EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S VACATION   Marie had to go on this stinking vacation with her bosses whether she liked it or not. She would have been more content to stay in her apartment with her cat then to go off to some tropical island, just so they could play golf and enjoy themselves. One good thing about it though was that it would be warm there, where-as in Fort Erie, winter had just set in and the snow was piling up. Here, she had to take a taxi to the airport and they got themselves a limo to take them. At least she could put the fare on her expense account with the firm. She was an executive secretary, and they wanted her along in the event of any business meeting that may come up. She could do as she wanted during the two week long stay, as long as there were no meetings scheduled for that day. She’d have her own room and had to keep a low profile, so as not to cause trouble between the bosses and their wives. She felt like she might as well as had a dog collar and leash around her neck for all the freedom she would have while she was there. When at work, and travelling as she was now, she had to wear non-provocative clothes with no make-up and low cut shoes. She was told to wear her hair in a bun at the back of her head and glasses that did nothing for her appearance or better her seeing ability. They were really just fake, with the intention of making her look like a spinster librarian. She figured that one of the executive’s wives had a hand in what she was to wear, in fear of losing him to a bimbo secretary. Other then that, she lived a low-key life. She had to work long hours, but the pay was good and she had managed to sock away quite a bundle for what she hoped would be an early retirement. Beside her pay, she often got some very good bonuses just to get some of her bosses set up on business trips on their own; with the knowledge that they would not always be alone at the other end. A part of the business world that she just ignored. She boarded the plane in the tourist section, after having checked in her luggage, but keeping a small flight bag to carry on the plane. Most of the passengers had already taken their seats and she found the one allotted to her in the aisle about half way back. After taking a book and a few other essentials out of her bag, she was placing it in the storage compartment above her seat, when suddenly it fell to the floor. Before she could pick it up, a male passenger picked it up for her and helped stow it into the compartment and lowered the door on it and made sure it was closed tightly. As he lowered his arms, his hand touched the side of her breast closest to him. They exchanged a quick glance, and she realized that it had not been done intentionally, but still she couldn’t avoid having her face blush. “Thank you, sir,” she said to the young man. “No problem, I was glad to be of service to you,” and with that, she saw him continue on a bit farther to his own seat. Marie picked up her book from the seat and sat down. What’s the matter with me, she thought. Even though it was warm in the plane, she pulled her suit coat more closed in front of her, afraid that someone might notice that her nipples were suddenly extended and pressing against the restraints of her light bra and blouse. She heard the sound of the air conditioner air being forced through the plane, with a welcoming blast of cool air to calm her down. After the incident up front, Jay had found his seat about three rows back and across the aisle from where the lady had dropped her bag. He sat there for a while, wondering about her. He looked up to where she was seated. He remembered the look in her eyes after he had accidentally touched her breast with his hand. He could tell that her breast was firm and solid. He had the inclination that she enjoyed it, even though it wasn’t by any intent of either of them. He saw that she had blushed but she had no thoughts of what it had done to him. He still wasn’t relaxed from that moment in his own way. He settled back, thinking of how nice it was going to be to get away from the crowds. He was a golf pro and wanted time for himself for a change. He had shaved off his moustache and dyed his hair a bit darker, so hopefully he wouldn’t be noticed on the island. If he were recognized, he would forever be asked for advice on someone’s poor game practices. Besides, he was going to be going out into some of the more remote sections of the island, to do some canoeing and camping. Later, after having dozed off, he woke with a start and noticed that the lady he had helped was not in her seat. Soon he saw her descending the stairs from the upper level with a briefcase in her hand. As she sat down, he was given the pleasant view of a bit of her upper leg as her skirt was hiked up a bit as she sat down. After pulling it down in place, she looked down the aisle to see if anyone had seen what had happened. Their eyes met and Jay smiled at her, and she turned her head around abruptly. Once again, he could see that she was blushing as it showed even on the side of her face. He saw her opening the briefcase and peer through some of the file papers in it. Probably some guy’s secretary. But why is such a nice woman dressed up like that. He redressed her in his mind and saw a completely different woman. A woman that would turn any man’s head as she passed by. He shook his head in dismay as if he were looking at a much overweight woman. Then he closed his eyes again. Marie just sat there, just staring at the papers she was holding. It was of no use, as she could not concentrate on reading any of the papers, so she stuffed them back in the case and snapped it shut abruptly. The lady sitting next to her gave her a questioning look. She was blushing again, and had to open the top button of her blouse. Why was it so damn hot in here? She felt like she was on fire and she was tingling from head to foot. She put her head back and closed her eyes. Soon she fell asleep and had a dream. It seemed that everyone on the plane was laughing at her, everyone with the exception of one person. There she saw just a simple smile. After de-boarding, she hailed a cab and was soon in her own room. She was on the floor below the executive level, so she would more or less be out of sight, as per agreement. It was hot outside, her room was air-conditioned but she wanted a shower in the worst way. She was glad to get out of her business suit and to take off the fake glasses and let her hair down. Shedding her bra and panties, she was a woman of extreme beauty. Her breasts were full and non-sagging from a daily exercise programme she followed. Her tummy was reasonably flat with no extra pounds of fat. Her legs long and nicely tapered. She looked in the full-length bathroom mirror and liked what she saw. Then she stepped into the shower. Jay’s room was on the third floor, but as was his normal way, he did not take the elevator, when he would rather climb the stairs for the added benefit of exercise. As he was descending down the stairs a well-dressed lady was heading to the dining room after stopping momentarily at the reception desk. Jay still had that secretary type of lady on his mind and he wanted to find out a bit more about her. When the clerk asked him if he could help him he said, “Yes. There was a lady that came in on the plane from Buffalo today, and I was wondering if she might be staying here?” “What was her name?” “That’s just it, I don’t know her name. She’s about 5’7, Dark hair and wears it in a bun. Dark brown business suit. I think she’s possibly a secretary. Wears glasses, but no make-up.” The desk clerk suddenly began to smile. “By golly, are you ever in for a surprise. I’d say the lady you’re inquiring about is Marie Dobson. Did you see the lady that was here when you were coming down the stairs?” “The attractive brunette that went into the dining room? Yes, I did.” “That was the secretary you were asking about. I couldn’t believe the change from when she came in here this afternoon. She’s turned out to be a real knock-out.” “You mean to tell me that was her?” “That’s right.” “Thank you very much. That’s all I need to know.” Before he left for the dining room, he gave the clerk a good tip for the information. Marie had picked a small dining room that was off of the main lobby, not wanting to be near any of her bosses. She had the Hostess select a table in an out of the way place in the room. She was waiting for the waiter to bring her the meal she ordered, when she saw the fellow that had helped her on the plane. Right away, she started to blush and her body got that tingling sensation again. He had to wait for the Hostess, before he could be seated. Marie reached for the glass of ice water that was sitting on the table in front of her. She had to use two hands to hold it to her lips, as she was trembling so much. Damn it, she thought, why is it so damn hot in here all of a sudden. She took a quick glance to the entrance way and saw him talking to the Hostess, then she started to walk in her direction. “Excuse me, Miss Dobson, the gentleman at the check-in counter, he says his name is Jay Weston. He had seen you on the plane and was wondering if he could join you for dinner.” “Tell him I’m sorry, but I don’t know him and would rather be alone.” “Suit yourself, but I’ve seen him come here for several years now, always alone, usually staying to himself. I think he usually goes up into the mountains to be by himself. A real outdoors type of guy. I wish I was in your shoes and he was asking me.” There I was again, all flushed and jittery as I reached for the glass of water again. “Are you alright Miss Dobson? You look all blushed and shaking. Is he doing that to you?” she asked as she watched me closely. “But I don’t even know him?” “Oh, now I see it. There’s been a little guy with a bow shooting his arrows in both of your directions. Go for it girl. Let nature take its course.” Marie thought for a few moments and looked over at the man standing there. When their eyes met, there was that captivating smile of his once again. “ Alright, you can tell Mr. Weston that I’d be delighted if he would join me.” “I’ll tell you what, Marie. I’ll introduce you to him when I bring him over. That way you’ll both feel better about meeting.” “How did you know my name was Marie?” “I saw you when you arrived from the Airport. I run this restaurant, and it’s nice to know a bit about the guests that are staying here. Just to be helpful to them. And I must say, that you really look stunning now compared to when you checked in. I’ll bring him over now and see you again later on.” After the Hostess had introduced them and left, they smiled and it was Jay that first spoke. “Excuse me, Marie, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was asking about you, and found out that you had turned into a Cinderella. I had an idea on the plane that you weren’t really meant to be in a business suit. I had a feeling that you were really an attractive looking lady, and I was right.” “Why thank you, Jay. That type of suit is what my job called for, and as I have to support myself, the pay was worth it.” During this time, their meals were served to them, and they continued on with their talk. “What do you normally like doing during your own time, Marie?” “I like going around to different shops, usually the unique ones. Antiques and such. I like driving in the country and going on hikes on some of the nature trails and a bit of golf.” Do you play golf, Jay?” “Yes, I’ve done a bit of playing.” I knew I had to get her away from this subject or I was going to have to do a lot of lying to her, which I was reluctant to do. “You like nature and hiking, you said. Where do you do that?” “I like to go to some of the remote parks that have water falls in them. I’m starting into digital photography and like to take nature pictures.” “That’s what I like to do also, when I’m not travelling.” “What kind of business are you in?” “Oh, I help different sponsors arrange tours in different countries. It keeps me busy most of the year, but I like to come down here and relax away from the crowds.” After their dinner was over, and Jay convinced her that he would have the tab put on his account, he had asked Marie if she would like to go down for a walk on the beach. “I’d love that, Jay. It’ll give me a chance to cool off. Seems like all day I’ve been feeling real warm.” As Jay talked to the Hostess about the bill, a man confronted him and Marie only heard parts of what was said. Something about pro golf. Jay’s answer to the man was that he was mistaken and that his golf game left much to be desired. Later, as they were walking along the walk toward the beach, they came to the end of the cement walk and Marie said she would have to take her high heels off and walk barefoot on the sand. In doing so, she had to hold Jay’s arm to maintain her balance. When she was almost done, she did lose her balance and it was good that she was holding unto him, as with his quick reaction, he kept her from falling. Both his hands were on her waist, and she was facing him. She was about to thank him, when he lowered his head and kissed her on the lips gently. It didn’t last long, but suddenly there was that blast of hot air that took over her body and the tingling sensation started again. What was going on she thought. I’ve been around lots of men and kissed by many, but what is coming over me. I’ve got to get my feet in that ocean and cool off a bit. Breaking away from him, she said. “I want to see how warm the ocean is, and wade in a bit.” With that, she quickly turned and ran to the waters edge, leaving her shoes where they had fallen. When the next wave came in, she had to lift the hem of her dress to keep it from getting wet. By that time, Jay was at the waters edge. “You’ll have to lift your dress higher if the next wave is any higher.” “You just want to see more of my legs, I know.” “I did see more of them. On the plane, remember?” “You only saw one then!” “I can imagine that the other is as nice as that one was when I saw it.” Suddenly Marie had a bit of devilment in her and she lifted her dress to her thighs. “Now you can see both of them at once. You’ll see more tomorrow when I go jogging or swimming. That is if you’re around here.” “I’m going jogging at seven in the morning. Then I’d like to take you out to breakfast after that.” As Marie slowly walked back to the dryer sand above the watermark and was once again in front of Jay, she said, “Make it six in the morning and I’ll go jogging with you.” “Ok, I’ll see you at six by the pool, and we’ll start from there. I’ll walk you back to the hotel, but I’ll have to leave you there, as I have to see about scheduling a jeep for a trip I want to take up into the mountains in a couple of days from now.” “What do you do up there, may I ask?” “I just set up camp and go hiking and fishing. Perhaps even some reading if I have the time. Some canoeing, depending on where I go when I get up there.” ‘Sounds interesting.” “It is, you should try it sometime.” By this time they had gotten to the place where Marie had left her shoes and she stopped and put them on. “My car is just over there, so I’ll leave you here at the entrance and see you in the morning.” As he left, he gave her arm a squeeze and then walked to his car. Once inside, Marie watched through one of the large windows as he drove away. A red convertible, at that. It was still early evening, and she had some thinking to be doing. Besides, she wanted to see if that Hostess was still around. Entering the restaurant, she found out that she was still there, and asked to be seated at a place where she could get a coffee and also a chance to talk to her privately. When May, as she found out what the Hostess’s name was, came with two coffees, she said that she told one of the waitresses to take over, so she wouldn’t be disturbed. “How did your walk on the beach go?” “Very well, thank you,” and Marie told her about the kiss and a few of the other things that happened, and the fact that he drove away in an antique red convertible, that looked as if it had just came off the assembly line. “And another thing she said, he made it sound like he was just some simple guy doing work for some touring group. None of it makes sense. I kept looking at him as if I had seen him someplace before. There’s something about him that doesn’t make sense.” “Marie, tell me. How did you feel when he kissed you?” “Like I was in heaven, but it didn’t last very long. The kiss, I mean. I was wishing that he hadn’t stopped and that he would kiss me again, but he didn’t.” “When I first met you Marie, you were nervous and flushed. How do you feel now?” “To tell you the truth I think I need a cold shower. Tomorrow morning we have a date to go jogging and afterwards, he wants to take me to breakfast. Now I don’t know if I should just move to another hotel and keep out of sight. May, I’m scared.” “No you aren’t Marie. You’re in love. There’s a well-kept secret on this island, and I guess I’m just going to have to tell you about it. But first you’ll have to promise me that you’ll pretend you don’t know about it, and let nature take it’s course.” “Why do you want me to do this, this promise thing?” “Because what I’m going to tell you, will make a big difference in both of your lives. Years from now, when you come back here, I want to know that I made the right decision of telling you the secret only a few people on this island know.” “I promise, May.” “Do you like golf?” “Yes I do, but most of the time I go by myself.” Then she hesitated a moment, perhaps searching for the right words, I thought at the time. “Do you watch the pro tours on television.” she said, with a bit of a smile on her lips. Then all of a sudden it hit me and I felt as if I was going to faint. My eyes must have grown as big as saucers when I looked up at her. “Oh no, it can’t be. You’re going to tell me that Jay is Andy. Andy Powers, The Pro.” May’s head was bobbing up and down and there was a big grin on her face. “The one and only. Shave off the moustache, dye the hair and eyebrows, to their normal colour, and you have the real Jay Weston. Marie, he wouldn’t have wanted to hurt you in this deception. But he has too, to have some peace and rest from his tours. I’ve known him for years, and when I saw the two of you together at dinner and the way he was looking at you, I knew that he had found what he has been looking for these many years.” “Well I’ll be,” was all I could say at the moment, before continuing after I took a drink of the ice water that was there. “In a way, I’m sorry you told me, as I’ll always wonder if my future decisions will be tainted by what you have told me.” “Don’t let them be, Marie. I could tell that you were in love with him before I told you. If I saw differently, I wouldn’t have mentioned it. You’re an attractive woman, and I’d hate to see you waste it the way you are. You’re not meant for that brown tweed suit and hair in a bun outfit you came here in. It’s your life, Marie. Go for it.” As I got up I gave her a hug, and thanked her for talking to me. “Now I better get up to my room and get that shower. I need it more now then even before.” Marie had left a room service call to be sure she would be up on time. After getting her jogging suit on, and making herself presentable, she was out at the pool side doing warm-ups before Jay came down. “Good Morning, Marie. Have you been here long?” “Just a few minutes. What’s the trail like?” “There’s a two kilo run to that point up the ocean that is fairly level. It’s an inland run then at the turning point it follows the ocean shore back her to the pool. We were walking on part of that last night.” They did some more warm-ups, if nothing else then to size each other up, before Marie said “Ready to go?” “All set.” They paced each other, side by side, going at an easy gait. Neither saying a word, keeping their minds to the jogging effort that they were doing. It was a cool morning under the canopy of the trees, but soon signs of sweat were noticeable on both their bodies. At the half way mark they rested, but kept their bodies limbered up with stretch exercises. There was water at a spring fed fountain where they each quenched their thirst. Marie took off first, knowing that Jay would be taking advantage of the situation to give her body a good going over. She knew that he would be pleased, as she had kept herself in good shape. When he finally caught up with her, she glanced over at him and saw that he was smiling. “Well Jay, how do things look.” She knew that those words would catch him off guard. “Fine, very fine indeed.” Now it was Marie’s turn to be smiling. When they arrived back at the hotel, they agreed to meet again downstairs in an hours time. If she didn’t see him, she was to look for him in the small restaurant. As Marie was entering the elevator, she saw Jay going up the stairs two at a time. When Marie was in the shower, she heard the phone ring, and a message being left. Probably those stiff collared bosses of hers wanting her at some meeting today. Well if they wanted her, it wasn’t going to be in a business suit this time. She had suddenly decided that there were going to be some changes made. She had washed her hair and it was an easy task to dry it with the hair blower. With a towel over her shoulder she walked into the bedroom to see what the message said and whom it was from. The message was not from her bosses. -- **Marie, Jay here. It’s going to be a hot day today and I’d like to take you for a drive down the coast to a nice place I go to often. Wear something light or a pair of shorts, because the TV announcer said it was going to be a scorcher today. Don’t forget your sunglasses. See you soon.** After she put the phone down, she laid down on the bed for a while. ‘A hot day, was it. I’ll show him a hot day.’ She got up and rummaged through her drawers till she found the items of clothing she was looking for. A drive; that would mean his red convertible. She didn’t have any red outfit, but hot pink with red shoes would knock his block off. A matching red purse with her sunglasses, and she was all set to go. She wasn’t alone in the elevator, and she saw one gentleman get a knock in his ribs as they were going down. I guess his wife didn’t like the look he was giving my body behind me, she thought to herself. Serves her right for not looking after herself years before. As she crossed the lobby, she could tell there were admiring glances cast in her direction. Even a low wolf whistle from the direction of the reception desk. May saw her coming and stepped out into the lobby to confront her. “Marie, you look stunning. He’s in there waiting for you, and told me he was going to take you for a drive up the coast. In this case I don’t mind losing two customers. Stop in and have a coffee with me when you have the time. I feel as if you’re my own daughter.” “Thanks, May. I’ll make sure I take the time to have coffee with you. He’s going to be going up in the mountains on a camping trip, so I’m sure I’ll have the time. Oh, by the way. Can you see the cleaning lady that does my room, and tell her there’s a couple of business suits and shoes and some other things there on the bed. She can take what she wants, but I definitely want to have her put the business suits in the incinerator. If you can, I’d like to have you see her do that part of it, so you can tell me that is where they ended up.” “I’ll do better then that. I’ll go up with her within the hour and see that it’s done. That way, as you’re headed down the coast you can give it one last thought that you’re living your life the way you want to. Good luck, honey, and I’ll escort you in now.” When Jay saw Marie come in, his face lit up with a smile. “Marie, you look stunning. Would you like a coffee before we take off?” “No, I’ll be fine. I had some orange juice in my apartment this morning.” Jay held her arm gently as they left the dining room, but not before saying good bye to May. Once in the lobby, which was practically empty, Jay guided her to one side. “Excuse me Marie, but there’s something I’d like to do before we get in the car and drive off, but I’d like to ask for your permission first.” “And what would that be,” Marie said, as he stepped up close in front of her. She had two fingers of both hands crossed, as she held her breath. “I’d like to have your permission to kiss you once again.” “Permission granted” Marie said, seemingly as if she shouted out the words, and yet it was only in a whisper. She tilted up her head slightly, as now she was wearing a pair of heels and not in her bare feet as the last time. She closed her eyes as their lips touched. This time there was more pressure and yet tenderness to the kiss. It wasn’t hurried as before, but seemed to last an eternity. Their arms encircled each other, holding for a few moments after the kiss. It was then that Marie realized that she still had her fingers crossed. “That will be the last time, Jay.” Stunned, he stepped back to look at her. “What do you mean, Marie. I had the feeling that you were enjoying that kiss.” With a smile on her face, she continued. “What I mean, is to say, that was the last time that you will have to ask permission.” With that, he took her in his arms once again and gave her another kiss. When they left the hotel, they were walking hand in hand. May had been watching inconspicatively and rushed to the window in time to see them drive off. As they were driving out along the coast, Marie’s hair was blowing quite freely in the breeze with the top of the convertible down. Jay reached back behind the seat and came up with a present wrapped nicely in a gift box. “This is for you, Marie. I bought it last night, hoping you’d come with me, and I can see now that I really picked the right gift and colour.” “What is it?” “Open it and see,” he said. Marie quickly undid the ribbon and gift wrapping. She opened the box as she looked at Jay and then looked to see what it was that he had bought her. Inside, was what appeared to be a red kerchief. She took it out, opening it out, and sure enough, it was a bandana and it just happened to match the red of her shoes and purse. “Well, I’ll be darned Jay, thank you,” she said as she looked at him while putting it on and fastening it in place. “How did you ever know to buy a red one. It’s a perfect match for my outfit.” “That part of it was purely luck. I was just thinking at the time how nice you would look wearing it in my red convertible. I can see that I made the right choice on all accounts, and that includes how nice you look.” “Thank you, Jay.” Oh! That’s a look-out turn-off up head, can we stop there for a while. I have to take care of something.” As Jay came to a stop, she opened her purse and removed a few items from it. As she got out, Jay did the same, wondering what she was up too. Walking to the protective guard rail, she said, “This is perfect,” as she looked over and saw the sea pounding against the rocks below. “Perfect for what, may I ask?” “We’re about an hour from when we left the hotel. About now, May is up in my room with the hotel house-maid. I told her to get rid of certain items that were on my bed, but one of the items was that business suit you saw me in on the plane. That, I told her she was to put into the incinerator chute. These items are my glasses that I don’t need and the ring that held my hair in a bun. I was going to throw them into the ocean along the way, but now I’ve decided that I want you to do it for me. Will you, Jay?” “Marie, it will give me great pleasure to do that for you. In fact, for the both of us.” With that, he took the items from her and threw them out, one at a time. They watched as they hit the water and immediately sank out of sight. When they were gone, Marie still looked at the place where they had sunk and then she said, “Gone forever is that spinster. And I’m glad, cause I didn’t really think much of her.” Jay had his arm around her and then he turned her to him, and kissed her gently. “Of the two of you, I like this one the best.” Soon they were at a Seaside Pier parking lot and walking into a restaurant at the end of the pier. As they were seated at a window side table, they had a wonderful view of the coastline beaches. After an enjoyable breakfast, Jay suggested that they go up to the rooftop lounge area to see the view from up there. As they were looking out over the ocean, seeing an occasional porpoise surfacing, Jay put his arm around her and turned slightly to her. Marie liked the feel and closeness of him and looked up at him and saw a bit of sadness in his eyes. “What’s troubling you, Jay”? He kissed her on the forehead, before he spoke. “Something has come up in my life Marie, and I’m not sure of how to handle it.” “Does it involve me,” she asked. “As a matter of fact, it does.” “Then I’d rather you go right out and say what it is, instead of keeping me in suspense.” “I was planning a trip up into the mountains in a few days from now, but now that I’ve met you, I’m not so sure that I want to go. I’d rather spend the time with you, but I’m not sure if I would be fitting into your plans while you’re here on the island.” Marie turned back to watching several of the mammals as they swam close by. Jay had removed his arm from her waist, and rested it on the railing between them, not knowing if he had offended her. “Jay what do you do when you go up there all by yourself?” “As I told you before, I set up a camp beside one of the lakes up there and canoe and fish in the different lakes from there.” “Do you have your own pup tent to sleep in?” “No, I have one I can stand up in.” “Are there bears and things up there?” “No, just some mountain sheep and goats up there. Plus some deer.” Marie was quiet for some time before he asked her. “Why all the questions?” “I think I can solve your problem of not wanting to leave me down here and being up there, by yourself.” “What do you mean?” “It’s very simple, Jay. Just take me with you when you go. That is if you can stand to have a woman along on a trip like this. And I might add, a woman that knows what she would be getting into.” “You’d be willing to do that. Even though we just met yesterday.” “Remember this morning, when you pulled me aside, wanting to ask my permission about something.” “Yes, I remember. I wanted your permission to kiss you.” “Well, you didn’t know it, but just at that time I had crossed the fingers on both hands, in the hopes that you were going to ask me for a kiss, and that it would be all I wanted it to be. It was more then I could have hoped for, and I knew that I would hopefully be spending the rest of my life having you kiss me.” “That would be wonderful Marie, as I’ve been having those same thoughts. Even when I first saw you on the plane, I had a feeling that you and I were going to be crossing paths again. In fact, I was looking you up yesterday morning as that executive secretary, when I was told that I was in for a surprise, by the desk manager.” They kissed again, and this time it was a togetherness kiss. Just as exciting as the last ones, but this time they knew they were meant to be together. As they drove back to the hotel Jay said that they would have to get her suitable clothes for the week long trip they were planning for the mountain camping trip. Also some of the things he had set up with the outfitter would have to be doubled up. “Don’t forget, Jay when you get another sleeping bag for me, that it will have to be able to zipper up with yours, as I have no intention of being stuck in a sleeping bag all by myself at night.” Jay smiled at her, and said that he had already thought of that. Also that she would have to go into the clothing section of some of the outfitters to get the clothes that she would need. He said that he would talk to the owners, and the sales ladies would help her get set up properly. When they were back at the hotel, Marie said that she would meet him at about two, as she had to find her bosses and give them the news that she was taking a week off and would not be available to them during that time, and that she would see them in the office a little more then a week from then. Unless she got fired on the spot, which she doubted. She found the two of them having cocktails in the lounge, and as she approached their table, their staring at her didn’t surprise her. “Miss Dobson, aren’t you wearing clothes that are a bit revealing, even for down here. Remember, you’re still on duty and we’ve been calling for you to no avail.” “That’s what I stopped by to see you about. I’m taking a week off, and will see you on the first day of the week after that.” “But we need you at a meeting. You have to be there!” “Sorry gentlemen, as I said, I’m taking a week off. I’m on sick leave as of now, and I’ll remind you that it will be with pay, as I have much more sick leave time accumulated over the past years in case I don’t get back there for the Monday.” “You can’t do this, spoke up the other boss. We’ll take action against you. We can fire you.” “Sure you can. Mr. Jenkins, or should I just call you, Tom. But I wonder what your wife would say if I suddenly dropped by to your house and showed her some pictures I took while you had me go to Cancun with you on a business trip last year, just as a cover-up so you could be with that redhead that met you down there.” As she said this, she saw his face get red and he almost choked on his drink as he took a quick gulp of it. “You wouldn’t?” “Try me, Tom. And another thing. I won’t be coming to work in that old maid stuff you said I had to wear. You’ll see a new me, when I get there, and things will be run differently.” “Please, Miss Dobson.” This time it was Mr. Jones that was interrupting her. “Don’t worry Bill, I have your pictures with that blonde in a safe place also. And I could always swear up an affidavit how the two of you have always been trying to manipulate me into having an affair with the two of you, either at work or on some of these business trips we have to take. “Your minds think alike, so until I get back to work, you can think of how nice you will be treating me from now on. And also as to how big my pay raise will be. Good-bye gentlemen, I’m off on a bit of a camping trip. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you in my office.” “Oh yes, my office. Call the maintenance crew and tell them to redecorate that spare office next to mine. I want all the business machines from my office moved into there, with a door cut through the wall so I can get at them. I’ll need new furniture in my office. I’ll get back to you in a bit as to the colour scheme and the type of furniture that I want, but you better send them a message to get working on it right away, as I want it finished by the time I get back to work.” “Also the spare room down the hall will make a nice office for my new secretary that I’ll be hiring when I get back to work, so have them fix that up properly.” She could see that both men were shaking by now, and that they were sweating. “When I get back to my room, I’ll call a decorator that I know in the city to let her know how I want things done and she can run the show as far as the decorating needs are going to be required from my instructions. Your shop man will be under her orders as far as the final touches are going to be taken care of.” With that she suddenly turned and saying good-bye, they watched her until she was out of sight. It was Bill that spoke first. “What do you think we should do, get our lawyer to make up her dismissal papers?” “Are you crazy, and have our wives find out what we’ve been doing on some of these business trips of ours. Our business is doing well, and from now on, we’ll have to toe the line. We both love our wives, but we could lose out if we don’t do as Miss Dobson says. I believe her when she says that she has those pictures of us. We both know how she loves to take pictures.” “I guess you’re right. She’s a very good secretary, and we’d miss her if she were to go. We better let her pick out her own assistant, because I have a feeling that things could even improve for the company.” “That’s how it will be then. I’ll call the shop and speak to the maintenance foreman and let him know what to expect and what he needs to do, and to get onto it right away.” Going to her restaurant, Marie met May and after placing her order, May came over and sat with her. “How did things go this morning, Marie?” “Perfect, and I want to thank you for the information. I’m going up into the mountains with Jay for a week, and I also told my bosses a thing or two. There’s going to be a lot of changes back at the plant, and whether they know it yet or not, I’m going to be having a big part in running the place, because I just got control over the bosses. I’ll have that place running much better then it is now, and the profits are going to increase.” “Good for you. I figured you were made of good stuff when I saw the change in you after you got rid of that outfit you came in, and when I saw you and Jay hit it off together so well.” “I want to ask you May, do you have a share in the hotel at all?” “Yes, I do. It’s not much now, but it’s possible that I’m going to work my way up in it as time goes on. Why do you ask?” “That’s good. I want to make arrangements with you, about some things I’ve been thinking of about the plant. My main one would be an all expense trip for an employee and his family to stay here for a week at our company’s expense. Sort of a work incentive plan I’ve always had in the back of my mind.” I’ll give it my full attention when I hear from you about it, and see that things go well in that endeavour. I have to go now Marie, as duty calls from the reception desk.” It was then that Marie saw Jay was also coming in her direction. Gone was the shaking and the hot flashes. They were replaced by a warm glow that would last forever.   Story by: James Westhouse  -- June 2005 Dedicated to Marie