I've discovered something interesting:

Once I am no longer curious about a story, I really have a hard time writing it. Cindy's story still has several gaps in it, but I know what happens in those gaps and it's not really anything terribly exciting either. The obvious answer is to MAKE something exciting in those parts, but...I don't know what!! And besides, I keep adding to the beginning because it's still not quite where it's supposed to be and I am -- surprise surprise -- curious about it.

So, I keep working on the beginning and hoping for brilliant inspiration on the bits in the middle. After all, I've already discovered a few things backing up and writing the story with a different start. Maybe it'll all work out in the end either way.