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The Secret Computer

Marnie confronted Bennie first thing in the morning. Bennie, however, didn't seem to be giving an inch. He never explained where he'd gone, and why he'd been gone so long, despite Marnie asking specific questions.

His only comment was he'd gotten exactly the groceries she'd asked for - and that he was his own man, he didn't have a curfew or anything. The kids tried to avoid the argument, but in an apartment the size of a postage stamp, it's kinda hard to do.

Benji was the first to find a Gnome.... because today was Harvestfest. He gave the reaper gnome a salad, figuring he'd troll the gnome and make it mad.. but the gnome actually turned out to like salads. Who knew?

Afterwards, Benji joined Jaz for some satisfying Party games, and showed off his skills, winning every game.

Perhaps in an apology for his misstep the day before, As soon as Marnie stomped away to cook breakfast, he took one of the twins outside to work on flash cards. One way or the other, though, he seemed to know he had some make up work to do.

Downstairs, Jaz finally found one of the other gnomes, and found out that it really didn't like fruitcake. She should have known. Nobody likes fruitcake.

Myles begged for forgiveness in his sister's stead, but the gnome wasn't in the mood. Poor Myles. He wasn't about to try again, so he went upstairs for breakfast, instead.

Bennie, curious about the lightning strikes downstairs, came down and decided to try his hand at a real apology. (The one he wasn't about to give his wife...) The naked gnome was more than willing to forgive the children their sins, it seems.. and the halo appeared. Jaz cleaned up the mess from the previous failed apologies without being asked, but, as usual, nobody even noticed.

Marnie (specifically waiting until Bennie had cleared the store) came down, found the last gnome, and expertly handed it a future cube, to the gnome's delight.

Then, she called for Myles. It was time to go to Willow Creek Library. And see if the Goths actually showed up. Because it was a holiday, Marnie left the twins at home with Bennie and Benji to watch them, and went with just her and Myles.

Amazingly, not only did the Goths show up... but Mrs. Goth had brought several of Alexander's geeky friends, too.. and talked all of them into starting a club... with Myles as the leader! Marnie felt completely overwhelmed with Bella's generosity, and tried to control a nervous stutter.

Myles, however, did not have the same problem, and he ran towards the library, excited to make friends and explore the amazing books in the shelves.

He carefully introduced himself to every member of "his" new club, and they went over the rules. Only geeky things were allowed. None of those frou-frou creativity things.

Club members were as follows: Olive Tinker...

Taku Akiyama (Miki's brother) and, of course, Alexander Goth....

Gideon Harris, and a new kid in town, Jamel Kidd.

Myles tried to spend as much time as possible getting to know the great Alexander Goth, and the two seemed to be getting along pretty well.

Nobody seemed to have noticed that Marnie was nowhere to be seen....

Instead, she was outside with a portable computer. Was it hers? She wasn't telling. But she certainly had a secret smile on her face as she watched the fish jumping in the water in front of her.

Then, with a contented sigh, she sat down to practice something she hadn't done since high school... writing. Her dream. She kept a close eye on the library, however, as though afraid of getting "caught".

Back in the library, Bella played at a chess board, keeping an eye on the youngsters, but unconcerned that Marnie had disappeared. She seemed to be enjoying her holiday away from her crying newborn back at home.

Outside, Marnie had a visitor. The lady tried to start up a conversation, but a quick rude comment or two had her making a hasty exit. Marnie never even bothered to get her name.

Myles and Alexander were now close friends, and the Librarian seemed to enjoy seeing Alexander actually interacting instead of having his nose in a book.

As darkness fell, Marnie reluctantly put the computer away (IN HER POCKET!) and headed for the library. She nearly tripped over another famous resident.. Nancy Landgraab. Waving jauntily at Nancy, she just acted like she belonged there.. and it worked. Nancy said hello, and even smiled at her.

After collecting Myles, they rode the bus home, both trying to hide smiles... and both failing miserably.

Myles headed for some dinner and playtime before bed, while Marnie was thrown immediately into the fray, with multiple things to fix in the house just because she'd been gone most the afternoon and evening. Her face showed it all. This was NOT her idea of a good life anymore.

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