missing

Bob the Elf is missing. He came to pick up the girls' letters to Santa yesterday, but he didn't come right back as usual. I suggested that the letters were probably really heavy and the trip took longer, that's all. He'll be here soon, for sure! (In completely unrelated news, I've been emptying and re-emptying Christmas storage tubs for two days.)

As I tucked in the girls, Lauren said, "I wonder if Bob will come tonight." She looked at me, "If you find him."
"If I find him?"
"I mean . . . if he finds us . . ." I held her in a steady gaze, until she said, "Ummm, bye bye!" I narrowed my eyes a little and hers got bigger. "Awkward silence?"

I wonder how she and the other girls will feel about the email I just received from bobtheelf.northpole@gmail.com:

Mom Moore, 

Hi. This is Bob the Elf. Sorry I'm late. I know the girls have probably been looking for me. I delivered their letters to the North Pole, drank some hot chocolate with maple syrup, then went right back out to fly to your house. But on the way I lost my GPS! I ended up in Anchorage instead of Arlington! But good news, I went through the doggy door of a house that looked nice and warm, and the family who lives there has an elf I know. His name is George, and he is so nice. He showed me how to make a gmail account so that I could send you a message, and he gave me a map to follow to your house. The trip will take longer, but please tell Ella, Lauren, Audrey and Kate that I'll be there soon! I think that instead of flying back and forth all the time I'll just stay at your house until Christmas. I hope that's okay! 

See you soon. Love, 

Bob