Thursday, I woke at 5:30 refreshed and eager to get to work where I could stop thinking about Amelia. By the time I reached the office, Iād ratcheted my work mode up to a new height and attacked my work. I went non-stop to 7:30 before calling it a day. Having purposely worn myself out, I retired early and was asleep immediately.
Friday was a repeat of Thursday until mid-afternoon. I left the office, taking a walking break to clear my head. When I returned, Iād a voice mail message from Amelia inviting me to her house in the suburbs tomorrow at 4:00 PM. I knew the area of her home from my map, but wrote down the detailed directions she gave. Wanting to her real voice, I tried calling her back but got her answering machine.
Saturday, I managed to find enough errands and chores to keep me busy until it was time to leave. The drive out was uneventful and I turned onto Ameliaās road ahead of schedule. I slowed down for the final leg of my trip with the road winding through huge wooded estates. High brick walls or wrought iron fences limited my view of the residences. Some were set back so far off the road they werenāt visible.
I found Ameliaās and easily negotiated entry through her security gate. An older Hispanic-looking maid met me at the door and, using broken English, led me through the house to a swimming pool in back of the massive home. She seated me at a table shaded by an umbrella and went back inside.
I waited, enjoying the pleasant summer day, the secluded quiet and admired the wall of tall trees where the manicured lawn ended. From the map Iād studied, I guessed the woods beyond had to be the start of a large forest preserve. Living and working in the city as I did, Iād forgotten the peace and privacy offered by rural areas.
About fifteen minutes later, I heard a noise. Expecting Amelia, I turned towards the house where itād come from. Wearing a short white terry cloth swim cover, she walked towards me. As she neared, I though the bright sunshine was affecting my eyes. She looked and walked like Amelia, but appeared to be fifteen years younger! Blinking didnāt change what I was seeing. My mouth dropped open in amazement. She halted, standing before me and said, āHello, Garrett.ā
I stared up in stunned disbelief. I knew The Fountain of Youth was a legend. Also, if a way to reverse the aging process it would have had to been reported in the media and Iād have read about it. What my eyes beheld, my mind knew wasnāt possible. Sheād Ameliaās body, her hair, her eyes and her face. Her mouth formed the exact same amusing smile of Ameliaās. I muttered, āWho? How? What?ā
The young Amelia giggled and extended her hand to say, āIām Cassandra, Ameliaās younger sister. Everyone calls me Casey.ā
It took a few seconds to sink in and unfreeze my body. Waiting for me to take her out stretched hand, she again giggled and continued, āJust about everyone is surprised at how much Amelia and I are alike. But, youāre the first Iāve met to be shocked speechless.ā
I sprang up in finally being able to take her hand, āIām sorry. Amelia never mentioned sheād a sister. The two of you look so much alike I couldnāt believe my eyes. Iām very happy to meet you, Casey.ā
After our handshake ended, our hands stayed joined while we studied each other. She broke the silence, āNice to meet you too, Garrett. Amelia described you as handsome. I see what she meant.ā
āThanks for the compliment. Iāll remember to thank Amelia when she gets here. Will she join us soon?ā
āNo, sheās not here.ā
āNot here?ā
āShe said youād probably be disappointed and asked me to explain why. This might take a while. Itād be best if we both sat down.ā
In taking our chairs, we both heard the sound of the rear door closing from the house. It was the maid carrying a tray with two glasses on it. Casey said, āI asked Maria to bring us two gin and tonics, Garrett. I thought it might help if you had a drink in hearing what Iām going to tell you.ā
I was both puzzled and disheartened. As soon as the maid set my drink on the table, I took a full swig then asked, āWhereād Amelia go?ā
āShe took an early morning flight to Europe and will be there for three months.ā
āThree months?ā I was sure my disappointment on my face.
āYes. She only decided to leave yesterday. Sheād something to tell you and didnāt want you to hear it over the phone. Since the two of us are very close, she called me, explained her problem and asked me to take her place. I agreed to take her place and tell you in person.ā
āHow much did Amelia tell you about the two of us?ā
āIf youāre asking whether I know that the two of you were intimate, the answer is yes. It was one of the reasons I agreed to meet you. She wanted you to know that itās also one of the main reasons she thought it best to go away for a while.ā
āHow so? I donāt understand.ā
āAmelia thought you might. She wanted you to know she thought you were a wonderful person. She trusts you as her broker and admires you even more for the person that you are. As much as she enjoyed being with you, she knew she wasnāt right for you - the woman you needed. Amelia was afraid that, if she kept seeing you, sheād wind up hurting you.ā
Casey gave me time to absorb what sheād said, waiting for and watching me quietly. We both took a few sips of our drinks in the silence before I spoke, āYou can tell Amelia thanks for me. Tell her Iāll miss her and that, although its kind of hard to take now, deep down I know sheās right.ā
I drained my glass, stood and offered my hand saying, āAnd thank YOU Casey for volunteering to be Ameliaās messenger. I guess I should be going now.ā
Holding on to my hand, she stammered back, āNo, wait! Can you stay a while? Youāve come all the way out hereā¦only to hear some disappointed newsā¦the weatherās perfect for sitting outside andā¦Iām here alone with the servants. I could use some companyā¦the cook can fix us something for dinnerā¦we could eat dinner out here.ā
First thinking Caseyās invitation only a sympathetic gesture offered due to the message sheād delivered, I almost declined. But, her tightening grip and the expression on her face changed my mind. I sat back down saying, āIād like that. Itās been so long since Iāve been out of the city; Iād forgotten how good it feels to get away. Sitting out here, with such a gracious hostess, is a special treat for me.ā
She giggled gleefully, released my hand slowly in excitingly replying, āGood! Can I get you another drinkā¦some wineā¦an appetizerā¦or dinnerā¦John, the cook makes a wonderful Cobb salad.ā
I smiled at her bubbly, rapid flow of words in trying to guess what Iād like. Caseyās demeanor was so unlike her older sister, it terminated my confusing train of thought brought on by their nearly identical appearances. Having been lover to the present day Amelia, it was possible sheād once had the youthful exuberance of Casey. But, the Amelia I knew was so overpoweringly confident of getting whatever she desired, I couldnāt even imagine her being like Casey in her youth.
Having weathered my initial shock and the disappointing news, it slowly dawned on me how fortunate I was to meet both sisters. It was a unique experience to know two equally attractive women with a genetically shared beauty. Their age difference and their contrasting personalities roused my curiosity in an odd, yet intriguing way. I responded, āIād like another drink, will pass on the appetizer for some wine with a Cobb salad later ā thank you.ā
āGood!ā She exclaimed, popping out of her chair with another gleeful giggle. I watched her walk over to an inter-com mounted on a pole about 10 feet away and press a call button. The maid answered and Casey said, āMaria, weāve a dinner guest. Please bring us two more drinks for right away. Tell John to put a bottle of that white wine I like on ice and make up two of his wonderful Cobb salads for our dinner. When the wine and salads are ready, bring them out.ā
āYes, Ms. Casey.ā Maria replied. I never took my eyes off her as she returned. I admired her long, shapely legs showing beneath her swim cover and caught a few glimpses of something red she was wearing underneath. I guessed it to be a bikini sheād worn while sun tanning, swimming in the pool or both before I arrived.
She settled back into her chair asking, āGarrett, howād you become a stockbroker?ā
āIāll answer that and any other questions you have on the condition youāll answer any questions I have about you.ā