Saturday, August 31, 2019

The Haunting of Selma Park General Store




The store, almost 100 years old, on the ocean in Sechelt, had stood empty for a few years. We got it for a song. When we moved in, locals told us it was haunted by the ghost of an old woman who had died in the store. She hadn’t liked people when she was alive; she did not welcome us. After the store closed at 11 p.m., sitting downstairs, we could hear footsteps crossing the floor above. When we went up to check, no one was there. But once I felt a cold chill go up my spine and knew she was standing right behind me.

She would move things around on the shelves. I would go downstairs and find our unlucky “Wandering Jew” plant swinging in its alcove for no reason – no windows or doors open. One night, all of its branches pointed at the doorway, the message clear: get out! I decided to throw the plant away one windy night. It wrapped its tentacles around me and I had to fling it off me and down the bank.

Things got worse. We opened an arcade; things were too noisy for the fretful ghost. A huge crack! was heard one morning; the supporting beam showed a split all the way up. Talk was, the store might slide right down the hill. The footsteps at midnight continued. I would not give up. I could live with the ghost more easily than the man I was with at the time.

It did not end well. The store burned down under mysterious, suspicious circumstances while we were away in Vancouver. The insurance company didn’t pay. I was left with nothing. The four kids and I began a new life in Kelowna, my dream store on the ocean gone; my faith in humanity tested. But my belief in the existence of ghosts was alive and well.


313 words for Magaly’s Pantry of Prose prompt: Gothic. True story. There was much more to this story, but I only had 313 words. I wrote a bit longer version here.

17 comments:

  1. You know what I love most about you, my sweet Sherry? That regardless of how bad things might get, you always smile and keep going. That is a superpower. I bet the ghost was terribly frustrated after you left, leaving her to exist with the knowledge that although she made your life more than difficult, she couldn't break you.

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  2. I love a true ghost story, especially when it’s in an ordinary setting like a general store, Sherry. My husband once worked in a pub where the ghost moved things around. I’ve never heard about a ghost breaking a supporting beam, but I can understand being able to ‘live with the ghost more easily than the man […] at the time’.

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  3. What a great ghost story - neatly woven and full of suspense

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  4. I've always been fascinated by true ghost stories as well. Considering her crankiness, it's awfully telling that she was easier to get along with than the man. Human unkindness is quite monstrous on its own.

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  5. I love that this is a true story Sherry. What a story of resilience for you and the ghost. I am always fascinated by ghost stories so this was a wonderful read. I loved it!

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  6. Good for you for taking on that ghost! It shows remarkable resilience on your part. Nasty ghost! And I’m glad you were able to bounce back.

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  7. I especially love how you preferred the ghost to the man in your life at the time, that made it even more real for me... the thought of a general store being cursed is excellent.

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  8. And? And?! This just built and built until the rush of the ending.

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  9. I have to admit to giggling a bit when reading about the "Wandering Jew" plant being flung down the hill. Anything to eradicate the spiteful ghost. It's terrible that you had to walk away with nothing. The dream up in smoke. But there is the peace of mind knowing that the ghost has no where to haunt anymore.

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  10. Ha - I do believe in the existence of ghosts some friendly and some not.

    Wow - interesting true story Sherry.

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  11. Very nice, Sherry. I cannot imagine more words making it better. Ghosts are something to be concerned about. My ghost love is for the dead trees still standing. Zombie trees.
    ..

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  12. I really enjoted this Sherry. I had to laugh that in Magaly's comment we learned a bit of you back story (fictitious though that may be!) Isn't that is the whole point to be believable when you tell stories?

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  13. As I was reading, I felt it was a true story. And what a dramatic one!

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  14. whoa whoa whoa.
    chills. and I don't even believe in ghosts ~

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  15. Wow! I'm so glad you got this story down! I believe every word of it. Can the power of story make up for the loss? Probably not, but it is a great gift to have, dear Sherry.

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