I don't know what happened. Maybe I wasn't the lover that she had dreamed of. Maybe I didn't listen carefully enough when she needed to vent. Maybe I hadn't sent enough flowers or call often enough. Maybe, just maybe, she met someone new. Whatever the cause, I was single and as lonely as hell.
It was time to get away and go someplace my ex and I had never been. Staying in Chicago had too many memories ... like summers at Wrigley Field or a night ride on Navy Pier's Ferris Wheel or getting drenched like a couple of seven year olds under the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park. Chicago had only memories.
Seattle sounded nice but it always rains in Seattle and anyway, it is too far from the Windy City. I decided on Salt Lake City where I could hit the nearby slopes and ski for a couple of weeks each winter. There is something about being in the cold fresh air surrounded by mountains and powdered snow that is so invigorating. I needed my batteries recharged big time.
Stepping off the plane, I took the escalator downstairs to the car rental kiosk before heading downtown to my hotel. The flight from O'Hare had been delayed and it was a bumpy ride. Oh yes, and she was very much on my mind. I needed a drink! After checking in at the hotel, I went straight to the bar.
Drinkin' again and thinkin' when, when you loved me
I'm havin' a few and wishin' you were here
Oh yeah, I'm drinkin' again
It's always the same, that same old story
After the kicks, there's little old mixed up me
Tryin' to lose a dream that used to be.
--- from "Drinkin' Again .... Mercer/Tauber, composers
Anyway, I was waiting for my second drink when a woman, who looked to be in her early thirties, sat down within speaking distance from me. She wore a tight black skirt just above the knees showing off her exquisite legs and tight ass. Her purple blouse clung to her breasts for dear life and a simple pearl necklace accentuated ample cleavage. She was pretty but looked tired.
The waiter arrived with my second martini. I turned to the woman and said, "You look like you could use a drink. Can I buy you something?"
"Oh yes! That would be very kind of you," she said with an accent that I couldn't quite place.
"Where are you from?" I asked with my curiosity getting the best of me.
"Vegas. Well that's were I've been for a couple of years. How about you?"
"Chicago," I said, "but I'm thinking of relocating. By the way, my name is Maurice Price."
"I'm Natasha but everyone calls me Tash."
"Hi, Tash. What are you drinking?
"Oh, that martini looks delicious."
My! It's nice to simply sit and rest awhile;
Now I know it's a shame,
I can't think of your name,
I remember your smile!
I don't ordinarily drink with strangers,
I most usually drink alone.
You were so awfully nice to ask me,
And I'm so terribly far from home.
----- from "Something Cool" ... Billy Barnes, composer
"Waiter, bring the lady a martini, please."
I moved to the chair nearest Tash so we would might have a more private conversation. We chatted with the usual small talk topics like the weather and what we've been doing in Salt Lake City. She had done some shopping and had met a friend for lunch. On the other hand, I hadn't much to tell since arriving only a few hours before. We were hitting it off well enough so I asked Tash to dinner. "Yes, I'd like that," she said.
Dinner was, let's say, eye popping! At first we searched for something we had in common. I liked jazz. She liked hard rock. I liked Picasso, She liked Rembrandt. There really wasn't much that connected us. I mentioned that my work involved computers. Mostly I was an independent contractor dealing with technology issues for businesses in the city. Tash listened but didn't say much.
Finally I said, "You have an interesting accent. Where is it from?"
"Oh, I was born in the Ukraine."
"Interesting!" I said. How did you get to America?"
"It is a long story, Maurice."
"Tell me about it."
Tash sat quietly for awhile, then said, "I haven't thought about this for a long time. Some of it is a little painful."
"OK, but I'm always interested in people from other places. Tell me your story if you can."
"As I said, I was brought up in the Ukraine. When I left school, there were no jobs so girls like me were willing to do just about anything to get money. My best friend said there was a guy in town offering great jobs at hotels and restaurants in Germany. Three of us decided it was our best chance even though none of us wanted to leave home. The man put us on a bus to Kiev where we joined other girls on a train taking us to Poland for a two day stopover. The people taking us were very kind and we had good food. Finally we got back on the train but we didn't stop in Germany. They said we misunderstood and would find jobs in Holland. Amsterdam is where we got off and were put in a dingy hotel. A man came into my room and said, "We have a job for you but first you need to show me your talents."
"I didn't understand at first but when he unzipped his pants and let them drop to the floor showing his intent, it was easy to understand the "talents" I was to show him. At first I buried my head under a blanket but he grabbed my head and forced me to take his erect penis in my mouth. I had done this with my first boyfriend so it really wasn't so bad. Later that evening, another man had me show off my other talents. I was forced to strip naked and then he had sex with me. Two other guys had their way with me before I was allowed to sleep. I was in tears all night."
"That is unbelievable," I said, "but how did you get to this country? I was hooked on her story at that point hoping she wouldn't stop.