"For fuck's sake, mother," Noelle cried, stamping her foot in exasperation, "I'm not a child; I can take care of myself while you're gone."
"We'll be gone for three months, dear," Mariah Templeton replied, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "The idea of your being alone here in this big house for that length of time is not acceptable. I would be sick with worry and unable to enjoy myself."
"Don't go all drama on me, mother," Noelle replied. "I'm nineteen; I'm going to the university in the fall, why can't I stay here alone. I'm not going to give wild parties or anything."
She had been looking forward to she and David fucking in her parents big bed, but she wasn't about to say that.
"I have already talked with Alexis about this and she said it would be just fine if you stayed with her," Mariah continued. "She said she's looking forward to showing you the city. Carry on if you will, but this discussion is over."
Noelle left her parent's bedroom and walked back to her own, seething. She hadn't seen her Aunt Alexis since she was a gawky pre-adolescent and was not happy about spending her summer with her. She remembered her Aunt as a pretty woman with a musical laugh who smoked expensive Turkish cigarettes in a holder and was as unlike her prim and proper mother as a fish is to a turtle. It was difficult to imagine they were sisters.
Why her parents chose to tour Europe at this time anyway was a mystery. Probably her father had swung one of his 'deals' with the overseas branches of his company so they could stay in corporate quarters rent free instead of in hotels. Regardless, her summer was effectively ruined and that apparently was that.
***
Alexis McWilliams, damp from the shower, dried her hair as she admired her naked self in the mirror. "Not bad for an old broad," she said aloud. Her tits, tummy and ass were still firm and the appearance of her skin gave few hints that she was fifty years of age. She had quit smoking and her regimen of healthy eating and exercise had held her in good stead over the years as her many lovers of both sexes could testify to.
Being a free spirit and an independent businesswoman specializing in ladies undergarments and sleepwear, she had never considered settling down to raise a family as her sister had. How terribly boring was that, really.
She was, however, looking forward to having her niece visit her. As she remembered, the girl was all arms and legs, with no figure to speak of and rather shy. She would take the poor creature in hand and do what she could to glamourize her before she went off to college. Between that and showing her the sights, Alexis just knew this was going to be fun.
***
Noelle wrestled her laptop and suitcase from the overhead luggage bin and filed off the plane with the other passengers. She was excited about her visit in spite of her disappointment about her summer's exile. San Francisco from the air was beautifully laid out along the Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge shining redly in the noonday sun.
Reaching the terminal, she suddenly realized she didn't know exactly what her aunt looked like; it had been so many years since she'd seen her.
***
Waiting at the arrival gates, Alexis was having the same revelation. She had seen photographs of Noelle, but they were years old, how would she recognize her? Then she saw an attractive young woman with stylishly cut chestnut hair walking toward her with a quizzical look on her face. There was something about her eyes and the set of her mouth; why it must be Noelle and she was all grown up.
Noelle saw a tall older woman with a trim figure in a blouse, skirt and heels carrying a large Gucci purse looking expectantly at her and realized it must be her aunt. She was beautiful and looked nothing like her mother who had not aged gracefully.
"Aunt Alexis?"
"Noelle?"
They hugged and then stood back, holding hands and looking at each other, smiling broadly.
"My, what a beautiful young woman you have become," Alexis said. "It's such a pleasure to see you again."
"You look great, Aunt Alexis," Noelle replied, suddenly feeling embarrassed at being dressed so casually in a t-shirt and jeans to meet her well-dressed aunt. To the crowds hurrying by, the women's familial resemblance was unmistakable; the appeared to be sisters rather than Aunt and Niece.
"Come along, my dear," Alexis said, "I have a car waiting. You must be tired after your trip. Did you fly first class? I wouldn't be caught dead in coach. All those people crowded in like cattle. Ugh!"
"I flew coach." Noelle said, practically trotting to keep up with her Aunt's brisk strides.
"Tsk, my dear sister was always the frugal sort," Alexis snorted. "Before we go to my loft, we must stop at my favorite boutique and get you some decent clothes. We can't have you running about looking as if you clean offices for a living."
"But I like wearing jeans..." Noelle began as they swept through the sliding doors of the terminal and onto the sidewalk. As they emerged, a shiny black sedan pulled up and a man in chauffeur's livery emerged and opened the back door for them. Once they were settled in the soft leather seats, the man swung the car smoothly into the airport traffic and from there onto the freeway into the city.
Noelle only half listened to her Aunt's stream of conversation as she was so interested in the city. So many buildings, so many people; it was scary and thrilling at the same time. Weaving through the heavy traffic, the car finally stopped before an almost featureless storefront of black marble with two large smoked glass doors and four small show windows each displaying one dressed mannequin. Small gold letters in Cursive script recessed into the marble by each door read simply 'Le Boutique'.
Once inside, Noelle was surprised to see an expanse of soft carpeting, sofas, chairs and tables grouped about, vases of freshly cut flowers everywhere and soft music playing. Where were the clothes racks? Where were the sales people?
"Ms. Van Hougen," said a musical voice, "How wonderful to see you again."
