Spooky Goodies

“Hello Spooky Goodies, you’re speaking with Goodie?”

“Goodie, it’s me.” It’s Clarence, again.  “I know you’re busy today, but I've got another mini on the way to you now. He’ll be with you within the hour.” I look at the clock and its two hands standing to attention, bang on noon.

It's busy at Spooky Goodies alright. I’ve already received about nine minis today. It’s just non-stop.

“Goodie, this one’s called Timmy. Seven years old. Car crash. Mum and Dad were taken, too.”

Clarence brings me up to speed with the next ghost I’m about to welcome into the store, but once again, he’s missing the crucial detail.

“Clarry, what candy?” I ask as I float to the packing station, selecting an empty paper bag that I will fill up with Timmy’s favourites.

“Ah… well… It says here that he likes Jelly Beans. But, only the blue ones. And, there’s something here I don’t haven’t heard of before. It’s like…” Clarence sighs, exasperated as he battles trying to understand the absurd candy names that are home to Spooky Goodies’ shelves. “I think they’re Creepy Qui…”

“Creepy Quincies” I finish, averting my gaze across the store to see its box tucked in the corner next to the Aniseed Balls. 

It’s a bit rogue from Timmy, I have to admit. 

But each to their own. 

I finish the call with Clarence and swiftly get to work creating a bag of delicious sweets for Timmy’s arrival. I make a mental ghost-note to add blue jelly beans to the recorder list, alongside Wavey Zoggs and Red Rascalls. 

The doorbell sounds and a confused ghost in his white floating sheet glides inside. His sheet is crisp, not a single wrinkle or a speck of dirt in sight.

It’s Timmy.

“Where am I?” Timmy asks, observing his surroundings. His blank eyes slowly rove around the store, taking in each box filled to the brim with bright, colourful candies. The candy stores on Earth just don’t compare to Spooky Goodies, and it shows. Lined up along these four walls are hundreds of different types of candy. Jollie Jammies, Gumball Goonies and Sour Scrats. I take pride in my variety, but really, I’ve got the minis to thank. It’s their favourites that make their way into the candy boxes, even if it’s Creepy Quincies. 

Right on queue, Timmy spots the overflowing box of Creepy Quincies  in the corner before turning towards me, floating sheet fluttering at his tiny ghost feet.

“Where’s my mum and dad?” he asks, “and are these real?” he points towards the Gumball Goonies. Bright yellow and pink swirls, blue and red checkers, night sky and stars. These are the finest gumballs ever created, reserved only for the minis who frequent Spooky Goodies.

I float to Timmy’s side and reach into the box of Gumball Goonies to fish one out for him. 

“Yes, these are real. You’re more than welcome to try one, if you like.” I offer.

He reaches out his floating sheet to grab the dinosaur covered Gumball I selected for him and inspects it, turning it around to admire the t-rex design before putting it in his mouth.

A muted twinkle in his eye tries to flicker.

“Why am I here?” he tries again.

This is always the tricky part, having to explain to the minis why they are at Spooky Goodies. I’ve welcomed countless minis and I know there are more to come, it’s just the nature of the job. But I always try to make sure they have a warm, kind, comforting welcome, despite the circumstances. 

“Come, Timmy, come hover with me.” I glide to the counter and usher him over, grabbing the curated bag of sweets to present him with. One by one, he plops the Blue Jelly Beans into his mouth and I begin to explain.

“Timmy, my name is Goodie and this is my candy store. You are here today because your human body on earth has died.” I say. “But your spirit lives on.” I pause, gauging his reaction, bracing for denial, readying for a squabble, but Timmy just stares right at me, continuing to eat his Blue Jelly Beans. “Your spirit lives on and it’s nothing to be afraid of. You are not in pain. In fact, you are safe and sound. You are supported and you are absolutely loved. You are just no longer in your physical body on Earth. Before you are ready to enter the afterlife, it’s tradition that you receive your favourite candy first.”

Timmy pauses, considering my words before asking “And where are my parents?”

“Oh, they’re here too. In the spirit realm. In fact, they’re just across the street at Warren’s Treats” I point to the wooden-clad store across the street with the wine barrels out the front. Two ghosts and their fresh floating sheets are sipping on some burgundy coloured liquid, nodding in agreement together. 

Warren’s showing them the Shiraz, it seems. 

“Will I see my parents again?” Timmy asks.

“Of course! They are due to pick you up very soon, Timmy. And, well, there’s a little surprise too.” I wink.

Timmy’s floating sheet quivers in curiosity, but before I have the chance to explain, the doorbell chimes and in glides Timmy’s parents, John and Susanne. At their feet floats a four-legged ghost, its fluffy tail poking out behind their off-white, slightly scruffy sheet. 

“JUMBO!” Timmy cries in delight. “Mum, Dad!” the reunion with his parents and his four-legged best friend envelopes him in a soothing peace. 

It’s his time. 

It’s also their time, as a family.

“Look what Goodie gave me.” Timmy shoves the bag of sweets in front of his parents, showing off his selection of Blue Jelly Beans and…

“Creepy Quincies!”  John exclaims, noticing the sweets inside the bag. “These were my favourite when I was your age.” John’s floating sheet dances in delight as he ruffles Timmy’s. I smile warmly at the family as I glide them towards the exit so they can embark upon the afterlife. 

But of course, not before I steal a quick glance at the bottle of Shiraz in Susanne’s tote bag. To ensure that Warren across the street is doing his job correctly. 

Country Memphis, 2020.

Yes, they are going to be just fine.

It’s ten seconds after Timmy leaves before the phone rings again.

“Hello Spooky Goodies, you’re speaking with Goodie?”