I changed my mind on the way home and decided to stop by the house and call Kathy first, instead of just dropping in. Most of my thoughts centered on what mom and Sarah did with me. While it was very unique and emotionally intense, it was not something I ever wanted to repeat. When I got home, I had to throw a wet towel in the dryer since my work clothes had been there for days. I went upstairs and noticed five messages on the machine. The first was from Mom's boss asking for mom or even me to call because he hadn't heard anything from her in over a week. Then my boss, first pleading with me to come in Thursday (that day). The next message was from him to call whenever I got in and that he wanted me in earlier than scheduled Friday (8 instead of 11). Then was a message from Kathy that morning saying she her lawn really needed mowing and to call her when I got in. Finally, it was mom from about an hour before saying the Dr had decided to release grandma that day, that she'd be home Sunday, and to call when I got in. I called grandma's, and she answered. We talked for a few minutes about my drive and the weather and then she handed the phone to mom. She took the phone upstairs as we talked casually, then in a lower voice she said. "Now that I'm upstairs with Sarah. We have to ask. Did you enjoy what we did?"
I could hear Sarah near the phone and guessed they were sharing it as I replied. "Oh yeah! It was great, but I don't ever want to do that again."
Sarah replied, "Don't worry Joe. We won't be repeating that. We both feel a bit guilty." I could hear mom voicing agreement as Sarah went on. "We probably took things too far, but when Mary told about what you had said, and given my past experience, we decided you needed to know what it was like to be on the receiving end of this, to an extreme. Obviously, you can never share or even hint that we did this with anyone, ever. Mary and you can talk about it more when she gets back, but I would guess you are no longer going to view Mary here as an sexual object, right?" After I agreed, they went on telling about how they scrambled to clean up, air the upstairs out, do a bunch of laundry, clean the bathroom (Apparently my job wasn't up to grandma's standards!), do the dishes, and take a bunch of stuff to the cleaners; and all in a big hurry. They were trying to get grandma to relax at home and not try to move around much. Her insurance was paying for a medical attendant to come in twice a day and a physical therapist three times a week for eight weeks starting Monday; and they were getting valuables rounded up to each bring with them, so they weren't stolen. Grandma had told them both in the hospital that day about a friend of hers who was robbed by home care people and while she wanted everything back once she was well again (Due to another, more serious, fall this never happened, and she wound up on home care for the rest of her life.), she wanted it all out of the house in the meantime. They went on to tell me that grandma had agreed to leave some of her costume jewelry around the house and other things that looked valuable, so we all could check and that's what they were doing.
Then mom added, "By the way, when we were going through the house mom said if you wanted the bedroom set from upstairs for your apartment, she'd gladly give it to you, since it was in your grandfather's family and it is rather 'manly'. If you want it, we'll need to rent a small U-Haul to get the suite. I think we can just get one roundtrip and take your bed there in it. We need a full-size bed upstairs at least though, if you get my drift..."
"Yes mom." I replied. It was a cool bedroom suite, all dark walnut originally made in 1840 (When 'family beds' were much wider, albeit large; with a vanity/desk; but it has (I still have it!) the four-post, queen-sized bed (which my grandfather had personally modified with matching walnut); the large vanity, with two benches; a bureau with beveled mirror, a tall chest of drawers, and a large shrunk with shoe rack. When my grandfather modified the bed he also built matching walnut banister bookshelves. That would fix my up in style in my apartment! It still is a beautiful set to this day.
We hung up and I called Kathy. When she answered and we got through the 'hellos', she said. "Cindy is out of town. Another teacher submitted her retirement papers on the last day of classes for next year. The other teacher was scheduled to attend development classes over most of the summer, and the Superintendent decided since she is retiring at the end of next year, she won't attend. Well, Cindy is gone for the next three weeks, someone else is going to another class after that, and I'm going at the end of July and first week of August." After I responded she went on. "I know that Cindy draws a lot more attention from the men than I do, and she has even attracted men that were attracted to me in the past. We have an understanding about that now, and that is the foundation of our trust and relationship. Let's face it, Cindy is hot, especially when compared to me and other women my age. Wouldn't you agree?"
I thought to myself, she's right. Cindy is VERY, VERY, hot. After a pause, and thinking about what mom, Sarah and I had just discussed during one of our breaks during the past few days, I answered, "Yes, she is very pretty, and I know she turns heads when she walks in a room; BUT don't sell yourself short Kathy, you're very pretty too. If other guys don't see that, they're missing out."
She immediately replied, "Well thank you Joe. I needed to hear that right now. I was worried after you met, and enjoyed, Cindy you might not be interested in me." After a short pause she added. "I'm going to the salon and then shopping. I REALLY need my lawn mowed. With all the rain we've had, it's out of control. I'll pay you extra, but if you can take care of it today, that would be great. Then, when I get home and you're done, maybe we can get together. What time do you have to work tomorrow anyway?"
I said, "My manager changed my schedule for the rest of this week and I'm in every day at 8, instead of 11. He's short staff and I'll probably be working until 8 or 9 each night. The good news is that because they are 12-hour shifts, I'll only work four days per week; unless we have more problems."
She asked. "When is your mother coming back? Do you think she'd mind you 'shacking up' with me in the meantime?" After a pause, she added. "We can watch movies and just enjoy each other's company. I'll get some steaks to grill. If you have things to do at home, that's OK too, just bring your stuff for tonight if you can."
