Chapter 46

Annie's POV

I watched Lucy's shoulders tense as Thomas demonstrated the next exercise. But before her usual anxiety could take hold, Penny swooped in with her boundless energy.

"And now, we're all brave explorers climbing Mount Everest!" Thomas quickly adapted, transforming the mountain climber exercise into an adventure. His eyes darted between the girls,gauging their reactions.

Penny dropped to her hands and knees, crawling across the mat with exaggerated stealth. "Lucy, quick! I think I see a snow leopard!" She pointed at a yoga block, her voice dropping to a theatrical whisper that made Lucy's lips twitch upward.

The change in Lucy was subtle but unmistakable. Her movements,usually stiff with self-consciousness, began to mirror Penny's playful approach.Each time Penny added a silly flourish to the basic exercises, Lucy's shoulders relaxed a fraction more.

"Now we're swimming through the clouds," Thomas continued, leading them into arm circles. "Like the flying fish ín 'The Little Mermaid'!" Penny's face lit up. She launched ínto "Under the Sea," managing to stay surprisingly on beat despite her dramatic gestures. Her pigtails whipped through the air as she pretended to conduct an imaginary orchestra while maintaining the e xercise rhythm. Lucy's silent smile shook her small frame. I caught Thomas's eye,sharing his amazement at how naturally Penny had breached Lucy's carefully constructed walls. Even more remarkable was how Penny would pause between movements, waiting for Lucy to catch up, adjusting her pace without drawing attention to it.

Howard appeared in the doorway, the usual tension in his shoulders softening as he took in the scene. I forced myself to look away from how his rolled-up sleeves revealed strong forearms, focusing instead on Penny's voice.

"Did you see that. Mr. Thompson?" She called out between breaths."I'm teaching Lucy how to be a mermaid-tree-explorer!"

"I see that," Howard's voice carried unusual warmth. "You're quite the instructor."

Penny beamed with pride. "That's 'cause my mom says you gotta make everything fun," she explained, wobbling through a balance pose. "Even the hard stuff!"

Later, while Lucy changed clothes, I sat with Penny as her endless energy finally began to quiet. Her feet swung rhythmically against the bench,a steady drumbeat of contained motion.

"You really love performing, don't you?" I offered gently. "Mom and Dad took me to see 'The Little Mermaid' when I was four,"Penny's usual animation softened into something more wistful. "It was magical- all the lights and music and dancing. That was the last time we all went out together before..." Her feet stilled. "Now Dad's always busy with Clara and the new baby. He says theater tickets are too expensive anyway." She twisted the hem of her shirt. "Clara says I'm too loud when I practice my singing at their house."

My chest tightened atthe familiar pain in her voice. "That must be hard."

"Mom works really hard at her computer job so I can take dance classes,"Penny straightened slightly. "But when I stay at Dad's, I always miss the Saturday morning ones because Clara says they have other plans." Her shoulders hunched. "Dad just nods when she says that."

The echo of Brian's hurt during the early days of Philip's new relationship made my hands clench. I deliberately relaxed them before speaking. "Sometimes grown-ups don't handle changes very well."

"Mom says it's not my fault," Penny's voice grew very small. "But sometimes I think if I was quieter like Clara wants, maybe Dad would..."She shook her head, plastering on a bright smile that didn't reach her eyes."But it's okay! Lucy likes my performances. She never tells me to be quiet."

"You know what I think?" I matched her serious tone, watching her spine straighten. "I think you and Lucy understand each other perfectly.Sometimes the best friends are the ones who let us be exactly wvho we are."

Her answering smile was genuine this time. "That's what Mom says too!She says we shouldn't change who we are just because other people don't understand us." Howard offered to drive Penny home, his thoughtfulness catching me off guard once again. As we pulled up to their apartment building, I noticed a tall woman waiting outside. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and despite the late hour, her crisp blazer and pencil skirt spoke of the kind of polished professionalism I recognized from my da navigating corporate life. Though exhaustion showed in the slight tension around her eyes, she carried herself with quiet confidence.

Before any of us could speak. Penny tumbled out of the car, her energy somehow still boundless. "Mom! We did yoga but it was really exploring and Lucy smiled at my Ariel impression!"

"Tm Annie Baker," I stepped forward, extending my hand."And this is Howard Thompson. Penny and Lucy have become quite close."

"Sue Peterson," she shook my hand firmly, then Howard's. "I can't thank you enough for looking after Penny today. When the school called about my meeting running late..."

"It's no imposition," I kept my voice casual, remembering my own challenges as a single mother. "Lucy's really blossomed with Penny around.I could pick them both up after Penny's morning dance class tomorrow?They could spend the afternoon together."

"Tomorrow's Saturday!" Penny tugged at her mother's sleeve. "Please can I go play with Lucy again? Please?"

Sue's professional mask wavered, practicality warring with pride. "We really shouldn't impose..."

"Mom!" Penny persisted. "Lucy needs me. She's teaching me to be quiet sometimes, and I'm teaching her to be loud sometimes. It's a fair trade."

Sue's startled laugh caught in her throat. "Is that so?". "Plus," Penny added with pure child-logic, "Annie makes the best hot chocolate. With tiny marshmallows and whipped cream." "The secret ingredient is cinnamon," I stage-whispered, watching Sue's shoulders relax incrementally.

"Well." Sue's smile softened with genuine warmth, "who am I to argue with tiny marshmallows?" She checked her phone quickly. "The dance class ends at eleven tomorrow..."

"Perfect," I said. "TIl pick her up then."

As we drove away, Howard's fingers drummed thoughtfully against the steering wheel. "Sue Peterson," he broke our comfortable silence. "Top of her class at MIT, brilliant system architect. Making twice what her ex-husband does, but her current company's losing her because they won't offer flexible hours for school pickup."

I studied his profile, recognizing the particular set of his jaw that meant he was solving a puzzle. "Howard..."

"We've been looking to strengthen our development team," his fingers stilled on the wheel. "Someone with her expertise in secure systems...especially with the new government contracts coming up..."

"And the flexible hours?" I already knew his answer, but wanted to hear him say it.

"We have that parent-friendly initiative rolling out next quarter anyway."his casual shrug couldn't hide the satisfaction in his voice. "Might as well start with someone who'd make it worth the investment." Warmth spread through my chest at this glimpse of the man behind the CEO facade. "You're a good man." His quick glance carried more weight than his light tone. "I have my moments."