The uniformed guard gave a wave through the iron gate, the limousine slowly weaved its way up the clean cobblestone road, cutting through the thick well manicured greenery and trees. Enjoying the ride, Kimberly peered through the tinted window thinking how she loved this place. She never got over the Manor, recalling the last time she was here, she loved it and never forgot. Looking at the beautiful scenery her mind drifted to what led to this point.
*****
The two women sat at a table near the window of the trendy restaurant, one blond the other a brunette. Both in their late thirties, wives and mothers. Neither liked entering middle age, they fought it by staying reasonably fit and stylishly dressed. Once professional women with fulfilling careers before their reproduction instincts took over and put having children first in their lives, forsaking the corporate world to their husbands. Being old friends going back to high school, they occasionally got together for an afternoon drink, whenever their schedules allowed.
"Lisa, is it wrong to like the kids to go back to school?"
The brunette said as they both laughed.
"It has been a long summer hasn't it, Kim?"
The waiter took their afternoon margarita orders. They laughed and giggled about stories of domestic lives, children, substandard school teachers, and their latest finds on shopping excursions.
"What's that on your arm, Lis?"
Kimberly asked inquisitively.
Lisa automatically quickly pulled the cuff of the sleeve over her wrist, covering the line of circle marks.
"Oh that, Daniel playing with his dart gun, likes to leave little suction cup marks all over the house, including me."
She pulled her sleeve up to reveal a row of perfect little round circles that disappeared under the sleeve of the blouse.
"Oh, I know what you mean, kids will be kids."
Lisa laughed lightly, then pulled the cuff down to cover the marks. The two women talked and drank for a while more then the conversation turned to the Manor.
"I attended charity event at the Manor, that house is gorgeous, I love it!" Kimberly exclaimed.
"Yes, it's nice." Lisa replied, looking down into her drink.
"How did you ever get into that crowd, I hear its very exclusive."
"You have to be recommended by a member, then chosen."
"Are you a member?"
"Yes."
They sat in a sudden silence. Kimberly was obviously waiting for her friend to continue the conversation that would lead to a recommendation. Finally Lisa looked up from the drink.
"Look Kim, its not what you think. Its more than hosting fund raisers for rich people, The Manor Lord is very demanding."
"Manor Lord?" A puzzled look came across Kimberly's face.
"Whats his real name?"
"I don't know, everyone calls him Sir, Lord, or Manor Lord. I don't know his real name. Manor Lord just seems natural to his..." Lisa stopped in mid sentence seemingly not sure what to say.
Kimberly broke the awkward silence. "I need something to do while the kids are in school."
"Its not a part time job or a hobby, its a real commitment and things can get a little, how do I say it?" Lisa furrowed her eye brows, searching for the right words, obviously not comfortable with the subject. "Weird." Was all she could say.
"Weird, how?" Kim replied with curiosity.
"Kim, are things good with Brad?"
Kim looked away for a time, then back to her friend.
"If its not work, golf, or the sports channel on television, he's not interested."
The two women sat in silence looking into their drinks. Finally Kimberly broke the silence.
"Please, I need something to keep me from going insane from this rut." Almost whispering.
"Well..." Lisa looked at Kimberly,
"You know what they say, a rut is nothing more than a coffin with the top and bottom kicked out. I'll see what I can do, but its not up to me, no guarantee."