Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

of background search on me, did you?”

Trick chuckled. “Yeah. Like we care about your background.”

“Stop being so damn cynical, buster,” said Red. “I’m here, and I’m fine. Is there something else you need?”

Tony stared. “Buster,” he whispered. “That’s what she called me when I was little. I don’t believe it.”

“Yeah, well. Red’s an overachiever,” said Trick. “Be careful what you ask for, ’cause you’ll get it.”

“I can see that,” said Tony. He watched Red, who continued to sit with his eyes closed. “Mom?”

“Yes, Buster?” said Red. “Spit it out.”

Tony chuckled. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I should have been there more than I was.” His voice stuck, and he cleared his throat.

“You did fine,” said Red. “You’re still doing fine, but you can do better. I didn’t need you as much as I told you I did. I was yanking your chain most of the time. I liked control, and I used it to make you feel guilty. But I’m over it now and see things differently. You’re a big boy, Buster, and I’m proud of you. But you don’t need to make the same mistakes I made. Don’t let your family slip away and then get mad when they’re gone. It’s a lonely life.”

Tony sniffed, and Trick tried to hide his own swelling emotions. The woman made some solid points.

Tony wiped at a shiny eye. “I miss you, Mom.”

“Hogwash. I’m right here,” said Red.

Tony smiled. “Can I talk to granddad?”

Red paused and tipped his head. “Let me see…he’s enjoying a cocktail…”

Trick waited, and then Red straightened, and spoke in a different tone. “Hey Busterballs.”

Tony laughed. “Holy shit. Hey Grandpa.”

“Watch your language, son,” said Red.

“You know I hated it when you called me that,” said Tony.

“You’ll live,” said Red.

Trick watched as Red continued to channel Tony’s loved ones as they had a lively discussion about Tony and his other relatives, both living and dead, and had to admit he was astonished at Red’s abilities. While he’d seen Red in action before, it had never been during a reading as he interacted casually with the dead. He listened in disbelief as the reading continued, but could see the signs as Red began to tire.

“I think we need to wrap this up,” said Tony’s Mom through Red. “Our conduit here, needs his rest, and you’ve got work to do.”

Tony wiped at his eyes. “I know. It was good to talk to you, Mom, and Grandpa too.”

“You can talk to us anytime,” said Red. “Where do you think we are? Oz? You don’t need anyone’s help, either. You just need to do a better job of listening. Not just to us, but to your family, too.”

Tony nodded. “I hear you. Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Buster. Now go change that shirt.” Red’s eyes creased and opened, and he blinked. “She left.”

Tony reached for a tissue from a box on the table. He already had several crumpled in his hand. He dabbed his eyes and blew his nose.

“You okay, Red?” asked Trick.

Red’s eyes were wary, and his shoulders slumped. “It’s not often I let them talk through me. It saps my strength.”

Tony put his elbows on his knees. “That was by far the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen, Mr. Redstone. I’m paying you double your rate, in addition to your talk with Daphne.” He rubbed his puffy eyes. “Let me get Jenna to call her.” He stood and left the office.

Red picked up his water and drained it.

“You remember any of what you said?” asked Trick.

Red massaged his temples. “Bits and pieces, but most of it is fading fast.”

Trick tried to come to terms with what he’d witnessed. “He’s right. It was damned impressive. I knew you had your gifts, but now…well, now I’ve seen the goods.” He scoffed. “If I ever doubted you before, I apologize.”

“You doubted me all the time,” said Red. “Most do. It comes with the territory. I didn’t take it personally, though.”

“As usual, I let my idiot side out, and didn’t trust you.”

“Your idiot side is the dominant one. You couldn’t help yourself.” Red put his water bottle down. “It’s fine, though. Idiot Trick is a lot of fun, although a bit tiring.”

“He’s also gets a little old,” said Trick. He paused and thought back on their history. “You pulled me out of a lot of messes, and I blamed you for most of them. I’m sorry about that.”

Red studied him. “It wasn’t that bad. I didn’t mind picking up a few of your pieces. You picked up a few of mine, plus put up with a paranormal partner. Most men would have run from that, but you never did.”

“Believe me. I wanted to. You freaked me out on more than one occasion.”

Red smiled. “Sometimes on purpose. You know you shriek like a woman when you’re scared.”

“Not all the time.”

“Most of it.”

Trick chuckled and so did Red.

A few quiet seconds passed, and Trick picked at the edge of a cushion. “If I haven’t said it before, I screwed up with Cara. It was a dumb mistake. I shouldn’t have done it, but I let my anger and disappointment justify it. But I know it was wrong.”

Red went still, and took his own second. “I could have done better myself. I can’t put all the blame on you or her. I think I just expected you two would be happy with my decision to completely uproot my life and would adjust to it. I didn’t think through how it might uproot your lives, too, and how hard it would be. I apologize for that.”

They sat quietly, and Trick smiled. “Funny, isn’t it?” he said. “It’s just like us to have our come to Jesus moment in Tony Povia’s office.”

Mason sighed softly. “I guess it’s better than during a high-speed chase. Remember when you tried to apologize for losing my hat?”

“I figured you were distracted with keeping your eyes on the road, so it was the perfect time. And that wasn’t totally my fault.”

Red gave