There's A New Sheriff In Town!

The new sheriff was so bored. "If I have to give another littering ticket I just might move back to the city. Small towns are nice, but after the city life it's really hard to adjust. I feel like Sheriff Taylor in Mayberry. I'm only missing Barney as my deputy." He chuckled to himself as he looked through the paperwork that was on his desk. Little memos and notes from previous officers was about it. He did see a new wanted posted for a guy named K.R. No last name? Odd, but there is a lot of that going on nowadays, Cher, Ellen, Mars, Bluey and Bambi." He laughed out loud at those thoughts. "Cartoon characters, singers and talk show hosts. What a combo. He saw the mailman walking down the street. Hopefully the mail will have something a little more exciting for me than counting the minutes until the noon whistle blows," he thought as he tacked up the poster.

He decided to take the car and cruise the small town. "Never know there might be someone breaking the law. Maybe even a jaywalker." He shook his head and headed for the quiet neighborhood where Marleewood was located. He had been told about the community favorite of small children and their parents. By what he understood there were two grandmothers that used to go there a lot. There were stories told, games to be played and there were many rooms in the old place. "Probably haunted would be my luck. I'll just drive by and take another look. As he drove by the big old building he noticed a guy leaning against a tree. It seemed like he was hiding. "I think I'll park for a while and see what he's up to." About that time he saw the stranger run to the pickup that was hauling a long camper. "Hmm, I don't like the looks of that. I believe I'll pull up there and see what's going on."

He put on his biggest smile and "Hello there. What seems to be the trouble. Is everything alright?" As soon as he asked the question the elderly lady in the passenger seat started to cry and got out of the truck. He noticed that the stranger had started to walk away. "Hold on there fella. I just wanted to ask you a few questions. The man turned to look at him and immediately he recognized the man as the man on the wanted poster he had just put on his bulletin board. "Hey, stop! come back here. I want to talk to you! Oh you are a runner huh, well you are too old to run, buster. Stop!" Pleased that the guy stopped he caught up to him and said, "Okay, turn around, buddy. I've got some cuffs that have your name on them. We are going back to my office and have a visit."

Marlee called B and said, "Did Grandma Lu get arrested? What's going on? Mom said there was a cop car by their house."

Grandma B said, "Well, I can't imagine why that would be, Marlee. I'll call her and see what's going on. She has been acting strange lately. I'll call you back in a little bit."

Yvette had been calling and calling but didn't get anything but a busy signal when she called her old friend. She finally gave up and went outside to tend to her horses.

Nancy had gotten the strangest message from her friend's daughter. She said that she was worried about her mom. She had heard rumors that there was a stranger lurking by their house. Could she go over and check please?" Nancy assured her that she would. Grandma Lu lived about twenty minutes away. She had to hurry! She gathered up her purse and phone and soon was on her way. "I wonder what that old girl is up to now. She's always writing stories, maybe she got carried away. Maybe she stepped on someone's toes! Oh no. I think I know what's up. I've got to hurry!" About that time she looked in the mirror and saw lights flashing. "No! I don't have time for this. I have to help my friend."

The sheriff had changed his mind about his new home. Maybe it would be a fun place to live and work. He's arrested a man for loitering and breaking parole. Now a traffic ticket! His first since he had moved here. Things were looking up. "No, ma'am. No! Stop! Oh now you are really going to get a ticket. What's the matter with that lady? He turned on the siren and gave chase all the way to the building the townsfolk called Marleewood. It was close to Grandma Lu's house. When he arrived he couldn't believe his eyes. "I think the whole town is here. What gives? People were walking towards the front door carrying food and thermos's  with drinks. Dogs and cats were sitting with their humans. Children were crying and pulling on their mom's jeans wanting to know if Grandma Lu was going to jail. People were glaring at him like they thought whatever was the matter was all his fault. "Well, I guess I'd better see what in the world is going on here. "Whatever it is sure looks like I'm not their favorite person right now."

Aura had heard a commotion outside and jumped up to look out the window. "Wow! Penuche! Come look, she barked. That big old building down the street has all kinds of humans and dogs and cats over there. You suppose Mom would let us go over there and join the fun?"

Penuche was getting tired of Aura's puppy ways. Always wanting to play and go places. She was getting older and wanted time to reflect on her life; quiet time. "No! Leave me alone. It's my time of morning that is mine. Quit your barking. I'm tired! I just want to snuggle up to my favorite toy and rest for awhile. Now hush!"

But Aura and Penuche's mom had already noticed the cars, people, and pets starting to gather at Marleewood. "Oh it's so good to see life over there again. It's about time. I wonder what the occasion is. I hope Grandma Lu is okay. She's been acting a little off lately. I might go over there and see for myself." When she started for the door she had two sweet little dogs that were whining to go along. "Okay, since other folks are taking their pets this once you two can go along. But be nice, okay?"