Page 30 of Ghost
Chapter Twelve
The next day was anexciting day.The three men had discussed the kitchen in detail and decided to a make sure that there were breakers ready for wiring, but not to wire anything as yet.Mason wanted to get a design on paper and work towards a budget first.
The remaining wiring and testing was all completed by lunch time.All the hard work had paid off and they were a full day and a half ahead of schedule.They had no sooner finished than Nick showed up with a deli platter with different meats and cheeses.They were able to make their own sandwiches, and today they had chips and a couple of large bottles of soda.
Nick was impressed with the news that they were ready to have the needed inspections and pleased to know that Mason would be able to move in a lot sooner than anyone had expected.He had become a good friend very quickly and seemed happy at the progress.
“I need to find a cheap stove and fridge,” Mason said as he made himself a sandwich.“A few cabinets and a sink as well.”
“There is a salvage yard on the other side of town,” Nick informed him.“Old South Salvage.They should have what you need.They have two sections.One is really high-end stuff, and the back part is the cheap, used stuff.”
Mason thanked him and got the address.“If I can get that put in this weekend, I’m that much closer to moving in.”
Mitch clapped Mason on the shoulder.“See, Mas, you’re gonna be in your own home before I leave.”
“God willin’ and the creek don’t rise,” Mason exhaled.“That would be too perfect!”
Once they were done with lunch, the three men piled into Mason’s truck and headed to the salvage yard that Nick had spoken of.When they got there, they were like kids in a candy shop.Mason saw lots of things that he could use when he got to the point of renovating the upper floors and even a few things for the lowest level.He particularly liked an entire room of walnut raised paneling, which they were informed came out of an old mansion north of Savanah.It would make a perfect living room for downstairs and was in keeping with the period of the house.
They were able to locate a few kitchen cabinets that would work, not only for the short term, but for the long term as well.They were made of cherry, and it looked as if it was an entire kitchen’s worth, albeit a small kitchen.It was perfect.
There was also a small stove that would work just fine for the space.Sadly, there wasn’t a refrigerator, but the salesman told him where he could easily find one at a used appliance store close to town.
The salesman, Mark, was very informative and was excited to hear about Mason’s house and what he was planning to do.He even gave Mason a bit of a discount, which sold him on the cherry kitchen.It was a bit more than he’d been planning on spending, but it would be for the long term, which Mason thought of as a good investment.
There were more cabinets than Mason could load into his truck, so he arranged to have them delivered the following morning for a small fee.Paul convinced him that paying someone else to do it would not only free them up to do other things but also they wouldn’t have to pay for the gas to make several trips.
Mason spent a bit more time rummaging around seeing things that he would love to get for his new home.They had all kinds of period light fixtures that would be perfect, as well as other odds and ends.Mark told him there were constantly getting new things in but assured him that light fixtures were slow moving.
When they got back to the house, Mason immediately went downstairs to pull out the one remaining small cabinet and get ready for the new cabinets that were to arrive the following morning.He was so excited.It was like all the puzzle pieces were finally falling into place.
“Hey, Mason,” Paul said as Mason came in the backdoor, after getting rid of the cabinet.“I was wondering if it’d be alright with you if I left and did a bit of shopping for the kids.They’ll expect a little something when I get home.”
“Of course.I have no problem with that, Paul.You’ve more than done your fair share!Besides, I’m not your boss.”Mason playfully slugged him in the shoulder.“You don’t have to ask my permission.”
“Good to know,” Mitch chimed in, clapping his hands together then rubbing them together.“I’m going to head out and do a bit of shopping myself, then.”
Mason smiled at the pair.“You guys have been great.Go on, git out of here.Have a little fun.I’m just going to do a bit of cleaning and get as ready as I can for those cabinets.I might even run out to Home Depot and see if they have any decent tile on sale.We need something for counter tops and a backsplash.Not ideal, but it will work in the short term.I’ll meet you back at the apartment, then we can go out and get a bite to eat.”
“Sounds like a plan, Stan,” Mitch sang out, already halfway up the stairs.
“I won’t be too long,” Paul said, smiling.
“Later, gator,” Mason called up the stairs.
Mason set out to clean the kitchen area and the bathroom again.He went upstairs to see if he could remember where he’d put the mop and bucket.He’d found them in the living room, which was probably referred to as a parlor when the home was built.
He turned to see Francis, the friendly ghost, as Mason had started to refer to him in his mind.
