So, there I was sat on the porch waiting for the landlord to come and collect the rent. It was a warm day in early summer and the sunlight was fluttering through the leaves of the trees to the side of the house. I could see the driveway curving towards the main road which was concealed by a slight rise in the ground. This helped to protect the privacy of our property. I say our property, but I live alone.
I've lived alone since my daughter Susie got married and moved in with her husband. That must be about five years ago now when she married Judge Parkin's son Thomas, and moved up to their big house on the other side of town. My son Kurt has been in the army for longer than I can remember, so it's just me here most of the time. They are both good kids who love their mom, but Kurt is overseas, and Susie doesn't come over much.
I suppose I ought to say that Judge Parkin and his family didn't approve of the marriage. I guess that a single mom with two children living in a rented house in the country wasn't what they wanted as a mother-in-law for their son. Particularly as I rarely had a steady job, but Susie is a beauty, blond hair and blue eyes and a firm young body. Thomas couldn't resist her. At the wedding I saw the judge himself giving her more than one long approving stare.
So, I live alone, but that hasn't always been the case. I was happily married until an explosion on a Gulf oil rig took away my husband. I'd married young at sixteen. I had to as I was pregnant with Kurt at the time. We lived on the coast, a happy family with Kurt and then Susie born a year later. After I lost my husband, we had to give up our apartment and move away to find cheaper accommodation, so after several moves, we ended up here deep in the country.
I'm still young, not yet forty. I'm lucky I guess that even after having two kids I'm considered attractive. That's one of the reasons I had to give up working in Alice's Bar because the men kept coming on to me. I suppose a single woman of my age has got to be a target for randy men full of beer. Yes, I have to dye my hair blond now, but my boobs are real. I was blessed with big boobs since I was a kid and they got even bigger when I was pregnant and stayed that way. And they are still firm. Without a bra my nipples would easily push through any tee shirt.
So here I am sitting on a chair on the porch of my house waiting for the owner to come and collect the rent. The landlord, Mr McFarlane, knows that I struggle to pay. It's not a lot out here in the country but getting it isn't easy. After I left Alice's bar, I was able to get work in the general store; but recently with these hard times, my hours have been cut and I don't make as much as I used to. Fortunately, Susie managed to get fifty dollars off Thomas and so I have the full amount for this month.
A cloud of dust indicated a car had turned up my driveway. It was Mr McFarlane's car. It drove up slowly and parked in front of my house. Mr McFarlane emerged panting. He was overweight with a large belly which his shirt struggled to cover.
Perspiration was dripping from his forehead as he said, '' Afternoon Kate and how are you on this fine sunny day.''
''Very well Mr McFarlane, just sitting here enjoying the sunshine and waiting for you.''
I could see him eyeing my breasts, 'Well, here I am and glad to see you.'' He paused, then looking straight at me said,''Have you got the money?''
''I have.'' I took it out my purse and handed it to him, ''You can count it, it's all there.''
Mr McFarlane looked at the notes and then back at me, ''No, I don't need to do that. I trust you.''
Then he was silent for a while, until looking into my eyes he said, ''Have you thought about the monthly discount I offered? All you've got to do is let me stay a bit.''
''I don't think Mrs McFarlane would like that.''
Mr McFarlane came right up to where I was sitting and said, ''She's not here and she won't know.''
I stood up. I was taller than Mr McFarlane who was only slightly higher than my breasts. I looked down on him,''No, I do not want any discount.''
We were now very close. I could see he was excited; his eyes were wide and he was breathing hard, ''Kate, all you got to do is go inside, pull your panties down and lie on the bed and I'll do the rest.''
I slapped his face, but not too hard.
Mr McFarlane smoothed his cheek with his hand and turned towards his car. As he opened the door he said, ''Well OK Kate, have it your way. But the offers there. Only trying to help.''
He got into his car, turned the engine on and was off. I stood there long after the cloud of dust had dispersed.
* * * * *
I worked at the store Monday to Wednesday the following week. Our town was a pleasant little place. Everyone knew everyone from sheriff to fireman. Most people got along although there were more stresses and strains now that the local lumber yard had closed. It had been a big employer. Some people had had to move away, others stayed on and chased what casual jobs were available.
The store owner, Mr Richards, was an honest straightforward sort of guy, he worked hard and made a pretty good living in a small town like ours. He was married with two young children and his hard work was to build a future for them.
His wife Marie was a decent woman, never looked at another man and loved her children. She was an innocent sort of girl. About three o'clock we were having a coffee break while the shop was quiet before the school moms arrived after picking up their kids.
We had been talking about nothing much in particular when Marie put down her cup, looked me in the eyes and said, ''Kate, when you were married did your husband ask you to do anything unusual?''
I didn't have a clue what she was talking about. Did she mean cooking something unusual? Marie saw my puzzled expression and continued, ''I mean when you were together,'' she said blushing slightly, ''together in bed.''
I smiled, ''Oh I see, you mean did he ask me to do anything unusual. Well, it depends on what you mean by 'unusual'. If you both agree to something, it's fine and it's not unusual.''
''Well, I'm not sure because it seems unusual to me,''she replied.
''Marie, I think it would be better if you came straight out with it. I'm OK with you asking me about sex, I really am.''
Marie went bright red, looked down at a distant spot on the floor and said, ''I guess you're right. But I don't want you to not like Dean because he asked me.''
''I'm not going to think any less of Mr Richards if you tell me.''
I couldn't conceive that the Richards would do anything really perverted. Just couldn't happen.
''That's a promise.''
''Yes, a promise.''
''OK then. I'm going to tell you.''
''OK, go ahead.''
''OK.''
''Well, you need to tell me then.''
''OK I will.'' Marie drew a deep breath and said, ''Dean wants to put his dick in my mouth.''
I was a little surprised but managed not to laugh. Marie was looking very serious.