Morningstar Manor

Fall was finally here, meaning there were only a finite number of pleasant days left in the year. Bridget had decided to take advantage of this while she could, so after work she got dressed in some more casual clothes and took the kids to play at the park.

By the time the outing was over and Bridget brought them back to the Manor, both Penny and Jeth were all tuckered out and dozing in their double stroller. This was yet another opportunity that needed to be milked, so she stopped in the Mocha for a latte. She wasn't planning on being down there too long (there was still dinner that needed to be prepared), but a little break in the cafe while the kids were asleep wasn't a bad thing at all. She picked a table away from the main walking area so the stroller didn't get in the way and sat back to watch the customers as she sipped her drink.

"Now, this," he was saying as they strolled back towards the Manor, "used to be a pawnshop. Back when I was a kid. I remember the racks of old clothes inside and the battered musical instruments. You could smell it on the sidewalk."

He shook his head at the nice little bistro type restaurant that would apparently be opening soon.

"Everything changes," he said. "Not necessarily for the worst."