We arrived at Chloe's double wide trailer late in the afternoon. It was always chaotic around her place. There were was a white picket fence that had last been painted five years ago. I know that because I painted it the week that I first met her.
There were various shapes and designs hanging from the fence. Near the front gate there was a purple crescent moon. Next to that there was a shooting star. On the other side there was a Christian cross hung upside down. There were chickens running around in the front yard that was basically brown dirt with a few random patches of brown grass. Throughout the yard there were random items like a plastic pink flamingo standing crookedly on one leg. There were also several scarecrow-looking creatures on wooden poles wearing black bowler hats. One of them was wearing a black sweater of mine that I had left with her several years ago.
We entered through the gate and walked up to the front door and knocked. As many times as I could remember being here, I do not ever remember her actually answering her door. As usual, the door was unlocked and we went in. As rustic and odd as the outside of her house appeared, the inside was entirely normal. For one thing, it was spotlessly clean and neat. For another, there was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary save for a very large and oddly shaped crimson crystal bowl that sat on the center of her dining room table. I called out her name as we stepped into the house and shut the door behind us.
I heard a murmuring of voices from down the hall to our right. The voices became louder for just a moment. I could clearly hear Chloe speaking to what sounded like another woman.
"I think that he is here right now." She was quiet for a moment and then I heard her say "I know. Yes, she is with him. I know what to do."
I heard quiet talking from the other woman but I could not make out what she said. Then I heard a door open and footsteps come from down the hall.
Chloe appeared to be startled when she saw us standing there. "Chas...do you make yourself welcome at the house of every woman you visit?" She was fastening a simple white and orange cotton dress that buttoned up the front as she walked. As usual, I doubted that she was wearing anything underneath.
I studied her intently for just a second to try to read if she was serious or not. She noted my consternation and broke into a wry smile. "I hope you know that you are going to get shot by someone, someday that is not as understanding as I am. Or perhaps from a heartbroken and angry husband? You are lucky that I adore you as much as I do."
She walked up to Loren. "Hi honey, you must be Loren. I am so very excited and happy to meet you." She was almost a foot taller than Loren, and leaned down and kissed her on top of her head after placing her hands on Loren's shoulders.
Loren had not said a word since we arrived at the house. She stepped back slightly from Chloe and I could see she was gathering her courage.
"I am pleased to meet you, too. We have a...lot going on right now. Chas has told me so much about you and that maybe you can help us." She stopped for a moment and looked straight into Chloe's eyes. "I have to say that you look nothing like I expected." Loren looked over at me as she said this, as if looking for confirmation.
Chloe did look different, but I was used to that. Her appearance was different every time I saw her. Today I would put her age at around 40. Her eyes were violet instead of green, and I did not remember her being this tall. The eyes could have been due to contacts and the height perhaps from the platform wedges she was wearing. The age appearance could be a trick of the light or perhaps just a new cosmetic treatment. However, it looked like she had breast enhancement surgery performed sometime recently. I may have been a little fuzzy on some details but I never forgot a cup size, especially of breasts that I had sucked on for hours. Today she was a full "D" instead of her usual "C".
There was an awkward silence as I was trying to think of what to say. I remembered telling Loren that Chloe was at least 65.
Chloe saved me from embarrassing myself by laughing loudly and saying "Honey, He probably told you I was an old hag with tits drooping down to my belt. And I wouldn't blame him for saying that. You are just as beautiful as he described you, and I certainly wouldn't want you feeling threatened by the likes of me." She took Loren by the hand and led her over to the dining room table. She pulled out a chair for Loren and when she was seated she pointed me to a chair across from her.
Chloe walked into the kitchen and brought back a pot of tea and three small mugs before seating herself at the head of the table. She poured tea for the three of us and we all took a sip. Loren's hands were not shaking at all. Chloe reached to the center of the table and flicked one of her black painted nails against the crimson bowl. It rang softly with a protracted, soothing note. The she touched the bowl and the sound was extinguished.
Chloe swirled her tea in her cup and addressed Loren in a firm voice. "Chas is a scoundrel, but he is also a gentleman and the second kindest person I have ever met. He can also fuck like a stallion, but I'm sure you already know about that!"
I almost spit up my tea when she said that. I started coughing uncontrollably as the last sip I had taken trickled down my windpipe. Chloe laughed loudly with her head back. Loren was just staring at Chloe with eyes wide open.
Chloe turned to me and said "Relax, lover. I gave her some special tea. She is having a wonderful little daydream right now so that we can talk in private."