Written by Veluan,Fri Aug 14 10:57:45 US/Pacific 1998
Part 8
1.10Inside the taxi, in front of the Johnson estate
Mack put the bags in the carrier of the taxi, he sat next to Firebrow who gave instructions to the driver. Mack looked at his parents who waved friendly at him. He waved back and smiled. The taxi drove off to the destination. Firebrow saw that the girl watched them leave too.
The Gedde estate
Helena looked out of the window. It was that old man again.
Why did Mack leave?
Who was that old man?
Why
didn't he tell me about him?
Helena's troubled expression changed into a faint smile. Finally the boy left, the little plan at the frontdoor worked. But the old man can't be trusted, but what could he do? What could he do about it? They left, maybe I'm just paranoid. Maybe they're just fleeing? Tetelo walked away from the window, one trouble less.
In the taxi
"Where are we going to?"
"To a very small port, just outside New Orleans."
"And then?"
"To my home, in St-francis in the woods...woods."
Mack thought about the answers, he nodded it didn't sound bad. Woods were nice, he thought.
"What do you do for a living?" asked Mack. Firebrow was silent for a second, like he was creating a definition.
"Some sort of ghostbuster." he was silent again. The driver shruged his shoulders.
"A ghostbuster?" said Mack surprised.
Firebrow put a finger against his lips and pointed to the taxidriver. "Oh, yeah...a ghostbuster?"
"Well, some sort, it's difficult to explain now, but you will learn."
The taxi drove out of the french quarter.
St-Francis Pub
Miss Angelica Frost sat at the bar.
"The usual?" George Olderwood asked.
"Yes, one mixed carrotjuice, please."
George grabbed a few carrots and put them in a pressmachine. Juice dripped in a cup. George poured orangejuice in a glass and put the juice of the cup with it. He stirred it with a spoon and gave it to Angelica.
"Thank you, George."
Miss Frost gave the money. George smiled. He liked Miss Frost. She was one of the best customers. Never caused trouble and was always prepared to help. George was surprised when he first saw her. A young, beautiful woman who became friends with everybody after one day. After the first week she moved to St-Francis in the woods it was like she had lived her from her birth. Miss Angelica Frost had that quality. Now she sipped her mixed carrot juice. He bought carrots specially for her, because she was the only one who drank the carrot juice. The rest drank beer or wine, but she didn't touch alcohol, she was a bit of a health freak, but George liked that better than a drunk trouble maker.
1.11 New Orleans port
Firebrow walked towards a small ship, it only had a couple of cabins. It smelled of fish. Of all the boats in the harbour, Mack thought. Firebrow didn't seem to mind.
"Hey Sunny! You in there?" Firebrow yelled.
The boat rocked a bit and someone coughed. "Is that you, Weirdo?"
A short, bold man staggered out of a door of one of the cabins. "Yep, definitely Weirdo."
The bold man smiled and coughed again.
"Bad hair day?" Firebrow asked while he shook Sunny's hand.
"Bit of a cold, but I'll get better when I'm at sea again." Sunny said.
Mack put his suitcases down and looked at the two men. One old white haired geezer in a black cape with red eyebrows and one short, bold man with slobby trousers and an used to be white coat, yes he was among very normal people.
"Who's this then? You didn't steal him, did you?" Sunny asked and Firebrow laughed.
Sunny wiped his hand clean and shook Mack's. "The name's Sunny, because I'm so bold it sometimes looks like my head shines like the sun."
"When Sunny's around the harbour doesn't need a lighthouse." Firebrow added.
Mack smiled, "My name's Mack Johnson." he said.
Sunny shook his head, "No, that won't do." he said.
He took a step back and looked at Mack. "Let's see, you hang around with that weird Firebrow and you carry suitcases, that makes you a...basketcase." He nodded.
"Welcome aboard Basketcase."
Mack looked puzzled at Firebrow.
"Sunny gives you a nickname when you come aboard. He's not very good with names."
Mack grabbed his suitcases and walked aboard.
"Nice to meet you, Sunny."
Mack said and smiled.
"Hey, he's a quick student!" Sunny said and laughed.
"I hope so." Firebrow said when they walked aboard.
If you have any comments, you can email Veluan at gjvdmeer@tref.nl.
In the meantime, return to the main Fan Fiction page...