body tense and his eyes took on a hard glint. The softness had melted from him the moment he suspected she might have been in danger, making her stomach flip excitedly. She adored that he cared so much about her.

  “Nothing that I could not handle, but she knows that she is not welcome there anymore. Now I need to get back to my tables, and you have to get back to work. Be safe,” she whispered and kissed him one more time.

  Will nodded and adjusted his hat as he looked down on her. Penny knew immediately what look Bonnie was talking about when she talked about Clyde. There was an intimate look between her and Will that nothing could ever match or come close to. It was like looking at the other half of your soul.

  “Come back safely to me,” she repeated.

  “I will always come back to you, love,” he pledged softly, holding her hand against his heart. Penny happily nodded, satisfied with his response, and stepped back inside the diner to see Joe standing there with a knowing smile on his face.

  “I thought I was gonna have to come out there and pry you two apart,” Joe teased. “But I guess there could be worse couldn’t there?”

  “Amen sir, he’s about as good as they come,” she admitted softly to herself watching him walk away. She found herself admiring the strong, noble stance and realized that she liked his cool confidence more than she ever realized. While it was intimidating, once you got to know the man, it was more of a tough guy bravado that he put on for the world.

  “That-a-girl! I wish you talk to Ruby about finding a good man to settle down with,” Joe admitted, shaking his head in frustration. It was the first time he’d really opened up regarding Ruby. Usually he kept his opinions to himself and everything was about the restaurant and how it was run. Work was work and home, was kept at home.

  “What’s wrong with Teddy?” she asked lightly. She thought that Teddy was pretty straight-laced and seemed to be a good influence on Ruby. She noticed that the wild streak in her friend had seemed to slow down to a dull roar, or so she had thought.

  “Nothing is wrong with that boy, I’m afraid that he gives into her too much. He is so desperate to be with her, that he lets her walk all over him. Now I’m not saying that I want my girl talked down to, but I think it needs to be a fair mix between the two personalities. It’s okay to say no once in a while to have someone tell you no or to wait for a right time. Kinda like you and your sheriff. I don’t see him as the type to give in to you, nor do I see you letting some guy walk all over you.”

  Later that night, Penny understood exactly what Joe meant. Ruby pulled Teddy and her aside, begging to go to a dance hall that had opened up down the street. She was exhausted and the idea of going home to rest sounded so very good right now.

  “Ruby I don’t think so, I have to work early and I could use the rest. Besides if I wait too late then it will be pitch black out for me to walk home,” Penny explained using that as an excuse. She’d changed over time. Once she would have jumped at the chance for fun and excitement with friends, but now all she could think of was the peace that washed over her when she was with Will. Their afternoons spent at the pecan grove alone talking of their hopes and dreams seemed to fill her with a contentment and happiness that she’d not thought possible.

  “Then you should definitely come with us, and then I can walk the two of you home at the same time,” Teddy hedged. “Plus, if you go, then maybe you can talk me into getting her out of there earlier than 2 AM.”

  “Come on Penny, you should get out and have fun with us. All you ever do is spend your free time with Will. What about us? What about spending time with me?” Ruby asked, giving a slight pout. Penny knew that she was instantly trying to guilt her into participating. The idea of going dancing was extremely tempting, she used to do that about a year ago before her mother had left. She remembered how much fun it was to do the jitterbug, and the Charleston. She loved seeing the swinging dances, the dresses, and the atmosphere. Right now, the only thing she had to look forward to was an empty house. She had no idea when Will would be back and already missed him desperately.

  “All right, all right but we aren’t staying out too late,” she agreed gingerly and winced as Ruby threw her arms around her neck, hugging her excitedly. Teddy clapped on the shoulders and murmured his thanks. Apparently he was tired of heading out every night but did it to keep Ruby happy.

  “Let’s run by the house and get are glad rags on! I am not going dancing in this get up.” Ruby hugged Penny again excitedly. It had been a long time since Penny had dressed up. Her dress gowns had hung untouched on hangers in the back of her wardrobe. Goodness, it would truly be something to be able to go out and have fun just like old times.

  “This will be the first time we have been out for a girl’s night in a long time, come on Teddy you can be one of the girls tonight,” Ruby teased happily seeing Teddy’s face fall as he was lumped into a category unexpectedly. Penny smiled and actually felt sorry for the man.

  “Oh goody.”

  Penny took her time getting ready, simply excited to go out. When she and Will went out together, due to his unknown schedule she didn’t dress up often nor had they been dancing together. She had beautiful dresses to dance in from before her mother had left. She instantly felt a longing for him to see her dolled up. She stood before a long mirror admiring her figure. Her long, beaded silvery gown hung heavily on her, but as she moved the strands swung gently. Her hair was smoothed down and held snugly in place with a few pins and a ribbon tied neatly in place. Penny opened her rouge compact and gently dabbed it on her lips and cheeks to put a little color in her face. Smiling, she remembered how Will had admired the color on her lips.

  As they walk down the street, Penny and Ruby linked arms. She felt lighter in her heart that she had the last few days. She had really worried about Bonnie, and now understood that there was nothing she could do for her. All she could do was sympathize and pray for her. She had turned her focus towards herself and her relationship with Will, bringing peace to her heart. He was such a good man and would be so good to her.

  Ruby walked up to a warehouse and knocked on the heavy wooden door. Penny looked around and saw that it was not a rundown building, but it looked to be empty from the street. She got goosebumps and looked warily around. The trio seemed to be the only people on the street and dressed in their finest. Perhaps this was a very bad idea.

  Just then, the door opened a crack. Ruby whispered something to the person mysteriously. It must’ve been correct because the door was opened wide to them, and they all filed inside. She had never been to a dance hall where you had to have a secret password.

  “How did you know about this?” Penny was shocked by all the subterfuge and secrecy. What kind of dancehall was this? The ones she’d gone to before you simply waltzed right in without a
care. You could hear the music from outside and the windows were open to let in cool air. This was closed up tight and looked empty from the street.

  “One of my customers invited me. So, I told Teddy, and told him I wanted to go.” Ruby shrugged like it was nothing and pulled her shawl off her shoulders, revealing that her dress was very nearly strapless. Two thin beaded straps held the heavy gown. Her bosom was very close to be exposed, making Penny hike up her own dress modestly. She’d never worn anything so scandalous but then Ruby liked to live a wilder lifestyle. She’d left Teddy at the coat check and pulled Penny towards the dance floor.

  “Are things serious between you and Teddy?” Penny asked, feeling slightly awkward and leaving the man behind. Didn’t she care about his feelings or how he might see think of her dancing with other men? Penny didn’t want to dance with men, she simply wanted to dance alone and enjoy the lively music.

  “Goodness no, he’s fun but I think that he wants to settle down. I’m not ready to settle down, I am enjoying my life.”

  “I think you might be right, I think Teddy is looking at you and him in the future as a couple.” Ruby rolled her eyes, and grabbed Penny’s hand again, pulling her away from the entrance. The hall that was alive with its own musical pulse.

  “Let’s dance, and not talk about serious stuff,” Ruby shouted over the din and then rolled her eyes causing Penny to glance around. Teddy had caught up to them and was looking at Ruby expectantly.

  “What about me?” Teddy asked returning back from where he had been hanging his coat and hat. Penny almost felt sorry for him. Teddy was obviously head over heels in love with Ruby and she only saw him as a friend. Part of her wanted to tell him, however, Penny knew herself that she’d be devastated if Will lost interest in her.

  “I’ll be back to dance with you in a bit, why don’t you get something to wet your whistle?” The two women ran out onto the dance floor, and it was incredibly fun. They didn’t have designated dance partners, it was a matter of just dancing to the loud music. The horns of the jazz carried a melody that went right through your bones. Occasionally a singer would come out, but the majority of the time it was just music dancing and fun. Penny had worked up quite a sweat and was fanning herself. She had missed this a lot. She missed Will and wished he was here to dance with her.