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 215: Despite asking for direction, Lenore seemed to know where everything was located and soon the scent of coffee was wafting through the kitchen and beyond.
Despite asking for direction, Lenore seemed to know where everything was located and soon the scent of coffee was wafting through the kitchen and beyond. Penelope watched her move around easily, seeming to be much more familiar with the space than Penelope was. Lenore said that she was friends with her mother and Penelope suspected she spent a lot of time in the space.
By contrast, Michaelson looked distinctly uncomfortable. He held the box of plants and looked at the kitchen counter as though uncertain about putting it down. “Maybe up in the garden,” Penelope suggested.
“Okay,” he said. He looked around and Penelope led him through the house to the stairwell. When they reached the stairs to the roof, he reached for the doorknob with one hand, balancing the box against himself.
“I should be able to get it up the stairs,” he told her. He tried turning the knob. It wouldn’t turn. He tried pulling the door. It wouldn’t pull. Penelope walked over and the door opened easily.
“Or I could just follow you up,” Michaelson said. She wondered if he was thinking of Delia’s place.
‘I guess my house doesn’t like people wandering unattended either.’ As she climbed the stairs to the roof and opened the door into the garden, she wondered if Lenore was having any issues in the kitchen. Michaelson stepped into the garden area and looked around.
“Nice,” he said as he set the box down on the small café table. “A good place to have coffee in the morning.” He looked at her. “Once you have both hands working and can carry the coffee up.”
“I’m thinking of a thermos,” Penelope said. I can keep it sealed and shove it under my arm when I need to operate the door.”
“Smart,” he said with a smile. He turned and walked back to the dor. Penelope followed, closing the door behind her and locking the exterior door. They descended the stairs and she closed that door as well. The two of them joined Lenore in the kitchen.
“Let me guess,” she said. “He couldn’t make it up on his own?”
“The door wouldn’t open,” Penelope said.
“I’m not surprised. Given that it was often used for practicing the space has always been more private than any place in the house and doesn’t tend to like any visitors.”
“Really?” Penelope said. “It would be a nice place to sit and chat.”
“It would,” Lenore agreed. “And your mother tried to take me up there for the same thing. I could get up to the garden but there was a feeling of watching that prickled the skin and made me feel like I was an invader even though I was invited.”
“Then it isn’t just me?” Michaelson said. He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. “It felt distinctly, unwelcoming.”
“Too many people in the bloodline have abilities with plants and needed a place to practice and learn while in the city,” Lenore said. “It’s become a family only space in the house.”
“I always feel welcomed up there,” Penelope said.
“Well, it is your house,” Lenore said. She laughed. “I would almost have liked to see what happened if an invader made it to the garden level. I half suspect the plants would attack on their own.”
“They did seem rather lush and unfriendly,” Michaelson said. “If plants can be unfriendly.”
“They most certainly can,” Lenore said. “The stories I could tell you about Jerome’s greenhouse.” She shook her head.
Ten til Midnight 