Page 41 of Positively, Penelope

I got back to my cottage this afternoon, and since it is such a beautiful day, I decided to take a bicycle ride. Lucky for me that I did! As I was passing the park, I saw Mr.Carrington with his wife walking their dog. Mr.Carrington looks a great deal like Christopher Plummer in his older days, like his character inNational Treasure, but surprisingly, Mrs. Carrington doesn’t look anything like an older Julie Andrews. She gave off excellent Judi Dench vibes, like from James Bond. I only saw a James Bond film once because Luke tricked me into watching it by saying it wasa classic. Just imagine my sad surprise when I discovered that “classic” for him and “classic” for me mean very different things. Though I got him back by letting out an appreciative whistle every time Daniel Craig showed up without his shirt.

Anyway, I’ve been invited for lunch with Mr. and Mrs.Carrington on Tuesday to talk about the theater and past stories and, well, I’m not sure what else, but they seemed excited too. And I got to hold their dog, Tootles. Isn’t that wonderful, Izzy? Do you know who he was named after? Here’s a hint: It’s a character in a musical! In fact, Mrs.Carrington is a die-hard musical lover, which makes her one of my favorite people! She even likes hats! And Mr.Carrington has one of the best mustaches I’ve ever seen. I’ve asked them to adopt me as their temporary granddaughter while I’m away from home.

Izzy, in answer to your question about Emblem Studios and The Darling House—all I know is what Gwynn has told me. She said that Matthias has been doing a little research about how to improve things for the theater and Alec has been trying to build connections outside Skymar for financial support, which is what led to them hiring me, because Matthias’s research had led him to learning about broadening their online presence and having a more consistent/active social media presence. And you guys know how much I adore social media. And graphics. And people!!! (Though I’m really glad that Gwynn is helping manage some of the social media, because this internship position has become LOTS bigger than any of us planned.)

Penelope

PS: I drove all the way to Skern and back without damaging Matthias’s car at all, though at one point I got blocked in on bothsides by cars when I stopped at one of the villages during market day to get a snack. I couldn’t open my door at all so I crawled through the window. Let me just say, all those times I crawled out my bedroom window weren’t in vain. I got my shoulder strap caught near the very end of my exit and a sweet little farmer and his wife caught me before I reached the ground.

PPS: They had the prettiest pig I’d ever seen. Her name was Esmeralda. I felt sorry for her because I’m afraid I knew her fate to be very much like her namesake’s.

PPPS: Not thatThe Hunchback of Notre Dame’s Esmeralda ended up as a roast or something. I’m sure I wouldn’t have liked the musical half as much if cannibalism was involved. I’m just saying both Esmeraldas didn’t make it back alive, no matter how well they could sing... or squeal, as the case may be.

Text from Penelope to Josephine:Did you get the link I sent you about pumpkin outfits for babies?? It was buy-one-get-one-free. Did you realize by having twins, you’d automatically get such amazing deals? I can’t believe you had such foresight!

Josephine:You’ve put too much stock in my planning abilities, Penelope. If you recall, the twins were a surprise. And these pumpkin costumes are for three-year-olds. Not three-month-olds.

Josephine:And, Penelope, please stop having gifts shipped here for the babies. I don’t have room for them all. Tap shoes can wait! Ember and Noah can’t even walk yet. I know you’re homesick. I can tell from the daily video messages you leave while singing to the babies.

Penelope:It’s never too early to fall in love with shoes. Can you tell whether the babies recognize my voice or not?

Josephine:If they’re crying, they will quiet when they hear you sing.

Penelope:What? Oh my goodness! That just made me the happiest aunt ever. Just imagine what in-person singing would be like for them. It’s very bonding, I hear.

Josephine:You can always end your internship early. I’m sure they’d understand if you want to come home.

Penelope:I am a little homesick, but I have a job to do here and I’m loving it! I just didn’t realize how much I love home until now. Isn’t that so strange? I’m not supposed to be the one who loves home so much. I’m the adventurer.

Josephine:There’s nothing wrong with loving home, Penelope. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to go on adventures or even move away like Izzy is planning to do. But don’t let all those big dreams in your head stop you from seeing that sometimes the best adventures can still be in the simplest things. Like home and family. And O’Dell’s cheeseburgers.

Text from Izzy to Penelope:Brodie told me that you, him, and his little sister discussed The Lord of the Rings long into the night. You! The woman who feigns ignorance about who Gandalf and Bilbo and Frodo are ALL. OF. THE. TIME. Explain!

Penelope:Okay, Izzy. I confess. I’ve always known about LOTR. How could I not with you in the house? But it was incredibly fun to tease you about it. The fact you believed me was even funnier. And it seemed to makeyou so happy to explain things as if I didn’t know. So I just went along with it.

Penelope:Besides, every time you’d talk about it, I always learned more. I can’t tell you how many times I won trivia games at college just because of something you told me.

Izzy:You pretended? All that time?? I don’t even know what to say.

Penelope:Not ALL the time. At first, I really was pretty clueless. But then when I would get something wrong, you’d always get so excited to correct me. And after your breakup, anything I could do to bring about your smile seemed a good choice. Besides, most people think I’m a ditz anyway. It’s an easy part to play.

Izzy:First of all, I KNOW you are not a ditz. Second, your intentions were good. Your means... skeptical. Third, do you realize how much paraphernalia I bought for you to help your memory? And fourth, WTG on the trivia.

Penelope:All right, for the means, I’m sorry. For the trivia, I did you proud. :) And for the paraphernalia, I have digital and physical versions of the books and movies, a mug that reads “I am no man,” and an Andúril envelope opener. I was holding out for a Gandalf hat, though. :)

Izzy:Well played, girl. And I demand you make it up to me by having a LOTR trivia match, face-to-face, with Brodie as the referee.

Penelope:You really want me to eat humble pie, don’t you? Well, I’ll agree if I can wear a Gandalf hat while competing.

Izzy:Deal.

***

Everything was quiet. Too quiet.

Matt pushed back from his desk and stepped to the doorway. It was much too early for the cast and crew to be making noise on the stage, even for some of the earliest arrivals. Dani’s wife, Leigh, with Brooke toddling behind, usually arrived by ten to start laying out props and checking all the details for rehearsal. He didn’t know how the performances would survive without the two of them. They’d basically taken over planning for the past few years, happily serving on what meager stipend Matt scrounged up for them. Mostly it was Dani’s work, with Leigh helping as motherhood allowed, and Dani working around his plumbing schedule.

People made a great deal of sacrifices for what and who they loved. For their dreams.

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