Mollie from Montana Ch. 04

Chapter 4

Next morning when Mollie was packing to depart by the agreed time with her landlady at 10:00, she was drawn by a knock on her door. In pushed energized Elaine who appeared to have undergone of makeover. The radiant older woman waltzed the startled Mollie twice around the tiny room and then pinned a red rose to Mollie's polo shirt and gave her a sizzling kiss on the lips.

"Are you drunk?"

"No, just out of my tree," Elaine burbled. "We've fallen into love again. You were spot on with your advice."

Mollie laughed but cautioned Elaine not to over expect.

"I know, I know," Elaine said, delighted to be focused on sex again. "This morning I saw the old look back in his eyes. I want you to work on me more. I know he found me appealing last night because I looked and acted younger and I excited him. I know we are the same people but we both are capable of stimulating each other. The sex was great -- fantastic in fact -- but we were also exchanging feelings. He's promised to take me on a Caribbean cruise."

"What?"

"Yes."

"Oh how exciting. He's thinking second honeymoon."

"Oh God, you think so? I was only hoping so."

Mollie hugged her. "Right, I'm taking you shopping. You need a whole new wardrobe and I'm not talking cruising here, I mean to keep his pecker up."

They hugged, giggling.

"I really mean keeping his interest up home life and you. You need your hair remodeled and some expert tuition on makeup although I must say you appeared to have really worked on it today."

"I also suggest you call in a home décor consultant and work on upgrading Stephen and..."

"Mollie, please slowdown. Today is devoted to you -- I'm here to help you pack and to look at the inventory in the apartment because there is a heap of stuff you'll need to personalize your living space. Then we go shopping."

"But what about you?"

"Mollie, whatever we do about me not a helluva lot is going to change. I recently turned forty-nine and have been married to Stephen since I was nineteen, just on six months before Gary was born. Yes, I can see you are not shocked because you're showing no surprise."

"Well I did learn you were not yet fifty."

"True and it's also true that because Stephen and I have been married thirty years not a lot will change but if we manage to make a few tweaks stick then I'll be delighted, so having a consultant describe how she can change our bedroom into an Arabian Nights boudoir will be a waste of time and money."

"But I wasn't meaning that. I haven't seen your bedroom but can imagine it's even more feminine than the rest of the décor of your home."

"What are you talking about?"

Mollie took a deep breath. "Try to understand what I'm saying. I haven't seen the area where Gary lives but apart from Stephen's study nowhere else I've seen in your home and even outside gives clues that males also occupy the space."

Elaine slumped on to the edge of the bed looking horrified. "W-what are you saying?"

"What I am attempting..."

"It's all right Mollie. I know what you said. It's just that my mind didn't want to accept it."

"I can understand that. I suggested a consultant thinking he or she might have a gentler way of nudging you if they were honest enough to deliver on that."

"Oh God, have I become a freak?"

"It appears you do stay home a lot. You will have become bored and perhaps with the best of intentions kept thinking and doing things to make your home appear more homelier."

"You believe that?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm not an over-zealous homemaker?"

"Well, actually..."

"Don't say it. I've hit the button, right?"

Mollie smiled. "I have a few things to put into that suitcase and then we are out of here."

"Good, let's go out for late breakfast. I took up Pilates a few months ago but decided to skip class this morning. A hearty breakfast..."

"After Pilates. I'll wait outside for you."

Looking at her watch Elaine smiled triumphantly. "I haven't time to go home and change."

Mollie looked at her sternly. "Off we go. We must keep your body in shape and you looking top shelf. You take those two suitcases and I'll finishing packing and will be straight down. Your fitness center will sell tights."

Elaine sighed and picked up the two suitcases and looked at the larger one on the bed.

"God, is this all you have in the world?"

"And it appears you and your family," Mollie smiled softly. "I should consider myself blessed, don't you think?"

Eyes dilating, Elaine picked up the two suitcases and said huskily that her car, a black Mercury Sable, was just beyond the entrance on the left. She'd leave the trunk up.

After brunch -- it was too late for late breakfast -- the two women spent most of the remainder of the day together. At a homeware store, after Elaine had been handed back her credit card and she and Mollie stood and watched two guys begin taking out the boxes to fill the trunk and back set of Elaine's car, Elaine felt a soft hand slip into hers and a shy sweet voice say, "I'm ready to love you as my stepmother if you'll let me."

Gasping, Elaine turned and hugged the younger woman and buried her lips against Mollie's neck, kissing her as if Mollie were a child. "Yes, yes. And am I permitted to treat you as the daughter I've never had? You've grown on me so quickly and so totally."

"Yes, please do that. Oh I do love you so much."

Elaine slowly released Mollie. She hadn't meant that kind of love, had she? Slowly she lifted her gaze to meet Mollie's and her panic subsided somewhat and disappeared completely as the sweet young thing said, "The reality is I lost my own mother on the day of that dreadful accident -- she was never again emotionally like she was when she and dad left home that fateful morning. It was a Sunday and two hours later the dreadful news came. Within a month I thought I wouldn't feel the need for that kind of love again, that is until I began to get to know you."

Elaine watched incredibly as the kind and always resolute face of Mollie puckered and the tears gushed. Mollie capable of crying? Elaine pressed forward and they were in a deep hug again.

"I'm a bit emotional. Are you all right to drive?" Elaine sniffed.

"Yes, but only just. I'm still coming to grips that was my inside bubbling like a baby. I never cry -- I screamed and screamed when told dad was dead and mom might live for only a few hours. Neither at dad's funeral I didn't weep, nor at mom's and I knew behind my dark sunglasses people would be thinking I was a hard-nosed bitch who didn't love my parents. I think it was just my reaction to trauma, that I'm a natural-born survivor."

Elaine opened the passenger door and looked across the car roof. "I've always known two of the great experiences a woman can have is to have a guy hit you in the gut with that special look and for the first time to be fucked totally legless."

They fell into the car laughing helplessly.

When recovered sufficiently Elaine wheezed, "For your list you can add having a really decent cry while to my list I'm adding the miracle of finding I have a daughter."

Reaching for Elaine's hand Mollie said, "We are good for each other Elaine, let us never forget it. Oh, before I forget, I think it would be a good idea if we don't tell anyone of this special bond that exists between us. They mightn't understand or feel they can accept it. Those closest to us will learn of it eventually."

"You are the wise one Mollie. I'm in agreement. I know Stephen wouldn't understand, Maureen might not accept it and I'm uncertain about my son's reaction."

"Ah, very perceptive."

"And it's what you thought, isn't it?"

Mollie didn't reply but she squeezed the hand in her palm. "This is a cute car -- how do we get the music on and the moon roof open?"

"Oh, I really don't know, I don't use them."

Mollie powered up a quickly found out about the music system and how to operate the roof.

"My hair will be blown about."

"Do you have a comb?"

"Yes. Oh Mollie."

"This is all about getting you to adjust to today's world, the real world Elaine. Tomorrow we get you hair cut, reshaped and highlighted and after lunch we get started on your new wardrobe."

"Oh Mollie."

"You don't want to turn fifty before Stephen notices you again, do you?"

"Oh Mollie -- how can I keep up with you?"

"You'll manage," Mollie said, driving away.

"What kind of car will you buy -- and it will be pink I suppose."

"Yuck. Not I'll hunt around for a pre-owned Rav4 -- black I think like this car. There are too many pale colors around -- every fourth or fifth car you see is either white or silver. Want to tell me about last night -- be as lurid as you wish."

"Mollie, oh God. I've rarely talked to anyone about sex."

"Well, hello world. You better start now. I'm more interest to hear about what we did to turn his button on, what you did -- tell me nothing about what he did. In particular I want to know what sensations did you felt and what were your thoughts."

"Oh Mollie. Do we have to do this?"

"I'm your make-believe daughter Elaine. You are not required to do anything I say and I never want to bully you. But I will apply a little kick-ass pressure to push you from your comfort zone."

There was a pause and then Elaine began her narration about last night.

* * *

Stephen had scratched his balls twice and grinned, thinking about last night. Some very lewd pictures danced around in his head. Three times early he'd thought about making the call. This time he did it.

The unenthusiastic voice answered, "Hello Stephen."

"Er, hi. Bernice, I'm wondering if it would be okay if I didn't call on you for a while?"

"Oh," she said, voice sounding a little more interested, "Getting a little tired of me huh?"

Well, there it was -- the opportunity to duck for cover or to bravely front up.

"Now that you mentioned it..."

Bernice cut the call.

Stephen looked at his phone in astonishment. He's never anticipated it would be that easy. She still might be back to be paid off but so what? He'd dreaded calling her but had done that and it was over quickly and so far painlessly. He called in his PA and told her he'd be leaving for home early today -- at 5.30. He asked her to have a dozen red roses sent to his house to be handed across at precisely 6.30 to Mrs Elaine King -- "Make sure they write down the name Elaine. I don't want mother thinking they are for her."

"Yes Stephen, been a naughty boy have you?"

He grinned at Dinah, told her to mind her business and switched to look at her chest. He knew her boobs well, playing with them into the night when he went on business trips when Dinah was required to accompany him for business reasons and Elaine decided not to go with them for whatever reason. Although apparently not promiscuous, Dinah appeared to have decided having sex occasionally with the boss was part of her responsibilities in holding down such a premier position and even more pertinent she was married to a man not particularly interested in sex.

* * *

Later that afternoon a guy very interested in sex called Mollie.

"Hi Gary, how's it going?"

"Fine actually. We've been told you start here Monday morning."

Mollie laughed and she hadn't been notified.

"Have you checked your phone messages?"

"No -- oh of course."

"There will be one from Stanley's PA Irene asking you to contract her. But don't bother replying. I'll take the hiring confirmation home and give it to mom. She phoned earlier and said she had a great day with you and will be with you tomorrow as you'll be cutting her hair."

"Something like that."

"I was wondering if you'd like to join us in the department at 5.30 tomorrow night for drinks. It's our turn to host the managing partner, which is dad of course and..."

"Gary, please listen. I need to tell you something that might blight our friendship."

"Okay, shoot."

"My brain tells me not to say anything but my heart says that is wrong. Your mother and I have become buddies and the apartment she helped shift me into today, and which I shortly begin to pay a monthly rental, is the apartment she bought for you."

There was a silence.

"Gary?"

No answer.

"Gary are you there?"

"Yes, that came as rather an emotional overload. Why did you accept her offer?"

"Because she inspected the apartment I'd found and was not impressed. She said she knew a much better apartment and I liked it and she said I could have it for the monthly rent I was prepared to pay for the other apartment. I said no, that would mean me paying below market value and they she told me she'd purchased the apartment to give to you but you'd turned her down flat."

"That's true. So you two then conspired to come up with some little ruse?"

"We did not Gary!" Mollie had exclaimed so hotly she thought the outburst must have seared his ear."

"Okay, cool down. I accept that there was no conspiracy."

"Well Gary, if you want the truth. I said to your mother that I'd noted the cute way you sometimes look at me and that left me with the impression if I went slowly and I could help generate a thing between you and me. I told her that and she said she'd like that to happen. So I said I'd give it one month and if you were not prepared to enter into a rent-sharing deal with me as a roommate then I would be out of there unless she accepted market level rent from me."

"Oh, you said that; so what was her reaction?"

"You won't want to hear it."

"Oh yeah, then why did I ask?"

"She looked about to cry and said she didn't want me to leave and she liked me, was finding I was good for her and wanted me as a young friend. She then said you and I would be good for one another."

"Is that all?"

"Except I said I'd needed to relate to a guy and you appeared to come up to my expectations."

"And what are those?"

"I didn't elaborate. That ended discussion about you."

"Okay, I believe what you say but I'm unhappy about you and my mother discussing me like that. Come on Friday but don't expect me to be friendly."

"In that case I'm a no-show. Goodbye Gary.

"Wait!"

Gary swallowed audibly. "Look, I just had an instant rethink. You had no need to tell me what you've told me about mom and you. But you took the risk to come clean, knowing it might turn me off you."

"Correct -- are you an attorney?"

He laughed and for the first time Mollie relaxed.

"Please Mollie, come at 5:30 tomorrow. I'll be friendly. Mom has probably told you I'm far too sensitive, far too defensive."

"No, I think that was your grandmother. What should I wear?"

"The girls who work in the department always come tarted up the Friday the big boss visits us."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay but that term 'tarted up'. You must keep bad company," Mollie giggled, cutting the call.

* * *

Mollie climbed into bed, tired after unpacking cartons and laying out the day's purchases. She felt she was already failing in love with her apartment. She fell asleep but was awaken an hour later at 11:00.

"Hello darling, were you asleep?"

"Yes, but it's okay Elaine," Mollie yawned. "I'd rather have friends call than no one call because they couldn't decide on an appropriate time. Could I say up to 10:00 is okay?"

"Yes, of course. A dozen red roses arrived for me this evening -- from Stephen."

"Oh, how lovely."

"Indeed, and after dinner some friends dropped in and we've only just had sex?"

"Indeed? A groupie."

"What? Oh no," Elaine giggled. "They'd left more than thirty minutes ago and I've just gotten into the bath to remove sweat and other goo."

"Oh yuck."

Elaine went smoothly into the next thought. "I gather we are to dine tomorrow""

"Are we?"

"Yes. The boss visits each department once a year and then after an hour's drinking, he takes them out to dinner with partners. Attendance is not compulsory but most show up. It's at a stuffy old club but most people arrive a little liquored up and talking too much shop is frowned upon because of the presence of partners so a newcomer is picked upon to give an address. Probably it will be you."

"Me, am I invited?"

"I would think so. Gary announced at dinner he would be accompanied by you. Hasn't he said anything?"

"No, he just invited me to drinks."

"Oh men!"

They giggled.

"So just a sweat-shirt and jeans huh?"

"No darling, formal. It's a club. Besides, being the newcomer you'll be under inspection on dress, table manners, conversation skills and, if invited to speak, oratory skills. Wear something sexy but retain some modesty.

"Does that mean not low enough to expose my nipples?

They giggled and said goodnight.

To be Continued