The Fowler Anxiety Results
Chapter 10
Penny and Leonard found themselves in the relatives room for the second time that year. Megan had gone down for a scan to see what was wrong and they were waiting for her to come back. Penny couldn't bear the waiting any more.
"What's going on?" Penny threw her hands up in the air, exasperated by the recent events "how much more can that little girl take?"
"Penny, I think…" Leonard tried to interrupt her, "I don't know"
"I mean first she's whacked on the back by Halley" Penny thought back to the horrible time Halley was having at the hands of her 'best friends' "and now Stephen has thrown her down some stairs"
"I don't think he meant to" Leonard suggested, "not that it matters"
"why is it always her?" Penny cried, warm hot tears falling down her face at a time when she thought there were no more to cry "she's always the one who gets hurt"
"she's got a big heart like her Mommy" Leonard rubbed Penny's shoulder, hoping he'd said the right thing "she finds it easy to love and forgive"
"I know" Penny patted his hand with hers "it's a gift really"
"it's just a shame it gets her into this"
"it's not her fault though, she's loving and thoughtful and wonderful, she shouldn't be the one held up in the emergency room every time she tries to help someone"
Megan's scan came back clear, there was no broken bones or internal bleeding, just severe bruising, she was told to go home and rest, no school for a week and no sports for a month. Penny and Leonard were relieved, but scared too. They had no idea what they were going back to. On the ride home Penny thought about the situation she was in now, her second family needed her, more than ever, but she needed help. There was no way she could carry on like this. Obviously Amy needed to be at the hospital to be there for the twins and Bernadette was still working. She couldn't ask them. Penny picked up her phone and sent a message that she had been thinking about sending for a while now
I need your help sis. Please come and help me. I can't cope on my own xxx
Lisa messaged back almost straight away
Booking a flight now, see you tomorrow. Love you sis, chin up until I get there xxx
Penny let a sigh of relief escape through her mouth. Lisa always knew how to help. Yes she'd had her ups and downs, going to prison for shooting her husband, and upsetting their Dad by going into labour before he could dance with her at her wedding, but Lisa was there for Penny as much as she could be, and today was one of those days.
Leonard and Penny decided to take all four of the kids with them, Leonard's new nine seater car hadn't been on a long drive so it gave them an excuse to use it. The hours drive was relaxing for Penny especially as she wasn't driving. She had been happy to look after Stephen for Amy, but he had gone to Bernadette's after the incident the night before and Penny felt that was for the best. She'd have him back of course, but once she had more help and less stress, maybe this evening or tomorrow after school.
Penny, Leonard, Megan, Elliot and Alice all lined up in arrivals waiting for Lisa to come through the door. She had already text to say she had landed and collected her luggage, it was just a case of waiting for her to come through. Suddenly, an older version of Penny walked towards them, she had darker hair, smaller breasts and a different nose, but she was definitely Penny's sister, the years of smoking and taking drugs were etched on her face. It had been years since she stopped, but you could still see the way it had aged her. Leonard found himself thinking that Penny moving to LA at the age of 21 would have been hard, but it probably saved her. Alcohol being the only crutch that followed her.
"auntie Lisa" Megan jumped, remembering the doctor's instructions to take it easy "auntie Lisa, we're over here"
"Megan" Lisa screamed "how are you, Mommy said you were hurt"
"I'm fine" Megan smiled, "just be careful when you hug me"
"Leonard" Lisa smiled at him "how are you"
"I'm okay" Leonard answered truthfully "it's been a big shock, but I'm getting my head around it slowly"
"Elliot" Lisa gave her nephew and high five "and this must be Alice"
"oh yeah," Penny smiled "you haven't met her yet"
"Penny" Lisa took one look in Penny's eyes and she could see that she was struggling, "I'm here now sis, I'll help in any way I can, for as long as I can"
"thank you" Penny collapsed in her arms and cried "that means a lot"