Thanks again to my patient editor, Kenji Sato.
(Fiona's story)
My hand was still in my panties, and my bum on the floor, as Gail opened the door to the kitchen. Luckily, there was no view down the hall that led to her bedroom... where I had just watched her and Tom fuck. Well, I watched a vision of them fucking; clearly, Gail was out shopping and... Tom?
I got to my feet and made it to the bathroom, closing the door. I washed my hands... I was shy enough not to want Gail to smell pussy on my hands. Funny thing, I was not sexually attracted to Gail; but I liked her more than Lucinda. I could sense a woman in pain, lonely, in mourning, sexually frustrated; but not a hint of scheming or insincerity.
"Fiona...?"
"In the bathroom, Gail."
"I am so sorry... I was so intent on running off to get groceries, I never asked what you would like for supper, tonight; never mind, what would you like for breakfast?"
"Oh, Gail..." I open the bathroom door to keep from yelling, "It's okay. I am pretty much an omnivore." I finished wiping my hands and walked to the kitchen to help Gail unpack the groceries.
"Fiona, you don't have to do that, you're my guest."
"Gail, if I help you put the groceries away I can make myself some snacks or breakfast without bugging you about where the peanut butter is."
Gail laughed a pleasant comradely laugh, "Well that makes sense. I like cooking dinner for folks; but I was going to warn you, for breakfast and lunch you are on your own. I might fly out of the house on any silly errand, just to get out; not that I am running away from you Fiona. Sometimes... I just need to get out."
I smiled back at her, as one does to a friendly older woman who is not a prospective bed partner; but also, NOT a bossy bitch. Any apprehension I had about staying here faded. This, so far... at least, seemed a friendly and cozy situation, without being suffocating.
Gail and I spent most of the rest of the day apart. She had an early light lunch and then withdrew into her bedroom to read (NOT Larry McMurtry.) I made my own lunch later, and explored the neighborhood on foot afterwards. Again, I was lucky the snow had not started yet. It was cold, but there was only a light wind and bright sunshine. There were no sidewalks, as this was mainly a bedroom neighborhood, and there was blessedly little traffic, this time of the day.
The houses were built on largish lots with vacant areas densely forested. The road had many curves and dips, and at times, a bit of hill climbing. I was missing the outdoor work with Bill; but the walking at least, gave me some exercise.
It was starting to get dark when I decided I had better find my way back. By now, the area homeowners were wending their way back after whatever had occupied their daylight hours; be it shopping, or work. The oncoming headlights introduced a measure of danger, and sometimes I just waited in the bushes until a line of cars had passed.
"Fiona, I was beginning to get worried. This is not a very good area to walk, now that it is getting dark so early."
"Yeah, I figured that out. If I go out tomorrow, I will leave earlier. I really need to get some exercise every day. Are there any chores I can help you with?"
Gail looked at me thoughtfully, before answering, "Well, I actually enjoy cleaning; you know, dusting, vacuuming, and floor mopping; but, I really need help moving some furniture. I could push things around, but that would scratch up the floors. Wolf had some pads for putting under the legs of sofas and the like, so that they could be easily slid over the floors. I have not been able to find them since his passing, they must be in the basement. That was always his domain with his tools, and the pellet stove that he maintained."
"Great. If you don't mind, I could look down there tomorrow and see if I can find anything. I have a talent for unearthing lost objects."
After that interchange, we, together, enjoyed Gail's culinary creation of the evening: roasted boneless chicken breasts with rice and green beans. Gail had some white wine; she offered me some, but I declined. I had not had any alcohol since the 'incident'--call it what it was, the gang rape in the cabin I was still wary of anything that would set me back.