The Price of Penny

by T. C. Rybicki

  “I know I’m a brat, Poppy, but I do better when you’re around. You keep me in line. Keats said you should live in our guest room as a joke, but I think he was serious.”

  “I’m not living with you two wild newlyweds and you’re fine without me. Come on, you do great at your job, you have a successful, handsome man that worships the ground you walk on and you’re Mummy’s favorite.”

  “I am not.” I rolled my eyes. “Fine, but you’re Daddy’s favorite.” I guess she was right, but that was by default only. Frankie would probably be Daddy’s favorite if he’d survived. Now I sounded like I needed a shrink for middle child syndrome.

  “Fine, this skip out is your only free pass. You will not miss another thing. Are we clear?”

  “Crystal.”

  “And don’t look at me like that, jerkface. I’m not bridezilla.”

  I made a tiny hand gesture with my hand, she might be a wee bit, but I forgave her if she could forgive my terrible moods. I was never getting out of the dress fitting. I really dreaded that moment. That shop was the scene of the crime, but I couldn’t say such a thing. Then it would seem I was thinking about Chet again. I was.

  Keats drove up seconds later, so Maggie left and I started my hot bath. I loved our deep clawfoot tub. It was the greatest part of the house. I would get one for myself one day when I made it back to England. We visited every other year after moving to the states. Mum’s parents were getting up in years and they knew how special their countryside home was to me. They promised it to both of us girls, but Maggie said she hardly cared. It wasn’t like she’d ever move back. I sure would. Jordan and I talked about it when he first got sick. He would close his eyes and say, “Tell me about the garden, Penny. I wanna see it in my dreams in case I never make it there.”

  I always pushed his negative thoughts aside. “Of course, you will when you’re all better.” I had this fantasy he’d hold out long enough for a brand new miracle drug. It would be experimental, but he’d take it anyway and then he’d respond and go into full remission. I imagined children running through a white picket gate with handfuls of flowers like Maggie and I did as children.

  Strange to imagine living out my dream now completely alone, but one day, I would return. I couldn’t spend my entire life in Los Angeles. I needed to figure out the career situation if I left America. An avenue existed to obtain accreditation in the UK, but then I needed to explore job markets in my field. At least, I had versatility with my tutoring experience. My grandparents were lifetime residents in an area just outside Cotswold. I intended to help care for them when they needed me. They still assured us that day was far off. I continued to save and remain frugal since I’d need every nickel to fulfill my five-year plan.

  The relaxing soak was just what I needed. I grabbed a book off my nightstand, gave Pepper permission to get on the bed with me. I climbed under the covers with my heated rice sock while the dog kept my feet warm and weighted down. My phone blinked, so I checked it.

  I’m totally finding out what I can about Chet. We’ll fix this, trust me.

  Maggie had just gotten to the bakery. What was she talking about? Oh shit. Mum and Keats were there with her. What had she told them? I needed to stop her, but there was no stopping my sister when she got started. I sent a frantic reply hoping she’d listen to reason.

  Don’t. Mrs. Monroe is professional. She won’t give information out.

  Nothing.

  Which I most certainly don’t even want. Please don’t embarrass me. You promised not to tell Mum I had him over.

  Still no reply. I really did feel like crap, but I was tempted to go down there. Maybe that was her plan all the while. She was playing a trick on me. Fine, I called her bluff. I would ignore her. Fixing this, what did that even mean? I didn’t need fixing. I was fine. Except for cramps, I was in tiptop shape. I’d signed on a new student who had very involved parents, the best kind and they already committed to summer tutoring which wasn’t always the case. That meant a little more money coming in that would go straight to savings.

  I tried to relax, but after an hour of mindlessly turning the pages of my book, I was more tense than ever. I kept my phone on my stomach in case she texted again.

  The phone actually startled me with Maggie’s stupid ringtone she insisted I download for her. I didn’t even get a hello out.

  “Are you sitting down?”

  “Actually, I’m napping.” I seriously exaggerated the truth. “Why? What’s up?”

  “Chet bought the cake.”

  “What cake?”

  “The cake, silly. Our cake! He already gave them the money two weeks ago when we tasted. He bought the groom’s cake too. Oh my God! I’m freaking out. Mummy almost fainted. Poppy, are you there? Did you hear what I said?”

  “Why would he do that?”

  “Because he’s a wacko, I guess. Are you dense? He’s totally crushing on you. The entire bakery is gushing over your blossoming romance.”

  I sat up in bed. Pepper lifted her head once to show me I’d woken her. “Margaret, stop. You got me, but I know you’re only teasing because I didn’t go.” I heard Mum in the background saying I had some explaining to do. She hated when I kept secrets.

  Maggie insisted it was no joke. She asked for an address to send a thank you note. Chet left explicit instructions that if anyone asked, they could give out his manager’s number. “I have it, hun. I know how to get in touch with him.”

  “Fine, tell him thanks, I guess and that he’s a fool with money.” I didn’t want to be included with any sort of communication. I’d already forgotten about him. All I could speculate was that man sure loved to blow his fortune.

  “I did, minus the fool comment, meanie. However, I did a little more than that. Look, we’re going to have dinner with Keats’s father. I’ll be home late. We’re dropping Mum off at the hotel. She and Dad are going to dinner alone, but all of us are going out tomorrow so we can discuss everything in person then.”

  There was little I hated more than being the center of a family dinner conversation and Maggie’s huge over-dramatization about Chet and I cinched that was all we’d be discussing. She started blabbing about needing to listen to something Keats was saying and she couldn’t talk to two people at once. Maggie hung up before I could say another word.

  Paid for her cakes? That made no sense. That was Chet’s problem, he made no sense. Why would he spend money on us like this? The nap was out. I got up, intending to raid the kitchen for some serious junk food.

  I was debating on nachos or vinegar chips while Pepper did her thing out back. Seriously, was she doing her business or only wanting out to bark at Piaf again? I had enough. I swung open the door. “Knock it off!” That was meant for both the cat and dog.

  Piaf didn’t appear to be out and Pepper wasn’t in the back at all, she was at the gate barking at my unexpected visitor. All at once, my mouth went dry and I froze.

  He had one hand in his pocket and the other went up in a suspended wave. “Hey, Penny.”

  Chet.

  “Um, is it okay if I come through? Pepper forgot me, I think.”

  I stepped out and shushed my dog. “It’s Chet, silly girl. Friend, not enemy, remember?” How could I blame my nutty dog? I wasn’t even sure that was a correct assessment.

  I opened the gate for him and Pepper totally attacked him . . . with affection. She wagged her tail and lolled her tongue like he was a piece of meat. Typical woman, exactly what he was used to.

  “Okay, down girl. That’s enough.” He held up his slobbered fingers and waved them in the air to dry them. I started walking back to the door. We all went inside and Chet stopped at the sink to wash his hands. It was a little strange to see him act so familiar in my home.

  I finally asked the million dollar question. “What are you doing here?”

  “Oh, well, Gage called.”

  “Who?”

  “My manager had a message and said Maggie wanted to speak to me.”

&nbs
p; “I told you, she’s rarely here.”

  He looked down at the floor and acted all sheepish. Was he blushing? I think he was. “Yeah, well, I’d been thinking about stopping by a few other times, it seemed like a good time since I was on your mind today.”

  I quickly refuted his statement. “You weren’t.” He smiled. It was almost impossible to offend him. Chet thought everything was a compliment.

  I really needed answers about this bakery situation. I grabbed my water glass and offered him something, but he said he was fine. We went to the living room and had a seat. Pepper brought him an array of prized possessions. Chet threw her rope bone a few times and she rewarded him with a slimy half-eaten rawhide.

  “Sorry, she hides those everywhere. Go away, you’re being a pest. Go to your bed.” Pepper ran back to the bedroom so maybe we’d have a moment’s peace.

  He and I both tried to say something at once. “Sorry. You first. How have you been?”

  He asked the question like we were long-lost friends separated by years. I think it had been a couple of weeks, but I didn’t mark the calendar or anything. I tried to remember what I started to say before. The way he watched me wasn’t helping. It only made me realize how wretched I must look. I had a little breakout thing going on across my forehead. My hair was a frizzled mess since I went to bed with it wet.

  Chet smiled.

  I frowned and covertly put my hand to my forehead to block him from seeing any pimples that might be forming. “Oh yeah, about Maggie and the cake, what’s your problem?”

  “My problem?”

  “Oh come now, it’s not normal. The dinner was bad enough. You had no right even if you unintentionally messed up our afternoon, but this wedding cake gesture is ridiculous.”

  “Ridiculous?”

  “Stop turning my words into a question. You know what I mean?”

  “No, I don’t think I do. I wanted to do something nice for a deserving woman and I thought Gage said Maggie was ecstatic. What am I missing here?”

  “This has nothing to do with Maggie and you know it.” He smiled again and it was infuriating. “You’re being a real jerk, so stop. I’m not in the mood, especially today.”

  “Why? What’s going on today?”

  I didn’t answer, but Pepper came back carrying my hot pink rice sock. Mags and I made them as a project one boring afternoon out of outrageously loud tube socks, rice and essential oils. They actually worked great and mine smelled like lavender while hers smelled of roses.

  I patted the dog. “Thanks girl.” I sat the sock down and Chet picked it straight up.

  “What’s this? It feels kinda warm.” He held it to his cheek which seemed wonky since I’d just soothed my angry uterus with it.

  “It’s a heat thingy.” I snatched it away and laid it on the other side of me so there’d be no more questions. I wasn’t going to bring up cramps to him. “Back to the point, I’m not sure if this is charity or one of your write-offs for tax season, but our father worked hard his whole life. He’s perfectly capable of giving his daughter a brilliant wedding, especially since it will be the only one he ever has to pay for.”

  “Penny, I’m all for giving to charity, but that’s not why I did it. I genuinely like to do unexpected nice things for people. There are no ulterior motives and as far as tax season. Seriously? What the hell does that even mean? I have an accountant for all that, but he never told me about a cake deductions worksheet, I assure you. Now, you’ve got my curiosity stirred. Why is it your father will never pay for another wedding? You’re too proud and plan to pay for your own, I’m guessing.”

  “I don’t plan on getting married. That’s why.”

  “Oh, well, that’s understandable. I’ve said something similar for years, but I never completely rule out the possibility and neither should you. We don’t know what the future holds.”

  He then admitted he’d thought about calling first, but he was in the neighborhood when Gage told him about Maggie’s call, once it was determined I wasn’t at the bakery, he thought he’d give it a shot I might be home.

  “Wait. How would you call?”

  He spouted off my number, right off the top of his head. I was stunned.

  “Stop. How’d you know that?”

  “Promise you won’t get mad.”

  “That depends.”

  “Or that you’ll contact the authorities . . . or the tabloids.”

  “Chet. Seriously, what’s going on?”

  He spilled a few secrets about a friend named Wayne and how he hacked into various networks to gain some info. He knew Maggie would be back at the dress shop, so once they found her full name in an appointment book, the rest was easy.

  “Easy?”

  “Well, for Wayne it was. Look, I’m truly sorry for the possible semi-invasion of your privacy. I wanted to see if you would go out with me.”

  It was a hell of a lot more than semi, but instead of being irate like I kept trying to make myself, I felt weird tickles in strange places, goosebumps broke out all over my skin too. He patiently waited on a response. “I don’t know what to say other than you and your friend need counseling, perhaps. I guess it’s just a number, but now you know you went to all that trouble for nothing, because . . .”

  “You can’t stand me.”

  I shoved him. “Stop. I never said that.” He grabbed my hand and I tried to pull it back. “Let go.”

  “Nope, I’m keeping these fingers for now. I don’t want to get pushed around, you pack a mean punch. I’m trying to be serious.” He rubbed his thumb over my palm. “Were you going to say, because you don’t date?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I’ve had some time to think about that and I’ve come up with a perfect solution. I don’t want to date you.”

  I felt completely filled with sorrow all of a sudden, but I was good at hiding that emotion. “You don’t? I mean, that’s good because you shouldn’t.”

  “Nope, I just want to hang out sometimes. You have friends, don’t you?”

  I wasn’t exactly what they called the life of any party. I keep my circle of friends pretty small. I hung out with my co-workers occasionally and I kept in touch with a few people from college. The majority of my time was spent around Maggie and her slew of friends. Chet probably had plenty of friends, no idea why he needed one like me.

  “Are you really low on friends or companions? Doubt you need me as a new recruit.”

  “True. I have more friends than I know what to do with, some I don’t even know, but that’s beside the point. I thought a new friend was in order and I choose you, Penelope Kopernik.” He started shaking the hand he was still holding onto. “What do you say? Friends?”

  “Um, I don’t know. I guess. Did you honestly say you have friends you don’t know? What does that mean?”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll explain later, but how about we do our first act of friendship? I’m hungry. Wanna grab an early dinner?”

  “That almost sounds like a date.”

  “Well, it’s not because clearly you don’t date and you’re hardly my type, anyway.”

  Was he for real? I felt excited and offended all at once. “When were you thinking?”

  “Now, didn’t you hear me? I’m hungry and you know I get headaches if I don’t eat.”

  I did remember that the last time we hung out. I wasn’t sure if he was joking or if I should worry he had a medical problem. I thought again about my appearance. I couldn’t go anywhere looking like this. I asked if his head could manage, but I needed at least a half hour. I didn’t want to leave him stranded in the living room with Pepper and her rope bone, so I offered to turn on Maggie’s TV and he seemed fine with that suggestion. She had the larger room and had a little seating area, although she and I always watched movies on her bed. I almost giggled thinking about telling my sister Chet Parker sat on her bed. We walked to her room, but Chet looked over my shoulder.

  “Is that your room over there?”

 
“Yes, the bathroom’s in the middle. Do you need to use it before I head in to do something about my out-of-control hair?”

  “No thanks and I like your hair. You have a ton of it.”

  “Yep, I hear that every time I get the ends trimmed. It’s pretty wild, nobody knows how hard us naturally curly haired gals have it. I’m changing, casual, right?” I looked at his jeans and t-shirt to draw that conclusion.

  “Whatever’s comfortable.” He winked at me. Did friends do that? I tried to think about Stan from the clinic. We were buds. He never winked at me. Maybe I should go over some friendship rules with Chet, but I had little time to consider those if I gave myself a thirty minute deadline. I went into my closet and grabbed a top. I already had the jeans I planned to wear tossed on the dresser. I ran to the bathroom. I could hear the television, so Chet must have found something. I turned on the straightener and quickly dressed. I considered popping a couple more Midol, but it hadn’t been long enough. I, surprisingly felt a lot better.

  I washed my face and inspected it for pimples. Maybe I exaggerated the breakout. I had a few minimal surface bumps that would easily be concealed when I put on my makeup. I brushed my teeth and used mouthwash. Fresh breath was important even with friends. I started my makeup next. My eyes were my strongest feature because of the standout blue shade. I had long lashes too which Mags was insanely jealous of. She and I played with makeup plenty. I wasn’t super into it like her, but I was her guinea pig since it was her passion and sometimes it was fun. She taught me a lot. I still looked like a small child with no makeup at all and Chet had seen me twice in this state and he didn’t run for the hills. I knew he was used to high glamour women, but maybe it wasn’t all that important to him. If we were just buds, then I guessed my looks didn’t matter so much, but it didn’t stop me from concealing my light dusting of freckles across my nose or lining my lips.