With This Ring

By

Retta Michaels

Preface

Dear Reader,

In a lot of my writing, I've never felt the need to write a preface. With this story, I want you to know what to expect. For me, the story is a mixture of a whole lot of truth and a whole lot of fiction.

For me to explain it, I must sit and tell you what my conceptual plans were for the novel

IN LIFE, we are not given a set list of directions and plans how to complete it. Some people don't like the unknown, so they don't take any foreign steps into different territories. With others, they know no structure. I am one whose structure would be called modernistic to the point what you see is what holds it up.

Rather than having a nameless character out there who could sue the fuck out of me for even inferring they're a member of the mafia, I chose to go personal and use my own name. It's a lot less messy and a lot more friendly for my lawyer.

I am not a member of the mafia. I will say I do know a lot of the family members from several cities, but I am not a member myself.

I will state at one time I was with a man named Gino who headed a crime family. He's since passed and this story has been released with permission and editing done by his son who is still a dear friend of mine. (Thanks Dave.)

The names I've used in the story besides my own are ficticious. The names have been changed to protect everyone. Where names weren't important, I have not used them.

I have given enough references to who the person is so if you can read between the lines, you can see who they are. With that said, I will not say more about the characters.

The story is made up. It is totally ficticious. None of the incidents happened, and nothing of the sort ever occurred. If you choose to believe it did happen, and if you choose to believe it's true, then that's on you. I will state now if I receive an email asking me if such and such part is true, I'll be polite and refer you to the Preface and leave it at that.

The reason I'm writing this preface is because I want people to know when I write, I write fiction with an air of the style of writing used by the National Enquirer or the Sun. There's an air of truth in there someplace, but it's actually fiction. If you choose to believe it's truth, then do so...I've got about twenty acres of swamp land I'll sell you and someplace on that land is a complimentary Iphone. If you can find it, it's yours.

With that said, I'll now state the characters of this story will probably be used time and time again. I think I've found a niche in this style of writing. I'll tell you now, it's done in the style of Mack Bolan “The Executioner”, James Bond, or Scarface.

“With This Ring” is the first book of the saga. It shows how someone can go from leading a normal life wanting to lead a normal life to being thrown into a complex cast of characters which require him to be more and more of what he doesn't want to be.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Chapter One:

My flight arrived in Savannah, then I walked through the airport to get to my rental car. My shoulder carry on was all the luggage I had with me besides my laptop.

Once I got the rental car, I flipped open my laptop and hooked it into the powerport of the car. I followed the directions and in a little over an hour, I was nearing my destination, Bluffton, South Carolina. Gateway to Hilton Head.

Once in Bluffton, the Maps download led me right to the entrance of the real estate office. I went in and asked for Mr. Collins.

He came, “Hi, you must be Rhette Michaels.”

“Yeah” I said. Me having a moment of shyness meeting someone who was so attractive.

“Well, let's go take a look at it. Would you like to ride with me?”

“Sure, let me get my laptop and then I'll be right with you.”

“You won't need that.”

“Yes. Yeah I will. I want to type in all the notes I can on this place. I figure if I fly all the way down here, I sure want to have all the notes I can on it.”

He smiled and said, “I think the number of photos I sent you are the most I've sent anyone, personal or otherwise.”

I smiled, “Well I appreciate it. I'm sure not many people ask you for photos of the tops of closets.”

He chuckled and said, “Your interest is amazing.”

“Well, the price of that house is amazing. I figure if I'm going to spend that much, I better know all I can on it.”

“What have you done for a background check on it, so I know which lie to tell you?” he chuckled.

“I know it all. My long distance bill probably hit new highs.”

“Well, you've done quite a bit of research, but what you probably don't know is the house has probably only been really lived in for ten days.”

“I heard that. He said he came down here. They loved it. And then he went home and his wife asked him for a divorce. He said if he had his choice, he'd keep this place and give up his job, but houses don't pay allimony and his job does.”

“Well, you're partly correct. He probably didn't tell you his wife made a scandal down here and then ran leaving his reputation in shards.”

“No, he didn't say that.”

“Not that it's any of my business, but one doesn't go to the Country Club and raise her leg that high in the air and pull up panty hose. Especially when one is that intoxicated and wearing nothing underneath her dress.”

“Oh, sounds like everyone got a free show.”

“Yes, and the women didn't like it and the old men were too far into their attempting to gaze they were upset when they realized she was attempting to show more.”

“Oh, well thank God I don't have a wife.”

He smiled at me and said, “I've ran a background check on you. You've not ever had a wife.”

“No, nor will I ever unless I go around the bend to complete insanity.”

He chuckled and said, “Your secrets are safe with me.”

“Nothing's a secret. I'm gay and I make no pretense about it. Currently, I'm single, but that doesn't mean I'm going to show anyone what I've got either.”

“Well, I highly doubt if you'll get into the Country Club anyway.”

“That's fine. It's not like I left a bag of clubs at home. I'm quite afraid if I went out on a golf course, the only reason would be to fly a kite.”

He laughed and said, “Well, that might be refreshing.”

“So, what you're telling me is the price of the house doesn't include the entrance into the Country Club.”

“Yes, that's it, I'm afraid.”

“I'm afraid my fee I'll pay went down three hundred thousand. Any other bright and cheery news you want to pass along? That just nixed your fee by eighteen thousand.” I said smiling.

“No, I'm afraid it'll cost me too much.”

“I'll tell you upfront, I've already got the man to agree to a deal of what I'm going to offer. The deal I have says he can come down and share a room for a weekend every Summer for the next five years.”

“That's nice. What are you going to offer.”

“Three hundred thousand less than what we agreed upon. Once I see the house, I'll decide if it's even worth that.”

“Oh.”

We pulled into the entrance of the guarded community and went past the guard house without showing id.

“Does everyone get to fly right past the guard shack like that?”

“No.”

“Then how does the guy know I'm not a crazed murderer who has you hostage. I thought the security was top notch.”

“It is.”

“It is one hundred thousand less than my last offer.”

He looked at me alarmed and I said, “If I have to put in a security system, then it'll cost that.”

He tersely said, “It has security.”

“Does it have exterior zone alarms? Infra red? I mean there's a lot of vegetation out there and someone could get up close to the house.”

“I'm not sure about that.”

“I'll have to be sure about that. We'll test the system and if I can walk up to the house without setting anything off, I'll have to really think this over. What can I have in this community? Doberman?”

“No sir, you can have domestic house breeds, but nothing outdoors.”

“Oh, well thank God for that because if anyone gets in, I'll have to have something that will chew someone a new asshole.”

He grimaced.

“I'm not trying to be a dick, but you want three eight for the house. That's a lot no matter how you slice it, dice it, spin it, or chop it.”

He smiled and said, “You do have some colorful sayings.”

“You do have a nice smile if you'd turn it on.”

He looked at me shocked and I said, “Sir, I made my money the old fashioned way. I earned it. You do too, but I made mine by smiling.”

His ill look nearly brought about a chuckle.

We turned into the entrance and my breath caught. “Oh my God! It's even more breathtaking than the pictures.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Do the gates work?”

“They're for looks. The community doesn't allow the gates of any of the mansions to be closed.”

“Let's see. You can fly right on past the guard shack and my security system probably won't allow me to set up a zone unless the gates are shut, but you're going to assure me I'm going to be safe.”

“Yes sir, no one's had any problems yet.”

“I'll tell you, my luck says this house will probably be the first one hit if I buy it.”

“I would hope not.”

“Me neither, but an open gate is an open invitation to come on in and take what they want.”

“Let's look at the house, shall we?”

“Sure, that's what I came here for.”

We drove up to the front circle and parked.

“Jeez Louise, this is huge.”

“Yes sir, it is. I'm supposing it's entirely too large for one person.”

“No, I've got one at home bigger and I live in it by myself.”

He looked at me with a tense look and I said, “Mr Collins, if you don't mind me saying, let me talk myself out of it. I might not fit into the Country Club scene, but my money sure as hell could give anyone in this burg a run for their's.”

“You can afford it?”

“Let's see...I just sold out to my ex for fifty million. He's going to give me nearly sixty after interest is paid and when I get done paying for this, I'll have enough to buy every antique I'll need.”

“The place comes furnished sir.”

“Good. That just saved me some money.”

We went up the steps and I said, “Can I see the key?”

“Why?”

“My last place I bought, I found I couldn't turn the key in the door. It took a locksmith and about two days of jimmying it in order to understand the thing. If I'm going to buy a house this expensive, it's going to have to open up for me on the first try.”

“You bought your last place for less.”

“Oh hell yeah. I got that place for three quarters of a million.”

“Well, it probably wasn't as nice sir.”

“Let's see. I'll show you the website and you can decide. How much land did you say comes with this?”

“Thirty one acres.”

“And it goes over to that fence line and over to that one?”

“Yes.”

“And the swamp is right out the back door, so you're selling me swamp land.”

He grimaced and I said, “Well, unless I can go out my back door in hip waders, I'm not going to have a back yard bar-b-que am I?”

“It's meant for the beauty of it sir.”

“Let's see. Jack the ripper comes up to the front door and I've got to go out the back in a mighty big hurry in my fluffy slippers and house coat carrying Gypsy running like hell and you're telling me there's beauty in that there swamp! I think not. I'm going to be hoping like hell there's not a croc laying out waiting on Jack to slit my throat.”

“Maybe this isn't the house for you.”

“Maybe you're the wrong person to sell the house. That was a fucking joke. Lighten up and laugh already.”

He smiled but I could tell it was strained.

I went through the rooms like a rocket. I looked at the pocket shutters and the pocket doors. I pulled them out and said, “The electricity on?”

“Yes.”

“Good, we're going to try all these outlets. If one doesn't work, I'm going to knock out a hundred thousand for each one.”

“I assure they all work.”

“My aunt bought a place out in Vegas that she'd love to tell you different. She has a brand new house that has no phone service, no cable, and no computer in any room but one. She'll wait another year before the home builder is able to repair it. She paid a million six. So, we'll try the outlets. He told me I could.”

“Did you have this much of a conversation with him?”

“The man and I talked for hours. Sheesh, get him to talking and you'd be amazed at what you hear. Is he as good looking as you?”

“Ummm, errr, I can't say.”

“Let's see. I looked you up in the gay yellow pages and you can't tell me if a man is a stud. Were you advertising in the right yellow pages?”

He looked at me and said, “It's improper for me to say.”

“Ok, let me say something sugar. You've been a real horse's ass since I've been talking. The length of nose you've been looking down, I'd have to say is longer than the hood on a semi. So, what we'll do is I'll go back and tell him you cost him the sale of this house. Then, when he goes ragging to your boss, he'll find out you do this to everyone. Once this son of a bitch comes off the market, I'll snap it up and then you'll have me as a neighbor anyway. Ok?”

“You are sorely tempting me to lose my composure.”

“If that's what you're calling it, then lose it already. I want a salesperson that will lighten up and have some fun selling me a house. You're acting like the last man you had worked at a concrete plant with as much stone as you've got shoved, so puh-leaze loosen it and jump my ass or something.”

“Ok, shut it.”

“Wrong words unless you're telling me to shut the pocket shutters. I think I'll go up and look at the bedrooms.”

“No, because if you do that, I'm afraid with the amount of cooth you're showing, you'll be attempting to smell sheets for the dried spots.”

“Ooh sister, your fantasies are wicked. I'll be right back. If you need me, wait on the third floor and we'll talk about things on the widow's walk.”

I took off up the steps and left him speachless. When I went through the bedrooms I took a look at the layout and loved the entire place. I was down to two seven already, but he had no clue.

When I got up to the widow's walk, I said, “Ok, here's the deal. I offer two four. Then he's going to counter with three. Then, you counter back with two seven and tell him that's it. He's expecting a call. You want to speak to him on your cell, or mine.”

“Two Seven!”

“Yeah, but offer two four first.”

“I will do no such thing!”

“Let's see. This fucker's been planted on the market for over a year. His ex wife is squeezing his nuts tighter than a hooker with ten cops jumping out and you want to tell me the man doesn't want an offer?”

“Where did you ever learn such gutter talk?”

“Let's see. A lot of it, I caught off of jerks like you when I was laying under them in prison. They all thought I was beneath them. Well, by the time they were screaming out all their terms of affection, I was bringing them around the bend. You want to call, or me?”

“I can not, nor will I sell you this house!”

“Ok, I'll call.”

I dialed the phone and it was answered on the second ring. “Robert?”

“Yes”

“This is Rhette. I flew all the way down here and I just made an offer on this beautiful house. The realtor is standing with me and he doesn't want to consider even negotiating with you. What do you say for my offer of two four.”

“Ok, tell him I'll take it.” Robert said through the earpiece.

“Mr. Collins, he says he'll take the offer.” I said looking at the realtor winking.

Collins looked at me and yanked the phone from my hand. “Mister Sharp? Yes, this is your realtor. You do! Well, I'll do the paperwork then.”

He got off the phone and said, “He says you agreed to the closing costs.”

“I did. Thanks for negotiating in good faith...asshole.”

“I'll say what I think after I see if you can get financing.”

“Who the fuck's financing! Unless you're fucking a banker, and he's giving me the money for free, I've got the bank cheque in my pocket!”

“What?”

“Which part didn't you understand. Is a banker beneath you too?”

“No”

“Oh, so you must not be used to people paying what they say they're going to pay upfront. Maybe you really didn't want to sell me the house, but listen up and listen good. Unless a hundred and fifty grand isn't a good payday for you, then get over the fucking attitude. I picked you because you're supposed to be gay. That's it. All you've given is attitude and I'll really have to contact them and tell them you're not very nice towards gays.”

“I've been all too nice to you.”

“Yeah?” I looked at him increduously,“Let's see. I'm gutter filth to you. I'm cheap trash apparently, and I don't need a house I think is beautiful. I'm supposing you're wanting to sell me a trailer and having me with curlers in my hair, is that it?”

“I'll reserve my comments now.”

“Well, I certainly would. By the way, I do know the golf course membership comes with the purchase. It's a lifetime membership which comes with the house and gets sold with the house. It comes with the Country Club fees paid for the lifetime of the house. Now, if I were a dumbass, I'd not know that. You'd probably fuck me out of the membership by telling Muffy over there to not extend me the offer. Well dick, take it and shove that information. I also know where the property lines lay. You can attempt to sell that lot over there, but unless it's not on the sale of this parcel, I'll sue you grandly and get the price back out of you directly. He told me it was there, and furthermore. You thought I was real good until you met me. So let's see if you can get me back to the office. Get the papers signed, fax them to Robert, and then hand me the keys to my house....without me requesting to see your realtor's license number.”

He looked at me shocked and said, “I'm sorry.”

“Dude, you've acted like you've had something shoved up your ass since I said I was bringing my laptop. I'm sorry, but I've got to use it to contact my banker. He's already been told to wire my funds to this bank if I like this house. All I've got to do then, is to drive back to Savannah and then fly down to West Palm Beach so I can pick up my new car.”

“What the hell is so special about a car in West Palm Beach?”

“Has a Rolls dealership opened here recently they don't know about?”

“Well no.”

“Well...about the same time I saw this house, I decided I would look for a car that would hold onto it's value. A Rolls will do that, so I can drive the car for the next forty years and it will still be an awesome car.”

“Well you do have some tastes.”

“Yes I do. I thought you were fine until you showed attitude.”

“Well, I wouldn't have you if my life depended on it.”

“That's good because you'd probably be just as dead of a fuck as you are at selling houses.”

“The gutter tripe can put a sentence together.”

“Well try this one of for size. When I get off this phone call, you can explain to your boss why I refuse to buy a house from you.”

I opened my phone and dialed. “Hello, could I speak to the supervisor please. Yes, I'll wait.” I looked up at him and said, “You might as well go ahead. I'll look around while your boss comes to get me.”

“I can't leave you alone in this house.”

“Why the hell not! I've bought it. As far as the owner is concerned, it's my house. As far as I'm concerned, it's my house. Uh hello, yes, I'm out at this house with Mr. Collins and we're not seeing eye to eye. I've made a deal with the seller for two point four million. Could you please close the deal for me since I won't be buying the house from him?”

He stormed out of the house and I said, “Well, I'd let him speak to you, but he just stormed out of this house. Apparently, I'm someone who's a gutter tripe that can't apparently string together a sentence. Huh? Well, I'd say his problem is he likes to make judgements upon his buyers before the check's signed. Yes, I'll be here.”

I snapped off the phone smiling to myself for getting a 2% decrease in the commission on the house.

I looked around and wondered to myself how this house would hold in a hurricane. Hilton Head Island would block the wind, but the tidal surge would be a bit high if it was above fourteen feet.

I looked out the back door of the kitchen and really liked the way the back patio was laid out. It was approximately seventy five feet in diameter, but on the edge of that was about a two foot drop to the swamp. After knowing what I know about snakes, I'd be breaking bottles and putting the shards along that in order to keep them on their side.

I heard a knock on the front door and then heard the door bells. I went to look and it was a police officer. I answered the door and he said, “I'm responding to a call of an intruder.”

“None here. I'm here and haven't seen one since I've been here.”

“Uh what's your name?”

“Rhette Michaels.”

“You're the intruder sir.” he said with a smile.

“If that's the case, come on in! We'll talk and then you're going to want to go arrest that motherfucker for making a false police report.”

“Who would that be sir?”

“The real estate asshole who refused to sell me this house.”

“He said you were intruding after you refused to ride with him.”

“Let's see. Why don't I call the owner and you see if I agreed with him to purchase this house. Then, contact the asshole's supervisor....well, here comes that car, so I imagine it's the supervisor. I called him when the asshole made a bunch of snide remarks and stormed off after I called his supervisor. Watch this because I'm about to get 2% back on this house.”

“How are you going to do that sir?”

“They want to charge me 6%. Well, that man's comments and his behavior just knocked it down to 4. So, if I'm arrested, it'll be knocked down to zero because I'll be suing the shit out of the company and so will the owner.”

The Supervisor came running up the steps and I said, “Am I under arrest, or are you going to tell this fine fine man your man called and made a false report?”

He stuck out his hand and I said, “NOT until you agree to knock off 2 % of your commission! IF I don't have that, then I will have a ride back to my car and I will be filing suit against your company as soon as I get back to Missouri.”

“Uh sir.”

“Ok, so I'm under arrest? Because if I am, I'll own your company before I'm through.”

“No...no, you're not under arrest.”

“Ok, so tell this fine fine man that so I can have him rest easier.”

“He's not intruding. There seems to be a misunderstanding between he and my salesman.”

“No, I do believe my voice recorder here has the comments exactly as he stated. Would you like to hear?”

“Oh no. I didn't mean to doubt you.”

“Good, now, four percent sales commission and I pay two point four. You take the commission and if that asshole sees one cent of it, I'll be pissed.”

“No, I do believe he'll be looking for another line of work.”

“Good and I do believe I'll be contacting the gay yellow pages and telling them your company who has listed that man as a gay friendly salesperson...isn't.”

“We'll work things out.”

“Ok, now let me go invite this man back for tea just as soon as I close this deal.”

I turned to the Sheriff and said, “Sheriff, there's no problem here, but I would like for you to come back for tea if you don't mind.”

“Uh sure.”

“Good, I'll close this deal and then the house will be mine.”

“Won't there be any delay in your taking the house?”

“No, not according to the owner. He said as soon as I sign the papers and they have the check, he's going to instruct them to give me the keys.”

“Oh. Well in that case, I'll come back.” he said smiling.

I went over to the real estate man and said, “Let's go into the kitchen and sign them upon the counter.

“Ok So you've been in contact with the seller?”

“Yes, I called him to notify him your salesman refused to make the initial offer. I told him the offer and he accepted. I was willing to deal, but your salesman didn't even want to make the offer.”

“Ok you have that on tape too.”

“Yes, I've got it all on here. You want to hear?”

“No, I believe you.”

“So, I'll sign this check if you take that six percent and make it four.”

“Ok”

He laid out the paperwork and I read through them. I read each clause and said, “Where's the lifetime membership to the Country Club and the golf course? The owner assured me it would be sold with the house?”

“You have to be approved.”

“Ok, one moment.”

“I dialed Robert and said, “Robert, we're signing papers but they say I have to be approved in order to be a member and that it's not sold with the house. That's a problem.”

“I'm sure it's a part of the contract and the sale. It was sold to me as such.”

“Robert. Do you think they'll let someone like me become a member if I have to be approved? I mean, gays don't even get equal rights under this state's laws.”

“Let me speak to him.”

“Ok”

I handed the Supervisor the phone and said, “He would like to speak to you.”

The Supervisor spoke to Robert and Robert said, “One moment, I'll go over here and look. If the contracts aren't the same, then there's been a grievous error.”

He went over to the second drawer down by the sink and opened it. He pulled out the sales contract and said, “It certainly is in here! I'll correct this immediately. Is it ok with you if he takes possession of the keys? Ok, I'll give them to him now, he's got the check here. Yes, he does operate in good faith.”

He got off the phone and said, “I'm sorry. The sales contract here isn't the same. I took the paperwork from him and it seems he was trying to get this sold without it.”

“I'm sure he was going to probably use that for himself. Now, I've got a question before I get on here and make my complaint, is he gay?”

“He says he is.”

“Well, he wasn't very gay friendly. I'm going to file a complaint.”

“Ummm, is that what sold this house?”

“I went with him specifically because he was supposed to be the gay person. If we don't support our own, others can discriminate against us. When we do that amongst ourselves, I feel compelled to make a complaint.”

“We don't get any responses from that add.”

“Well, how would you know if all of them coming in probably request him and he probably runs them off! I mean, I contacted him and I have tons of emails. He sent me all these photos and I was prepared to pay three when I started talking with him. Then, I asked to take my laptop and he hopped up on an attitude like you wouldn't believe. And then the more I asked about the house, the more he got pissed.”

“That's highly unusual.”

“You telling me! Then I told him about my other house which is up there on that website and he got all sorts of pissed off about the price I paid for it. It was downhill from there.”

“Oh sir, I apologize.”

“Well, it cost the homeowner six hundred grand and it cost you almost a hundred and twenty thousand on your commission. If I had an employee that cost me that on one of his bad days, I'd hate to see what he'd cost me on a good one?”

“Sir, I'll get these papers redrawn.”

“Ok, well I'll ride in with you and believe me, I'll go over them with a fine toothed comb. But, you've gotten his permission to give me the keys and then our business is over, right?”

“Yes, with the exception of me finding those membership papers. I'll be sure to get those to you.”

“Thanks.”

We left and I said, “Leave it open unless it's not safe.”

“We've not had problems before.”

“Good. Now, I want to ask some questions. What are the conditions of this community, can I have those gates shut?”

“Yes, no one closes them because they want to have an air of invitation.”

“He said it was an ordinance or something.”

“No, you can close them.”

“Now, what about dogs?”

“No pit bulls, but anything else is your option.”

“Ok, so I can have dobermen.”

“Yes, if that's your perogative.”

“Well, I've got to have an alarm system put out here in the yard with zone and infrared.”

“No, it's here. The panel is right there.” He said pointing.

“He said there wasn't any. That's why I knocked off the first hundred grand.”

“I can't believe he told you that.”

“Listen while we drive and you'll hear his whole attitude and lack of sales speal.”

We drove and he listened. When we got back to the office, he went over and took Mr Collins' certificate and photograph off the wall. He asked, “Can I put my recorder up here and record yours playing that?”

“Sure.”

“Well, let me put it in here so there's no background noise as I type up these papers.”

“Ok, whatever you need to do.”

He put the recorders in the other room and then began typing up the new paperwork. He looked over at me and said, “You really had him going!”

“Well, he judged immediately. Your job is to sell them and mine is to get dollars knocked off. All in all, I got a million four knocked off. That's more than a third. If JC Penny were throwing that good of a sale, I'd go.”

He smiled and said, “I would too. You got a steal on that house.”

“Yes, and I'm considering myself lucky.”

“And you got yourself a date with the Sheriff.”

“No, just tea.”

“He's available.”

“Really! What's a hot guy like that doing available?”

“I imagine because no one's made as much of an overture towards him as you.”

“Well, we'll have a spot of tea and then we'll see from there.”

“I'd say you wouldn't need dobermen if you have a policeman living with you.”

“No, not for a long while. I just got out of a long relationship. For me to jump back into the frying pan would be nuts.”

“You say that but I saw how you were looking at him.”

“Well, I'll see.” I said smiling, “The man is put together fine.”

“I'll throw in a year's membership to the club which he belongs. You can see his body being built.”

“It sounds like he has a fan club.”

“If I were twenty years younger, I'd be making overtures and singing that man arias.”

I smiled and said, “You're gay, but why'd you let that fucker work with me?”

“I'm straight sir! I'm married.”

“Ok, my bad, but....”

“I married because the amount of available men in this area who are as lovely looking as yourself was nil twenty years ago. So, I chose and I chose well. Now, for pleasure, I go work out at the gym and then go home to a marriage where I don't have to perform.”

“Man, I wouldn't have your life if you gave it to me.”

“I understand. Many wouldn't, but it's provided well for me and that's about all I can say. One thing you'll know is there aren't many around here.”

“Ummm, I don't know. I didn't see many hanging from trees, so they've got to be somewhere. The rednecks couldn't have run them all off.”

He looked at me shocked and said, “No, but just as soon as they find out they're different, they start making plans to get up out of here. Most of them go down to Savannah, or over to Atlanta...not many even begin to go up to Charleston.”

“Why's that?”

“Charleston's a bit of a drive. Between here and there, you've got some back roads that very easily could swallow a car. You'll probably drive along there and not ever think about it, but the kids around here know the stories and hear the rumors of how people disappear. Believe me, they wrote the movie Deliverance, but they put it in the wrong state.”

“Man, and I just bought a house here.”

“And you'll enjoy your house. As cute as you are, I'm sure you could keep the Sheriff happy, BUT you also need to understand he's a man and he's elected. Until he gives up his position, you'll probably be his secret.”

“I'll probably have him over for a glass of tea and not get involved. I've had one friendship quasi relationship where the guy wouldn't leave his life for me and I'll not do that again. There's too much heartache in it.”

“If I might ask, what do you do for a living?”

“Retired. I just sold out to my ex. What I do now is I write stories....love stories. I'll pull up the sites for you and then you can enjoy reading a lot of them.”

“There are sites on the internet which have stories?”

“Yeah, a goodly number. The one's I write for are some of the best. I've not been writing long, but I have been put up for a few awards.”

“Really!”

“Yeah, you and your boy might think I'm gutter trash, but the quality of writing I put out is well appreciated.”

“I did NOT think you're trash. He might, but please don't think I do.”

“Ok, I'm sorry. That's my assumption.”

“No, I envy you with your ability to be open about it.”

“There's prices to pay for that too, so I paid them.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your boy did a background check. Somewhere in there, he found I went to prison for eight and a half years. It wasn't fun, but those are some of the dues I've paid.”

“You're not that old, are you?”

“Good plastic surgery. I took a baseball bat beating two years ago.”

“What!”

“Yeah, some local rednecks decided to rip the roof off my car and feed me a ball bat. There's seventeen surgeries that put this face back together. I still need three, but you can't tell a thing unless I eat rice or anything like grits. The stuff gets down inside my cheek and I have to flush it out.”

“Oh man, I'm sorry.”

“The pictures are horrific. I still can't bring myself to look at them. The pictures of me before it happened and after are vastly different. People think I'm good looking now, but if I could have my old face back, I'd really do that.”

“So that's your concern over security.”

“Yes, that rental car out there doesn't have any sort of security. Just driving up here in it had me talking to myself like a loon to keep me from the bin. I mean, I'm an unknown here, but I'm not going to be in the closet. I'm quiet, but I still shop and I still am myself.”

“I think you're great. You probably don't remember a show called Gidget, but you've got that personality. It's innocense, with an air of extreme sexuality.”

“Really! I know guys are turned on by me, but I'm myself.”

“It's because you don't act like you're as good looking as you are. Yes, you say it's the surgeries, but I'll tell you beauty comes from within and you've got it.”

“Good. At least I know I have something!” I said smiling with the dimples flaring.

He laughed and said, “I wouldn't mind having you for a friend, if you'd allow that.”

“That's fine, you know where I live!”

He laughed and said, “Do you play golf?”

“I watch it on tv because some of those guys are nice looking, but some have big asses.”

“You'll find it's a sport which is something you'll get addicted to. With your membership, you'll get into all of these courses and any Palmer course in the country. My advice is to get a set of clubs and go take lessons.”

“Is the guy giving the lessons hot?”

“Let's say you'll find him appealing, but he's in the same situation as myself. He's married.”

“Is that what they all do here?”

“The one's that don't get out do. I'm sure some of them hook up, but the drive to Savannah is a bit long and that's the closest gay clubs near here.”

“None are gay friendly?”

“No.”

“Maybe I'll have to seek them out and turn my ground floor into an oasis.”

“If you do, be aware you neighbors and your neighbor three houses down writes the gossip section for the paper.”

“Oh really!”

“Yes. She's probably already been up to your door or the pie's in the cover to bring. Don't plan on Supper because her chicken pie is amazing.”

“Oh good. But, will she spread those pieces of gossip?”

“She'll probably allude to things, but once you come out to her, I doubt if she'll hold it over your head. She knows a lot of information about many people. My advice is to try to be her friend.”

“Does she put on airs like everyone else?”

“You think I put on airs?”

“Yes, but there's a real part to you too. Your asshole salesman, well that's another story. He might get that off with people who will put up with it, but not this one...and believe me, I've had billionaire boyfriends who've been real. The “real” rich don't play that shit.”

“I understand. They're already at the top of the game everyone's scratching and clawing to achieve. You seem to have accepted your situation in life nicely.”

“I've got more money in the bank in a trust fund I don't touch than what everyone here probably has...that's why I don't make pretenses. It didn't save me from going to prison, and it didn't save me from a beating, so when you realize it won't keep you away from the worst in life, you don't make airs.”

“I understand. I had an older lady friend once who was very wealthy tell me all her money didn't keep her from dying. When she passed away, she gave it to the human society. She said every dog she'd met treated her more honestly than society ever had.”

“True. My little Gypsy girl never knows a stranger, but she can read people way better than I ever could. So, when I meet people, I introduce Gypsy and if they shy away from her or she won't go to them, I play nice and get them the hell away from me.”

“Good plan.”

“BUT, when you meet her, you'll see a little girl that knows she's spoiled. Now, what I have to do is get these papers signed and then go order me some feather mattresses for that house and get a lot of things so I can set up house here. BUT, I have an appointment in West Palm Beach tomorrow.”

“What's there?”

“The Rolls dealer. I'm getting a Drop Head Coupe. I'll probably have my Dakota out here while I'm waiting the security systems put on the car, but once that's done, I'll put the truck in the garage.”

“The Garage isn't heated. You might want to look at that for the car.”

“It gets that cold here?”

“No, but you want a climate controlled environment for the car.”

“No, if it's a car of it's worth, it'll hold up to the environment. I do know the hood is stainless steel, so that should deflect the heat.”

“That's a good idea...as is the car. Not many around here have a Rolls, so you'll be seen as a person of taste.”

I laughed. “Well, does the country club have tennis courts?”

“Yes, many. They've got good instructors too.”

“No, I'm probably better than them. It's a skill I developed out on my parents farm. I found it by accident one day and since then, I've loved playing. For a long time, I didn't play at all, but I just spent twenty grand on hair removal of my legs so I wouldn't feel awkward.”

“Twenty grand!”

“Yeah, laser treatment on Godzilla costs that much. From the waist up, hairless. From the waist down, legs of a chimpanzee. So, I had it removed.”

“Oh, I bet they look nice now.”

I laughed and said, “I'd show you, but I have to leave a little to the imagination. You know!”

He laughed and said, “That personality is lovely.”

“Thanks.” I said giggling and winking.

He continued to type in on his forms and when he was done, he said, “Now, if I can't find those papers, I promise you to give you a complete refund of our commission. I have a feeling what you stated is true, as he's been denied permission to join that club.

He's not purchased land, or a house there, therefore, he's not allowed under their guidelines. They loosen their restrictions if you can afford a house there, but they get very very choosey when someone is applying without the confines of that community. I am a member myself, and you'll see my residence is almost directly across from yours.”

“Oh, that's nice. At least I'll know someone in the neighborhood.” I smiled.

“Me too. Now, I'll advise you this. The club has a workout training room. There's a specific reason I chose to give you this membership to the other spa. The men at the club who use the facilities do not favor gays. I can't say a name, but I know of at least one situation where the person was made very uncomfortable.”

“And the club allowed that!”

“They never knew. I suggest if you have any problems, you contact your Sheriff friend immediately. They won't be able to kick you out, so don't worry about that. They do take infractions rather seriously, so when you report it, you have names and the date firmly etched in your mind. They do have surveillance, but I don't know if there are records kept.”

“Ok, thanks for letting me know.”

“Last. I'm going to terminate the gentleman who assisted you earlier. I will tell the guards for our community he's no longer allowed access. If he does, you contact your Sheriff friend and you get him arrested. I'll second you on that to the fullest.”

“Do you think he'll cause a problem?”

“I don't know. I would like to think he wouldn't. But, I never thought he'd do the things he did to you, nor would I ever have thought he would steal from a seller or customer. I'm not sure which to report it as, but be assured, the theft will be reported.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“No, thank you! And, welcome to the neighborhood. Now let me go get your extra keys and your voice recorder. I'm really happy you had that.”

“I carry it with me everywhere since the attack.”

“I understand. I imagine I would too.”

He went and got the recorder and said, “They have a new model out that has three times the recording length on the same charge. I was looking at them myself. With your demonstration, I think I'll do just that.”

“Good, order two and I'll pay you back.”

“How about I order two and you consider it a house warming present.”

“Thanks!”

I left the office and went to back to the community. The guard stopped me and I showed him the purchase papers of the house. He smiled and said, “I'm Sam, Welcome home.”

“Thanks Sam. Has that realtor called you yet?”

“Yes, I just got off the phone with him. Rest assured he won't be entering here again.”

“Does everyone that live here just drive on by this place?”

“If we know the car.”

“OK, I'll be closing my gate Sam. That makes me a bit insecure.”

He nodded and said, “Rhett, there's never been a problem here before.”

“Sam, with my luck, the first time will be me. I don't want to invite trouble and I'd rather know when someone's coming rather than having them barreling up my drive.”

“I understand. Hopefully, in time, you'll grow more accustomed to our community.”

“I hope. This will be home for a while until I can get a place bought up North.”

He smiled and said, “Once again, Welcome.”

“Thanks Sam.”

I drove up and saw the Sheriff's car sitting in front of the steps to the house. The steps were so beautiful, I felt like I was entering the grounds of the Royal Hawaiian. The Georgian architecture was incredible.”

I got out and the Sheriff was sitting upon the rocking chair by the door.

“I hope you don't mind, but I helped myself to a glass of your tea.”

“There was some made!”

“No, I made it.”

“I've not bought supplies, so I don't know what is here and isn't.”

“You're well stocked. Whoever bought groceries did a nice job.”

“Good. How are you?”

“I'm doing well. Did everything go ok?”

'Yeah, these are the purchase papers. Here are my keys and now, I need to learn to set the alarm and get the gates shut. You wanna help me figure it out? I'd prefer it if you had a code.”

“It's not really needed.”

“I'll feel better and once we talk, you'll know more of why.”

“Ok, you want to sit out here?”

“No, the neighbors will probably stare and I don't feel like doing any posing.”

He chuckled and I said, “What's your name?”

“Steve.”

“Ok, hi Steve. My name's Rhett.”