Page 4 of Ghost Hunters 2

“I won’t say anything,” Matthew told Dino. “I’ve tried...” He sighed. “I’m gonna get a little rest before dinner,” he said.

“Ok Gramps,” Dino replied. “I’ll come and get you when it’s ready.”

Matthew headed to the hall.

After making some coffee they sat down in the kitchen.

“Ok, so I am curious about your dad,” Jillian finally admitted. “And don’t kill me but I have to admit he is interesting as all hell.

Dino took a sip or two of his coffee and then sighed as he set his cup down. “Yeah, him being all hell is right... What happened was...I grew up on the streets after my mother died. I hated foster homes and I kept running from them. Then as a teen. I met a woman called Honi.” He smiled. “She took me under her wing. Kept me fed, dressed and safe. So one day, I had to run from a bad situation and went to where she was to get away from this bad element. Then he came barreling at me in the driveway.”

“He? Your dad?”

Dino nodded. “I had a bad reaction to him for sure.”

When father and son met...

Bane stared at Dino. “I think I’m your father. But I never knew you were alive and out there. I didn’t know you needed me.”

Dino snorted. “Yeah? Well, guess what? I don’t need you anymore. I got along just fine without you all this time. I’m sure I’ll get along without you in my life when you leave here.”

“Well, you may not need him but I’m your grandfather and I need you in my life,” Frank told the young man. “And I didn’t know you were out there either, but I do now and family means something to me.”

Dino looked over at Frank. “You’re m-my grandfather? Are you for real?”

Frank smiled. “Oh yeah, I am very real and I can’t wait to get to know you.”

Dino studied Frank for a moment then he turned to look at Honi. “Is he on the level here?”

Honi nodded. “I’ve known the man for a long time and I’d say he was. But I can’t make that choice for you. This is your life, not mine.”

Dino thought for a moment then asked, “And the other one? What kind of man is he?”

Honi shrugged. “He’s an ass but if what he claims is true, I think you need to find out for yourself what kind of man he is.”

Dino snorted. “Well, if you think he’s an ass then I’m not sure I want to get to know him.”

Honi shook her head. “Dino, don’t say that. Frank is a good man, but Bane? I don’t know the man that well and we might not have gotten off on the right foot. You know what I do and to some people that just doesn’t sit well. At least give him a chance ok? When I first saw him I didn’t know what to think. I mean he looked just like you, then he opened his mouth and that shattered everything I was thinking.”

Dino frowned and turned to glare at Bane.

Bane had his arms crossed over his chest while looking at the pair of them with a blank expression on his face.

Finally, Frank stepped forward and he seemed to be searching Dino for a sign or something. Then he reached out and picked up his right hand. He turned it over and gasped at the slight birthmark he found.

Dino pulled his head back and stared at him.

Frank turned his head and nodded at Bane. “He’s a Jessin all right.”

Bane nodded, then studied Dino’s face again. “So what’s going on here?” he had to ask.

Dino looked at him then at Honi. She nodded to him and Dino sighed heavily. “I grew up in the Norwich/Rome area. My social worker couldn’t make up her mind where I really belonged, so she would find me foster homes in both cities. She wasn’t looking for the best home to place me in only the most willing. None of her choices was a good fit for me but they sure appreciated the checks every month. Then I found myself in Norwich about six months ago and I found Honi again. We met the first time I was in Norwich and she looked out for me the best she could.”

Chapter Three

“Wow.” Jillian shook her head.

“Then I stayed with Honi for a bit. She helped me get a scholarship and I went to school.”