Tuckamore Bay

Frank's realization

Matty laughed.

"When," she exaggerated, "you turn around, you will see my darling Nanny Dove. She will be sitting in her rocking chair and she will be knitting."

Matty turned and glared at her grandmother.

"And she will be civil."

Bill laughed out loud.

"Yea, like that will ever happen."

"Sees da shit Ise gotta put up with from dat mainlander."

Frank laughed slightly, in spite of the fact that he was still shaking.

He drank his scotch and looked at Matty.

"She's not some deformed, half rotted corpse, is she?"

Again Bill laughed.

"Just her mind."

Nanny Dove stopped knitting.

"Matty? Is youse gonna let dat 'usband of yers talk to yer old fragile Nanny, like that?"

"Zip it, old lady. You have been a hundred times worst to Bill."

"When?"

Matty looked at Frank.

"If you want to live here in the Bay, this is something that you will have to get used to."

"Yes, Frank, me son. Dere bes 'hundreds of us floatin' 'round 'ere.

Scarin' da shit out of everyone who comes to the Bay."

Nanny Dove started making ghostly moans.

"Seriously old lady," Matty barked.

Nanny Dove started laughing and went back to her knitting.

"Turns 'round Frankie, youse big wuss. What 'arm does youse tinks Ise can does to youse."

"Other than drive you mentally insane with her constant nattering," Bill laughed.

"Matty? Talk to dat mainlander."

"Will both of you, shut up."

She looked at Frank.

"Not all the Spirits are like her. Some are actually sensible, but I can assure you of one thing. They are absolutely harmless and like we were trying to explain to you earlier, they are the reason why nothing happens in the Bay, without our knowing."

Frank turned slowly, eyes closed.

"Open yer eyes, Frankie."

Frank opened his eyes.

"Boo," Nanny Dove yelled, immediately laughing.

"As God is my witness," Frank gasped.