Sissy Don't Like Ghosts

By Jackie Carmichael

Betty--along with her doll, Sissy--and her family move to Colorado. Betty and Mark become friends with the neighbor's kids, Bobby and Amanda. They tell them their Grandpa's barn is haunted. They all decide to investigate. They run into unnatural things, which leads to an exciting adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662487323

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Sissy Don't Like Ghosts

Jackie Carmichael

Copyright © 2023 Jackie Carmichael

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 978-1-6624-8725-5 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-8732-3 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

About the Author

But, Mom, I don't want to move, all of my friends live here!

I know, Betty, but you're only five years old, and you are pretty and smart. You will find new friends just as good in Boulder.

Betty had long blond hair, blue eyes, three and a half feet tall, slim with wide shoulders.

Now Mark is really looking forward to the move.

He's a boy—they like anything, and they stink.

Now, Betty, he is your brother!

He still stinks.

You know he does love you.

Yeah, yeah.

Mark was about four and a half feet tall, black hair with a military cut. He was well-built for a twelve-year-old.

Besides, Grandma and Grandpa really need us on the ranch. Now go finish packing.

Yes, ma'am.

I need some more boxes, Mom.

Okay. Betty, go take your brother some more boxes.

I don't want to; he stinks!

Now, Betty, be nice!

Do I have to be?

Yes! Okay.

Thank you, Betty.

We are all gonna have so much fun on the ranch.

Mark, are there really horses where we are moving to?

Yeah.

Are we gonna get to ride them?

Yeah.

But I don't know how to ride a horse.

Don't worry, I will teach you. After all, that's what big brothers are for.

Thanks.

Sure.

Mark, are you really happy about moving?

I really don't want to leave my friends, but Mom is really happy about it, and I am excited we are going to be living on the ranch. How about you, Betty? How do you feel about it?

Same as you, I guess. All my friends are here.

The ranch is so cool. You don't remember it because you were very small last time we were there. Grandma makes the best apple pies, yum, yum! I can't wait to see the horses again. Go help Mom pack your stuff, okay?

Betty ran off.

Mom, Mark said he will teach me how to ride horses!

"Well, I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. It won't take you long to adjust to the new environment. There are a lot of kids that live around the ranch. You will have no problems making new friends.

Now you need to figure out what toys you want to keep and what toys you want to get rid of. Put the ones you are taking with you in this box and the ones we will give away in that box. Okay?

Can I take Sissy?

Of course. She's your favorite doll!

Do you think Sissy will like flying on the plane?

Sure, she will.

But I don't think Sissy likes airplanes.

Now how do you know that?

She told me.

Dolls don't talk!

Sissy does. She talks to me.

Well, Betty, Sissy will adjust just fine.

Do you think the horses will like Sissy?

Oh, they will get along just fine as soon as they meet.

Mom, can horses talk?

They can talk to each other. They can't talk to people, though. Now, you need to get busy separating your toys, and snap to it. The movers will be here anytime now.

Sissy don't like movers!

Well, just hang on to her, okay. I'm going to check on Mark. I'll be right back.

Okey dokey! Sissy likes Mark but he's mean to her. He is mean to all girls.

Honey, he is at that stage in a young man's life where they like girls, they just don't want to show it. Okay, now I will be right back to help you.

Mom, the movers are here!

Thank you, Mark. Are you all packed?

Yep!

Good. Go help Betty.

Sure.

Hello, my name is Liz. Come on in.

Thank you, Mrs. Liz.

Oh, just call me Liz.

Okay.

One was short, heavy, and muscular. The other was tall and kind of lanky. They made quick work of loading everything. Of course, Grandma and Grandpa had everything they need, so all we were taking was toys, clothes, and Mama's makeup.

The short guy's name was John, and the tall guy's name was Tim. Betty asked if they wanted some ice water to drink. It's all I have to offer because we gave everything away so we can move to Colorado, to my Grandma and Grandpa's.

You are? said John.

Betty said, Yeah, they live on a ranch.

They do?

Yep, with chickens, horses and cows. We are going to ride the horses and feed the chickens.

Tim said, You are gonna have so much fun.

Betty shook her head up and down real fast, then said, Yep!

Now, Betty, you leave them to their work.

Awww, Mom. Sissy really likes them.

Come on, leave them be!

Okay.

The house was full of people. The entire neighborhood was there saying their goodbyes. Betty started crying.

Mom said, Aww baby, what is wrong?

Betty said, Sissy is sad that we are leaving.

Well, baby, she will make new friends too.

Betty said, Okay, and smiled and went on about her business.

The ride to the airport was so depressing, looking at everything they have known, loved, and grown accustomed to for the last time.

Once we arrived at the airport everything went smooth. The lady at the ticket counter took our bags, then she complimented on Sissy. Sissy got compliments all the way to the ranch. Betty let everybody know that Sissy does not like airports. Mom asked Betty, Why doesn't Sissy like airports?

She said, Because they are too big, and there are way too many people there.

The flight was long and boring. Other than that, pretty much uneventful. Even the landing was smooth. Mom asked Betty, How did Sissy like the flight?

Betty said, Sissy slept the whole way so it wasn't bad for her at all.

That's good. She will be well rested-up for the ranch.

The flight sure was fun, wasn't it, Mom?

Yes, it was Mark. Are you excited, Betty?

Scared is more like it, said Betty. Do you think Grandma and Grandpa will like Sissy? Or Sissy will like them?

I'm quite sure they will love each other.

You really think so, Mom?

Yes, I am sure.

Now, Mark, watch for Grandma and Grandpa to get here.

He said, Okay.

A few seconds later, Mark yells, There they are. Look over there! He then hollered, Grandpa! and ran to him for an immediate hug.

Grandma said, Betty, you better come here and give me a hug!

Betty showed Grandma and Grandpa Sissy. She said, She is my favorite doll and my best friend in the whole world.

Grandma said, She is!

Betty said, Yes, she is magnificent. Mark told me you make the best apple pie. Sissy does not like apple pie because she is a doll. Sissy don't like any people food.

How about you? Do you like apple pie, Betty?

I like apple pie just fine.

Well, let's get you home and get you a big piece of pie and a tall glass of milk to wash it down. Okay? You must be hungry after that really long flight.

Yes, ma'am, and I'm really tired too.

I've got your room all fixed up. I'm sure you are gonna love it.

Okay, Sissy usually does not like new rooms, but maybe she will like this one.

Now let's all get going. It's gonna take over an hour to get to the ranch.

Hey, Grandpa, how is Jasmine doing?

Oh, she is just fine. I can't wait to ride her. You think maybe I can today?

No, by the time we get home it will be too late. Maybe we can bright and early in the morning. You know we have a baby colt, don't ya?

Yes, sir.

He is just big enough now for Betty to ride him.

What's his name? What does he look like?

His name is Diamond. He is solid black with a white diamond on his chest and white boots on all four legs. Diamond is a good name for him.

The ride to the ranch was awesome. We got to ride right through Denver. So cool. Mountains and ranches everywhere. We got to the ranch and carried everything inside. Grandma was watching me. She said, Mark, you are in such good shape. You look really good.

Grandma was tall, slim, and she had long beautiful silver and blonde hair. Not