Thanksgiving weekend had passed and it was back to normal, whatever normal was in this neighborhood. I went to the office to get in my office hours I needed to work from home. Things went smoothly for the day, everyone at the company were still in a festive mood.
I was up early checking on e-mails and such things when my home system alerted, it was Julia. I thought ‟Now what?".
‟Hello Julia, come in please."
She came in and we made our way to the kitchen as I chatted her up a little. I offered a cup of coffee and she accepted readily. I then asked what I could do for her, then on second thought, maybe I shouldn't have asked. She smiled big at me.
‟I wanted to thank you, so much, for allowing Christina to come over and watch that movie."
I told her it was my pleasure and yes it was a very mature movie. I didn't tell it was borderline pornographic.
‟Christina was a perfect young lady and behaved well." I said.
Julia took of her a swallow of her coffee muttering to herself, but she was just a tad to loud.
‟What was that?" I asked.
‟Oh, uh, nothing, nothing." She said, blushing while taking another swallow.
I mentally recorded that little 'I wouldn't have been.'
We chatted some when she surprised me with a request.
‟You wouldn't know where I might find a part time day job would you?"
‟U..h, not right off hand. What are looking for, what is your skill set" I asked.
‟Never mind I was just thinking about getting a part time job to help with Christmas."
I asked if she had transportation, she shook her head and kind of slumped, her demeanor quickly
changed.
She confessed John would not let her work out side the home, so she doesn't have any real skills or work experience.
‟Whoa, you have skills Julia, I have seen them. Thanks by the way. You cleaned up after I was called to work." I said.
She turned a bright red in the face, I started to back track my statement and my system alerted again. I frowned and told her hold that thought then she frowned slightly. I went and answered the door as I walked away I told her it was Cindy. Julia gasped out 'Oh shit.' I pretended not to hear that.
I greeted Cindy, invited her in letting her know Julia was here also. I wasn't really giving it much thought, why should I. We went to the kitchen I asked Cindy if she would like a cup of coffee.
‟Well, well, well, nice surprise. How are you doing Julia?" Cindy said, plopping down next to her.
Julia's demeanor again changed and she squirmed slightly as she blushed. Cindy leaned in and gave her a cheek kiss. Some thing was a foot, as they say.
‟So what is the topic of discussion?" Cindy asked, looking at Julia.
I waited the appropriate amount of time and answered, telling Cindy Julia was asking if I knew where she could find employment.
Cindy asked what kind of job she was looking far and Julia said she wasn't really sure and that may be it was a bad idea she didn't really have a way to get back and forth. Julia was acting strange now like she wanted to leave, quickly, which she then stated.
‟I need to go, I will talk to you later Gerardo, let you and Cindy have a visit."
She made a move like she was going to get up and leave and Cindy placed a hand on her leg.
‟Oh no, no dear, stay, three mouths are better than two to figure this out." Cindy said, then giggled looking at me, ‟I meant minds."
Cindy held her cup up saying 'Here's to minds, at work' then chuckled.
I heard 'stay' used more like a command and mouths was an intentional signal. Julia sipped her coffee but had quietness now. I asked Julia to stay also.
‟So, I was thinking Julia, every think about house keeping or cleaning? I think I know one person who might be interested." I told her.
Julia just looked had me as I waited on her response and she assumed some thing that was totally wrong.
‟How much do think he would be willing to pay?" Julia inquired.
Cindy responded also with, 'Yes how much would this, man, be willing to pay', as I got a look.
‟I don't know, she is elderly, and Ms. Atkins is probably on a fixed income. But I am sure she could use the help. She doesn't move real quick now. Maybe just a few hours a week but it could be a start. We could go over later or when ever and check on it." I said, to Julia.
Then a light bulb kind of turned on in her head has she looked at me.
‟Oh, Yea, I could do something like that. How much do you think I could make doing that?" Julia asked.
‟I don't know, start high, negotiate downward. Say $10 an hour, three hours that is $30, if it becomes once a week that is $120 per month, right. But that depends on how many hours you put in for each client." I said.
The wheels began to turn in her head, I could see it. When Cindy popped off again nearly laughing.
‟You are a cheap bastard aren't you Gerad." Cindy said.
Julia unintentionally jumped in correcting Cindy 'It's Gerardo, it's Spanish and he is not cheap'. Cindy glared at Julia in anger as her face reddened. Julia realized her mistake lowering her head.
I watched this and quickly connected some dots. I watched some of this the other night when Cindy and her family came to my house for drinks, and to play. John was a question but Mindy was over Cindy, Cindy over Don, maybe, but definitely is over Julia. I would have to further investigate this detail.
‟So if you can get three clients, you could have $360 maybe by Christmas, is that what your shooting far hun? I mean Julia. Sorry about that." I said.
Cindy snickered, Julia just popped a little smile.
‟What about you Cindy, maybe you could help your neighbor out a little." I said.
‟No no that is alright." Julia said quickly.
Cindy laughed before agreeing to do it, saying it was the busy time at the boutique this time of year and it would help her out.
Julia just looked at Cindy has Cindy produced Cheshire Cat grin on her face. Now that would make three clients if Ms. Atkins comes on board.
Cindy's phone chimed and she said she had to go open up. She gave Julia a kiss on the lips as she stood. She thanked me for the coffee as I walked her to the door. She turned to me and whispered in my ear 'Don't do anything to my precious pet I wouldn't do.' giggled, turned and left.
I returned to Julia to discuss this idea further with a new, perspective, now. I asked how many hours she could dedicate to this endeavor. She said she wasn't sure maybe twice a week, I figured that could bring a nice little sum for her Christmas.
I asked when she wanted to start her little business venture, she gave me a smile and told me she could start today with me. I chuckled and said okay that would work. I told her I had to run to the Post Office and would be back shortly.
I got back to find Julia in my bedroom cleaning away in the en-suite bath. I asked why she started in the bathroom first, she said she didn't, she started in the living room and bedrooms. Then Julia called me a clean freak, she said she would be done in another thirty minutes or so.
The way she said that she sounded a little disappointed, I asked about the lower level if she had looked at that. She had not so she went down to take a look at what might needed to be done there. She seemed to find things to do there.
I heard the washing machine and checked on her I asked her about the wash she was doing and she told me.
‟Well there were things in the hamper and you must have partied recently. Good thing the cushion coverings are removable." She said, giving an uncomfortable smile.
I turned slightly red in the face and gave an embarrassed grin. I was lost for words as Julia gave me that mother look I know all to well. She said the things were in the dryer now and she would be done soon, she had idle time for now.
‟Gerardo, why, do you still have that, cross?" Julia asked.
I chuckled, telling her the story of why I kept it. It was because that Halloween I did the animatronics thing, I made the frame for it. I wanted to sell it and even started to advertise it when I found that if I modified it I could get better money for it.
‟I tinker around with things, I thought why not. I get bored some times doing nothing, hence, my neat and tidy home." I said chuckling.
‟So are you into that, umm, thing, life style?" Julia quizzed.
‟Pardon me?"
‟You know what I mean, that, that BDSM thing, fucking asshole pervert." She fired back, she pointed a finger at the cross.
‟What the fuck did you just say to me, call me!" I said loudly.
She put her hand up to ward off slap or blow cowering before me like she was expecting one. I grabbed her, spun her around and pointed to the cross. I collected my thoughts and all the,'tells', I had witnessed recently. I pushed her to her knees.