A Penny's Worth by Nancy DeRosa

Author:Nancy DeRosa [DeRosa, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Self-Help
ISBN: 9781908824097
Publisher: Fingerpress
Published: 2012-08-15T03:56:05+00:00

Chapter 22

The phone rang just as she arrived home that night. She ran to get it and almost tripped over Bob.

“Sorry baby,” she called as she lunged for the receiver.

“Hi Pen,” her father said just as the receiver reached her ear.

She felt a quick clench of sadness grip her heart. She put her other hand to her chest. “Hey Dad,” she replied tentatively. “What’s up?”

“What the hell happened yesterday?”

“You don’t mince words,” she said in surprise.

“Mince words? Penny, I’m really disappointed in you. You come late to the church yesterday, and then to top it off, you just take off and don’t come to your brother’s luncheon. You didn’t even seem to care about your nephews, who by the way, you’re supposed to be crazy about. What is going on with you?” Ron’s voice was rising at a most alarming rate.

Penny was reeling; she had never heard him so angry. This onslaught of words was quite unlike her father. She began slowly. “Dad… you and I have always had a pretty good relationship in spite of Mom. I’m trying to forgive you for not supporting me when I needed you… you’re human, and God knows I’ve been blind to a lot of things myself,” she took a deep breath to continue, “but I’m not blind anymore. Until your wife can treat me with the respect I deserve, I will always walk away. I’ve finally realized that no-one can protect me better than myself.”

“But it was an important day for the family and you.”

“I was there and I was prepared to go to the lunch afterwards but Mom can’t undo me any longer, Dad. I can’t afford to be undone. Sorry, but that’s the way it is.”

“Penny… I just don’t understand what’s happening to you.”

“Alright then, maybe you will understand this.” Her voice rose. “I’m as wonderful as Charlene, Steve, and Louis, you so need to know that. I really have to go. I’ll see you.” Before she realized what she was doing, she slammed the receiver down.

She couldn’t believe she just hung up on her Dad.

Winston and Bob were staring at her, heads tilted quizzically. Kneeling down, she stroked both of their heads. “It’s okay guys. I’m fine. I’ve only just totally lost my mind and I’m probably having a nervous breakdown, but don’t worry, I promise to find someone in the family to look after you.” She realized she was making empty promises to her pets, because she doubted she would have a family left after this evening.

The phone rang again. She gingerly picked up the phone and said hastily, “Look Dad, I’m sorry I hung up on—”

Her neighbor Sarah broke in, “Look if you’re going to make some freaky confession or something, stop now, I’m not your Dad.”

Nervous laughter. “Oh no, I was just going to tell him something really silly.” She stopped there before she made an even bigger fool of herself.

“Well, whatever,” Sarah bubbled. “The reason I’m calling you is I have that blind date set up for you.

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