{"id":238,"date":"2026-05-14T02:02:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T02:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/?p=238"},"modified":"2026-05-14T02:02:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T02:02:34","slug":"floras-dinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/2026\/05\/14\/floras-dinner\/","title":{"rendered":"Flora\u2019s Dinner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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I didn\u2019t realize how much effort it would take to just get to the beginning of the hiking trail. I got up early, put on my new hiking gear that took longer than I imagined, called a gig-car to take me to the car rental lot. I rented a car and headed to Marin county to get to a hiking trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I read about the Dipsea trailhead at Stinson Beach (a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation area) it was off a side road from Highway 1. It climbed gradually through some thorny scrubby sort of brush and then I saw a forest grade. I was so happy to see the cool shade. Just a little bit of a hike and I was already hot, sweaty, and my legs were cramping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiking was part of my new physical activity as part of the effort to lose weight. I was new to hiking and bought all the equipment suggested by AI. I overspent. I was equipped for a long excursion and not a walk on a trail. One of the habits I will have to break, thinking that buying special gear is going to solve a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the equipment I brought was getting heavier with each step. I rationed my water intake but began to worry that I may not have brought enough. I sat down in the shade next to a tree to catch my breath and to stop sweating. It was so quiet, except for some birds. I was sleep deprived from going over the plans and equipment in my head last night instead of getting rest. I didn\u2019t realize I fell asleep until I woke up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was already dusk when I awoke. I thought I heard a woman\u2019s voice saying, \u201cWake up, come to me.\u201d I rubbed my eyes and yawned. I thought the dream would fade but it didn\u2019t. I could swear I could still hear that woman\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I got up, brushed off the forest debris from my pants, and started walking. I wasn\u2019t on a trail anymore. I didn\u2019t know where the trail was and as it was getting dark I thought I\u2019d best check my phone to get an idea of where I was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No cell signal. Well, that\u2019s a bummer. I checked my paper map and took out my compass, only to find that I had sat on my compass and broke it. I\u2019m off to a rotten start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only thing I could think of was to go down hill. If I came across a stream I could follow that. All streams lead to the ocean, don’t they. I should come across some buildings, maybe with some people living there. They might have a land line, or even a vehicle. I could offer to pay them to take me back to my rental car. I was full of wishful thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could still hear the echo of the woman\u2019s voice in my head. I was hearing things from being hungry and thirsty. I drank a little bit of my rapidly diminishing water supply and had a protein bar, I hoped that would help clear my head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the sun set I did come across a clearing, a part of the mountain that seemed like it was leveled for a building or homestead. It was very quiet and I could only hear my breath, heartbeat, and my footsteps in the dried grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I saw a yellow light behind some tall brush and I heard a woman softly singing. I couldn\u2019t make out the words she was singing but I definitely recognized the voice. It was the voice from my dream. I was obviously lightheaded from exertion, lack of food, and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hurried towards the light and came upon a tiny house built in a shape of a tugboat. Like the boat sailed right up the mountain and docked itself in the bushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The light came from an open window or porthole. I felt odd to just go knocking on a stranger\u2019s door in the dark, but I really had no choice. I cleared my throat, hoping she would hear me and her singing stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcuse me.\u201d I called out, \u201cI\u2019m lost and I saw the light from the window.\u201d I hoped I sounded harmless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re lost, you say?\u201d the woman said from the porthole. It was a voice of a young woman. \u201cWell, I supposed you should come aboard.\u201d The door to the tiny house opened up and a golden glow silhouetted the shape of a petite woman. Her features were in the shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you so much. I\u2019m new to hiking, fell asleep under a tree, woke up and found myself lost.\u201d I explained, embarrassed that I was blubbering, as I walked toward the open door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt happens a lot.\u201d She said in a voice that was pleasant. \u201cYou must be thirsty and hungry. Please come in.\u201d She stepped back from the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were 3 stairs that led up to her door way. I wondered if I should offer to take off my shoes so I didn\u2019t track dirt into her home. \u201cI should remove my shoes. I don\u2019t want to track in dirt.\u201d I said as I stuck my head in her open doorway. She was tiny, shorter than me. I felt like a big oaf next to her, bigger than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf that would make you feel comfortable.\u201d The woman said, her back to me as she went to the small kitchen area, \u201cI\u2019ll put on some water for tea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I sat on the top stair and took off my shoes to leave them on the outside doorsteps. I put them to one side so no one would stumble over them going out. I didn\u2019t want to make a mess when she was helping me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I stood up, closed the door, and turned around to face the most beautiful woman I\u2019ve ever seen. She had long golden hair that fell in waves, pale skin, bright blue eyes, pink lips that played with a smile she was seeming to resist. She was like a Disney fairy princess. I had to remind myself to close my mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m Flora Mallory.\u201d She said as she reached out to shake my hand. I had reached out to knock knuckles because that was the usual greeting. So our hands stopped within inches of each other in that awkward open hand – knuckle gesture. We both pulled away smiling but never touching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m Brennen. Brennen Alistar. Could I wash my hands, please?\u201d I asked, holding out my muddy hands. I was self conscious of how dirty my hands were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She laughed softly and said, \u201cWhat\u2019s that old saying? ‘Got to eat a bushel of dirt before you die.’ Dirt never hurt anyone, but sure, the sink\u2019s right there. I\u2019ll show you how to use the foot pump.\u201d She led me to the sink that was made of a porcelain bowl with blue and white glaze, the design seemed to be people dancing or swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSee, the pump is right down here. Step on it and water will come out.\u201d She showed me how to do it. By some trick of the eye the blue people in the bowl seemed to be moving when the water flowed over them. I was soon distracted by her foot that was so petite and pretty in white slippers with gold designs on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPretty slippers\u201d I said as I washed my hands. The aroma of her hair was intoxicating. I had to struggle not to bury my face in it. She would have been within her right to kick me out if I did that. Kick me out or shoot me if I didn\u2019t want to go. That was an odd thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019d be surprised to know that the designs are made of straw.\u201d she said stepping back to show them off. \u201cIt\u2019s an old technique and the gold is a natural color of the straw.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOr Rumpelstiltskin was the designer.\u201d I joked and then saw her smile suddenly fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, he wasn\u2019t.\u201d She said somberly and moved to the stove to tend to the pot of water that was boiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, bad joke. The shoes are lovely.\u201d I said and looked for a tea towel or something to dry my hands. I couldn\u2019t find anything so I dried them on my shirt. Everything I did was so clumsy. Anything I could have done around her would look clumsy. She moved like she was floating instead of walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I took out my phone and found that I still didn\u2019t have cell service. I looked around to see if there was a land-line phone and couldn\u2019t find any. \u201cDo you have a land-line phone I could use so I could call a gig-car to come pick me up?\u201d I asked as I sat where she gestured me to by the small wood burning stove. Everything in this tiny house made me feel like a giant. The stove, table, seating area were all perfectly suited to her. I was over-sized for everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnfortunately the land-line is not in service. Winds blew down some trees and the service isn\u2019t back up.\u201d She said as she poured tea into two cups on the small table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you have a car? I would be happy to pay for your gas and time if you could drive me to where I left my rental car.\u201d I asked, hoping against hope that she didn\u2019t have a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI use my bicycle to get about. I don\u2019t think it would be wise for the two of us to be on the bike at night.\u201d She said and laughed merrily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, gosh, that\u2019s going to make it awkward. I don\u2019t want to impose on your hospitality by spending the night. I doubt if I could find my way out in the dark when I got lost by daylight.\u201d I said, feeling hopeless. I didn\u2019t see any humor in the situation. \u201cI could sleep outside in my emergency sleeping bag.\u201d I offered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s think about that after dinner. I was just about to eat and there\u2019s enough for two.\u201d She said and got up to go to the kitchen area. She reached down and brought up a covered casserole dish. I didn\u2019t see an oven when I was over there washing my hands but I wasn\u2019t looking for one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGet two plates from the shelf,\u201d she said and pointed with her chin to a shelf on the opposite side of the seating area. Plates of different designs were displayed upright on narrow strips of wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I got two plates, a pink one for her and a blue one for me. I set them beside our cups and she set the hot casserole dish at the center of the table. I didn\u2019t think there was going to be enough room on the table but there was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She reached back over to the kitchen area and pulled out three spoons. One serving spoon and two dinner spoons. She opened the top of the dish without any care as to the heat and began to serve large portions of a creamy pasta dish that looked to have chicken, carrots, and peas in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She put the lid on the dish and handed me my spoon. \u201cI hope you like chicken and vegetables. You\u2019re not allergic to wheat are you?\u201d She asked as she began to take her first bite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you. No, I mean, no wheat allergies. I eat chicken.\u201d I said and paused, \u201cThere goes my diet.\u201d I laughed weakly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is not the time to worry about a diet. This is a special occasion. You got lost and then you found my home. I made too much dinner for just myself and now I get to share it. Everything is going to be fine.\u201d She said and ate her dinner with a gusto that belied her petite frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right. I\u2019m a lucky man.\u201d I said as I took the first bite. The casserole was delicious. Better than anything I had ever eaten in my whole life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, you are.\u201d She said seriously, looking up at me through her long lashes. She watched me eat her dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeks later the body of Brennan Alistar was found in an empty field, starved and dehydrated, with his shoes off. Autopsy showed his stomach was filled with dirt. The field was the site of a suspected murder and arson that happened years ago. The background of the murder\/arson scene was a love affair that went wrong. A woman lost her life in the fire of a tiny house. Her boyfriend had an alibi being in San Francisco at the time. Rumor had it that he was dissatisfied with her because she had gained a lot of weight after an illness. Their romance faded and it was said he was with another woman when the tiny house burnt to the ground with Flora Mallory in it. Oddly, Brennan Alistar is not the first fatality to have been discovered on that site, what locals are now deeming as haunted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I didn\u2019t realize how much effort it would take to just get to the beginning of the hiking trail. I got up early, put on my new hiking gear that took longer than I imagined, called a gig-car to take me to the car rental lot. I rented a car and headed to Marin county…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fiction"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":251,"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238\/revisions\/251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/norajean.com\/AuntyAlias.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}