Page 118 of Ghost

Once Mason sat down, he could see why.It was a local Sunday morning news broadcast, and they were doing a story on local fisheries, of which there was one.From what Mason could gather, the man that was being interviewed was only just starting out.His primary focus at that particular moment was only fish, not oysters or any other mollusks.

When the interview was over, Francis turned to Mason.“He is going to fail.He has no sense of business.”

“And good morning to you too,” Mason smirked and took a sip of coffee.“Yes, I slept very well, thanks for asking.”

Francis smiled.“I do apologize.”He leaned towards Mason.“Did you rest easy, Mason?”

Mason sputtered a dribble of coffee down his chin.“More like passed out from exhaustion.My balls ache, by the way.”

“Should I take that as a compliment to my abilities?”

Mason rolled his eyes.“Take it however you like.I was just stating a fact.”

“Perhaps we could return to yourboudoirand let me attempt to give you some reprieve from the soreness?”

“Uh...that would be no.I don’t think my poor, shriveled nuts could take any more abuse this morning.”

Francis leaned back, a fake expression of surprise and hurt.“I have been spurned by my one true love.How will I ever live?”

Mason laughed.“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, there Francis, but you’re already dead.”

“You do make a valid point.”He sighed dramatically.

Mason took another big sip of his coffee.

“I would like to see Ellen and Gerald,” Francis stated quite frankly.“I would like to discuss the future of Hobonny.”

“They will be here tomorrow.”Mason stood up.“I need more coffee.”

Francis was waiting for him in the kitchen when he got there.

“Do you have any idea how unsettling that is?I just left you in the living room and here you are in the kitchen before I can even get here.”

Francis waved his comment away.“Why tomorrow?Can it not be today?”

Mason turned towards the coffee maker and topped up his coffee.Without looking at Francis he said, “Your remains are being delivered here tomorrow.”His voice was low and soft.He chanced a glance at Francis to see his reaction.He didn’t seem upset.Solemn yes, but not angry or anything else, just solemn.

“I see.”He tried to smile, but it looked forced.“It can wait until tomorrow.”

Mason only nodded and proceeded to go back to the living room.This time Francis followed.

“What are your plans for today?”he asked Mason as he sat down next to him.

“Well,” Mason took a sip.“I was thinking that I’d clean the upstairs parlor for you.Can’t have a bunch of cobwebs and dust messin’ the place up.”

Francis looked towards the TV and then back to Mason.“That was probably my favorite room here.”

“I know.”Mason leaned forward a bit, closer to Francis.“Ellen has all of your books.As soon as I get the upstairs completed, I’ll make sure to put them back.Maybe you can tell me how things were arranged in there?”Mason stood up.“And I have a surprise for you.”He smiled brightly.“Let me put some clothes on and I’ll go get ‘em.”

Francis also stood.“What have you got?”

Mason stopped for a moment.“I’d like to say keep your pants on although I’d really like to see you out of them, but that will have to wait.”He smiled broadly at Francis and then waggled his eyebrows at him.“I’ll show you.”

Mason went and unloaded his truck of all the things he’d bought the day before at the salvage yard.Mark Hempstead had really done him a favor in calling him first.He thought they were the style of the house, and they were perfect.

“Well?”Mason asked Francis who was looking at all the light fixtures and a few other things, like light switch covers along with other small things.

Francis looked at Mason and then back at the collection.“These look...”Francis waved his hand over everything.He looked back up at Mason.“These are the same as were here?”