Claudia looked up at him. "Is this a dream?"
"No, this is as real as it gets sweetheart"
"But..."
Jackson put his index finger on her lips to silence her. "I don't have time for explanations today. I have to leave now. Let's just chalk this up to a pleasant hour with a stranger."
She sat stunned as he quickly dressed. "You're just going to leave me here?"
He squatted down beside the bed and held her hands. "There is nothing I would rather do than stay here enjoying you until the sun comes up, but I have something very important to do and it can't wait."
As he rose and started for the door she asked, "Will I see you again?"
"Probably not, but you will keep our secret, and do you know why?"
"No."
"Because, if you don't, A: your husband will find out you sleep around and B: I will kill you and every one you tell." As he left the room he called back, "Charge whatever you want to the room." 5:25 Yessss! Sometimes I even amaze myself!
Jackson had gone to town on foot. By the time he chose a car and waited at endless sets of lights, it would have taken longer to drive than using vampire speed. Heading up the walk to the mansion, he stopped for a moment to take in the trees that were just beginning to change color. It was early September, and he felt no more beautiful place existed than New England in the fall. The golds and reds of the leaves produced a different landscape each day. He could discern the subtle changes in hue and would walk for hours in the woods appreciating nature's rich bounty. Sarah would say, "Seen one orange leaf, seen 'em all." No matter where they were living, Jackson always made a trip to New England during peak foliage. This year and for the next ten to twelve, he would have it all, not just a week or two in the Berkshires. Between his conquest today and the crisp fall air, he felt on top of the world. Now if the Sarah/Skippy thing would only resolve itself.
When Jackson entered the house, he glanced at the antique clock on the mantle: two minutes to six. Ha! He laid the suits across the bar and poured two drinks. Sarah would surely be down soon. He then sat on the sofa, put his feet up on the overstuffed ottoman and once again congratulated himself on his prowess.
After a few minutes, he heard Sarah behind him, though something sounded strange. Was she shuffling? He turned, looking over the back of the sofa and there she stood in a plush white robe with a towel on her head and yes, she definitely had a waddle to her walk. "What the hell?" He lifted up a bit to see her feet and found the answer. There were foam toe separators on her bare feet and her toenails were painted a dark crimson.