Roxy cut him off. “It doesn’t work very well and it’s so heavy, it’s not very...” she searched for the word, “ergonomic.”
Charles blanched before he spoke. “I guess I better order a couple new vacuums then. I don’t want my star maid getting back problems.”
“Charwoman.”
“What?”
“In the unemployment office, the official name is “charwoman.”
“Huh. Who would have guessed that?”
Roxy smiled. “I’ll finish my time sheet and take off.”
“Roxy, thanks again.”
“Welcome.” She grinned and left.
Roxy drove to Madison’s house. They had their dinner date of pizza and the monthly budget to do. The first thing Madison asked was, “What the hell happened to your face?”
* * * *
The following day she was cleaning one of the rooms when Meredith walked in the room. “Roxy?”
Roxy looked up at her boss. Oh shit! “Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“Oh?”
“When Aunt Louise saw the bouquet she burst into tears! She said they were her favorite flowers. We never knew!”
Roxy shrugged; she didn’t know how to respond.
“You did a great job yesterday. Even Mr. Jensen said how professional you were.”
Roxy must have appeared perplexed, because she went on. “He told Charles when he first saw you, he was taken aback. But you were so professional and did all you could to make things right, he was pleasantly surprised. I had booked him for the wrong week. Not quite sure how I managed that, but I did. Anyway, I wanted to say thanks.”
Roxy nodded and waited until she turned to leave before she went back to making the bed.
Chapter 20
Madison sighed. Justin was coming over again tonight. They were hardly apart these days and it seemed too good to be true. He hadn’t said anything about the “L” word...and neither did she. However, lately she found herself day dreaming about him proposing, a wedding, and even children. She found herself on an emotional see-saw of wanting it to happen and reminding herself it wouldn’t. Too much heartbreak littered her past.
Justin brought a pizza over for dinner. While they ate, Princess whined a little before trotting to her cage to eat too. “Why don’t you spend the night at my house tomorrow?”
Madison finished chewing before she spoke. “I’ve got work Monday morning.”
“And?”
“I...just need to stay at home during the week. I have my schedule and I don’t want to wake up in a strange house.”
“My house isn’t strange.”
“You know what I mean.”
“It’s your OCD, right?”
“Right. I know exactly how long it will take to do my shower, fix my hair, get Princess fed. My morning routine.”
Justin leaned forward. “Are you saying you can never spend the night at my house during the week?”
She smiled in an apologetic manner and shrugged her shoulders.
“Then how are we supposed to move in together?”
Madison did a double take. “What?”
“We have a great time together, don’t we?”
“Yes.”
“Haven’t you thought about it...at all?”
Madison glanced away. “Yes, I suppose.”
“Madison...” Justin’s voice sounded soft and seductive.
She looked at him. He reached across the table and took her hand. “I want to wake up with you every morning. Will you think about it?”
Madison nodded; her eyes were closed to stop the wetness she felt in her eyes.
Her heart felt full of joy but her head brought negative thoughts. Her OCD enumerated on them. She shut them out by cuddling with Justin on the davenport while they watched the comedy. Later in bed, Justin’s lovemaking seemed especially attentive and caring.
* * * *
“So, what’s stopping you?” Roxy asked.
“Oh, the usual I suppose. What if he gets tired of me and leaves?”
“What if he doesn’t?”
“What if I let myself fall madly in love with him and he breaks my heart?”
“What if you do nothing and he gets tired of waiting for you?”
Madison put her hand to her face. “I’m scared.”
Roxy put her arm around her. “Life is too fucking short. Go for it! Besides, no matter what happens, you’ll still have me.”
Madison sighed. “Okay. I’ll tell him tonight.”
“You better, ’cause if you don’t, I will.”
* * * *
Madison called Justin later that evening. She chatted with him for a few minutes, hoping he’d bring the subject up again. He didn’t. Madison, determined to know if he had really meant it, spoke up. “Did you really mean what you were saying the other night? About us living together?”
“Of course I did.”
“I’ve been thinking about it. When did you want to move in?”
Justin laughed. “No go at my place, huh?”
“No.” Is he going to back down?
“Do I need to ask your daddy’s permission?”
“He’d say ‘yes’ anyway. He likes you.”
“I gotta talk to my landlord. I’ll probably have to give a months’ notice. But Matt has been looking for a place; maybe we could swing something and I could get out of here quicker.”
“We’ll have to talk over some things.”
“Oh. Bills and house work stuff?”
“Yes.”
“You make a list and we can go over them next time I come over. How about tomorrow?”
Madison laughed. “All right. I’ll put something together.”
“Hey, Madison.”
“Ya?”
“I...like you a lot.”
“Ya. Got that.”
* * * *
Madison had a difficult time trying to sleep that night. At fifteen minutes after midnight, she sat up and turned on her bedroom lamp. Princess lifted her head and blinked at her.
“He’ll have to bring his own dresser, you know.”
Princess continued to stare at her master.
Madison got up and opened the closet. “There’s not enough room in here for his clothes.” She got up and fixed a cup of chamomile tea. Princess had given up sleeping too, it seemed. She wandered out of the bedroom and lay down at Madison’s feet. “I hope he doesn’t expect me to cook for him every night.” She paused for a second, thinking. “I wonder when I should tell Dad.”
A while later she climbed back into bed. Princess cuddled beside her master. Madison placed her arm around her. “It’s going to be all right, isn’t it, Princess?”
Princess gave her an assuring lick on her face.
Chapter 21
Jacki speed dialed Elvira. She answered on the second ring.
“Yes, my dear?” She laughed.
“That job I had scheduled for this morning cancelled. What about going up in the hills for a picnic?”
“Now, that sounds romantic! Do I have much time to throw some food together, or would you rather stop at a deli?”
“Deli sounds great. This should be a relaxing day.”
“Want me to pick you up in the car?”
“Sure. I’ll grab a little wood in case we decide to have a small camp fire,” Jacki replied enthusiastically.
* * * *
An hour later they were driving along the South Skagit Highway. For the most part, the road followed the windy river. It was a beautiful drive. Large maple trees grew freely alongside the road. The highway curved around a few hills where waterfalls were not an unfamiliar sight. The car slowed to a stop when Jacki pointed out a heard of elk grazing in a field.
“They are beautiful animals, aren’t they?” Elvira asked.
Jacki nodded. “They look so tame, out there. It’s tempting to try to walk up to one of them.”
“What do you think would happen?”
“See the big bul
l out there with that huge set of antlers? He’d run me down and spear me, no doubt.”
Elvira shivered.
“I saw a video once, where the bull attacked cars getting too close to his herd.”
“Madison hunts those large animals?”
“Yes.”
Elvira sat quietly for a moment, watching the herd graze. The large bull raised his head and looked in her direction. “How can she kill something that is so...magnificent?”
Jacki shrugged her shoulders. “Killer instinct, I guess.” She pulled back onto the road and continued the drive. Minutes later, Jacki pulled off to the side of the road. Just ahead, a creek ran under a small bridge.
“Come on.” Jacki got out of the car and gathered their picnic items. “We can walk up the creek for a ways. I’ll come back for the kindling.”
It had recently rained. The ground was still damp, littered with wet fallen maple leaves. Green moss clung to the alders along the path that led to the rippling water.
“Is a fire safe?”
“A small fire is safe enough as long as you pay attention to what you’re doing and make sure it’s out before you leave.”
It didn’t take long before they had a small campfire going. Elvira rolled up her tan Capri slacks and waded out into the water. “It’s freezing!”
“It should be. It’s from melted glacier snow and ice.”
“Oh,” Elvira, replied, hugging her arms to her chest. She leaned down, staring onto the sparkling clear water. “Oh! A tiny fish!”
Jacki laughed. “Watch out for the periwinkles!”
Elvira met Jacki’s eyes. “What is a periwinkle?”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about it.” She waved.
Elvira’s eyes squinted. She looked back down at the water. Taking each step ever so carefully, she tip-toed out of the creek.
Jacki laughed. She stood up and took Elvira by the hand. “Let’s see if I can find one.” She walked slowly down the creek, stopping ever so often. Finally she stopped and squatted. As soon as her bottom touched the freezing water she cursed. “Damn that’s cold!” A minute passed while she continued to stare. Elvira watched Jacki reach into the water, picking up something. Jacki opened her hand.
“A tiny shell,” Elvira noted.
Jacki shook her head. “Watch it.”
Elvira stared at the shell for a moment. Slowly, tiny crab legs eased out and it began to crawl on Jacki’s outstretched palm.
“It’s like a little hermit crab!” Elvira said, laughing.
“Yes. Fisherman like to pull the little critters out of the shell and use it for fish bait.”
“How mean!”
Jacki laughed. She supposed she better keep other knowledge to herself. She remembered fishing with Big John, Madison’s dad, once. He had not only used the little maggot things he’d bought at the store, but bragged about keeping them warm...inside his lower lip. Gross! She glanced at Elvira. Some things were better off not being shared. She left Elvira to play in the creek while she got the cooking forks and started to roast a hot dog over the small open fire.
A few minutes later Elvira threw a table cloth over a large boulder, upon which she sat linen napkins and china plates.
Jacki shook her head. “A little oxymoron, isn’t it?”
Elvira placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. “This is supposed to be a romantic picnic, isn’t it?”
Jacki set the long metal fork against a rock, up away from the flames. She stood up and walked close to Elvira, placing her arms around her, whispering, “Any place with you is romantic.”
Elvira hugged her and stared deep into her eyes. “Thank you. Now, let’s eat. This fresh country air is making me hungry.”
Moments later, they stood by the large boulder, eating hot dogs, potato salad, and chips. Jacki cooked herself another frankfurter. Elvira passed. Jacki pointed up the creek. “There’s a pond up there.”
“Really?” Elvira exclaimed. “How far?”
“Oh, it’s been a while since I was there. Fifteen-twenty minute hike. It’s on up the hill.”
Elvira turned to Jacki, her eyes large and hungry with excitement. “Can we go now?”
Jacki shrugged her shoulders. “Sure. Let’s get everything put away and we’ve got to get this fire completely out. Help me pour water on it.”
Soon, they were on their way, walking a tiny path through the trees and brush.
“Watch out for those stinging nettles,” Jacki warned, pointing them out. Elvira stayed close behind Jacki, taking her cues. They stepped over thick tree roots, around wild black berry vines, and up and around a few large boulders. A sound of water was up ahead. When Jacki finally stopped, she was sweating. Elvira fanned her face. “Quite a hike!”
“Look.” Jacki pointed.
Elvira peeked around her lover. There, not twenty feet away, lay a small pond. Maybe four feet deep. Certainly large enough for two people. Three would definitely be a crowd. The water fall began on a cliff of rocks about fifteen feet high above the pond. The water was so clear; you could see the bottom of the pond like looking through glass.
Elvira slipped off her sandal and stuck her toes into the liquid. “My, it’s cold!”
Jacki laughed. “Too cold to skinny dip?”
Elvira glanced between Jacki and the water. “I’m game if you are.”
“I don’t believe you.” Jacki laughed, shaking her head.
At that, Elvira began to strip off her clothes and waded into the pool. She turned to Jacki.
“It’s... verrrry cold. Aren’t you coming in?”
“I bet that water’s colder than a witch’s tit on a Sunday afternoon.”
Elvira nodded. “It’s not so bad now.”
Jacki began to undress. “That’s only because your body is so cold, it’s numb.” Stripping off her underpants, she walked to the side of the pool and jumped in. Elvira screamed as the freezing water splashed in her face.
Jacki pushed Elvira’s wet hair away from her face, tilted her chin upwards and kissed her passionately. “You’re so beautiful. I can’t stand it.”
Elvira placed the tip of her finger on Jacki’s lower lip. “I love you, too.”
Jacki thought her heart would burst from joy. She placed her hand around Elvira’s and kissed the finger that touched her lip. “Come here,” she demanded; her voice husky with hunger. Elvira leaned into her, her mouth, slightly open; hot and inviting.
Jacki’s hand slid up Elvira’s back, entangling with her thick hair. Her lips caressed Elvira’s neck, teasing upward until she met her open mouth. Jacki bit down on Elvira’s plump bottom lip. Only a tinge of hurt, a lover’s bite. She moaned in response. A tidal wave of fluid heat washed through Jacki’s body. Roughly, she pulled Elvira to the edge of the water and laid her back against the grass. Her shapely legs dangled in the water. Jacki stepped in between. She felt weak in her knees as she lowered herself in the water, kneeling between her lover’s legs. At that moment, she was all encompassed by Elvira. There was no one else in the world; only the lovely creature in front of her.
* * * *
The women packed up their lunch items, promising each other to return to the special spot soon. Jacki headed down the highway towards home; however she braked at Gilligan Creek and turned left, up the hill.
“Where’s this take us to?” Elvira inquired.
“To the top of Clear Lake hill and over.”
“Really?” She pondered a minute before speaking. “There are so many back roads leading ever which way. Do you know them all?”
Jacki chuckled. “Most of the back roads in this area. Not so much in Mt. Vernon and out on the flats.”
“That’s where the tulip fields are?”
Jacki nodded. “Yep. Skagit Valley is world renown, I think, for their tulip fields. Maybe we’ll go out there next spring. It’s wild! Acres and acres of bright colors; reds, yellows, purple.”
“We have to go then!” Elvira laid her hand on Jacki’s th
igh.
The road curved up and around. They passed a few small farms, a couple of manufactured houses, and one place where an old trailer sat, unoccupied. They had just made it through another sharp curve in the road when Elvira yelled out, “Stop!”
Jacki nearly slammed on the brakes, wondering if a dog had run out into the road. “What?” Her heart was speeding up from the sudden adrenalin rush.
“There.” Elvira pointed to the top of a small knoll.
Jacki’s eyes followed where she was pointing. An old two-story house sat there. A FOR SALE sign laid on the ground, had evidently fallen over from a hard wind. “Ya?” What’s the deal?
“Can we get out and look at it?”
Jacki drove the car slowly up the driveway that perhaps once held gravel. Now, it was only packed dirt with pot holes. She maneuvered around the large ones and stopped the car. Elvira opened the door and ran up onto the old porch before Jacki had even gotten out of the car.
“You be careful up there. Those boards could be rotten and you could fall through.”
Elvira cupped her hands around her face, peering through the large window. “Check out those hardwood floors.”
Jacki followed suit, peering inside. She wasn’t impressed. “Those are old hardwood floors. That was so people didn’t have to walk on the dirt. The house was probably built before carpet was invented.”
Elvira stood up; she grabbed Jacki’s hand. “Let’s go around back. Maybe we can sneak in.”
Jacki sighed a breath of resignation and followed behind.
“Hurry!” Elvira encouraged enthusiastically.
It’s not like the house is going anywhere. “Okay.”
The back door had a screen door attached. Partially attached. When Elvira pulled on the handle, it swung awkwardly, being connected to only the top hinge of the door. The bottom hinge had given away to rust sometime before. “Ooops!”
“I said be careful. This place is probably booby-trapped.”
She turned the old metal door knob. “Ohhh. It’s locked.”
“Probably just stuck; move aside.”
Elvira moved. Jacki gripped the knob tight and shoved up against the door. There was only a creak of the wood, but it held fast. “Huh.” She stood back and eyed the back of the house. “You really want to get inside?”
(Don't Mess With) Clear Lake Women Page 13