Stoney River: Ghost Memories

Stoney River: Ghost Memories Fiction

Episode One: Ghost Memories.

I am about a year old, old enough to finally join my parents in their love of road trips. The year is 2003. I am a blue-eyed baby with a cone-shaped head. My parents are Cornelius the Third and Hilda Holgate.

There is a baby seat in my family’s Subaru Outback, but Hilda takes no shame in breastfeeding me in the front seat while Cornelius drives. That is how it is done in Pakistan, my mother’s birth country, where twelve people drive in a car meant for four and everyone else’s auntie knows every officer that may pull you over. This is how Pakistanis avoid traffic fines.

We leave our home in Brambleton, Virginia one morning when the magnolia tree in our front yard is preparing to blossom and the ivy threatening to overtake one corner of our house is too happy. Destination: Florida! Sunny beaches and palm trees. Fresh oranges.

It is a long drive. Slowly, the scenery changes in ways I cannot remember or appreciate. There are no healthy food stores to buy organic produce at. It disgusts Hilda to eat anything soaked in pesticides, but inquiries in the towns we pass through for healthy food stores direct us to smoothie and dieting establishments.

In the movies people avoid Florida cops. They are renown tough nuts. At 28, Cornelius thinks himself a tough nut too. He turns left at a red light. Immediately he is pulled over by a young policeman who delights in flashing his lights and bellowing his sirens.

Cornelius insists eloquently that in Virginia it is quite legal to turn left at a red light. He is so eloquent he believes himself, but he is still is repaid with an order to wait for the K9 unit to arrive.

It is plausible to this policeman that my parents, who use only cloth diapers and smoke organic cigarettes, are hippies transporting drugs from redneck country to the beaches.

The K9 unit arrives, consisting of a seasoned officer and an eager dog, and Hilda and Cornelius leave the car so the dog may do its work. Cornelius lights a cigarette to stop himself from saying anything rash and Hilda sits down on the curb to feed her daughter.

The year is 2003. The officers turn beet red the moment Hilda’s naked breast appears.

 The dog is interested in a plastic bag in the trunk of the Outback. It is full of dirty cloth diapers fermenting in the heat.

Hilda and Cornelius are wished goodbye. Enjoy your stay in Florida. The officers load up their dog and drive away, too flustered to remember to give Cornelius a ticket. We finish our trip. Sunny beaches? Strolls in the sunshine? Fresh oranges off the tree? All done.

Sunburn? Dehydration? No-see-ums? Also all done.  There I am, dehydrated from the heat and burned blazing red by the Florida sun. My mother uses a frivolous bonnet from her childhood to cover my face and head. Somehow, I survive.

The no-see-ums swarm and bite, worse than mosquitos, and force Cornelius and Hilda to cut their trip short by two weeks and flee to North Carolina to couch crash at a friend’s house and take shelter in the smoke from campfires, where they beat drums, tell stories, and roast more than marshmallows.

We come home to Brambleton and the moonshine distilling in the basement. We come home to the only healthy food stores we know of: a place called The Coop tucked between an ice cream shop and a small hotel, and a place called Valley Springs out on the skirts of the city.

Cornelius is on the board of The Coop. It is stocked with farm-fresh produce from the farmers erecting green houses and plowing fields in the valley. It is stocked with brands and foods that flavor my growing lifetime.

The Coop lasts for the births of my four younger siblings and seeps our life in the meaning of organic. It goes bankrupt one day when we are living up on Peach Mountain, one of the two mountains that look down on the valley where Brambleton sprawls.

The Coop fades and dies behind our backs; it turns into a ghost in my memories. I only remember its bins of sesame candy in colorful wrappers and the ginger candy that came in packs quite like cigarette cartons.

I used to ask for ginger candy every time we visited The Coop. Its taste is a ghost on my tongue now too.

Photo by Reiseuhu on Unsplash

Episodes of Stoney River are stories inspired by my life growing up in rural Virginia.

You Might Also Like

48 Comments

  1. They do not open Barnes & Nobles in small towns. - Nin Chronicles

    […] do not open Barnes & Nobles in small towns. They, the men and women in clothing so black it reflects the sun away the shadows inside them, do […]

  2. Holly

    Jaya, my goodness, you are a gifted writer! As a Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia gal myself, I love the imagery you evoke with your words. I could sense the spirit of exploration, the tension of unfamiliar territory, and the joy of coming back home where all is familiar.
    I could almost see and taste that yummy ginger candy from your description too. Is it still one of your favorites?
    Thank you for sharing these amazing stories with all of us. You are amazing! ♥

    1. Jaya Avendel

      I love meeting fellow Blue Ridge Virginia people! Thank you for sharing the beautiful way you read this piece. 🙂
      Ginger candy is a still a great favorite of mine. Sadly, I can no longer buy it locally. How time changes things!

      1. Holly

        You’re welcome, Jaya. 🙂 I know what you mean. Time does change many things. Some for good, some for not.
        Much love to you ♥️

  3. Twishaa

    This was beautiful! Your writing transports the reader, and I’m not surprised why so many of your works have been selected for publishing.
    Thank you for sharing your story. 🙂

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thanks so much! Your kind words warm my heart.

  4. Unwanted Life

    I need to know more about the moonshine distilling in the basement. Who’s making it? Is it for personal use or are they selling it to others illegally?

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Fictionally speaking, personal use only! 🙂

  5. priyankajoshi

    Very well written I actually started imagining things. Nice post

  6. glowsteady

    This is so beautifully written, everything felt so vivid and perfectly detailed. I love that this is an episode from a series too! It’s kinda nice to have to wait to see how the story is going to develop x
    Sophie

    1. Jaya Avendel

      I am loving slowly building up the series through episodic stories!

  7. Amy

    I really enjoyed reading this, and I felt like I was right there with you all! It makes a change to read something like this and get lost in it for a little while 🙂

  8. ‘Tears of Luna’ Published at Spillwords Press! – Nin Chronicles

    […] are true stories inspired by my life growing up in rural Virginia. I shared the first episode, Ghost Memories, on Nin Chronicles this week and was inspired by the enthusiastic […]

  9. Elle

    Hi, Jaya! I enjoyed reading this episode, and I have yet to discover why it’s entitled Stoney River. You are doing great, keep it up! 😊💕🌻

  10. Kelly

    Tho was extremely well written, I really enjoyed this!

  11. bournemouthgirl

    You are a very talented writing Jaya. I enjoy reading all your pieces of writing. Thank you for sharing.

  12. Hayley

    As always, your writing is beautiful and evokes all kinds of emotion. This story made me feel so tense – from the police raid to the sunburn and even the insect bites. I really enjoyed reading this. 🙂

  13. knowgoodwriter

    Lovely story! I can totally relate to small businesses that fade away. I also grew up in rural Virginia but on the other side of the state in Lancaster, where we’re tucked between rivers instead of mountains.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      😍 It is awesome to meet a fellow Virginian! Being tucked between rivers sounds beautiful.

  14. Molly @ Transatlantic Notes

    You write so well — draws people in! I’m looking forward to another part!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thanks so much! I am loving writing more.

  15. Ellie Wright

    Really loved this! Great story 🙂

  16. Becca @ The LDN Lifestyle

    Really enjoyed this, I don’t read anywhere near as much as I used to so this was long enough to get into, but not too long! Will be tuned in for more x

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you so much! Love knowing the length was perfect for you.

  17. Navita Bhatia

    I could hear you throughout, especially on ’12 people driving in a car meant for 4′ and avoiding traffic fines. Eagerly waiting for more stories from your life, Jaya.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Navita!

  18. mydreamality

    Wow! Haunting! You are a great writer with an ability to draw the reader in. Really enjoyed this.

  19. aimsysantics

    I loved reading this, the story really grips you! You have such a talent with words and writing, it is always a pleasure to read your work!
    Aimsy oxox
    Aimsy’s Antics

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Aimsy! Given that this is the beginning of the story of my life, I loved that you enjoyed this.

  20. Lindsey

    I love this! Really eager to see if there’s more. I don’t feel like I can give a comment that does justice but your writing is so vivid, I love it!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      I have plenty of future ‘episodes’ in draft form and look forward to sharing them!
      Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Lindsey.

  21. Vinn

    Love the story! I hope there is a sequel…

    1. Jaya Avendel

      I will definitely be writing more!

  22. Amber Page

    I loved reading this! I feel like I don’t read enough anymore so this was a breath of fresh air!
    Amber | The Unpredicted Page

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you so much! Good stories are always a breath of fresh air. 🙂

  23. Lisa's Notebook

    This was absolutely beautiful to read, I didn’t want it to end! I loved the image of the embarrassed cops when Hilda started breastfeeding, and also the thought of Cornelius arguing about turning left. Love this, Jaya, I hope you share more with us again! 🙂

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Some crazy things have happened to me and my family! It is a joy to be able to write about them and share my story.
      Thank you for your beautiful words, Lisa!

  24. booksforall93

    This is an amazing story! I just wanted to read more and I wanted it to keep going

  25. Baby Boomer Super Saver

    I loved this tale, Jaya! Very different from your poems, but still ethereal. Funny to consider cigarette smoking organic food advocates.

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Cigarette smoking organic food advocates is a crystal clear image of my parents! 🙂
      The poet in me made this piece into a mix of writing and prose. Thank you for enjoying!

  26. Stephanie

    What a story!!! I loved reading this. It made me feel like I was there!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      I am thrilled to know I was able to transport you through my words!

  27. Keep Calm & Drink Coffee

    The river is made by your words flowing in a way that you allow to imagine exactly every frame with its details also giving the chance to breath the athmosphere.
    Brava!

    1. Jaya Avendel

      😍 Thank you for sharing your appreciation by way of such poetic words!

  28. Anika May

    Great story, I definitely got the rural vibe while reading! ☺️
    Anika | chaptersofmay.com

  29. ecbcmanchester

    Wow I was gripped! What a fantastic story. The way you write is so beautiful. I need more please! Emma

    1. Jaya Avendel

      Thank you, Emma, for connecting with this piece! I will definitely be sharing more Stoney River episodes. 🙂

  30. Farrokh namazi

    👏👏😊

Share your thoughts!

Back to top