Page 12 of Stolen Christmas
“Thank you for dinner.”
“I’m here for you, Angel.”
“Why?”
“Because I like you.”
“As a friend, or…”
“I think I’m a little too old for just friends,” he admits. I’m not, but I need a job, and he’s the only one to help, so I say, “Let’s just take it slow.”
“I can do that. Are you interested in the job?” Do I want to be a waitress at a club? And from the tone in his voice, not a particularly enviable club.
“Yes, but I’m a little too young, aren’t I?” He knew that so I’m not sure why he’d even suggest a place that sold alcohol.
“To sell the booze? Yes. But to serve it? No.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to begin,” I admit, biting down on the bottom right corner of my lip.
“Well, we deal with these people all the time, and it would be nice to have a good girl working there instead of the drug addicts and prostitutes, you know?” I am a good girl, and I’m sure many of those girls started off that way too. Working in those places can send you into a spiral, so I’ve heard. Who knows? Perhaps they’re wrong and those women are just like me, looking for a way to make money and a way out of a shitty life.
Still, the government doesn’t take fondly to strip clubs for employment. “Oh. Yeah. I’m not sure if I could do that. I’ve never done anything like that, and I’m trying to focus on caring for my brother. I doubt the state would appreciate me working at a strip club.”
“They won’t appreciate you being unemployed and homeless either. I’m just giving you an option…” The server brings us our food, setting it on the table in front of us.
“Thank you,” I say, smiling at the man.
He nods and then asks if we need anything. “No, thank you,” Anthony answers, sending him away with a look. He turns back to me and continues, “And I think it’s a fair option.”
“Thank you for the option, but I’m hoping there are better choices out there. In fact, I’m going to see if any of the seasonal ones could use the help.”
“Fine, but I’m telling you that there isn’t much work.” We finish dinner with some small talk, and then he drives me home. “Thank you for joining me tonight.” He leans in and slides his hand over my jaw, kissing my lips. I gently pull back and sigh.
“Goodnight, Tony.” I open the door and step out before he tries anything else.
“Goodnight, beautiful.”
****
Three days later, with no luck at any of the retailers, I message Tony.Could you please provide me with the contact information? It would seem I’m out of luck.
I’ll have to take you there.
Okay.
Instant regret hits me as soon as I press send, but I don’t really have a choice. I’m about to be a server at a strip club. I sigh and dig in my closet for something nice to wear. Before myparents passed away, I had a lot of nice clothes, so that isn’t something I have to worry about.
Another message comes in.The owner can meet you in two hours.Be ready, and I’ll come to get you.
I want to tell him to forget it, but I’m out of options, and bills are due soon.Okay.
“Hey, what’s going on, Sis?” Noah asks, looking at me with concern.
“Nothing.”
“You look stressed.”
“It’s nothing. I suppose it’s that time of the year. You know—without Mom and Dad,” I sigh. He nods and then gives me a big hug.
