"Okay, you know the deal?" My boss, Tyler, asked me. I looked at him quizzically, shaking my head.
"Oh for crying out loud," he threw his head back in annoyance, his colorful hair swinging back. "There's supposedly a billionaire in the area tonight. I've heard that he's all over the place, but I'm keeping you free all night."
I nodded slowly. "So, if he doesn't, then no profit tonight?" The thought worried me.
"No, Mitch. Come on, you get base fee if you don't have any takers. You know that."
"Okay, sounds like a plan." I agreed. Base fee was good to be honest. Sometimes clients didn't pay $150, as apposed to $300 for staying the night. Not to mention, whenever I got base fee, I got to spend the night with William, my little brother.
Which reminded me- "Will?" I called, walking out from the dressing rooms and into the lobby. There the adorable little boy was, dark brown hair and brown eyes, just like me.
I walked over to him, but he was bent over a math problem, the last one on the page. I could see he had the answer, but he couldn't get the last division problem, 167 divided by 3. I had yet to buy him a calculator. I was saving up to get him a really nice graphing one.
"55 point 6 repeating," I subtly whispered in his ear, sitting down at the table across from him. He gave a little smile, something rare from him. I'd never seen a 12 year old so solemn. But with everything that had happened, I could see why he never smiled.
"Do you have a client tonight?" He asked quietly, looking up at me.
I shrugged my shoulders. "There might be a really rich guy coming, if he doesn't show, then I've got all night with you." I was granted this time, another bigger dimpled grin. But it quickly faded.
"But you always hate the rich guys," he said puzzled. I took his hand, even though he was almost a teenager, his hand still felt small in my, likewise tiny, one.
"Well, I'll get a lot of money. Then, we can get you a really nice calculator, and maybe, if he becomes a regular, we can move out of here?" He nodded eagerly.
"Maybe he'll be a nice one," he said encouragingly.
I sighed, giving him a small smile. Fat chance. I hated the millionaires and billionaires because they felt that because of what I did, they could treat me however. Countless times I'd come home with bruises and limping, having to come up with stories to explain them to Will.
I giggled softly at his face, scrunching up trying to long divide. I wanted him to be smart, that's part of the reason I didn't get him a calculator. There were so many times when he would gape at me in awe because of the problems I could do in my head. True, I was smarter than the average person, but being smart didn't get you money.
I was petting his hand, about to ask him if he wanted some water, when-
"Mitchell Grassi?" A woman's voice called. I looked up and saw, standing on the other side of the lobby, a man and a woman in suits standing there.
I stood slowly, shielding Will from view. "William Grassi is now a ward of the state. We'll be putting him into the foster system. When you can provide conditions... appropriate for a child, you can claim back custody." I gaped at them, shaking my head.
They stepped forward.
"Please, no!" I begged them. "You can't take him, we're brothers! Please," I pleaded, looking them woman in the eye. Slowly, she gave in.
"You have 5 minutes to help him collect his things." She said reluctantly.
I sighed, relieved for the moment. I turned to Will, who was oblivious if the things going on. Tears welling my eyes, I bent down to him.
"Buddy?" I said, sniffing. No response. "Will bud?" I tried again. He turned to me. "These nice people are going to take you to a better home for a little bit. Can you go get your things?"
He looked at me, and I could tell he couldn't comprehend what was happening. Autism had the habit of doing that. Rhythmically, he tapped his thigh as he walked into my back room, to get his small suitcase he kept sometimes. The girls that I worked with loved taking Will to their houses and taking care of him, so I always kept a bag ready for him in case I wanted him to spend the night away from this place.
As he walked back out, expressionless, not understanding, I felt more tears build up.
"O-okay, here's your bag, did you get your toothbrush?" Quick nod. I wrapped my small arms around him and squeezed him.
As I pulled away, I could see the man stepping forward to take him away.
"Do you remember my phone number? Remember, it's saved in your phone under Mitchie, right?"
"Yes." I smiled sadly, finally getting a verbal reply.
"Okay, and remember, I love you, okay? I'll come for you soon. Call me."
"I love you too, Mitchie." He said quietly. I almost lost it right there, it wasn't often that I heard that phrase, and it was usually only days when his Autism wasn't acting up, like it was today.
I planted a kiss on his soft cheek, and stepped back as he walked with the man and woman toward the door.
Slumping in the seat, I buried my face in my hands, until I felt a presence. I looked up to see a blond man sitting on a bench. He probably witnessed the whole thing. I could see his eyes raking over my body.
I rolled my eyes, stepping into the makeup room. How could people be so insensitive? Still, reapplying my makeup, I fixed my leggings that had gotten linty and brushed down my hair.
I stepped back out and sat at a table with my friends Todrick and Joey, whispering about how cute the new client was.
"Mitch, he wants you," Joey said, giggling.
"Yeah, he does. He's eyeing you up, no shame." Todrick agreed.
I rolled my eyes. "There was supposed to be a billionaire coming sometime. Guess he's not showing. I was supposed to have the night off if he didn't show." I said. I was not in the mood to act attracted to somebody and let them use me. Not tonight. But, I needed to get Will back, and that meant clients.
Tyler strode over to us, and sat down. "Toddy, Joey, can you give us a minute?" They both gave me a hug before slipping into the dressing room.
I turned to Tyler. "What's up?" I asked, trying on the careless attitude.
"Don't give me that," he said. "I'm sorry about Will, Mitch." He told me, I could see the honesty behind his big glasses. "I really am."
"Thanks, Ty." I answered. "But what I need are clients. I need the money. Do you have anything for me?"
He gave me a sad smile, nodding. "That guy," nodding his head in the direction of the guy, "his name is Scott Hoying. He saw what happened and is willing to pay twice base charge."
I looked at my hands. It was one thing getting charity from my friends, people I trusted. But it something else getting it from strangers who didn't even ask my name half the time.
Yet, I nodded, trying to appear grateful. "Thanks, Tyler," I said, throat constricting. He nodded, signaling me to go do my thing.
Reluctantly, I got up from the table, pulling on my seductive persona. I sashayed up to Mr. Hoying and stopped in front of him, looking at his chest. Lightly caressing, I whispered, "Let's get out of here." Taking his hand, I said, "Lead the way."
And he led me out, into the warm LA night.