Free Happily Never After by Missy Fleming Page B

populated by them as well. As a
girl, I thought they were only stories. Some might think she had no
right telling spooky stories to a young child but you know how it
is here. You said you sensed it yourself, Savannah is
different.”
    He nodded. “It’s very different. Something
about it feels so old and there’s so much more here than what you
see with your eyes. I thought it was my imagination but some of the
crew from the movie mentioned the same thing. Now, after Moon
River, I know.”
    “People chalk it up to the architecture, the
trees, the many cemeteries right in the middle of town. Every
single war fought on American soil had a battle here. In the
Revolutionary War, tens of thousands of soldiers died and many were
buried where they fell. It creates a mood and messes with your
head. It makes you believe the stories. Anyway, as I got older, I
started seeing things.”
    I paused and when he didn’t say anything, I
continued. “It started off as a flicker out of the corner of my
eye, something there I couldn’t quite focus on, or explain. As I
got older, I sensed more information. I knew the man who went up
and down the stairs at my place was a soldier and he gave me the
feeling he still protected the house. Things like that. It’s weird
because the older I get, the more these skills, if that’s what you
call them, get stronger. I think I might even be able to hear them
now, which is new.”
    Jason didn’t say anything, which convinced me
I had said too much. Maybe he was used to being the most
interesting person in the room, or the street. Or maybe he was
trying to come up with something witty to say and as usual, had a
hard time with it. His silence made me nervous. Why didn’t he say
something?
    “You asked. I’m a freak,” I mumbled with
deepening embarrassment.
    Finally, he shot me the dimpled grin.
“Honestly, I think it’s kind of cool. You’ve gotten a glimpse into
a world beyond ours. A lot of people would kill to have your
ability. You shouldn’t think it makes you a freak.”
    “Too bad that’s not what people think when
they look at me.” I hadn’t meant to say that aloud.
    “Why? Because you dress that way? That’s
stereotyping. You and Abby did the same thing to me, thinking I’m a
shallow Hollywood stud.”
    “I still think that, by the way.”
    “It’s okay, I’m used to it. I’ll surprise you
when you least expect it. Besides, you want my professional
opinion?” He paused, but not long enough for me to answer. “I think
you dress like you do to avoid unwanted attention.”
    That bothered me. “I’m not trying to avoid
anything and I don’t exactly fade into the background. Besides,
you’re not a professional. And maybe I like wearing black. What do
you know anyway?” I was babbling.
    “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there’s
anything wrong with how you dress. The whole ‘goth’ thing works for
you. Your hair and your coloring, it makes you stand out even more.
Not all guys are into the cookie-cutter Barbie type.”
    “Yeah right, you don’t have to flatter me. I
can tell you right now I’m not the squealing and worshipping kind
of girl.”
    “I’ve noticed,” he mumbled before changing
the subject. “So, have you ever seen your parents or sensed them,
whatever it is you do?”
    “No, and I’ve tried so hard. Both my parents
loved this city and they loved our house. Things haven’t been the
greatest since they left. I've always assumed there’d be some kind
of contact with them, but I've had nothing.”
    He stepped a little closer as we walked. “Do
you think it would help if you could see them?”
    Just then, I remembered his brother. Thinking
I could help Jason contact him was the only reason I stayed in
Jason's company. At least that’s what I told myself.
    I had to rethink my answer with his loss in
mind.
    “I honestly don’t know. We’re not supposed to
understand death. Whether the people who stay behind do it because
they want to or