[audio]

[anunluckypenny]

Crazy week, huh?  People dying, people coming back to life for a day, the network turning into a weird version of The Sun.  I'm not a fan of gossip.  What people do, who they do it with--that's all their business, no one else's.  

I'm even less a fan of murder, but I'm sure the police will take care of that.

Coming back to life, though... that's really something.  I ended up running around the garden most of the day.  Maybe this doesn't make sense, but being alive seems to make everything brighter.  Things taste better, flowers smell better, running is more fun.  I never would've guessed that I'd actually miss getting my heart rate up and needing to breathe.  It was a nice day, but being like this--being dead, I mean--isn't bad.  It's way better than not being in the City would be, and I still get to do the things I care about and meet people.

[Her voice takes on a gloomier tone that is very unlike Penny.]

Jenny went home.  I checked the Hall and there she was.  I'll definitely miss her.  I didn't know her for very long, but she's always so sweet and cheerful, and she's pretty much the only person I've ever had a serious conversation about freeing the animals in the zoo with. 

She said I could be part of her family, too--that I'd make a good sister.  I've never had anyone invite me into her family before.  Having a family...

[There's a brief pause, a sniff, and then, with forced brightness:]

So!  Charlie, Sophie--shopping tomorrow, right?

Comments

[anunluckypenny]

Robert who? I haven't met any pretty surfers lately.

Yep, completely alone. This'll sound weird, but I kind of liked being alone and just listening to my heartbeat. You can hear it in your ears, you know?

[mightbeconcussed]

He's a doctor. I think his last name is Chase.

[Lucy thinks about it a moment.] Okay, a little weird but that's because I'm non-functional when I'm alone. And I did know that and it's really cool.

[anunluckypenny]

Chase? Robert Chase? He's pretty, but I wouldn't've guessed he was in to surfing.

There you go, one of my secrets: sometimes I like being alone. With ducks. People are good, too, but I like having time to myself.

[mightbeconcussed]

Me either, but he's got a place on the beach and surf boards and yeah, he surfs.

It's a good secret to have. Also, I'll keep it in mind next time you're down in the dumps. I'll suggest garden time and ducks.

[anunluckypenny]

The more you know.

Thanks, Lucy. Have I told you lately that you're the best?

[mightbeconcussed]

Ding, dong ding ding. Or something like that. You know the little bell chime things that come after that message.

I happen to think I'm pretty awesomesauce but it's nice to hear. you are too, Penny. Always.