Page 78 of Positively, Penelope

Had she thought of everything?

“Actually, Grandfather,” Matt added, keeping a peripheral view of his brother, “I believe the placement worked better than even you planned. People had a stark comparison between the two companies. And ours celebrated the community, which is something Emblem has never quite grasped.”

“Unless it was only a certain part of the community.” Grandfather huffed.

“And...” Alec finally seemed to find his voice. “Darling invited everyone.”

Something in Alec’s face caught Matt’s attention. Perhaps he’d come to the realization, as Matt had done only a few days ago, that the community loved The Darling House, and The Darling House needed to find a way to love them back. To bring back the magic it once fostered among the streets of Mountcaster and beyond.

“She’s actually going to save the theater,” Alec whispered, staring back in the direction the float went. “Impossible.”

“‘Impossible things are happening every day,’ I hear,” Matt said, quoting Penelope’s earlier phrase from Cinderella, and then he placedhis hand on his brother’s shoulder. “But actually, we’re all going to find a way to save the theater. Penelope’s outside perspective—”

“And gumption,” added Grandfather.

“—has started a trajectory we hope will resurrect the theater we grew up loving.”

“We—” Alec started to respond, his gaze distant.

Matt softened toward his younger brother. He’d borne his grief alone, refusing to talk about it. He needed his family. Maybe he was beginning to realize that too.

“Exactly.” Matt nodded. “The Gray family and the community that loves us.”

***

Text from Matt to Penelope:I have no words for the magnificence that was the Darling float today. You were marvelous.

Penelope:Wasn’t it wonderful? Oh, Matthias! I almost told you about it ahead of time so you could witness how much the community theater loves your family and The Darling House. So many people pitched in their time and money to make this happen. You should be so proud!

Text from Alec to Penelope:I have no idea how you planned the float, but it made a huge splash today. Did Mark come up with the idea? I know he’s an excellent woodworker.

Penelope:It was my idea, but Mark took my idea and helped turn it into reality. (Look how neat reality can be sometimes.) He, Dani, and Lucas were vital to today’s success! Wasn’t it a great surprise?

Text from Matt to Penelope:Sorry I’m just now responding to your text from yesterday, but you must know I am tremendously proud and grateful. BTW, I’m planning to have a meeting with the theater group next week to make some changes for our upcoming season. Grandfather, Gwynn, and I had a long talk last night about it. I would have brought you into the conversation, but when I phoned you, you never answered.

Penelope:I was rewarding myself with a trip to Chocola for their Chocolate Strawberry Dream, and then I went home for a bubble bath. Glitter is very hard to remove, in case you didn’t know. Well, you probably found out when Iris took a bath. I should apologize, but she WAS a fairy so glitter was necessary.

Penelope:BTW, I’ve had the Chocolate Strawberry Dream almost enough times to figure out the recipe. I’ve made it four times so far and each time I’m close, but not quite.

Text from Alec to Penelope:Are you going to be at the theater tomorrow? I’d love to learn more about all your other plans. HasThe Sound of Musiccome through?

Penelope:I’m planning to be there, and no, not yet. But I’m going to keep trying.

Alec:Don’t hang your hat on it, princess. What you’ve done already has made enough of a difference, don’t you think?

Text from Grandpa Gray to Penelope:You were the belle of the ball yesterday. Thank you for all you’re doing for our Darling.

Penelope:You of all people know what a pleasure it was for me. Just wait until they see the best surprise of all, right?

Text from Penelope to Alec:A good difference, but we need a showstopper to ensure we keep an upward trajectory.

Alec:A touring company this late in the season? Even your magic doesn’t have that power.

Penelope:You really know how to make a girl feel hopeful, Mr.Pessimist.

Alec:I’m just trying to temper your expectations.

Penelope:I’d rather be hopeful and disappointed than to have tempered expectations. That just sounds like eating generic chocolate instead of the name brand.

---