Brent: Found in New York
The city lights flashed and blurred in the window as I made my way through the streets in a black SUV. This wasn't a common taxi. It was a luxury car service. I was once again reminded of how wealthy these people were, and how wealthy I was not.
I stared down at the mask in my hands, black and anonymous. I grappled for some meaning behind the whole night, trying to come to terms with what I'd done. I did it for a good cause, or so I told myself, but I hadn't expected to enjoy it so much. And enjoying it made me feel cheap somehow. But the time that Ginny and I spent together was beautiful, perfect, unforgettable. I would have given anything to spend my life with a girl like that.
"I can tell by the look on your face you're thinking of Virginia."
"Huh?" I said, looking at Olivia. "Oh, no. I was just---"
"Please don't insult my intelligence. It's fine. Of course, you're enamored with the girl. What boy wouldn't be? But I really don't care. I'll remind you of your NDA. What happened tonight, didn't happen. You never met me, my sister, my mother, my daughter, and you never met Virginia. You're not to look for or contact any of us, least of all her."
"I wouldn't do that."
"Good. So, take tonight as a pleasant memory, the best job you ever had."
"Yes, ma'am," I said, looking out of the window.
"You did very well, if it's any consolation," she went on. "Really, you lasted much longer than I expected. I was very impressed."
"I'm glad."
"Unfortunately," she said, "the $1,000 bonus is forfeit. After all, you were not supposed to cum unless she told you to. I wish you followed instructions as well as you fucked. Take this as a life lesson."
I looked at the woman in the dark. Why was she being rude to me? I didn't care about the money anymore, but I still felt insulted.
"Fine." I turned my head back to the window, looking through the glass.
"Aren't you going to ask for your payment?"
Did I even want it? If she didn't pay me, maybe I wouldn't feel so lousy after the night I'd just had. "Is that how you deal with all of your employees?" I asked her, looking back. "You make them beg for their paycheck before you give it to them?"
The politeness vanished from her face, and I could tell I thoroughly pissed her off. I hadn't meant to, but she'd insulted me, and I was still grappling with the night. I knew she was going to give me the money, but I wasn't going to let her rub it in my face.
She reached into her purse and pulled out a thick envelope. She held it out. "Count it."
I didn't want to take it. What if I walked away from it? "I don't want it."
She dropped it in my lap. "You'll take it, boy. I paid you for a service, and you performed it."
The weight of the envelope in my lap seemed to pull me down.
"What?" she went on. "You think you have some moral high ground? You're a prostitute, 'Beau.' I paid you, and I got exactly what I wanted. Take your money and spend it on, oh, beer, and weed, and girls, and games, or whatever you simpletons do."
I picked it up. "It's for my grandmother."
"Sure, it is," she said. "Now, go ahead and count it."
"I trust you," I said, sliding it into my jacket pocket and returning my eyes to the window.
"You know, even if you met her again, she wouldn't be interested in you."
I sighed heavily. "I know."
"I just want to put your mind at ease. You may be a good lover, but you're not boyfriend material, not for a girl like her."
"Is there a reason you're telling me this?"
"I don't want there to be any misunderstandings. Do not attempt to contact her."
I was getting angry. "Look, I did a job. That's it."
"Good. That's exactly what I want to hear."
"We're here," I said.
"Driver, stop," she called up to the front.
He pulled up in front of the coffee house, Starstruck's. I gathered myself and stepped out.
"Brent," she said.
"What?" I said, turning back.
"You fuck well. Maybe you should consider it as a career. If you'd like, I know a madame who runs a male brothel."
I slammed the door in her face and hurried to the stairs beside the coffee shop. The car pulled away by the time I made it downstairs. I turned the key in my door handle and threw my shoulder against the sticky doorjamb.
Max barked and jumped up on me, rubbing his cold nose on my neck.
"Haha, okay, buddy, I missed you too."
I scratched his neck, running my hand through his golden fur. He walked around me, his tail wagging, sniffing me thoroughly.
"That strange scent is the most amazing girl in the world, but you'll never smell her again, so enjoy it while it lasts."
"Ruff!" Max barked.
"Exactly," I said.
I moved through the small apartment, turning on a few more lights. There were only two doors in the place, a bathroom and a small bedroom. I opened the bedroom slowly, peeking inside. My grandmother slept silently. At least, I prayed she was still sleeping. I always had this fear that one day she wouldn't be sleeping. I stared at her back in the dark, looking for signs of life, my heart inching up in my throat. Then she moved and I relaxed.
I closed the door quietly and sat heavily on the couch. I peeled off my coat, kicked off my shoes, and then I lay down on the couch, my bed, feeling exhausted, physically spent and emotionally drained. I stared up at the ceiling. I could still smell Ginny's perfume all over me. I savored each breath. I pulled off my t-shirt and touched my chest, bringing my fingers to my face, smelling hints and whiffs.
I'd told Ginny where to meet me tomorrow, if she wanted to. Now I felt like a fool for saying anything to her, for daring to think she would want me, for letting myself assume she felt the same connection I did. Her aunt was right. I was paid to have sex with her. Why would I assume she thought of me as anything more than a sex worker?
Max barked and I patted his head. He laid on the floor next to the couch, and I scratched between his ears.
"I liked her, Max. I really liked her a lot. She was perfect, like when you see a beautiful, warm girl, and you just think, I could be happy forever if I could make her happy."
I patted Max's side, and he whined a little.
Who am I kidding? I could never make her happy, because her family comes from money, and I'd never have any. Today, right now, was the richest I'd ever be. After this money got spent, I'd be poor again, and she'd never give me a second thought.
I was quiet for a while, just petting Max, thinking mostly, remembering Ginny.
"Do you think she'll be there tomorrow?" I asked Max. "It'll be an interesting walk, won't it, boy?"
The next morning, the last of Ginny's scent washed away in the shower as I got ready for work. After that, I got grandma out of bed and was treated to the usual wakeup routine.
"Who are you? Where's my grandson?"
"It's me, Grandma, Brent. I'm right here."
"You're not my grandson."
"Yes, I am, Grandma."
"You are?"
"Yup."
"You're James' son?"
