Page 99 of Ghost
Mason took a deep breath and shook his head.“It’s very hard to get used to them popping in and out.It’s like a light switch being flipped.”
“There are times I’m so glad I can’t see them.Hearing them is sometimes more than I can handle.”Sharon shook her head as she walked towards the stairs.“Gerald used to think it was funny to show up behind me and then yell in my ear.Only after I dropped a very expensive crystal vase did Ellen get onto him about it.Not sure what she said, but he did stop, thank goodness.”
Mason had to chuckle.“I have a feeling that Ellen gets her way in most things.”
“She does have a way about her,” Sharon agreed, chuckling.In a more subdued voice, she said, “She’s still in bed.She’s going to give me tea-total hell for allowing you into her bedroom, but, well....”Her voice faded off.
They got to the top of the stairs and Sharon knocked softly on the door.“Ellen, Mason is here to see you.”
“What?”Ellen’s voice, although faint through the door, also sounded old.
Sharon opened the door, and let Mason go through.
“Good morning, Ellen...”Mason started.
Ellen was propped up in bed with a tray across her lap.On it sat a small silver coffee pot and a plate on which Mason assumed had been toast.A newspaper was off to her right side.
“Mason.What are you doing here?”Ellen seemed flustered as she attempted to pat her hair into place.“Sharon knows better than to let anyone into my bedroom.”
“Now, don’t go getting your feathers all in a fluster.”Mason had to chuckle.“It’s my fault, so blame me.”He took a deep breath.“I just didn’t want to leave things after yesterday.”
A single tear escaped Ellen’s eye, which she quickly wiped away.“I’m so sorry, Mason.I truly am.”
Mason shrugged.“It is what it is, I guess.”Mason sat on the foot of the bed.
“Will you ever forgive me?”
Mason smirked at her.“Eventually.”
Ellen rolled her eyes.“You’re not going to let me live this down, are you?”
“Nope,” Mason said smiling, but with his eyes narrowed.“I have a feeling that having something over your head will prove to be very beneficial.”
“Oh, heaven help me now!”She laughed, the twinkle back in her eyes.
Mason looked around the room for a moment.“Francis and I had a long talk after you and Gerald left yesterday.”He looked back at Ellen.“As much as I don’t like it, we have both decided that perhaps you were right.”
Ellen looked down at her hands.“I’m sorry, Mason.I know what it’s like to have a broken heart and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, but itisfor the best.”She looked up, her eyes moist.“I’ve lived with it for many years, and it is so very hard.You deserve to have a real live love in your life.A ghost can’t do what a real person can.”
“Oh, I don’t know about all that, now.”Mason smiled broadly.
Ellen’s mouth fell open and then snapped shut, her lips all but disappearing.“There are some things that others do not need to know, Mason Montgomery!”
