Free The Space Between by Nikki Mathis Thompson

bakery in Clive. She just hoped the cupcakes would be as good as the muffins. The GPS on her phone was set, and the robotic voice let her know that she needed to continue twenty more miles until her exit. That made her smile even harder. She could handle that.  

    “Take exit 35B, on right. Then take left on Fifth Street.” The sound of the directions brought her back to reality. Georgia took her exit off of the highway. Her car slowly crossed over thick railroad tracks. She turned on her blinkers and waited for the dangling traffic light to turn green. There was an elderly man in a rocker in front of a dilapidated hardware store. He wore a faded red hat and worn overalls. The wind blew a newspaper in front of her car. That, and the choppy sway of the rocking chair, was the only movement.
    Fifth Street was also empty and there was no sign of the bakery.  
    “Hey, Lucy. It’s me. I think I’m lost. I can’t find the bakery anywhere. Call me when you get this.” She threw her phone in the front seat and drove to the end of the block. She passed a small alley between an abandoned cafe and antique store. A bright red awning caught her attention.
    “That has to be it…unless the old guy’s hiding muffins in his pockets.”
    She pulled against the curb and parked. Once her canvas sneakers were on the sidewalk, she looked around once more. The deserted town gave her the creeps. It was like a scene from Children of the Corn. She put her purse across her body to free up her hands, just in case.
    She got to the mouth of the dusty alley and walked with cautious steps. She wasn’t usually so timid, but she was feeling nervous. Now parallel with the awning, she faced a glass door, but the glass wasn’t clear, it was blacked out. Nothing that signified there was a bakery inside.
      “These cupcakes better be freaking epic.”
    The small bells dangling from a red string jingled as Georgia pushed the door open, cool air hitting her face.
    “Good afternoon and welcome,” chirped a young girl with a dark pixie haircut and a nose ring. Georgia whispered a breathy thank you, placing her sunglasses on the top of her head. She took in her surroundings. Shelves lined with books and jars filled with God knows what. Prisms and dream catchers hung from a wood post running diagonal from the ceiling to wall. The smell of incense and a lemon scented candle burning near the register were strong, but not unpleasant. Harp music was playing from speakers attached to a black stereo. Did she hear water trickling?  
    What was this place? There sure weren’t any baked goods.
    Well, maybe pot brownies.
    The girl looked at her, then nods. “You’re here for Gwen.” It wasn’t a question.
    “Uh, no, I just need directions. There’s supposed to be a bakery around here. I can’t seem to find…”
    “Trust me, you need Gwen.” The girl cut her off with a smile and a wink. The bangles lining both wrists clanked as she closed the book she was reading.
    “No, really I’m not…” But the girl was already at the back of the store, which was more cavernous than she’d first thought.  
    “Where the hell am I?” she said under her breath. New Age book store by the looks of it, not that she’d ever seen one in person. She followed the tiny girl, who had disappeared behind a thick purple velvet curtain. She hoped this Gwen person would be more forthcoming with the directions.
    “Hello?” Georgia called as she pulled the curtain to the side. It wasn’t a storage room as she’d expected, but a sitting room of sorts. The only light came from a lamp in the corner of the room. Its shade was blood red with lines of colored beads hanging like a shimmery skirt. There was a table and thick tufted chairs in various shades and patterns.
    A woman sat in one of these chairs. She had a full head of thick white hair, and smooth skin, despite her age. Full cheeks and bright clear eyes. She wore a black turtle neck and an ornate necklace of silver and