Page 7 of Ghost

M ason did a quick survey downstairs. There was a bathroom, such as it was.

It was dingy and none too pretty, but with a good cleaning it would be functional, although it would have to be redone at some point.

It appeared that there had been a small kitchen, but it had mostly been removed, leaving only a little cabinet.

He figured he could hunt around and perhaps find a few cabinets at a salvage yard, and maybe even a sink and a secondhand stove.

He might have to break down and get a refrigerator.

That’s all he’d need to survive. When all that was done, he could actually move in, granted they actually got the power and water turned on.

Feeling very pleased with himself, he went back up to the main level of his new home to start work on tearing out the old kitchen.

He wasn’t looking forward to demolishing it.

A lot of the room was burnt, and he expected that there was going to be substantial water damage from where they’d put out the fire.

Mason also knew that this was probably where the majority of what money he had left was going to end up.

“Hell,” he muttered to himself, “I’ll go broke on a room that won’t even be functional.

” Mason had enough experience to know that with what little cash he had left, the most he’d be able to do would be to get the wiring done, and the bare minimum to meet the requirements to have the power and water turned back on in the place. He was going to have to find work soon.

Mason walked down the hallway intending to get the six-foot ladder from the front room, and then stopped dead in his tracks, looking up the stairs. He knew his mouth was hanging open, but he couldn't move.

At the top of the stairs there was a man.

No, not a man, but the transparent figure of a man.

To Mason he looked as if he were one of those sepia tone photographs.

A really, really old photograph. He starred at the man, not moving.

The... apparition was dressed in a long coat, vest, an old-fashioned necktie and black pants.

His hair was dark and parted on the right side, and he wore a full dark beard and a mustache slightly curved upwards at either end.

And then the man smiled. Mason’s mouth snapped shut and their eyes locked.

Mason wasn’t scared. He had the feeling that the man meant him no harm and was actually glad to see him.

When he started down the stairs, more like floated, Mason couldn’t help but take a step back, mesmerized by the man who wasn’t a man at all.

As he got closer, Mason couldn’t help but notice how handsome the man was. His light brown eyes were warm, and he could see there was a kindness in them. His smile seemed to broaden as he got closer to Mason and then... he just faded away.

Mason could only stand there, stunned. He didn’t even notice how long he’d been standing there. He finally shook his head, trying to clear his mind, to come to terms with what he’d just seen. Slowly, Mason made his way back towards the burnt-out kitchen. He leaned against the doorway.

“Two ghosts. In one day.” He looked towards the back door. “And damn, he was so good looking too. Now he can hang around.” Mason smiled to himself.

After a few more minutes, Mason went and got the ladder that he’d intended to get in the first place, glancing up the stairs hoping to see his male ghost again, but wasn’t too surprised when he didn’t.

Humming to himself, Mason began to take down the few upper cabinets, which proved to be quite the chore. One of them simply disintegrated in his hands, turning to ash, but he got them all out. He’d opened the back door and started tossing out the bits and pieces as he went.

By lunchtime, when Paul and Mitch came down from upstairs, Mason had all the old cabinetry out and was about to start pulling down the bits of drywall that had been patched into and over the old plaster walls.

It was going to be a total bitch to get all the old walls out.

He’d worked on old plaster before and knew that not only was it a royal pain in the ass, but it was also messy as all get out to remove.

“Looks like someone’s been busy,” Paul said, a smile on his face, looking impressed.

Mitch looked like one of those chimney sweeps out of the Mary Poppins movie. His frown made him look comical to Mason.

“I’m going to go take a shower,” Mitch said, looking down at himself. “I’ve got dust and grime in places where there should never be any. I’ve even got it in my mouth.”

Mason took pity on his friend. “Go on.” Mason handed him the keys to the apartment. “I’ll run and get us some lunch. Anything in particular you’d like?” he asked Mitch, feeling sorry for him.

“Something cold. Oh, and lots and lots of water,” Mitch answered, the frown firmly planted on his face.

“Buck up, ol’ man,” Paul said, patting Mitch on the shoulder. “We got ‘er done and you won’t have to go back up there, at least not today at any rate.”

“I’ll go up next time,” Mason said. “You’ve more than paid your dues. You’re a good friend.” He also gave Mitch a pat on the back. “Go get cleaned up and I’ll have lunch here by the time you get back.”

Mason had noticed that there was a small grocery store and deli a few doors down on the side street to the townhouse.

He figured it was time to check up on some of the local fare.

When he opened the door to the small place, he knew he’d made the right choice.

He could smell the cold cuts and the man behind the counter smiled cheerfully.

“Howdy. Are you the guy working on the ol’ Watson house?” He asked, stepping from behind the counter.

“Hi. If you mean the house up on the corner, then yes,” Mason replied, holding out his hand to shake the other man’s. “I didn’t know it had a name.”

“Good to meet you, then.” The man shook Mason’s hand. “I’m Nick Davies. This is my little place. Are you just working there?”

“No, no, I bought the place. Trying to get it to where I can move in. I’m Mason Montgomery, by the way.”

“Excellent! I’m really glad to hear it. It’s about time this neighborhood had a turn for the good. The last people that lived in there were a bunch of druggies. They’re the ones that set fire to the place. I was afraid that the city might tear it down. That’d have been a real shame.”

“I’m glad they didn’t.” Mason looked towards the deli section. “It’s going to take a lot of work to get it back to being totally livable and it will take me some time, but I’m up for the challenge.” He let the voice of Nick Davies wash over him, smiling. It was nice to hear a deep Southern accent.

“Well, welcome to the neighborhood, Mason.” Nick turned towards the deli area. “Looking for some lunch?”

“Yeah, I am.” Mason looked over some of the selections. “I’m gonna need some sandwiches.”

Nick went through what he had on hand and mentioned that he had a special on the Italian subs this week.

“I try and do a special every week. You’ve missed the busy part of the lunch hour, or I’d have been able to offer you some potato salad to go with it but sold out of it first thing. I have some pasta salad, though.”

“I’ll take three sandwiches and some of that pasta salad,” Mason smiled. “Sounds perfect.”

“Got some coleslaw as well, if you want to switch it up,” Nick said as he set about making the sandwiches. “You want half subs or full?”

“Oh, full. We’re a hungry bunch.” Mason laughed. “Think I’ll just stay with the pasta salad, thanks. What can you tell me about the house?”

“Well, as I mentioned, them druggies are the ones that set fire to it. I’ve been here going on thirty years, and it’s been split up into apartments the whole time.

There used to be some nice people in there, but the neighborhood did a bit of a turn back in the late seventies.

” Nick shook his head. “It was pretty hard back in them days, but it worked out well for me.”

Mason watched as Nick loaded up the subs with meat. “Is there anyone who might know more?” he asked.

Nick paused and looked towards the ceiling for a minute. “You might try asking Mrs. Trudeau. She lives a little farther up the street from your place, on the other corner of the block. It’s the place with the flower boxes on the windows out front.”

“I’ve noticed that house. It looks as if it is the only one that hasn’t been made into apartments,” Mason said.

“Yep. It’s been in her family since it was built, so about the same age as yours I’d say if I had to guess.

” Nick wrapped up the sandwiches. “If anyone would know more about this neighborhood, it’d more than likely be her, but be careful.

She’s old South and old money.” Nick chuckled.

“She’s quite the firecracker. Don’t let her age or size fool ya none. ”

Mason laughed. “I’ll make sure to watch myself.”

Nick bagged up their lunch and rang up Mason’s purchase. “I’m givin’ ya an extra discount to welcome you to the neighborhood, Mason. Sure glad you’re here.”

“Thanks, Nick, I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot more of you.”

“I’ll look forward to it.” Nick held out his hand again. “If you come in during the evening hours, you might get to meet my son. He’s Nicky Jr. He’s about your age, or maybe a bit younger, I’d say.”

“Then I’ll look forward to meeting him as well.” Mason glanced over towards the coolers along the wall. “You also have beer?”

Nick laughed, heartily. “Gotta have around here. I’ll give you a case discount.”

“Now that will come in handy. I’ve got one friend who is about to drink me out of house and home. I’ll for sure be back later this afternoon for a beer run.”

“I’ll leave Nicky a note for ya, then.” Nick chuckled as he pulled out a note pad.

“Good to meet you, Nick. See ya later.”