Page 24 of Ghost

T he sun was just coming up when Mitch and Paul pulled away from the apartment that Mason had been renting. He’d promised Mitch and Paul that he would contact Mr. Stockbridge about their taking over the entire property.

He was sad to see his friends go, but also glad that he’d have the house to himself and to sleep in his own bed. He was ready for a little down time. It seemed that the last few weeks had been a whirlwind of activity with little time off and he was ready to focus on something else.

The first thing he wanted to do was do a little grocery shopping. I’m sick of eating out all the time. It gets expensive, too! Then he needed to get the phone company to commit to getting his phone installed and some business cards made once he knew his new number.

Mason had told Patty that he’d not be able to start on the new project over the store until the following week, which would give him time to get a few more things taken care of in his own house, get a little rest and begin to set things up so he could work.

He really needed to get his tools and truck organized.

Now that he had a little money in the bank, he could stock up on a few things he knew he was going to need for the job.

As he walked up to the back door of his house, he saw the three towels outside, hanging on nails. “Yeah, I need to get some towel racks and a few other odds and ends for the bathroom.” Mason opened the door. “And find what I want and replace that ugly ass sink.”

“Were you speaking to me, or simply talking to yourself?” Francis asked, laughing as he faded into sight.

Mason rolled his eyes. “I was talking to myself, but since you’re here, I’ll just talk to you.”

“Do you not wish to see me, Mason?” Francis looked hurt.

“No, that’s not it at all.” Mason smiled at his ghost. “I’m glad to see you. I was just thinking out loud about things that I need to get done is all.”

“Will you begin work on the rest of the house soon?”

“I think it will be a little while before I can do that,” Mason answered. “Right now, I need to finish up a few things down here so I can get the jobs I’ve got lined up started. I need the money to do any more work upstairs.”

“I see.” Francis looked around. “You have done a fine job down here. It never looked as grand as it does now. This was where the kitchen was and also where the two servants slept. I did not venture down here very often. I always felt that they deserved some privacy.”

Mason turned around, looking at the space. “Now that you’ve said that, I can see how it would have been laid out. I love the history of these old places.”

Francis laughed. “It is somewhat difficult for me when you say that. To me it isn’t history, but my life.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you, Francis.”

“None taken, my friend.” Francis stepped close to Mason. “I will leave you now so that you can get your work done.”

Mason looked deeply into Francis’ eyes. “I’d still like to kiss you.”

Francis smiled brightly. “As I would you. Now, you should get your day started. I will leave you in peace.” Francis, still smiling, slowly faded away.

When Mason was alone, he shuddered. “Damn, but that man is hot.”

“I can still hear you, Mason.” Francis’ voice sounded hollow and far away.

“I’m going to have to learn to keep my thoughts to myself,” Mason laughed.

* * * * *

M ason got a notepad from his truck and had started making lists of things he needed and things he wanted to get accomplished that day when there was a knock on the front door upstairs. It was more like banging, which is why he could hear it.

When he got halfway up the stairs to the main floor, he called out, “I’m coming.”

He opened the door and there was a woman standing there. “Good morning, can I help you?” Mason asked.

“Are you Mason Montgomery?”

“I am.”

“Hi, I’m Sharon. I work for Mrs. Trudeau.” She held out an envelope. “She’s asked me to bring you this. It’s a dinner invitation for tonight.”

Mason took the envelope and opened it. “Oh, right. Sure thing. I’ll be there.” He looked at the young woman. “It’s not formal or anything, is it? I don’t really have those types of clothes.”

Sharon chuckled. “I hate to tell you, but Mrs. Trudeau hates jeans. If you have a pair of slacks and a button up shirt, that would work.”

“I’ll have to see what I can dig up. I’ve hardly unpacked anything. I’ll figure it out.”

“And don’t be late.” Sharon started down the steps. “She really hates that,” she laughed. “I’ll see you tonight then.”

Mason looked at the notecard. The handwriting was almost a work of art.

Dear Mr. Montgomery,

Please join me for dinner tonight at 6:30

I will look forward to your company.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ellen Watson Trudeau

“I should prob’ly think of taking something,” Mason said under his breath.

“Ellen loves white roses,” Francis said from beyond.

Mason looked around. “I kinda wish you wouldn’t do that. If you want to talk to me, you can at least show up.”

Like turning on a light switch, Francis appeared in front of him. “As you wish.”

Mason jumped straight up. “Come on now, give me a break. You don’t have to scare me half to death doing it!”

Francis laughed. “I am sorry. I could not help myself.”

“Well, cut it out.” Mason thumped his chest. “You’ll give me a heart attack one of these times.”

“I will promise to try and not scare you, Mason. I do apologize.”

“It’s okay.” Mason couldn’t help but smile. “White roses, huh?”

Francis nodded. “We grew them on the plantation, and I always made sure to bring Ellen a large bouquet when they were in bloom. Even as a child she adored them.”

Mason sighed. “Somethin’ else to add to my list of things to do today.” He shrugged. “I guess I better get started then.”

“I will bid you a good morning then.” Francis slowly faded away, a smirk on his face.

“Oh, sheesh.”

Mason went back down the stairs. He left the dinner invitation on the breakfast bar, gathered his keys and notepad then left.

* * * * *

M ason had to set several bags down while he got his back door open.

He’d managed to get everything on his list done, saving getting groceries till last. As it was, he was going to have to make at least two, if not three or more trips to get everything that he’d bought today into the house.

He didn’t particularly care for shopping, but today, he’d realized that it wasn’t such a chore when you didn’t have to worry so much about the cost. Hell, he even enjoyed it a bit.

He had managed to pick up a nice bath set that included a couple of towel racks, a place to hang a hand towel and toilet paper holder, and they all matched.

Even when he redid the house in Cabbagetown, not everything had matched exactly.

Mason had spent a little more but he was satisfied that it was a good investment.

There was no sense in having such an upscale bathroom and then going cheap on the smaller details.

Since he didn’t have time to go looking for a decent pair of pants in the boxes that he hadn’t had a chance to unpack, he found a Rich’s department store and bought himself a nice pair of trousers, a good dress shirt, socks and a pair of boat shoes that he really liked.

He hoped he’d be able to wear them for more than this one occasion.

Mason put his groceries away, stripped off his clothes and rushed through the shower. “I can’t be late,” he muttered, as he turned on the water in the shower.

When he turned the water off, pushed the shower curtain aside and nearly slipped and fell when he saw Francis leaning against the doorframe, a mischievous grin on his face.

“What did I tell you about scaring me! What if I’d fallen and hit my head or something!

” Mason grabbed his towel and held it in front of himself.

Francis waggled his eyebrows. “Mason, you do understand that I have seen you naked plenty of times already.”

“Yeah?” Mason began to hurriedly dry himself off. “That’s not exactly fair, now is it? I never get to see you naked.”

“You would like to see me naked?” Francis inquired, the smile still on his face.

Mason stopped and looked at Francis. “Of course, I would. You know I think you’re hot.”

“If I understand the content of your comment, hot , I am assuming that you find me attractive?”

“Yes, Francis, I find you very attractive.” Mason couldn’t help that he was slightly hard as he stood naked in front of the ghost. “As if you hadn’t noticed,” he said indicating his growing dick.

“I do see,” Francis chuckled and then licked his lips.

“Would you go away, please?” Mason wrapped the towel around his waist. “I need to hurry, or I’ll be late, and I was told that Mrs. Trudeau wouldn’t like that. Oh, and I was able to find white roses.”

“Ellen will appreciate the flowers.” Francis’ eyes roved over Mason’s slightly damp body one more time. “I will leave... for now.” He slowly began to fade away, “But, Mason, I will be back.” Then he was gone.

Mason opened his mouth to say something but quickly snapped it shut. That damn man is making me so fucking horny.

Mason got dressed, thinking he should have thought about getting an iron and ironing board.

His pants were creased where they’d been folded, and his shirt also could have used a press.

He looked at himself as best he could in the mirror.

He also noticed that he needed a haircut and made a note to himself to find a barber.

Satisfied that he was as presentable as he was going to be, he grabbed the roses, wrapped in green paper, and his keys and climbed the stairs. He would be leaving from the front door for a change. He was excited and nervous at the same time.

He opened the front door and took a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”

“Mason?”

Mason turned to see Francis in the main hallway. “Yeah?”

“Have a pleasant evening. I wish I could go with you,” Francis said sadly. “I loved my cousin, Ellen. She was delightful to be around. Please send her my regards and tell her that I am looking forward to a visit from her.”

Mason took a step towards Francis. “I will. I wish you could come with me, too. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back later, okay?”

Francis smiled. “I will look forward to it. Do have a good time.”

“I’ll do my best.” Mason looked closely at Francis. I really would love to kiss that man.

Francis’ smiled broadened as he slowly began to fade away.

Mason closed the front door, locked it and hurried down the steps.