When Danny Cloke writes to his favorite author, he doesn't think he'll end up with bargaining with a ghost!
But Cyril Spectre turns out to be a spirit with mighty powers, and he's happy to take revenge on Danny's real life, twenty-first-century wicked stepmother for all the dreadful things she's made him do, like eating fried-hair sandwiches and cleaning up after her vicious pet hyena, Cuddles.
Danny's desperate to stop aweful Aunt Mildred, but Cyril's wild magic comes at a price. Too late, Danny realizes what it means to take a turn in tyo the grave.
It's tough being a crotchety old widower in this day and age. Banker lady serves you eviction papers so they can build a shopping mall on your property. Then, a supernatural horror attempts to claim your soul even as you attempt to move your bowels ...
What will prevail? Despair or a resurgent human spirit?
A touching short story of endurance and redemption ... with a little potty humor thrown in! (about 10,000 words.)