Echoes of Aurora, by Ellen Klages

[mllelaurel]

This is a short story, found in the Wicked Wonders collection.

Following her father's death, Jo Norwood, now in her forties, returns to her childhood home. While sorting through and packing up her father's old belongings, as well as the remnants of the old arcade he used to run, she meets Rory, a strange, enchanting woman claiming to be a writer. As she starts falling for Rory, she doesn't question the way Rory never seems to leave the neighborhood, or the way she makes food appear seemingly out of nowhere. But the summer, or the wrapping up of familial loose ends won't last forever…

As with Passing Strange, Klages' eye for the perfect details, especially historical details, like the old-fashioned arcade machinery, really sells this story. The relationship moves fast, due to this being a short story, Klages does a good job of making me buy it. The mood is ultimately bittersweet, but not depressing. I liked that Jo wasn't super young and got to star in her own love story.