Page 90 of Power
“Yeah, it’s a lady or man who sells their body for sex.”
I take another breath and slowly nod. “In America, there’s only one state where being a prostitute is legal, and it’s only legal in parts of that state. Everywhere else, it’s against the law.”
I chance a glance at Emily. She’s chewing on her lip as she attempts to figure out what this has to do with us. “So? What does this have to do with you?”
“You know how I told you I work at a restaurant?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, I don’t work at a restaurant,” I say slowly, really hating that we’re discussing this while she’s still so young. Emily’s brows crinkle together.
“Then where do you work?”
“I’m an escort.”
“What’s that? Are you a prostitute too?”
“A prostitute sells their body for money, while an escort sells their time for money. Some men pay me for sex, while others pay me to just go to dinner with them, or to sit with them so they can have company.”
Emily crinkles her brows and purses her lips together. “I don’t understand, are you prostitute or not?”
“Some people will say yes; some people will say no.”
“What do you say? Are you, or aren’t you?” her question is innocent, yet quite confrontational too.
“I sell my time, and when I have sex with these men, then yes, I’m a prostitute. But, I’m an escort.”
There’s another drawn out stint of silence. “Why do you do it?”
“Because I enjoy sex, and the money is very good.”
Emily slowly nods. “And my school found out you’re an escort, and they threw me out because of it?” she naïvely asks.
“Not exactly.”
She slowly shrugs and stares at me. “I don’t understand.”
“One of my clients is Bennett.”
“I like him,” Emily says.
“Yeah, me too. But, he’s the president.”
“Why does that matter?”
“The president of the United States paid me for my time, during which we had sex.”
“Aha.” Emily becomes silent for a moment. “Are you in trouble because he paid you to do something that’s not allowed?”
“Yes.”
“So, does that mean because he’s the one who paid you that he’s in more trouble than you?”
“I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen to Bennett.”
“What did he say when you talked to him?”
My hands tighten around the wheel as I clench my jaw. “We’re not exactly talking.”
