I woke up to the sound of Marianna's scream. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the crib that was on the other side of the room. I leaned down and picked her up and sighed, as her voice no longer echoed throughout the apartment. Shawn was sleeping and I didn't want to wake him up. I walked out to the kitchen and made a bottle for her. I sat down in the rocking chair Alana gave me, she said she never used it.
I began to feed Marianna and trying my hardest not to fall asleep until she was sleeping. After I fed her, she was still awake. Wide awake. I groaned and walked to the kitchen and made myself some coffee. I would be up for awhile.
I had brought a lot of stuff over from my father's, so the apartment wasn't completely bare. I got a lot of hand-me-downs as well. My aunt and uncle, who lived in NYC came down last weekend and donated some appliances. I got a microwave and a coffee-maker. My father donated some towels and stuff like that. It was nice to be living somewhere and not in an office, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to afford this. I mean, with rent, phone, laundry, formula, diapers, doctor's visits, food, necessities like toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, it could get expensive. Being a waitress and Shawn being a waiter wasn't going to cut it. Shawn hadn't talked to his mother in months, I think something happened with those two that he isnt telling me. It was going to be so hard. The only thing my father did was pay a month's rent for us. The good thing though, was that water, electricity, etc., is included in rent. Kudos for this complex.
I reached over to an end table, which my uncle also donated, and grabbed the remote to the t.v. (I brought from my dad's, it was in Alana and my's room) and turned it on. We didn't have cable, of course, but there were a few shows we could watch. Leno happened to be on, so I left it on the channel and watched it absentmindedly. After about thirty minutes into the show, I looked down and saw Marianna silently sleeping. I sighed and stood up and walked to the bedroom and gently placed her in her crib. I no longer was tired, the coffee woke me right up. I walked back to the living room and sat down in the rocking chair.
"What are you doing up?" Shawn asked walking into the room.
"Huh? Oh, I cant sleep," I answered.
"Really? Thats hard to believe," he smirked.
"Yeah, well, I just had a cup of coffee. Marianna woke up," I sighed.
"Why dont you go lie down. Try to go to sleep," he suggested.
"I cant, I think Im just going to sit in here," I replied and leaned my head back against the wood of the chair.
"Melissa, Im scared," Shawn said sitting down on the floor next to me.
"Why are you scared?" I asked looking down at him.
"Because, I dont think we can afford to live here," he said looking up at me.
"Neither do I, but you dont have to worry about it. This isnt your responsibility," I told him.
"I know it's not, but you've become my best friend, I want to help you," he said.
"Well, I appreciate it. I dont know what Im going to do. I guess I'll have to try to find a better paying job. It'll be the easiest thing to do," I said.
"Yeah, I guess so," he sighed.
"Why havent you talked to your mother lately?" I asked.
"She hasnt returned any of my calls. I dont think she wants anything to do with me," he said.
"Now, why would she want that?" I asked.
"Well, I went against her will to find my father. She never wanted me to go and I dont know. She's a little on the nonsensical side. She's not with it," he said.
"Well, why did you make yourself out to have the perfect family?" I asked.
"I dont know, I didn't mean to," he said.
"It's ok, why dont you go back to bed," I said.
"Ok, good-night sweetie," he said standing up. He leaned over and kissed the top of my head and walked back to the bedroom. Shawn and I were sharing a bed, until we could afford to buy him a separate one. It wasn't a big deal... he was my brother...
I got up after about twenty minutes of just staring into the darkness. I walked to the kitchen and turned on the light. I grabbed my purse and decided I would clean it out. I began pulling stuff out and throwing away things I thought I wouldnt need. I came across a business card and looked at it. Immediately recognized the card. It was from the guy who wanted to my to strip. I looked up and towards the bedroom, where my baby was sound asleep. I wonder about how much strippers make? I looked down at the card again, business hours, 8:00 p.m.- 6:30 a.m. I walked over to the phone and dialed the number from the card.
"Ricky Lopez here," he said answering the phone.
"Uh, Ricky. My name is Melissa. I met you quite a few months ago in a diner and you gave me your card. Im interested in stripping for you," I said.
"Well, sweetheart, would you be able to come down to the club tomorrow night?" he asked.
"Uh, sure," I answered.
"Great, let me give some directions and you can come down and see what it is like, ok?" he asked.
"Ok..."
The Next Night
"Thanks for watching Marianna tonight, Shawn," I said walking into the living room where Shawn was watching television with Marianna in his arms. I hadnt told him where I was going, only told him I was going somewhere to apply for a "better-paying" job. He was all for it, so I decided not to explain. I walked out of the apartment, wearing my black knee length skirt and a red figure fitting shirt. My hair was curly and pulled into a clip. I walked down the street, a short distance to the club. I walked in and took a seat at the bar, where he had told me to. It wasn't long before the bartender came up to me.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked.
"Just water please," I replied. He handed me a water and I handed him a five dollar bill.
"Thanks," he said, when I told him to keep the change. I opened the bottle of water and took a sip. I looked around the club and saw Ricky walking towards me. I recognized him right away.
"Yes, I remember you," he said smiling. I looked up at him and smiled weakly.
"Im Ricky," he said, extending his hand out to meet mine. I stuck my hand in his and he shook it.
"Melissa," I replied.
"Nice to meet you, wanna step into my office?" he asked.
"Sure," I agreed standing up and grabbing my purse and water. I followed him to the back and into an office.
"Take a seat darling," he said. I sat down across from him and looked around nervously.
"Dont be nervous, I already told you I wanted you to strip for me. The only thing we need to talk about is your starting date and any questions you may have," he said smiling.
"Um, when would I start?" I asked.
"Whenever you can," he said smiling.
"I really need to start in a few weeks, because I just had a baby," I told him.
"That's fine. Im guaranteeing you a job," he said.
"How much would I be getting paid?" I asked.
"Well, you would be getting $100 a night, plus however much you get tipped," he answered.
"How much should I be expecting in tips a night?" I asked.
"Well, our worst dancer makes about $250, maybe $300 a night. But, that's our worst dancer, our best dancer makes about $500 a night," he answered.
My eyes got wide.
"You're kidding, right?" I asked.
"No, of course not. You could definitely make about $450, easily," he told me.
"Are you serious?" I asked, still in shock.
"Oh yeah. You're very beautiful," he replied.
"Well, thank you," I blushed.
"So, what do you think?" he asked.
"What about security?" I asked.
"Every girl will have their own bodyguard. We are very protective over our girls, you will be escorted into and out of the club. If for any reason a customer is making you feel uncomfortable, he is forced to leave. The men do not touch the girls, only to put money in their panties, even when giving a lap dance, a guy's hand does not touch your body. If he touches you, the dance is over and he leaves," he told me.
"Wow, you are protective," I smirked.
"We have to be," he shrugged.
"Well, if it puts food in my baby's belly, I'll do it," I replied.
"Great, I just need you to fill out a few papers, company policy, you get the drift," he said.
"No problem," I said.
I couldnt believe I would be stripping. Showing my body to people.
"Another question, how much clothes actually comes off?" I asked.
"Everything but panties, those are required to stay on," he answered. I nodded and took a deep breath. He handed me the papers and I quickly read over them before signing them.
"Thank you Melissa, and we are very happy to have you as one of our girls," he told me.
"Thank you," I said.
"I'll give you a call tomorrow during normal hours and we can discuss a starting date and everything, it's ok if you need a few weeks, I understand you just had a baby," he said.
"Thank you," I said smiling.
I was about to become a stripper. Damn you AJ.
Chapter Seven
Chapter Nine
Weak Index
AJ Fanfiction Index
BSB Fanfiction Index
Backstreet Island