Martha went into Caroline's closet and put on one of her robes so she could go into the small ante room next to the dining room where the bar was.
She made a couple of fresh drinks. The big house was quiet and she wondered if Cordova was at that very minute fucking her daughter again.
No matter, she said to herself as she padded on bare feet back into Caroline's quarters. Samantha will be taken care of just fine, one way or the other.
"Thanks," said Caroline as she took the drink Martha offered her.
Caroline was a three time loser when it came to marriage. Fortunately her last ex-husband had been relatively well off and the amount of alimony she received plus what she got in salary was enough to enable her to sustain a fairly independent life style.
Not like Martha did though. She still had to work, in spite of the monthly stipend she received which sometimes was not on time.
Having no taste or inclination for the work force in general she had decided to go into domestic work. She was a good cook and a good organizer and had no trouble in getting jobs.
In the back of her mind she was looking to get married again but was in no rush. Martha treated her well, paid her a more than generous salary and there were also the obvious fringe benefits.
Nevertheless she knew she would be moving on someday and pretty soon at that so in the mean time she was determined to get as much out of their relationship as possible.
Martha lighted a cigarette and sat down on the edge of the bed, her borrowed robe open, her legs crossed, cream on her inner thighs.
"Have you ever gone to bed with Cordova?" she asked Caroline.
"No. Why?"
"Because you might have to. Any objections?"
"If he's good I don't have any but if he's not I'd just as soon not waste any time."
"He's good."
"I assume you know that from personal experience?" asked Caroline.
"Then I would have no objection at all if he wanted to plug me up."
"That's good. I really appreciate what you're doing for me."
"I have my motives."
"I'm sure you do and they're none of my business," said Martha.
"That's right, they're not."
"We must get together more often."
"Starting to like my pussy, are you?"
"I always have but maybe I'm at that stage in life where my needs are becoming more acute."
"That could very well be. I'm not that old yet myself."
"But I'm sure you can appreciate what I'm going through though."
"You don't have to justify yourself to me."
"I know but I want you to understand because it's important where Samantha is concerned."
"Martha, if you want to tell me, okay but don't think or assume that I can really understand. I can lay here and nod my head and say sympathetic things but you're the only one who really knows what's going on."
Martha studied her drink for a minute as if she was counting the tiny bubbles that made their way from the bottom of the glass to the surface where they burst and made her nose tickle.
"Yes, you're right of course. Maybe I was just feeling sorry for myself. Maybe I'm getting too lonely," she admitted sadly.
"Well, you're certainly entitled to feel that way but we're all alone. We just have to make the best of a bad situation."
"You're a heartless bitch, do you know that?"
"I believe you but you still like me"
"True enough. Maybe it's because I'm heartless myself sometimes."
"You have to be. You're rich and I don't think you really know what you want and sometimes you get confused and very unhappy."
Martha took a big pull out of her drink and took off the robe, laying it across the foot of the bed. The window was open and there was a cool breeze that seemed to sweep up from the city that lay sprawled below them, its lights still twinkling.
"I know. All of which you say is true, I won't even bother to deny it."
"In any case, I'm going to gladly help you with your daughter, if that's any consolation."
"It is."
"Good."
"I'm glad too. I'm glad we talk like this. It helps. I don't have too many close friends."
"I know."
"And tomorrow we'll still be our same old selves when we wake up."
"Yes," said Caroline. "And you'll be worried about other things and you'll probably ask yourself why did I talk like that to Caroline."
"I probably won't. Even I'm entitled to a moment's weakness," said Martha.
"Of course you are." Caroline yawned. "Getting tired?" asked Martha. "As a matter of fact I am. I have this boss you see who makes me get up very early in the morning."
"I'll leave then."
Martha put on her clothes and leaned over and stroked Caroline's breasts before she left.
"Silly old bitch," muttered Caroline as she turned out the light and rolled over onto her side.
Martha went to her room where she undressed and finished her drink while in bed. "Yes, she has her talents," she said, referring to Caroline. "Now we'll see just how good she really is." Then she closed her eyes and fell asleep quicker than she thought she was going to.