﹙ * ♚ ﹚▌▌ it shouldn't be difficult to pick up the phone. it should be just as simple as any other conversation, like discussing something as mundane as the weather. ( is it raining on beechwood? because it's raining in burlington ... oh, by the way, mom: sam and i, yeah, we're getting a divorce— but don't worry i was already thinking about replacing the china his parents bought us for a poor excuse of a wedding gift— ) but where penny feels nothing in regards to sam leaving, she feels everything about people knowing of his departure. it's an admission of failure at best. not her favourite look by any means. at worst, though ... at worst: it's an invitation for questions, AND THEIR ANSWERS MIGHT NOT BE MIRROR IMAGES. as the phone rings, she swears each one laughs at her. maybe it's better if tipper doesn't answer. maybe there is still a little luck— ❝ hi, mom. ❞ tonally, she's all performance, but fuck she could've used a dress rehearsal. fear of the imperfection she's about to admit threatens to claw up her throat and create cracks in her voice where she should otherwise keep a stiff upper lip. ❝ do you have a minute or am i interrupting something? ❞ the least she can do is be a credit by asking first.
TIPPER SINCLAIR , sc. @matriarclair