Wow, that was almost ajoke.
“That’s good,” Delaney said. “And as long as you follow Ordinary’s rules during this very small window of time while you are here, I hope you enjoy theevent.”
“Are you notattending?”
He took a moment to glance at each of us. Probably noticed for the first time that none of us were wearing costumes, which was a crying shame. I mean, even Myra usually put on a pair of kittyears.
“We have a kidnapped penguin to find,” Delaney said. “And some gnomes to check inon.”
“Ah,” Death said. “Perhaps this will help.” One minute he was just standing there. The next he was standing there with a very familiar penguin statue at hisside.
“Youkidnapped the penguin?” Iasked.
“I merely assured it would come to noharm.”
“And the little red devil horns it’s wearing?” Delaneyasked.
“In following the rules of Ordinary, I understand one can not kidnap the penguin unless one is willing to decorate it in such a manner as is blog-worthy.”
I grinned and reached for my phone. “Yeah, we have got to get a picture ofthis.”
And we did. The aloof, ashen angel of Monday, and the sweet little penguin with devilhorns.
I could already tell it was going to be my new favorite picture on theblog.
“Shall we?” Deathasked.
“Shall we what?” Delaneyasked.
“Shall we attend thecelebration?”
“We don’t even have costumes,” Isaid.
Delaney and Myra both reached into their pockets and pulled out head bands. Myra’s gave her kitty ears. Delaney’s gave her a unicornhorn.
Delaney unzipped her coat to reveal the “Sparkle Hard, Baby” T-shirt she wore. Myra did her one better by having not only a leopard-print shirt, but by also having a kitty nose and whiskers to wear, and a cute little pink bell on achoker.
“For real?” Because my sisters outdoing me on Halloween would simply notdo.
“At least you’re not in costume,” I said toHogan.
“Got it right here.” He pulled a white beard out of his pocket, attached it over his ears, then picked up Abner’s head. “I’m the gnome-whisperer. Want to see my amazing talkinghead?”
Ohgods.
“Say something, head,” Hogansaid.
“Something head,” Abnermimicked.
Hogan laughed, and I rolled my eyes. I’d almost rather they went back to the knock-knockjokes.
“Fine,” I said. “Give me a second. I’ll out-costume youall.”
Because there was no way Jean Reed was going to do Halloween byhalf.
