Page 44 of Dark Shadows
“Nah, man. You've gone soft. That crazy bitch ruined lives with her lies.”
Mason tensed, but Savanah touched his arm. “Don't. It's not worth it.”
“Speaking of the lying gossipers in this town,” Tina said quietly, “Dad mentioned you were at his office today asking about Beverly’s case.”
“Yeah. We needed to ask about the symbols that we found.”
“I remember when you used to come to his sessions.” Tina's voice dropped lower. “Used to drive Wesley crazy, trying to study with how loud you got trying to convince him you aren't crazy. We could both hear you down the hall. I felt sorry that no one believed you. Nobody really understood what you were going through. I still don’t think they do.”
Savanah frowned. “You never told me you could hear me.”
Before Tina could answer, the drunk lurched toward their table. She recognized him now as Pete Williams. He broke away from the group, ignoring Mark’s attempts to hold him back, and staggered closer, hate burning in his bloodshot eyes.
“Well, if it ain't the ghost whisperer herself,” Pete slurred, leaning against their table, close enough that she could smell the whiskey on his breath. “Come back to destroy more families with your crazy ghost stories?”
Mason's hand moved subtly to rest on the table edge, his body shifting into a protective stance that wasn't obvious but communicated his readiness to intervene.
“Back off, Pete.” Mark appeared behind him. “Let's get you home.”
“Don't tell me what to do.” Pete shrugged off Mark's hand. “Just because your sister went nuts, too, doesn't mean Savanah is welcomed back. She’s the reason my Uncle John is sitting on death row.”
“Actually, the reason your uncle is sitting on death row is because he’s a killer,” Savanah said with a lift of her chin and narrowed eyes.
“That's enough.” Officer Daniels materialized between Pete and their table. “Time to go, boys.”
“Or what? You gonna arrest me for telling the truth?” Pete sneered. “Everyone knows she's cursed. Everything she touches turns to shit.” He leaned closer to Savanah, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “You should have stayed away. Some people in this town have been waiting a long time to settle scores.”
“Is that a threat?” Mason stood slowly, his badge catching the dim light.
Pete's eyes narrowed, but he forced a laugh. “Just stating facts, fed. Ask anyone what happens to people around her. They end up dead. Just like Beverly. Just like that guy in the barn. Just ask her stepdad.”
“Ex-stepdad.” Richard's voice cut through the tension. He stood in the hallway with the bathrooms, looking older than Savanah remembered. “And I suggest you shut your mouth about things you don't understand.”
The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Daniels kept one hand on his belt, near his weapon, eyes scanning the crowd.
“Come on, Pete.” Mark tried again. “Let's go.”
This time, Pete let himself be led away, but not before spitting on the floor near Savanah's feet. “Town was better without you.”
“I've got this,” Daniels said, following them out. His protective gesture would have been sweet if she didn't know better.
Richard hadn't moved from the hallway. His eyes met Savanah's across the room, full of things unsaid, then he walked out the door and vanished into the night.
“Well,” Mason said into the awkward silence, “that was entertaining.”
Tina laughed, but it sounded forced. “Welcome home, right?” She stood. “I should go check on Mark. But, Savanah?” She hesitated. “Maybe we could get coffee sometime and catch up on everything?”
Savanah nodded, not trusting her voice. As Tina left, Mason moved closer, his arm brushing against hers.
The bar slowly returned to normal around them, but curious eyes were still watching them. People were always waiting for the next drama and fall from grace.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” She wasn't, not really. “Just a great reminder of why I left.”
“Pete's an ass.”
“Pete's drunk. But he's not wrong.” She turned to face Mason. “Everything I touch does turn to shit. Beverly's dead because I came back.”
