Doug Hawley’s "Haunted" weaves a compelling narrative of obsession, memory, and the ghosts of the past. From an enigmatic store to old flames, the story explores how the past lingers, shaping the present in unexpected ways.
You can purchase Written Tales Magazine in print or digital, or become a paid subscriber and download your favorite editions. To view our upcoming stories & poems, please visit our publishing schedule calendar.
A few years ago nearly as I can tell, I started to think about an isolated store that I used to pass going west in Portland before the West Hills. There was nothing special about it, and I hadn’t thought about it for close to sixty years. For a while, it obsessed me for no reason.
In 2021, after Clever Magazine had quickly rejected one story from me, the editor noticed I was from Portland. She was doing a wind-up issue and wanted a Portland story. I sent her something about the mystery store. She was originally from Portland, but lived in San Jose, and knew it was a Mode ‘O Day. As I dug deeper with her and other sources, I found that Mode O’ Day became a huge chain with affordable fashion, but then collapsed quickly. More surprising, the editor graduated from Grant High School in the same class as my now late sister. Neither of them knew the other.
An obsession with a building is weird. My others are more reasonable. Old girlfriends, of course. A couple of years ago, while reading obituaries (an old man thing), I noticed that the widow was my first serious girlfriend who lived seven miles from me (thank you internet). We ended on bad terms, but I called to offer condolences. She still hated me. There’s the one who had what could have been her last heterosexual act with me. Not a legacy I want. Prior to the attractive blonde wife and now editor, there was a bright and beautiful one with whom there was a tumultuous relationship. Fifty years after she told me to leave her alone, I wrote her to ask what happened. She said it wasn’t me; she had some past trauma that caused her to change her life. Our difficulty was aided by my immaturity and insecurity.
Then there are our wonderful cat companions over the years, the last one of which, Kitzhaber, died in my arms. Despite our mouse invasion, no more cats to break out hearts. I thought Kitz might outlive me, but no luck.
Two days ago, a cousin that I had been close to in the early years died. Several new friends have died since my return to Portland. The dead haunt me (covered in a story in Pure Slush), but the live ones as well. When we came back to Portland, I tried to reconnect with no luck.
I largely live in my head, a condition that I would not wish on anyone with the exception of some politicians. What are your thoughts or obsessions before sleep and after waking? Serious question, I want to know. If possible, make me feel less weird. At least I’m less weird than a vice presidential candidate.
Initially published in Literally Stories.
📢 Need book promotion? Click here to get noticed!
✍️ Looking for editing help? We’ve got you covered!
Doug is a little old man who switched from numbers as an occupation (actuary) to words in retirement. Now he has hundreds of stories appearing in four continents covering most of the usual genres.
Great read Doug. Funny and a bit sad. And you're no weirder than the rest of us! 😳