Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!

The River Road Adventures is a weekly mystery story where you get to decide what happens next. Each week, at the end of the story, you’ll be presented with three choices. Pick the choice that you think is the best conclusion and come back the following week to see what happens next. Updated every Wednesday morning, The River Road Adventures, follows the exciting escapades of Kitty Conn, the owner of the best bakery in Vista Falls, and a group of mystery solving fourth graders—Nancy, Sarah, Isaac and Kathy. Also along on each adventure are the members of the wealthy Trotter family and world famous historians/inventors Joel and Joan DeLorca (who have a pelican named Shakuntala) and their son, Eben. When last we saw our friends from River Road, they had just solved another mystery and joined the other people of Vista Falls at an outdoor banquet in honor of the local Police Chief, Sam Colbert. Mr. and Mrs. DeLorca were thinking about staying in Vista Falls and even buying a building on the town square when they were interrupted by a tall, attractive woman—Mia Duomo. Mrs. Conn was shocked to see the self-absorbed Mia Duomo who had been at the center of one of their past adventures. What happened next? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 1:
Mama Mia

“Joan, my dear.” Mr. DeLorca held his wife’s hand as they walked around the Vista Falls Town Square. Shakuntala perched on his shoulder as they walked. “Does this place remind you of anywhere? The people? The smell of pies and dozens of fried foods—some on sticks, some not?”

“It’s a bit like Londonderry.” Mrs. DeLorca smiled dreamily, remembering Londonderry—a place where they had spent many happy times.

“Yes. And, I say Shakuntala likes it here. Lots of fish in Old Martin Creek and all that. What would you think about sticking around here for awhile? Goodness knows, Mrs. Conn could more than adequately fulfill our baked-good needs.” Mr. DeLorca grinned as he thought about Mrs. Conn’s lovely pies. Mr. DeLorca loved pies! He loved them almost as much as he loved stuffed tomatoes!"

“I wouldn’t mind staying. I noticed there’s a building on the other side of the square that would make a good workshop for us and even have enough room for Eben to open up a gallery in the front.” Mrs. DeLorca answered. Their grown son, Eben, was a dealer of antiques and fine paintings. She liked the idea that they could all be together and open a business in Vista Falls.

Suddenly, they were interrupted by a tall, attractive, blond woman.

“Building!” The woman barked. “Building? Really, you two! You can’t have that building. I’m going to buy that building. You see, it’s beautiful. And, really, anyone can see that I’m beautiful. So, a beautiful woman such as myself should have a beautiful building in which to do beautiful things!”

Shakuntala flapped her wings wildly.

“Who are you?” Mrs. DeLorca asked. “I’m sure you can tell us—beautifully.”

“You don’t know me?” The woman sighed. “How is it possible that you don’t know me? Well, I suppose it’s dark out here. If we were in the proper lighting you’d know me. I’m famous, you know. Very, very famous. I’m…”

“But, before the woman could say another word, Mrs. Conn walked up to her. Mrs. Conn’s jaw dropped. “Mia Duomo!”

“That’s right!” Miss Duomo confirmed her identity. “It’s me—Mia Duomo, world-famous former runway model, style maven and fashion icon!”

“You’re back.” Mrs. Conn said as her eyes widened.

“I’m back.” Mia Duomo nodded. “And, doesn’t the town just feel so much prettier for it? All the more reason why I should have that building on the other end of the square! It’s really all just too perfect for me. So, look into my stunning eyes and tell me, honestly, that the building should be mine.”

Mrs. DeLorca looked Mia Duomo squarely in the eyes and smiled. “I think the building is for sale to whomever gets to it first.”

“Well that would be me.” Mia Duomo laughed. “I always get to everything first. Don’t I, Kitty Conn?”

“You have a way of getting to things, yes.” Mrs. Conn nodded.

“How kind of you,” Mia Duomo gushed, shaking her head slightly so that her blond hair danced on her shoulders. “So, tell me, Kitty. Did you miss me—me, beautiful, exciting me?”

“Well, Mia, all of us think of you often.” Mrs. Conn answered honestly.

“Of course you do. Really, everyone does. Don’t they?” Mia said seriously. “What’s not to think about? I’m fascinating. Don’t you agree?”

“I say,” Mr. DeLorca frowned slightly, “I suppose you’re fascinating. Not quite as fascinating as that lovely display of pies over there.”

“Are you comparing me to a pie?” Mia Duomo sniffed.

“Nothing compares to pie.” Mr. DeLorca shook his head. “Well, except maybe a nice tomato salad. I say, there’s an idea. Pie and tomato salad. I suppose, however, that combining the two would really be something akin to a pizza—something I also find fascinating. Very flavorful and all that. Yes, yes.”

“Who are you?” Mia Duomo raised an eyebrow.

“Joel DeLorca.” Mr. DeLorca shook Mia Duomo’s hand. “And, this is my lovely wife, Joan.”

“Joan DeLorca?” Mia Duomo asked. “The crime-fighting art historian?”

“That’s me.” Mrs. DeLorca smiled.

“Well, you’re famous. Both of you. Almost as famous as I am. But, no one is really as famous as I am.” Mia smiled.

“You’re a designer or something?” Mrs. DeLorca asked.

“I’m a FASHION MODEL.” Mia said firmly.

“Miss Duomo is a former fashion model.” Mrs. Conn nodded.

“No one can ever really stop being a fashion model. People all around the world look to me for inspiration. I offer hope to the masses through my excessive beauty, style and grace.” Mia shook her head.

“I offer fish to my pelican.” Mr. DeLorca nodded.

“Is that what that is?” Mia Duomo wrinkled her nose and looked at Shakuntala.

“’That’ is a ‘she’ and her name is Shakuntala. She’s my large-beaked friend. A fine bird. Aside from being a master at knitting, Shakuntala can make ships in bottles. She’s teaching me. I find it rather difficult, but I’m learning.” Mr. DeLorca smiled at his bird.

“I don’t understand. What’s going on? Why aren’t we talking about me?” Mia Duomo looked confused.

“Yes, let’s do talk about you.” Mrs. Conn said quickly. “How is your daughter, Lily?”

“Lily is…” Mia Duomo paused. “Beautiful…like her mother.”

“But, is she still…” Mrs. Conn began.

“Yes, Kitty Conn.” Mia interrupted her. “My daughter is still in prison for what she did here. Yes.” Miss Duomo looked uncomfortable.

Before they could discuss Lily any further, Eben DeLorca joined his mother and father.

“Hello,” Eben smiled.

“Oh, hello!” Mia Duomo exclaimed. “You’ve come, no doubt to get my autograph. Well, it is really quite an inconvenience, but I don’t mind.”

“Actually,” Eben answered politely, “I’ve come to see if my mother and father wanted something to eat.”

“Always.” Mr. DeLorca grinned.

“But,” Eben continued, “I’ll take your autograph, I guess. Who are you?”

“Oh, my dear.” Mia shook her head. “Have you all been living under a rock?”

“No, I’ve been living in Paris.” Eben smiled.

“Under a rock in Paris, no doubt.” Mia sighed. “I’m especially famous in France. I’m Mia Duomo—beacon of all things beautiful.”

“I see.” Eben shook her hand. “I’m Eben DeLorca—seller of all things antique.”

“Are you saying I’m an antique?” Mia huffed angrily.

“Not at all.” Eben said quickly

“Eben, Eben, Eben.” Mia continued. “Just what is an Eben?”

“It’s a nickname. My name is Ebenezer.” Eben explained.

“How unfortunate.” Mia said huskily.

“How so?” Eben raised an eyebrow.

“Well, it’s just such a clunky name. It doesn’t roll off the tongue like my name. Mia. Say it. Mia.”

“Mia…” Mrs. Conn began.

“Yes. That’s right.” Mia continued, unaware that Mrs. Conn was going to politely ask her to change the subject.

“I like my name.” Eben said graciously.

“It’s a fine name.” Mrs. DeLorca frowned. “It suits our son.”

“But, perhaps he has a more beautiful middle name that he could go by.” Mia continued, still unaware that she was offending the DeLorcas. “What’s your middle name?”

“Oh, it’s not important.” Eben smiled even though he was beginning to get angry.

“Yes, yes it is. I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to help you be more beautiful. That’s me. Me—that’s who I am. I help people be more beautiful.”

“I help my pelican use the hot glue gun.” Mr. DeLorca grumbled.

“Now, tell me,” Mia Duomo went on, “What’s your middle name?”

Eben grunted.

“What? What was that? I didn’t hear you even with my perfect shell-like ears.” Mia sighed.

“Pie Crust.” Eben frowned. “My middle name is Pie Crust. My name is Ebenezer Pie Crust DeLorca.”

“It was my father’s name.” Mr. DeLorca smiled proudly.

“Pie Crust!” Mia Duomo howled with laughter. “What a ridiculous name! You poor, poor man.” She continued to shriek with laughter.

“Mia, please. The DeLorcas are my friends.” Mrs. Conn said gently.

“Oh, but really, how utterly absurd!” Mia guffawed.

“I like my name.” Eben said. “It reminds me of my family.”

“How sad!” Mia hooted. “How awfully sad!”

Mrs. DeLorca listened as Mia Duomo made fun of her son. She became angrier and angrier.

What should Mrs. DeLorca do?

Go to next chapter!

Voting results for how the story continues:

Vote!

River Road Ch. 1: What should Mrs. DeLorca do? She should carefully explain that she doesn’t appreciate Mia Duomo making fun of her son. 69.2% She should politely change the subject. 30.8% She should shout, “Be quiet, you rude woman!” 0.0%   Version 2.03