Thanks, everyone!
Part Two Pinochle Melapis
Chapter 1 Comings and Goings
Pinochle has asked me to continue as narrator. He's better at expressing himself through his painting, he says. I'm not sure what he's trying to express here, but it's his first masterpiece, so we're all excited about it.
On his day off, he decided to throw a house party. I baked a cake for him, and he invited Aron and Kacie as well as the rest of our household. He got a gold for the event, although I don't think he talked to anyone but Kacie. She actually had her birthday at the party and turned into a lovely young lady.
During the party, Mitch got a reminder from Grim that he was on his list. He didn't know when it would happen, so he took a moment to tell Zoe how much he'd always loved her, and how happy he'd been throughout their marriage. At least, I assume that's what he said I'm not one to eavesdrop. (Pay no attention to the green arm at the left.)
The next day, Pinochle asked Kacie out for a date. He took her to the library, which seems like an odd choice, but he says he picked it because she's a bookworm.
He got a gold medal for the date, too.
Better still, Kacie agreed to become his girlfriend and to move in with us.
They came home to a sad scene, however. Mitch said, "What's that light?"
And then he collapsed to the ground.
I have to admit that I felt awful. Just a few hours before, he'd handed me a couple of Potions of Youth to help with our family's ambrosia. Indeed, it's because of Mitch that we have all the angelfish, and he was a big help with the death flowers, too.
Risk has been the chief mourner, however. Zoe has been quite calm she says it's because she knows she'll be joining Mitch soon. He was 111 when he died.
I do feel sorry for Risk -- Zoe has been trying to prepare him for the inevitable.
The next day Gavin left us.
I can't say anything more about that except that he was 112 and a fan favorite as a writer.
J is still with us, probably because of all the exercising he's done. He's been using the time to make amends to some of his children.
Kacie has forgiven him enough to beat him at chess.
She's a lovely girl outgoing and a bookworm and genius. After she moved in, she changed her hair so that it was the same style as the one in Pinochle's painting of his "dream girl."
I think Pinochle would love her no matter how she wore her hair, but I do think the style is more flattering than what she had before. I'm glad she didn't change the color I'm looking forward to having a red-haired grandchild. (I don't think Kacie is enjoying pregnancy much.)
Perhaps Pinochle is hoping for a carrot-top, too? Or perhaps he's been inspired by the work he's been doing in the garden.
The poor boy does feel like he's in a race against time, but at least he feels like he's winning. He's almost completed one aspiration, and he's accomplished all of his whims and three of his parties.
As for me, I decided to retire from my job.
You might think I've taken up drinking instead, but really, I'm just making sure we'll have enough on hand for Pinochle's next party.
