Over the course of a single week, a perfect shit storm blew into my life. Monday evening on the way home from work, my car threw a rod. As the oil leaked onto the asphalt on the side of the roadway, I knew it was toast. A mechanic told me two hours later, his repair estimate would run $2,000 more that the car was worth. At least Dumbass had his own car I could use; an eight cylinder testosterone tribute to his machismo that got 10 miles to the gallon. As my shit luck would have it, the mail contained a FINAL notice that said Dumbass was three months behind in his payments and the car would be repro'd in 15 days unless we caught up in full. The $200 we had in saving wouldn't cut it.
In the same mail contained an announcement daycare was going up another 10 percent.
On Tuesday, I was called into a sudden meeting at work. Profits were down, expenses up - bottom line, they were closing our office effective immediately. One week severance, take it or leave it.
The next day, our son bit into a hotdog at the school cafeteria and screamed in agony. He bitten into a bit of bone in the frank had cracked his tooth. If we'd had TriCare, it would have helped with the coming bilsl, but Dumbass had preferred to get his muscle car to impress the rest of the barracks, than providing decent dental care for his family. The dentist explained he could pull the tooth, a permanent, for a lot less that putting in a crown. There are a lot of things I'll do to cut corners and I'll take the lumps on my own financial problems, but not where my kids are concerned.
Neither of us had family we could go to for money. I was screwed unless I could come up with a lot of money quickly. I'd heard of a woman in the complex that might be able help me out, if the rumors were true. Like me, she was the wife of an enlisted man, so she knew the tribulations.
I sat in Amanda's kitchen and covered my problems, not sure what she'd recommend. She was sympathetic and asked how desperate I was. My answer was, "Dire. We could lose our apartment in a few weeks."
She looked at me, turned away and then back again, as if summoning the courage to tell me. In a near whisper she asked, "Have you considered being a call girl?"
"No, I wasn't thinking of that at all." The look on my face was one of shock. I'd played a game once of hooking, but that was just some kinky adventure. Was she serious?
"Look, I'm sorry to have to bring it up. You're young and attractive. A lot of enlisted wives have to do this on occasion to get by. I'd guess a third have at one time or another. I know a woman that can help you. She's fair and will keep you out of trouble."
Still stunned, I asked, "Have you ever?"
She looked down at the table. "Yes, I've worked off and on for a couple of years. Shit happens."
It was true, there was a lot of shit happening for enlisted families. Nearly half of us were reduced to using food stamps in the commissaries. For people putting their lives on the line in defense of this country and their families, there wasn't much money for the effort.
I thought it over in silence for several minutes. It was scary. But, I was in a real bind. "OK, can you get me in touch with her?"
A day later I sat in the living room of someone named, Karla, in my leather mini, my best fuck me pumps and a skin tight top, discussing "contract employment". Karla was somewhere in her forties and nicely dressed. Her hair was expensively tinted and her nails professionally manicured. She smiled pleasantly when she asked, "Dear, would you mind taking your clothes off and showing me your body?"
I felt embarrassed, especially consider the large black male standing by the doorway. "Don't worry about, James, he's seen it all. He keeps all the ladies under my employ safe."
Realizing that if I wanted to work for her, I couldn't be shy. I disrobed and turned in front of them in nothing but my heels.
"I like that you don't have any tattoos. Our clientele prefer more refined women."
"Can I put my clothes back on now?"
"No, I'd like to see how comfortable you are in a situation like this. Please sit."
I took a deep breath and did as asked.
"Have you ever had sex for money before, Dear?"
"Err, not really," I replied, knowing that I had, sort of. At least I consider it a "sort of".
"It's nothing to be ashamed of. Half of the women in this country have had sex for some form of consideration at some point in their lives."
I briefly explained my hotel misadventure and blushed.
"I like that you have some experience, but not too much. You'll fit in with us nicely." James nodded in agreement.
The deal was that I'd be called and go to clients. I was technically an escort - there for my company only, but everyone knew I would be paid an additional fee to be fucked or whatever else the client wanted.
"There is one more thing, Dear. You'll have to dress better."
I looked at my mini skirt on the chair. It was the most expensive piece of clothing I owned. It did look cheap and worn. I was advanced $700 toward a new wardrobe. That would be my first two tricks, I calculated.
I was also instructed that clients of her establishment are never referred to as Johns or tricks. There was a host of other rules of etiquette. I signed an agreement to abide by all the rules. Amanda had pointed out to me, working for Karla was a lot better that making the drive to Nevada and working at a brothel or striking out on my own.
I spent the rest of the day buying my new work outfits. The money didn't go far, but it was enough to start out.
A day later I tapped on the door to room 416 at a business class downtown hotel. It was past dark and I'd told Anne that I was working as a restaurant hostess while she watched the kids. She may have seen the holes in my story, but she knew enough about the lives we existed in not to ask too many questions. I was dressed like I belonged in a place like this. It's funny, I dressed more like a whore before I began working as one.
The gentleman that answered the door seemed pleasant enough and was most likely in his mid- fifties. I introduced myself, "Good evening, sir, I'm Deborah."
He said his name was Charley and he eyed me up and down approvingly. "You're very pretty Deborah. I'm sure you show me a wonderful evening." I wore a skirt, two inches above my knees and a satin tie back halter. Underneath I had dark seamed stocking supported by a garter belt and a matching black bra that my nipples rose above.