Page 89 of Ghost

Once they were settled in and well on their way, Ellen said, “I was never so happy as when I sold that old Lincoln.It was the most horrid canary yellow.”She turned in her seat slightly facing towards Mason.“Whatever came over Gerald when he bought that thing is beyond me.I was so happy to see it driving off.”She giggled, her hand over her mouth.“Gerald didn’t speak to me for three whole days.”

“Yellow?”Mason’s eyebrows shot up.

“Oh, not just yellow, but the brightest canary yellow you ever did see.It was truly hideous,” she laughed.“I always thought that an automobile should be like gloves; either black or white.”

Mason shook his head.“That’s rather limiting, don’t you think?”

Ellen looked forward.“I guess one could look at it like that, but after that monstrosity that Gerald brought home, I think I’ll stick to that standard.”

They stopped at a chain drugstore and Mason went inside and bought three disposable cameras.The clerk said that they could do one-hour processing on the film if it was turned in by six that evening, or after eight in the morning.He had the impression that they would be back before the cut off time, or at least he hoped so.Mason really wanted to be able to go home with the photos so he could show Francis.

Once they were on their way again, Mason asked, “Is Gerald not coming along?”

“We have an arrangement,” Ellen said, finally leaning back against the seat, instead of sitting up so primly.

“Oh?”Mason was curious.

“Yes.You see, I finally had to put my foot down.”Ellen twittered a bit.“I couldn’t do anything, go anywhere, without Gerald for quite some time after he passed.It got to be rather annoying.”

“Yeah, I can see where that would take some getting used to.I gotta say, I’m kinda glad that Francis is housebound now that you say that.I doubt I could keep it together if he were to just appear in front of me outside of the house.”

Ellen chuckled.“Anyway, I had to do something rather drastic.”

Mason laughed.“Oh, I can’t wait to hear this.”

“Not only did I not speak to or acknowledge Gerald, but I actually went out on a date with another man.Needless to say, he was fit to be tied.”She laughed openly, her smile was bright and wide.

Mason couldn’t help but laugh with her.“Wow, I bet he was...I don’t even know what to say to that.”

“Let me tell you, he soon decided it was better to let me have some alone time than time out with another man!”

Mason laughed.“Actually, you are out with another man.Right now.”

Ellen rolled her eyes.“Now you and I both know that’s not an issue since you’re gay.You’re practically family, since you’re in a relationship...of sorts with Francis.”

“Thank you, Ellen.I think that is about the nicest thing you could have said to me.”

Ellen patted Mason on the knee and smiled.The light in her eyes was unmistakable.She cared for Mason, and he knew it.

They whiled away the time, getting to know one another better, and they talked about their lives, where they grew up and how beautiful the scenery was as it rolled by.When they finally got close to the old plantation, Ellen grew quiet.

“You know, every time I visit Hobonny, I expect Francis to come out the front door to greet me.Even after all these years.”She turned to Mason.“I’m so glad you found him.It was like a dark hole in my heart not knowing for certain what had happened to him.”She waved her hand in front of her clearly emotional.“I had no doubt that Imogene had something to do with it, but not knowing for sure was horrible.”

“I can’t even imagine that feeling.”

The car slowed as they pulled into the pea-gravel drive.And in front of Mason was a large, white, four-columned antebellum house.His mouth fell open slightly.He felt as if he was in the movieGone with the Wind.

“Wow,” was all he could say.