Chapter 36

                                    

                                          
"Chloe, Uncle Tom is coming over soon." Penny says as I was watching Spongebob with Christian.
                          
"Why, what happened?" I ask her getting up so we can talk in the kitchen.
                          
"Chris is going on some sort of business trip, and he was going to follow him to see if Dad is there." she tells me and I smile thinking my dad might come back with him. 
                          
"You think he will find dad?" I ask her curiously.
                          
"I hope so, but I'm the meantime we should take care of that little munchkin over there." she says pointing to where Christian was sitting.
                          
"He is good; I was thinking of taking him with me when I go with James." I tell her looking at her facial expression to see if she objects.
                          
"Have fun, I have to study for an exam that I have in a few days." she says walking out of the kitchen and into the living room. 
                          
"See you later bud have fun with Chloe." Penny says giving Christian a hug.
                          
"Where are we going sissy?" he asks once Penny retreats intro her room. 
                          
"Where do you want to go?" I ask him hoping he doesn't say anything too expensive.
                          
"Um, the park." he says and I smile I really love this kid.
                          
He doesn't ask for much and he is so obedient unlike other kids his age.
                          
"Sure buddy let's go put you on some play clothes." I say grabbing his hand and taking him into Penny's room to get his backpack with his things in.
                          
"Sorry to interrupt Penn, but we need his backpack." I say walking into the her room quickly grabbing the bag.
                          
"No worries, have fun you two." she says holding the phone away from her mouth.
                          
"You do the same." I say giving her a wink because I know she is talking to Jesus because I heard her say baby.
                          
I take Christian into the living room and let him pick out his clothes. After he chose a Lightning McQueen shirt and some khaki shorts I helped him put them on.
                          
"Sissy, where did Uncle Tommy go?" he asks me once I was tying his red converse.
                          
"He went to visit someone." I tell him hoping he would leave it at that so I didn't have to lie any further.
                          
"Okay, and is your friend coming with us?" he asks leaning back on the couch as I finished putting his shoes on.
                          
"Yes, is that okay with you?" I ask him hoping he wouldn't mind. 
                          
"Yes, I like him he is funny." he says and I smile standing to my full height.
                          
"Watch your cartoons I'm about to go get changed." I tell him going back into Penny's room to get some clothes.
                          
Once I get in the room Penny was still on the phone, but now she looks sad.
                          
"Don't mind me I'm just going to be a quick second." I tell her and she nods her head continuing to listen to the person on the end of the line.
                          
I got some khaki pants and red t-shirt, so Christian and I can somewhat match. 
                          
"Baby stop, I'll be there in a few minutes." Penny says into her phone then hanging up.
                          
"What's going on?" I ask causing her to look back at me with a tear threatening to fall from her eye.
                          
"Jesus, he is trying to hurt himself." she says with tears falling down her face as I envelope her in a hug.
                          
I can tell she was in love with him based off of her actions. Penny never really cried unless it was something serious.
                          
"Why?" I ask rubbing her back soothingly.
                          
"He says he made a mistake, and it isn't even his fault. I know it's not, it can't be." she tells me as hot tears fall on the crook of my neck.
                          
"What isn't his fault?" I ask trying to get her to explain to me what was going on so I can help.
                          
"His sister she is about sixteen, and she wanted to come visit him at college. So not too long ago she came here, and long story short she was drugged and raped." she says with fresh tears falling down her face.
                          
"Why does he think it's his fault?" I ask her and she let's go of me wiping her tears trying to calm down. 
                          
"He thinks if she never came here none of that would have happened, and if he knew he could have protected her. She is telling their mom it's his fault even though it's not because he knew nothing about it. I love him Chloe; I ca-can't lose hi-him." she tells me throwing her hair into a messy bun.
                          
"I can ask James to drive you there because I don't want anything to happen to you." I tell her taking my phone out of my pocket dialing James number.
                          
"Thank you." she says hugging me and then grabbing her phone as well.
                          
"Hey J, I was wondering can you drop Penny off on our way to the park?" I ask him politely.
                          
I already told him Christian was coming with us to the park. 
                          
"Sure I'm just around the corner, and is everything okay?" he asks as if he knew something was wrong.
                          
"It will be I'll see you soon." I told him hanging up and rushing in the bathroom to put on my clothes.
                          
"Sissy J is here." I heard Christian say grim behind the door.
                          
"Alright." I tell him picking my clothes off the floor and walking out the bathroom.
                          
I walk out to see Christian with a big smile on his face.
                          
"We match sissy!" he says coming towards me wrapping his arms around my legs.
                          
"Yes we are." I say bending down hugging him back.
                          
"Hey princess." J says once Christian and I come into the living room.
                          
"Hey babe." I say giving him a hug and he pecks my cheek.
                          
"Ready?" he asks all of us and we all nod.
                          
I was worried about Penny right now, and I'm not all that sure that she should be around Jesus right now. I put myself in her shoes and I quickly understood that she needed this.
                          
I would do the exact same thing if James was hurt because I love him that much, and I know he would never do anything to hurt me. I knew Penny loves Jesus and he loves her too. 
                          
Who am I to stop them from seeing each other? She needs him just like he needs her, and I'm making sure that happens.
                          
"Where is he at Penn?" I ask her turning around to the back to face her.
                          
Her arm is around Christian and she looks devastated. 
                          
"His apartment it's just a street or two over, I'll show you." she says her voice cracking towards the end of her sentence.
                          
"Okay." James says as he starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot.
                          
"Turn right and then keep straight." she says and James does.
                          
"Make a left." she instructs and that's when I see Jesus.
                          
His face was as red as a cherry tomato and he no longer looked like that happy guy I knew him as.
                          
"Thanks." Penny says quietly as she quickly got out of the car.
                          
I seen her run over to him lifting up his chin, so he could see her too. He looked at her and immediately pulled her into a bear hug. He looks like he was crying hard, and so was she.
                          
"Is sister okay?" Christian asks looking at the two from his window.
                          
"She will be." I tell him looking at the one last time before telling James to pull off.
                          
"Thanks for bringing her to him." I tell James grabbing his hand and lacing it with mine.
                          
"No problem." he says looking at me  briefly before focusing back on the road.
                          
Real love is worth waiting and fighting for. 
                          
Not very many people get the chance to experience that, and some have the opportunity to experience it multiple times. I'm glad that I have James and that Penny has Jesus. All everyone needs is love.