A stepmother_Chapter 11

Way Back When (part 2)


The sky was quite dark and a flash of lighting made Sherman and Penny startle a little bit when they were going out from the WABAC.

-Are… Are you sure this is the day and place?-asked Penny a bit scared

-Yeah… At least that's where Mr. Peabody said that he found me-Sherman answered

Penny looked above. It was raining and no one was on the street. They were the only ones.

-Did he tell you why he was coming over here?-she asked

-I don't remember it… But I think he was coming from a kind of meeting or something like that-Sherman stopped his walk to look at Penny.-If you pay attention, the penthouse is only a few streets away from here-

-Couldn't he take a taxi?-

-I actually asked him that, but he didn't remember why he decided walking instead-he looked ahead and continued walking

-Sherman?-

-Yeah?-

-Why do you think your parents abandoned you?-

Sherman stopped a bit confused. He was scared, what if his parents didn't love him? What if they could actually raise him but they didn't want him? He didn't want to know the answer if it was something that was going to hurt him. But there are sometimes in life in which you have to take a risk. Perhaps everything gets worse after you take it, perhaps everything gets better… No one can actually prepare you for any of the both situation. Sherman wasn't ready either, but he felt that he had to do that. Although everything in his mind moreover his parents was "Sorry, Mr. Peabody, I'm sorry".

-I don't know, maybe they couldn't raise me-he finally answered

-Uh-she said looking down. She was scared too, of course. What if Sherman does something wrong and changes the future? What would happen if they never actually met? That thought was killing her. She didn't want a life without Sherman.

They passed over an alley.

-There!-screamed the red-haired boy.-There's where Mr. Peabody found me!-he screamed

The two kids run there and hid sitting behind a trash can inside the alley, being able to see everything.

-And… Would you change this past if you could?-asked Penny

The young boy's eyes opened even more. Change the past. If you change it, you change the future. He knew that was another risk he was taking. Moreover, you can't travel to an age in which you already existed. He was taking too many risks for only one day. He wanted to go back; he needed to go back to his home, in his correct time and place. He wanted to know his parents, but he didn't want to lose Mr. Peabody. He stared for a few seconds and…

-Who's there?-asked the blonde girl pointing a woman who was coming with a cardboard box in his hands.-Is she…?-

-I don't think I need to answer that-said finally Sherman, completely petrified, but at the same time, full of questions that needed to be answered

The woman was wearing a coat that was covering her face. She was thin, perhaps too thin and she seemed to be young. She put the cardboard box on the floor and she took a baby that was inside of it.

Sherman stood up. He didn't know what to do, think, or feel. His head was turning around and didn't seem to stop. Meanwhile Penny looked at him wondering how he was feeling.

The woman hugged the little baby and put him in the box carefully again.-It's raining a lot-she said

The baby started crying.-No, please, don't you cry-she said with a voice's thread.

She touched his boy's face.-Everything will be alright... You'll see-she stood away from him. She started to walk away.-Everything will be alright, Sherman, trust me-

Penny looked at Sherman sadly. It must have been really hard for him being all these years wondering who his parents were. She couldn't even imagine it. But she was doing the most she could, being beside him.

-I promise it, Sherman-continued the woman, in her voice it was clear that she was going to start to cry. She continued walking away.-I'm sorry-she said before she turned around.

Sherman stood up and, in an impulse, he followed her.

Penny stared looking at him before he followed him.-What are you doing?-she asked whispering

-I'll talk to her-he decided

-What? But…-

-Just stay here-he said leaving her in the right corner from the alley

Penny stared there in the border of the alley with her heart in her hands. What if Sherman changes the future and present? What if they never met in the future if he changes that past?

Sherman looked at Penny once again before following her mother.

The woman was walking quickly, but each time she gave a new step, her speed was slowing down. Suddenly, without even crossing the street from the alley, she sat down in the floor. And she started crying.

The boy found the chance. He was only a few steps away from her birth mother. He was just a bit steps away from her! He looked at her and started to walk closer. Each stop was less distance away, each stop was a second less in which he would have questions about his real family. But in which step closer what was in his mind wasn't his mother, it were all the persons that he met and loved without knowing his mother: Penny, Carl, Mason, Jennifer and, the most important, Mr. Peabody. He remembered when his dad taught him how to ride a bike, when he read him the "Peter Pan" story for first time. A flash of lighting lighted up the entire street, like once when it was raining and he was sleeping in his bedroom in the penthouse and a similar lighting scared him, so Mr. Peabody allowed him to sleep with him. The first time he said that he loved him, the first time Sherman wrote his name, when they went ice-skating, when Sherman had fever and Peabody stood all night long awake taking care of him.

Every step was another memory with his real dad and family, Mr. Peabody, and every step was even slower.

And when he was only two centimeters away from his birth mother, as close as he could touch her, he just stopped. He stood there, petrified. As if he suddenly discovered that he didn't need talking to her. He only needed remembering how important Mr. Peabody is for him. He didn't need doing all that. He had a dad, and yeah, he was a dog, and yeah, his family is small, and yeah, it isn't ordinary at all. But in some way, every family is crazy! His home was with Mr. Peabody. And his name was Sherman Peabody, who someday will follow his dad's legate.

Decided, he started to walk away.

Penny almost died in those seconds in which he was going to talk to his birth mother, so, imagine the smile of unconcern and happiness that she had when he started to walk back.

Anyway, it seemed that the destiny didn't want Sherman to leave without talking to his mother, because when he started to walk back, he slid and stumbled on the floor.

The woman turned around, looking into Sherman's eyes.

-Who are you?-she asked


-With all due respect, I don't understand what you want with all these questions, Mrs. Jason-finished Peabody

-I want to decide if I ship you with my daughter or no-she finally answered

-Ship me with Jennifer?-

-Yes, don't you know that having a good relationship with your mother-in-law is good?-

-Mrs. Jason, first of all, we haven't broken up because of you. And second, even though you ship us, it's our decision-

-Your decision?-

-Yes-

-I'm not agree, it's your anger's decision?-

-Excuse me?-

-Exactly, you're angry with her as well as she is it with you…-

-That...-he took a deep breath.-With all due respect, this is none of your business-

-What?-She screamed annoyed.-You mean I don't have to care about my daughter's life?-

-I didn't say that, Mrs. I only said that you should care about this if we were a couple, thing that we are not-

-But you dated, and you were dating a few days ago, so you're technically a couple yet-

-How's that?-

-Yeah, because either you or Jen have started looking for a new girlfriend or boyfriend, haven't you?-

-Of course not-

-So, you're still in love-

Peabody didn't understand where all that going.-Well was, it was really nice to receive you in my house, but I think you must go-

-What? Why?-

-Because it's getting late and…-he raised an ear.-Listen! It's raining! I think you must leave before everything is flooded-he said taking her by the hand to the elevator

-But I can't hear any rain…-she said freeing her hand and going back to the sofa where she was sitting

-Oh, don't you listen?-he asked.-Yes, it is-

He went to the elevator and suddenly it opened.

-Hi-said Jennifer

-Mmm…Hi?-answered Peabody pretty confused.-Why are you here?-

-Can we talk?-

-Mmm…I'm not sure-

-Why?-

-Jen?-screamed Sarah walking to her

-MOM?-

-What are you doing here?-they asked at the same time

-I came to talk to your boyfriend-explained her mother

-No, I came to talk to MY boyfriend. Why do you want to talk to my boyfriend?-

-Can't I know my son-in-law?-

-You've already known it, make a better excuse!-

-Better excuse? Ha! Look who's talking! All you do is making excuses all the time!-

-Well, I'm your daughter, right? Unfortunately, I had to inherit something from you!-

-Have you called me liar?-

-Yes!-

-Excuse me?-asked Peabody quietly

-How come you dare to call the person who gave you the life liar?-

-Excuse me?-asked Peabody a bit louder

-The person who gave me the life? C'mon! That's all you did for me!-

-Excuse me?-asked the genius a bit annoyed

-UH? UNGRATEFUL!-

-MANIPULATOR!-

-EXCUSE ME?!-screamed Peabody making them shut up.-Thank you-he took a deep breath.-I'll really love to hear all your arguments about how bad mother you are and how bad daughter you are-he said pointing them both.-But I must remember you that in this house there are two kids, so, please can you leave and solve all your problems in other place?-

-Two kids?-asked Jen

-Yes, Penny is here too-he stared.-Talking about that… They are really quiet, aren't they?-

-What an obedient kids-opined Sarah.-You never were quiet-she said to Jen

-Are you serious?-she asked

Peabody had a bad feeling about that silence, a really bad feeling. If Penny or Sherman heard screams, they will come to see what's going on…

-They're not here-he muttered

-What?-asked Jen

He turned around and run to the Sherman's room. He opened the door and found what he suspected: no one. The genius started to freak out and he went running to every side of the penthouse looking for them. Jen and her mother started looking for them too.

After going to every single side of the penthouse, Peabody stared at the elevator.

-I didn't find them-said Jen

-I didn't either-added Sarah

-I knew it! They're not here!-

-You think they are in the…-

-WABAC? Of course they are there, Jen-he got into the elevator.-I'll come back in a moment-

-What's a WABAC?-asked Jen's mother confused

-I'll explain you later, mom-

Peabody went to the WABAC floor and as fast as he could, he used a computer hid in the wall to know where Penny and Sherman were. He knew that was strange, if they had wanted to time travel, they could have asked him, and he would have said yes. But if they didn't ask, it was almost obvious that they were doing something wrong.

-Ok, they are in… New York, ten years ago-Peabody stood paralyzed, he never felt so shock. Sherman traveled to meet his mother, his birth mother.


-Who are you?-repeated the woman

Sherman looked at her. She had wavy red hair and green eyes. He could recognize his own hair on his mom's head. Moreover, she had his same nose and hands, even though her nose was red for crying so much. Her voice was extremely sweet. He seemed to be a good person; she couldn't do something bad to a kid. She seemed really sad; it was like she was taking the hardest decision in her entire life.

The woman looked at him and she recognized her hair, nose, hands, and the brown eyes, really similar to someone she knew. And the glasses… He was too similar to…

-Sherman?-she asked shocked.-Are you?-

Penny hid in the alley gasped, she recognized him. Now, it was all completely up to Sherman.

-I'm….-Sherman looked at her.-I'm… Sorry, Ms.-he said.-But my name isn't Sherman-

-What's your name then?-

-My name is… Hector-

-Hector?-

-Yes-

-Oh, and what are you doing here, Hector?-

-I… I…-

Penny went out from her hiding place and run to Sherman.-Oh, Hector, here you are!-she screamed happily.-Thanks goodness I found you!-

-Who are you?-asked the woman

-I'm his best friend, Penny-she explained.-We were playing hide-and-seek while our parents were on the car waiting for us and I lost him, but now I found him-

-Parents?-she asked

-Yep-

-Oh, do you have parents, Hector?-

-I have a dad, an adoptive dad-he said almost confessing that he was his son

-So, you're actually an orphan-

-No, I don't think so; an orphan is someone who doesn't have a family. Even though yes, I wasn't raised by my birth parents, I have an amazing dad and I wouldn't change him for anything in the world-

-And do you know your birth parents?-

Sherman thought it for a while.-I only met my birth mom, but not in the way you imagine-

-And did you forget her for abandoning you?-

Sherman thought it more. But after a while he answered.-Yes, I did-

The woman stood up and smiled, deep inside of her, she knew he was Sherman.-I have to go-

-Alright, bye-

She started to walk away.-Bye, Sherman-

-Bye, mom-he covered his hand with his mouth quickly and looked at the woman again. But she wasn't there anymore. He wondered if she listened to it… But he'll never know it.

Suddenly, Penny and Sherman heard baby cries. The blonde girl went to the box, where the little Sherman was.

The girl took him.-Oh, is that you, Sherman?-she asked

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 the baby back into the cardboard box.-Of course-she said hugging him.-But I prefer you as my crush than as my son-she whispered to his ear

-Me too-they stopped hugging and smiled to each other

-Let's go to the WABAC-proposed Penny

-Yeah, let's go-but suddenly, they heard footsteps and they hid behind the trash can again

A white dog with an umbrella passed over there. He was walking really formal; it was pretty surprising that he stopped when he heard the baby cries. It's said that the babies can wake up the best things in people; well, apparently, they can do it in dogs as well.

The genius looked at the sides, as trying to look for someone, but he was completely alone. So, he walked to the box.

When he opened it, he found the biggest discovery of his entire life: a little baby. When the baby saw him, he stopped crying, it was obvious that he felt completely in peace behind the dog, he even smiled. Peabody, moved for the little creature, took him. The baby didn't resist or cry, in fact, he smiled and seemed really pleasant behind him. It was almost obvious that they were meant to be together for many, many years.

The dog started to walk away with the baby in his hands. But then, he went back and looked to the box. It only had a note where it was written: Sherman.

-Sherman, huh?-he looked at the baby.-That's your name? Sherman?-

The baby didn't answer, he only smiled and put his hands inside the dog's nose, making him sneezed.

-No, don't touch my nose, Sherman-

The baby obeyed him, perhaps he was obedient, or maybe because he found a new thing to entertain himself: Peabody's ears. He started to pull them.

-Sherman, they're not toys-

But the baby seemed to happy pulling them that Peabody let him.-Ok, pull them, but this will be the only time-

The baby laughed and all the formality in the genius' face suddenly disappeared.

-Well, we don't want you to get a cold, do we Sherman?-he asked while the small creature smiled at every word he said.-I thought so-and while Sherman found a new interesting thing, Peabody's bowtie, the dog called a taxi and got in with Sherman in hands. The both left.

Sherman smiled.-You were right, Penny-

-With what?-she asked

-The worst thing that you could go through is lose the people you really love-

-Oh, yeah, I think I said something like that-

Sherman laughed.-Now, yes, let's go back-

-Good idea, smart guy-

-Thanks, capricious girl-

Penny pushed him playing and the both got into the WABAC again.


-This is terrible, terrible!-was screaming Peabody walking side to side as usual when he was nervous or worried

-Well, you should have noticed that your son was planning this-opined Sarah receiving a Peabody's grunt.-Ok, sorry-she sighed.-Well, let's see if I understood everything: the adoptive son from my daughter's ex-boyfriend who is actually a talkative dog has escaped in the WABAC, that is a time machine that the dog invented, and he escaped with his best friend who is at the same time his crush to meet his birth parents, right?-

-Yes-finished Jennifer

-Uh, after this I'm going to need therapy-she stood up from the sofa.-I'm going to drink some water-she went to the kitchen

-What if something happens to Sherman or Penny?-asked Peabody still thinking in his problems.-I remember that day, it was raining too much; the streets were empty… It wasn't a place for two ten year old kids. Oh, and what if someone steals them?-

-Peabody…-started Jen

-What if someone kidnaps them?-

-Peabody…-

-What if someone KILLS THEM?-

-Hector!-She screamed.-First of all, nothing is going to happen to any of them-

-How do you even know?-

-Because they know how to take care of their selves! If they could escape from people in the past who wanted to kill them, why couldn't they do it now?-

-I was always with them in those situations-

-What about the Old West, huh?-

-You mean the first time you traveled with the WABAC?-

-Yeah...-

Peabody remembered how Sherman could defeat Billy the Kid really easily.-Well, that was an exception-

-I think you're not afraid of that-

-And what do you think I'm afraid of?-

-I think you're afraid of Sherman-

-Of course I have more fear because of Sherman, he's my son-

-No, I think you're scared because you think Sherman is going to talk to his birth mom, and you don't want to lose him-she got closer to him.-He won't do something if he knows that he could lose you-

-And what if he doesn't know if he could lose me?-

-C'mon, Peabrainy, you know that Sherman is pretty smart-

-And what if he discovers that he can be better with her?-

-He would never do that, even in that situation-

-Why not?-

-Because he loves you, and you're his dad. You raised him, Sherman won't forget that-

Jen and Peabody stared looking at each other for a few seconds. They were only a few centimeters ago, like they did many times ago. They started to get closer and closer and…

The elevator opened with Sherman and Penny in it.

Peabody looked at them.-Oh, the two persons I was looking for-he said telling them off.-Do you have something to say in your defense, Sherman?-

Sherman looked down.-No, dad-

-What about you, Ms. Peterson?-

She looked at Sherman.-No, Mr. Peabody-

-Alright then-he told them off with his look.-Sherman, go to your bedroom-he obeyed and Penny followed him.-Ms. Peterson, you stay here-

-But I…-

-Obey-

-Grrr…-she folded her arms angrily.-Bye, Sherman-

-Bye, Penny-he said walking to his room

-I'll call your parents right now-decided Peabody

-What? But what are you going to tell them?-

-I'll say that Sherman and I have to go to a meeting and you have to leave. I won't tell them what really happened-he walked away.-Over now-


You're on your own

But you're not alone

I know I'll see you again

Before these things come to an end

We'll always have Way Back When