This choice: Main Story What Happens after her foot is kissed? • Go Back...Chapter #11Main Story Continues! Sisters!! by: Carl   She did not reply.
I hastily put on her socks and flats, and as she left all she said was, "Have a nice weekend Sir," accompanied by what seemed a very puzzled smile.
Of course I did not have a nice weekend. I was far too anxious and worried about her reaction. What did she think? What would she say or do when she returned? Would she even come back at all? This last thought terrified me most of all and needless to say I was on pins and needles throughout, until precisely at noon on Monday she walked through the door with her usual ultra bright smile and greeting.
With her customary energy and effervescence she went on to her duties, which helped to calm me some, but I was still extremely nervous as I awaited her at the end of her shift by the kitchen bar. When she entered she hesitated a moment, then smiled and without a word made her way over to sit on the bar stool.
After I had removed her shoes and socks and began my ministrations she started to chat excitedly about her weekend and the latest exploits of her sisters. I didn't ask for, not did she offer, anything beyond this, either that day or any of the days that followed. While I certainly ached for more, the lack only made that one previous moment more magical in my memory.
What did change some was that Maria began to engage me more in conversations about myself. Although reticent at first, her obvious interest, which no one had ever shown before, helped to open me up, and her frequent compliments and indications of approval over some of my recited accomplishments spurred me on to reveal even more. She continually encouraged me to actively search for that new challenge in my life that I admitted to her I was looking for. While I still couldn't fathom yet what that might be, she at least inspired me to rededicate myself more fully into the necessary financial research of my holdings, to have them prosper even more.
It was about two months later though that I began to notice a change. Her smiles were not as bright, her conversation not as enthusiastic and at times even distracted and withdrawn. I, of course, worried that it was something to do with me, but when I asked if anything was wrong she tried to increase her smile and assured me, unconvincingly, that there was not. Several weeks later however, again on a Friday afternoon, when we met in the kitchen, instead of getting up on the bar stool she remained standing and told me that she needed to tell me something.
"Maria, what is it?" I asked already more than slightly alarmed.
"Sir, I'm afraid that today will have to be my last day working here."
"What do you mean?" I responded, alarm now verging on panic.
"My sisters and I are moving to Florida tomorrow."
"Florida?" I exclaimed. "But why? And why all of a sudden, out of the blue?"
"It's not important, Sir"
"Of course it is. To me. After all we ..." My heart was in my throat but I forced myself to continue. "You have to give me a reason Maria ... Please."
She was an agency maid and I was but one of her employers, and she didn't owe me anything more than her notice. And that could have come just as easily from her agency. But we both understood that she had to offer something more of an explanation.
"It's embarrassing, Sir." she answered in a low voice, eyes down.
It had to be about me I despaired. But I had to know. And why did she have to move to Florida?
"Maria, please, you have to tell me. What have I done?"
Her head snapped up, startled, and that seemed to convince her.
"You, Sir? You've never been anything but super kind and nice to me. It has nothing to do with you."
Only slightly relieved I forged forward. "But why then?"
She took a deep breath.
"Alright Sir, because you've always been so ... well, I'll tell you. But please, don't think poorly of me?"
"Never."
She offered up a wan smile and began.
"My sisters and I live in a small one bedroom apartment. It's all I've been able to afford over the last few years, but with the housing shortage in the city they keep raising the rents and six months ago they nearly doubled ours. I've been trying to keep up but I've fallen way behind and, well, two weeks ago we got our eviction notice. I've been looking and looking but I can't find anything I can afford on such short notice."
I was stunned. "Maria, why haven't you said something. I could help."
She looked shocked. "Oh no, Sir. I could never do anything like that. It wouldn't be right. Anyway, it's too late. We have to be out of the apartment by tomorrow. I've put off telling you until now because I'm so ashamed. But we have an Auntie in Florida who's offered to put us up until I can get things together. She says there's lots of work for maids down there."
I was beside myself. This couldn't be happening, especially when I could have prevented it so easily, even if she wouldn't allow herself to accept my help. But I had to come up with something.
"What about your sisters and their college?"
For the first time her eyes began to water.
"They have to take a leave of absence. And they were so close, less than two semesters away for graduating. That's what hurts so much. I've failed them." Her face hardened with resolution. "But I swear I'll get them back to finish, no matter how hard I have to work. It's just so important. They mean everything to me."
I had to take the chance.
"But the solution is obvious, Maria. And so easy."
"What do you mean, Sir?"
"You can all move in here. I have the two empty bedrooms. Your sisters can stay in one and you in the other."
"Sir, we could never do that."
"Why not? I have the room and your sisters can stay in school, and you'll have the time to look for another place and also to save up some money to better afford it."
"Sir, I don't know what to say."
"Say yes. Think of your sisters."
It was this that tipped the balance I'm sure. I don't think she would have ever done it for herself, but after thanking me profusely and promising that she would find a place for them all as quickly as she could, she did say yes.
The very next day, Saturday, they all arrived, each with just one suitcase. I had rapidly arranged for a mover to pick up and put into storage possessions in their old apartment that they would have been forced to leave behind and abandon. Again Maria couldn't thank me enough. She introduced me for the first time to her two younger sisters, Anita and Rosa. They were not identical twins, and although both were very attractive in their own way, in my opinion they paled in comparison with their older sister. They seemed much more reserved than Maria, and their smiles and thank you's more restrained, which I felt was understandable given the sudden circumstances in which they found themselves.
But I was much more concerned about Maria and I knew I had to make them all feel as comfortable as possible for her sake so I tried to stay out of their way as much as I could, and they certainly made every effort to stay out of mine as well. Maria gave the larger extra bedroom to her sisters as there were two of them, as she took the smaller. The twins were away at school most of the weekday times except for Thursday when they had no classes. On those days they generally remained in the bedroom studying. Maria continued to work full time including more diligently than ever the three weekly afternoon sessions with me. Every night she also insisted on making dinner for us all, and with her sisters they all cleaned up after. She was an excellent cook and it was a delight to have home cooked meals after a lifetime of take out or eating out.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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