Page 32 of Ghost

“T his is the portrait of Francis’ father,” Ellen pointed out.

The massive painting was hanging over the fireplace in the parlor.

“It wasn’t long after it was completed that he went missing.

” Ellen turned to face Mason. “There is no question in my mind now that Imogene had something to do with it. If she was able to kill her own child, then she’d by no means find it hard to murder her husband. The whole matter infuriates me!”

Mason could tell that Ellen was furious because her face had gone bright red and her lips tight and white. He hugged her from the side. “She can’t hurt anyone else, and she is where she belongs.”

“Yes, I know.” Ellen shook her head. “I only wish we knew where he was so that he could have a proper burial is all.” She turned towards Mason. “Speaking of which, why don’t we go over to the family cemetery and see where you think Francis should find his final resting place.”

“Can we look around the house a bit more first?”

Ellen took Mason’s hand. “Yes, of course, my dear. I apologize, I should have realized this might be a little difficult for you.”

Mason only nodded. He greatly appreciated her knowing how he was feeling when it came to the thought of burying Francis, whom he knew wasn’t alive, but who was not really quite dead to him either.

At the top of the stairs was a portrait of Imogene. While she had been pretty when she was younger, she was no great beauty either.

“I have often wondered why Colin married her.”

“That was Francis’ father’s name?” Mason looked a little closer at the painting.

“Yes. Later I was told that it was an arranged marriage, which was common back then. But still... she wasn’t a pleasant person to be around, even when I was a child.” Ellen tugged at Mason’s arm. “Come along. Just looking at that picture gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Mason replied. He looked over his shoulder as they were going back down the stairs, and it felt like the woman was sneering at him... again.

Mason took a deep breath as they exited the house by the backdoor. “I guess I’m about as ready as I’m ever going to be.”

Ellen looked at him, a knowing expression on her face. She only nodded as she led the way to the family burial plot through the rose garden, which was in full bloom. Mason wasn’t exactly appreciative of it right then.

“There’s plenty of room here, so why don’t you find a spot that you think will be most fitting,” Ellen said, her voice quiet.

Mason looked around at the well-kept cemetery. “I have no idea.” He looked to Ellen for guidance. “Would he want to be next to his mother?”

Ellen looked around for a moment and then she slowly smiled. “Here.” She walked over to a spot and turned to face eastward. “When the old marsh is put back into place, this will face it. I think Francis would be most appreciative of that idea.” She looked to Mason. “Don’t you believe so?”

Mason smiled. “Yes. I think he would approve of that idea.” Mason lifted the small disposable camera and took a picture. “I’ll ask just to make sure.”

Once they were back in the car, Mason could tell that Ellen was tired, but happy. It was almost two in the afternoon, and they’d been gone since eight that morning. Thankfully, the drive was less than two hours.

“If you want to drop me off by the drugstore and go on home, I’ll just catch a cab home,” Mason said to Ellen when they were getting close to the city limits of Savannah.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to see the photos,” she remarked.

Mason looked at her questioningly. “Are you sure?”

Ellen patted Mason on the knee, which seemed to be something she was fond of doing. “Yes, I’m sure. We can get a coffee or something at that little café just up from there.”

“Okay. I just don’t want to wear you out is all.”

“You are a kind man, Mason Montgomery.” Ellen smiled. “I can see why Francis is so taken with you.”

Mason could feel his face turn red, the heat rising in cheeks. Even with the air conditioning in the car keeping them cool, his face was on fire.

Ellen laughed. “That is so adorable. You’re blushing like a virgin bride!”

When they arrived at the drugstore, Mason told Ellen to go and find them a nice table while he dropped off the film. “I’ll just walk up and meet you,” he suggested.

He dropped off the film and said that he would be back in an hour to pick it up. Mason was excited to see the photos and pleased with himself for thinking of the idea. He only hoped that Francis would be happy to have proof that his home was in such immaculate condition.

Mason stepped inside the small café and found Ellen sitting at a small table for two, talking to the waiter, who was quite handsome.

“Oh, Mason, there you are.” Ellen smiled, a definite twinkle in her eye. “I wasn’t sure what you would like, and this charming, handsome young man was keeping me company until you arrived.”

“Um, I don’t think I want any coffee. It’s too hot.” Mason pulled out the chair and sat opposite Ellen.

“Mason, this is Kurt.” Ellen waved her hand, indicating the waiter. “Kurt, this is Mason Montgomery.”

“Nice to meet you,” Kurt smiled and held out his hand.

Mason shook it politely. He couldn’t help but appreciate how handsome the man was, and he had the most spectacular blue eyes and dark, wavy hair.

“I might suggest the malted milkshake,” Kurt said. “We’re pretty well known for them.”

Mason nodded. “That sounds really good, actually.”

“What flavor would you like?” Kurt pulled out a notepad. “We have a new one. Dark chocolate. Or you could mix it with coffee ice cream and have a combo.”

“Oooo, that sounds perfect to me,” Ellen chirped up. “I think I would like one of those. One thing about being so old is I don’t have to worry so much about calories anymore.”

Mason looked at Ellen and couldn’t help but smile. He remembered that Francis had said she was a precocious and delightful child, and he could see that as clear as day in this moment.

“Yes, I think that sounds good, too. I’ll also have that.” Mason handed the small menu back to Kurt.

Kurt took the menu, winked at Mason and said, “I’ll make those right up for you. Would you like extra whipped cream?” The way he said it almost made it sound dirty.

“Oh yes!” Ellen clapped her hands together and smiled. “How delightful.”

Mason only nodded. He watched Kurt walk away.

“Isn’t he handsome?” Ellen asked and grinned mischievously.

“Ellen, what are you up to?” Mason leaned in and looked her dead in the eye.

Ellen’s smiled faded. She also leaned in closer. “Mason, my friend, you and I need to have a serious talk.”

“Uh oh.” Mason sat back in his seat. “Have I done something? Am I in trouble?”

“Yes, on both counts.” Ellen leaned in even closer. “You have gone and fallen in love with a ghost. And trust me when I say this: it is not a healthy relationship. I should know.”

Mason blinked a few times. “I’m not so sure I am in love with Francis.”

Ellen chuckled. “You may not be, but I am.” She patted Mason’s forearm that was on the table. “And he with you, which I am so happy about.”

“But then... why is it a problem?” Mason looked down and folded the paper napkin over and then over again. “You don’t mind that I’m gay?”

“Pfft.” Ellen waved her hand as if shooing a fly away. “I always knew that Francis preferred men and never had any issue with it. I’ve known plenty of gay men during my lifetime.” She patted her hair. “My hairdresser is gay and so was the one before him.”

Ellen sighed and leaned back some, but still maintained her excellent posture. “But, back to the subject at hand: Mason, Francis is dead, and you are not.”

“I know.” Mason lowered his gaze and began picking at a cuticle on his left thumb.

Ellen took his hand. “He needs to move on, Mason, and he won’t as long as he feels connected to you. There can be no future in this relationship.”

“But it’s worked for you and Gerald,” Mason blurted out.

“Well, yes and no.” Ellen looked out the window.

“I was already an old woman when Gerald died. We had many wonderful years together when he was alive, and I was truly grief stricken when he died. So much so that it caused Gerald to stay and not move on.” She looked at Mason.

“That was my fault. I was only thinking of myself. Being selfish. I was wrong in allowing him to stay.” She shrugged.

“And by the time I saw that, it was... comfortable. A habit.”

Mason nodded. “So, you wish you hadn’t let him stay?”

Ellen also nodded. “That is correct. It’s not natural.

There is an order to things, and I upset that balance.

The reason why Gerald can leave the house is because I’m the one he’s attached himself to.

Francis on the other hand is attached to the house because that is where his trauma occurred. His murder.”

Mason looked out the window, avoiding Ellen’s intense stare. “I think I understand. What I’m not sure about is why spirits seem to linger around for different reasons.”

Ellen tilted her head slightly. “Why are there so many colors of roses? There are many reasons why a spirit may hang around. There are many questions that may never be answered.”

Mason simply nodded.

“There is a very good chance that once Francis is laid to rest, he will have the opportunity to move into the light and he needs to. He needs to move on, Mason, as do you. You have a long life ahead of you and you need to experience all that you can. Believe me when I say this, please.”

In that very moment, Mason realized that it was true: he was in love with Francis. The very thought of his not being in the house made his chest hurt. Then the tears started to flow.

“Oh, Mason.” Ellen reached out and took his hand. “It is never easy to let a love go, but it needs to happen. You will find love again. I promise.”

Mason choked a sob back. “How will I tell Francis?”

“I may have over-stepped a bit.” Ellen cleared her throat slightly and withdrew her hand. “I... well....” She fidgeted with her diamond ring a little. She looked up. “I had Gerald to go over and have the same talk with Francis.”

“You did what?” Mason almost shouted. “What...what if he leaves before I can say goodbye? What if he’s gone and never sees the photos? Why would you do that to me? To us?”

“Mason, calm down. He will be there when you return home. I promise.” She reached for Mason’s hand again, but he pulled it back, away from her grasp.

“How could you do this?” Mason sobbed again. “I can’t....” He started to push his chair back to leave as Kurt showed up with the two milkshakes and stopped.

“Here we go.” He looked at Mason and stiffened. “Is everything okay here?”

“Yes, Kurt, it is.” Ellen picked up the paper napkin and spread it across her lap. “We’ve just had some bad news is all.”

“Okay.” Kurt set down the malted milkshake in front of Mason. “If you need anything, just let me know. Oh, and I’m sorry about the bad news.” He quickly walked away.

“Now, Mason, I know this is hard for you, but it is for the best. It’s the best for you both.”

Mason stared at the dark chocolate and coffee milkshake, covered in whipped cream with a bright red cherry on top and his stomach clenched. He pushed it away. “I don’t think I can drink this.”

“Yes, you can and yes, you will,” Ellen said. “You are alive, Mason. Don’t you forget that. There are a lot of great things ahead of you. You need to be able to live your life fully.”

Mason looked up briefly, then back down.

“And Francis needs to be able to be free from this world and move on to the next.” Ellen picked up the big straw and unwrapped it. “Believe it or not, this is almost as hard for me as it is you.”

Mason’s head jerked up. He hadn’t thought about Ellen in all of this.

Ellen met his gaze. “I adored Francis.” She took a sip of the milkshake.

“This is really quite good.” She took another sip.

“I still love my cousin, but I’ve been around long enough, and learned a lot about the afterlife, and let me tell you, it is in everyone’s best interest if Francis can finally move on.

He’s been stuck here a lot longer than he deserves. ”

“I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You have to, Mason. For both your sakes.”

Mason shook his head and then looked at Ellen again. “If anyone would have told me I’d see ghosts, much less fall in love with one, only a few weeks ago, I would have thought they were crazy.”

Ellen sat completely upright. “Now you can maybe understand what I went through as a child. I did think I was crazy.”