All characters in sexual situations are 18 or older. Thanks for reading!
"Good morning, Penny." Winifred stood at the stove, making pancakes.
"A very pleasant day to you, Mrs. Nisha." Victoria's voice was bright and full of pep. She sat at the bar eating breakfast, a warm smile on her face.
"Hello, everyone." Penelope's smile faltered when she met eyes with Victoria. The things Penelope had overheard last night! Victoria was brash, but Penelope had thought her to be a conventional, straightforward, and courageous woman. So much like Penelope at that age.
I was wrong. She's not the person I thought. My son's girlfriend is twisted
. Penelope had never said anything like what she'd heard, even during her adventurous years before she met Felix. She could feel her cheeks heating thinking about those words. The way Theodore had used her. And the way Victoria had begged to be used.
"Whoa ... Mrs. Nisha." Victoria leapt from her stool and steadied Penelope with a hand to her elbow. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. It was just all too much yesterday." Penelope heard the pitter-patter of paws on the floor. She dropped to a knee. "Cora ... you're still vandalized." She picked up the dog, scratching her behind the ear.
"I bathed her plenty, but the graffiti would not come off. I was thinking we might need to take her to the groomer." Winifred served a plate of pancakes at the bar next to Victoria.
"Oh ... okay." Penelope nodded. "And those that did this to her?"
"We're tracking down leads. Theodore is spending some time this morning out ... investigating." Winifred bobbed her head to show amusement and pride.
"Mrs. Nisha, I would like to accompany you to the groomer." Victoria sat back down and returned to her pancakes. "I'd love to spend a little time with you."
"Yes ... that sounds lovely." Penelope nodded, trying her best to dispel from her mind the dirty, frightening words she'd overheard the previous night.
A good mother is understanding. A good friend is accepting. I was foolish to think of her as a younger me. Victoria is her own person, with her own ... interests.
"I'll freshen up after breakfast, and then we can go." She beamed at Victoria, put Cora down with a few more well-placed scratches, and sat next to her new friend.
~~
Laughing and making glorious small talk, Penelope returned from the groomer. She made a joke as she opened the door and let the giggling Victoria in first. The no longer profane Cora trotted in next, and then Penelope followed them. The laughter died abruptly when they saw Theodore standing in the hall, his arms crossed. Penelope could easily tell from the furrowed brow and icy stare that a storm was brewing. "Hello, Teddy. Victoria and I took Cora to the groomer."
"I've been waiting for hours." Theodore looked at Cora. "What did you do to her? She's nearly black."
"It was either dye her fur or shave the poor thing completely. They had to use a dark dye to cover the ... profanity." Penelope took deep breaths, trying to slow her pulse.
A good mother is firm. A good mother is poised.
"We didn't know you were waiting, Teddy." Victoria eyed her boyfriend with caution. She would have to tread lightly. "We thought you were out tracking down leads."
"I was doing that earlier. I told you when I'd be home." Theodore's voice was turning into a growl.
"I must have forgotten. I apologize. But your mother and I did have a chance to go for drinks." Victoria's voice came out higher pitched than she would have hoped. "We had a splendid time. She's very funny."
Theodore turned his glare toward his mother. "I'd like to talk with you, alone." He turned toward the stairs. When she didn't come, he looked back. "Now."
"Yes. Of course, Teddy." Penelope followed him up to his room.
Victoria exchanged a glance with Winifred. The robot gave its best approximation of a shrug. "Will she be alright, Freddie? She looked petrified."
"She'll be fine. It's helpful that you're in the house. Things won't get too heated with you here." Winifred offered her stiff smile.
"He does have a temper, doesn't he?" Victoria felt so helpless. She wanted to help.
"Teddy has had much to cope with. He's working on expressing himself in more productive ways." Winifred retreated to the kitchen. "Why don't you pick up a book in the library? You can read, and I'll bring you some tea. With any luck, they'll resolve everything quite soon."
"Okay." Victoria was unsure. But she headed to the library. She could hear her boyfriend's muffled yells from upstairs. She did not hear Penelope screaming back. She prayed to Olympus for the poor woman.
Upstairs, Theodore uncorked his rage. "She's here for two days, and you take her out for hours? You're so fucking selfish. She's my girlfriend. Not your friend."
"Is it so bad that I want to know the woman that my son loves?" Penelope was trying to keep calm, but her mind was buzzing, her stomach flipping, and her vagina thrumming. "I ... um ... I ... I ..." They were standing about five feet apart.
"You're such a fucking bitch, Mom. Maybe we should write that on