Page 95 of Positively, Penelope

Luke:Which would be the greater hurt? Caring about each other openly but having to sort out logistics? Or knowing you never tried?

Penelope:Wow. I just groaned from the possible pain of the second option.

Luke:Then it sounds like you might have an answer.

Luke:BTW, joke’s on you. I own a derby.

From: Izzy Edgewood

To: Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood

Date: October23

Subject: Re: A ball and Peter Pan

Penelope!!! Oh my goodness! You are living your very own Maria von Trapp moment! Joyful, happy, singing young woman (not a nun) and handsome (is he handsome?), dancing, single dad. Do you see the similarities? It’s perfect for you. Unless it’s not. But from what you’ve mentioned on our video calls, he seems like a sweet guy.

But long-distance relationships ARE hard. Even though Brodie just left last week from visiting, I’m already missing him something horrible. I just keep reminding myself that I will move there permanently by Christmas and then I’ll start a long-distance relationship with you guys. But I know it’s the right thing for me. Kind of like I think you know that coming back home is right for you.

And that’s the weird part about life. Personal choices.

It’s sad that so many fiction books celebrate the woman who leaves all she’s known to venture forth into the great wide world, but few praise the choice to love the familiar. To find joy in where you are and create magic nearer to the places you’ve always known. To me, they’re both worth acknowledging.

But it is a big decision and if you don’t know how he feels, then I’d take my time observing his responses. Because the truth is, either choice is a big deal. Either way, someone has to sacrifice. And SOMEONE will eventually have to move because... kissing and stuff like REAL LIFE.

On a different note, is there a way to view any of these performances online? I know that’s become somewhat commonin this day and age, but I didn’t know whether The Darling House allowed for online purchases or not. I’ve heard of folks downloading a code to watch the film once and then they cannot access it again. Is Darling doing that? I’d love to see what you’ve been doing!

Are you going to send us a video of the museum too? I’d love to see it!

Love and prayers,

Izzy

***

The sound of “Moon River” filled the living room as Penelope curled up on her sofa to finishBreakfast at Tiffany’s. A fire crackled in the small rock fireplace nearby, and she tucked her socked feet deeper into the blanket while sipping from a magnificent cup of hot chocolate. She’d taught Iris how to make homemade hot chocolate earlier that evening when she kept the little girl so Matthias could finish dance lessons.

After Penelope had helped Iris with her homework, they made sugar cookies and hot chocolate—the weather had turned cold fairly quickly over the last two days. Iris said the wind feltsnell, which must mean biting, because that’s exactly what it felt like to Penelope. Thankfully, Penelope knew how to start a fire and help with first-grade math. Making hot chocolate, baking cookies, and spending time with an adorable seven-year-old were just an added bonus.

Matthias had arrived in time to join them for cookies, his presence as warm and inviting as the baked scent lingering through the house. And each time their hands or arms touched, Penelope embraced the wonderful tingles of awareness at his closeness. She’d purchased acedar-scented candle to keep on her nightstand just to sniff occasionally in order to work up courage.

Courage to make a very hard choice—loving him and Iris from very far away.

However long that far away may last.

Her attention returned to the screen as Audrey Hepburn, playing Holly Golightly, sat on the windowsill, guitar in hand, and George Peppard, with his excellently groomed hair, stared down at her from his window. And he smiled. The smile that let you know his heart was already gone. It belonged to Holly in all her ridiculousness. Penelope grinned.

And that character would later tell Holly these wonderful words: “People do fall in love, people do belong to each other.”

She rested her head back against the couch. She knew she belonged back home for now, but could her heart also belong somewhere else? With someone else? Did Matthias smile at her like Paul smiled at Holly? Was he where she belonged, regardless of where that was?

Her phone buzzed on the side table, so she reached for it. Grandpa Gray’s picture appeared on the screen.

“Hello, dear Grandpa Gray.”

“Good evening, Penny-girl. I hope it’s not too late to call.”

She relaxed against the cushions at the sound of his kind voice. “Not at all. Just watching a movie.”

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