A little romance and a mansion

[Gold Pile]

I pushed open the formerly electrified gates. I was there once before when I was 20. The place had deteriorated since those days. The long vacant guard shack was a time capsule. A small antenna TV was in the corner, the Latoya Jackson issue of playboy (1980’s) was visible in the drawer that was hanging open. Beyond the guard shack was a small barn. It was once used to house goats that were his scheme to maintain the lawns of his 8-acre estate. The roof was now collapsed. Next door was the former gardener’s cottage. It was in better shape than the rest of the estate. The Gardiner was the one who kept the place looking great, not the goats. The party man as we called him, had inherited the estate and a trust fund at the age of 24. He had 2 maids and the above-mentioned gardener.

His parties were legendary around town. It was my good fortune to be talking with 2 very pretty girls when I was 20. The party man pulled up in his flashy sports car. He was there to buy cigarettes, but he was quick to invite pretty women to his parties. Good manners obliged him to invite all 3 of us.

Valle parking, manned guard shack, waiters and waitresses. He had parties like this maybe 8 times a year. The pretty women always outnumbered the men. Although he was married to a beautiful woman, he scored well with many female guests. He always married young women, he divorced them in their mid-30’s. I think he had 5 wives total.  I appeared to be the youngest man at the party. The party man introduced me to an attractive 42-year-old guest. She was the oldest woman there by far. Our host was in his 50’s by that time. She stuck with me like glue. I didn’t see any lust in her eyes, but she sure was friendly to me.

I was recently summoned to the run-down mansion by his widow. His last wife was assertive and took control of her old husband. Very impressive feat for a 24-year-old bride. He didn’t divorce her. She was now pushing 45. She is attractive and fit. She inherited the place, but the trust fund was long gone. She wanted my help. I scavenged for paper and physical assets that could be sold. He had a desk full of stock certificates. That was useful. A few antiques. As we worked together, a little romance took root. That was great fun and probably had something to do with keeping my commission fees low.

Getting the place ready to sell was a chore. One day I found the secret room, a locked closet by outward appearances. It had a loveseat with a secret view of an adjoining bedroom. The events from my 1st party there began to make sense. The 42-year-old led her 2o year old to a bedroom. The old man and perhaps a companion watched us from the secret room.

 The place sold in Oct.. The widow walked away with a 200K after various costs. She romanced me till recently. Now she is gone. I liked her but that’s how it goes.