Page 59 of Ghost
Mason heard Paul talking to someone in the living room.He looked at Mitch and whispered, “Who’s here?”
Mitch grinned.“Go and see.”
Mason went into the living room and saw Paul up on a ladder hanging an antique light fixture.The man standing holding the ladder turned and greeted Mason.
“I had to come see for myself.”The guy waved his hand around the room.“It’s like this room was where it was meant to be.
“Hi.”Mason shook the man’s hand.It was the guy from the salvage yard.“Glad you think so.I know I do.”
“I had to come see for myself,” he said again as he handed Paul a screwdriver.“You’re now the go-to guy for historical renovations, it seems.I’ve heard your name several times since Friday.I need to get your number.After seeing this, I’ll make sure to recommend you without hesitation.”
“Just what Mason needs, more work.”Paul took a step down from the ladder.“Hey, Mitch, you wanna flip that breaker on and let’s see what we got here.”
Mitch hustled out.Paul got off the ladder and looked up.“I can’t say it’s my taste, but damn, that looks like it was always there.”
“It’s on!”Mitch yelled.
“Flip the wall switch on,” Paul directed Mason.
Mason was flabbergasted.Paul was right.It did seem like the whole room was original to the house.It all fit together, and the new light just finished it all off.
“I know we introduced ourselves before, but I’m Mark Hempstead,” the salvage yard guy said.
Mason shook his hand.“Mason Montgomery.”Mason was glad that Mark had reintroduced himself because Mason had forgotten the guy’s name.
Mark chuckled.“Oh, I know who you are.”
“Um...how much is this light?”Mason asked hesitantly.
“It’s a welcome gift.”He looked around the room.“Consider it priming the pump.I hope to be seeing a lot of you in the very near future.If there is something specifically that you need, and can’t find it, let me know and I’ll see if I can’t get it for you.”
“That’s almost the same light that was in the dining room upstairs,” Francis whispered in Mason’s ear.
Mason had to blink a few times to keep himself from looking over his shoulder at Francis.“I might be looking for another fixture like that for upstairs.I’m thinking the dining room.”
“Certainly,” Mark said.“I may have exactly what you’re looking for.I also have a drop pendant light from the same era, the same house this one came from actually.It hung above the stairs.I’ll hold onto them for you.”
“Thanks,” Mason replied.“I’ll have to come over and take a closer look to see what you have.I’ll make a list of things I’m going to need.
Mark reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card.“Give me a call or come by the shop.”
“Knock, knock.Anyone home?”Patty yelled from the open door.
“In here, Patty,” Mason called back.
When Patty entered the room, she looked at the new light.“Wow.”She looked at the men in the room.“If I didn’t know any better, I would have said this room was original.”
“That’s exactly what we were just sayin’,” Paul said.
Patty turned on Mason.“Is that bathroom done yet?”
“Jeez, Patty, it’s not even ten o’clock yet,” Mason answered.
“Well, is it?”Patty stood there with her hands on her hips.
“We’re waiting on the grout to dry, which may take all day in this humid weather,” Paul answered for Mason.“Might need to go and get a fan to blow on it.”
Patty shook her head.“Men.”She strode out, arms pumping.“Sometimes I just wonder how y’all get anything done at all.”
