Chapter 2

As they drove, Mona learned a little more about her new hire. He was 30, never married, high school degree but no college. He was from a small town outside Atlanta and had moved to Atlanta after high school for the big city opportunities. When he fell on hard times, he decided he’d rather stick it out in Atlanta than go back to his hometown a failure.

Mona’s mansion was in an exclusive neighborhood called Tuxedo Park. There was lots of old money here, and her mansion fit right in. Not the biggest, but by far not the smallest. She turned her Mercedes into the long driveway, drove to the side of the house and parked in the four car garage. “Come on in,” she beckoned, “I’ll show you around.” She walked him through the main house, showing him the great room, dining room and kitchen. “I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. I just love to cook.” They walked around to the back of the house where the pool was, and she led him to the guest house. “I hope you’re comfortable here.” She opened the door and showed him in. It had a bedroom with a full sized bed, TV and a bathroom with a stall shower. “No kitchen here, but that shouldn’t be a problem for you. You can come to the kitchen any time you like, even if it’s a case of the munchies at midnight. I usually keep plenty of snacks around, and I’d rather you eat them than me.” She patted her hip, indicating she didn’t want snacks to end up there. Where she did want them to go was his midsection. But it wasn’t time to tell him that. Not yet.

“This will be great, ma’am. I don’t do much cooking myself, so I’ll be happy to forage in your kitchen. I’ve lost some weight since I’ve been out of work. I’m down to about 140 pounds.”

“I think we’ll do better than foraging, Darryl. Like I said, I love to cook, and I’m looking forward to cooking for two again. I’d like for you to plan to have your meals with me. I’d like the company and I think you’ll appreciate my cooking. In fact,” she looked at her watch, “join me for dinner tonight. I’m making a lamb roast.”

Darryl gave out a low whistle. “Wow, ma’am. Lamb roast? I haven’t had a lamb roast since I left my hometown.”

“Well, you’re overdue then,” she laughed, “and that’s enough with the ma’ams, just call me Mona. See you at seven.”

Darryl walked into the kitchen promptly at seven. He didn’t want to be late for his first “appointment” with his new boss. “Right on time,” Mona exclaimed. “I hope your hungry.” She led him into the dining room carrying the roast and placed it in the middle of the table with the rest of the spread. There were green beans, small potatoes in garlic and butter, rolls and a bottle of wine. “Would you carve the roast while I open the wine?” Mona asked. Darryl was a little nervous. He’d never carved a roast, but at least he had watched his dad a few times. He hoped he remembered how. He went at it and felt like he did an okay job. They sat down and started in on the lavish meal. Darryl was amazed at how good everything tasted. The flavors just seemed to explode in his mouth. He complemented Mona on everything, including the wine. As they ate, Mona told him what she wanted him to do around the property. Take care of the pool, keep the plants watered and pruned. Minor fix-it jobs around the house. “Don’t worry about the lawn. I have a service come once a week. And a housekeeper three times a week.” Darryl was starting to realize just how rich this lady was.

When he had cleaned his plate, Mona gave him another hefty serving of everything. “Whoa, Mona, I don’t know if I can eat all that” he said. “Oh, come on,” Mona replied, “you said you lost weight, and it certainly looks like it. And besides, it’s good to see a man eat a hearty meal.” Darryl soldiered through the second helpings, finally finishing the last bite. He was stuffed to the gills, feeling like he was going to explode. “All done? We can put the dishes in the sink and the housekeeper will wash them in the morning. And then we can have dessert!” Darryl gasped a little. He was beyond full already. “I don’t know if I can handle dessert, ma-, I mean, Mona.” “Oh, of course you can! It’s just a banana cream pie. Very light.” She got the pie out of the refrigerator and cut two slices. His slice was noticeably bigger than hers. He sighed and went to work on it. Fortunately, it was possibly the best pie he had ever eaten. So good that despite being so full, he ate all of it. “I knew you still had room, Darryl. Would you like another slice?” He was momentarily tempted, the pie was that good. But he was so full that it hurt. “Thanks, Mona, but no. It was delicious, but I couldn’t eat another bite. In fact, I think I’ll call it an early night and go lie down.” Mona smiled, “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Oh, here are some of my late husband’s clothes,” handing him a stack from the sofa. I think they’ll fit. Breakfast will be at eight. See you then!”

Actually the clothes had not belonged to her husband. As he had grown over the years, she had been very diligent about getting him bigger clothes and donating the ones that he had outgrown. She didn’t want Darryl to know that she purposely bought him clothes to grow into, so she had bought used clothes at a thrift store. She had bought them in a 34 inch waist, which she knew would be big on him, and since they were used, there was no reason for him not to believe that they had been her husband’s. She smiled to herself. She had fattened her husband out of 34’s in the first year of marriage. By the end, he had a 60 inch waist.