Page 26 of Loved

“And we’ll get through it together,” I said. “No matter what. Besides, it’s much more likely that they’re going to be mad at me, not you.” The first time I’d met them had been in a hospital and I’d blatantly lied about who I was. I was the one in the firing line, not her.

“You’re right. I’ve got this.” She laughed awkwardly and pulled out her phone. She tapped on her screen and put the phone to her ear. She turned away from me as it rang.

I leaned against the railing on the small bridge and stared at her.

"Hi, Mom," she said and turned away from me.

I really hoped for both our sakes that her mother didn’t know yet.

"Yeah, everything's great!” Penny said. “Nothing weird or out of the ordinary going on at all."

What is she saying right now?I held back a laugh.

"I just wanted to show James around,” she said. “He was curious about where I grew up." She glanced over her shoulder at me.

I gave her an encouraging smile.

She turned back away from me and listened to something her mom was saying.

I leaned over the railing of the bridge and stared at the water. Yeah, this would have been the perfect fall afternoon if we didn’t have this cloud over our heads.

"Actually, Mom, I was hoping you and Dad could come home for lunch? James and I have to get back soon and I want to make sure I get to see both of you."

Another long pause.

I wondered if Penny’s father would off me and throw me into this river tonight…

"James actually needs to get back soon,” Penny said.

I turned back toward her.I do, do I?

"I'm feeling a lot better,” Penny said and touched her forehead. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Nothing?She was doing a terrible job prepping her mom for this. Piling lies on top of lies was more my speed than Penny’s. But it was better to do this in person.

"Really, Mom, I'm good. Text me about lunch, okay?" Penny nodded to herself. "Great. See you later." She hung up and sighed.

"I need to get back soon, huh?"

"I didn't want to commit to dinner in case, well, everyone's freaking out."

I nodded. "Probably a good idea." I put my elbows back on the railing.

She leaned on the ledge beside me. "I used to run on these paths in high school."

"I didn't know that you liked to run." I thought she’d told me she didn’t.

"I don't," she laughed. "I made myself. I wanted to make sure I was in good shape for volleyball. I actually hate running."

"You played volleyball?"

"Why do you always seem surprised when I tell you about my athletic abilities? I'm an only child. I used to play stuff with my dad all the time. He never had a son." She shrugged her shoulders. "I was actually pretty awesome at volleyball."

"You're probably awesome at everything you do." I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in to my side.

"I used to dream of having a boyfriend to walk with back here. I even used to dream about sneaking out of my house and coming over here for secret rendezvous."

"Hmm." I leaned down and kissed her. "You were always quite scandalous. The news of you dating your professor shouldn't shock your parents at all then."

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