Page 35 of Ghost

“H ow did things go with Ellen?” Francis asked as soon as Mason stepped through the door.

“I think it went fairly well. How about you and Gerald?”

Francis looked towards his feet. “I am now more convinced than before that my... moving on is the best thing.” He looked up and the pain in his eyes was more than Mason could stand.

“I don’t want you to go.” Mason could feel a pain in his chest and his breathing hitching. “We can work this out.”

Francis smiled slightly. “If only that could be true.” He looked away. “However, it cannot be.”

“Why?”

“Because, my love, it is not natural and will only cause you pain further down the road. I do not wish to witness that, Mason.”

Mason wanted to hold Francis so badly right then, but knew it wasn’t possible. It was then that it dawned on him what Ellen had been trying to say. He couldn’t look at Francis right then.

“You do understand, do you not?” Francis asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “As much as we would both like it to, it could never be right between us.”

Mason could only nod. He was afraid that if he tried to speak, he would completely lose it and that wouldn’t do either of them any good. Without saying anything, Mason left the house and started walking.

He had no idea where he was going but knew he needed to get out of the house or else he would break down and that was something he didn’t want to put on Francis. This was hard enough as it was without adding more crap onto the huge load of crap this already was.

Mason had no idea how long he’d been walking before he stopped in front of a barber shop.

‘I’ve been meaning to get a haircut.’

He opened the door and stepped in. There was an older man, probably close to sixty, if not already, cutting another man’s hair, who wasn’t much younger than the barber. There was another man waiting.

“Come on in and have a seat,” the barber greeted Mason warmly. “My partner will be back in a moment, so you won’t have to wait too long. I’m almost finished here.”

“Thanks,” Mason replied, taking a seat to wait. ‘I have nothing else to do.’

A moment later the bell rang over the door and a man carrying a tray of coffee came in.

“I got you one of Patty’s giant oatmeal cookies, Lloyd.” He looked over to Mason and nodded. “Sorry, but if you’d been here a few minutes earlier, I’d have gotten you a coffee as well.”

“Thanks,” Mason said. “I’ve had plenty this morning already, so I’m all good.”

The man handed the man waiting a cup of coffee and then set the tray with the others on the empty barber station.

“Hi, I’m LD Three, but people just call me LD.” He held out his hand to Mason.

Mason took the man’s hand. “Hi, I’m Ma—”

LD Three laughed, as did the other men in the barber shop.

“Oh, we know who you are. You’re Mason Montgomery who bought the old Watson place. Everyone around here knows who you are,” he said.

Mason blinked a few times. He felt awkward and embarrassed all at the same time.

“Yes, indeedy, this neighborhood is looking up now,” the older barber stated, with a chuckle. “Been a while since I’ve had hope for this area. I feel business will be picking up.”

“We sure ‘nuf happy you bought that old place. I was afraid it was gonna get torn down fer sure.” The man getting his haircut took a sip of his coffee, his head turned towards Mason. “Well, even my missus went out and got some of them flower boxes like ol’ Mrs. Trudeau has. Said we have to up the ante, so we don’t start lookin’ like the poor folk. ”

The man next to Mason also chuckled. “Yep. I went and got some paint samples the other day. Thinkin’ I’m gonna need to get the ol’ house spruced up.”

“And we are looking to do a little renovation in here,” Lloyd said. “Herman, you need to keep your head still if I’m gonna shave that neck of yours.”

“Um... not to be impolite or anything, but...” Mason wasn’t sure of how to ask his question without sounding rude. “What does LD Three mean? It’s kinda unusual.”

The younger man smiled broadly. “I guess to a newcomer it would sound odd. I’m Lloyd David Bogart the third.” He pointed to the other barber. “That’s my grandfather, LD One. My dad is LD Two.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Around here, that’s just how folks know us.”

Mason couldn’t help but smile. “Okay, now that makes sense.”

“Alright there, Herman.” Lloyd took off the cape that had been draped around his customer. “That should hold you for a few weeks.”

“Thanks, Lloyd.” Herman stood and pulled out his wallet and handed Lloyd a ten-dollar bill. He then turned to Mason. “Nice to finally meet you, there young feller. I’ll see y’all around. I gotta git. Lots to do today.”

“Have a good ‘un, Herman,” LD Three said. He turned to Mason. “Come on, I’ll get your haircut.”

“This other gentleman was here before I was,” Mason said, indicating the other customer who’d been waiting.

“I’ll get him,” Lloyd said, as he swept up the previous customers hair on the floor. “I’ve been cutting Jimmy’s hair here since before you was born.”

Mason sat in the barber’s chair and LD Three placed the cape around him, fastening it around his neck. “So, what’ll it be, Mason?”

“Uh... just a trim, I guess.”

LD Three picked up a comb and studied Mason a moment. “Think you might like it short? With what you do, it’s gotta be hot under all those curls.”

Mason couldn’t help but smirk. “Yeah, that’s the truth. Sure, do what you think is best. I gave up a long time ago trying to tame this mop.”

LD Three smiled. “You bet’cha.” He then picked up some clippers and went to work.

When he was finished, Mason was stunned. He was now sporting a military style crewcut. He hadn’t had his hair that short since he was a little kid. He blinked a few times and turned his head from side to side. “Oh,” was all that Mason was able to say.

“Uh-oh.” LD Three looked concerned. “Is that okay? You did say for me to do what I thought would be best.”

“Um... yeah.” Mason looked again. His face looked more angular. More chiseled and his eyes seemed to be more pronounced. “I guess it will take a little getting used to is all.”

“You’ve got the perfect type hair for this style,” LD Three commented as he ran a comb through it again. “Won’t need to use wax or anything.”

“It’s for sure going to be a lot cooler, I can tell that already.” Mason looked again. “I think I could get used to this.”

LD Three smiled. “Good. But if you’re gonna be out in the sun for any length of time, you might think about a hat. Don’t want your noggin to get burnt.”

Lloyd looked over. “That suits you right fine, Mason. Looks good on ya.”

Mason smiled. “Thanks, Lloyd.” He pulled out his wallet after standing. “How much do I owe ya?”

LD Three put up both hands. “Oh no, this one’s on the house. Consider it a welcome to the neighborhood and a great big thank you. I’m thinking business is going to pick up with you here now.”

Mason shook his head. “No, I need to pay you for the work you did.”

“Next time,” Lloyd said, as he went back to trimming Jimmy’s eyebrows.

“Thanks,” Mason said. “I’ll definitely be back.”

Mason walked down the street and stopped to get a coffee a few doors down from the barber shop.

‘This must be where LD Three got coffee.’ He suddenly stopped.

‘Did LD Three try and come on to me?’ He tried to remember everything that was said and done.

The way LD Three looked into his eyes. The smooth strokes he gave his neck after the shave.

The way he touched him, and then the pat, then caress before he got up from the barber chair. ‘Yes, I’m certain of it now.’

He had to smile to himself. Mason got his coffee and instantly regretted it. Not only was it terrible, but he started to get the jitters from too much caffeine.

“I need to talk to Ellen,” he mumbled to himself, as he hurried towards her house.

* * * * *

S haron opened the door . “Hi, Mason. What can I do for you?”

“Is Ellen home?”

“She is.” Sharon stepped back to allow him to enter the foyer. “She’s in the parlor with Gerald.”

Sharon showed him into the room, where he saw Ellen sitting in the chair she regularly sat in, and Gerald was pacing in front of the front windows.

“Mason, what a pleasant surprise,” Ellen said as she stood.

Mason took her extended hand in both of his. “I was wondering if we could talk for a moment? Alone?”

Ellen glanced at Gerald who was frowning.

“This is my house, you know?” Gerald grouched.

“No dear, it’s my house. You’re dead.” Ellen twittered slightly, while Sharon outright laughed.

Gerald was gone in a flash.

Ellen sighed. “He’s been so bothersome this morning. I was hoping for some kind of distraction and here you are. Do sit down. Can Sharon bring you something?”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to have one of those bourbons. I’ve had way too much coffee and it’s been a stressful morning.”

“Sharon, please bring Mason a bourbon.” Ellen looked at Mason closely. “I’m not exactly sure I like the haircut.” She squinted a bit. “But it does make you dangerously handsome. Perhaps it will grow on me.” She picked up a china cup and saucer. “Now, what is it that Francis has done?”

“What makes you think it was Francis?”

Ellen rolled her eyes. “What else could it be?”

Mason fidgeted with his hands in his lap. “It isn’t Francis.” He looked up. “It’s me.”

Sharon came in with the bourbon he’d requested on the small silver tray. After she’d left, Ellen leaned back in her chair and waited.

“I went and got my hair cut and... well—”

“And Lloyd Davis the third made a pass at you and now you feel guilty about it.” Ellen smirked with mirth.

“How did you know?” Mason was amazed at how much Ellen knew without anyone being able to tell her. It had just happened after all.

“Because, Mason, one doesn’t live in this neighborhood their entire life and not know who is who and what happens, sometimes before it happens.”

Mason nodded. “Well, yes. That’s exactly what has happened.” He took a big sip of the bourbon.

“Alrighty then, let’s go over this logically.” Ellen set her cup and saucer aside and then stood up. “First off, you have nothing to feel guilty about.” She faced Mason. “Remember, Francis is not among the living. LD Three is. Point one.”

“But I still have feelings for Francis, so that negates that,” Mason said frowning at her.

“Point number two: We both know that Francis will be moving on soon, so there is no reason why you can’t entertain the idea of finding true love, or at least love for now.”

“Why, Ellen, are you suggesting I just go out with LD Three for sex?”

“Don’t be crude, Mason.” Ellen tried to frown but failed, a smile spreading across her face, her eyes alight. “Okay, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I know how men are and men have certain needs that need to be met.”

“Never in a million years did I think I would be having this conversation with you of all people.”

“Oh, please. I was young once and I was married to the same man for nearly fifty years. I know how men are.” Ellen sniffed loudly. “A little disgusting at times, but they are a special animal.”

“Animal?”

Ellen rolled her eyes “We are all animals, Mason.”

“I still feel guilty.”

Ellen walked over to Mason and laid her hand on his shoulder. “Did you have relations with LD Three?”

“No!”

“Did you flirt back?”

Mason shook his head no. “Actually, I didn’t even realize he’d made a pass at me until I’d left.”

“So, you didn’t even make a date?”

“Good heavens, no!”

“Then what on Earth are you feeling guilty for?”

Mason slumped back in his chair. “I have no idea.”

Ellen walked over to her chair and picked up a small silver bell that was on the side table and rang it. Sharon appeared a moment latter.

“Sharon, may I have a bourbon please?” She looked at Mason. “Might as well bring the bottle. I have a feeling that Mason will need another one at least.”

Sharon smiled and went to get the drink.

“Are you planning on getting me drunk?” Mason asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Who knows? We both may end up drunk before this visit ends.”