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A Response Part 2
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2021-02-24 11:12:55“Well, hello there, Corey,” a jolly voice cried out, causing Corey to look up and meet two sparkling blue eyes. “How are you this fine day, my boy?”
“Sir, it’s nice to see you,” Corey replied, offering his hand, unsure as to whether or not St. Nicholas had heard his mutterings. “I’m doing well, thank you. And yourself?”
“Couldn’t be better,” he chuckled as he released Corey’s hand, thin and small in comparison to his own. “I’m very excited to hear that you were able to procure a replacement for the recently deceased Mrs. Meriwether. She served me well for over two hundred years, God rest her sweet soul.”
“Yes, sir, we were all very sad to see her go,” Corey replied, a distraught look plastered on his face, his voice ringing with lamentation.
St. Nicholas shook his head slowly from side to side, his great white beard rippling as he did so.
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Maevis had been kind enough to write her response on her father’s stationary, find an envelope, seal it, and accompany her back to her cottage where she now alternated between standing next to the fireplace, pacing, and sitting agitatedly in the rocking chair, arms crossed as she let go the frequent “humph” or sigh.Once again, Maevis said calmly, “Serendipity, calm down.He’ll be here soon. He said it could be a couple of hours, and it hasn’t even been one yet.”Serendipity, who was currently sitting in the rocking chair, rocking furiously as her little friends did their best to keep their tales out of harm’s way, replied, “I know that. But, really, what in the world could be taking so long?”“I haven’t the foggiest idea,” Maevis stated. She was sitting in the only other chair, the one near Serendipity's paints, and each time the opportunity presented itself, she would inconspicu
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Serendipity listened carefully but did not blink. Finally, after several minutes of silence, she asked, “Would you want to come with me?”Maevis wrinkled her forehead in question. “To stay?”Serendipity nodded once sharply before adding, “Not that I’m even considering it.”Letting go of a deep sigh, Maevis replied, “I couldn’t child. Oh, I’d miss you something awful. And I’d want to visit, if that’s allowed. And I’d write you letters and hope that you could find a nice elf to write me back. But, no, I couldn’t go with you.”Cocking her head to one side, almost like a cat, Serendipity asked, “Why not?”Studying her interlaced fingers carefully, Maevis replied, “Well, I have things to do. I have… people who need me… friends… responsibilities.”Serendipity continued to stare at her without blinking.Maevis
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A knock at the door caught the words in Serendipity’s throat. Perhaps it was a good thing, as she wasn’t exactly sure how to reply to Maevis’s statement.She didn’t know precisely how many times Corey had knocked, but she pulled herself to her feet, wiped the tears away from her eyes, and crossed to the door, all without saying a word.She threw off the lock and pulled the door open, blinking against the sun, and saying nothing, she turned to get her coat--her mother’s coat--off of the hook by the door.Maevis crossed over quickly and helped her put it on, neither of them addressing the man standing in the doorway.At last, as Serendipity turned to face her, Maevis straightened the fur collar around her neck, and said quietly, “Take care, my darling,” and kissed her gently on the cheek.Serendipity nodded her head and said quietly, “I will see you soon,” before looking around her cottage one l
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Corey glanced in Serendipity’s direction and could instantly tell that she already knew what he was not yet willing to admit to himself; he fit in the latter category. Was he happy? Of course not. Was he doing what he wanted to do with his life? Well, he had never imagined himself doing anything else.He changed the subject. “Let me tell you a bit about our facilities,” he began.“Why?” she asked that right eyebrow arched again. “I’ll only be there for a few moments, just long enough to collect Pozzletot.”“True,” Corey replied, swallowing hard. “But it is part of my job to do so, and doing my job makes me quite happy, and you do want me to be happy, don’t you, Serendipity?”There was that charming grin again, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “All right then,” she acquiesced, smiling in return. “I shall humor you.”“Very good,” he s
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