by Jamie Knight
I managed to make both interviews during the morning when I knew Katie would be in daycare. The buildings were managed by competing companies which, of course, had set up their offices across the street from each other in the same prime, downtown location.
The first interview was for the day shift. I assumed it would start the next day. It was already well after breakfast.
I had worn my best clothes and tied my hair back to hide how greasy it was, kicking myself for not taking a shower before I left Chase's place, or at least sneaking back over to my old apartment. The lazy landlord had not even changed the locks. I could have been living there but there was too much of a chance of being discovered.
Both interviews went surprisingly well. The manager for the day shift was a prim woman in her late 20s who looked like her life's ambition was to be a movie executive and her current job was just another step along the way. The manager for the company offering the nightshift was a coldly efficient gentleman with gray fringes to his otherwise jet-black hair and an accent I first thought was German but later turned out to be Norwegian.
Both were quite cordial, and neither of them asked about the size of my tits which was already one up on my last interview. Their main concern seemed to be about my experience, partly because I looked so young. Something I carefully lied my way around, first by convincing them that I was the age that I really was and then peppering some names of past clients that sounded convincing, some others actually being true. I picked up Katie from daycare and took her out for fast food, honestly hoping for better things.
I was on my way to the daycare with Katie the next morning when my phone rang.
“Hello,” I said, tucking the phone between my ear and my shoulder, both hands busy with my energetic toddler.
“Ms. Tate?”
“That's me,” I said.
“It’s Amelia from O'Connell Cleaners. We have decided to hire you on for our day shift at the Madison building. You start tomorrow morning at nine.”
“Wow, than—”
She hung up before I could finish expressing my undying gratitude. I put my head against the vibrating bus window, doing my best not to fall asleep before our stop.
After getting Katie settled at daycare — there had been some tears the first time I left her, but she had adjusted quickly — I walked towards the library. I could see it in the distance when the phone rang again, buzzing in the pocket of my jeans.
“Hello?”
“Ashlyn Tate?” asked the familiar voice of the second interviewer.
“Yes, sir,” I said stopping, standing almost at attention.
“You are on for the night shift tonight at the Adams building. You start at six.”
“Yes, sir!” I managed to get out, nearly saluting before the line went dead.
I had just gone from no job to two in a day. I was about to do a happy dance in the middle of the street until I remembered that while the hours for the day shift would be fine, nine to three being the exact hours Katie was at daycare. But I had nowhere to put her between six and two, or anywhere to go after that, the shelter closing its doors at eight.
I was still trying to figure it out when I went to get Katie from daycare. It was only after I saw her yawn that I had the idea. Instead of going back to the shelter or to get food, I took her to the park to pass the time before I had to start my shift at six. I didn't have much time, but it seemed to do the trick. Katie was already yawning by the time we got to the building I was supposed to clean.
There was no one there when we arrived. Going straight for the staff room, I wrapped Katie in a blanket and put her down on her bag. Her eyes already closed before I lay her on the makeshift pillow.
The plan worked surprisingly well. For nearly a week, I would take Katie to daycare during the day and work at the Madison building before going to the park to wear her out. Then I would put her down to sleep in the empty staff room, I was the only one working the shift, joining her for a nap before the day shift came in.
If only I had noticed the security cameras.
Unfortunately, I was fired without pay from the night shift. I still had the day shift and was going to be paid soon, though that didn't help in finding a place to live. I would need to work at least a month to get the money to get into a place with the first month's rent and deposit. I really didn't want to go back to the shelter.
It was then that I remembered that I still had a key to Chase's place. The night was pitch black and scary. Maybe we could just sleep and leave before he noticed.
Chapter Eleven
Chase
I knew it was her when I heard the door open. It had to be Ashlyn. The only other person who had a key was Ann, who was also my emergency contact, and she wouldn't be sneaking in at the dead of night. She would have called first.
I heard Katie fussing, and that clinched it. They were sneaking back into my house after leaving suddenly. My anger at her leaving mixed with my relief that they were okay.
What Ann had said about me having it bad for Ashlyn had stuck with me. It seemed so soon, but I couldn't deny there was something about her that struck me in a way I hadn't felt in years. Feelings, if I was honest, I had suspected were gone.
I definitely had a soft spot for little Katie. There was no doubt about that. It was true kids didn't usually like me much, probably because I was so big and scary looking. I couldn't blame them, really. I must have looked like a monster to their underdeveloped perspective. But Katie seemed to be able to see past that.
Throwing off the blankets, I went to confront Ashlyn without even bothering to turn on the lights.
“What are you doing?” I whispered once I got into the living room.
She jumped back, the suitcase clattering to the floor. The noise woke up Katie, who started to cry. Without a word, I took her from Ashlyn, holding her close.
“Chase,” Katie cooed.
“That's right, honey,” I said, bouncing her gently.
“What are you—”
“It’s okay. I’ll put her to bed. Go rest on the couch,” I order Ashlyn. She hung her head and obeyed.
When Katie was asleep, I took her into the guest room, laying her down on the bed, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead before leaving.
“What happened?” I asked, sitting down on the couch next to Ashlyn. “I kept calling your cellphone, and you never answered. What were you doing?”
“I-I was tired, I—”
“Figured you would sneak in without even saying hello?” I asked, the anger coming back.
Her pretty face paled and she looked at the ground. “No, I mean—”
“Do you have any idea how worried I've been?” I asked.
“No, I—”
“I thought maybe the police found you or your ex. For all I knew, you were both dead,” I pressed on.
“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry,” she cried, breaking down in tears.
Against my better judgment and usually cynical nature, I took Ashlyn in both arms and hugged her.
“I said that you could stay here, and I meant it. Not just to be my fake wife-to-be for Etta's sake. I realize things didn't go as well as they might have, and you might have seen my ugly side. While I can't say that's not part of me, it is not a big part and not how I feel about you or Katie. I went for a walk to calm down. So, I wouldn't take my mood out on you or Katie.”
“Oh,” Ashlyn said, getting a hold of herself. It was a small thing, but it told me that I was on the right track.
“Where have you been?” I asked.
“At a shelter. I-I got a job cleaning on the day shift and the night shift, but I just got fired from the night shift.”
“I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable,” I said, copping to my part in the situation. “Let me run you a bath okay?”
“O-okay,” she said, her voice almost a whisper.
Taking her gently by the hand, I led Ashlyn into the bathroom and sat her down on the chair I'd had set up in there.
&nbs
p; Starting the tap, I let Ashlyn pick her favorite temperature before putting in the plug. As the tub filled, I began to add all manner of scented oils and bubble bath, all designed to make the process even more pleasant. When the tub was inches from its brim, I turned off the taps, halting the water.
A look at Ashlyn let me know she was in no fit state to undress herself and get into a tub safely. It was likely she hadn’t really slept in days. Taking her by the shoulders, I stood her up and released her golden hair from the ponytail she had put it in.
“Arms up,” I ordered, and she obeyed without resistance as I pulled her shirt up over her head.
Getting on my knees behind her, I took off her shoes and her socks before going back up to her waist, reaching around and undoing her jeans, easing them down, keeping my eyes on the floor as I did so. Taking her panties down in the same manner, I stood up, relieving her of her bra, Ashlyn letting out a small sigh of relief as it came free.
Taking her by her shoulders, I guided her to the tub, getting a glimpse of her full glory as she sank slowly among the bubbles.
“Would you like a drink?” I asked.
“Yes, please,” she said, not specifying, but just sinking lower into the water.
Alcohol was out, I knew she didn’t drink. I went to the kitchen and poured a tall glass of grape juice, figuring it to be the safest option. Pouring myself a single Wild Turkey at the mini bar, I returned to the bathroom. Sitting in the chair, I handed Ashlyn the grape juice, while taking a sip off my Wild Turkey.
“Yummy,” she said, her top lip still purple from the juice.
Without knowing why I gently stroked her cheek with the back of my hand. Ashlyn closed her eyes humming contentedly, not seeming to mind at all. Putting my tumbler down by the sink, I lay my hands on her bare, wet shoulders, again without a word of protest from her, and started massaging her very tight muscles.
Ashlyn hummed contentedly as I massaged her, letting out the occasional moan that while not quite orgasmic got mighty close to it. Putting the empty glass down on the side of the tub, she moved, sitting up and giving me a generous view of her beautiful breasts. She sat forward, giving me her entire back to work on. Pressing my hands against her, I tried not to think about how soft and warm she was. Something my cock stood up and took full notice of.
When I was finished, I took a handful of shampoo and started to lightly massage it into her hair, using the empty glass to rinse it out then running my fingers gently through the long, clean strands. Before I really knew what I was doing, I picked up the sponge from the soap shelf and started scrubbing her down. First her back, then her shoulders and her neck.
Ashlyn leaned back, letting me do her chest and her tits, her nipples going hard from the stimulation. I worked my way down to her belly and over her hips and up one leg, then the other. Ashlyn slowly opened them when the second was finished.
Moving up the inside of her right leg, I scrubbed the sponge in gentle circles up her inner thigh to her pussy. Ashlyn moaned and spread her legs even wider, making it clear what she wanted me to do.
Going as gently as I could, I moved the sponge on the outside of Ashlyn's tender young pussy, making her hum and moan with pleasure as I worked her up to the brink of orgasm, which came faster than even she seemed to expect.
“I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that,” I said, replacing the sponge to the shelf.
“I don't want you to go,” she pleaded, taking hold of my wrist.
“I-I have to go,” I said, as though she hadn't said anything. “You're tired and should finish up and go to bed.” I turned my back, ashamed that I had taken advantage of her vulnerability that way. “You should leave Katie with me tomorrow. I'm working from home, and that will free you up.”
I left the bathroom, taking the tumbler of whiskey with me.
Chapter Twelve
Ashlyn
I had stayed on fairly good terms with Amelia, my boss for the day shift, mostly by not sneaking Katie in and catching naps in the staff room. It was really only fair that I lost my job at the Adam's building, but I was determined to stay on with Madison. An ambition helped by the fact that things had gone exceptionally well the next day.
Not only did I save the money on daycare with Chase watching Katie, but I had also actually gotten to the bus stop on time. I practically danced as I dusted the computer screens. Before long, my first break was coming up. I figured it couldn't hurt just to call and check in on Katie.
“Hello?” Chase said, picking up.
“Hiya,” I said brightly.
“Seriously, Ashlyn?” Chase asked, his tone edging on annoyance.
“What?” I asked innocently.
“This is the third time you've called, and it isn't even lunch”
“Oh,” I said, fleeing myself blush.
“I appreciate your concern but get back to work or I will turn off my phone,” he said, not unkindly.
“Righto,” I said.
“See you at lunch,” he said, hanging up.
Finishing off my coffee, I did as Chase ordered and got back to work, the minutes ticking by to hours, inching toward noon. It was a weird trick of time, but it always seemed to take longer to get home than it did to go to work. The bus rolled up the same streets, passing the same buildings, though they never seemed to pass as fast as they did on the way down.
Eventually, the bus arrived on the right street and I pulled the cord, nearly jumping down the back stairs to the sidewalk. I watched carefully as I approached the building. Just in case the landlord was around and noticed I wasn't with Chase. I put up the hood on my sweatshirt just in case.
“Mommy!” Katie cried, toddling up to me once I got in the door, nearly falling down in her fervor.
“Hey, sweetie,” I said.
Out of nowhere, Katie wrapped herself around my leg, almost knocking me off balance with her enthusiasm. Taking her by the hips, I hoisted her up and held her tight.
“Hey,” Chase said, coming over from his desk, which was set up near the patio door to take in the view.
“Hey,” I said.
He kissed me on the cheek, which I wasn't sure what to do with. I certainly didn't mind. Every time I thought of him, my pussy got tight. Particularly after what had happened in the bath the night previous. The man was definitely gifted with his hands. No one had ever made me feel that good before.
There came a knock on the door. Chase went off to answer it without another word. At least not in English. I could have sworn I heard him talking to the delivery girl in Chinese. He must have given her a big tip, considering her joviality before he closed the door.
“You speak Chinese?” I asked when he came back in, setting the bags on the coffee table in front of the couch.
“Only Cantonese,” he said, sitting on the couch, “Mandarin is beyond me though I'm pretty good at standard Arabic. I was a translator during the war.”
“Iraq?” I asked.
“Afghanistan,” he said, taking out the tiny, white take-out boxes, arranging them according to size.
“I think I heard about that,” I said, sitting down on the couch.
I had of course. I was ten when things started to simmer down, though I wasn't really paying much attention to the news at the time. Far more intrigued by Facebook and the beginnings of YouTube.
“Not the half of it,” he said, snapping his chopsticks with emphasis.
“Isn't that always just the way?” I said, trying to empathize.
“Tell me about it,” Chase said, bitterly.
“What did we get?” I asked trying to change the subject.
“A little bit of everything,” he said, giving me a fork. “I got a separate order of dumplings for Katie.”
“She's never had dumplings,” I said.
“That's what I figured. She'll love them,” he said confidently.
Sure enough, he was right. Katie ate the entire order of dumplings and asked for more. So, I gave her some of the pork from the pork fried rice
which she also loved.
“Soy sauce?” Chase asked as I started on my main course.
“No thanks, any sweet and sour?” I asked.
“Certainly.”
“How was your morning?” I asked when we were well into it.
“Really good honestly,” Chase said.
“Was she any trouble?” I asked.
“Oh, no, she was really good,” he said, gently stroking Katie's hair. “It was a bit of a struggle to get her dressed, mostly because she objected to the ensemble I tried to put her in. Eventually, I figured it out, after that she was fine. We both had a breakfast smoothie and then she mostly just sat on the floor in front of the desk and played with her toys. We had a few episodes of wandering but she's not very fast.”
“I've noticed,” I said.
“You just wait though, she'll be speeding around before you know it.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Trust me, Whitney is seven years younger than me. I remember the baby years well. Particularly when she nearly walked off the top of the stairs to the basement.”
“Where were your parents?” I asked, shocked.
“Under the impression that she was asleep in her crib,” he explained. “I, however, was more aware of her cunning.”
“Good thing too,” I said.
“Tell me about it.”
After lunch, we put Katie down for a nap. Chase read her a story, as per her demands, and I got ready to head back out to work. To my surprise, Chase came up and kissed me full on the lips. Stunned at first, I soon reciprocated, the taste of sweet and sour sauce still on our breath.
“Don't eat on the way home, okay? I'm making us something special for dinner.”
“You can cook?” I asked, sounding more surprised than I meant.
“And play the guitar,” he said with a grin.
“Really?” I asked, genuinely impressed.
He winked at me. “You're just going to have to hang around and find out.”
Chapter Thirteen
Chase
No sooner did Ashlyn leave than Katie got up and came toddling over to the door in that earnest way of hers.
