Trust (3 page)

"She has a fresh college degree and is on the first rung of the corporate ladder. To be honest, I don't really understand what she does. Something with computers."

I laughed. "Everyone's job is something with computers," I told her.

"I suppose that's true. So, that was my wish. Have you thought of yours yet?"

"No. Give me a moment." Actually, I knew what I wished, but I wanted something better.

But when I was quiet too long, Josie asked, "Have you fallen asleep, Sable?"

"I have a wish, but it's not as good as yours."

Her voice was gentle. "Tell me, Dear."

"All right. I wish my boss wasn't a homophobe. I'm not out at work, and because I don't look the part, no one even wonders if I'm gay. But it will come out eventually."

"It always does," Josie replied. "Eventually. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I'm good at what I do, and if she figures it out, I'll either get a transfer or find a job somewhere else. I just wish..." I trailed off.

"I know," Josie said. She paused. "Do we need to talk while you decide on your topic?"

"No. You picked careers, so I'll take the other direction. Vacations."

"Oh, perfect," Josie said, and I heard her clap her hands a few times. "An excellent topic indeed."

"Indeed," I agreed. "All right. I wish I were better at picking vacation destinations."

"What was wrong with your trip to Mexico."

"Nothing, but a beach in Mexico is sort of obvious, don't you think? I want to go places that everyone else doesn't visit, but I am careful when I vacation and don't want to make a mistake."

"Oh, I see," Josie replied. "I understand completely. You know that's something we could talk about together."

I smiled. "I'd like that. Your turn."

"Mine is an obvious wish. I wish I had someone who wanted to do the same sort of traveling I do. It wouldn't have to be a girlfriend. My daughter and I used to vacation together, but she doesn't like to go with me anymore. I quote cramp her style."

"I never minded traveling alone, but I imagine having a companion would be better," I replied. "I need to pick another topic."

"You do," she agreed. "But this time I'll wish first for yours, and you'll wish first for mine."

"All right. Family."

"Ah," Josie said slowly. "I wish my parents had been more accepting of who I am."

"I'm sorry," I said.

"They weren't horrible, but we were never close again after I told them. They're gone now." She grew quiet.

"I'm sorry," I said again. "It was a bad topic."

"No," she replied. "It was a good topic. We're getting to know each other. I shared something intimate with you. I haven't told that to very many people."

I nodded, even though she couldn't see. "My grandmother died when I was twelve. I wished she had lived a lot longer. I really loved her."

After that, we were both quiet for a while. Finally Josie said, "Dear. Are you really in bed?"

"Of course."

"In pajamas?"

"A camisole and undies."

"Don't tell me that!" she said. "How am I supposed to sleep with that image? You're wearing ugly flannel pajamas."

I laughed. "A sexy camisole, and my nipples are perky!"

"You are a bad, bad girl," she said, laughing.

"I know. It's too bad your new toy doesn't arrive until Monday."

"I should put you over my knee."

"I might like it."

She laughed then grew still. "All right. You're feeling playful. Our topic is: us."

"And I go first."

"That is correct."

"Fine. I wish I'd accepted your dinner invitation."

She grew still. I could hear her breathing, barely. Then she said in a quiet voice, "That was my wish."

"Well, we can't share a wish," I said. "You can't share wishes."

"Of course you can."

"No. I want a new wish."

She laughed. "Well, I suppose just this once."

"I wish you'll ask me out."

I heard an intake of breath, then silence. I waited. Finally she said, "You know, that wish could come true."

"Could it?" I asked. "Silky black camisole and undies."

"You... you... You are a bad, bad girl." In response I giggled. "Sable?"

"Yes, Josie?"

"Are you available for dinner Friday evening?"

"Let me check my schedule. Click. Click. Click click click. Hmm. I have a conflict."

"Sable!"

"It seems I am having dinner with one Josie Baker. Oh wait, that's you!"

"Do you mind driving? The rest of the evening is my treat, but I'd like you to drive."

"You don't like to drive at night?"

"I don't mind at all," she said. "I have ulterior motives."

"Oh. Do tell."

"I want you to drive me home afterwards. I owe you a spanking, and I'd rather deliver it here than at your place."

I laughed. "Yeah, that's not happening, but I don't mind driving."

"Good. I'll mail you directions. Is 6:00 too early?"

"6:00 is great," I said. "How should I dress?"

"Dress to impress, of course," she said. I could hear her grinning. "Dinner and conversation."

"It's a date." I paused. "Josie, I need to tell you something."

"I knew it. You really are wearing horrible pajamas."

"Oh, no. Black, silky camisole and undies. No, this is serious."

"All right." I heard her grew still. "Go ahead."

"Something occurred to me after I wrote my advertisement. Actually, it occurred while I was editing it, but I didn't know how to fix it."

"Did you forget to mention you're a serial killer?"

"Josie, please."

"I'm sorry. I'll behave."

"For now," I suggested. "I want to be clear about something. I have a good job."

"I know you do, Dear."

"I'm not looking for a sugar mama."

"The thought never crossed my mind."

"We'll go Dutch on Friday."

"We will do no such thing. I asked you, and it is my treat."

"Josie, this is important to me. I practically begged you to ask me out."

"Sable, I know you don't want to lead. I also know what you meant when you said you wanted a strong, mature woman." I wasn't sure she did. "I know it's not about the money, is it?"

"No. But-"

"Sable, I am taking you to the sort of restaurant where they don't expect to be paid in cash, and they don't split the bill."

"So you pay the bill, and I give you cash for my share."

"No."

"But-"

"Sable, it's my turn."

I grew sullen. "Fine."

"I don't want us to keep score. I don't want us to worry about who paid how much for this, who offered the most recent massage, who took care of this, who handled that."

"But-"

"One more word, and I am retracting my offer."

"You wouldn't. You want to go out with me at least as much as I want to go out with you."

"I do, but I don't want to fight."

"You don't play fair."

"That was four words, Sable."

"No!" I said. "Just." I sighed. "We'll do it your way."

"Good," she said. I could hear the smile. "I am turning off my light and snuggling in, but I'd like to talk a little longer."

So we did.

* * * *

Vic called the next day. We chatted for an hour. No mention of a second date came up.

Friday arrived. I could fret about many things, but I'd long grown out of fretting about my clothes. I wanted to tease Josie, so I started with the same camisole I'd worn to bed during our phone call. I even did laundry so I could wear the same undies. I was going to have fun teasing her.

Then I inspected my closet. I wanted to show a hint of the teddy. I added a black convertible wrap dress, adjusting it carefully for just the perfect look. In deference to the weather, I threw a black scarf over my shoulders and arms. It was black on black on black, but I knew I looked good. I added color with my makeup and earrings then smiled and added a cameo pendant to hang just at the top of my cleavage. The end result was a little eclectic, but I wanted something to draw her eye.

I smiled at the thought.

It was an easy drive to Josie's suburban neighborhood. I turned right off a quiet parkway, passing a brick and wood housing development sign. Josie lived in a neighborhood called Westwood Dale. Looking left and right as I drove through the gently curving streets, I saw houses in a variety of designs and styles, all lovely, and while all unique, each seeming to fit the neighborhood.

"Wow."

Another right turn brought me onto Josie's cul-de-sac, and there her house was, directly ahead. I verified the house number before coming to a stop in front of a lovely rambler with a partial brick fascia, three-car garage, and a portico framing the main entrance. I stared at the house for a minute before climbing from my car.

I made my way along a brick sidewalk to the front door, stood there a moment, then pressed the bell. It was a short wait before the door opened, and Josie and I had our first opportunity to see each other face-to-face.

"Wow," she said, looking me up and down.

I smiled. "That's what I said as I drove through your neighborhood." I gave her an appraising look. "I wasn't expecting us to match quite so completely." Like me, she was dressed in black.

Yes, she was sixty, and that readily showed. But she was well put together, and I could see the stunning woman she was in her younger years. Now, I could call her striking and still, in my eyes at least, beautiful. And in her stance and expression, I saw a confidence I didn't often see in a younger woman.

Or maybe I was imagining that, but to me, it didn't matter. I could see it.

I liked what I saw, and so I smiled again.

"Well, come in, Sable," she said. She held out a hand, and I gave her mine as I stepped over the threshold. With her other hand, she closed the door behind me, and then, my hand still in hers, we gazed at each other.

Finally I broke the silence. "Unless you're disappointed, I wouldn't mind a warmer welcome than this." I squeezed her hand.

"How could I be disappointed?" she asked with a smile, pulling me to her. We wrapped arms around each other.

Josie was taller than me, although not by a lot. I lifted my chin just slightly to look over her shoulder, and we held tightly for a moment. Then I turned and kissed her cheek before whispering in her ear, "I'm happy to be here with you."

She released me but slid her fingers down my arms as we separated, capturing my hands and then holding my arms away from me. "Let me get a look at you." Her look was deeply appraising, and we both smiled. Finally her eyes settled exactly where I had intended, on the cameo nestled just above the black camisole peeking out from behind the dress. "Tell me that's not the same one."

My smile broadened. "Of course it is." Then the smile broadened into a grin, and I whispered conspiratorially, "So are the undies."

"Sable, you are a very naughty girl!"

I said nothing, but I pulled away and slowly turned around, looking about while allowing Josie to look at me. I came to a stop facing her again, and I could tell from the way her eyes darted back up just where she'd been looking.

"Oh, I'm not sure I'm the only naughty one. Care to tell me what you were just looking at?"

She began to blush, and I barely stifled my laughter. "Like you weren't inviting such an appraisal."

I stepped marginally closer. "You told me to dress to impress. I was only obeying your instruction."

She barked a laugh. "I suppose you were."

I looked around briefly. "Do I get a tour?"

"Of course." She took my arm, and I let her pull me through the house. She gave me a lingering tour of an absolutely lovely house. It, like it's occupant, was quite striking, with tasteful decorations and lovely artwork. There were three bedrooms, one of which was set up as a home office, two and a half baths, and all the other spaces one would expect in a house in this neighborhood. Not a pin was out of place, and I wondered if it always looked like this, or if she'd had to hire a team of cleaners knowing I'd be here this evening.

I put on a playful look. "Tell the truth. Does it always look like this?"

"What do you mean?"

I waved. "Everything is perfect."

"Oh. Yes. Clutter makes me uncomfortable. I'm not a pack rat, so it only takes a few minutes a day to keep everything where it belongs."

Standing in her great room, I gave one more turn around before turning to face Josie. "Well, I like it. It's lovely and suits you."

"Thank you. I've been happy here. Well, we have reservations. Let me collect my purse."