A Walk With Penny
You wandered outside of the saloon, on a mission to find a friend in Penny. Gus said she was a sweet girl, and you believed him. Every interaction you had had with Penny had proved that.
You saw her in the distance, walking towards the beach.
“Hey, Penny!” You called, running to catch up with her.
She turned around, clearly a little startled. Her auburn hair gently swung and fanned over her shoulder, and she looked at you with her clear green eyes. Her skin was white and creamy, and so were her teeth as she grinned at you. “Oh, hey, Y/N.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” You said, slowly inching towards her. “Just wanted to hang out, if you’re not busy.”
“No, I’m not. I was just walking to the beach. You’re welcome to join me.”
“That’d be great.” You said. Penny continued walking, and you continued beside her.
She had on a long cardigan that was draped over a summery dress. She couldn’t wear it for much longer, as fall was starting to creep up, making the days cold and windy. Her knockoff birkenstocks revealed perfectly painted red toes that were even redder with the cold weather. She shivered, and wrapped her cardigan around her more snuggly.
“You look cold.” You stated the obvious.
“A little.”
“Here.” You said, taking off your jean jacket and draping it over her shoulders before she could protest.
“Oh, thanks…” She said, a red blush creeping up at her pale cheeks.
Even though the wind was making goosebumps poke up on your arms, you had no ounce of regret. Penny looked adorable all bundled with your coat.
The two of you walked quietly towards the beach, enjoying the sun that was setting behind the clouds.
“Do you come watch the sunset often?” You asked.
“When I can.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah.” She agreed. “Orange like that… you only see it at sunset.”
You both sat down in the sand and silently watched the sun drift behind the clouds. After a long comfortable pause, she spoke up.
“How’s the farm?”
“Same as always. I’m getting used to it.”
“Hm.” She smiled. “I always thought I’d love to own my own farm. Take care of animals, water crops… I walk past Marnie’s all the time and just pretend her cows are mine.”
“I don’t know too many people who dream of that.” You giggled.
“No, I guess not.” She flushed. “It’s a slow, comfortable life. There’s something incredibly appealing about that.”
“I know what you mean.”
“One day I’d love to have a farm, and a hundred kids, and spend my days baking bread in our kitchen.” She smiled wistfully, her face illuminated by the orange of the retreating sun. It made her hair even redder than the normal auburn, and more ethereal.
“A hundred kids? Honestly, sometimes I question if I want any at all.” You said truthfully.
“I love kids. I would’ve been a real teacher in the city if I had any way of going to school for it. But I can’t leave home. Vincent and Jas need me.” Penny said, tucking her feet under her dress for warmth.
“I’ve seen you with them. You teach them, right?”
“Yeah. They’re both six, so the curriculum for them is the same. I just use homeschooling booklets and do my best.” She smiled. “It saves them the long trip to the city. And, Marnie and Jodi both give me a bit of money for doing it, too. Not much, but enough that I can live.”
“Live? Don’t you live with your mom?”
“She hasn’t worked in years. She runs up massive tabs, and I…” Penny sighed, and stared coldly at the warm sun. “Well someone has to feed us, right?”
“I had no idea, Penny. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining! So many people have it worse than me!” She said quickly, waving her hands.
“That still sucks.”
“Well, it is what it is. I love my mom. She did the best she could for us.”
You both stared at the last bits of sun disappear, both not knowing what to say anymore.
After the sunset, you walked Penny home in the dark night. She thanked you for letting her vent, and you told her you’d listen any time she needed to walk.
As you continued your walk home, your phone buzzed. You had a message that made your stomach twist.
Shane: Meet me at the dock.