Page 26 of Ghost

M ason stood in the basement of the Trudeau home, his mouth hanging open. It had been a great effort for Ellen to make it down the stairs, but it was apparent to Mason that there weren’t many things that the woman wouldn’t or couldn’t do if she set her mind to it.

“This is most of it,” she said, indicating the room full of furniture, some of it stacked to the ceiling there was so much. “I bought most of it from Imogene when she started running out of money and selling off things from the house.”

“She always thought of you as a bank,” Mr. Trudeau added having appeared, a snarl on his lips. “I detested that woman. She died penniless and it served her right.”

“Anyway, Mason, when you are ready for it, I would very much like you to take what you would like.” Mrs. Trudeau patted his arm. “I think it only fitting that it stays with the house, and I have no need of it. I only bought it from her out of my fondness for Francis.”

“I... I don’t even know what to say,” Mason said softly.

“I believe that Francis’ bed is in the corner over there,” she said pointing. “It was the first thing she sold.”

For some unexplainable reason, Mason was sad. He was so mad at Imogene Watson that he wanted to hit something.

“Now, now, my boy,” Mr. Trudeau said standing in front of Mason. “I can certainly relate to your feelings, but she is now long gone and not a threat to you or anyone else. As I said, she has received her just rewards.”

“I don’t even know why I’m so angry.”

“I think you are so upset because you have come to care for our dear Francis,” Mrs. Trudeau said, her hand resting on Mason’s forearm. “He has that effect on people.”

* * * * *

“Y ou must tell me everything about how your evening went with Cousin Ellen.” Francis was standing close to the bottom of the steps when Mason descended from the main floor.

“Not even a hello or a kiss?” Mason grinned at the handsome ghost.

Francis smirked and slowly walked towards Mason. “You want a kiss, do you?”

Mason only nodded, not knowing what Francis was up to.

“Let me see what I can do about that.” Francis advanced, only pausing a brief moment before he walked slowly through Mason.

Mason shuddered. It felt like he’s just experienced a huge orgasm. “Holy shit!” He could feel that he was fully erect. “How’d you do that?”

Francis walked back through Mason, and he did have an orgasm. Mason trembled, feeling the wetness spread inside his underwear.

“It wasn’t a kiss, but I hope that it will suffice,” Francis grinned.

Mason looked down at himself, then back to Francis. “Uh, maybe next time let me get undressed first. Now I’ll have to wash these pants.”

Francis tilted his head back and laughed.

Mason started to take off his pants before any more cum was able to seep through his briefs. “You think it’s funny, huh?”

“Yes, Mason, I do.” Francis watched as Mason removed his shoes, pants and underwear before heading off to the bathroom.

“Just for that, I’m going to make you wait until I’ve had a shower to tell you anything, and I have a lot to tell you.” Mason turned on the light in the new bathroom and jumped. Francis was standing in front of the shower.

“And if you keep that shit up, I won’t tell you at all!” Mason shivered still feeling the effects of his very recent orgasm.

“Oh, really now?” Francis chuckled. “Do you think you will sleep without telling me?”

Mason rolled his eyes. “Fine then. I’ll tell you.”

“I’m waiting.” Francs stood there; his head tilted to one side.

“Can I have a shower first?”

“I am not stopping you.” Francis said, one eyebrow raised.

“Could you move, please?”

“Why?” Francis leered.

Mason took a deep breath and walked through the ghost. He could feel his breath hitch. It felt as if his entire body was tingling with erotic sensations, his dick going hard again. He reached out to steady himself against the wall. “What are you doing to me?”

“I am not doing anything, Mason.” Francis chortled. He was clearly amused.

Mason took a deep breath before turning on the water. “Let me... have a shower first and I’ll tell you everything.”

“Alright, I will try and be patient.” Francis had turned and watched Mason before he pulled the shower curtain closed, blocking his view.

“And you’re going to wait right there?” Mason asked as he grabbed a bar of soap.

“Yes, I will remain right here.”

“Great,” Mason mumbled. “At this rate, I’ll need another shower before I even get out of the bathroom.”

Francis laughed heartily.

* * * * *

M ason sat in bed with only a sheet covering him. Francis was sitting on the foot of the bed absorbing everything that Mason had recounted from the evening.

After a few moments, Francis said, “I never met Ellen’s husband, obviously. She was but a mere child when I died. He sounds like a true gentleman.”

“I think so.” Mason yawned. “He loves... or loved... or whatever, his wife. Adores her actually and she, him.”

“That makes me very happy,” Francis said wistfully. “I am glad that she has had a good life and that she was loved.”

Mason studied Francis for a long moment. “Is it alright if we have you buried at the plantation? I feel so strange even asking that question.” He looked down at his hands lying in his lap. “I’m having a hard time dealing with... well, you being here and yet you’re really not.”

“Mason, please do not be distressed. If it is any consolation, it is awkward for me as well.”

Mason looked up at Francis. “I wish you weren’t dead.”

Francis roared with laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Mason asked, annoyed.

“That is a phrase that is not spoken often, I would say.” Francis continued to laugh. Soon Mason was laughing as well.

When they had both finished laughing, Mason holding his stomach, tears streaming down his face, he looked at Francis again. “But I do.”

Francis smiled. “I wish so as well.”

A few moments passed. “What would you like for me to do with all the furniture and stuff?”

Francis thought for a moment. “I have no real attachment to anything, I suppose, so do what you wish.”

A few more moments passed. “I think I’ll sort through all of it as I work on the house and see how things work.”

“As you wish,” Francis said again. “There were, however, a few pieces of art that I would like to see returned. One was a painting of Hobonny. It hung in the dining room. My father had it commissioned, and I think it would be nice to have it back where it once was.”

“I’ll ask Ellen about it then.”

“If you would, could you please ask her about all the books that were in the library?” Francis looked away. “I think I treasured those the most.”

“I was thinking of maybe having her over for lunch or something,” Mason said. “Then you could ask her yourself.”

Francis smiled broadly. “I would very much like that. Thank you, Mason.”

Mason smiled. “No need to thank me. I like her. I like her a lot.”

“Ellen was always very enjoyable to be around. She was a most precocious child.” Francis grinned. “I think my mother disliked her because she was so smart.”

“I would be willing to bet that there wasn’t much that went unnoticed by her.”

“You would win that wager,” Francis laughed. “My father adored her. His brother, Ellen’s father, was equally as smart and very proud of Ellen.”

“Were there any other children? Did Ellen have brothers and sisters?”

“Yes. She had two older brothers and an older sister.” Francis stared off into space.

“The eldest brother became a lawyer and the second eldest went to England to school. I do not know if he ever came back.” Francis looked sad suddenly.

“Her sister died from fever when she was seventeen. She was but a few years younger than me and a great beauty. Melinda was such a kind soul and had many suitors trying to win her favor.”

“So, Ellen was the youngest?” Mason asked.

“No. She had a younger brother who died only a few days after being born.” Francis sighed. “Her mother died soon after. It was a complicated birth from what I understood. Of course, back then we did not speak of such things.”

Mason yawned again.

“I must let you have some rest.” Francis stood. “I will bid you a good night, my friend.”

“Wait,” Mason said. “What do you do when everyone is sleeping?”

Francis smiled. “Not much of anything. I wander the house. I remember things now, so I ponder the life I had.”

“I have an idea.” Mason jumped out of bed. “Follow me.”

He went into the living room where he had the television set up on a couple of milk crates. Mason turned it on and tuned it in to the only station that broadcast twenty-four hours. “You can watch TV. If you see anything that you don’t understand, you can ask me in the morning.”

“I saw you and your friends studying this the one night it was lighted.” Francis looked curiously at the box.

“It’s a television. You can watch it and well, learn stuff, I guess.”

Francis shook his head. “How does it work?”

“Oh, I’ll explain it all to you tomorrow, if you don’t mind.” Mason yawned and stretched. “For now, just watch it.”

“It seems very odd.” He studied it for a moment. “What is that?” he asked pointing.

“It’s a movie.” Mason looked a little closer. “An old movie. Alfred Hitchcock, I think.”

“I am not sure I understand, but I will watch.” Francis smiled at Mason. “Good night, Mason. I hope that you rest well.”

“’Night, Francis.” Mason stood there a moment. Damn I want to kiss him.