Page 122 of Ghost

“Mason, please do me a favor and fetch me some of that lovely lemonade, with plenty of ice please.”Ellen patted his cheek.“Once you have some clothes on.”She proceeded to walk down the hallway then into the dining room.

Mason sighed and looked at the ceiling.“I swear that woman is going to be the end of me.”He then went off to do the things that Ellen wanted.

* * * * *

Mason decided he needed to go get more drinks for everyone, so he wandered down to Nick and Patty’s store.

When he walked in, Patty was busy behind the deli counter making sandwiches.When she looked up with the little bell rang on the door, she frowned at Mason.“What in blue blazes are you doing here?Why aren’t you up there helping out?”

“I don’t even know what’s going on,” Mason answered heatedly.“I feel like my house isn’t even my own anymore.”

Patty rushed out from behind the counter.“I’m sorry, Mason.”She grabbed him and gave him a big hug.

“I came in for some drinks and ice and stuff for all those people in my house.It’s going to be hot today and I don’t want anyone passing out from the heat.”

“I’ve got all that under control,” Patty assured him as she patted him on the arm.“If you want to help, you can go into the back and help Nick fill the ice chests, then maybe carry some of the stuff out.”She leaned in closer.“Nick says he can do it all, but he’s no spring chicken and I don’t want to listen to him groaning in bed all night.”

Mason couldn’t help but laugh.“Yes, ma’am.That is something I can do.”

He wandered towards the back of the store, where he’d never been before.“Hey, Nick,” Mason called out.

“Back here, Mason.”

Mason followed the voice.He found Nick bent over a large cooler, pushing the lid closed.It was a little overfilled with ice, so he had to really push on it.

“Here, let me help,” Mason said, jumping into action.

“Thanks, Mason.”Nick stood up with a slight groan and reached for the small of his back.

Mason looked around.There were eight large cooler and several smaller ones.“Uh, Nick, are all of those full of ice?

“Yep, and some already have drinks in ‘em stayin’ good and cold.”

“How are you planning on getting them up to the house?”Mason asked, wiping his brow with his forearm.It was starting to get hot.

“Carry them, of course,” Nick answered matter-of-factly.“How else?”

“How about I bring my truck around back?We can load everything up at one time.”

Nick smiled.“I think that is a splendid idea.”

“We can then have some help unloading them.”

“Excellent.”Nick sat down on the cooler he’d just closed.He looked up at Mason.“There are some others setting up tables and the grill already, I think.If not now, they will be when Patty gets there.”He chuckled.

Nick motioned for Mason to step closer.“Don’t go tellin’ Patty or anything, but I’m not as young as I used to be, and I’m not in all that great shape, unless you consider round a shape,” he chuckled as he patted his belly, which was a bit on the round side.

“Your secret is safe with me.”Mason smiled at his friend.“I’ll go and get my truck and I’ll pull it around back.I’ll knock on your back door when I get here.”

Nick gave him a thumbs up and started chugging a large cup of water.

Mason jogged up the street towards his GMC truck.He realized he didn’t have his keys so he went to the back gate of the side road.Sure enough, there were several people there bustling about, setting up tables and chairs.LD and LD Three were starting up the grill.There was another man with them who could only be LD Two.The family resemblance was uncanny.

“Hello, everyone,” Mason called out, heading inside to get his keys.He came back out into the back courtyard.

“Is there anyone ya’ll could spare a few minutes to help Nick and me to fetch up some supplies?”He was not at all surprised when LD Three stuck his arm up and trotted over.

“Hey, Mason.”Mason noticed how good looking he really was.