Cherry Darling pulled her long blonde hair into braids and wrapped them around her head.  She secured the look with bobby pins and then wound red ribbons in and out of the style.  She smiled as she put on the embroidered top and long skirt she had just purchased and then slipped into her shawl.  As a finishing touch she wore small golden hoop earrings and just a bit of red lipstick.  Even after six months of being a blonde she still hadn't gotten used to the look.  But tonight it didn't matter.  She grabbed her things and left the house to go join the throng in the street.

The stench of marigolds and tallow candles was so thick Cherry wondered if she was actually breathing any air as she walked to the local cemetery. In her hands she carried a candle and a small skull made of pure sugar, decorated with colours and her father's name.  She'd been reticent at first to join in the celebration, but her new friend Flora had insisted.  

"Dia de los Muertos is a happy holiday Cherry!  We honor our ancestors and recently deceased.  The marigolds are there to help guide their souls back to us during this night.  The pan muerto is an offering to the dead.  We also set out drinks and light candles!"  

"Can I honor my dad?"  

"Of course!  If you have a picture of him you can put it on my familia's ofrenda!"

"Ofrenda?"  

"It's the altar we build to place the offerings!"  

Cherry nodded and went with Flora to the market, looking for a bottle of whisky she could use for her offering to Ham.  She wasn't sure she should celebrate with with much urging from Flora she bought a new outfit and offerings for the altar. 

Now Cherry walked into the cemetery and saw Flora, waving to her to catch her attention.  Flora pushed her way through the crowd and grabbed Cherry's hands.  

"Over here Cherry!  The ofrenda is all set up and I made sure we saved space for your offerings!" 

The two women wove in and around other graves until they came to the Santos' family crypt.  There was a beautiful altar covered in marigold garlands and lit candles.  Pictures of family members lay nestled in amongst the plates of food and shots of liquor that were set out.  Cherry reached into her bag and took out the sugar skull she had purchased the day before, then the bottle of whisky.  She poured a shot and set it carefully next to the skull, then placed a photo of Ham down near the plate of pan de muerto.  She waited.  

"Now what Flora?"  Flora laughed. 

"Now we celebrate!  We talk about those who have passed, we reminisce, we laugh, we sing!  The sounds of our voice, the light from the candle and the smell of the cempasúchil will guide their spirits to us!"  Cherry nodded.  She understood the ideas but she wasn't sure Ham was anywhere he'd want to come back from. 

The night passed quickly and Cherry finally relaxed.  After a few shots of tequila she laughed along with the family's jokes and even though she barely understood Spanish she tried her best to sing along to the songs.  She never heard or saw a spirit, but as the night concluded and she got ready for bed, she felt like Ham approved.  The next day she went to Flora's and hugged her friend tight. 

"Flora, last night was amazing, but I realized something.  It was a celebration of my death too.  My death as this woman in hiding and my rebirth as Cherry Darling.  It's time for me to go home."  Flora nodded and hugged Cherry back. 

"I know my friend.  I will surely miss you, but I'll never forget you!"  Flora grabbed Cherry's hand and placed a small sugar skull in her palm. Written on it in perfect cursive was Cherry's false name.

"Go on and live again mi amigo!  Go and live!" 

Six long months had passed since Cherry's disappearance and while she held out hope, Charlie couldn't help but ponder if her cousin was truly gone. In the business involving her brother and the missing bear, Cherry had simply vanished without a word. Perhaps it was to keep her safe, that way if anyone asked, Charlie could genuinely say that she didn't know, but it was still confusing and frustrating. 

She gave a long, frustrated sigh, and poured herself a cup of hot tea. Halloween night was in a few hours and she had already seen several children yelling and playing in their costumes. She picked up the roll of twine and snipped off a few more pieces, gently tying them around the brown paper baggies that held popcorn balls. It was Cherry's recipe and somehow she could never quite get the caramel to set the way her cousin did but today's attempt were passable for sticky treats passed out to begging children. She remembered dressing up in silly costumes and papier mache masks, wandering around with her dad and uncle asking for treats like candied apples and home made caramels. Even as new fangled candy made their way into her bag, she always appreciated the hand made cookies and treats. She idly popped a half eaten popcorn ball into her mouth and chewed pensively as she stared out the window to the now dark street. 

The night was quiet and uneventful, the last of the trick-or-treaters leaving around 8:30 and with that she put herself to bed. She had school the next day and she had promised Cherry that no matter what trouble she got into out of school, she'd do her best to put her head down and listen so she could graduate well. with Cherry gone, it felt like she had to doubly make sure that she kept her promise. It was the least she could do for her memory. 

November was crisp and cool, the sea breeze bringing in the cry of seagulls looking for a snack. Nearly two weeks had passed since Halloween and Charlie was busy setting up for the next fall festivity. The idea of Thanksgiving felt hollow after the events of the last year but she decided to put on a brave face anyway and try to do her best. She had to go into town for some groceries and the bus was almost always late. Even with the tourist season being over, the drivers were never on schedule. The large bus finally rumbled up and Charlie got in, paying her fare. As she sat down, she looked out the window and noticed a beat up car that looked all too familiar. She stood up, trying to get a better look but the bus lurched forward and she was forced to sit down again, staring helplessly out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the driver. After another minute, she shook her head, telling herself that it couldn't be Cherry. After her chores were done and she was back on the bus headed home, she searched the neighborhood for the car but it was long gone. She told herself it was just her imagination and returned to the flat, finding it just as she left.