"How did I get started, indeed?"
Tell her the truth; or give the 'party' line? Maybe say that I always enjoyed being the Indian Princess that got tied up by the cowboys and leave it at that. That's true enough to ring right, but it's not accurate. What would it hurt to tell? May do some good, then again.
"I remember thinking when Jimmy gets out of traction; I'm going to break both of his legs again, just for spite. He had a motorcycle accident leaving his part-time job at the grain elevator. He and lost control crossing wet rail road tracks and slide into a pickup truck heading the other way."
"You got started by accident, somebody else's accident? That's denial isn't it?"
"Maybe it is, but you asked, and that's how it started."
Twelve days before the Senior Prom and Jim breaks a knee and an ankle on two different legs. I wanted to die, and kill him too. I'd spent four hundred dollars of my own money on that gown. I was going to wear it. I was going to dance in it. I was going to be pretty and sexy. I wanted Jimmy to show me off to all the other kids in my class, and we would have too.
It's not entirely Jimmy's fault. He had the part time job because he didn't quite get a football scholarship. He didn't quite play as much as he might have. I guess I distracted him some. We've been dating since we were Juniors, and having sex most every week. I'm careful, I take the pill and stuff. I just know he was thinking about meeting me that evening, instead of the wet roads. That's no excuse.
My parents always said that motorcycle of his would get me in trouble. I just envisioned traffic arrests; for rowdy in public, kinds of things. Since we both turned eighteen, we were to a tavern exactly twice. We preferred to do our drinking at parties, it was cheaper and the people there were our own age. That must have been where the idea came from.
I didn't discuss this with Jim or anybody. I hardly had time to visit him before the prom. I did telephone all of the escort services in the directory, both of the ones in town said I was nuts and shouldn't bother them again. The one in nearby Granville said to come talk with the owner. The next day after school I made a detour on the way home. It had sounded promising on the phone; but as I was ringing the door bell of a farm house a mile west of Granville on County Highway G, I started to wonder. An older woman; at least forty, answered the door and invited me into the living room. I told her about the coming prom; Jim's accident, and how I hoped to rent a replacement date. Admission wouldn't be any problem, as the reservations were already in my name.
She explained it wasn't her usual business, but felt confident something could be worked out. We discussed hourly rates, tuxedo, flowers, parents, limo rentals and discretion. I looked at bios, head and full figure shots and picked a fella from Johnsonville. I wouldn't have to pay for his travel time, and he already owned a tuxedo, if black was ok. I'd be responsible for damage and cleaning for the limo and tuxedo. I could save the driver costs if we just rented a big black Lincoln or Cadillac, my escort could drive. My Master Card really took a big hit that day.
I just went about my business up to the day of the prom. I did tell Jim that I found another escort for the dance, and I mentioned something similar to my parents. I was really nervous; not just the prom thing, but what this guy would be like. The prom is too special for a blind date, but that is just what this was shaping up to be.
He arrived at my house almost five minutes early. He brought a flower for my mother and thanked her for helping me look so beautiful that evening. He shook my dad's hand and promised to take good care of me; but didn't give a specific time we'd return, saying he didn't know how long the post party would run. He has a terrific smile, tuxedo and blue eyes. His light brown hair was parted in the middle and gave him a boyish charm that radiated throughout the front room. He offered his hand, then arm to me as I descended the stairs, complimented me on my dress, shoes and hair. He handed me a boxed corsage of white and red roses and asked my dad to pin it to my gown. That's when my dads' face lite up, he smiled at me so big, and kissed my cheek softly when he finished pinning the flower to my dress. My feet fairly floated out the door with my escort.
My escorts' name was David. David Devine a stage name I think. He works as an exotic dancer to finance his art major and physical education minor at State University. He's a Sophomore. He also opens car doors for high school girls. What he wasn't - was very tall. I was looking him pretty much eye to eye with me in two inch heels. During the ride to the school gymnasium he asked me how much I knew about dancing, what signals I wanted to use for him to get me drinks and how much, if at all he was to talk to my friends. Had I told them anything about him and did I want him to be a friend of a friend, pen-pal, second cousin or something other?
I had not told anyone about him, and asked what he would suggest. He said pen-pal was probably safest. He asked if I understood that there could be no sex 'on the clock' because that would be prostitution. That any sex was discretionary and consensual. I told him I didn't think that would be a problem, as I had a boy friend who would have been here tonight were it not for a motorcycle accident.
He dropped me off at the entrance, and asked for me to wait for him just inside the doorway while he parked the car. That way my hairstyle wouldn't get ruined by the weather. He certainly was thoughtful, and before the next limo had dropped its passengers he was jogging up the asphalt to retrieve me from the foyer. I produced our invitations and we located our table within minutes. He deposited my wrap on the back of my chair, reversed so my exposed back wouldn't touch the metal of the chair and asked what I would like to drink. He politely kissed me on the cheek and walked to the punch bowl. He brought two punch glasses and two water glasses back. I'll bet he's waited tables a time or two as well. After sipping the punch he asked if he might have this dance.
Four dances later we returned to our seats. I was warm and he was terrific. He chatted with me and another couple at the table while I sipped punch for maybe two or three more songs. We then danced until the band took its break. He escorted me back to the table, refilled our drinks and asked me if he might be excused for a cigarette break outside, promising to return in five minutes.
The Band returned and he was back before the prom court introductions. I couldn't smell anything but his cologne when he returned, how do you suppose he does that. We waited until two songs had passed before dancing again. We stopped maybe twice the remainder of the prom. He rubbed my feet that last time. That probably was a mistake because I didn't last three more dances. I should have brought other shoes, but he said bare feet looked good on me, and I believed him. I looked terrific; people were watching us dance all night, every time we were on the dance floor people made way for us as we swished around the room. I felt so light in his arms, so delicate and beautiful.