Madison chatted with Justin over dinner. “What movie did you pick out?”
“I got a couple...” He tilted his head, his eyes squinted. “I can’t remember the names of them now. Action-adventure.”
Madison wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin. “No chick flicks?” She smiled.
Justin furrowed his brow. “No. No chick flicks.”
“Dang.”
Justin threw up his hands. “Do you want me to go back to the video store?”
Madison laughed. “No! I love action-adventure.”
“You don’t like chick-flicks?”
“Yes, if I’m with the girls....and we are having a chick-flick evening.”
“Roxy and the gang?”
“Yep.”
Madison stood up to clean the table and Justin helped. A short time later they were on the couch watching the movie. Justin put his arm around Madison’s shoulders and held her close.
Madison reached up and touched his hand. “Justin, why now? I mean...we’ve known each other for a long time...and you’ve never tried to...kiss me or anything.”
Justin squeezed her hand. “I guess I’ve wanted to play the field. You know, not get tied down. Not that I’m ready to do that yet, but when I’m with you we always have fun. I went out on that fishing boat last year and I kept thinking about you.”
“You never wrote...”
“No. I don’t write much.”
“But you thought about me a lot, huh?” Madison’s hand went behind his head and played with the hair on the nape of his neck.
Justin turned to her. “Yes, I did.” He gazed into her eyes, as if trying to read her thoughts. “That doesn’t mean...”
“Yes?”
“I really like you...a lot. But I don’t know if I’m ready to have a steady girl...”
Madison laughed. “Well, that is good because I’m not sure I want a steady guy.” Her bright eyes twinkled.
“So...for right now...no strings?”
“No strings,” she whispered as she leaned in and kissed him. “Just friends...with...benefits.”
By the time the movie ended, Justin and Madison were in passionate embraces on the couch.
* * * *
The next morning, true to her word, Roxy knocked on Miss Louise’s door. A moment later it opened and Miss Louise asked her to come in.
“Did you sleep well, Miss Louise?”
“Yes, thank you. But I’m afraid that Cutie Pie made more messes than I had planned for. Would you have some extra newspapers and perhaps a roll of paper towels you could get me?”
“Sure. I’ll get them right away.”
Miss Louise walked past the vase of red roses. She stopped to smell them. Reaching up, she lightly touched a velvet petal. “These are very beautiful, but I wish Charles would get me irises instead. I love irises.”
Roxy wondered why Miss Louise just didn’t tell her nephew, but then it was not her business. “Is that all that you need, Miss Louise?”
Aunt Louise smiled and nodded her head. “Yes, Roxy. That’s all I need.”
Roxy found some old newspapers and a roll of paper towels and took them to Miss Louise, then went on with her work. Today she was working with Sharon, a young woman about the same age as Roxy. They worked through their shift without any problems. On her way home Roxy picked up the newspaper in hopes she could find a part time job to supplement her income.
Once home, she didn’t feel like cooking and made herself a peanut butter and raspberry jam sandwich for her dinner. She heated up water and stirred in instant hot cocoa. Sitting down at the table, she read through the want ads. She was disappointed at the choices left to her. She didn’t want to be a telemarketer, or deliver newspapers. A part time waitress job was available, and someone wanted a part time house cleaner. She had waitressed before, didn’t like it much, but she was getting desperate. The house cleaner ad was a good possibility for her. Roxy called the number, but only got the answering machine. She left her number and hung up. A few minutes later her cell rang. Roxy saw the number was her mother’s and didn’t feel like talking to her. The message she left was short. “Uncle Ned is getting worse. Call me.” Roxy leaned back on the couch and turned on the TV using her remote. She flipped through the channels mindlessly.
Chapter 7
Jacki hauled her shovel and bags of soil out of the back of her truck. Her stomach was full of nervous energy. The project would be completed in a few hours and she would no longer have an excuse to be on Elvira’s property. Every morning for the last couple of weeks she awoke with the excitement of seeing her, and every afternoon, the feeling of dread, of knowing she had to return home, and the landscaping one day closer to completion.
Elvira’s actions were driving her crazy. Jacki would be working; sweaty and dirty, and Elvira would sashay her way across the yard to offer Jacki a glass of lemonade or a can of cold beer. She would visit for a few minutes, batting those long eyelashes, which in its self was enough to put Jacki over the edge. It didn’t matter what clothes she wore, to Jacki it was a turn on. When Elvira was done visiting, she’d turn and walk ever so slowly back to the house. Jacki’s eyes glued on her backside and more than once was tempted to catch up with her and throw her to the grass, making love to her. At night, alone in her bed, Jacki fantasized different scenarios, all with the outcome of making love to the wench over and over, until she gave in to her lust, masturbating herself into a frenzy.
At noon, Jacki sat next to the pond to have her lunch. She smiled, remembering how pleased Elvira seemed yesterday when the pond was finished and they filled it with water. Jacki had added lily pads and a few pond plants this morning. So far today, Jacki hadn’t seen hide or hair of Elvira and worried she might not see her at all. The garage door remained closed, and she had assumed she was still home. Finishing her sandwich, she heard the back door open and looked up. Elvira walked towards her, a plate of cookies in her hand. She wore a tank top with no bra and her nipples pushed invitingly against the cotton material. Her short-shorts showed her tanned slender legs off magnificently. Elvira smiled and she sat down beside Jacki.
“Cookie?”
Jacki only nodded and took one off the plate. She looked towards the neighbor’s yard not wanting Elvira to read the desire in her eyes. A moment later she turned her attention on the pond. The soothing sound of water trickled down the rocks.
Elvira spoke softly. “I love the little waterfall you made. It’s just how I pictured it.”
Jacki nodded her head, and glanced at her. “I’m glad.”
Elvira leaned back, setting her elbows against the rocks; she tilted her head back as if to catch the afternoon sun. “This is perfect, isn’t it?”
Elvira’s eyes were closed. Her lips slightly parted. Jacki wanted to kiss her. Elvira looked so...tempting... Suddenly, she sat up. “This is the last of it, isn’t it? You’re done today?”
Only a nod came from Jacki. She didn’t trust herself to speak.
Elvira looked directly into Jacki’s eyes. “Then we need to celebrate, don’t you think?”
Only a shrug of her shoulders responded.
Elvira grinned. She stood and brushed dry grass off the back of her shorts. “Well, I do.” She gazed up in the air and tapped her fingers on her chin, as if wondering what to do. “I’ll cook you dinner. Here, at seven.”
Jacki shook her head. “No, you don’t have to...”
“Shush,” Elvira said, placing her finger against Jacki’s lips. Her liquid eyes deepened in color. “I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” She turned to walk away, and quickly turned back again, facing Jacki. “Let me know when you are done today so I can pay you.” She smiled brightly and walked back to the house.
Jacki watched those elegant legs move and wondered what it would be like to run her tongue along the satin skin. Just the thought brought a sexual heat to her loins.
The next couple of hours moved ever so slowly and Jacki had a difficult time focusing on her tas
ks at hand. Finally she had everything loaded in her truck and double-checked the yard to make sure it was perfect. She stood back and looked at the pond. She walked to it and knelt down, adjusting a couple of the rocks in the waterfall. For a moment she pictured Elvira there again, head back to catch the sun, her face all aglow. “Enough,” she said to herself. Standing up, she walked to the back door, her insides tingling with anticipation. Jacki hesitated for a few seconds before she forced herself to knock. She stuck her fingers in her back pockets and tried to appear normal. Her heart beat a little faster. When Elvira opened the door, Jacki’s heart skipped a beat. Standing on the lower step, Elvira’s breasts were eye level to her. She glanced away quickly.
Elvira didn’t seem to notice. “All done?”
Jacki only nodded in response.
“Come on in.”
Jacki followed Elvira inside; however she lagged behind. Elvira went into the kitchen and brought back a check. “I am so happy with my yard. You’ve done a beautiful job.”
“Thank you,” Jacki replied, thinking, and I aim to please. She folded the check and turned to leave.
“Don’t forget about tonight.”
Jacki reached for the doorknob and turned, grinning. “Oh, I won’t, Elvira.”
* * * *
By six-thirty, Jacki had showered twice and changed clothes three times. She had just decided to leave early when her cell phone chimed. She saw it was Madison and answered it.
“What up?” Madison asked in her “gangsta” tone.
“Nothing much,” Jacki replied, contemplating telling Madison about the dinner date.
“Come on over, I’ll order pizza and we can watch the tube.”
“Ahhhh...
“You got somethin’ better to do?”
“Actually...
“Hey, you been holding out on me? Princess, Jacki’s standing us up tonight!” Madison faked irritation in her voice. “Who is it? What’s going on?
Jacki laughed. She knew she was going to be in so much trouble with Madison, in a fun way. “It’s that woman I did the landscaping job for.”
“The one with the pond? The hot one you were creaming your jeans about?”
Jacki laughed again. “Yes. That one. She invited me over for dinner.”
Madison giggled. “She is making the moves on you tonight, Baby!”
“Oh, I think it’s just a dinner because she’s happy with her yard.” Jacki tried to play down even her hopes.
“You call me tonight, afterwards, and tell me everything!” Princess barked in the background as if to emphasize she wanted to hear all the details as well.
* * * *
Roxy was going through the want ads in the paper when her cell chimed. The tune of “Never On A Sunday;” lyrics from the 60’s, chimed softly. Roxy picked it up, laughing. “Hi ya, cuz.”
“Hi, yourself. How are you these days?” Sunday asked.
“Oh, getting by. How’s your momma?”
“’Bout the same. Yours?”
“Hanging around Uncle Ned mostly.”
“How is the job hunting coming along?”
“Not too good. Today I interviewed for a latte stand and they wanted to know if I’d do something different with my hair and take some of the jewelry off my face.”
“I suppose you told them...where to go?”
“I told ’em I wasn’t applying for a Macy’s makeup girl and they said,” she mimicked a high pitched voice, “the girls who look the best get the bigger tips.”
“I don’t suppose you let it go at that?”
“No. I said, ‘the girls that get the big tips were the ones with the big tits! They don’t give a shit about my hair color or a ring in my lip.’”
“And...”
“The snotty girl said the interview was over and they would call me if they needed someone.”
“Not a chance, huh?”
“Nope. Not a snowball’s chance in hell.”
“I could ask Duffy if—”
Roxy’s laughter interrupted her. “I know you’re trying to help and all, but Duffy would just as soon pay one of those construction workers to run over me with a fork lift or worse yet, one of those rolling machines. Flatten me like a fuckin’ pancake.”
Sunday’s voice took on a serious tone. “I don’t think he dislikes you that much, Roxy.”
“Oh, maybe not. Besides, there’s an ad for cleaning an office at night. I’ll call about that in the morning. If no one has to look at me, it shouldn’t matter, right?”
“Roxy, you are a very pretty young woman.”
“It’s just the blonde, slash, red peaked hair, ring in the eyebrow and lip and nose, tattoos and nipple rings that turn people off, right?”
“You have nipple rings?”
“No, I was joking about that. Just wondered if you were paying attention.”
“You shouldn’t put yourself down like that.”
“Why not? Someone has to?”
“Oh, Roxy! You’re incorrigible!”
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t you put that stupid act on with me. I’ve known you too long. And...I’m picking you up tomorrow night about five.”
“What for?”
“I’m taking you out for dinner.”
“No. I’m not starving.”
“Then...we will go to Macy’s and find the makeup girl...”
“Dinner it is!”
Chapter 8
Jacki drove into Elvira’s driveway. Maybe I should have brought flowers. No, that may be too pretentious. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply; the anticipation of having dinner with Elvira sent shivers of excitement and nervous butterflies in her stomach. She hoped Elvira would approve of her new jeans and the light blue tank top she had picked out.
Jacki climbed out of her truck and walked up to the door. She hesitated before pushing the buzzer. When Elvira opened the door, her smile caused Jacki’s heart to pump just a little faster. She wore a tight fitted black bodice, low cut; and long, layered floor length skirt, black with green and brown leaves. The skirt was hypnotic.
“Come on in.” Elvira turned to let her enter the house. The movement caused the skirt to twirl; the pattern of leaves looked as if they were moving, falling from a soft fall breeze. She closed the door gently behind Jacki.
“You clean up pretty good,” she said, her eyes traveling up and down Jacki’s body. “Wine?” she asked, heading towards the kitchen.
“Yes, I guess. Sure.” Gee Jacki, that sounds intelligent. The faint smell of apricots and pineapple hung in the air.
Elvira poured them both a glass and handed one to Jacki. Turning, she motioned for Jacki to follow and led her to the sitting room. Jacki followed her obediently and sat across from her in the same chair she had sat in before. It was a familiar entity to her.
Elvira sat on the love seat and curled her legs under her. “I’ve had lots of compliments on the yard.”
Jacki nodded and gave a slight smile. “Good.”
Elvira laughed. “You’re not much of a talker, are you?” Her dark eyes sparkled.
Jacki grinned. “My close friends wouldn’t say that.”
“Really?” Elvira leaned back against the couch; her fingers touched her necklace. “Tell me about you friends.”
Jacki took a sip of her wine. She gazed to the ceiling for a brief second or two.
“I have two...no four best friends. Madison, Roxy, Sunday, who is also my cousin, and LP.” One more sip of wine. A deep breath. “We all grew up together here, in Clear Lake...”
* * * *
An hour later they were feasting on small morsels of deep fried breaded chicken, covered with a sweet pineapple/apricot glaze. Rice pilaf, tiny fresh carrots, and spinach salad finished the entrée. A small basket held hot whole wheat dinner rolls; a linen napkin covered the basket keeping the rolls warm while they ate.
Jacki eyed a glass dish on the table. “Is that raspberry jam?”
“Home made, Baby.”
Elvira grinned. She slid the basket and jam towards her.
“My favorite!” She tore the bun in two, spread a little butter, then a heavy layer of the thick red preserves.
A few moments later, Jacki placed her hands on her stomach. “I’m too full.”
Elvira laughed. “More wine?”
Jacki started to shake her head, quickly changing her mind. “Just a little more.” She glanced around the kitchen, noticing, like the rest of the house, everything was picture perfect. “Do you work?”
Elvira nodded. “I work from here. Mostly, I do medical dictations. It’s all done from the computer. I do some freelance editing too.”
“Oh. Interesting.” Think of something intelligent to say! “Do you have regular customers?”
“Yes. Several doctors, a couple of chiropractors.”
“And you like it?”
She smiled. “Sometimes it’s very interesting, although at times I feel like I’m eavesdropping in on people’s medical issues.”
“Probably more than you would care to know, huh?”
“Sometimes. However, I sign a confidentiality form, so it’s not like I talk to anyone about it.”
“Pays good?”
Elvira nodded. “Yes. Pretty good.” She stood up, picked up a couple of the dishes and carried them to the sink.
Jacki got up and began to help her. Together they cleaned the kitchen and filled up the dishwasher. Elvira closed the machine and turned it on. Jacki thought the evening had came to an end. She’s probably waiting for me to leave now.
“Thank you very much for the dinner, Elvira. It was delicious.”
“You are entirely welcome. But don’t go yet. I picked up a movie for us. I can’t remember the name of it, but it’s been advertised as a good action movie. You like those, don’t you?”
Jacki nodded, surprised and happy that her evening with this gorgeous woman wasn’t ending quite yet. A few minutes later they were engrossed in the movie, when Jacki noticed the big cat jump up on Elvira’s lap. Lucky dog.
Even though the movie was quite intense, Jacki found herself glancing to Elvira, noticing how she sat, and petting her fat cat. She wanted to remember everything about tonight. It was the last time she would see her.
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