Taking In Strays

Her smile widened a bit more, her head tilting to the side. "You used to come into Lisa's sometimes, didn't you?"

I felt my heart skip a beat. Lisa's was the bar that Grace and her friends were always taking me to on Saturday nights. It had been many months though since I'd been there, and it surprised me that this angel had ever even taken notice of me, much less remembered my face.

Feeling a blush to my cheeks, I said, "My cousin Grace, who stayed here with us while she got her undergraduate degree at Tech, liked to drag me there with her friends. I think they got a kick out of putting women up to flirting with me. I have a sneaking suspicion they enjoyed watching me squirm."

Jax giggled lightly and said, "Are you sure?. The way I remember it, there were quite a few women taken with you the times you came there. There were several that were quite disappointed when you quit coming."

My blush deepened. "I don't know about that. There were one or two that actually seemed interested, and I'll admit to having fun being there. There were so many younger and far more beautiful women there that, for the most part, I probably went unnoticed."

Jax smiled, shrugging her shoulders, and said almost shyly, "If you say so, but I can promise you that younger doesn't always mean better. There are a lot of women out there who know what it means to appreciate an older woman and trust me; they noticed you."

I felt flush at her response. Grace's words about how Jax was into older women came to mind.

Realizing that I still held her hand, I finally let it go. I immediately missed her touch.

"Let's go sit in the kitchen. I have a pot of coffee made if you'd like some." I said, trying to regain my composure.

"That sounds great," Jax replied

She sat at the bar, as I poured us both a cup. Setting the mugs on a tray that held a metal carafe of creamer and a bowl of sugar cubes. I carried them over and placed it between us on the bar.

When we both had our coffee doctored, I dared to stare into Jax's enchanting eyes again. "Tell me about yourself, Jax," I said.

It took the next half hour for Jax to get her full story out. I was so entranced while listening, though, that I hardly even noticed the passage of time.

She had been born in New Orleans and lived there right up until Hurricane Katrina hit when she was nine years old. Her entire family had been left homeless and moved east, trying to escape the destruction. They'd settled first in Birmingham, Alabama, living there until Jax was eleven. Her father had moved the family to Atlanta after the Fulton County Sherrif's department had hired him.

Jax said life had been good for the most part leading up to right after she turned fifteen. I could see a mist of tears forming in her eyes and reached out to take her hand.

"Grace and Tabby kind of filled me in on what happened to your family. You don't have to relive it for my benefit, honey. Not unless you feel you need to. If it helps you, just cover the things that have happened since then."

She looked up from her coffee and gave me a grateful smile. I stood and walked into the den, where I retrieved a box of tissues. I sat it in front of her and just waited for her to continue.

When she'd wiped away her tears and composed herself, Jax said, "I won't cover the foster homes except to say they were awful, and I wouldn't wish them on any young girl. What happened afterward was almost easy in comparison. At least homeless, I knew I had to depend on myself. It gave me a singular focus that I don't know that I'd ever had before."

"I imagine it was a scary thing to have to face. I'm in awe of you, though. I can't believe many people face what you have and managed to come out on the other side as successfully as you have." I told her.

Jax looked down at her coffee and smiled. It was hard to tell for sure with her complexion, but the crook of her smile and the way she bit at the corner of her lip made me think I might have made her blush. Like everything else about her, it was adorable. I was so drawn to her at that moment I couldn't help but reach across the table and take her hand.

"I'm not quite out the other side. Not yet at least," Jax said, her voice quivering and sounding meek. Looking up at me, she earnestly said, "I need help, Maizie. I've struggled in asking for it because so many people will look to take advantage of you when you're living on the street. Owing people is a dangerous thing when you're homeless. You never know when they're going to call the bill due or what form of payment they'll want."

I knew there were a million questions I should be asking before making a decision. Things that Darren would likely ask of me once he found out that I'd taken in a stranger into our home. But I knew I'd already decided what I was going to do. I'd known since the second I opened the front door to this green-eyed angel in a yellow sundress.

Squeezing her hand, I said, "I know you do, honey. Just promise me one thing, okay?"

"Okay," Jax said, sounding cautiously hopeful.

"Promise me if we do this that you'll see it all the way through and find the life you deserve and that you won't let anything stand in your way of getting it."

A tear rolling down her cheek. Jax nodded her head and said, "I can do that."

Taking a breath and feeling a bit like I was Alice headed down the rabbit hole, I said, "Then let's go look at your new room.

----------------------------------

Jax was amazed at the apartment. I stood just inside the door and watched her walk through the open concept suite. The entrance opened up into a large living room area that I had fully furnished for Carolyn. Though the furniture was now six years old, it was quality stuff when purchased initially and had held up well over the years. Particularly considering all the sapphic debauchery that had likely occurred on it during Grace's time in residence.

The floorplan progressed from there into a full kitchen with a large island in its center. The island itself held a sizeable double barn sink but was big enough to leave plenty of counter space for whatever purpose might be needed. There was an expensive six-burner gas stove that was of restaurant quality and an inset galley style refrigerator with doors that matched the custom cabinets. I had to give Darren credit. He had spared no expense when furnishing the kitchen.

"Do you like it?" I asked Jax as I watched her eyes circle the enclosure, not seeming to know where to settle. I knew it had likely been a long time since she had lived in such comfort, if ever. I was enjoying watching her take it all in.

Jax was standing in a ray of sunshine streaming in through the expansive east-facing windows that overlooked the pool. I couldn't help but think how that beam of light was made for her. She faced away from me looking into the kitchen, her long legs spaced about shoulder-width apart. The intense early morning sunlight showed through the thin material of her dress, highlighting the part between her legs. A sight I knew would haunt me when I tried to go to sleep that night.

"I don't...I've never..." Jax sputtered as she looked around in awe.

I laughed lightly at her reaction and said, "I'm just going to take that as a yes."

Turning to me, her beautifully lush head of hair flowing as she did, Jax said, "I'm sorry, Maizie. It's just so much more than I expected. Tabby just said it was an apartment over a garage. She didn't describe it as...well, this."

"Would you like to see your room?" I asked as I walked towards her.

Jax giggled, "You mean there's more?"

I walked over to a door just to the left of the kitchen. Opening it, I said, "Come have a look."

As she passed by me through the door, Jax made eye contact with me and held it for a moment. The intensity in her glance made my legs feel weak. If it wasn't for the door frame my back rested against, I'm not sure I would have been able to maintain staying on my feet. The smell of jasmine and lavender trailed in her wake as she passed me by. I felt an acute need to bury my nose in her neck and inhale her smell.

A king-sized bed sat in the center of the room. I'd change the sheets and replaced the comforter and dust ruffle that had adorned the bed during Grace's habitation of the place. Off to the right was an oversized armoire. The one thing the room lacked was decent closet space, and that piece of storage furniture helped make up for that. There was more than enough area inside it to hang a decent sized wardrobe. Opposite the bed was a long dresser with ample drawer space. To the left of the bed, and just to the right of the bathroom door was a small dressing table with a lighted mirror. The other side of the bathroom door held a small closet with slatted bi-fold doors. The windows to each side of the headboard of the bed looked out over a densely wooded area filled with hardwood trees. You could see the sunlight just poking through the dense foliage as the ground gently sloped down to a creek bottom that bordered the back of our property.

Jax had a look of giddy anticipation on her face as she looked around the room. It was like watching a young girl on Christmas morning who'd just received the pony she'd always wanted.

Turning, Jax crossed the room and threw her arms around my neck, burying her face against my shoulder. I caught a whiff of coconut in her hair; it's ringlets tickling my cheek.

"Thank you so much, Maizie. You have no idea how much this means to me. It's been over eight years since anyone has gone out of their way to help me without having an ulterior motive. You're an extraordinary person, and I can't thank you and your husband enough."

I winced internally at the thought of Darren and how "extraordinary" he would feel about the subject. But feeling the press of this lithe goddesses body against my own, I knew that I would make him understand. I had to.

Desperately not wanting to break our embrace, but fearful of my self-control betraying me, I placed my hands on Jax's shoulders and gently pushed her away. I held her with just a small space between us, looking into her captivating eyes.

"The best thanks you can give us will be seeing you make your dreams come true. Do that, and we'll call it even," I promised.

We made our way back down to the pool area, where I asked Jax to sit and wait at a patio table underneath a pergola-covered sitting area.

When I returned, I had a bottle of wine under one arm and held two wine glasses by their stems. The wine was one of a case that Darren and I had purchased during an anniversary trip to France. I also had a rental agreement that I'd downloaded from an online legal site after customizing it to fit what I needed.

Setting everything on the table, I said, "I know it's not even quite noon. But I thought we might have a glass of wine to celebrate your new living arrangements. This is a rather lovely tawny port that Darren and I got on a trip to France a couple of years ago. It's a favorite of mine and has a kind of caramel taste to it."

Sitting forward, Jax stared at the bottle with interest, and said, "I don't think I've ever had an imported wine, and I know I've never tasted a port. Everything we have on stock at Lisa's is domestic."

"You'll enjoy this, I promise," I told her as I opened the bottle and filled each of our glasses halfway.

Holding up my glass, I said, "To your future."

Jax smiled, her captivating eyes enchanting me as they sparkled. "And to new friendships," she said with ingenuousness.

Her words brought a fluttering to my stomach. It was as if a kaleidoscope of butterflies had been released inside me. I took a deep breath and returned her smile. "I'd like that too, Jax," I said as I brought my glass to hers, allowing the crystal to touch lightly.

After we'd sipped at our wine, I presented her with the renter's agreement.

"Jax, honey, this is mostly for my husband's satisfaction. Darren relishes the thought of routine. He doesn't like disruptions to his private time. It's important to him that the trains run on time, so to speak." I explained. But as I did, I could see a hint of worry in Jax's eyes.

Taking her hand, I said, "Don't get me wrong, honey. Darren isn't a bad guy; he's just very set in his ways. Grace had a virtual train of young women traipsing up and down the stairs. But they always came and went without much fanfare. As long as your not throwing parties or blaring loud music, he'll be fine."

That seemed to relax her, which pleased me. I didn't want her feeling like she was walking on eggshells around us.

"So, it's okay if I have a visitor occasionally?" Jax asked.

Smiling, I said, "Of course, it is, honey. I don't expect you to live here and not have your girlfriend drop by or spend the night or maybe have a friend from work over. You two can even use the pool. There were times when Grace would have four or five girls out here sunning themselves in it. Just be respectful while doing it."

Jax nodded her head, "I will, Maizie. I won't do anything to make you regret helping me out. I promise.

After reading the agreement, Jax asked a few questions about specific lines in the contract that I was able to explain to her satisfaction. The verbiage said that Jax could live there free of charge while in school, provided she was making satisfactory progress towards her degree. There was also a list of items she was expected to do. They included things like keeping the unit clean and maintaining the furnishings. It stated she had two clearly marked parking spots opposite the turnaround. Any more cars than that would have to park on the street without being a nuisance to neighbors.

When she had signed the paperwork, I handed her the keys to her new room, which seemed to leave her with a giddy expression. She stared down at them and then back up at me before finally coming out of her chair and once again wrapping her arms around me. With her standing and leaning down towards me, it was as if God answered my prayers as I found my nose pressed into the side of Jax's neck. I breathed in her sweet smell. Whatever fragrance or body lotion she was wearing, the aroma was light, airy, and intoxicating. I was so caught up in enjoying the moment; it took me a second to realize Jax was talking to me.

"...the world to me and I'll never forget you for it. I meant what I said about us being friends. I only have a couple, and they're more strong work acquaintances. It will be nice knowing I have someone I can depend on or vent to when I need it."

Without thinking about it, my hand began to stroke up and down her back, finally settling just above her hips. The thought of how nice it would be to allow it to drift a little lower and across her shapely ass briefly flashed through my mind. Even if I had been free to do so, I wouldn't have sullied this moment of victory for Jax. She appeared ready to float away; her burdens lightened considerably.

Over the next couple of hours, I helped Jax move her meager belongings from her car into the apartment and get settled in. I then insisted on taking her grocery shopping as a housewarming gift. She was reticent at the store as I filled the shopping cart with things I thought she might enjoy and household items I thought she might need. Jax's sense of gratitude seemed to grow with every product I placed in the cart until, at last, it seemed to overwhelm her. Tears started to flow down her cheeks as she watched the cashier ringing up our purchases.

Nudging her with my shoulder, I said, "Hey, no more tears. I want you to be happy, and you can thank me later in the week by having me over for a meal you cook for me. Breakfast, lunch, or supper, it's your choice."

Jax looked up at me as she wiped tears off her smooth aureate cheeks and said, "I am happy. You have no idea how much all you've done today means to me. Cooking isn't something I've had much practice with doing. But if you don't have any plans for Sunday night, I promise you that I will come up with something edible for supper."

"It's a date," I said without thinking. I'd meant it innocently, but once it was out, my comment seemed to make us both blush.

We made the drive back to the house in relative silence. Jax appeared serene as she stared out the passenger window, a contented smile on her face. As for me, my depression seemed a thing of the past. I had my new stray, and that was better than any medicine or therapy could have ever done me.

I helped Jax get her things up the staircase, and soon the counter space on the large island was awash in grocery bags. With both of us pitching in, we had the abundance of food put up in under twenty minutes.

"You probably could use a little time alone to get settled, and I know it's been an emotional day for you. But I usually sit down by the pool in the evenings and try to enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine. You're more than welcome to join me if you get lonely later on." I told Jax, trying not to sound too needy for her company.

Jax leaned over against the island countertop, her sundress gapping just enough at the bodice to give me a view of the tops of her caramel-colored breasts. I looked up and found her smiling at me and saw in her eyes the recognition that she had caught me peeking at her chest's bountiful harvest.

"That sounds like it might be the perfect ending to a fantastic day, Maizie," Jax said with a grateful smile, "I think I might take advantage of that huge bed first to take a nap, but if I wake up in time, I'd love to take you up on that."

Jax walked me to the door and once again hugged me in thanks. I could feel her soft, pillowy breasts mashed against mine, making my nipples harden instantly. Our hug went on for what was likely ten or fifteen seconds longer than it should have. But even with the extra time, I was sad when it ended.

I left her to get some rest and made my way back to the main house. Standing by the sink in our kitchen, I looked out at the stairs leading above the garage. That room had seemed to taunt me in the time since Grace had moved on. Its emptiness like a hole in my heart that leaked out sadness, filling me with depression and a constant sense of melancholy.

But now the room was filled, and so was my heart. The abject sadness of the last few months had vanished with Jax's arrival. I couldn't quite quantify what it was I was feeling. But I knew I wanted to embrace it and cling to it like a dear friend.

----------------------------------

The sun was starting to get low on the horizon when I heard the sound of a door closing and the light footfalls of steps descending the garage stairway. My heart lept at Jax's approach. I'd begun to believe the young beauty had been so drained by the emotions of the day, that she would sleep through our planned rendezvous. I wouldn't have been able to blame her had that been the case.

But she had made it, and God did she look amazing. She wore a pale green halter top and the tiniest pair of yellow booty shorts I'd ever seen. I couldn't help but notice as she passed by me the way her round, supple ass cheeks hung out of the bottom of her shorts.

"I'm glad you made it," I said as I handed her a glass of wine.

Jax took the glass and offered me a smile that outshone the last of the day's sun. "I almost slept through it. I didn't realize how tired I was until I settled into that big bed. At the shelter, I was used to sleeping on a cot. So having that massive bed all to myself really seemed like overkill."

In my mind, I imagined Jax stretched out on that king-sized bed, scantily dressed in something lacy. The thought made my panties immediately moisten.

Feeling almost jealous at the thought, I smiled and said, "I'm sure you'll enjoy it a great deal more once you have your girlfriend there to share it with."