Chapter Ten

Penny and Leonard return back to the farm excited and happy to have shared a meal with a nice, normal family. Their faith, somewhat, has been restored in the community of Gretna and humanity as a whole.

"Daddy, she was so nice," Penny gushed. "Even after all the horrific things I did to her she turned out to be so pleasant and sweet."

"I never knew you were such a bully, Pumpkin," Wyatt says, shocked. "I would never have imagined that."

"I can't really imagine it myself now," Penny says.

"I can imagine it. You used to pick on me all the time, remember, sis?"

Penny looks up to see her brother Randall descending the stairs. Bouncing on her toes, she waves her hands in the air and then rushes up the staircase taking two steps at a time. "Oh my gosh! My little brother. It's been so long."

"Too damned long," he frowns. "What the Hell are you doing here?"

Penny backs up. "No one told you I was coming for my reunion?"

"We wanted it to be a surprise," Wyatt announces.

"I don't like surprises." Randall growls and steps down into the living room, leaving Penny behind. "Who's this loser?"

Leonard plasters a fake, yet polite smile on his face and holds out a hand. "Hi, Randall. I'm Leonard. It's so nice to finally meet you."

Randall stares at Leonard's hand and then turns to his father. "So, who is Leonard the loser, Pop?"

"Be nice, Randall. I told you, Penny got married."

"I don't remember that."

"You were probably high, jerk. I know you were in jail when we went to Vegas." Penny's good mood begins to sour. "Why do you have to ruin everything? I thought you'd be happy to see me."

"I am."

"Then act like it." Penny turns to Wyatt. "Is Mom upstairs?"

"Your mother had to go to work, honey. She said to tell you she's sorry she missed you and Leonard."

"Work? When did Mom go to work? She's always helped you with the farm."

Wyatt glares at Randall. "We do pretty good here, you know that, but Mom had to go to work. It's only part-time though. She's Activity Director over at Wise Acres Retirement Home. We gotta pay for your brother's legal fees somehow."

Randall shrugs. "I always get blamed for everything."

"Wise Acres?" Penny asks. "She's an Activity Director at Wise Acres? That must be an easy job. What do they do, have contests to see who can drool the most? Or win a prize if they can remember their own names?"

"Uhh, Penny, remember what you said about being nicer and not judging people? That's really not very nice at all," Leonard reminds her.

"Yeah, I shouldn't have said that. It was mean, wasn't it? I'm sorry."

Randall laughs. "I thought it was funny. In jail everyone's so damn serious. It feels good to laugh."

"Yes, but you shouldn't laugh at others' expense," Leonard points out.

"So this guy's turning you into a goody-goody, Pen? That would really suck. I remember back in the day when I'd get into trouble you'd be right there with me. Do you remember? We had so much fun."

"I remember, Randall. But I grew up. I'm married. I actually have an adult job now. It's not my dream job but I am taking care of my responsibilities. Other things come first. You can still have fun without being stupid."

Randall, eyes glazed, gawks at his sister. "When did you get so freakin' smart?"

Penny stands for a moment, eyes flitting over family pictures hanging on the wall. One of her and her sister in pretty dresses. One of her and her brother in a little red wagon. School photos. Professional portraits.

"I don't know. I guess it happened a little at a time. I just kind of evolved into a person with common sense." She turns to Leonard. "Wow, I can't believe I just said that."

Leonard smiles and reaches for Penny's hand. "See, you don't need to have a college degree to be deemed as 'smart'. Common sense, manners and compassion can go a long way too."

"Well, I know I ain't smart but you seem to have it a lot more together than most people in this friggin' town. You think you can teach me about this common sense thing? Maybe it's about time I got me some." Randall's stance and demeanor relax; tears dot the corners of his bloodshot eyes.

Wyatt looks toward the ceiling. "Thank you, Lord," he whispers and sneaks out the back door to putter around in the barn.

Penny, Randall and Leonard sit down to pore over old photo albums; laughing, teasing and bonding.

"Goodness, look at that hair!" Penny snorts as she points at a picture of her brother in the seventh grade.

"Well, look at you with that hideous polka dot dress and red knee socks," Randall thumps a fingernail atop a picture of Penny's second grade class picture."

"Now that is hilarious," Leonard joins in.

"Hey! That was my favorite dress." Penny swats Leonard on the shoulder playfully.

"Speaking of dresses," Leonard says, switching gears, "how much time do you need to get ready for the formal dinner? It'll be time to leave for that pretty soon."

Penny looks at the clock. "Guess I'd better get started." Placing the photo album on the coffee table, she rises.

"Hey, Pen. Thanks for being my sister." Randall smiles.

"Oh sweetie, you're welcome. Thank you for being my brother."