Page 74 of Power
“Huh,” May says as she taps her chin and narrows her eyes. “Interesting.” She stares at me for a moment. “Are you a drug dealer?”
“God, no! I have no interest in that.”
“Ahh, I see. So, you’re a prostitute then.” I feel the heat rise to my face as I suck in a breath. “Good for you.”
“Imma...I’m a... No.” My mouth dries as I try to dig myself out of it.
“I’m a vault, nothing will break me. But like I said, good for you. If that’s what you need to do to support that sweet girl down there, then I’m all for it. Not like you need my approval.” She casts an eye over me. “Judging by how nice your hair is, the length of your nails, and your and Emily’s beautiful clothes, I’d say you’re a high-class escort, right?”
I clear my throat, still shocked by her accurate analysis of me. “I... How?”
“This man you can’t be with, I take it he knows about your occupation?” I nod as I lower my chin and look down at my lap. “He doesn’t like you being an escort?”
I lift my head and smile weakly. “It’s a complicated situation that would put all of us at risk of scrutiny. I won’t put her through that.” I point to over my shoulder.
“I take it this man isn’t her father, either.” I keep shaking my head. “Does she know he’s not her father?”
“Of course, she knows he’s not her father. All she knows about her father is he wasn’t in my life much past him finding out I was pregnant.” Again, not the entire truth.
“He sounds like a great guy,” May says sarcastically, lifting her brows.
“Again, it’s complicated and not ideal. But I’ve made the best of the situation, and I have vowed to be the best mother I can be to Emily.”
“You’re a good person, Reece, don’t let something like your profession stop you from loving the right man.”
“My illegal profession,” I point out.
“Sometimes we can be a backward country. You’re an adult and you should be allowed to do with your body what you choose. As long as it’s sane, safe, and consensual, then sell it if you want.” May shakes her head. “There aren’t many things that tip me over with anger, but telling a woman she can’t have an abortion is the first thing that irritates me, and telling a man or a woman they can’t sell their body is another. If there’s demand for the industry, then legalize it and make it safe for the workers.”
“I must admit, you’re quite a forward thinker for someone who’s...” I shut my mouth instantly regretting the words.
“Were you about to say for someone my age?” I cringe in shame as I nod. “My life has been a fortunate one and I’m grateful to be able to see things for what they are. For example, I see a beautiful young woman sitting here doing the best she can in circumstances that I think may have been challenging. Why should I judge you for the decisions you were forced to make?”
I feel like crying. I’ve kept this part of me so tight and closed off that I’m terrified of telling anyone outside of Tash about what I do. “I have to be honest with you, never in a million years would I have ever imagined that I’d be sitting in this small town, having curry and talking to a woman your age about my occupation.”
“Darling.” She flicks her hand dismissively at me. “You forget, I was young once and I had my fair share of fun when I was in my twenties, and thirties, and way beyond.”
Her entire persona is infectiously beautiful. I feel like hugging her. “I wish I had a parent like you.”
“I’m old enough to be your grandparent.” She sternly stares at me.
“I never knew my grandparents, or even my father. Mom tossed me out when I was fourteen and I’ve never been back. I don’t even know where she is or if she’s still alive.”
“She might be looking for you.”
I scoff and roll my eyes. “No, that’s highly unlikely. She’s a... she was a horrible drunk who chose her boyfriends over me. There’s nothing she could say to me to make feel anything for her. She was never a good parent, and I don’t want to find her and relive those horrible years of my life.”
“You’re entitled to tell her to fuck off if you ever do cross paths with her. You have every right to say whatever you want to her. But I will say this to you, Reece, and take it from an old broad like me.”
“What is it?” I feel like May speaks from her heart with every word she says.
“Don’t carry hatred inside you, because that’s something that’ll fuck you up when you’re older.”
“Trust me when I tell you that one of the first things I did when I started making decent money is find myself a good therapist. It was the best decision I ever made for myself.”
“Good for you.” She nods. “I have to ask you something though. If I don’t ask, I’m going to regret it.” The atmosphere has loosened and isn’t so tense.
“What is it?”
