5 comments/ 29275 views/ 3 favorites Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 01 By: coaster2 This is the fourth and final segment of Quartet. I hope you haven't lost interest in the stories, but I felt the last segment lacked something and I wanted to spend more time on the finale. Thanks for your patience. Eleanor Charlton married George Sunderland on a rainy, cold day in March, 1970 in Calgary, Alberta. It was an omen. She was twenty two years old and he was thirty seven. She was a junior secretary at a Publicity and Promotions firm and he was the twice-married Manager of the same firm. She was no virgin, but she was not very experienced with men and George was her polar opposite. He saw women as disposable and some say he only married them to legitimize the tax deductions. Their marriage lasted less than a year when Eleanor discovered her husband deeply embedded in one of his ex-wives on the sofa in their living room. It was an enlightening experience for her and another liberating one for George. The divorce was granted and a kindly judge awarded Eleanor a sizeable portion of George's income after noting his previous marital adventures and the reasons for their failure; namely an inability to determine which of his various conquests he was married to. Eleanor had learned a valuable lesson. George was a philanderer and cared little for her conventional marital sensibilities. She would choose more wisely for her next husband, but that would be a long time in the future. In the meantime, she bent her efforts toward developing her career and with a singleness of purpose as she began a steady rise in the Calgary business community. By the time she was thirty, she was recognized as the most influential Promotions person in the city and was sought after for a variety of projects from Major Commercial Property Development to Shopping Centre Promotions. Her income reached almost six figures and she was invited to be the first woman to join the prestigious Calgary Businessman's Club. She joined, only to find it was a hostile environment for a single woman and she seldom used its facilities. Over time, she indulged herself with occasional male companions and her lusty appetites became the underground talk of the business community. She never lacked for willing companions for any social event. Eleanor had come from a conventional middle-class family. Her father and mother lived in a modest three bedroom home in the University District and he earned his living as a professor at the University. Eleanor's younger sister, Evelyn, was six years her junior and was a completely different personality. Quiet and shy, she had married a strong willed oil field engineer, John Payton, and when the downturn hit the oil industry in the eighties, he moved his family to the coast and began a successful career as a process engineer with an international chemical company supplying the Pulp and Paper industry. They had one child, Julia and Eleanor thought the world of her niece. There was nothing in the background, family or environment that would account for the contrast between the two sisters. On a particularly cold winter evening, Eleanor met Robert Thompson at the Calgary Businessman's Club where she was hosting a reception for the Heavy Construction Industry. Robert and his brother Harold were the owners of Thompson Bridge and Trestle, a family business they had founded and built from nothing to become the largest rail bridge and trestle constructors in North America. While it sounded impressive, their business largely consisted of repairing, upgrading and maintaining the myriad of wooden trestles already dotting the Western North American landscape. Both Robert and Harold were single; having devoted almost every waking hour to building and running their business. Robert, the elder, was 44 and his brother had just celebrated his 40th birthday. Eleanor, now 35, was intrigued by these two seemingly rough, self-made men. She had never met anyone like them and their openness and straightforward values were a refreshing change from the posturing and posing of the younger businessmen she was accustomed to meeting. Eleanor's erect posture and 5 foot 9 inch height caused her to stand out among her female peers. In addition, she chose her business clothes carefully to give a distinctly professional appearance. Her fully developed figure did not go unnoticed despite her dress and it was Robert who sucked up his courage, boldly walked over to her and, when she was finally alone, introduced himself. "Good Evening. I'm Bob Thompson and I would very much like to get to know you, Miss ...?" He was clearly expecting Eleanor to fill in the blank. She wasn't intending to make it that easy for him. "How do you do, Mr. Thompson. It's very nice to meet you." she smiled slyly. "You wouldn't do me the honor of joining my brother and me at our table, would you?" he asked carefully. "I'm sorry, that won't be possible." The sly smile was still on her mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I would truly enjoy spending some time with you. It isn't very often that I get to have dinner with a beautiful woman." He delivered the 'corny' line with such sincerity that it was all Eleanor could do not to burst out laughing. "No offense, Mr. Thompson, but I'll be required at the head table. I'm your host this evening." "Oh, well ... that's understandable. I guess that way I'll learn your name at least." he said smiling nervously. "I'm Eleanor Charlton and you can call me Eleanor." Her smile was all Robert Thompson needed to see to know he had found what he was looking for. "I'll look forward to talking to you some more when the dinner and formalities are finished." he said directly. Eleanor leaned back slightly and took stock of the imposing figure in front of her. Somehow, she was intrigued by what she saw and would like to know more about this big, rough-edged man. "Let's do that." she said brightly. "Excuse me; I've got to get things started. I'll see you later ... Mr. Thompson." "It's Bob ... please." he pleaded as she turned gracefully and strode toward the head table without answering his request. Eleanor smiled to herself as she walked toward the head table. Mr. Bob Thompson was a giant; at least six foot six and he appeared to be very fit. It must be all that outdoor exercise building bridges, she thought idly. During the dinner, she found her mind wandering and she occasionally looked over at the table where the Thompson brothers sat. There were no women at the table, but that didn't mean anything at this dinner; it was pretty much a men-only Association. She noticed that Bob Thompson was looking over at her on a regular basis as well. She tried to be nonchalant and appear to not notice his glances, but she was drawn to his gaze and was sure he knew that. She noticed that both he and his brother were tanned despite the fact it was January. She idly wondered if it was an all-over tan. She had never bedded a man of his size and wondered if he was that big in every department. She finally awoke from her sexual reverie and realized the evening was coming to an end and she was expected to say a few words to wrap things up; thanking the guests and speakers. As the room broke up at the conclusion of her comments, Eleanor couldn't help but look over to the Thompson table and felt a moment of disappointment when she saw no one there. Almost immediately, she heard a strong, masculine voice behind her and smiled inwardly as she knew who it was. "You run a very efficient meeting, Miss Charlton." he said in a surprisingly soft voice. "Thank you. Why don't we try being less formal, Bob? I'm Eleanor." she smiled. "You seemed a bit distracted at dinner this evening. I hope I wasn't the cause of that ... or ... then again, maybe I hope I was." he grinned. "You're hard to ignore, Bob. You stand out in a crowd." she said with a sly grin. Robert Thompson grinned back at her but was, in truth, completely at a loss for words. He couldn't remember the last time he had been in a social setting with a woman that he was this attracted to. His adult life had been pretty well consumed by the family business and he just hadn't allowed himself time for a woman in his life. He had recently begun to realize just how much he had sacrificed in the past twenty years He intended to change that and couldn't believe his luck to meet someone as captivating as Eleanor Charlton. What was the word his English friend used? Besotted! Worse than that, tongue-tied. "I ... I guess I'm not used to the small talk, Eleanor. I'm sorry." he said sincerely. "Don't apologize, Bob. It's a refreshing change from some of the glib young hotshots who specialize in empty small talk." She had put her hand on his arm and he felt a shot of adrenalin rush through him. "Why don't we head for the bar and I'll buy you a drink." she offered. "Uhhhh ... fine. Thank you." He was clearly flustered and willing to follow any suggestion she might offer. They entered the bar and Bob recognized a few of the attendees from tonight's dinner. They all seemed to notice the attractive hostess of their dinner was on his arm as they settled into a corner booth by themselves. They ordered their drinks and Eleanor quickly began to draw Bob out. "What brings you to Calgary on a cold winter's night, Bob?" "My brother and I have business here. Most of the bridges we service in Canada are between here and Kelowna. I was thinking about moving to Calgary. We're from Revelstoke originally, but this is where the main CPR office is located and that's where most of our business comes from. Besides, maybe it's time we tasted life in the big city." He was looking directly into her eyes and he hadn't blinked or wavered since he had started talking. "Do you have family here?" she asked with the intent to find out if he was attached or not. "No, our mom lives in Kelowna now since my dad died. Harry and I are both single, so there's nothing keeping us in Revelstoke any more." He had relayed this information as if he was filling out a form at the Post Office and yet his eyes kept their steady gaze on Eleanor's. "No women in your lives?" she asked directly. "Nah. No time and to tell the truth, I hadn't met anyone that would cause me to take the time ... at least ... well, you caught my eye tonight and that's a first." he grinned. "I'm flattered. But then, you caught my eye too, Bob." She was almost shocked at the admission she had just made. She had been so careful around men over the past years that she was astonished that she had let her guard down so easily and quickly with this big, ruggedly handsome man. "I thought you would have a line up of guys knocking on your door." he said with a serious look. "I'm very picky. I have very high standards. No Bozos!" she laughed. "Well, uh ... well, if I asked you for a date ... uh ... would I have a chance?" he asked as if he were still a high school junior asking the prom queen. "Ha! Ha! Oh, Bob. You are special. You aren't like any of those guys I know. Yes, you can ask me for a date and yes I will go out with you." she smiled at him. "Hot Damn!" He had a grin from ear to ear and only after a few seconds noticed that he had hold of her hands in his and was squeezing them in his excitement. "Easy, big guy. I have to use these hands tomorrow." she said in mock fear. "Sorry, Eleanor. I guess I got carried away. Sorry!" His apology was offered sincerely and Eleanor realized what made him so attractive was his genuine nature. That was the word that best described him to her: genuine. "I'll be OK, Bob. A light working cast should be enough." she laughed. She realized she was having fun, but not at his expense. He was so straightforward and honest about what he was thinking that she was truly enjoying him. They continued to enjoy each other's company and when the time came to leave, he asked her if she would have dinner with him the next night and was delighted when she accepted. He agreed to pick her up at her apartment. She had given him her address on the back of her business card and they agreed on seven o'clock. He would get some advice on the best restaurant in the city and then, thought better of it. "Before I make a mistake, what's your favorite restaurant?" he asked seriously. "Well, there's more than one, but I think you'll like Chico's. Why don't you make a reservation there." "Done. See you at seven tomorrow." he said enthusiastically. Eleanor turned toward him, put her hand on his arm, stood on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek. Robert Thompson, 44 year old successful businessman and almost a foot taller than Eleanor, instantly flushed a bright crimson. She smiled at his reaction and waved her good night as she headed for the parking lot. Robert Thompson just stood where she had kissed him, rooted to the spot, still with a bright red face and felt another surge pass through him. It was a feeling he had never before experienced. -0- Robert and Harold Thompson were the sons of Ralph and Muriel Thompson; originally of Nova Scotia, but now living in the Rocky Mountain town of Revelstoke. When the mines fell silent in North Sydney, Ralph Thompson looked for work in the West where jobs were more plentiful and opportunity for his sons would be better than a dying mining town in Cape Breton. As it turned out, he was right. He quickly found a good union job with the CPR in Revelstoke and for the first time, he could afford to buy a home and not live in a company cottage. It revitalized him as well as his whole family. Muriel found steady customers for her quilts and other crafts and they made many new friends in the community. The boys; then in their early to mid teens, did fairly well in school but excelled in sports; particularly football. Their size was such that they were all-stars on their high school teams both offensively and defensively. They had girl friends and thrived in their new community throughout their high school years. Robert graduated first, three years ahead of his brother. While their mother wanted them to attend College, neither Robert nor Harold was enthusiastic about it. When they found steady work on the CPR trestle crews, the 'big money' they earned was the seduction that sealed their future. When Robert was almost thirty, he learned from his father that the railroad was going to close the trestle division and farm the work out to private contractors. Instead of being devastated by this news, Robert and Harold approached the division manager and suggested they were competent to take on a contract for repair and maintenance of the trestles in their division. They were quickly informed that they would have to apply to be given an opportunity to bid on these jobs. With the help and guidance of that same manager, they prepared a bid for the section from Revelstoke to Golden, B.C. plus all the branch lines along the way. They spent many an evening working on their costs and deciding how to bid the jobs and their homework paid off. They were awarded a conditional contact for the section and the Thompson Bridge and Trestle Company was officially in business. It was much harder than they imagined. It took them ten years to get themselves to the top of the heap in their profession. It was nothing but self-sacrificing hard work and total commitment to their business. Neither Robert nor Harold had time for romance or marriage, but that didn't mean they were celibate. They had enjoyed a lusty youth and had 'entertained' many a young lady throughout their late teens and twenties. The formation of their company had put such demands on their time that their sex lives had declined almost to nothing over the ten years they spent building the business. Harold had availed himself of the local 'professionals' on occasion since he had no interest in developing a relationship over time; it was the one commodity he had little of. Harold was a couple of inches shorter than his older brother but was nonetheless still a big man. Like his brother, he was invariably polite and well liked by both their employees and their customers. Considering the rough-neck nature of their business, they didn't exhibit what might be thought to be typical behavior in social settings. Their parent's strong values were carried with them in all aspects of their lives. As the business had matured and flourished, Robert had acquired a couple of 'part time girlfriends'. Carol, a buxom waitress at the Golden Mountain Inn Restaurant, was a delightful bed partner. She was a divorcee with two teenage girls and wasn't looking for a husband at the time. She was a few years older than Robert and they had a comfortable relationship that satisfied both of them. Robert would visit her on his bi-weekly visit to the far eastern end of his district. Carol did not know about Abigail. Abigail was a single mother of a school age boy and worked at the Three Valley Gap office of a road maintenance company. Robert would drive west from his home in Revelstoke the few miles to her home and they would have dinner and talk about events since they had last seen each other then they would have sex until it was time for Robert to head home. Abby, as he called her, did not know about Carol. Unlike Carol, Abby did talk about marriage and saw it as a way to ensure security for her son. Robert had made it clear that he wasn't the marrying kind but would be happy to help her financially when she needed help. Like Carol, it was a comfortable relationship based on sex and it satisfied Robert. Neither relationship lasted. After almost six years with Robert, Carol set up full-time housekeeping with a local truck driver and ended her relationship with Robert before she committed herself to her new man. Abigail was consistent with her interest in a commitment from Robert and he ended the relationship when, for the umpteenth time, indicated he 'wasn't the marrying kind'. They had been together for almost five years. At age 41, he was once again without a reliable source of comfort and joy. -0- Eleanor drove home from the meeting with her mind in confusion. She had not met a man that caused her to be so unsettled and yet excited since her first husband, the lamentable George. She had been around and involved with many men in the past fifteen years and had wearied of the search for Mr. Right. Now, out of the blue, here comes Mr. Big! He's nothing like she though she would want and yet she wanted him. She knew it almost from the moment he spoke to her. She wanted him . Just before seven the next evening, Robert pushed the intercom button on Eleanor's mail slot. She answered almost immediately. "I'll be right down, Robert. Wait for me in the lobby." she said brightly. "I'll be here." was his quick reply. She walked out of the elevator less than two minutes later and stepped forward, put her arm on Robert's, stood on tip-toes and kissed his cheek. She stepped back and smiled at him. "Ready to go?" she asked cheerily. "Ah ... uh ... yah! Ready." Once again she had completely caught him by surprise and he was struggling not to appear the fool. He held the door open for her and they walked out to the curb where his taxi was waiting. He opened the door for her and then went around to the other side and got in. He gave the driver their destination and they were off. "You look very handsome tonight, Robert." she said sincerely. He was wearing the same dark blue suit he had worn last night with a clean, conventional white dress shirt and a red and blue striped tie. Very conservative! "Ah ... thanks. You look ... beautiful. I mean ... really nice." he stumbled. She was in a classic black cocktail dress that came to her knees and accentuated her voluptuous body. The silver spaghetti straps and the vertical, slim red trim along the side slit at her thigh were the only accents. There was more than a hint of cleavage and the side slits in the dress made sure he knew she was wearing thigh-high stockings. The rest was pure, unadulterated Eleanor. She had created the desired effect on Robert that she had intended. He was once again tongue-tied. Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 01 Robert felt helpless. He wanted to say something ... anything to prove he wasn't a complete idiot but no words came to him. "Relax, Robert. I'm not going to bite." she laughed. She heard him exhale as looked straight ahead. "Uh ... I guess I'm not very good at this. You have me kind of ... discombobulated." he finally blurted. "Ha! Ha! What a great word." she laughed. Eleanor turned and looked at him carefully for a moment. "Don't you date, Robert?" "Uh ... not very much. I've had a couple of girl friends in the past, but no one that I was serious about. No one I wanted to marry, that is." he said honestly. Finally, he turned and looked at her. "I don't remember the last time I was as goofy-mouthed as I am right now." he confessed. "One kiss on the cheek and I'm a basket case." He was looking at her again with that unblinking gaze that spoke volumes to Eleanor about who he was. Eleanor smiled at him and took his hand. "You weren't goofy-mouthed last night when you introduced yourself and asked me to join you at your table." she said. "Well ... uh ... you hadn't smiled at me and you hadn't talked to me and you hadn't kissed me on the cheek yet." he said, still gazing unblinkingly at her eyes. She seemed genuinely surprised at his confession. "Did I have that big an effect on you Robert ... really?" He stopped to think for a moment and then: "Yes! You're about the only thing I've thought about since last night." "Well, I'm flattered ... again." she said with an arched eyebrow. "To tell the truth, Robert, I've been thinking a lot about you too." "You have? How come?" he looked puzzled by her confession. "You have that kind of effect on me, I guess. It hasn't happened to me in a very long time, but you ... well, we can talk about this later. The night's just getting started." she said, looking straight ahead as they approached the restaurant. They concluded the cab ride in silence and after Robert had paid the driver, they entered the restaurant and were escorted to their table. When their waiter came to see them about having a drink before dinner, Eleanor ordered a glass of Napa Valley Cabernet while Robert ordered a Bourbon and water. They sat quietly for a few moments after the drinks arrived until Robert broke the silence. "Eleanor ... last night you called me Bob and today you've been calling me Robert. Why the change?" he asked seriously. She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment before answering. "I don't know, to be honest. It just seems like that should be your name. Does it bother you?" "No, not at all. In fact, I'm used to being called Robert. I introduced myself as Bob last night because it was more ... friendly, I guess. You can call me anything you like." he smiled, finally beginning to relax and be his more comfortable self. "I like Robert." she said simply. "It suits you." "Robert it is then." he agreed. "Eleanor and Robert ... that has a nice ring to it." he said, grinning at her. He was gratified with her smile in return. The evening went very well. Robert had completely relaxed and allowed himself to be who he was. Eleanor recognized his growing confidence and confirmed her original opinion of him; he was unique and interesting and she was strongly attracted to him. They talked more easily and traded confidences. The meal was superb and they lingered over their shared desert. Robert was desperately trying to extend the evening and unknown to him, Eleanor was planning the same. "I have a very nice brandy and some Kona coffee at my apartment. Why don't we go there." she suggested. He looked at her and saw that she was quite serious and he quickly signaled their waiter for the cheque and requested a cab. As they stood in the entrance foyer, Eleanor took his hand and looked up at him with a smile. Robert, for his part, was just grateful he didn't faint. He could hardly believe what seemed to be happening. At this stage, Eleanor was his leader and he was destined to follow her. When they arrived at her apartment, she opened the door and led him in, switching on a pair of small lamps to give a minimum of light. She took his overcoat and hung it in the hall closet with her own. She turned to him and once again, on tiptoe, kissed him; this time on the lips. "Why don't I make some coffee and we can relax with a brandy. Take your jacket off, Robert and loosen your tie. Be comfortable." She might have asked him to jump out her eighth floor window and he'd have agreed. His mind was reeling and he had a silly grin on his face that no amount of concern over what was happening would erase. Robert finally dropped into her plush sofa and waited for her to return from the kitchen. It at least gave him time to gather his thoughts and try and conduct himself like a mature adult. He was sure he was going to embarrass himself. He just didn't know how. Eleanor returned from the kitchen with a pair of brandy snifters with a healthy portion in each. "Coffee will be ready in a couple of minutes." She walked to the sofa and slipped down beside Robert, handing him one of the snifters. "Try this." she said with a distinctly sexy voice. "I think you'll like it." "I'm not very experienced with brandy." he said hesitating. "But I'm sure I'll like it." He hoped he hadn't spoiled the moment or made himself look too much like a country bumpkin. He took a sip of the amber liquid and decided it was smoother than his last experience with the liquor. "That's nice." he said with a hint of surprise. He was desperately trying to relax. "I'm glad you like it." she smiled. "I've had a lovely evening with you. I didn't want it to end just yet." Robert turned toward her, gazing intently into her eyes. They were dark, to the point of almost being black. Her elegant, aquiline face was framed by her dark brunette shoulder length hair and he thought those eyes were truly the windows to her soul. Robert slowly, unconsciously, leaned toward her until his lips gently touched hers. He was completely unaware of a conscious act to kiss her, but once he had arrived, he felt the tension drain from his shoulders. Eleanor closed her eyes and returned his kiss and they held themselves in that lightest of embraces for what seemed an eternity. Eleanor slowly drew back, looking directly at Robert. This giant of a man was so incredibly gentle and unexpectedly reticent that she was totally without caution in his presence. She looked at him for a moment. His deep blue eyes and sandy brown and reddish tinged close cropped hair seemed to fit his personality perfectly. He looked the part of the innocent. She took his brandy from his hand and placed it on the coffee table in front of them. Her hands moved to clasp his face softly and she leaned toward him again with a more forceful kiss. She felt his powerful arms encircle her shoulders and he returned her kiss with a growing passion. "I feel like a high school kid on his first date." Robert said quietly when he had relaxed their embrace. Eleanor smiled and took his hands. "We're not kids anymore, Robert. And I take it neither of us is a virgin. Why don't we just celebrate what's happening. I can tell you it hasn't happened to me before." she grinned. "It's all new to me. My head is just spinning." He looked at her and began to chuckle and then laugh. "How about that! A forty-four year old born-again virgin! That's me!" "Oh, I hope not. I think you're just being too modest. I'll bet you're dynamite in bed." she said with a smirk. Robert was once again flummoxed. "I'm just too aggressive for you, aren't I?" she grinned. "I guess so. I didn't think ... I mean ... I just ... oh man, here I am all goofy-mouth again." he moaned. "You can sure tell I'm no big city boy." "No, I guess you aren't. But maybe that's what I like about you. Maybe that's why I'm attracted to you. You aren't some city guy with a slick line of gab and a big, fat ego. I like the Robert Thompson I see. You don't need to change for me." She had delivered this mini speech with a serious look and a level, soft voice. "I don't know why, but I keep wanting to call you Ellie." Robert blurted out. Eleanor looked at him in surprise and then smiled. "All my friends and family call me that. Since you're now my friend, you have my permission." she laughed. "I think I want to be more that your friend, Ellie." he said seriously. "I know. I want that too." Eleanor stood, still holding his hands. She tugged at him to get up and when he had, she led him down the hall to her bedroom. When she had reached her big brass framed bed, she turned toward him and began to unbutton his shirt. Robert watched her for a moment and then smoothly pushed the thin straps of her dress off her shoulders. He was strangely calm for someone who had been uncertain and confused a few moments earlier. He reached behind her for the zipper to her dress and finding it, slowly lowered it. In a moment the dress slipped off her and fell at her feet. She continued to gaze at his face as she finished with his shirt buttons and pulled it off him. She smiled and gently pushed him back on her bed and then proceeded to remove his shoes and socks as she knelt before him. Robert was taking in her sleek beauty as she bent before him. Her black strapless bra and short panties were contrasted against her pale, flawless skin. As she stood, he could see the prominent slope of her breasts and the perfect flare of her hips. She was by far the most beautiful woman her had ever been with. He was conscious of his now prominent erection and as Eleanor reached for his belt he had a moment of hesitation before pressing himself to relax and enjoy this experience. He placed his hands softly on her shoulders as she unzipped his pants and began to pull them down. He rose briefly to help her and then stepped out of them; standing before her in his boxer shorts. She stood, looking up at him silently and placed her hands on his massive shoulders and drew him to her. His arms encircled her and he began to kiss her; at first gently and then more insistently. Her tongue probed him and he opened to permit their mutual exploration. His hands sought the clasp of her bra and after a moment of fumbling with his big fingers, it popped open and he slowly removed it to see her partly hidden splendor. She was blessed with those lovely, sloping, conical shaped breasts that were perfect in size and classic in form. Eleanor stepped back for a moment to allow Robert to see all of her. Her breasts swayed easily with her movements and she could see in his eyes that he was fascinated with her naked form. She smiled at him and slid her thumbs into each side of the waistband of her panties and slowly, with an undulation motion in her hips, began to slide them down her hips until they too fell at her feet. She put her hands on her hips and looked at him with a questioning face. "You approve?" she smiled. "Yes ... more than you can know." he croaked. "You are so very beautiful. I keep wondering if this is real." "Well, there's only one way to find out." she said in her soft, sexy voice. She stepped toward him and slipped her hands inside the waist of his boxers and slowly, without altering her gaze into his eyes, began to lower his final piece of clothing. Still without looking, her hand softly clasped his now full erection and she felt him react to her touch. She ran her free hand over his broad chest and behind his head, pulling him into another passionate embrace. His arms once again wrapped around her and then, as if she were a feather, he lifted her and placed her on the bed before him. He knelt beside the bed and began a slow and sensual exploration of her body; beginning with her shoulders and then to her breasts and on down to her navel. She had closed her eyes as he had begun this oral voyage of discovery and she reacted with a quiet moan when he had played with her nipples between his lips and stroked their erect tips with his tongue. Now that same tongue was circling her navel and dipping into it with little stabs; causing her to react once more. Robert stopped for a moment and looked at Eleanor with a questioning expression. "Do you want me to stop here?" he asked. "If you mean, do I want you to stop working your way toward where I want you to be, the answer is definitely no." He smiled and sliding his arms under her thighs, he turned her to a position across the bed with his head between her lovely long legs. He looked into her eyes once more and then moved toward her neatly trimmed sex and began by stroking her outer labia with long, smooth draws. He felt her hands on his head and he began to use his tongue to part those lips and seek her inner folds. Almost involuntarily, her knees spread wider to invite him deeper into her and he responded. His tongue now sought out her clitoris and she reacted with electric muscular jolts as he at first circled and then stroked the tiny nub. Robert took his time with these delights; waiting for Eleanor to guide him to her next desire. She was writhing slowly in her own ecstasy; her eyes remaining closed and her breathing becoming irregular. Eleanor had been pushing his head into her vagina for a few minutes until she suddenly stopped; her hands falling to her sides and pushing her herself upward as her hips rose and shuddered. Robert recognized her orgasmic release and was pleased that he had brought her to this passionate moment. As the erotic interlude passed, her hands once again moved to his head; this time gently pulling him up to her. "I'm ready Robert. Please ... now." she pleaded quietly. He moved slowly and deliberately and he rose over her; casting a shadow on her as he blocked the light from the lone lamp. He was conscious of her desire to have him now and yet cautious that he was well endowed and needed to be careful as her entered her. He need not have worried. Eleanor took him in her hand and pulled his fully engorged member toward her waiting, wet slit and virtually impaled herself on it by rising to reach him. She grasped his buttocks and pulled herself in one dramatic effort, gasping as he filled her tight, wet sheath. Robert sank into her almost all the way, taking care not to hurt her and spoil this incredible moment. She began lunging at him with all her might; demanding his powerful stroke and he responded to that demand; at first slowly and then more and more quickly and powerfully. Eleanor had become more vocal as she alternated with her eyes open and then closing. Her head moved from side to side almost in rhythm with his body as he entered her time and time again. They lost track of time. Robert had begun to change his pattern and then, without leaving her, he rolled onto his back, bringing her on top of him. She lay on his chest for a few moments as he continued to move in and out of her. Her eyes opened once again and she kissed him with all her passion and desire exposed. She rose up on her hands and arms and began to ride him; once again her eyes closed as she left for another place and another pleasure. Her head continued to loll from side to side and a silly grin formed by her mouth belied the intensity of her emotions. She threw her head back and moaned a wordless cry as she passed through her second orgasm and Robert knew he would not be far behind. In a few moments he began to breathe rapidly and his powerful stroke was once again resumed; thrusting upwards into his new lover and then he came. It was over, but it was a feeling of complete fulfillment that encompassed them both. They lay in each others arms, her body sprawled carelessly across his giant frame, his hands stroking her lovely buttocks. They were quiet for quite a while until Eleanor stirred and raised her head to look at him. Her smile was all he needed to know that she had been pleased with him. He grinned back at her and his hand gently caressed her hair and face as they lay with her still on top of him. "That was no country bumpkin performance, Mr. Thompson." she said quietly. "I'm glad you liked it. There's plenty more where that came from." "Oh, I hope so." She closed her eyes and laid her head down on his chest again and he wrapped his arms around her as she began to fall asleep. Robert couldn't imagine being any happier than he was at that moment. -0- Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 02 Sometime during the night, Eleanor had slipped off Robert and had gotten up to turn out the lamp and return to bed. She had pulled a single sheet over them and had happily wrapped an arm over her new lover and held him close. He snored softly and she thought how nice it was to have a real man in her bed after all these years. Her mind wandered for a few minutes while she tried to think of what the future might bring, but she knew she wanted Robert in that future. She fell back to sleep and didn't awaken until she felt Robert stir and rise. "Where are you going?" she drawled sleepily. "To work. I'm not sure brother Harold hasn't put out a search party for me yet." He leaned back on the bed toward her and kissed her cheek. "Don't you have to go to your office today?" he asked. "Yup. But just not right away. You kept me up last night." she said, talking partially into her pillow. "Want to have a shower together?" he offered with a sly grin. "That might wake you up." "I'll bet it would; but not in the usual way. You go ahead. I might meet you there if I can summon the energy." He looked down at her and once again kissed her; this time on her exposed shoulder. The taste of this woman was incredible he thought; both inside and out. He unfolded his naked frame from the bed and walked toward the ensuite; gathering his boxers from the floor as he went. He looked at himself in the mirror and realized he needed a shave as well as a shower. He peeked around the corner of the door and asked: "Ellie, do you have a spare razor?" She raised her head a couple of inches off the pillow, blinked her eyes and said: "Yes, the drawer next to the sink." It was all she could manage before her head once again plopped on the pillow. Robert found a new Lady Daisy and hoping it wouldn't remove too many layers of skin, used her liquid soap to create the semblance of lather and began to shave. He was happy that he didn't cut himself and at least looked presentable again. He turned to the shower and was pleased to find it was large and had a European style spray outlet that allowed him to use it as a wand to rinse himself. The water quickly came up to temperature and he stepped in. He looked around and could find only gels and liquid soaps; no bar soap was evident. He sighed and was about to try the bath gel when a shadow appeared on the other side of the door and Eleanor stepped in to join him. "I can't resist. I haven't had a man in my shower since ... well ... I just haven't." she grinned. I'm going to have to stand in front of you, big guy; you can block out the sun, much less my shower head." She slipped by him and picked up a soft mitt and poured some bath get on it. "I don't use bar soap, so this will have to do, but I imagine a demonstration will be necessary." she said with an arched eyebrow. Robert just laughed as she began to soap his shoulders and chest. She turned him around and did his back, buttocks and legs and then turned him around again. "I saved the best for last." she smirked. She squatted down and began lathering his abdomen and then his inner thighs and all the while, she could see his growing erection. "I see I have your attention." She began to soap his scrotum and then enveloped his now rigid member in her fist and began stroking it back and forth. "Can't be too clean here, can you?" "Oh, Ellie, that's going to cause an eruption soon." he gasped. She stood up and took the shower head off the hook and rinsed his big cock thoroughly. She handed the wand to him and then took his fully engorged member in both hands and began to lick its length on the underside. Robert's head went back and he eyes closed as she expertly brought him to the edge, only to squeeze his base tightly and let him recover until she would start again and this time taking him into her mouth. She repeated this exquisite torture until finally he could take no more. "Oh, god, Ellie, I can't hold it any more. I'm going to explode." he cried in a strangled voice. She looked up at him and smiled and continued her erotic lavation until he truly could not contain himself and with several gasps he released. She took what she could into her mouth while the rest spurted, then dribbled on her chin and breasts. As Robert began to relax and come down from his immense high, she continued to use her tongue and lips to clean him; finally standing and turning toward the shower head to wash her face and breasts. She turned back to him and pressing herself to him, kissed him deeply. He could taste the slight remains of his semen, but it wasn't unpleasant and the wonderful experience she had just provided was more than he could have expected or even imagined. "Your turn?" he offered. "Yes please." she replied coyly. Her mitt wouldn't fit his big hand, so he held it as if it were a wash cloth and began soaping her back, then bottom, then her legs. He was determined to save the best for last. As she turned toward him, he squatted down and began with her feet, slowly working his way up to her calves, then thighs and then, passing that most erotic zone, her abdomen. He slowly and generously soaped her breasts, occasionally pinching the now erect nipples between his thumb and finger. Finally, he began to soap her dark, trimmed pubic hair and then her sex, lingering in her most sensitive place for several moments before beginning to rinse her. As the soap drained from her body, he dropped the mitt and while one hand went again to her slit, he took a nipple into his mouth and began to flick it with his tongue; first one breast and then the other. His tongue circled her aureoles and then returned to the nipples. Again, one breast and then the other. Eleanor had braced herself as he had begun to wash her breasts and had one hand on the front wall of the shower while the other steadied her on the side wall. Her eyes were closed and now Robert's fingers had begun their inexorable exploration of her innermost self. His lips and tongue on her breasts were the initiator of her orgasm but as his thick fingers entered her, she knew it was only the first. She began to feel unsteady on her feet and she clung to Robert, wrapping her arms about his neck to hold her in place as his fingers now probed deeper into her. She felt the impending wave of her next climax and pressed against her towering man and allowed it to envelope her. "Oh, Oh, that ... was ... marvelous." she slurred into his neck and she squeezed him tightly. "I can't think of a better way to start the day." "One good turn deserves another." he said simply. After a few more minutes, they stepped from the shower and Eleanor handed him one of two large bath towels. "Robert, where are you staying?" she asked as they dried each other off. "At the Westin. Why?" "Why don't you check out and bring your things over here. My rates are very reasonable. I can even cook." she smiled. "Are you sure, Ellie?" he asked seriously. "I am. What about you?" she asked. "Would five o'clock be too soon." he grinned. "It's settled then. Now, let me run an iron over your shirt and suit and you'll almost look presentable." she grinned. Robert once again wrapped his arms around this lovely woman and kissed her. "I'm getting spoiled already." "What do you want for breakfast?" she asked. "Uh, toast and coffee if it's not too much trouble." "I'll get it started. Meet you in the kitchen." Eleanor slipped on an elegant black silk robe with silver and red trim, picked up his suit and shirt and headed for the kitchen. To Robert, her robe looked very oriental and yet it suited her appearance perfectly. She disappeared down the hall as he pulled on his boxers Within ten minutes, Eleanor had made the coffee, the toast and had begun to press Robert's shirt, pants and his jacket. In a mater of a few minutes, she had finished and he pulled on the shirt, pants and then stepped into his shoes. "There, that should stop any second looks in the elevator." he laughed. "Thanks, Ellie." "What are you up to today?" she asked. "I'm supposed to start looking for an office for us. We don't need much, but it should have a decent address to give the customers the idea that we're an established business." he said ruefully. "If you don't have an agent, I can help." she said. "Great. What do you have in mind?" he asked. "I've got some contacts with people who have space to rent. How much do you need?" "About 1500 to 2000 square feet, I think. We'll need all the up-to-date phone and fax connections." "Give me a few minutes and I'll make a couple of phone calls. It might save you a lot of time." she offered. Within thirty minutes, Eleanor had three possible leads and their agent's phone numbers. She called all three and set up appointments for the morning and early afternoon. Robert was suitably impressed. He used the phone to call Harold at the hotel and left a message for him to call at Ellie's. If he hadn't called by nine-thirty, he would leave a second message with the addresses and times of the appointments. Fortunately, Harold called just before nine and immediately realized he wasn't calling a real estate office. "So what have you been up to, big brother?" he asked with a laugh. "I'll talk to you later about it, but right now, Eleanor Chapman has some leads on office space for us and we can see them today. Are you OK with that?" "Absolutely. I'll take a cab to the first one and meet you there and we can travel together from there." After Robert had given him the address, he signed off. "See you at ten, then." He would try to be discreet with Eleanor being with him when he explained why he disappeared last night. Harold wasn't the nosey type, but Robert didn't want to upset Eleanor. The day went by smoothly and by the end of their visits, they had a good idea of local costs and what type of office they wanted. Their first choice was the second of the two spaces and Eleanor suggested they let her contact the agent and see if she could negotiate a better rate for a longer term contract. The boys were interested in three to five years and since the space they had selected gave them room to grow, it would allow a longer term commitment. The agent promised to get back to Eleanor by tomorrow noon with an answer and that was that for the day. Robert's concern about his disappearance with Eleanor and her presence with him that morning was misplaced. She made it clear they were together and she displayed no embarrassment as he called her Ellie and they held hands a good part of the day. Eleanor got a chance to meet and get to know Harold as they lunched and was just as impressed with his open good nature and refreshing honesty as she had been with Robert. He wasn't quite as imposing as Robert, but if she had never met her new lover, Harold would have been a candidate too. 'Good breeding brings good manners', she thought. 'You didn't have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to be a class act.' They agreed to meet for dinner that evening after Robert moved his things from the hotel to Eleanor's apartment. Harold merely smiled as he learned of the new arrangement and slapped his brother on the back. "I'm envious." he said. "I want one too!" "Sorry, only one to a customer." Eleanor shot back with a laugh. Eleanor helped Robert move that afternoon and with that simple act, they began a commitment to each other that would be permanent. When she thought about it afterward, this was easily as reckless as her first relationship and marriage. She had known him for two days; if that. She had been so cautious in the past thirteen years not to make that same mistake and yet, she had plunged headlong into this man's life; inviting him into her home and preparing to completely let go of all her inhibitions. It was crazy and yet she didn't hesitate for a moment. She was going purely on instinct and this time, her instincts didn't let her down. -0- They married that spring in a civil ceremony attended by her sister Evelyn, brother John and their three year old daughter, Julia. Robert's mother came from Kelowna; refusing to fly and forcing Harold to drive her to Calgary. Harold was Best Man and Evelyn was Maid of Honor and the ceremony took all of thirty minutes. They had a small reception at the Westin Hotel with twenty or so friends attending before leaving for Europe on a two week honeymoon. Robert had Eleanor as his guide as they toured London and Paris and then to the south of France. Robert loved every minute of the trip; starting a journal to record all the sights and sounds and savoring the fabulous foods as they encountered them. He kept repeating that he wished he had traveled to Europe sooner and that would make this an annual pilgrimage. He had been bitten by the travel bug. When they returned to Calgary in early June, Robert began looking for property on which to build their future home. He felt confined and somewhat trapped in Eleanor's apartment and she was more than delighted when he suggested they plan a proper home for themselves. Robert had fallen in love with Calgary; largely because it was 'Eleanor's City' and he had no other mission in mind than to please her. For her part, Eleanor had not lived in a house since she had left home many years earlier and was excited to be part of the planning process. Their first objective was to find a piece of property and when they stumbled onto a two acre plot on Discovery Ridge, they knew this was where they would build. It had a magnificent view of the city to the east and the Rocky Mountains to the west. The house would be a sprawling ranch style with almost three thousand square feet of living area in a crescent shape. The inner part of the crescent would be a sheltered cove for their privacy and protection from the winds that blew both from the south and north-west. They spent hours designing the interior and after much debate, settled on a plan with a single large living-family room in the centre with a large master bedroom on one end and two additional bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and services area on the other. A three car garage was integrated into the far north-west end of the house. The living room would have a fourteen foot peaked window-wall on each side to maximize the view of the mountains and city. Construction began in August and they moved in the day after New Years, five months later. It was everything they had hoped it would be and more. A large stone fireplace formed most of the wall between their Bedroom and the Living Room. Nine foot ceilings gave all of the house light and space and they set about furnishing it. If there was to be conflict between them, it would be over the décor and interior furnishings. Robert wanted traditional and comfortable while Eleanor wanted contemporary. In the spirit of compromise, Robert gave in and asked only that Eleanor hire a proper decorator to make sure she got what she wanted. Eleanor felt guilty that he had given in so easily, but after talking to the decorator, was able to combine her design wants with comfort and the end result was much better than Robert had expected. When you're six foot six and two hundred and fifty pounds, comfort is a big consideration. Their sex life had been raucous and uninhibited. Eleanor had been the catalyst for their adventures together and she had been the leader of this conventional man's rebirth as a lover. He was big and powerful and enthusiastic, but it was her coaxing and teaching and demonstrating that had released him from his former confines. He discovered the true joy of making love to his beautiful woman and he willing schooled himself in satisfying her desires. In return, Eleanor pleased him in so many ways that he could hardly believe that he was truly experiencing this. After their marriage, their bedroom fury had cooled only slightly and they continued to delight in each other several times each week. Robert and Harold had settled in their new offices and were constantly on the road visiting their various sites in both Canada and the United States. They had earned a contract in Alaska to complement their U.S. obligations and their business was thriving. Unfortunately, that meant more travel and Robert was away from Calgary more than Eleanor would like. He offered to take her with him, but a couple of early road trips proved how impractical that would be. Their work took them to remote areas with few facilities and often no room for wives to accompany the employees. As a result, Eleanor resumed her career in Promotions West; this time as an employee. It gave her something to do during the days that Robert was absent and she enjoyed the people and the work. On Robert's 50th birthday, Eleanor arranged a party for him that would include his mother, Harold and Harold's fiancée, Rosalind. It was a happy occasion and Robert, and after consuming a copious quantity of Champagne, decided the time had come to make a speech to the four people most important to him. "I'm no guy to be givin' speeches." he began. "I just wan'na say I'm luckier than a dog with two dinks." The snickers and giggles caught his attention. He looked up and saw his mother's face. "Oops, sorry mom. I just wan'na say how happy I am to be here with you. My beautiful family; mom, Harold and soon Rosalind. I 'specially wan'na say how happy I am to have Ellie in my life. It took a long time to find the right girl, but when I did, I got a beauty!" A tear formed in the corner of one eye. He raised his almost drained glass and offered a toast. "It's my birthday and I got all the presents I'll ever need right he with all you being with me." With that, he sat heavily into his favourite chair and put his head back and within a minute, was sound asleep. Eleanor picked the glass from her husband's hand and smiled at him. Her little party had been a great success and her gift to him of a very exclusive Abercrombie and Fitch outdoorsman's jacket was well appreciated by him. Harold had chosen an all-purpose, rugged Swiss wristwatch to replace his aging Omega and his mother chose a simple navy blue cashmere sweater that she knew he would wear. It was a milestone birthday and Robert had every right to celebrate his life. He was a truly happy man and it had all turned out so well for him; even at this late age. Harold and Rosalind had set their wedding date for mid August. He had met her at a client's office in Denver and despite his inherent shyness, had asked her for a date that very day. Harold had little experience with dating. He had occasioned himself with the "fancy ladies" in his early days but had little experience with women beyond that. He wasn't celibate, but he wasn't very sure of himself around women of his age. Like Eleanor, Rosalind recognized the hidden virtues of the Thompson men; their simple honesty and straightforwardness. Like Eleanor, she also had been under whelmed by the men she had encountered. She had never married; although she had been engaged to a man in her mid-twenties. He turned out to be a bad-tempered and potentially violent man and Rosalind broke their engagement. He didn't take it well and threatened her with harm until she was able to convince the local Sheriff that he was serious with his intent. As it turned out, he already had a conviction for assault on another woman and that was enough for the Sheriff. Rosalind was able to obtain a restraining order against him and she never heard from him again. Rosalind and Eleanor had hit if off immediately. They quickly became soul-mates and called themselves the "Terrible Thompsons" as they were prone to misbehave; particularly when on their own. Harold was seen to visibly tremble when the two women went off on 'shopping excursions' together. It wasn't that they couldn't afford it; it was their reckless, happy-go-lucky attitude when they were out together. Secretly, he was delighted with their friendship and their camaraderie. But they were truly uninhibited when they were together and he was glad he wasn't anywhere to be found when that occurred. In his more imaginative moments, he expected a phone call from the police telling him they had been arrested for disorderly conduct or some other minor crime and would he please come to the jail and get them off their hands. Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 02 -0- As their business continued to thrive, the two brothers remained close as did their wives. While the travel was divided evenly between them, it was still demanding and their "hands-on" approach to managing their affairs kept them on the road constantly. They had solemnly sworn to their wives that they would take proper vacations and in order to do so, they needed someone to pick up the travel obligations while they were away. Happily, they had hired a young engineer from California who was not only familiar with trestle construction but was a "rail fan" as well. Hamish McDougall was as American as anyone could be, despite his Scottish name and heritage. His love of railroading and his fascination with its history along with his engineering skills made him an ideal partner for the two older men. When he had worked for the brothers for a little over a year, Robert and Harold discussed how they could include him in the ownership of the business. Both of them realized they wanted to wind down their involvement and reduce the demanding travel and in Hamish they had found the ideal successor to them. Although it was a private family business and no shares were ever issued, the two men worked out an agreement that would give Hamish an increasing share of the business on an annual basis; up to one third as a maximum. They agreed on three percent per year and Hamish was delighted and somewhat overcome by their generosity. He was barely thirty years old and he was being given partial ownership of one of the most successful businesses in a field which he dearly loved. He happily took on the new responsibilities and consequently proved the brothers' assessment of him to be correct. He was their natural heir. Robert and Eleanor traveled through Europe and the Middle East on their vacations; carefully planning them in advance and seeking out the destinations that most fascinated them. Both were fascinated by the origins of Western Civilization and were excited by their trips to Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Greece and the Greek Islands. It was like living the history books live. They had little use for the conventional tours and tourist stops unless they were with someone who could explain their history and relevance. They spent their money wisely on tour guides who would take them to the out-of-the-way spots and allow them to see and experience the real history of their chosen locations. It was like going back to school and yet, they couldn't get enough of it. The people they met along the way, many of whom were looking for the same experiences as they, just added to the delight and satisfaction of their visits to these far away places. Six years after they had included Hamish in their plans, the brothers were approached by a representative of an unnamed American corporation who were looking to acquire Thompson Bridge and Trestle. It caught both the brothers by surprise and Robert quickly called a meeting with Harold and Hamish to discuss how to respond. The buyer was unknown, but there were only a few possibilities; the most likely of which was United Eagle Foundries, their largest competitor. UEF had begun as a North-Eastern steel producer and had adapted before the malaise of the "Rust Belt" had befallen them. They diversified into steel related maintenance and fabrication industries and presently were one of the larger suppliers of stamped steel auto parts in North America. They had acquired two small trestle maintenance and repair companies along the way and had generally squeezed the rest of their competitors out of the eastern U.S. market. It wouldn't surprise either brother if they were looking to establish control of the entire North American market with the acquisition of Thompson Bridge and Trestle. They had the financial wherewithal to pull it off. Hamish was now if line for eighteen percent ownership of T.B. & T. and his only real concern was that there wouldn't be a place for him if the company was sold. He loved the work, relished the on-site travel and generally didn't want to give up this life-style despite what financial rewards might be forthcoming. He needn't have worried. The prospective owners had done their homework and knew well of his talents and value. He was named as a part of the acquisition as were both brothers. It was decision time. The three men decided that it would be appropriate to listen to the offer and then decide on a course of action. Both Robert and Harold wondered aloud if they could work for someone else after all the years of self-determination and both had serious doubts. Hamish too had concerns. He had stepped into an ideal situation and was reluctant to become a faceless figure in a large corporation. On the other hand, the offer hadn't been made and so they had no idea of who they were really dealing with and in the end they decided to take the next step and see just what was "on the table". They contacted the agent for the buyer and set up a preliminary meeting in Calgary to discuss more details; indicating at the time that they would expect to be told who the prospective buyer would be and that they would be dealing directly with them and not through a third party. After some reluctance on the part of the agent, he promised he would contact the buyer and pass along their request. Two days later, the terms for the meeting were met and a date was set. Both Harold and Robert were curious what value a competitor might put on their business. For Robert, it might mean he could step away from the business and spend as much time as he wanted with Ellie. For Harold, it meant he and Rosalind could start their own business; one that Rosalind had suggested a couple of years earlier. She was interested in Photography and wanted a small studio of her own. Harold knew she had the talent and he could help her with the day-to-day running of a business and he saw that as a way to keep busy and yet gain relief from the stress and strain of their current responsibilities. Only Hamish worried that it might mean the end of his love affair with the railroad bridges of the past. The meeting was held in a private suite at the Westin. It began at ten on a Tuesday morning and Robert had booked the room for two days, assuming that if there was substance to the offer, that more detailed discussions would be needed. As it turned out, the principals were indeed United Eagle and they were very interested in establishing control of the trestle maintenance business in North America. It took them quite a while to get around to specifying their offer, but eventually they suggested they would be willing to offer $85 million U.S. dollars for the business; half in cash and the balance in U.E.F. shares. The offer was dependent upon all three men continuing in senior management positions in the company. Neither Robert nor Harold were poker players and the immediate flush of their complexions must have signaled to the agent, if not the principals, that the offer was either far greater or far less than the men had expected. Hamish, for his part, remained passive and blank-faced; doing everything possible not to betray his immediate inclination to faint. Robert said nothing for what seemed to be an interminable amount of time and then looked up from the proposal sheet in front of him. He began slowly and in the most serious voice he could muster. "I think my partners and I need to discuss this in private before we respond. There are some issues that will need our attention before we can give you our impression of this offer." Both Harold and Hamish nodded but said nothing. "I have arranged for a private adjoining room so that we can meet without having to leave the suite. In the meantime, I have arranged for a buffet lunch to be served at noon in the other room. I suggest we reconvene at lunch and we should have formed a response to your offer. Will that be OK?" Franklin Yarborough of U.E.F. was the head of their delegation. He was the Chief Financial Officer and had the authorization of the C.E.O and their board to conduct the negotiations. "Yes, of course Mr. Thompson. I think we could both use a break at this point. We'll meet here at lunch. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask." The three men walked silently into the adjoining room and closed the door behind them. In fact, there were two doors and Robert took the trouble to close both of them. He walked to the window and looked out over his city without speaking. It was Harold who finally had something to say. "Robert, did you ever imagine?" he asked in wonder. "Never! Not in my wildest dreams." was his simple response. The three men stood looking at each other with surprise and yet a mixture of concern. Robert was the first to try and pull their thoughts together. "First, we need to get a look at their share price history over the past ten years. No point in taking shares if they aren't going to perform. Second, I'm guessing this isn't their best offer and may even be "low-ball", thinking we don't know what our business is worth. And third, I want the option to leave the business; either right away or in a fixed short-term period. We should be responsible for the transition period and the rest should be up to us. Does that make sense?" "Yah, sure ... you ... you've been thinking about this quite a bit, haven't you?" Harold asked. "Some, all right." He looked at Hamish and smiled. "Well, what have you got to say about all this?" "I ... I don't know what to say. I'm going to be a multi-millionaire if this goes through. I'm having a hard time believing it." he said, shaking his head. "I know what you mean. All we knew is how to make it work. We never thought about how much it was worth. Maybe we should have." Robert said thoughtfully. "What do we do next?" Harold asked. "Our homework right now is to find out what the stock is worth. I'll phone Ellie. She'll know who to talk to. Robert picked up the phone and dialed Eleanor's work number. He talked to her briefly without giving her much detail and asked her advice on who he could consult. Eleanor had a name immediately and gave her husband the number. After hanging up, Robert dialed the number and asked for Claude Fortin. After a brief pause, he introduced himself and asked for an analysis of the A.E.F. stock with the understanding that it was in lieu of cash in a sale transaction. He warned the broker not to reveal the conversation on threat of Eleanor coming after him and with a laugh, that was enough to warn Claude to keep the information to himself. He promised to phone Robert back within the hour with an assessment and would fax him details to the hotel if required. "OK, that's a start. What's next?" Robert said, almost to himself. "Shouldn't we get an independent appraisal of our business as a reference point?" Hamish asked quietly. "You can do that?" Harold asked, surprised. "Yes, there are firms who can give you an estimate of value and the strengths and weaknesses of a business. They do it all the time for the Brokerage industry." Hamish answered "When Claude calls back, I'll ask him for a reference. I wouldn't be surprised that his outfit doesn't do appraisals." Robert said simply. The group got together for lunch and a light discussion surrounding the history and progress of Thompson Bridge and Trestle. They were obviously impressed that the company had grown so successfully and with such command of the western market without a large staff. They were curious how the brothers and Hamish had run it without a larger staff. "Simple. We go out in the field and manage the jobs on site. We never were office people and this way, we know exactly what's going on and what obstacles need to be overcome. There isn't much about any of our projects that one or the other of us doesn't know and hasn't been on the site within the last month or so." Harold offered. "Hummph!" Yarborough exclaimed. "Sounds like something we could learn. I count more staff than I care to these days. No substitute for knowing what's going on." he grumbled. The phone rang as the lunch was wrapping up and Robert excused himself to take the call in the other room. Claude Fortin had done a quick analysis of A.E.F. and concluded they were a solid but underperforming company. Robert then asked Claude about the appraisal and as Hamish had guessed; his firm was capable of performing that service. Robert gave him a verbal OK to begin and made himself available to discuss details with Claude's firm as necessary. Hamish and Harold had returned to the room and with the doors closed, Robert filled them in on his conversation with Claude. They returned to the dining room and Robert resumed their conversation with Yarborough. "We've requested an appraisal of our business with an independent Brokerage house in the city. We've never entertained the idea of selling before and I should have thought of this before today's meeting. I apologize that it will delay our decision." he said straightforwardly. "Am I to assume that you are at least willing to discuss and negotiate the sale of your company Mr. Thompson?" Yarborough asked. "Yes. There are some conditions we can discuss, but assuming we come to some agreement on the value of the company, we are willing to discuss the sale to A.E.F." Robert stated. "Excellent ... then this has been a productive meeting. You have my number Mr. Thompson. Please don't hesitate to call if I can be of assistance and please let me know when you are ready to continue our discussions." Franklin Yarborough rose and shook the hands of all three men. "It's been a pleasure, gentlemen. I look forward to a successful conclusion." And with that, they left the room. It was quiet for a few moments after the prospective buyers had left and finally Hamish spoke up. "Did you notice that the only person in their group that spoke was Yarborough? None of the others said a word." "I guess we know who the boss is." Harold laughed. "Just as well." Robert said thoughtfully. "Just as well." It took almost two weeks to get the appraisal completed before Claude's firm contacted Robert and asked for a meeting. The three owners met with Claude and the appraisal expert, Stanley Kwok, in the T.B.&T. offices. Claude passed out the Executive summary of the report to each of them and then began. "It looks like they did come in with a low offer. From our perspective, this is a $100 million U.S. business and, depending on how it's run, possibly more. Also, depending on whether there are conditions on the sale of the stock portion of their offer, I would only accept stock in lieu of cash if I could sell it within a couple of months and convert it into something more growth oriented. Their cash position is quite good and they have money to spend, so you could hold out for an all-cash offer. Otherwise, you are in the driver's seat. Your E.B.I.T. is almost double theirs. Since you are a private company, they won't discover that until they do their due-diligence if you agree to sell. It will come as a pleasant surprise to them I'm sure. "OK, thanks Claude. That puts us in the "cat bird seat" as I see it. We can shape this deal any way we want and still make it work for both parties." Robert said smiling. "So what do we tell A.E.F. then?" Harold asked seriously. "Good question. Why don't we talk about this and see if we can come up with a counter offer. We've got the written appraisal of our company and I'm sure they've got one too. It's 'show-down time' in this poker game!" Robert stated. "Claude, what would you suggest?" Within an hour, they had worked out a counter-proposal which took care of the concerns over the liquidity of the stock and the management responsibilities. Claude promised to put it draft form and Robert agreed they would phone Franklin Yarborough the next day and schedule a meeting. As the meeting ended, Hamish left with a big grin on his face; on his way to meet his girlfriend at a local restaurant. Robert and Harold phoned the "girls" and suggested they meet at Chico's for dinner. It was an "easy sell" as the girls were more than anxious to hear the results of the appraisal. It took a week to arrange the meeting, but that gave Robert, Harold and Hamish plenty of time to hone their proposal and rehearse their 'roles'. It was time well spent. The second meeting lasted less than three hours and resulted in a "basis of agreement" to sell Thompson Bridge and Trestle to American Eagle Foundries. The rest was paperwork, details and "Due Diligence." It took a month and a half for all the i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed, but on a sunny and windy Calgary day in February, the final papers were signed and the sale was complete. Hamish McDougall was retained as Vice President of Western Operations with the clear understanding that he would be spending most of his time in the field, supervising and assessing job progress. Hamish was delighted with the assignment; keeping him close to his love of the railroad if not his girlfriend. Robert and Harold surprised him when they "topped up" his share of the business to 20% and Hamish was rewarded with nearly 20 million dollars in cash and stock. Robert and Harold split the remaining amount and entered "semi-retirement" with the understanding that they could be called on for "consulting duties" on major issues. It was a happy compromise for both of them. The "Terrible Thompsons" on the other hand, had their concerns. What were they going to do with their husbands having all this time on their hands? Rosalind had her plan for the Photo Studio and Eleanor still had a part-time position with Promotions West, but what about their 'men'? It was a problem that needed to be solved, but neither 'sister' had a ready solution. As it turned out, one of the decisions would be taken out of their hands. -0- Note: E.B.I.T. = Earnings before Interest & Taxes Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 03 Chapter 03: All good things have to come to an end. Author's note: My editor and wife of 45 years is unhappy with me that I chose to submit Chapters 1 and 2 without her critical appraisal. As a result, several minor but irritating errors slipped through that would otherwise have been discovered. To my readers, I apologize. This, of course, cuts no ice with my beloved. I also apologize in advance for any other errors that might creep through. Thanks for your understanding. * To say that Eleanor was devastated at the death of Robert would be a massive understatement. She simply could not believe that the one great love of her life had been taken from her. They had celebrated almost twelve glorious, loving years together and she had been looking forward to many more. They had begun organizing their around-the-world "trip of a lifetime" and just the planning of that great adventure was exciting for them. They both needed various inoculations for the more underdeveloped countries they would be visiting and Eleanor had convinced Robert to get a full medical checkup at the same time. It was then that the discovery was made that would end their plans and destroy the joy and anticipation of their future life together. Robert was diagnosed with suspected Prostate Cancer and a biopsy was hastily arranged. The results were worse than they could have expected. The cancer was advanced; also attacking his bowel and his likelihood of survival was much less than 50%. After many nights of agonizing discussion and argument, Robert convinced Eleanor that he wouldn't undergo the surgery and they would live his last days out with her at their home. He couldn't face the trauma of major surgery, only for her to be burdened with the gradual deterioration of his life afterwards. He faced his fate bravely but with great regret. He lived for three months after the diagnosis; Eleanor beside him for almost every waking moment. When he died, he had been sleeping in her arms late one winter afternoon. His brother Harold and sister Rosalind were in the house at the time. The funeral was held in the United Church near Bowness and he was buried in the Bowness Cemetery on a cold, windswept January day. More than fifty people attended the services, including his mother, brother, sister-in-law, Hamish McDougall and his new bride Marietta, Franklin Yarborough from New York and many of their friends from both business and their social circle. For Eleanor, it was a like a light being extinguished. She was completely lost and had no idea of what she would do without him. Rosalind, Harold and several of her dear friends tried to stay close and comfort her, but in her quiet, private moments, she was bereft of hope. In the time before Robert, she was a strong woman and dependent upon no one but herself. But in her time with him, she had become equally dependent on Robert as her muse, lover, companion and supporter. It would be some time before she would regain her strength and choose her future path. -0- As she lay on the couch in their living room, her mind drifted back to the happy years with Robert. The love and the loving. The trips of discovery and adventure. It was a cruel fate that gave them all their financial freedom and then snatched him away before they could celebrate their good fortune. She knew she had to make a decision on her future. She had no interest in returning to her job; she couldn't focus on anything for very long these late winter days. She looked out the window toward the city and wondered if it wasn't time to make a complete break and start anew. She thought of Harold and Rosalind, her closest friends and how they had tried so hard to be with her after Robert's death. She pushed them away just as she had pushed everything away; even her memories. Now, those memories we coming back; not to haunt her, but to perhaps re-energize her. It had been almost two months since his death and Eleanor had hardly stirred from the house. The grey-white colours of winter would soon begin to recede and spring would return. One morning in early April, Eleanor awoke and immediately knew what she must do. It wasn't the result of an impulse or a vague dream but a realization that she couldn't continue with her life in this place. She picked up the phone and called her brother's home. "Hello?" Rosalind answered. "Hi Roz." Eleanor said in a clear voice. "Ellie ... how are you? We haven't talked in ages." she came back brightly. "I know. I know. I had to think things through for a while. I needed some time and space to decide." "Ellie? What did you decide?" Rosalind asked tentatively. "I'm going to sell the house and I'm going to find a new place to live that won't be so full of these memories." she said positively. Rosalind sensed there was more to it than that. She waited patiently for Ellie to continue. "I've decided to move to Toronto." she stated flatly. "I thought about Vancouver, but ... I guess I'm really a big city girl and Toronto is better for me." "Oh Ellie, no! I don't want to lose you. Why do you have to leave us?" Rosalind's voice was pleading and she was near tears at the thought of her best friend moving away. "It's better than staying here and having everything around me remind me of ... well ... just remind me. I don't want to lose you either, Roz, but I can't stay here. What the hell. You can come and visit me anytime. I hope you understand." "I guess so, but ... it won't be the same. I'll miss you so much. Get ready for some big phone bills." she laughed through her tears. "You know I'll call you plenty and you call me too. I won't be leaving until the house is sold and I've found a place to live in Toronto, so it isn't like I'm leaving today." Eleanor rationalized. "Oh god, Ellie. I wish you'd change your mind. What about the 'Terrible Thompsons'"? she cried. "Well, there's always the reunion you know." Eleanor was trying to inject some lightness and levity into the somber conversation. "It's only a four hour plane ride to 'The Big Smoke'. Bring your camera and Harold and have some fun." "I guess." Rosalind had resigned herself to the fact that Eleanor was leaving; if not right away, then sooner than later. The house sold more quickly than Eleanor had expected. The market was up again and the property's spectacular views and careful décor were a great benefit to the real estate agent. The first offer was right on the asking price, but before she could accept, a second offer, higher than the first, but wanting the furniture and furnishings was the trigger that Eleanor decided to pull. It solved any problems about what to keep and what to dispose of. She had carefully kept some personal mementos and the odd bit of artwork that she and Robert had chosen together, but otherwise, the ability to walk away and start virtually fresh was too much to resist. Including her clothes, the balance of the possessions she took from the house fit in seven boxes and three wardrobes. Eleanor flew to Toronto to prospect for a place to live. She realized that she would be happiest back in an apartment environment; just as she was a dozen years ago before she met Robert. It took no more than two days to find exactly what she wanted; a horribly expensive two bedroom apartment in the centre of the city. It was spacious, but easy to maintain. It had room to entertain and for guests, but still not a burden requiring a cleaning service. Money wasn't really an issue. The cost of the unit still left money from the sale of the house and soon the estate would pass through probate and she would be a multi-millionaire widow. Robert's life insurance; purchased at the recommendation of their financial advisor, gave her a great deal of ready cash to bridge the time from his death to probate. Even after taxes, the estate would realize nearly 35 million dollars; far more that she imaged she could use in the balance of her lifetime. At the conclusion of her purchase of the apartment, Eleanor flew to Vancouver to visit with her sister and her family. They were delighted to see her and yet sad that she had chosen to move so far from their hometown. Evelyn convinced Eleanor to stay for a few days and she, husband John and their now fifteen year old daughter Julia spent a great deal of time touring the local sights and making a quick visit to Victoria for a short vacation. For Eleanor, it was a tonic and a relief. She loved her sister and her family and was equally delighted with the lovely and pretty young woman her niece had become. She now chose to be called Julie, but whatever the name, Eleanor and Julie were close and each admired the other. At the end of her stay, Eleanor was actually regretting her decision to head back to Calgary for a final goodbye to her 'other sister', Rosalind. Eleanor had decided she didn't need a car in Toronto. She would use cabs and if necessary, the excellent public transportation system. It had a subway, streetcars and commuter rail systems as well as buses. She just didn't need the hassle of trying to drive in the 'big city'. Harold had looked after the sale of her car and Harold's S.U.V. She spent three days with Harold and Rosalind before heading back to her new home in Toronto. She had her regrets in leaving her natural 'home town', but knew she had to find a new path for herself if she was going to recover from the loss of her husband. As she looked toward her former city and home from the aircraft's window, she felt a tinge of regret, but quickly looked away and hoped it would be that easy to find a new life in Toronto. -0- Eleanor had found work in a local Public Relations firm and although the work was not demanding of either her talents or her time, it was a reason to get up in the morning and have a sense of purpose about her day. She joined a fitness centre barely a block from her building and with the help of a personal trainer, quickly regained her former level of fitness. She had arrived in Toronto permanently in late April and within a month realized that she had made a good choice. It was a city for walking and for cabs; Canada's New York as it were. Lively, with excellent shops, great restaurants, theatres and above all, people on the streets. She loved the clanging of the streetcar claxons as they rolled smoothly by. The city was alive and made her feel alive again as well. She developed her routines for each week. She could walk to her office, her fitness centre, several restaurants, her grocer and butcher shop, drug store, Union Station and many of her favorite shops. She developed a relationship with a local cab company and when she tired of walking and needed a ride home, she called her contact and a cab was dispatched for her. She got to know the best drivers and quietly requested they be assigned to her whenever they were available. She tipped them generously and they responded with quick and efficient service. They came to enjoy their contact with "Mrs. T". Eleanor hadn't even considered a relationship with a man. She couldn't conceive of it at this early stage of her widowhood. Unfortunately for her, however, she still had vivid memories of her steamy nights with Robert and she was still sexually conscious. Her dreams often resulted in dampness in her underwear and her private thoughts often drifted toward the feeling of complete fulfillment that she had enjoyed with her late husband. She knew that sooner or later, she would seek a relationship with a man; but not just yet. She had been approached by several men in her office and some of her clients for dates and while she occasionally accepted a dinner or theatre date, she made it clear that sex was not part of the plan. Most of her dates accepted her rules; knowing that she was a strong-willed woman and couldn't be fooled with. The others were swiftly dispatched to no-man's-land, never again to be graced with her company. -0- Eleanor had not lost her sense of humour or her awareness of current events. She could hold her own in any conversation and her many travels in the past years had just added to her repertoire of experiences, stories and adventures. She was a brilliant dinner guest and a terrific companion for any man who had the patience and smarts to pay attention. She soon became a minor celebrity on the social scene and enjoyed the status. Her business life thrived in the next two years and she began to regain her personal stability and sense of self-worth. In short, she was finally getting over the loss of Robert. She met Roger Inhalt at the mailboxes in the lobby one weekday morning. He was struggling to extract a package from his box and since her mailbox was below his, she waited patiently while he wrestled with the corrugated-wrapped object. She was on her way to work and as she stood behind him, she realized that she was a couple of inches taller than he in her fashionable patent leather heels. He was neatly groomed with a bit of grey showing in his brown hair. He looked fairly trim and with the exception of the profanity he was using in what he thought was 'sotto voce', he appeared to be at least educated and possibly even refined. Finally, he extracted the parcel from his box but not without a nasty scrape on his hand. "Ouch ... dammit!" he mumbled. Roger turned and then realized Eleanor was behind him. "Oh ... I beg your pardon. I'm not usually prone to swear but ..." "That's perfectly alright. I understand completely." she smiled. She had a good look at his face and liked what she saw. He was probably about her age and in his own modest way, reasonably handsome. He had a nice smile and appeared to have all his own teeth and hair. Not a bad start, she thought; laughing to herself at her conceit. Eleanor opened her box and extracted three letters from it. One from her accountant; probably about final settlement with the tax man. Two bills; telephone and hydro. Nothing to worry about. She stuffed the three letters in her purse and turned back to the man beside her. "Is your hand going to be alright? I have a handkerchief in my purse if that would help." she offered. "No, it'll be fine. Just a small scrape." He looked up at her and smiled as he realized just what an attractive woman he had been standing beside. "I'm Roger Inhalt. I live on the fourteenth floor here." He smiled a genuine smile and held out his undamaged hand. "I'm Eleanor Thompson. I'm on eight. Nice to meet you." She felt very comfortable in the presence of Mr. Roger Inhalt. She shook his hand briefly. "Well, I'm off to work. I'm sure we'll meet again." She smiled, turned and walked out of the lobby onto the street, heading toward her office. Roger watched her walk away and filed an important factoid in his mind: Eleanor Thompson. He leaned forward and checked the box from which she had extracted her mail and noted the number; 815. Attractive women in this building were not uncommon but attractive women in his age group were not common. Now the question remained; was she single? A simple investigation would provide the answer. -0- Roger Inhalt had moved to Toronto after his divorce. He was a native of Vancouver and a civil engineer. He had moved steadily through the lower management ranks of an International firm and into middle management at a relatively young age. It was there he seemed to find his career stalled. He had married Marnie Bryson in 1968 and their son, Steve, was born a year later. They were young and in love and his job and status impressed Marnie; especially since he was fresh out of University. They had lived in a modest house in North Vancouver until, quite unexpectedly, Roger was offered a fairly decent promotion to the San Francisco office. It meant a dramatic change in their lifestyle and status within the company. Marnie was excited with the prospect while Roger was more cautious. It wasn't the job that concerned him but the California lifestyle, politics and the more common occurrence of violence that worried him. Nonetheless, he accepted the position and moved his family to the Bay Area. Marnie wanted a house on the Peninsula, while Roger thought they would be better of in the East Bay area where prices weren't so radical. Marnie won and Roger reluctantly put a down payment on a mid-sized home in Menlo Park. It was a brutal commute, but Roger recognized that it would be no less demanding from the East side, so he reconciled himself to the daily grind. Roger soon realized why he wanted to live in the East Bay; it was the fog and rain that pervaded the Peninsula. As he drove up 101, he often could see sun on the other side of the bay. Even in July, the fog rolled in on sunny afternoons and made the drive home much less pleasant and safe. The job was less satisfying than he had hoped. He was now a medium sized fish in a very big pond and found that his status as an "alien" brought with it a level of respect for his skills far below what he was used to. It wasn't long before he was unhappy and he was communicating this discontent to his wife. Marnie, for her part, would have none of it. She was happy with her new California address and content with her new friends and neighbors. She hadn't worked for several years and was delighted to have most of the day to herself and her personal pleasures. She was uninterested in the complaints of her husband and told him so. Their son Steve, now almost sixteen, had turned into a very bright young man. He was more mature than his age and very self sufficient. He was even beginning to invest money in the stock market thanks to the small inheritance his late grandmother had bequeathed him. Roger had made up his mind to return to Canada and set about trying to convince Marnie that it was what was best for them. Marnie steadfastly refused and made it plain that if he was leaving, he was leaving alone. Roger knew then that their marriage was contingent upon his surrender to her wishes. He lost a lot of sleep over the final decision but ultimately he told Marnie that he would be seeking employment in Canada and that she could come with him or stay. If she stayed, it would mean the end of the marriage. Roger was stunned at how little concern Marnie showed over their marriage. It was as if it meant little to her as long as she had a ready supply of money and a place to live. He realized then that he had badly misjudged her and knew that regardless of her decision, he would be better off alone. Steve, on the other hand, had no choice. Under typical California law, he would be under his mother's care until he was eighteen; another two years away. Roger sat down with his son one afternoon and explained the situation to him. Surprisingly, he was aware of the tension in the relationship and realized that his father was unhappy. On the other hand, he was happy in his current circumstances and although he would miss his father very much, he would survive in the current environment. Roger applied to several job opportunities in Canada and was surprised when the Toronto Transit Commission (T.T.C.) offered him a senior management position at a handsome salary with generous benefits. After the obligatory interviews and waiting, he accepted the position and contacted a lawyer to represent him in what he expected would be a miserable divorce. He was pleasantly surprised when Marnie went out of her way to make the terms reasonable; probably against the advice of her lawyer. She held no grudge or animosity toward Roger, but neither was there any love. It was some months later that Roger learned from a friend of her secret lover and when he did, he felt betrayed and humiliated by her. He vowed not to tell Steve, but suspected that he might know anyway since it was Marnie who had flaunted her boyfriend among their friends. It would be up to his son to tell him if he knew of her illicit affair. Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 03 Roger returned to Canada almost three thousand miles from his home in Vancouver. Toronto was a new environment to him. It was a big city with big buildings and big ambitions. Its transit system was the envy of many cities throughout the world. It was clean, modern, safe and constantly growing. Roger relished the opportunity to be a part of this vibrant organization. He threw himself into his new job and enjoyed the challenge and the freedom he now had. He was alive again. The only thing missing in his life was companionship. -0- Like Eleanor, Roger's office was walking distance from the apartment building and while he had a car, it had few miles on it since its purchase; sitting in his underground space and usually only venturing out on weekends. They would pass each other occasionally as they entered and left the building, but aside from the one encounter at the mail boxes, they had no conversations other than polite 'hello-nice day' types. Near the second Christmas that Eleanor would celebrate in Toronto, a notice was included in each mailbox for all the tenants. It was an invitation to a social mixer; a "get to know you party" that the building owners had planned in the large main floor assembly area. The room was used as a rental for all sorts of personal purposes; wedding receptions, private parties and the like. This time, the owners had uncharacteristically decided to host a reception for their tenants. It was truly out of the ordinary considering the trouble it took to effect maintenance and repair to various facilities. Roger thought the reception was a good idea and it would give him a chance to meet some of his fellow "inmates" and see if there were any more eligible women in the building. He was particularly interested in whether the attractive woman in 815 might be attending. The building housed about 140 apartments of one size or another and there might be over 200 people attending this unexpected social. Eleanor thought little of the reception when she read the notice. It didn't hold much interest for her; although she might get an opportunity to meet a few more of the other apartment owners and possibly find a familiar face or two. She had few friends in Toronto outside her office and business associates and was thinking that after a year and a half of being here, she could at least make an attempt to expand her circle of acquaintances. She put the notice on her office desk and promptly forgot about it. She was returning from a brief shopping excursion a few days later when she noticed the noise and large number of people milling about in the lobby. She stopped to peer into the reception room and then asked a nearby woman what the occasion was. "It's the reception ... you know ... the one put on by our skinflint owners." she answered tartly. "Oh, of course. I'd forgotten all about it." Eleanor pushed the button for the eighth floor as she entered the elevator and headed for her apartment. She put away the few groceries she had purchased and then, as an afterthought, looked at herself in the hall mirror. Declaring herself presentable, she left her apartment, headed back to the elevator and returned to the main floor. As she walked into the large room, she was struck by the number of people who had decided to take advantage of the owner's generosity. She wandered toward a nearby bar, recognized an open bottle of decent French Chablis and ordered a glass. "How much?" she asked. "Nothing ma'am." was the barman's polite reply. "Compliments of BDR Group." "Thank you." she said smiling and walking away. There was another bar on the other side of the room and a large table of what appeared to be hors d'oeuvres. The room was noisy but the crowd was socializing well. She scanned one side, looking for a familiar face to say hello to and could recognize no one. She turned toward the far end and saw the nosy woman from across the hall and quickly turned away, hoping she had not seen her. She began to despair that she would find someone to at least talk with about the weather and the upcoming Christmas season when she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Roger had almost given up looking for someone interesting to talk to. He had chatted with a few acquaintances from the building, but there was little to interest him so far. He certainly hadn't seen anyone of the various single women that he was aware were tenants; particularly the rather striking woman in 815. He was about to surrender to the hopelessness of his quest when he saw her standing at the bar, picking up a glass of white wine. He began to work his way through the crowd toward her, careful not to spill any of his Cabernet on the guests as he weaved his way through the various clusters towards where she had been. As he approached the bar, he realized she had moved and he stopped and again looked for her. She emerged from behind another group of people and seemed to be looking around the room for someone. Her back was toward him as he approached her; lightly touching her bare shoulder with his fingertips. "Oh!" Eleanor started at the unexpected touch. She turned to see a familiar face, but it took her a moment to connect him with how they had met. "I beg your pardon. I didn't mean to startle you ... Eleanor?" "That's right. Oh ... yes ... I remember ... the mail box. Mr. ...?" "Inhalt, Roger Inhalt." He smiled his genuine pleasure at finding her here. "I was hoping you'd be here." he confessed. "Really?" Eleanor gave Roger her patented arched eyebrow look. It immediately implied dubious motives on his part. "Yes. Look around you. There aren't many people of our age group in this building. Mostly seniors and a few up-and-coming young executive types. We are an identifiable minority." he smiled. "Well, you're probably right. Aside from you and my nosey neighbor from across the hall, I don't see anyone I recognize here." she said flatly. "Sad, but true. We live with about 200 or so souls in a very small place and yet don't really know anyone." "How did you remember my name? It's been weeks since the 'mail box affair'" she smiled. "I have a good memory for things I want to remember." he grinned. "Lucky you! I envy people who can do that. I work in Public Relations and someone can introduce themselves to me and half the time I've forgotten their names before we've finished the conversation. Not a good trait I think." "Well, I'm an engineer. We are trained to think like that. It's a blessing and a fault. Linear thinking, that is." "And what do you engineer, Roger?" "I work for the T.T.C. I'm a medium sized cog in a big wheel. Oh, bad pun ... sorry." he laughed. "Actually it's quite a good pun. Do you enjoy your work?" "I do, very much. It's important. Millions of people rely on us to get them from one place to another and we have a great reputation. I was very lucky to find this job when I wanted to come back to Canada." he stated sincerely. "Where were you before this?" she asked. With that, Roger began to tell her about himself. Eleanor was interested. He wasn't boring or glib and he was obviously very smart. He briefly mentioned his divorce and his son, but other than that, he talked about less self-absorbed topics. He had been living in the building for five years. She was enjoying their conversation and she knew that sooner or later, she would have to reciprocate with something about herself. "You haven't been here long, Eleanor. Where were you before?" he finally asked. "Calgary. I ... I've been hear for a year and a half. My husband ... my husband died and I needed a change of scenery." she stammered quietly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry." His look was sincere and Eleanor realized it was one of the very few times she had actually told someone why she was in Toronto. She felt comfortable with Roger and it allowed her to relax; not to be so much on guard. "It's alright. I'm finally used to the idea. It's been ... difficult for a while. I keep wondering if I'll ever get past it. I think that's finally starting to happen. At least I can talk about it and that's a big step for me." She looked up at Roger and saw in his face the concern and compassion he was feeling. It gave her another shot of courage. "It must have been hard for you too, Roger. Leaving your wife and son in California and coming here on your own." She was trying to share the hurt with him. "Yes. It took me a long time to get over the divorce. I thought we were ... forever. She was seduced first by the lifestyle and then by someone else. It wasn't good for my ego, I can tell you." he offered with a wry smile. Unconsciously, Eleanor reached out and briefly held his hand. "I think we should change the subject, Roger. This is a happy time of the year and we should be thinking about the good things in our lives." Roger blinked for a moment and then smiled at her. "You're very understanding and I am enjoying being with you this afternoon. I am delighted you are here." Roger skillfully changed the subject to more mundane topics and tried to introduce Eleanor to several of the tenants he knew. Eleanor appreciated his efforts to make her more comfortable with her surroundings and after a while they drifted toward the hors d'oeuvres table. "Would you care to have dinner with me, Eleanor?" he grinned as he passed her a paper plate. "Why thank you, Roger, I'd be delighted." she grinned back at him. She was enjoying herself for the first time since she had been in Toronto and it felt good. They slowly worked their way around the table, nibbling on various snacks as they went. Roger disappeared briefly to refill their wine glasses and they found a pair of unoccupied chairs to sit for a few moments while they enjoyed the food. They continued to talk back and forth about anything and everything. She learned about his very bright son, Steve and he learned about her very dear niece Julia. They talked about family quite a bit and Eleanor even shared some of her adventures with her "Sister Rosalind". When Eleanor looked at her watch finally, it was past eight in the evening. She had been at the reception for three hours and she realized many of the people had left. She and Roger had been talking for quite a while and she had obviously enjoyed it. "Oh Roger, I think it's time to call it a day. I've really enjoyed this though. I really enjoyed talking with you." she said smiling at him. "Well, in the way of a confession, I was wondering if you'd be here this afternoon. You had made quite an impression on me that morning at the mailbox and I guess I was hoping I would get to know who you were. I consider myself very lucky to have had that opportunity today." "Well, maybe we can do this again sometime; only with a few less people around." she laughed. "That would be great. Can I call you? Perhaps we can have coffee some time?" he asked hopefully. Eleanor fished around in her purse and pulled out her personal business card. "Here's my number. You already know my address." she grinned. Roger pulled a business card from his jacket vest pocket and quickly wrote his apartment number and phone on it. "There. Now we can call each other." He walked her to the elevator and they rode up to the eighth floor in silence. As Eleanor started to leave, she turned to Roger and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. She smiled, turned again and left the elevator just as the doors began to close. He never even got the chance to say good night. She couldn't see the stunned look on Roger's face as the car continued its assent to the fourteenth floor. When the doors opened at his destination, it took him a moment to realize he had arrived. He walked down the hall in a zombie-like trance as her kiss had caught him completely off-guard. He managed to open his apartment door and walk in, but had no clear recollection of doing so. He was operating by memory; his mind had been completely scrambled with her simple gesture. -0- Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 04 A new lifeline for Eleanor. Eleanor walked slowly toward her apartment and looking back along the hallway, smiled a dry, wry smile. She hadn't even entertained the thought that she would flirt with a man; especially not tonight. Yet, Roger was not just an ordinary man. He wasn't tall or brutally handsome or even terribly sexy and yet he held a certain fascination for her. He was composed and bright; a good conversationalist. He was trim and well dressed without being a rake or a poseur. She thought back to her first encounter with Robert and she remembered the most important feature of him was his genuineness. In that one respect, Roger reminded her of him. She unlocked her door and walked into her apartment; closing the door slowly and softly behind her. Was this the beginning of something or was she just frustrated and maybe, with the aid of alcohol, a bit randy? Roger drifted down the hallway toward his apartment and had to stop for a moment to remember which unit was his. He fumbled with his key and after a couple of futile stabs; he finally unlocked the door and stepped inside. He snapped the door shut and muttered an expletive under his breath. Mr. Joe Cool had surely played his best hand tonight. All those hours of looking for a suitable date in this building and when he finally found one, he almost cast away the opportunity. Luckily, he instinctively recognized that she would spot a phony savior-faire act and decided she would more likely respond to an honest approach. Within minutes of meeting her he was patting himself on the back for his change in plan. She would not suffer fools gladly and would have sussed out any phony ploy in no time at all. In truth, he was much happier that she was such a straightforward and open personality. He was immediately put at ease and enjoyed every second of their time together. He was also encouraged that she seemed to feel the same. And then, that kiss! Something needed to be done! "Hello?" Eleanor answered on the third ring. "Hello Eleanor, it's Roger. I just called to tell you how much I enjoyed our time together this afternoon." "I did too, Roger. Thank you for calling. I think if you hadn't been there, I would have left after that first glass of wine." "Eleanor, I have a confession to make." "Oh ... what's that?" she asked cautiously. "I have been trying to find a reason to meet you and talk to you since we met in the lobby ... the dreaded mailbox incident." he laughed "Well, that's very flattering. But, Roger, am I that unapproachable?" she said with a hint of sarcasm. "I wasn't really sure and I'm afraid that I'm not much of a ... a ... smooth talker. I guess I was worried that I would get the brush off." he confessed. "Well, you did all right in the reception as I recall, Roger. You didn't waste any time finding a way to talk to me then." she said with a more sincere tone. "You made it easy for me. I was surprised. You were easy to talk to. I guess I wasn't expecting that." There was a pause in the conversation before Eleanor spoke again. "Roger, would you like a coffee and a brandy? It's still early." she asked softly. "That would be ... very nice. Where would you like to meet?" he asked innocently. "Why don't you come down here? I'll put the coffee on and we can continue to get to know each other." "Uh ... yes ... of course. Well, that sounds wonder ... I mean ... I'd love to. Thank you for the invitation. I'll be there ... well, when would you like me to come?" he stumbled. "There's no time like the present. Come when you're ready." she said with a laugh. "I won't be long." he said as he hung up the phone. He looked at himself in the mirror and wondered if he should change. Something told him that she was comfortable with him as he was and there wasn't any need to change his appearance. He walked into the bathroom and quickly brushed his teeth and combed his hair. He looked at his watch and realized it had been less than an hour since they had left the reception; less than an hour since she had kissed him on the cheek. He could feel the stirrings in his groin and hoped that he wouldn't embarrass himself in the next few minutes. He had a 'date'. A 'date' with a fabulous woman and it was in her apartment. Coffee and brandy! This could mean something. When Roger softly knocked on her door, it opened within a couple of seconds and he was taken aback by Eleanor's appearance. She was wearing a black kimono-like robe with red and silver trim. It gave Roger an Oriental impression and he was immediately struck by how well it suited her. She was barefoot and Roger noticed that she was no longer wearing makeup. Even without it though, he thought she looked stunning. "Come in." she said with a smile. "Thanks ... you look lovely. I feel like I should have changed." he said smiling and yet still surprised. "You can always take off your jacket you know." "I think I will ... thanks." Roger looked around the apartment as he removed his blazer and realized it was much different in décor than his. "You've done a great job of decorating, Eleanor." "Thank you. I brought most of it with me from Calgary." "Not too many bad memories, I hope?" Roger asked and then immediately regretted the question. "No ... just the good ones Roger." "I'm sorry, Eleanor. It was a thoughtless thing for me to say." "Don't apologize, Roger. Both of us have to live our lives today and not yesterday. Don't be so ... oh I don't know. Just don't. OK?" "I understand. I'll try not to be so ... oh ... I don't know either." he laughed. She stepped toward him and with a light hand on his shoulder, kissed him on the cheek ... again. She turned and walked toward the kitchen and picked up the coffee urn and poured two cups. She placed the cups on a tray with the sugar and cream and then placed two snifters of brandy, already poured, on the tray and returned to the living room. When Roger recovered from the unexpected intimacy, he was uncertain where to sit but quickly decided on the sofa. Eleanor placed the silver serving tray on the coffee table in front of him and sat beside him. He was still a bit unbalanced from her casual appearance and, of course, the kiss. "Cream and sugar?" she asked. "Cream only, please." he answered looking at her face in profile. Eleanor was having a déjà vu experience. She wasn't sure, but she thought this scenario was a carbon copy of her first evening with Robert. It was disconcerting and yet exciting at the same time. Roger had nothing in common with Robert and yet he was similar in his simple, honest style. She turned and looked at him as she passed him his coffee. He was looking at her at the same time and Eleanor could feel the electricity of the moment. She had found another man. It seemed so improbable, but she had found another man. "Eleanor, have you made many acquaintances since you moved here?" "No ... in fact ... you're the first. I don't think I was in a very social mood for a while and I guess I got on with my own life without much thought to those who lived nearby. Almost all my associations are related to my business." "Well, I feel quite honored then." he smiled. "It's taken me quite a while to develop any friendships here. Perhaps because even though we're in the same building, we don't see each other very often." he offered soberly. "I think I've been in hiding a bit. I had to ... get through my past and find something to push me into a new beginning. Does that make sense?" "Oh yes. When I came here, it wasn't my home, it was a new job and I had no one for moral support. I'm sure divorce is not the same as a death, but it seemed like it at the time." "Yes. I'm sure it must have. But it's been six years for you and you seem to have weathered it well." "I've been very cautious. I guess once bitten ... twice shy." he said slowly. He looked at her and smiled. "You seem to have helped me get past that." he said more brightly. "Well, I'm glad I could be of help ... even if I didn't know I was helping." she laughed lightly. Roger leaned back into the sofa, sipped his coffee and allowed himself to imagine what it would be like to make love to a beautiful woman like Eleanor. She had a flawless complexion, a voluptuous body and a marvelous personality. She was truly worthy of the effort and he swore to himself that he would make that effort. By herself, she was energizing his libido and revitalizing his self esteem. It was an excitement he hadn't felt since he was courting Marnie; many years ago. Eleanor was fully aware of the looks that Roger was surreptitiously stealing as he sat near her on the sofa. She was flattered and yet she knew she must be careful. If there was to be a relationship, it would not happen tonight and not likely soon. She was conflicted. She had nagging feelings of unfaithfulness toward her late husband that she could not shake. It was as if he was still alive and she was somehow betraying her vows. Perhaps she was betraying his memory. She was uncertain and until she could reconcile those feelings, her possible relationship with Roger would have to wait. She hoped he would understand. She knew it was something she was obligated to tell him about. She also knew that Roger was someone who might be an important part of her new life. -0- Eleanor and Roger dated regularly over the next few months. Eleanor had confided in him her discomfort about their friendship becoming more intimate and had asked for time for her to work out a personal resolution. Roger, although disappointed, understood her concern and vowed to both her and himself that he would be patient. His reward was a platonic relationship with some minor intimacy. She had invited him to call her Ellie; something she usually reserved for family and only the closest of friends. They would hold hands, kiss lightly, arms around each other occasionally and generally enjoy each other's company wherever they were. They frequently went to the theatre; both enjoying light entertainment as opposed to the 'kitchen sink' realism and downbeat nature of some plays. They went to concerts; both indoor and outdoor. They walked along the waterfront near their building on warm summer evenings or in the afternoons on fall or winter days. They dined out early in their relationship, but when Eleanor suggested he have dinner with her in her apartment, he was more than delighted and it became a weekly occurrence. It offered them the privacy and familiarity that made their time together so pleasant. Eleanor was a fine cook with a good sense of what Roger would enjoy. In fact, it was almost as if they were married. She anticipated the things he would like and he secretly celebrated her willingness to please him. They continued to share the secrets and history of their past lives with each other. Eleanor told him of her disastrous first marriage to George and Roger shared with her the pain of his discovery of his ex-wife's infidelity. They were comfortable with each other but something continued to hold Eleanor back from taking a further step toward a greater intimacy. She was sure of her feelings toward Roger and now realized it was her past; or at least her clinging to the past that was the obstacle. She wondered how to release herself from this cage and spent many hours wondering when she could cast these feelings aside and invite Roger to her bed. In the spring of the following year, Roger learned of his son Steve's impending marriage. He was not surprised that Steve and Diana would marry; they had known each other since they were in their mid-teens in High School. They had been living together for some years including their last years of college and had just bought a house in Walnut Creek. Steve had made a great career for himself in the investment world and was earning a substantial income for someone so young. His investment hobby had turned into a business and he was very good at picking winners. Diana was a delightful young woman from a reasonably wealthy family. It would be a good match, he thought. Roger began to make plans to attend the wedding. Eleanor learned of Roger's trip to California almost as soon as he had hung up from talking to Steve. He apologized that he would be away for a week or so, but was sure she would understand. Eleanor smiled to herself that he would be anxious about her feelings because they would be apart for a while. She once again saw the signs that Roger was completely committed to her and was careful to include her in all of the events in his life. He apologized that she wasn't invited to the wedding, but Eleanor knew it was too early to impose someone on his family who they didn't yet know. Time enough for that in the future, she thought. Roger phoned her each night from California to tell her about the plans for the wedding, the rehearsal, the 'stag party' for his son and the friends and business associates of Steve's that he had met. He was very upbeat about the trip and while he missed her very much and never failed to tell her that when he called, she knew this reconnection with his son was very important. The last night of his visit he called Eleanor and she could tell immediately that it was a different Roger on the phone. "You don't sound quite as happy as you have the past few nights, Roger. I hope nothing went wrong at the wedding this afternoon?" she inquired cautiously. "Oh ... no. The wedding went very well. They were the perfect happy couple and the reception was terrific. No, no ... everything was just fine." he said unconvincingly. "You can't fool me, Roger. I can hear it in your voice. What's wrong?" she prodded. There was a long silence at the other end of the line before he spoke. "I saw Marnie today. In fact, we sat beside each other at the wedding. She never said a word to me. She didn't look or act like the Marnie I knew. I felt very sorry for her." he said quietly. "That must have been difficult for you, dear." she said softly. "Yes, I think it was but in another way ... I think the ghost is gone. I think it's time I forgot about her. Besides, I ... I only seem to be thinking about you these days, Ellie. I can't wait to get back to ... you." Eleanor felt a hitch in her voice and a lump in her throat. She wasn't able to respond right away. "I'll be home tomorrow evening Ellie. I hope you'll be there. I've missed you." he said quietly. "I'll be here dear. Just throw your bags in the door and come on down and see me." She said in as buoyant a voice as she could manage. As she hung up the phone, Eleanor realized the change in the relationship between herself and Roger. He had been away just over a week and she had missed him badly. His voice at the end of the telephone helped, but his reassuring presence was what she had missed. She leaned back softly in her chair beside the phone and closed her eyes. She was lost in thought about her life today and yesterday and now, tomorrow. -0- Roger had caught a mid-morning flight from San Francisco and arrived home at the apartment building at seven. He was going to just put his bags in the bedroom and head down to Ellie's place but then realized he had been on the plane all day and really could use a shower and shave. He quickly headed upstairs and into his apartment, stripped off his clothes and headed for the bathroom. He shaved, showered and put on some fresh casual clothes before picking up the phone to call Eleanor. Eleanor opened her door almost before Roger had finished knocking and taking his upraised hand, pulled him inside and quickly closed the door. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply and with great emotion. At first Roger was completely caught off-guard before he allowed himself to realize what was happening. This was a welcome home he could only hope for. His arms enclosed her waist and soon he was responding and returning her passionate embrace. No words passed between them; just the sound of their kisses and the soft moans from Eleanor. She was wearing her black Oriental robe and he could feel nothing beneath it. They parted briefly and both stared at each other for a moment; Roger with a look of surprise and delight on his face and Eleanor with a more composed smile and a more compelling look. She took his hand and held it up to her mouth and kissed it. "Welcome home, Roger." she said softly and seductively. "I've missed you." Roger pulled her toward him and kissed her soundly and deeply; his lips crushed against hers; his tongue sliding for the first time into her mouth. Eleanor responded and met his passion with her own. In her mind, the thought passed by that this was the turning point for her. She had been released from her past and was now embracing her future. "Oh, Ellie! I didn't know I could miss you this much. I feel like I've been away for months." he whispered quietly. "Come with me, Roger." she said simply, turning toward the hall and her bedroom. Roger felt a bolt of cold fear pass through him. 'Now? After all the waiting and wishing it would be now?' His mind was in turmoil. One thought kept pushing its way forward: 'Go slow. No need to rush. You've waited this long. Don't let it end too soon.' He felt like a teenager being led to the Principal's Office except this was far, far better than that. There would be no punishment here; only pleasure. 'Just follow her footsteps and everything would be alright. No ... better than alright!' The fading daylight illuminated the bedroom in a soft glow as Eleanor turned and began to pull Roger toward her again. "I want you, Roger. I want you to make love to me." she said simply. She was looking directly into his eyes and saw the slow smile spread over Roger's face. He began to pull the sash of her robe, slowly and carefully; never taking his eyes off hers. Eleanor reached for his belt and unbuckled it. She pulled the bottom of his golf shirt out of his waistband and pushed it slowly up his torso. Roger dropped his hands from her sash while she slipped the shirt over his head. As his shirt passed over his head, he realized her robe had fallen open. She was naked with the exception of a pair of very sexy, black bikini panties. He gazed at her and admired her voluptuous body. He reached for her while Eleanor unhooked and lowered the zipper on Roger's slacks and let them fall about his ankles. Roger smiled and sipped off his loafers to allow him to step out of his slacks. He stepped behind her and removed her robe. He was rewarded with the sight of her full breasts; their lovely downward slope, their large, dark brown aureoles and their now erect nipples. She was just as beautiful as he had imagined. His fingertips softly moved over her shoulders and down her arms, barely touching her skin as he stepped even closer to her. He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the cheek, her earlobes, her neck and then her shoulders. Eleanor was aroused by the faint touch of his fingers as they began to explore her body. She lifted her arms and moved her hands behind his head to allow him access to her and he rewarded her with the faintest of touches on her breasts and her abdomen; always moving; always coming back to her face and neck. He lightly touched her cheek and then his thumbs began to lightly circle her aureoles and drag across her nipples. Eleanor stiffened as she felt the whispered touch of his hands on her breasts and body. She was rapidly becoming aroused and her eyes closed and her head moved back as she absorbed and reveled in Roger's gentle touch. Roger had one thought on his mind at this point: 'Don't rush! Be gentle and don't rush!" It was easy to remember and almost impossible to follow. His erection was almost painful and was only partly contained in his jockey style shorts. He was so completely focused on pleasing and arousing Eleanor that he was barely conscious of her beginning to lean back and push her buttocks against his manhood. He saw her close her eyes and move her head back on his shoulder and knew that he was on the right path. He looked over at the bed, a few feet away and then took her hands, stepped from behind her and led her toward their quilted pedestal. Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 04 In the next hour, Eleanor and Roger took a journey of discovery. Roger had disciplined himself to do everything he could to prolong and heighten her pleasure. It had been years since he had made love to a woman and his desire for Eleanor was so overwhelming, he was fearful that he would disappoint her. He slowly removed her remaining undergarment and quickly rid himself of his shorts and socks. They were now lying across the width of her bed, facing each other while Roger continued to use the lightest of touches of his fingertips to maintain her arousal. As he began to increase his butterfly kisses on her, he began to move down toward her breasts. The tip of his tongue slowly dragged across her nipples; first one and then after a while, the other. Eleanor wanted to cry out to him to take her now and yet this deliciously slow, sensual torture was too good to surrender. She lay back, watching him deliberately and carefully tend to her. Soon his kisses moved toward her abdomen, stopping briefly as his tongue dipped quickly and repeatedly into her navel. She could feel her muscles contract and the sensations were electric. Roger now slid off the edge of the bed and placed himself between her knees; gently prying them apart and leaning forward. The gentle kisses now rained on her inner thighs; gradually working toward her delta. She could feel the inevitable path he was taking and her abdominal muscles tensed as she awaited that first erotic touch that he would surely make. Her hands reached for the sides of his head as she waited; holding her breath. Roger heard her sharp intake of breath as his tongue first stroked her outer labial lips. Her thighs twitched and involuntarily closed slightly as she reacted to his still gentle touch. She was again torn between her desire to have him inside her now and her pleasure at his quiet, slow progress toward her first climax. Part of her wanted him to ravish her and another part was floating along beside him in a dreamlike state. Roger spent some time using his lips, tongue and eventually his fingers to bring about Eleanor's first orgasm. He was celebrating both his ability to arouse her and his ability to control his own near-rampant emotions. If he had known that Eleanor would happily have had him take her almost immediately, he would have been doomed. It would have been over in a flash and both would have been unsatisfied. As he deliberately spent this time and effort with her, he was gaining more control over himself and beginning to feel more confident that he would not embarrass himself when the time came that they would join. Eleanor rose and fell from the crest of her orgasm with a shiver and a sense of pleasure spreading through her body. It had been some time and she never tired of that special feeling a man could bring when she made love. Roger was taking great care to tend to her needs, but now she knew she could not wait much longer. She wanted him inside her and she wanted him now! "Roger ... please ... now!" she begged softly. He smiled as he stood and lifted her legs; turning her onto the bed lengthwise. "Yes Ellie ... now." He moved over her and she brought her knees up in an open greeting to him. She reached for his erection and slowly guided him toward her. He stopped briefly to use his hand to stroke the tip of his penis along the length of her now lubricated labia. When he was sure she was ready, he looked at her and smiled. "Take me in, Ellie." was his simple request and she grinned as she pulled his manhood into her waiting, vaginal embrace. He was surprised at first at the tightness of her but soon, with slow, steady pushes, was entering her without causing her discomfort. Eleanor widened her thighs to make it easier for them, but then grasped his buttocks and at once pulled him into her; rising to meet him at the same time. Her move caught him by surprise and he didn't move for a moment until he realized he was completely within her. Her hips relaxed again and she sank back into the bed; allowing Roger to begin a slow, easy stroke. At first not long, but increasing slightly with each new movement. Within a short time, he was easily moving inside her in long, steady strokes; not fast and not slow. Eleanor was caught up in the sensual rhythm and had closed her eyes. Her hands stroked his head and neck and shoulders as he pleasured her. She lost track of how long they continued this delightful embrace. She was enjoying every second of it; every sensation that he brought to her. His male scent and their mingled perspiration formed an erotic perfume. There was no sound of effort, only the liquid sound of his rigid member sliding effortlessly in and out of her. It was what she had been waiting for. It was what she had so desperately needed. The sound and scent of love was with her again. They started and stopped several times. Roger was amazed that he had been able to last as long as he had. They rested briefly, kissing and holding each other and whispering to each other; assuring themselves of their partner's comfort and pleasure. Eleanor moved on top of him for a while, rising up to ride him; her eyes open, watching Roger as he celebrated every moment of their joining. Finally, Roger knew his time was near and Eleanor recognized his urgency. She quickly rolled underneath him and urged him to finish and fill her with his semen. In a few moments of exertion, it was over and they lay in each other's arms; saying nothing at first. Finally, it was Eleanor who spoke. "That was glorious, Roger. You were wonderful. Sensitive and thoughtful and loving." she said quietly with a smile. "I was inspired by you, Ellie. I was afraid I wouldn't last very long. I so wanted to please you and I didn't know how I would be. It's been so long. I just didn't know what to expect. I kept telling myself to go slow ... don't rush. It was fabulous. It was everything I could have hoped it would be." "Well, practice makes perfect you know." she kidded. "I'm sure we can find many ways to please each other if we practice." Roger looked at her with a quizzical expression. He was stroking her hair and trying to say something, but he couldn't seem to form the words. Finally, Eleanor rescued him. "Does the idea of having a lover frighten you, Roger?" she grinned. "Ah ... no ... no ... of course not." he answered with surprise. "I just ... you've caught me by surprise. All these months I've wanted you and waited for the time when we could be together like this. I guess I wasn't thinking that tonight was the night. You caught me by surprise." he repeated. "Hmmm ... don't you just love surprises?" she asked coquettishly. "Uh ... now that you mention it ... yes ... especially this kind." He had relaxed but was still trying to form the thoughts that would express himself. "I want to be your lover more than anything in the world." he said sincerely. "But, I want more than that. I'm greedy. I want you always. I want to marry you." he blurted out. Eleanor looked at him with wide-eyed surprise. It took her a moment to recover her equilibrium. "Roger, no ... not now. not yet. It's too soon. I have wonderful, strong feelings for you and I want to be with you, but please don't ... push. Please let us be lovers for now. We can think about other things later. Please?" "I'd be a fool not to say yes. I'm sorry Ellie. I shouldn't have pressured you like that. I was impetuous. But I do want you to know ... I want you to know this as sure as we are here right now ... I love you." he said with heartfelt sincerity. . "I'm very lucky, Roger. I have a wonderful man who loves me and who will be there for me. It makes me very happy to have you in my life. We're going to have fun together. I promise you, we are going to have fun ... in and out of bed!" Eleanor's tone was part playful and part serious. Roger smiled, reached for her and pulled her to him. They kissed and held each other and after a while, they fell asleep. Their dreams were pleasant and erotic and they awoke sometime in the middle of the night and made love again. This time there was more urgency. This time Roger seemed to understand that Eleanor needed him to lead her on this erotic trip. When they finally came together late that night, it was with a deep satisfaction with their new partner. They had made love. It wasn't just sex. They had made love. -0- Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 05 Chapter 05: Tragic news and a new beginning It took a while for Eleanor and Roger to work out an acceptable relationship once they had started to have sex together. Eleanor had warned Roger that she valued her independence and wasn't ready for a permanent address. Roger had sworn his love for her and told her that whatever happened, he would be faithful to her always. In the end, they lived in their own apartments and would sleep in one or the other's bed fairly consistently three or sometimes four times a week. For a pair of fifty-somethings, they were pretty active and it was satisfying for both of them. Some of the time, they stayed in the other's bed until morning and often showered and had breakfast together. They had 'imported' some of their toiletries and a few clothes to the other's apartment for convenience. Often, on weekends, they languished in bed and one or the other made 'brunch' before leaving together for their afternoons. They were together at some time almost daily and had developed a relationship that didn't require sex to complete their companionship. It seemed little different from a married couple with the exception of the separate apartments and the nights they were not together. Roger had accepted the new relationship with great relief. They would have regular relations and his only regret were the nights they were alone in their own apartment. Their lives were comfortable and for him, exciting. He was making love to a beautiful woman who he desired and would happily marry if she would agree. But nothing ever stays the same and one phone call changed their relationship for some time. Roger answered the phone just before he was to head up to Eleanor's for dinner. "Hello?" "Dad ... it's me ... Steve." came the soft and uncertain voice. "Hi Steve. How are you? You sound a bit tired. Are you OK?" "No ... Dad ... I have some bad news. Diana was ... killed today." The line went silent. "Oh, God no! What happened Steve?" "It was a traffic accident. She was hit by a truck that ran a red light. She never knew what happened." "Oh Steve, I'm so sorry. This is truly awful. Is there anyone there for you?" "No ... not really. I phoned Diana's parents and they were pretty devastated. I called mom, but she wasn't home. I left a message. I'll be OK Dad ... once I get used to the idea." "Steve, I'm going to catch a plane in the morning if I can. I'll be there as soon as I can." "Thanks Dad. I could use someone to talk to. I haven't got a very good grip right now." "I'll let you know when my plane arrives. Don't worry about picking me up. I'll catch a cab to the house." "No ... don't do that. I'll come a get you. Besides, I need something to do and it'll be great to see you." "Whatever you want Steve. I'll be there for you. I'll call you as soon as I have a flight." There was a silence on the line for a moment before Steve replied. "Dad ...thanks. I'll see you when you get here. Thanks." Roger hung up the phone and immediately called Eleanor and explained what had happened. Eleanor volunteered to look after booking the flight through her Travel Agent and insisted Roger come down to her apartment for dinner. Roger had lost his appetite, but wasn't in the mood to argue with his lover. By the time he arrived at her apartment she was concluding the arrangements for his flight to San Francisco. "Your flight leaves at eleven tomorrow morning and you'll be in San Francisco by three in the afternoon. The ticket will be at the Air Canada desk under your name. Do you want to call Steve now?" "Thanks Ellie. I'll call him in the morning. I'm sure he doesn't need to know right now and I'll call in plenty of time for him to meet me. I'll need to contact my office and let them know what's going on, but I can do that in the morning too." Eleanor moved toward him and hugged him; kissing him soundly. "I'm so sorry for you and your son. It must be heartbreaking for him. They were just married not long ago." She handed him a glass of wine and they sat at the kitchen counter silently for a few minutes. A silent tear fell from Roger's eye as he thought of his son and his lost daughter. -0- Roger's plane arrived on time and Steve met him just outside security. They hugged silently for several moments as the many departing passengers passed by them unnoticed. "How are you holding up?" his father asked quietly. "OK ... well ... not really. I'm a mess." he answered wearily. "I'm angry and hurt and confused. I don't know what to do next. I feel completely helpless. I never dreamed I'd lose her. No warning." he looked at his father with tears in his eyes. "I can't imagine." his father said sympathetically. "Why don't we get out of here and head home?" he suggested. Steve nodded and took his father's bag and headed out toward the parking lot shuttle. When they arrived at his Walnut Creek home, Steve unlocked the door and walked into the silent house. Roger looked around in admiration. The small rancher was immaculate. The grounds were green and well tended, the house bright and painted in light, subtle colours and furnished in a modest, modern style. As he looked around the Living Room, he saw their wedding picture and immediately felt his sharp intake of breath. He had almost forgotten how lovely she had looked on that day and the picture was a somber reminder of what had been lost. His reaction was not lost on Steve. "That's what I did when I came back from the morgue. I couldn't connect the loss with that wonderful day and this photograph. I've been tempted to put it away and yet it doesn't seem proper. Then yesterday, I sat here and just stared at it; trying to remember every moment we spent together from high school on." They talked for a while; exchanging memories from times past when they were all together. "Have you talked to your mother yet?" "Yah. She called this morning. She was sorry to hear about Diana, but ... I guess she doesn't know what to say anymore." he said ruefully. "We aren't very close anymore dad. I found out about what she did to you and I guess I lost some respect for her. I guess that's a terrible thing to say about my own mother, but I can't help the feeling." "I'm sorry to hear that, son." his father said quietly. "She had a hard time trying to talk to me at your wedding. In fact, we never did talk. I think she might have been embarrassed or maybe even a bit afraid I might say something." Roger paused a moment before asking his son the question that had been nagging at him for years. "How long have you known about her ... affair?" "Don't you mean affairs?" Steve looked at his father in surprise. Roger face betrayed his shock. "There was more than one?" "Sorry dad ... I thought you knew. She had two that I ran into. That creepy tennis coach ... shit ... what a cliché!" The other guy was someone she knew at work. I don't know much about him but she wasn't very discreet and I guess you were just in the process of leaving when she decided she didn't need to be subtle any more. I think that's the guy you knew about, isn't it?" "Yes, I suppose so. I'd rather not go back there, Steve. I don't have very good memories of those days." "Anyway, she knows how I feel about what she did. Actually, I was surprised that she came to the wedding. I was pretty angry with her when I knew what was going on." Steve said solemnly. Roger decided it was time to change the subject. "Any idea what you'll do yet? ... Oh ... that's a stupid question." Roger said regretfully. "I don't. I just don't have any sense of purpose right now. All of a sudden, all the things that were important in my day to day life aren't that important any more. I have a feeling it's time to make some kind of change, but I don't know what yet." "Steve, if you need a place to go and take some time to ... recover, my place is always there. It would be great if we could spend some time together. It's been a long time since we have. You'd get to meet the new lady in my life too!" he said enthusiastically. "Thanks dad. I may take you up on that. This house is closing in on me right now. I don't have anywhere else to go here except our business club downtown. Why don't we give it a few days and see how I feel then?" Roger decided that the best thing for Steve was to find something to do with his time for a few days and not dwell on the tragedy. He decided Steve could be his tour guide of the area and they packed a couple of overnight bags and headed for Monterey. From there they headed north up through Santa Cruz to Halfmoon Bay. They were in luck with the weather and they moved further north to Bodega Bay and then inland, up the Russian River Valley to Sebastopol and finally across to Sonoma. They took five days for their little tour and with the fine weather and interesting scenery, both Roger and his son enjoyed the trip and their time together. They were sitting at a small bistro in Sonoma when Steve finally spoke about his future plans. "I've decided to head back to Canada, dad. I think that's were I belong. I've never been to Toronto, but I'd like to try it and see how I feel about it. Is your offer still open?" "Yes, of course. I'd be delighted to have you there. But, what about your career here and your home?" "The career is portable; especially these days with modern communications. The house doesn't mean what it did when Diana was ... alive. It's just a thing." "Are you sure? Wouldn't you be better to take a leave of absence or something?" "I'm as sure as I'm going to be. Something inside of me is telling me to start over; start ... clean. I can't do that here." He looked at his father and then smiled. "Having second thoughts about me around the house?" "No, not at all!" Roger replied quickly. "I just want you to be sure of yourself. This is a big change, but I'd be delighted to have you around." "It'll take me a while to get everything in order, but I'll let my boss know what I plan and put the house up for sale. I'll probably sell it furnished and just keep a few things with my clothes. I can always put stuff in storage until I'm settled. I don't expect it'll take very long." Once Steve had made his decision, there seemed to be little point in continuing their tour and they headed back to Walnut Creek the next morning. Roger made arrangements to fly back to Toronto the following day and Steve drove him to the airport. Their parting should not have been emotional since they would see each other again in a few weeks, but they had been apart for several years and this brief reunion had been more important than either realized. They embraced much as they had when Roger had first arrived and they parted with careful smiles and the knowledge that they would see each other again very soon. Roger had phoned Eleanor almost every night and kept her apprised of his travels and the progress of his son. He told her that Steve would be coming to stay with him for a while and that they would have to change their personal time together, but that Steve knew he was personally involved with her and was delighted to hear it. Eleanor was pleased that she would get to meet Roger's son and at no time thought of it as an inconvenience on their private lives. She was impressed with how well Roger had managed a difficult situation; particularly since he had learned of his ex-wife's further infidelities. There was little in Roger's life that he did not share with her and it gave Eleanor a sense of security and comfort about him. -0- When Roger arrived home in Toronto, he carried with him two new items. The first was a piece of art; specifically a brass and wire three dimensional wall hanging of a pier with a fishboat along side, seagulls on the shed roof and a couple of fishermen standing on the wharf. It would have been a cliché if it weren't for the whimsical nature of the rendering and the minute detail wrought into the work. It required close examination to see all the little features and it pleased him greatly. He had found it in a gift shop in Duncan Mills in the Russian River Valley and purchased it within five minutes of spotting it. The second item was more important to him. Steve and he had visited the market bazaar in Emeryville and there he had found something special for Eleanor. It was a pure silk oriental housecoat, handmade in Shanghai. It was black with dark red Chinese characters embroidered on the left front lapel and the figure of a dragon in red on the back. It was closed with peg-and-loop hooks; the pegs made of ebony and the loops of braided silk. The workmanship was exquisite and it too might have been a cliché except the artwork was subtle and he knew that it would suit her perfectly. He tried it on briefly to establish it would fit her (they were similar in height) and he was sure it would be fine. Again, he purchased it immediately, never asking the price. After some discussion with the Canada Customs agents at the airport, it was determined that no duty was payable on either item. Roger thought this odd but was not about to argue. Later it dawned on him that it was just about shift change time and perhaps they had decided the paperwork wasn't worth the effort. In any event, he was pleased with his two purchases and was anxious to show them both to Eleanor. Eleanor was equally delighted. The new housecoat would replace the aging one she had been wearing for many years. She marveled at the detail of the embroidery and the softness of the material and when she put it on, it looked even more elegant than Roger had hoped. It was a complement to her beauty and he was openly pleased at how well his choice had worked out. Eleanor made it known how happy she was with his gift and hugged him tightly in appreciation; effusively complementing him on his good taste. Following along a few weeks later, Steve moved into his father's apartment with little fanfare and less luggage. He had sold the house easily; apparently for a great deal more than they had paid for it and more again than it had been listed for. He had left his employer on good terms with an open offer to return at any time or if he chose to; connect with their Toronto office. But it was a forlorn and unfocussed Steve Inhalt who came to Toronto and while he kept himself busy and respected his father and Eleanor's privacy, Roger was clearly concerned that his son needed help to get his life back on track. Steve and Eleanor hit it off immediately. He could see in her everything that his father saw; a beautiful woman both inside and out who had suffered in her own time and was completely dedicated to his father. He felt completely at ease with her and the feeling was mutual. In his private moments, he wished his father had met her a long time ago and avoided all the pain they both had endured. He had no trouble accepting her as his surrogate mother and he disliked the name step-mother. He was sure they would marry as his father had told him of his determination to complete their union, but it really didn't matter. She was a part of his family and she was welcome. Steve was never an outgoing, demonstrative young man. He was quiet, thoughtful, somewhat introspective, but to his close friends and associates he demonstrated a wicked sense of humour and the gift of putting people at ease. That he was clever and knowledgeable was a given. But the death of his wife had taken the fun out of him and he was unable to grasp any lifeline offered to him by his friends and family. His father was becoming frustrated with his inability to cope with his loss and yet, he knew, better than anyone, how difficult it was to shake this malaise. Finally, he knew he would have to sit down with his son and try and get him to seek professional help. He chose a Saturday morning to broach the subject. "Steve, I want to talk to you about something very sensitive and I hope you'll hear me out." Roger began tentatively. Steve raised his head from the newspaper and nodded briefly. "I realize that you've been having trouble coming to terms with the loss of Diana. I also realize ... or I think I do ... how hard it is to regain a grip on your life and move on. I wanted to tell you about how I coped when I went through something like this myself ... I mean ... when your mother and I divorced." Steve sat silently, watching his father carefully. "When I learned of your mother's infidelity, I was devastated. I was angry and hurt and demoralized and full of doubt about whether I was partly to blame for her behavior. I guess I became a bit reclusive and the only thing that kept me sane was my job. I loved my new job and the people I worked with. But in my private time, I was in despair; lonely, unmotivated, bordering on depression. Finally, a new friend at work suggested I see the H.R. department and talk to them about therapy. My medical plan covered it, so there wasn't any cost associated with it. But I saw it as a mark against me; the 'Mental Illness' tag that might follow me. Anyway, I went and sat and listened and realized their attitude was much different than I thought. They viewed it like any other illness and they wanted to help. They suggested I talk to their resident consultant, Dr. Weisman and I took a chance and agreed to go. It wasn't pleasant, but after a while, I realized that I wasn't to blame for the failure of the marriage and that my humiliation at your mother's behavior was pretty much normal. I guess, to sum it up, it helped. It took a while, but it helped. I still hurt from what she did to us, but I've come to terms with it finally. It made it possible for me to find someone new and I am so happy to have Ellie in my life. I don't think that would have been possible if I hadn't gotten some help." Roger had finished his long narrative and stopped to see his son's reaction. "So, are you saying you think I should see a Psychiatrist, dad?" Steve asked carefully. "Dr. Weisman takes on private clients. I know him well enough to call him and talk to him and see what he suggests. I won't do that without your agreement though." "Am I causing you problems, dad?" he asked seriously. "Only that I'm worried about you. You've gone through a terrible time and it's obviously weighing on you." he said seriously. "Look Steve, I was reluctant too, but I can tell you he helped me and if he can help you ... well ... why not try?" "I'll think about it dad, I promise ... I'll think about it." Steve replied. Nothing more was said about it that day or the following morning. Roger and Eleanor went to the theatre that evening and on Sunday, he took his car out of the garage and they went for a drive out to Elora and St. Jacobs. It was a beautiful, sunny day and with the exception of the many tourists with the same idea, they enjoyed their outing very much. They had dinner on the way home and arrived back at the apartment building just before nine that evening. They kissed on the elevator and Eleanor continued on up to her apartment after Roger left on the eighth floor. When Roger entered the apartment, Steve was sitting in the Living Room reading a book. He put the book down as his father entered and they exchanged pleasantries. After Roger had hung up his jacket and poured himself a glass of water, he wandered into the Living Room and sat down. It was Steve who spoke first. "I've been giving your talk yesterday a lot of thought, dad. I don't think I'd have agreed if you hadn't already been through it and felt that it would help. I guess I had to be honest with myself and recognize I can't do this myself and I can't just go on the way I've been going." He paused for a moment, looking at his hands and then at his father. "If you can arrange it, I'll talk to Dr. Weisman." His father nodded and said quietly: "Good for you, Steve. I think you've made a good decision. I'll call Dr. Weisman's office in the morning and see if I can get you an appointment." Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 05 Roger called the Psychiatrist's office the next morning and after a brief discussion with the Doctor to outline the events in Steve's recent past, he was able to obtain an appointment for an assessment the next week. The following Tuesday, Steve made his first of a series of visits to Dr. Weisman and to the relief of his father, was willing to stick with it; despite the difficulty of the sessions. Steve wouldn't reveal the nature of the sessions, but it was evident that some progress was being made as his outlook and attitude appeared to be more positive over the next few weeks. It was also clear that the sessions were very intense and there were times when he came back to the apartment mentally exhausted. He was obviously battling inner demons and it was one thing with which his father could not interfere. -0- Roger hadn't counted on the unexpected consequences of Steve's therapy sessions. Steve began to prepare some of the meals and indicated his interest in learning to cook. He enrolled in a 'Cooking for Bachelors' class at the local Vocational College. Within a few weeks, he was demonstrating his new skills and his father and often Eleanor were the appreciative beneficiaries. The following spring, he enrolled in sailing classes. Roger remembered his son's happy adventures during his youth with his friends and their little ten foot, plywood sailing dinghy. He also enrolled in a water safety programme based on the Power Squadron course. He had, over the course of several months, changed his outlook completely. What Roger did not learn were the secret haunts that Steve had to deal with and to somehow remove. He was just grateful that he could see his son return to a more productive and seemingly happy state. It came as a surprise then when Steve told him of his plans for the future. "Dad, I've made a decision. I thought you should know about it first." he began haltingly. "I can't tell you how grateful I am and how good it was to be here with you these past months. You put up with a lot and I know it's put a crimp in your social life; especially with Eleanor. It's time for me to move on and rebuild a life for myself." he stated simply. Roger nodded quietly; waiting for the 'other shoe' to drop. "I've decided to head back to the West Coast, dad. I'm going to Vancouver to live. I think it's where I belong. I've always loved the Ocean and the Mountains and I think I'll be happy making a new life there. It's our home town from back when I was just a kid." he concluded. "You've given this a lot of thought?" his father asked solemnly. "Yah ... I have. I'll miss you and Ellie, dad. I really will ... but ... it's what I think I'll be happiest with." he said with a wrinkled smile. "We'll miss you son. But, I promise, we won't lose track of you again. We will stay in touch much more closely than before." Roger said, looking away as a tear formed. They had a farewell party with Steve's friends from the cooking and sailing classes and some of the acquaintances he had made in the building. Eleanor insisted on acting as hostess for the party and almost thirty people crowded into her apartment that Saturday afternoon and evening Steve's friends from cooking school catered the affair as volunteers and spent a good deal of their time critiquing each other's work in a good natured and upbeat atmosphere. Most of them envied Steve and his plan to move west. His friends from the sailing school could only enthusiastically endorse the cuisine and recommend it to anyone within hearing range. They too were envious of his future Pacific Coast address. Eleanor and Roger mixed with the crowd and enjoyed themselves thoroughly with the generally younger group of men and a few women. It was well past ten before the party broke up and when the last of the guests left, the three of them slumped down in the living room sofa to relax and enjoy and final glass of wine. "I was surprised at how many friends you've made since you've been here, Steve." Eleanor said brightly. "I am too." he answered smiling. "I guess not poisoning anyone in cooking class always helps." he laughed. "Seriously ... that's a good thing, Steve." his father added. "I've never thought of you as a real social animal or whatever the phrase is, but you seem to collect up people who like to be around you. That's a good sign." he said sincerely. Steve just shrugged and smiled at his father and Eleanor and leaned his head back. "I think it's time for bed." he said and began to get up from the sofa. "I'll see you in the morning. Good night." he smiled as he slipped out the door and down the hallway toward the elevators. "He's going to be fine, Roger. He's going to be just fine." Eleanor said with conviction. "You must be really proud of him." "Yes, I am. I think I can quit worrying about him now. I'll miss him, though." he said quietly. "Why don't you stay here tonight, dear? You look tired and I have just the remedy for that." she smiled. Roger grinned at his lover and reached out to take her hand. "You're always here to look out for me, aren't you?" "Come to bed ... let me help you sleep soundly." Eleanor rose and they walked down the hallway to the bedroom. -0- In the weeks following Steve's departure, Eleanor and Roger's lives resumed their former course. They had fallen into a 'groove' that was comfortable and familiar and they didn't see any need to change it. It was Roger who began to detect the differences, however. Instead of being together three of four nights each week, they had slipped to two or three. It didn't happen all at once, but gradually, over time. In his private thoughts, Roger wondered if Eleanor was becoming less attracted to him; if possible, less in love with him. The thought brought a cold, empty feeling to the pit of his stomach. He agonized about it for weeks before he knew he had to talk to her about it. One weekday evening, after an uncharacteristic second glass of brandy, Roger summoned all remaining courage and broached the subject. "Ellie, I have an awkward question to ask you." he began. She looked up from her magazine and looked curiously at him. "Go ahead." "Is there something different or ... changed about me that is affecting us?" he asked hesitantly. Eleanor looked at him with a quizzical look. "What do you mean?" "I mean ... has something changed between us ... our relationship?" "No ... I don't think so. What makes you think so?" "I'm not sure, but ... well ... we don't make love or sleep together as often as we used to. I was wondering if maybe you feel differently about me now?" Eleanor smiled, stood and came to his side on the sofa. She placed her arm on his shoulders and held him as she looked into his eyes. "No, Roger. Nothing has changed. I love you ... you must know that. We don't need to make love to know that about each other." She said with quiet sincerity. Roger smiled at her, but a look of worry was still written on his face and Eleanor saw that and leaned forward and kissed him. "Roger, you are the only man in my life and you are the most important person in my life. I wouldn't be happy without you. I don't know why you think I might have changed my feelings toward you, but you must believe me ... I truly love you." "Have I asked you to marry me lately?" he asked with a faint smile. "It seems to me I've missed a couple of months." He saw Eleanor's eyes cloud over and knew he had chosen the wrong moment to press her again. "I'm sorry, Roger. We've been over this many times. I like my life the way it is. I'm sorry if you are unhappy or maybe feel insecure about our relationship. All I can do is assure you that I do love you." she said quietly, looking away from him. Roger slumped back in the sofa and sighed deeply. They sat silently together for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. "Roger, I ... there is something different about me." she said hesitantly. She looked away from him briefly and then back to him. "I'm ...going through menopause." "Oh, Ellie, I should have known. That was stupid and inconsiderate of me. I should have known!" "It's all right, Roger. I should have told you and maybe you wouldn't have had those doubts. I think I'm one of the lucky ones and it isn't bothering me as much as some women, but it's early yet. Please be patient with me?" she pleaded. "Of course." he answered immediately, holding her tightly and kissing her. "Guys don't get it, huh!" he laughed. "No, guys don't get it ... in more ways than one." she laughed. -0- Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 06 Chapter 06: The horror story, the life changes, another visitor and a big decision. This is the final chapter in the Quartet series. For those of you who have hung in this long, my admiration and thanks. Almost every comment has been supportive and helpful. A big thank you to my wife, who has edited and proofed my work diligently. If anything was missed, it was by me. * Eleanor considered her future as she contemplated her journey through menopause. She alternated between anger and despair that she could not control or at least manage her tomorrows. Would it be an easy passage lasting only a couple of years or would it be a long, protracted process lasting many years? She was conscious of some recent weight gain and she was unhappy with her appearance after all those years of almost automatic satisfaction with her looks. She tried hard not to dwell on it and carry on with her life as normally as she could, but every day there seemed to be a reminder of these changes and her feeling of helplessness as they overtook her. She tried to read books and articles on the subject, but found herself loosing concentration and even interest in the variety of conflicting information and advice they contained. She briefly considered Estrogen Replacement Therapy, but rejected it when she saw the risks of Breast and Uterine Cancer as well as Gallbladder disease. In the end, it was Roger who found her path forward. Roger approached Eleanor's announcement of menopause as he would any other issue; he would study, analyze, form a plan of attack and then, act. It was the typical linear approach of an engineer and it was the only way Roger knew how to address this problem. Unfortunately, as Roger was soon to discover, it wasn't that simple or straightforward. As he began to read more about the exclusively female condition, he quickly understood that each situation and the response by Eleanor could be different than any text-book depiction that he might consider. He began to notice the changes in Eleanor. She appeared to have gained weight and her skin-tone had changed. She was still a beautiful woman, but he could see that she needed to address these changes and restore her former physical condition. While he couldn't alter the natural course of her ageing, he could do two important things. First, he could encourage, if not demand, that she better manage her diet and return to her exercise classes. Every book he read placed high importance on these two elements. Second, he could be her cheerleader and her coach. He would not allow her to fall into a state of depression or lose her sense of self-worth. More importantly, he would talk to her and let her know he was aware of what she was going through and that he would be at her side and help her in any way he could. He knew that some changes in their sex life would also take place. It was possible, if not likely, that she would suffer from vaginal dryness; a lack of the natural lubrication that they had so taken for granted. Her vaginal walls would thin and this could produce soreness and he would have to be aware and sensitive to these changes. Water soluble lubricants and creams with one or two percent estrogen content would help. One thing he couldn't predict would be her appetite for sex. It could be erratic or it could diminish, or in some cases, she might become very aggressive. He would have to 'play it by ear' and respond to her as best he was able. Roger had postponed talking to Eleanor about his thoughts until he thought the timing was right. Unfortunately, that moment didn't occur for several weeks and only then quite by accident. They had spent the day together one Saturday and when they got back to the apartment building, Eleanor decided she didn't want to go out that evening as they had planned. When Roger suggested he cook dinner for them, she declined, saying that she was too tired to enjoy a meal and would be just as happy to have a hot bath a go to bed. Roger then suggested that she should eat something for her own good and Eleanor snapped. "Stop telling me what's good for me, Roger! I'm not a baby and I'm not an invalid. Just leave me alone for now!" she said angrily. Roger was initially taken aback and then slowly recovered his wits. "No! I will not! Eleanor, you are going to sit down and I am going to explain a few things that I think you need to know." he said authoritatively Eleanor looked at him in a state of almost shock. He had never spoken to her this way before and it was a side of him she didn't know existed. As the elevator doors opened on the eighth floor, he followed her out the door and waited as she unlocked her apartment door. She was still nonplussed at his outburst and watched him warily as she took off her coat and hung it on the nearby stand. "Eleanor, I'm sure you think I'm unaware of what you are going through and to some degree, you are correct. However, let me tell you what I want for you to make this part of your life better; not just for you, but for me as well." He looked at her carefully as he sat in a large wing chair while she lowered herself onto the sofa. She hadn't said a word since his outburst in the elevator and was curious just what he wanted to say. "Eleanor, you know I love you very much. You know I will do anything for you. I know these last few weeks have been difficult and if my research is correct, it's going to go on for some time. I've decided that you need some help and that's what I wanted to talk to you about." "Roger," she finally spoke. "I know you mean well, but how can you possibly help. This is a woman's problem and we have to deal with it ourselves." "You're wrong. You need my help and let me tell you why and how I can help." he insisted forcefully. Once again, Eleanor was surprised by his insistent attitude. "Firstly, you need to get back to your exercise program. You need exercise every day and I'm not just going to be a spectator, I'm going to be there with you. Understood?" he asked. "Yes." she answered hesitantly. "Secondly, you need to change your diet for a couple of reasons. It will make your life easier and healthier all at the same time. I will provide you with a list of the appropriate items and the corresponding benefits. We will both adopt this new dietary regime. Understood?" "Yes." There was a curious look on her face and just the hint of a smile. "Good. Then you will enjoy the benefits of my being your coach and chief motivator over the next years. I want 'my Eleanor' and I'm going to do everything I can to keep her one of the most beautiful and charming women on this planet. When you have a problem or you aren't feeling well, you will come to Doctor Roger! Understood?" "Yes, Roger." She was laughing now. She stood and went to him and gingerly sat on his lap. "You aren't going to take any shit from me are you?" "Not if I can help it. But then, if I do this right, there won't be any to give!" he said with a self-satisfied grin. "Of course, it won't be easy in the beginning ... that is until I have you fully trained." "What!" She wrapped her arms around his neck in feigned anger. "You are in for quite a time, Roger. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into." With that, she turned her head and kissed him passionately. "No, not really. But we're partners, Ellie. We share our lives and if I can, I want to make this ... time ... easier for you. But, much of it you will have to do for yourself. I'm just not going to let you give up or let yourself go. You're too important to me. "So, what should we be having for our evening meal, Doctor Roger?" "Well, let me have a look in your refrigerator. If necessary, I can always zip down to the market before it closes." He walked into the kitchen and surveyed the cooler and the freezer compartment. "I think we can make do with what's here, Ellie. Allow me to look after it." he said with a confident smile. "OK, fine with me." Eleanor agreed. She had followed him into the kitchen and was curious what he would prepare from her larder. "What we need to do, Ellie, is to cut down on fats and carbohydrates. We need to manage our intake of cholesterol and balance our intake; morning, noon and night." he said conversationally. "By the way, Roger. What kind of a Doctor are you?" she grinned. "I'm a Doctor of Divinity, Madame. I know when this is all over with, you'll think of me as a god." he answered glibly. Eleanor laughed heartily. It was the first time she had truly laughed in quite some time. Secretly, she was enjoying this new 'take charge' attitude of Roger's. She knew she needed something to get her motivated and it would seem that Roger had volunteered to give her a kick-start. Later that night, after the dishes had been done and put away, Eleanor tentatively opened a new line of discussion. "Roger, you said you've been reading about menopause. I guess you must have read about ... well ... what happens with our sex life?" she asked questioningly. "Yes. I have." he said looking at her. "I know that there are some things that we need to talk about, so why don't we?" he said seriously. Roger covered what he had learned about Eleanor's comfort and enjoyment when they were intimate. "You have to talk to me, Ellie. You have to tell what you enjoy and what you don't. I only want to make you happy and satisfied. If you feel I'm not giving you what you need, you have to tell me that. Don't be afraid to tell the truth, dear." he concluded. Eleanor leaned toward him and put her head on his lap. He bent to kiss her gently and she placed her hand on the back of his neck to hold him in this tender moment. She felt more optimistic than she had in many weeks. She had the support of the man she loved and she knew he had thought very thoroughly about what their future would entail. If he wasn't afraid, there was no reason she should be either. She felt relieved to know that she wouldn't have to face this time alone. It was a feeling that was to last throughout the next five years. -0- It was almost two years since Steve Inhalt had left Toronto and headed to the West Coast to start his new life. Roger had been talking to him on the phone weekly and was pleased to hear that Steve had found a piece of property in West Vancouver with a spectacular view and a house that was in need of renovations, but otherwise perfectly situated for him. His son was excited and full of enthusiasm for this project and was back to his former self. It was early one May Saturday afternoon that the phone rang at Eleanor's apartment. She was just leaving to do a bit of shopping and picked it up rather that letting it go to the answering machine. "Hello, Eleanor Thompson speaking." she said authoritatively. "Ellie, it's me, Ev." came the quiet voice. "Hi Ev, what's up?" she said brightly. She hadn't heard from her sister Evelyn for a couple of weeks. "Oh, Ellie, it's horrible. I can't believe what's happened. It's horrible." her sister wailed. "Ev, calm down ... what's horrible?" Eleanor asked firmly. "It's Julie. She's been raped, Ellie. She's been raped ... at a Grad party. She's in the hospital." Evelyn sobbed. "Oh, no! That's awful. How is she? Is she going to be all right?" Eleanor asked with deep concern. "I think so. The doctor thinks so. She was drugged, Ellie. Some guy made her take drugs and then they ... raped her. It's awful ... so horrible." she continued in her strained voice. "Oh, poor Julie. The poor kid. Oh, Ev. I'm so sorry for her and you. Have the police caught the guy yet?" "No, but they think they might be able to. They think they know who it was." she said angrily. "Ellie, they think there was more than one of them. She might ... she might have been ... you know ... ganged up on." she sobbed between hesitations. "John's beside himself. I'm afraid he might do something crazy if he gets near them." "Oh Ev. This is so unfair. This should never have happened to my lovely young Julie. I hope they castrate those bastards!" Eleanor was becoming angrier with each passing minute. "I have to go to the hospital with John now. We've already talked to the police woman and she was super. She said it wasn't Julie's fault. It was some kind of drug ... she called it a 'Date Rape Drug'. I've never heard of it but the woman said it was getting to be way too common. Anyway, I'm rambling now. I can hardly think straight. I'll call you later and let you know how she's doing, Ellie." "Give her my love and tell her we're all pulling for her." Eleanor said with tears in her eyes. They signed off and she slowly hung up the phone. All thoughts of her shopping excursion were gone and she sank into the chair by the phone, lost in thought. "What is it about this family that we seem to carry a curse?" she wondered to herself. She sat there for some time before picking up the phone and calling Roger. She recited the call from her sister and wondered aloud if she should go to Vancouver and support her sister. She could afford the time off, but wondered if she could really help her niece. It was Roger who suggested they both go and even if they only stayed a few days, it would give Roger a chance to see Steve as well as support Ellie with Julie and her family. They decided to leave on Saturday and return the following Saturday. Eleanor booked the tickets the next morning and both took emergency leave for the following week. Eleanor stayed with John and Evelyn at their house while Roger stayed with Steve in his apartment. They visited Julie every day in the hospital and it was a relief to see her progress each day. She was in some pain internally and it would be some time before she would be physically healed, but both Eleanor and Evelyn recognized that it would be her emotional healing that would be the most difficult. Later that week, Eleanor spoke to John and Evelyn about having Julie stay with her for a while during her rehabilitation. The change of scenery and the removal of the painful memories would be difficult at best, but more likely if she was far from the scene of the crime. They reluctantly agreed that it would be a last resort if they felt she was not making progress at home. They were nervous about her being so far from them; especially after the trauma she had endured. -0- Eleanor and Roger returned home the following Saturday and resumed their new lives. When they weren't together, they met in the lobby just before six thirty each morning and walked to the Avenue2 Fitness Club for their morning workout. They stopped afterwards for a coffee and bran muffin before heading home to shower and get ready to go to work. The differences in Eleanor did not take long to appear. She shed the excess weight fairly quickly and her skin tone returned to its previous smooth beauty. She felt better about her appearance and hence, better about herself. She wouldn't have realized the difference this one step had made in her outlook and as Roger regularly reminded her, she was a strikingly beautiful woman of 56 years. Doctor Roger persisted in his determination of her diet and physical routine and she was grateful still for his support and guidance. Although she was still a bit temperamental and moody, she still could laugh inwardly at how he persisted in 'managing' her lifestyle while she generally followed his orders. As Roger was prone to say, "Resistance is futile!" It was only in bed that she exercised her authority and they celebrated her rejuvenation. Roger had suggested the Estrogen cream and it turned out to be very helpful in thickening the walls of her Vagina. As her natural lubrication declined, Roger would substitute KY Jelly and they invented interesting ways to apply it to each other. Eleanor and Roger's sexual activity did become more frequent, but also more erratic. Eleanor would have periods of decidedly lower interest, followed by times of heightened desire. Roger learned to ride this surfboard of emotions and was happy that they could still provide intense sexual satisfaction to each other. Roger, himself, was intensely proud of his role in Eleanor's life with menopause. He was convinced that the exercise and diet regimen were the main reason for smoothing the path for her. He was delighted as well with her general willingness to submit to his disciplined lifestyle changes and happily surrendered to her in the bedroom. Their life together was even better, if that were possible, than it had been before. His only regret was his inability to convince her to marry him. On the other hand, he was intimate with this glorious woman and he had hardly any cause for complaint. Her mood swings were evident, but Roger learned to manage them within himself. He accepted that they were out of her control and that they were not personal attacks on him; merely manifestations of the changes going on within her. Roger talked to his doctor about Viagra as a method of sustaining his erection. Eleanor's renewed sexual appetite and occasional extra demands on his performance created a need for him to improve his 'staying power'. His doctor reluctantly agreed to a prescription that would permit no more than two 50mg pills per week. It was still a new drug and the doctor was concerned about possible unexpected side effects. If the doctor was concerned, Roger, on the other hand, was delighted. It proved to be the magic elixir that he craved. He could usually anticipate Eleanor's more aggressive sexual moods and with some protracted foreplay to allow the drug to take effect, he could extend their lovemaking with the new blue pill. Eleanor took to calling them her 'V days' and she took full advantage of his rejuvenated powers. -0- Four months after the rape, Evelyn called Eleanor and asked for her help. Julie was acting erratically and had exhibited signs of depression. Eleanor immediately suggested Julie come to Toronto to stay with her. John and Evelyn reluctantly agreed and Julie arrived on a Friday afternoon and was met at the airport by Eleanor. They loaded her bags into the cab and Eleanor's regular cab driver helped Julie into the back seat with her Aunt and they were off to her apartment building. Eleanor was most grateful that Julie was staying with her. It gave her another sense of purpose and something she could focus on for the foreseeable future. They were close and Julie was happy to follow her Aunt's lead. She enrolled in the Avenue2 Fitness Centre for the early morning session that both Eleanor and Roger had been attending. Eleanor took Julie for a full cosmetic makeover and then new clothes. She knew the young girl would need something to keep her occupied for the time that she would be with her and insisted she look for a job. It didn't take Julie long to find a job as a waitress in a breakfast and lunch bar near the fitness centre. She did well and within a few months, was promoted to assistant manager. Within ten months, she had completely recovered from her horrific experience and her mental outlook and physical condition had improved in leaps and bounds. It wasn't long before she was anxious to return home to North Vancouver. Her stay had not been without some bumps in the road. In the beginning, she was deathly afraid of any relationship with men. Her job, however, had put her in contact with many young men and over time, she began to understand not all of them would treat her the way her attackers had. While she was wary of any serious relationship, she longed for the companionship of boys her own age and this too helped bring her out of her shell. Eleanor was somewhat sad to see Julie head back to the Coast and knew she would miss her wonderful young niece. While they had a great relationship before she had come to stay with her Aunt, their bond was even stronger and more enduring after the fact. They had shared her fears and joys; her victories and her little losses. They had laughed together when early on, Julie had heard Eleanor and Roger making love. It had been one of Eleanor's more aggressive nights and she had been quite vocal and demanding with Roger. Julie had gotten up to use the bathroom and had overheard some of the vocalizations from the master bedroom and while initially shocked, soon saw the humour in this revelation. The next morning, her little game of "guess what I heard" didn't get very far with her Aunt, but provoked her to tell Julie that this wasn't something she was ashamed of and that she loved Roger and they "celebrated" that love quite often. It was an important lesson and another step in Julie's rehabilitation. Quartet: Eleanor Ch. 06 -0- With Roger's constant support and love, Eleanor was coping fairly well with Menopause. There were times when she felt "old and ugly" but Roger refused to allow her to wallow in self-pity and would drag her willingly or otherwise out of those periods of funk. His constant compliments occasionally fell on deaf ears, but overall, his genuine expression of his love and his appreciation of her beauty were sincere and Eleanor knew that to be true. He continued to supervise her exercise and diet, although he didn't really need to push very hard. Eleanor enjoyed their exercise sessions in the morning and Roger had allowed one or two meals per week in a restaurant as long as they didn't make it a more frequent habit. After Julie had returned to her home, Roger and Eleanor began to spend more nights together. It wasn't always sexual, but their happiness in being together and waking in the morning with each other was becoming more important to them. It seemed that "The Doctor was in" was the more common feature of their nights. Eleanor wasn't certain when she knew that she wanted to change the relationship with Roger, but the idea was becoming a continuing thought in her idle moments. Roger had stopped asking her to marry him and in a strange way, that left Eleanor with a sense of insecurity. She thought, perhaps, that she was being paranoid or that it was a manifestation of her Menopause, but the disappearance of his persistence in asking her was beginning to bother her. She began to wonder if perhaps Roger had cooled to the idea and that she had failed to tell him that he was the only man in her life and the only man she wanted in her life. She struggled with these thoughts for several weeks before she decided she knew what she must do. It was a weekday night, lying in the aftermath of their lovemaking with Roger beside her that she threw caution to the wind and ventured forth. "Roger ... have you changed your mind?" she asked softly. "Whatever do you mean?" His voice was equally soft but she could sense a moment of caution. "I mean, have you changed your mind about wanting to marry me?" She could almost hear his sigh of relief and perhaps a slight, quiet chuckle. "No, my love. I haven't changed my mind. I have no other mission in my life than to marry you and make us complete." Eleanor rolled from her back to her side; facing him. "You haven't asked me for a long time." she said without accusation. There was a long silence from Roger's side of the bed. In what seemed an interminable amount of time, he too rolled onto his side facing her; his hand reaching out to her and lightly grasping her shoulder. "I didn't want to pressure you. I haven't seen any signal that would tell me you've changed your mind." he offered in a soft voice. Eleanor moved her hand toward where she thought his face would be in the dark. She found it and softly stroked it for a moment. "I love you Roger ... and I know that you love me. I've been very afraid of going to that final step. I've been afraid that I'm jinxed or cursed or something. Don't laugh ... please! I've lost two husbands and I couldn't stand to lose another." she confessed. As Eleanor stroked the face of her lover she felt the wetness of his tears as they slowly trickled from his eyes. It was at that moment that she knew it was time to commit to him and to secure his love for her. "I want to marry you, Roger. I think I've always wanted to and yet I didn't know how to get past my fears. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I'm sure, Roger. Please tell me you still want me." she pleaded quietly. "Oh my god, Ellie! I want you so much. I want you more than I can tell you. I will treasure you more than anything you can imagine. I am so happy to hear you say this. It's all I've ever wanted." Roger's voice was trembling and full of emotion. His sincerity and total commitment were not lost on Eleanor. "Does that mean you'll marry me, Roger?" she asked with a coquettish lilt. "Wait here, my love. I have something I need to get from my apartment. I won't be a moment." he said with more resolve in his voice. Roger quickly got out of bed and stepped into his slippers and pulled on his dressing gown. He grabbed his keys from the dresser and headed out of the apartment and down the hall to the elevators. Within a couple of minutes he was back; slightly out of breath and groping his way through the darkened apartment. "Ellie ... where are you?" he asked quietly as he probed the bed looking for her. "In here!" she laughed; her voice coming from the living room. Roger had walked right past her in the dark and now had to retrace his steps. She turned on a small table lamp and Roger could finally see his woman sitting in the sofa and smiling; holding her arms out towards him. She wore only the lovely burgundy nightgown that Roger loved and she was a vision of elegant beauty as she awaited him. Roger walked slowly back toward her and as he approached the sofa, he dropped to one knee and took her hand in his. "Eleanor Thompson ... will you marry me?" he asked firmly. "Yes, Roger ... yes I will." she answered smiling. Roger reached into his dressing gown pocket and withdrew a small royal blue velvet box and handed it to Eleanor. "I've been waiting a long time to give you this." he beamed as he opened the small lid. That there was a ring inside was no longer a surprise, but the simple beauty of it and its elegant setting were completely different from the ring that she had received from Robert. There would be no comparison; nor would she want one. She slipped the ring on her finger; delighted that it fit perfectly. "It's beautiful, Roger. You've made me very happy tonight. I will wear it with love and great pride. I feel blessed. Thank you, Roger." She reached out to him and they embraced there in the living room for several moments. "Take me back to bed, Roger. I want to make love with you again. I am very happy and I want to share that with my lover and husband-to-be." "Can you wait a few minutes, Ellie? I think I'm going to need one of those little blue pills if you want an encore performance from me." he chuckled. "Of course I can wait. I'm sure we'll find something to pass the time with while we're waiting for our little helper to arrive." she joked. Roger's encore was only slightly delayed and was energetically celebrated by them both. As they made love, they talked about when and where they would marry and where they would honeymoon. Their conversation was often interrupted by changes in position and the occasional orgasm by Eleanor, but the excitement only fueled the passion in their union. It was well past two am when they finally drifted off in each other's arms and their sleep was deep and dreamless. It was a new beginning for them both. -0- This completes the Quartet series but who knows; some of these characters may turn up in other stories. Cheers!