A stepmother

Chapter 10: Way back when (part 1)

"Alright, Sherman, you can do it" was thinking the red-haired boy lying down on his bed. "You can remember it" he repeated to himself. He was extremely focused in trying to remember more about his real mother or father, or something more about his past, his story. He was forcing the brain, extremely concentrated, checking every single memory he had. But he couldn't find out anything more.

He was feeling a bit disappointed. If he could only control his memories...

Mr. Peabody suddenly got into his son's bedroom.-Alright, Sherman, ready to sleep?-

-Yes!-said Sherman getting into his bed's sheet.-Can I ask you something, dad?-

-Sure, Sherman-

-Can I... be absent to school tomorrow?-

Peabody stared at him.-Why's that?-

-No specific reason-he lined down again.-I only want to sleep a bit more, moreover after tomorrow it's my birthday...-he said almost begging

The real reason why he didn't want to go to school was Penny and the argument that they had. He didn't want to argue with her any more. But he still needed to be alone... Maybe he couldn't refuse a "sorry" from Penny, more taking in account that he has a really big crush on her.

Sherman usually never is absent to school, except he's ill. But being absent one day won't do anything wrong... Moreover, Peabody couldn't refuse to his "birthday's petition".-Alright-he decided.-But this time is only an exception, ok?-

-Right-smiled the little boy.-Oh, and do you know something about Jen?-

"Jen" wasn't the specific name that Mr. Peabody wanted to hear in that moment. A couple of hours ago they have broken up. And, worse of all, he had met Jen's mother Sarah, who wasn't a nice person at all. That made him think of something: perhaps Jennifer will be that way when she gets older. And he didn't want to be with a woman like that. Which was kind of' difficult... Jennifer wasn't like her mother at all. Maybe she was like his dad. He wondered what happened to him, but then he came back to Earth.

-About Jen?-

-Yeah, when is she coming?-

-What do you mean?-

-To my birthday, is she coming the Saturday or Friday or...?-

-Sherman, I must tell you something-

-Yes?-

-Well... Jennifer and I... broke up-

Sherman sat in his bed of a jump.-What?!-

-Yes, we broke up today-

-But... Why?-

-Long story that you shouldn't care about-

-Why not? Because I'm a kid?-

-Exactly-he finished with one of his light but strong looks that say "the conversation is over". It made Sherman fold his arms and lay in his bed again with no more questions

-Fine-he replied.-Good night, dad-

-Good night, Sherman-he said leaving the room

Sherman started to wonder why his father and Jennifer broke up. But, without finding any reason (because either Mr. Peabody or she told him anything), he finally fell asleep.

Everything looked pretty dark and muddy. He could recognize the rain falling from the sky... And two strange figures getting closer to him. He couldn't see the faces, they look muddy too. But he could see they were a girl and a boy.

The girl took him.-Oh, is that you, Sherman?-she asked with a pretty familiar voice

The girl's hair was blonde, but everything looked so muddy that he couldn't be so sure, however.

The boy behind her made a nervous laugh.-Apparently, he is it-

-You were a cutie!-she added.-Can see why Mr. Peabody adopted you! I would have done the same!-

-Would you really?-he asked

The girl put him back into the cardboard box.-Of course-she said hugging the boy.

Sherman woke up. He did it. He remembered more! But it wasn't what he was actually expecting. He turned his bedroom's lights on. Was that girl who he was thinking? Was that boy who he was thinking? No! It couldn't be. It couldn't be a memory... It must be a dream... It couldn't... How come it could happen? He remained the WABAC and looked down... He knew it was possible, but... he would never do something like that. He wasn't going to do it... No! Never! That would make Mr. Peabody feel so wrong! More now that he had had an argument with Jennifer.

The idea started to get into his little mind and was starting to get more importance each time he thought about it. He couldn't do something like that. But... He couldn't stay doing anything. Either Jen or Freud's ideas worked out. Perhaps he needed an idea on his own. But... No! He couldn't! It was horrible and really disobedient even considerate it. Even though it didn't look so crazy, perhaps there was only a way to run off that dream, a way to run off that need of meeting his real mother. Perhaps, if he could... Meet her.

Penny had gone to school and came back to her house. She was worried about Sherman, worried about the reason why he was absent, worried about his dream, worried about their argument... She needed to talk to him again. She didn't like being like that. She needed to tell him sorry and try to fix everything. But how? She was decided to do it that day at school, but Sherman didn't go there. Was he actually trying to avoid her? That thought made her angry. In a hand, Sherman started the argument too. So, perhaps he was trying to do it...

She even tried to talk to Carl and Mason about him, but every time she mentioned him, they changed the topic of the conversation or walked away. Was everyone trying to avoid her or what?

The blonde girl walked to her bedroom and looked at a little gift wrapped up in a white and red box. Tomorrow was Sherman's birthday; there he wouldn't have any escape. But... there will be a lot of people and try to fix things there would be pretty complicated.

"Think, Penny..."she said to herself concentrating. Suddenly a great idea came up. Sherman wouldn't escape from her without Penny having the last word.

-Hello, Mr. Peabody?-asked Penny on the phone

-Penny?-

-Yeah, it's me-

-Oh, hi, Sherman is...-

-I don't want to talk to Sherman-

-And why did you call?-

She sighed.-You might know that Sherman and I had a kind of argument, don't you?-

-Indeed, but that doesn't explain your call if it's not to talk to him-

-Well, I was thinking... Perhaps I could go to your house and try to sort this thing out with Sherman-

-And you don't want me to tell Sherman about it, right?-

-Yes, it will be like the first time I went to your house-

.-And maybe he'll have the same reaction that he had in that moment...-Peabody thought it for a while. Sherman didn't seem to be very well, and he thought that was because of Penny.-But yes, you can come

-Really?-She asked happily.-Thank you, Mr. Peabody!-she screamed.-See you there-

-Sherman?-asked the genius dog getting into his bedroom

-Yes?-

-Do you remember you mentioned me the argument that you had with Penny?-

-Yes, what happens with that?-

-Well, I just want to know why the argument started-

-It was for... Mmm... Something that happened at lunch time at school-

-What's that something?-

-Only something, dad-

-Sherman...-

-I don't want to talk about it-

-But I do-

-I need to have my own privacy, don't I?-

-Yes, but you had enough. Now, start-

Sherman stared at him; Peabody was completely determined to know everything about the argument...

-One of our classmates insulted me and Penny defended me-

-And?-

-And I told her that I didn't need her to protect me all the time... And that's how it started-

-You argued only because of that?-

-Yeah-

-Is there any other reason I should know?-

-Nope-

-Hummm...-Suddenly the ring rang. Peabody smiled.

-Do we have guests, dad?-

-Yes, we do-

-Who?-

-You'll see-he started to walk to the elevator

-Hold on! The last time you said that... The guests were the Petersons-he reclaimed following him

Peabody didn't answer and only smiled. But his smile disappeared when he saw that who had come was someone that wasn't in his plans at all.

-Good morning, Mr. Peaboky-greeted Sarah

-Who's she?-asked Sherman

-She is... you know Sherman, you'd better go to your room while I talk to Mrs. Sarah, ok?-

Sherman found out that woman wasn't the guest and went to the room again.

-What are you doing here?-he asked

-Is a "hello" too much to ask?-

-Perhaps... But that's not the point-

-You're right, look, Peabody-

-Yes, my name is Peabody not Peabloky or Peabosy-

-Continuing, Peabody, what do you really want with my daughter?-

-What kind of question is that?-

-Answer: are you really in love with her?-

Peabody looked down but he couldn't avoid putting the typical look from the guy who's completely in love.-That's pretty shameless, Mrs. Jason. I refuse to answer that kind of stuff-

-Great!-She screamed.-My daughter fell in love with a dog... And he fell in love with her too-

-How do you know it?-

-The "I'm in love" look that you have is more than enough to find it out, sorry to tell you're not good to hide secrets-

-You came here to see if I'm in love with Jennifer?-

-Yes, and to tell you that she's really in love with you, even when I don't want to-

-You're not agreeing with us, why do you want to help us?-

-If you were a human, Peabody, I'll be completely agreed with you two together, I swear it! You have money, you're a father, you're intelligent, a Nobel prize winner, talented... But you're not a human-

-So, you're in disagree-

-Not at all... Because it's obvious that you won't hurt Jen. It's obvious that perhaps she'll be fine with you... And either you or she will hear me because you're in love... So...-

-Are you agree or disagree? I'm not getting this-

-I'm not any of them yet. No, yet. You're in love with her... But I'm not sure about if you love her-

-Love her?-

-Do you?-

-I... I...-the penthouse's ring rang again. But this time it was Penny.

-Hi, Penny-

-Hi!-

-Sherman is at his bedroom, I didn't tell him that you were coming so...-

-I know, I know...-she got in and walked to the boy's room.-It was my idea, remember?-

-Kids...-he muttered

He couldn't do that... No... But he couldn't not do it either. The idea of using the WABAC to meet his mother was growing stronger and stronger... And he felt really wrong because of that. But at the same time, he thought it was brilliant. He wasn't proud of himself for having the idea, but he wasn't disappointed either. Moreover, how will Mr. Peabody notice it? He was talking to that strange woman... It was the perfect time to use the WABAC and go back quickly. He didn't even need to go quickly... He had a time machine!

Determined, he went to his room's door and opened it.

-Hi, Sherman-said Penny

-Pe... Penny?-he asked confused

-Yes-

-You... You were the guest, right?-

-Something like that-

-Why did you come?-

-Sherman...-she went into his room and sat in his chair.-We need to talk-

-Penny, let's talk tomorrow. You'd better leave-he said pointing the door

"You'd better leave" made Penny think he was avoiding her. Avoiding her after he confessed that he liked her, after she confessed that she liked him; avoiding she, who was his best friend.

-Why are you avoiding me?-she asked angrily

-I'm not avoiding you!-

-Yes, you are! Everyone is! I know you have a reason! Say it!-she said getting closer to him and pointing him

-I don't...-

-Stop lying, smart guy!-

-Ok! Yes, I was avoiding you!-

-Ha! I knew it!-

-But it wasn't because of the reason you think. I was avoiding you because... I needed to think-

-Think? Think about what? About us?-

-What? No! I needed to think about a dream?-

-A dream, Sherman?-she asked without believing in him

-Yes, I... I've been dreaming lately with my... My real mother-

Penny stared at him surprised.-Your real mother?-

-Yeah, I dreamed how she left me inside the cardboard box where Mr. Peabody found me-

-He... Found you inside of a cardboard box?-she asked worried

-Yeah... And I've been dreaming that for... The last two weeks. But today, the dream changed-

-Really?-

-I dreamed that the one, who was there, that day when I was abandoned, wasn't my birth mother or Mr. Peabody...-

-Who was it then?-

-Two persons... Who looked more like kids; a boy and a blonde girl-

-And do you think they are...?-

-Us? Yes, I do-

-Wow... That's... Really hard to... Process-she said lying in the Sherman's bed

-I need your help, Penny-

-For what?-

-I need you to cover me-

-With what?-

-I'm using the WABAC and going back to meet my mom-

Penny opened her eyes as big as two dishes.-What?!-

-I know what you're going to say... That is wrong, that I have a great family... And Blah blah. But I really feel that I need to do this-

-You won't change your mind, will you?-

The young boy said no with his head.

-Ok, but I won't cover you-

-Why not?-

-Because I'll go with you-she decided standing up, ready for the adventure

-Are you crazy? No!-

-I won't let you do this alone, Sherman, I'm with you-she took his hand.-I know you think there are sometimes you need to be alone. But this time is not one of them-

Sherman wasn't pretty convinced... But he couldn't say no to her.

The both of them passed quickly and quietly for the living room, trying not to be seen for Mr. Peabody or the woman behind him. They got into the elevator and went to the last floor of the flat... Otherwise known as the place where the WABAC was.

-Are you scared?-asked Penny while they were getting into the time machine

-Perhaps... A little-

-Of what exactly?-

-Of disappointing Mr. Peabody-

-You couldn't do that even if you want to-added Penny with a truthful smile

Sherman wrote the data in the computer and he only needed to push the bottom so the WABAC will do its job. But when he was about to do it, he got frozen.

-What happens?-asked his partner

-I can't-he said

-Why not?-

-What if my mother tells me that she never loved me? What if I change the future? What if...?-

-Sherman!-she screamed interrupting his thoughts.-Whatever happens we'll know how to fix it-

-How do you know?-

-I... don't know-she finished discovering that she felt even more nervous than Sherman about the situation

The red-haired boy looked at the red bottom and to the door. He could go back to his room and ready... He wouldn't be passing for that horrible moment. But... He needed to do this.

He closed his eyes, pushed the red bottom and went ten years back.

Superheroes and villains, when we used to pretend

We go wherever our minds will take us

Way back when

Memories will fade if you wanted me to let you go

I'll catch you on your way, I feel it for you, don't you know?