Free From My Window by Karen Jones Page A

open that for you,” he says. He takes the soda out of my hand and pulls back on a small tab of metal. There’s a small popping sound and the soda hisses. Mason hands it back and smiles at me. A big, bright smile. I smile back.

Chapter 13

    Yesterday turned out to be one of the best days of my life. Or death. Maybe both.
    Mason and I talked for over an hour. I know this because there’s a giant wall clock in his living room. We talked about photography and what he thinks of Santa Monica. He told me he didn’t go to school each day, he went out to shoot photos. He must be older than I thought. I told him I was home schooled. I’m not sure why. He didn’t ask.
    Home schooling has made a huge comeback in the last couple of decades. When I was growing up it was all there really was. Sure, there were some finishing schools and things like that, but mostly a nanny or hired instructor taught you all you needed. Besides, back then, girls were raised to run the home of their husband. Nothing more.
    It was so nice to talk to someone. I eventually got used to hearing my own voice again. It no longer sounded strange to me by the time I left. I suppose Mason never thought it sounded strange. I worried the first few minutes that his mother would come home, but she never did. The fear eventually subsided and I was able to relax.
    Mason has a deep voice. His laugh goes up a little and sounds somewhat musical. He scrunches his nose when he laughs and his hair falls into his eyes constantly. He was barefoot, wearing cutoffs and a surfing t-shirt. I could have looked at him for hours. But I didn’t want it to be creepy. And I didn’t want his mother to come home. So I stayed only as long as I dared.
    I’ve been considering the idea that maybe he and his whole family are able to see ghosts. Maybe it’s a genetic thing. If Mason can see me, then maybe his mother can see me. I like the idea, but I have no basis for thinking it can be true. Still… wouldn’t it be lovely to meet his mother and spend more time with him?

Chapter 14

    I see Mason in his front yard. He’s lying in the hammock he and his mother put up yesterday. He’s shirtless today and that reminds me of his hand on my elbow. The warmth returns for a moment and then disappears like it was my imagination.
    I haven’t been back to his house again. I want to. But first, I’m going to do a test to see if his mother can see me. I’m just waiting for a time when she’s alone in the yard. I’ll go out and walk right up to her. If she doesn’t see me, no harm done. If she does see me, I’ll say I want to introduce myself. She might even realize who I am because Mason has talked about me. He would talk about me, right? Of course he would. Why wouldn’t he?
    The redheaded boy is coming into Mason’s yard. He’s carrying his surfboard. I bet they plan on going surfing. Mason is going inside now. The redhead waits on the hammock, swinging his feet and rocking back and forth. Mason comes out with his surfboard and they head for the beach. I’ll miss him while he’s gone. Sometimes they surf for hours.
    There’s his mother. She’s going to water her flowers. This is my chance.

Chapter 15

    I’m standing right behind her. I’m so nervous I can feel myself quaking all over. If ghosts sweat, I bet I’d be drenched. She isn’t turning around. She didn’t hear me approach. That doesn’t mean anything though.
    I clear my throat and say, “Hello.” She twirls around and a hand reflexively reaches to her throat.
    “Oh, I didn’t hear you walk up,” she says. To me. She says it to me. She can see me.
    I extend my hand and say, “I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Ellie. I live next door.” Live is a bit of a stretch, but it’s what she’ll understand.
    “Well, hello, Ellie,” she says. She reaches out and shakes my hand. The contact doesn’t have the same impact as when Mason touched me, but I like it nearly as much.
    “I’m Margaret,” she says.