It's a Long Story

Chapter 9

(Three years later)

"Penny, are you sure you want to get married? Especially to Veronica? I mean I know you love her, but you guys are very volatile..." I whisper.

"Cate. I didn't ask for your opinion. I want you to be my maid of honor. And I want the kids in my wedding too." She snaps.

"Penny. I am not saying no. I am just saying I don't think it is a good idea." I try to explain.

"Oh because you are a marriage expert. You are in no position to judge my relationship, at least I didn't get knocked up and forced into a marriage." She screams. Her expression drops the second the words have left her mouth and entered the universe. Words she can never take back. "Wait-". She looks so upset. But the damage is done.

"Fuck you Penelope. Go to hell." I whisper yell back at her. I storm out of her house, and drive home. I slam the front door behind me and I slide to the ground. I cry hard. I hold myself and cry. I put my head in between my knees and just let all out. Every pain I feel and all my anger. I just scream and cry. I didn't know I wasn't alone.

"Mom, are you okay?" Sammy asks. I am startled and I jump up.

"Yes." I sniffle and wipe my tears.

"Don't lie to me. What happened?" he asks.

"Things didn't go well with your Aunt Penny." I whisper. He hands me a box of tissues and I blow my nose. I look at him and he sits down next to me.

"You and Penny always fight. Since Veronica came in the picture, you have always been fighting with her. Don't take it too personally. Take a few minutes to recover and then think hard about it." He thinks he is so cute. He is giving me the same advice I gave him a week ago after his fight with his best friend. I look at him and he smiles at me cheekily.

"I will. I promise. Maybe. How about we go get some ice cream?" I ask him. He nods and we stand up and head to my car.

"So why aren't you at school? I thought your father was taking you?" I question him.

"I went, but then school sent me home. I threw up, so the nurse made me go home. So Dad picked me up, and dropped me off at home. But between you and me, I made myself sick. Dan has been bothering me, and Dad wouldn't let me stay home." He explains. I look at him and I smile. I grab his hand and I give it a gentle squeeze.

"I will talk to your school counselor tomorrow. Don't ask your father about that next time. I am the one who makes those decisions here. If it is that bad, talk to me. Dad doesn't understand these things. I understand. If you need a mental health day, I will sign off on it. But if you start taking advantage of it, I will take away that privilege. Anyways. Ice cream!" I like to end our serious conversations on a happy note. We drive across town to the cutest ice cream shop in town. All homemade ice cream. We get our favorites, I get strawberry chip, and he gets mint fudge.

We talk and eat our ice cream at the picnic table. Poor Sammy, he has been getting bullied a lot at school, and I feel bad because I can't do anything about it. I can only talk to the adults at the school and hope that I can do as much on my end as I can.

"I have an idea." I tell Sammy. He turns and looks at me.

"What is it?" Sammy looks like he is trying to not get too excited.

"Let's get a puppy." I try to hold back my excitement.

"Right now?" he sounds so shocked.

"Yes. I have a friend, and her dog had puppies a few weeks ago. They are ready to go to new homes. I have been thinking, the babies are old enough, and I think we are ready." I grin at him, he stares at me wide eyed.