Penny told me my first few days would be fairly quiet. I was to show up every day at 9 am, have a vigorous workout in the office gym, and then I could take the rest of the day off. After each workout I would have a delicious protein shake and then go have a long visit with John. Initially I felt bad for him, but now I'm convinced he really loves it. He would always tell me about his evenings or weekends. He loved the chit chat, which I can understand considering his position. I learned that he's divorced and has 2 kids, both in college. The older one is studying to be a doctor, and the younger one is a bit aimless. John said he's worried the younger one might get into sex work. I told him it really depends on how, but I guess it's different for dads.
Gape and Shitbox were still busy and I didn't see them around during the week. Shitbox mentioned she had just finished a job with a warehouse where she was made available to a group of construction workers during their shift. She provided every service offered by PPS, and she was tired. Gape also worked all week for a visiting dominatrix at the local whorehouse. She was there to help demonstrate and train subs that wanted to learn from the Domme. It was mostly BDSM, with lots of penetration.
Penny said I was welcome to hang around and do some training or try out some of the gear in the wardrobe. I did that occasionally, but I also appreciated the free time.
Penny also suggested that I should start creating a plausible cover story for my job. I'll inevitably get asked by my family and friends about my new job, so unless I want to come clean and tell them I'm a shit eater, I had better come up with something. Gape told me she tells her friends that she still models. She's not in any magazines or online anymore, so I'm not sure it's a very plausible story, but she is completely gorgeous, so maybe no one questions. Shitbox told me that she's 'out' about her job, but doesn't provide details to anyone about where or who she works for. I couldn't believe it when she told me. She said that it wasn't as hard for her. She had already lost contact with most of her friends and family once she started living on the streets, so now she has no fear or shame. What a way to live!
I still kept in touch with Jodi so I would have to tell her something eventually. Things were getting worse for her. She was now in deeper with her loser boyfriend and I got the feeling she was using drugs again. When I saved up enough money I vowed I would pay off her debts and get her out of there.
Later in the week I decided to have lunch with my dad and brother. We don't see each other much these days, but we try to stay in touch. My mom passed away from cancer a few years ago and I know it was important to her for the family to stay close. I met them at a cafe near the water. They were both there when I arrived.
"Jess, I ordered you a cappuccino. Sorry to rush, dad's got to meet Arnold in about 45 minutes." Arnold is dad's sailing buddy; they've known each other for maybe 30 years.
"Yeah, thanks Nick. Hey dad," I said sitting down.
"Hey Jess. So good to see you sweetie! You look well! Last time I saw you, what was it, maybe 4 months ago... you looked... Anyway, you look great and it's good to see you!" he said.
"Thanks dad. Yeah, I'm no longer on the night shift! I'm now getting regular sleep. I also have a new job," I said nervously. Time to deliver the performance I had rehearsed in my head so many times.
"I wondered if you had. That's so great Jess. Where are you working?" he asked.
"I work at a gym. I teach yoga and pilates classes. I really like it!" I said. It wasn't such a stretch as I've always tried to keep fit and loved spending time at the gym.
"Ha. You do yoga now?" said Nick.
"I do Nick. I like it and I'm good at it!" I said. It didn't feel good to lie, but it felt somewhat true. You just had to substitute what 'it' referred to.
"Well that's great dear. Nick, you could do with some exercise," dad said, poking his finger into Nick's growing tummy.
"You're one to talk, Warren." Nick liked to use his first name. It made him feel older and more equal somehow. Dad didn't care. The lunch continued on like that and it was great. We slipped into our old dynamic and I was feeling really good about myself. We wrapped up and went our separate ways.
I spent much of my time trying to get my life on track. I bought a new car. I sold my Prius for $700 and bought a used Jeep Wrangler for $15,000 cash. I think it really suited me. I found a new place to live. It's a 3 bedroom apartment in Edgewater, which is a small suburb north of downtown. It's close to the water, and not too far from work either. My rent was $4,500 per month, which gave me heart palpitations thinking about spending that much money, but Gape said it was a good price and I should go for it. My last place was $1,250, but I had done some budgeting and my takehome pay is about $165k, and my rent is $54k, that still leaves me with over $100k to live on. I was cruising!
Gape also had a place close by which was nice. We were getting to be quite close. She came with me to pick out some new furniture and helped me move in. I felt like I was starting fresh and my life had really turned around. I was feeling settled but my job started to feel almost too quiet. I was still waiting for a call to attend another dinner party. About a week later I did get a call, but it wasn't about a dinner party.
Penny called me on a Thursday evening and told me I would have a job coming up on the weekend.
I wish she had just told me what the plan was on the phone. I barely slept at all that night in anticipation. I masturbated twice to try and get to sleep, but it was no use.
