The Arrangement Chapter 4 by Nathan
I received a call from TJ requesting that I meet up with him for lunch. Things were great between Adrian and myself so I had no idea what he wanted to meet about. We met at the same restaurant we had our first talk in. I figured that this was his favorite spot. We were even lead to the same booth. TJ shook my hand and hugged me when I got out of the car. I took it that he was pleased with my services of his wife. It also let me know that this meeting was for a good reason. He spoke to the waitress when we sat down.” Young lady would you please bring my usual drink and a couple of Ultimate Plates.” I was surprise he ordered for me, but he was paying so what the hell ? ” Hope you don’t mind me placing the order, but the Ultimate order was designed by me. I’m sure there will be something for you to enjoy on the plate.” ” That’s cool TJ. It’s easy to please me when it comes to food.” Our drinks were brought out and poured for us. I took a sip from my glass and sat back. I looked at TJ trying to read his expression. ” Dominick, I’m very pleased with the way you have my wife feeling. When she’s happy, things are better between us at home.” ” I’m glad I could be of some assistance Sir.” ” That leads to the reason I called you here. Every year we invite all of our managers and their spouses to our ranch for an entire weekend. There are close to 25 couples getting together to enjoy a stress free weekend. Things normally go very well accept for in my own sleeping quarters. While everyone else is enjoying their significant other in bed, I’m disappointing my own. That’s where I need you to step in. I need you to be there to keep Adrian smiling. The last thing I need is for my colleagues to know that I can’t satisfy my wife in bed. You’ll be well compensated for your time if you agree to come along.” ” That’s all good, but how will I be able to explain being at your ranch ?” ” You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll just tell Adrian to ask you along.” ” What about the spouse situation ? I’ll stand out like a sore thumb.” ” There will be other single people around for you to mingle with. There are a few beautiful young ladies working on my staff as well. I’m sure you’ll find your way around. I’ll make sure you have ample opportunities to be with Adrian. A few of the fellas and I go out hunting and fishing. Adrian is too reserved to go along.” I knew that TJ clearly didn’t know his wife like I did. There is nothing reserved about Adrian. She could be as wild as an animal at times. After my meeting with TJ, I waited to hear from Adrian. As sure as shit, Adrian called to invite me to their ranch for the weekend. I told her that if it would please her, I would be there. Adrian liked seeing me look good so she asked me if I would meet up with her to shop. I met her at a store called Boot Town to try on some boots and country ass clothes. She informed me that people would be dressed for the occasion. I had never been on Cowboy time, even though I was raised in Cow Town Texas. I really felt out of character trying on tight Levi’s and Wrangler jeans. Adrian seemed very pleased watching me dress up Cowboy style. I was digging the boots she bought me. She paid several hundred dollars for Ostrich and Snake skinned boots for me. She even convinced me to wear one of those big ass hats. I looked at myself in the mirror. I had on a Cowboy hat, a blue button down polo shirt, some tight blue jeans, and Ostrich boots with the belt to match. I wasn’t a Cowboy, but I had the swag down to the tooth pick in my mouth. Hell, I would have fooled me if I didn’t know me. Adrian stood back with her Arms folded looking at me smiling. When I went to undress she stepped inside of the dressing room and sucked me off. The store owner knew what we were doing. Adrian had handed him her black card so he probably charged us for the room space. I was geared up and ready to go when the weekend came. Adrian sent the directions to the ranch to my phone. She asked me to stop by one of the car lots early Friday morning. When I got to the lot the manager handed me the keys to a big ass F-150 Raptor truck. He said Adrian had special ordered it for me. This truck had a FX package with 20inch blacked out wheels. I looked all around and through it before I started it up. The black and silver paint made the truck look hard ! I grew up a Chevy guy, but I was really digging the Ford Raptor. When I started it up it rumbled like an earthquake. I went inside and handed the keys to my can to the manager. I asked him to get it serviced while I was gone. I packed my luggage in the truck and set the GPS for the ranch. JT’s ranch was located 45 minutes outside of the city limits. When I pulled up there was a large gate at the entrance. I hit the intercom button and a female answered. After giving my name I was buzzed in. The gates parted and I drove through. The main house was close to 2 miles onto the land. There was no way to see it from the road. I noticed large TJ logos on everything. Cattles and horses were roaming freely in the fields. I saw several bales of hay spread through out the grass areas. There were several small dwelling spread through out, but it was obvious where the main house stood. The house was one flat level, but it was huge ! It had to be at least 10,000 square feet. The road leading to the house and the whole front parking area was red brick. I noticed a barn style garage with large trucks and boats parked inside. There were several 4 wheelers parked outside the house as well. I had no idea TJ owned all of this. I kinda felt out of place. There were several cars parked outside. My new truck didn’t compare to all of the Range Rovers and Land Rovers it was parked next to. While I was stepping out of my truck 2 staff members popped up to assist me.” Mr. Jones, we’ll make sure your luggage gets to you room safely.” A cute young lady stood next to a teenaged boy who reached for my bag.” I’m cool, I can get it myself.”” We insist Sir, it’s TJ’s orders.”” In that case, here.” I handed my bags to them.” Follow me please.” The young lady turned and walked towards the house. I followed close behind. When we entered the house I looked up at the open vaulted ceiling and said,” Damn !” The house was built out of large logs with a huge fireplace sitting in the center of the entrance floor. The ceiling looked to be about 25-30 feet high. I looked around the open floor plan and couldn’t believe my eyes. There was an Old Western bar set up, there were dear heads, and there were pictures of black Cowboys all over the place. All I could say was,”Damn !” ” We get that a lot here.” The cute hostess smiled at me.” Your room is located on the East end, follow me please.” I followed her down a long hallway with rooms on each side. We passed a large dinning room and kitchen on our way. I noticed that all of the rooms had names over them. Half way down the hallway we stopped at a room door. The hostess opened the door and held out her hand to welcome me inside.” You’ll be living in the Josh Gibson suite Sir. I hope you enjoy your stay here.” I walked inside the large room. I noticed a King sized bed made of cut logs. The theme and colors were all Western. The young boy put down my luggage and headed for the door. ” Wait, let me give you something for your help.” ” I’m sorry Sir, we don’t accept tips here. We are here for your service. TJ pays us well. If you need anything, just hit the button beside your bed.” ” Thanks.” ” You’re very welcomed Sir. Have a nice weekend.” He walked out and closed the door behind him. I stood there looking around. TJ had a lot more money than I expected. The house was worth several millions of dollars. I looked around the walls at the pictures. Most of the pictures were black and white and most were at Negro League baseball games. One picture described Joshua Gibson.
KNOW AS “JOSH” 1911-1947. AMERICAN BASEBALL PLAYER. DURING HIS 17 YEAR CAREER IN THE NEGRO LEAGUE(1929-1946), HE IS REPORTED TO HAVE HIT 800 HOME RUNS, 84 OF THEM IN AN ESTIMATED 200 GAME SEASON.
” Damn !” I knew sports, but I’d never heard of this guy. In school people like Josh aren’t talked about.I got settled in and put my things away. The restroom hand a standing shower in the corner and a spa tub in another. I jumped inside the shower to freshen up. I was amazed by the size of the shower head. The water rained down on me in large drops. After my shower I wrapped one of TJ’s logo towels around me. I set on the bed to wipe lotion on my legs and feet. There was a knock on my room door. I made sure the towel was secured around my waist before I opened the door. I expected to see Adrian. When I opened the door it was the cute hostess. She stood still staring at me when I opened the door. She stared straight ahead at my chest until I spoke. ” Is there something you need ?” She blinked her eyes a few times before looking at my face.” Oh, I’m sorry Sir. TJ would like to see you in his study once you’re settled in.” ” Okay, that’s cool. Give me a few minutes to get dressed and you can show me the way.” I walked towards the closet to grab something to wear. I left the door open so the hostess could step inside. When I came out of the closet she was still in the hallway.” You can step inside, I won’t bite you.’ I laughed.” I’m fine Sir, I can wait out here.” She was fanning herself with one hand. I threw on some jeans, a polo shirt, and a pair of hose boots. I stepped outside the room to follow the hostess. She had on Western wear with tight jeans and a bandana around her neck. She was thick with a nice shaped ass. I think she put a little extra swing in her hips while I followed her. I was led to these large cherry wood doors. TJ’s logo was carved into the wood. The hostess knocked and was told to come in. I followed her inside. TJ said,” Thanks Sugar.” I watched her exit and close the doors behind her. ” I’m glad you made it here okay Dominick !” TJ sounded excited.” This weekend is going to be special.” ” TJ your ranch is mind blowing.” ” I’m glad you like what you see. Come on and let me give you a tour of the property, well some of it anyway. I own 1,500 acres out here.” When he stood from behind his desk I noticed we had on the same boots. Adrian must have bought his clothes. It would have been considered sloppy if he didn’t already know what was up. TJ opened the door and I walked through. He patted my back like a father would pat his son. We headed towards 2 Big Bear 4 wheelers sitting right outside the back deck. We passed a large swimming pool and Jacuzzi. TJ didn’t glance their way or try to explain the deck area. It was like those things where of no concern to him.From the deck I noticed a lake. On one side people were riding jet skies, on the other side they were fishing. TJ said, put in the lake myself some 17 years ago.” He spoke of it like it was his pride and joy. We mounted the 4 wheelers and they already had keys in them.” You do know to handle one of these don’t you son ?” ” Yeah, I’ve road a few in my life time.”” Good, let rides !” He took of fast. TJ took off across the grass and I followed. He pointed and yelled out different areas of his property. I followed and listened. There was just so much on his ranch it was hard to believe. There must have been 1000 cows and close to if not more than 100 horses. There were several trails leading to small shacks and fishing spots. I could easily enjoy living at his ranch. TJ stopped in front of an old shack in a wooded area. He turned off the 4 wheeler so I did the same. We climbed the steps of the rotted wooden front porch. TJ pointed over the front door. Scratched into the wood I read,” Thomas James Hudson Sr.” “This was the first and only house my grandpa ever owned. Raised 7 children right here. My family were slaves on this land. This place is my driving force. I promised myself that one day I would own the land that my family dropped blood, sweat, and tears on.” I looked at the name and the house. I gained and immense amount of respect for TJ3. He set his mind and accomplished his goal for a good reason. He made me realize that I was just living life, I had no goal or purpose. I wanted to be more like him. When we made it back to the main house it was near dark. People had been looking for TJ all day. It made me wonder why he’d spent his entire day with me. He was a very important man with several friends at his ranch. Yet, he took the time out to show me around. That really meant something to me. I stood on the railing of the back deck alone. I was staring at the refection of the moon off of the rippling lake water. I was lost in thought. I never heard anyone walk out onto the deck. ” It’s beautiful isn’t it ?” ” Yeah.” I answered before I realized I was speaking to someone.
” This is were I release all of my worries.” I didn’t recognize the voice. I turned to see who I was talking to. She was about 5′ 5″ tall with long hair down her back.. her face was smooth and brown. Her eyes were large and the sparkled from the moon light. I looked at her full lips and white teeth as she spoke.” Hi, my name is Brandi.” She held her hand out for me to shake. I was blown away as I shook her soft hand. I said the first thing that came to mind.” Brandi, you are so beautiful !” She looked me in the eyes and smiled.