Casper & The Peculiarly Whimsical Widow Whipple

Coming soon!

“All houses wherein men have lived and died are haunted houses.”

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, from Haunted Houses

~Prologue~

After the party, things weren't quite the same for the Harvey's or for Friendship, Maine. Kathleen (Kat) Harvey was accepted among her peers at Marshwood Junior High School and made many new friends. Dr. Harvey ended his afterlife therapy and reentered his chosen field of traditional psychiatry. But not before publishing a book on his experiences as an afterlife therapist–-“Confessions of a Ghost Therapist”–-which sold very well. In it, he explained why he got into that field in the first place, the many trials and tribulations he had, and why he decided to leave that field. “I'm tired of chasing ghosts,” Dr. Harvey began. “There comes a time in one's life when you've got to start thinking about yourself too. I've finally found a place where I can call home. And I'd like to stay put.” He had finally established himself within the community. And he actually began seeing someone who owns a bakery downtown. "If a ghost were to come to me for help," he added, "I'd certainly not turn them away." Between the book sales and his growing living clientele, he had earned enough money to winterize drafty old Whipstaff Manor. However, he knew that they were living there on borrowed time.

With the death of its owner, Carrigan Crittenden, and she not having any heirs, the property laid dormant until it was brought to the attention of the State when it was then auctioned off to the highest bidder. But, in the meantime, the Harvey's remained there for two years. When Kat graduated from high school, Dr. Harvey decided to move. Kat was going off to college. And it just made sense for Dr. Harvey to find a smaller place somewhere a little closer to town.

Breaking the news to Casper and his uncles had to be handled with great care, especially with Casper. The “Ghostly Trio” thought that they'd be back. That the doc was just having one of them 'fleshy breakdowns'. Besides that, soon enough they'd forget. Because, when you're a ghost, life doesn't matter that much anymore. So you forget. And the Harvey's would gradually fade out of their minds. But, for the sentimental Casper, it would take much longer for him to forget Kat and Dr. Harvey. And, to the Harvey's, it would seem like it was all just part of a dream. Something that happened to someone else. Something that they read about somewhere.

The "Ghostly Trio" decided that they needed a vacation. So they went off to their regular haunts in the Carribean. And Casper went to stay with Samuel Pierce, the lighthouse keeper, whom he befriended ages ago, while his uncles were away.

Between the launch of Dr. Harvey's best-selling novel, and Whipstaff Manor going on the market, thanks to an article featured in a regional magazine, the news made its way to the eyes of one Widow Whipple, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She could not be certain if it was the photos of the house, its history, its name-–Whipstaff Manor-–its location, or the combination of all four. But deep down inside, the Widow Whipple felt that it would be the perfect place for what she had dreamed of all her life.

~Chapter One~

It was a partly overcast day in the friendly town of Friendship, Maine, with the sun bursting in and out from behind marshmallow clouds and a warm breeze that promised the arrival of spring.

To be continued...