Episode 290: KNOT HALF BAD

“She’s a maniac, a maniac on the floor.”

In her living room Margaret Manley sat on the carpet playing an old record from the movie Flashdance on her record player. Showing her age even if it was her mother’s record before her, it often made her smile. Oddly, her caregiver Nadine Moss was in the kitchen mopping the tile and dancing along to it. As the song wailed to Michael Sembello’s anthem Marge stood up almost painfully, lightheaded but shaking it off. Fearless she made her way to the kitchen to see how much her young savior enjoyed the music Marge was hellbent on playing. Seeing her fondness for the classics made her smile.

Today Marge made Nadine wear only Carl’s dog tags and an Army cap. Those Army t-shirts were getting old, and Marge was testing the girl’s resolve. “Mop after your footprints, the song is from Flashdance not Footloose.” Nadine wrinkled her nose at the joy in the tone of her mistress. A smile was the best medicine ever. For both parties!

Taking a seat in the dining room to enjoy her afternoon coffee Marge let the music continue without bother. The Flashdance soundtrack was one of the best movie releases ever made. Taking a break to refill her cup Nadine shuffled in and noticed movement in the corner of her eye through the French doors. Pausing Nadine peered out over the backyard to see some familiar faces. “The soldiers are here, Mistress.”

A palm to her chin Margaret looked to her right and saw the boys from the Surplus Store here to install more equipment for her hubby’s backyard boot camp. Noticing Nadine’s interest as lust she smiled. “You rather enjoyed them last time, didn’t you dear?”

“Is that forbidden mistress?”

“Of course not. Just know who you belong to. Those dog tags are close enough to a collar until Carl sees fit to offer new.” He had planned on making a collar out of them when he had time.

“What is it they are here to do?”

“Carl asked them to bring a military grade climbing rope and hook it to our tree. That oak has a thick enough branch to sustain even his weight. You will climb it very soon.”

“A good thing I’m not afraid of heights.”

“You would overcome that if you were dear. I can see you trembling. Are you cold or merely excited to see them?”

“They are both very good looking.” She blushed. “I will not act on my own mistress. You have my word. I would never betray you or my master.”

“Good! While I might defend you if you should ... No! Not even if you dared to reveal my secret.” Hurt by this Nadine instantly began crying and hurled herself to her knees before Margaret’s side and began shaking. Stunned by the girl’s emotions Margaret reached out with one hand and palmed the top of her head. “Stop that this instant.”

“I would never, ever, betray you, Mistress. Your faith in me is the energy I need to continue.”

“Perhaps that faith is shared by the both of us.” Now Marge was tearing up. Her caregiver, nay, her servant’s words cut her to the core. With her own timetable on this world closing in on Margaret this poor young woman was the synergy that she required to exist. “Dampen my robe, give me a hug and resume your duties.”

“Yes, Mistress!” The hug was intensely strong. Salty tears were kept to herself until Margaret had sympathy enough to use her own robe to dab at the girl’s cheeks then eyes. Hearing Nadine choke up slightly Marge palmed the girl’s right cheek and leaned over to kiss her forehead.

“That will be quite enough blubbering. Go say hello to the nice soldiers. Well, reserves I presume.”

Easing away Nadine stood up without using the table or her mistress as leverage. Her legs were already strong, and the daily runs were helping her along. Stepping on the scales Carl had given her for her bathroom she had shocked herself at in just a short while living here lost six pounds. The daily calisthenics and watching her diet were working. More sex in a few short days than in her entire life complemented that regimen. She was feeling so very grateful for her owners.

“Go on! Just tell them you were so happy to see them you cried.”

“I am happy to see them, but they would not make me cry.” Nadine stepped to the French door.

“Oh! Show them to the shed. Carl has an extension ladder in there that they can use.” Pausing, Marge smiled at a new song on the Flashdance soundtrack, this one called He’s a Dream by Shandi Sinnamon. Yes, her husband was. Lost in thought as a warm breeze crept in upon the glass door opening, she envisioned she and Carl dancing. While not to this type of song but to ballroom dancing. She fondly recalled suckering Carl into lessons when they were just dating. Two left feet and a grunt! He was so adorable out of his element.

Leaving the deck Nadine skipped like a schoolgirl out into the yard and deviated around the razor wire garden as Sir Carl called it. In between those nasty cuts and the Goodyear tires lying on the ground she thanked them mentally in passing. Best year ever! “Hello, Sir’s!” She greeted Chaz Arbuckle and Mark Yaeger from the Surplus store. Out of uniform this time around they looked ready to get dirty. It was the jingling of Carl’s dog tags that caught their awareness first.

“Hey there, Nadine.” Mark smiled at her as her arms went behind her back held at the wrist. One lesson taught by Sir Carl was that she was never to be ashamed of her body and that the entire world should have the privilege in seeing her pose. In other words, ATTENTION!

“Hello! Sir has a tall ladder in his shed if you require it.”

“Beats us doing Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who climbs that big ass tree.” Chaz laughed. “Lead the way, Booty Camp!” She loved her title. Saluting them with a “Sir! Yes, Sir!” she pivoted in step and walked them to the shed. That jiggly ass was still a tad hefty but both men were fine by that. In her journey she could see their reflections following behind her in the glass panels of the shed door. Both men were definitely checking her out. Her smile was brilliant even as she turned the doorknob. This was the first time being in here. She was shocked to find so little, expecting clutter. Only a push mower, the ladder on the wall, weed eater, and sheers. One thing that did catch her eye was a covered-up canvas painting on an easel. Intriguing!

“There you are Sir’s!” She hugged the door allowing them to enter. Knowing Carl allowed them interaction with his slave Chaz leaned in to bite her left nipple before ignoring her to continue on inside. Mark behind him did the same but his attempt was more intimate, he kissed her right nipple and then her cheek. She could not stop smiling. “Thank you, Sir’s!”

“Grab an end Yaeger, let’s get this job over with. Leaving the new girl running the Surplus by herself she’s bound to be calling. I don’t want to be up a tree when she does.”

“McCoy is pretty smart. I don’t see her calling unless it’s above her paygrade. I might ask Dawn out.”

“Better do it before I do. Once I’ve got her in bed you don’t stand a chance.”

“Whatever! Your ego will kill those chances.” Ladder removed from its fasteners the two men carried it delicately outdoors. Nadine held the door and waited until they were walking away before eying that canvas painting along a very lonely wall. Tempted to lift the covering and snoop she shied from it out of respect.

“You can look.” She jumped at Margaret’s voice behind her in the doorway.

“Mistress! Why are you outside?”

“I’m not ready for that casket just yet dear. I found a bit of strength after our weep session. I started that painting three months ago then my sickness kept me from finishing it. Go ahead lift the canvas cloak.” A subtle, “Yes Mistress!” Nadine shuffled over and looked nervous for some reason.

“I did not know you also enjoyed painting. My mother painted when father would allow her. Uncle has the only painting that she finished before her ... passing. I hope he does not throw it out.”

“Why didn’t you bring it with you?”

“I don’t know. I suppose I only brought necessity.” Taking a deep breath, she delicately lifted the cover and draped it over the top. “A tree!” She narrowed her eyes then realized something and pointed out the window. “The tree they are tying the rope to.”

“I didn’t have much else in mind at the time. When we first moved in here Carl had put a swing up on that branch for Jesse. He was five at the time. The rope rotted away two years ago, and we saw no need to put up a new swing. That’s why I painted the swing on the tree, a fond memory. It was always so thrilling to watch Jesse enjoy that swing. I just wish I could survive to see a grandchild on another swing. Maybe one day Carl might. I guess you would be the closest thing to that vision, seeing as Carl has claimed that branch for you.

“You should finish this Mistress. It is a very good start.”

“My aim was to leave it to Jesse to share with his children someday. You may be right.”

“May I speak freely?”

“Of course!”

“Without punishment?”

“This once!” Margaret grinned.

“Finish this bitch!” She gnashed her teeth after saying it. Margaret busted up laughing. She knew the girl was sincere in getting her off of her ass and completing her goal before it became too late. “I will not beg forgiveness.”

“You are fine! I know you meant well ... bitch!” Laughter went up an octave between the both of them. “How about this. I’ll start back on this painting Monday. With Jesse buying his first home it would be a wonderful present. However!” She wagged a finger at her servant. “You have to paint one in tribute to your mother. For better or worse!”

“I can do that.” Nadine grew giddy. “I used to color artwork on notebook paper for my mom to put on our refrigerator.”

“Oh, I remember those days. Jesse was quite the amateur artist in his youth. I’ll have Jesse buy another canvas and fresh paint for the both of us over the weekend. Maybe if Carl stays home, I’ll have Jesse take you with him to get some fresh air.”

“Only if master says it is okay. I know he wants me to run this obstacle course and it will be raining tomorrow. The clouds are getting darker.” Nadine directed attention to the sky.

“I would not put it pass my husband to make you even in a downpour.”

“I will be a mud wrestler.” She giggled.

“A cute mud wrestler. Help me to the back deck and go charm your gROPERS!” God! Did everyone have Piper Cherry’s wonky sense of humor? Marge and Piper hadn’t even met yet to rub off. Of course, Carl had told her of Piper and her jests.

Covering the artwork back up Nadine hurried to join Mistress Margaret and slowly walk her back across the yard to the deck. Seated in a chair with a table to lean on Nadine refilled her coffee mug then set out to rejoin the tree climbers. Chaz up top once the ladder was secure looked back down to see Mark holding the base. Rope curled around his neckline and shoulder Chaz carefully mounted the massive limb and made his way out by three feet so that the future climber could not use the trunk as any foothold. Sturdy branch like a saddle he grimaced at the discomfort on his scrotum.

“I might need you to kiss my bruised balls, Cadet!” Chaz called down to her. She smiled brightly and opened her mouth wide in ready. “Damn! The Sarge has you ready for anything, doesn’t he.”

“It would be my honor to kiss your booboo, Sir.”

“Give me ten minutes to mount this bad boy then you can mount my bad boy.” He laughed then realized Margaret was outside. “Oh, crap! Sorry, Mrs. Manley! With permission of course.”

“Reward forthcoming!” Margaret chuckled then sipped her coffee using both hands on the mug. “Complete your job, Soldier.” Both knew that Margaret was a general’s daughter. Back on track Chaz removed his rope from his shoulder and carefully tied one end around the branch and knotted it twice before releasing the length toward the ground. Their military grade rope was the width of a 16-ounce bottle. Good enough for a mere fifteen feet from ground to branch.

“Will do Ma’am! May I say you look lovely today?” Seeing a bald woman caught him off guard. Marge had taken her turban off before leaving the house to venture out to the shed. Having hid from the ladder boys at the front of the enclosure so as to stay out of their way they hadn’t noticed her until now. Up on his perch Chaz Arbuckle mumbled to himself. “I hate to say it but Mrs. Manley for being sick still looks good. Bald is beautiful says the eagle in the treetop.” He finished his work clamping down the rope using heavy duty staples directly into the limb.

“Charmer!” She called out to him and batted her eyes. Chaz was taken back by her flirtation. He didn’t know how to respond without disrespecting Carl. Speaking of the head of the house. He was standing at the French door looking out.

“Oh, fuck!” Chaz prepared to toss his staple gun down to Mark when he realized that Nadine was on her knees giving his partner a blowjob. Swinging wide he tossed the stapler to the grass behind Nadine. Sitting up there he turned around to face the house. Dangerous for sure but Chaz was a monkey. Resting up there with a bird’s eye view he saluted Carl. Opening the door Carl stepped out and behind his wife. Squeezing her shoulders beneath her robe he kissed the top of her head.

“You must be feeling your old self losing the head gear.”

“You came home.”

“Yeah, I decided I wanted to change before I meet Jesse at Cashanova. Are you flirting with the soldiers?” He looked down at her loose cleavage. “Skip the pajamas today?”

“I decided I wanted to be comfy. And yes, I was testing my wiles.” She patted his squeezing knuckles. “Do you object? It really is harmless.”

“I know! Hey, you’re pushing me to have sex with Moss, how can I deny you?”

“It’s not like I intend to fuck anyone other than you. I’m just having a good day so far.”

“Stand up.” He prompted her. Rising she started to turn around expecting a hug. Instead, he stopped her and hugged her from behind. Arms rubbing one another Carl surprised his wife and untied her robe’s sash. Equally shocked she felt him peel her robe to the sides to expose her nudity. “Arms to your sides.”

“Carl?” She giggled as he lowered her robe from her shoulders and encouraged her arms out of it. Taking it away she shivered. “I didn’t expect this.”

“Then you really won’t expect what comes next. Do whatever you want.” He turned away and took her robe and turban into the house, shutting the French door then locking her out. She playfully sneered at him and observed him head for their bedroom.

“Goodness! Our lives are changing so rapidly. I hope Jesse doesn’t come home to see me like this.” Turning back around Margaret stretched vividly, arching her back she was glad that her breast cancer had never claimed her 36C’s. A simple tumor removed left but a small scar. It was her newer cancer that spread through her bones that was the serious issue. This was the part that she was hiding from her family. Looking out at Chaz in the tree she noticed he had unzipped his pants and was beating off looking down at Nadine’s gag reflexes, the girl so involved she was slinging saliva. A ventured look up at the house Chaz nearly lost his hold on the tree branch.

“Holy shit! The Sarge took his wife’s robe off. Fuck! Even sick she has an amazing body. Somehow, I don’t think the Sarge is offended.” Remaining aloft and jerking he knew Margaret was intrigued. Daring to leave the deck Marge slowly walked around the razor garden and up behind Nadine. Mark seeing her nearly pissed down Nadine’s throat.