Page 31 of Ghost

M ason was up bright and early the next morning. He awoke to the muted sounds of the TV in the living room, where he was sure he’d find Francis staring intently at the television. It didn’t take Francis long to become addicted to the device, especially when it came to the news.

As he stood and stretched, he grinned. I can only imagine what would happen if I had cable and Francis could sit and watch the news on CNN all day long. Right then, he wanted a cup of coffee to clear away the cobwebs.

He pondered the day as he used the toilet.

Mason caught sight of himself in the mirror and thought he should probably look into finding a barber soon.

He was looking rather shaggy. He turned his head one way and then another.

If he was going to be out meeting potential new customers, he didn’t need to be looking like some homeless guy.

Mason put a pot of coffee on and then went to check on Francis. “Morning.” He flopped down next to his friendly ghost. “How’re things in the world today?”

Francis motioned towards the TV. “This Olympics that is in the news. It appears to be a wonderous thing. To think, so many nations of the world coming together for sport.”

“Personally, I’m a little tired of hearing about it.” Mason stood, yawned and stretched. “I’ll be happy for it to finally start and not just being talked about.”

“It would be a wonderful thing to see,” Francis said, with marvel in his voice.

“We’ll be able to watch most of it on TV. I heard that the opening ceremonies are going to be spectacular.”

“Excellent!” Francis stood, a big smile on his face. “I will look forward to seeing such an event.”

“I’m gonna grab another cup of coffee. I’ll be back in a sec.”

When Mason returned, Francis was once again absorbed in the news. The reporter was standing in the new Olympic Park talking about the fountain and how it would be a feature that would last long past the 1996 Olympics.

Mason sat back down next to Francis. “The traffic around that place must be a nightmare.” He blew on his coffee before taking a sip. “I’m glad that I got out of there when I did.”

Francis glanced at Mason. “I was only able to go to Atlanta one time with my father. I remember it being a highly populated place. Of course, they were still doing reconstruction after the war.”

Mason looked at Francis intently. “Wow. It’s like I’m sitting next to a history book or something. I sometimes forget that you got to witness a lot of things that I’ve only read about or heard about. Makes me think about how far things have come, I guess.”

Francis nodded. “It is true; things have improved a great deal, but I also wonder at some of the things that have been lost.”

“What do you mean?” Mason asked before taking a large drink of his coffee.

“There seems to be a lack of gallantry.” Francis looked off into the distance. “There was a gentleness that seems to have vanished.” He motioned towards the television. “There is a... crudeness that I find disturbing.”

Mason nodded. “Yeah, I guess I can see what you mean.”

“It is my opinion that it is more than simple good manners.” He turned to look at Mason.

“I think it is the way people treat one another now. There are things that are said that would never have been mentioned in my time. It is like a hardness, and I am not sure I like it.” He then motioned between Mason and himself.

“Relations between men would never have been considered acceptable, much less openly spoken about.”

Mason sat and thought for a moment. “You know, I think I can appreciate how genteel things were back in your day, but I am glad that I can love another man openly. It... I don’t know if I could live the way that you had to. In that way, you know? Being in the closet and all.”

Francis looked confused. “Live in a closet? Why would anyone live in a closet?”

Mason couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s just a saying is all. That gay men like us can be open about our relationship.”

“We have a relationship?”

Mason blinked hard a few times. “Yeah, in a way I guess we do have a relationship. I’d kinda like to think so, at any rate.”

Francis smiled broadly. “Yes, I would like to say that we are in a relationship as well.” Then he frowned. “I still do not understand the closet notion.”

Mason laughed as he stood up. “Well, it doesn’t really matter ‘cause you’re dead anyway!”

“Oh, you scoundrel,” Francis yelled after him as Mason made a hasty retreat. “I will make sure you are repaid handsomely for that remark.”

Mason giggled as he headed off to get a shower. “I have no doubt that you will.”

* * * * *

E llen was ready and waiting when Mason arrived. “Good morning, Ellen. I hope you’ve had a good morning so far.”

“Good morning, Mason. Yes, I am quite well, thank you.” Ellen stood aside so that Mason could enter. “I trust that you and Francis are also well?”

Mason laughed. “Yes, we are both well. Francis threatened me this morning, so I will have that to look forward to when I get home tonight.”

Ellen scowled. “He threatened you? That doesn’t sound like Francis.”

“It was all in good fun. Nothing serious.”

“Oh, good.” Ellen smiled. “It is so nice to see young people in love, although in your circumstance it is quite a bit different.”

Mason laughed again. “Yeah, it’s a bit different to be in a relationship with a ghost.”

“Ah-hum.” A voice that Mason knew to be Gerald sounded behind him. “And what is wrong with being a ghost, may I ask, young man?”

“Gerald, don’t be a brute. You know exactly what we’re talking about so don’t go getting your dander up.

” Ellen walked right through him as if he wasn’t even there.

“Come, Mason, I’ve had Sharon set up some coffee and a light breakfast before we leave.

I also had her put together a picnic basket for lunch. ”

“Um... I know we didn’t discuss it, but would you like for me to drive?” Mason asked as he accepted coffee in a fine china cup.

“Oh no, I’ve hired a car for the day.” Ellen offered him a muffin. “That is how I get around nowadays. I gave up driving years ago. I even sold the car.”

Gerald harrumphed. “I still haven’t forgiven you for selling my Lincoln.”

“There was absolutely no reason to keep that large car when no one drove it. All it did was cost money to keep it insured and maintained.” Ellen rolled her eyes.

“I’d have been more than happy to drive,” Mason said before taking a bite of the muffin.

Ellen chuckled. “No offense, Mason, but I doubt I could have even gotten into your pick-up truck. And this way, we can sit back and chat and just watch the scenery. It is such a beautiful drive up to Hobonny.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Is there a chance we can stop by a drugstore or someplace where I can pick up couple of disposable cameras? I want to take plenty of pictures so that I can show Francis.”

Ellen clapped her hands together. “Oh, what a splendid idea! Of course, we can.”

There was a toot-toot of a car horn just as Mason finished his coffee.

“That would be the car, my dear,” Gerald said.

“Yes, I would say so,” Ellen replied as she stood. “Come, Mason, our adventure awaits.”

Mason helped Ellen down the front steps to the black Cadillac that was awaiting them. The driver was in a black suit, and had the back door open, ready to receive its occupants.

Once they were settled in and well on their way, Ellen said, “I was never so happy as when I sold that old Lincoln. It was the most horrid canary yellow.” She turned in her seat slightly facing towards Mason.

“Whatever came over Gerald when he bought that thing is beyond me. I was so happy to see it driving off.” She giggled, her hand over her mouth.

“Gerald didn’t speak to me for three whole days. ”

“Yellow?” Mason’s eyebrows shot up.

“Oh, not just yellow, but the brightest canary yellow you ever did see. It was truly hideous,” she laughed. “I always thought that an automobile should be like gloves; either black or white.”

Mason shook his head. “That’s rather limiting, don’t you think?”

Ellen looked forward. “I guess one could look at it like that, but after that monstrosity that Gerald brought home, I think I’ll stick to that standard.”

They stopped at a chain drugstore and Mason went inside and bought three disposable cameras.

The clerk said that they could do one-hour processing on the film if it was turned in by six that evening, or after eight in the morning.

He had the impression that they would be back before the cut off time, or at least he hoped so.

Mason really wanted to be able to go home with the photos so he could show Francis.

Once they were on their way again, Mason asked, “Is Gerald not coming along?”

“We have an arrangement,” Ellen said, finally leaning back against the seat, instead of sitting up so primly.

“Oh?” Mason was curious.

“Yes. You see, I finally had to put my foot down.” Ellen twittered a bit. “I couldn’t do anything, go anywhere, without Gerald for quite some time after he passed. It got to be rather annoying.”

“Yeah, I can see where that would take some getting used to. I gotta say, I’m kinda glad that Francis is housebound now that you say that. I doubt I could keep it together if he were to just appear in front of me outside of the house.”

Ellen chuckled. “Anyway, I had to do something rather drastic.”

Mason laughed. “Oh, I can’t wait to hear this.”

“Not only did I not speak to or acknowledge Gerald, but I actually went out on a date with another man. Needless to say, he was fit to be tied.” She laughed openly, her smile was bright and wide.

Mason couldn’t help but laugh with her. “Wow, I bet he was... I don’t even know what to say to that.”

“Let me tell you, he soon decided it was better to let me have some alone time than time out with another man!”

Mason laughed. “Actually, you are out with another man. Right now.”

Ellen rolled her eyes. “Now you and I both know that’s not an issue since you’re gay. You’re practically family, since you’re in a relationship... of sorts with Francis.”

“Thank you, Ellen. I think that is about the nicest thing you could have said to me.”

Ellen patted Mason on the knee and smiled. The light in her eyes was unmistakable. She cared for Mason, and he knew it.

They whiled away the time, getting to know one another better, and they talked about their lives, where they grew up and how beautiful the scenery was as it rolled by. When they finally got close to the old plantation, Ellen grew quiet.

“You know, every time I visit Hobonny, I expect Francis to come out the front door to greet me. Even after all these years.” She turned to Mason.

“I’m so glad you found him. It was like a dark hole in my heart not knowing for certain what had happened to him.

” She waved her hand in front of her clearly emotional.

“I had no doubt that Imogene had something to do with it, but not knowing for sure was horrible.”

“I can’t even imagine that feeling.”

The car slowed as they pulled into the pea-gravel drive. And in front of Mason was a large, white, four-columned antebellum house. His mouth fell open slightly. He felt as if he was in the movie Gone with the Wind .

“Wow,” was all he could say.