My wife, Diane, and I had been married for 25 years and had raised three kids. They were on their own and we were able to concentrate on our business and each other. We were really enjoying the “empty nest” and business was doing well. Diane was a real estate broker and I was her best (and only) salesman. We live in a “playground” area within a few hours of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Our buyers were highly successful business people looking for an escape, and since September 11, a safe haven. We made a very good living finding properties for these people.
After 25 years, our sex life was subdued, but still enjoyable. We did not enjoy the passion and fire we shared those many years ago, but who does after so long? We worked at staying shape by going to the gym and exercising. We never smoked and were careful about our diet. This kept me from becoming soft and fat. Diane was an obsessive/compulsive type. When our daughter was in high school she joined the school cross-country team. To encourage her, Diane started running with her. As time went on, Diane began to enter 5K (3.1 miles) races for the fun of competition. It was a matter of a year or so and she began running marathons. She toned down and was in great physical condition, if a bit thin. Eventually, as happens to many distance runners, Diane suffered a few runners’ injuries and had to stop running. She added a few pounds in all the right places and looked better than ever.
We realized long ago that being healthy and attractive was a tremendous advantage in sales. Without directly discussing it, we tried to determine which of us would be more effective with each of our clients. Diane was very effective with most men and many women. I became adept at handling most of our lady clients, and some of the males. When couples came in, we both turned on the charm. As we interacted, we made quick judgments as to which of us appeared to be more accepted by the couple. One lesson we had learned early on is that two sales people working one client or couple were never as good as one sales person. There were too many conflicting statements and spousal discussions that our clients did not want to hear. We honed our unspoken communications to where we could look at each other and agree on which of us should attempt the sale.
I had often joked with Dane that she should be sure to close her big sales by whatever means necessary. Diane knew what I was talking about. At 5’6” and 135, she had long, nicely shaped runners’ legs. Her ass had rounded a bit after she had stopped running and I felt it was an improvement. Her clothes fit great and it made her waist look even smaller. Her breasts her B cups, very pert, with beautiful, big nipples that could become as hard as pebbles. All in all, she was proportioned perfect and looked ten years younger than her actual age. I should mention that her face was beautiful, with only a hint of a few “character” lines beginning to appear. She wore her hair long and always kept it perfectly coiffed. As long as I had known her, there was never a time that she did not attract attention when she entered a room. I always felt a little smug because she was with me. I knew how men longed for her.
We had been each other’s first serious romances and neither of us had ever slept with anyone else. Not to say we never dated others before we met, but nothing of consequence. I had always been faithful and I always believed Diane was completely devoted to me. Jealousy was not part of our lives. Perhaps that was a reason our sex life lacked fire. Still, I never tired of looking at her and enjoyed how other men obviously longed for her.
We were sitting at our desk one bright summer day when the door opened and a man walked in. Diane immediately introduced herself and began interviewing him. He was about four inches taller than my 5’8” and perhaps 30 pounds heavier. His hair showed some gray at the temples and his face was tanned. All and all, I had to admit to myself he cut an impressive figure. Diane seemed to be even more impressed with the fellow. I had known her long enough to know when she was interested.
He introduced himself as Charles Wolf and fawned over Diane as she told him that she was the broker.
“I never dreamed such a young, attractive woman would be the broker and owner,” he told her as he held her hand much longer than I thought necessary.
Diane ate it up as she responded with her best smile, “I am not so young as you may think, but thank you!” She never bothered to introduce me. I took the hint and tried to look very busy at my desk. I listened as he described to Diane exactly what sort of property he was seeking. It was obvious he was in the high rent district and Diane told him so.
“If I see something I like, I will definitely get it. I always get what I really want,” was his response. I decided I didn’t like this guy very much. On the other hand, Diane was getting a double rush! Here was a handsome, wealthy man wanting to direct a large commission her way. They talked at length about several expensive properties, eventually settling on two to go preview. Diane gathered her files and headed for the door with this Charles Wolf. It was hard for me decide who was selling to whom. Her every effort to charm him was returned tenfold. This guy was slick!
I waited around the office for a couple hours, but things were slow and I had no real reason to stay any longer. I locked the door and jumped into my car. My wife’s car was still in the lot as she apparently had ridden with her client. I was about a mile from the office when I realized I had forgotten to return a phone call so headed back to the office. Thinking I would only be a minute, I pulled into the back of the office and went in the back door. My car was not visible from the road or the office. I made my call and decided to use the bathroom before leaving. That was when I heard the key in the front door and the sounds of laughter.
It occurred to me that Diane must have laughed at every thing Charles had said for over three hours. It seemed easier to just remain in the bathroom than return through the office. I knew Diane would be trying to close a deal and did not want to do anything to jeopardize that. I just hoped it would not take too long. I was reading a magazine and only partially listening, but something I heard caught my attention.
“I am prepared to pay full price for the property,” Charles stated simply as Diane was just beginning to unleash her never fail closing technique. There was silence for a few seconds.
“You won’t regret it. That is a beautiful property and a very wise investment. I am sure you will be able to make a handsome profit on it in a short time,” Diane gushed. “I will complete the papers for you to sign.” With that I heard her asking questions about inspections and all the usual crap we have to include in every agreement. With Charles answering her questions, she was done in record time. I was thinking to myself that I would never hear the last of this. She was about to pick up a $50,000 commission in one afternoon!
