Page 120 of Ghost

There was a knock onthe front door.

“That reminds me, I need to find a doorknocker like the one Ellen has,” Mason said as he went to answer the door.Upon opening he saw Sharon.

“Morning, Mason,” she greeted him brightly.“How are you today?”

“I’m fine, Sharon, thanks for asking.What can I do for you?”

“I have a note for you from Ellen and Gerald.”

Mason took the envelope with his name on it.He looked at it closely.“How does she do that?”he pointed to the handwriting.“It’s like art or something.”

“She has beautiful penmanship,” Sharon remarked.“I’ve tried to duplicate it but finally gave up.”

Mason opened the envelope, but before he could pull the page out, the three M’s came around the corner, all carrying cleaning supplies.

“Morning, Mason,” Molly yelled, greeting him.“It’s a beautiful day.”

She must have seen the surprised look on his face.“There are more coming, so get ready.That includes Patty.”She smiled and winked.

Mason pulled the single folded page from the envelope.

Mason,

I would have called you last night, but it was quite late when I finally called the day done.I hope you do not mind, but I have taken liberties in organizing some help for you in preparation for tomorrow’s events.I do sincerely apologize for such short notice.If you do mind, then I am truly sorry and will happily make it up to you with a fresh bottle of fine quality bourbon.I think we may both need that bottle in the very near future.I will make arrangements to have some delivered.

Your friend,

Ellen

“You gonna let us in?”Maggie asked, rubbing her nose with the back of her hand while holding a garbage bag full of stuff.

“Uh, yeah.”Mason stood back to let the three ladies enter the house.

Sharon chuckled.“I’ll see you later, Mason.I’m sure that Ellen will be down to check on things later this morning.She will be on top of it all, I have no doubt.”

“Um, right.”Mason looked back to the note and then back to Sharon.“Do I even want to know what’s about to happen.”

Sharon stopped halfway down the steps.“Probably not.Just go with it, Mason.That’s my best advice.See ya later.”She smiled and hopped down the steps.

Mason closed the door and looked for Francis.He quickly found him standing in the doorway to the larger front parlor, a bemused look on his face.He looked into the room as saw Maggie and Molly sweeping the walls.

“Hey Mason, do you have a step ladder?”Molly turned around asking.“I can’t reach the ceiling.They did make them high back in the day.”She put her hands on her hips and face slightly scrunched up.“Wonder why that was?”

“It was because of the heat,” both Mason and Francis answered at once.

Mason shook his head slightly, trying not to be rattled by Francis standing next to him.“The heat rises to the top.It’s also why they also put a staircase in the center of the house.It acts like a sort of chimney.”

“Ahh,” she answered.Molly looked at Maggie.“Get Mr.Smarty-pants over there.”

Maggie laughed.“Let’s get on with it.I want to be able to get home before this shindig tonight so I have time to get cleaned up.”

Mason felt his mouth fall.“What shindig?”

The two ladies looked at each other.“Uh...maybe I should just keep my big mouth shut.”

“You’ll see soon enough,” Molly said

Mason only shrugged and then stepped out of the way to let Martha through with a bucket of water and a mop.She smiled at him as she passed him.“Morning, Mason.”