Page 56 of Ghost
“Nick and I’ve got some hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, and many of you fine folk have heeded the call for sides, and I see there is plenty of.So, let’s eat!”
Another big round of applause erupted, and people started grabbing plates and lining up next to the grill.
Mason was standing there, his mouth slightly ajar.“Close your mouth, honey, you’ll be drawing flies,” Patty said giggling.
Mason was surrounded by well-wishers.He was introduced to so many people that there was no way he was going to remember anyone’s name.The only thing he could do was shake hands, accept their welcomes and nod.
Without notice, the crowd suddenly went quiet, with only a few whispers.Mason looked around to see what was wrong when he saw a small, older woman, dressed in black, and he instantly thought of Queen Elizabeth II.There was no way he could have guessed her age.She seemed ageless.The crowd parted as she made her way towards Mason.
“Ellen?”Mason heard Francis say from behind him.
Chapter Twenty-One
It was so quiet inthe courtyard you could have heard a pin drop.
“Mr.Montgomery, I presume?”The elderly woman addressed Mason, standing in front of him.
If Mason were to guess, he’d say she was barely five feet tall, petite, and although her face had some wrinkles, her skin was fairly smooth.She wore a single strand of white pearls and small pearl earrings.
“Um...Yes, ma’am.I’m Mason Montgomery.”
“I can’t believe it.She has to be in her nineties,” Francis whispered, but loud enough for Mason to hear.
Mason noticed her eyes quickly move from his to behind him and then just as quickly back to his own.Her face never showed any signs that she’d seen Francis, so Mason wasn’t sure, but he thought she might be able to see him.
“I have come to welcome you to our neighborhood, Mr.Montgomery.My name is Ellen Watson Trudeau.My family home, which we have lived in since it was built, is on the opposite corner of this block.I have heard many good things about you and what you have done with the home of my dear cousin, Francis Watson.”
Mason stood there for a moment, blinking.He wasn’t sure if there was a question there or not.“Yes, ma’am.I hope to restore the home to its former glory.Of course, things have changed over the last hundred years, but I still hope to keep the integrity of the place.”
“Would I be able to see what you have been able to accomplish thus far?”she asked, but in a way that wasn’t exactly asking but more like expecting her request to be followed.
“It would be my pleasure, Mrs.Trudeau.”
Without thinking, Mason offered his arm to the elderly woman, who had perfect posture he noticed.She took his offered arm and they began walking towards the basement door.When they reached the door, Mrs.Trudeau turned and told Patty, who was close on their heels, that she would appreciate a cold drink when she returned, stopping Patty in her tracks.Mason wondered how she was able to ask for something and was expecting it to happen without question and do it so gracefully.
They were standing just inside the door, looking towards the kitchen when she turned to her right, towards the center of the house.
