Re: Penny's place: Clem & Penny & Frannie & bacon & gelato & toe splints
[Penny was a preacher's kid, she knew all about being tangled up - her momma had the best gossip of anyone in town and everyone knew it. They had the best pies everyone had to offer because of it. But Penny came out of it, into the army, into situations where everyone knew everything, and more, and then some. But when it really mattered no one talked about her husband, or the mess they were in. No one talked about the shock of coming home from war. No one talked about anything that mattered. So she kept those for herself as best she could. Trusting a select few after a while, but even then requiring goading and pushing the right buttons.
She was a little surprised that Clementine had managed to find one of them, because she didn't have many, and they were few and far between. And she pushed it good, so much that Marilyn was forgotten and Penny was standing up, grabbing the phone, and hobbling behind Clem to the kitchen, leaning on a counter with her free hand once she got there.] I ain't feeling sorry for myself. I'm just feeling constantly unsure, like I'm on the verge of losing the most important relationship I've ever had and I can't do nothing about it. So when he's going on about how losing this girl is like losing air, I get it. But it ain't just about me losing my friend - I feel like my friend is losing himself. And I feel like I been negligent all along, even before this place. And I hate that everyone around here has just let him be in non-stop crisis mode, when do they laugh? Or shoot the shit? Or goof off?
But it don't matter, Clementine. Because this ain't about me. I got no business making it about me. I got to adjust to the new normal is all.