It all began several years ago.
Now, before I get into my story, I'll tell you a little about me - not the why, just the who - why may explain itself.
I'm just a man. Nothing special about me; just in my middle sixties with a graying head and beard, glasses, and a bit of a pot belly. I retired before I hit sixty just because my body was tired of the physical demands of the job, and I had more than enough to be comfortable until Social Security kicked in. I've been married - once, and that lasted eighteen years but then we just mutually agreed it was over. No kids, no pets. My big hobby was fishing; mostly salmon, but halibut when I could, and rockfish if nothing else was going on.
When I retired I sold off the boat and got rid of all the trolling gear. Then I went looking for a car, well really cars - plural. The first one was an MGB; gold with black trim - and those damn rubber bumpers. What a pig. It didn't have the power to get out of its own way. The more I looked at it the less I liked it. So I sold it to a middle- aged gal that thought it was "cute".
The next car was a Triumph TR-6; much more power, a manly stance, and real, chrome, bumpers. I spent a lot of hours fiddling with that car, but it was fun trying to coax a couple more horses, or improve the cornering, or hell, just making the exhaust louder. Good times.
Then I went looking for the next car.
I had decided I wanted a mid-sixties Jaguar MK2 sedan. Four doors, lots of leather, and the XK 150 engine. Couple that to a four speed transmission and you had a car that lived up to the Jaguar motto: Grace Space Pace.
Now of course once I had settled on a particular model, well ... then I had to find the right car; something I could drive without worrying the paint might get a stone ding, but not so bad that I'd be ashamed to be seen in it.
It's amazing how few cars fell into the middle of all that. between early spring and late fall I probably looked at fifteen or so cars, and they were either trailer queens that had been through total restorations or cars so far gone that it would cost an easy forty grand to make them decent again. Sixty if I wanted show quality. Which I didn't.
In February I got a call from a John Womack, saying he'd heard I was looking for a MK 2 and he had his dad's car up for sale.
*******
I was driving through one of the older neighborhoods of Seattle, looking for the address Womack had given me when I saw a woman standing at a wrought iron fence bordering a Victorian style home, her back to the rain. There was no one else around. I'd glanced at her then switched back to looking at addresses when it clicked -that woman was naked! This was February in Seattle; there's no such thing as a warm rain, this was a cold drizzle that just made you feel miserable. I could only imagine what it felt like to someone nude.
Now ... I'm no hero. And I certainly wasn't looking for a distressed damsel. But a woman - especially a naked one standing in the rain must have needed help ... yeah, I pulled over to the curb, hopped out and walked the few feet to her.
I saw a leash tied to the fence and leading up to a collar locked around her throat. She could have untied herself and walked away! Instead she stood there; back to a cold rain, doing nothing.
I touched her elbow and she jumped in fright. She looked up at me then cowered to the end of the leash and held out a water streaked paper. It read: "This insolent slave is not worthy of my time. Anyone may take her. Use her anyway you wish. DOM."
The look in her eyes as she scanned my face was a combination of fear and submission. It was as if anything would be preferable to a cold February rain.
I untied her and led her by the hand to my truck. I put her in the passenger seat, pulled a blanket from behind it, wrapped her and turned the heat up. She began to shiver uncontrollably for several minutes as color returned to her face.
"What's your name?" No answer.
"Where do you live?" Again, no answer.
"Shall I call the cops?" This time her eyes got big and she shook her head.
"Where should I take you?"
This time in an almost whisper she answered; "I belong to you. You took my leash and now I am your slave."
Need I mention I wasn't looking for slaves?
While she sat in my pickup, I considered the possibilities: I could take her to the cops; given her nakedness that might not be very pleasant for her. A women's shelter? I didn't have a clue where I might find one. Give her the blanket and twenty bucks and drop her at the nearest bus stop? She said she had nowhere to go.
That left me. As she said - she belonged to me. I didn't know what I'd do with her; maybe just make sure she was healthy, had some clothes and send her on her way. But I damn well couldn't just leave her at the curb.
"Listen, I don't know about this slave business, and I'm up here to look at a car, so why don't we do this; ride with me while I find the address and look the car over, then we'll talk about your problem. If I have to, I'll take you home and get you some food and warm clothing. Okay?"
"Yes Master."
"And knock off the master stuff, I'm just a guy. My name is Mike, Mike Miceli. Okay?"
"Yes, Mas ... Mike ."
"Now, what is your name?"
"I once was named Jessica, but now I'm just slave or Bi ..."
That's when I cut her off. "No more of that. Jessica huh? Okay, Jessica it is."
*******
I found Womack's place a half mile up the street, apologized for being a bit late and asked to see the Jaguar. Jessica stayed in the truck, the engine running to keep her warm.
The car was exactly what I wanted - dark green with a tan interior, all the wood and leather in very good shape but with a patina that implied 'never restored'. A four speed with overdrive was mated to the 3.8 litre engine, the engine bay probably as clean as the day it left the factory. The car was spotless in and out and had all the tools and manuals.
We talked price for a while, and even though I could tell he wasn't anxious to sell, the fact I promised to care for it as well as his dad eased his mind.
I wrote a check on deposit, and arranged to do the paper work and final payment in a few days.
*******
My home isn't big by modern standards: living room/dining room, kitchen, den, three bedrooms and two baths - all on one floor. More than plenty of room for me, adding Jessica wasn't going to crowd me much at all. I pointed to the second bedroom back, and told Jessica it was hers.
Damned if she didn't start crying!
"Now what?"
"I ... I thought you would have me sleep in your room. I don't need much, I'll just sleep at the foot of the bed."
"Why?" I was totally at a loss that anyone would sleep on the floor instead of a bed.
"That is my proper place."
"Um, noo ... I told you; you are not a slave here. You're just here until I find somewhere for you to go."
She didn't say a word, but as low as her shoulders had been, they dropped even further and another trail of tears ran down her cheeks.
"Do you think I buy into that whole slave thing and you belong to me?"
"You took my leash."
"Yeah so?"