Page 45 of Ghost
Francis and Mason stoodthere looking at each other for a long time.It seemed that neither knew what to say.
“Um...I’m not really religious or anything, but that sure looked like hell to me,” Mason finally said.“It was so cold.”
Francis blinked a few times.“I truly do not know what to say.”
Mason reached towards Francis.“In the end, I think she was sorry, though.”
Francis only nodded, then looked back to where the spot on the floor had appeared.“I agree.It is sad all the same.”He turned to face Mason.“You must live your life, Mason.Live each day as if it were your last.”
“Funnily enough, I’d already kinda been thinking along the same lines.”Mason looked back at where the wall had been.Staring back at Francis he asked, “Why do you think you’re still here?”
“I do not know.There are many things that I do not fully understand.”Francis shrugged.“Do you wish for me to not be here?”
“No!”Mason shook his head as if to clear away the cobwebs.“What I mean is that I like you being here.I only wish...well, that you weren’t dead.”
Francis tilted his head back and laughed.It was a sound that Mason would want to hear over and over again.Eventually, Francis stopped.“Yes, that would have been preferable, but unfortunately, I would more than likely be dead whether my mother took my life or not.We are from different times, after all.”
Mason frowned.“I guess you’re right.Doesn’t make what I said any less true.”
“You are a curious man, Mason Montgomery.”
“Look who’s talking!You’re way more mysterious than I’ll ever be.”
“Ah, but you have a lot of living yet to do.”Francis smiled.“You still have a lot of time to become a mysterious curiosity, if that is what you so desire.”
Mason shrugged his shoulders.“Right now, I’m just trying to get by, day by day.”
“In the end, I suppose that is all anyone can do.”Francis smiled.“Now, you must do your work.I feel that I am keeping you from it and you have much to do.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”Mason smiled.“I’d still like to kiss you.”
Francis laughed again as he started to fade away.“And I, you!And I, you.”And then he was gone.
Mason stood there for a moment.“Damn, that is one sexy man.”
“I can still hear you, Mason Montgomery.”
Mason laughed.“This could end up being very embarrassing.”Mason picked up his measuring tape and got back to work finishing up his new kitchen.
* * * * *
“Well, I guess you’vegot most of your kitchen sorted out,” Mitch said before he shoveled another large bite of steak into his mouth.
“I can do the tiling after you guys are gone,” Mason agreed.
“You’ve got some painting and stuff to do on those new walls,” Paul added.“We could help with that.”
Mitch elbowed Paul.“Speak for yourself.I hate painting.”
“You guys have done enough.I say that after dinner you guys go out and hit the town.Paint it red if you want to.Have some fun.”Mason had no intention of going out himself.He was ready to get some rest.
“Naw, there ain’t nothin’ excitin’ about going out drinkin’ for me anymore.I got a wife back home.”Paul took a sip of his beer.“I’m really quite happy to just sit back, watch a ball game and spend time with my buds.”
“Yeah, well, I plan on making the most of it.”Mitch pushed his plate away.“I need to find me some female comp’ny tonight.I got an itchin’ that needs some scratchin’.”
“What about you Mas?Don’t you feel like hittin’ the town?”Paul took the last bite of his own steak.
Mason sighed.“I’ve got to get some stuff done tomorrow.I need to see about getting a phone put in the house and some business cards made up.I need to find some work.I don’t have a lot of money left.”
