I had a feeling the little boy was Bill. The black hair gives him away every time. ;)

It was kind of odd, but also really lovely in its own way. Really nicely done, and lovely that there was that coincidence drawing Tom there, like fate.

This read like something out of one of those books about real life ghost stories. I liked how you kept it simple, yet there was enough to keep me reading.

So I decided to read this... well, I don't know why. I just had the urge to give it a chance. Maybe because it takes place in good ole West Virginny.

In the beginning, I was a bit thrown off by the whole 'Tom can do everything!' bit, but then I decided that this is a one-shot and I should give you the benefit of the doubt because really, there's no space to flesh much of anything out in a one-shot. You hooked me with 'podunk' though, teehee. I can't even say why, I just thought, 'YES this is worth reading. Podunk.'

It's fun to say. Podunk... anywho.

Major points for Tom being a painter. I can really see that. At this point, with Tom teaching and painting and having this perfect life, I'm getting a rather surreal feeling, like all is not what it seems. Oh, that confounded West Virginia and it's secrets....

For criticism, I think paragraphs could be longer, although that would be as simple as merely combining them. It's not that there isn't enough there, you just have it all spaced out. For example, from Two weeks later... to ...been more elated. could all be combined in one paragraph, and it would be a more fluid read for the reader. Also, one little word choice that's nagging at me, you used the word 'old-time-y,' and although I'm usually all for inventing words, not particularly in that way. I'm sure there's a better way to say it. Like, if Tom's so genius, then I'm sure it wouldn't be misplaced for him to perceive the boy as wearing early twentieth century garb.

He was looking for a certain ragdoll that he'd had since he was little
Really an interesting twist, I didn't see that coming. Perhaps the little boy knows that Tom has his doll [if it is the same doll]?

Reading on, with Tom's grandmother's story, I bet the kid died in the river and she took his rag doll, and now he wants it back. Perhaps? I'll read on.

Well, one day while he was walking his normal route from school at the river, which was his favorite place to let his mind roam, the tide caught him and he drowned. His little rag doll was never found, and he was buried without it.
Well, I was right. Hurray for Tom having the moxie to give Bill back his doll. I like how, when he approached ghost!Bill, he wasn't completely calm nor completely scared out of his wits. He obviously saw that the ghost boy was harmless, but he was still creeped out on account of the boy being a ghost, regardless. More realistic and, I feel, true to Tom's character.

Then, Tom noticed that it wasn't litter around the little boy, Bill's headstone, it was Tom's Grandma Libby's rag doll and the old battered school text book.
Perfect ending, I applaud you.

What a good, classic ghost story. Nicely done. :)