Page 32 of Ghost
Chapter Thirteen
“What the hell?”Masonstood at the back door of the street level of the townhouse.He looked at the delivery guys and then his two friends.“What have you guys done?”
Mitch and Paul were beaming, their smiles were wide.“Just a little housewarming gift is all,” Paul said.
“Yeah, we figured you really liked it, and it does suit the place.”Mitch slapped Mason on the shoulder, causing him to lose his balance, forcing him to step through the doorway.
Mason turned to his friends.“Really, guys this iswaytoo much.You can’t afford this!”
“Can’t you just say thank you, then shut the hell up?”Mitch tried to look annoyed, but it failed as his smile reappeared.
“Listen, Mas, we wanted to do something for ya, ya know.You’re one of the few guys I know who really deserves some good luck, and I for one know you’d give the shirt off your back if you thought me or Mitch needed it.”
“Yep, so shut the hell up and let’s get to work.”Mitch pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it to the side.“That paneling isn’t going to put itself up.You’re the carpenter so get to carpentering.”
Mason shook his head.“We’re going to need more two-by-fours and drywall if we—”
“It’s upstairs.”Mitch was already at the first step.“Got a big box of nails too.”
Paul pushed Mason towards the stairs.“I think we got everything we need but if not, we can always run out and get it.”
“You guys are too much.”Mason tried to hide the fact that he’d let a single tear loose and quickly brushed it away with the back of his hand.
“Meanwhile, I’m going to pull some more wire for the two new interior walls,” Paul said.“I think we’ve got just enough left.”
The next few hours flew by.Mason had set up his saws, pulled all his woodworking tools out and he and Mitch had two of the four new walls up and the paneling on them in no time.Paul, good as his word, had new outlets in place.The rest of the room went together just as quickly.
The three men stood inside the new room where there had only been three smallish rooms before, not including the bathroom.
“Wow,” Mitch all but whispered.“What a difference.”
“I’ll say.It’s all really...grand, isn’t it?”Paul glanced first at Mitch and then to Mason.“You have great taste, Mas.It’s like those pictures you see of castles and palaces.”
“I have to admit, it is really more than I had anticipated.It kinda reminds me of those antebellum homes you see on those Christmas house tours.”Mason turned all the way around.“I can’t believe this is where I’m going to be living.Doesn’t seem...real.”
“Hello?Anyone home?”
The three guys walked towards Nick’s voice.
“Hi, Nick,” Mason greeted their new friend.“Want to see what we’ve been up to?”
Nick came in through the back door and entered the new antique paneled room.“Holy cow!”His mouth dropped open as he gaped at the stunning raised walnut paneling.“I don’t even know what to say.It’s so beautiful.”
