"Shaken, Bambi ran off, leaving me to try to find out why Penelope was kneeling on my front doorstep with two suitcases and wearing an outfit that inc...uded mini-skirt. As far as I knew, she hadn't worn a dress or skirt since the prom. "What are you doing here? I'm happy to see you of course, but you could have called in. And stand up. You look ridiculous and you might scratch your knees."She hastily stood up. "I... haven't been able to sell more than a couple of the stories I wrote. I've had to. " In fact it was two blocks from another house where I had spent an interesting afternoon. Small world."How had you planned to get there? That's three miles from here." Walk. Jog. I'm dressed for it and it's a nice day. It will only take me a few minutes. Less if I can sprint when no one's looking." But you'll get all sweaty! Let me take you." I bet I won't. I will take more than a short jog to make me sweat. But thanks, I'll take you up on that."It took Mom longer to get fixed to drive me over. That’s just not acceptable.”“On that, I agree. I’ve asked her to stop and told her that it only makes her look crazy, especially to nice young women like Kara and Bethany.”“Thanks. I hope she listens. I would like to have my friends over more this Summer, but if I can’t, I can’t.”We finished our lunch and then headed back home. It had been really good to sit and talk with my dad, something I probably should have done a lot sooner. I had let my terrible relationship with my mom and my dad’s. She was glad to hear from me, and we talked for about ten minutes. I told her I missed her, and would see her when I got back in a year or so. She said she was looking forward to it, and we hung up.I went to the room and worked on a bit more of the GURPS campaign, then decided I needed a night out. I put on my black jeans, tan boots, and my black-white-red plaid western shirt and pulled out my everyday Stetson, the only one I had brought with me. And as I was walking to my car, I decided to.