"I've got an important project for you Rebecca," Mrs. Stone said.
Finally, a real project, Rebecca thought. She had accepted a job as Mrs. Stone's PA after becoming unemployed. The pay was good. The hours were horrible. And Mrs. Stone was very demanding. Most managers didn't expect to work personal assistants like they did in the old day. But, Mrs. Stone did. She wanted coffee. She wanted her dry cleaning picked up. Lunch picked up. And on and on. Rebecca was a college graduate. She made 60K per year at her last job...before she was laid off. She wanted a challenge, not to be some sort of glorified go-for.
"Yes, ma'am," Rebecca said eagerly. She had her blackberry in hand and was ready for something a but more challenging. An actual project. Wow. Maybe she could do some editing or even write an article.
"It's homecoming week," Mrs. Stone said. "And my daughter is going. I don't trust kids these days. You should see what they were showing on 20/20 last week. Anyway...I'm putting her in your hands. I want you to chaperone."
Oh no. No no. "I'm sorry Mrs. Stone, but I already have plans for Friday night. I'm going out of town with my fiancee Mark this weekend."
"Well, you'll just have to cancel." Mrs. Stone said. "Besides, I'll pay a rosy bonus. There are no no's here. You will chaperone. If you don't want to work for me, you can find someone else to do the job, but you will be doing this on Friday night."
Rebecca wanted to tell the old bat to go to hell. To fuck herself. She also knew all about Mrs. Stone's idea of a rosy bonus....ten or twenty dollars. But she needed the job. And the insurance. She swallowed her pride once again. "I-I'll do it."
*************
On Friday night, Rebecca pulled up to the expensive house in her blue Corolla. She felt sorry for Mrs. Stone's daughter. The poor girl going with a chaperone. She could only imagine what it might be like living with a controlling battle ax like Mrs. Stone. She walked up to the expensive house and rang the doorbell.
A few moments later it was opened by a balding man with darting fearful eyes.
"You must be the chaperone," he said. "Please come in."
Even before Rebecca entered, she could hear the screaming.
"I will not have a chaperone! You can go to hell!" screamed a shrill voice.
"Yes you will," said Mrs. Stone's familiar voice. "Or you'll be staying here. No game. No parties. And no trouble."
"Fuck you!"
"You will not use that type of language young lady," Mrs. Stone said.
"Fuck you fuck you fuck you!" she screamed louder. "And fuck your chaperone too."
"You better go." Mr. Stone whispered. "It will just get worse if you keep them waiting."
Rebecca noticed he stayed hidden in the foyer while she walked in to the living room.
"Oh Jesus!" said the young blonde, pointing at her with an accusing finger. "Is that her? Look at her. She's fucking old! What is everyone going to say?"
I'm only 29 Rebecca thought, but kept her mouth shut.
"She's a young thing," Mrs. Stone said. "She's 23 or 24 I think. Anyway, she's going to be your chaperone and that's final."
"I'm eighteen mom!" the young girl said. "I don't need a fucking babysitter!"
"Yes you do. Just tell people she's your cousin from the East Coast," Sharon suggested.
"And she just happened to want to go to a dance," the young girl said. "Without wearing a party dress...she'll look like a retard. And I'll look like someone who hangs out with retards!"
Mrs. Stone cast Rebecca an accusing glance. "I told you it was a party. Where is your dress?"
Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. "I did dress." And truly she did. It was suitable for the sort of occasions she would go to.
The young girl seized her her weakness. "She can't go like that mom. She can't. She looks like an old bag. An old office bag."
Mrs. Stone looked from one to the other. Then back to the one who didn't fight back. She took out $100 from her purse and handed it to Rebecca. "Make it happen." she said.
Gwen snatched the bill from her fingers. "$100?" she demanded. "What the fuck can she buy for $100 mom? Your purse costs 5 times that."
"Never mind my purse young lady," Mrs. Stone said. "Digging into her purse she fished out 3 more bills."
Gwen shook her head and kept out her hand until it was joined by two more fifties.
"Okay," Gwen said. "That'll have to do. And I guess you will to." Rebecca glanced up and down the young PA, and then she put the money that was destined for Rebecca in her tiny Coach purse and walked outside.
"And you," Mrs. Stone said to Rebecca. "You better make sure nothing happens tonight as far as my daughter is concerned. Or being fired will be the least of your worries." She went outside to meet Gwen, who was now on the phone.
"....I heard about your troubles. Listen, you will not believe what my mom has done. It's horrible, I'll tell you all about it when we get there. Yes, we. I've not only got you a date, but I've got money for anything you might need. Are you up for it? Yes, she's pretty. We'll swing by and pick you up. And we'll be early. I owe you a big one. But I think you'll like this in the end. Ciao."
Gwen put the phone in her purse and then tossed Rebecca her keys. "We are not driving that piece of shit." she said.
Rebecca took the keys. Her car wasn't a piece of shit. It was a perfectly serviceable vehicle. Sure it wasn't nice like Gwen's car, but Rebecca didn't have Gwen's rich mom to rely on either.
"I'm not sure about this date business I heard you talking ab out on the phone," Rebecca said. "I'm supposed to be your chaparone, not your friend."
"Look," Gwen said. "You can forget all about ruining my homecoming night. I mean forget it bitch....I will fuck you so bad you want be able to walk for a week. Now, you are going to be my cousin from Boston. And I'm setting you up on a date."
"I can't go with a date," Rebecca said. "See - I'm engaged."
"Sush," Gwen said. "Everything is under control. It won't be anything like that. I've got you a girl date to hang out with. Now give me that ring."
"Well...." Rebecca said. "I guess that will have to do." It wasn't a real date at all. Just someone to hang out with. And it was a girl, so she wouldn't get the wrong idea. Actually, things were looking up. But the ring. No, she couldn't just hand it over. Not to someone so irresponsible and crude. She took it off and put it in her purse. They picked up Gwen friend, Lisa and then went to the mall to shop for homecoming dresses for Lisa and Rebecca. Gwen ushered the two girls into a dressing room, and said. "Go ahead and get undressed, I'll bring over some gowns for you to try on."