Penny’s eyes lit up. “What friend?”
“Tony. He used to live here in Calgary. He’s my sponsor for AA.” He watched Penny for a reaction, but her smile didn’t falter. Maybe he wasn’t giving her enough credit. He’d stopped at a meeting Sunday afternoon before coming home so he didn’t have to bring it up.
“Do you have plans?”
“I thought we could go out with him and his girlfriend to the Stampede if you’re up for it.”
Penny nodded. “Of course I am. You sure you want me to come?”
Brett lowered his head and kissed her forehead. “I want you to come with me everywhere.”
_____
The next evening, they met Tony and Leanne at the entrance to the midway. Penny wore a linen jumpsuit, and with her golden skin and soft waves, she looked like summer personified.
“Hey, buddy.” Brett grinned as Tony walked toward them already holding tickets. He clapped his arms around his friend, surprised at the lump in his throat. Tony coughed and blinked as he dropped his arms and put out a hand to Penny who ignored it and wrapped him in a hug. Leanne joined in the greetings, and once they’d embraced all around, they waited in the short line and entered the grounds.
It wasn’t dark yet, so the rides and game booths weren’t lit up, but the air was thick with the smell of cotton candy, roasted nuts, and popcorn. Brett was glad for the excuse to come since, given the option, he’d choose to stay tangled up with Penny at home and avoid the crowds.
“So Penny, you’re brave enough to be this guy’s roommate?” Tony asked.
Penny didn’t correct his word choice, and Brett grinned. “Brett’s pretty easy to live with.”
“He’s making it worth your while, eh?” Tony waggled an eyebrow, and Leanne smacked his shoulder.
“I swear, Tony.” She pointed at a booth selling pulled pork sandwiches and they headed that direction.
Penny grinned. “Oh, he definitely is.”
Tony laughed out loud, and Leanne’s cheeks flushed. “Thanks for that.” He gave Brett a pointed look. “I like her already.”
Brett pulled Penny out of the way as a group of teenagers rushed past, then led her to the line. They ordered and took their food to a picnic table in the grass.
“How’s the physical therapy going?” Tony asked, and Penny waited for Brett to answer before she realized he was directing the question to her.
“Oh. Good. Thanks to Brett, I have a lot of hockey players coming in.”
Brett put extra pickles on his sandwich. “I don’t think I told you, Sean found out you’re helping Jordan with his shoulder.”
Penny snorted. “Oh, I know. I got an earful from Kelty.”
Leanne grinned. “Who’s Jordan?”
“Our archnemesis,” Brett answered, and Penny rolled her eyes.
“They look like men in their thirties, but they’re really still sixteen.”
Leanne laughed. “Preach, sister.” Tony looked a little too proud of himself as he loaded vinegar slaw on top of his pulled pork.
“Have you seen Mother Mother before?” Brett asked.
Leanne shook her head. “I’m dying. I’ve heard their set is unbelievable.”
Penny took a drink of her water. “I haven’t been to a concert in forever.” Brett gave her a sideways glance and she winked. “I did see Mother Mother at a festival in Vancouver, though. Years ago. Before the rest of the country knew who they were.”
“Their tour is international. It’s insane they’ve gotten this big,” Leanne said, then turned as a woman in jean shorts, a red bandana for a shirt, and a cowboy hat asked if they wanted drinks. They ordered pop and lemonade, and she pranced back toward the bar.
“So Brett tells me you two met through AA?” Penny asked, and Brett’s jaw tensed. It wasn’t that he was ashamed of his journey, but it had been a long time since he’d needed to explain it to someone who wasn’t in recovery. With Penny’s history, he didn’t know what she’d think when she heard what he’d been through.
