I woke up the next morning to see Christy, hanging over me waving something in my face. Groaning I pulled the covers over my face.
"Laurel..You got mail!" She said trying to pull the blankets off. I sat up quickly, grabbing the envelope out of her hands. I have mail? I never got mail. I stared at it blanky, it was addressed to me. But there was no return address. Just a blank envelope with "Laurel Quinn" scrawled in black ink in the center.
I hooked my finger at the top and slowly tore it open. I pulled out pink writing paper, staring blankly at the neat cursive writing.
Hey Laury-Laur,
Do you remember me? I sure hope you remember your childhood best friend. Ms. Potter (the lady who moved into our house) told me that a girl came to her quite awhile ago asking for me. I had a flicker of hope that it might be you, but then decided I was probably crazy since Peter (your adopted dad if you don't remember) told me you were dead. But when Ms.Potter described what you looked like to me, I knew it. I knew it was you. I'm so sorry I wasn't there, Laurel. I know you would've come for a very good reason, and I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you.
Awhile after you were sent to the orphanage, we moved to Rhode Island. And just a year ago I left home (on good terms of course) and moved to New York City. I had no clue I would find you here, truly a miracle.
I came here to live out my dream. Which as you know is a fasion designer. One day I was looking over some old photos of us, and my friend, David, asked who you were. The minute I told him your name, he looked like he had seen a ghost. What he then told me was definetly not something I was expecting. A prostitute, Laur? You know your so much better than that. What happened to an actress, don't you remember that Laurel? How we would talk about our dreams, you walking down the red carpet getting ready to win awards, sporting a dress designed by none other than Rebecca Collins? If I could do it, so can you. Of course I'm not offically a designer yet, I'm working on it though. I'm here, aren't I? And so are you. But your doing the complete wrong thing. I never expected this would be the outcome for you Laurel. I'm disappointed, but I don't want you to feel bad. I know how horrible your life has been.
If you want to see me again, I hope you do because I want to see you, contact me on the number I have left on the back of this letter. If not, then good luck to you in the rest of your life. I know one day we will see eachother. On the red carpet or not. Take Care then.
Love Always,
Rebecca C.
xoxo
I wiped violently at the tears that were spilling out of my eyes. This was something I never expected to happen.
Christy looked at me questionably from her bed. With a sniffle, I passed her the letter, with my shaking hands. I watched as she read it, her eyes widening at some parts.
"What do you think I should do?" I asked quietly. She set the letter down on my bed.
"It's up to you Laurel, It sounds like she really wants to see you again. But she doesn't sound too proud of you either." Christy commented lightly. I nodded knowingly, glancing over the letter once again. "Some things are better left alone..." She whispered.
***************
"A.j. do you remember that girl we saw the other night?" Nick questioned casually, as he flicked throught the channel's on the hotel's television.
"The prostitute." He grumbled. "Yeah I remember her....why?" Nick shifted in his seat, turning off the t.v. A.j. looked over at him.
"Prostitute whatever. She's still a girl all the same." Nick spoke quietly. A.j. tossed down his magazine, and stood up, hovering over Nick.
"She is not worthy of being called a woman. She is dirty trash Nick. Don't even think about trying to find her again." He hissed, leaving the room. Nick slumped back into his chair. Sure it was a degrading job...but she still deserved respect. Nick looked up as he heard the door open "Oh..hey B." He mumbled. Brian just nodded at him, and shut the door behind him quietly. He walked towards Nick, into the room.
"I hear you and A.j." He said seriously. Nick ran his hands through his hair. Brian bit his lip. "I didn't know that you two had a run in with a....with a...um...lady." He said nervously, afraid Nick might blow up at him if he used the word "hooker". Nick chuckled under his breath.
"Prostitute, Brian. You can say it." He replied. Brian raised his eyebrows. "A.j. puts a whole different meaning to the word. The way he uses it, she may have made a bad choice for a job. But that doesn't make her trash.." He finished. Brian nodded.
"I agree Nick. But, why are you bringing her up anyways?" He asked curiously. Nick gulped, and shrugged casually. Brian pierced his eyes at him. "You seem....like...attached to her or something." Nick laughed nervously.
"I barely know her Bri!" He commented. He looked at Brian, who looked unbelieving, and sighed quietly. "It's just..I don't know. I could tell she really didn't want to be there."
"I don't think any women who do that want to be there." He scoffed. "But it's their own fault really.....they could stop if they wanted to." Nick blinked at him.
"How do you know that Brian? You don't know their history. But this girl, there was just something about her. She just seemed, like, she was wasting her time. She couldn't cover it up. Not to me at least. I could see something. Something in her eyes, how hurt she was when A.j. called her..trash and stuff. And she looked fearful. She was a nice girl though." He protested. Brian looked shocked, then his eyes widened in realization.
"Oh my god, Nick...you like this girl! That is very bad, man...She may not be trash, but the fact that she's a prostitute doesn't change. She's not something you want to mess with. She could have a million diseases and..." Nick silenced him with a look. "Sorry." Brian mumbled.
"I know that Brian, but does that really make her any less of a person?" Brian was silent. "That's what I thought." Nick said with a smirk. Brian shook his head.
"That's not the point Nick, you'll never see this girl again." Brian said with a frown. Nick shrugged.
"You never know, I could even look her up if I wanted to." He said smartly. Brian laughed. Nick raised an eyebrow, wondering what the hell was so funny.
"Do you even know her name?" Brian asked, with a quiet chuckle under his breath. Nick glared at him. Brian grinned. "Real smart one Nicky."
***************
I walked gruffly to my usual spot. Tonight I was wearing a short white leather skirt, a black, backless halter. And to complete the outfit knee high leather boots. I looked down at myself in disgust. 'At least it gets the guy's attention.' I thought to myself.
"Hey Sexy." A voiced called out, I cringed inwardly. I hadn't even made it to my spot yet. I turned around to where the voice was. A college boy, they were frequent customers. He was good looking, but I still wasn't looking forward to it.
Forcing a smile I saunted up to him with an inviting smile. "Hey There." The guy circled me, then whistled under his breath. "How much?" He questioned with a grin. I hated that question. I never thought my life would come to the point where guys my age would walk up to me and ask me to put a price to my body.
"Depends how satisfied you are when it's over." I said smoothly. The guy winked at me. "So, you up for it?" He nodded his head, leading me to his car. I pushed my hair out of my face, preparing myself for another night.
***************
Matt, the college boy, wasn't that bad. He didn't treat me like a prostitute. And I have to admit, he was pretty good in bed. Nonetheless, I still had the same feeling I always had after doing some guy I didn't know. The need to get out of there as fast as I could.
"Do you wanna come back to my house?" Matt asked quietly. I looked over at him, surprised. "I would still pay you of course." He added quickly. Surprising myself, I actually thought about the idea. I had never gone back to the guys houses, but this would be three or four times my pay for the night. And it wasn't like he was a jerk either.
"Alright. How far away is it?" I asked as Matt pulled on his clothes. I sat up, throwing the covers off me and slid on my underwear.
"Only a few blocks away, actually." He answered with a smile. I nodded and pulled on my boots, smiling back at him.
************
I stared at my hand, in shock. At the pile of money laying in my palm. Okay so we had been at it long enough that I deserved this but it was still surprising. Matt smiled at my obvious shock.
"You were great, Laurel. I hope you have enough money now to get out of this business." He said. I looked up at him.
"One day.." I said, gathering up my clothes. He sat up in his bed quickly. He had a neat home actually, it was in a nice community and it was big enough for about 4 people. He lived alone, he had told me. It was a pretty clean house for a guy.
"You're leaving? I thought you would just stay for the night. It's not safe to go home around this time of night." He said quickly, grabbing my arm. I gave him a wink.
"And the business I do every night, all night is safe?" I snarled. Matt sank back down into the bed. I leaned over and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "Thanks Matt, you were one of the first 'customers' to actually treat me respect. I appreciate you for that. Have a good life."
"Wait!" He called after me, following me down his own hall. "Maybe we could exchange phone numbers, or something like that." He suggested. I shrugged.
"Wouldn't hurt, I suppose." I said brightly.
***************
"Laurel, you have enough money now to buy a nice condo, get a nice job and a shopping spree. You deserve it all." Christy told me, the next morning. I had just come back from the bank. And what she said really was true. I had saved up quite a stash.
"I don't want to do that....yet. I want to save up even more so I can buy a nice house, get money for a portfolio, and money for shopping." I protested, but grinned when Christy's mouth dropped.
"Portfolio?? Laur, are you really going to do it?" She asked excitedly, grabbing my hand tightly. I laughed and nodded. She jumped up and squeezed me in a tight hug. "God, I'm so proud of you Laurel. But, I still think you should do it now. Come on, I'll give you some money of mine towards the house and portfolio." She said willingly. I shook my head quickly.
"No way Chris. I want to do this on my own." I said with vehemence in my voice. Christy bit her lip.
"When are you going to go?" She asked hesitantly. I pondered her question for a few minutes. "Soon I hope." She added.
"No not yet, maybe another year or so." I said firmly. She opened her mouth to arugue furthur. "No Chris, I want to save him more. If this is what I made in a year, I will have double it in two years." Christy nodded understandingly.
"Well don't forget if you ever need some--" I cut her off quickly.
"I'll let you know Christy, but it won't happen. I can assure you of that." I told her.
***************