Nancy DeRosa - A Pennys Worth

A Pennys Worth

NANCY DEROSA

FINGERPRESS LTD

LONDON

Copyright Nancy DeRosa, 2012

Production Editor: Matt Stephens

All rights reserved. Please respect the copyright of thiswork.

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This work is dedicated to my brother Steve
whose worth is immeasurable.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Matt and Michelle Stephens as wellas the fabulous team at Fingerpress.co.ukfor all their hard work and dedication in bringing this work to fruition.

I would also like to thank my children Kelly, Alex, andJamie for inspiring me and for being the best cheerleading squad when I neededit.

Thank-you to all my wonderful friends who have supportedme and have meant so much to me throughout this process with your valuableadvice, support and most of all friendship.

I also want to thank my husband Jack who is the solidfoundation I stand on. You have always stood by me and believed me worthy.

Penny Marins knew early on that her mom had named herafter a small amount of change. She also figured out her mothers reason. Fromthe moment Penny entered the world, Dolores had decided that her daughter wouldnever amount to much. So far, Penny truly felt, her mother had been provenright.

Penny was approaching forty, had nevermarried, and didnt have a wide circle of friends. Not only did she feel thather name was short-changed, she also felt the same could be said for her lovelife. She was ashamed that she only experienced passion a few times throughouther life, and that had been with the three men shed been with. It suddenlyoccurred to her one day that each relationship with Joe, Edmond, and David hadlasted barely a year. The other thirty-five years of her life had been as sexyas an afternoon in a dry desert with an old weary camel

Penny despised social gatherings. As oflate shed found herself withdrawing from people more than ever. She began toponder becoming a total recluse just as the phone rang.

And who could this be? she mumbled toher cat, stepping gingerly over him to grab the phone. She knew it was hermother. Very rarely did anyone else call her. Hello, she said as she began torub her forehead furiously. She quickly felt a headache coming on.

Penny is that you? her mother yelledinto the phone.

No Mom, its not me. Im someone elseentirely, I just happen to sound like your daughter.

Dolores huffed and replied, What is happeningto you lately? Im getting tired of all this sarcasm.

A lot of things make me tired too Mom. Iguess thats just part of life, Penny dead-panned right back at her. She felta knot form in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to be pleasant but shecouldnt. She leaned down to pet her cat Bob as he rubbed up against herankles.

Well maybe if you attempted to make yourlife a little more lively, Dolores replied in a self satisfied tone, youdhave a bit more energy now wouldnt you?

Penny snapped back, You make everythingsound so easy Mom. Gee, why dont I just go out and make a fun plan? Hey, Iknow, maybe Ill call up one of my friends and go ice-skating.

What friends?

Penny stopped petting Bob and stood up.She tightly gripped the edge of the kitchen counter. Is there a specific reasonwhy you called me?

Yes there is Penny. Im calling toremind you of Cousin Charlenes sons Communion Party. I know how easy it wouldbe for you to conveniently forget, its this weekend you know.

I would rather have all four of mywisdom teeth pulled out with no painkillers than go to that.

Now Penny, Dolores scolded. It soundsto me like you harbor a bit of resentment toward Charlene, come on now.

What did you say? Penny gasped.Resentment, are you kidding? No Mom, what Im harboring is anger. Do you carethat I was nice enough to baby-sit for Charlene and

Dolores abruptly cut her off, You neededextra money for that fancy car of yours. You cant blame her for that.

Right, my four year old blue HondaCivic, I make such a statement when I drive down the street. You didnt let mefinish, Penny explained in a steely voice.

Charlene is a perfectly nice girl and

Oh, shes just perfect. The last time Ibabysat for Charlene, she had the audacity to ask me to iron her suit. Perky,perfect Charlene had a social event the next day and didnt have time, poorthing, but I guess you dont care that she treats your daughter like shit.

Dolores petulant voice crackled down thephone line. Youre going a bit too far with the shit thing Penny. Yourefamily, and she asked a favor is all.

Penny knew her mother would stick up forCharlene. It was what her mother did, stand by everyone but her. Penny wishedshe could get used to it already and accept what was, but never could.

Slumping on the couch Penny decided on anew tactic. Look mom, whatever, I want to see my niece and nephews, so I willbe there. I really have to go now.

Go? Where do you have to go?

Penny answered slowly, I am going to getsomething to eat, bye Mom.

She examined her reflection in thehallway mirror: her fair skin, brown eyes, and really long eyelashes. Her lightbrown hair fell to her shoulders in soft waves. She was no waif, but not fateither. Strictly middling, she admonished herself, thats me alright.

But her face was pretty and there was agentle kindness shining in her eyes.

Staring at her reflection, she said outloud, I should quit my mother like a bad habit. Yet her family, and thatsense of belonging, was all she had. Loneliness would always rule and chase herdown the street right back into her childhood home.

Lately though, a little spark wasbeginning to ignite in Penny. She longed to know who she was and what she couldbe. It was why she was cranky, it was why she was sarcastic, and it was why asof late, dealing with her mother was worse than the over-whelming loneliness.Penny was restless.

Before she turned away from the mirrorshe pointed a finger at her reflection and said, I am worth so much more than that.

Flat on her back in bed, Penny laid a wet towel on herhead. Jeez, what an awful day. As much as she didnt want to revisit the eventsthat had just transpired she could not help herself.

Penny had attended Charlenes sonsCommunion party and the moment she had entered Charlenes home, she had a premonitionthat events were going to turn iffy.

Even in the crowded hallway she spottedher brothers immediately. Louis, and Amber, stood in a corner with their twinboys, Paul and Alex. Her older brother Steve, his wife Theo, and their two yearold daughter Carrie stood against the far wall next to them. They were having alively conversation.

Penny loved her niece and nephews andalways enjoyed spending time with them. But both her sisters-in-law lackedsocial graces. Being in their company was just plain uncomfortable, though shedid her best to get along with them.

Attempting a smile, Penny walked towardher brothers. They both waved hello.

Hows it going? she offered lightly.

Smiling, Louis put an arm around hissister, Hey beautiful. Good to see you.

Penny cringed as her sisters-in-lawlooked her over. She could tell by their expressions that they didnt think shelooked beautiful at all.

Penny spitefully pointed to Ambers bag,Nice pocketbook. Wow, bet that must have put you back a tidy sum. She gave alow whistle for emphasis.

Looking down at his wifes bag withnarrowed eyes, Louis asked, Why? What? Was that expensive Amber?

Amber fixed Penny with a cold stare. Notat all Louis, I got it on sale.

Shrugging, Penny asked with a smirk,Gucci on sale? Thats amazingly unusual.

Theo jumped into the conversation: Andwhere did you find a Gucci pocketbook on sale? I want one.