Big Bangs, Prohibition, and a Sugar Daddy

A Job Offer and More

"My Mother's home is Northwest of the park." We were heading Southwest.

"We aren't heading to your Mother's home." Luke drove towards the edge of the city. "We are heading towards my home. I'd like to employ you as my secretary."

"I have a job. I am a nurse at the clinic." I had no desire to work for Luke.

"You took classes in secretarial work. You were employed at the clinic to work with the records. You later began nursing in addition to your other duties in the clinic office." Carol must have told Phillip these things and Phillip must have repeated it to Luke. "You are an efficient nurse, but not very sympathetic. Your pay isn't very much."

That was all true. "It suffices."

"It did. Until your Mother went into the hospital. Now, the bills, the weekly examinations, the medicine has caused you to go into debt." Carol had a habit of talking too much. But Phillip should have kept such things in confidence. "Despite both your Sister and you both having jobs you're debt is compounding, you are barely covering basic expenses."

"And what business is that of yours." Luke had no right to pry into our affairs. Phillip had no right to tell Luke all of these things. It made me angry. "These are my private affairs. Where did you learn all of this."

Luke gave me that irritating smile. "It doesn't matter. I can offer you a job that can pay you much more than you can make at the clinic. If you are willing to take the job."

"Why would you do this?" Luke had no obligation to assist my family.

"I need someone discrete, intelligent, and loyal. You have these qualities. If you are willing, I would like to offer you more than just a job." Luke left it at that. He continued to drive. He looked over at me, with that strange look that made me so uncomfortable.

We drove down a wide avenue. Lined with wonderful brown and gray stone mansions. Large yards. They weren't like the townhouses in the city boroughs that I was used to. Luke pulled the vehicle into a circular drive stopping at a two story, rather plain, box-like, but spacious enough. It was made of the brownstone that was common in townhouses in the city.

Parking the car in front of the stairs that led up to the mansion, Luke opened his door and began to make his way around the car. I opened my door. Stepping on the running board. I nearly fell on my face as I stepped from the car. I did mention that I tend to be clumsy? Luke steadied me by grabbing my elbow.

"You should have waited for me to help you out." Luke said.

"I am not an invalid, I can exit a car on my own." I saw no reason that I couldn't walk up stairs, stroll down a hall, or exit a car without the assistance of a man.

Luke held onto my elbow as we ascended the stairs to the impressive door that led into the mansion. Luke opened the door for me. I walked into a large foyer with a impressive stair which led to the upper story. The staircase ended in a upper storey landing. I could see a set of double french doors and solid wood doors on either side of the double doors. From the foyer's high ceiling hung a gold and crystal chandelier. The floor was a black and white art-deco design. The walls a sunflower yellow, the trim white as was the ceiling. All very impressive.

Luke opened a matching pair of french doors similar to the ones on the second story landing. These doors led into a living room with mahogany framed furniture that had cushions that matched the sunflower yellow color of the walls. At the other end of the room was another pair of french doors that led out into a spacious back patio and yard. Beyond the patio I could see a swimming pool.