Page 91 of Power
“Didn’t you say you like him though? How many times did you see him? Did you have sex with him all the time?”
“I do like him. Liked. Like. I don’t know.”
“Are you in trouble because you have a job that’s not allowed?”
I shake my head. “I’m in trouble because I had sex with the president.”
“I really don’t understand what’s happening, Mom. If you’re in trouble, then he should be too because he’s the one who paid you. Right?”
“It doesn’t always work like that.”
“Why? Is it because you’re a woman?” I’m speechless and unable to answer her question. “Is it only my school who knows?”
“No, baby. The whole world does. That’s why we’re driving Tash’s car and going to Hope River. We need to lay low for a little while until I can figure out what to do.”
“Wait? We’re hiding? What’ll happen if people find us? Will they hurt us?” Emily starts fidgeting in the seat.
“No one is going to hurt us,” I say with assurance. Though in the pit of my stomach, I have no idea what anyone is capable of. “We’re going to stay with May for a little while.”
“What about my friends?”
“I’m sorry, Emily, but for now, you can’t even turn your phone on. We need to be extra careful until I can figure this out.”
“Will Bennett hurt us?”
“No, not at all.”
“We’re in Tash’s car because you don’t want anyone to find us, right?” My fingers relax around the wheel as I nod. “Why is being a prostitute not allowed?”
“I have no idea why it’s illegal, especially in today’s day and age. But, I guess it has to do with people and what they think is morally right.”
“Morally?” Emily asks. “What does morally mean?”
“Um, best way I can describe it is what society thinks is acceptable. And, they don’t think selling your body should be acceptable.”
There’s another long pause, and I gather that Emily is thinking about our conversation. “Has anyone forced you to do this?”
Loaded question, Emily.“No one has forced me to do this.”
“And you said you do it because you like sex, and the money is good.”
“Yeah.”
“Why can’t you get a job that pays the same as what you’re getting paid by these men?”
“I make more in one day than most people make in a month.”
“What about Bennett?”
“What about Bennett?” I repeat her question back to her.
“He knows what you do?”
“Yeah, because he hired me to...” I take a breath, not really sure how far to go with this with her.
“To have sex with him?”
“Yeah,” I let out a sigh.
