Mandy hadn't been on a date in a long time, not a real one and really in her situation it just wasn't in the cards as her station let her see men in another light. Those dates weren't in search of romance, they wouldn't be a reason to quit, they in some numbers wouldn't approve of her being a stripper, especially a prostitute if and when they found out, the ones who could change her life were not interested, nor did they engage visiting the less than upscale club she worked, or often dealt with those who walked the street- the last part which baffled her. Danny to her was intriguing and she thought to make use of his youthful jadedness, naivety, or ignorance, whatever it may be, so she can feel like a person at least for one night and not some walking goods and service. Although money is her main thing, one way she's like the other girls, he was supposed to be a regular John, yet her interest grew and they clicked when they shouldn't have, her sell went too deep and too far.
She's a little nervous staring at herself in the mirror naked, those implants have gotten a little heavy over the years, that stomach just won't get that definition back, those slight saddlebags, there's a few wrinkles, at least her brunette hair hadn't a centimeter of gray, which she smiled proudly about. Obviously men like her, but they'll screw anything. Danny seems different, seems reserved, maybe she isn't up to par- that makes her nervous, along with maybe what she thinks might be something one-sided.
"A little makeup couldn't hurt- I am a hooker but I don't have to
look
like one. How much do I look like one, when I don't really wear makeup, does this make me look like
more
of a hooker," she thought.
She settled with just a bit of eyeliner and non obtrusive lipstick color, then looked at the options of clothes laid out.
"He said casual... Jeezuz... and do I have any perfume that
doesn't
make me smell like a hooker? Fuck the perfume, I'm already about to wear makeup."
She picked some flared jeans and a tunic to wear.
"Does this make me look old? I hope not, I mean... I'd rather look like some old surburban mom, than a hooker," she looked at herself, then around the room, "maybe I should get a cat, at least I wouldn't feel so bad talking to myself, and crazy. They do say that talking to yourself is perfectly normal and fine as long as you don't respond, that makes sense, right? Yeah, I think so. Fuck."
Danny himself had gotten back to his motel room and taken a shower, getting ready and questioning the date as well.
"I must be fucking crazy taking some random prostitute out on a date," he told himself in the mirror.
He had tried those two leads and one came up empty, the other he would need to return to tomorrow.
"I mean... she looks old enough to be my
mother
. No... that shouldn't matter, dad was way older than my mom. Maybe Mandy's right about me; I don't always act my age, but some of the people my age in my situation just..
aren't,
sure they have money, but that's all they're interested in; having money and living from it- I
actually
wanted in dads business versus living off my inheritances. It's those lazy asses that I don't relate to. Ugh... and the cordial fakeness and superficial bullshit!"
Danny threw back on his baggy jeans, grabbed a graphic t-shirt and a button down to wear over it, rolling up the sleeves just below the elbow.
"Maybe that's the thing; I just relate more to my peers more like me, even though I wouldn't totally shun the others. Maybe that's why me and Mandy seem to click; I think she's a business woman at heart, just on the low scale. Gawd I
hope
it's not a front. So she's older... older people seem to be more on the same accord, they know life ain't just fun and games all the time. And she's not bad looking, there's this allure to her, even with somewhat average looks, I
do
like her personality... how she presents herself anyway. She seems real and genuine."
He unlocked his phone and stared at her number, hissed through his teeth.
"No Danny, don't think about
actually
being with Mandy. It's bad enough she's a stripper- other than my image and family name, I guess if I was middle-class it'd be okay. No way, no matter what, would I actually date a hooker, a line has to be drawn. I guess if it worked, I could get her out of it... but I'd
still
be dating a
hooker
. Danny you sound like a simp, stop it!"
He made an exasperated sigh as his phone rang.
"And
stop
talking to yourself, your not old and eccentric enough for that, or wealthy enough," he growled, "Not wealthy enough, yet. Fuck! Hello mom, what is it?"
"I was just checking in on you."
"I'm getting ready for a date right now."
"That's good, that's good. You should be taking a break from looking for her."
"Please don't start!"
"I'm not! Honestly I hope you find her so you can get the perspective you need. You need to see the truth."
"Stop it, I ain't trying to be in a bad mood before my date."
"Then who's the lucky lady?"
"A business woman I met at a bar, we kinda hit it off... maybe something cam be had from this."
"Maybe if nothing else plans out, at least you met somebody, right? Even if it's one date, something good might come from this, even if it's not the outcome you wanted."
"That's true "
"I'm just worried and I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"She should be lucky. You have your fathers good looks and charisma. So much of it that I had been thinking me and you could-"
"Mom! If you're saying what I think you're saying..."
"Oh don't you 'mom' me, young man! Let's be honest... we
both
know the truth here, right?
"Yeah," he sighed.
"So does it really matter?"
"In a way...?"
She scoffed, "it's not like it'd be something that never happened before."
"That's true."
"And I remember that lil crush you had on me when you were younger, yeah? Is there any of that left?"
"Kinda."
"Enough to try?"
"Maybe," he sighed.
"You know I love you, a lot. I'm sorry if this is the wrong time, but I thought about it and I just have a feeling you'll need me. We see eye to eye more than you do with most of the girls around here, sometimes it's like dealing with your father, dealing with you," she gave a soft laugh, "no matter what happens, I'll be here for you in any way you need, understand?"
"I understand loud and clear. But why now and why so soon?"
"Danny... really, is that how you feel?"
"No... it's just a coincidence and we have danced around this too long- that's how I feel inside."
"I'm your mom, I'll always be here, nothing will change. If this whole thing is a bust, then maybe it's a sign. I just feel like- it's hard to describe, call it women's and mothers intuition that the outcome won't be... well. It's what
you
want, as a parent I'm here for
you
, your happiness. If it doesn't work out, fine, change your mind, fine."
"What about what you want, mom?"
"I'll be happy with or without you as long as your happy. I'll always welcome you back with open arms... and legs. If somebody else tickles your fancy, then have at it, if it doesn't work and you want me back..."
"What if you find somebody?"
"I'll still be yours, baby," she said with a sultry voice, "they'll just hafta share, my son comes first."
"You are the coolest mom. I wish we could've at least done something a long time ago."
"We could have, baby, we could have, once you were old enough, I thought you'd try something."