Friday, 13 August 2021

Mysteries of Lawndale - The First Party - Part 3

 

The First Party Part 3

That afternoon, Jane and Stacy met Daria and Quinn outside the Morgendorffer residence again.

 

“So, this afternoon?” Stacy asked.

 

“You know about Brittany’s party this weekend, right?”

 

“Sure.”

 

“We’re going to walk to the edge of Crewe Neck and back,” Daria said.

 

“Good idea,” Quinn said.

 

“Yeah,” Stacy agreed.

 

“Let’s go,” Jane said.

 

 

The four of them soon set off, heading south towards Crewe Neck through the neighbourhoods that made up the area of Lawndale that was usually called ‘Lawndale West’. They zigzagged through the streets. Daria thought that that would give them all a better feel of the area.

 

 

They had reached the edge of Lawndale West, and indeed Lawndale’s main urban area when they heard someone call out to them.

Daria turned. “Hello?”

 

“Daria, is it?”

 

“Yes, and you are?”

 

“Aleesha.”

 

“Last name, Nibblett,” Stacy whispered in Daria’s ear.

 

“Right,” Daria said. She looked at the African American teen. (It really wasn’t a mystery why Lawndale was so white.) “So you are wondering why I’m going towards Crewe Neck?”

 

“Not really. I know that Brittany did invite someone new to her party.”

 

“Right,” Daria said.

 

“The Mystery Club is also interesting.”

 

“You can ask at the office tomorrow.”

 

“Sure, so can I come now?”

 

“I can’t stop you.”

 

“Cool.”

 

 

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived outside Crewe Neck. “So what now?” Quinn asked.

 

“We go back to our place, along different streets,” Daria answered.

 

“OK,” Quinn said.

 

 

An hour later, all five arrived at the Morgendorffer residence. They sat around the kitchen table.

 

“Your parents must be rollin’ in it,” Aleesha commented.

“Huh?” Daria said. ‘Why would she say that? Are her parents struggling?’

 

“This is a large house,” Aleesha said.

 

“I suppose it is,” Daria said.

 

“Our old house was smaller,” Quinn said.

 

“Right...”

 

“I think they want to know what they do,” Jane said.

 

“Ok, Dad’s a Consultant who also dabbles as a Private Investigator,” Daria said.

 

“And Mom’s a lawyer,” Quinn said.

 

“That would explain that,” Aleesha said.

 

“And your parents?” Daria asked.

 

“My Mom stays at home, Dad is a mechanic,” Aleesha clarified. She looked at Jane.

 

“If we’re doing this, sure. Dad’s a photographer and Mom’s a pottery designer.”

 

“Mom is manager of a store in Cranberry Commons, Dad is also a mechanic,” Stacy added.

 

“Right,” Daria said, making a mental note to write it all down later. She took out the notebook. “So what did we notice about the neighbourhoods we walked through?”

 

 

 

Friday, 3 October 1997

Aleesha entered the office.

 

“Hi, Ms. Nibblett, how can I help you?” the receptionist asked.

 

“I would like to join the Mystery Club.”

 

“More people joining. Ms. Li is going to be curious. What is it about that club?”

 

“Are you new here?” Aleesha asked.

 

“No.”

 

“This town is very mysterious.”

 

“I guess I have to spend more time outside the school,” the young receptionist said. She handed a copy of the paperwork to Aleesha.

 

“Thanks,” Aleesha said. She quickly filled out the forms.

 

 

That afternoon after school, Daria, Quinn and Stacy approached Jane’s house.“So, what are we doing again?” Stacy asked.

 

“Jane’s brother is going to drive us around Crewe Neck,” Daria asked.

 

Stacy glanced at the early Seventies car in the driveway. “In that?” she asked.

 

“I’m sure it’s safe,” Daria said.

 

“Sure,” Stacy said.

 

“Look past the appearance. No one will take notice of us in it,” Quinn said.

 

 

Trent Lane heard a knock at the door. ‘That must be Janie’s friends,’ he thought. He opened the door.

 

 

Daria was surprised when the door opened. She hadn’t expected Jane’s brother to be so, handsome.

 

“Hello,” he said.

 

‘Must speak! Must speak!’ “Hi.”

 

“You must be Daria. Janie said that you’re coming.”

 

“You must be Trent,” Daria said.

 

“That’s right, you can all come in.”

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