Stealing the New Year

Mother Combs was called to the New Year Passage Commission for a dire case. It seemed as the year drew to an end they had lost track of Baby New Year. They had looked everywhere but could not find her anywhere and were scared she’d been kidnapped. So they had called in Mother Combs to help solve the mystery.

The suspects were gathered in the den, waiting for the arrival of Mother Combs. When she arrived, she questioned each one individually about their whereabouts during the day before anyone noticed Baby New Year missing. She thoroughly questioned them, asking them what they had had for breakfast that morning. She wanted to know everything but what kind of underwear they wore.

When she had completed questioning everyone, she paced the floor. Mother Combs rubbed her chin and scratched her head. She stopped and held her hand up. Mother Combs put her hand down and began walking anew. Finally, she announced she knew what had happened to Baby New Year.

“Now, let me tell you what happened.

“ At 9 am, Rick Henry Christopher was seen giving Baby New Year a new rattle. The Baby laughed and enjoyed what Rick was saying to her.

“At 9:15, Rene Peters was seen playing peek-a-boo with the Baby. The Baby was enjoying playing the game with Rene. Rene was heard telling the Baby that she was a cutie pie right before she went to find some Keto-friendly breakfast kippers.

“At 9:30, Hannah Moore was seen helping Baby New Year with a bottle and changing a wet diaper. Once Hannah had changed the diaper, she burped Baby by bouncing her on her knee.

“At 9:45, Baby was tired and bored. Paul and Ruth Stewart both see Baby rubbing her poor eyes. They teamed up, as only they could do. Ruth rocked while Paul recited his poetry. They laid a smiling, content Baby down for a nap by 10 am.

“10:30, Thavien Yliaster has a debate with Mike Singleton - Mikeydred. It gets loud. Poor Baby is awakened early from her nap. She is crying and cranky. No one can make her happy.

“10:45 Baby tries to take some steps. Dharrsheena Raja Segarran throws pillows at her each time she stands up and tries to step, knocking her down. Dharr thinks this is a splendid game.

“11 am, it’s time to feed the baby, but the baby is nowhere to be seen. Everyone looks everywhere for the baby, but no one can find her anywhere.

“At 6 pm, the Commission, at its wit’s end, calls Mother Combs to solve the mystery.

“Do I have all the facts straight?” Mother Combs asked.

Everyone agreed that so far, Mother Combs had the gist of everything.

“Dharr was the last one with Baby; she must have taken her,” Hannah accused.

“I did not. What would I want a messy old Baby for,” Dharr shot back.

"I know it's not me, I just got here," Celia inUnderland said.

“Hush now, no one in this room took Baby New Year,” Mother Combs answered.

Everyone wanted to know what Mother Combs meant.

“There are two people on the list, not here now, who I surmise will show up at 11:50 pm, with Baby New Year in tow with them,” Mother answered.

“For you see, when Baby New Year couldn’t be comforted and wouldn’t stop her crying, these two’s grandmotherly instincts kicked in, and they did what any Mimi and Nana would do. They took Baby out for a treat. As a matter of fact, here they are, right on time.

“Hello Denise and Cathy, did Baby enjoy her ice cream?” Mother asked as Denise E. Lindequist and Cathy Holmes walked in carrying Baby New Year. Baby was covered in sticky chocolate, holding a stuffed tiger from the zoo, and very happy with her new friends.