Pen Pals

Prologue: Not Goodbye

Penelope

The sun rose right on schedule. I had woken up earlier than usual today since I didn't have the day off. You may think, why wake up earlier on a day off?  Well that's because when I came home yesterday I noticed the messy shape the house was in. I tidied up the house and figured I may as well make Owen some breakfast. Today was Monday so  Owen had school. Before going inside I felt a final breeze of the early autumn morning, making me tug my cardigan closer. 

Once I was in the freshly clean kitchen I took out three eggs and six slices of bacon. I place the slices of bacon on the skillet and whisk the eggs together. After about a minute or two I flip the bacon and pour the eggs into another pan. While allowing the food to cook I dug around the living room searching for my grandfather's radio. It's the only thing that played the authentic fifties music. Hey I'm an old soul, what can I say? After finally finding the old thing I rushed back to the kitchen to flip the bacon once more and scramble my eggs. 

The food was finally ready and I went upstairs to wake up the rest of the house. Reaching Owen's door first I creep inside and sit on his bed. I gently rock his shoulder until his eyes flutter open. He sits up and rubs his tiny eyes, "Is it time for school?". "Almost I made breakfast go ahead and get dressed before you head down." I say walking toward the door and closing it behind me. One down, one to go. Once I reach my dad's door I knock softly until he calls me inside. He yawns and rubs his eyes. "Why are you up so early?" He says as he looks for his house shoes. "I made everyone breakfast, I'd get it while its hot." I say after locating his shoes and passing them to him. "I'll be down in a minute." 

"Why don't you make breakfast everyday?" Owen asks with his mouth full of food. Everyone was at the table eating and making conversation. "You'd like that wouldn't you?" I say playfully sticking my tongue out at him. "Duh, you're good at cooking." I pass him a napkin he was desperately trying to reach. "You cook like your mother." Dad suddenly piped up after remaining silent. I was caught of guard by the talk of my mother. I try to talk about her to Owen so he still gets an idea  of what she was like, but when my dad talks about her it just makes him sad. Both our eyes were cast downwards in her memory. "I wish I could meet mom, I wish I could have hugged her.." Owen said through our tension. "We all wish things had ended differently but it's better not to dwell on the past. It's what mom would have wanted." I say glancing at my dad. I'm a little upset that he brought her up during breakfast. 

"Owen your bus will be here soon go get your things, I'll walk you." Sending him a smile and picking up his plate. I place our dishes in the sink and put on my Ugg's. Pulling my hair into a quick bun I walk to the front door where Owen is standing. I help him pull his Hulk backpack on and hold his lunchbox I had prepared earlier. 

"Do you have your house key?" I remind him before leaving. "Yup!" He says as he walks under my arm that was holding the door open.  We walk in step as we near his bus stop. "My math teacher thinks I should be placed in advanced math." He says with a grin. "Oh really? Already outsmarting the other second graders?" "Uh-huh, I'm gonna be smart. You know what that means?" He said teasingly. I start tickling him as punishment for calling me dumb and waiting for the magic words. "I'm not saying it!" He said through his laughter. "I'll never give up!" I say following with an evil laugh. His bus had just rounded the corner but I wasn't letting him off so easily. "Okay, okay! Uncle!" I stop with a smirk and look at him satisfied. "You're so annoying." He says sarcastically before boarding the bus. Laughing at Owen's words I wave until the bus is out of sight. 

After reaching the house I grab my phone off the charger. Two new messages.

Finn: I'm going to see you today, even if I have to go door to door. :)