Penny For Your Thoughts?

Tenth

"Lemonade! Who wants some?" I walk down the porch with my little cart and hand out refreshments to the older men and women. They all look at me gratefully, like they might melt if they don't get something to cool them off. I hand Mr. Prosper the OJ he specifically asked for, and I hand it to him like we're dealing.

"Thanks, Pen. You always know how to put a smile on this old man's face," He shows off his pearly whites and I laugh. "Wanna play a game of checkers before I beat this sorry sight?" He looks at the man across from him who looks like a farmer in his flannel and worn overalls.

"I'll play you afterwards, I have to hand these out," I tell him and he turns to talk more smack.

"Oh, Penny dear!" I see the woman from earlier in the week sitting on the porch swings with a book in hand.

"Hey! Would you like something to drink? I have lemonade and water," I offer. She shakes her head and holds her own water bottle that is covered in sparkles and gems.

"Come take a seat," she pats the white wood of the swing and I look around before accepting. I watch over my cart to make sure no elderly trip over the wheels, then look back to her.

"What's up?" I ask. She holds the book out to me and I see the familiar title. The Fault In Our Stars. "You've been sucked in, huh?" I laugh.

"My granddaughter left it in my room last week and I can't put it down. It's the sweetest story," I see that she's well into the book and I smile.

"I recommend it. One of the best romances I've read in a while. Almost seems too good to be true," I explain. She bobs her head to that and opens the page. I see a few lines, and I can see that she's already gotten to Gus' death.

"It's sad to see such young people understand heart break like that. Death. Have you ever felt that, Penny?" She wonders and although it's a harmless question, I feel a little pain in it.

"Unfortunately, I do. Not death in the one I loved, but the being alone part," I shrug. She touches my shoulder.

"You can grieve without someone actually dying. It's about losing someone. It's okay to grieve over what you once had," I furrow my eyebrows as my eyes start to well up. I haven't cried over him in a while.

"I don't think anyone's given me good advice about him before," I look down almost ashamed.

"Some people don't understand that time can heal you. Let time heal you, Penny,"