by Mary Angela
“When they don’t pay, they’re not customers,” said Harley, who was a stickler for profits.
“You’re starting to sound like Jules.” The ten-dollar boots were worth making a genuine connection. There were too few of those these days, in her opinion. She wanted her customers to know she cared, and not just about their purchases. She hoped each and every one of them could find something in the store that spoke to their experiences.
She and Harley took the candy outside, where they would greet the rest of the trick-or-treaters. Some people stopped and asked about her pumpkin. Wherever did she find a pumpkin so large? Others ran by, collecting candy as fast as they could before the parade began. They needed to hurry if they wanted a prime seat.
Zo spotted Jack before she saw Beth. He was carrying a cooler, presumably filled with desserts. His wife had a tendency to overdo. Though Zo had said bring one dessert, Beth probably brought a dozen. She used to be a party planner for the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago. She believed more was always better.
“Hey, Jack.” Zo handed Harley her candy bowl so she could show Jack where to put the desserts upstairs.
“They’re coming,” whispered Jack. “Beware.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Zo whispered back.
“It’s not,” agreed Jack. “Beth’s still peeved about Meg’s skirt.”
“It’s Halloween,” said Zo. “What’s the big deal?” Meg came into view, and Zo understood the big deal—or small, as it were. The skirt was a tiny square that barely covered Meg’s bum, let alone her midriff, which had a bellybutton piercing.
“It’s fake,” explained Jack as they approached. “The piercing, I mean.”
“What the heck happened?” Zo whispered.
“Puberty,” he said out of the corner of his mouth.
“Hi Meg,” greeted Zo. “Hey Molly. Beth, it’s good to see you. Where’s Vi?” Vi was Beth’s mom, who lived with them at Spirit Canyon Resort.
“She’s watching the lodge. We have a full house.” Beth nodded toward the cooler. “I brought apple, pumpkin, and French silk.”
Zo took in Beth’s beautiful costume, a green-and-white flowered gown and an enormous straw hat with ribbon. Beth was dressed as Scarlett O’Hara. With his slicked hair and fake mustache, Jack had to be Rhett Butler. “I said one dessert,” joked Zo, showing them upstairs. Her deck was strung with pumpkin party lights for the occasion.
“Spirit Canyon Lodge isn’t a downtown business, so I thought I should bake extras.” Beth indicated the lights. “How fun are these decorations? It’s going to be a great party.”
“Real great,” Meg muttered.
“I’ll take that.” Beth grabbed the wine from Meg’s armpit and gave it to Zo. “A hostess gift.”
Adorable, and so like Beth. The wine was dressed like a scarecrow. As the owner of the premiere resort in Spirit Canyon, Beth was good at details. She pampered guests with little luxuries that made their stays memorable. “Thank you,” said Zo. “I’ll put it inside with the pies.”
“Can I help?” asked Molly. Molly was three years younger than Meg. Puberty hadn’t hit her yet, thank goodness. She wore a Velma costume from the Scooby Doo gang.
“I’d love some help,” said Zo. “Could you grab the door?”
Molly held it open as they brought the cooler and wine inside. “Aww,” Molly cooed. “Is that your cat? Can I pet him?”
“Go ahead.” Zo put the French silk pie in the fridge. “Just don’t pick him up. He can be grouchy.”
“I don’t know if she could pick him up,” said Jack. He stashed the cooler around the corner. “He’s huge.”
“Can I go now?” pleaded Meg. “I’m meeting friends at the parade.”
“We’re all leaving in a minute,” Beth answered, her voice not giving an inch. “Be patient.”
Meg let out an audible groan.
“I need to get back to the trick-or-treaters anyway,” said Zo. “We can go.”
“What’s your cat’s name?” asked Molly.
“George,” answered Zo.
“Mom,” Meg whined.
Beth’s only answer was a stern look.
“George. That’s a good strong name,” said Molly. “That’s what my grandma would say.”
“Yes, she would.” Zo prodded Molly toward the door. In high-heeled boots, Meg led the way down the stairs. She was anxious to get to her friends and took two at a time. “Honey Buns is giving out chocolate muffins, by the way,” added Zo. “They’re not to miss.”
“Ooh, chocolate.” A curl popped out from under Molly’s Velma wig as she bounced down the steps. “I’m hitting all the stores.”
Harley returned Zo’s candy bowl, and Molly selected several treats. Zo offered it to Meg, and Meg snatched up a candy bar, giving Zo a little smile of thanks. Zo remembered what it was like to be a teenager. Any kindness was appreciated at that age.
The street was now full of kids running helter-skelter with candy pails. Some families saved seats on the curb with blankets; others had folding chairs. Walking toward Happy Camper, Tiffany Snow had a chair under each arm and two kids in tow. As they approached, Zo noticed the children weren’t wearing costumes, which was strange. The boy and girl looked the same age as Beth’s kids, if not a bit younger. Why weren’t they dressed up?
Tiffany stopped in front of the store. “Beth! I hardly recognized you in that dress. Who are you supposed to be?”
Zo guessed she didn’t watch classic movies. Anyone would recognize the iconic flowered dress and straw bonnet as Scarlett O’Hara’s.
“Hi Tiffany,” said Beth. “Scarlett O’Hara. My husband is Rhett.”
“I can never get my husband to come to these things,” Tiffany explained. “Too crowded. It’s hard to get in and out of them.” She gave Zo a once-over. “A black cat. How appropriate.”
Zo wasn’t sure how to take the comment, so she smiled. “Don’t let me step across your path tonight.”
“The kids didn’t dress up?” Beth glanced at Tiffany’s children.
“No,” said Tiffany. “I forbade it.” The boy and girl, who were talking to Molly, stopped and glanced at her. They looked miserable. “You can’t blame me. The day brings out the worst in children. Regular kids dressed like…” She looked at Meg. “Well, you know.”
Zo was dying for Beth, who was uncomfortable enough with Meg’s attire without this do-gooder pointing out its flaws. And who did Tiffany think she was anyway? The Halloween police? This was Spirit Canyon. People went all out for the parade. Even old men and women dressed as train robbers and saloon girls. If she didn’t want to participate, she should’ve stayed home.
“I don’t think there’s any harm in dressing up.” Beth’s cheeks were pink with embarrassment. “It’s just for fun.”
“Exactly,” Zo agreed. “In Spirit Canyon, it’s wrong not to partake in the festivities.”
Tiffany’s puffer vest swelled with indignation. “I’m partaking by being here. Come on, kids. I see an open spot by Roberto.”
She rolled the R in his name as if she were fluent in Spanish. Zo highly doubted it.
Roberto and his son’s attendance was interesting. Zo supposed they’d be home, mourning Marianne’s death. Or at least Roberto would be. Everyone grieved differently, though, and maybe getting out among friends helped. Tiffany acted friendly as she put her arm around him, consoling him on his loss. Too friendly? Zo decided to reserve a spot next to them. She wanted to know just how close they were.
“Help me with these chairs before you go,” Zo said to Beth. She handed Jack her goody bowl. Temporarily, he and Molly took over candy duty. “I want to make sure we have our seats saved before the parade starts. Follow Tiffany.”
Beth grabbed a chair and forced another on Meg. “I think I’ve had enough Tiffany for one day.”
“Same, but Marianne wouldn’t like
Roberto getting chummy with her so soon after her death.” Zo tucked the chair under her arm.
“How do you know?” asked Beth. “Are you communicating with the dead now?”
“Maybe,” said Zo.
Beth shot her a curious look.
Zo explained. “Some strange things have happened since Marianne’s death. I get the feeling that she wants me to solve her murder.”
“If that’s true, she’s haunting the right person. I know that firsthand. If anyone can catch a killer, it’s you.” Beth set down a chair near the curb. “Does here work?”
They were three seats away from Tiffany and Roberto. “Perfect,” said Zo.
“Can I go now?” Meg plopped her chair down with a clang.
“Yes,” said Beth. “But keep your phone on. I’ll be checking on you.”
Meg was gone with a roll of her eyes.
Beth shook her head. “See what I have to put up with?”
Zo unfolded another chair. “Jack said Meg was going through some…changes.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” said Beth. “One minute she’s laughing, the next she’s crying. I’d need a crystal ball to figure her out her moods these days.”
“Jules might have one on sale,” joked Zo. “I can check.”
Beth laughed. “I’m willing to try anything.” She set up the last chair. “So how are you? Tell me about something that doesn’t involve teenage hormones.”
Zo showed her the necklaces. “A match was found in the theater during the renovation. My full name is Zoelle.” It was the first time she’d said it aloud. A little foreign, a little fun, the name was hers alone. She liked saying it, though it would take some time getting used to it.
Beth’s gray eyes grew wide as she examined the jewelry. “It’s your birth mom’s?”
“I think so,” said Zo.
“It has to be. It’s obviously a woman’s necklace, and who else but a mom would wear her daughter’s name around her neck?” Beth grasped her own necklace. It had two tiny shoes with Meg’s and Molly’s birthstones. “It’s a mom thing. Trust me.”
“You might be right,” agreed Zo, starting back for Happy Camper. “It was found in the women’s dressing room.”
“I can’t wait for you to find her.” Beth linked her arm with Zo’s.
“You’re not going to tell me to use caution or be careful or hold back?”
Beth’s hoop skirt swung back and forth as they walked. “Absolutely not. First, it wouldn’t do any good, and second, it’s your story. You have every right to know its beginning. I know your mom feels the same way.”
Zo mulled over her words. Beth was a mom. If anyone could speak for moms, it was Beth, right? “You don’t think she’d be mad?”
“For finding her?” asked Beth. “No, I don’t.”
Zo wished she were as confident.
Beth tipped her straw hat toward Zo. “Look, I can’t speak for the woman, but as a mom, I know she cares about her daughter. It’s the reason she left you at the police station—to keep you safe from harm. The necklace was to remember you. Why wouldn’t she want to know how you are now?”
The way Beth described it made perfect sense. Zo wanted to believe it. But she knew some stories took unforeseen twists. She just hoped her story wasn’t one of them.
Chapter Twelve
Zo returned to her candy post, and Jack and Beth took Meg trick-or-treating. Harley refilled their buckets twice before foot traffic died down and the parade began. The last float would include the mayor, who would announce the winner of the pumpkin-carving contest. She and Harley could hardly wait. Maybe Zo was partial, but she believed they had a real chance at winning. The detail on the leaves was impeccable, and she’d challenge anyone to find a carver as masterful as Harley. Hopefully the townspeople thought so, too.
Leaving the candy buckets on the bench next to the front door, Zo and Harley walked to their saved seats. Glancing back at the lighted pumpkin in the window, Zo decided it didn’t matter if they won. The pumpkin was perfect for Happy Camper. No matter the outcome, she’d always remember it as one of her favorites.
Zo took the seat closest to Roberto, and Harley sat next to her. No sense in sticking Beth, who was still trick-or-treating, near Tiffany. Besides, Harley knew Alex. They might be able to talk about college. She glanced between the two. Or not. While Harley sported purple hair streaks and a Superwoman cape, Alex wore a football jersey and eye black. They might not have that much in common.
“Hey, Roberto,” Zo said. “How are you holding up?”
Tiffany gave Zo a thin smile and turned in the other direction, talking to a mom at her side.
“Hanging in there,” said Roberto. “I had to get out of the house for a little while, and Alex wanted to come. It’s his last year at home.”
“I heard,” said Zo. “Harley said he’s going to college out East next year. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Roberto’s brown eyes brimmed with pride. “But the praise goes to Alex. He did all the work.”
Zo nodded. “The studying paid off. Good for him.”
Beside her, Harley snorted. Zo remembered her mentioning him not being much of a scholar. She wasn’t sure how he planned to get into an Ivy League school in the first place. “Will he be playing football?” The costume was the only guess she had.
“Water polo,” Roberto answered.
“Water polo?” questioned Harley. “Where’d he learn to play that?”
Zo, too, was surprised. They had a lot of activities in the Black Hills, but water polo wasn’t one of them. Alex looked athletic; he had a stocky frame and large shoulders. Maybe they were from swimming.
Alex leaned past his father, into the conversation. “You ought to get out more, Harley. There’s more to life than working.” He stuffed a handful of popcorn from Pop and Shop in his mouth, a smug smile on his face.
“Some of us have to pay our own way,” Harley shot back.
It was a sentiment Zo seconded. She understood Roberto’s pride; he only wanted the best for his son and could give it to him. But Alex’s entitled attitude? She didn’t get it at all.
“Oh, I’ve paid,” Roberto explained. “I worked two jobs when he was young for an opportunity like this. Don’t think it came easy.”
Jules said he was a hard worker, perhaps too hard. He had a sincere face that leaned toward serious. There was a touch of sternness in it. But his brown eyes were warm and kind like the silver streaks that softened his dark hair. Too bad Alex wasn’t more like his father.
“Come on, Pop.” Alex gave his dad a shove. “Don’t get started on that.”
Like a statue, Roberto didn’t budge. His smile was tight-lipped. “You’re right. No need to go down memory lane.”
“You own Dakota Shipping,” asked Zo. “Is that right?”
“That’s right,” confirmed Roberto. “Built it myself from nothing. It was voted the number one transport company in the area.”
Tiffany’s friend left, so Tiffany leaned forward to join the conversation. “You’re such a good businessman and father.”
Alex looked at her as if she were the dumbest person in the world, but Roberto enjoyed the compliment. “Thank you.”
Beth, Jack, and Molly were combing for a break in the crowd. Zo waved at them, and Molly choose the easiest route—through the middle of the street. Jack and Beth followed breathlessly behind her.
Molly plopped into the seat next to Harley. “Hi!”
“How was trick-or-treating?” asked Zo.
“A-maz-ing.” She pronounced all three syllables, holding up her supersized pumpkin pail. It was full to the brim with candy. “I asked Dad to use his pockets for the last three stores, but he said I had plenty already.”
Beth repositioned her dress several times before getting it stuffed into the folding chair. “I
’m pretty sure someone’s not going to sleep tonight.”
Molly took a lick of her giant Ring Pop. “Who?”
Zo and Beth laughed.
“Meg’s with her friends?” Zo asked.
“Yep,” said Beth. “They’re having a sleepover. Five girls.”
Zo wouldn’t want to be that mom. When she and Beth were young, they had lots of sleepovers at Spirit Canyon Lodge that didn’t include much sleep. Zo would always cherish those memories as some of her favorites.
“Here comes the parade!” Molly pointed down the street.
The Spirit Spooktacular banner announced the start of the festivities. Behind it, puppeteers flew ghosts high in the air. Each ghost had a different face: happy, sad, angry. They were a nice mix of sweet and scary. The parade had officially begun.
Up first was a Jeep dubbed Hocus Pocus. It was filled with cackling witches surrounding a steaming cauldron. They used dry ice to make a spooky fog. Then “Thriller” music started. Black Mountain College’s theater department had collaborated with the music department for a performance. Dancing and playing instruments, students were dressed as ghouls, reenacting the iconic Michael Jackson video. It brought new meaning to the word spectacular, and Zo wasn’t sure how the next act would follow it. A huge Monster High float appeared, and she had her answer. Not to be outdone, the high schoolers had created a scene from the popular cartoon.
“You should be up there,” Roberto said to Alex.
“Dressed like that?” Alex shook his head. “No way.”
A wind came up, sending the leaves scurrying down the street. Zo shivered. When the parade was over, she was going to pour herself a cup of the hot cider she’d been giving out to parents. For now, she enjoyed the preschool’s Wizard of Oz float, complete with an oversized rainbow and miniature Toto. It received lots of oohs and ahs from the crowd, and for good reason. A preschool-aged Dorothy sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” melting Zo’s heart—and the rest of the crowd’s. Beth clasped her hands and said, “Precious!” Jack added, “She’s really good.” Molly huffed, “I could do that.”
Finally, it was time for the pumpkin float, and Harley gave Zo a nudge. Packed with haystacks and glowing jack-o-lanterns, the float announced the end of the parade. Mayor Murphy, dressed like a scarecrow, would announce the winner of the pumpkin-carving contest. She held a large gold envelope in her hand. The crowd clapped as she approached the microphone.