Chap. 33 Mother talk
« So you're telling me that the guy you were seeing was going out with you because of a bet?" Fran asked with disbelief.
"I caught him on the phone talking about it? He was even talking about the rape. God I trusted him. He just killed the little hope I had… then I discover that Derek has a girlfriend… I thought we were friends…"
"Hush, Penelope. You just had to deal with too much stuff at a time. It will be okay."
"I knew I should have moved out a long time ago… his girlfriend's right…"
"She has no rights to make comments about it. That's Derek home…"
"Yes but she was right. I have to find my own place urgently. Or maybe I should move back here. I can't face the pool tech… they're horrible how can they make a bet about sleeping with a disabled woman? I thought he liked me… I'm just stupid…maybe he's right I was just too happy to have James and disappointed afterwards."
"Penelope you're not making any sense. You're not disabled anymore…"
"I was when we started going out… I just regained my full mobility some weeks ago."
"What he did is awful but you have to move on. The wounds are fresh but they will heal and you have to keep your life on tracks."
"You're right, they took me so much… I have to keep going…"
"Good. What about Derek?"
"I know I shouldn't have told him to not get involved with her. It wasn't my business… we're so distant. So far from what we once were. It wasn't a good idea to live and work together…"
"You'll sort things out. I know that you still care for each other… you just have to find your way back."
"Yeah."
"So tell me how is that Tamara?"
"She's tall, gorgeous, really beautiful grandbabies material…" Penelope said with a faraway look.
"You'll have your happy ending too sweetie." Fran said putting her hand on hers.
"Maybe maybe." Penelope said smiling sadly.
The case was quickly closed. On their way back, Derek decided to call his mom.
"Hello?"
"Hi mom."
"Derek, baby. How are you?"
"I'm fine and you?"
"Good. You're sure you're ok?"
"Yeah. I'm just worried about Penelope."
"Why? What happened to her?"
"She took some time off and she just disappeared, I don't know where she is."
"She was here in Chicago."
"Really… was? Where is she?"
"She left for California. Something to do with Esther or something like that."
"Oh… Is Alex with her?" he asked visibly.
"I don't think so. She told me she could handle things alone."
"Mom…"
"I know… but what could I do?"
"Nothing…thanks. I'll call you later."
"Ok. Just take good care of Penelope son. She's one friend of a kind."
"I know…" he said before hanging on.
"One friend of a kind." He whispered thoughtfully.
Meanwhile Penelope was determined to go on with her life. And what was best than getting Esther back? So she stood there ready to knock at her childhood home.