Page 75 of Ghost

Chapter Twenty-Seven

When Mason woke up, it took him a moment to figure out where he was.He could hear the TV in the living room, but just barely.He got out of bed and quietly made his way towards the sound.When he got to the doorway, he saw Francis sitting on the small sofa, his elbows on his knees, watching the national morning news broadcast, intently.

Without looking up, Francis said, “The world is a strange place now.It seems foreign so me.”He looked up.“Good morning, Mason.I trust you slept well?”He let his eyes travel down Mason’s body, a smirk appearing on his face.“Were you dreaming of me?”

Mason looked down at himself and realized that he was still sporting a healthy erection.He rolled his eyes.“You know as well as I do that most men wake up with erections.”He put his hands on his hips and swung his hips from side to side, teasing Francis.

“I’m going to the bathroom and then make some coffee.”He turned to leave, looking over his shoulder, “Then I’ll sit with you a bit and answer any questions you have.”

Francis had already returned his attention to the television.“I have many questions.”

The pair sat on the small sofa, watching TV, Mason answering as many questions as Francis had.He seemed particularly interested in airplane travel, but then told Mason to be quiet, when there was a story about agriculture.Francis leaned forward, engrossed in the piece.

Once the article had concluded, Francis sat back, a serious look on his face.He then turned to Mason.“Is there such a thing as raising and harvesting fish?”

Mason blinked a few times.“Yeah, I’m pretty sure there is.I think I heard it called aquaculture once.”

Francis nodded but didn’t speak for a long time.Mason could tell he was no longer watching or interested in what was going on with the television.He figured he’d wait and see if Francis had any more questions, meanwhile, he needed another cup of coffee.

When Mason returned to the living room, Francis was pacing the room.After Mason had sat back down, sipping his coffee, Francis turned to him.“I need to speak with Ellen.”

* * * * *

Since Mason still didn’thave a telephone, which he hoped would happen sometime that day, he walked down the block to call on Mrs.Ellen Watson Trudeau.He was about to take the last step onto the stoop when Mr.Trudeau appeared.

“Ellen is still in her dressing gown, having her breakfast,” Mr.Trudeau announced, scowling at Mason.

“I’m sorry, I know it’s still a little early, but Francis has asked that he see her as soon as possible.”Mason frowned a bit.“I think it may have something to do with Hobonny.”

Mr.Trudeau’s eyebrows shot up.He looked past Mason for a moment.“I will tell her that we must pay him a visit first thing.”He focused back on Mason.“Please, forgive me if I seemed a bit out of sorts with you.One of my biggest faults, which Ellen has voiced many times, is that I am overly protective of my wife.”

Mason smiled.“I think that’s really nice.She’s lucky to have you.”

Mr.Trudeau laughed, tucking his thumbs into his waistcoat.“No, my young fellow, it is I who am the lucky one.Now, be gone with you.Expect us shortly.”

Mason tilted his head slightly to one side.“Both of you?”

Smiling, Mr.Trudeau said, “I will have Ellen explain that to you.Now off with you.”He made a shooing motion with his right hand.

* * * * *

“Well?”Francis saidas soon as Mason walked into the front door.

“Um...Mr.Trudeau said that they would be here shortly.”Mason looked at Francis.“Are you able to leave the house?”

“No.I can go no further than the house boundaries.”Francis answered, frowning.“Am I to assume that Ellen’s husband can?”

“That’s the impression I got.”Mason turned to go down the stairs.“I need to leave a note on the door telling them to come around to the back door of the basement.She has trouble with stairs.”