Soulfully Sweet

conscious thought, her feet turned toward the diner the women had pointed out. Inside it was bright and warm and clean. It smelled like bacon and bread and other delicious things.
Her stomach let out a grumble and Viola felt her cheeks heating. Ladies did not have growly stomachs.
"Can I help ya, hon?"
This waitress was marginally more respectable. Her skirt actually went to her knees and her blouse was buttoned up nearly to her throat. She gave Viola a tired smile.
"I…no. Sorry, I don't have any money."
"Unemployed, huh?"
"Yes. That's right." Viola was a little vague on the exact meaning of the word, but she caught the gist.
The waitress gave a tisk of sympathy. "These are hard times for everyone. Well, why don't you sit down for a bit, take a load off. I think I can rustle you up something on the down low." She gave Viola a wink and sashayed off to the kitchen.
Viola had only understood half of what the waitress had said, but she knew enough to take a seat at one of the booths. She flinched as someone turned up what she assumed passed for music, the loud screeching and thumping grating against her ears like nails on a chalkboard.
The waitress plopped down a plate and a glass. "There ya go, hon. Best I can do. But it's better than nothing."
"Thank you."
Viola eyed the plate warily. It contained what appeared to be bread and butter, except the bread was very white and thinly sliced. She took a delicate bite. It tasted faintly of paste and paper, not that she'd ever tried either, but it tasted like they smelled. And people called this bread? The butter was little better, tasting nothing like any butter she'd ever tried. Still, she politely ate every crumb washing it down with the strange brown liquid she found in the glass. It was sickeningly sweet and the bubbles tickled her nose.
Cola. She remembered it from the little drug store around the corner from her home. But it didn't taste like this cola. This cola tasted…fake.
As she finished her sad little repast, a group of young men entered the diner. Their voices were loud and every other word was a shocking vulgarity. Yet, no one took any notice. Apparently swearing loudly in public was perfectly normal. As was kicking the waste basket over, swearing at the waitress, and getting in a fight with the cook.
When one of the young men pulled a knife, Viola flew out the door and into the night, fear flooding her body with adrenaline. What a horrible, violent world this was.
A respectable looking man in a sharply pressed suit strode by, talking loudly. To himself. They let insane people out in public?
A shrill siren split the air, causing her to clap her hands over her ears. What now?
Another metal monster roared up and screeched to a halt in front of the diner she'd just left. Men in blue uniforms spilled out. And they had guns!
Viola didn't wait to see what happened next, she took off running, forgetting completely that ladies didn't run. She dashed across the street, nearly getting plastered by yet another metal monster. She barely noticed the driver, blaring his horn and cussing at her.
She finally arrived at Branwen's building. Rushing inside she dashed up the stairs until she arrived, out of breath, at the goddess's door. She banged on the door with all her might.
***
Branwen was finally unwinding after her little ghost adventure. She had her pajamas on, a box of mini cupcakes at hand, and Hunger Games on DVD. What more could a goddess want?
A sudden and violent banging broke out. Apparently, peace and quiet.
With a few choice cuss words (in Welsh, of course) she got up and answered the door. It was the ghost. Well, the former ghost.
"I already gave you what you wanted. Come back tomorrow." She started to close the door.
"Wait, Branwen, please. I need you to take it back."
Branwen stared at Viola in shock. The girl's eyes were wild and her dark brown hair was sticking up in a dozen different directions. There was a small cut on her hand and she stank of beer and diner grease.
Repressing her smile, Branwen waved the former ghost inside. "You want me to take it back, huh?"
"Yes, please."
"What, so you can haunt my ass for eternity? No thanks."
Viola grabbed her by the arm. "Please. I promise, if you turn me back I will go into the light. Like you told me to all those years ago."
Branwen raised an eyebrow as she sank back onto the couch. "What made you change your mind?"
Viola shook her head. "This world isn't for me. This isn't my place or my time. Everyone I know is gone. Everything is changed. I don't fit in here. I had my chance at life. It wasn't much of one, but it was mine and this isn't." Her expression was sad, but determined.
Branwen allowed the smile to appear. It hadn't even taken the full twenty-four hours. "All right then, go into the light."
Viola blinked. "What?"
Branwen pointed at a bright orb that suddenly appeared, hovering in the middle of the living room. "There it is. You want it? Take it."
Viola frowned at the glowing ball. "But I'm alive, how can I go into the light?"
Branwen sighed. "I'm a goddess, remember. You've got thirty seconds. Either go or stay. Your choice."
"Can I have a cupcake for the road?" Viola asked, eyeing the box.
Branwen grinned. She loved a fellow sweet-tooth and she felt kind of bad for tricking the girl. HQ would have never allowed Viola to stay human, but it was better the girl came to the decision on her own.
"Sure." She held up the box. Viola grabbed a chocolate cupcake and took a delicate bite.
"Best cupcake I ever had."
"I know right?"
The girl started to reach for another, but Branwen stopped her. "Enjoy the one you have. I'm sure they have much better cupcakes where you're going."
With a nod, Viola stepped toward the