A Penny's Worth Read Free Page A

common to talk about.
    Looking at Penny with a hurt expression,
Sarah said in a sharp tone, “Okay, so give me some people, or topics, why don’t
you start the conversation for once.”
    She thought for a moment, but knew she
was stumped. She looked down at Winston and shrugged. “I don’t know, there’s
got to be something.” She snapped her fingers. “I know, let’s talk about, let’s
see,” she scratched her head. “Okay, what are your plans for the holidays?” She
smiled brightly for she did find a good topic and had triumphed. “Where are you
going for Thanksgiving?”
    Sarah replied curtly, “We just finished
with summer so I don’t know, and I don’t care. My mother lives far away and I
don’t feel like driving to her house. Plus my old room doesn’t have a TV and
most importantly, my parents won’t let me bring Brutus. Next subject.”
    “What kind of music do you like?”
    Sarah glanced down at her watch. “I can’t
think offhand.” She clasped her hand to her forehead. “I almost forgot, I must
go to work early today, pretty much every day this week as a matter of fact. Do
you mind if we cut this short?”
    “Not at all,” Penny replied truthfully.
    “I’ll catch up with you later then. Have
a great day. Come on Brutus.” Sarah turned abruptly, almost snapping Brutus’
poor neck as she dragged him along with her.
    Winston whined softly as he watched his
friend depart. Penny could swear Winston knew the visit with his buddy had been
cut short and he sensed he would never see him again. “I’m sorry baby,” she
whispered softly, “If Brutus doesn’t show up tomorrow we’ll find some new
friends. I promise.”
    After her walk, Penny found Bob waiting
for her at the front foyer. “Missed me baby?” She leaned down to stroke him behind
his left ear. It was then she spotted the huge pile of cat crap that was piled
on her recently washed kitchen floor. She sighed again and straightened up.
“When are you going to get this?” she pointed to the poop as she scolded Bob.
“You’re supposed to do that in the kitty litter box. You’re not a dog you know,
cats aren’t supposed to have accidents.”
    Blinking slowly, Bob turned around. With
his orange tail up in the air he walked into the bedroom. Penny knew this was
Bob’s revenge for not being brought along on the walk.
    “You’re spiteful,” she yelled out crossly
as she grabbed paper towels from the kitchen cabinet. “I’ll clean up your cat
crap, but shit,” she said to no one in particular. “My life seems to be full of
it lately.”
    Penny cleaned up the mess. She fed
Winston. Then, suddenly, she felt exhausted. She plopped down heavily onto the
couch. It was Tuesday morning and she had the day off for superintendent’s day.
    Taking in the pokey apartment as if with
new eyes, she wished more sun filtered in there.
    The doorbell rang, startling Penny out of
her misery. Jumping up, she called, “Who is it?”
    “You know who it is.”
    Running to the door, she flung it open.
Standing there was Dolores’ sister Bess. “Aunt Bess,” Penny cried. “I thought
you were still in Florida.”
    Stepping inside, Aunt Bess shook her head
sadly. “I had to come in for yet another funeral. Another one kicked the bucket.
No-one you know, but they’re dropping like flies now.”
    “I’m sorry.” She wrapped her arms around
her beloved aunt. “How did you know I was home?”
    Looking at Penny with a smirk, Aunt Bess
said, “I was a teacher once remember? I know all the holidays.”
    She smiled as she watched her aunt drop
into her couch. She was so delighted to see her.
    “It smells like cat shit in here.”
    Laughing, Penny asked, “Tea?”
    “Yup, so what’s been shaking with you? I
hear you’re giving your Mom a hard time. Good for you. I was wondering when you
would rebel. You’re only about 25 years too late, but what the hell.”
    Whirling around midway to the kitchen,
Penny looked at Aunt Bess in astonishment.