With everything that was going on with Reed and Abby I decided I needed someone to use as a sounding board. Noel was great, but I needed a second opinion, a male's point of view. I thought about my brother, but quickly ruled him out. He didn't know the first thing about relationships.

My next best option was my dad. The problem with that was I'd have to see my mom. I hadn't talked to her since our last phone call. I didn't have anything to say to her, and clearly, she didn't have any intentions of apologizing. Maybe I'd get lucky and she wouldn't be home.

I pulled into my parent's driveway. My mom’s car was nowhere in sight. Either it was in the garage or she was gone. Fingers crossed that it was the latter. I knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. Luck was not on my side today. My mom was on the other side of the door when it swung open.

Her nose was turned up in the air. I hoped that something would fly up it. That would teach her to stick her nose up at people.  I wished there was some way I could get past her without speaking, but I knew that wasn't happening. One, I wasn't rude and two she had to know everything that went on in 'her house'. I felt bad for my dad living with her, but he did it to himself I supposed.

"Mother, is Dad here?" Better to keep our interaction as short as possible.

She looked me up and down with. Her mouth pulled into a frown.

"Why?"

For real lady? What the heck did she think I wanted?

"I need to talk to him."

"Is your phone broken?"

How was I born to this woman? How did I survive in her home for eighteen years when she hated me so much?

"No, I just haven't seen him in a while. I figured it would be just as easy to drop by."

"A phone call to let us know you were coming would be cordial, Penelope."

There was no us in this equation, I wasn't here to see her, but I didn't say that.

"Ok," was all I said.

I couldn't make myself apologize for something so insignificant. This was my parent's house. Most of the people I knew were welcome in their parent's house whenever they wanted. I guess that was when you had a healthy and normal relationship with them.

"He's out back working on something in the shed."

I gave her a quick nod and slipped past her into the house. I made my way through the house to the back door. I was happy that my dad was out back. I preferred it to being inside. The house never had a homey feel to me. We always had to be quiet and careful growing up because my mother didn't like noise and didn't want her perfect house to be ruined.

When I reached the door of the shed, I heard the sound of an old Motown song playing. My dad loved music, and he instilled that same love into my brother and I. Some of my best childhood memories were when he would sneak us out to go get ice cream. We'd sing along to his old tape collection and eat our ice cream in the parking lot of the ice-cream shop.

I slid the door open and saw my dad hovered over something on the workstation.

His baritone voice sang along with the song. This must be how my dad stayed married to my mom. He escaped down here to get away from her crazy. He looked up from what he was doing.

"Hey, Henny Penny, what a pleasant surprise."

My dad's face lit up and his arms opened inviting me into them. I made my way quickly to my dad and buried my face into his shirt. I allowed the comfort of his embrace to wash over me. This was exactly what I needed.

When we released from our hug, I already felt a little better.

"What brought my favorite daughter to see me?"

"I'm your only daughter." I rolled my eyes and laughed at my dad's age-old joke.

"Well, then there is no disputing it now is there?"

"You're crazy, Dad."

"You may be right about that Henny Penny."

I went to the mini fridge that my dad had out there and grabbed a water. I sat in one of the old plastic chairs he used to sit and drink beers with his friends when their wives were inside talking about goodness knows what.

"Penny for your thought?"

My dad was so corny. He used any excuse to use a pun on my name.

"Dad, how did you know you loved mom?"

My dad's face lit up and a smile played on his lips.

"You know your mother is a tough nut to crack. The first time I met her she blew me off something terrible. I was out cruising with my friends one night. We parked at this little, abandoned parking lot that the teens used to hang out at. Your mother happened to be there with some of her friends." My dad let out a little laugh, "She was gorgeous. I was a cocky guy back then, so I walked right up to her and told her she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen and asked her on a date."

"What did she do?"

"She laughed right in my face. I was crushed, but I also knew that I wasn't going to give up. I think I knew I'd marry her one day from that first encounter."

"She said no though."

"I've never been one to let the word no stop me. I kept going back to that lot every weekend. I brought her a single rose back the next time. She rolled her eyes, but she accepted it. We talked, and I got to know her a bit. Each time I'd bring her something small that represented something I learned about her the week before. Finally, I wore her down, and she went on a date with me. I was already in love with her by then. The rest is history."

"You guys seem so different."

"We are Pen. I know your mom can be a little rough around the edges. She didn't have the best upbringing you know. I think that made her a little hardened to life. I've learned her sweet spots over the years.  I learned how to love her in the way she needs to be loved. There is no one-way to love someone. Love doesn't always look the same. It's certainly something you have to work at, at times. When you feel it deep within every part of your body, it's worth the work."

I was quiet for a few minutes thinking about what my dad said. I thought I loved Reed, but I was worried about Abby. It seemed like she didn't want me in the picture, and he was so protective of her. I didn't want to come between them, but I also wanted things with me and Reed to work.

"Is this about that young man you brought with you to the dinner?"

"Yes."

"Listen Pen, I didn't get to tell you, but I'm sorry about what your mother did. I didn't know she invited Alec. I kicked him out as soon as I came in and realized he was here. I  talked to your mother about it. I love your mother very much, but what she did was wrong, and I made sure she knew. She is my wife, but you are also my baby girl and I won't let anyone willingly hurt you."

I felt tears threatening at the corner of my eyes. I blinked, trying to stop them from coming, but it was useless. I swiped at my eyes dabbing the wetness.

"Thank you," came out of my mouth in a whisper.

It felt so good to know that I did have someone in my corner. My dad was the perfect example of the type of man I wanted in my life.

"Now tell me more about your guy."

"He's so sweet dad. He started as my personal trainer, but he has turned into so much more."

"Does he treat you well?"

"He does."

"Do you love him?"

Leave it to my dad to get straight to the point. I knew the answer, but it was still hard to say.

"Yes, I think so."

"Does he love you?"

"I don't know, we haven't talked about it."

"Huh."

"He has a sister that just showed up after several years. She was supposed to be going into rehab for drug usage, but she managed to talk Reed into letting her stay with him after only a week."

"That doesn't sound good, Pen."

"I don't think it is either. Their parents died when they were young and he was always her rock. I think that she might be taking advantage of him. He doesn't want to upset her or push her away. For the sake of her not leaving again he will do pretty much anything she asks."

"He's an enabler."

"Exactly! I don't think she likes me being around. She either ignores me or she interrupts any plans that Reed and I may have. I don't know what to do or think. I don't want to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but I care about Reed too."

"It sounds like his sister may be jealous of you. Could feel threatened by your relationship with him. She could think you’re trying to take her place, but what she doesn't realize is that there is room for both of you in his life. You would never ask him to turn his back on her, but she doesn't know you so maybe she’s scared. Have you thought about inviting her to lunch to get to know each other and talk about things?"

It seemed so simple. Why hadn't I thought about it myself?

"No, I hadn't. That's exactly what I'll do. Maybe if we can clear the air, she’ll see me as a friend and an ally."

"That's my girl. Once she knows you, she won't be able to help but love you."

I got up from my chair and hugged my dad tight. Thankful for the close relationship we had.

"Thank you, Daddy. I love you."

"I love you too, Henny Penny."