Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Pen’s phone rang, and she answered on the second ring. “Hello.”
“Hey, it’s Remi. So sorry about not getting back with you. I caught that terrible cold, and it took a while to get back into the swing of things.”
“It’s okay. I’ve been busy with appointments and physical therapy.”
“Well, I have some good news. Can I come over?”
“Sure. I’m just doing my physical therapy exercises, so I’m here for a while.”
“Good. I’ll be right over.”
The call ended and Pen took a break to drink some water before working through the rest of her stretches.
Both physical therapy and talking to the therapist was helping.
She felt better and though she had no idea what she wanted to do with the rest of her life, she felt like she would eventually have some answers.
Only a few minutes passed before Remi was there. She opened the door to find Remi holding out a bag.
“It’s bagels from one of my favorite places in town. I hope you like them.”
“Oh, thank you. I’m sure I’ll enjoy.”
“So I have some good news. I wanted to be here when he called, but Tex has found some of your money.”
“Wow, I didn’t expect my money to still be there.”
“It’s good.” Remi’s phone rang, and she looked at the screen. “It’s Tex.” She answered the phone and made the introductions.
Pen felt a little weird talking to a stranger over the phone, but Tex seemed easy to talk to. He got right to the point.
“I found quite a bit of information. Your driver’s license should show up at Foster’s house in a day or two. You didn’t have a passport before, but one should be coming your way.”
“Oh, don’t those need to have photos?”
“Yes. Willa sent one to me. I popped in a background that works and ordered your passport.”
“Thank you.”
“I talked to the school, and they wiped the grades for your last semester, so you don’t have any fails on your record.
They also took the money you paid for those classes and applied them to a future credit that you can use for online classes.
It may not be where you want to end up for college, but you can take a few basics that will transfer. ”
“That’s amazing. I didn’t know what to do about them.”
“Your father did try to take money from your accounts, but he was denied access. The bank realized something was off, and they stopped the monthly fees and transferred your money to a savings account. So you have money that has been earning interest.”
“That’s surprising.”
“You just need to take your driver’s license to any branch in California, and they will make sure you have access.”
“Thank you, Tex. I don’t know how I can ever pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about it. I do this because I like the work. I’m glad you’ll be able to get some of your life back. I need to hop off this call. You two stay safe.”
“Thank you, Tex,” Remi said before ending the call.
Pen met Remi’s gaze and tears filled her eyes. “I can’t believe he did so much.”
“He’s amazing. I’m glad he’s a friend.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’ll feel so relieved, like I can move forward.”
“Good. Now then, about clothes. When would you like to go shopping?”
“Oh, um, I don’t know. I’ve been living in Foster’s shorts and T-shirts.”
“That’s great for hanging out around the house, but what about when you want to get dressed up? How about tomorrow morning?”
Pen blew out a breath. She needed to have something to wear other than Foster’s T-shirts. “Sure. That sounds great.”
“Good, I’ll see you around ten.”
The next morning Remi picked her up at ten. “Those bagels were perfection. I actually ate a full bagel this morning.”
“That’s great. I’m glad you were able to eat one.”
“So this place we’re going shopping. I know I’ll have access to my money, but I don’t know how much it is.”
“Like I said before, don’t worry about it. I explained some of your situation to Julie. She knows you need help.”
“I just feel bad.”
“Well, when you have access to your money, if you feel the need, you can always make a donation.”
Pen nodded, thinking that would be smart. “That’s a good idea.”
She found some great clothes at My Sister’s Closet but stuck to purchasing dresses. She didn’t want to buy pants and have them not fit in a few weeks once she put on a few pounds.
Julie brought back a blue dress that looked amazing. “How about this?”
Pen didn’t know if she deserved something so nice. “It’s way too nice. I don’t know if I’ll have somewhere to wear it.”
“The Navy Ball is coming up. You can wear it then.”
“The what?”
“It’s a formal night. Trust me, it’s so much fun.”
“And if you don’t wear it, you can bring it back and another woman can wear it.”
She bit her thumbnail then realized she was biting her nail and clasped her hands in front of her. “I’ll try it on.”
“Good. I think you’ll look great. And it has some give to the dress so if you gain a few pounds, you’ll still look great in it.”
Pen was grateful Julie didn’t harp on her being so skinny.
It was obvious when she didn’t have a shirt on that she was at an unhealthy weight.
Since being back, she’d gained a pound and a half.
The doctor said that was good, but she thought it wasn’t enough.
From what other people said, and what she’d found online, it was very difficult for people to gain weight after being subjected to something like what she’d suffered.
She stared at her image in the reflection, thinking the dress looked good on her. The neckline was high enough it hid her collar bones that stuck out way too far. She felt good in the dress. Maybe not beautiful, but at least not ugly.
When it came time to leave, she felt weird about walking out without paying. But Julie assured her it was fine, that she had this place to help people.
“It just feels weird leaving without paying,” she said to Remi after they stepped out.
Remi cocked her head to the side. “Soon enough good things will happen, and you’ll be able to pay. Sometimes, you have to accept help, and other times, you’ll be in a position to give help.”
If she ever was in a position to give help, she would. Maybe that’s what she wanted to do with her life. Helping others would be good, but how?
She had a lot to think about. She needed to get used to the idea that her life wasn’t over, not even close. She’d survived and now wanted to live.
Maybe living would be the best revenge against her father. He’d wanted her dead, or at least to have a miserable existence. What if she could thrive and enjoy life?
It was frightening to think about enjoying anything, but she wanted to try. She wanted a future, and she wanted Foster to be a part of her future.