Chapter 53
After a couple of days, Penny was in the storage room of the boutique when one of her co-workers told her that their boss Andrew came to visit their store. She took a deep breath as this would give her a chance to talk to him about her plans of going back to acting again. Andrew went around the store and talked to each staff to catch up and let them know what a good job they are doing. Andrew also talked privately with Natalie — the store manager, to discuss how the store was doing and other business matters. After discussing business for almost an hour, Andrew went out Natalie's office when Penny went up to him.
"Hi boss!" Penny said.
"Hey Penny! What's up? How's Leonard and Sarah?" asked Andrew.
"They're doing great. Thanks for asking." said Penny. "Can I talk to you privately?" she added.
"Sure. Let's go to the break room." Andrew said as Penny followed him, closing the door behind her. "So, what can I do for you Penny?" he asked as they sat down facing each other.
"I'll get straight to the point. I'm thinking of going back to my dream of becoming an actress." Penny said. "And it will involve me going back to acting classes and casting calls and auditions." she added.
Andrew was quiet for a while. "Okay, are you planning on quitting your job?" he asked.
"Not at the moment. I mean, I love this job and I can't thank you enough for giving me this opportunity but I really want to go back to acting." said Penny.
"How are you going to do two things at once?" Andrew asked.
"Well, I talked to my husband and we decided to take it slow first. I found this acting class that has night sessions so I can still work here during the day and if I get any casting calls, I was thinking of asking Natalie for a couple of days off so I could focus on that." Penny said, hoping Andrew would understand.
Andrew took a deep breath. "But if you land a big role or something, then you'll quit for good huh?" he asked.
"I guess so. But until that day comes, I promise my work here won't be affected." she said.
"Let me get this straight, you'll attend your acting class at night after coming from work and when you get an audition call, you'll take a few days off and come back here. Did I get it right?" he asked.
Penny nodded. "Yes. And I promise I won't let it affect my work here." said Penny.
"Well, you've been the top sales associate here for the past several months now. I mean, you even surpassed the other girls who've been working here longer than you." he said.
"Thank you boss. I just didn't want to waste the trust you gave me when we met at your birthday party." said Penny.
"Well I don't want to lose a good employee like yourself but if it's really what you want to do, then you have my support." said Andrew.
Penny smiled, thankful that his boss understood. "Thank you boss! I really appreciate it." she said while giving his hand a light squeeze.
"You're welcome Penny. Just promise me one thing." he said.
"Uh, what is it boss?" she asked.
"When you get your big break, promise me you'll get us premier tickets and backstage passes alright?" he said making Penny laugh.
"You got it boss." said Penny.
"Let's go and talk to Natalie in her office so she knows your plans." said Andrew as they made their way out of the break room and into Natalie's office.
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For the next several weeks and months, Penny focused herself on getting as many auditions as possible, making several copies of her portfolio and attending her nightly acting classes. This left Leonard to drive and fetch Sarah from school since Penny still has her job in the boutique. Penny would sometimes come home around nine in the evening when Sarah is already in bed with Leonard in the living room, waiting for her to arrive.
"Hi honey!" Leonard greeted Penny as she came into the apartment.
Penny threw her purse on the coffee table and went straight to snuggle up to her husband, feeling his warm embrace. "Ugh, I'm so tired." she said as Leonard kissed her cheek.
"Aren't you pushing yourself a little too hard?" asked Leonard.
"No, I can handle it." said Penny, as she laid her head on Leonard's lap.
"I just don't want you to get sick or something." said Leonard.
Penny turned over to face him while lying on his lap. "Well, you're a doctor right?" she asked, slightly teasing him.
"Honey, I'm not that kind of doctor." he said making her laugh.
Penny pulled him in for a kiss. "Come here and kiss me." she said as Leonard leaned over, kissing his wife. They broke off after a minute or two as Penny sat up, leaning her head on his shoulder and hugging his side. "I'm sorry if I'm focusing on this acting thing honey." she said.
Leonard tightened his hug. "Hey don't say that. I'm your husband and I'll support you with whatever you do. We're a team remember?" he said.
"Thank you honey. I'm so lucky to have you." Penny said.
"I guess we're both lucky." Leonard said.
"How's our princess anyways?" Penny asked.
"She misses you fetching her from school, but other than that, she understands that you have to focus on your acting stuff." said Leonard.
"Aww, she's so sweet. Don't worry, I'll make it up to her." said Penny.
"We can bring her back to the ranch if you want. I'm sure she'll love it there." Leonard said.
Penny smiled at him. "Okay, let's bring her there this Saturday." she said.
Leonard kissed her lips. "Sure honey." he said. "What about me?" he said, giving her a smug smile.
Penny gave him a puzzled look. "What?" she asked, having a little idea of what he meant.
"Well, aren't you gonna make it up to me?" he asked, laughing a little.
"Ugh, honey I'm tired and I smell kinda funny." Penny said, slightly protesting to her husband.
Leonard pulled her up and led her into the bathroom. "I have a solution to that!" he said as he locked the bathroom door before opening the shower to mix the hot and cold water while getting undressed.
Penny looked at Leonard and sighed, taking off her clothes as well before joining him under the caress of the soothing water. Leonard pulled her close and gently soaped her up, massaging her arms, back and legs, relieving Penny's aches from her busy day. Penny closed her eyes, feeling relaxed under her husband's soothing hands. It didn't take long for them to find themselves kissing and getting frisky in the shower as Penny let her husband feel his affection, her way of showing her gratitude to him for his love and support.
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That Saturday, Penny kept her promise and took Sarah back to the ranch to see Amanda and Bunny Rabbit again. Sarah was so happy she gets to spend quality time with her parents and her favorite horse who has come to recognize her even from afar. Bunny Rabbit would calm immediately when Sarah was around and would always be alert whenever the young lady is on her back. Sarah for her part has made it a point to bring a couple of carrots and apples as a treat for Bunny Rabbit who would always kiss or smell the child as a way of showing her appreciation to Sarah.
The couple for their part stood back and let their daughter have her fun, making sure to be at her side whenever she needs them and making her feel safe and loved.
"Look at her, she's so happy." Penny said as she rested her head on Leonard's shoulder while they stood by the fence, watching Sarah on Bunny Rabbit's back with Amanda riding beside her, maintaining the horses' pace to keep them from running.
Sarah waved at them so the couple waved back. "She's happy because she has you now." he said.
Penny smiled and kissed his lips. "I love you honey." she said.
"I love you too." he said. "Don't worry, I'm sure Sarah will tire herself out which means you will have more time to enjoy this." Leonard said while pointing at himself.
Penny stared blankly at him. "That pick-up line is starting to get old Leonard." she said.
Leonard quickly kissed her lips. "Don't worry, I'm sure I can think of something new to get your motor running." he said making his wife laugh.
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After almost four months...
Leonard came home holding Sarah's hand as they enter the apartment.
"What time is mommy coming home dad?" asked Sarah.
"I think she's already here. Those are her car keys right?" said Leonard while pointing at the key holder on the wall.
"Maybe she's sleeping in your room?" said Sarah.
"Maybe. Why don't you go to your room and get changed? I'll check her out in the bedroom." he said.
"Okay daddy." she said as she ran into her bedroom while Leonard put his satchel on his desk before going into their bedroom. As soon as he entered the bedroom, he saw Penny hurriedly wiping the tears from her eyes and trying to compose herself. He immediately sat beside her and put his arms around her shoulder.
"Why are you crying?" he asked.
Penny dried her eyes with a piece of tissue and didn't respond to her husband.
"Penny I'm gonna ask you again, why are you crying?" he said calmly.
Without warning, Penny suddenly faced and hugged him, crying on his shoulder while Leonard rubbed his hands over her back to console his wife. "It's alright honey, I'm here now." He said.
After a few minutes of bawling, Leonard held his wife and faced her. "Penny, I'm gonna ask you again, what's the matter?" he asked.
Penny wiped her tears and began to calm down. "I didn't get in." said Penny.
Leonard sighed. "You went to a casting call?" he asked.
Penny nodded. "I've had several auditions for different projects but I can't seem to get in." Penny said while hanging her head low.
"You've had several auditions and never told me anything about them?" Leonard asked. "Why would you hide something like that from me?" he asked.
"I didn't want you to worry." Penny said.
"Penny, you have to tell me these things. I'm your husband. We face every problem together. Do you understand?" he said.
Penny nodded. "I just didn't want you to think of me as some failure or something." she said.
"Penny, you are not a failure. This is just a setback." he said. "And I don't want to hear you say that about yourself again." Leonard said while hugging his wife when they heard the door open as Sarah popped her head in.
"Daddy?" she said as she opened the door.
"Honey come here." said Leonard while pulling his daughter to sit between them.
"Mommy why are you crying?" asked Sarah while looking at Penny.
"Honey, your mom had a minor setback at her acting thing." Leonard said.
"What setback daddy?" Sarah asked.
"Well, she went into this audition but didn't get the part. That's why she's sad." said Leonard.
Sarah moved up and hugged her stepmother. "I'm sorry mom." said the child.
Penny hugged her stepdaughter tight, thankful for her affection. "Ugh, thank you sweetheart. You're such a sweet girl." she said kissing her cheek.
"I wish you won't be sad anymore." said Sarah, making her parents a little emotional.
"Don't worry sweetheart, I'm gonna be okay now. You don't have to worry about me." Penny said to Sarah, giving the child a weak smile.
"I have an idea, why don't I order us some food so we could eat!" said Leonard. "Might make you feel better." he said to Penny.
"I am kinda hungry." said Penny, smiling at Leonard.
"Can we get Chinese food daddy?" asked Sarah.
"Okay, why don't you and mommy wash up while I go get my phone and call in our order." Leonard said as they went out the bedroom.
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After eating dinner, the young family decided to sleep early as Penny didn't feel like hanging out in the living room and just wanted to get some rest. Leonard entered their bedroom wearing his robe as Penny sat in front of the dresser, combing her hair.
"How are you feeling?" he asked while kissing her cheek.
"Better now." she said.
Leonard gave her a smile. "That's good to know. Now why don't we get some sleep. I'm sure you'll feel much better tomorrow." he said, pulling her into the bed before turning off the bedroom lights. They were about to get under the covers when they heard a knock on the door. Leonard went to open in, seeing Sarah standing outside.
"Honey, what is it? are you feeling okay?" he asked his daughter.
"Can I sleep here dad?" asked Sarah.
Leonard smiled and pulled her inside the bedroom. "Of course. Go to your mom." he said as Sarah ran inside, jumping on the bed to join Penny.
"Come here sweetheart." said Penny, hugging the young lady tight while kissing her goodnight. "Thank you for being so sweet." she said.
"I love you mommy." said Sarah as Leonard turned off the light before joining his girls on the bed.
"Aww, I love you too sweetie." Penny said.
"Good night honey." said Leonard as he kissed his wife and daughter before pulling the covers over them, thankful that Sarah joined them, hopeful that his wife would get over her career setback.