Chap. 8 Care too much
Fran knew not to mess with Derek when she saw him enter the house. He had a look who spoke from itself.
"I guess she didn't want your help?"
"No. she said some truths; it's not entirely Susan fault, I admit that I forgot about Penelope too."
"She's mad at you?"
"Yeah, she's mad because I had fired the only nurse that she could afford."
"Oh baby. You just wanted to help."
"I don't know why I care so much. I care too much…"
"She made a way through your tough heart."
"Mom."
"I don't talk about love. I talk about care."
Derek nodded and shrugged.
"Anyway. I wish she find someone on her own." He said before going to his room.
Fran looked at her son's back with a smile; she was so proud that for once a complete stranger had melted his heart without even knowing it. There was hope after all.
Penelope saw the sky become darker with each minute passing. Her housekeeper had done the cleaning and was kind to cook her something. Penelope hadn't dared ask her to help her to bed. And now, she was stuck in that damn wheelchair.
McKey whined and she knew that she'd have to go out.
"I'm sorry sweetie, I almost forgot you." She whispered.
She hadn't called Susan or Derek, because one she couldn't call Susan, it would be degrading and secondly, she had refused to take Derek number.
She watched at her dog that was visibly happy to be out.
Without knowing it, she found herself in front of the Morgan's house. She decided to go back home but a little voice told her to apologize to Derek. He hadn't done something really wrong. Well, because of him, Susan had forgotten her, but if Susan had been a real professional, she shouldn't have forgotten her in the first place. She hadn't seen pity in his eyes on the contrary of most people. Yeah she needed to apologize.
She took a deep breath and wheeled towards the door.
The Morgans were having dinner all together. There was only one day left to Derek in Chicago and they wanted to spend as much time as possible with him.
Sarah was telling how life at work was when the doorbell rang.
"I got it." Desiree said.
She opened.
"Hello."
"Hi, hem I don't want to disturb you but is Derek here?"
"Derek, yeah. Come on follow me." Desiree said kindly.
"You're sure?"
"Yes, of course. You're just in time for dessert."
"Oh you were having dinner, I shouldn't have come…"
"No, no…"Desiree said but was interrupted by Derek.
"Who is it?" he asked appearing.
"It's Penelope, right?" Desiree asked turning towards the blond.
Penelope nodded nervously.
"Hem Derek I know that I have no right to come to your mom's house after being so harsh with you. I was just having a walk with my little boy here." Penelope said nodding towards the puppy.
"Anyway, I came to apologize… I was so angry and all but I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"Penelope, that's ok. I think I understand."
"Good. Well I should go now."
"Don't you stay for the dessert?" Desiree asked.
"No, I already ate thank you."
"Goodbye." She added turning towards the door.
Desiree rushed toward her to open the door.
"Penelope?" Derek called.
"Yes?"
"Have you found someone? A nurse, I mean?"
Penelope blushed deeply embarrassed.
"No, but I'll managed."
"How? You'll fly on your bed," he asked sarcastically.
Penelope couldn't help but laugh her first real laugh since ages.
"I can always try."
"come on, you have to try mom's pie, then Derek will drive you, maybe mom can help you to bed. She's a nurse you know?"
"Des, you're a genius why didn't I think about it?" Derek exclaimed tearing his eyes away from Penelope.
"What? No… I…s he can't… I should go." Penelope stammered.
"McKey doesn't want to leave." Derek said staring at the dog that was jumping at his jeans.
Fran, then Sarah joined them and pushed Penelope to accept their invitation.
Penelope nodded and joined them at their dinner table; though she refused the pie.
"Don't you love pie?" Fran asked.
"No!" Penelope cried embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't yell like that… I'm so embarrassed." the blond woman said blushing.
"That's ok, if you don't want a piece of pie." Sarah said reassuringly.
"I' sorry." Penelope said on the verge of tears.
She hated when she was so vulnerable.
"What is it?" Fran asked sensing that there was more behind it.
"I avoid eating outside or at the other people place… it's not like I have that much invitations… I… I can't use my right arm, my right hand as well and my dexterity isn't really well my left." She finally admitted.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I should have guessed." Fran said.
"That's ok. I just made a fool of myself again." Penelope sighed.
"Listen. I'll pack a piece of that pie so that you can eat it at home."
Penelope eyes lit up and she smiled.
"Thank you."
After many arguments, Derek drove Penelope and her dog back home, Fran was with them to help Penelope go to bed.
Penelope brushed her teeth and Fran helped her into her pyjamas.
"You're so kind." Penelope said with a trembling voice.
"You don't have to thank me, young girl."
Fran helped her to climb in the bed with Derek's help.
"Thank you, you are angels." Penelope said.
"Penelope, tomorrow morning, I'll come to help you. Then one of my friends will take care of you. We'll discuss the financial part tomorrow."
Penelope nodded and smiled before closing her eyes.
Derek fed the puppy and joined his mother who was checking on Penelope kitchen.
When he saw her shoulders shaking, he hugged her from behind.
"She only has frozen meals that she put in the microwave. She shouldn't be alone." She said with a teary voice."
"I know, mom. She had a difficult relationship with her family I guess."
"Well, now I will take care of her."
"You don't mind?" he asked.
"No, I want to… and I know that if you lived here you would do the same thing."
She wiped her tears and turned towards him.
"I'm so proud of my baby boy…" she whispered.
Derek smiled and led her outside the apartment. He was satisfied, e=because he knew that for once he had done the right thing.