The raucous sound of the telephone drew me from my absorption in a new mystery novel. I tend to literally become part of a good novel and any interruption can put a scowl on my face.
"Yes?" I said, obviously not ecstatic at the interference.
There was a silence on the other end of the conversation; a silence that gave me time to wipe the scowl off my face and put on a new demeanor.
"I'm sorry," I began again, "this is Mr. Clark, can I help you?"
"I don't know," a soft, feminine and probably quite young voice replied. "My friend Lynn told me to call you."
Them mention of Lynn's name was enough to change the scowl to a delighted smile. "Ah yes, I do recall her mentioning that someone might call. You must be Lexi."
"Yes, that's right." she replied, her voice a bit firmer now that we had a common ground. "She said you might be able to help me."
"It's possible, Lexi," I replied, "but I'd have to talk to you in person to know for sure."
Her voice once again seemed to quake a bit. "I know, she told me."
"What did she tell you about me?" I wondered, although I knew the answer already.
"She said you helped people like me but not everyone. I'd have to convince you that I really needed the help and explain why I needed it. She said that you may be a bit eccentric but that you are really a nice guy that cares about the people you help."
"That's true," I agreed. "When can you come by the house so we can talk?"
"Uh, I don't get off work till five or a little after and I don't get a day off except Sunday." she replied.
"I'm free this evening, Lexi, if you wish, or I'm free Friday evening. I'm afraid that I have plans for the weekend."
"I'll come by tomorrow right after work if that's all right."
"Of course," I agreed. "I'll expect you some time after five-thirty."
"All right," she agreed, "and thank you."
"Don't thank me yet, Lexi. Wait until we come to some kind of an agreement."
When the dial tone was heard, I dialed Lynn's cell phone."
"Did she call you?" she asked.
"Yes, and thank you, Lynn. Is there anything I should know about her you haven't already told me?"
"I don't think so. I know you will go slow with her and treat her with respect. That's the only reason I gave her your phone number."
"I know, sweetheart and I appreciate your confidence. Are we still on for Saturday?"
"Of course. My week wouldn't be complete without our Saturdays. Can I expect a surprise?"
"Perhaps," I replied, smiling. "You'll have to wait and see."
We talked for a few more minutes and I promised her a detailed report of my first meeting with her friend.
I made sure that the ambience was warm and welcoming Friday night, with soft music, dimmed lighting in the living room, and a supply of cold beverages in the refrigerator of the wet bar and my usual well stocked wine chiller.
She showed up promptly at five-forty-five, looking very unsure of herself, wearing a dark blue skirt and soft white sweater that clung to her full young body invitingly. Her long auburn hair was worn down and flowed softly over her shoulders, framing a somewhat pale complexion on a face that reflected the extreme stress that her mind was putting her through. Not knowing what to expect or if I was a threat or not had her very tense and nervous. Though somewhat overweight, I didn't see her that way, only as someone who had the potential to become a wonderful, passionate lover. Her hips were full, but not wide, her breasts full, but not pendulous. She reminded me a great deal of a similar young woman of a few years previous that was one of the most passionate women I'd ever found once I developed her into the woman knew she could be.
"Come in Lexi," I said, holding the door open. "I'm Roger Clarke, and I don't bite, at least not usually. I talked to Lynn and told her we were meeting tonight."
"Oh, ok," she mumbled, as she stepped into the house and stopped, not sure whether she was going to go any further than just inside the door.
"Let's go into the den where be more comfortable as we talk."
She allowed me to usher her into the den, a very inviting room with oversized furniture, thick carpet on the floor, a home theater system with a big screen plasma television, and flowers in several locations.
"Please," I said, indicating a pair of very comfortable recliners across from each other, a low glass topped table between them, on which I had placed a bowl holding chocolates, and vanilla coated mints. "Can I offer you something to drink?" I offered. "White wine, or a soft drink, or some iced tea perhaps?"
"A cola would be nice," she decided.
'You haven't eaten anything yet, Lexi, could I offer you some cheese and fruit?"
"Yes, thank you, my stomach is a bit unstable right now."
"It's just nerves, Lexi. Relax, you're not in any danger here and I don't make it a habit of forcing myself on the women in my life. How about you telling me what your problem is while I fix us a snack."
"It's embarrassing to talk about it," she said. "My husband, Chad, says that someone stole some money from his locker at work. I don't believe they did but he's told me that before so it's no surprise. I don't know if he gambles or spends that much at the bar or what but I'm constantly trying to find a way to pay the bills."
"What is it this time?" I asked.
I got a disconnect notice on the electric and we were already on a probationary status so they turn us off if the bill is more than 45 days past due. They're turning it off on Tuesday and I just can't come up with the money this time."
"How much is it?"
"160 dollars. 260 if they disconnect and reconnect it."
"Does your husband work?"
"Yes, but he only gets six and a half an hour and they cut his hours, or at least he says they did."
"So you're paying most of the bills then?"
"Almost all of them. I make pretty good money working where Lynn used to work but it's just never enough."
"That's why I helped Lynn get out of there." I advised her.
"I know. She told me about that. You're a good friend."
"It goes a lot further than that, but that's not the issue here. The first thing we have to do is get your electric bill paid. How are the other bills?"
"Late, but I'm getting them paid. He gives me grocery money and rent money, or at least part of it, but we need to find a better place to live and it's just out of the question. No one would rent to us with our credit rating."
"Why don't you leave him, Lexi? It sounds like you'd be better off if you weren't paying the bills for both of you."
"I don't make enough to pay the rent along with everything else. It sounds cold, but it's true. I have to have his pittance to make it at all."
I placed a platter of cheese, fruit, crackers, and cream cheese on the table and she started eating, trying hard to conceal how hungry she was. I returned to sit where I was, knowing that in squirming around on the recliner, her short skirt had ridden up on her smooth, creamy thighs and a hint of white panties was apparent.
We talked for about an hour about her situation, her financial mess, and it really was as bad as she said, and her family background.
"My family won't even talk to me any more because they feel like all I need them for is more money and it's been that way for awhile so I don't really blame them. I keep telling them it will get better but it's a lie and they all know it. My sister and brother are really successful but I don't exist in their world. Mom and dad aren't wealthy, but they aren't hurting either. They just got tired of pretending they had any hopes or dreams for me."
I sat for a few minutes, watching her nibble at the food that was still on her plate and sip at the wine that was doing a good job of loosening her tongue. "Lexi, I can help you, and I'm willing to do that, but there are some conditions that you may find offensive or intrusive. You might want to discuss this with Lynn and have her tell you about my quirks and requirements. I'll give you the money for your electric bill tonight so that is no longer a problem."
"She wouldn't tell me much," she replied, "just that I had to trust you and believe in you."
"That's true," I replied, "and the trust must be complete. That doesn't sound like much but it isn't as simple as it sounds. You have to be prepared to do whatever I tell you without argument. That doesn't mean you can't ask questions, only that the outcome must be the same in the end. If, at any point, you decide I'm asking too much or demanding too much of you, you can leave, and our relationship will end without bitterness or bad feelings on my part. Does that make sense to you?"
She was squirming around in the chair even more now and the white panties were easily seen. With my knowledge of panties, I decided that she was wearing either hi thigh cut panties or brief bikinis. "What kind of things do you demand of me?"
"We'll discuss that as time goes on IF you decide to work with me to change your life. Think about it, talk about it with Lynn, whatever you want to do, but before I can give you any more money, we have to be in agreement on my conditions."
"Can't you give me some idea of what you demand?" she asked.