I met an old friend of the family one Saturday afternoon, while shopping for odds and ends at the local mall. We spent some time catching up since we last saw one another, and eventually the conversation turned to work. Greg owned a swimming pool business of average but profitable size; his clients were mostly well-off, and trusted him as a lifelong resident of the community. At the time, I was working in an office, and wanted to make some extra capital during the summer. Greg offered me a part-time job cleaning pools, and the next weekend he was training me at various clients' homes. The work was simple enough, as most of his clients had expensive and top of the line filtration and heating systems installed. They paid more for the stature of having someone clean their pool, as opposed to simply taking the odd leaf out on their own.
On the third Saturday that I worked alone, Greg called me in a little earlier than usual. I arrived at his office, and made coffee. We sat down, and he explained a new assignment that I was going to handle.
"We have an account," he began, "It is...special. Christine Ashton. She has been on vacation the past several weeks, which is why you haven't been sent to her home yet. But today, she has returned, and she has her pool serviced at 10:00 am sharp every Saturday."
I smiled and nodded. "Ok. Not a problem. May I ask what makes her special?"
"Well, she invited me to join a business venture several years back. It turned out extremely well for us, and my inclusion was more of a favor on her part. Since then, I have offered our services free of charge to her. She is a very kind and pleasant woman, but also very precise and exacting. She will not tolerate less than perfection, and I make it a personal point to make sure she gets that perfection. I'm assigning you to her account; your work has been exceptional and complimented often. Understand that I'm trusting you with something very important to me."
I finished my coffee and got up to leave.
"Oh," he started as I headed out. "Are you handy?"
I looked at him quizzically.
"You know, with hammers, gardening, that sort of thing," he said.
"I'm no plumber or electrician," I chuckled. "But I can hang a picture or pull weeds, if that is what you mean."
"Yes, exactly," he replied. "She sometimes needs those things done. It is never anything major, but I like to accommodate her. She will tip you well if you handle things to her liking."
Off I went, making it a point to arrive fifteen minutes early at her home. I had built up an image of an elderly, rich woman that had made her fortunes with saavy and precision. I figured it would benefit me to please her, which would in turn please my pockets. I grabbed some gear from the van, and just as I approached her front door, it opened.
"Good morning, Jason," she smiled. I was stuck for a reply. She stood about 5'10", weighing roughly 130 lbs., and in all the right places. Flowing red hair silouhetted an angelic face that burned through me with sky-blue eyes. An extra open button at the top of her white blouse revealed the beginning of a generous and shapely bosom. Her thin waist cascaded into full and curvy hips, which in turn slid down to elegant but firm thighs and calves. The simple floral patterned skirt draped around her legs beautifully. I quickly found her eyes again, and judged her to be about forty years old. Later conversations confirmed my suspicions. She was stunning and sexy all at once, and finally I found my tongue.
"Good morning, Ms. Ashton." I tried my best casual smile, thinking it genuine enough as it spread across my cheeks.
"Please, call me Christine," she smiled again, and I felt warm in all sorts of places. I followed her into the house, which was large and tastefully decorated. We arrived in the stately backyard, and I began to set up my gear.
"Greg tells me you are his best worker," she started. "He also says you are an old family friend." Her eyes regarded me heavily for confirmation or denial, and I became a bit intimidated. It was both physical and mental; physically, at 5'4", 145 lbs. slender but fit, and of average looks and cleancut, I felt overwhelmed by her beauty. Mentally, because I knew this meant a lot to Greg, and I genuinely didn't want to let him down. I also took pride my work, regardless of the task at hand.
I explained our family ties, and humbly deflected the "best worker" compliment. She smiled again, and it seemed more relaxed.