Excerpt From the Wisp*

It was dinnertime. Stomachs grumbled but food would have to wait. They were soaked from the rain and needed to change first. Amy peeled off her coat and hung it on the back of a chair. It was far too wet to go in the closet. Her argyle sweater was damp through. Bara hung her own coat on another chair, crossed the room, and opened her closet. She pulled out the coat Courtney had given her and took in the size. Amy was taller but it would fit. Bara held out the coat and faked disgust.

“Ugh! Get a load of this. Courtney picked it out.”
“It’s not that bad,” Amy said. “I like it.”
“You like it. You wear it.”

Bara threw the coat on her bed. Amy picked it up and tried to return it.

“I can’t take your clothes.”
“Please—take it,” Bara insisted. “Do me a favor.”

Amy stroked the soft wool. She did need a new coat.
“You’re sure?”

Bara waved it off. “I’ll never wear it. It cost a bundle … probably. Courtney doesn’t buy anything unless it’s expensive. Someone should wear it. It’ll look great on you. I have half a dozen coats. It won’t be missed and it’s pink. Everyone but Courtney gets I don’t like pink. But you do. Take it. Please.”

Amy immediately hung up her new treasure. She smiled, feeling the soft wool one last time before closing the closet door. By far it would be the nicest thing in her wardrobe. Bara saw the pleasure she took in the gift and smiled too.

They quickly finished changing. Bara was done first. Her book bag was on the bed. She crossed the room and sat down next to it. While Amy was distracted with her unruly hair, Bara reached in and took out the diary. Amy soon finished.

“Let’s go,” she said brightly.
“I’m not that hungry,” Bara returned. “Could you bring me back a sandwich?”
"That thing can wait,” Amy chuckled. “Dinner—now!”

Amy crossed the room, took hold of the diary, and placed it on Bara’s desk. She pulled Bara up from the bed and pushed her out of the room. Amy turned out the light, closed the door, and locked it. Delicious smells wafted up from the dining hall below. Bara was reminded of her hunger and forgot, at least momentarily, about the diary. She and Amy followed their noses down the stairs and to the dining room.

*The Wisp, and its sequel, the Tall Man, are available in paperback or #kindle from Amazon.