Jacqueline the Dullahan (rough draft)

“Oh my, looks like it’s supposed to snow this weekend,” your grandmother said, plucking you from your deep thoughts.

You turned from the window, which was framed by the poplar trees just outside. “It’s supposed to be Halloween this weekend. What are you talking about snow?”

She rolled her eyes like a teenager. “Just what I said! It’s going to snow.”

You frowned at her, stirring your coffee while you tried to figure out if this was one of her grand pranks, or one of her random predictions. She was good at those, great at saying a phone was going to ring or someone would be at the door. Her weather predictions weren’t as good, so this felt like it should be taken with a grain of salt.

You stood up from your seat. “Maybe alert the presses, parents will wanna know how to dress the children I’m sure.”

“Speaking of Halloween!” Your grandmother announced, knocking you from your train of thought. “I got you an early birthday present.”

“Grandma,” you huffed. “I told you, I just wanted you to make dinner for my birthday. You didn’t have to get me something.”

She cackled wickedly, making you stop in your tracks.“Oh, you’re going to love this. Trust me.” She took out her rattan pocket book and unclipped it, opening it up and rustling around inside. She then took out her Burt Reynolds wallet and opened it.

“I got it just the other day while I was at The Dark Sweet getting our bonbons.”

The hairs on the back of your neck stood at attention. The Dark Sweet was your favorite store in town, they handmade all their confections, and their chocolates were the best you’d ever had. And you were a girl who had sampled many, many types of chocolate over your lifetime.

Your grandmother pulled out a small dark orange envelope and passed it over to you. “This is a big deal around here. And I won a ticket!”

“Ticket?” You opened the envelope to see a jack o’ lantern card inside with its vines spelling out welcome. Inside, the card spelled out a one-of-kind dining invite to The Dark Sweet on Halloween where a dinner and chocolate sampling was to be had.

“Grandma!” You gasped.

“They only give out a few tickets each year. But the tasting is a huge deal to this town. What’s served is to be the menu for what comes out in the shop the following year, you see. It’s a big deal.”

“Then why not use the ticket on yourself?”

Grandma scoffed. “I’ll be fine with what I trick or treat. I figured you could use a nice night out. Maybe meet someone.”

You gave her a look. “Don’t start sounding like mom.”

“Oh, am I?” Grandma pulled a mirror from her purse and checked herself. “Oh thank goodness. Got scared for a second. But Merrimores can only find love here. That’s why your mother ain’t had a lick of-”

You gave her a look and she quieted instantly.“My bad, baby girl. But I’m glad you’re more like me than her. It’s important for us girls to stick together, you know? This town, it needs us. Our family was the first to step foot in this town.”

You nodded, having heard this story a million times before. “Yes, I know.”

“Don’t give me that, young lady. The Merrimores are part of history. One day, you’ll understand that.” She motioned to the mantle where a painting of your million time great grandmother was posed before a field of pumpkins. “We are tied to this land in ways you’d be shocked.”

This wasn’t new, you’d heard this over and over again from your grandmother. It was part of why your mother didn’t want you around her. She grew up with it, and she left when she was seventeen.

“Your mother gummed up the order!”

“I know.” You looked at your golden pumpkin invite again, smiling to yourself as the excitement began to grow.

To your surprise, it snowed Halloween weekend. Skeletons and pumpkins had caps of white fluff upon them, and the snow plows were running double time to make sure Halloween festivities could continue, even in the cold.

“Be sure to wear your gloves,” Grandma fussed at you.

“I have them,” you huffed.

“Don’t just have them! Wear them!”

You put them on so she could see then wiggled your fingers. Your grandmother walked up, adjusting your hair then smoothing down your coat. “You have a fun evening now,” she said.

“I don’t like you going out alone,” you badgered her. “Not in this cold. I can get you candy if you want it.”

“I’m taking a bunch of the neighborhood kids so the parents can relax. I won’t be alone.” She had made a paper mache pumpkin she could wear. “Besides, they’ll think I’m a kid too at my size, and I won’t have to pay a nickel for anything.”

You sighed heavily and opened the door to step out. “Just be careful out there. It’s cold, and even though they salted-”

“Get,” she shoved you out the door. “I’ve known how to take care of myself long before you came along. And I’ll take care of myself long after you are gone too. That is the Merrimore way!”

You stared agape at her. “Grandma!”

“Happy Halloween my baby.” She then closed the door and you sighed heavily, walking down the steps towards the garage.

The Dark Sweet was in the heart of downtown. Already kids and parents alike were taking part in the hallowed eve traditions despite the flurries and building snow. Kids had modified their costumes to include their winter attire, and shops were advertising hot drinks and a warm spot to rest while trick or treating. But The Dark Sweet had set up curtains in the windows and had flickering electric candles hanging down from the awning to create the atmosphere. The building it was in was one an old Victorian manor that was modified to house a few shops. It suited the decor of downtown, but during Halloween it really suited the haunted undertones. Ticket holders were waiting outside, gathering out front in their fine attire and puffiest coat.

You really wished your grandmother had gotten a ticket too. Standing there alone in line, a singular person in a gaggle of friend groups and couples made you feel like a sore thumb. You looked at your phone, hoping that fiddling around on it would lessen your nerves. But nope. It only served to remind you that you were here alone. Nervous. Awkward. Anxious. Oh yes, and alone.

You pouted to yourself, gazing at a phone screen that was slowly gathering snowflakes. “Hand warmer? Hand warmer?”

Glancing up you saw a tall, strong looking woman coming down the line, handing out hand warmers from a plastic cauldron. She was dressed regularly, wearing a long furry coat. But she had a glowing pumpkin upon her head, you supposed, to play into halloween. You imagined that she was some cousin to the Sleepy Hollow horseman, a kinder relative who used her flames to warm the cold.

She approached you, offering out the cauldron. “Would you like one?”

The voice sounded familiar from under the pumpkin. “Chef Jacqueline?” A warmth from the center of your chest flowed outward into your fingertips and belly.

“You figured me out!” She said excitedly. Jacqueline posed in her attire. “I thought I could get away with stepping out of the kitchen,” she chuckled.

You smiled, relieved to have someone you knew around. “I’ll keep your secret. I promise.”

Jacqueline clasped her hands together and giggled. “Thank you!” She stepped closer to you, causing the warmth inside you to grow. “Sorry about the wait, the snow hindered some of the deliveries the shop was waiting on.” She offered out a hand warmer to you. “I figured I’d get dressed up like everyone else.”

You crackled the hand warmer until it activated then rubbed it between your palms. “It’s alright. I’ve been enjoying watching everything going on.”

Jacqueline turned and looked around. “I’m glad to see they're still having fun, given the weather.” She adjusted her fluffy coat. “Leaving the hot kitchen almost gave me a shock.”

“Oh I’m sure,” you chuckled. Chef Jacqueline didn’t show herself out of the kitchen often. But you had caught glimpses of her several times to have formed a crush on her. Every time you were around her you grew warm all over and time slowed to where your conversation lasted longer than they should. You had visited the shop many times, just hoping to see her and catch her smile.

You swallowed back your pounding heart and nodded to her. “Well, I hope all goes well for dinner tonight.”

She tilted her head, or well, pumpkin, and it almost seemed like the smile upon it grew. “As do I. It’s a very important event for the shop.” She then bowed her head to you, or well, her pumpkin. “I should go. I just wanted to make sure the wait was comfortable.”

“Thank you, it’s very appreciated.” You waved to her as she left, noticing what nice boots she had on. You clutched the handwarmer between your palms, smiling to yourself.

Once the doors opened, everyone filed inside, showing off their tickets at the front. You showed yours, and the lady up front made an expression. “Oh, you have the golden pumpkin!”

You weren’t sure what that meant, you just stared at her confused. With Jacqueline gone your heart was pounding for another reason, and now the cold was getting to you again.

The lady looked even more surprised at your reaction. “That means you get to sit with the chef herself! The chocolatier who owns The Dark Sweet.”

“Jacqueline?” you said simply. You then gasped. “Oh! I had no idea.”

The hostess smiled. “Not to worry. Come inside with everyone else. You’ll get to sample the drinks and appetizers with the group. But once dinner is served, just wait in the shop and Chef Jacqueline will come get you.”

Servers were dressed in halloween flair, walking around with platters of appetizers, some sweet, some savory. Various flavors of hot cocoa were served by a girl dressed as a witch behind the counter. You didn’t see the tall pumpkin-headed woman anywhere, but perhaps she was in the back preparing the food.

You watched as you sipped your cocoa, sampling some of the blackened cherry and cheese appetizers. The store was bubbling with excitement as the guests had removed their coats and were wandering around. You remained to one side, a bit too timid to join in any of the conversations. After all, you had just moved into town, you hadn’t met anyone or made friends yet.

“Everyone, come and take a notebook for the meal,” the hostess called out, carrying a plastic cauldron of little notebooks and pencils. “Chef Jacqueline is almost ready. So please, take your notebooks so you can make notes about the meal and the chocolates you’ll be sampling tonight. Be honest with your reviews, because this meal is what will be coming to the shop next year.”

You approached to take a notebook but the hostess shook her head at you. “Not you. You’ll be dining with Chef Jacqueline herself. Come along everyone!” She led the rest of the guests away towards the back. You stood there at the front where the quiet became all too noticeable.

To the side you noticed the kitchen doors opened. The tall, pumpkin-headed woman stepped out. She wasn’t wearing that coat, rather, she had an apron on over a sparkling suit. You could see her figure much better. Your heart fluttered and you stood at attention.

She looked at you, recognizing you. “Gold pumpkin?” She asked.

You nodded. “I believe so. At least that’s what the hostess told me.”

Somehow that pumpkin seemed to grow a bigger smile. She then flourished her hand before her chest. “Wonderful. Glad it’s someone I know.” Jaqueline chuckled and led you into the kitchen where a dining table was set. She pulled out your chair and you sat down. “I’m always nervous about these one on one dinners. I often consider canceling them each year.”

“I don’t blame you.” You fidgeted in your chair. “I’m nervous myself right now. But well, I had no idea I’d won something so special.”

Jacqueline brought over plates from the kitchen to the table. She set a plate before you then removed her apron. Under the dark, sparkling jacket she wore only a cropped shirt that showed off her remarkably chiseled belly.

Your face heated and you tried to keep your attention on the food. “This all looks wonderful.”

“All chocolate infused too. I pour my heart and soul into this meal every year, just so I will be prepared for the coming year.”

“I’ll try to be as good a food critic as I can. But to be honest I am weak against anything chocolate.” You looked at your plate, taking the first few bites while Jacqueline went over the meal to you.

Jacqueline then got a pensive air as she watched you eat. Even with the pumpkin head on, you could somehow feel her expressions. “You look familiar to me,” she murmured. “Are you related to Elda by any chance?”

Your brows raised. “Yes. That’s my grandmother.”

“Oh,” Jaqueline breathed. “I thought perhaps you were a Merrimore.”

“If you’re one of the Merrimore enemies I really don’t know how to explain it, but I do apologize for my grandmother.”

She shook her head slowly. “Oh goodness no, nothing like that. I just thought Elda was the only Merrimore left in town.”

“My mom ran away, but I came back a few months ago to help take care of my grandmother,” you replied. You dabbed at your mouth with a napkin. “So, no there are two Merrimores, I suppose. I don’t know what that means exactly.” You motioned to her plate. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Hmm?” Jacqueline looked at her plate then chuckled. “I wanted to make sure you liked it first.”

You nodded. “It’s wonderful.”

Jacqueline sighed. “Some of these recipes have been in my family for generations. As long as the Merrimores have been here.”

You stopped eating and glanced at her. “Am I going to die?”

Jaqueline froze then started laughing. “No! Oh my gosh no!” She patted your hand, a gesture you really liked. Her skin felt soft, and her nails were painted a very slick black. When she touched you there was a current that rippled through your body. It was familiar and new, a bit breathtaking.

Ever so carefully Jacqueline recoiled her hand, pulling it towards her chest. “Our families are not enemies,” she said with a breathless cadence. She then cleared her throat. “You seem to really enjoy the mole sauce.”

You nodded, swallowing back the lump in your throat.

“Good. Good, I’m most excited about it. Been working with a family in Mexico-” She stood and went back into the kitchen, opening up a fridge and taking out fancy glass cups.

You were setting your mostly empty plate aside when you saw Jacqueline’s food remained untouched. Her pumpkin head had a concerned look on it as she was piping chocolate into the glass cups.

“Grandma used to tell me the Merrimore women who first came here were witches, but traded their powers for a treasure here.” You watched Jacqueline carefully. “As well as for guardians from the other side. I never really got the last part.”

Jacqueline sighed and set her piping bag aside. “Well, I guess if you didn’t grow up here, you wouldn’t.” She wiped her hands on a cloth and shrugged. “I made something special for the one on one dinner. It’s my prototype for the Valentine’s day special.” She brought over the glass cups, which were decorated with chocolate mousse and strawberries, as well as tiny balls of chocolate with gold flakes on them.

“You’re not going to have any?” You asked.

Jacqueline twisted her body slightly. She fidgeted with her hands folded before her. “Not yet.” The light shining from inside her pumpkin head flickered, turning slightly redder than before.

You look at the dessert then back at her. “Come and sit at least.” You patted the chair beside you. “Tell me all about this Valentine’s day special.”

“Oh! Of course!” Jacqueline’s nerves seemed to dissipate as she told you about the layers and filling in each glass. She was still trying to figure out the best way to present the dessert, but this was basically the final product.

It was rich and decadent, probably the best chocolate treat you’ve ever had. There was love inside it and it warmed through your whole body.

“How is it?” Jacqueline asked.

Your face was flushed, warm and tingling all over your cheeks. You smiled up brightly at her. “I don’t know how to describe it.”

Jacqueline sighed. “It’s a romantic dessert.”

“For certain.” You looked up at her. “You know, as much as I love this shop and getting my treats here, I know I can depend on always finding something I like. But, sometimes I come in here just hoping to catch a glimpse of you.”

Jacqueline turned her head shyly. “Oh, don’t kid!”

“I’m not.”

She looked back at you, gently placing her hand over your own. “Merrimores do have specific taste, don’t they?”

Your heart sputtered as she touched you. But her words confused you. “Huh?”

The kitchen door opened and the hostess came in with a train of servers and dirty dishes. “I have the notebooks all-oops!” She stopped in her tracks and the train of rolling trays nearly crashed behind her. “Didn’t know you weren’t done, Chef Jacqueline.”

“It’s alright.” She stood up. “I can take my guest upstairs if the meal is over. We were still chatting about Valentine's specials.” She went over to the hostess, taking the bucket of notebooks. “I’ll look these over tomorrow. Thank you.”

Somehow, you ended upstairs with Jacqueline alone. She put on music, poured some wine, and took off her sparkling jacket. Your heart thrummed nervously, but you were happy to be here in her home. Old cook books were stacked about, filled with papers marking off notes and ideas. She had old french posters upon the wall, and her shelves were decorated with colorful stones.

Jacqueline came out of the bathroom, carrying the pumpkin head in her arm. “I hope you don’t mind talking here,” she said. “I wanted to keep talking.”

“No, no. I’m excited to keep-” You stopped in your tracks, seeing the top of her neck had nothing attached to it. Smoke fumes billowed out, taking the shape of something that looked head shaped. Your jaw dropped.

“Don’t be scared!” Jacqueline quickly came forward and set the pumpkin down. “I’ll have a head in a second so it won’t be so weird!”

Your mouth flopped open like a trout as you tried to find the right way to phrase your question.

Jacqueline sat beside you on the sofa. “If you stayed here in town, you would know.”

“Headless?” Your voice squeaked out.

Jacqueline touched your hand, and you were calmed by it. Your heart raced again as Jacqueline sighed softly. “Merrimores find love here. Very specifically with the ghosts of the old pumpkin patch.” She laced her fingers with yours. “Our ancestors have been bound together for centuries. In exchange for your magic, we have life, and we essentially are fated.” Glowing lights appeared in the smoke like eyes.

Your heart continued to hammer away at Jacqueline’s touch. “So that’s what Grandma meant.”

Jacqueline chuckled, and there was a silence between you two that needed nothing to be filled.

“Oh gosh, it’s late,” Jacqueline murmured. She picked up an old clock from the side table and sighed. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you for so long.”

You just smiled. “No, no, it’s okay! I’ve been having fun talking with you.”

Jacqueline sighed, but it sounded like a happy one. “I can help you home if you’d like. It’s probably too cold to walk.”

“I have my car. They salted the roads so everything should be okay to drive.” You didn’t move to leave, nor did Jacqueline stand to usher you out.

“Well then,” she breathed.

You looked around for ways to stall. “Can I help you with the dishes before I-”

“No, no, I’ll handle cleaning up the cups and cocoa powder,” she chuckled. “But uhm...let me get my coat and I’ll walk you downstairs.” She stood up, walking around you to her room.

You pouted, not quite ready to end this evening.

“I have tomorrow off. I always close the shop after a big candy holiday.” She came out with a leather coat draped over her arm. “So if you’re not busy with anything.”

A huge smile spread across my face. “I’m not.”

Jacqueline shuddered. “Well then, how about I make us dinner?”

It was almost too much excitement for one body to take. You eagerly agreed, even held her hand as she walked you out to your car.

Your grandmother was asleep when you got home, passed out with candy wrappers all over her quilt. You’d tell her the good news when she woke. In the morning you got up early and went to buy something nice for the evening. Your grandmother was elated, the works weren’t gummed up anymore.

One dinner with Jacqueline turned into another, then another, then a day out, then a movie. The two of you were finding any excuse to spend time together. While you were together, it was like it was supposed to be. You had no nerves, no worries, being with her was like breathing.

You continued making dates, meeting her at the Dark Sweet for lunches or exchanging quick kisses. All the while your grandmother just smiled, the plan was coming to fruition.

One morning you woke up in Jacqueline’s bed. After a long date, you had passed out talking and Jacqueline must have carried you to her bed. You sat up groggily, rubbing your eyes as harsh light came through the single crack in the curtain. There was a cold crispness to the air that ached your bones and made you want to crawl back under the down comforter. There was a stillness that crackled, making you aware of your own movements and breaths.

“Don’t get up!” Jacqueline called from outside the bedroom. “It snowed like hell last night. The power is out. I’m trying to get this solar powered thing to work. I’m trying to make something warm to drink.”

You slid out of bed enough to open the curtain and to see the sea of white outside. It certainly had snowed! More than you had ever seen before.

“Sorry it’s so cold,” Jacqueline huffed as she walked back in. “That little solar panel thing needs to charge a minute before I can make us a drink.”

You turned around, seeing Jacqueline was standing in the doorway watching you. A prickle ran down your spine, making you bite your lip and hold in your breath for a second.

“It's okay, don’t stress about it.” You tugged the bottom of your shirt down, but realized that only showed off your cleavage more.

“Get back in bed,” she fussed, coming in as you settled under the comforter again. She snuggled up to you, putting her arms around you while you rested your head upon her arm.

“Much better,” Jacqueline sighed.

Your cheeks flushed. “You know what would help us get warmer?” You asked, surprised your meekness wasn’t making your throat shut.

“Hmm?” Jacqueline sighed tranquilly.

“Bare skin to bare skin.”

Jacqueline’s hand on your back squeezed. “Oh?”

You snuggled up closer to her, rubbing your hand down her side and under the elastic of her pajama bottoms. “You said it’s cold. We should do all we can from freezing to death,” you teased.

Jacqueline moaned as your hand glided along her pelvic bone. “It’s not that cold in here. Is it?”

You brushed your fingers against her panties, crooking them to fit the curve and then gently rubbed her.

Jacqueline’s smoke sputtered and shot out sparks as you touched. “Maybe…maybe it’s a bit chillier than I thought,” she moaned.

You went between her thighs, pressing more until you felt wetness seep from the fabric. You pushed up her shirt, kissing bare skin and breathing against her.

“Fuck,” she whimpered. “Fuck that feels so good.”

Your fingers moved aside her panties, touching her wet slit directly. You slipped along her folds before rubbing your thumb into her clit. Jacqueline stiffened, almost rising up out of bed.

“Oh wait! Wait!” Jacqueline moaned as her smoke formed her head. Her eyes glowed as she looked at you, long wispy smoky hair curled and billowed around her face. She dipped down, kissing you and rolling you over onto the bed. Under the covers it was warm, growing steadily hotter the more you kissed.

Jacqueline pushed up your shirt, kissing your breasts and nuzzling between them. She smiled smugly as she snuggled your soft, warm body. Then there was a beeping from the kitchen.

“Oh, that’s the solar panel.” Jacqueline sat up. “Let me go take care of that.”

“You’re just stopping here?” You huffed.

Jacqueline smirked, sparks rising out of her smoke hair. “Not stopping entirely.” She plucked off her head and placed it between your thighs. Her body walked off and her head bit your thigh.

You whimpered, reaching down and grabbing the top of her head. Her tongue lapped against you and she moaned. “You taste so good.” Her tongue burrowed inside as her lips caressed your lip. She moaned again, pulling back as your eyes began to flutter. “So sweet. So warm.” She slurped again, suckling your clit then swirling her tongue around you.

You cried out, heated and impassioned, buried under the comforter writhing.  You pressed her head closer as the pressure built, near the very last moments of this tension.

The comforter was pulled back and Jacqueline’s headless body stood over you. She climbed into the bed, leaving her head where it was at. She straddled your head, lowering herself upon your lips. She was still so wet, so hot. You moaned against her, licking and suckling as best you could. Below, her head cried out against you, moaning as you were.

Her body rose up again, taking her head back and kissing you passionately. Under the covers you both touched and grasped one another, crying out against each other's lips until the passion almost felt too much.

Your legs tangled together as you rested there under the comforter, bare bodies hugged tight as you listened to each other breathing.

“That did work,” Jacqueline murmured. “I am very warm.”

You giggled, snuggling up against her breasts. “I’m feeling cold again.”

Jacqueline chuckled. “Already?” She kissed your cheek and then your lips. “We haven’t even had coffee yet. Can you try and stay warm until then?”

“I don’t know. I’ve not felt this…alive in so long,” you whispered. “I finally feel like I’m home. Even though I’ve been here for months. I don’t know. It just…it’s like a finished puzzle.”

Jacqueline smiled. “Me too.” She leaned down and kissed you, smoothing your hair from your face. “Everything feels like it’s in place. Like the Merrimores are where they belong.”

You chuckled, stroking her cheek as you gazed into her dark eyes. “Maybe that’s it.” You kissed her again, pulling her down into your soft body. “I guess we should have coffee.”

“In a second,” she breathed and wrapped her arms around you. “Just a second.”