I am not a writer, far from it. Except for the names and places, the stories you read are for the most part true. Still they are not biographies. Artistic license has been taken to enhance or in some cases minimize the events described. All sexual situations were between consensual adults within the framework of their story.
This is the ninth of now twelve interviews I have worked on over the last four years.
Most of these stories cover several years. I will try to keep the chapters short. I suggest you save one for reference. None of the stories are mine, any personal friend, or relative.
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Chapter 11
I left Lela in the bathroom as I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I emptied the old coffee from the pot and looked in the fridge to make something for lunch. With Tina out of town and myself tied up the last week on interns the shelves were all but bare. I went to the pantry and things were not much better there.
I started to make a list when Lela showed up in just my robe.
"You want to go grocery shopping with me?" I laughed showing her the limited choices in the refrigerator.
"Sure." Lela happily replied.
We found enough to sustain ourselves for lunch. I sent Lela up to change as I tidied up the kitchen and ran the dishwasher. Poole may be a germ-a-phobe sexually but in the kitchen not so much. Not that he is messy person but the distance from the sink to the dishwasher is just a few feet.
I looked out the open window at a perfect day. Warm with a slight breeze and no humidity. I thought of calling the Cassie and Cody to come over but decided to wait until we came back from shopping. Lela came down the stairs wearing an outfit I can only describe as appalling for a woman of her age.
With short shorts and a tee shirt with a massive kitten she dressed like a teenager. At least she was wearing a bra. I was going to say something but she looked so happy I decided not to force her to change. Instead I tried to give her a subtle hint.
"That's a look."
"Max hates it." Lela pulled the tee shirt out and looked at the kitten. "He won't let me wear it at home."
Just the giddiness of Lela knowing she was getting away with something over Max again made me love her even more. Lela's childlike dress was nothing compared to her child like grocery shopping. I had been clothes' shopping with her before but this was on a whole new level.
If I had let Lela have her way the cart would have been filled with candy and snacks. I was constantly putting things back on the shelf only to find something else she had to have. In the end I caved on just a couple of items but only if she picked a healthy alternative as well.
Stopping at the drug store and gas station we headed home to unload. I had just walked in the door from the garage. Lela had found the licorice and was happily devouring the first piece.
"One more and that's it for today." I frowned at her.
Lela pulled out two more then handed me the package sticking out her tongue as she taunted me.
"I'm going to hide the rest." I replied sticking out my tongue.
Lela burst out laughing causing me to do the same. I had my arms filled with groceries when I heard the faint sound of a phone ring. The tone was different from mine, so l looked at Lela.
"Is that your phone?" I asked as the phone sounded again.
"No." Lela looked at me innocently. "It sounds like Poole's"
She was right, it was Poole's. Moving to the sliding door I opened it instantly finding Poole's phone as it rang yet again. The number was from another state.
"Hello?" I hurriedly said.
"Oh... I'm sorry...I must have a wrong number." The female voice said.
"This is Poole's phone." I replied quickly.
"Oh!" I could hear the relief in her voice as I explained the confusion. "Is Poole there?"
"I'm sorry, he isn't. He must have misplaced his phone when he left this morning." I explained further. "This Jane."
"So it is. I've heard so much about you." He voice sounded intrigued. "This is Marietta, Max's aunt, but please call me Mary."
"How can I help you Mary?" I asked.
"I don't suppose Max is around?" Mary inquired.
"On Sunday he and Poole play golf. After that they have lunch and spend the day together. They might be at Max's house?" I suggested.
"Yes I know, I called Max but there was no answer." Mary explained. "I was hoping to get Poole."
"Lela is here, would you like to talk to her?" I offered.
There was a long pause before Mary answered.
"Jane, I was hoping to talk to Max first." Mary sounded thoughtful in her response.
"Is there a problem?" I probed.
"I'm afraid there is..." Marietta relayed. "...it's about her mother."
I looked at Lela who was watching me talk on Poole's phone. She stood there in her kitten tee shirt and sexy shorts. Still I saw a mature woman that most people look past. I had a feeling this was something that shouldn't come from me.
"Lela will know what to do, and I'll be right here." I tried to reassure Mary.
"Ok." Mary replied with no other option.
"Lela, it's your Aunt Marietta she needs to tell you something very important." I explained handing her the phone.
Lela took the phone and started talking to Mary. I moved away just far enough to give her some privacy. As they talked I could see Lela becoming more agitated the longer the call lasted. Lela looked at me as a tear started running down her cheek.
I wanted to run and hold her but thought better of it for now. It wasn't long before Lela hung up and sat down the phone. Again I wanted to console her but decided to let her come to me if she wanted.
"Mama's in the hospital." Lela explained emotionally.
Lela wiped her eyes and put on a brave face. "The ambulance took her."
"Are you ok?" I dared to ask.
"Mary says it's her heart." Lela started to waver.
I moved closer watching her carefully. Lela wanted to be strong, she wanted to show me she could handle this. Then suddenly Lela ran to me.
"It's ok Princess." I said as I wrapped my arms around her. "It's ok to be scared."
"Max...we need to tell Max." Lela's eyes pleaded with me.
"We will, I'll drive you home." I assured her.
"What if he's not there? Will you stay with me until he arrives?" Lela held me tight.
"Yes darling." I kissed her cheek. "I won't leave until you tell me I can. Promise."
We held our embrace for another moment then kissed softly. I wrote a note for Poole in case he came home before I talked to him.
In the car Lela explained that her mom fainted, they think she might have had a stroke. I knew she hasn't been well for some time, that is why she moved back home a couple of years ago. To my knowledge it hadn't been this serious but then Max doesn't really talk about his family except to Poole.
Lela explained her mom was in the hospital, her Aunt Mary was with her. They were running tests but told Mary she would be staying for at least a couple of days. I'm not sure if Lela knew what that meant but I did. Hospitals don't keep you for a couple of days unless you are seriously sick.
I knew about where Max lived but I had never been to his house let alone in it. Come to think of it, other than his sister Lela, Poole was the only one I knew who had.
Maybe two miles from Poole, Max's house was just as understated. The house was in an upscale neighborhood but not exclusive. The first thing I noted was the wonderful landscaping surrounding the home. Having two black thumbs myself it was truly impressive.
The roof on the house was tall with multiple peaks making it look like it was two stories but it was really a ranch. The house sat high in front and the ground tapered off to the back.
We pulled in past the garage to park under a carport out of the sun. Everything about the exterior was neat and tidy. Lela led me to the side door under the carport pulling out her key to unlock the door. Tuning the key Lela hesitated.
"Maybe I should go in and see if they're home?"
"You want me stay here?" I asked a bit offended.
Lela swayed nervously as I looked past her at the closed door.
"Max ...he ...it's just..." Lela struggled to explain. "...he's kind of private."
"Lela I've worked with him for over two years. Hell, I'm sleeping with his sister?" I gave her a wicked smile. "I think he trusts me, don't you?"
Lela smiled broadly as I openly admitted we slept together. Knowing it was a bit naughty and maybe even disobedient, Lela opened the door and let me in. Entering from the side of the house we walked in the kitchen and eating area. We slipped off our shoes leaving them beside the others.
The house was not only spotless but intriguing. Past the kitchen I could see the living room decorated in almost totally white. Directly in front of us was a large family room decorated in what I can only explain as African themed. Much like my bedroom at Poole's house brilliant colors with animal prints that were tastefully presented. What I did not see was Max or Poole.
"Let me go see if Max's car is here." Lela walked through the kitchen to the short hall leading to the garage.