The Gingerbread Princess

Unfinished Ghosts

This is the extended version of my award-winning story, Unfinished Ghosts. I moved it from the collection of the same name.  I don't use italics because it's not a dyslexia-friendly font.

Janky Fluffy

"How do I pretend my life isn't falling apart?" Gracie Tyler-Pepper adjusted her blue cocktail dress and walked towards the café.

The sky clouded over with darkness, and another rainstorm approached. A rainstorm that would stop the searchers from finding the body.

Gracie spoke again, her voice cracking. "I need to find her. She can't be left to the wild animals. Mother deserved better than that. Why do I have to show up anyway?"

"Everyone will gossip, and it'll hurt Marvin's feelings," Hilda said from behind.

Gracie dragged her sister back to the car. She whispered in Hilda's ear. "Can we leave? I feel sorry for Marvin. He always dreamed of a church wedding." She stared at the building.

Wait staff placed fake glitter pumpkins on the other side of the bay window and displayed a deep bowl with Jack-o-lantern suckers and chocolate marshmallow stars.

The town, Cupcake Hollow, was named after a popular cupcake factory. It opened its newest café/party palace after Buy All the Good Books closed down.

A group of artists painted over an old mural of a writer riding a rainbow.

Gracie couldn't escape the aftermath of her mother's accident or Marvin's sudden marriage.

"I don't even have my favorite comfort reads," Gracie mumbled.

A chalkboard menu could be seen from the outside. Autumn specials, pumpkin cheesecake, cupcakes, tomato soup, haunted salads, and creepy sandwiches.

Her stomach rumbled. It had been nine hours since Gracie had eaten anything. She needed to eat.

Another sign was placed in the window. Join us for our weekly book signing.

A few of The Happy Orange Fish Café's staff set up a picnic table outside. Two authors set up their book displays.

A romance author signed his latest book under a woman's name, and Marble Brooks signed western novels under a male pseudonym. Gracie stopped for a moment and bought signed copies.

"At least I can read a book while I wait," Gracie said. "The one thing I love about Cupcake Hollow is the books."

Her sister pulled her back towards the car.

"You feel sorry you aren't the bride. Are you still in love with him?" Hilda hugged her sister.

"Everything happened yesterday, and I haven't slept. I still need to search the lake for Mom and...um, Dad." Gracie opened her purse and pretended to read the Western novel.

"You need a two-hour break. Do you love Marvin?" Hilda asked.

"Yes, I still love him. But it's sad how it ended." Gracie stared at the brick façade of the café. "It ended in death." She stuffed the books into her purse.

"It wasn't your fault," Hilda said bluntly.

Gracie hugged her sister. "If I drove, Father wouldn't have fallen asleep at the wheel, he would have worn his seat belt, and Marvin wouldn't have asked Nancy to marry her during the search. She wanted Mom's job, so she'll probably get it."

"I'll be there for you," Hilda whispered.

"I meant to tell Marvin that I loved him before the accident. But I miss Mother more, and I feel guilty."