Ghost Granny

by Carol Colbert

  Ghost Granny

  By Carol Colbert

  Copyright 2016 by Carol Colbert

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form without written permission from the author, except for brief quoted passages for review purposes.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or collective memories of people she has known in general, put together to form various single characters, and thus, resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, unless explicitly noted, are entirely coincidental.

  For you, Michael. May all your dreams, wishes and desires come true.

  Cover by coils@coverkick.com

  Have you ever gone to an amusement park and noticed all the smiling faces waiting there to make your day the best you have ever had? Ever wished you could pitch a tent and stay in what seems like Happy- Ville U.S.A.? If you wonder why everyone is so much more content and well-adjusted than you are, well, my friend, to you I say, take a seat.

  Sit down on that bench and take a good long look. Did you see it? Did you notice the smirk on the man’s face as the heavy set woman purchases an ice cream sundae? The quick look of sadness that passed between husband and wife as the pair of lovebirds walked by holding their children’s hands? The envy in the man’s eyes as the Cadillac parked next to his old junky vehicle? We hide it well, but for how long?

  That was my world – and then we took a walk-about. You never know what you find will if you just take the next exit. Happy-Ville just might be a possibility, if you just take the road less traveled.

  CHAPTER 1

  “Mommy, Brian said that I am between a rock and a hard place. What should I do about that?” Four year old Cody asked his mom.

  Catherine looked at her son and wished she could come up with a true answer for his dilemma, whatever that may be today. She fanned her hand out over the grass where she and her son were sitting in front of their trailer. Her hand brushed over a pebble and she picked it up and handed it to him. “You trade the rock!” Cody started to laugh and soon he had Catherine laughing as well. I wish I could solve all of his troubles as easily.

  Catherine and Cody shared a sandwich and were enjoying being outside until the first raindrop fell. “Momma, the angels are telling me it’s time to take a bath!” “Well then, we had better get to it.” Catherine said, gathering the remains of their picnic lunch.

  As his mom was washing Cody’s hair he said “When are we going to move into the place with the real bathtub mom?”

  “Next weekend, Cody. We will finally have a bigger place to lay our heads.” Catherine told him.

  “That is a good thing, mom, because my head feels like it’s been growing a lot lately.”

  Catherine had a new job as a secretary for Mr. Dobbs at the real estate office. She had saved every penny she could and now she and Cody would be able to move out of her uncle’s trailer and into a one bedroom apartment, nearer to her job. Uncle John had let her and Cody live there rent free since they were his only living relatives. It was old and shabby, but the price was right and even before this new job, Catherine had been able to save some money from her sales associate job at the hardware store.

  An added bonus was Mrs. Roans who had the trailer next to theirs. She watched Cody while Catherine was at work in exchange for some light housekeeping and laundry. She promised Catherine that she would come to their new apartment and watch Cody while Catherine was at her new job as well. Cody was happy with that arrangement because he loved Mrs. Roans, but also because he thought he was there to take care of Mrs. Roans. He would change the TV channel for her and feed her cat and Mrs. Roans always made him red jello. It was an agreement that made everyone happy and feeling useful.

  On the day of their move Cody had gotten up very early and made double sure that all of his possessions were packed. The furniture in the old trailer was not worth transporting to the new apartment and Catherine was able to pick up some second hand furniture pieces at the Salvation Army. They had their beds, table and chairs and one couch. They shared the dresser that Catherine’s co-worker at the hardware store had given to her and, partially due to the lack of furnishings, Cody thought their apartment was king-sized.

  “Do you like our new home, Cody?” Catherine asked, plugging in the TV set. “I sure do, mom! We traded in the rock!” Cody said, using the catch phrase he had begun to use to as a way of saying they had found a solution to whatever was troubling them. “Yes we did, son, yes we did.” Catherine smiled, hugging him.

  Catherine did well at the real estate office and Mr. Dobbs had given her extra duties and responsibilities which Catherine was happy to get and it wasn’t long before Catherine was able to furnish their apartment with a couple of pieces of newer furniture. Mrs. Roans continued to watch Cody until he started school. After that, since the hours were much less, Mrs. Roans found another child to baby-sit for and Catherine utilized the Latch Key Program at Cody’s school. With the money she was saving by not having to pay Mrs. Roans, Catherine was able to add to their savings account.

  Cody grew tall and strong and when he was ten years old his mom picked him up from school on a Friday and as soon as they got home she said “Cody – walk- about ten!” Cody laughed, he was always up for a new catch phrase to share with his mom. He made a big show of walking back and forth in front of his mother with a big grin on his face. “Am I doing it right, mom?”

  “A walk-about is another way of saying the word ‘vacation’. I believe people in Australia use that phrase when they are going somewhere.”

  “A vacation? “Cody said, his eyes wide. “We haven’t ever gone on a vacation! What does the ten mean?” “It means we are leaving in ten minutes!” Catherine told him. “Your clean clothes are on your bed, put them into your suitcase and we are outta here!” “Yea!” Cody said, “You are the best mom, ever!”

  Catherine was as happy as her son was. To finally be giving him something special to remember meant a lot to her. Cody was a good kid, very polite and loving. She had wished she could give him a puppy, but the apartments allowed no pets and with them gone so much of the day at work and school, it wouldn’t be right to lock a puppy or kitten in the apartment all alone so many hours every day.

  Cody grabbed a big garbage bag and started throwing all of his clothes and his mother’s clothes into it. He had misunderstood his mom and thought she had told him that they were going to Australia on vacation. Cody didn’t know where that was, but he knew it was far away, so he wanted them to be prepared.

  Catherine and Cody set off on their walk-about. Cody didn’t ask how long it would take to go where they were going. He was happy and enjoyed singing with his mom to the radio. They drove for a little over an hour and a half before the weather changed. The skies got very dark and the rain started to come down in sheets. It wasn’t long before they heard booms of thunder and saw long lightening streaks in the sky. Catherine’s car was running O.K., but it was twelve years old and the wiper blades had never been changed as far as she remembered. When a big truck passed them and splashed a large amount of water right onto their front windshield, Cody screamed.

  Catherine was unfamiliar with this area, but she did not want to risk driving any further with her and Cody being alone. She pulled off onto the next exit and drove for about five miles before she saw signs of a little town. Saying a prayer of thanks, Catherine pulled into a big hotel to spend the night. It is only for one night, we can’t continue driving in this mess. I have my credit card with me.

  “How would you like to go swimming, Cody?” Catherine asked.

  “In this rain? Besides, it is too cold to go swimming, mom, it’s October.”

  “This hotel has a swimming p
ool inside, so it won’t be too cold.” Catherine said. Cody had a big smile on his face and it made Catherine’s heart swell. They checked into their room. Catherine winced at the amount per night the hotel charged, but was glad to see that breakfast was included in the price. They changed into their swimsuits and went down to the pool. Cody and his mom tossed a yellow beach ball back and forth to each other until some other children came and wanted to play. Catherine told Cody to keep playing and having fun. She sat on the edge of the pool and had her legs dangling into the water. Cody played with the other children, a big smile never leaving his face.

  After a couple of hours Catherine asked Cody if he was hungry. “I sure am mom, what did we bring?” “It is a surprise, let’s go back to the room and change.” They walked back to their room and took turns taking quick showers and when they were dressed, Cody looked around the room. “Want me to get the picnic basket from the car, mom? It stopped raining.” Cody said, looking out their window.

  “I didn’t bring the picnic basket with us, Cody.”

  “That’s O.K. mom.” Cody said. “I am too tired to eat anyway. That water ball was hard work!” Catherine smiled at her son and realized that she and Cody had really never gone to a restaurant to eat a meal, unless you count the drive-through at McDonalds or Wendy’s. When they would go out, she would pack sandwiches and fruit in their picnic basket. No wonder Cody was trying to put on a brave face, he was hungry, but thought his mother accidently left their food behind.

  “Come with me, little man.” Catherine laughed. The weather outside had cleared up remarkably well for the short time they had been in the town. They drove to a family restaurant a few blocks down and went in. Cody asked his mother “Mom, are we rich now?” “We are always rich, because we have each other. What would you like to eat? You can pick out anything you want.” After great deliberation Cody finally decided on fish and chips and a big piece of chocolate cake for desert.

  Catherine felt a cold puff of air rush past her and she rubbed her arms. “You can tell I am not used to a lot of air conditioning. I wonder why they would have it on in October. Are you cold, Cody?” Cody shook his head no, too busy getting the last bit of chocolate icing into his mouth and washing it down with his milk.

  Catherine noticed a very odd woman, looking at her and smiling. The lady looked to be in her seventies and had a long blue dress on and gray hair tied up to the top of her head in a bun. She was short and plump, but what stood out was the woman’s big backside. It was almost comically oversized for a woman her size and age.

  Catherine returned the smile and then looked at her son. “Have you had enough to eat and drink, Cody, or are you still hungry?”

  ‘I am stuffed!” He said. When Catherine looked back up, the lady was gone.

  Catherine asked their server for their bill and the server smiled and said “All taken care of.” Catherine looked at her and tried to explain. “No, we haven’t received our bill yet, how much do we owe you?” Their waitress said “I am quite sure the bill has already been taken care of, but let me check.” She walked to the cash register and Catherine and Cody followed behind her.

  “Yes, see, here it is – Table ten.” The server showed Catherine where everything they had ordered was written down, the cost and that it was already paid. “But I haven’t paid the bill, there is a mistake.” The young server insisted that the bill was already paid, no, she did not ring it up herself, but that she could not take double payment for a meal. Catherine started to take out two dollars while saying “Let me at least give you the tip.” “Already taken care of, see?” She showed Catherine the receipt which had a much bigger tip on it than Catherine was prepared to offer. Catherine told her that she would check with the restaurant tomorrow after they have had time to close out their receipts for the night, just to make sure, and felt rather guilty walking out to their car.

  Cody and Catherine put their pajamas on and then rented a children’s movie from the hotel’s cable system. They did not have cable in their apartment. It seemed like an extravagant expense. They liked to work puzzles and to read and play card and board games. It gave them time to reconnect after their day.

  “Mom, this has been the best walk-about ever! Thank you, you are the best mom in the whole wide world!” Cody said, hugging his mother tightly.

  Chapter 2

  The next morning Catherine and Cody took advantage of the hotel’s free breakfast buffet and both ate more than they thought they could after their big dinner the night before.

  They decided to take a walk around the quaint little town. When they passed a shop that sold sewing material Cody said “Mom, look! Halloween is coming soon, can we get some material for my costume?” Catherine had always made Cody’s Halloween costumes even though she was no seamstress, not by a very long shot. “Not today, Cody.” Catherine answered him.

  “That’s O.K. mom, we have time. I am not even sure what I want to dress up like this year anyway.”

  They walked up to a crowd of people on a hill. “Wonder what is going on here?” Catherine said. She then noticed a sign that said “Pumpkin mile - $3.00.” Catherine and Cody walked up to a lady who was sitting behind a table taking money and handing out small pumpkins. “Excuse me, we are just visiting, what is the pumpkin mile?”

  “Oh, it’s not really a mile, just down the hill. Three kids at a time get to roll their pumpkin down Luna’s Hill here and the one who knocks into the big Luna, wins.”

  “And the pumpkins are $3 each?” Catherine inquired. “Yes, and the kids are matched according to age, wouldn’t be fair if a teenager was playing against a five year old. Would you like your son to participate?” Cody’s eyes grew big when she looked at him. “Why not? One fast pumpkin, please!” Cody was so happy, he hugged his pumpkin to his chest as they continued up the hill to the top. There he only had minutes to wait before they motioned him to put on the sticker with the number on it that they marked on his pumpkin with black marker as well, take his place and get ready to roll the pumpkin down the hill.

  Catherine didn’t have a clear view of what was at the bottom of the hill, so she kept her eyes on her son. “Good luck, Cody! You got this!” She cheered him on. Cody got into position and had a look of purpose on his face.

  One – Two – Three – ROLL! The man in charge yelled and all three children gave their pumpkins a hearty push down the hill. The little girl’s pumpkin took a side trip to the right and finished it’s decent in the wrong direction, the other little boy’s pumpkin was more on target, he had obviously done this before.

  It looked as if the other boy’s pumpkin would win, but at the last minute it hit a rock and it jumped somewhat and then split in two! “You won Cody! You won!” Catherine found herself jumping up and down. Cody ran over to her and said “Did you see that mom? It hit her right in the big ole booty!” Catherine didn’t know what he was talking about. She noticed some people motioning them to come down to the bottom of the hill for Cody’s prize.

  Catherine looked at the target, now lying on its side on the grass at the bottom of the hill and she blinked. It was a bigger than life sized cut out of the lady she had seen last night in the restaurant, the one with the blue dress. As Cody had already told her, the pumpkin looked like it had smashed right into her very abundant butt!”

  The man who had motioned her down the hill wore a big funny hat and he was now handing her an envelope and shaking Cody’s hand. Someone was there taking a picture of them and there were smiles all around. Cody and Catherine thanked everyone and told them how much fun it had been.

  They then walked over to the pumpkin pie booth and each ordered a big piece of pie with whipped cream on top. When Catherine took out her wallet the lady in the booth said “Oh no, your money is no good here! Your little feller is the winner today! Enjoy!” She said, handing them the pie and each a bottle of cold water.

  Catherine and Cody walked over to the nearest picnic table and sat down to enjoy their pie. “I am so proud of you Cody!
First time you have ever done that! I bet most of these kids who were playing live near here and get to do this every year and yet you beat them all!”

  “Can we come back here every year?” Cody asked. “Maybe, it’s not all that far from home. I’ve never been to this area of the state before. Look at that beautiful lake, Cody. Let’s walk over there after we finish our pie. It is such a beautiful day.”

  Cody and Catherine went back to their room and Catherine started packing up their overnight suitcases. This had been a special night and day for them and she was overjoyed that Cody had so much fun.

  “Mom – we have to go back!” “Back where, Cody? We are leaving to go back home in a couple of hours, did you forget something at home you need?” “No, I forgot to get my prize that I won at the hill!” Catherine had forgotten all about the envelope the man with the big hat had handed them after the race was over. She took the big envelope out of her purse and stuck her hand in and pulled out a voucher.

  “Just some ole piece of paper?” Cody said, looking disappointed. Catherine read it and then turned to Cody and smiled. “Yep, just a piece of paper, saying we have a full week that we can stay here in this hotel – FREE! How would you like to spend another night?”

  “Cody started jumping around and punching the air. “Yes, Yes, oh yeah!” Catherine called down to the lobby and mentioned their prize and asked if they could keep the same room, or would they have to move to another one since they were originally scheduled to check out today. The front desk said no, they were all set, enjoy and just bring the voucher whenever they were ready to leave.

  Mother and son then walked the few blocks to the little town’s center and stopped in to get an ice cream cone. Again, when she tried to pay, the lady in the ice cream shop told her their money wasn’t good there, ice cream was on the house for the pumpkin mile winners. They thanked her and walked outside to sit on a bench and finish their ice cream. Catherine took out a hand cleaner from her purse and a wash cloth and they cleaned off their hands. They then continued their walk and came to a department store.