Page 102 of Ghost

“I need to talk to Ellen,” he mumbled to himself, as he hurried towards her house.

* * * * *

Sharon opened the door.“Hi, Mason.What can I do for you?”

“Is Ellen home?”

“She is.”Sharon stepped back to allow him to enter the foyer.“She’s in the parlor with Gerald.”

Sharon showed him into the room, where he saw Ellen sitting in the chair she regularly sat in, and Gerald was pacing in front of the front windows.

“Mason, what a pleasant surprise,” Ellen said as she stood.

Mason took her extended hand in both of his.“I was wondering if we could talk for a moment?Alone?”

Ellen glanced at Gerald who was frowning.

“This is my house, you know?”Gerald grouched.

“No dear, it’s my house.You’re dead.”Ellen twittered slightly, while Sharon outright laughed.

Gerald was gone in a flash.

Ellen sighed.“He’s been so bothersome this morning.I was hoping for some kind of distraction and here you are.Do sit down.Can Sharon bring you something?”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to have one of those bourbons.I’ve had way too much coffee and it’s been a stressful morning.”

“Sharon, please bring Mason a bourbon.”Ellen looked at Mason closely.“I’m not exactly sure I like the haircut.”She squinted a bit.“But it does make you dangerously handsome.Perhaps it will grow on me.”She picked up a china cup and saucer.“Now, what is it that Francis has done?”

“What makes you think it was Francis?”

Ellen rolled her eyes.“What else could it be?”

Mason fidgeted with his hands in his lap.“It isn’t Francis.”He looked up.“It’s me.”

Sharon came in with the bourbon he’d requested on the small silver tray.After she’d left, Ellen leaned back in her chair and waited.

“I went and got my hair cut and...well—”

“And Lloyd Davis the third made a pass at you and now you feel guilty about it.”Ellen smirked with mirth.

“How did you know?”Mason was amazed at how much Ellen knew without anyone being able to tell her.It had just happened after all.

“Because, Mason, one doesn’t live in this neighborhood their entire life and not know who is who and what happens, sometimes before it happens.”

Mason nodded.“Well, yes.That’s exactly what has happened.”He took a big sip of the bourbon.

“Alrighty then, let’s go over this logically.”Ellen set her cup and saucer aside and then stood up.“First off, you have nothing to feel guilty about.”She faced Mason.“Remember, Francis is not among the living.LD Three is.Point one.”

“But I still have feelings for Francis, so that negates that,” Mason said frowning at her.

“Point number two: We both know that Francis will be moving on soon, so there is no reason why you can’t entertain the idea of finding true love, or at least love for now.”

“Why, Ellen, are you suggesting I just go out with LD Three for sex?”

“Don’t be crude, Mason.”Ellen tried to frown but failed, a smile spreading across her face, her eyes alight.“Okay, that’s exactly what I’m saying.I know how men are and men have certain needs that need to be met.”

“Never in a million years did I think I would be having this conversation with you of all people.”