Uncovering Fables
Chapter 1 Part 3.5
Penelope slowly sat down on her stool and started shaking a little, hugging herself. The story was becoming overwhelming for her and she began muttering to herself about Maria. Drew straightened himself up and watched in worry while Mr. King slowly stepped back, not knowing what to do since he was a stranger in all of this.
Alzena quickly went over to Penelope’s side and gently took her shoulder in encouragement. “H-Hey… hey… it’s okay. Maria was your friend, right? And you can’t just say you did nothing. Why would you think that? You probably did a lot more then you think? R-Right?”
“No… you don’t understand… y-you don’t…” Penelope spoke softly, holding tightly to her clothes.
As the two talk, Penelope’s rising voice was getting the attention of other customers who was there. And it only perked Clayton’s attention more for he was already watching this. Slowly, he took out the ring that was still laying in his pockets and he considered something. As soon as he thought about it though, the sooner he dismissed the idea and quickly put his ring away.
Alzena hugged Penelope tightly as tears swelled up in her eyes, and Penelope slowly hugged back, shaking a bit as she muttered. “Th-The story… I need to continue with the story…”
“No… take a break for a moment. No one is rushing you. It’s fine.” Alzena gave Penelope an encouraging smile, but Penelope didn’t see it as she stared at the floor. “My friend… Maria, I would do anything for her. W-Why did she… I loved her. I loved her so, so much. S-She was great and loving and I want to protect her…. B-but I failed. I failed.”
Mr. King stepped back from them when he heard this and stayed a reasonable distance away from the two as Alzena softly spoke to Penelope. “Hey, hey… what are you talking about? I’m sure Maria still loves you even if you couldn’t do a few things. You don’t have to say that.”
“But… But…” Penelope was unable to speak as she pulled her hair a little.
Mr. King felt tears swell in his eyes as his teeth grinded together when he listened. “Do anything for them...” He mutters something softly as he buried his hands into his pockets and looked behind him, trying not to get attention towards himself but this was all in vain.
Suddenly Drew was next to him, patting his back a little. “You alright there, mate? You look a little sick… or upset.”
“Nah… I’m fine. I was just reminded of a few things.”
“Oh… sorry to hear about that. If you want I can-“
“You don’t have to do anything. That was a few years ago, I’m mostly over it.” Mr. King shrugs and brushed his fingers through his hair.
“That is exactly what someone who is not doing okay would say.”
“Oh? And if I was really okay what should I say some no one mixes up my being okay and my really not okay but trying to cover it up?”
“That is a good question but I can see it on your face. I own a bar so I can see when someone is here to have fun or when they’re in a runt.”
“And what are you going to do with this information?”
“I’m going to offer you a drink for free.” Drew pats Mr. King’s back and walks over to the bar to start making a very fruity drink for him.
“You’re too kind. Thank you so much.” Mr. King smiled weakly and slowly sat onto a stool closest to Drew and the two talked softly as Alzena tried to encourage and comfort Penelope.
Alzena was speaking softly and tell Penelope about the time she went camping with Daniel, saying how they almost got lost on a trail and had smores at a campfire. Penelope smiled a little at these stories. “Whenever we visited each other at work, we came up with so many excuses to say there longer so we can see each other. We spent so much time together and I love her so, so much… s-so much.”
“You two sound like very good friends.”
Penelope smiles slightly. “W-We were. Yeah… we were the best.” She slowly wiped the tears away from her eyes. “I think I’m ready to continue the story again… if that’s okay.”
Alzena glanced over at Drew and Mr. King who were talking for a bit but at these words, glanced over. Drew looked between Alzena and Penelope for a moment before he sighed and nodded a little, allowing them to continue. Mr. King quickly finished his drink and was moving the tip of his finger along the top of the glass, staying quiet.
Penelope took a moment before she sat up straight, her thumbs circling around each other. “O-Okay… alright. I’m ready. The story is almost over so… you don’t need to stay here for longer. I promise.”
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