Penny noted the bubbles and the slice of lime. Definitely not just water. “Okay.”
“Glad you’re home,” Martha rose, coming around to enfold both girls in a motherly hug. “I’ve just been keeping her occupied while we waited for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Hey,” Bonnie said, forcing enthusiasm. “Let’s go out. Let’s go to that Bottles and Cans place you like.”
Penny tried to think of a good excuse not to. Returning to the very place she’d overindulged the previous evening wasn’t exactly appealing. But the hopeful look on Bonnie’s face didn’t leave much room for argument. “Sure.”
“But Penny?” Martha added.
“Yeah, Mom?”
“Maybe take a quick shower first,” she giggled.
So, her mom had also been drinking. “Okay, people,” she complained as she stepped away. “I get it. I smell.”
“Hey, Pen, can I borrow your phone for a second? I meant to check in with my dad. Let him know I got here. I left mine upstairs.” Bonnie motioned to her bikini as if that explained things.
“Sure.” Penny paused for only a second before unlocking it and handing it over. “I’ll just get it when I come back down.”
Not meaning to be nosy, Penelope glanced into the guest bedroom as she headed to the bathroom down the hall. She expected to see Bonnie’s pink duffle bag resting on the bed, as it had so many times before, possibly with clothing already spillingout. She also couldn’t help looking for the missing phone. The one she felt Bonnie should have on her just in case Felix called. Instead, she did a double take when she saw not just the duffle bag but a full-sized suitcase with a matching carry-on.
Exactly how long was Bonnie planning on staying?
Not that it mattered. Her only summer plans, besides hopefully moving, had revolved around Bonnie’s wedding: dress fittings as the maid of honor and the bachelorette night out, which she’d better think about canceling.
Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror as she ran the hot water and stripped out of her now offensive-smelling clothing, Penelope allowed herself a moment of regret. She remembered when Bonnie had asked her to be her maid of honor, telling her it would just be the two of them and then Carson standing up for Felix. In that moment, she’d resolved to make changes. What had started as simply a diet had become a reclaiming of her body and herself. The girl who used to hide in her room with a book had found out she actually liked running. She’d learned that salads could be enjoyable. And she’d gained a confidence that had begun to spread into other areas of her life.
A single sigh escaped her as she let go of the image of herself at Bonnie’s wedding, rocking a beautiful dress. That was hardly important now.
Less than half an hour later, she returned downstairs to find Bonnie dressed, sitting in the living room with both her parents, no alcohol in sight, and a palpably different vibe in the air.
“Everything okay?” Penny asked, regretting the words as soon as they were out. “Sorry. Stupid question.”
Bonnie grimaced for only a moment before pushing forward a smile. “Your parents really are the best, Pen.”
Penny glanced first at her mom, then her dad, who both looked back at her warmly. A little too warmly. There was something disturbingly intense in their expressions.
“What’s going on?”
Martha stood, wiping her hands on her pants to smooth invisible wrinkles. “I’m just going to go tidy up the rest of our snacks. Has everyone got enough to eat for now? I think Bonnie’s ready to go whenever you are.”
Penny knew her mother couldn’t keep a secret to save her life, and this sudden decision for movement was her way of hiding something. She looked pointedly at the empty glass in front of her friend on the coffee table.
Bonnie rolled her eyes and huffed. “I only had the one.”
“Ouch!” came from outside, along with the sound of a chair scraping across cement.
“You okay?” Teddy called out to his wife.
“Fine, dear,” she answered back, followed shortly after by a giggle.
“Okay, but how many did she have?” Penny asked.
“Maybe two?” Bonnie answered with an innocent shrug.
“She’ll be fine,” Teddy said soothingly. “She’s just not used to day drinking. She’ll take a nap while you’re gone, and we can all order pizza or something for dinner.” Teddy stood as he spoke, going out to check on his wife.
