Pen Pal

J. T. Geissinger
60 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2022

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Kayla is a 30-year-old children's book illustrator living on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. Following her husband's recent death, she experiences intense grief, frequent headaches, and social isolation. Her distress compounds when she observes unexplained phenomena in her home, such as flickering lights and opening drawers. Despite her natural caution, she develops a sudden and intense connection with a local contractor.

Key Relationships

Widow of Michael Reece

Romantic Interest of Aidan Leighrite

Employer of Fiona

Acquaintance of Jake

Fellow Support Group Member of Madison

Aidan is a 35-year-old contractor hired to fix the roof at Kayla's home. He is tall and heavily tattooed. He masks a sensitive nature beneath a rough exterior, harboring a difficult past that makes him cautious about trusting people. He demonstrates an immediate and intense concern for Kayla's physical safety and emotional well-being.

Key Relationships

Romantic Partner of Kayla Reece

Best Friend of Jake

Friend of Deb

Michael is Kayla's recently deceased husband. He worked as a mathematics professor at the University of Washington. Recognized as a genius in his academic field, he maintained a polished and professional public image. His sudden drowning leaves a massive void in Kayla's life, prompting her to reevaluate the complex dynamics of their marriage.

Key Relationships

Husband of Kayla Reece

Supporting Characters

Fiona is an older Scottish woman who works as a housekeeper at Kayla's residence. She holds strong beliefs in the supernatural, shaped by her cultural background. Observing the strange occurrences in the house, she offers practical and spiritual advice to help manage the unexplained phenomena.

Key Relationships

Employee of Kayla Reece

Sister of Claire

Claire is Fiona's identical twin sister. She works professionally as a spiritual medium. She organizes a seance in Michael's former office to communicate with the energies lingering in the home. She approaches her supernatural work seriously and takes offense when skeptics dismiss her abilities.

Key Relationships

Sister of Fiona

Spiritual Advisor to Kayla Reece

Jake is Aidan's best friend and a technology specialist. He is fiercely loyal and protective of Aidan, knowing the depths of his friend's emotional vulnerabilities. He installs a comprehensive security camera network at the property while evaluating Kayla's intentions toward his friend.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Aidan Leighrite

Husband of Deb

Acquaintance of Kayla Reece

Deb is Jake's wife and a trusted member of Aidan's small social circle. Warm and welcoming, she treats Aidan like a brother. She helps ease the tension when Jake interrogates Kayla about her lingering attachments to her late husband.

Key Relationships

Wife of Jake

Friend of Aidan Leighrite

Acquaintance of Kayla Reece

Eddie is a young, laid-back contractor whom Kayla contacts about her house repairs. Exhibiting a relaxed, 1970s demeanor and smelling faintly of cannabis, he assesses the home's electrical wiring. He bluntly suggests that Kayla's headaches are stress-induced hallucinations, recommending she seek professional therapy.

Key Relationships

Hired Contractor of Kayla Reece

Madison is a woman in her forties who attends the same grief support group as Kayla. She joined the group six years prior after her four-year-old daughter was kidnapped. She spends her free time scouring the internet for clues regarding her missing child.

Key Relationships

Fellow Support Group Member of Kayla Reece

Support Group Member under Jan

Destiny is a local psychic operating a storefront downtown. She provides a Tarot card reading for Kayla, identifying a past betrayal and a present romantic imbalance that Kayla struggles to accept. She refuses payment for the reading out of concern for her client.

Key Relationships

Spiritual Advisor to Kayla Reece

Bennett is a young blonde boy whom Kayla unexpectedly spots playing in her yard. His brief, evasive appearances add to the disorienting environment surrounding the property.

Key Relationships

Observed by Kayla Reece

Jan is an older woman who leads the local grief support group that Kayla and Madison attend. She carries a large purse and oversees the community gathering.

Key Relationships

Support Group Leader of Madison

Support Group Leader of Kayla Reece