Free Eleven by Karen Rodgers Page A

see the lights of the
city below twinkling in the distance.
    The kitchen was part of the great room.
The 16 foot wall was covered to the ceiling with multi-toned
turquoise and brushed silver rectangular tiles. The dark cabinetry
was a beautiful contrast. A large, expansive cooking island and
seating area completed the space. This was definitely a showplace
for entertaining.
    The walls were strangely devoid of
décor. No paintings or pictures—just bare painted or tiled
surfaces.
    The driver courteously stated, “I’ll
place your luggage in the master room. If you will be so kind as to
follow me, I will show you the way.”
    He continued down the hallway off the
right side of the great room, which led to the bedrooms. The master
suite was located around two corners at the end of the hallway. It
was past a small sitting room and was quite isolated and
private.
    “Will that be all, ma’am?” the driver
politely inquired.
    “Oh, yes sir. Thank you,” I said, while
trying to dig around in my purse to retrieve a tip for
him.
    He noticed me fumbling with my purse
and said, “Oh, no ma’am. That won’t be necessary—not necessary at
all!”
    He continued, “Should you require any
assistance, please page me by dialing 1 on the telephone and I will
be at your disposal. I was instructed to invite you to make
yourself at home. Please feel free to help yourself to anything in
the kitchen. I have placed fresh towels for you in the bathroom.
The man of the house should be arriving approximately 10:00 pm.
Again, please do not hesitate to ring if you need anything at
all.”
    He seemed genuinely surprised at my
friendliness when I reached out to shake his hand and thanked him
for being so kind—and for the ride from the airport.
    “You’re quite welcome, ma’am. It was my
pleasure,” he said, “my pleasure, indeed.”
    And with that, he exited the house to
park the car. I supposed he was both driver and butler. I assumed
his living quarters were somewhere in the near vicinity, since he
apparently was at my disposal. He was a very formal, but kind
man.
    I wandered into the kitchen and found
some sliced fruit and cheese. I also spotted a covered tray of
chocolate dipped strawberries, but decided not to take any of them.
They might have been prepared for another occasion. I grabbed a
bottle of sparkling water from the fridge and sat down at the
counter to have a bite.
    I found a separate butler’s kitchen
just to the side of the main kitchen. I washed the plate and
utensils I had used and set them in a wooden dish rack on the
counter. I took my bottle of sparkling water to the master suite.
It was 8:20 New Mexico time, so I figured I should have plenty of
time to relax from my flight and freshen up before he arrived
home.
    The master bath was luxurious. It also
had a large soaking tub which was set into a natural Silestone
tiled encasement. The shower also featured a Silestone wall that
had an inset of variegated amethyst colored glass and brushed
stainless steel tiles. The rest of the shower area was encased in
glass. A window above the tub opened into the master
bedroom.
    Across from the bath and shower area
was a large maple vanity with a Silestone slab top. It had double
sinks. The colors of the room were soothing purple and sage with
brushed stainless steel fixtures. A large framed mirror was on the
wall which matched the length of the vanity.
    As expected, a pottery vase containing
a bouquet of lavender and sage was on the corner of the bath’s
ledge.
    I quite enjoyed the warm water of the
rain shower as it cascaded from overhead. I had never been to a
spa, much less a house, that was this posh. I loved the organic
soap. It had a scent that was indigenous to the Santa Fe area;
vague hints of sage, spices and pinon pine. I took one last measure
of making sure everything was closely shaved and bare, with the
exception of the narrow strip of hair left from a recent Brazilian
wax.
    After toweling off, I put on a thick
robe