Banned in Boston
By
Ann Domela
This book is dedicated to all the memories and all the men that made the memories, dreams.
Copyright © 2010 by Ann S. (Ritchie) Domela
All rights reserved. No part of this book or disc may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters,, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously with the exception of places used in the book by permission of the owner’s or their agents of those establishments. Any resemblance to any actual persons living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book was printed in the United States of America. This disc was produced in the United States of America.
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Table of Contents
1. Kelly Ann
2. Dianna
3. The Job
4. Friends
5. A New Beginning
6. Ready
7. The First Time
8. Rolling in Money
9. Business
10. The House
11. Parker
12. Mark
13. Clifford
14. Phillip
15. Pool Room
16. Scott
17. The Toy Box
18. Clearing the Air
19. Cave Room
20. Paul
21. Ray
22. Arabian Nights
23. Paul’s Fantasy
24. Danger
25. Lady Godiva
26. Lilliane’s Turn
27. Mistaken Identity
28. Happy Nineteenth
29. Derrick
30. Tantric Lessons
31. Roman Villa
32. Cliff Returns
33. Banana Split
34. Good Old Bob
35. Ronaldo
36. Dianna and her Lover
37. Cleopatra meets Anthony
38. Tarzan and Jane
39. Disappointment
40. Paul’s Life
41. The Politician
42. Why a Call Girl?
43. Chuck Again
44. Paul’s New Room
45. Paul and the Secretary
46. The Date to Remember or Forget
47. Jim Again
48. Paul and Andrea
49. Pete and Kelly
50. Dianna’s Friends
51. Epilogue
52. Goodbye
53. Goodbye and Hello
Chapter One
Kelly Ann
Freezing cold, near starvation, alone with no place to go. The world is so full of the young and terminally stupid. My story is as old as Eve, the first woman to believe in a snake. I met and also trusted in a snake. That vicious viper caught me in his hypnotic trance, and then almost caused me to lose my life.
My elderly aunt and I managed to survive on that small resort island in Georgia, St. Simons Island. But we didn’t live in the luxurious resort section. That was for the wealthy. Our tiny house was more of a neighborhood reject. But, I believed in that side show fortune teller who had taken my hard earned fifty cents and told me, sweet trusting immature Kelly Ann Tarkinson, that there would come a day when I would be rolling in money, living in luxury, with a multitude of men at my feet. This wasn’t the day nor would it appear that the day would ever come. The gypsy woman had also told me that my life would be exciting, full of changes and different directions. Changes, yes, there had been many, all for the worse.
The snake in my life left me with nowhere to go. Sitting on a park bench in a charming section of Boston, I was so hungry; tears were rolling down my plain young face. My stomach was growling and I was in severe pain. To add to my abject misery, it was starting to snow. What right did the park have to look so serenely peaceful while I was in such agony? Sparkling flakes like little diamonds were grasping at the barren trees. No diamonds for me; I was close to starving and so unbelievably cold. The bitter damp north wind penetrated my thin jacket and sweater as if they didn’t exist. Even if this foolish Georgia peach put on every item in the single backpack, there wasn’t enough to keep me warm or dry. I didn’t think I would ever feel warm again. What difference would it make if I died of starvation or if I just lie down in the wet snow and froze? My body shivered uncontrollably.
Where, when, how, who could I blame other than myself? Were there other stupid females in the world to have believed the time old, used and ridiculous lies? I couldn’t possibly believe I had been the only one. The questions tormented me as much as did the icy breath of wind and sparkling, treacherous snowflakes. Like my love, they promised tranquility, but only gave me suffering.
Before my romance with Jerry, I had all kinds of hopes and plans of becoming a fashion designer, dreaming the improbable as do many teens. Foolishly believing that all I had to do to become a success was to place the images in my mind. I was only sixteen at the time I met the handsome Mr. Wonderful. Who ever said sweet sixteen? To my young and foolish heart, he was a dream come true, a knight in shining armor for a loser, as I believed of myself. There were so many physical flaws in me. Cursed with long straight hair of an ugly flame red, I felt my dark green eyes were too small for my rather full face, as well as too dark to be attractive. Though my breasts were full, I knew they were too big, as was the rest of my body. I wasn’t even a decent height, only five feet three. By the time, I had turned sixteen; the dream that I might grow taller and therefore thinner, was only a fantasy, never to come true.
Jerry, on the other hand, was tall, six feet, two inches, dark brown hair and rich brown sexy eyes with the most perfect body. Whenever we went to the beach, all the other girls just drooled and actually envied “the ugly duckling,” plain Kelly Ann. Even when I had to put on a bathing suit, this shy girl immediately covered it up with some oversized shirt and as for going into the water to show off my highly flawed form? Never. I preferred to suffer in the sweltering heat in the little town in Georgia where we survived summers of over 100 degrees. With Jerry as my boyfriend, no matter how temporary, life was heaven and hell. I knew it was a matter of time until he would go off with another of the girls far more attractive than I could ever be. Any one of them could offer him more than I could. I didn’t understand why he had ever chosen me. It was dreadful, waiting in fear for that terrible day.
Finally, it came. We were alone in Jerry’s car. He seemed hesitant about giving the speech I anticipated, the goodbye one, “Let’s stay friends, etc.”
“Kelly, we’ve been going together for three months now. I know all you girls want to wait until you marry, but I can’t wait forever, so...”
“It’s alright, Jerry, I know.” Might as well make the goodbye easy for him. After all, he had stuck it out for those few happy months treating me as if I was gorgeous, a real catch. It was great while it lasted, but… “Jerry, I expected this sooner. We can say goodbye and...
“Wait a minute, Kelly,” he placed his palm over my mouth to silence my chatter. “I’m not saying goodbye.”
I pushed his hand away. “Well, what is it?”
“Sex, baby, clear cut and simple, sex. I can’t go on much longer. I believe you are still a virgin. At least you act like one. Probably scared to death of that old aunt of yours. I understand.”
He actually wanted me. Whatever made him want me? “Yeh, Jerry, I am still a virgin and you can bet I am scared to death of my Aunt Hattie. She’s told me a hundred times, what she would do if I give in to a boy. And, then ...I really don’t know what to do. I mean she never told me and the girls at school, well, they don’t even associate with me.”
“Baby, I can’t believe you don’t know anything. I mean girls know as much as the boys and most of them have sex with more than one boy.”
I wondered how he knew so well, what other girls knew. Obviously, from personal experience. Little did I know then that his attempt at trying to experience every girl in town had led him to the bottom of the barrel, me. How then would he be satisfied with a dumb country bumpkin such as me? I could never make him happy after he had gone with more experienced girls or so I thought, not knowing they had rejected him. But he was right about one thing. If my aunt ever thought I had given in to a boy, any boy, I would be out on my ear.
“Well, that’s not all true. I know some things, but don’t know how to make you really happy with me. You’re right in a way about my aunt. She has said she would disown me and put me away if I ever let a boy touch me and the boy would wind up in jail.”
“That’s what I thought. How close are you to your aunt? What about the rest of your family?”
My aunt had always refused to answer any questions I put to her about any other family members if they did exist? She told me that it was none of my business. When and if it were time, she might tell me. Aunt Hattie was raising her niece and that should be enough. “I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
“Where did you come by that money you told me about in your bank account? Does the old woman control it?” A more mature girl, hell, any girl with an ounce of sense, would have seen right through Jerry with those questions
Totally naive, I had told him that someone had left a sizeable amount in an account only I could touch. My aunt had insisted I add every extra penny earned to the account “for your future.” I knew she meant that I would have enough funds on which to be on my own soon and out of her hair.
“Kelly Ann, I’m going to have to leave town. I, I, umm, lost my job and can’t seem to find another one, not in this dump. So, I’ve made up my mind to go up north where there’s plenty of work. I want out of this dirt water town.”
“Oh,” I turned my head away trying to hide my tears. This was what he had been leading up to, a break up. It wasn’t as if I had expected it.
“No, babe, you don’t see,” Jerry put his arms around me. “I want you to go with me, marry me. With your aunt feeling like she does, we had better get married as soon as we get across the border.”
How I wanted to say yes. Lord, how I wanted to marry Jerry. With all my young foolish heart, I loved this “Adonis.” “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“School, I have only a few more months. And I won’t let you marry me because you are afraid of my aunt. It’s not right. If I leave now, there’s no turning back.”
“You won’t need to return. We’ll be married and I’ll take care of you. You can finish school as soon as we are settled. Say yes, Kelly.” Jerry dropped to one knee. “Please, I’m begging you. I love you.” His dark eyes were so appealing. “Say yes, please, please, please.”
What else could I do? I agreed with tears of joy flowing down my girlish cheeks. Jerry was offering the world and I felt that my aunt would only too happy to get rid of the extra mouth to feed. Whoever my parents were, they weren’t around to object. My aunt made me feel as if it were her worst mistake, taking me in as she had done. Leaving the woman would only be a blessing for both of us. Still we wouldn’t let her know in advance, just in case. I was her housekeeper.
For the next few days, Jerry and I did everything in preparation for our departure. I managed to sneak several bags of clothing out of the house and closed the rather healthy bank account. Not only was it sufficient to begin, but since my aunt had insisted I save every penny of my earnings from babysitting jobs as well as part time sales clerk, it was quite a bit. Jerry gave his old car a tune up although it was bordering on being an extinct species. We were soon ready to leave. I usually went to work right after church. Figuring that this would give us the most time of my aunt not questioning the absence, we would leave immediately before the church service.
It was a sunny fall day, our wedding day. Jerry had planned to make me his bride at the first chance we got after crossing the state line. I had managed to purchase a white dress and under garments for my wedding day.
Almost dusk and we were well over the border. I was becoming anxious. “Jerry, we’ve gone through several towns where we could have gotten married. What are we waiting for? I thought you were afraid of my aunt.”
“Honey, don’t do this to me,” his hands gripped the wheel so tightly his knuckles were white. “I want to make sure we’re far enough away so we won’t get stopped. I might be nineteen and old enough to be on my own, but my parents won’t be too happy when they’ve found I’m gone. They could join up with your aunt. Taking these side roads and us getting far enough away, they don’t stand a chance of finding us.”
“But you are old enough to make your own decisions.”
“Right, baby and so are you. At least we were smart enough to wait until your birthday and you were able to get that money.”
For a moment, I thought perhaps that was all he was waiting for, the money. “We didn’t even celebrate my birthday.”
“Sure we did. You showed me how independent you are by getting those savings. We will have a real celebration when we get to our new home. Don’t you trust me? I promise we’ll get married as soon as I think it’s safe.”
“I trust you,” I began as he turned the car into a shabby motel parking lot. Those three words should never have been taught to girls like me. Along with the other three words of “I love you,” should be taken out of the vocabulary of girls under twenty-one. “No,” not until there’s a ring on this finger.” Though, I didn’t believe it was all that wrong, I had heard enough to know to hold out. If he managed to convince me to give in before the wedding, there would be none. My aunt would surely put me in some kind of jail for taking the money without telling her, even if it was mine or worse if she found that I had lost my virginity on only promises. Little more would be needed to convince her of my stupidity.
“Baby, don’t worry. I’m just so tired; I can’t see the road clearly. We’ll just stop in here for a short time while I take a nap. We’ll get something to eat first. I’ll sleep and you can watch television or something. Trust me, he repeated.”
How many other insipid girls have fallen for that old, old line? This naïve young girl wasn’t the first and I certainly wouldn’t be the last. It was almost as old as “If you love me you will.” I would be willing to bet my grandmother’s grandmother had heard that one. Tried and true lines that worked on foolish young girls like me. If some wise woman had written a book of lines and situations to avoid, I wasn’t smart enough to have read it.
Afraid to damage his ego, I allowed Jerry to be responsible for all our joint monies, although mine was far and above the most, if indeed he had any money at all. We enjoyed a delightful dinner and true to his promise, Jerry immediately sprawled out on the double bed in the tiny motel room while I, his future bride turned on the television softly. Exhausted, both physically and emotionally, I finally gave in and fell asleep in the old, uncomfortable stuffed chair.
“Kelly, baby,” I woke to hear Jerry’s voice as he gently shook my shoulder. “Come on to bed. You can’t sleep there.”
Body aching as I tried to sit up straight, I was determined not to fall for that situation. I was well aware that if I simply popped into bed, I would soon give in to his demands. I was anxious to discover what there was to the act of sex, but not that foolish. “No, if you’re rested, let’s leave.” Once I gave in, there would never be a need for a wedding ceremony.
“Don’t be stupid. If we don’t get a full night’s rest, we’ll be just wasting money on this motel room. I’m going to sleep. If you want to join me on the bed, you’re welcome. If not, then suffer. I’ll wake you in the morning for breakfast.” His anger was all too evident. “I thought you loved me, “he whined.
“I do Jerry, but we agreed to wait until we’re married. I don’t want to ruin my wedding night.” I had read about that being a special kind of event.
Fine, some relationship. You don’t even trust me.” He turned his back. Obviously, he was angry at being rejected and not getting his way with me. Another scene that should be written into a book for vulnerable girls.
“Please, Jerry, I’m sorry.” I lay down next to him, attempting to get him to turn toward me, forgive me, and love me.
“Sure, honey, I’ll forgive you.” He faced me covering me with kisses while his hands roamed all over my aching body. Would it matter if I gave in at that time, just once? Jerry loved me. He would marry me. My man unbuttoned the top of my dress allowing him to pull my breasts free of the white lace bra and put one to his mouth. What thrills ran down my spine. I could feel his manhood pressing against my very willing body. He seemed a bit small in comparison to what I believed it should be. Within seconds, the skirt of the lovely virginal white dress was hiked up while he fumbled with my matching lace underwear, finally tearing it in his haste to make passionate love. I had just purchased the expensive underwear for my wedding night. But my love desired me. He was showing me in his own way. Had I honestly believed that a man tearing at my clothes and gratifying himself on me was love? New emotions were running through my body. I felt like laughing, crying. Parts of my body, of which I wasn’t even aware, began to tingle with warmth and pleasure. This was so good. Why on earth had I waited? Unable to hold back, I was every bit as anxious as he was to consummate our relationship. I longed to feel him deep within me.
“Jerry, Jerry,” I called out as he entered with such force I had to scream even before he took my virginity. I gasped waiting for the waves of pleasure I believed were forthcoming as soon as the pain subsided. Determined to take time and give my lover the best sex possible, I was shocked when he uttered a mild moan and rolled off my tense body. It was over. In less than five minutes, another young girl had lost her cherished virginity and… nothing…That was it? Barely five minutes, if that? Jerry hadn’t even taken the time to disrobe. I wasn’t worth the effort. If I had read more on how to do things correctly instead of reading about the romantic side of love, he might have been more interested. I mentally beat myself wondering what I had done wrong. It had to have been my fault, not my loving Adonis.
Later, I gave myself a hundred excuses why I had to give in to Jerry’s terms. I could trust him, we were in love, would be married the next day anyway and I did have to prove my undying love. It would get better when I learned how to please him more. As they say, “any excuse is a good excuse.” I learned a few hundred of them. I didn’t understand why the act had been so fast or why I felt nothing afterward except tension. Certainly not anything approaching satisfaction much less what had been described as an orgasm. No wonder girls insisted on marriage and a man to support them if this was all there was to sex. You would have to get something tangible in exchange for the useless effort of satisfying a man.
Later, I realized how stupid I had been to allow Jerry to seduce me before marriage. He was always full of promises and excuses. However, the promise of marriage never came, although I did get to wear a version of a gold wedding band, 14-kt gold plated and very cheap, just like the relationship. I tried to resign to submitting to the momentary sex whenever he wanted my unwilling body. What else could I do? It was too late to refuse. Once I had given him my virginity, I could hardly use that or anything else as an excuse. And, it was over in such a short time anyway. I took more time enjoying a cup of coffee. That was the beginning and end of my youthful life.
After we reached Boston, we both sought work, but for some reason, I was the only one who did secure a job, a dishwasher in a little coffee shop. No one else wanted to hire an eighteen-year-old drop out. I had gone in hoping to work as a waitress with tips and all, but didn’t have experience. So, I grabbed what I could. Each night when I dragged myself to the dingy little motel room we called home, I would find him comfortably lying in bed watching television. Jerry’s usual answer to the question of whether or not had looked for work was, “Don’t bug me. I didn’t find a job. I look every day. What more do you want.” Then he would order me to prepare something for his dinner.
This went on for two months, our original stash of money gone. Mine was the sole income until he became gradually dissatisfied with the manner in which he was being supported.
Winter was beginning, and the boss became desperate as one waitress had quit and another was ill with a cold. I was elated with the temporary promotion as well as the tips earned. As soon as I explained my good fortune, Jerry held out his hand for the money.
“No, damn it, why should you take everything I earn while you sit on your butt and do nothing. I don’t believe you ever look for work. Not as long as stupid me will support you while we live in this dump.” How brave the words. Within seconds, I regretted them. Jerry’s fist slammed me across the mouth. A sorry, battered girl wound up on the floor.
“Who the hell do you think you are? I take care of you and this place. I go out every day and try to find work. Do you blame me when they just don’t have work out there for me? You don’t know how hard it is for me. There, look what you made me do.” He reached his hand out to help me up.
How dumb can a girl get? I actually bit on that feeble excuse. Jerry was still using the old common ones, not even something original. It was my fault he was forced to strike me in his anger. Of course, I should have realized how sensitive he could be about his lack of work. I had deliberately and thoughtlessly insulted his ego as a man. “I’m so sorry,” tears streaming down my bruised face.
“Kelly, you got to understand. I don’t want to hit you, but you make me so mad. Don’t do it again. Now, get my dinner and I’ll count your tips.” I never saw those tips or any of the others earned. After that harsh lesson, I never again asked him about work or held back money.
Inwardly, I seethed, watching him spend every dime earned on him, while I was forced to scrimp on necessities. Even when I asked for a new pair of comfortable shoes for work, he flared up. “Why do you need new shoes? Get along with those until you make more money. You could if you tried harder.” So, I did without, while my feet ached unnecessarily every night. After that, I cried only when I was alone. I was so miserable and didn’t know how to get out of the mess I had created. There was a time when I had looked down on foolish young girls who believed everything a man told them. Now I could then join the ranks of the terminally stupid. No returning to my aunt and there was no one else. I knew that any kind of welfare was out of the question. There were no viable choices.
Working as hard as I did, never complaining, I was sure the job would last forever. It had never entered my mind that things were not going that well for the diner. My boss almost had tears in his eyes when he told me the diner was going to close. So, I was laid off without enough time in to collect unemployment. For the rest of the day, I walked around in the frigid, damp weather, afraid to face Jerry. It was as anticipated. Five minutes after entering the room, I was on the floor covered with bruises, and one large cut across my cheek. “I couldn’t help it,” I sobbed. “Can I help it if the diner couldn’t make it?”
“Look what you made me do.” Jerry’s repetitive words to put me in my deserved place. The first time I had wept with relief at his forgiving me and cuddling, even telling me that he loved me. This time it made me nauseous. Finally, I realized what a fool I had become. Stupid, stupid, stupid, I repeated in silence. No more. As soon as he left for his usual beers, I would pack a few things and leave him to earn his own keep. If I had to go back to dishwashing, I would, but no longer would I stay to be beaten at his whim. It wasn’t something I made him do. He just enjoyed hurting me when I refused to be his obedient slave.
Fortunately, he left immediately and I knew it would be hours before he would return, drunk, ready to assault me again or worse, insist on his version of wild sex. As fast as possible, I threw the best of my remaining wardrobe into a backpack and raced out of the room to where; I had no idea. Luckily, Jerry had only taken the single day’s tips and neglected to take my final pay of which he was unaware. I would have enough to stay in another motel for a few days until I could land another job. It would be tight, but I knew I would make it. Spoiled by the quick way I had found my first job, I was emotionally destroyed when I couldn’t get hired anywhere at any job. No one wanted a young girl with such little experience. Two days went by and I only had enough money for one more night if I didn’t spend too much on food or bus fare.
Dragging my feet, I managed to return to the motel munching on a barely warm hamburger trying desperately to think over the lack of options. It was no use. Out of money, out of food, I couldn’t manage to exist on the streets in the cold of winter. I had already spent my last night in warmth. The food was gone. I didn’t know what I would do. I couldn’t think. My life was in a shambles and I didn’t know what I could do.
Chapter Two
Dianna
Snow, beautiful white snow was coming down. Dianna decided to walk to her place of business through the park to enjoy the peaceful solitude as the flakes gathered on the bare trees. If there was any part of winter she enjoyed it was this with the first snowfall of the year.
A lone man walked by her staring at the full-length faux ermine coat covering a diminutive, curvaceous body. Although Dianna was well able to afford real fur, she chose not to wear something from an animal. No head covering hampered the flow of her long raven black hair. Another man walked passed her forcing himself to keep his eyes straight ahead, although he gasped slightly at the young woman’s ethereal beauty. She knew it and smiled. Dianna had been gifted with spectacular looks, though it had done her little good in life. What should have been a true blessing was indeed the worst form of a curse. Although she had heard so often that she was stunning, the last words of her husband still rang in her ears. A minister, a man of the church and he told her that he was in love with another woman. After a few short years of what she thought were the perfect marriage, he left in her seventh month of pregnancy. Dianna was due to have their first and as it turned out, what might have been their only child if the baby had survived. By the time she had returned home at the parsonage, after losing her premature baby girl, the church members had wisely hired a new minister, an older man.
“Mrs. Walliston, as the parson has left in a most unseemly manner, you will be allowed one week to move out and find another home.” It was as if they blamed her for her husband’s infidelity and betrayal of them. “A minister would only be forced to cheat if his wife caused the problem.” They had taken up a collection, which barely covered the rent to a tiny apartment, moving expenses, and food. They stated that they were being most generous since the errant minister had left owing them money. She had less than a month to get on her feet and find a job and the time was nearly up. No experience other than being a wife, little funds, she had wandered into a bar to take a first drink and drown her sorrows, with the loss of her child, the abandonment by her husband, waiting for the other shoe to drop. What else could go wrong? Before she had finished a third drink, she was despondent enough to turn down several offers of companionship. What good would it have done to just give herself to another man?”
“How much?” one man came right to the point? She had never considered selling her body until that moment. But, why not? The strong drinks relaxed her inhibitions. The potential customer wasn’t that bad looking. It no longer mattered that she remained faithful to her husband, her former husband, she thought. Though they weren’t divorced yet, he was always on her mind. Sometimes it was hateful thoughts of how he had mistreated her. Dianna knew and others were always mentioning that she was highly attractive. Her home was always kept in a manner befitting a minister who might have guests at any time and they had been about to have a darling child. She thought they had a perfect and very happy life. How rapidly perfection becomes disaster.
Dianna gave him what she thought was a high figure, not knowing if he would accept the price or reject it.
“Sorry, lady, I believe you’re worth it with those looks, but you’re out of my league. Good luck.” He wasn’t angry; just unable to afford the price.
The heavyset bartender sauntered over to her. Afraid he was going to come down on her, she started to rise to leave. “Wait a minute, honey. Come on over to that booth and let’s talk.”
Dianna hesitated. What did he want? What could she lose by finding out? “Okay.”
“Coffee?” he offered.
“No, I’m trying to get drunk.”
“Ok, honey, I couldn’t help but overhear what you said. You know you’re asking for trouble.”
“I apologize. I was just tired of being propositioned. I’ll leave.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. Are you really in the business?” The jovial man sipped his black coffee.
Dianna took a good look at him. He was overweight, not too tall, silver gray, almost white hair and beard, but rather jocund, more like a jolly Santa than a bartender. She didn’t know then that he owned the place. Perhaps he wanted her for himself. She did need the money, desperately, but it was too difficult to lie. “No, I’ve never_.”
“Are you interested?”
“I think so. I’m almost broke, nowhere to turn. She related the brief story. There was no holding back the tears as she mentioned losing her little girl. “I would have named her Ellysa after my deceased mother.” Frank seemed to understand the inconsolable pain of the loss of a child.
The bar owner took her delicate pale hand in his, “I, I will do my best to help you get a job. I know a few places or you can work here in the profession, but only under my rules. Do you want some time?”
“No, I don’t need any time. I realize I want to be a...a.”
“Say it, a call girl. Can’t be one, if you can’t say the words. You are capable of becoming a highly paid call girl.”
“How?”
“I’ll tell you how. You tell me why.”
“A few reasons. It’s a way to get revenge on my husband. He may never know it, but I will. I need the money and I don’t matter to anyone. Who would care?”
“Good reasons. I’ll give you a try here, but if I see you become disconsolate or unsatisfied with your life, you’ll be fired.”
“Fine.” She was smiling for the first time in months.
“Rules. One, you go to my doctor once a month for a full checkup. If you’re cleared and I believe you will be, you will only go with men I introduce to you. They too are cleared medically before they can go with any of my girls. So, if you only go with cleared men, your risk is minimal, if any, as is theirs. Perfect setup. When I introduce you to them, I will give you a signal on how much to charge.”
“What is your cut?” a sensible question.
“This may come as a shock to you, but nothing. In this upscale neighborhood, my business would be limited unless I offer something no one else does at this time. As long as I can provide a safe and classy call girl to my customers, they come in frequently, spend money and we’re all happy. My last girl was recently married a few weeks ago. I can sure use you here.”
“What about police?”
“The ones that count are customers here. You can service the chief once a month or so and you won’t have to worry about any of the others. It’s all set.
Dianna paused before she gave her final answer. There would be no turning back, but it didn’t matter. Once she abandoned her morals, she couldn’t go back. It was a non-refundable transaction. “Yes,” she answered. “When do I start?”
Frank told her where to go for her medical report and suggested she purchase a few outfits at a certain store where he would arrange credit, as well as make arrangements with the owner to assist in the right choices. She could pay him back when she earned some money.
That incident had occurred well over a year before. Since then, both the bar and girl had prospered. She now owned an extensive wardrobe, a simple home, and a plain car. Frank had warned her about keeping a low profile, telling her that any show of money could bring scrutiny by neighbors and police. If that happened, she would have to show how she had earned or inherited those funds. Since she couldn’t prove a legitimate way of earning money, it would be assumed that she was a thief, drug dealer, or something else illegal.
Although they were an unlikely couple, they had become fast friends. Frank, she knew, only felt fatherly toward her while she cared for his health as if he were her parent. Constantly, she watched his weight, his diet, and his medications.
She continued the walk to work recalling the past year, not at all sad about the decision. Other than the lone man still nearby, the park was apparently uninhabited. Dianna enjoyed the solitude until she noticed the young red haired girl crying on the bench. Such a sad sight. Poor girl, she thought. Her daughter might have had that same color hair as had her husband, but she would have only been a little over a year old if her cherished angel had survived. She was determined to avoid getting involved. Whatever it was, the girl would have to solve her own problems. But then, where would she be if Frank hadn’t stepped in to help. Maybe she owed the return of a favor. Maybe the girl would tell her to mind her own business, hopefully.
The saddened young woman barely raised her head when asked what was wrong. “Nothing,”
She started to walk on, but felt compelled to turn back. “That’s why the tears and sitting here in the snow. How about the truth?”
The teen looked up in disbelief. “Are you an angel?”
Imagine her as an “angel”! She burst out in laughter, “No, that is the last thing anyone has ever called me. You can call me one if you choose as long as you tell me what is wrong. How can I help?”
“You probably can’t. I’ve been looking for a job and no one will hire me,” a familiar stories.
“How old are you?”
“Eighteen.”
“No lies.”
“I am eighteen, just recently. Before you ask, I can’t go home. I took some money of my own, but my aunt didn’t give me her consent. I don’t know if she has charged me with a crime or not.”
“Where do you live?”
“Here,” she choked and coughed.
“I think I can help you, but I’m not positive. They do need a dishwasher where I work. Can you do that? Are you willing to do that kind of work?”
“At that, I’m experienced. But my aunt?”
“I can help you obtain some pretty good fake identification that will give you another identity. With that, I think my boss will hire you. Let me give you enough money to stay at a motel tonight. There’s an inexpensive one a few blocks over, Paradise Motel. I’ll give you bus money. You meet me here tomorrow afternoon, same time. Will you do that?” Dianna pulled out a wallet and gave the young girl some money.
Was she wrong in helping this girl? If the girl did use it as told, she might be able to help her out of a desperate situation. If not, the little amount didn’t matter.
Kelly started to hand back the money. “I could stay at a shelter tonight, although I am afraid they might ask questions I can’t answer.”
“I would feel better if you stayed at a motel of my choice.”
“How can I thank you?” Kelly was overwhelmed. To think after all this time, someone was willing to help. If only it could work out. The beauty with rich black hair was an angel of mercy, no matter what she said.
It didn’t take long for Dianna to convince Frank to hire Kelly on the promise that she would obtain authentic looking identification. He was as desperate for a dishwasher as she was to have her take the job.
“You’re hired,” Frank told Kelly as he admonished the grateful teenager with his rules. “I can keep you on since you’re eighteen, but no drinking at any time until you reach twenty-one. I’m not too sure you can do the work,” he remarked looking at the youthful appearance, “but I’ll give you a try. We can do the paper work later,” he winked at Dianna, knowing it would take a few days to obtain the necessary identification. “Do you have any experience or do I have to show you how to run the machine?
“Where is the kitchen?” She was anxious to prove her worth, both to Frank for the job and to her new friend for helping her out when she was so desperate. The bar owner, looking more like Santa Claus pointed toward a double door.
Strange how happy the girl was accepting the most menial of jobs? Before he had a chance to change his mind, not that he would, she rushed into the kitchen diligently doing dishes and scrubbing pots. All manner of dishes were piled about as if they hadn’t been done in days. No wonder he was willing to hire a young girl or anyone. Kelly didn’t mind at all. She had gained a reprieve and would be free of Jerry, soon to be on her own.
It was after bar closing time when she had completed her tasks. Exhausted, Kelly made her way out front to ask what time she would be expected the following night. Frank was sitting close to Dianna in a back booth. They were both enjoying a meal. Kelly’s lips watered glancing neither at the sumptuous steak dinners, knowing she neither had enough money neither for a hamburger nor for the motel for another night. Somehow, Kelly thought she would find a place to rest and stay warm, perhaps the shelter until her payday. That could work. At least, she could tell them if they asked that she did have a job and an upcoming payday. They might let her get by for a few nights.
“Come sit down with us,” Dianna extended her hand to beckon the poor girl. “I ordered your dinner before the kitchen closed. Hope you don’t mind steak, medium rare, baked potato and a salad.”
For the first time since she had met the lovely lady, Kelly stared at the exquisite beauty that had rescued her and was now offering an unbelievable meal. Raven black hair framed a delicate pale complexion. The make up on her unusual lavender eyes was perfect, just right to enhance the color. She was wearing makeup and lipstick, but it was done so well, even the coral lipstick appeared natural. Kelly felt like a frump next to such glamour. She would have willingly died for looks like that; any woman would.
“I don’t mind at all. I would gladly eat something less expensive.” She was almost stuttering hoping they wouldn’t change their minds.
“There’s no need of that.” Frank moved over in the booth to allow the fragile girl to sit. “I don’t think I told you, but you can eat anything on the menu that you want on your shift. That includes steak every night if that is your wish.”
No answer was forthcoming. Kelly was trying not to wolf down the food. She acted as if couldn’t recall when she had tasted anything so good. Good wasn’t even the right word to describe that kind of food, but Kelly couldn’t think of any word at that moment. Perhaps pure gourmet?
“I’ve got to go in the back and count receipts. You girls enjoy your dinner. Let me know when you are ready to leave. I’ll let you out.” Frank rose from the table.
“Fine, I think Kelly will be done in a minute or so. I do believe the child was hungry. I’m finished now. I’ll pick up here when we’re ready.” She gave a motherly smile toward the girl engrossed in eating.
“Oh yes, Kelly,” Frank pulled out a few bills from his pocket. “I’ll be giving you your pay each night, so you won’t have to worry about a place to sleep. Now, don’t go hoarding it and stay in one of those shelters. You won’t like it.”
Kelly stopped long enough to take the bills. It was more than enough for the night, but she would have to save enough to cover the nights she didn’t work. How did he know she had been thinking of a shelter? “Thank you. What time do you want me tomorrow?”
“Four is fine. I’ll see you then. You’ve done such a good job, why don’t you have lunch on me when you come in to work. Save you a few bucks.” Frank walked away.
“Thank you,” Kelly called after him. “Why is he so nice?” she asked Dianna.
“That’s Frank. He’s just that way. By the way, I’ll give you a ride to the motel. It’s too late for buses and not a good idea to be on the streets even in this area of town.”
“You too. You’ve both been so good to me. I don’t understand.”
“Don’t try. Let’s just say we’ve both been there at one time. We understand, all too well. Now eat up and let’s get going.”
“Sure. Do you have any more waitress work to finish before we leave?”
Dianna smiled and then couldn’t help but to break out laughing. “What gave you the idea I am a waitress?”
“Well, I didn’t know what other kind of work they might have here and you did say this was where you worked.”
“Let’s just say I am in a special line of work here and ask no more questions. Okay?”
After putting the dishes in a bus pan, Dianna drove Kelly to the motel and let her off. “Are you sure you have a room for the night?”
“I think so. They weren’t full last night.”
Just to be sure, the older girl went inside and talked to the night manager. She arranged for Kelly to get a weekly rate although she would pay each night.
That night, Kelly slept as she hadn’t since she had left her aunt’s home in Georgia, dreaming that she was dressed in furs, rolling in money, as the fortune teller had predicted.
Chapter Three
The Job
Though Kelly had worked every day for the first two weeks, she had only managed to save a small amount of money. There was always some little thing she needed. If she wanted to get anywhere, she would have to obtain an additional job. Perhaps Frank would know of something. She could take another job dishwashing in some other restaurant or perhaps clean houses. Being young; she could take it for a while; at least long enough to get ahead. If she went to work early, she could try to talk to Frank. Whatever she did, Kelly didn’t want to upset Frank. He had been so generous toward her as well as accepting what he knew to be fake identification. Dianna had shown Kelly how to go through the process of obtaining a fool- proof birth certificate. First they had to go to the library and obtain information on infant girls who had died at an early age about eighteen years prior so that they would have been the right age for Kelly’s proof. They especially researched on whole families who had died together as in a fire or fatal car accident, less chance of someone happening to find out. They found three possible families with the most promising being the Morton family. Both parents had perished in a car accident with their infant daughter. After that, Dianna had driven Kelly to the City Clerk’s office where they obtained the death certificates for the entire family stating that the reason was an inheritance problem. At the bar, they had sat together while Dianna filled out the request for a birth certificate for the child, Angela Morton. Ten days later, birth certificate in hand, Kelly presented it to the social security office asking for a social security card.
“Just why have you waited so long to apply? Don’t you know you are required to have one?” the stern woman glared at Kelly.
Having rehearsed with Dianna for hours, Kelly answered in her most innocent manner, “I know, but my dad is in the Army and we’ve been stationed in Germany for the past eight years. Now that I am on my own, I need it to look for work, don’t I?”
“You should have applied sooner or your parents should have notified us. Just one moment.” The woman walked toward the back of the room to converse with a gentleman seated at a desk. If anything, he appeared even more stern. For a brief moment, it crossed Kelly’s mind to run out the door. Was it a crime to use someone’s birth certificate to obtain a social security card? What would they do to her? Instead of following her first instinct of running, she stood there trying to look impatient, not frightened. The woman, still scowling, returned to her. “It will take a few days, perhaps a few more due to the holidays, but we’ll do our best to get it out into the mail as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.” Kelly turned to leave, almost sighing with relief.
“Oh, young lady” the woman called.
Oh, oh, this is it. Kelly had been caught. “What did I do wrong?” She whispered to herself turning back smiling. “Yes?”
“Good luck with your job hunting and Merry Christmas. I hear they’re looking for retail clerks over at the mall, even at this late date. It could help for a few weeks and maybe on into inventory.”
“Thank you again.” Kelly had to force herself not to run out the door to the waiting vehicle.
“Well?” Dianna asked as Kelly opened the door and quickly slid into the car.
“It worked. They’re going to mail it to that address you gave me, a drop address you called it.”
“Mhmm,” Dianna started up the car and pulled away from the building. “I rented it for a month so we could receive mail there and not be traced, just in case.”
“You’re so smart. How did you learn to do all this?”
“Never mind. It just comes in handy to know a few things. While we are waiting for the certificate, we can go to the library with this letter I sent to you at the drop for proof of residence and get you a library card. Just an extra form of legal identification. It never hurts to have a lot of that. When the certificate arrives, I’ll take you to the Department of Motor Vehicles and we’ll apply for an identification card.”
“Why not a driver’s license? I can drive.”
“Later. It is much easier to obtain a license using the certified ID card. I’ll open up a bank account for you as soon as you get the social security card.”
“That’s great, but I don’t have money to put into an account. I can barely manage what with paying the motel, bus fare, and a few incidentals. Please, I’m not complaining. Without you two, I’d be in a shelter or worse.”
“I’m sorry, kid, I should have thought about how much it is costing you for that motel. Let me talk to Frank and perhaps we can come up with something. We’ll talk tonight at dinner after your shift. Now let’s get on to work before we’re fired.” Dianna’s laugh had the merriest sound.
That night, Kelly broke the first dish since she had started at the job. She apologized profusely to Frank begging him not to fire her. He could take the money out of her pay. Frank told Kelly not to worry a bit. Other dishwashers had broken a dish or two at least once a night. “Stop worrying,” he admonished the girl. “I’ve never had a better worker.”
That only added to Kelly’s stress. She couldn’t quit, even if she did get a better job with the new ID. Maybe he could give her extra hours there at the bar.
Upset, waiting to talk to Dianna, Kelly finished her work much earlier than usual. Rushing out to talk to her friend, she was disappointed to note that she was not there in the usual booth. Frank was too engrossed in talking to a customer to disturb. She sat down to wait impatiently, wondering where the attractive woman could have gone.
A short time later, Dianna entered with a very tall man with snowy white hair. She was exceptionally well dressed in a black beaded pantsuit with a mandarin collar. Over her arm, she was carrying her faux ermine full-length coat. Although it was not real, it looked exceptional against the dark hair of Dianna. The man escorted her to the booth, said goodnight and left.
“Why don’t you ask the cook to fix me Steak Dianne, and tell him it is for me? Then order what you like and come back so we can talk.”
Kelly didn’t falter. After asking the cook for the meals, she returned. Not sure of what to say, Kelly said nothing waiting for Dianna to begin the conversation.
The exquisite beauty hesitated as if she wasn’t sure of an acceptable explanation. Kelly attempted to make small talk. “Steak Dianne, did they name the steak after you?”
“No,” she smiled. “In fact, I am named after the steak.”
“Really? I thought that was your real name. What is it?”
“Penelope.”
“That’s nice. I love the name Penny. Why did you change your name?” Kelly was smiling sweetly.
“Penny? In my business that name is not quite suitable. In fact, it is ludicrous.”
“Can I ask why?” Kelly didn’t want to anger her friend by asking the wrong questions.
“You mean you haven’t guessed?”
“I think I know, but…I’m not sure and I don’t want to anger you if I guess wrong.”
“If you think I’m a call girl, you’re absolutely right. I am.”
“Oh, okay. Do you have time to discuss my situation tonight or do you want to wait?”
It was Dianna’s turn to be astonished. “Don’t you mind?
“Why? First what you do is none of my business. Second, so what? It’s your body. If you can make money with it, that is up to you. I just wish I were as gorgeous as you are so I could do the same thing.”
“You don’t think it is wrong?”
“No, I just think you’re smarter than I was when I gave my love and body to Jerry. With me working so hard to support him, I just about paid for it and it wasn’t worth half of what I paid. Well actually, if I had paid five cents, he would have been overcompensated for next to nothing in return.”
“I have to admit, that’s not what I expected from you. Didn’t your aunt tell you about women like me?”
“Nope. I’ve given it some thought. Aunt Hattie never told me anything, whether sex is good or bad. So I grew up without an opinion, I guess. You’re a good person, so what you do can’t be bad. I honestly can’t believe that you would cheat anyone or harm anyone. The men get more than their money’s worth. Right?”
Before Dianna had a chance to answer, the cook delivered the steaks. “Let’s eat. I have to think for a few minutes.”
They ate in silence. Kelly wondered if she had said the wrong thing to her friend. It would be great if she could work in the same way making better money, dressing well and all she would have to do is just what she had done with Jerry. How difficult could that be? That was if there was any man out there desperate enough to want her. She waited for Dianna to say the first words.
Finally, she spoke, “Have you really considered what you are asking? This is not something you do on the spur of the moment.”
“Yes. I’ll never get anywhere doing dishes. I’ve had my share of doing without. First, with Aunt Hattie in Georgia. When I was there, living was day-to-day, food not always and I was always scorned in school as poor white trash. Never had a Christmas or birthday with a gift like the other kids. Then with Jerry, we ate as long as my money held out. Then I ate what was allowed at the café, so Jerry would have enough not to get mad at me. I’m tired of doing without. I want a chance to buy something I don’t need. Do you have an opening? I mean can you help me get started. I know you’ve done so much for me already, but if you could just point me in the right direction…. I don’t think I could get the kind of men your looks can get you, but surely there are some men who might like someone like me.”
“What do you mean someone like you?”
“Other than being young and I know that can be detrimental, I don’t have your looks. My hair is yucky and an ugly color. My breasts are too big and so am I. To be honest, I sag a bit,” she whispered as if afraid someone might overhear them.
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