Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 07:23:03 +0000 (UTC)
From: Tom Sims <tomsims563@yahoo.com>
Subject: Rainy Night Chapter 4

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!