***Penni***
We stop laughing, and I say, “Now for real, what do you do?” he pauses then sighs. “I’m a contractor for the Eagle Realty, a company stationed in New York. I’ve come to servé some land here, and it’s not that dangerous of a job, I just got mugged is all.” I don’t believe him for a second. “Yeah, sorry bout that. People get mugged here all the time.” I say sarcastically. He blushes, so I let up.
“Well, what’s your story?” I go and sit on the bed. “Nothing much really, born and raised here in Bellfast. Spent all my life here, except when I went to college in Bakersville. I have a twin sister named Tulip.” Westly raises his eyebrows. “Twin? And your parents seriously named her Tulip?” I laugh. “Yeah, twin, but she’s my fraternal twin. Meaning we don’t look alike. Our mom died in childbirth, and Dad had a thing with flowers. My name is actually Peony, but my middle name is Penelope, and everybody mispronounces it as Penni, and they think it’s my first name shortened.” I watch him nod. “What’s your last name Peony.” I laugh at his saying my name. “It’s White, Mr. Big Shot form New York.” he smiles, but I see that he’s trying to keep his eyelids from drooping. “Now get some sleep, and I’ll have a doctor come look at your healing. He’s a good friend of mine.” he nods, and looses the battle.
I grab Romeo, and head for bed myself.
***********************************************
“But I’ve been cooped up in here for almost a week!” Westly complains. Kiven just ignores him and goes on with their normal check up. I feel bad for him. He’s already gone through all my books, there’s nothing really on daytime television, and he has no one to talk to. Besides Romeo, and they already don’t get along.
Kiven is checking on Westly’s progress, and Romeo is flicking his tail irritably and staring intently at Kiven. “What, Cat?” He says, annoyed. I giggle. Those two have never gotten along, starting the day after I took Romeo in and Kiven came for a visit. Though, strangely enough, he loves Benny. “Romeo doesn’t like men, does he?”, Westly says, and I nod. “So, what’s the verdict, doc?” I ask, and Kiven straitens up, and looks sternly at Westly. “I’ll help you down to the shop, where he can sit and watch you and the costumers, but if I hear that he got up after I left, he won’t need me, he’ll need a mortician.” Westly takes this as a victory, but I shudder. Kiven helps Westly to the kitchen first, so we can all have breakfast, then we head down to the shop, with Romeo trialing wearily.
As soon as I flip the sign, Benny comes bursting in. “Good morning, my lovelies!” Benny sets his purse down next to Romeo, and he jumps into Benny’s arms. “Hows my most handsome man?” he says, and Romeo gives a disgruntled yawl. Benny laughs. “I though that cat didn’t like Men.” Westly says, and I face palm. Benny then proceeds to say, “Well I may be male on the outside, but let me assure you, on the inside I’m 100% woman.”
Westly looks confused, and Kiven just shakes his head. “Sweetheart, I thought I told you to wait in the car?” Benny looks sad. “Sorry, sweet buns, I just wanted to see Flora, and meet Mr. Pincushion.” Kiven smiles, “Well I have been the only one to meet this one.” Kiven goes over to Benny and hugs him, resting his head on Benny’s head. “Ok, this has been bothering me for a while now”, I look over at Westly. “Just how many half-dead men do you find on your doorstep, woman?!” I laugh, and think. “I think you’re the fourth.”, but Kiven shakes his head, “Remember that run away that you found in college.” he pauses and looks at Westly. “In college the kid fainted from hunger and she helped him out, until he found his family.”
I smiled at the memory. Sean still kept in touche with me. Apparently his family moved to a small town, and he’s found himself a girlfriend. I look over at Westly, and he’s giving me a look of disbelief. “I can’t help it! When I see someone who needs help, I have to help them! There’s this saying that if you have the power to help, and you chose not to, then it’s a sin.” Westly just shakes his head. “Well it’s good to know you have some experience with this.” I shake my head. “You’re the only one who’s almost died in front of me.” I say. Remembering the sate that I found him in still makes me want to through up.
“Well, anyway, sugar buns, I should do what I came to do.”, Benny says and walk up to Westly, who is sitting on the fourth step to my loft. “My name is Benjamin Westen. But nobody calls be ‘Benjamin’ because it’s so not cute, so you’ll call me Benny. It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Pincushion!”, he says, and takes Westly’s hand and shakes it. Then he turns to me. “I’ll be able to come any time, all you have to do is call!” I smile and say thank you. Then just as abruptly as he came, he left. Taking Kiven with him. They must have a date, or something, today.
As much as I love Benny, and I do to the end of the earth and back, he just wears me out! “You have some interesting friends.” Westly says, and I chuckle darkly. “You have know idea.”
YOU ARE READING
Guns & Tulips
RomanceAll Penni wanted to do was have a simple life as a florist. She didn't get into trouble, not that her small town had any, and she always paid her bills on time. So why did a hot half-dead man show up on her front porch? ++I have re-read all of it an...
