Page 124 of Oblivion

“Outside work.”

In the parking lot, staring at Mini Penny, missing her already.

She sounded on the move. “I’ll be there soon.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Hang tight, hon.”

Guilt consumed me from all the shit I’d put her through since everything blew up on my birthday. Paul deserved my resentment, Mom didn’t, and I was gutted it took me so long to wake up to it.

As grateful as I was to have her coming to collect me, I was scared about what was yet to come.

I had a feeling things hadn’t yet hit rock bottom.

* * *

True to her word, Mom pulled up at the curb in her red BMW where I waited a few doors down from the office.

We barely exchanged a word on the drive back to Uncle James and Aunt Lizzie’s house, both seeming to save the conversation for when we weren’t confined within the car.

When we parked in their driveway, before I could exit the car, Mom reached for my hand.

“Penny, I want you to know that whatever goes down in there, I willalwayslove you andalwayshave your best interests at heart. You are the most important thing in my life, Kitty Cat, and you always have been.”

Tears clouded my eyes from the sentiment of the nickname. She used to call me that when I was little, until one day I was suddenly too cool and insisted that she stop. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it until now.

“Thanks, Mom. I love you too.”

Visibly relieved, she gave a final squeeze before grabbing her handbag. We met at the front bumper, and nerves tugged in my belly when she shot me another unsettled glance.

“Come inside. They’re expecting us.”

“They are?”

I slowed as Mom’s short strides came to a halt. “It’ll all make sense soon, hon.”

The distress in her expression made me uneasy. There was no denying that whatever lay behind the front door wasn’t going to be easy for either of us.

We climbed the steps in quiet unison, both alone with our own needling thoughts.

As soon as I stepped into my aunt and uncle’s home, I was welcomed into their open arms.

“Good to see you again, Penny,” Lizzie crooned, hugging me tight.

“You too.” I’d missed them so much recently.

Untangling myself from her embrace, I melted into my uncle’s crushing squeeze. He held me extra tight today, and for an extended time, which was unusual even for his affectionate self.

“How are you, Bun?”

I smiled at the endearment. Many years ago, Uncle James told me he was the one to name me Bunny, and when it stuck, my father began to use it. Where I wanted to gag when it came from Paul’s mouth, it filled me with fondness coming from James.

“I’ve been better. Shit when down with Dad.”

I shivered at the memory, then welcomed my uncle’s hands quickly rubbing up and down my arms, as if to warm me up.

“Come sit down. We all have a lot to talk about.” He dashed a look at Mom, and then to Lizzie who chewed on her lower lip.

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