#theogray

WIP

Some of you may remember my story The Wren Song...

The story of Theo Gray and the Pengrove House.  This is a continuation of his story.

Coming Spring 2020 - Song of the Robin

Michael’s spirit was finally free of the house, and he was able to leave and return to the last place he was alive, the lighthouse...

THEO- “I don’t understand why you would want to come here Michael...”

MICHAEL- Because this is where I must leave, Theo. My song is over, and it was because of you that I can finally be free and be at peace.

THEO- “I don’t understand?”

MICHAEL- “Theo, you were meant to come to that house, and we were meant to meet. You were my wren song, and I was yours. I found the truth because of you.”

THEO- “And I found my family, because of you.”

MICHAEL- “Exactly!

Over the next few weeks and months, an investigation was done into the disappearance of Michael Mullaney by the Brindelton Police and the FBI. Michael was never located and the story that he ran away was found to be a falsification.

FBI launched a search at the lighthouse and surrounding area for the body of the young 15 year old teen aged orphan, based on the story told to them by Lena Atwood. And three months later a skull was found near the location where Michael’s body would have landed from a fall from the lighthouse. DNA and forensics determined that the skull must have washed up from the bay and was that of Michael Mullaney.

With the testimony of Lena Atwood, the former, Ophalena Gray, Charles Penngrove was located and questioned into the death of Michael. Charges were filed and finally Charles Penngrove confessed to accidentally causing Michael Mullaney to fall from the ledge of the Lighthouse.

He was tried and sentenced for his role in Michael’s death. Due to the time that had passed, they were unable to prove Lena’s testimony that Charles purposely pushed Michael to his death and he was sentenced to seven years for involuntary manslaughter.

Lena Atwood was not charged with any crime and returned back to Del Sol Valley where she retired from movies and TV.

During the investigation, Penngrove House was closed by the state due to lack of funds, and Edwina Baker bought the home and would try to continue to continue the work of Jonathon Penngrove and provide a safe haven for children, both boys a girls, a safe home to grow and make their mark in the world. However, she was unable to keep the home running and it was finally closed, and became Edwina’s private home.

As for Theo Gray, he was adopted by his aunt, Lean Atwood and soon relocated to Del Sol Valley, where he would finish High School and hopefully have a long and happy life....

Later that night, after Theo had worked his last shift as the dishwasher at the Country Club, he sat out on the bench reflecting on how his life would soon change.  As he sat there, he didn’t realize that Teagan Rivers had walked up upon him…over the past months, they had somewhat formed a friendship with one another..

TEAGAN- “You look as though you lost your best friend, Theo…”

THEO- “I have actually. But what about you, you’ve been extremely quiet lately. What’s up with you?”

TEAGAN- “It seems as though I’ve lost all my friends, but that’s okay, they weren’t my friends after all.

THEO- “Sorry, that’s tough.”

TEAGAN- “Yeah, but I will be fine. I wish I could just move away from here too.  You are lucky Theo Gray.  You get to leave this place and start over.”

THEO- “I suppose. But listen Teagen, it may seem like things are terrible right now, but it will get better.  And you haven’t lost all your friends.  I think of you as my friend, I hope you think the same towards me.”

TEAGAN- “You are okay, Theo, you seem like a great guy, but you are leaving.  I’m still here. Found out today that my father is going to be a daddy again.  Some woman he has known for years had a one night stand while he was at a conference a few months ago, and now she is pregnant.  My mother is divorcing him to marry this guy she barely knows, and me…well let’s just say I made a mistake about trusting a guy.”

THEO- “I’m really sorry Teagan, I wish I could help you…but I am sure if you ever need to get away, my Aunt would let you come and stay a while, maybe this summer?”

TEAGAN- “Running away isn’t the answer.  I just need to work through it, but maybe.  Thanks for the invitation.  You keep in touch Theo.  I’m glad I met you.”

THEO- “Same here Teagan. Just remember, sometimes it takes others to help you sing your song.”

TEAGAN- “Okay…whatever that means.  You are a weird one Theo Gray.”

THEO- “I suppose I am.”

They went down to the site where Michael’s body had fallen and Michael’s spirit began to fade right before Theo.

MICHAEL- “Always remember to look for the truths in life Theo.  Never accept what others tell you, seek the truths for yourself.

THEO- “Life is not always what it seems, is it?”

MICHAEL- “No not always. Secrets will destroy people. Help them sing their song.”

The next morning, Theo went directly to Miss Baker’s office and explained to her what Lionel had told her about Ophalena / Lena Atwood. Of course he never mentioned anything about Michael, as he didn’t want her to think he was crazy!

EDWINA- “Well you surely have done your homework, Theo and I know how important it is to you to try and find your birth parents, but what if Lena Atwood refuses to talk to you.  I mean she may do that, and even if she does see you, she may not be any relation to you or your birth mother.”

THEO- “I completely understand, but I have to know. The coincidence is just too much not to.”

EDWINA- “I just don’t want to see you getting hurt, Theo. I would love for you to find your birth parents, but there was a reason why this was done privately.”

THEO- “I understand that as well, but I have to do this Miss Baker.  I just have to!”

EDWINA- “Okay, I will see what I can do to try and get a meeting or phone call or something with this Atwood woman.  I will let you know as soon as I can.”

MICHAEL- “So how did your first night at work go?”

THEO- “It’s a job, but I did find something out from the guy there that is my boss...Lionel Behrey.”

MICHAEL- “Lionel Behrey is your boss!!??  He is still alive? He has to be old! He was Ophie’s mom’s cook back in the day.”

THEO- “That is what he said, and he told me a lot more about her....

MICHAEL- “Okay, what???”

THEO- “She moved away after her mom divorced her dad, took her and her sister to Del Sol Valley. Ophalena married some big producer guy, but had no kids. She is a big star now, She is on TV now, goes by the name of Lena Atwood.”

MICHAEL- “And what about her sister?  Maybe her sister is your mother!?”

THEO- “Could be...he also told me something about you.”

MICHAEL- “About me? What did he say?”

THEO- “He said that you just ran away.  No one ever knew where you went. or what happened to you.  He said a lot of guys used to run away from here, it never was investigated.”

MICHAEL- “Well, we both know that wasn’t the case...”

The next thing I remember I was standing on the ground, at the bottom of the ledge, the lighthouse’s shadow over us, and Michael’s limp body sprawled on the ground.

I didn't remember anything after that until years later. We left him lay there, and returned to the mainland and Charles told my mother that Charles had jumped!!

My mother, of course didn’t believe that, but at the same time, didn’t want me to be involved in any of this. From what I recall, she told Charles to take care of it. Which I assume he went back and drug Michael’s body into the bay. I really don’t know what he did, but the authorities were never contacted, and when we were questioned about where Michael was by Mr. Penngrove, Charles told him he ran away.

I withdrew from everyone and everything and refused to leave my room. My mother took me and my sister who was just a little thing then and left Brindleton Bay, and I was admitted into a hospital.  A mental hospital where I was treated for over a year and finally released. Once released, I left home and moved to Del Sol Valley, never to return.  And cut all ties with my mother. I never spoke or saw her again after that, until she called to tell me that my sister had died.

I never went to police once the memories of that day returned, as I had no proof that Charles pushed him.  It was my word against his, and years had passed by then. But every day I thought of Michael, and that day once those memories returned. But I had no idea that Michael’s spirit was not at rest.

THEO- “So you are telling me that Charles Penngrove pushed Michael to his death?”

LENA- “That’s exactly what I am saying. Theo, You have to believe me.”

THEO- “I believe you, but I can’t believe that Charles Penngrove continues to live his life like nothing happened. And he is responsible for his death, and hiding his murder...I have to go to the police, Lena...”