Uplifting Eight

We were up, bright and early, on Monday morning. After a cup of tea Margo kissed me and went back to her own quarters to shower and dress for the day. She had decided that she would be with me when I met Keith for breakfast.

I showered and put on my gaff and underwear, adding a pair of panty-hose that I was getting pretty good at putting on now.

I hadn’t been home for a very long time. Actually, I hadn’t been home since I went away to college more than ten years ago. My parents and siblings preferred to come to the big city, New York, instead to see me. Much more exciting than our little town. The town could have been the model for a Hallmark movie. Everyone knows everybody and all that. The church socials, the Christmas market. Well, you get the picture(s).

Since I was going to move to Paris (France, not Texas) I finally decided to go back once before I moved. Of course, my family would love to visit Paris with the excuse of visiting me, so we’d still see each other but it was Christmas and all that… Also, I have to admit that part of the reason I went back was so that I could brag about my new position as the manager of our Paris office. Quite a career move for a young woman, especially one born as a boy.

The advert looked too good to be true. A room in a mansion, free rent in exchange for housework. Mark was between jobs and was living in a rundown bedsit. He had been mugged twice and had ran out of money.

CHAPTER 6
Jim pushed the bundle of lists to one side, and settled back into his seat, hoping that it would take the sting out of his next words.

“We will have the Red Cross coming in for a visit, or the Jerries will send them a list of names. Not sure about that, but apparently the Swedes or Swiss or whoever give us parcels. We are also to be allowed mail from home, which can include parcels. That is on certain conditions. One of them is what we already do, or rather our Officers do, but it’s down to me right here and now. I have to read and censor your letters”

Coleman's Steakhouse was a small little restaurant that was located at the far end of Main Street. Beside it one would find Benton Laundromat and across from it one would find Benton Auto Glass Works. Many people in town considered it a hidden treasure, unlike the newest steakhouse in town, The Cow Pen Jr. Located out on the highway this one was located in the heart of Benton. Many in town considered The Cow Pen Jr. a place for tourists to go too.