Josie and Penelope
That September 18th started like very regular Friday in Park family. Josie was making sandwiches for the twins, Helena was making her usual bowl of cereal and Penelope was in her perfect suit getting her coffee to go ready. She and Josie talked about their day and Penelope told her that she will be in court from ten to three in the afternoon. Josie just nodded and got the food for the twins to the table. Just as Josie expected, Penelope's phone was ringing. She answered and it was one of her assistants. They called to remind her about court and some things they picked up from the office for her. They also called to tell her that she will have to attend business lunch after court.
''Ok. I got it… See you in court and after we finish there, you can go back to the office and I will go to that lunch… Thank you Mike.''
She ended the conversation and Josie just looked at her with her hands crossed over her chest.
''What about the trip to the cottage?''
Penelope looked at Josie a bit surprised by the question. She opened her calendar in the phone and looked back at Josie.
''We leave tomorrow? We all agreed on Saturday morning.''
''Lizzie called and asked if we wanted to go today? Three of them are going in few hours. And Hope and Raph might come early too…''
Penelope felt a bit bad for this. Helena turned to her mothers and she didn't look happy about missing her practice.
''Mom, I have cheer… I can't go today… ''
''You can miss one practice Helena.''
''No! I don't want to… You don't understand. I can't miss it mom… We have games starting soon… Every practice is important… We are learning new cheers…''
Boys heard the conversation and got involved.
''Mom, we want to go today! Please….''
Josie tried to calm the boys. Sometimes they were just like Penelope…like dog with a bone and not giving up until they get what they want.
''Kids, wait… Nothing is agreed on. Mommy and I have to talk.''
Dylan made sad face at Penelope hoping his mother would say yes.
''Mommy, please, let's go today.''
''Honey, I have to work and Helena has practice.''
He got angry.
''You always have to work! We can't do anything because of your stupid work!''
He picked up his school bag and went outside to the car. Jason took his things in silence and went to join his brother. Helena was sitting silent at the table and Josie just gave a look to Penelope. Thing Dylan just told her was one of the things Josie often said when they argued. Penelope was hurt by this comment from her son and she watched Josie and Helena get dressed in silence.
''Josie, maybe you and the boys can go today and I could come tomorrow with Helena? Or even late in the evening? It would be too late for twins, but Helena will be awake.''
''Penelope, the point is to go as a family… All of us together.''
''Jojo, it's just one night. We can leave early tomorrow morning and be there in two hours. And, anyhow we have to go by two cars. In any case, you can start early with the boys…Just like they want and you want.''
''You don't get it Penelope!''
''What I don't get?''
''We are family and we should do things as a family…for all of us and not just for you.''
That got Penelope a bit angry.
''Just for me?! You must be joking?! You are talking like I am doing all this for some sort of fun and selfish reasons… Like I am spiting you by not going to the cottage today! You don't understand that those lunches and being in court is what brings food to the table and what pays all the bills…and there are a lot of them Josie…So, don't talk to me about doing things for the family! I've grew tired of that speech.''
With that Penelope picked up her coat and bags and left the house. Josie stood in the kitchen close to tears and Helena watched her. She could understand where both of her mothers were coming from, but sometimes she had a feeling like Josie didn't appreciate enough sacrifices Penelope was making for all of them.
Josie dropped off kids at their schools and went on. She had some things planned for today until she had to come back to being mama and a wife of one of the young hopes of being the best lawyer in Boston and maybe even in the country.
Josie felt very abandoned in that relationship and felt like her wife's attention is focused on work and money and it made her very lonely. She knew that she and Penelope made it long way and she knew that her wife came from nothing and she worked hard to be what she is now…but it didn't make her feel les alone and unhappy. That feeling of loneliness and abandonment issues she had from childhood got her into this place… in bed with a man… Almost every day for past six months Josie was having sex with this person. For first four months it was purely physical for both of them but after that they realized they started having some feelings toward one another. They even started talking about telling their spouses and starting a life together, but none of them dared to say a word when they were at home and their spouses were too busy or too tired to notice they were not in a good place in their marriage.
Josie left the hotel room earlier than usual and got into her car. She had bags to pack and prepare everything for the trip to the cottage. She checked her phone and saw no missed calls from Penelope so she assumed her wife was in court and had no idea whether she could come with her and twins earlier to the cottage. She called Lizzie and told her that she would probably come today with the twins and Penelope would join either much later in the evening or tomorrow early in the morning.
''Satan is too busy to come?''
''Well, it's Friday… just another regular day in the office and she mentioned some huge lunch…''
''She could miss it.''
''And Helena has cheer practice today… She says it's something important''
''Come on Jo! It's cottage weekend… You know it's tradition.''
''Yes, but it's always Saturdays. We moved it day early…''
''Who cares?! We have long weekend… We are free to come home on Monday evening.''
''Lizzie, the restaurant is yours... You can do whatever you want. You have people working for you. It's not that simple for Penelope... She is not her own boss.''
''Fine, defend your perfect wife.''
Josie put her hand over her eyes and took a deep breath.
''She is far from perfect…and you know it… But this time she might maybe be right… No matter how much I want her to come…she has work.''
''I work too, you know? And I am ditching the restaurant.''
''That is not the same. YOU own the restaurant and as a person you leave in charge you have someone you've known for a long time Lizzie.''
''Ok, this is the lost battle with you when it comes to Satan. I give up! Call me later.''
''Ok.''
They ended the conversation and that is the last thing Josie remembered.
Penelope was sitting in her office and working on the case she was supposed to argue in court today. (Un)fortunately. Court clerk called and told Penelope that the hearing was postponed because judge had some accident at home and was admitted to the hospital. That helped Penelope a lot because she had more time to prepare for the trail and witnesses she had to cross examine. In the middle of her reading the papers, her boss entered the office. She didn't come to Penelope's office often. Whenever she showed up, it was something huge…Sometimes she had good news, sometimes very bad news. She took a seat and started talking. Their firm was asked to represent a client in a very high profile murder case and they wanted her in the team of lawyers. She knew there was no chance for her to be the first chair, but she knew if she did well it could help with better cases, more money and maybe one day becoming a partner. Penelope knew how much she was missing from her children's lives, but she also knew someone had to pay the bills and all the things they needed.
''We want you to join the team of lawyers working on this. What do you say Penelope?''
''Elisabeth, are you sure you want me? There are many lawyers with more experience in working murder trials. I have none.''
''That is why you are not first chair, but part of the team. I will be first chair and I want you with me. I want to teach you everything.''
Penelope just nodded.
''You know, WHEN we win this case…. It will help you in your career too. It will put you on the map even more Penelope. We could earn a lot of money to this firm.''
''Ms. Cooper, can I look over the case and tell you if I think I could be part of it?''
''Penelope, Penelope… Why such a low self-esteem?''
She took a deep breath and made her decision. They needed money. In last few months she had a feeling she could not earn enough no matter what she did and somehow their expenses became bigger. She never questioned Josie on what the money was spent, but she noticed that there were some ''money bleeds.'' She never asked Josie about it because she believed in Josie's judgment and she knew that her wife was never using money to get something they didn't need. In their marriage and relationship, Josie was always the practical one and the one who took care of every dollar they spend. On the other hand, Penelope was the one who would sneak some unexpected cost or bring some fancy dinner for her and Josie when they had minute alone and the kids were at sleepovers or with Josie's parents at the cottage or somewhere else.
''Ms. Cooper, it will be my honor to shadow you and do whatever you need me for this case.''
''Good, now we can talk shop and I can tell you about the case. Our client is Patrick O'Neil…''
And that is when Penelope knew what was the case she just said yes to. Patrick O'Neil was one of the richest men in Boston and he was in real estate business something like a God. He was accused of killing his much younger wife and her very attractive lover. As expected, he is saying that he has nothing to do with it and that all the evidence against him were staged by the prosecution and police. As it was expected, he had enemies in very high places and he also had friends in those places too. Media was crazy about the case and there was no place where this case was not talked about. He was in his sixties and had a thirty years old wife that looked like a model. She worked for him and then became his mistress and finally the wife. He left his wife of twenty something years for Rebeca Stevens, later Rebeca O'Neil and they were married for three years before this murder happened.
'' We are in for it Ms. Copper?''
''Sure we are Penelope… And please, call me Elizabeth…since we will be spending a lot of time together because of this case…and I really see a potential in you and would love to see you in my place after I retire or even before as one of the partners.''
''Thank you.''
''What for?''
''For the motivation to fight even more.''
''This is the game that is usually played by boys. Women in court are still something of surprise to them… Especially women that can kick their ass.''
''So, did he do it?''
Elisabeth smirked at Penelope's question.
''We don't care! We only care about getting him out.''
''But shouldn't we know if he did it so we could try to keep control of all the information?''
''Hm… Your logic is in place… But I personally don't like to know the truth.''
'"Why?''
''So, it doesn't cloud my work.''
Penelope could understand that logic.
''Not knowing if he did it… It doesn't make me feel guilty for defending him. At least if was like that when I was starting.''
''And now?''
''Now I love my apartment and designer clothes too much to care if they did what they are accused for…''
She got up from the chair and smiled at Penelope. One more young lawyer joined them and Elisabeth told him that he will be working for Penelope on this case. He nodded and looked a bit nervous. Many young interns feared Penelope and her way of working and ethic she had around preparing her cases. She was really diehard when it came to work. Elisabeth faced both of them and spoke.
''Next Wednesday at noon we are going to see him and talk our strategy.''
Mitch asked very quietly.
'' Ms. Copper, one thing . Is he in prison?''
Elisabeth was surprised by the question. She looked at Penelope who had huge smirk.
''No, my guess is that he is out on bail. That amount of money and connections could buy him that luxury not to be in prison.''
''Oh, ok.''
''Good job Ms. Park…. It looks as you already understand this world too good.''
''I am getting a picture of how things are in the big liege.''
''Good.''
With that Elisabeth left the office and young intern followed. Penelope had a moment to think about what she just said yes to. She went back to her paperwork when her phone interrupted. She picked up.
''Penelope Park speaking.''
''Good morning Ms. Park, I am calling from the Godfrey Hotel. We had a call from the bank. There was some problem with your credit card. Could you please come and settle it with the accounting office.''
''My credit card?''
''Yes, you payed the room here, every Friday, as usual.''
'' When did I use it?''
''Few hours ago… when you came with your husband.''
Penelope took her purse and opened the wallet. For a moment she believed she lost the card…or maybe someone cloned it. She knew things like that could happen.
''I will be there in thirty minutes.''
She called the bank and asked them to send her an email with her credit statement. And she insisted it's sent only to her email address. She picked up her stuff and told intern she has family emergency. She went to the hotel and for a few moments she just sat in her car. She was about to find out if she was being cheated on or someone was using her card for the little bedroom fun. She got out of the car and went to the desk. She told young woman that she got the phone call about the credit card and she called the manager who was surprised to see her.
''How can I help you?''
''I am Mrs. Park… You called about a problem with my credit card.''
''I'm sorry… That must be a mistake… I know Mrs. Park… you are not her.''
''Card you called about belonged to me. I can give you my ID and I can give you my credit card so you can check. If it matches, we have a problem.''
Penelope opened her wallet and got her ID and gave it to him.
Manager checked if Penelope was telling the truth. It checked out. Her card was used in the hotel.
''I apologize. What do you want us to do? Do you want to call the police?''
''Let's wait with that. Before we do anything, I have a question.''
She took out her phone and found Josie's picture. It took her a moment to dare to show him the picture. If he said Josie was the woman coming here, that meant that her wife was cheating. That meant that Josie was having an affair when she was working for their family…that meant that all the extra money charged to their account was for this hotel where she was meeting someone.
''Is this the person who uses the card?''
Manager looked at the picture and nodded.
''Yes, that's her. ''
'' She is my wife.''
''Your wife?''
''Yes, thank you for the call… And please, don't mention it to anyone. I will handle the bill on Tuesday. I blocked my account in case someone was using my card without permission. You know things like that happen. I had no idea my wife was the one using the card in your hotel. ''
She got up from the chair.
''Please, don't mention this to anyone. I will handle this from now on.''
Man just realized what was going on and he felt bad for both women and the man if Penelope gets hold of him. She looked calm, but had that look in her eyes like she could kill them all after that have a nice drink watching them dead in front of her.
''I am sorry for the inconvenience.''
Penelope was about to leave and then she turned back to the manager.
''How long?''
He was confused by her question.
''I beg your pardon?''
''Nothing sir. Have a good day.''
She left the room and went back to the car. Just as she was about to start the car, she got the call from the unknown number. She took a breath and answered it.
''Ms. Park?''
''Yes, this is her speaking.''
''My name is Nurse Jameson. I am calling from the Massachusetts General. Your wife was admitted some thirty minutes ago. ''
''What happened?"
''She was in the minor car accident. She didn't see the car coming from her left side and it hit her so she lost her conscience. ''
''Is she ok?''
''Yes, some minor bruising… ''
''I am on my way.''
She started crying in the car and put her hands over her face. She was sobbing and she was heart broken
What more Josie?! How many more surprises you have for me today?!