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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!
Last time, Mia Duomo was visiting Mrs. Conn’s house where she chatted with Mr. DeLorca and Eben who told her that if she wanted to join their investigation, the whole group would have to vote. Mia told tales of her modeling days and hoped that, at least, she would be invited to breakfast before going to the Trotter Mansion to see the rest of the group. Mr. DeLorca decided that since Mia didn’t seem interested in eating the things that interested him the most, she could stay for breakfast. Mrs. DeLorca came downstairs and joined her husband and son. She was followed by Shakuntala who flew over to Mia and stared at the former model. Mia was uncomfortable with the giant pelican staring at her, but she didn’t want to say anything for fear of offending the DeLorcas. What happened next? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 27:
Voting Day
“She likes you.” Mr. DeLorca grinned. “I say, but that’s interesting and all that. Yes, yes, but she likes you a lot.”
“She’s staring at me.” Mia shivered.
“It’s an honor.” Mr. DeLorca grinned.
Mia was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. She knew that the DeLorcas, and, frankly, everyone else in town, wasn’t sure if she was a decent person or not. She wanted so much to be liked and accepted. So, she hesitated to say anything about how unnerved she felt by the pelican staring directly into her ear. Part of her wanted to scream and run out of the room. But, she knew that would offend the DeLorcas, and, that was the last thing she wanted to do, especially since she wanted so badly to be included in the day’s investigation.
Shakuntala leaned closer to Mia Duomo and made a little pelican noise in the former model’s ear. Mia shuddered.
“Oh my, really, she makes the most interesting noises.” Mia said nervously.
“She’s communicating with you and such.” Mr. DeLorca smiled. “This reminds me of the time that we were all at the skating contest in Londonderry.”
“Skating contest?” Mia asked nervously. “You mean there was a contest in Londonderry that didn’t involve baked goods?”
“Don’t be silly.” Mr. DeLorca laughed. “We were skating on enormous pie tins. The winner of the contest received an all-you-can-eat coupon to the Londonderry House of Large Pastry. A good business, that.”
Shakuntala squawked in Mia’s ear.
Mia laughed nervously.
“Yes, yes, I think the bird remembers.” Mr. DeLorca grinned. He spoke to the pelican, “You remember what you told me that day?”
Shakuntala was silent.
“I say, she’s’ gotten shy quite suddenly. Modest, and all that.” Mr. DeLorca continued. “Well, I’ll tell them, don’t worry. You see, Shakuntala was on my shoulder. You ever skated on an enormous pie tin with a huge pelican on your shoulder? No. I see. Well, I say, it’s jolly difficult. But, Shakuntala was ever the sports-pelican; she cheered me on, right to victory and all that. Went something like this…” Mr. DeLorca rose and started flapping his arms in the air. “Squawwwwk! Squawwwk!” He imitated the pelican.
“Oh, my. Beautiful me.” Mia’s eyes widened.
Shakuntala flapped her wings, making a breeze that tousled Mia’s blonde hair.
“Yes, yes, that’s just the way she sounded. Is it any wonder that I won?” Mr. DeLorca asked.
“No, not surprising.” Mia answered, feeling all the more uncomfortable as Shakuntala put her large beak even closer to Mia’s ear.
“Yes, she does like you.” Mr. DeLorca nodded, sitting back down.
“Perhaps Miss Duomo is not used to pelicans, darling.” Mrs. DeLorca observed.
“No. No. I’m fine.” Mia lied. “But, perhaps you could show me how well trained she is. Maybe you could call her to you.” Mia added politely.
“I say, that’s easy.” Mr. DeLorca answered proudly. “Shakuntala, my dear girl, come here.”
Shakuntala flew over to Mr. DeLorca and sat on the back of his chair. He praised the bird. “Well done, and all that.”
“Yes. Well done.” Mia nodded; feeling better that the giant bird was on the other side of the room.
Mrs. Conn came cheerfully into the living room. “Breakfast is ready. Oh! Mia, I didn’t know you were here.”
Mia explained that she had hoped to join them on their adventure, but that Mr. DeLorca suggested the whole group vote.
“That sounds fair.” Mrs. Conn concluded. “Meanwhile, I hope you’ll stay for breakfast.”
“Yes, thank you.” Mia answered with a surprising politeness which didn’t go unnoticed by the others.
Within seconds, they were all on their way into the dining room where Fritz and Nora had set up a lovely breakfast for everyone. As they ate, they talked about “The Woman in Gray,” Bonnie Whiteside and all of the strange goings-on that they had witnessed the night before.
“I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Conn said to the DeLorcas, “that every time you’re in town, something strange seems to be happening.”
“It’s quite fine.” Mrs. DeLorca smiled. “We’re used to such things. We’re just glad to be of service.”
“I say, this is a lovely breakfast,” Mr. DeLorca spoke up, paying more attention to what he was eating than what was being said.
Everyone giggled—even Mia Duomo who had not even mentioned herself or modeling or even the world of high fashion in almost half an hour.
Soon, breakfast had been eaten and it was time to walk up to the Trotter Mansion to meet the others.
Eben hugged his dog, Sheridan, and promised he’d be home soon. Mrs. Conn thanked Fritz and Nora for all of their hard work and for watching over the dogs. Then, they all headed up the hill to the Trotter Mansion.
They walked quickly. Mia had a hard time keeping up with them. Her shoes were uncomfortable. But, she didn’t complain except to say that, “I wear very high heels. It’s not that I’m short, really, I’m just the perfect height. It’s just that I wear very high heels because they’re so fashionable.”
“Would you like us to slow down?” Eben asked.
“Oh, no, I’m just talking about shoes.” Mia smiled.
“I like shoes,” Mr. DeLorca nodded as he walked with Shakuntala flying next to him. “I say, what are those made out of?” He pointed to Mia’s shoes.
“Leather.” Mia answered.
“Oh.” Mr. DeLorca nodded slowly. “I’ll have to make you a pair out of sweet potatoes. Much, much more comfortable.”
“That would be…” Mia searched for the word. “Interesting.”
“Wouldn’t it? And such?” Mr. DeLorca agreed.
When they arrived at the Trotter Mansion, they rang the bell and waited for someone to answer the door.
Within a minute, Uriah Trotter answered, a smile on his face. “Welcome friends.” He scanned the group with his eyes. “Oh, Miss Duomo, you’re here, too.”
“What?” Violet Trotter shouted from inside.
“Miss Duomo’s with our friends.” Uriah shouted back.
“Meddling model,” was the response.
“Come in, everyone.” Uriah said. “We’re all waiting in the drawing room.”
In the drawing room, Eugenia Victoria, Annie and Violet Trotter were waiting with the Nancy, Sarah, Isaac and Kathy.
“Hi!” Nancy said brightly. “Hi, Miss Duomo.”
“Are you coming with us today?” Sarah asked Mia cautiously.
“Well, I’m hoping to.” Mia said.
“Intrusive interruption.” Miss Trotter muttered to herself.
“You see, we thought it would be best if we all voted to see if Miss Duomo should join us.” Mrs. Conn explained. “So, shall we vote?”
“I know my very vociferous vote.” Miss Trotter whispered to Annie.
“The spiders have already voted.” Eugenia Victoria said in her odd, cheerful way.
What should the outcome of the vote be?
Go to next chapter!
Voting results for how the story continues:
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47.6%
28.6%
23.8%
