Carole

by

Karen Anne Summerfield

Copyright © May 2004

 

The party was in celebration of Julia's completion of her medical residency. Hank Johnson's younger sister had finally completed her formal studies in preparation for her career. Thirty-seven guests had been invited for the buffet and cocktails.

Karen, the Johnson's full-time, live-in maid had thoroughly cleaned the entire house earlier in the week and, after shopping on Thursday, she had devoted the remaining time to preparing for the Saturday afternoon party once each day's routine chores had been completed.

"Julia thought one of your party uniforms would be appropriate," her mistress informed after dinner on Friday evening.

"A bit risqué, but I'm game, Ma'am."

Hank chuckled, "You're more than just 'game', admit it!"

"Well, Sir… You know I love to dress pretty, but it isn't often you permit me to be that attractive for your guests," she grinned.

"Julia, loves you in the uniform she gave you last year. If our more … conservative friends object, that will be their problem, not ours. Wear the English taffeta one, Karen."

"Yes, Ma'am," she smiled.

"Accessorize it as you wish, but leave the bondage gear in your quarters," Mrs. Johnson ordered.

"Same for your ballet toes. No higher than five-inch heels," her husband added.

"Six, Karen," Judy always got her way, especially in matters dealing with their maid.

"Will you want me to be wearing panties or not tomorrow, Ma'am?" The maid's seemingly unusual question wasn't such at all. Without specific permission, Karen's stainless steel chastity belt was the only panty she was permitted to wear with just her skirt and petticoats to keep it out of sight.

"Wear the ones that came with that uniform," her mistress ordered.

*****

On Saturday, Karen put on the rustling black uniform over the fourteen layer petticoat. She loved that long-sleeved dress that left her long and shapely legs displayed. After arranging her hair on top with full bangs and framing her face with curly tendrils beside her face, she redid her brown eyes. Long thick lashes enhanced them with sharp black eyeliner over smoky shadows. As the party guests were close friends of her employers, they didn't desire a more conservative appearance and had encouraged her to show off. The maid still questioned if the black outline was a bit too much to enhance her red, glossy lips.

After a check that the prominent seams of her black net stockings were perfectly straight, Karen descended the stairs and presented herself with a formal curtsey for inspection before any of the guests had arrived.

"You look delightful this afternoon," Julia grinned while fluffing the large shoulders of the uniform's leg-o-mutton sleeves and unfolding a ruffle on the white pinafore.

The door chimes sent the maid into action.

Standing behind his parents, Roger Westerberg's heart nearly stopped and his mouth dropped open when he saw the uniformed maid curtsey deeply as the front door opened. "Good afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Westerberg. Please come in?"

"Hello, Karen," Roger Senior returned.

"Karen, this is our son, Roger Junior. I don't believe you've met before," he introduced.

"Correct, sir.

"Hello, sir. May I take your coat?" The Westerberg's were very good friends with her employers and Karen had often served them in the twelve years she'd been in the Johnson's employ, but this was the first time she'd learned they'd a son.

While assisting with his overcoat, Karen was acutely aware of the lad's nervousness and her experience permitted her to observe details about the slender twenty-year old blond that most would overlook: moderately plucked eyebrows, his pale pink shirt that was actually a blouse, panty lines showed under his trousers… Her professionalism permitted those observations to go undisplayed.

The door chime summoned the maid's attention, "The others are in the great room. I'll be along shortly to serve."

Roger Jr. had watched Karen gracefully glide about the room. He couldn't tear his eyes from her abbreviated uniform, exaggerated figure, the tops of her large breasts jiggling about, those long, black net-sheathed legs and her incredibly high-heels. Equally, they were drawn to her exquisitely made up face and pinned chestnut hair. He wasn't filled with lust, but envy.

The guests had served themselves from the large buffet and mostly settled to eat and continue their conversations when he saw Karen duck outside, he summoned what little courage he could manage and followed her to the patio. There, he saw the maid extract a pack of cigarettes from under her petticoats and moved forward.

"Permit me" He flicked his lighter and Karen bobbed then lowered her long false lashes to aim the tip of her cigarette into the flame.

"Thank you." Holding the box up, she offered one of her smokes.

"Thanks, but I don't smoke, Miss."

"It's Karen," she smiled the correction. "The only title I'm permitted is 'Maid'; that is if you want to be formal, sir."

"Roger, please?"

"Roger," she acknowledged.

He said nothing for a few moments and shivered in the April twilight. "Aren't you cold, dressed like that?"

"I needed to cool off. You'd not believe how much work there is with so many guests, Rog'."

"I've been watching … yes I can believe." Karen remained quiet and languidly finished her smoke.

"Karen … I envy you," he finally managed in a halting whisper.

The maid had seen him staring, perhaps gawking, during the previous few hours – she withheld comment.

"Let's go in." She waited until he'd opened the door and raked her long nails on the back of his hand as it held the knob.

"I've chores. Nothing here says you can't help … if you'd like."

"How?" he blurted the question as the maid stepped inside. Karen answered with a mischievous grin and curtsey.

"Nearly everyone here is your parents' and my employer's age. I don't think anyone is going to notice if you absent yourself to the kitchen with the maid, while I start gathering things up." Her heavily made up eyes indicated the direction. "Go."

Several minutes later, Karen set her laden tray on the counter. "There's a pinafore behind the door there and rubber gloves under the sink. You can wash, girl," she grinned and left before a totally befuddled Roger could register any response. The maid took another tray from the china cabinet and circulated among the guests.

Cocktail orders refilled, she returned to her sanctuary, grinned at Roger bent over the sink and took her large tray to resume cleaning up.

The guests were disbursing and Karen's services were in less demand. She returned to the kitchen and began to dry the washed dishes.

"Earlier, you said you envied me. Do you want to share your other name with me?" she asked in a soft voice while she worked.

"Wha …what are you talking about?" Roger stammered.

Karen moved closer. Her long red nail traced along under Roger's eyebrow. "These would be prettier in they were thinner.

That opened him up. "I want to be just like you, Karen…"

"Whoa! One step at a time; you know nothing about me."

"I'd like to be like you," he repeated. "I'd like to be a … maid..."

"My … my other name is … Carole."

Carole confirmed Karen's observations and meager conclusions. She was T and probably TS, but had little opportunity to explore her transgenderism.

"Karen, our guests are…" Judy stopped in mid-sentence and took in all she saw. Roger, blushing deeply and fumbled to untie the apron strings with his gloved fingers. Judy moved to push his hands away.

"Finish what you were doing," she murmured. "Do not remove your apron," Judy added as an afterthought.

"Karen a word, please?" Karen followed her mistress outside to the rear patio.

"Go ahead and smoke," Judy suggested. She waited until Karen had lit two cigarettes and passed her mistress one before continuing.

"What's going on?"

"Roger is a T girl, Ma'am. She thinks she'd like to be a maid … like me."

"Does she know about you?" Judy asked with some degree of upset. Karen was one hundred percent passable and unless told or shown, no would ever know with any certainty that she too was T.

"No, Ma'am, I've said nothing."

"Your recommendations?' Judy asked.

Karen outlined her thoughts that had formed that afternoon and was exciting her mistress's curiosity.

Roger grew increasingly nervous while they were outside and correctly imagined he was the topic of conversation. He'd finished wiping the dishes from drainboard when they returned.

"Karen, attend the remaining guests." After her order, Judy went straight to the point.

"Karen told me you think you'd like to be a maid, Carole," her voice was soft. Carole blushed deeply and started to shake.

"Is that true?" The frightened T girl could only just manage to nod her affirmation.

"Take off the gloves and hang my maid's apron where you found it, please, then sit with me?"

Very worried about the things happening and just how his parents were going to react, Roger sat across the table from Mrs. Johnson.

"Your dad told me you were on spring break from college. When are you scheduled to be back to classes?"

"A week from Monday, Mrs. Johnson."

"Do you think you'd like to stay here and be our maid with Karen for the next week?"

"You'd not mind?" Roger blurted. "Just like that? You'd let me dress up and do that, Mrs. Johnson?" Judy smiled.

"No, we'd not mind. If that's what you think you'd like to do, we'll be happy to give you the opportunity.

"Is there any reason you can't spend the rest of spring break here?"

Roger paused before answering, "My folks are bound to question why. I'm not ready to come out to them, Mrs. Johnson." She feared her father's reaction the most.

Judy had the bell and briefly rang it to summon her maid. "Karen, ask my husband to come here, please? Entertain the remaining guests until they depart.

The maid curtseyed and left the kitchen. Her eyes had never even glanced in Roger's direction.

"Hank, are you still going sailing this week?" Judy asked when he entered the room.

"I beg your pardon?" He'd taken the following week off from the brokerage where he was a senior partner, but intended to work preparing his beloved vegetable garden not sailing his prized cutter.

Judy looked at her husband in a way that communicated volumes. "Roger here is very pleased you accepted his offer and would love to help you get the boat ready and in the water for her annual shakedown.

"To accomplish that, he's accepted your offer to spend the week here before returning to the university, dear."

Though little was clear to Roger, Judy's message was clear to her husband - he was expected to prepare that story in a way Roger's parents would buy it. Judy prepped their unprepared guest while that took place.

"Go bid your parents good night and tell Karen I want to see her here. I'll join you after a word with my maid."

Judy briefed her maid then, together, they returned to bid the remaining guests, 'Good night', and thank them for coming.

Only the Westerberg's and Julia remained.

"Remember what I've told you, son; don't be the last at the table to reach for your wallet." Roger Senior passed him five hundred dollars as they shook hands.

"I won't, Dad."

"Good night, Mom." He embraced and kissed her cheek.

"Do I detect a conspiracy here?" Julia grinned in question, once they'd departed and the maid had locked the door, turned off the outside lights and started to set the security system.

"Yes, sis. We'll explain it shortly.

"Carole, Karen will show you to a guest room. I'm sure she'll loan you something to wear." Judy's look to her maid was met with a brief curtsey.

"Good night."

Taking the strong message to heart, Roger, bid his hosts and guest, 'Good night' and followed the maid upstairs.

"You may use this room," Karen said. "All the toiletries are in the vanity. I'll be back in a moment with a nightie and something for you to wear in the morning along with makeup." She quickly closed the door and went to her quarters in the attic.

"You may borrow these, Carole." Karen handed the bewildered guest a cotton nightshirt and a plain pink uniform along with accessories. "I've no shoes that will fit, so just wear the socks until we can get you some.

"We are on duty at seven o'clock, sharp. Night, nights." Karen closed the door before the new maid-to-be could mummer a reply. Carole's head was spinning.

It took awhile for Roger to accept that this was actually happening. Karen had given him a night shirt to wear. Her perfume lingered as he slipped it over his head. In the morning, he was expected to dress as Carole and no one seemed to think that it was anything out of the ordinary, but it was! No one had ever seen Carole before! Pleasant thoughts were mixed with apprehension and he finally fell asleep. Were they really going to accept Carole?

*****

"Wonderful party, as always, Karen," Hank stood and moved to the bar.

"You are off duty. Please sit and talk with us," Judy pointed to the couch. Hank set a double Scotch on the rocks and placed an ashtray on the end table then sat next to their maid.

"Wonderful job, as always, Karen," Julia toasted with a smile.

"Now, tell us about the new maid upstairs." Julia was by no means ignorant of the true nature of her sister-in-law's maid. She'd met Karen in college, before Hank and Judy's wedding and had introduced them.

*****

"Are you decent?" Karen had knocked once then entered the guestroom without waiting. At least Carole was wearing the white panties to cover her crotch. Karen moved to place her hands on Carole's as she struggled to hook the bra behind her back.

"Why are you making this so difficult? Take it off." She took the white cotton bra and wrapped it around Carole's waist then held the ends in front. "Now fasten it where you can see what you are doing and easily reach."

"But I thought…"

"No, dear, you didn't think. It is a male fantasy to believe we put on our undies in the most difficult manner possible." She twisted it in place. "Put your arms through the shoulder straps and lifted the bra in place.

"There you go. That was much easier, wasn't it?" Carole nodded with a smile.

Karen handed C-sized breast forms to Carole and waited until she'd placed them to fill the cups then adjusted them for her. "Breasts don't just sit on our chests, but extend under our arms," she explained, "like mine." She lifted her arm to show the slight bulge of flesh there.

"Pantyhose next." Carole's legs were hairless. She'd arisen early to shave off her body hair.

Soon she'd finished dressing in a plain full slip, pink day uniform and bib front apron. Karen had stopped her from putting on the socks and gave her a pair of Julia's white sneakers to wear. They fit fine.

"Do you need help with your makeup? I want you to try to duplicate mine."

"I think that I can manage this morning. I doubt I could do it like yours was yesterday though."

"Honest answer. Good girl. That look is for parties, not for doing our chores."

As Carole applied foundation, Karen brushed out her straight blonde hair. It was just long enough to tie with a white ribbon in a ponytail, high in back. She fitted the plain white headpiece then sat to observe Carole apply her makeup.

"Mascara, top and bottom is all the eye makeup you need for day. We can add lots more later this afternoon. Now dust some blush on your cheeks.

"If ever in doubt about how much makeup is appropriate, the answer is – less is usually best." Karen selected a frosted pink lipstick matching what she wore.

"Blot and you are done."

Karen checked her watch, "We've just enough time. Sit over here and I'll do your nails."

Quickly she filed them to shape and applied a coat of pink polish. "OK, now you're done."

Carole had been quiet and almost mechanical in doing the things she was told to and allowed the senior maid to help her get ready. The full impart of what was happening struck as she modeled before the full-length mirror.

"How do I look, Karen?" Carole was uneasy – she was desperate for approval.

"You look like the new maid," she smiled. "Very nice." Karen took a moment to straighten Carole's collar and matching white cuffs on the short sleeves.

"Are you ready?"

"I'm more than a little nervous. No one has ever seen me wearing a dress before or with makeup on," Carole admitted.

"It's nothing to be nervous about. Don't even think about it. Just do your job and what you are told and no one will think anything about it."

"But Mr. And Mrs. Johnson and Julia know I'm a…" Karen's fingers pressed to her lips to stop her from saying the word.

"Yes, they know you are the new maid and will expect that you'll make a few mistakes. Trust me, they are very understanding."

"But that isn't what I was going to say."

"I know, but don't even think about it. Starting last night when you got ready for bed, you are Carole and no one else. OK?"

Carole forced a small smile and attempted to curtsey. "That needs improvement, but we'll work on it later.

"Come on let's go downstairs."

"What would you like for breakfast?" Karen asked as she set up the coffee maker and turned on the kettle.

"Is there any cereal?"

"In the corner cabinet – Cheerios^®, Raisin Bran^® and corn flakes, I think. Pour me a bowl of Raisin Bran^®, please?

"Don't slouch," Karen stated as the two maids sat and ate their breakfast.

"I think it would be best for you to work beside me this morning. That way you'll get used to the routine chores.

"Good morning, girls," Julia was the downstairs and greeted the maids. Instantly, Karen rose and curtseyed. Embarrassed that she didn't think to, Carole rose and dipped too.

"And who's the new maid, Karen?" she asked with a grin.

"Miss Julia, this is Carole.

"Carole, this is Miss Julia, Mr. Johnson's sister."

Carole did have the presence to curtsey then. "I'm pleased to meet you, ma'am."

"I prefer, 'Miss', please?"

"Model for me, Carole." The blonde maid was awkward as she turned about.

"You'll need better fitting uniforms," Julia stated.

"Sit with me and finish your breakfast, Karen, while the new maid serves my coffee." Julia was playing with Carole and was pleased to see that she responded to the casual order.

"Thank you, Carole," she said when her cup was filled. "I'll wait until the others come down before I eat.

"You may sit and finish your cereal too."

Though her fantasy had always been to serve an attractive woman as her maid, Julia's easy manner of dealing out orders wasn't what Carole had expected. Her decorum didn't match the pictures that fiction had described in detail.

"Are there any activities scheduled that you are aware of, Karen?"

"I believe Mr. Johnson plans to roto-till his vegetable garden today, Miss. I've not been informed of anything else.

"I was going to return home later today, but nothing is pressing. I believe I'll extend my stay a few days at least."

When Hank entered the kitchen, Carole had thought to rise quickly and curtsey to him. "Good morning, sir. Would … you like a cup of coffee?" She was nervous, but was proud that she'd thought ahead.

"Tea, please?

"Good mornin' sis. Did you sleep well?" He sat at the head of the table and assessed the situation. Before going to bed, the four of them had outlined how they would play with Carole. Both maids had nearly emptied their bowls – they'd not starve before lunch.

"I think that I'd like waffles for a change. Can the new girl cook, Karen?"

"I'm unaware of her culinary skills, sir." Karen rose and removed their bowls.

"Carole, where is your tray?" The blonde was caught off guard. "Oh, never mind." Karen carried the bowls to the counter.

"Clear the rest of our things from the table then set the table for breakfast," she said to the dumbfounded girl. "The tray is on the sideboard in the dining room."

Julia looked to the maid and was met with a dip and a nod to proceed according to plan.

When Carole returned, Julia admonished her for not curtseying to Karen's order. "You'll have to do better, girl."

"Calm down," Karen whispered when she saw that Carole's hands were shaking as she placed the flatware in the sink. "You are doing fine." Carole didn't believe that at all.

"Can you cook?"

"I can make sausages and do bacon. It shouldn't be any trouble to put the waffles in the toaster," she answered. Karen's grin puzzled her.

"Bacon and sausages are in the refrigerator." As Carole took out the packages, Karen set up to make waffles from scratch.

"Be sure to wash your hands before touching the food." Karen's advice took the nervous girl aback. The personal habits she'd developed over twenty years were less than what was being required.

"I'll need three eggs and the milk, please?"

"Another cup of tea, maid," Hank requested.

"I'll have more coffee, thank you," Julia added. Karen ignored the situation and measured ingredients into a bowl.

Breakfast was well underway when Judy entered to kitchen. "Good morning," she greeted all at once then sat.

"Coffee, black," Karen instructed Carole.

Seeing the state that the befuddled girl was in as she tried to pour, Judy called a time out.

"Karen, Carole, stand over there, please?" She waited until they were in place and Karen embarrassed Carole who had forgotten to curtsey again.

"Carole, I want you to relax, please?" Mrs. Johnson said calmly. "We plotted together to set this up. Now I'm calling it off.

"The intent was to start your day with a bit of a shock treatment."

"Shock treatment … ma'am?" Carole ventured to question. "Why did you…"

"Just be quiet!" Julia interrupted.

Mrs. Johnson continued. "Yesterday you were ogling my maid in her prettiest uniform and probably because of how she'd painted herself up extra attractivly. Karen is an excellent maid, but it is seldom that she gets to be all glammed up like that and show off at her best.

"To quote the song, 'the party's over. Now you must wake up, all dreams must end. Take off your makeup, the party's over. It's all over my friend'.

Carole looked hurt and perplexed. Karen took over. "Yesterday was the party. That is over. Today it is back to reality and back to work. Day to day, Carole, there is very little about my job that others would think of as fun, yet I enjoy it and wouldn't opt for any other career. I really do like being a maid.

"Doing my chores, I wear this uniform, identical to the one you're wearing or others that are similar. Today we have all the routine chores to do, plus the extra cleaning in the aftermath of yesterday's party. I invite you to join me. What do you say?"

The blonde looked down and straightened her pinafore than lifted her head with a small smile. "I'd like to learn what it's like to be a real maid, please?"

Karen returned her attention to the waffles while Carole finished setting the table. She was instructed where to find the frying pans to cook the sausages and bacon. The others talked quietly among themselves, but watched the young girl's every move. The senior maid kept her busy with a constant stream of whispered instructions and encouragement.

When it was ready, Karen loaded the tray and handed it to Carole then moved about the table to serve everyone.

"Stand over here," she instructed then moved to the side. As they watched them eat, Karen occasionally moved to refill their cups or serve seconds to her employer.

"Good, let's get to work then. First order of business is to clear the table and clean up the kitchen. I'll wash." Everyone else had left the kitchen.

It was thirty minutes later when the two maids finished mopping the floor and went upstairs to the bedrooms. "This is Mr. and Mrs. Johnson's suite," Karen stated the obvious as they went in. Tell me all that you think needs to be done?"

"The bed needs to be made." She looked around before continuing. "There is the bathroom to be cleaned and I think that's about all."

"Good start, but if this were a motel, what else would the chambermaid do to prepare the room for the next guests?"

Carole smiled. "Change the linens, vacuum and tidy up," she answered.

"Right, but we'll leave the bed linens until tomorrow; they are changed twice a week on Monday and Friday morning. The bath linens are replaced with fresh one's daily.

"Miss Julia stated that she planned to return home, possibly in a few days. Therefore, we we'll leave the bed linens in her room. They were fresh on Friday too."

The maids started on the bed and Karen instructed how to make square, 'hospital' corners. In the bathroom, linens were removed to the hamper in the closet and they got on their knees, Karen before the toilet and Carole by the tub. "Make sure the faucet and spout are spotless and all of the surfaces are dry, Carole."

Once the senior maid was satisfied with the job her trainee did, she assigned Carole to the vanity, basin and mirror while she stayed on her knees to wash the floor.

"What's next?" Karen asked.

"We need to put in fresh towels and washcloths then vacuum the room," she smiled.

"Almost, dusting and straightening precede vacuuming."

By ten they had finished Julia's room along with the one Carole had used. Karen insisted that the same standards were applied to the temporary maid's quarters as to her employers' and the guest room. "We need to vacuum the hallway then that's it upstairs."

"What about your room? Don't we need to clean there too?"

"But for running the vacuum, my quarters were made up before I came to your room this morning, Carole." The message registered on the young maid's face.

"We are expected to have our rooms made up before coming on duty each morning. OK, I will," she grinned. Karen curtseyed her acknowledgement.

"Take a minute to use the toilet and freshen your makeup. Your appearance is just as important as that of the rooms you clean. I'll meet you in the kitchen in five minutes."

"What's next, boss?" Carole asked when she came in.

"With two of us working, we're ahead of schedule. After I do the upstairs, I usually take a short break. Do you want to keep working or need a rest?"

"I'm game to finish the chores first. I'll get started, if you want a break, Karen." Carole was demonstrating the right attitude.

"We'll finish then. What's next?"

The young maid thought it through before she answered. "A good straightening downstairs, polish the furniture then vacuuming," she replied.

"Let's do it then."

All of the routine chores were completed before eleven and Karen declared a brief rest. "I'm going to make a cup of tea. Would you like anything?" she asked.

"Having fun, Carole?" Julia motioned them to stay seated as she entered.

"Yes, thank you, Miss Johnson. It isn't quite what I imagined though." Julia poured herself a Diet Coke^® and sat with the maids.

"Explain?"

"You heard the lecture I was given at breakfast. I admit all that was said about envying Karen because of her uniform yesterday and all. What we've been doing this morning isn't like that at all."

"Correct. Do you think you'd like do this full time then?"

"I know there is a lot more to this job then just cleaning the house. Mrs. Johnson offered me the job until next weekend and I've a lot to learn. I think I'll have a much better understanding by then, ma'am." Julia didn't bother to correct the new girl addressing her as 'ma'am' again.

"Karen, " Julia turned, "your mistress invited me to extend my visit until next weekend and I've decided to accept."

"It will be my pleasure to serve you as long as you wish, Miss Johnson" Karen acknowledged with a smile. She enjoyed Julia's company, as it usual meant a shopping excursion or two.

Julia's attention returned to the junior maid. "There is a nice salon in town, Carole. Would you like me to arrange for you to have a makeover there?"

Karen was about to intercede, as she thought that would be moving forward much too fast. Carole spoke on her own behalf first. "I don't think I'm ready for that, Miss Johnson. I must return to classes a week from tomorrow and finish this semester."

"And you think having a makeover would prevent that, Carole?"

"Not prevent, but inhibit my best performance. I think it might be distracting. Please understand that I'll have my final exams starting at the beginning of May." Carole could have added more, but Karen interjected her thoughts.

"I think, to a certain degree, that Carole is thinking soundly, Miss Johnson. She's correct that going slowly might be the best way and not doing anything that might cause undue conflicts next week." Karen remembered how she'd felt rushed into a lot of things by Julia in the beginning and unconsciously fingered two of the hoops through her left earlobe.

"Perhaps you're right and I'll not to force anything. While you two work today, talk it through; think about getting your hair done though – it can easily be a convertible style, and … perhaps getting a set of nice nails like Karen's." Julia stood with a grin, tugged Carole's short ponytail then left the kitchen.

Carole cleared the table and washed the cups and glasses without being told.

"Do we make lunch for everyone, now, Karen?"

"Is that another way of saying you're hungry too?"

Carole grinned and touched her waist, "You're uniform is big on me everywhere, but here. I think I should start a diet to lose a few pounds."

"I can fix that with a corset, but a diet won't hurt either. Normally I only eat two meals a day."

"Will you really let me wear a corset? I've wanted to for a long time."

"Later, Carole, when we change to our evening uniforms.

"Go ask everyone if they'd like lunch now. Be sure to curtsey and wait until you are acknowledged, before speaking." Carole curtseyed and left to do as she was told.

*****

"Thank you for lunch girls. You both may go off duty until four after you've cleaned up here," Judy said as she rose from the table. The maids curtseyed and cleared the table. There was no need to tell Carole what was expected; she carried her tray to the kitchen and began to wash the dishes while Karen straightened the dining room.

"What's next, Karen?"

"Mrs. Johnson gave us free time until four o'clock. We are expected to be in evening uniforms and properly groomed when we come downstairs, so that gives us a couple of hours. You're welcome to come up to the maid's quarters with me or take a nap in the guest room. What we cannot do is sit around in the house."

"I'd like to come to your room, please?"

"Sure, but it's the 'maid's quarters', not 'my room'.

They went upstairs to the small, but nice two room apartment with en suite that Karen occupied. She had a sitting room with TV, sound system and her computer, along with her sewing machine, bookcase and comfortable chair. There was a large dormer with cushioned seating around and windows in the sides and ends. It looked out over the front lawn.

"What would you like to do?" Karen asked as she sat to unbuckle her shoes.

"May we just talk? I'd like to know more about what being a maid is really like."

"Sure." Karen crossed to her receiver and turned to her favorite radio station then adjusted the volume. She sat in a corner of the window seat and invited the new maid to the opposite corner.

"Why did you become a maid, Karen?"

Karen thought how best to answer; at that time, she wasn't inclined to tell the younger maid her entire story. "I tried college and graduated with a bachelor's of science, but I wasn't really thrilled about being an engineer like my dad. I really couldn't picture myself sitting at a computer designing machinery for the rest of my life, out in the field supervising construction or in a factory.

"Much like you, I'd always been fascinated by the uniforms, especially those like the one I wore yesterday," she grinned when Carole nodded. "Jobs where you wear those all of the time are rare, if they exist at all. But I'm a bit of an exhibitionist anyway," she grinned.

"I met Miss Johnson in my senior year – she was just starting college then. We got to know each other quite well and it was she who introduced me to, the then, future Mrs. Johnson. I got along very well with my mistress and became friends with her fiancé too.

"Just before they were married, I signed a contract to become their full-time, live-in maid. I've never regretted that decision."

"Did you know then that it was much more than just wearing really pretty uniforms?" Carole asked.

"Yes. Really did. My parents thought I was goofing off down the shore between semesters until I graduated. While in fact I was at the shore, I was working - two jobs in fact. During the day I worked as a chambermaid then worked nights as a cocktail waitress. Daddy would have killed me if he'd learned the truth."

"Why is that?"

"Carole, he paid for everything while I attended college. So long as I got good grades, I didn't have to work. Let's say, I was a bit spoiled. He sent me spending money and paid my expenses even though I was earning good money."

"What did you do with the money, if you didn't need it? Spend it on pretty clothes?"

"No, I saved it all until I thought I had enough." Karen stopped abruptly, fearing she was getting too close to the story best left untold then.

The blonde's inevitable question was asked, "Enough for what?"

"A nest egg … and a few things extra. I still have most of my original savings and have added a lot more since. I save most of my pay and there is nothing that I really want."

"May I ask how much you are paid?" Carole dared to venture.

"Minimum wage, for just forty hours. I have full medical, dental and optical coverage, room, board and uniforms." She giggled, "If you like my pretty uniforms, be sure you write them into your contract if you get serious about entering my line of work, Carole."

"Change of subject, OK?" Karen nodded for Carole to continue.

"What about a social life? Are you permitted to entertain guests here, in the house?"

"If Mr. and Mrs. Johnson go away without taking me, and that is rarely, then, with permission, I may entertain here.

"Still, do you have friends?"

"Yes, of course I do," Karen answered. She was thankful the young maid didn't pursue that line.

"Do you get days off, or is it all work?"

"Of course I've time off, Wednesdays, usually, after I complete my morning chores. It all depends on my employers' schedules, but on average, I have a Friday off once a month and a full weekend off every other month, sometimes more often.

"If all my routine and other chores are done, I get to take a break in the middle of the day, like now."

Karen let the girl drift in thought for a few minutes without interrupting.

"For a girl … one like me…" Carole smoothed her pinafore over her dress, "how do I go about finding an employer that would accept me, Karen?" she asked.

"I mean like … who'd hire a T girl to be their maid?" Before the senior maid could answer, she continued.

"I never felt comfortable … well, not thinking about … being around men. I'm not gay." Carole had difficulty saying that.

"I'm comfortable with Mr. Johnson. I don't think he'd do anything with me…

"Karen, I'm only fooling myself if I fantasize about getting a real maid's job … one like yours. I mean, like … who'd hire me?"

Karen shrugged then got her cigarettes and an ashtray. "I think that before we search for an answer to that, you give this week an honest try, doing what I do, day in and day out. Jobs like those creating fantasy fiction describe and write about are few and far between, though they do exist." She giggled causing her new friend to question why.

"Was Miss Julia serious about giving me a makeover at a salon, Karen?"

"Yes, I believe she was, but I'd be cautious. She offered me my first one. I accepted and it was far more than I expected or was ready for. You aren't ready for something like that, if all you said about finishing this semester was true."

"It was true!" she started to protest.

"Time out!" Karen signaled with her hands. "When do you graduate?"

"I've another year for my bachelor's? I finish my junior year in mid-May."

"What do you want for yourself in a month, a year, five years and in ten years, Carole?"

She stared at me for a moment. "To be happy."

"Most everyone does. Be more specific, please?"

"I wish I could be Carole," she whispered her reply.

"And what of your education and career?"

"That is my parents', mostly father's, idea of happiness. I'd like to be Carole not stuck in something I'll be miserable with like my he is."

She chuckled, "Dad's an accountant and, by the amount of money he makes, he must be quite good at it – at least his company must think so. But he claims that he really hates his job. He always said he wanted to be a park ranger.

"I don't want to do something I hate, just to have…" A tear trickled from one eye.

"Look at me!" Karen demanded.

"What do you think of the house I live in? Could you be happy living in a house like this?"

Carole laughed, "Sure, you live in a mansion! Who wouldn't? It's gorgeous."

"OK." Karen smiled. "I may be just a maid, but look at what I have: beautiful home, a closet stuffed with pretty clothes, all my needs and most of my wants are covered.

"I'll even bet you that I've more money in my bank and in my investments than majority of others, plus, I've zero debts."

"How much are you paid?" Carole asked in disbelief.

"I told you, minimum wages - five fifteen an hour for forty hours though I'm on duty about sixty to seventy hours a week and I don't get overtime pay."

"That doesn't sound like much money?" Carole questioned.

"It really is, if you think about it. About all I spend it on are these," she held up her cigarette, "bus fare, if I go out, and occasionally, something new for my computer or my sewing. All my other needs are covered."

*****

It was three thirty and Karen was lacing Carole into a corset for the first time.

"May I come up?" Julia's voice rose from the stairwell.

"Certainly, Miss Johnson," Karen replied. Embarrassed, Carole tried to cover her false bosom.

"My don't you look good." Julia laid two garment bags on Karen's bed along with the other things she'd carried up.

"Finish tying her off then get yourself in a proper uniform, Karen, one of your short ones," Julia ordered. Her eyes carefully assessed the young maid.

"I went shopping for you this afternoon, I hope everything fits."

Karen finished reducing Carole's waist by four inches then tied off and left to change in her bathroom. It was not the right time for exposing her to what she wore for panties.

Carole was trembling, not from fright, but the feelings of excitement generated by how Julia was dressing her in the abbreviated, black satin uniform. She wore black fishnet tights and ruffled white panties under the very fully petticoats. The French Maid's uniform, while not as pretty as Julia would have liked, was the best she had been able to find at a costume shop in the area.

"Sit and let Karen do your makeup like hers was yesterday while I see what I can do with your hair," Julia knew exactly what effect all of what she was doing was having on the young girl. That afternoon, she set a goal and planned for how to make it happen.

*****

Carole freshened her pink lips and unsuccessfully fought for calm after parking her red Mustang in the driveway of the large house. Though extremely nervous, she exited the car, took a moment to straighten her stockings then slung her white shoulder bag on the left and started to walk towards the rear.

Despite that her white pumps had five-inch spiked stiletto heels, she walked gracefully in them; much better that in the pair of black patent pumps with heels half that height, which Julia had strapped to her feet over four months previously.

Her pink tipped finger pressed the door bell. "Come on in, Carole, the door's unlocked," a voice called from within.

Carole hesitated a moment then turned the knob and stepped into the kitchen.

Julia, wearing green surgical scrubs, came into her kitchen and glanced at the stove's clock. "Hi. Good thing you're late, I just got back from the hospital."

Carole had worried herself sick; she wasn't a 'little late', but nearly an hour so. She had missed her exit off the Parkway then gotten lost trying to get on the right road.

"Patients can really time their emergencies badly," Julia joked.

"Cute dress," she complimented the pink gingham sundress Carole was wearing.

"Powder room is down the hall. I'm sure you'd like to freshen up. I'll go change and be back in a few minutes.

"Make yourself at home," she instructed.

Carole stood and curtsyed when Julia reentered her kitchen, casually dressed in a tee-shirt, jeans and sneakers.

"Pour me a Coke^®, please, and fix what you'd like for yourself," she asked. Carole rose, curtseyed and did as requested.

"Sit.

"I heard about the unpleasantness at home after your semester ended. Tell me about it, please?"

"You probably already know, Miss Johnson. My mom thought she'd do me a big favor by unpacking everything when I came home from college," Carole began. "She found the uniforms and everything else you'd brought for me and what Karen had given me.

"I'd gone out to visit a friend. My father was home and all my pretty things were arranged on the living room floor when I walked in the house. To say it wasn't a very pleasant scene would be a gross understatement. I was called every nasty name I'd ever heard and few I hadn't. To make a long horror story short, my father gave me until sundown, quite literally, to get my perverted self out of his house and his life.

"I'd never seen him in such a rage before. He slammed the door so hard on the way out it broke the glass and dislodged the frame. Mom was hysterical and locked herself in their bedroom. She refused to talk to me and just screamed and at swore at me." Carole shrugged.

"I gathered up my clothing, took what I wanted from my room and left. I slept in my car for a few hours after driving around most of the night.

"I was lucky I could get my money out of my bank account the next morning. My father had cut me off as soon as he'd thought to do so."

"Then you drove to my brother's?" Julia sought to confirm.

"I called there and spoke to Karen on the phone first. She went to bat for me with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson."

Carole smiled, "I guess you know I've spent the summer there, Miss?"

"Yes," Julia confirmed.

"They were all really wonderful… I was put to work as their junior maid and Karen trained me. Even though I was just a servant, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson treated me like a daughter and Karen was like a big sister to me. She sewed this dress for me," Carole fluffed the petticoats under it.

"It's really a nice dress, Carole."

"I wasn't paid, but it really doesn't matter, they all gave me everything I needed and much more." Carole paused in thought for a few minutes.

She lifted her face to smile at Julia. "I think Karen was pleased to see me leave this morning, Miss Johnson."

Julia was very familiar with how her sister-in-law had been dealing with the two girls all summer. Right after Carole had been accepted in her household as a maid-in-training, Judy had declared that 'her maids slept in the maids' quarters', not in one of the of the guest rooms. Karen's privacy had been taken away and narrow bunk beds had replaced her queen-sized one.

"I don't think I could have dealt with me invading her privacy nearly as well as Karen did. I never heard her complain and never once, did she say anything too me about it. But she turned into a very strict teacher, constantly insisting on perfection and tolerating nothing less."

"Karen is a very good girl, often I questioned myself, just what drove her and how she could tolerate all she does?"

"How's that, ma'am?"

"I've known her since before her employers did. She's exceptional … or is that, quite an exception?" Julia stood.

"Enough chit-chat," she grinned. "Let me show you the maid's quarters."

As her house was her first and Julia was just establishing her medical practice, it wasn't a mansion, by any stretch, nothing at all compared to her brother's, but it wasn't a cheese box or cottage either. She'd selected the largest of the other three bedrooms, after the master suite, to be her maid's quarters. The single room was ten by fourteen feet and the bathroom was across the hall. A new, black uniform and accessories were arrayed on the narrow bed.

"It's very nice, Miss Johnson. Thank you." Carole curtseyed with a smile. It was as large as her dorm room at the university she'd shared with another and half again bigger than the one she'd had growing up.

"Spend the rest of the morning and afternoon unloading your car and setting up the maid's quarters as you wish. I expect you in a proper uniform by five and will take my supper at six thirty.

"I trust that the reports that you now know how to cook were true?"

"My skills in the kitchen aren't equal to Karen's, but Mr. and Mrs. Johnson offered no complaints, Miss Johnson."

Julia smiled at her new maid. "I'm sure you'll do just fine."

"Thank you." Julia curtseyed and displayed a broad smile in return.

  

  

  

*********************************************
© 2004 by Karen Anne Summerfield. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, and compilation design) may be printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without the express written consent of StorySite and the copyright holder.