The Best Birthday

I woke up that morning thinking that would be the happiest day of my life. I counted the years, and then the months, and then finally the days until I could get away from my parents and this little one-horse town in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing about North Dakota I liked, but I graduated from high school last night and flipped my last hamburger at Pete's the day before, and now I was on my way to freedom and a life of my own making.

As I drove straight south through South Dakota into Colorado with my car loaded down with my every possession, I thought about all the new friends I could make now that I was on my own, and finally I could pick out the boys I would date now that the domineering nominating committee were forever out of my life. I never had a brother or sister to absorb the controlling parents, and now I could select my own clothing and makeup. I didn't plan to be a wild one when I left home, but I decided to change my life.

I decided more than two years before I left home to live in Salt Lake City, Utah, a medium sized mountain resort city that we visited one week a few years earlier. I wasn't particularly interested in the Mormon Tabernacle or their religion as much as mom and dad, but I appreciated their dedication to their faith and family life. I liked the weather and the nearby mountains and ski slopes.

I already had a guaranteed job lined up to start on July 1, so I drove by the building the day I arrived. I wanted to see the location because it was a privately owned company and information was scarce on the Internet. I wasn't going to get rich, but I figured I could sign up for some computer programming courses at B&Y University. I drove past their campus and was impressed by the buildings and the cleanliness of the campus.

I had been saving practically every penny I ever earned, and I was fortunate enough to have the paperwork to collect the assets from Grandma Johnson's estate. The attorney called three months earlier when I was home alone, and he told me I could inherit everything after I turned eighteen, but wrongly I assumed it was a small amount. I never even met my grandmother, so why would she leave anything to me? Mom and dad never learned of my fortuitous situation, and if I had anything to do with it, they never would. My only gift to them was my goodbye, with no forwarding address, placed on the kitchen table the day I left home.

After one night at a Motel 6, I headed for the attorney's office for my 10AM appointment with Vern Weatherford, the man I thought would hand me a check for a few hundred dollars. I didn't dream that I would need to hire his law firm to manage my new estate. Once he told me about my estate and the assets that were mine, I needed to know more than the property address and get a key, for I had my new home for life. It would be comforting to hear the size of my new estate once again and get a credit card along with a checking account established. Thankfully, this was already accomplished, and Vern walked me through all the paperwork before he drove me to my new address in a very wealthy neighborhood at 30 Stormy Night Place. My new home was at the very end of the cul-de-sac and had a six bedroom stone home with a slate roof situated on a double lot with gorgeous tree shaded landscaping surrounded by three acres of manicured grass. He told me that my grandmother allowed the year round caretaker to live in the apartment over the garage.

Vern opened the front door and handed me the keys and said, "Welcome to your new home, Linda." He claimed it was one of the very finest homes in the city, and he hoped I would enjoy it as much as my grandmother. We toured every room before he suggested he call Mr. Bell so he could introduce him. He added that Mr. Bell also inherited a sizable endowment, and he could choose to leave, but he had said nothing about that, one way or the other.

Russ Bell was much younger than Linda expected when he rang the chiming doorbell and entered from the rear entrance and through the small greenhouse into the back hallway. Not only was he younger, he was taller, stronger, and everything she didn't expect when he politely introduced himself. He was a few years older than Linda, but she doubted he was more than twenty-two or three at the most.

How long have you worked here, Mr. Bell, I asked politely? I was surprised when he responded that he worked part-time as a general helper for Mrs. Johnson starting when he was a freshman in high school.

"I began full time as soon as I graduated four years ago when I was eighteen. She was very kind to me and I will never forget how she paid for me to study landscaping at the university. I just love working her gardens and caring for the magnificent trees. I mow the lawn and basically take care of most any plumbing or electric issues. She sent me to a trade school for that, too. She never wanted me to climb ladders or do anything that she thought was dangerous, so she developed the list of companies I call when something needs painting or should we have a leak from the roof. I could have done most of those things but she would have none of it."

I asked him if I could expect him to continue managing the household now that my grandma passed away, and he hedged his bets a little when he responded he would if he continued to enjoy working for me as he did for my grandmother. I assured him I hoped he would stay and that we could also become great friends. I explained I never knew my grandmother, and I hoped he would fill in all the blanks in my life. I know absolutely nothing about her or any family or husband she may have had, and he agreed to update me and show me all the photos he had of her in his apartment.

As he was departing, Vern handed me another envelope, which he recommended I read later after all the urgent necessities are cared for. He didn't say that inside was, among other things, a photo of me when I was a baby and a handwritten letter from my grandmother, whom I had never met and left me this magnificent home. I tucked the envelope away for further consideration in my bedside dresser until I had more time to concentrate on legal issues.

The next few days were busy visiting my new bank and exploring my neighborhood and new city. Never once did I consider calling my family to announce my good fortune. I needed to heal before I could bear to utter their names.

The third morning in my new home was the day I visited Russ' apartment over the four-car garage, which was connected to the main house at the end of the upstairs hallway, on the opposite side from the elegant master bedroom. I was thrilled to see how neat he kept his suite and how attractively furnished and decorated it was. The decorations were very masculine with strong deep colors and rich leather chairs and sofa an athletic man would enjoy. The opulent king-sized bed was made of massive dark oak, perhaps oversized for a man living alone, I thought, but appearing very luxurious and comfortable. Yesterday a group of four Molly Maid cleaning ladies scoured the house and apartment for four hours. Later, I learned this was a weekly event, and grandma used to write a list every week to identify areas that needed special attention. Russ said he found it easy to keep a clean and neat apartment with their help every Thursday.

As we walked through his apartment, Russ commented, "When Ruby passed away, I stopped Millie from coming to cook dinner on weeknights. Ruby dined out every Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon, and I always accompanied her and drove her Mercedes. I seldom went anyplace without her, but she allowed me to take her car if I needed. Sometimes we just drove around the International Peace Gardens on the Jordan River, Park City, or sometimes we just bought an ice cream cone."

Russ showed me the many photos he had taken of Ruby, and I was surprised how young she appeared in selfies they had taken together. He said she died when she was only 58 years old after a stroke incapacitated her for three weeks, and I could see he had a special relationship with his employer as tears gathered in the corners of his deep blue eyes. I was doing some quick math in my head and realized she would only have been fifty when she hired Russ.

"Russ, I would like to keep the employee benefits grandma provided you. As an example, you may feel free to take the Mercedes whenever you need it. My car still runs, but someday, let's you and I go trade it in on something more reliable. And, also, if you will join me, I'd like you to accompany me to dinner on Saturdays and Sundays. I really don't enjoy eating alone, so let's get Millie back to cook dinners during the week. I'm a cereal eater for breakfast and generally have a sandwich or a salad for lunch. You can join me for those meals if you wish. In summary, I can already see that I want you to continue as caretaker of this house as long as you are happy here, and please tell me if something makes you unhappy. I'll try to change it."

My new home was beautiful in every way. Although I would like to make it a little more my home and a little less grandma's, I had no talent for decorating. In that respect, I was just like my mom. She never cared whether things matched or looked good together if she liked it, and it was cheap, she wanted it. Grandma, on the other hand, had a theme for her house, and one room was an extension of the last. I was beginning to feel like everything belonged exactly where she placed it, and Russ either followed her suggestions or left everything the way it was four years ago when he moved in.

One day at lunch Russ asked if it was all right for him to swim in the pool and use the hot tub. He said he was not fond of the sauna but Ruby used it religiously every Sunday morning. He couldn't understand how she could tolerate the heat, but she claimed the sweat cleaned her pores. When she finished in the sauna, he said she always took a long cool shower before swimming several laps.

I listened closely as he asked permission, and I explained he could use everything in the house just like he had before Ruby died. Still, I would like to ask how he knew so much about Ruby's swimming habits, and I was beginning to wonder if she swam nude. She obviously had a nice figure, even at the end when she died, but Linda doubted they had a romantic relationship. She guessed it was possible.

Linda decided to try the pool the following morning, so she called Russ over to inquire how to use the hot tub. She commented that she never tried a sauna before and wasn't a great swimmer either. He offered to standby if she was concerned, but he also mentioned the water was only six feet deep in the deep end and three feet in the shallow end. It was tapered evenly from one end to the other.

"Do you know if there are some swimming outfits here? Or maybe I'll need to go shopping, Russ."

"Sure, there are several swimming outfits in the closet by the sauna, Linda. Let me show you some because some have never even been worn, and she was about your size, I think."

He led me to the pool area, and he showed me her outfits, and I noticed he had a few pair of what appeared to be very small bikini type tight swimming trunks. Once again, I wondered about the situation, but I guessed it was appropriate for both to keep their swimming outfits in the same cabinet.

"If you don't mind, Russ, I would like you to come in with me, at least I'd feel better until I see what it's like."

I grabbed the two-piece suit that was on top and decided it was probably the correct size and asked him where the changing room was, and he responded that a changing room is about the only thing this house doesn't have.

"You could step into the sauna to change and I'll trade places with you when you're finished."

When I walked into the sauna, the cedar absorbed most of the overhead light so I switched power on and that included lights with the heat. It didn't take me long to change, but already the sauna was hot, and I agreed that a sauna was not my kind of relaxation. I exited and went to the shallow end of the pool, and waited for Russ to change, and I couldn't help notice his reflection in a mirror across the pool from him. I tried not to look, but my self-control was totally absent, and I watched him lower his pants after he removed his work shirt. There he was, a very masculine man, about six feet tall with a well-developed six-pack obviously strong and fit from hard work and exercise. I was not experienced with men, and this was the first fully nude man I ever saw in person. I had nothing in my memory to compare to this blond haired man with broad shoulders as he leaned over and stepped inside his swimming trunks one leg at a time and gently pulled them up over his private area and gingerly stepped from the sauna. That's when I started to wonder if he had accidently seen me naked too, or if this was something planned.

There was a wide set of four concrete stairs with stainless steel safety bars leading to the shallow end, and entry was fast and safe. Linda liked the temperature and slipped underneath the surface, keeping only her head above water. He followed her into the pool, but they hadn't stayed long when she told him she was sorry, but she accidently saw him undress when she glanced at the mirror.

"Oh, Linda, I'm sorry I should have mentioned the wide angled mirror. Actually, it's a safety item that was required when Ruby installed the pool a few years ago. It allows people from the outside hallway behind the glass see people in the deep end without entering the pool area to be sure everyone is swimming safely. If you're worried, I was not able to see you from where I was standing. It seemed like a logical answer to Linda and she was about to drop the subject when he said, "I hope my body didn't offend you. I will try to be more careful in the future."

"Not to worry, Russ, but I'm glad to know the purpose of the mirror. And regarding your body, you certainly have nothing to be ashamed. Obviously, you work out and have the wonderful body to prove it."

He told her that he appreciated her comments but he feels bad if she was offended, then he added, that she has a very attractive body too. He couldn't help notice her ample breasts fully stuffed the bathing top, and her slim waist and small butt were attractive. Her best feature he thought was her face with her high cheekbones, with a slightly turned up nose, and her deep wide-set blue eyes. This woman could be a model if she wished, but now with all her money she didn't need work anymore since her grandmother left her a fortune.

Linda wondered about the money her grandmother left to Russ. She never asked Vern, and she wasn't sure he would reveal that information anyway. She also didn't care because she had more that enough for any need she would ever have. She figured if it were really significant, he would leave the first day he was unhappy at the Botanica, the name given to her estate when it was built in 1924. More and more she hoped he would stay, for he seemed to be the torque that keeps the wheels moving from day to day.

Now that Linda had been in her home for months and she had ironed out many of the details of managing the affairs, with the help of Russ, she knew she continued to have some personal desires to fulfill; and she needed to make a move. She still was an unloved woman, never known by any man, and still finding the pickings very rare. She had only met one eligible man since she fled her home three months ago and he worked for her. How could she connive a way to explore the possibilities with him without driving him away? She planned to try, but she needed to put a plan together that would provide the possibility of success without risking his rejection and possible departure.

They were together every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Twice each week they dined in public together with few knowing or caring about learning her name. She wanted to open a door that he could come through voluntarily. She asked Millie to place candles on their dining table each evening, and she asked the exclusive restaurants where they dined to add roses to their table. And she used a soft language when she talked with Russ to sound attractive and she wore new clothing that was more revealing and appealing. She was treated very politely, but either Russ was not attracted to Linda or he was afraid to make a move because he loved his position and didn't want to risk losing it.

"Russ, you have become a very valuable person here at Botanica. I'm not sure how to approach this with you, Russ."

"Did I offend you in some way, Linda?"

"Oh, no, to the contrary. Every time we talk I am more fond of you, but I am uncomfortable being so formal with you. I've never felt I could give you a hug when you do something wonderful, and I feel I must always be dressed rather than lounge around casually in my pajamas. I'd like to swim with you and see your body again, but I'm ashamed and afraid to ask. I would love to make love with you to learn what it would feel like to have a man all to myself for a night."

She could see Russ' face redden as he listened, and she continued softly and asked the big question if he had any feeling for her.

"How could a man not have feelings for someone so kind and thoughtful? Let's start now. We are adults."

"I opened the packet grandma left for me last night Russ. She told me about how she loved you greatly and how you comforted her in her declining health. She told me how she used to swim with you in the nude, and that you never attempted to make a move until she asked. She told me in her letter that you were the only person she ever truly loved and the only man that ever satisfied that urge deep within. She told me how you used to hold her in front of the fireplace and make love to her until she needed to have you carry her weakened body to bed." Grandma didn't say her final wish was for her to love Russ the way she loved him.

"Russ, I want you to treat me like you treated my grandmother, but don't wait for me to ask or beg. Please take me tonight. Your position here has nothing to do with what you do for me tonight or any other night."

"Linda, I cannot treat you like I treated your grandmother. I never loved her, but I was kind to her and gave her everything within my power. If we can have a relationship, you will be the first person I every truly loved. I want to swim nude with you. I want to hold you in my arms in front of the crackling fireplace on a frosty winter night, and I'd love to sleep in your Queen Anne bed and hold you throughout the sensual night. The flame in my body is like a torch lighting my way into your heart."

Russ didn't ask for permission, he took her in his strong arms and carried Linda's receptive curvaceous body up the long stairway and down the hall to his own masculine bedroom over the garage. I want to make you mine in my bed, and I plan to be available to you every night in your bed.

Gently, he undressed Linda as he did Ruby many times before, but this night he entered the woman he loved and explored her beautiful body in ways she never even dreamed possible. Then they drifted off into dreamland with him exhausted and shriveled, and with her consumed in a state of bliss having attained total jubilation and ecstasy on her first night of becoming a totally fulfilled woman.

Linda Johnson - heiress

Grandma Ruby Johnson - benefactor

Russ Bell - gardener

Attorney Vern Weatherford

Millie - Cook

Botanica - Name of her home

30 Stormy Night Road