Penelope ended up staying in the intensive care unit at the hospital for two days before they were able to remove the tube from her throat and move her to a different floor to continue to recover. Derek came to visit her each day, along with her father, who was given time off work to take care of things at the house.
When she was able to talk again, the case worker from child protective services, Carlo, came to see her. Derek was asked to leave the room while she was interviewed. She told him everything, from her step brothers to how Mary chose to treat her. Carlo was appalled that her father refused to step in and intervene when it was obvious that severe mental abuse taking place in the household.
"With as much as you've told me, Penelope, I am required by law to remove you from the household. I understand that your biological mother is unreachable, and you don't have any other family nearby that can take you in. Which means that I'll be required to put you into foster care. I also understand that shortly after school starts, you'll be turning eighteen. Is that correct?"
"Yeah. It's the only reason why I've been holding on. I don't want to drop out of school to put another roof over my head."
"Oh no, you don't have to worry about any of that! There are resources for adolescents who are in your situation. We have a safe shelter for teens that are transitioning into adulthood that don't have a place to go. They're there to make sure you have a stable roof over your head so that you can finish school and move on to adulthood. And that's if your foster family chooses not to continue to house you after you become of age. Which I don't think is going to be a problem.
"What do you mean?" Penelope asked.
"The Fillmore family has offered to take you in. There is some documentation and background checks they need to pass before you can move in, but that'll be done by the time you get discharged. In the meantime, I am here for you if you need anything at all."
"Thank you. Do you think that maybe I can get some things from my house?"
"Of course, Princess. What do you need?"
"I just want my sketchbooks. And my notebook from school. That's all. I don't have anything else that I want."
"Sure thing! I'll make sure we get that for you so that you have something to keep you busy while you're in here. How does that sound?"
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Carlo."
Carlo chuckled a little. "Oh no, its just Carlo. You are such a sweet and kind girl, though. I think you're going to do great with the Fillmore family."
Penelope smiled at that. Was her fantasy coming true? There was no freaking way! Her Prince had finally come to save her, and the Wicked Witch was finally going to be out of her life! All she had to do was work on getting better so that she could get out of the hospital.
Carlo took his leave, and Derek came back into the room. She had a big smile on her face when he came back into the room. "Well that's the most I've seen you smile since I met you! I take it Carlo told you the news?"
"He did. That is so kind of your family to take me in. Thank you."
"That's not all, though. I have something for you."
"What? But you've already given me so much!" Penelope exclaimed.
"Penelope, I'm going to give you a whole lot more once you get out of this hospital. Just you wait and see! But until then…" Derek reached into his pocket to fish something out of it. It was a brand new phone, with a little bow tied around it. "This is for you."
Penelope looked at the device, shocked. She was getting ready to protest when Derek interrupted her. "I know what you're going to say, Little Mouse, but if you're going to live under our roof, we need to be able to contact you at any time. And you us, in case there is an emergency. These things are not just a toy that people sit and play on all day. Even though most of us treat them as such" he chuckled. "They are an important tool that you can keep with you and solve problems with. Here, let me show you."
Derek powered it on for her. He showed her how to get into her settings and helped her set up a screen password. Then he showed her how to use its basic functions, like setting alarms, using her calendar, programming numbers in, sending text messages, making phone calls, taking pictures, and how to personalize it. By the time they were done, she had a photo of the two of them together as her background, and a cute theme set up on the rest of it. She'd also found some games to play, had some reading apps, and an account that allowed her to buy things on it whenever she wanted. She wasn't going to use it, but it was still nice to have it there.
"And, once you get out of the hospital, I'll take you to the store so that you can buy a case to protect it. I did have them put on screen and camera protectors for you, though. So don't be too worried if you accidentally drop it. Ok?"
"Thank you. This is more than everyone has ever done for me." Penelope said for the umpteenth time.
"Well this is just the beginning, Little Mouse. Like I said, I have much more for you when we're done."
She set the phone down on the hospital tray next to her. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Why are you so invested in me? I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm not ungrateful or anything. I just… don't understand."
"Because you are special. You are kind. You are hardworking. You deserve it. And I like you. I like you a lot."
"You… Like me?"
"Well yeah! Isn't that obvious? I mean, I did try to ask you out on a date the other day."
"That's true. I guess I thought that maybe you were just being nice. There isn't really anything special about me. Anybody can do the things that I do. I don't have any remarkable talents. I'm only good at cleaning, making sandwiches, and studying. When I am not doing any of that, I live in a fantasy world, where I go to escape this reality that is my existence."
Derek took her hand. "Penelope, you have done all those things merely to survive. There is a lot of talent that exists within the walls that are you. You just have to bring it out and express it. Only one person gets to be at the top of their class. That does not just happen because they are good at studying. It happens because they are smart. When you graduate next year, you can do anything that you want to do. Do you realize that? You could even to go an ivy league school! And if you want to finish school and graduate early, like I did, you could even do that, too."
"Wow, really?"
"Absolutely! Whatever you would like to do! I've got your back. And so do my mom and dad. By the way, they are both very excited to meet you. Especially my mom. They want to make you a special dinner when you're released from the hospital if you're up to it."
Penelope beamed. "That would be lovely! I'm excited to meet them! Thank you. Thank you so much!"
"Of course, Little Mouse."
At that point, a member of the hospital staff came in. "Hi Penelope! I'm Jake from Respritory Therapy. I'm here to do some breathing exercises with you and see how you're recovering from being off the ventilator. Your friend can stay if you want him to, but we're going to be busy for a little bit."
"Oh, ok." Penelope acknowledged. With that, Jake got to work with Penelope, and Derek sat back and watched quietly.
As she worked through everything the therapist did with her, he couldn't help but watch in silent amazement. Her strength and courage were astounding.