Twice he almost turned around and went back into the city. Twice
he stopped along the side of the road wondering what the hell
he was doing all the way out here, with only handwritten instructions
on the back of an envelope. The man that had scribbled them
down for him had looked embarrassed even as he did so, but he
had assured him that it would be worth his time to come. The
voice on the phone had not helped matters any. She had just
said that this was the right place and agreed to a time, nothing
more, no small talk, just. Yes! Come!
He parked the car where he had been instructed and got out
slowly; shutting the door quietly so as if not to disturbed
anyone. He thought for a moment that someone was watching him
from the upstairs window but when he looked closer, he could
see no one behind the lace panel. He walked quickly up to the
front door and rang the doorbell before his last bit of courage
or returning common sense took over. Deep inside, he knew he
wanted this more than he had wanted anything else, to answer
that question or need he had felt for so long, but fear had
kept him from taking the steps to finally do it. The sounds
had not even died away when the door was opened to reveal a
small young woman dressed in a French maid outfit. He almost
burst out laughing when he saw her as the first thought was
how quaint, but then he noticed that she wore a leather collar
about her thin throat and instead of lace cuffs, she wore leather
cuffs with tiny locks closing them to her frail wrists.
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