Page 34 of Positively, Penelope

Penelope:Um... the bruise I left on your forehead when you “rescued” me would suggest otherwise.

Matt:Ah, yes. That would help with proof.

Matt:By the way, thank you for helping with the actors this week. You have quite a gift for motivating people in a positive way.

Matt:And I don’t want to know why you have marbles in your bag, but they came in quite handy.

Penelope:I keep them for anyone who might have lost theirs.

Penelope:I saw that you read my last message and for some reason I can almost feel you smiling. Don’t correct me if I’m wrong. I’d rather believe it’s true.

Skymarian Theater Troupe

From: JA

To: GK

The theater group was such fun! I stayed out much too late with them last night, but they truly are so close-knit and encouraging. I’d met two of them already because they’re performing where I’m working, so that made meeting the whole group a lot easier. But most everyone was so welcoming, even if I had to ask some people to repeat themselves too often. I’m still getting used to the accents, and so many all at once was... new. Anyway, it was wonderful! Theater people connect with other theater people.

Plus, by the end of the night, several of them volunteered to come help me with a super-secret project! They were thrilled about my idea and really believe that the arts have taken a hard hit over the past few years. They want to find a way to resurrect that “vintage” love of the stage and dance and music and story!!

And what a mix of ages! Kinleigh couldn’t have been more than seventeen. I wonder if Fiacla has a children’s theater group? (Will google that after this email.) I think Kinleigh would be an excellent mentor for younger thespians. I started teaching younger kids about singing and acting when I was even younger than her. It was one of the best experiences of my life!

Just googled. It seems that Emblem is the only real gig in townfor children’s theater, but they’re producing obscure plays that are politically charged. Hmm . . . classics are classics for a reason. Do you think it’s a bad idea to want to bring back the classics, even if we tweak them a little to fit our needs? So many of them spanned ages and socioeconomic differences because they told good stories. Good stories and great acting (plus a few excellent songs) really can go a long way!

Anyway, I’m planning to meet up with Rae, Oliver, and Marsh for lunch this week to talk about the secret project, so that’s exciting. Hope to hear from you soon!

PS: Quick question. Sasha said that Liam always wears a kilt. Is that true, or was she teasing me?

Text from Luke to Penelope:Don’t ever try to do a video call from a bicycle again. Though it was great comic relief from a brother standpoint and your fall was cushioned by grass, I’m now seasick.

Penelope:I had you hooked onto the basket, so I thought it would be a good setup to show you my progress without holding the phone at the same time. Did you notice my hat? It’s new. I got it from a place called Alexandria’s.

Luke:The hat that flew off like a Frisbee and nearly decapitated a man walking his dog? That one? And please tell me you are wearing tennis shoes to ride that bike!

Penelope:Of course I’m wearing tennis shoes. They have navy polka dots. To match the hat. And that man’s name was Mr.Lawrence Carrington, who happens to be a banker in the area and adores theater. He liked my hat.

Luke:So you try to only de-CAP-itate people you know. That’s an encouraging thought.

Penelope:Well, I didn’t know him until just now, but since he walks in the park a few times a week, we’re sure to get to know each other even better. Next time, he’s going to bring his lovely wife who played Mother Superior inThe Sound of Musicabout ten years ago at The Darling House! Isn’t that wonderful! I feel as though we’re bound to be friends.

Penelope:De-CAP-itate. You’re such a dork!

Luke:You’re bound to be friends with everyone you meet.

Penelope:Not everyone, but it certainly helps when you’re far from home to at least try to find SOME people to hang out with, you know?

Luke:Penny-girl, you NEVER have trouble finding people to hang out with.

Penelope:There are people, and then there are the right people. Sometimes a girl needs people for her heart and sometimes she just needs people for company. It’s easy to find people for company, but not always easy to find people for my heart.

***

The phone buzzed in Penelope’s pocket as she pushed the bike inside the little storage shed beside her cottage. Her brother’s number lit up on her phone screen and a sudden sting pricked at her eyes as she brought the phone to her ear.

“I’m really okay. I promise,” she said as soon as she heard his deep “Hey.” “It’s got to be lunchtime for you.”

“I have a few minutes. Can’t hurt to check in every now and again.”

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