Page 39 of Ghost

“Francis, I’m home and I’ve got Ellen with me,” Mason called out once he opened the back door.

Francis appeared, a smile on his face. “My dear sweet cousin,” he greeted Ellen. “I do have a bone of contention to pick with you.”

“Hello, Francis. What on earth could that be?”

“Mason came home drunk day before yesterday, and he claims that it was your doing.”

Mason laughed.

“Guilty as charged,” Ellen said, also laughing. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve had such a charming drinking companion.”

Francis bowed slightly. “If that is the case, then I apologize. I have never been able to say no to you, and if you had a pleasant time, then I cannot hold that against you.”

Ellen curtsied slightly. “You have always been the most accommodating of gentlemen.”

“Oh brother, is it ever getting deep in here.” Mason shook his head and went to the refrigerator. “Ellen, I have some lemonade if you’d like some.”

“Yes, please.” Ellen laid her purse down on the counter.

“I do not understand,” Francis said with a bewildered look on his face. “What does ‘getting deep in here’ mean’?”

Ellen laughed. “What Mason is saying, Francis, is that the room is full of bullshit.”

Francis frowned. “I do not see any cattle much less bullshit .”

Mason and Ellen both laughed.

“What he is saying,” Ellen finally said, “is that you’re full of yourself.”

“Excuse me, but I was referring to the both of you. You are both equally full of shit.”

“How dare you!” Ellen tried to look horrified, but the twinkle in her eyes gave her away. “I am a lady.”

Mason cleared his throat as he handed Ellen her drink. “Uh... pardon me for saying so, but I’ve never seen a ‘lady’,” he said, using air quotes “drink bourbon the way that you did.”

Ellen waved her hand at Mason. “Oh, pish posh.” She tried in vain not to smile but did anyway.

Francis scowled at Ellen. “It is true then? You drank whiskey like a common sailor?”

Ellen put her free hand on her hip. “Francis, unlike you I am not dead. And I’ll have you know that what little time I do have left on this Earth, I will spend it doing exactly what I please when I please and with whom I please.”

Francis tilted his head back and laughed heartily. “There is the little Ellen I knew as a child.”

“She even poked her tongue out at the funeral director!” Mason said, laughing as well.

Francis became very quiet suddenly. He looked at Ellen. “I see.”

Ellen took a step closer to Francis. “Do you know of a family named Royale?”

Mason watched in silence, afraid of what Francis’ reaction might be. What he saw surprised him. Francis blushed.

“How do you know that name?” he whispered.

“The funeral director’s name is Martin Royale, and he says that his family name is directly tied to Hobonny.”

“Ellen, ladies should not be exposed to certain things.” Francis stood up straight, his hands behind his back.

“So, it’s true then.” Ellen put her hand to her mouth and giggled. “Momma would have been horrified.”

“As well she should be!” Francis scowled at Ellen again.

“I would tell you to stop making that face at me because it will cause wrinkles, but fortunately for you, you don’t have to worry with such nonsense now.”

Francis tried to stay stern but couldn’t. “I would like to know how it is that you could always wrap yourself around my finger? Matter of fact, anyone who ever came in contact with you?”

“I’m learning very quickly how to counteract that,” Mason said. “I’ve got her number now.”

Ellen turned on Mason. “Oh, do you now?”

Mason smiled brightly. “Yes, I most certainly do.”

Just then the phone rang.

“Francis, why don’t we go into the living room and give Mason some privacy.” She began to walk in that direction. “I also have a few matters I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Mason, this is Mark Hempstead. How are you?”

“Hey, Mark. I’m fine. How are you?” Mason opened the can of Coke he’d gotten out of the fridge when he got Ellen her lemonade.

“I’m well, thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Listen, I have a new shipment of some things that I think you’d be very interested in. Could you come by in the next day or so?”

“Sure, Mark.” Mason looked at his watch. “I’ll stop by this afternoon if that’s good for you?”

“That would be good. I wanted to give you first go at some of these things. There are some light fixtures that I think you’d be especially interested in.”

“Sounds good.” Mason looked towards the living room. “I’ll see you shortly. Thanks for the heads-up, Mark.”

“Need to keep one of my best customers happy. I’ll see you in a bit then. Bye, Mason.”

“Bye.”

Mason hung up the phone and took a deep breath. I hope that Ellen will handle Francis. I don’t know that I could.

Mason walked towards the living room. He could hear Ellen, but not what she was saying.

As he got to the doorway he said, “I need to run over to the salvage yard and check out a few things. Looks like I might have a line on some light fixtures for the house. Will you two be okay on your own for a little bit?”

Francis looked at Mason, his face blank.

“Of course.” Ellen said, still looking at her cousin. “I’ll stay here and keep Francis company until you return.” She glanced at Mason. “As long as it’s not too long, that is.”

“I shouldn’t be gone for more than an hour. Two at the most.”

“That will suit me fine,” Ellen said, her focus back on Francis.

“See you later then.”

Mason took his keys from the basket on the kitchen counter and went out the back door. It looks as if Ellen is going to go over all the details for Francis’ funeral. I’m glad I don’t have to do it.

* * * * *

Mason was humming along to the radio. “Little Bitty” by Alan Jackson was playing.

It was an upbeat song, which helped with his mood.

What also helped were the antique light fixtures in the back of his truck.

He was hoping that they were like what had been in the house when Francis had lived there, or at least close.

Of course, there wasn’t electrical lighting back then, but he was hopeful that they were a match.

I know I should have waited on these, but I wanted to be able to show Francis. There isn’t much time left.

After thinking that, he reached over and turned off the radio. “Shit. Shit. Shit.” Mason hammered the steering wheel, his good mood taking a nosedive.

When he entered the basement apartment of his home, he called out to Francis.

“We’re in the living room,” Ellen called out.

When Mason entered the room, his mood didn’t improve. Ellen looked as if she’d been crying, and Francis looked like he wanted to.

“What’s going on?” Mason asked, his voice low.

Francis looked at Mason and then away. “I think I will take my leave for a bit, if you do not mind?” He slowly faded away.

Ellen looked down at her hands that were folded in her lap.

“It’s all arranged. The funeral home will pick up Francis’ remains this afternoon.

They will then take him to the funeral parlor and place him in his coffin.

” She continued to look at her hands in her lap.

“Tomorrow, late afternoon, they will bring Francis home.

" She looked up at Mason. “I used your telephone. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Here? Here in the house?”

“Yes,” Ellen said softly, dabbing at her eyes with a lace trimmed handkerchief. She looked up. “We need to make sure that Francis can reconnect his spirit with his body so that he can go into the light and leave this world once and for all and have peace.”

“No, of course not.” Mason sat next to her on the small couch, taking her small hand in his. “On using the phone. I mean. I’m a bit... surprised at him, or his body, or bones being here though.”

“It’s how it was done long ago.” She looked as if she was going to cry.

“Couldn’t he...just go into the light here, as he is now?”

“Yes, but if he were connected to his remains, it will be much easier on him and he could also see the home he so loved once again, which he desperately wants.”

“I see,” Mason sighed.

Ellen took a deep breath and continued. “Martin will deliver the coffin here Monday afternoon, where Francis can hopefully reattach himself to... well, himself. Wednesday they will come and retrieve him, and we will go to Hobonny.” Ellen reached for Mason’s hand.

“We will have a funeral there on Saturday, a week from today.”

Mason walked Ellen back to her house. Along the way, Ellen pointed out certain houses and told him who used to live there and what they had contributed to the community or the city. It was all idle chatter, filling the emptiness that they were both feeling.

Mason didn’t know if he wanted to scream in anger or just sit and cry. He did neither and began to just feel numb. He wasn’t surprised to see Gerald standing on the stoop of Ellen’s house, an angry expression on his face until he saw what condition Ellen was in.

“Ellen?” Gerald appeared in front of them before they could reach the steps. “What’s wrong?” He looked distressed.

Ellen smiled solemnly. “We have arranged everything for Francis. I... explained everything to him.”

“Oh.” Gerald said just barely above a whisper. “How did he take it?”

“Can’t this wait, Gerald?” Ellen continued walking. “I’m feeling very tired right now. I’d like to lie down for a bit.”

“Certainly, my dear.” Gerald kept in step with her. “Whatever you need.”

He glanced at Mason, looking concerned. Mason only nodded.

Sharon opened the door before they had reached the top step. “I’ll get you a nice cup of tea,” she said, holding the door open for them.

“I’m going to stop here and let you get some rest.” Mason looked at Sharon, who seemed to have a grasp on the whole situation. “I’ll call you later, Ellen.”

She turned to him. “Take care of him, Mason. He’s hurting too.

” She turned to go inside and stopped. “I am truly sorry for this. I can’t know what it is that the two of you are feeling, but what I do know is that it is ripping me apart on the inside.

” She looked over her shoulder. “I don’t even want to know how you feel.

Goodbye, Mason. Don’t worry about calling me if you don’t feel like it.

I’ll understand. And thank you for everything that you’ve done for us. I will be eternally grateful.”

Mason stood there until the door closed. Sharon giving him a strained smile. He turned to go when Gerald appeared in front of him.

“I share in Ellen’s gratitude. Thank you.

It has been hard on her all these years not knowing for sure what had happened to Francis.

” He looked down the street towards the old Watson house.

“I would have liked to have known him as a living man.” He looked back at Mason.

“I’m sure he would have been just as aggravating as he is now, but I’d like to think we’d have been good friends as well as family. ”

Mason couldn’t help but smile. “I think Francis would say the same about you.”

Gerald harrumphed. “I see no reason why anyone would not like me. Good day to you, Mason.” He then vanished.

I can’t believe I’m actually getting used to ghosts flashing on and off like a strobe light.

Mason decided to go and get something at the grocery store for dinner, and to stock up on a few things, beer being at the top of his list. He didn’t want to think that he was avoiding Francis, but that’s exactly what he was doing. He couldn’t face him right then.