“When can we get back on the road?” Penny asks.
“Tomorrow.”
“But—”
“I know you’re eager to get back, but you’ll be well compensated, and it’ll do you some good to relax and enjoy yourself,” I tell her. “And I’ll let you pick where we eat.”
“I don’t think I ever want to eat again.”
I chuckle. “I don’t blame you.”
We buy a few outfits from the strip mall and head to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.
I ask for two rooms, but the person behind the counter says, “I’m sorry, with New Year’s just a few days away, we’re booked.”
“Oh, come on! You must have something.” I slide a one-hundred-dollar bill across the counter.
She hesitates before saying, “There is the room the staff uses to nap in. It’s small?—”
“I’ll take it.”
“It’ll be ready in thirty.”
I tell Penny the situation, and her jaw drops.
“You’re not seriously considering sharing a room!”
“We’ve all slept in the main body of the camper before when we’ve had to travel.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever. I just want to get home.”
“Look, next year is going to be busy, so let me treat you to a relaxing night?—”
“Yeah, about that. I’m putting in my two-week notice.”
All I can do is stare at her, like she’s just spoken some foreign language.
“Don’t act so surprised. I’m sure there will be plenty of heifers wanting to replace me, so you’ll be fine.”
Her comment stuns me, and I wonder if I’ve been misinterpreting her aggression this entire time. That perhaps it isn’t anger that has her acting so grumpy toward me.
Maybe it’s jealousy.
But that makes no sense. Ever since we were together, I haven’t so much as looked at another woman.
The attendant allows us into our room. As soon as Penny enters, she rushes into the bathroom and slams the door closed. A moment later, I hear the shower turn on.
I can fix this. We can go back to the way things were.
Or…maybe something more.
Penny was eighteen when I’d taken her in, and even then, I’d wanted her. But she was young and vulnerable, so I kept away.
But that night…I couldn’t. I was so damn lonely. I wanted to tell her how I felt, but I knew it was selfish of me.
Still, I fucked up.
Big time.
