Page 44 of Shattering Nash

Charley gasped and shook her head, in complete denial. Surely, Penny was joking.

“Oh yeah, you did. Well” —Penny chuckled— “You tried. And right after, you told him you had a dream about him.”

I tried to kiss Nash? And I told him about my dream?She closed her eyes and dragged her hand down her face. This was beyond humiliating and so out of character. What was she thinking?I wasn’t thinking.

She groaned, on the verge of tears. Her stomach painfully twisted, and she wrapped her arms around her belly, rocking on the couch.

“It’s probably better you don’t remember. The details would play over and over in your head, and you’d be mortified, spending the next few days dwelling on it. This is actually a good thing.” Penny pushed up from her chair. “Okay so, I’ll order some breakfast. Don’t worry, just toast for you. Keep drinking that water, because we got a lot happening today. After we eat, we’ll head to your place to pack up your shit. I got a guy who owes me a favor, so he’s gonna move all the heavy stuff and bring boxes.”

What is happening?She had no clue what Penny was talking about.

Charley blinked. “Move?”

“Yeah, you told me about getting evicted.”

I did?Charley had no recollection of any of it. What else had she shared with Penny? She’d have to worry about that at a later time. For now, she needed to focus on the present subject.My eviction.

“But I haven’t found a new place yet.” Charley had searched and scoured the market, but everything was so expensive. Those in her price range were rented before she even got a chance to look at them.

Penny waved her hand and stood. “I found you a place.”

Jesus! How long was I sleeping?

“Wait, Penny, I can’t just…”What is happening?

Penny marched forward and bent down to her eye level. “I used my connections and got you an apartment downtown. It’s not exactly the Ritz, but it’s dirt cheap, extremely safe, and they have vacancies. Well, one vacancy. For you. Now get your ass up. This is my only weekend I can help you ’cause I’m going to see my man.”

Charley bit her bottom lip. While she appreciated Penny’s help, this was all happening so fast, she had no time to process anything. Yes, she only had a few days before her eviction, so this seemed like her Hail Mary. Too good to be true.Is it?

“Look, take what I’m offering. From what you told me last night, you don’t have anybody else.”

“I told you that?” Charley’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Yeah,” Penny muttered. “You told me a lot of things. All of which are between you and me. You didn’t call them secrets, but I’m pretty sure you haven’t shared them with many people. And I won’t either, okay? All your secrets are safe.”

Charley had met Penny less than twelve hours ago, but there was something honest and genuine about what she’d said.

Penny glanced down at Charley’s phone when it beeped. “Looks like Keely’s up. Make it quick, then we’ll eat and head to your place.” Penny started to the kitchen, and Charley straightened her back.

“Why are you helping me?”

Penny glanced over her shoulder, smiling. “I like a charity project every once in a while. You’re gonna fill my quota this year. You’re welcome.”

“Wait, Penny…”

Penny stopped in the doorway, turned, and rested her shoulder on the frame. “Most people would just thank me.”

“Thank you,” Charley blurted. “I just don’t understand why you’d want to help. You don’t even know me.”

“Yes, I do.” Her response was instant without any hesitation. “Look, last night you said you only had one friend. Keely. Well” —She sighed and folded her arms— “Now you got two. And I help my friends when they need shit. So get your ass up, and let me fucking help my friend.”

Penny disappeared past the doorframe, and Charley sunk into the couch. She could spend hours rolling over Penny’s intentions or reasoning. Or she could be thankful. It was rare that a stranger stepped in and offered everything Penny had laid out, including her friendship.

Thanks, Penny.

****

Motherfucker! You had one job.

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