Author:
JennS and Loveroy
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Date Posted: Tuesday, August 24, 02:16:44am
In reply to:
Jennifer S and Loveroy's New Story
's message, "Sanglant - Beyond the Thrusts" on Thursday, August 05, 12:16:30am
A rusty ad for Pepsi Cola sat lazily on the back of a property, the Bed and Breakfast also coincidentally the local mortuary and the only place to eat and drink in this god-forsaken place, all in a row. He watched amusedly yet another woman working on what looked like a fishing net. He asked about the seemingly missing men of the village as he entered the dimly lit, but surprisingly clean bar and was seated at a table overlooking the water. A pony tailed man friendly and pleasant responded that the men were out with the fishing fleet or securing the boats because the storm was coming. Michael ordered the lunch special - crab cakes and salad, since the catch of the day was grouper, which he hated.
While he waited for his lunch, a young woman named Sarah asked Michael to sign the restaurant guest book and excused herself for the formaldehyde smell, which Michael had inquired about. He learned from her that she ran her parent’s mortuary, but helped from time to time at the restaurant and the hotel. Michael’s hair in this light looked redder, with tiny highlights of blonde and the young woman remarked how beautiful he was, making the stoic Michael wary with the intensity of her gaze, which was not only flirty but also inquisitive.
Walter, the restaurant’s owner, who was bringing fresh breads to the table, shoed her away and apologized for his daughter’s flirtation. After asking permission Walter sat with Michael and subtly began inquiring to the purpose of the younger man’s visit to the hamlet. Michael caught on immediately that this place was hardly a friendly touristy place and didn’t want to let his true intentions be known. Michael answered that he was from Holland and was on holiday in Canada. He came to the island after learning on the mainland that there was waterfront property for sale and that coincidentally the owners were also from Holland.
Walter’s curiosity piqued and the man volunteered information that Michael found questionable at best. "Must be the Van Damm Estate, it’s been empty for years, didn’t know the attorneys had finally put it up for sale?"
"Van Damm? I was told the owners were Strauss?" Michael asked eating the steaming chowder he had just been served.
Walter took a swig of the beer he was drinking and curiously replied with a statement that was more of a question, "No, no Van Damm, Strauss that may be the lawyer’s name… Let’s see, the Van Damm family came to the Americas in the late 1600's I think. They all died of a rare blood disease, blood poisoning I guess you could call it, but then I’m not a doctor… heh heh heh." If nothing else Michael thought, Walter was quite entertaining.
"I was told that the house has been empty for ¾ of a century." Michael added.
"Oh much longer than that I think, maybe 100 years or so. I was born on the island and all I know about the place I learned from my parents." Sarah returned bringing crab cakes and salad, which to Michael’s epicurean taste proved delicious. Walter had decided to join the younger man for lunch since he confessed to having plenty of time for the place was empty but for Michael.
He continued, "I remember hearing the Van Damns died one by one, something about a misdiagnosis by Dr. George Jones who by the way, quickly left the island for a clinic in Johannesburg before they could take his license away."
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