Re: Melinda and Ellen
"October 8th," Ellen repeated, looking around. "Two weeks. I've been gone two weeks."
She reached for her phone, but her pocket was empty. Actually, she had no pocket. She was wearing the same white blouse, gray skirt and sensible shoes she'd been wearing during her ill-fated fight with Tony Stark, though at least the outfit wasn't shredded and burned.
Also no phone, no apartment key, or wallet. It was exactly what she'd been wearing when she first arrived in Madison Valley a month ago. It was...like she'd come and gone, and now she was back again. Which was apparently exactly what had happened.
Her heart sank as she realized John had to think she was gone. Or that she'd ghosted him, which was arguably worse. That, at least, would have been intentional. She had to call him. Right now.
She turned to Melinda Halliwell. Well, presumably. She hadn't actually confirmed that that was her name. "I need to call someone. Can I borrow your...never mind."
A nebbishy man in a suit was approaching. "Ellen Brandt?" he asked, though it was clear from him tone that he wasn't really asking. She nodded. "Welcome...back to Madison Valley," he said. "These are for you," he added, handing over a shopping bag.
A glance inside it confirmed that it contained a laptop and a phone. He also handed her a debit card and a keyring with a single key. "As are these," he said. "I do hope you'll be staying with us a while longer this time."
How did she answer that? Ellen settled for a wry grin. "I hope so, too. Thank you."
As he walked away, she turned to Melinda. "Well, there's something you don't see every day."