Shakespeare wrote; "What's in a name?" Try explaining that to Penny Farthing. When Peter and Doris Farthing named their daughter they thought it cute, whimsical and clever.
Of course a Penny Farthing is also an old-time bicycle. When you pair that up with the old joke that a woman of questionable virtue was often referred to as "the town bicycle," ie. everybody has ridden her, you can see that poor Penny hated her name.
Penny and I grew up in the same neighborhood. We played every day and went though school together. We were best friends, even at the age when boys and girls hated each other.
When puberty hit Penny and she began to become a young woman I was still a boy. Girls mature more quickly in many cases. She was developing breasts and he was still putting playing cards on his bicycle wheels to make the spokes sound like a motorcycle.
Because I was slower to mature she took up interests with an older boy. It hurt that she wasn't spending time with me. Once I hit my growth spurt and the hormones got pumping Penny and I reunited and became boyfriend and girlfriend.
Penny and I had divergent interests. She got into performing arts and I became a geek. She was on the stage and I was president of the audio/visual club. Somehow we still remained boyfriend and girlfriend.
College was hard for us. We agreed to split up but promised to get together on holidays. That lasted a year. She met a man and they became a couple. She tearfully told me that she had given him her virginity, something she had promised to me. Without her I was emotionally devastated. I had nothing left but school work so I dedicated myself to that.
The following summer she and I met back in our home towns. It felt strange. I loved her and she loved me but we seemed to be in some never land. By August we were together everyday and in every way. We were inseparable, at least till the fall term.
We continued like this. We were on again/off again. Madly in love when we were together and she dated when we were apart.
So, why didn't I date? I was still a geek, a nerd, I wasn't attractive to most college girls. Even if I had dated I would still have been in love with Penny.
I was offered a position at a software company upon graduation. I had also designed a couple of products and I had applied for patents.
Penny returned home after graduation as well but she didn't look the same. Her lower belly was distended, swollen, obviously pregnant, due any day. Once again I felt my heart break. I approached her at her parents house.
"Hi Sam."
"Penny, you look very pregnant."
"I'm due any time now."
"Did you get married?"
"No, the father is long gone. When he heard I was pregnant he dropped out of school and disappeared."
"You obviously decided to go ahead to full term."
"I was encouraged to abort but I couldn't make myself do it."
"How are you planning to live after you give birth?"
"Mom and Dad will help. I will look for a job after things settle down."
"Sam, I wish it could have been your baby."
"I wish that too. I still love you Penny."
"I know you do Sam. You're a good man, the best."
"If I can help in any way..."
"Thanks Sam."
Later that week she gave birth to a baby boy she named Derek. I rushed to be with her and see her baby. Penny looked amazing for just having gone through labour. The baby was healthy and of course cute. I felt a twinge of envy for the asshole that knocked her up.
Every day after work I'd spend time with Penny and Derek. I spent more time at their place than I did in my own apartment. After several months Mr. Farthing took me aside and asked me what my intentions were for Penny and Derek.
"Mr. Farthing, you know how close Penny and I have been."
"I know that Sam. Penny will likely be looking for a husband now and a father for Derek. Do you intend to ask her?"
"I don't know sir. I'm just getting started, and putting my life together, building a career. I don't know that I'm ready to be a father."
"Sam, I know you care for both of them but I'm afraid that if you don't step up, she will find someone who will."
"I get it, she wants security. I just don't know if I'm that secure myself right now."
"Don't set yourself up for heartbreak Sam."
Those were prophetic words because within a month she told me she was being pursued by someone she admired and that this guy didn't mind a ready-made family.
"Penny, I want you to be happy and I know Derek needs a dad. I thought that I was kind of filling that role."
"You are Sam, you are but I need a firm commitment. You are here now but you haven't committed to me, you haven't asked me to marry you. Why haven't you?"
"I explained to your Dad that I'm still getting settled in my post college life. I love you and I would love to be your husband and Derek's Daddy but we need to wait till I settle a few issues."
"I appreciate that Sam, but I can't wait for ever. Put a ring on my finger and I'll be yours."
