On Tuesday, I could still barely sit, but thanks to some aspirin, I managed to make it through my classes. I ended up back in the library to start the outline from my research, which meant I'd be working with Lori.
I was still shifting around uncomfortably when she sat down next to me. "Hey. How are you?"
"All right," I shrugged.
"How did last night go? Who'd you get?"
"Al."
"Oh jeez," she said, concerned. "I had him once. I guess he shows up once a month or so and Beverly rotates him so no one ends up with him over and over."
"Great."
"Look, Marri, I know he's terrible, but most of the guys aren't like that. A lot of them are just lonely."
"Whatever." I was starting to wish she'd never even told me about Torch in the first place. I was ready to turn in my keys and never go back. What could they do? Sue me? Hard to do when it wasn't exactly a legal job to begin with.
"Marri, you're not quitting are you?"
"Why? You lose out on some kind of bonus if I go?"
"No," she said, sounding a little hurt. "I just think you'd like it if you let yourself."
"Beverly didn't even warn me about him."
"Oh, everybody knows Beverly's a bitch," she said dismissively. "He probably paid extra so she wouldn't tell you."
"So what am I supposed to do? Go back there and pretend like nothing happened?"
"Yes. Exactly."
I sighed.
"I guess I could stick it out for a little longer," I conceded.
"Good," she said, smiling. "Now, should we get back to this paper? I need a good grade."
We went back to work. We had the whole thing mapped out in under an hour, and we decided to pack it in and head over to Torch.
"You know," she murmured on our way out, "Della is out of town for a couple of days, and I get really lonesome when I sleep alone."
Before I could respond, she darted off, leaving me there with my mouth open.
* * * * *
"Marri, your client is here." It was Mr. Earl's voice on the intercom, and I was relieved. I figured he wouldn't set me up with someone like Al, at least not right away.
I went into the foyer wearing the media version of the stereotypical prostitute outfit. My shirt was so tight, it looked painted on, and it was cropped above my navel. The skirt was obscenely short and the boots were almost comically tall, going all the way up to the knee with three-inch heels. I was just praying I wouldn't fall.
Mr. Earl was waiting in the foyer next to a tall, skinny, freckled guy. He couldn't have been more than twenty, and he looked like a scared rabbit. I breathed a sigh of relief. He was as different from Al as possible.
"Marri, this is David, your client for the night."
"Hello, David."
"Uh, hi," he said, looking around like he was in awe. He probably was.
"Today is David's birthday," Mr. Earl told me. "Let's make sure it's a happy one."
"Sure. Come on upstairs, David."
Mr. Earl smiled encouragingly and I took David's hand, leading him away. We went into my room and he just stood there, looking totally lost and overwhelmed.
I locked the door and clicked on the intercom, confident that even if things actually did get out of hand, I could take this kid down myself. I sat down on the chair and smiled at him.
"Relax." I didn't want to come on too strong and scare him away.
"Yeah, right," he squeaked.
"It's your birthday, huh? How old are you?" I asked, trying to make conversation. Fucking was easy. I wasn't so sure about putting this guy at ease.