She takes penguins very seriously #3
When we arrive, the air at the park bites a little. It’s early enough that the sun’s still low and throwing long shadows over the playground. Mulch crunches under my sneakers as Gus strains forward, already scanning for squirrels.
Elle makes a beeline for the swings, her dress flaring out around her knees and glitter catching the light.
“Five minutes,” I call after her.
“Ten!” she calls back.
“Five.”
She sighs dramatically as she pumps her legs to go higher. I watch her for a beat, until Gus suddenly tugs my arm by lunging left.
“Gus—”
It’s too late. He barrels forward, leash jerking hard enough to pull my shoulder. A jogger veers sideways just in time, breath fogging in the cold air as she laughs instead of shrieks.
“Sorry,” I say automatically, tightening my grip and hauling him back. “He’s—”
“Enthusiastic?” she finishes, pushing one earbud out. Her ponytail’s pulled tight at the back of her head, and the blue tips are darker now that they’re not under café lights. She’s in tight blue leggings and a matching running jacket, cheeks flushed from the run.
“I’ve been called worse,” she adds, glancing down at Gus, who is now attempting to sit on her shoe.
“Gus,” I warn.
“He’s fine,” she says, crouching to give his ears a firm rub. “Nice to meet you, Gus.”
“That’s my dog,” Elle announces, scampering up to appear at Penny’s elbow. “He’s not s’posed to jump on people unless they are burglars, though.”
Penny’s mouth twitches. “Do I look like a burglar?”
“Not really.” Elle studies her very seriously. “But you run fast.”
“Well, that’s good, because I was trying to,” Penny says, pushing herself back upright. Her eyes lift to mine. “Hi again.”
“Hi,” I reply.
Her gaze flicks to Elle, then back to me, and I see the moment the realization clicks into place.
“He also likes to chase birds,” Elle adds matter-of-factly.
“Oh?” Penny’s eyes twinkle at my daughter. “Is Gus a bird expert?”
“No—I am!”
“Well, now I’m going to have to test you just to be sure,” Penny says gravely. “Are you up to the challenge?”
Elle’s eyes light up. “Yes!”
“What’s your favorite type of bird?”
“Penguins. They take turns with their eggs. That’s called incubating.”
Penny nods, impressed. “That’s a big word. Do you think they argue about whose turn it is?”
Elle frowns, considering the logistics. “No. Because then the egg would get cold.”
“Excellent point.”
Gus nudges Penny’s hip, demanding continued attention. She laughs and steadies him with one hand while keeping her eyes level with Elle.
“You have blue hair,” Elle says bluntly.
“I do.”
“Is it because you like the ocean?”
Penny pauses. “That's a very cool reason to have blue hair. I might start saying yes when people ask me.”
Elle nods approvingly.
“Do you run every day?” she asks next.
“Most days.”
“Daddy runs too. But only if the loud alarm goes off.”
Penny glances at me, a hint of a smile there before she reins it in. “I can imagine alarms are powerful motivators.”
“What’s your name?”
“My name’s Penelope, but most people call me Penny.”
Elle beams. “Penguins start with a p-e-n, too.”
“They do, clever girl. I’m honored to share letters with them. And what’s your name?”
“I’m just Elle.”
“Nice to meet you, just Elle. I like your dress.”
“Thanks!” She twirls with the brightest smile I’ve seen in a while, clearly delighted that her fashion choice of the day has been endorsed, then darts back toward the swings without warning.
“I like her, Daddy!” she shouts over her shoulder.
Penny laughs, and it’s that same musical sound I heard in Flora’s yesterday.
“I’m glad I passed inspection,” she says, straightening fully now. “Think the penguin-adjacent name was the clincher.”
“She takes penguins very seriously.”
“As she should.”
A beat settles between us, and I fill it without thinking.
“So did Rose take pity on you and give you a job in the end?”
“No, but I met Gwen at Neverland yesterday afternoon,” she says, brushing some mulch from her leggings. “Got a trial shift tonight. Apparently, I make an excellent first impression, but we’ll see.”
“You’ll be fine.”
Her eyebrows lift slightly, a small, amused smile curving her lips. “You sound pretty confident about someone you’ve just met.”
I shrug lightly, not fully meeting her playful challenge. “I’ve seen worse under pressure.”
“That’s reassuring.” She huffs lightly. “Slightly.”
Gus noses her hand again, and she gives him one last scratch before stepping back.
“Well, I’ll let you three get back to your morning,” she says.
Something shifts low in my chest, and I give her a nod, but it comes a beat late.
“Daddy!” Elle yells. “Push!”
I glance toward the swings, then back at Penny. She gives a small salute with two fingers and slips her earbud back in, jogging off along the path without looking back.
Gus watches her go, but I don’t. Not obviously, anyway.
But when I step behind Elle’s swing and give her a steady push, her laugh rings out sharp and bright in the cold air, and I find myself thinking about the way Penny crouched to speak to her. The way she listened, and the way she didn’t try to impress anyone.
Just spoke to my daughter like a real person, like she was worth listening to.
“Higher!”
I oblige.
And when she laughs again, I realize I’m smiling.