Jessica stepped out of the shower,toweled herself dry and admired her naked body in the full length mirror. She liked what she saw. At thirty eight she put a lot of women a decade younger to shame and she knew it. Five foot eleven and a half inches tall and with slender legs,a flat tummy and large breasts that were still firm and full, she felt like a goddess. She had the most perfectly manicured finger nails,to which she applied a silver nail polish. A little blusher,pale lipstick and lots of heavy,dark mascara, just like her mum used to. Today she put her long black hair in a high pony. Next the big jade earrings, they were long and heavy hurting her ears a little. She didn't care,they were so sexy.She wore a black silk blouse,buttoned low to reveal her ample cleavage and a short dark red skirt, a good six inches above the knee. Last she slid into her knee high black leather boots, the ones with the four inch heels. This took her height to three inches over six foot. Intimidating,dominating and spectacular. She picked up her gold purse and inspected her image one more time. Satisfied,she stepped into the hall and closed the door firmly behind her. She sighed deeply, I am ready and then some,she told herself, smirking wickedly as the elevator door obligingly slid open . *** Leo labored under the bonnet of his Holden. I spend more time under the flamin' bonnet than I do bee.ind the flamin' wheel,he muttered to himself.The support struts on the bonnet of Leo's '62 EK special were as tired as the motor and so it slowly closed like a sleepy lizards mouth. As it bumped his head again he shoved it up impatiently and cursed the broiling sun. Wot did this heap of shit 'ave ta conk out tadoiy fer! Must be an 'undred an ten in the shade! The bonnet crept down slowly and as he clipped on the distributor cap a sultry voice purred “hello Leo.” Startled he shot upright,cracking his head on the inside of the bonnet. “Arrgh dammit” he bellowed. Jessica giggled uncontrollably as Leo rubbed his filthy hand across the back of his head. He squinted toward the voice. “What way is that to talk to a lady Leo?” Feigning concern she added sweetly, “are you alright darlink?” “Jessica! ?” His beady eyes bulged and his prominent adam's apple undulated excitedly. Trying to effect an air on nonchalance he casually wiped his hands on an oily rag. “Wot brings you 'ere?” She studied him carefully. Hmm....maybe this was a mistake. He stood no more than five three,a hundred pounds in weight,tops. A pointy nose and shifty beady eyes, and to think, this silly little man thought he could have had her mother! And in a moment he will probably think he can have me! “Leo” ...she hooded her eyes and slid her index finger slowly in and out of her mouth suggestively, “Leo” she approached his slowly, swinging her hips seductively. Leo licked his dry lips nervously, “Ya wanna come in Jessica?” She disguised her sneer with a warm smile. “Not today Leo” She could feel his disappointment and laying her hand on his arm went on quickly. “I want to ask a big favor Leo.” “fava? Wot sorta fava?” he asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously. Jessica's favors always seemed to cost him dearly.The only time I eva see 'er is when she want sumpin he thought bitterly. “It's a biggie but I would be so grateful.” Running her fingers lightly down his chest, she repeated huskily, “so grateful Leo.” Shuffling his feet in the dry red dust Leo asked, “What kin I do fer ya?” “I will come straight to the point Leo", her beautiful green eyes met his sad gray shifty orbs. “I heard you are going to Perth,” and smiling brightly she added, “I want you to take me with you.” Leo was gob smacked. She wanted him to take her on a forty eight hour road trip to the west coast! His racing mind filled with erotic fantasies! Was this his lucky day or wot! Never mind the twenty year age difference, he was going to shack up with the hottest sheila in the country! Folding his arm he tried to effect a casual air. “Waail Jessica,” pausing he rubbed his pointy nose. ”Yeaaah, I wus plannin ta go soon.” He shrugged his boney shoulders, and raising his eyebrows appeared to come to a decision. Nodding his head vigorously he declared , “yep.I think we kin work sumpin out.” “Oh thats wonderful Leo” then glancing at her watch screeched in feigned dismay. “I have to run Leo, I have to go and see uncle Aaro, it is very important.I will be in touch soon, and I promise, you won't regret it!” She cast a critical eye over the Holden, “ please tell me we won't be going in that thing! she added dismissively ” “Oh ,na not the 'Olden, I'm gonna borra me mates Nis..” “Thats great Leo” Cutting him off abruptly she slid quickly behind the wheel of her own car. "Gotta go Leo" I 'ave an “orrible feelin 'bout this 'ole thing Leo muttered as he watched Jessica vanish in a cloud of dust . C Gainsford (c) copyright Dec 2009 tags: *** • Vic was nervous and still upset. He felt guilty about Doms death. If only he had listened to Lydia Dom would still be alive. He should have known Dom would do something crazy like this. The whole family knew he was so in love with Lydia, even Aaron. “Yes,” Vic nodded to himself,”even Aaron.” Vic wondered to himself if Jackie had known or at least suspected Dom’s true feelings. Well she sure knew them now! “Dom, Dom, I never dreamed you would blow your brains out over my stupid sister.” Vic shook his head helplessly and sat down to wait. He hated waiting. He hardly knew Jackie, what would he say? The words he had rehearsed over and over during the flight now seemed glib. How about, “I’m sorry for your loss.” Shit! You have been watching to many cop shows! He saw her then, pale and drawn, yet at once erect and brave. Jackie was determined to hide her tears from him! Shaking hands formally they stood awkwardly looking at one another, still holding hands, like shy lovers. “Jackie…I…I am….” She saw the real compassion and the pain in his eyes and her own pain hit her, hard and raw! She threw her arms around him and cried softly. The Viking warrior in him would not allow his own tears to come. Instead he held her silently, protectively in his strong arms. Slowly she stopped crying and stepped back quickly. I’m sorry Vic, I didn’t mean to embarrass you with foolish tears.” In truth the bustling crowds had paid then no attention, they were, perhaps, reunited lovers. Her eyes started to glisten again and he said quickly…”hey, how about a coffee? ” He winced at the irrelevant stupidity of his question but Jackie, caught by surprise laughed! Such a ridiculous question under the circumstances! Seeing the concern in his eyes, she warmed to him, he is a kind man, she thought. “Alright Vic, why not?” She smiled for the first time in a long time. The funeral was a dreadful event, as funerals usually are. It was held in a small chapel in Pinaroo memorial park.a beautiful place with not a headstone in sight. Instead a brass plaque set about an inch below the grass level marks each grave, so from a short distance, undetectable, . There would be no such plaque for Dom, no gravesite. Cremation was his preference, he always said the worms would not get him! There was about two hundred people present, great support for Jackie, though Dom was quiet he was also well liked. A middle-aged man with an appropriately solemn face and black suit conducted the ceremony. As he spoke the coffin silently lowered out of site, to the furnace. Afterward everyone offered their condolences then sipped tea, ate cake and chatted, about Dom, about the weather and other mundane things. Some cried but not many. One by one they had a final word of comfort for the widow and went back to their own lives. Dom already a fading memory. Jackie invited Vic to dinner that evening, she felt the need of company other than her well intentioned but cloying family. He got a taxi to a local bottle shop and picked up a bottle of Verdelho, a nice light and fruity table wine, He hoped she would like it. Hearing a knock at the door Jackie quickly checked her appearance in the mirror, and satisfied, opened the door to greet her guest. “Hello Jackie, I am a little early, hope that’s OK” he smiled. Smelling the beautiful aroma wafting through from the kitchen his mouth watered, he hadn’t realized how hungry he was, and it smelt so good! “Hi Vic” she noticed the wine in his hand, how thoughtful of him! “Better early than a burnt dinner” she joked, laughing nervously, “does that need to go in the fridge?” “The fridge?” Vic looked blank for a moment, “Oh! Um,”he held the bottle out to her. “I don’t know he stuttered shyly” “Well she smiled” perhaps I will pop it in for a little while.” She ushered him into the lounge, went quickly to the kitchen, putting the wine in the fridge, calling “dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.” It was a wonderful meal, roast lamb, roast potatoes, peas, gravy and mint sauce, followed by an incredible apple pie and semi-warm wine. She has gone to a lot of trouble,Vic thought. After dinner Vic insisted on helping her with the dishes, then Jackie made coffee and they sat together in the lounge room. Watching Vic, Jackie thought that this friend of Dom’s, this stranger, was a good man, a man who had lost his own sister and yet had traveled so far to share her loss, her grief. As if he didn't have enough of his own! Vic looked at Jackie and thought what a kind and caring person she was, so different from Lydia! He was puzzled that Dom could have such affection for two women of such utterly different dispositions! Vic knew that Jackie knew of Dom’s relationship with Lydia, and he knew she knew he knew. How hard it...