Page 80 of Ghost
“What?Really?”Mason could hear the man take a deep breath.“So, what you’re saying is that you, or your friends, want to rent out the entire house?”
“Yes, sir, if that is possible.”Mason held his breath.
Mr.Stockbridge burst into laughter.“That’s the best news I’ve had all week!”
“Of course, it will also depend on how much you’ll want for the upstairs part.”Mason wasn’t sure what Paul could afford but he was sure any savings would be appreciated.
“Well, now, maybe we could work something out.”He paused.“I’m still at the office in town.Why don’t I drop by in, say, thirty minutes and let you have a look at the place?There’s only one tenant there at the moment, and she is behind on rent, and it won’t be much trouble to get her out of there, I don’t think.I can always say that I’m going to start renovations and she has to leave, which would be the truth.”
“Sure, I can do that.”Mason’s shoulders sagged a bit with relief.“I’ll meet you out front of the house in thirty then.”
“I’ll look forward to it.Bye.”Mr.Stockbridge hung up and disconnected the call.
Mason smiled slightly.Things are really looking up.
His next phone call was to Paul.His wife, Debbie, answered.
“Hi, Deb, this is Mason Montgomery.How are you?”
There was a squeal on the other end.“Oh Mason!I’m so glad you called.I’ve been bugging poor Paul to death to get in touch with you.Does this mean you have a phone now?”
Mason laughed.“Yes, I have a phone now.”
“Give it to me!”
Mason gave her the number.“Does this mean that you’re excited to move to Savannah?”
“Oh boy, am I ever.”She sighed heavily.“Things here have been getting worse and worse.There is so much traffic that you can’t even go anywhere, any time of day, without getting stuck in it.The schools have become so overcrowded, it’s ridiculous.”
“I’m sorry to hear that but glad all at the same time,” Mason said with a slight chuckle.“And you don’t mind Paul going into business with me and Mitch?”
“As long as you’re in charge, I’m fine with it.”She huffed a bit.“Mitch...well, I’ll reserve judgement on him for a while, if you don’t mind.”
“Ah, now, Mitch is a good guy.Just a little rambunctious is all.”
Debbie huffed again.“That’s a polite way of saying he’s a beer-drinkin’ skirt-chaser.”
Mason couldn’t help but laugh out loud.“Okay, you got me there, but I have a feeling there is a lady here that might just take the wind out of his sails.”
“Oh, really now?”Deb chuckled.“I need to meet this woman.Sounds like my kinda gal.”
“I’ll tell you one thing; she doesn’t put up with much shit.”Mason also laughed as he remembered Molly telling Mitch he couldn’t have a beer until after work was finished.
“Yep, need to meet her for sure.”Debbie took a deep breath.“I wanted to ask you about where we might be living?”
“I’m going to go and meet the guy who owns a house just down the street and have a look at it.”Mason looked at his watch.“In about twenty minutes.I’ll see what kind of condition it’s in.”
“That sounds great.I can’t help but be a little concerned.You know, going in sight unseen.”
“Yeah, and I get that.I won’t let you and the kids move into some dump,” Mason said.“I promise.”
“Thanks, Mason.You’ve always been a real stand-up guy.Your Uncle Bud would be so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Deb.That means a lot to me.”
“Hey, you wanna talk to Paul?”Mason could hear kids in the background.“He’s just walked in.”
Mason laughed.“Sounds like a rowdy bunch there.”
