Page 49 of Ghost
“Okay.I’ll see ya later,” Mason said smiling.“I get to go and demo out a bathroom.”
Francis raised his eyebrows.“I will look forward to you explaining that to me later.Have a good rest of your day, Mason Montgomery.”He then faded away with a bright smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
The rest of the day went by quickly.Paul and Mitch got all the tile cut and laid in the kitchen with grouting it the only thing left to do, which would happen the following day.Mason removed the toilet, sink and the old fiberglass shower/tub combo, which unfortunately revealed some damage that was going to have to be addressed.
“Fuck!”Mason yelled in frustration.
Both Paul and Mitch came running.“What’s wrong?”Mitch asked.
“Look,” Mason answered, pointing to the wall where the shower had been.“That’s all going to have to be replaced now.I’ve got to find some money for this, or I won’t have a bathroom at all.”
“Hello.May I come in?”Nick asked from the back doorway.
“Sure,” Mason called out, still looking at all the damage.He felt defeated.
“Oh, my goodness,” Nick exclaimed as he took in the kitchen.“This is beyond amazing.I would happily live here!”
The three friends left the bathroom to join Nick.
“Came out good, huh?”Mitch said.
“I would say better than just good.”Nick walked around the kitchen, admiring the richness of the cherry cabinets and the new black granite countertops.“You men should consider opening your own business.Your work here is just...I don’t even know how to describe it.”He looked at the three men.“I’m sure people around here would be banging on your door for your services.”
“You think so, Nick?”Mitch asked surprised.“I mean, I’m sure there are other tradesmen around here.”
“There are, but I’ve not seen such good quality work locally.”Nick ran his hand along the new tile.“It’s simply beautiful.I would never have picked black for a countertop, but it....”his voice trailed off.
“I’m glad you like it,” Mason said.“After I get it done and get far enough along upstairs, I’m gonna rent out the basement here.”
Nick turned to face Mason again.“You will get top dollar for such a grand place as this.”He looked around again.“You know, there is an apartment above my store.I had it rented out for a long time to a woman who was a secretary at one of the law offices downtown, but she moved when...well, when this place became drug infested, not that I could blame her.A single woman wouldn’t feel safe with all the riffraff just down the street.”
Paul nodded.“Yep.I could see that.”
“But now...”Nick looked at the whole apartment from where he was standing.“I think I should perhaps think about renting it out again.It was good income and Nicky Jr.doesn’t want to live over the store.”He laughed.“I think his momma spoils him too much.She does all his laundry.”
They all chuckled.
Nick turned to face them.“Would you come and look at my apartment?Perhaps give me an estimate on renovating it?If it would be worth the investment, I’d like for you to do what you’ve managed to accomplish here.”
Paul, Mitch and Mason all looked at each other.“Well, problem is, Nick, Paul and I live in Atlanta,” Mitch said.“We’re leaving on Wednesday, but Mason here,” he clapped Mason on the back, “he’s your man.He can do anything except major electrical, which you have to have a license for.”
“Would you come and at look at it?”Nick asked.“I suppose if there is any major electrical work that needs to be done, I can always contact an electrician that I’ve used in the past.”
They all shrugged.“Sure, we can always look,” Paul answered.“We’re at a good stopping point for the day I’d say.”
“Good.”Nick rubbed his hands together.“You can meet my wife.She is tending to the store since Nicky Jr.is out tonight with his friends.A last hoorah before he goes back to Atlanta.”
A few minutes later, they were walking into Nick’s small business, with Nick calling out, “Momma, I’d like for you to meet our new neighbor and his friends.You would never believe what they have managed to do to the ol’ Watson place.”
A little, round woman with a big smile came out from behind one of the coolers.Her hair was short, almost black, except for a bit of grey around the front of her face, which only made her more attractive.Her smile was infectious and there was a brightness to her eyes that bespoke of laughter.
“It’s very nice to meet you...um, Mrs.Davies,” Mason greeted the woman.
“It is so nice to meet you, finally.”She glanced at her husband.“Nick has been going on and on about all the work you’re doing and how nice y’all have been.It’s nice to finally put a name to your faces.Now let me guess.”She looked at each of them.“I’d say you’re Paul,” she said grinning.Then turned to Mitch.“Ah, you must be Mitch.”She glanced around him.“Sadly, you do have a bit of a skinny butt.”
Mason and Paul fell into hysterics, as Mitch stood there, stunned.
“And you...”She placed her hand on Mason’s chest.“You are Mason.I can see why Nick likes you.You have very kind eyes.”
