Kimmie The Walker
When Kimberly Jackson lost her job as a junior executive after her employer closed its doors, she got creative on finding a new job. With the job market the way it was, she had no choice. Even with her MBA, there were just no jobs.
She knew she liked pets, even if her apartment did not allow them, so she went to the local pet store and at first just worked there. It was a major step backwards in her career, but it was worth it, being around the animals. Almost, anyway.
A few days into her job there, shy Kim, as she liked to be called, saw many people offering training, grooming and even walking services. Kim noted the walking services. She was confident she could do that and it gave her a chance to use her education to start a new business. Within a month, she had 4 clients. The revenue was not great, but it helped make ends meet and she enjoyed walking the dogs. The best part was that she was really getting into great shape. The worst part was the walking took up half a day each day as she walked some of them separately.
Then one day, as she was walking the Henderson's 7-year-old Beagle, she saw a woman with a big tan great Dane sitting in the park watching her. The woman did not even hide the fact she was watching... almost staring at her as she walked the energetic dog. It was a bit creepy.
Later, after dropping off the beagle with her client, Kim returned to the park. She was curious about the woman and, she told herself, it was on her way home anyway. The woman was still in the park, now in a different location, so Kim took a deep breath and approached her.
The woman did not even look at her as she stepped up. Her dog also remained sitting. Kim almost just kept going by, losing her nerve, but the woman asked her, "Was that dog yours or are you just a dog walker?" Her tone was one of authority and boredom.
Kim blushed crimson red as she explained she was a dog walker. The Great Dane then got up and began to sniff Kim all over. Kim had to gently push away from sniffing sensitive areas. Kim had carrots and some all-natural dog treats in her dog walking fanny pack and had assumed the large canine smelled them.
She then realized the other woman had said something. Kim had to ask her to repeat herself and regretted that.
The taller woman glared at Kim. Causing Kim to get embarrassed and turn even more crimson as the woman asked if she was looking for another client.
"This is a tryout. This is Duke. Walk him around the park and return in 15 minutes."
Kim was handed the lead and on cue Duke began to pull Kim along. The pace 7was quick as Duke walked and walked Kim.
When they returned, the woman was on her cell phone. She held up a finger to Kim, then made a quick hand gesture. Duke immediately sat down.
After she hung up, the taller woman introduced herself as Ms. Smith and said that she wanted someone to help look after Duke as her schedule was quite full now. She handed Kimmie a business card that simply said Ms. Smith and under it read the boss and a phone number. The reverse side had a silhouette of a woman in heels.
The whole time, she looked Kim up and down. A glimmer in her eyes as she asked Kim more questions. Some of the questions that did not seem to be about dog walking.
"Are you flexible, a pause from Ms. Smith as she eyed Kimmie, with scheduling?" Kimmie nervously answered that she was.
"Are you a Good Girl?" Kim was taken aback by this. It seemed to imply more, but yet was that just in her racing mind? Before she could answer Ms. Smith spoke again.
"Being well groomed and having good manners are required. So.... are you a good girl"?
Kim felt her stomach tighten. Her knees felt like they would give out as she replied in a shaky voice.
"Yes Ms. Smith, I am a good girl."
"That is good to hear, Kimmie."
Even though no one else was close, the questions seemed to border at times on a little too personal. Kim more than once hesitated before answering, considering walking away and yet not wanting to at the same time. There was something about Ms. Smith that kept Kim there. And Kim did not fail to notice that this mature, attractive woman was calling her Kimmie and not Kim. Yet for some reason she did not correct the other woman.
By the time they parted, Kim accepted the new name and Kimmie had agreed to take on her new, demanding client.
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Kimmie was walking up the drive, well she was being pulled by Duke. The big Dane had really wanted to walk today and had worn Kimmie out.
She had only been walking him for a week and found him strong and at times willful. But Kimmie had to admit he was the best trained of the dogs she walked.
She rang the bell and waited for Ms. Smith to answer the door. Ms. Smith never gave Kimmie a feeling that she liked her much.
In fact, they met in the park where Kimmie walks her clients' dogs. When Kimmie first said hello she got an icy reception from the older woman. That is until her Great Dane showed interest in Kimmie.
That brought a smile to Ms. Smith's face. Kimmie laughed it off by saying, "He must smell my treats. May I give him one? They are all natural." Mrs. Smith allowed it and then proceeded to interview Kimmie right there. That memory always came back to Kimmie each time she passed that spot in the park.
Kimmie soon found that Ms. Smith was 12 years older than her, making Ms. Smith 43. She was a corporate lawyer for a locally based firm and she was the boss. She paid better than the others, despite her attitude whenever they interacted, Kimmie never felt accepted by Ms. Smith.
So, it came as a surprise yesterday when Ms. Smith had asked Kimmie if she swam. Kimmie told her she did and was told, "Bring your bikini tomorrow." It was not an if you want, it was a you will statement.
When Ms. Smith opened the door, she eyed Kimmie. She let Duke in and cupped her cell phone and said, "Where is your Bikini?"
Kimmie pointed to herself to indicate she had it on under her clothes. Ms. Smith raised a finger, letting Kimmie know to wait as then Ms. Smith spoke on her phone for a few moments leaving Kimmie standing there.
Then Ms. Smith, still talking on the phone, looked at Kimmie and opened her hand to the younger woman. It was like she was saying, "Well let's see it."
Kimmie looked back in disbelief. Then she looked around the very nice neighborhood. She saw that the porch area was fairly private. Then she heard Ms. Smith snap her fingers and roll her wrist, indicating that Kimmie needed to hurry up.