“How about this?"
“Stick your arms out. Now bend over a little. A little more. That's it.” She placed her hands on his wrists. “You're not going to feel me up this time,” she said as she guided his hands to her armpits.
“Hey, that was an accident."
“Sure it was. Now lift me up and keep those eyes shut tightly until I have my britches on."
He could feel her tugging against his hands as she struggled to reach her pajama bottoms.
“Damn, George. They've slipped down too far for me to reach."
“Never fear, my lady. Can you continue standing on your own?"
“I think so."
“Okay. I'm going to kneel down, find the floor with my hands, slip my hands over until I find your feet, locate your britches and pull them up for you."
“Don't you dare touch anything other than my hips."
They were both laughing hysterically by the time the bottoms were in place.
“Mission accomplished,” George said triumphantly as he opened his eyes.
“Now help me to the sink so I can wash my hands."
George supported her as she moved to the sink, and held her erect by placing his arms around her tummy. The warmth of her buttocks pressing against his crotch aroused him, but there was nothing he could do about it until she dried her hands. He was amazed that she didn't complain about this new bit of unintended intimacy.
“You peeked,” she said.
“Did not."
“Did too. You just pretended to have your eyes closed, but you left them open just a little. You thought I wouldn't notice."
“You're making things up."
“You felt me up, too."
“That was an accident."
“Did you like it?"
“That's a ‘damned if I did’ and ‘damned if I didn't’ question."
She laughed. “Just answer the question."
“I'm a man and you're a lovely lady. Of course I liked it."
“Right answer, but don't do it again."
“Yes ma'am."
After George managed to get Dottie safely back in bed, he sat in the chair and said, “May I ask you a personal question?"
“You may ask, but I may not answer."
“With my hands under your arms so much, I couldn't help but notice that you don't shave your underarms, but do shave your pubic hair. Most women, I should think, do it the other way around."
“George Bennett,” she shouted. “You did peek."
“Oh my goodness, Dottie. This time I was making a joke. Do you really shave your pubic hair?"
She laughed. “That's the way my husband liked it. When he died, I just kept it up out of habit, I guess. George?"
“Yes."
“When you were holding me up at the sink, your hands were on my flabby belly and my fat fanny was pressed against you. You're so slim and trim. Does my plump body disgust you?"
“Are you sure you want to discuss this, Dottie?"
“I asked the question, didn't I?"
“You already know the answer."
“Then that was an erection I felt on my butt."
He nodded. “I'm sorry,” he said. “There are some things I can't always control."
“I'm not sorry,” she said with a smile on her face. “If I turn you on after you've been screwing that little sex-pot, Maggie Skinner, I take it as a compliment."
“Dottie!"
“Don't Dottie me. The whole town knows, George. Now admit it. You bedded her while she was staying at your house."
“Even if that were true I wouldn't admit it, Dottie. I'm from the old school. A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell. Let's change the subject. Please."
“I want to know, damn it. Did you take the little hussy to bed with you?"
“I wanted to."
“I'll be damned. After all you did for her, she wouldn't give you any?"
“That's enough, Dottie."
“There are some important things I want to talk seriously with you about, George. Let's start with the diner. For a long time, you've been trying to buy me out. You said you'd give me a fair price for Dot's Diner. Well, I'm ready to sell. Let's don't haggle. What's your best offer?"
“Dottie,” he cried. “You don't want to sell. You fought me tooth and nail to keep that place."
“Yes, I did. I'm a little surprised myself, but the events of this morning have made me see things in an entirely different light. I am now very aware of my own mortality."
“Dottie, you have a cut on your forehead and some bad bruises, but you're going to be as good as new in a few days."
“True, but it could turn out differently next time and besides, I have some age on me now. I guess I didn't realize until this morning that I will not live forever. I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a kitchen. In fact, I don't care if I ever cook another meal. What's your offer, George?"
“I'm no longer interested in buying you out, Dottie. That offer has expired. I am interested in a merger, however."
“Yeah, you've mentioned that before too. Something like your deal with Billy?"
“Something like that, but not exactly."
“I'm listening."
He took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling. “Well, first we get married, then get Maggie to run the restaurants for us and then kick up our heels and have the time of our lives."
He held his breath. She did not respond immediately. He forced himself to look at her. To his surprise, she too seemed focused on the ceiling.
“Maggie is working for the Dollars now."
“I think she'll change her mind."
“I know you were screwing her, George. I'm not stupid. I think you are in love with her. What do you plan to do about that?"
“Okay, Dottie. Maggie and I did let our friendship go too far. But Dottie, she left me because she knew I was in love with you, and I swear to God, we never engaged in sexual intercourse."
She looked at him. “What's the real reason, George? Your pecker not big enough for her?"
“You don't believe me? There's a telephone on your bedside table. Call her at the diner and ask her."
“She thinks you are in love with me, does she?"
“She does, and she's correct."
“That's a little detail you forgot to share with me, George."
“You haven't given me a chance."
“Lets see, now. Your proposal is that we get married and have Maggie run the two restaurants for us as we gradually withdraw from the day to day operation. Is that it?"
“Exactly."
“Let's look at the marriage part first. You're a good-looking man, George Bennett, but I need to tell you a little story. My mother hated sex and shortly after I was born, she cut daddy off completely. They even slept in separate bedrooms. Apparently, he wasn't very good between the sheets. I found out about this when I was a teenager. I swore I would never marry a man who couldn't please me sexually. My husband is the only man I've ever been with and he was a master bed jockey. The thing is, I knew it by three months of experience before our wedding ceremony was performed."
“Are you saying I must prove my expertise?"
“Sounds cold and clinical doesn't it?"
“And a little kinky too."
“Is the other part of your offer open to modification?” Dottie asked, abruptly ending the marriage discussion.
“Sure, I guess,” George said wiping the perspiration from his face with a pocket-handkerchief.
“The way Dot is growing, more inexpensive housing is desperately needed. Not even Billy knows that I own about forty acres on Schoolhouse Road. That's the only asset I did not deplete in fighting to keep Dot's Diner open. At one time, I was going to build my dream house there. Recently I've been thinking about turning it into a trailer park with both spaces and trailers to rent. Does that sound like a workable idea to you, George?"
“It's a great idea, Dottie."
“Well, then. Here's my counterproposal. We build
the trailer park, group with it the restaurants and service stations, give a twenty-five percent interest to Billy and Tracy, a twenty-five percent interest to Maggie if she'll agree to run the restaurants for us, and we keep fifty percent."
“You old biddy,” he said, smiling broadly and shaking his head. “I've always heard that a man chases a woman until she catches him. Now I've experienced it first hand. How long have you been planning this?"
“You can never tell what an old woman fantasizes about when she's lying alone in her bed at night. Now, if you ring my chimes, where are we going to live—my place or yours?"
“My place, of course,” George replied.
“Why? Do you find my house to be such a dump?"
“No, Dottie. It's not that. But my place is twice, maybe three times the size of yours and it's brand new."
“And we need all that space because...?"
“You've never seen my house."
“True."
“I'll make you a deal. You look my place over carefully—maybe spend a weekend there. Then you decide where you want us to live."
“You claim to be a cook, George. Can you make a decent pot of coffee? We have a long night ahead of us."
“Is coffee a good idea, Dot. That stuff runs through me as fast as beer and you probably have the same problem."
“Doesn't matter,” she said. “We now know how to get me to the bathroom and back."
He smiled at her and patted her leg as he stood up. “I'll be back in a couple of minutes."
“George."
He turned to face her as he reached the bedroom door.
“Do you play golf?"
“Not much,” he said with a curious smile on his face.
“Tennis?"
“Nope."
“Fish?"
He shook his head.
“Do you swim?"
“I do, but I don't care much for it."
“Me either."
“What's on your mind, Dottie."
“I was just thinking. If we are going to live in the middle of the Dollars’ playground, we ought to play their games."
“We can learn together."
She winked at him. “By the way, from now on, you don't have to close your eyes when you take me to pee."
* * * *
June's legs turned to jelly as the tall, slender man with jet-black hair entered Dot's Diner. She couldn't take her eyes off his bulging biceps as he spoke to her.
“Lovely Lady,” he began, “I'm looking for Maggie Skinner and I'm told that she is working here now. Is she in?"
June's mouth moved but no sound emerged. “Lovely Lady” echoed through her mind and the boyish smile he flashed hypnotized her.
“Sweet Thing,” he said, “are you okay?"
She nodded and again unsuccessfully tried to speak. Her eyes fell to his snug fitting jeans and her feet seemed attached to the floor.
Suddenly he turned and went out the door, and immediately returned. Again, his brilliant white teeth flashed as he smiled and said, “Let's start over. Good afternoon you gorgeous gal. I'm looking for Maggie Skinner. Is she here?"
June burst out laughing and motioned towards the kitchen.
He focused on her nametag and grinned. “June,” he said, “you are the girl of my dreams—pretty as a picture and silent as the falling snow. Your husband is one lucky man."
“I'm ... I'm not married,” she managed to say, extending the back of her unadorned left hand for his inspection.
He closed his eyes and dreamily said, “Ah, the voice of an angel.” He looked at her and took her hand in his as his expression changed. “Will you marry me, you cuddly cute creature?"
June's breath was coming in noisy gasps. “I ... I..."
“Don't let Casanova get to you, June,” Maggie said as she came through the kitchen door. “He has a honey-coated tongue and a heart of stone."
“Maggie,” he exclaimed as she rushed around the counter into his outstretched arms. “Is that any way to talk about your favorite brother?"
“June,” Maggie said as she hugged him tightly, “this is my brother Frank."
“And don't you believe for one minute,” Frank said to June, “that I have a heart of stone. I'm the most kindhearted, warm, loving, sincere man every born."
“You big lug,” Maggie said, still hugging him. “It's great to see you. What brings you to Dot?"
“Why, I came to see my favorite sister, of course,” he said.
“I'll bet. We're between rush hours, Frank. Let's sit in the back booth and catch each other up. Would you like a cup of coffee?"
“I sure would,” he said, “if June will sweeten it with her dainty little finger."
June smiled and soon placed two steaming cups on their table. She made a point of sticking her finger into his coffee. He took her hand, kissed it and gently sucked the liquid from her moist finger.
“Seriously, Maggie,” Frank said when June was again behind the counter. “Why is that lovely little lady not hitched? Is she a lesbian?"
“I don't think so,” Maggie said. “She's a bit shy, but I swear if I had let you sweet talk her another five minutes I believe she would have stripped and raped you right here in the dining room."
“I'm serious, Maggie. That foxy female races my motor."
“She's an innocent girl, Frank. Leave her alone."
“Innocent, maybe, but I'm not going to leave her alone. I'm going to make that charming child my wife."
Maggie grinned. “Then you're not just passing through. It takes three days in North Carolina to get a marriage license."
Frank returned her grin. “No, I'm not just passing through. The garden shop in Atlanta is doing great, but five bosses is four too many. There's no feud going on among your brothers, Maggie. I just decided it's time to go out on my own. I have twenty-five thousand dollars in my pocket and a truck packed with all my earthly belonging. I'm going open a garden shop in Dot if everything works out."
“Frank, that's wonderful. But why Dot?"
“Your letters, Maggie. I fell in love with the place from your letters. I've already talked with Tim and he says he will throw some business my way."
“Tim Dollar?"
He nodded. “I found him at home a while ago when I went looking for you. I introduced myself and before long, we were talking business. He said he was not pleased with the landscaper he has been using out of Charlotte and would send some business my way to see what I can do. He suggested that he might even finance the heavy equipment I will need."
“Frank, that's great,” Maggie said with enthusiasm and then she joked, “You're not after my job are you?"
“With just a snap of my fingers I could have your job, Maggie,” he bragged, “but I wouldn't do that to you."
Her expression changed. “You know, Frank. This might work out good."
“What do you mean?"
“Circumstances have changed since I quit the job as manager of the Korner Kafe. I really liked that job and Mr. Bennett has asked me to come back to work for him. I think I would like to do that, but I have worked for the Dollars such a short time I hate the thought of walking out on them."
“But now that I am here you can bow out gracefully. It'll be in the Dollars’ best interest. Everybody knows a woman can't do a man's work."
“Screw you, Frank Skinner."
“Okay, but that's kind of kinky. I think it's called incest."
Maggie laughed. “That's why I quit wrestling with you when we were kids."
“What are you talking about?"
“I found out from a friend one day about the facts of life and realized you didn't really have a roll of quarters in your pocket every time we wrestled."
He blushed, but said, “Even at thirteen you were sprouting a super budding bosom, Maggie. It beats me why you keep those delightful delicacies strapped down."
“Let's change the subject, Frank. Where are you bunking?” Maggie asked.
“I could stay at the mo
tel, I suppose, but I was hoping you would put me up until I get things worked out."
“I'd like that, Frank, but I've rented out the spare bedroom."
“I know. I went by your house after Tim pointed it out and met Sewana. She suggested the living room. She said the sofa folds out into a bed and I could store my stuff partly in the hall closet and partly in the utility room."
“It suits me,” Maggie said. “Look, Big Brother, I must get back to work. We have a lot of catching up to do, but it looks like we're going to have plenty of time to swap lies. Why don't you go out to the house and get settled in?"
“I'll do it,” he said as they slipped out of the booth. “Maggie, maybe I should let Sewana tell you, but while I was there she received a phone call from a real estate agent. A furnished apartment opened up and she took it. She'll be moving in a few days."
“Then that settles it, Frank. You are now officially my new roommate."
They embraced and Frank whispered, “Do you think June will go out with me?"
“If you want an answer, ask her, not me."
He smiled and watched his sister disappear through the kitchen door. He approached the counter where June stood transfixed.
“June, where does a couple on a date go in Dot?” he asked.
She smiled nervously. “There's not much happening in Dot after dark,” she replied.
“Do you live close by?"
She nodded. “I have a little apartment in the Dollar Building next door."
“You have a TV?"
She nodded.
“What time do you get off work?"
“Eight o'clock."
“Well, we could go to your place, have sex and watch TV, but you might prefer to go to a movie in Charlotte."
Her eyes locked with his. “I'll do whatever you like,” she said. “I'm a virgin. You'll have to teach me."
His eyes widened. “I can't believe that you've never..."
She picked up a damp cloth and rubbed furiously on a nonexistent spot on the counter. “I had a bad case of acne from my early teens until just a few months ago. Boys made fun of me. I haven't dated much. Truth is,” she continued as she dropped her voice, “I've never been on a real date."
“I know what you mean,” he said. “I had acne too as a teenager.” He reached out and cupped her chin with his strong, rough right hand, turned her head from one side to the other and said, “Yeah, I see the tiny scars when I look closely, but you still have the face of an angel. Look closely and you can see I have the same scars."
Sintown Chronicles II: Through Bedroom Windows Page 22