Page 41 of Ghost

T here was a knock on the front door.

“That reminds me, I need to find a doorknocker like the one Ellen has,” Mason said as he went to answer the door. Upon opening he saw Sharon.

“Morning, Mason,” she greeted him brightly. “How are you today?”

“I’m fine, Sharon, thanks for asking. What can I do for you?”

“I have a note for you from Ellen and Gerald.”

Mason took the envelope with his name on it. He looked at it closely. “How does she do that?” he pointed to the handwriting. “It’s like art or something.”

“She has beautiful penmanship,” Sharon remarked. “I’ve tried to duplicate it but finally gave up.”

Mason opened the envelope, but before he could pull the page out, the three M’s came around the corner, all carrying cleaning supplies.

“Morning, Mason,” Molly yelled, greeting him. “It’s a beautiful day.”

She must have seen the surprised look on his face. “There are more coming, so get ready. That includes Patty.” She smiled and winked.

Mason pulled the single folded page from the envelope.

Mason,

I would have called you last night, but it was quite late when I finally called the day done.

I hope you do not mind, but I have taken liberties in organizing some help for you in preparation for tomorrow’s events.

I do sincerely apologize for such short notice.

If you do mind, then I am truly sorry and will happily make it up to you with a fresh bottle of fine quality bourbon.

I think we may both need that bottle in the very near future.

I will make arrangements to have some delivered.

Your friend,

Ellen

“You gonna let us in?” Maggie asked, rubbing her nose with the back of her hand while holding a garbage bag full of stuff.

“Uh, yeah.” Mason stood back to let the three ladies enter the house.

Sharon chuckled. “I’ll see you later, Mason. I’m sure that Ellen will be down to check on things later this morning. She will be on top of it all, I have no doubt.”

“Um, right.” Mason looked back to the note and then back to Sharon. “Do I even want to know what’s about to happen.”

Sharon stopped halfway down the steps. “Probably not. Just go with it, Mason. That’s my best advice. See ya later.” She smiled and hopped down the steps.

Mason closed the door and looked for Francis. He quickly found him standing in the doorway to the larger front parlor, a bemused look on his face. He looked into the room as saw Maggie and Molly sweeping the walls.

“Hey Mason, do you have a step ladder?” Molly turned around asking. “I can’t reach the ceiling. They did make them high back in the day.” She put her hands on her hips and face slightly scrunched up. “Wonder why that was?”

“It was because of the heat,” both Mason and Francis answered at once.

Mason shook his head slightly, trying not to be rattled by Francis standing next to him. “The heat rises to the top. It’s also why they also put a staircase in the center of the house. It acts like a sort of chimney.”

“Ahh,” she answered. Molly looked at Maggie. “Get Mr. Smarty-pants over there.”

Maggie laughed. “Let’s get on with it. I want to be able to get home before this shindig tonight so I have time to get cleaned up.”

Mason felt his mouth fall. “What shindig?”

The two ladies looked at each other. “Uh... maybe I should just keep my big mouth shut.”

“You’ll see soon enough,” Molly said

Mason only shrugged and then stepped out of the way to let Martha through with a bucket of water and a mop. She smiled at him as she passed him. “Morning, Mason.”

“Morning, Martha. Um... if you need anything just let me know.”

“Sure thing.” Martha set the bucket down.

“Ladder,” Maggie reminded him.

“Oh. Right. It’s in the dining room along with other tools and things if you need them.”

“Would you mind if all of that went upstairs to one of the bedrooms?” Molly asked.

“No, I guess not.” Mason scratched his head. “Want me to move all that stuff?”

“Never mind, Molly. Nope, there’s no need.” Maggie smiled as she pulled on a pair of bright yellow cleaning gloves. “Go about your normal routine. Just act like we’re not here.”

Under his breath he asked Francis, “Do you have any idea of what’s going on?”

Francis, in a normal voice, answered, “None. I am as clueless as you are, but if it involves my not-so-innocent Cousin Ellen, I’d say be ready for just about anything.”

Mason was about to close the front door and go back downstairs when a large moving truck pulled up. He looked to Francis, who looked as confused as Mason felt.

When the engine cut off, Martin Royale jumped out of the passenger seat, and his cousin came around from the driver’s side. A moment later, four large young men jumped out of the back.

“Morning, Mr. Montgomery. How are you this fine morning?” Martin asked, a big smile on his face.

“I...uh... thought you weren’t coming till tomorrow.” Mason declared.

“Oh, I’ll be here then, too.” He thumped his cousin on the chest. “You remember my cousin Fred, don’t’cha? He drives for Ms. Ellen most of the time and also is our hearse driver, among other things, for the family business.”

“Of course. How are you this morning?” Mason asked, still wondering what they were doing here.

“Glad that my feet hit the floor this morning and to have another beautiful day in this world,” he answered readily. He pointed to the four young men. “These are our boys. Two are mine, the good-looking ones’ and them others, not as good looking, are Fred’s.”

Fred punched his cousin, Martin, on the shoulder. “Ms. Ellen asked us if we could do some furniture movin’ for her,” Fred explained.

“I don’t know about any furniture moving,” Mason stammered.

“That would be because I did not tell you anything about it,” Ellen called out, a few yards from his front stoop. “Good morning, Fred and Martin. It’s a fine summer day. Not too hot as yet, so why don’t I tell you what I would like done before it gets blistering hot?”

“Yes, ma’am. You just tell us what you want done and we’ll see to it,” Fred answered.

“I am not sure about how useful your truck will be, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.” Ellen smiled up at Mason. “Good morning, Mason. I hope you had a restful night?”

“Yes, thank you.” Mason quickly glanced at Francis who looked bemused. “Mind if I ask what’s going on here?”

“What if I said I did mind?”

Mason scowled at her. “Ellen, what are you up to?”

“Pfft,” she said, waving him away dismissively. “You should ask Gerald to give you lessons on that scowl. It needs work.”

Mason did his best to ignore Francis as he brayed like a donkey.

Ellen turned to the Royales. Mason couldn’t hear Ellen, mostly because Francis was making such a racket.

When Ellen was done speaking to the men on the sidewalk, she came up the steps and pushed past Mason. “Good morning, Francis. I trust you had a pleasant night?” The smirk on her face told that she knew what they’d been up to the night before. Francis and Mason both blushed.

“Now, Mason, would you please go and put on some decent clothes, and for heaven’s sake, put a shirt on and not run around here like some heathen?” Ellen turned to Francis. “You and I need to have a quick discussion, dear cousin.”

“Ellen, this is my house, so I think I have the right to know what you are doing.”

“Mason, please do me a favor and fetch me some of that lovely lemonade, with plenty of ice please.” Ellen patted his cheek. “Once you have some clothes on.” She proceeded to walk down the hallway then into the dining room.

Mason sighed and looked at the ceiling. “I swear that woman is going to be the end of me.” He then went off to do the things that Ellen wanted.

* * * * *

Mason decided he needed to go get more drinks for everyone, so he wandered down to Nick and Patty’s store.

When he walked in, Patty was busy behind the deli counter making sandwiches. When she looked up with the little bell rang on the door, she frowned at Mason. “What in blue blazes are you doing here? Why aren’t you up there helping out?”

“I don’t even know what’s going on,” Mason answered heatedly. “I feel like my house isn’t even my own anymore.”

Patty rushed out from behind the counter. “I’m sorry, Mason.” She grabbed him and gave him a big hug.

“I came in for some drinks and ice and stuff for all those people in my house. It’s going to be hot today and I don’t want anyone passing out from the heat.”

“I’ve got all that under control,” Patty assured him as she patted him on the arm.

“If you want to help, you can go into the back and help Nick fill the ice chests, then maybe carry some of the stuff out.” She leaned in closer.

“Nick says he can do it all, but he’s no spring chicken and I don’t want to listen to him groaning in bed all night. ”

Mason couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, ma’am. That is something I can do.”

He wandered towards the back of the store, where he’d never been before. “Hey, Nick,” Mason called out.

“Back here, Mason.”

Mason followed the voice. He found Nick bent over a large cooler, pushing the lid closed. It was a little overfilled with ice, so he had to really push on it.

“Here, let me help,” Mason said, jumping into action.

“Thanks, Mason.” Nick stood up with a slight groan and reached for the small of his back.

Mason looked around. There were eight large cooler and several smaller ones. “Uh, Nick, are all of those full of ice?

“Yep, and some already have drinks in ‘em stayin’ good and cold.”

“How are you planning on getting them up to the house?” Mason asked, wiping his brow with his forearm. It was starting to get hot.

“Carry them, of course,” Nick answered matter-of-factly. “How else?”

“How about I bring my truck around back? We can load everything up at one time.”

Nick smiled. “I think that is a splendid idea.”

“We can then have some help unloading them.”

“Excellent.” Nick sat down on the cooler he’d just closed. He looked up at Mason. “There are some others setting up tables and the grill already, I think. If not now, they will be when Patty gets there.” He chuckled.

Nick motioned for Mason to step closer. “Don’t go tellin’ Patty or anything, but I’m not as young as I used to be, and I’m not in all that great shape, unless you consider round a shape,” he chuckled as he patted his belly, which was a bit on the round side.

“Your secret is safe with me.” Mason smiled at his friend. “I’ll go and get my truck and I’ll pull it around back. I’ll knock on your back door when I get here.”

Nick gave him a thumbs up and started chugging a large cup of water.

Mason jogged up the street towards his GMC truck.

He realized he didn’t have his keys so he went to the back gate of the side road.

Sure enough, there were several people there bustling about, setting up tables and chairs.

LD and LD Three were starting up the grill.

There was another man with them who could only be LD Two. The family resemblance was uncanny.

“Hello, everyone,” Mason called out, heading inside to get his keys. He came back out into the back courtyard.

“Is there anyone ya’ll could spare a few minutes to help Nick and me to fetch up some supplies?” He was not at all surprised when LD Three stuck his arm up and trotted over.

“Hey, Mason.” Mason noticed how good looking he really was.

“Hey, LD Three.” He was for sure going to have to watch himself when around Francis.

“How are things?” LD Three lifted his shirt to wipe off the sweat that was streaming down his face.

Mason noticed the dark hair covering his tummy and the treasure trail that disappeared in his cut-off jean shorts and the nice bulge further down.

I’m definitely going to have to keep my eyes off this man.

“Things are pretty good,” Mason answered. “I’m going to get my truck and drive it down to Nick’s place and we can load up things in the back. Why don’t I meet you down there? You can help Nick get things ready to load up.”