Page 66 of Ghost
Chapter Twenty-Four
The sun was just comingup when Mitch and Paul pulled away from the apartment that Mason had been renting.He’d promised Mitch and Paul that he would contact Mr.Stockbridge about their taking over the entire property.
He was sad to see his friends go, but also glad that he’d have the house to himself and to sleep in his own bed.He was ready for a little down time.It seemed that the last few weeks had been a whirlwind of activity with little time off and he was ready to focus on something else.
The first thing he wanted to do was do a little grocery shopping.I’m sick of eating out all the time.It gets expensive, too!Then he needed to get the phone company to commit to getting his phone installed and some business cards made once he knew his new number.
Mason had told Patty that he’d not be able to start on the new project over the store until the following week, which would give him time to get a few more things taken care of in his own house, get a little rest and begin to set things up so he could work.He really needed to get his tools and truck organized.Now that he had a little money in the bank, he could stock up on a few things he knew he was going to need for the job.
As he walked up to the back door of his house, he saw the three towels outside, hanging on nails.“Yeah, I need to get some towel racks and a few other odds and ends for the bathroom.”Mason opened the door.“And find what I want and replace that ugly ass sink.”
“Were you speaking to me, or simply talking to yourself?”Francis asked, laughing as he faded into sight.
Mason rolled his eyes.“I was talking to myself, but since you’re here, I’ll just talk to you.”
“Do you not wish to see me, Mason?”Francis looked hurt.
“No, that’s not it at all.”Mason smiled at his ghost.“I’m glad to see you.I was just thinking out loud about things that I need to get done is all.”
“Will you begin work on the rest of the house soon?”
“I think it will be a little while before I can do that,” Mason answered.“Right now, I need to finish up a few things down here so I can get the jobs I’ve got lined up started.I need the money to do any more work upstairs.”
“I see.”Francis looked around.“You have done a fine job down here.It never looked as grand as it does now.This was where the kitchen was and also where the two servants slept.I did not venture down here very often.I always felt that they deserved some privacy.”
Mason turned around, looking at the space.“Now that you’ve said that, I can see how it would have been laid out.I love the history of these old places.”
Francis laughed.“It is somewhat difficult for me when you say that.To me it isn’t history, but my life.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Francis.”
“None taken, my friend.”Francis stepped close to Mason.“I will leave you now so that you can get your work done.”
Mason looked deeply into Francis’ eyes.“I’d still like to kiss you.”
Francis smiled brightly.“As I would you.Now, you should get your day started.I will leave you in peace.”Francis, still smiling, slowly faded away.
When Mason was alone, he shuddered.“Damn, but that man is hot.”
“I can still hear you, Mason.”Francis’ voice sounded hollow and far away.
“I’m going to have to learn to keep my thoughts to myself,” Mason laughed.
* * * * *
Mason got a notepadfrom his truck and had started making lists of things he needed and things he wanted to get accomplished that day when there was a knock on the front door upstairs.It was more like banging, which is why he could hear it.
When he got halfway up the stairs to the main floor, he called out, “I’m coming.”
He opened the door and there was a woman standing there.“Good morning, can I help you?”Mason asked.
“Are you Mason Montgomery?”
“I am.”
