Page 78 of Ghost

“That was so not cool,” Mason said to Francis when the man finally finished up and left.

Francis laughed heartily.“It has been a long time since I have had so much fun.”

Mason tried his best to keep a frown going but ended up laughing with Francis.“The man probably thinks I’m crazy.”

“Do not worry, Mason.I doubt that you will ever see the man again.”

Mason only shrugged.“But you never know.”He looked at the new phone hanging on the wall just inside the kitchen.“I need to call Mitch and Paul and give them the new number, as well as Patty and Nick.”

“While you are working, do you think you might turn on the television for me?”Francis asked.“I will try not to disturb you.”

“Sure, not a problem.”They went into the living room.Francis sat on the sofa as Mason turned it on.“Anything in particular you’d like to see?I’m afraid there isn’t a whole lot on during the day.”

“I am not sure.This is all so very new to me.”

Mason scanned the channels, finally settling on an afternoon talk show.“I think this will be more your style than a soap opera.”

Francis looked quizzically at him.

“Never mind.I’ll explain it to you later.”Mason turned to leave.“I’m going to make myself a snack and then make some calls.Yell out if you need anything.”

Looking over his shoulder he could see that Francis was already focused on what was being discussed on the TV.He smiled to himself and went to the kitchen.

He picked up the phone, looked at the clock on the stove and dialed Mitch’s number.

The phone rang four times before Mitch’s voice answered, “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me,” Mason answered.

“Who’s me?”

“Don’t be a jerk.”Mason rolled his eyes as he opened the fridge.“I’ve got a phone now.I’m being polite in calling you with the number.”

“Ohhh, it’s you.”Mitch chuckled.“For a minute there I thought I was about to have an obscene phone call.”

“Yeah, you wish.”Mason pulled out a bag of carrots.“Got something to write with?”

“Hold on.”Mason could hear riffling on the other end as Mitch got something.

“Go.”

Mason gave him the new number.“Are you still wanting to move down here?”

“Hell, yeah!”Mitch belched loudly.

“Charming.”

“I told you I was.”Mason could hear the pop of a can opening, presuming it was beer, knowing Mitch as well as he did.“I already turned down a job and gave notice to my landlady.She was none too happy and told me she wasn’t giving me my deposit back because I didn’t give enough notice.”

“Damn, I’m sorry, Mitch.”

“Naw, no big thang.It was only a hundred bucks,” Mitch said, indeed making it sound like it was no big deal.“I was thinking, if you were free, you could come up, not this coming weekend but the one after, and help me move some stuff?”

“Yeah, I can do that.”Mason poured himself some of the lemonade.“I’ll make sure my truck is empty and we can load it up.”

“Perfect.I was thinking I’d rent one of those U-Haul trailers.”He guzzled some of the beer he was drinking.“That way, I think we can get it all in one go.Of course, the price is going to be astronomical with the Olympics going on and all.Traffic is a real bitch, too.”

“That’s not a bad idea.If push comes to shove, I can rent one as well.I’ve got a trailer hitch too.”Mason bit down on a carrot.