Chapter 5

Friday morning over a light breakfast we all shared our views on the night before. We were all excited about Mimi coming to work for us.

Elenore gave Linda a call on the way into the office, letting her know we had found the new hire and that we’d need her help getting her ‘onboarded’. I heard the both of them giggle a bit at the use of the professional term for signing someone up for labor in the salt mine.

Linda had shown up to work early, as she always does, opening up the shop at eight forty-five. Since we always used the back door to the building, we didn’t know how long Mimi had been waiting at the front door for us. We heard, “Oh, you must be Mimi. Your reputation precedes you. Come on in, hon. I’m Linda. Nice to meet you. Let’s let the rest of the animals know the zoo is open for business, then we’ll get started.”

“Thank you, Linda. I can’t wait.”

I heard her voice, just as pretty as it was last night, only now without all the music playing. Each of us turned from what we were doing and stared at what we saw. Stared. For several seconds. Quiet. No noise. Not a sound. You could have heard a pin drop.

“Whoa,” was the only thing I could get out of my mouth.

She was gorgeous. She was refined. She was everything a warm-blooded man, or woman leaning that direction, would desire in a woman. Everything.

“While we don’t necessarily need someone to represent the company to the press and the public, Mimi, if that need ever arises, I will certainly choose you to be that representative. Let me start our professional relationship in the most unprofessional way. You are simply gorgeous. To what do we owe this honor, ma’am?”

“My first day on the job, and I wanted to make an impression. May I assume it worked?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Yep.”

“Sure did!”

“Most certainly.”

“I need to go change my undies.”

That was Sierra, Wanda, Rachel, Shara, and Elenore, respectively.

“You do look perfectly edible, Mimi, and I’m straight as an arrow,” Linda shared with her.

“Thank you all very much. There is a method to my madness, and I’m sure Wanda and Shara will both agree with me when the time comes.”

Linda took her hand and walked her over to her desk, sitting her in the chair beside it.

The other five of us just looked at each other in awe.

Mimi’s makeup was perfect. Hollywood perfect, but barely there. She was wearing a pink silk sleeveless blouse that was tailored to her body. We found out sometime later it was actually a bodysuit. She wore them most of the time. Her gray skater skirt was light wool, short, formed around her waist and hips, then hanging perfectly, the pleats straight as rulers, ending halfway between her hips and her knees. Her stockings were teak in color, seamed in the back, and ending in gray strappy leather stiletto sandals with little buckles on the sides. The most notable fact about her was that her legs took up well over half of her height. We all saw that. She knew it, too, and I’m sure she had played that card often. She was short waisted if ever any one was. Since there were four-inch heels under them, her legs appeared to go all the way up to her armpits. The reason for our inability to form sentences upon seeing her? She was the most elegant woman any of us had seen in ... As far as I knew, forever.

Please don’t get me wrong. Shara was beautiful. Wanda was gorgeous. Elenore was simply amazing. Sierra was as pretty as they come, not to mention cute. Rachel was also extremely attractive in her own right. BUT, and it’s a big BUT, Mimi was glamorous.

We all got back to work, then when all of Mimi’s paperwork had been completed and she’d watched the sexual harassment videos our HR contractor required, we had a big get together in the middle of the outer office. Desks were used and with them and some chairs brought into a circle so we could talk easily between ourselves.

Shara started. “As a security operative, Miss Short, I think you may be a bit over dressed.” She looked over at Wanda, getting giggles from the crew. Wanda was wearing her jeans, albeit skinny jeans and a flannel shirt. She was wearing wedged loafers but was dressed more for work than for cocktails. “When I see Wanda, at work at least, I see a security or investigations operative. When I see Mimi, I see a movie star, or maybe a Maybelline model. Help me with this dilemma, please, Miss Short.”

“When Otis comes through that door, I am the last person he will feel threatened by.” She stood and raised her skater skirt up to her hips. After I got past the fact that she was wearing that bodysuit which was made with a super sheer pink panty for a snap bottom and she didn’t have so much as a hair on her body below her neck, I noticed she had a holstered pistol in her crotch and just below that a pair of handcuffs. She dropped her skirt to some disappointed sounding ‘ohhhs’ then picked her small purse up off of Linda’s desk and produced a small pistol in a pocket holster, a spare magazine, and about six large wire ties, as well as her little billfold. “I’m loaded for bear, but I need to be the first to strike, never second.”

“I like your style, sweetie,” Shara told her. “I think that’s amazing, and it will be welcome around the office, but you do have jeans and trainers, don’t you? Just in case?”

“Yes, I do, but as long as I’m watching out for you, I need to be stealthy. I’ve studied the case, and I’ve studied his type. His case last night, but his type at the FBI Academy as a cross department training student. He won’t take much time when he gets close to you, Shara. He’ll eliminate any threat to him, very quickly, then finish what he couldn’t do before. He’s probably been planning your meeting for four years, right?”

Shara nodded, then I could see her swallow.

“I want to protect you, ma’am. After we handle this, if we get a chance to, I want to be part of this team. When we don’t have a specific, identified threat, I may even wear slacks to work, but don’t count on it. I’ve been told I have nice legs, and I don’t mind sharing them. Not even with men.” She giggled. Laughter erupted.

“Honey, you can wear whatever you want. Buster just saw a beautiful set of legs, complete with pussy high stay up stockings and a super cute little coochie. Just don’t get pissed when we watch you walk by. You are a beautiful woman, Mimi, and we’re glad to have you with us.”

“Hear, hear,” I said, openly, getting a round of applause from the others.

“Now, I need to ask for some favors and some leeway.”

“Whatever you need, hon,” Shara said.

“I’ll be bringing in three more handguns. One for your office, Shara, one for yours, Buster, and one for the little conference room if you don’t mind me holing up in there and studying for other things you have going on. Until we get more information, though, I don’t want to be anywhere but with Shara, or my father. Is that okay with everyone? I can pay for my own meals out, since I won’t be sitting with you all most of the time, then expense them at times, but I need to eat, and know not every meal should be compensated.”

“Linda, get her a card on the expense account for her meals and such. I think I know where this is going. I like it, but I’ll miss her terribly when she’s not with us.” More laughter.

“I’ll wear skirts once in a while, sir, so that you don’t have to go long without. Buster, I don’t mind a little humor now and again, and even the innuendos don’t bother me, but looking around us, you have several of the prettiest women in this town right here in this room. I’m not that special.”

“Mimi, do you have a full-length mirror in your house?” Rachel asked.

“Not that I use. I have one on the back of my bedroom door, but it’s always open.”

“Close that door sometime after you get dressed like you are now and take a look. There isn’t one pair of legs in this room like yours. Not one. My sisters here are no slouches, but you’ve got some legs,” Rachel shared.

“OK, then, I’ll make sure to do that. In the meantime, any more questions for me?”

“Any chance of a dinner date?” Elenore asked.

“Absolutely.” Mimi approached her and shared a hug with her. “You can sit with me at the spy table while the rest of them eat dinner tonight. I heard Friday nights are normally a dinner out night for the family.”

“Linda, don’t share all of our secrets the first day!” I said, getting the girls to join in on the fun. “Also, Mimi, just use Elenore’s card tonight. You’ll have your own next week. Shara or I would be paying for the girls anyway, so if they are with you, it’s just an extension. Make that happen.”

“Yes, sir,” she said. “Thank you. Oh, and when we’re out, Wanda and I will communicate to make sure we’re ALL ready to go before we move out, and I’ll always go first. At least for now. Okay? Oh, and I guess I’m dating Elenore tonight, but if that changes, girls, all of you, remember to stay on my left, please. It may be weird for you, but I need my right hand to be free at all times, come hell or high water.”

Everyone concurred, understanding the ramifications.

The rest of the day was a normal writing and research day, preparing for the next couple of weeks. That was, until Mimi got up to walk around the office for whatever reason. Evidently as soon as the tik tik tik of her high heels hit the hardwood floor of the central office, we all looked up at the same time.

“STOP IT!” Mimi said, then started laughing and did whatever it was she needed to do. That got all of us laughing, too, but it didn’t keep us from doing it. Maybe on Monday we’d get used to it.

Dinner out that night was five of us, Shara, Wanda, Sierra, Rachel, and me at one table, and Elenore and Mimi sitting at the bar close by, eating, and acting out like they were in their own world and out on the town having fun. I never once saw her look at us, but I never saw her not checking out anyone coming or going. To be honest, knowing Mimi a bit better now, I’d never felt safer.

We drove by the Short residence after dinner, checking in on her parents. The real reason was for her to grab some clothes for the weekend and Monday, but she hid it well. She made sure to get the latest news on her brother’s deployment to Saudi Arabia. It was just a short tour to keep people in shape for whatever may happen. He was normally assigned to the base in Tucson, Arizona. He was a security Policeman, just like his sister. That was the base she separated from when she came home.

They were wonderful people, and very proud of their children, but hoping for grandchildren someday soon. Someday soon before her father wasn’t there to enjoy their lives and share his with them. I could really feel for him. Seems his illness was terminal, and thankfully it was looking like a fairly long way into the future, but there was no known cure for what ails him.

That evening back at home around the family room was a good time for us to get to know more about Mimi. She told us about her past, asked us questions about ours, and our relationships, then when Sierra asked if anyone wanted to hit the hot tub, Mimi was going to opt out, but was talked into it. Wanda found her a suit to wear and made sure Sierra had one on before they all went out. It was Elenore that busted the ambiance by being the last one out and coming out stark assed naked.

“Oh, my, Elenore, I had no idea.”

Elenore looked around. “Why didn’t you guys tell me?” She grabbed a towel and acted like she was going to leave to get dressed. She was turning red as a beet.

“Oh, stop, Elenore, it’s too late now. Anyway, as my date tonight, you need to fill me in on all the news that is the news. Talk to me.” Mimi wanted to keep the girl there and make sure she didn’t feel embarrassed at the situation. They sat close to each other, and we all listened to Elenore as she told the story of the confused child and how she found herself, then found happiness with her family. The family she was with now.

Mimi listened to every word, not just hearing, but absorbing everything Elenore had to say. Elenore then went on to describe each of us, our qualities, our failings, and why she fell in love with each of us and how she wound up as the thrall to the thrall of the thrall of the king and how she came to have her own thrall, who in turn found a thrall for herself. She had Mimi in stitches telling her the story of succession and how each of them more or less depended on the next one for support, and love.

At the end of the evening, we all went to bed after Elenore showed Mimi to the guest room and got her settled in. In an effort to be thankful for the evening and the attention, Mimi kissed Elenore goodnight.

Elenore stuttered, then told her, “Thank you, Mimi. That kiss meant a lot. You are a wonderful person. I hope you stay. I know it’s only been a day, but I can tell, as can Wanda and Sierra, that you are more than you appear. So much more. I would go so far as to say, you would find that happiness you are missing, should you decide we’re worth the effort.”

“What makes you think I’m missing some ‘happiness’, honeybutt?”

“You do listen, don’t you?”

“To everyone and everything. So, what is it you think I’m missing?”

“Mimi, you are too beautiful to be alone. God would not allow you to go long without someone to share your amazing self with. That would be unfair to the world. There is someone out there that will make you happier than you have ever been, save in your parents’ arms. There is, Mimi. I know that. After only one day, I can guarantee you could start here and work up if you need to, but you’ll find your happy here, if you only choose to try.” She kissed Mimi. “Goodnight, beautiful. Sleep well. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to wake me.” Elenore turned and ran to tell us exactly what was said and about the kisses she shared.

“It was electric, Buster. It was. Like that buzzing I felt with Wanda and with Sierra. She has that thing, people. I’m telling you.”

“Thank you for the warning, honeybutt. Get some sleep. We need to mow tomorrow.”

It was about two o’clock when I heard Mimi calling from the bedroom doorway for Elenore. Elenore climbed out of the stack of lovers and went to help her. Seems all Mimi wanted was a glass of water and a sleeping pill, if Elenore knew where she might find one.

“Can’t sleep, huh?”

“No, and I’m blaming it on you. You told me I had a problem I didn’t know I had. You see, Elenore, I was happy. Then I was hurt. Badly. By a man. A man I thought cared about me. He couldn’t have, though, since he was already married. So, I didn’t give men another thought for years. A woman got my attention at the Officer’s Club one night. Since open lesbianism is frowned on, we just sat and talked, but she came on to me, used all the right words, and within two weeks, she was between my legs telling me what an amazing woman and lover I was and how she wanted nothing more than to have someone like me in her life. I’m sure she did, but her husband in Florida, I’m sure, would have liked it even more. She said as much. Two for two. I fell inward on myself and spent my time on self-awareness, self-improvement, self-study, and self-defense.”

I was watching from the hallway and saw as Elenore fell to her knees in front of Mimi and pulled the new girl into her arms. “You poor, poor thing. No one deserves that. No one. One thing you will never get with my crowd is a lie. I apologize for that in advance, but if your jeans make you look fat, and you’re stupid enough to ask, you’re going to hear it.” Mimi laughed through the tears. “Stay here while I go get some magic sleepy goo.”

Elenore passed me on the way to the master bathroom. “Melatonin gummies. Sierra was needing them when she was having the strain thing. Go talk to her, Buster. She’s been tortured.” I nodded.

I approached Mimi, and seeing her looking up at me with those sad eyes, I wondered if I would be able to do anything for her, or just make things worse. “Can I sit?” I asked her. She nodded. “I’m sorry for listening in, but I heard most of that. I apologize on behalf of mankind for treating you as if you were anything other than the angel you are. I can’t do anything about the past, but I will guarantee you this, Mimi, as long as you are with us, you will be treated with respect and dignity. My clan is a vivacious crew, and openly amorous, but if you feel uncomfortable, please just share that and we’ll tone it down. You are important. What we in the business of being men call a high value woman. High value women are to be treasured and put on pedestals beside us so we can rule the world with their help. Does that make sense?” She nodded again.