Mad Uncle McGillicuddy, Secret Imagination Explorer

By S.F. Tibbs

In "Mad Uncle McGillicuddy, Secret Imagination Explorer," readers are invited to join the extraordinary journey of a young family as destiny guides them to the threshold of magnificent, hidden worlds. The realms, shielded for centuries by a secretive order, unfurl in front of their eyes, full of awe-inspiring wonders and enchanting mysteries.

At the heart of this tale is the exploration of childhood, the magic of imagination, and the enduring impact of grief. This narrative delves into the depths of loss, offering a poignant look at the long-term effects of sorrow, and beautifully illustrating the healing power of love and family.

As the family navigates the unknown, they must confront their fears, confront their grief, and rekindle their bonds. "Mad Uncle McGillicuddy, Secret Imagination Explorer" encapsulates the heartwarming tale of a family bound by love, navigating the complexities of life, and finding solace in the most unexpected of places.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350905601

Book preview

BK90078398.jpg

Mad Uncle McGillicuddy, Secret Imagination Explorer

Copyright © 2023 by Shaun Francis Thibodeau. All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. 

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. 

S.F. Tibbs

Visit my page at www.facebook.com/S.F.Tibbs

Printed in the United States of America 

First Printing: June 2023

Print ISBN: 979-8-35090-559-5

eBook ISBN: 979-8-35090-560-1

This book is dedicated to the memory of my late Godmother and Aunt, Mary Beatty, who I never doubted I could count on. Her love and support were always there.

This story slowly grew from a dream I had on the one-year anniversary of her passing, and a part of me cannot deny the feeling that it just might be yet another gift from her.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Postscript

Introduction

I am S.F. Tibbs, a world-travelling seeker of mysteries and wonders. For many years, I have endeavored to catalog the fantastic secrets hidden all around us in a work I call The Cyclopædia Obscurata. Although it originally began as a scholarly work, I’ve had the realization that some of the stories deserve to be told in a more narrative form.

The first story which I would like to share with you, I must admit, will probably be difficult to believe. I have done my best to describe the events as accurately as I can. As with any story, things change with each retelling, and the absolute truth is often lost as soon as the event has passed. My greatest hope for you, my dear reader, is that you can see past your doubts, and experience the wonders that follow.

With most stories, if the people in them are good, and you stick with the tale for long enough, there is a tendency towards happiness. The journey there is not always easy—in fact, it is often a long and difficult path—but sharing how we find our way through life is a powerful magic, which should never be underestimated…

Chapter One

Concerning the Franklins

The Franklins were a family; that much I can say. I wish I could relate that they were a happy family, but sadly, at the time this story begins, that is not entirely true.

The misfortune of the Franklin family began seven years earlier, while Mrs. Franklin busily prepared to welcome a new baby into their home. As this would be her fourth child, Mrs. Franklin had a good handle on things. For the first time, however, she faced it alone.

Mr. Franklin, who was a soldier by trade and therefore frequently known as Captain Franklin, was far away overseas, serving nobly in a war. Wars are always unfortunate, but every now and then, there are people who need soldiers like Captain Franklin to stand up and protect them. Often, the bravery of soldiers is the greatest enemy of the evils in our world.

The trouble with being as selfless as Captain Franklin is that you are often forced to spend time away from those you love. The Captain sorely missed his wife and their three children. He longed for the end of the war so he could be with them once again. But fate had a crueler plan. War is vicious, and it took all the Captain had to give.

It was three months before the baby’s arrival when Mrs. Franklin learned that her husband would not be returning. The news was hard, and the other children were barely able to understand what it meant at their age. But Mrs. Franklin understood. She would raise her children on her own, and though she loved them dearly, it would prove a difficult task.

Eventually, the baby was born. Mrs. Franklin often said that though she had not chosen a name, as soon as she held her precious little girl for the first time, she knew this was Mia Rose. The new arrival took up residence in the nursery where all the previous children had slept when they had been newborns themselves. The house had been a part of the family since its beginning, as Mr. Franklin, who had not yet become a soldier, purchased it for his bride just before their wedding.

Mrs. Franklin was a strong person. Though it was not easy, she kept her little family safe and provided for in the months that followed. But those months turned into years, and after seven years, she began to struggle. It seemed likely that they would have to give up their lovely house and move. She sat her children down and told them the sad news. Each of them reacted differently; none of them took it particularly well.

Rebecca Elayne, the eldest, was fifteen years old. She had brown eyes behind big glasses, and her chestnut hair was almost always swept back into a single large braid, which reached down her back. A very practical girl, Rebecca showed little outward reaction to having to move —mostly because she had felt, since her father’s passing, that she needed to help her mother, so she tried to be as positive and supportive as possible.

Next came Grace Ann, or Gracie, at thirteen. She kept her dark brown hair loose, falling in waves to her shoulders. As she was bubbly in all the best ways, Gracie spoke a great deal about the prospect of moving. It would mean having to make