Dark Shadows, 1974 – Part 3
Dark Destiny, Pt 3
Date: 10/1/97
From: MelodyX

"Be careful what you wish for?" Melissa asked

"Never mind." David laughed "You haven't been here a day and you already had a bad fall. I certainly would not want to scare you off."

"I'm feeling a lot better thank you. Besides, I've always been Clumsy." Marissa smiled nervously as David looked at her.

She felt slightly uneasy by the way he was looking at her. It was as if his glance was cutting through to the very essence of her soul.

"You know your father said that I looked like your mother." she said, wanting desperately to break the silence.

David suddenly looked uncomfortable again. "She was my stepmother. And yes, you bear a slight resemblance. You have to forgive my father for exaggerating. He is still trapped in the past after all these years."

"She must have been very special."

David looked agitated "Why do you say that?"

"The way your father looked when he mentioned her. Its obvious he has never stopped loving her let alone forget about her. What was she liked?"

David closed his eyes. "She was special. Marissa never tried to take the place of my mother. She was the only one who really understood me. We had a lot of fun. I sometimes felt that she was too good for my father."

"Its nice to know you didn't have that stereotypical step-relationship with her."

"Yes." he said "Now tell me about you. What made you go into landscape architecture?"

"I like being outdoors for one thing. And when I'm working with plants, whether its redesigning a yard or arranging flowers in a vase, it gives me a sense of fulfillment. I'm creating something beautiful that can bring joy and peace to the people around it. Its an art you know. Designing or refurbishing a garden, blending and balancing the plants and flora to blend and balance with the surroundings."

They turned and headed back to the main house.

"I can tell you are going to a wonderful job Miss Holdridge. " he smiled

Melissa could feel her face redden with embarrassment "Thank You, but please ... call me Melissa."

He kissed her hand again "Alright, but you must call me David."

"Okay."

They walked toward the house unaware the Quentin was watching them from the window.

The BLUE WHALE reeked of smoke, stale beer, and lost dreams.

Luther was on his fifth beer when he mentioned Marissa to Dutch and Jake

"She fell and hit her head on a step that I forgot to fix.' he grumbled

"I know there's going to be hell to pay because Mrs. Loomis mentioned that David wanted to talk to me afterward so I got my rear in gear and got the hell out of there."

"So is she pretty?" Dutch burped

"Lord Jesus, Dutch!" Luther exclaimed "Your asking if she's pretty when this could well be it for me!"

Jake woke up from dozing and looked up at Luther. "What the hell are you talking about Luther?" he asked, scratching his beard.

Luther stood up. "I'm telling you I have an awful feeling I'm in big, big trouble. I saw something earlier ... it ......"

"Luther," Dutch interrupted "Shut up and have another beer. I'm sick and tired of hearing your bull! You've been saying the same thing for the last 20 something years and you're still alive! Now shut up and sit down!"

Luther frowned but sat down, motioning for another beer.

Quentin paced around the parlor as Carolyn read the paper.

She looked up, shaking her head in exasperation. "Quentin, what is wrong with you?"

"I don't know. There's something about David. He seems different."

"He's just been working hard, Quentin. AND You are seeing things that aren't there."

"I suppose, But when I saw him with Melissa, he didn't seem right."

Carolyn got up and poured brandy into a glass then handed it to him. "Drink this and stop worrying. I know Melissa bares a striking resemblance to Marissa but think about it, Its not her. Marissa would be almost by now. Its just pure coincidence that Melissa looks like her."

"You're right. " he said taking a sip. " Seeing her just brought back all those memories."

Carolyn gave Quentin a hug. "I know. I know."

Passing the pen

Dark Shadows, 1974 – Part 4
Dark Shadows 1997-Dark Destiny, Part 4
Date: 10/2/97
From: selene

Quentin thanked Carolyn for comforting him and told her he was going to his room and that she should not expect him for dinner and that he would appreciate her making his excuses for him when Melissa and David came back.

*Quentin's Room*

As Quentin sat on his bed, he picked up a framed photo that was on his nightstand. He clutched it to his chest as he lied down against the pillows.

*Passing The Pen*