He brightened. “What if I know where she is?”
“Do you?”
“My aunt Dixie apparently convinced her to move into the Starlight Old Folks’ Home in Alienn. She waved at me. Told me to tell you where she was.”
“Interesting. I had no idea she planned to move.”
“Well, my aunt already told her we eloped.”
“Of course she did. Your aunt is funny.”
“Hilarious. Miss Penny said it wouldn’t be any fun here without you, so she moved. I think it’s a great idea. I figure you would have been worried about her if she stayed here.”
“I just wished she’d told me.”
“Yeah. Good luck with that. If she’s anything like my aunt, you’ll be lucky if you get even one second of warning before the next crazy scheme ensues.”
“Good to know.”
Later that day, Juliana and Diesel found Miss Penny at her new digs in the Starlight Old Folks’ Home. They drove up a long stately drive to the front door. The big brick place, looking like somewhat of a Tudor mansion was on a large lot with a nicely tended green landscape.
“Nice place,” Juliana said. “Do the rich and famous of Arkansas live here?”
Diesel laughed. “Not that I know of. The place was donated as a residence for the elderly a long time ago with enough of an endowment for upkeep.”
“There you are, Juliana.” She looked at Diesel. “Hello, young man. What do you two think of my new home?”
Diesel raised his eyebrows as if suitably impressed and nodded, but didn’t say anything.
Juliana said, “I love it, but I was worried about you, Miss Penny. I didn’t know you were moving here.”
“Miss Dixie Lou Grey told me you’d eloped with this handsome young man you’ve been seeing.” She cackled with glee. “I approve, by the way. Not that you need my permission.”
“Well, I’m glad anyway. I hope you’ll be happy here.”
“Oh, I will. This is a very nice town. I already feel like I belong here. I figured it would be better for me to come here. That way I can still keep an eye on you. In fact, I’ll keep an eye on you both.”
Diesel said, “My aunt also told me an interesting story about you, Miss Penny.”
“Did she now?”
“Turns out you tested as part Alpha-Prime, too, but unlike Juliana, I suspect you already knew it.”
Juliana stared between her husband and her friend. “What?”
“It’s a long story, child, but suffice it to say, I’ve been watching out for you since you were born.”
Diesel asked, “Were you on the Lost Colony flight that crashed?”
“Well, if I was, I’d be over a hundred and fifty years old by now.”
“That doesn’t really answer the question Miss Penny. In fact you just answered my question with a question. Have you been taking lessons from my aunt Dixie on how to be wily?”
Miss Penny cackled with glee. “Maybe. I sure do like your aunt. She’s a hoot.”
Diesel cleared his throat. “So about the Lost Colony flight, will you share your experience?”
“Do you know how old I am, young man?”
