I wasn’t quite finished with the story I was telling by the time 2025 ended and so decided to continue it until it reached an ending point. Then I will start a new one. Besides, I kind of want to see where Penelope ends up. And so we have…
Day 212: As she was drying them, Penelope heard the doorbell ring downstairs.
As she was drying them, Penelope heard the doorbell ring downstairs. Wondering who it could be, Penelope dropped the towel on the counter and went downstairs. When she looked through the glass she saw both Mrs. Merriweather and Agent Michaelson standing on the other side. They were eyeing each other in mutual distrust.
Disliking the thought of more violence in front of her house, Penelope opened the door. “Mrs. Merriweather, Agent Michaelson, what a pleasant surprise.”
Before they could answer they all heard the neighbor’s door open and all three looked over as Delia emerged.
“Delia,” Mrs. Merriweather said a smile spreading across her face.
“I thought that was you Lenore,” Delia said coming out of the house. Penelope decided to step out of hers and join the gathering, pulling her front door shut behind her. She noticed a box with a few plants sticking out of it placed by Agent Michaelson’s feet and Mrs. Merriweather was holding a small paper wrapped package. It was the size of a book and she guessed it probably was. Nether was paying attention to her. Both were looking at her neighbor, Mrs. Merriweather with delight and Michaelson with a more cautious study.
“I thought you were out of town until the fourteenth,” Mrs. Merriweather said.
“I was but then my alarms started going off and I had to return. Francis forgot to set hers, as usual so I hat to call her,” Delia said. “She should be back in a few days. Se has to wait until the cruise ship docks.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Merriweather said. “Can’t jump ship in the middle of the ocean, what would people say?”
“With Francis they would say please throw the crazy woman a life preserver. As much as she loves cruises she never learned to swim.”
“Well then it is probably good to wait until; it docks.”
“It is,” Delia agreed. “So what brings you here?”
“I was dropping off a book for Penelope here,” Mrs. Merriweather said.
“Ah and she knows…” Delia looked from Penelope to Mrs. Merriweather.
“That Jerome is more than likely my biological father?” Penelope supplied since no one else seemed certain how to finish the sentence.
“Of good, you know,” Delia said. “I would have hated to have tip toed around that for the next few months.”
“Which is why you brought it up at the first opportunity,” Mrs. Merriweather said dryly.
Delia shrugged clearly unapologetic. “Were you going to drag it out?”
“No, I was just looking for the right time. And I didn’t know how she felt about her family.”
“As they are currently being investigated for misusing her funds I imagine they aren’t on the best of terms,” Michaelson said seeing his opportunity to jump into the conversation.
“Are they really?” Delia said. “How dreadful, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have feelings for them.” She scolded Agent Michaelson. “You have the look of an imperial agent about you. Have you come to explain the invasion?”
“Invasion,” Mrs. Merriweather said. “What invasion?”
“The one that set off my alarms,” Delia explained. She looked to Michaelson.
Ten til Midnight 