Chapter 44
Maxieplus
When Susan walked out of the salon she got plenty of looks, and she was heading for the vintage shop on the corner to look at frocks. Apart from myself, she is one of my success stories and a dream to style for, she was telling me the Stepford wives in her street are now trying to outdo her, but they aren't winning. Certainly, with this new style she will reign over them for another year or so, her classic flapper style looked awesome.
Trish asked about yesterday and how we all went, so I told her it was a great day out for the kids. I also told her I got to sit with Admiral Peters for a time and he indicated he was interested in dating Gloria.
"Oh, and not me?"
"No, he knows you live with Evans, but he said you were his first choice."
"Liar." She smiled.
"He knows you will always come first Trish, whether he said it or not."
"Ok and so how do we handle this, tell Gloria or let him get a big surprise."
"We leave it up to her, if he asks for a date then she will handle it Trish, good or bad, she's a stunning woman and she would have many men hitting on her."
"I guess so, I don't want her to be hurt that's all, she is a lovely girl."
"She is, so let's just let her do her thing."
"Now Monday I have invited Jimmy for coffee and I want you there, just to add some normality to our situation."
"No worries, I would like to meet him anyway, what can I bring?"
"Yourself Trish."
"I wanted to ask you if we could use the cabin for a weekend, Evans is wanting to see it. We can take Sam with us if you like."
"That's fine Trish, we are going to renovate it a little just to make the lounge bigger, push it out to the porch. But that will be months away I think. As for Sam, I will talk to Kasey, it's not you, it's just he may get a bit worried for him."
"And not you?"
"Of course me, he would love it but he may get a little homesick for his daddies if you know what I mean."
"I won't mention it then." She smiled and then pushed me onto another customer that had just walked in.
Marko was busy doing another bride's trail run and James a head of foils, Gloria was talking to a matron who wanted a completely new look, she is sick to death of the old lady look and wanted something more vibrant. She pulled Eva into the mix and it was decided she needed our famous Judy Dench cut, so her pepper and salt hair had to be highlighted.
She was in good hands and I could see what they were trying to do, short hair does take years off your looks.
My man came in and kissed me. I asked if Sam was okay and he said he had started talking about his day as soon as he saw his mates. He had asked if Billy could attend for a few days and that was ok with them. With that sorted out, he had also procured a set of plans for the cabin, and we sat in the tea room to nut out a small extension. He wanted to extend the kitchen also it is a bit small, and the new verandah will be overlooking the foliage so he suggested a perspex floor. I put the breaks on that one, it would make me giddy, but a good idea nonetheless.
"I have to go to the general's office, I have found something in those notes he should know about."
"Did you start reading them?"
"Yes just the first ten pages Adam, but pages are missing I need to gather them up."
"Good, now glasses, do you want me to buy them or will you?"
"I can get some on my way home baby, what strength will I try?"
"Try them all but I think you would only need a light strength," I told him to hang on and went to Trisha's reception desk.
"What strength are your glasses, Trish?"
"What glasses Adam?" She glared at me.
"The ones you leave in your drawer so you can see the fine print," I smirked.
"Oh, those old ones they are a two."
"Can I borrow them for Kasey to try?"
"Certainly Adam, are you sure they're for Kasey and not you?"
"For Kasey, I don't need them, yet." She handed them over and I headed back to the tea room.
"Try these on, they are a two."
He put them on and grabbed the newspaper, I must say they suited him beautifully. He grinned and said they worked for him, so I took his chin in my hand and kissed his lips, very nice indeed.
My husband-to-be left me with a hard-on, and he went to find my father. I looked at what Gloria was doing and nodded my agreement her customer looked wonderful. Then I did a recruits hair for him, he was nervous because he didn't know the rules, so I left it a little longer and told him he won't have any problems.
Next, I did a young lady who needed a trim and a good wash and by the time I finished that it was almost lunchtime.
Lynnie was taking the lunch orders and I gave her mine and Kaseys, I know he will be back shortly.
As I cleaned up my station I noticed a man walk in, he was wearing a black overcoat and sporting a smile as he spoke to Trish.
I walked over and introduced Jimmy to her, he had popped in to reply to my invitation personally. He would be happy to accept and is looking forward to it. I offered lunch but he said he had a meeting to attend. It was nice of him to visit and I did show him around and he was suitably impressed with my salon. Kasey walked in and talked to him, he had more paperwork under his arms and when Jimmy left it was time for us to eat.
"What are those?"
"The missing pages Adam, I just have to sort them out in some order I can understand."
"What's it about again?"
"Indonesia Malaysia the whole regions smuggling and import mess, its all bits and pieces but my job, or ask, is to make some sense of it all."
"I guess you can do that but do not neglect your studies please?"
"I won't baby, if I can make some sense out of these then they go back to the relevant countries with my recommendations."
"Lunch is ready and Jimmy will come for coffee on Monday."
"Good, he looked spiffy today was he going somewhere?"
"He just said he had a meeting to attend."
"I see,"
"What do you mean?"
"Just that he is well dressed for someone that takes photos at the Museum, and a supposed recluse."
"Maybe he has other interests, who knows."
"Maybe." He picked his sandwich up and started eating, I love watching him eat, he packs it away just nicely.
He rolled up the plans and then grabbed his paperwork, he has a lot to do in the next two hours. I kissed him and he grabbed my ass.
"Not today Kase, we are busy." he moaned out the door.
"Now whose next?" Four clients were sitting at reception and Trish was going for lunch so I grabbed a wash and set.
Gloria had a lovely girl at her station they seemed to know each other well as they laughed through a few jokes, I overheard her ask what the crowds were like, and the other girl said they were down since she left. I assumed they were talking about the strip club.
"Now my lovely, what are we going to do for you today just a wash and set or a new look?"
"Just the wash and set Adam, you know my husband hates change."
"Well next time I see him we will have words." She giggled.
Aunty Mary was the typical suburban housewife in my book, a good wash and set every fortnight and a family that adore her, and everyone called her aunty. I don't think it's the husband stopping her, I do think she doesn't want to change her look because the standard one works well, and it does for her.
I did some more clients and generally had a great day, my military lover popped his head in the doorway, he's running late today and I jumped to his orders again.
"Adam let's go."
"Ok boss, see you later on Trish."
"You're a bit late today Kase."
"I was reading something and couldn't put it down, and by the way, Luca caught the car destroyer this morning. He has been charged with attempted murder."
"Good, will I have to go to court?"
"He's working on that with the public prosecutor." He smiled and I had to step up my pace because he was almost running through the alleyways.
"I also have other news but that can wait until we get home."
"I can't wait." I grinned at his business-like attitude.
Sam was jumping up and down, he was missing his shows and we were late. Kase apologized to him and we almost ran all the way home. A piggyback ride was the best for our son his little legs couldn't keep up with us. I leaned on the wall of the lift to catch my breath, which can be in short supply nowadays. Kasey rubbed my back and he calmed me down.
"Sorry Adam, I didn't think."
"It's okay Kase, just let me sit down for a few minutes."
The tv went on and Sam was given some milk and a biscuit, Kasey had paperwork everywhere, it was even lined up on the floor in front of the windows.
"What happened here?" I swept my hand over the room.
"Sorry, I will clean it up tomorrow, in the meantime please don't touch anything."
I smiled, then got up to check the freezer. I won't cook tonight we will order in only because I couldn't be bothered.
"So what's the big news you have for me?"
"Are you going to change?"
I went to the bedroom and slipped my sweats and t-shirt on, no underwear he likes to look at my Mr floppy, and maybe have a good feel with his foot.
"Now Jimmy, he's not what you think he is."
"No, so what is he?"
"He's the president of Banks and associates, Meryl and Adele placed him in charge of all the financial matters to do with the family trust and businesses thirty years ago. He runs everything along with Mr. Walsham and associates. He grinned at me.
"You have been busy, so he's not a recluse after all?"
"Yes and no, he does work for the museum doing photography but he's also president of the trust."
"So he would have known we wanted to buy the cabin?"
"Yes Adam, and he would have okayed the search for me and the investigation into your attack. He also would have been in on Adele leaving you this place and the money. There must be a reason for it all Adam, he pretended he didn't know about you, but he has all along."
"Maybe he just doesn't want me to know his business."
"Maybe, but I would guess he is just a very private person and deemed it not important."
"That's fine Kasey at least he wasn't shunned when Johnny passed."
"I doubt he's ever been shunned, anyway the madman has been caught, and according to Luca, he's singing like a bird. He's dropped a few more of his mates into the mix. I have to look them up tonight for Luca."
"He got you working for him now?"
"I can do it faster Adam, dodge the red tape."
"You're going to crash and burn Kasey, don't forget your memory isn't what it used to be, please don't push it too hard."
"I won't Adam with an a, can you open your legs a bit." I did and he rested his feet right where my low hangers were.
We had Wilson, Eva, and Trish tonight, Evans was at the airport. Kasey wanted Wilson to draw up plans for the cabin. Eva did a small set on Sam's hair, she rolled it and sprayed a big curl at the front, then she flipped it back. He thought it was the coolest hairdo he's ever had.
"Now, what do you want to do with this cabin Kasey?"
"I want more room, like extending the living room out onto the porch, then building a new porch that extends the same space again. Push the room out some more to overlook the forest."
"I see and do you want the kitchen extended also?"
"Yes please Wilson, maybe a hot tub too." Kasey smiled at me, Trish was all for a hot tub.
"The weight might be too much, can I go and look at the drop, maybe steel girders and we can cantilever the porch over the fernery with a glass floor to wrap it all up."
"No glass floor, it will do my head in," I said.
"It would look awesome Adam," Kase said.
"No glass floor, but maybe a small viewing window so Sam can look through it."
"No, do the glass floor but install a fish tank under it." Trish offered.
"They will freeze to death in winter Trish, not a good option," Wilson answered.
The food arrived and Eva helped this time, and they even left some money on the bench, I didn't argue.
"So any more suggestions?" Kasey asked.
"No, I think that's about it, I don't want to overdo it." Wilson smiled.
"You are right Adam, it will lose its charm if we do anything too crazy." Good, thank you, Kasey.
"When do you want to go see it, Wilson?"
"On the weekend is that ok?"
"Trish?" I looked at her.
"Fine with me, we can go there the following one. I'm only waiting for Evans to ask for the two days off."
"I'll give you a key Eva, just clean up and turn the fridge and hot water off and reset the fire for the next visitor."
They got the rest of the orders off Kasey, there's a short track into town, George and June are lovely people, the pizzas are the best all that sort of stuff.
"I will work on it next week and then get the guys to do it. It will probably take them two or three weeks if we place steel girders under the cabin that will make it more stable on the porch, plus we have to look at bushfire proofing the place."
His comment didn't miss its mark, I understand we are getting a free make-over maybe, I will talk to Kase later.
Sam was ready for bed and Kasey read him a story, it was hard to get him to settle down because we had visitors, but he eventually did go off after I sat with him for ten minutes.
The party continued and Wilson was talking to Kase about all his paperwork. The girls and I talked about Admiral Peters and Gloria, Eva said she had concerns like the rest of us, but she figured she would be used to it. Marko had told her that if Markus is going to ask her out she will tell him upfront to avoid any confusion later on.
We talked some more then I pulled the plug, Evans will be home soon and Wilson has our plans in hand. I locked up and checked Sam was still asleep, kissed him then went to find my Military man.
He was in bed reading his big book but that won't last long because I'm feeling a little fruity tonight.
The rest of the week went off without a hitch and true to his word Kasey did clean up his paperwork, he transferred it to the office floor. Eva and Wilson left for their weekend away and he said an engineer will call in to look at the place while they are there. Yes, the renovations are on the Military, they were eager to do something for Kasey and me
.
Monday arrived and so did Jimmy and Trish, he looked at my apartment and then all my treasures then he spotted the tin box.
"You haven't returned it yet?"
"No we are going there next weekend I think, and will do it then, our friends were there this weekend and I wanted it kept a secret otherwise I would have asked them to put it back."
"May I?"
"Of course."
He took the tin down from the shelf and sat at the table, then he opened it and looked through it. He smiled at some of them and even passed a few to Trish to have a look.
"I have kept the rings and if you don't mind, can we have our initials engraved next to yours and Johnnies?"
"Of course, you can, and thank you." He smiled again. Placing the photos back I took the box and replaced it in the display case.
Kasey got a call and Trish was talking to him about the cabin, how gorgeous it is, and the opportunity she had to stay there for a night.
"That would be when Kasey was away."
"Yes, it was hard for everyone, thank god the cabin was available, Adam and Sam had a great time there it took some of what was happening off their minds."
"It did that to me too Trish, and Adele, she loved that place and I believe nearly gave it to Adam but thought the apartment was a better bet."
"Well, he was very lucky."
"He was almost adopted by her at one stage, she so loved him." Jimmy looked at me and I almost cried.
"Who was on the phone?'
"The general Adam he wants to come here for a meeting. I told him we have guests but he's insisted. I'm sorry jimmy but we are about to be invaded."
"It doesn't matter Kasey, I am more comfortable with the military since I met you. Is the general your father Adam?"
"Yes."
"Then I would like to meet him."
"He wants to meet you also Jimmy, will he be on his own Kasey?"
"I think so, it has to do with the Asia pacific stuff I'm reading."
"Kasey does cold cases he's a sort of a profiler for the military now, he's working on some stuff centered around the Asian pacific region, smuggling."
"Oh yes I read about it somewhere that was what your man was working on when he went missing isn't it?'
"Yes, that and child smuggling, he's done very well for the Australian government his medals are building up." I grinned at my Kasey.
The doorbell went off and I moved to let them in, and once again apologized to Jimmy for the intrusion.
"Dad, Admiral Peters, and Admiral Thomas were at the door, and dad made a smart remark like, it was good to see they weren't all locked out once again.
Jimmy was introduced and that's when it started,
"Dieter?"
"Jimmy?"
They knew each other.
"Where the hell have you been hiding I looked for you everywhere, I thought you were dead?"
"I can assure you I am still alive and anyway you never kept in touch, when Johnny left you said you would be by my side."
"I was deployed to the straights and when I got back you had disappeared."
"I moved to the apartment upstairs and shut myself away for some time. I never thought you would have been sent overseas, it was at the end of the war."
"Well I was, and Jimmy, I was so sorry to hear about Johnny he was a beautiful soul. But I did look for you. I did a long stint with the Americans for years and the job got in the way."
"I was just looking at some old photos of us altogether and was thinking about you, this is incredible."
"It is my friend." I watched both of them interacting and at long last Jimmy is coming out of his shell and at least talking about things.
"I will let you get on with your meeting, but we have to catch up, there's so much I want to know."
"Me also Jimmy, how do you know these guys?"
"For later, but for now here's my card and please ring me, it's been too long. Adam Trish and Kasey I must be leaving, thank you for the great catch-up, and hopefully, little Sam will be here next time."
"Dieter, if you want to go with Jimmy now, I can handle this," Markus said.
"Is that ok with you Jimmy?"
"Of course, Adam can I borrow the tin box?"
"Yes, after all, it is yours." I took it down and gave it to him, then they shook hands with the others and left.
Well, that was unexpected, what a small world it is.
"Now, let's get down to business, what have you found major?"
We sat and listened as Kasey gave his findings to them, he had mapped out several routes and had five pages of suggestions which both dad and Markus read. I looked at Trish and we started laughing, are we the only ones to see three boys playing war games in my lounge room?
"Adam coffee would be nice," Kasey growled.
"Coming up sir." I saluted him and Trish and I found some cakes and biscuits for them to nibble on.
The meeting went on for hours and eventually Trish and I had to walk down to the kindy to pick Sam up. We bought something for dinner and looked into the shop windows on the way home. They were still at it and Marcus was the first to salute him, then he sat him on his knees and they talked boats.
Dad's paperwork was piling up and when I looked into the office the floor was cleared. Sam had to ring Billy to tell him his daddy was here with him and then they watched cartoons together. Trish stared at Marcus a few times and I nudged her when I caught her doing it.
"Did you get the citation major?'
"Not yet general, maybe it's stuck in the mail." Kasey laughed.
"Well, I will ring Canberra and hurry it up. Now Indonesia are you coming or staying?"
Kasey looked at me and I rolled my eyes, he wants to go so what can I do?
"He's going with you."
"Good because they want you to look through some very important paperwork."
"What no medals?"
"And medals will be dealt out." Dad grinned.
"How long for dad?"
"We will be there for five days son, will you be ok?"
"I will be fine, Trish will help me with the boys and I have Eva downstairs. We might go to the cabin on the weekend so they can catch up with their friends."
"I will come with you," Trish said.
It will be nice to do our pizza and wine night again, especially with no underlying dramas this time and I do trust Kasey to do the right thing for us.
I locked up once again and wondered how Jimmy and the Admiral were getting along, I will make it my mission to go see him during the week.
"What do you need to pack Kase?"
"Full uniform, computer some civvies Adam, you don't mind?"
"No, not this time I think with mum and dad there you will be ok." I kissed him goodnight and we slept well.
Tuesdays are a work day so I said my farewells to my family and walked up to the salon getting buns on the way. I did my thing and sat to read a magazine that had appeared on the table, Eva wasn't far behind me and she raved about the cabin and the pizzas, I told her about Kasey's trip and we would be going there maybe Friday afternoon. She also said that Wilson was working on the renovations today and he should have something to show us by tonight. It all sounded nice when she tried to describe what he had in mind.
Tim was next followed by James and Marko, Gloria, Trish, and Anne were last but no sign of our Lynnie, she caught a cold and is in bed for the day. We opened up and my first client was Jimmy, he surprised me by calling by. I made him coffee and we sat in the tea room.
"I need to explain what happened yesterday, and apologize for cutting my visit short."
"There's no need Jimmy, I get it you hadn't seen him for years, and he's an old friend."
"Dieter was a very good friend of Johns and in turn became my friend also, seeing him yesterday was like seeing Johnny again, we were inseparable years ago and he did disappear on me. I leaned on him a lot but as you heard he was deployed and I guess he was so involved he forgot to notify me. I don't blame him for that it was a different turbulent time in our lives. But it was so good to see him again."
"I had no idea he would even be turning up yesterday this is a wonderful story, so are you catching up again?"
"Yes, Adam dinner tonight. I can't wait, it's just like old times again. So I apologize for yesterday but I thought I had better make myself scarce, they looked like they had a lot to talk about."
"They did, but I was pissed they had to do it in my place, dad takes too many liberties as far as Kasey is concerned."
"He is going to be decorated again I hear."
"Yes, Indonesia wants to thank him, so he's going there for five days with mum and dad."
"Officially Adam, no work while he's there?"
"A little, so I have been informed, but Kasey has made promises and I believe he will do the right thing. Yes, there are doubts but I have to accept that his brilliance will be in demand throughout our lives."
"Well I for one think he's one of a kind and you are lucky to have him by your side, and I also have to meet this amazing son of yours."
"You will meet two of them soon, I will bring them up to show them the view if I may?"
"Who is the other one?"
"My little brother, mum had him after I left home I didn't know about him, and he's adorable too." I smiled.
"Okay just message me when you are ready to visit. I don't know Dieter's plans but I do hope this dinner isn't a one-off."
"It takes time to catch up on all the news, did he look through the photos?'
"Yes we laughed so much, he remembered so many fun times we had back then, it was good to share them with someone that knew us."
"Well when you want me to return it, just let me know. I will be going up there on Friday for the weekend."
"I might hang onto it for now Adam, but I will let you know what my decision is." I had already decided by the smile on his face he was going to keep the tin.
He left and I got busy, Kasey popped his head in and said he will see me for lunch he had to go to the fed building again. I rolled my eyes and he scooted off as I watched his fine ass almost dance down the street.
Everyone was busy today, the sun was out and there was an air of excitement around the salon. Kasey will have to sit with Sam tonight and explain what he will be doing while he's away, our son will want to know everything.
Miss Lucy popped her head in and Gloria had just finished so she sat with her. I could hear the jokes flying around and clients were chuckling along with my staff.
"That boy of mine has a girlfriend I hear, she's teaching him all about adult stuff."
"Oh yes how is Mitchell Lucy?" Gloria asked.
"He has settled down baby, and even talks to me sensibly for a change."
"Well, he was a little bit randy there at one stage."
"He's got a real woman now, and if that woman is doing this to him I have to thank her for it, and maybe she would like to come to dinner one night so he can introduce me to her." They both giggled and Anne wasn't amused, she saw her client out then she headed for the tea room. I grabbed the next client and a shave and haircut were discussed as he took his jacket off.
Kasey called back he had lunch with him, a couple of rolls and a cake each. He told me that he was looking forward to going and he also had a stack more paperwork.
"What are those?"
"Can't say Adam top secret."
"Ok, as long as you are studying I don't care about your secret stuff."
I told him about Jimmy's visit and what I thought would happen to the tin box, he has already decided that Dieter and Jimmy will get together but it all take's time. I wasn't all that convinced, I still believe that they are just good friends but I have been proven wrong on many occasions.
Anne came in and sat with us, she had recovered and she set her lunch out, she's a beautiful full breasted woman, right up Mitchell's alley.
"Don't take any notice honey you do what you want, you're not hurting anyone."
"I wish they would just leave it alone Adam, he's a gorgeous man and I aim to keep the affair separate from the club and his father. Adam, there's only five years difference in age and we get along very nicely."
"It's none of their business Anne, as long as your happy who cares." But she got the age difference wrong she's seven years older than Mitchell, but they are well suited.
"Exactly my point." She looked at Kasey and said.
"I'm having an affair with Mitchell, there I've said it."
"I know, Trish told me." he grinned.
"Good, because he's a fantastic lover." She shivered.
"Good," I said then laughed, as a pang of jealously arrived. I don't know anyone here that wouldn't like a piece of Mitchell, shes got a bumpy road ahead if he goes down the male slut road.
I told Anne she was welcome to use the cabin if it was free and her eyes lit up as she thanked me. They all know they can use it but I have the first choice they would have to work around my schedule.
Wilson, Eva, Trish, and us, were sitting at the table that night, pizzas were made again and Wilson raved on about their stay. Eva and he had gone to see Rhoda and had their cards done and they met George and June with the boys when they knocked on the door.
They said the boys were disappointed Sam and Billy weren't there but they can wait until next weekend.
Wilson's plans were exactly what we wanted and he had made no big additions but he did pass separate paperwork to Kasey who placed it all in his briefcase. Secret men's business and I had no idea what they were up to, but I aim to find out. Sam was watching tv and seemed to be enjoying himself, and we all took turns to make sure he was ok. His highlight of the day was when he rings Billy, the chatter is much the same, Kasey had shown Sam how to do a face-to-face call so now they can watch each other watch cartoons.
"So what about securing the place for bushfires?"
"They will do all they can with extra tank water and sprinklers on the roof, the gutters will be self-cleaning and that's about it, there's not much you can do to save the place if a fire comes through. But I have to say Adam according to the records there hasn't been an outbreak in the area all the time the cabin has been there. That would be around fifty years, so I wouldn't worry too much about it."
"Good." I looked at Kasey and smiled.
They all left and Trish had an extra pizza for Evans in hand.
Sam was put to bed with a story and I readied the apartment for the night. We sat and watched some news, and apart from a few upheavals around Indonesia, there wasn't much else to report.
"So are you going to tell me or is it a secret?" I toyed with Kasey's sack.
"Tell you about what?"
"The extra paperwork Wilson handed you."
"Oh that, it's secret business."
"Umm, I hope you're not going to build a huge house over the top of the cabin."
"No, nothing like that but he did find out that we own quite a bit of acreage with that property, even the gulley is ours."
"It stays a gully baby, you know that anyway don't you?"
"Yes of course I know."
"Tomorrow night you have to talk to Sam again about leaving, he needs to know you will only be a few days."
"All in hand Adam, can you help me pack?'
"All in hand Kasey." I tugged his member a bit and then it was time for bed, urgently.
Sam was up and in front of the tv when I arrived in the morning. I put the coffee on and then kissed him, he placed his breakfast order and when Kasey came out he kissed me and then went to sit with him. One eye was on the cartoon and one on his papa. I think the talk went well because he was excited to have Billy here to keep him company.
"He's good to go, Adam, he said he knows I will be back but I have strict instructions to only stay the five days." He giggled.
"It is five days Kasey, don't extend or we will get pretty mad."
"I won't, that's a promise." He kissed me deeply and his hands were everywhere, can't wait to get in that shower.