Page 70 of Positively, Penelope

To: Penelope Edgewood

Date: October1

Subject: The munchkin onesies

Penelope,

The munchkin onesies finally fit the twins! I didn’t think I’d like them at all because of the pointy hats, but the adorableness is beyond words. If they don’t grow out of them by the church’s fall festival time (or stain them with spit-up to the point of disgust), they can wear them to the costume party. Patrick was able to find shoes small enough to fit the twins that go with the onesies perfectly. I’m sending photos.

Do remember, when we have our video calls, the little ones cannot maintain attention to the screen as much as you want, Penelope dear. They’re barely three months old. Things like ceiling fans, barking dogs, and dangling elephants are a bit more entertaining to them than a face on the screen, no matter how lovely or animated the face. And speaking louder doesn’t change that fact.

Jackie called me yesterday and mentioned what a good conversation she had with you last week. She felt very positive about it. I’m trying hard not to be pushy or controlling (as Izzy and Luke made it VERY clear from the Brodie experience that I have a problem with those two things), but I do think it’s an excellent opportunity. Just think! Director of a theater at twenty-four years old!

How exciting!!

Josephine

PS: If lung capacity is a hint to singing voices, I think the twins are destined to be very successful future singers.

Skymarian Theater Troupe

From: JA

To: GK

I’m sorry! You asked me a question in our last message and I completely forgot to answer it last night during my emotional meltdown.

First of all, I had to look upbarmy, and then I laughed. As far as I can tell, Gwynn is probably the most normal of the entire family. I haven’t gotten to spend as much time with her as I would like, but I am certain we are on track to becoming great friends. My grandfather would call her aspitfire. Do you all use that word here in Skymar?

No, their grandfather is not a recluse at all. He’s one of the loveliest men and has the most interesting collection of historic shoes that you could ever imagine. Talk about a fetish! But it’s a stylish fetish, so I can only admire him all the more. He also has one of the best speaking voices. Think Bing Crosby with a Skymarian accent. Does that melt your heart too? Sigh.

As far as Matt and Alec? Hmm... well, the younger of the two definitely lives his life as if he were born for the spotlight, though he doesn’t seem as invested in the theater as his elder brother. He’s charming and handsome and, well, I’ve only recently realized, much to my surprise, not my type.

I consider Matt my friend. He’s more reserved and harder to get to know, but there’s a kindness and warmth beneath his standoffish exterior. And once you do start to really know him, he’s . . . well, worth knowing. I’m not sure why describing him took such hard work. I think I typed six different words before committing to “worth knowing,” but he is. And I’m so glad I do.

Anyway, I don’t know if you’re interested in joining some of the others in the theater group, but we have a huge surprise planned for the festival this week. PLUS, it’s opening week forMy Fair Lady. AND... right after, it’s my birthday week! I’m so excited about what’s in store. If you’re going to be at the festival, you’ll have a front-row seat to a very special Darling surprise.

PS: You know how I was talking to you yesterday about needing a tragic backstory or a more subdued and mysterious personality to get the man of my dreams? Well, fiction reminded me of something very important (my cousin Izzy would be so proud of that fact). Julie Andrews’s character inThe Sound of Music. She was happy, and clever, and positive, and she didn’t just get the guy, she got the whole family. I realizeThe Sound of Musicis a one-in-a-million kind of story, but I guess I just have to wait for my one in a million. For that somebody who wants me in all my ridiculousness and positivity, and it fits them in all the right ways.

PPS: I would also add that Cinderella’s story works in this particular example too. But she gets the guy AND the castle! I’m not aiming for a castle anymore. I take that as real character growth.

***

How Deirdre had the audacity to expect Matt to drop everything and bend to her whim was beyond him. She hadn’t changed at all!

Matt tossed the letter down on the desk in his home office and shoved a hand through his hair as he leaned back in the chair. Nothing. Not a word for three years and then, out of the blue, she writes to ask for Iris’s baby clothes?

Heirlooms, she called them. Clothes she’d worn as an infant.

He propped his elbows on the desk and pressed his head into his hands. Pregnant with her new husband’s baby andnowshe wanted to focus on her family? His fingers curled into his scalp. No interest in contacting Iris. Not even a question about how her daughter was doing.

His palms raked over his face to slam against his desk. What sort of imbecile had he been to marry her? He’d dismissed any warning signs of her selfishness. Convinced himself her emotional whirlwinds were the typical characteristics of a performer. And he’d tried to “save” her, to be the stability he thought she needed, but deep down he knew, when he looked back on it later, he’d been temporary. Not permanent for her. Not enough.

But worse, neither had Iris.

“Hey there.”

He looked up as the quiet voice invaded his fury to find Penelope peeking around the doorframe, her vibrant hair spilling over one shoulder as she peered in. Almost at once, her expression transformed from a smile to one of concern. She moved toward him.

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