Sweet Penelope

Old Confidants

I decided to take a drive around the city to better know my surroundings. I texted Kirk and let him know how everything was going, he was the only reason I had made it this far. I didn't know what to do, I didn't know how to locate Daniel. He might already be dead or moved to another state, I had no idea. But, I was a persistent person and I was going to go to the ends of the Earth to find him. I had a gun in my duffel bag, completely loaded but on safety. I would do with it whatever I needed to. It was a gift from Kirk on my sixteenth birthday, he knew exactly what I would use it for.

I stopped at a small hamburger joint, it was exciting being able to spend my own money on things but I needed to budget. I walked inside the restaurant and ordered my meal. It wasn't very crowded on a weekday, which I was glad for. I leaned against the wall as I waited. I looked around and I seen an older couple enjoying their burgers. I squinted. And then my heart sank to my stomach.

It was Cheryl and Thomas, I was looking at my first foster parents. I swallowed hard and slowly approached their table. Thomas looked up. "Uh, hello?" I frowned. They didn't recognize me. I scratched my head. "Hey, it's me. It's Mason." Cheryl's eyes went wide and she jumped up, immediately hugging me. I squeezed her and she started to cry. "Oh, I've missed you. I thought you were dead." I shook my head. "No, I'm okay. I'm doing okay." Thomas stood up and gave me a warm hug, as well. "Didn't even recognize you. You're a man now. You've gotten taller than me! And your voice is so much deeper, well, you look great." I smiled. "Thank you. I ran into a man and he helped so much these past five years." Cheryl grinned. "That is so great." I looked at Thomas and suddenly got a lump in my throat. "How's Daniel?" I burned with fury as I asked. Thomas looked down and he looked hurt. "I don't know." Cheryl rubbed my shoulder. "We cut him out of our lives. As far as I know, him and his girlfriend moved away." I raised my eyebrows. "Where to?" Thomas shook his head. "Mason, I don't know what you're getting at but you should stop. You don't need to go on some revenge mission." I frowned. "Why? You're not the one who had someone close to you ripped away. So, it's none of your fucking business what I do. Don't victimize my sister's killer." Cheryl nodded. "Thomas, he's right." He looked back up at me and gave me a disgusted look. "Two wrongs won't make a right." I shrugged. "And letting him go makes me just as guilty." Thomas looked at Cheryl. "Let's go." I grabbed his arm. "What's happened to you?" He pushed me away. "You want to murder a murderer? That makes you a murderer too, you know? And a hypocrite." I smiled. "I'm okay with being those things. I'm not okay with letting Penelope down again. I'll be a murder and a hypocrite, but I won't be a bad brother." Cheryl smiled. "I'm proud of you. Do what you have to do, Mason. Don't worry about morality. Oh, and Daniel mentioned moving to Bloomington, Indiana. Maybe check there." I hugged her one last time and Thomas insisted again that they must go, clearly annoyed with Cheryl. At the same time, I heard the waiter call my order number.

I ate my meal on my way back to the hotel, and cussed Thomas in my mind. Why did he stick up for Daniel? It burned holes of rage into my heart and I couldn't help but feel some slight hatred for him now.

I walked towards the elevator in the hotel when I heard a man yelling. I looked over my shoulder and a short fat man was yelling at Allison. His name tag read, "Jonathan." She had her hands locked into fists at her side and she stared down at her shoes. He was clearly embarrassing her. I sighed and walked over to them. "Sir,  I don't think it's necessary to scream at your workers in front of everyone." He glared at me and started to laugh. "Well, I don't think it's necessary to tell me how to do my job." I shrugged. "You're not good at your job. Consider it constructive criticism." Jonathan tilted his head and Allison's eyes got wide. "Who are you?" I stuck my hand out. "Mason." He smacked my hand and put his finger in Allison's face. "What a surprise, a whore like you has a little boyfriend! Do your job and don't worry about men who check in!" My anger took control of my body. I grabbed Jonathan's shoulder and jerked him around where he would face me. I reared back and punched him in the nose. He groaned and fell back. His nose was bleeding and he was trying to catch the blood in his hands. I stepped back and Allison put her hands over her mouth. Jonathan glared at both of us. "Pack your bags and leave, Mason! You're never welcomed back here and you get no refund! Allison, you're fired! Get out of my sight!" I looked down, I felt awful for doing what I did. Allison took a deep breath and walked right by me, out the front door.

I had nothing to pack, I only had a duffel bag and it was in my truck, so I followed Allison out. She whirled around and crossed her arms. "I'm sorry." She sighed. "Why made you think it would be a good idea to punch my boss in the face?" I shrugged. "I guess I didn't think it through." Allison rolled her eyes. "Well, thanks a lot. I don't have a job now!" I scratched my head. "You hated working there, I could tell that when I first saw you. I'm sorry, he called you a whore and I don't know, I didn't like that." Allison uncrossed her arms. "I don't need you to protect me." I nodded. "I know that. I punched him because he deserved it, not to impress you. Can I make this up to you?" She looked around for a few seconds and then her piercing green eyes made their way back to my light brown ones. "Buy me lunch."