"Don't panic, Penny girl," she told herself. "You can figure this out." Penny leaned against a tall building, allowing the cool stone to soothe her anxiety. She watched the busy people scurrying by her. Across the street, a brown truck pulled up beside the curb. The driver jumped out, whistling a merry tune. Penny gasped. She knew him!
"Well, well. Thank you, Lord!" she whispered to the sky. Penny jogged slowly across the street, narrowly missing a Volkswagen beetle racing through the intersection.
"Watch out, Miss!"
A combination of running to avoid the insane beetle and also turning to acknowledge the owner of the deep voice was too much for the frazzled runner. She tripped, stumbled and fell face first into the pavement. BONK!
"OW! Oh...." Penny moaned. How embarrassing! And painful.
"Are you OK?" Raoul squatted down beside her. "Miss?"
Penny rolled over and sat up. She turned her skint face up towards the handsome man in brown. "Oh, hi," she said sheepishly.
Raoul studied the bleeding, tangled girl. "Here, let me help you up," he said. He helped Penny limp along to the curb behind his truck. "Sit down. Are you OK? Do you feel OK?"
"Well, it hurts." She tried to smile.
"Looks like you skinned your cheek a little. I think I have a First Aid kit in my truck. Hold on," he said and disappeared around the truck.
Penny touched the wound. "Ouch." She looked at the blood on her fingertips. "Now I am beautiful for sure," she whispered to herself. What is up with the gorgeous man finding her in frazzled situations? Gorgeous Raoul returned and bandaged her cheek.
He studied her face.
"What?" She looked at him incredibly self-conscious.
"You look pretty cute with a band-aid on your cheek," he said with a smile. "Snoopy looks great on you."
"Yeah, I was kinda disappointed you didn't have a Strawberry Shortcake band-aide in there. What's wrong with you, anyway?" Penny said.
"So... You wanna give me your number now?" Raoul asked her.
"Maybe. You did save me and all." Penny giggled.
"Yes, I sure did. That certainly counts for something."
"I wondered if you recognized me," Penny said.
"The minute I saw you... Miss." He winked. She blushed.
"Anyway..." Penny looked away. "I'm lost."
"Lost? It's me. Raoul. The guy who delivered your mom's package? You're lost? What?"
"No. I know." Penny laughed. "I mean, that's not what I meant. I am loooost. Lost in the city," she said. "I went for a jog and, well, kind of got lost."
"Lost, huh? Hummm... Well, good luck finding your way back. Bye," he said and stood up to leave. Penny's face fell. "Just kidding, Penny! I'll take you back home. After all, I am your hero today."
He helped her into the truck and they were off.
"I still have a few more deliveries to make. Mind riding along?" Raoul asked.
Penny tried to hide her smile. "Nope, not at all."
Friday, December 5, 2008
Penny Runs In the City
"Olah and congratulations! You have been selected to join us on the cruise of a lifetime!"
"At least Iʼm not the only one with an accent!" Penny yelled just before she let out another groan and threw her phone on the bed. With her adrenaline pumping from her aggravation and the onset of a headache from her smoky bleach filled apartment, Penny decided it was time for a jog.
Despite being in the heart of the city, the crisp, cool air smelled delicious. Penny breathed deeply as she made her way to the park. Autumn had always been Pennyʼs favorite season. It was only September yet the trees were already displaying a preview of their colors. Never in her life had she seen a purple leaf. She certainly did not have them back home. Relaxing a little Penny chuckled to herself as she thought of how the majesty of the northern trees made up for the boldness of the northern people.
With her worries on the pavement behind her Penny reflected on her day. That morning before the rising sun competed with the lights of the city, she had bought a bagel on Broadway. The lights were still bright and dazzling. Penny dreamed of the day she could read her name in those very lights. When that happens, spending $2.00 on a bagel will not feel like a splurge. After the morning bagel, Penny had spent the early afternoon picking up applications just in case her savings ran out before she got her first role.
Now, as the sun began to set, and Pennyʼs headache drifted away into the chilly night air, it was time to head home. Penny awoke from her thoughts and it occurred to her that she had been running in auto mode. She had no idea where she was. She had run through the park, but that was at least twenty minutes ago, and she did not know which direction it was in. Trying not to panic, she jogged to the nearest intersection. She had never even heard of those streets before.
"Itʼs fine," Penny thought as she reached into the pocket of her warm up for her cell phone. "I will just call my landlady and get directions." Pennyʼs heart sank as she realized that her cell phone was still on her bed in her apartment.
"At least Iʼm not the only one with an accent!" Penny yelled just before she let out another groan and threw her phone on the bed. With her adrenaline pumping from her aggravation and the onset of a headache from her smoky bleach filled apartment, Penny decided it was time for a jog.
Despite being in the heart of the city, the crisp, cool air smelled delicious. Penny breathed deeply as she made her way to the park. Autumn had always been Pennyʼs favorite season. It was only September yet the trees were already displaying a preview of their colors. Never in her life had she seen a purple leaf. She certainly did not have them back home. Relaxing a little Penny chuckled to herself as she thought of how the majesty of the northern trees made up for the boldness of the northern people.
With her worries on the pavement behind her Penny reflected on her day. That morning before the rising sun competed with the lights of the city, she had bought a bagel on Broadway. The lights were still bright and dazzling. Penny dreamed of the day she could read her name in those very lights. When that happens, spending $2.00 on a bagel will not feel like a splurge. After the morning bagel, Penny had spent the early afternoon picking up applications just in case her savings ran out before she got her first role.
Now, as the sun began to set, and Pennyʼs headache drifted away into the chilly night air, it was time to head home. Penny awoke from her thoughts and it occurred to her that she had been running in auto mode. She had no idea where she was. She had run through the park, but that was at least twenty minutes ago, and she did not know which direction it was in. Trying not to panic, she jogged to the nearest intersection. She had never even heard of those streets before.
"Itʼs fine," Penny thought as she reached into the pocket of her warm up for her cell phone. "I will just call my landlady and get directions." Pennyʼs heart sank as she realized that her cell phone was still on her bed in her apartment.
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