The Marx Brothers

Chapter Nineteen 'Day 1'

Seeing Penny leave, was harder than I thought it would be. When seven o'clock came, we stood out the front of my house, waiting for her parents to arrive and whisk her away. It had finally sunk in, that when she left, Grace would soon be after, and then, I would be alone again.

"I'm going to miss you" I wrapped my arms around Penny

"I will miss you too" She sighed, embracing me back "Be good" Her soft voice entered my ear "If you need anything, just give me a call"

I nodded as we pulled away in time for her parents to pull into the driveway.

Penny's mother stepped out of the passenger side, greeting my sister with a wave as she stood on the porch leaned against the support beam.

"Eden!" Eliza smiled towards me, embracing me softly as though I would break in half

"How are you feeling dear?" She asked me with her hands on my arms, her soft blue eyes sympathetic

I gave her a small smile "I'm good, I'll miss Penny though"

"Oh I'm so sorry for not having you join us this time around" She whispered "It was Bill's idea to have a 'family only' holiday" She told me quietly.

"No, that's fine Eliza, I do understand, I really do" I told her, understanding their reasons

Her smile continued, it was genuine at first, and then it just became a habit. I appreciated her kindness and honesty, but I didn't appreciate that she felt she needed to pretend around me. I wasn't going to break down and lose all mentality. I didn't need to be bubble wrapped.

"I'll see you when I get back" Penny assured me with one more hug

"Have fun" I smiled "Let me know when you get there safe"

She nodded, and that was it. She was gone.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Grace asked me as we stood on our porch, the sun settling comfortably down on our skin

"I will be fine Grace, I promise" I was honest

I would be okay, sure I would be lonely, but I would be okay. I would survive.

"Just like Penny said, if  you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to call her or myself"

I rolled my eyes "And just like I told her, I will"

Together we sat on the porch, making small conversation, making the most of our final day, just being sisters, teasing each other, mocking each other. In a way, it was as though my accident had brought us closer together, not just Grace and I, but Penny and I too. I held a whole new appreciation for them, for life. I could have easily been killed in my attack, but fortunately, I hadn't, and I had barely a scar left to tell the tale.

We had been on our deck for about an hour, and then we both succumbed to television and a nap, which we both had needed. When we awoke, we were just as irritable as each other, and after little persuasion, we had decided to make the most of the beautiful weather and head out for late lunch.

"Have you heard from Oscar?" Graclin asked me while we sat waiting for our meals outside of a small cafe in town

I shook my head, sipping my juice "No. He's on vacation with his family, I'm probably the last thing on his mind right now"

"Do you miss him?"

"A little. We got on really well, so it's hard to be without him sometimes. Every now and then I go to call him or message him, and then I remember how much he hates me"