Questions

“Craig, that’s some smile am I intruding again?” Howard asked. “Sorry, no insider joke, come in the library, see what I’ve found.”

“Here’s an interesting one, heavily traveled trail right to the brook alongside the
house!”

“This is interesting to, looks like a cabin!”

“What’s this” Craig turned red. “Oh you devil!”

Howard cleared his throat, “Better delete that fast before someone realizes it’s on there?”

Craig blushed, “Oops sorry partner.”

“It’s ok.”

“This is on H&A right?”

“Yes Howard,” Craig said. “Double click so it’s big and arrow slowly through these let’s see each one.”

“Here’s some fresh coffee you two, Hi Howard.”

“Thanks. Oh Carla,” Howard acknowledged noticing her blushing.

“Yes Howard”

“How do you like the car?”

“Fine, just fine Howard thanks,” Carla felt the heat of her blush she suddenly remembered she took that photo this morning, and left the library. Ooh, that was stupid Carla Marie—hope Craig deleted it before Howard saw it.

The two sat there going back and forth through the photos. Howard said, “Stop Craig go back, there, zoom in on this area, there’s someone in that car.”

“I see it, want a print?”

“Yes full size. Go back a few frames, now forward good—stop.”

“Howard that looks like the south side of the lake we talked about for the resort the other day.”

“Ride time partner.”

“Carla we’re making a run.” Craig yelled.

Playtime Over

They woke from the nap about 3 hours later when Craig’s new pager went off. He called Howard. “Hope I’m not intruding Craig?”

“Not at this moment.”

“Oops,” Howard said clearing his throat.

“No you’re ok Howard.”

“Have some very interesting pictures from Tommy’s camera have you checked yours out yet?”

“Not had a chance,” Craig said.

“From the tone of your voice, I will talk to you later, call me when you see the pictures ok? Sorry for the intrusion.”

“Craig was that the boss?” Carla asked.

“Yes, need to check the photos on the camera from the flying trip. He found some real interesting stuff on Tommy’s camera. Sorry Carlina I have to go home.”

Craig rolled over to her and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t know who I like more, Carly, Carlina or what’s her name, oh Carmen. If you find my wife, tell her the brownies are all gone and I need more! God I love you Carla!”

Craig went into the library and fired up the laptop then added the memory disk from the camera.

Carla walked in with coffee for him, “So what have you found.”

“Well there’s some big fish in this very clear lake for one. And buildings on my land, just like Tommy got on the other side.”

The intercom buzzed as Carla answered it, “Yes?”

“Hi it’s Howard.”

“Come on in.” Craig looked up at Carla with a sneer and licked his lips tilting his head, getting one last look at the French Maid standing in front of him.

Carla shouted looking down at her attire “Oh shit,” she ran up the stairs and came back in jeans and sweater a little later.

French Maid

Carla got up early to prepare for her surprise for Craig, looking over the kitchen table. Oh, I almost forgot she grabbed the scissors and ran out to cut a few blooms off the rose bush. Hmm she took a mental list, let’s see ham, coffee cake, potatoes, need the juice and I’ll get the eggs ready when he comes down.

“Craig, breakfast is ready,” Carla chimed.

“What’s this Carla, looks wonderful, you’re not . . .”

“No Craig, I just want to pamper you today.”

“Ok” Craig took a forkful. “Yum, these are different, I like!”

Carla explained “There baked eggs Craig. You have been working non-stop this week and you need a break, so it starts now.”

“Thanks sweetie, any other surprises?”

“Yes after you finish your breakfast and newspapers. Upstairs is off limits for now. I’ll be back?” She changed the bed to the red satin sheets and spread the rose petals about. Changed into the French Maid Halloween costume she found in her closet along with the special undies she had bought with Paula.

She ran the water into the whirlpool, added the chocolate bubble bath, and turned on the heater. Grabbed the remote for the draperies and set the alarm, finally taking the house phone off the hook. She headed half way down the stairs.

“Bonjour Monsieur Jones Mon nom est Carlina votre femme de chamber,” Carla called out, knowing Craig would be around the corner in a second.

“Wow what are you doing in my castle?” Craig asked.

“Oui Monsieur Jones, viennent de cette facon.”

Craig followed her up the stairs, “Mademoiselle oh la-la what have we here?”

“Oui ouis-je vous deshabiller,” Carla asked as she approached him she slowly unbuttoning his shirt and pulled him into the bath area. “S`il vous plait me suivre `a votre salle de bain.”

Carla motioned to the whirlpool, and came up with a handful of chocolate scented bubbles. “Vous like Monsieur Jones? Qu`est-ce, grand dur.”

Craig asked “oh my brownies.”

“Non they not warm Monsieur Jones.”

Craig said, “Help me.”

“Oui,” Carla said, “Au re voir.”

“Carlina whatever you just said to me get in here now and finish this off please.”

“Oui” She joined him in the tub.

“Damn girl talk about ignition!”

“Oui.”

“Oui if that means yes!”

“Embrasser.  Kiss me you fool!” Carla was giggling under his weight.

“What?”

“Now I know how to get my way with you Mr. Jones.”

“That you do, now who’s the insatiable and crazy one?”

“But you liked it?”

“Oui this is not in Dr. M’s book.”

“Nope, I found my old costume from a Halloween party and added a few treats for you. And that’s all the French I know thanks to Google Translate.”

“I love you,” Craig said kissing her neck . . .

Carla whispered “Ditto.”

Surprise

“Mrs. Carla Jones.”

Carla had her hand on the crowbar under her seat. “Craig you scared the shit out of me!”

Craig opened the door helping her get out of the old Chevy. “Follow me please,” he opened the door for her.

“What’s up Craig?” Carla asked as she buckled her seat belt.

“I need your help getting my BMW home; this is my new vehicle for business use. I’m red Howard is black, Allan’s silver, Marcus green and James gold. The ladies are all in blue cars. Carla, please close your mouth. Sorry more shock and awe.”

“Yes.”

“What were you doing in town Carla?”

“Craig I found another secret closet today and asked Lucille for lunch and her advice. She just dropped me back at my car when you pulled up.”

“What’s in the closet Carla” Craig asked.

“Clothes, Craig a lot of clothes in hanging bags, hat and shoe boxes. All 15 feet of it in the bedroom that backs up to the attic.”

“Carla I wonder how come we didn’t find it earlier?”

“There’s a tall standing mirror in front of the door Craig. You wouldn’t know it was there unless you moved the mirror!”

“That huge tall oak mirror, you moved that!”

“Yep, I was careful” Carla replied.

“You know you’re not supposed to move things.” Craig glared at her shaking his
head. “I guess you’ll be busy for a while.”

“Yes I will.”

“Now we have to go get my car.”

Craig cleared his throat. “Actually you have officially been changed over on the insurance policy to drive the Beemer. Carla why haven’t you told me about the car issues you’ve been having?”

“Howard told you?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t laugh too loud, I was trying to get my money’s worth out of the
Chevy!”

“Well Howard will see if he can get you anything for it. Do we
need to clean out any valuables”

“Just some CD’s.”

“Ok have you got any dinner ready or should we just go back in to town.”

“Turn around, the maid didn’t show up today, she got lost in the attic;
so we’ll have to eat out Mr. Jones.”

“Carly strikes again, any time I’m stressed you come up with the wackiest things.”

“Maybe tomorrow I’ll help you find the maid.”

“Ok the cars all cleaned out, keys in the ashtray, got the plate off Craig?
Let’s roll I’m hungry for a steak!” Craig threw a red-jeweled C key chain
at her.

“Mine”

“Yours.” They headed to the Delta and dinner. “Carla I’m off work tomorrow, got any plans besides the attic?”

“Not yet, maybe a massage . . .”

Friend Who Knows

Have you ever opened a drawer in Grandma’s dresser, looked in a shoe box that’s not where the shoes are, what did  you find?

“Yes they do, I’ve tried on some of the lingerie already.”

“You knew Judith then Lucille?”

“Yes Carla I did. Oh she was the most elegant lady I have ever met, and gracious to a fault. I remember one time CA got hotter than a firecracker because she had given away some of his favorite shirts to the VA for the Viet Nam vets. Judith just said, “It could be Auggy in that hospital you old fool so shut up and write them a check for a grand.” Lucille chuckled.

Carla smiled shaking her head. “Sounds like something I would do. We found a lot of papers in the one bedroom, but I hadn’t come across anything like what you are talking about till today.”

“Lucille I need help going through all this, and truthfully I don’t trust some of the things Mrs. S says. I was thinking maybe I should sell some of these clothes to retro stores or start my own, resale shop. Can you help me?” Carla asked.

“Carla I would be delighted, and I know just the person to help you, Trudy Mullenhaus. She has a shop in Chicago and they’ll be here this weekend.”

“Lucille is there a possibility I could meet her?” Carla asked.

“Of course, just leave it to me my dear. Now show me what you found.” Two hours
later Lucille said, “Carla you need to try all of this on and put back what you want to keep before Trudy sees this.”

“Yes that’s what I thought,” Carla said. “Thanks for everything Lucille, see you later?” Carla said as Lucille got in her car, 3 hours later.

“Any time Carla.” Lucille pulled off.

Carla got in the Chevy as a big red Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled up
behind her blocking her in and she was mad. “Shit” she hit the steering
wheel as she noticed a man approaching.

Secret Closet

Ever get so excited you forgot what you were really talking about, watching someone you realize a certain connection with?

Carla thought to herself about how different Lucille was from Mrs. Smith. Lucille was warm and affectionate, always there to help her or answer any question she had. She is stylish for her age 50’s I guess, petite, shapely, and really pretty with that frosted short and windblown blonde hair. That husband of hers, I bet is a real character because Lucille glows when James looks at her. I hope I glow that way when Craig looks at
me . . .

“Carla,” Lucille said snapping her fingers, “Earth to Carla.”

“Oh I’m so sorry I was lost in my thoughts. Lucille, what did you say?”

“So how was yesterday, did you have fun?” Lucille asked.

“Words can’t describe it. It was so exhilarating. I thought it would be boring but it was
just the opposite.”

Michael served their salads and refilled their water, Carla asked “Michael
may we have two ice tea’s please?”

“Of course, right away Mrs. Jones” He replied and bowed. Carla smiled as he placed the glasses on the table thinking of how much he looked like Craig at that moment.

Carla paid the bill and walked out with Lucille to her car. “Where to
Carla” Lucille asked.

“Our place, please Lucille.”

“What is this about Carla?”

“Lucille, I found Judith Ann’s secret closet, when I was cleaning this morning.”

“Oh wow, her gowns and jewelry?”

“Yes, come on in,” the two headed up the stairs.
“All of her magazines, cards, postcards, scrapbooks, and photo albums” Lucille asked. “Judy never threw anything away there is a lot of history stored in this attic. Judy used to give us things for prizes; and clothing, shoes and hats for theatrical performances at school.” Lucille took a deep breathe. “I was the drama coach. Oh this is exciting
Carla. I bet these things fit you too don’t they, you’re about the same size!”