Bells are Ringing at the Flaggs

The doorbell keeps ringing at the Flagg house. First Bob's mother arrives. Bob kisses her hello while Betty pays the airport limousine.

"Bob," says Mrs Flagg Sr. " We were so worried when you were gone. Felicia said you had amnesia. How could that happen?"

"Hi Granny," says Patsy. "This is my dog Bucky. Isn't he great?"


"I don't know how I got amnesia, Mother. I can't remember anything about it." says Bob




Ding Dong. The doorbell rings again.




It is Betty's parents, Dorothy and Dabney Drapeau.

"Mom, Dad, how lovely to see you both." says Betty as she welcomes them to her home. "We didn't know you were coming. You should have called."

"Grandma! Grandpa!" yells Patsy, jumping onto the couch to hug her Grandfather. "This is Bucky. he's my dog."

"My dear," says Mrs. Drapeau to Betty in a low voice. "Is everything okay? Did you figure out where Bob went?"

Before Betty can answer the doorbell rings again.

It is Bob's sister Felicia with her husband Philip Falon and their twins Freddie and Fern.

Patsy is excited to see her cousins. Betty and Bob invite everyone to sit down in the living room.

As everyone settles in for a nice visit an Betty mentally runs through the what food is in the house and what to prepare for all the unexpected dinner guests the door bell rings again.

It is Bob's cousin Debbie. Everyone loves Debbie and greets her enthusiastically.

I wonder what Patsy is plotting with her cousins. Those kids can cook up some great schemes.

"Don't worry,"  says Patsy. "I haven't actually done it, but it looks pretty easy. Just follow me."

There goes the doorbell again and in comes Betty's sister Bridget with her husband Bill Banner and her three kids, Bradley, Bunny and Prentice.

Bob is standing by the fireplace with Philip, Felicia's husband. "So, Bob," Philip says quietly. "Where did you really go and what did you do."


"I honestly can't remember anything from the time I went missing until I saw Felicia on the street that day." says Bob just as the doorbell rings again.

Betty can't imagine who it would be since the whole family has already arrived, so she is surprised to see the Mountie and the delivery man again.

This time they seem to be delivering a bride.

"Hello again ma'am", says the Mountie. "This young lady has reported a missing person and my policeman's intuition tells me that the missing person in question is the same missing person as your missing person.

"What on earth do you mean?" asks Betty. "Bob is not missing anymore. What would this have to do with him?'

"Just the facts ma'am. This lady is looking for a man who matches the description of your husband."

The bride starts to explain. "I met a wonderful man. He had no one in the world and I thought he was very romantic and mysterious. We decided to get married because he wanted so much to be part of a family. He felt that he was missing that in his life."


"Yesterday was our wedding day and I waited at the chapel for hours, but he never showed up. I filed a missing person report and the policeman brought me here."

"BOB!" yells Betty. "Could you come out here please?"

When Bob comes out Betty takes them over to the side. She doesn't want the family to over hear until this is straightened out.

My dearest," the bride says to Bob. "How could you leave me at the alter like that!?

"Bob! You were going to marry another woman?! Explain yourself." says Betty


"I don't remember anything." says Bob

Both women start talking at once, but Bob gets the feeling he is being watched.

"Oh my," says Felicia.

"So, I was right." says Mrs. Drapeau.

"Now dear," says Mr. Drapeau

"Lucky dog," says Bill to Philip. "Two beautiful women fighting over him.

"What was that, Bill?" asks Bridget.

"Nothing dear." Bill mumbles.

"My Bob would ever do anything wrong," says Mrs. Flagg Sr. " All of you be quiet now."

"Yes, everyone, be quiet. I can't hear what they are saying." says cousin Debbie.



Well, it seems that Bob has some explaining to do. Where was he while he was gone? What other things did he do? How did he get amnesia in the first place? Where did he meet the young bride?

Will we ever find out?


And with all the adults so interested in Bob and Betty's business has anyone thought to check on the children? I wonder what they are up to.

A Mysterious Delivery from California

Mrs. Flagg and Patsy are enjoying breakfast in their cozy kitchen. Bucky is close by, hoping Patsy will spill her cereal or drop her toast. Mrs. Flagg is about to pour herself some cereal when the door bell rings.


"Now who can that be?" asks Mrs. Flagg. "We aren't expecting anyone are we?" she asks Patsy. Patsy shrugs, but can't answer because her mouth is full.


At the front door they find a delivery man on a bicycle. He has a large basket balanced precariously on his handle bars.

"Oh my goodness!" says Mrs. Flagg. "Is that for us?"

"Yes ma'am," says the delivery man, "All the way from California."

"From California!! We don't know anyone in California," says Mrs. Flagg, "Who can it be from? Is there a card?"

"Well ma'am, there was a card, but it blew off the basket as I was riding over here, and it flew away. I didn't see where it landed." He just didn't want to get off his bike and chase it.

"You have a lovely uniform, by the way." says Mrs. Flagg.

"Thank you ma'am. They make us wear it. They think it makes the deliveries look more classy, but it's hard to ride a bicycle in these pants, and the buttons on the vest get caught on the packages. It does scare away dogs though, so it is safer to do my deliveries."

"Yes, I wondered where Bucky went. he usually comes to the door with us," says Mrs. Flagg.

She looks at the basket again. "Oh my. This is very exciting and very mysterious." says Mrs. Flagg. "Patsy, what do you think? A basket from California!"

Patsy isn't listening. She is fascinated by the delivery man's bicycle. She would like to try to ride it, but she isn't sure how to get on.

Besides the delivery man is ready to leave so she has missed her chance.

"You ride safely now. And thank you for bringing the basket!" calls Mrs. Flagg as her rides away.

"Thanks! Ride!" calls Patsy, wishing she had a bike.

In the living room Mrs. Flagg unpacks the basket. It contains California wine, oranges and sourdough bread.

"What a thoughtful gift," says Mrs. Flagg. "I can't imagine who sent it. What a mystery, If only he hadn't lost the card."

"Mom, can I have an orange?" asks Patsy.

"Not right now," her mother says, "You just had breakfast. Speaking of breakfast I had better clear the table. You and Bucky leave that basket alone. You can have an orange for lunch."

Yes, Mom." says Patsy says as her mother leaves the room. But she isn't really listening. She and Bucky are busy.

A few minutes later Mrs. Flagg is on her way upstairs. "Patsy," she calls, "I am going upstairs to make the beds. Remember what I said and stay out of that gift basket.

Patsy doesn't answer. She and Bucky are way too busy to listen.

I wonder if this mysterious basket has anything to do with Collette;s discovery over at My Realitty. Check this out!