Making him my son (closed for thekeenreader)

[Ldy_Sea]

Cassandra (Cassie only to her intimates) looked out over the property she had acquired when the last of her living relatives had passed on. It was offical, she was the last of her family. The hose needed a lot of work. Mostly minor repairs and cosmetic touches like new paint, and carpets. Otherwise it was a solid antebellium plantation, that had been in her family since they came to America.

The plantation house was the only one in the area to have survived the civil war and many historical societies were trying to get the owners, to conver it to a museum. The descendants were not proud of they're families history of being slave traders and privateers. But they fortune they made had lasted generations. Even now Cassandra had more money than she could spend in the remainder of her life.

She was infertile. Her late husband had tried over and over to get her pregnant. Eventually finding out that she was unable to concieve, even IVF didn't work. But the treatments had messed her body chemistry up causing several unwanted side effects. Most of these were stopped or controlled by varous treatments. The only one that wasn't, was the cruelest of all. Her breasts constatnly produced milk, she fumed as she cha8th time that day. This had lead her to eliminate all but the most minimal social activities from her life.

Several years had passed, and Cassandra remained in mourning. Then last week her great aunt, Beatrix had died leaving the family estate and fortune in her sole care.

She had sold her modest home in Califorina, and returned to her home state and moved into the house with all her childhood memotries, and the ghosts of her antcestors.

Going room by rooom, she made a list of things needing to be done. New door here, repaint there... on and on it went. By the time she was finished she was exhausted. Realizing she wasn't a young woman anymore she decided to hire someone to oversee all the repairs.

She placed an ad in the local papers classifieds...

Wanted Handyman, or construction professional with experience in all aspects of remodeling to oversee the remodel of an older dwelling. Contact Cassandra Buhtler at 867-5309 for interview. References required, must be drug free and non smoker. Onsite living quaters available.

Once she was assured that the ad would run in tomorrows paper, she hung up and fixed herself a simple dinner and went to bed.

the next moring over Tea and toast with honey and cinnamon, she found her ad in the paper and waited for the calls to come in.

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan circled the ad in the paper and frowned. That one was intriguing. He knew the old Buhtler place but didn't realise it was occupied again...if they were advertising for a handyman that would certainly provide a lot of work for him he joged past it frequently, it was extremely old and looked like it needed a lot of maintenance. A steady job was exactly what he needed.

The other aspect was enticing too, living quarters. That would certainly solve a lot of his problems in terms of paying rent.

Dan was currently sat in the storeroom of the pizza joint that represented his second job...he was enjoying a break perched on a carton of flat-packed pizza boxes. After this job finished he would head over to the gas station to work the graveyard shift before grabbing a few hours sleep before getting up at 6 to hit the track before college.

He knew he was lucky to be where he was. He had no chance of affording college ordinarily but he could run...his scholarship was based on that but he aimed to make the most of things.

That was the plan anyway....problem was that even with the scholarship he was utterly short of cash. His track performances were suffering because of the jobs, he couldn't afford the dietry supplements other athletes had or to go to the extra events that would allow him to win prize money.

His eyes narrowed....this job could be a godsend. He'd always worked on building projects back home. He'd need to buy tools but he could handle anything the Buhtler place threw at him.

The next morning, after training he dialed the number

"Hi, my name us Dan Wilson....I'm calling about the handyman job"

 

[Ldy_Sea]

Mr. Wilson, I am Cassandra Bhutler. I am looking for someone who is knowledgeable in construction, and home renovations to do some work around my home. You will also be responsible for hireing and supervising work crews for jobs too big for you to handle.

So let me ask you this. How much verifyable construction experience do you have?

 

[thekeenreader]

San's smile became broader, this was even better than expected...a project of this size could really help him out and he knew how to get these things done.

"Ma'am, my family had a construction business for years before the crash. I have always worked on renovation projects. I can get my hand dirty and I know how to sub-contract. I will be able to give you contact details for several projects I worked on back in my home town"

This wasn't bullshit, he didn't need to...he knew exactly what you needed and who you needed to renovate a house. He would get that place nack to it's former glory and earn some good, honest money at the same time

 

[Ldy_Sea]

"Very well. Can you be here in one hour? With references?"

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan was surprisd at the eagerness but it wasn't a problem. He could skip class for something as important "No problem Ma'am...I will see you then"

This would be a rush but he could do it...he began re-arranging his CV to reflect the relevant work he'd done and assembled the contact details for some of the most successful projects he'd been involved with.

55 minutes later, wearing his best shirt amd tie, he was walking up the long drive to the Buhtler house.

He stepped up onto the porch and rang the bell

 

[Ldy_Sea]

Cassandra, opened the door and looked at the yong man standing there. Expecting someone closer to her age, she looked around outside to see if anyone else was there. Finding no one, she looked at the young man, her eyes narrowing.

"Can I help you young man?" She asked with a haughty air.

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan looked at the woman who answered the door. She was standing a step up from him and was wearing heels so she stood above him. The first thing he saw was the chest. Oh my word it was huge. The summer dress she wore showed off her decolletage and cleavage, it was sumptuous.

He remembered himself and hoped he'd not been gawking too long. Cursing himself for being rude he looked at her round, face with it's full lips and homely but pretty look. He noticed immediately she was looking round for someone else, when she saw no-one he detected a dissapointment. "Not a great start" he thought.

His natural politeness and deference kicked in and he stuck out his hand "Daniel Wilson Ma'am...I am here about the renovation project. I have been worked in the family firm on at least 8 projects similar to this and I have been supervising on two of those."

He smiled hoping to break the ice.

 

[Ldy_Sea]

Cassandra looked at the very young man before her. She was looking with someone with decades fo experience and this pup barely looked like he finished his 2nd decade of life.

Her upbringing and manners didn't let her dismiss him that easily, so she silently invited him in, although she didn't fail to notice his staring at her breasts.

She guided him into the sitting room, and gestured for him to sit. Would you care for refreshments Master Wilson? Perhaps some milk and cookies?" She asked.

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan sensed that this was not going well already. He realised he probably appeared young but he knew he could do this job. He just had to convince Mrs Bhutler of the fact.

He sat as instructed but pulled out a pad and pencil from his bag

"That sounds lovely Ms Bhutler but maybe I could have them after I've looked over the property and made some notes. Then we can talk over the project and I'll tell you what I think"

 

[Ldy_Sea]

Cassandra nodded "Well then Master Wilson, follow me please." She lead him up to the top floor of the house and then room by room she pointed out things that needed to be done. New baseboards, flooring, wall repair, painting, new lighting, installing electricity, better windows, more insallation, and on and on and on it went.

Several hours later, they were finally done and as Cassandra entered the siting room she finished by saying "So I am not worried about cost, except to say that I don't want to overpay for materials and labor. Since I know little about such things I need a professional to make sure I don't get ripped off, or get stuck with shoddy materials or half completed jobs."

She sat down and waited for the young man to finish his copious notes.

 

[thekeenreader]

Once the tour began Dan felt more comfortable. He made notes, pointed things out, took picture with his phone and generally set about his business. By the time they returned to Ms Bhutler's sitting room he was feeling a lot more confident.

"Well the good news is that I don't think there are any fundamental problems we can't solve. I will want to have the roof and basement surveyed but from what I have seen I am happy I'll be able to renovate the place. I understand how important it will be to keep the character of the house so I will factor in that it's a restoration project rather than remove and replace but I am also thinking we can add the modern infrastructure to make this place fit for a queen"

He looked up at the older woman and flashed what he hoped was a winning smile

"To be honest my family firm specialised in this sort of contract...I will mark a few of the references that had similar restorations if you'd like"

 

[Ldy_Sea]

Cassandra looked at teh boychik in surprise and asked "You've done this kind of thing before? But you're all of 15. How can you have experiene doing more than sweeping up?"

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan bristled slightly but tried to hide his annoyance

"Ma'am, I promise you I wouldn't be here if I thought I would be wasting your time...I am 20 years of ages and I have worked with the company firm from that age of 12. I supervised contracts for 18 months before I started college"

He then tried to turn the impasse to his advantage

"I will commit fully to the project...I note that the ad said you needed a project manager who could live on site. I am more than happy to commit to that too"

 

[Ldy_Sea]

Cassandra looked at him trying to make up her mind. After several long moments she spoke, "Let me see your CV and references please. While I verify this information, would you like a refreshment?"

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan relaxed a little. He gave his prospective Boss a smile "How about those milk and cookies". The tension in the room lifted a little

 

[Ldy_Sea]

Cassandra took the papers and left the room. A few minutes later she returned with a tray of freshly baked cookies and a large glass of milk. "A growing boy needs his milk", she said smiling at him for the first time.

She left the room again and Dan could hear a murmered conversation in teh next room. Almost an hour later, she returned.

"It seems I owe you an apology Master Wilson. It seems you do have the requisite knowledge and experience to handle this job. If you are amenable, the job is yours, depending on other commitments of course. What if any commitments do you currently have?"

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan stood up and offered his hand to Ms Bhutler "That is fantastic, in terms of commitments I have my track & field training and my studies but I can take care of them in the evening...there is lectures but if I am living on-site I will have more than enough time to do a fair bit of the work myself and supervise the contractors"

Dan was happy for two reasons, this job really got him out of a whole. His rent was swallowing up most of his income...he could quit the other jobs to concentrate on this one and still make good money. The other reason was that this was a great project. He knew he could make the house a palace...his mind was already alive with ideas.

His course at college was Business & Construction...he had access to all the tools and facilities he'd need plus the department office would be more than happy to furnish him with the names of the local contractors and craftsmen.

He then stopped to think, he hadn't asked about the living quarters. He would be this lady's houseguest. That was something he'd not considered...she had been distant and aloof so far but that might have just been because she thought he was wasting her time. He would have to be on his best behaviour and win her over.

 

[Ldy_Sea]

"Well, I guess I should show you where you will be staying." She picked up the remanents of his snack and brought them into the kitchen. Putting them in the sink to wash later, she lead him throught eh house to a door she hadn't opened before.

She fished a key out of her pocket and opened it. "This is the only part of the house that doesn't need any work. The former owner lived in these rooms and ignored the rest of the house. It was the last addition, built in 1922 when my Grandfather came home from the war to end all wars." She opend the door to a brightly lit well furnished living room with a large flat screen TV. Off to the left was a small but well designed kitchen with all the modern conveinences. To the right was a bedroom with a king size bed, desk and huge closet. There was also a bathroom if one could call something that big a bathroom.

"It also has a private entrance. Here is the key which opens both doors. I do have a copy but won't intrude on you without an appointment. You can either cook for yourself or eat with me. Breakfast is at 7, lunch at 12, and predinner cocktails at 5:30 dinner at 6. Any questions?"

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan was impressed, this was a serious step up in living standards from his grotto student accomodation. Things we definitely looking up. Living on the outskirts of town in a middle aged Lady's house might cramp his social life but if he was honest since his finances had took a turn for the worst he had been a virtual hermit anyway. This job was going to be such a good break for him.

He smilled to Ms Bhutler "Perhaps I can cook for you sometime too. This is going to be great...perhaps we can sit back and talk over some of your dreams for the place. The practical and cosmetic work will be a no-brainer but if we are ambitious and work closely together I really think this place could accomodate anything you can dream up"

 

[Ldy_Sea]

"Ohh cook for me. Like the son I never had." Her belly tingled at her comment and she didn't know why.

"I do have some long term plans for this place. I am the last of my family, and when I'm gone I was planning on putting the family fortune in a trust to maintain the house and grounds as a place for therapy for anyone with special needs."

"But for now I just want to make it liveable. When can we get started?"

 

[thekeenreader]

Dan smiled "I make great pasta but not a lot else". He didn't have anything he couldn't cancel. His tutors woyld be thrilled he'd took on a project like this. He'd need to start making contact with local construction firms and craftsmen but he could start pretty much straight away.

"I will start calling some sub-contrators today then begin moving my stuff in....if that's okay Boss"

 

[Ldy_Sea]

"Mrs. Bhutler will suffice. This is no longer a plantation with a field boss." She smiled as she said this. "Do you need a hand getting you belongings?"

 

[thekeenreader]

He frowned inwardly at the association she made with the word...odd he thought. The conversation quickly moved on however, now she had established he wasn't wasting her time they seemed to be getting along fine. Cassandra was refined but charming and charismatic....things could be a lot worse.

"You'll be shocked at how little I own but if you have a car it would really help me out if you can drive me back to town to grab sone things. Thanks so much"

 

[Ldy_Sea]

Her eyes lit up when he mentioned a car. "I believe I have a venicle or two that might suit your purposes." She lead him out to a building that was designed to fit in with the antebellum surroundings but was devinitly of recent construction. She slide open the doors and revealed

http://www.legendarycollectorcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/5.bmp

to his eyes. "ASee anything that would work for you?" She asked smiling.