Kim Steele was a class sensitive woman. Her disappointment with her husband James only increased during their six year marriage. Walking quickly up the wide stone path leading to the once elegant home, she knew where the real money was. John Carruthers, sixty-eight years old, her husbands grandfather.
Looking at the once proud estate, she wondered why he would allow the property fall into such disarray. James claimed his grandfather lost interest after his wife and daughter, James’s mother, died in a plane crash almost ten years before. Kim was not so sure. Opening the top two buttons on the Egyptian linen blouse she wore, she dropped the weather stained knocker twice. As she surveyed he property, making several decisions on how she would improve it, the worn door opened. She was surprised when a powerfully built man answered dressed in a hospital whites.
“Good afternoon. You must be Mrs. Steele. My name is Jacob.”
She nodded her head, disregarding the large hand extended to her.
“Mr. Carruthers is expecting me.”
He stepped to the side letting her enter the long, dark hallway.
“First door on the left.”
With out a word, she strode down the hall and peeked inside the sitting room. Seeing the old man waiting, she threw the door open.
“Grandfather Carruthers!”
Smiling broadly, Kim swept across the aged carpet, kissing him on the cheek.
“Hello Kim, it’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too Grandfather. Shall we visit in the library today?”
“Of course, of course. I know how you love that room.”
Moving behind him to take control of the wheelchair, she looked down at his thinning hair and grimaced. She only liked the library because it was the cleanest room in the house, at least what she had seen of it. He still conducted business there. Someday, she would see the rest of this house. The sooner the better as far as she was concerned.
They started chatting about James as she guided him down the hall. Reaching the oak doors, she opened them both before pushing him inside. Letting the chair ease to a stop, she closed them before positioning him behind the ornate walnut desk.
“Do you mind if I open the drapes and let some light in Grandfather?”
He nodded his head, his steel blue eyes moving over her quickly. With a knowing smile, she paraded to the window and dragged the hunter green material open. She saw something dart into the neglected gardens that surrounded the decaying pool. Quickly turning away, she shivered as the light exposed a fine layer of dust that covered the elegant wood and leather bound books. Inhaling softly, she clasped her hands behind her back before wandering back toward him. Perching on the corner of the desk, she crossed her legs, letting an expensive leather pump dangle from her toes.
“How are you feeling Grandfather?”
She bent towards him to adjust the expensive robe she had gotten for him at Christmas making sure he had a generous view of her breasts. He shook his head before looking away from her.
“I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
Kim slid off the desk and knelt beside him. She took his hand and pressed it against her cheek.
“What’s wrong Grandfather Carruthers?”
He looked down at her sky blue eyes, wide with concern.
“I am told I have cancer my Dear.”
She gasped before kissing his hand and looking up at him.
“When... How…?”
“My last visit to Doc Winters.”
She tried to force a tear from her eye.
“What can we do Grandfather?”
“You and James, nothing. I know you both are to busy. John was over last week and sent Barbara to visit on Tuesday.”
Kim bit her lip, concerned about Barbara and her brother in-law John. John had always been his favorite.
“I will resign my committee assignment from the museum Grandfather. That way I can spend more time with you.”
He patted her hand.
“No need for that. Barbara is going to be here more often now.”
Kim stiffened. Barbara, the good wife and mother of his only great grandchild was now volunteering to help?
“That is odd. She never had the time before?”
He nodded his head and smiled at her. Kim saw was something in his eyes.
“I think my grandson might be worried about my money. You and John have always had that in common. ”
Kim felt the warmth coloring her face.
“I’m not complaining. I enjoy the way you carry on around me.”
She saw his eyes move along her legs to the hem of the tweed skirt she was wearing.
“I knew it the first time I met you Kim. Holding on to James the way you did, laughing at his jokes…”
He looked up, straight into her dampening eyes.
“The way you look at this house and the things in it when you visit once a month and play butter the old fool up. Like today. The short skirt and open blouse, making sure I get a little peek at your tits or a nice view of these legs.”
She felt his hand settle on her knee.
“Grandfather!”
He chuckled as she shifted her legs away from him.
“Have it your way Kim. We both know James will never get any further with Steed and Macmillan. How long do you think he’ll last after I’m gone?”
She knew the answer to that.
“I-I can not believe your talking like this to me.”
She slid off the desk before smoothing her skirt.
“I love James and…”
He laughed. Kim felt the anger building in her chest.
