Page 33 of Positively, Penelope

Date: September14

Subject: Re: Curiouser and curiouser

Ooh, Izzy! That’s such a great idea!

There are lots of young people at the church the Grays attend, but I haven’t met very many of them yet, so I’m not certain they are the theatrical sort. However, I’m meeting with some of the folks from the online theater troupe tomorrow evening and maybe I can get some pointers from them about who to ask! I’ll reach out to Gwynn too! She knows everything abouteverything. Or at least, she knows things I want to know, so that’s what matters to me.

BTW, Matt told me I had to convince Grandpa Gray to open up the other stage. He’s the one who closed it because it was such a precious, intimate stage to his wife. Surprisingly, Matt didn’t mind the idea; he just doubted my abilities to convince Grandpa Gray. I tried not to laugh. Clearly, he underestimates my charm... and baking abilities.

And Alec invited me to lunch. It wasn’t my best look today for lunch with a man who is built like Chris Evans and looks like Chris Pine. I’d been in the storage room looking for any costumes and props to ensureMy Fair Ladyblooms with excellence, and I’ll admit that it was kind of embarrassing when he pulled a cobweb out of my hair. But it was a wonderful lunch. He talked about his travels. Lots of travels. They sounded exhausting, and that’s coming from me—someone who really likes the idea of traveling. He offered some marketing ideas, but... to be honest, they weren’t very good ones, so I asked him if he’d be willing to do a promotional interview for the local television station. He seemed to like that idea. He also held my hand and complimented me on my shoes (I wore my white and black oxford heels and felt very much like... um... I won’t mention her because Luke doesn’t like that musical). Alec likes to hold hands in the braided fingers way. You know what I mean? It’s not my favorite because I have bony knuckles. Bony knuckles against bony knuckles get uncomfortable after a while, especially if you’re squeezing hard, but since he smelled like the sea and sandalwood, I didn’t mind so much.

Anyway, I found a TREASURE today. The very first playbill forPeter Panat The Darling House. It was in good shape, so I immediately placed it between two pieces of cardboard andtook it to my office. I think there are more also. And letters! Letters from patrons who enjoyed the theater for years. Sweet notes! Somebody should do something with these things so that others can enjoy them too! The paraphernalia hidden away is remarkable and in surprisingly good condition.

Treasure-hunting damsel,

Penelope

PS: I would like to add that both Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn are/were positive people overall. I take great encouragement from them. Not only were they positive, but they were smart, talented, and kind. Just because someone is happy doesn’t mean they can’t care and think deeply.

PPS: A favorite quote from Audrey (I like to refer to her with just her first name): “Happy girls are the prettiest,” and I believe that means at the heart. Not just superficially.

PPPS: For some reason, I can’t refer to Julie Andrews as anything less than Julie Andrews, or the Queen of the Stage, or Empress of Musical Delights.

From: Luke Edgewood

To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood

Date: September14

Subject: Re: Curiouser and curiouser

“You are so weird.”

By: Me

PS: The Empress of Musical Delights plays a mean tooth fairy.

Text from Matt to Penelope:The next time you wish to move large boxes from the storage cellar to abovestairs, would you please ask for help?

Penelope:I almost made it to the top of the stairs on my own!

Matt:If I hadn’t caught you, I’m afraid our intern would have become another ghost of the theater.

Penelope:Fine. Thank you. I will ask for help next time... if the boxes are big.

Penelope:Do you mean there are ghosts in the theater????

Matt:Aren’t there always?

Penelope:You’re teasing me. That’s a good sign. I knew the chocolate éclairs would work magic.

Penelope:BTW, Grandpa Gray and I went for a lovely walk in the gardens out back of your house. He told me about his and Granny Gray’s wedding day. Oh! I’m so glad she had cherry blossoms at her wedding. They’re one of my favorite blossoms.

Matt:Unfortunately, their blooming life span is very short.

Penelope:But they leave a lasting impression. That’s the important part! Not only are they lovely and vibrant, but when the wind blows the petals loose, the world is covered with pink. Sigh. Lovely. It’s an image that can last a long time.

Matt:I believe you may have stepped directly out of one of those movies you keep showing my daughter. It’s a bit unnerving. I’m beginning to think you’re not real.

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