Page 133 of Ghost

“Why yes,” Ellen answered, while trying to ignore Francis as best she could.“When would they like to come?”

“Actually, they’re around the corner in the limo.Fred’s eldest boy is driving them,” Martin explained.

“Please, bring them in,” Mason said.“I’ll bring this chair around and get some more drinks.Would they like lemonade or something else?”

“They would all like lemonade, Mason, if it’s no trouble.”

“Naw, no trouble at all.I’ll also bring that other chair in, then everyone can have a seat and be comfortable.”

“I’ll get the other chair, Mason,” Fred volunteered.

The three older women were just coming into the house when Mason came up stairs with a tray with lemonade on it.

“Oh my,” the eldest woman said.“It’s like goin’ back in time.”

Mason wasn’t even going to guess how old the woman was.

“Lizzie,” Francis whispered.He then looked at Mason then back to Lizzie.“She was my nanny when I was but a small child.”He looked at Mason again.“She was only a child herself then.She has to be well and truly over one hundred years old!”

The woman looked right at Francis and then Ellen, whom she studied a moment.Finally, she looked at Mason.Immediately, Mason was drawn to her.Her eyes showed a brightness even though they were watery with age.

She brushed aside Fred and the other two women away and slowly, with the aid of a cane, walked right to Francis.“Mah little Frankie,” she spoke, looking right at him.“You shor’ did grow up fine.Sofine.”

Fred and Martin looked at each other, then at their great-grandmother.

Lizzie took a step back and then turned to Ellen.“Mz.Ellen.”She held out her hand to Ellen, her hand shaking slightly.“I’d have known you anywhere.It’s been a long, long time since my eyes rested upon you.”

Ellen took the hand in both of hers.“I’m sorry, but I don’t remember you.”

Lizzie gave a little laugh.“No, I don’t guess you wouldn’t.You was a young girl the last time I saw you and then only when the two families got together.I was just a nanny, so you’d have no need to see me.I was Frankie’s nanny.You may remember my sister though.Fanny?”

“Fanny!Yes, she practically raised me,” Ellen seemed excited to hear of her.“Is she still with us?”

“No, no.She died some years ago, but she went peacefully and was surrounded by her family and a lot of love.”

“Oh, that is so nice to hear.”Ellen let one of her hands drop and motioned for Lizzie to join her on the sofa.

“Would you like some lemonade, ma’am?”Mason offered.

“Yes, that would hit the spot in this heat.”When Mason was close and about to give her the glass, she took his other wrist.She pulled him close and looked at his face, and then placed her other hand against his cheek.“You’s the one.I see it clear as day.”

Martin had helped his grandmother sit down and gave her the other glass of lemonade.Fred helped their mother to a seat close by.Meanwhile, Fred’s son came in, standing to the side, his chauffeur’s hat in his hand.

“I...I don’t know what you mean?”Mason said and asked all at the same time.

“Many, many years ago, Fanny told me that there would be a young man to come, who has hair like a halo.He will make things right and bring this entire family together.He will also put Hobonny back to its glory days.”She rubbed his cheek.“You’s the one.I can feel it.I feel it in my bones.”

Ellen’s mouth dropped slightly open.She looked at Mason and glanced at Gerald and then Francis.

Lizzie didn’t miss it.“You got the gift just like your daddy.”She looked at Gerald and then at Francis.After a minute, she turned back to Ellen.“Your daddy was a fine gentleman, about as fine as they come.He always treated us like part of his family, and now that he’s gone and so many years have passed, I can say that hewaspart of the family.Our family.”She sat back a bit and took a long sip of her drink.

“What do you mean ‘part of the family,’?”Ellen asked, just barely audible.

Lizzie patted Ellen’s hand.“Back in them days, it wasn’t uncommon for a master to take a slave on as a mistress.Men’s have always need somethin’ a little extra if you knows what I mean.”She winked at Ellen.“Your daddy wasn’t no different, but he was a gentle and kind man.He lovedbothof his families.”She took another long sip of her lemonade.“Of course, we weren’t slaves anymore, but Hobonny had always been our home.”

Ellen sat all the way back.That was the first time that Mason had ever seen her do that, other when they were both drunk as skunks.

“Are you telling me that my father has or had other children, other than the brothers and sister I had growing up?”