The characters and events in this story are fictional and any resemblance to real people is purely co-incidental. The following story may contain sexual or reference to sexual situations. If this is illegal in your area, you are underage or you find it objectionable, do not read any farther and exit now!
tomsims563@yahoo.com
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Chapter 4
My surgeries were very successful and after 3 weeks, I started getting some feeling back in my lower body and I am able to wiggle my toes. Doctor Tom's prognosis was very good. He gave Mark a regimented routine to follow for my physical therapy, mostly muscle building.
Another 3 weeks, I had enough muscle strength to stand in a standing frame for an hour. While standing, I would try to walk in place and before long , I could for about 10 minutes.
With my feeling returning, Mark and I were both enjoys our sexual encounters. We spent a lot of time in bed. Mark changed our rigid exercise program and replaced it with some of our own.
Now I could get in and out of bed by myself. I was able to convenience Mark to let me set him up in a physical therapy business of his own. He could work with me in the evenings or at least line out a program for me to follow the next day. I decided to hire a couple to be the housekeeper/cook and the husband could be grounds keeper/maintenance man.
Now came the problem of finding just the right couple who had the right qualifications. This just couldn't be just anyone. I wanted someone who would be compatible with me. and didn't conflict with me, wasn't a smoker, a boozer or druggie. I guess I just wanted a pair of saints. I had lots of interviews but couldn't find the right couple.
I ran a ad in the personal column of the local newspaper and again many responded but didn't meet my requirements. One day, quite the unexpected happened. A man, woman, and a young girl about 20 came walking up my drive way. I could tell right away that this was a homeless family.
"Sir, our car ran out of gas near your drive way and we are completely out of money. We were wondering in you had any odd jobs that we could do. We will do anything ."
"It appears that you haven't eaten for awhile. I think that we need to get some food into your bodies before we talk work. I have a five gallon can full of gas. One of you can take it and bring your car to the house."
"I will, replied the young woman. "Do you have a wheelbarrow or wagon that I could use?
"Sure thing! Just follow me and I will show you where it is." I put the wheelchair in gear and we were off.
I went back into the house and showed the woman where everything for cooking could be found. She shoed me out of the kitchen and told me to go into the living room and talk with her husband.
"I am Herb and you are?"
"I am Jackson but I go by `Jack'. My wife's name is Marge and the girl is our daughter, Rachel. I was in a logging accident two years ago. As you can see, I lost my leg. I haven't worked since the accident. None of us have been able to find work of any kind. We lost our home and now we are homeless. Everything we own is in the little trailer that we pull behind the car. We are from Wyoming. We decided to head west and go as far as our little bit of money would take us and here we are."
"Jack, do you have any physical problems that would stop you from being a grounds keeper, pool cleaner and handyman.? The reason that I am asking, is that I am looking for a couple to be cook/housekeeper, grounds/maintenance man."
"Sure, I have this artificial leg but I went to rehab and I can do everything I use to do. I just have to be a little careful and watch where I step. We had a small acreage and a huge lawn and garden. All three of us worked keeping it in shape. It just so happened that I was maintenance man for a logging company. One day I was doing some work on one of the trucks and another driver backed into the truck knocking it off the jack. I was trapped underneath and lost my leg. I am still working on a settlement. So far the company, is balking. I think we are headed to court."
"I have lunch ready. You can eat anytime or we can wait for Rachel."
"I see Rachel coming down the driveway. She can just stop in the driveway for the time being. Give her a holler and tell her to come on in. It smells like Marge should be through with the cooking.Marge had made hotcakes, eggs and bacon and a large pot of coffee.
"I could not find any syrup but I did find some jam. I hope that will do for the hotcakes.""The syrup is way in the back of the frig behind everything. I never use it. I always use honey or jam. If you would like some, you know where to look.
"We always eat whatever we have on hand. So it makes no difference to us," said Marge.We sat down and Jack introduced all of us. The food was very good. Marge had made hotcakes from scratch and the eggs and bacon were done to perfections. I could tell that she was a chef.
"Rachel, if you look in the last cupboard on the left of the sink, I bet you will find half a chocolate cake and some ice cream in the freezer. Dishes will be on the right side of the sink."
We finished eating the dessert, Marge and Rachel cleared the table and cleaned the kitchen. Jack and I remained at the table and leisurely drank our coffee. Marge and Rachel soon joined us.
"Jack and I have been talking and I know why you came walking up my driveway. What I have to say involves all three of you. This is an all or none proposition. I own a large molding manufacturing plant. I have been paralyzed from the waist down for a little over a year now. I am just now able to stand on my own and take a few step with the aide of walker or trainer, like little kids have when they are just learning to walk."
"I have my own personal trainer, well actually he is more than a trainer but I won't go into that now. I set him up in business, so now he has his own physical therapy operation. He will be here later this afternoon."
"Enough about me. Mark has just started his business and I am here all day by myself. We thought that we would hire a couple to be a cook/housekeeper and grounds keeper/handyman, For three weeks now I have been interviewing applicants. So far, I have found no one. I wanted someone who could take over without a lot of supervision. Also, I wanted someone who I could trust and be companionable with me."
"Now for the proposition I mentioned earlier. Jack, I would like to offer you and Marge a job. Rachel, I will offer a job to you also. We can discuss salary later. There is a two bedroom house out back which will be yours to live in rent free. Your food will be included at no charge to you. Of course you will have all the privileges of the swimming pool, hot tub, game/recreation room. There is a garden space next to your cottage for your use. If you want chickens and other animals I have 160 acres. So you can use any or all you want. We'll take a tour when I finish and you accept."
"Rachel, I haven't forgotten about you. Do you have any training in secretary and/or receptionist skills?"
"Yes, I do. I worked for a lawyer as a secretary and receptionist. He retired and that was the end of my job. I haven"t worked since. Not much to do in a little cow town in rural Wyoming."
"Good! My partner, Mark needs someone to run his office. He is just getting started and has not built up a clientele. I will be paying your salary until he get established. I am sure that he will accept you, if not we will find something else for you to do. There is a little studio apartment above the garage if you want your own space. You too will be getting your room and board."
I looked at Marge and she was crying. Jack was holding her hand and looked like he may have tears in his eyes also. "Marge, the worst is behind you. There are better days ahead. I am going into the den and give you a chance to talk this offer over. So see you in a few minutes.
I returned to a very somber atmosphere that should have been a joyful one. I knew that something was wrong.
"Herb, We can't accept your offer until we know that it was genuine and sincere. You know nothing about us and we know nothing about you. First off, we want to know why did just out of the blue, you offered us a job without checking our background and not asking for any references? We could be ax murderers and kill you and your partner in your sleep!" questioned Marge. "We could be wanted by the law or a whole list of other bad things."
"I have a question for the three of you. Are you any of those things you just mentioned?"
"No, of course not! How can you tell if we are lying or not?" she continued.
"Marge, my inter-self told me that you were good people at heart and was just down on you luck. I learned to read people when I inherited the mill from my parents. You learn very early how the separate the chaff from the grain. One has to have a little faith in his fellow man otherwise it would be a sad world to live in, even worse that it is today. Now I have a question for you. Did you have any bad feelings when you walked upon my porch and asked for gasoline. Were you playing the con game and just looking for a free handout? You could see that I was in a wheelchair and you could have very easily taken or done anything you wanted. You didn't, did you?"
"I feel much more at ease now. We don't want charity so we will work for what we get. Yes, we will accept your offer," said Jack coming over and shaking my hand. Marge and Rachel hugged my neck and kissed me on the check.
"I am very glad. Let me tell you about why I am in the wheel chair. I was coming home one rainy night after a long business trip. My car stalled but I got it completely off the road. A man under the influence and traveling at a very high rate of speed, hit me from behind. He was killed instantly. I lay in a coma for several weeks. I have just now started getting rid of my paralysis and may be able to walk again. My family and friends were there for me and stood by me. I could have very easily given up and held a grudge. However, I choose to live by the golden rule which is basically what I believe and live by."
"My care giver and friend will be here is about an hour. So Marge since you went on the payroll when you walked through the door, Why don't you and I going to the kitchen and start cooking dinner. I'll let you do the actual cooking but I will tell you where everything is. As you probably noticed the kitchen will need to be remodeled. It was made for me in my wheelchair. I did all the cooking before. This will take a couple of days and we well have it done to met you requirements. In other words, you get to design you `new kitchen'.More to come! Don't forget you donation to Nifty!