Chapter 39: Sheila - The Housekeeper

Lortran

I walked through the portal that Gigziks indicated, and I found myself sitting in an Airship.

I said, “Airship?”

A voice in my head said, “Yes, Lortan? You can ‘think’ to me, and I will answer inside your head. That way, we can stay in contact without alerting others to our presence.”

I had to think. We had talked about my getting an airship. This was it. Having been in one before, I was not totally confused.

I thought towards it, “Airship, can you put me down discreetly near my office?”

For an answer, I found myself in an alley a half block from my office. Nobody was within sight. I guessed that magically appearing inside my office would be indiscreet. I could be seen, and thereby I would alarm people. Worse, that would draw attention to me, and I have my own secrets to keep.

I thought, “Thank you, Airship.”

The AI voice sent, “No problem.”

I wasn’t sure it was a “he,” per se, but it had used a male voice.

I walked the half block to the front door and went into my office.

In my office, I started writing out my report. I took it to the typing pool and handed it to one of the women there. They would type it up and deliver it to Sheriff Thompson in the morning. By 10:00 a.m., it would reside in a file drawer, probably never to be seen ever again.

When I finished, I looked around the room and saw the red symbol on a blank part of the wall. I walked to the symbol and thought ‘Boarding House’ and looked to see that nobody was in my room. I stepped straight into my room.

I turned around and saw the symbol on my wall. My room is simple. It features a small bed, a chest of drawers, and a wardrobe for hanging clothes. There is also a wooden trunk for blankets and linens, a small wooden desk, and a wooden chair. The room is so small it’s almost difficult to turn around in.

I saw an extra symbol on another wall. I walked towards it. I understood ordinary people could not see the symbols. As I approached, the wall faded and became an empty doorway.

I walked into a hidden room. It contained a large bathtub, and a pipe coming down above the tub had a device on it. There’s a thing to do with your numbers, a sink, and a wall cabinet. There was also a bin labeled ‘Dirty Clothes.’

I had time before dinner. I wanted to try out the bathtub. I went to the tub and worked out the controls. The letters C and H are obvious labels for cold and hot. I started the water flowing into the tub. It flowed right back out as fast as it came in.

I pushed and pulled on the odd lever above where the water was running out; the water stayed in after I pushed it up. It could be a hidden mechanical stopper.

I pushed it a couple of times, experimenting. It alternately stopped the water or let it drain again.

I went back into my room while the tub filled and took off my clothes. I walked over to the extra room and deposited my dirty clothes in the dirty clothes bin. I lowered myself into the warm tub and used the cloth by the tub to wash.

There is a handy bar of soap to lather the washcloth with. I scrubbed myself all over. This is the life. I added more hot water and sank further down in the big tub until only my face was out of the water. I truly enjoyed the hot soak. I like the size and shape of the tub.

After a while, it started to turn cool, and I had to get out because it was already too full to add more hot water. I got out and dried off. I went into my bedroom and saw my clothes on the bed. They are cleaned and folded neatly. I could get used to this life. Some magic happened to clean them so nicely.

I sat on my bed and thought about things. Meeting Bill had been an odd experience. I was coming to terms with the things the yellow aliens had provided. There was nothing for it but to go downstairs and see what I would see. Would the Rearden women see me differently?

I went down the stairwell and to the kitchen door. I saw Sheila working on our supper. Once more,

I marveled at her. A 39-year-old widow, she’s a tiny little woman with very light blonde hair. She has a trim body because she works hard all day. Her daughter, Missy, spends her days washing bed linens and changing beds. She also sweeps and dusts.

I said, “Mrs. Rearden, can a hard-working man get a cup of coffee?”

She turned and looked at me. “You go sit down, Mr. Childress. I’ll bring your usual in a few minutes.”

I went over to the big, long dining table and sat so I could watch her work. Her skirt stops mid-thigh. For her age, she has a fine set of petite legs. I have often thought about that splendid little body of hers.

Up until now, I have not trusted myself. I had feared I would turn on the woman and feed off her, which would ruin any relationship. At the moment, I was not hungry for blood. I was hungry for Sheila.

The aliens had given me two bags of blood. I have been good for more than a week now. They had told me I could get all the bagged blood that I wanted if I signed a contract with them. They used a word called Entertainment, whatever that was. Their explanation of what that is is complex and escapes me.

Sheila came in with a black coffee in a white china cup.

She came over and put it next to me. I touched her hand, and she turned to me, her face frozen. I drew her to me and kissed her. I held her as I gently kissed her.

She murmured, “Mmmmmm, ohhhhh...”

I put my hands under her skirt and pulled her to me by her sweet little bare bottom. Her kiss intensified as I ran my hands up under her skirt. I took charge of her sweet little bum. Her tush is warm because she has been standing and moving about. Her skin is like silk. I smell her normal, feminine odor, and I like it.

“Sheila, darling. You are mine now, aren’t you? You’re my woman, and you want me.”