Page 116 of Ghost

“Yes, but if he were connected to his remains, it will be much easier on him and he could also see the home he so loved once again, which he desperately wants.”

“I see,” Mason sighed.

Ellen took a deep breath and continued.“Martin will deliver the coffin here Monday afternoon, where Francis can hopefully reattach himself to...well, himself.Wednesday they will come and retrieve him, and we will go to Hobonny.”Ellen reached for Mason’s hand.“We will have a funeral there on Saturday, a week from today.”

Mason walked Ellen back to her house.Along the way, Ellen pointed out certain houses and told him who used to live there and what they had contributed to the community or the city.It was all idle chatter, filling the emptiness that they were both feeling.

Mason didn’t know if he wanted to scream in anger or just sit and cry.He did neither and began to just feel numb.He wasn’t surprised to see Gerald standing on the stoop of Ellen’s house, an angry expression on his face until he saw what condition Ellen was in.

“Ellen?”Gerald appeared in front of them before they could reach the steps.“What’s wrong?”He looked distressed.

Ellen smiled solemnly.“We have arranged everything for Francis.I...explained everything to him.”

“Oh.”Gerald said just barely above a whisper.“How did he take it?”

“Can’t this wait, Gerald?”Ellen continued walking.“I’m feeling very tired right now.I’d like to lie down for a bit.”

“Certainly, my dear.”Gerald kept in step with her.“Whatever you need.”

He glanced at Mason, looking concerned.Mason only nodded.

Sharon opened the door before they had reached the top step.“I’ll get you a nice cup of tea,” she said, holding the door open for them.

“I’m going to stop here and let you get some rest.”Mason looked at Sharon, who seemed to have a grasp on the whole situation.“I’ll call you later, Ellen.”

She turned to him.“Take care of him, Mason.He’s hurting too.”She turned to go inside and stopped.“I am truly sorry for this.I can’t know what it is that the two of you are feeling, but what I do know is that it is ripping me apart on the inside.”She looked over her shoulder.“I don’t even want to know how you feel.Goodbye, Mason.Don’t worry about calling me if you don’t feel like it.I’ll understand.And thank you for everything that you’ve done for us.I will be eternally grateful.”

Mason stood there until the door closed.Sharon giving him a strained smile.He turned to go when Gerald appeared in front of him.

“I share in Ellen’s gratitude.Thank you.It has been hard on her all these years not knowing for sure what had happened to Francis.”He looked down the street towards the old Watson house.“I would have liked to have known him as a living man.”He looked back at Mason.“I’m sure he would have been just as aggravating as he is now, but I’d like to think we’d have been good friends as well as family.”

Mason couldn’t help but smile.“I think Francis would say the same about you.”

Gerald harrumphed.“I see no reason why anyone would not like me.Good day to you, Mason.”He then vanished.

I can’t believe I’m actually getting used to ghosts flashing on and off like a strobe light.

Mason decided to go and get something at the grocery store for dinner, and to stock up on a few things, beer being at the top of his list.He didn’t want to think that he was avoiding Francis, but that’s exactly what he was doing.He couldn’t face him right then.