“Yeah, well, why don’t you start showing them that, fucker? You tortured yourself for ten years, then she comes back to you with your daughter, and you barely spend any time with them.”
I spin around to face him. “Ya know, you’re really starting to piss me off.”
“Only cause I’m spitting the truth.”
“I’d like to punch that smug face of yours, but the last time I tried to fight with a ghost, I nearly dislocated my shoulder.”
“That’ll teach you. Don’t fuck with the supernatural. We’re a vengeful bunch.”
“You got any more words of wisdom?”
“Just don’t fuck it up.”
The exact words Samson said to me in my office yesterday.
“Thanks.”
“My gig is done, but I hope this trip down Memory Lane got through that thick skull of yours.”
I’m just about to deliver a snarky response when the fucker disappears, and I’m back on my patio overlooking the pool.
I stumble to the couch, grab the bottle of bourbon, and swig it straight from the bottle, then I collapse onto the couch.
13
NICK
I startle awake shivering. I gasp for air as a chill surrounds me.
“You know, I got better things to do tonight,” says a harsh voice.
“Ahhh, fuck, not another one,” I mumble into the cold mist.
I blink furiously as the vision takes shape. Shit! Frank is standing in front of me with his usual shit-eating grin on his face.
“What words of wisdom do you have?”
“Get up off your ass, and I’ll show you.”
I reach for the bourbon, but Frank levitates the bottle out of my reach. Even as a fuckin’ ghost, he’s a ballbuster.
“You’re not gonna need that where we’re goin’.”
“And who the fuck are you supposed to be?”
“Weren’t you paying attention?” Frank shakes his ethereal head. “I’m the Ghost of Christmas Present.”
“How bad can this be? I can dothis. I got a successful club, a beautiful wife and child. Nowhere near as scary as the fuckin’ past.”
Frank cocks his head in an annoying way. “Why don’t we take a look at your life the way it’s really unfolding?”
“No problem. I got enough money to buy anything I want.”
“Had a feeling you were gonna say that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, but he ignores me.
“Shut up and pay attention.”
