Chapter 2

Mary Jerkins had been delighted that Marla Tanner had agreed to become her part-time on-premises representative for the Absolute Arms condo complex.

Perhaps 'complex' was a bit upscale for what 'The Arms' was in actuality. The four interconnected buildings formed a sealed square, with sundecks on each roof top and a swimming pool and hot tubs in the otherwise empty center of the square. The balconies for each apartment faced the inner courtyard and swimming pool. What had started life as a hotel, with twenty-five units per side, one hundred units in total was now studio, one, and two bedroom apartments. Ten two-bedroom apartments in one building were reserved for families with children. Two other buildings held fifteen one-bedroom units each. Twenty-five studio units, basically refurbished from the hotel suites, occupied the final building of the four building complex and were reserved for single adults and newlyweds or same-sex couples without children.

One of these studios was Marla's as part of her live-in manager's position. Andrew Adams, who was both a licensed plumber and electrician, occupied another unit. Andrew had worked for Mary Jerkins as her properties inspector and had done some sales work as well. With this venture, Mary had decided his skills could be best employed as the on-site handyman.

Mary had even hired Marla's boyfriend, Brad, as the water safety instructor/lifeguard for the pool and hot tub area; a job that included maintaining the pumps, filters and deck areas. Brad had started a 'fishies' program for three to six year old children living in the apartments. Monday and Wednesday after school and Saturday morning from eight to eleven Brad had fifteen squirmy naked children in the shallow end of the pool teaching them how to breath, float, kick and do simple swim strokes.

The parents were not allowed on the pool deck while lessons were held, as the tikes tended to look at Mom or Dad or show off instead of listening to Brad. Most peeked through the curtains of a window or sat on a balcony to watch, and all agreed they felt much more at ease with their children near the water as Brad taught them survival floating and swimming.

Marla had a cocktail waitress apron tied around her waist as she walked the grounds, and though this was technically a violation of the sign outside the complex,

ABSOLUTE ARMS IS A NUDITY ENFORCED RESIDENCE. All visitors, guests and residents shall be nude on premises.

it had been agreed by the association of owners that Andrew would be allowed a tool belt as he performed his tasks and Marla was allowed an apron to hold her sales brochures, contracts and cell phone while touring the complex with prospective buyers. She reached into a pocket and pulled out her buzzing phone. The ring tone told her it was her mother, Kimberly Tanner.

"Hi Honey," her mom began, "I have a couple on their way over to see a one bedroom unit. Be careful with them, I get the sense that they are members of the anti-absolute movement and could cause problems. They are Bill and Lynn Parham; I gave a letter of referral to them from me to you. Talk to you later, lovely one." With that her mother clicked off the phone.

"I apologize to you for the interruption," Marla told the couple to whom she was showing a corner single bedroom unit, "another agent wanted to let me know a referral was on the way for a tour. How do you like the place? Would you like to see an inside unit?" It was an offer she always made once prospective buyers realized the corner units had two walls of windows facing the public streets.

The two women, holding hands and sneaking looks at each other as only lovers can, both shook their heads and said, "No," at the same time. Susan's eyes drifted to the pool area, where Brad had the children lined up on the wall practicing their kicks. Sheila looked at her life partner lovingly and responded to Marla, "We'll take this one, I'll write you a check for the full sale price and the first month's grounds fees and we can go to contract."

Watching Susan longingly watch the children, Marla asked, "Perhaps you would like to see a larger unit, in the event you should decide on children in the future?"

Susan turned the wistful expression leaving her face and spoke, "No, neither of us can bear children and our finances won't allow us to adopt. The most we'll ever have is a puppy."

"Well, one small dog or one cat is allowed in each unit, try to keep the dog at less than thirty-five pounds adult weight. We have a dog run and a doggie wading pool behind building D and I'll remind you now that dogs are not allowed in the pool or hot tub area for everyone's safety." Marla finished that portion of her scripted sales pitch automatically.

"Susan was a competitive swimmer in college and enjoys children, would your lifeguard possibly need a helper with them?" Sheila asked.

"After we sign off the contracts." Marla wondered why the couple had opted to not go to lawyer review, but it was their choice. "Why don't we walk over to the pool area and ask Brad that question?" She smiled and directed the couple to her office for the formalities.

When Sheila opened her large purse and offered Marla a business card for the spelling of her name and Susan's as well, it became obvious why they had opted to not use an attorney. Both were lawyers themselves. Sheila Smythe and Susan White, attorneys at law, practiced anti-discrimination law specializing in gay, lesbian, transgender and absolute law.