Before diving into today's story, I want to give a huge shout-out to Phil Anderer, the unsung hero behind the scenes. Phil's keen eye and editing wizardry have been instrumental in polishing my stories and banishing those pesky typos and spelling errors. Thanks to his expertise, I can share my thoughts with you all in a much clearer and more refined way. Big thanks to Phil for making sure each post shines.
I can't tell you how I know the events of this story. Also, many of the names and events have been altered to hide identities. You see, it isn't really my story to tell. It was told to me in confidence and I'm passing it along in a way that protects that confidence.
Frank was in his 70s and very well off. Not super rich, but he knew he couldn't spend what he had, in the time he had left. It also meant he ate most of his meals out, took taxis everywhere, and generally treated himself well. His apartment was a large penthouse in a posh building with wonderful views.
His daily routine was almost identical day to day. He walked over to the café and ordered breakfast, strolled over to the library, or just went for a walk if the day was nice enough. In the afternoon he napped or took in a movie.
Frank was a bit bored with life, not in a rush to get life over with, but still bored with his day to day.
This morning while eating his breakfast, he noticed someone on the other side of the restaurant. A girl in her early 20s was sitting in one of the booths, her knees drawn up and resting against the table, sipping a coffee.
He watched her for a long time; she looked a little lost. Like someone who might jump three feet up if anyone said 'hello' to her. She was wearing jeans with stains on them and ripped out knees. Frank wasn't sure if this was done for style, like the kids today often did, or actually worn. Her top was a loose-fitting t-shirt with that seemed stretched out and also stained from food. On top of that were two blouses and a windbreaker type of coat. Her hair was dirty blonde, greasy and there was dirt on her face and hands.
When the waitress refilled his coffee, he asked about her.
"Is she ok?" he started.
The waitress followed his gaze. "That's Alice. Poor thing is only skin and bones, all she ever orders is coffee."
"Is that all she can afford?" Frank asked.
"Don't know really," replied the waitress, "not my place to ask."
"Do me a favour, bring her the full breakfast," Frank told the waitress. "Tell her, it was made by mistake or something, don't let her know it was form me."
Frank watched as the waitress followed his instructions. As the plate was set in front of her, and the explanation given, it was easy to tell this had been a good move. Alice tucked into her meal like it was her last. Frank thought it was more likely her first in a while.
Frank smiled to himself, enjoying his good deed for the day.
A little later, Frank paid his bill, left a good tip, and headed out to the library.
On his way home he spotted the woman again. She was leaning against a wall on the other side of the street. He crossed over to get a better look.
Frank didn't realize it, but he had been staring at her the entire walk up the street. He almost jumped when she spoke to him.
"$20," she said, like he should know what he was talking about.
"I'm sorry?" Frank responded.
"I will suck it for $20." Alice smiled a half-hearted smile.
Frank was all caught up now, she was offering herself to him in exchange for money.
"You don't have to do that." Frank smiled at her.
"I don't have to do anything asshole!" Alice snapped back, "If you're not here for fun, fuck off!"
Frank wasn't deterred, he reached into his pocket and took out a $50 bill. He looked at the bill for a moment and then handed it to Alice.
She looked at the money, up at Frank, and back to the money.
"Ok, I will fuck you," she said turning to the alleyway she was standing by.
"No," Frank said, "I just thought you could use the money. I hope it helps."
Frank smiled at her and walked on his way.
He spent his afternoon at home looking out the window and thinking about Alice. He could picture her very clearly. Something about her mesmerized him. He hoped he would see her again.
He rose early and went to the café again, hoping she would be there. He was disappointed to find she wasn't.
He was almost finished his own breakfast when she walked in and moved to the same booth she was in the day before. She looked over and saw him, smiled a lonely smile, and went back to staring into her coffee.
When the waitress came over, he asked her to send the woman another breakfast.
"We don't need the subterfuge this time," Frank told the waitress.
The waitress looked over at the woman and back to Frank. She shot him what best could be described as a sour look. Frank assumed she thought he was hitting on the young woman.
He didn't correct her, as he didn't think he could without it sounding like an excuse.
He watched as the waitress brought over the breakfast and pointed him out.
Alice picked up the plate and walked over to Frank's table.
"What do I owe you for this?" she asked without any pleasantries. "Waitress seemed to think you are trying to get into my panties."
"Nothing," Frank smiled up at her, "just thought you could use it and I had the means to give it to you. No strings."
Alice sat down across from him.
"I suppose I should thank you for yesterday as well." Alice said to him.
"Yes," Frank replied. "Sorry about the lie. I didn't want you to feel..."
"Indebted?" Alice finished his sentence for him.
"Yes, indebted." Frank nodded.
"Thank you," Alice said, almost spitting the words out.
"Thank you," she said again, this time with a little less hostility.
"I don't want anything from you," Frank started, "I just saw you might need the help. Besides, you already offered me a lot for a very reasonable price."
Alice shot him a look of distain, but quickly softened her features when she thought over his remark.
Alice wasn't used to getting things given to her; she also had a lot of mistrust built up. Part of her guarded against offers like this, as they were usually a quick path to a guy trying to get some part of him inside of her.
Frank studied her while she ate,trying to think of what he could say next. Finally, he came up with nothing better than "Why do you do it?"
"Fuck strangers?" Alice asked, trying to remain tough.
"Yes," Frank smiled, "fuck strangers."
"Pays for food and food keeps me alive." Alice smiled back a sarcastic smile.
"Frank," Frank said, "I understand you are called Alice."
Alice shot a dark look over to the waitress, figuring that was how Frank knew her name.
"Hi Frank!" Alice said. "What can I do for you?"
"Where are you staying Alice?" Frank asked in the most disarming way possible.
"I have my places," Alice replied.
"So, nowhere... stable?" Frank asked rhetorically. "Can I pay for a hotel room for tonight?"
"Sure, plus $200, and I will stay the entire night," Alice responded.
"No," Frank shook his head, "You misunderstood me, I do not want to stay with you. The room will be yours for the night; I will go home."
Alice just looked at him. She didn't know what to do.
"Why?" she finally asked.
"I don't know," Frank replied. "I can do something good. Maybe it makes me feel better, maybe this is selfish."
Alice kept staring at him. Finally, she spoke again.
"Where do you live?" she asked him.
"In the apartments around the corner," Frank replied.
"Lavish place." Alice smiled, "How come we can't go there?"
She was pushing him a little, trying to flush out his ulterior motives. She had been studying Frank. He was old but distinguished; he dressed nicely and seemed to have a calm about him. He didn't seem dangerous in any way. Still, she had to be sure; she'd had a few close calls with 'dates' she had been on. Men who seemed to be paying for a living sex toy and not a person offering a service.
"Would you feel safe if we went to my place?" Frank interrupted her thoughts. "Tell you what, I will also give you $200, not for sex, but as a sort of insurance. If we assume I don't want to kill you, I hope we can assume that, then you would be worried about me raping you. Since you have already offered to have sex with me for $20, $50, and $200, I want to show you I am not trying to get anything for free or rip you off. Strange logic, I know."
Alice smiled at him. He seemed to be trying hard to convince her he was safe.
"Ok, your place!" Alice decided.
She didn't like the idea of staying in a hotel by herself. Especially when she hadn't paid for it. She wasn't sure of the proper etiquette; she had never actually stayed in a hotel. A few motels when she was younger, and they seemed to be noisy places with rough dudes hanging around.
"My place then," Frank agreed, "I have a spare room."
As they paid the bill, the waitress continued to give Frank a cold look.
"You ok?" the waitress asked Alice.
Alice nodded and smiled.
The waitress was making it clear she would remember that Alice and Frank left together in case anything happened to Alice.
Frank and Alice left the café and walked back to his place. Alice walked slightly behind him the entire way, ready to bolt if anything strange happened.