So I sat there, mulling over my life until now, picking at my salad bowl. I sure had made a mess of things. Leaving home on a whim at sixteen, to be independent, wasn’t bad enough. Then I had to tell off my boss at the factory job that paid my rent, because he was a fat prick and deserved it. Not the first time my mouth had gotten me into trouble. And then, to console myself for losing my income, I spent what I had left, drinking all night. After that came the party I crashed. It seemed like the place to be, at the time.

Waking up, discarded like the trash I was, hadn’t really changed me much. Kidnapping – that’s what it took to get me to really think about myself! Two years later, and almost nineteen, and what did I have to show for my life?

I half giggled, shaking my head as I hungrily popped some lettuce into my mouth. I could have done far worse than where I ended up. Why this crazy lady, ‘Mom,’ even took me in is beyond comprehension. Bradley. Bradley saw potential. HA! I’ve never had an ounce of potential my entire life.

Just as I was beginning to see the pattern in the bottom of the dish underneath my lettuce, one of the kitchen workers tapped me on the shoulder to let me know it was time. I got up and collected the empty bowls and brought them back into the kitchen.

Next, they gave me platters of sauce-laden beef slices dotted with mashed potato to put out for the diners. Place by place, I put out the main course. When I got to Bradley’s place, he ran his finger up behind my knee and I almost dropped the plate in his lap. Collecting what little I had left of my dignity, with the red rising in my cheeks, I regained my balance and continued to the kitchen. I really didn’t want to screw this up too.

Sitting alone at the table and eating my own portion of dinner, I thought about Bradley. Was he testing me? What did he see in me? Why did he bring me here? There were so many questions swimming through my head. But this time, I was really going to try to make something in my life come out okay. I mean, what else did I have? Might as well give this a go.

After I served dessert, I was told I could go to my room at the end of the second floor. I was to get a good night’s rest in preparation for the work they would have for me tomorrow. I quietly made my way upstairs and into my new bedroom. I closed the door behind me and started to unbutton my blouse. It was then I was startled by a creak in the corner of my room.

“Bradley!”

“Shhh!”

He put a finger to his lips and motioned me into silence.

“What are you doing in here?” I whispered. “Are you trying to get me in trouble?”

“No. No one saw me come in. I just wanted to talk with you, that’s all.”

“Okay, talk. Tell me why you brought me here, for one.”

“You looked like you needed a change in situation. We needed some help.”

“Why me?”

“Why not you?

I really didn’t have an answer for that one.

“Look – I’m giving you the chance to be something different -- to make a change. Unless you want me to put you back where I found you . . .”

“No, but.”

“But nothing. You are here now and we won’t ask you about your past if you don’t want us to.”

“Fair enough.”

“But first, let’s get something straight. I want you to repeat what I am going to tell you.”

“Fine.”

“My name is Christy.”

“My name is Christy.”

“I am great.”

“What?”

“Just say it, go on.”

“I am great – but.”

“No buts.”

“No buts.”

“I am lovely.”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

“I’m not kidding.”

“Okay, then. I am lovely.”

“That’s much better.”

“Now what?”

“You’re gonna get a good night’s sleep, that’s what.”

And with that, Bradley kissed my forehead gently and quietly left the room. I took off my dinner outfit and climbed, naked, under the bed sheets. I rested my head upon the soft pillow and closed my eyes. He thinks I’m lovely, I thought. Wow. No one has ever thought that. Could he mean what he said? Could I be, really? I smiled, thinking about how good Bradley’s hand had felt as his fingers explored beneath my skirt at dinner. Then I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I woke up to the sun streaming onto my face from the window. I sat in the bed, stretched, and saw that someone had left a new pile of clothes for me by the bedside. Smiling on the new day, I went into the adjoining bathroom, washed my face, rinsed my mouth, and came back out to get dressed. I had a set of brown slacks to wear today, with a rib-knit pink top that fit me like a glove. Looking in the mirror at myself, I was quite pleased at my appearance, and I was secretly hoping that Bradley would be pleased as well.

I made my way downstairs with a new sparkle in my step, tossing my hair over my shoulder with a confidence I don’t think I had ever felt before. Mom was standing in the foyer, and I strode up to her to let her know I was ready to get started.

“Good, I see you are ready to work.”

“Yes, Mom,” I replied. “Ready and willing.”

“Fine, then. We need the fence outside painted. You will find what you need in the shed to the right of the door. There are two brushes, wide and narrow, three cans of paint, and some drop cloths for the ground. There is a can of mineral spirits for cleanup and a metal bucket for all the dirty things. Can you handle the job?”

“Yes, I’ve painted before. That I can do just fine.”

“Good then. Grab a quick bite – there’s oatmeal cooked in the kitchen – and let’s get started.”

I entered the kitchen and helped myself to a bowl of creamy oats and some syrup. Being hungry, I gobbled it down, figuring it would have to last me until whenever our next meal would be.

Then I went to the shed and gathered my equipment. I set myself up by one end of the fence and began my work. It appeared that the fence had already been sanded and primed, so my job was just the painting. That was easy. Hell, it was the fun part of the job! I was going to enjoy this and enjoy the sunshine as well.

I opened the first can of paint and began to dip my brush. While clearing the excess paint on the edge, I heard a strange squeak and looked up. There was Bradley, pushing a wheelbarrow full of soil around from the back of the house to the front. As he rounded the corner, I couldn’t help but look at the way his shirtless chest shone with perspiration in the sunlight. The muscles in his tanned arms flexed as he pushed, teasing me almost, and causing my insides to melt. I yelled a warm good morning to him as I admired the view. He smiled, without waving, speaking only two words to me.

“Be great!”

I smiled back, watching as he dumped the load into the front garden, and caught a glimpse of his tight jeans from behind as he strode back around the house for load two. At least I was hoping there would be a second load. I noticed how the blue denim hugged his rounded ass in all the right places, revealing his masculine shape to me as he did his yard work. Wow, I thought, a job with a view!

I grinned wickedly as I pulled myself back together and returned to my work. Being able to catch glimpses of Bradley working on the plantings made my work go even faster than I thought it would. Before long the job was finished and I was quite satisfied with myself.

I went back to the shed and cleaned up, putting away what could be reused and throwing disposables into the garbage.

As I was going back inside, Mom came out and admired my handiwork.

“Excellent, Christy. You did a fine job.”

“Glad you like it.”

“Go upstairs, now and shower and change. A set of dinner clothes has been laid out for you on your bed.”

I thanked her and made my way back up to my room. There was a lacey green dress with a bow at the waistline, waiting for me when I arrived. Must be some special occasion, I thought, with fancy clothes for tonight’s dinner.

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