Page 15 of Positively, Penelope

PS: The thrift store down the block from the theater had a pair of silver shoes that looked like Iris’s size. Would you mind if I bought them for her? Every little girl needs a pair of shiny shoes.

PPS: I already bought them.

From: mgraydarlinghouse

To: Penelope Edgewood

Date: September4

Subject: Re: Centennial???

MissEdgewood,

With the many expectations of this position, I’m afraid the idea of the centennial completely slipped my mind. Please take whatever liberties you need to research the theater if you believe the idea of a centennial celebration will help matters. There are a great many unused storage rooms by the grand theater, and though I have not been in them in years, I understand that some paraphernalia from decades ago are housed there.

As far as the website, you were brought on to update thosethings, so I expect you to know what is best. I have no interest in micromanaging you and trust you to run ideas by me as you see the need, though I do not believe pink is the preferable color to use. When Alec arrives, you can also seek his counsel, but for the most part I entrust you to do what you have so valiantly declared your “calling” for The Darling House: bring magic back.

See you at five for the drive home.

M. Gray

PS: Do you use capital letters to draw attention to what you’re writing or to share heightened emotion? Since you use both so liberally, I feel I ought to ask to clarify for future correspondence.

PPS: Also, if capital letters are to convey emotions, I believe your abundant use of exclamation marks may be redundant.

Chapter4

From: Jacqueline Crenshaw, The Ashby Theater

To: Penelope Edgewood

Date: September4

Subject: A new adventure?

My darling girl,

I was so delighted to run into your sister this week as you’ve been much on my mind, and I hadn’t any way to contact you. It’s been too long since I saw you. When my dear Peter passed, I’m afraid I lost touch of so many things. Finances, logistics of the business, and even everyday life seemed all too much of a burden to bear and something had to go. I couldn’t manage the theater without him, as you know. My heart just wasn’t ready.

About six months ago, I was going through old photos and papers, and I discovered a letter you sent to me after Peter’s death. It was filled with your memories of me and him and our theater. Some of your joy and hope must have spilled over from those pages, because it seemed to awaken my heart and imagination from what felt like a shadowy slumber. You seemed to speak directly to a part of me I thought I’d lost, or perhaps a part I thought I couldn’t revisit without pain. But here you were, drawing me back to memories. Beautiful, wonderful memories.

And I realized then that the Ashby still had a great deal of life left in it because people like you and my dear husband have passion, intelligence, and enough “magic” to keep it so. I’m writing you to invite you back to the beloved Ashby Theater. I have alreadyenlisted your brother in renovations, and the previous board has started meeting again in order to reenlist the donors who have long supported this place. Peter must have hoped I’d come to this decision at some point, because he left substantial funds to make this happen.

All I need is someone with the energy and interest to help me bring Ashby back.

I believe that person is you.

Would you be interested, once your internship is complete, in becoming the executive director of the Ashby? I know your potential. Whatever your doubts about your age or inability, I believe I can provide sufficient answer to them.

I would love to discuss this further with you. Would you be open to a telephone call?

Sincerely,

JMC

From: Penelope Edgewood

To: Jacqueline Crenshaw, The Ashby Theater

---