Chapter 5 #2
“Oh, perfect,” Penny replied. Over the years, her brothers had been through various ups and downs in their relationships, much as she had, but both were now dating amazing women — Lisa for Jorge, Sarina for Ramon — who were smart, accomplished, and beautiful.
“Speaking of,” Penny said. “Any news on that front? Any idea when one of them — either of them — might pop the question?”
Mom’s eyes narrowed. “Nada. I hear nada.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “Finally, they find good women, both of them — so why do they wait?”
Penny suppressed a smile. Mom wanted grandkids in a major way and her patience on that front — with all of her children — was wearing thin. “I have a good feeling this time. Valentine’s Day is just two months away. Maybe then?”
Mom snorted and fixed her with an intense maternal stare that Penny knew all too well. “And you, my dear daughter?”
Penny’s stomach tightened. Mom’s prodding — pushing, cajoling, reminding, nagging, all of the above — was as predictable and unavoidable as the tides, but she still hadn’t figured out a way to rise above it. “Nothing to report, Mom. As you know.”
“You need to get back out there.”
“I will get out there, I promise. After the holiday rush.”
“Are you doing the apps?”
Penny restrained a sigh. It said a lot about the state of her dating life that her mother knew more about modern dating technology than she did. “Not right now. But I will.”
“There are new ones,” Mom said, then rattled off several names. “Have you tried them?”
“Not yet, but I will.”
“When was the last time you went on a date?”
Over a year ago — and it was a dud, she didn’t say. “It’s been a while, but as you know, I’ve been busy.”
“You are a beautiful, intelligent, dynamic, accomplished woman,” Mom said, not relenting. “The man of your dreams — the man you deserve — is out there. You need to be out there, too.”
“You’re completely right,” Penny replied, pleased that her tone remained even. “Totally agree.”
Mom was about to say more — a lot more — when Dad cleared his throat. “So, Penny,” he said, “okay if I change topics?”
“Please.”
“Your mom and I have news as well.” Her mom shot him a quick glance and sat up straighter.
“News?” Penny said as she scooped up the last bite of her dinner. “What news?”
There was a pause which went on longer than usual. Penny glanced up from her bowl — her delicious enchiladas had completely vanished, alas — and realized that her parents were gazing at her with expressions that seemed anxious. No, more than that. It was like they felt guilty about something.
“Honey,” Dad said, “we’ve been meaning to talk about this with you for a while….”
“Talk about what?” A tingle of unease crept through her. What were they so hesitant to share?
“It’s about your abuela.”
“Abuela Maria?” Penny’s heart started thumping. Her beloved grandmother Maria had just turned ninety and lived with Mom’s sister Rosario in the city of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. “Has something happened? Is she okay?”
“She’s okay — no big changes, nothing to be worried about,” Dad said right away. “But as you know, her memory is continuing to decline.”
Penny nodded, her tension growing. “The news is about Abuela’s memory issues?”
Mom spoke up. “It’s becoming more difficult for Rosario to take care of Mama on her own.”
“I see,” Penny said.
“So in January, we’re going there to help.”
“Oh, that’s great,” Penny replied. If this was their news, then she was all for it. Her parents went to Oaxaca all the time to see Mom’s family.
“And we’ll be staying there,” Mom said.
“For how long?”
“Mija,” Mom said, sitting up straighter. “Your father and I are moving there.”
Penny went still, not sure she’d heard right. “Wait. You’re moving there?”
“We’ll keep the house here and come back for visits, but your father and I are moving to Oaxaca.”
“Permanently?” Penny’s heart started hammering. She looked at her dad for confirmation. “For real?”
He nodded. “Yes, honey.”
“Why? I mean, I guess I know why, you just told me why, but….”
“We’re going where we’re needed.”
“But….”
In his kind eyes she saw pained compassion.
“Your mom and I know that the move comes as a shock, but we’re confident that now’s the time to do it.
You’ve been managing the store on your own for two years now and doing a great job.
And with your brothers finally settling down and their new business taking off… .”
“Yes, but….”
“We’re also doing it because we want to do it. Oaxaca’s a wonderful place and we’re ready for a change.”
Penny stared at her parents. Was this actually happening? Her mom and dad were leaving Heartsprings Valley? “I totally agree that Oaxaca is wonderful, but….” Her voice trailed off. “The change you’re talking about — it’s a whole lot of change.”
“Not to be too cliched about it,” Dad said, “but we’re ready for our next chapter.”
Her mom scooted up to the edge of the couch, reached out, and took Penny’s hand in hers, her eyes brimming with emotion. “Change is never easy, mija, but there’s no stopping it. It’s like Ralph Waldo Emerson said: ‘Life is a progress, and not a station.’”