Epilogue
For the first time in my life, I look up at my mother with contrition as tears roll down my face. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I didn’t know.”
“Of course you didn’t, honey,” she says soothingly, her brown eyes so like mine glossy as she sinks onto the blanket beside me. ”That’s how your father wanted it. He raised you to hate me, to reject everything but him.” Mom pauses, taking in my appearance with a happy smile. “You look good. Settled and safe. Are you happy? Mammon told me you were, but people lie to me so much, you know? I wasn’t sure I could believe him or if he was tricking me.”
“He’s not tricking you, Mom,” I reply, my voice laced with sincerity. “I am happy. Happier than I ever thought possible. Mammon has shown me a love and devotion I never knew existed. And now, we’re starting a family together.”
Mom”s eyes fill with tears as she gently touches my face. “I’m so proud of you, Penelope. Despite everything, you’ve found your way.”
A mixture of relief and guilt wash over me. Relief that my mother seems genuinely happy for me, and guilt for all the years we”ve spent apart. I wish I realized sooner the lies my father fed her about my mom.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Sorry for all the years we lost,” I murmur apologetically.
Mom shakes her head and gives me a small smile. “No, my darling, it’s not your fault. You were only a child, caught in the middle of a situation you couldn’t understand. None of that was your fault. Diana says hello, by the way.”
“Diana? Goodness, I’d nearly forgotten about her. Is she still working as a security guard with… with him?” I ask, unable to say the word father. “I hope not.”
“No, she’s part of the team Mammon hired to keep me safe.”
My heart swells with gratitude for Mammon’s thoughtfulness. It”s a relief to know that my mother is surrounded by people who care for her and not trapped in the clutches of her abusive husband. The weight of the past begins to lift, replaced by a newfound hope for the future.
Realization dawns upon me as I sit, holding my mother’s hand and sharing stories of our separate lives. I now have the power to break the generational cycle of pain and suffering that plagued our family for years.
“Mom,” I begin, my voice filled with determination. “I want you to live with us. Mammon has provided safety and security for you so far, but I don’t want you to simply survive. I want you to thrive.”
Mom”s eyes widen with surprise, a mixture of hope and disbelief dancing in their depths. “Are you sure, Pen? After all that”s happened?”
I nod firmly. “Yes, Mom. I”m sure. I want to make up for lost time. You deserve to be surrounded by love and happiness like I am now. Mammon and I have built a life together, but it won’t be complete without you.”
Tears stream down Mom”s face as she embraces me tightly. The weight of years of pain and separation seems to dissolve in favor of hope and forgiveness.
“Oh, Penelope,” Mom whispers through her tears. “I never thought I would hear those words from you. After all we’ve been through, finding solace in each other is all I could ask for.”
I hold my mom close, the warmth of our fragile bond filling the empty spaces that have plagued our hearts for far too long. As we embrace, the past begins to lose its grip on them, making way for healing and love.
“And now you have a child of your own on the way. Can I touch your belly?” Mom asks.
I nod, taking my mother’s hesitant hand. “I want you to be a part of my life and my child”s. I wanted it when I was growing up, but he convinced me you hated me. I knew something was missing from my life, but he filled it with so much hate that I didn’t know what was missing. Not until Mammon came along and showed me what love was.”
“It’s not your fault, Pen. None of it was,” Mom says as I sink further into her embrace. It’s a comfort, unlike anything I can remember.
“Thank you for your forgiveness, Mom,” I whisper, kissing her soft cheek.
“Thank you for forgiving me for not being a stronger woman, a better mother,” she replies, smiling at my frown. “You see, we can both take on the blame, but it was your father who chose for us long ago. None of us are to blame but him.”
“You’re right, Jean. Welcome to the family,” Mammon says as he returns with a tray of drinks. “I think you’re going to enjoy this new baby more than we are.”
“Oh, no, I doubt that. You two have so much love to give.” Mom pauses, clearly thinking about what she wants to say next. “But so do I. I didn’t get to love Penelope as I wanted to. I have a lot of making up to do, but I have plenty of room in my heart for a grandbaby.”
“Good, because I’d like more. Eventually,” I say with a soft laugh. “I want this child to have brothers and sisters. To have a big family, the kind we didn’t get to have together.”
“That sounds like a beautiful way to spend our lives,” Mom says, hugging me again.
My eyes are on Mammon, however, full of love and gratitude. I mouth, ”Thank you,” and he nods.
I thought the day I was given to him was the beginning of a new kind of Hell. As it turned out, it was the day my life began—my real life. One filled with love, honesty, and now, a family. I have everything I dreamed about in my lonely room, and the demon of greed gave it to me. But I”ve given the same to him, so it”s a fair trade.
No soul traded this time, only love.
Thank you for reading Dad Bod Demon—I hope you enjoyed Penelope Mammon’s story.