Then she watched as Chaz’s bare feet dropped to the floor. Hopefully, he kept the sheet over him. She knew very well he was buck stinking naked.
As was she.
“Hey, Franny, good to see you.” He didn’t sound as annoyed as he had at first. In fact, Penny was pretty sure they were in the middle of a welcome-back-long-lost-love sort of hug.
She nearly moaned. Later, if she made it out of there with any dignity intact, she could cry herself a river.
“How’s Grandma?” Chaz asked.
Mrs. Wright was walking around and tidying things, causing Penny to slither further under the bed.
At least Penny didn’t have to worry about her panties being discovered.
“Dad’s concerned. Aunt Sharon is gonna drive back to Denver with me tonight. Franny has volunteered to stay all next week! Isn’t she just a doll? It’ll be like old times.”
Fuck Franny.
Fuck Fuck Fuck!
“Geez, Fran, you don’t have to do that. Why don’t you spend some time with your parents?” Now Franny was sitting on the bed, very close, practically on top of Chaz. Practically in his lap.
“I was so worried about you. Ever since you went overseas. Of course, I’m going to stay with you! You poor baby!”
And then Mrs. Wright said, “I’ll leave the two of you to catch up. I’m going to whip up a few casseroles for you while I’m gone.”
“Don’t worry about that, Mrs. Wright,” Franny replied. “I’m an excellent cook. I can make all of Chaz’s favorites. I’ll bet I remember what they are!”
“Oh, wonderful! Such a delightful girl!” Mrs. Wright’s voice sounded farther away now. “In that case, I’m just going to make sure the kitchen is well stocked. I want you to have everything you need. Do you need anything from the store, Chaz?”
“I’m good, Mom.” He sounded a little confused again.
“Penny said you’d taken a pain pill. Are you taking your antibiotics?”
“Of course, Mother.” He teased her a bit at that. He may be annoyed but he still showed his mom respect.
He really was a sweet boy.
The door clicked shut, leaving the three of them alone.
Except Franny thought it was just the two of them, as, perhaps, did Chaz.
Awkward!
“Really, Franny, you don’t have to do this.” Well, that was good of him. At least he was making an effort to get rid of her.
Except.
Was this what things would be like? Between the two of them?
Her hiding and him fending off younger women?
“I want to, Chaz, for old time’s sake. I insist! That’s why I drove down with your mom.” And then the sound of… what the fuck? Was she kissing him? “You know I’d do anything for you, Chaz.”
Penny burned inside.
With embarrassment.
With shame.
