Free Beckoning Souls (A Psychological Thriller) by J.R. Tate Page B

have time Rusty. I wanted to meet you here to clear some stuff up and let you know that I’m fine and you don’t need to stress about it.”
    “Dad, I’m not here to lecture you. I’m here to tell you that I believe you. I’m on your side.”
    He hits me blindside, and for a second I have to make sure I heard him right. “What?”
    “I believe these are ghosts or something supernatural. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you.”
    I sit up in my chair, relieved that someone is finally on my side. “I’m glad to hear that. Have you, you know… Have you seen something?”
    Rusty hesitates at first. “I’m not sure. I think I see or hear something, but then I wonder if it’s just my imagination playing into what is going on with you. I can’t tell.”
    “Does your mother know?”
    “No. I’m scared to tell her. I don’t want her thinking we both have something wrong. I don’t think she slept at all last night. I’m not on anyone’s side, Dad, but what would be the harm in talking to someone like she wants? I know you don’t need it, but if it meant coming home, why not do it to make amends?”
    He has good questions and ones I’ve thought about. “If I go into a shrink’s office and tell them what’s going on, they’ll have me in a padded room before I can even finish my story. And they can hold me as long as they want. I don’t see how that would help any of us.”
    “Then what, Dad? How are we gonna get back to the way things were?”
    “I’m trying to figure that out, Rusty. I’ve got a little time off from work. I’m gonna get it all sorted out.”
    “So what, we’re just gonna be the Addams family and live with this happening? I believe you. I really think you’re seeing this stuff. I just don’t see how we’re ever gonna be the family that we were again. Not with Mom thinking the way she does.”
    “I’ll get it fixed. Trust me.” I’m trying to convince my son when I can’t even convince myself. He’s right – I could just go talk to someone and be back home, but what happens the next time I see something? Then Rose would want me on medication. Where would we draw the line? The best thing to do is stick to my plan. Something will click, I know it will.
    Rusty doesn’t say anything and stares at me, almost as if he can’t believe the man sitting across from him. I feel so vulnerable, like my own kid thinks his father is going insane, but what else can I do? I have to work fast and I don’t even know where in the hell to begin. I try not to get angry – Rusty is the only one who has showed even a remote chance that he is on my side through all of this. I can’t lose my only supporter.
    “You say you think you hear or see something. Can you remember what some of it is?” Maybe I can open his mind a little. Maybe if he sees the stuff, I can prove I’m not crazy and we can work together to figure it out.
    Rusty rakes his hand through his hair and arches his eyebrow as he thinks. “It’s like a dream. I can’t even put it into words. And like I said, I don’t know if it’s really happening, or if it’s from all the talk happening with you.”
    “That’s how it started for me too. I thought I was just dreaming.”
    “And then what?”
    “And then I realized I wasn’t dreaming. And then I got my ass kicked by one of them. Your mom thinks I did this to myself. Do you think I could be capable of doing something like this?” I point to my face.
    Rusty shrugs and sips on his water. “I’m not here to take sides. I don’t want to get between you and mom. But I also want you to know that I’m here for you. I think it’s shitty that she kicked you out when you obviously need us the most.” He chews on some ice. “Where are you staying?”
    “My Dad’s.” I’d refer to him as Rusty’s grandfather, but he never really has gotten close to him. Of course he hasn’t. He’s a miniature Nathan. My father never gave him a chance, all because of my past and