As the newest VP for Western Districts Farmers Co-op, I specialize in dairy (Milk) products, it was no surprise to receive an invitation to the company's annual get together at the CEO's luxurious home. What was surprising was that the invitation included a hand written note from the big mans wife.
The CEO's wife in immaculate copperplate handwriting, in real ink, was enthusiastically looking forward to meeting my wife and me and being aware of the long distance we had to travel was only too pleased to be able to offer us a guest bedroom. We could then enjoy the dinner and join in to celebrate our first VP group encounter. We were expected to arrive anything up to 24 hours before the event so we could settle in and rest before the evening's activities. An RSVP giving an approximate time of arrival was all she wanted, she would arrange to be available to greet us. A map of the state capital with a large sticker, 'We are here' was included.
I showed this enigmatic invitation to my wife, what was an encounter? As the junior VP why were we getting such hospitality? It certainly solved the problem of arriving tired and travel worn, or booking an expensive hotel for two nights in the state capital.
We had soon agreed upon an itinerary. Take a full day to drive there arrive at seven pm the day before the big event. I would leave the wives and do a days work in head office meeting and greeting. We would enjoy the event. Then drive back over the weekend making a break half way to do a visit to old stamping grounds and catch up with old friends. The company expense account more than covered the price for gas and motel.
My wife slaved for what seemed like hours writing a reply. She had used many sheets of paper copying and re-copying, trying to get her handwriting anywhere near as good as the CEO's wife's. The reply was posted, we received a phone call on the answering machine, a very friendly warm motherly voice. "Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday at 7:00 pm. Have a safe journey. Laura."
We set out on our 12-hour drive, we were careful and swapped the driving every two hours. We did not get lost, we did not have a flat nor did we run out of gas, a dream trip. Not one roadside accident site, no speed cops, no road rage incident. Things were going just too good to be true. We rolled up to the iron gate of the CEO's mansion and saw the TV lens follow us to a stop. The gate opened and admiring the smooth lawn, the flowered garden beds and well-tended roses drove up the horseshoe drive. A garage door was opening, a sure invitation to enter. As we hesitated a florid woman waved to us from within. "Come in Dear's the coffee pot has just boiled, stretch walk around, and relax. Your base is my home town. I know from experience what a trial that road can be. You are here exactly on time you must have had a good trip. Oh I'm Laura." She fussed on and on and took my wife into a fond motherly embrace then rushed round the car and gave me a similar hug. "Hello Mrs...." Was all I got out before she interrupted, me. "My name is Laura, I will have it no other way, now let me help you with your bags and I will show you to your room. Now I know you are Jimmy and this lovely person must be Lizbeth. I hope I got that right dear." The woman was a tad overpowering. She was short, fat and nothing like we expected. A real plain Jane.
I took our two small suit cases from the trunk and refused to let Laura take one. She almost snatched Lizbeth's vanity case from her hand and said, "Follow me." The garage door began to descend and we were in the lions den.
As we were led to our room our hostess pointed out the way back to the less formal rooms of the large house. "Family room there, kitchen there, downstairs bathroom there, and you will be able to find your way back to the garage through the door with a car outline on it. Now I have put you in here."
She opened a door to a sumptuous bedroom suite all done in Blue. The door said 'Blue Room' a door directly opposite said 'Green Room'. "There is an en-suite through there, fresh towels and robes. You will both want to freshen up. You will be in this wing alone tonight but there will be another of the VP's in the Green Room tomorrow night. Barry and I live in the other wing." She waved a hand vaguely back through the open door.
"Ok, Jimmy, Lizbeth I have a late supper and a chilled glass of champagne waiting in the family room. Barry won't be here this evening so its just us. Get settled in and I will see you soon." She put the valise on the end of the huge bed and swept out the door closing it gently behind her.
"Wow," Said Lizbeth. "Very much the mother figure." She walked to the en-suite door. "There is room for two in this shower." A woolen jumper flew at me followed by a skirt. I wasted no time getting undressed and joined my sexy wife in the welcoming warm water.
I resisted temptation and re-dressed and urged Lizbeth to hurry, "Laura obviously expects us to unwind in her company we better go taste the food and drink, at least a glass of bubbly." I know only too well how my wife likes to unwind after a long road trip. I had almost had to get cross to escape from the shower. And watching Lizbeth toweling off in a very provocative way was not helping my resolve to be good.
"You know what champagne does to me Jimmy you had better be extra special tonight."
She opened her suit case, put on sexy underwear and short skirt, and scoop necked blouse. I watched her stow away her beautiful body. She ran a brush through her short red hair put a touch of lipstick to her cupid bow lips and ruffled my hair.
"Come on then, run a comb through this I'm ready and there you watching like a voyeur."
