The Price of Penny

by T. C. Rybicki

  Wayne turned pale. Success. “Wh . . . what’s a cemetery jaunt, you mean haunt?”

  She laughed. “No, no haunting. My father and I love touring old cemeteries. We have been to some amazing ones in Europe and the US. He has a unique bucket list, you could say. We check them off our list when we can. I got him two new books full of beautiful cemetery photography. I know he will love them.”

  Wayne looked at me, shaking his head and then back to Penny. “I take it back. She is not good, Penny is bad. What place of darkness did you find this creature roaming?”

  Mom smacked him, “Wayne, don’t be silly.”

  “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”

  “The siren speaks again. Don’t go to Monterey, Chet. She’ll lure you off the cliffs, I tell you.”

  Heather pelted Wayne next by throwing a chip at him. “Are you for real? Penny is harmless, I’m sure.”

  No Heather, Penny is killing me slowly, but Wayne exaggerated that she masqueraded as a siren. I kept it to myself and tried to fill her in why it was such a big deal she and Frank toured old cemeteries.

  “Wayne’s scared of them, like cries over it. He can barely hear the word. I don’t understand where he gets his irrational fear from.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. We love the history and beauty of them. I know it sounds strange to the majority of people, but it’s our thing.”

  “Correction, it’s a phobia, not irrational like tossing salt over one’s shoulder or not crossing the path of a black cat, although that one I do avoid. A phobia is a persistent fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it.”

  Pretty sure he always left out the word irrational when he spouted off that definition because it was there. I’d looked it up as well.

  Penny changed the mood of the entire conversation when she elaborated. She told them about visiting the cemetery at her brother’s grave alone with her father, because her mother couldn’t handle it. “We found solace there and pretty soon, I would venture out to the other graves. Even as a young child, I was curious about the people in their final resting place. I thought about their lives, and the people that loved them and wondered how long they were missed. Were their families inconsolable like I remembered Mum many times? That blossomed into a hobby for us and I can see why some people view it as odd. We lost a loved one and yet we were drawn to the very place where we had to say goodbye.”

  “Oh, Penny, I’m sorry to hear that your family lost a child. That’s so tragic. I think it’s inspiring you and your father search for beauty and purpose in such a unique way.”

  We were all a little awestruck. Penny wasn’t one dimensional. I put my arm around her and kissed the side of her head. “Sorry, I only wanted to make a joke on Wayne. I didn’t mean to cause your painful memories to surface.”

  “It’s fine, you didn’t. Daddy and I are at peace with it in a way.”

  Wayne clammed up. I knew he wasn’t sure what to say like the rest of us.

  Heather helped to lighten the mood. “I’m going swimming, who’s joining me? Penny, wanna take a look at the suits?”

  She and I hadn’t discussed it, but I might have slipped a secret text to her sister. I hoped Maggie came through because it would be a little weird to lust after Penny in one of my sister’s swimsuits.

  “Funny, but when I freshened up earlier, I noticed my sister stuck in a suit, so I have my own. I’m not sure about wearing the one she chose, since I don’t care for the fit.”

  “Honey, no one cares. It’s practically dark out here in the pool anyway. Let’s go. I’m changing after I help Mom put away the leftovers.”

  Heather and Mom grabbed some dishes and headed inside. Dad also said goodnight and carried in another armful of things.

  I made a flicking motion at Wayne like I’d thump a bug. He finally got the picture and took the rest of the things left on the table.

  “So you wanna swim, right? I promise it won’t be too cold.”

  “Yeah, I guess but do you have a t-shirt I could borrow. I’m serious, this suit is too revealing. I can’t wear it in front of your parents. Maggie bought it for me. You know how crazy she is.”

  “Okay, I can give you one, but the truth is my father won’t be heard from again tonight. He’s up in the game room by now with his television. Mom will do a fast clean up and go on her computer to work on designs for clients. Teddy might swim, but he knows better than to look at you again. Like Heather said, it’s dark out.”

  “You’re incorrigible. Has anyone ever told you that?”

  “Not that I can remember. You’re the first which I love saying by the way. Most of my buddies don’t use such fancy words. Seriously, though, I’m sorry about Wayne. I always have to apologize for him, but he doesn’t mean it.”

  “He’s great, no worries, but are you sure you’re not worried about me luring you to your death? I have to admit that was quite creative.”

  “Penny, you should know by now, luring isn’t necessary. I’d happily follow you anywhere.”

  I took too long changing. I adjusted the stupid skimpy suit Maggie packed for the third time, but didn’t have the nerve to walk out of the bathroom. Maybe I should have looked through some of Heather’s but she had such a great body, way taller and more filled out than I had ever dreamed about being. Her loaner suit probably wouldn’t have fit. I heard him talking, so I cracked the door and made a “psst” noise, “Chet.”

  He turned around and I froze. Chet wore a multi-colored striped pair of board shorts. I’d noted Chet’s body in his movies, but real life was different. He walked down the hall toward me. My entire focus shifted from myself to how his suit hung low on his narrow hips, just under those lines that made every woman lose their mind for a few seconds. My eyes quickly became glued to the trail of hair below his navel which disappeared under his waistband. Maggie called it a happy trail. I thought that was a dumb name, but it was true, I suddenly felt happy. I grinned like an idiot, but tried to get a handle on my reaction before he got any closer.

  I pulled the door back a little for two reasons: I needed to quit ogling him and I wasn’t prepared for him to see me so scantily clad.

  “Come on, they’re already in the pool. You alright?”

  “No, remember, I need a shirt.”

  “Oh yeah, you sure you want one? I told you, Mom and Dad are in their respective corners. It’s only Teddy, Heather and Wayne and it’s pretty dark. I switched the porch lights off already, so it’s just the pool lights.”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I don’t feel comfortable in this. Maggie is too damn pushy. I would never buy this for myself, much less wear it.”

  “Fine, one sec.”

  He came back with a wadded ball of fabric in his hands. He pushed it through the space I’d left, but jerked it back right as I was about to pull it through.

  “Nuh uh. I’ll let you borrow this but there’s a price. I don’t do favors for free.”

  Was he serious?

  “What?”

  “I want to see the suit.”

  “No, forget it. I’ll go to bed instead. I’m tired.”

  “Awe, Penny, come on. Don’t be like that. Please, a three second peek. That’s all I need.”

  The suit was attractive and it fit well, but I’d never had one that opened so much in the front. I usually went for more straight across types not plunging, open v-shapes that transformed my mediocre assets into nearly spectacular. This suit was an all-out lie. The bottoms weren’t any less revealing, only two thin strips across my hips held the damn thing together. For an adult woman, I could be so juvenile. Chet probably had been to topless beaches. Hell, I wasn’t sure, but he very well might have dated an SI swimsuit model. Note to self, Google stalking those facts later. Point was, he’d seen way worse or better, whichever it was.

  I pulled the door all the way open. “One, two, three . . . now pass me the shirt.”

  He didn’t do it. Chet kept the shirt down at his side.
He stared and I froze. I didn’t know what to do under such intense scrutiny. I’d never been examined like this as far as I knew.

  “You’re so pretty.” He released the shirt and surprised me by dressing me with it himself like I was helpless. I was at least for the moment. Chet was often cocky and over-confident. I expected something a little more crass, but “you’re so pretty” caught me by surprise and did strange things to my mind and my insides. I wasn’t wearing much, but warmth flooded my body.

  I stood there long enough to look like a moron. I scooped up a towel and headed outside. Chet followed closely.

  The others were having a good time. Teddy tossed a ball at Chet when we got close to the pool.

  “Penny, I worried you weren’t coming. I need some girl power. How are you at volleyball?”

  “Terrible,” I joked. Heather insisted we take on the guys which seemed crazy. There were three of them and only two of us. I planned to inch my way in, but Heather yelled for me to lose the shirt or it might slow me down.

  Chet butted in and said I was embarrassed of my body. “I never said that. I’m not comfortable with this swimsuit.”

  “No way. You’ve got a great body. You rocked that dress earlier. It’s dark out here, no one will even see. Come on, girl. I need you unrestricted.” I glanced at Chet and he gave me a head nod. He also reached for the hem of the shirt. He might have helped put it on, but I refused to let him take the shirt off in front of his siblings and best friend. I swatted him away and jerked it off my body before he could. Chet reacted quickly and threw that ball, pegging Wayne directly in the head.

  “Hey, what was that for?”

  “Quit staring.”

  I caught him off guard and shoved him in the pool. I jumped right in after him.

  Chet came after me and I splashed his face. “What did I do?”

  “You were rude.”

  “I’m protecting your honor. He’s a perv.”

  “Whatever. Ready to lose at volleyball?”

  Chet grabbed around my waist. He leaned in closer. “Honey, you need to learn something about me. I never lose.”

  It was no contest, even though Wayne wasn’t much of a third opponent. Chet and Teddy killed us. Heather and I couldn’t get anything past them, but they spiked on us over and over. We lost, but I had lots of fun. Everyone slowed down. Water play was exhausting and it was late. We congregated around the steps to chat. Teddy announced with a yawn he needed sleep.

  “Night, Teddy.” He did a nervous wave thing. I whispered to Chet, “Is he ever going to talk to me?”

  Chet said maybe in about six months he’d get the nerve up for some one or two-word sentences.

  Wayne apologized when the conversation lulled. “So about earlier, sorry I made you think of sad times. I mess around at the wrong times. My fear of cemeteries and driving is real.” He paused, “Also, imported white cheeses if you want to know the truth, but the cemetery phobia is the worst.”

  He was unique, strange and weird all rolled into one. I told him no worries. I wasn’t upset by it at all. “I totally get having fears. I have a fairly significant one myself.” I felt Chet’s hand on my back. Maybe I spoke for Wayne’s benefit, but I also thought confessing out loud would help me. “I’ve decided to try harder than ever to tackle this fear one day, one moment at a time. If this phobia is paralyzing you in some respects, maybe you could do something similar. Baby steps are pretty phenomenal. I’d help you, but no pressure. Think about it.”

  “I will. Thanks, Penny.”

  I wasn’t sure if I could help Wayne. It wasn’t like me to get so personal with someone I hardly knew, but he was really important to Chet and by the end of the evening, I felt a certain connection to him by association.

  Wayne and Heather chatted on about their jobs. I noticed she kept her distance, but they had known each other a long time and seemed to have easy conversation.

  Chet took me by the wrist. “Let’s swim.” I needed both my hands to swim, but that was an excuse to get me to the deep end where it was dark and private.

  I pulled away to tread water alongside him. “What are you up to?”

  “Nothing, only trying to create one of those moments you spoke of.”

  “Oh, well I didn’t specify what I was talking about.”

  “Like you needed to. Thanks, for giving this a chance.”

  “Chet, I’m still . . . you know, and I can’t change overnight.”

  “I know. Am I pressuring you?”

  “No, of course not.” He moved forward, so I backed up until I scraped against the pool wall. I anchored myself in place with my right foot. Chet encased me with his hands clamped over the pool edge, one on each side of me. “Well, maybe now you are.”

  “I’m just hanging out.”

  He should have said practically hanging on me. Here I was with Chet all alone, but not really. His sister and friend were merely a pool’s length away. I’d spent a good part of the day announcing I wasn’t his girlfriend and yet over and over I allowed myself to look the part. They probably thought this English girl from Monterey was extremely confused. I was. His body inched closer. One hand released the edge and moved to my cheek.

  “Chet . . .”

  “Look at me, Penny.” I avoided looking straight into his eyes. The fear was there. The battle raged within, but instead of succumbing to it, I surrendered to him instead. I took three deep breaths and concentrated on slowing my racing heart, but feeling Chet against me made that almost impossible. If I meant what I said earlier, then I had to push myself out of my comfort zone. I lifted my hands from the water and wrapped them around his neck. Now he was my sole support in the water. It felt good, but I was afraid to move. When I noticed his face coming closer, a tremor ran through me and he noticed.

  “Easy. I’ve got you. No pressure.” He leaned in and pressed his forehead to mine. “Just breathe with me, Penny.” I listened as we tread the water together, breathing in and out.

  “Sorry, to interrupt, but I have to go. I work in the morning.” I could be intense with Chet alone perhaps, but not with an audience. I pushed away from Chet and scrambled back to the wall to tell Heather goodnight and thanks for hanging out.

  “Yeah, sis, thanks so much!” He sounded pissed.

  “No problem. Penny’s way cooler than you. Hey, I have an idea, next weekend I’m off, I’ll come into the city and we’ll do a girls’ night. No men allowed.” She directed that last bit at Chet.

  “Sounds fun. Call me. Do you mind if my sister comes?”

  “No, she sounds fun. It truly was nice meeting you.” She had special parting words for Chet and Wayne, “Bye doofus, bye weirdo.”

  I lifted myself up and out of the pool next. I wrapped in my towel and told them I was also turning in. “It’s been a long day. See you both in the morning.” Chet was out of the pool a second later.

  “Wait. Don’t run off.”

  “Not running, just tired. Goodnight Wayne.”

  “Night Penny. Lock your door. That one sleepwalks.”

  I giggled. I probably would if I could, but I didn’t remember Heather’s door having a lock.

  After a quick hot shower and changing into some night clothes, I was ready for bed. I chickened out on being alone with Chet again. I heard a knock nearby, but it wasn’t my door. Was I really that girl, the one that would climb out of a cozy bed to investigate, more like snoop on other people’s conversation? Apparently, I was. I pressed my ear to the door. I heard muffled voices. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. I would be mortified if I got caught, but I slowly twisted the knob and tugged the door ajar. I attempted to view the participants of a hushed conversation through barely a millimeter crack.

  “Penny’s nice.”

  “Yes. Is that all Mom?”

  “No, I wanted to say goodnight. I loved having all my kids here, plus Wayne. It seemed like old times and I think Penny enjoyed herself. I guess that makes you happy we didn’t embarrass you.”

  “
How about Heather, Teddy and Wayne all embarrassed me one way or another, but you and Dad were pretty cool. Can’t believe I’m admitting that.”

  “Well, I . . . I mean your family approves. I really like her and hope this means we’ll be seeing more of both of you.”

  “I hope so too, Mom. Goodnight.”

  “Sure there’s not anything else I should know?”

  “Nope. When I propose, you’ll be the second to find out, so stop fishing and be happy I met a nice woman.”

  Chet was joking, but I couldn’t listen to anymore. I never should’ve gotten up. I slowly shut the door with the same precision I opened it, but it made a distinct click. I hoped they didn’t hear. I jumped in the bed, turned off the lamp and pulled the covers up over my head. Maybe the darkness would cover up my mistake. I can’t believe I eavesdropped. Why the heck did he mention proposing even as a joke? I can’t imagine what Sheila must think about us. I didn’t know why it mattered so much, but it did.

  I held my breath when Chet’s voice whispered inside my room. “Why you hiding, Penny?”

  I pretended with a groggy voice as I pulled back the covers, “Chet, is that you?” Who else would it be? “I crashed, sorry, goodnight, see you in the morning.”

  Hopefully, he bought it. When I felt the bed dip under his weight, I knew I wasn’t getting off so easy.

  “How can you be asleep if you were just spying on me and Mom seconds ago?”

  I popped up quick with a denial on my lips. “I was not.”

  He flipped the lamp back on and I didn’t flinch. He picked it off the bedside table and angled it at my eyes. “I heard this works, but I’ve never tried it. Stare at the bright light and repeat that lie once more.”

  I shoved his hand. “Get out, you maniac. I was asleep. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Chet pushed at me, “Scoot over. I’m climbing in.”

  I stiff-armed him, “No, you are not.”

  “Yes, I am. I’m staying in this room with you until you admit it. You were eavesdropping. Hell, you know what would be funny? I might start banging on the wall and making sexy noises. Teddy’s room is next door. He’s already afraid of you, doubt he’ll even be able to look you in the eyes in the morning.”