Drive to the hose was silent and pretty unpleasant. Cheryl needed to process the fact that her mother slept with a girl who later turned out to be mother of her girlfriend and Toni was still working on the part where her mom is alive. She didn't care who she slept with. She was too shocked but her mom's ''resurrection''.
''You have to leave at my apartment to pack. You take girls to the house and I will come later.''
''You don't live there?''
''No, I live somewhere else.''
''But, Penelope, she is too young to live alone.''
''She is not alone, she lives with your daughter.''
''Penelope, why don't you live with your daughter?''
Before she said anything, Cheryl responded.
''She sent me to the Sisters….She wanted to change me… She got me there to cure me from Toni and my deviant behavior…''
Nina hit the brakes.
''YOU DID WHAT? How could you do it?''
Penelope didn't say anything. She just looked at one spot and kept silent.
''Penelope? How could you do that to her after….''
''YOU SHUT UP NOW NINA! WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT IT!''
Cheryl never heard her mother react like that. Nina left Penelope in front of her building and drove girls to the house. Cheryl had so many questions as did Toni. Nina saw that in their eyes and she had to do something about it.
''We will talk about everything, when there is four of us. Not like that.''
''So, there is something to talk about?''
''That's something we are aware of Cheryl. Four of us have long drive to the house and a lot to talk about.''
When they got home, Cheryl went upstairs to pack them and she left Toni alone with her mom. She needed that alone time with her. She knew that Toni had too many questions that had nothing to do with relationship between her and Penelope.
''So, can you tell me why? Why did you leave me?''
''I was at a very bad place. I did drugs…I drank a lot and I was not good enough to be with you. You were five when I was in rehab for a first time. I was not happy with my life. There were a lot of things holding me back and a lot of demons I had to face. David took you in because he knew your dad and I can't take care of ourselves, let alone you… And that was best thing we could have done. Soon after that, he od-ed on heroin and I was back in rehab. I got clean three years ago. If I kept you, you would have lived life that's not pretty nice. At least with your grandfather you had some good foundation and life.''
''Why did you have me? Did you even want me?''
''I had no idea I was pregnant for some time. And when I found out, it was too late. I had to keep you. And when you were born, I did love you….but I never loved you dad. I felt trapped in our life and I turned to alcohol and drugs.''
''Trapped?''
''We lived together because we had a child. He wanted me for so long and one night of my very fragile state and a lot of whiskey led to you.''
''So, I was a product of your one night stand?''
''I was at a bad place. I broke up a relationship that meant everything to me at that time and I was not ok. I was thinking of ending my life, I was very depressed and dark and it just happened.''
''Who was that other person?''
''That is not important now. We will talk about it some other time.''
''So… You and Penelope Blossom?''
Nina smiled at her daughter.
''We are not talking about it without two of them. IF we have to talk about it, it will be all four of us.''
''So, there is something to talk about?''
''Toni, don't rush the talk.''
Cheryl came down with their bags and soon after her, Penelope came with her suitcase.
''I am ready… Shall we?''
''Yes, P. Let's get things into your car.''
They put their bags in and Penelope added the chest. She turned to Toni and asked about the key.
''Do you still have the key?''
She got out of her blouse small silver chain with snake and cherries and the key was hanging there.
''Yes, it's on my chain.''
''Good. You will need it there.''
Toni and Cheryl were sitting in the back and Nina was in front seat with Penelope. Nina was driving, since Penelope was still under the influence. First hour of their ride was very quiet. Toni and Cheryl were talking with their eyes and Nina and Penelope avoided looking at one another. Cheryl broke the silence.
''So, what was the deal with two of you? Was it just what we saw there or…?''
Nina was surprised by the question and Penelope felt unpleasant. Nina knew that Penelope would never speak, so she took it upon herself to at least start the talk.
''It was..hm…''
Nina didn't know what to say, and it was surprise to them all when Penelope spoke.
''We basically dated from the moment you saw tonight until the end of senior year.''
Toni and Cheryl didn't see that coming
''What?''
''Yes, Cheryl. I dated Nina from the night you saw, until the end of senior year. Some would say we were in love.''
''That is over two years mother?''
''Yes, Cheryl, I am aware of that fact.''
''And how could you send me to the Sisters after you dated a woman for that long?''
''I wanted to help you and spare you of the pain I have suffered.''
Nina gave her very angry and hurt look.
''What? What pain did you feel? You left me in a letter Penelope!''
''No, I didn't… You left me! You let me wait for you for six hours at that station close to trailer park. I sat there for hours and you never showed up.''
''What? What station? I have no idea what you are talking about.''
''In a letter…It was all in the letter you wrote me. It was after the night in the bunker when FP and Alice almost caught us… You left me a letter in my locker.''
Nina was surprised.
''Penelope, I didn't leave any letter for you.''
''It doesn't matter… What's done is done. We can't turn back time.''
''But that was the thing that broke us up.''
''It would have been something else.''
''Who do you think wrote those letters Penelope?''
''I have no idea.''
''Now, I think it might have been your beloved husband.''
''What?''
''Yes, it was in hist interest to brake us up.''
''He didn't know about us.''
''You think that your mommy dearest didn't tell him?''
Cheryl was surprised to hear that her grandmother knew.
''Nana Carry knew?''
''Yes, she did… She sort of…found out first hand.''
That got Nina to smile a bit. Toni saw it in the rearview mirror and just started laughing.
''Oh, my God!''
Cheryl turned to her girlfriend curious what was that all about.
''What is it babe?''
''She caught them together.''
Cheryl made disgusted face.
''That's…''
''What? ''
''Not an image I wanted in my mind.''
Penelope smirked.
''Now you know the feeling.''
''Of what?''
''Having an unwanted image in your mind.''
Toni understood what Penelope wanted to say.
''I agree that it is very weird knowing you two were…seeing each other.''
Cheryl had so many questions, but she just blurted this one.
''How should I call you? Ms. Becket? Nina?''
''I am ok with Nina…''
Toni looked at Mrs. Blossom expecting from her something to say.
''I guess that we can skip the entire Mrs. Blossom thing… After things that got out tonight and what will get out during our time at the house, I think that Penelope is ok.''
Toni nodded and took Cheryl's hand. There was silence again. It was not pleasant silence where you enjoy the trip and company of the people, but the silence hiding million questions none of the passengers dares to ask. Nina broke the silence for a practical reason.
''Is anyone hungry? There is a nice diner here few miles down.''
Toni and Cheryl said that they could eat and Penelope just stared out of her window.
''Chery Blossom, are you hungry?''
''I could eat…if you all want to.''
''Ok… What will it be? Strawberry milkshake and pancakes with cream and strawberries?''
''We shall see inside…''
''You will change your order? That was what you always had.''
Cheryl was curious.
''You ate there before?''
''Yes, many times. On the way to the house. She loved that small place.''
''So, you and my mom went there before?''
''Few times. You grandparents were not in the country much and Penelope always was a good girl, so they had no idea what she was really doing.''
Penelope smirked.
''Lucky for you they believed I was still a very good and boring girl.''
''I never complained. I loved how much freedom your past reputation gave us.''
''Why do you call her Chery Blossom?''
''I don't remember how it started. I just know it got into our communication that much that she even has a cherry blossom tattoo.''
''What? Mom?''
''You really didn't have to share…''
''Where is your tattoo? How come I've never seen it?''
''You had it removed?''
''No, it's still there… And you haven't seen it Cheryl because it's somewhere personal.''
''Oversharing mother.''
''Not that personal, but it was covered by my bathing suit. I always had one piece when you were kids.''
''What did grandma tell you when she saw it?''
''She had no idea.''
''Really?''
''Yes, she never saw me in that state of undress to even doubt I had a tattoo. She died not knowing that.''
They all laughed at that. They got to the diner and found the booth. Toni and Cheryl sat together and that left their mothers on the other side of the booth. Cheryl and Nina took the menus and started reading them, Penelope was looking out of the window looking like she wants to be anywhere but here and Toni looked like something was bothering her.
''Was it serious?''
Penelope and Nina were surprised by the question. They looked at one another, as like they were asking for permission to talk about the past. Now that Toni asked, Cheryl also wanted to know. She took Toni's hand under the table, sort of to be support to one another, regardless of the answer they might get.
''It was for me. I really fell in love with Penelope…''
Penelope was silent. She was almost too carefully thinking about the answer.
''At the time…it was all that mattered to me. I really felt so alive and happy when I was with Nina. She was really a breath of life in my very boring existence.''
''You were never boring Blossom, you were just… undiscovered deviant mind.''
Penelope smiled at that.
''Deviant mind?''
''Yes, your ideas, comments… Oh, God, you were treasure… How many mean things could get out of your mouth with such a smile…''
Toni started laughing.
''Just like Cheryl… Oh, my… All the things she told me before we became close or started dating. It was priceless.''
''Like mother, like daughter…''
Penelope took a sip of her milkshake. She looked at Toni, Cheryl and Nina and mumbled.
''That is evident. Look at our little foursome.''
Toni and Nina found it very funny.
''Aaaaand, she is back. That is just small portion of Penelope I know.''
Nina and Toni started a conversation about bikes and Penelope and Cheryl just listened. Nina got so comfortable that she took a strawberry from Penelope's plate.
''Really Becket? First my cherry, now my strawberry…When do you stop?''
Cheryl and Toni almost chocked on their food.
''Oh, my God!''
Toni was trying not to laugh, but she had to give it to Penelope for the wit she has and that very quick comeback.
''Penelope Adeline Blossom, you are one piece of…''
''How was it, hmmm? ''undiscovered deviant mind?'' Those were your words Becket?''
''Mom, this is really weird.''
''What is?''
''Knowing about your sex life…''
Penelope looked at her with the brow up.
''Ok. Knowing even more about it.''
Cheryl wanted to ask something that was bothering her.
''If two of you were so in love and happy, how did you and dad happen?''
Penelope got serious again.
''We hat to get married. Our marriage was arranged years before. Families made that decision and it had to happen. We didn't want it. But at the end Clifford accepted it and sort of wanted to marry me. I never wanted that. I never felt anything, but despise toward him. I hated his guts and the very thought of having a life with him horrified me. My mom found out about Nina and me and she sent me to therapy. I was there for about six months and then I was married off to Cliff and we went to college. We got our degrees and then two of you.''
''Did you ever have any other feelings for him, but despise?''
''No, I always felt the same.''
''Why did you stay married to him?''
''I didn't care. I shut down myself and simply didn't care about anything.''
Conversation died there because their check came and Penelope paid the meal. They came back to the car and this time it was Penelope who was driving. They gad about seven hours more and she said she will take this turn when it comes to driving. Soon after getting into the car, all of them fell asleep. Penelope was driving and thinking about so many things. Past came to haunt them with this game and she was not sure how much she was ready to tell Cheryl about the game and what happened. She knew that now Cheryl and Toni would have million questions about her and Nina and she was not sure how much she wanted to share about that too. Toni was the one that got her out of the deep thoughts.
''What was she like?''
''Who?''
''My mom…''
Penelope smiled.
''She was…different. She was so full of life and so contagious with that crazy energy. She was not what I was used to… I spent too much time alone and when game started and we were paired, I never believed we could function, but we did. We were very strong headed, but we also called each other on their bullshit and she was someone who knew how to handle me and we kept each other in line. She gave me strength to change and I offered her some stability. Her situation at home was not good and we found support in each other.''
''Do you think it would have lasted?''
''Me and Nina?''
''Yes.''
''Oh, Toni… No one knows that. We were crazy in love, but sometimes love is not enough.''
Penelope noticed how Toni got sad.
''If it didn't work out between us, it doesn't mean that you and Cheryl might face the same thing.''
''It's not that. I was wondering if she would have started with drinking or drugs if you were together.''
''She always did drink or sometimes smoked joint with her friends. I didn't like it, but it was not up to me to say much about it. Maybe we wouldn't have been this screwed up if our relationship ended on our own terms. It ended pretty sudden and we haven't seen one another in a very long time.''
Conversation died after some time. Toni went back to sleep and Penelope focused on her driving. They finally arrived to the gate of Penelope's house and Toni and Cheryl were pretty much impressed. Ocean was very close to the house, it felt as you could jump into the water from the house balcony. Penelope opened the house and got in. Nina followed and looked around. Girls entered the house and studied it. It had big living room that was connected to the kitchen and dining room was also part of the living room. It had a lot of books and nice pictures. Nina recognized some of the pictures she took. There was one of teen Penelope in flowy red dress taken on the beach in front of the house. There was also black and white picture of fishing net and one picture of two of them together at the beach. Penelope was sitting beside Nina, their hair was down, flying all around and they were laughing. It was one of their favorite pictures from the last summer they spent together.
''You still have them?''
''I do… I could never throw them away. They were somehow nice memories of the time we spent here.''
''Yes, they are.''
Cheryl and Toni saw for the first time Penelope smile and look relaxed and happy. Also, something that was weird for all of them was how much the girls looked like their mothers. If someone didn't know about Penelope and Nina, they would have said it was picture of Cheryl and Toni. Penelope called girls to go to the car so they could bring back their things. When they got their bags inside, there was a new problem. Where would they sleep. There were only two bedrooms. Toni noticed how awkward the situation was so she found a solution.
''I can sleep with my mom and you can share with Cheryl.''
Cheryl didn't really like that plan. She was a bit angry at Toni for making that suggestion without talking to her.
''No, I will sleep in the couch, Penelope in one room and two of you in the other.''
''Nina, you can't sleep on that thing. It's uncomfortable. We can share, I don't want Cheryl to blame me for one more thing. Apparently they got used to sleeping together that sleeping apart is an issue.''
''I remember the time….''
''NO, YOU DON'T…''
Nina smiled at her and picked up her bag to carry it into master bedroom. She remembered this room. It was Penelope's parents' room. It was huge. It had its own bathroom, walk in closet and huge bed.
''There is enough space for us to share and not make it that awkward.''
''It is awkward. You can't look at me properly.''
They got out of the room and went to see the girls. Other room was much smaller. It had a lot of photographs that Nina took and some of them were of Penelope. Cheryl stood in front of one of them surprised how happy her mother looked and how she never saw her smile actually.
''You like my room?''
''It's very nice Mrs. Blossom…''
''I believe we said it was Penelope.''
''It will take some time.''
''It's ok..''
''Your room didn't change all these years. It feels like we were in here yesterday.''
''Yes, it does…in a way.''
''Penelope, time stopped in this room.''
''I know. But, let's go now to make a list for the food we might need. We'll leave you girls to unpack and rest.''
Penelope and Nina left the room and shut the door.
''It feels awkward to see them there Penelope.''
''It's more awkward for them. They are in my old room.''
''You are really evil.''
''Yes, I am…''
''I love how your devious mind works.''
