By SONYA EDWARDS
Contains mentions of child sex trafficking and prostitution.
“Sorry I’m late, traffic was a bitch today,” I explained, desperately draining the nerves from my voice and demeanor, as I sat at the table where my boss Micheal was waiting. He hardly even looked up from his phone as I slid into the booth.
“Thats okay. How’s my number one girl?” My heart quickens. The title sends nervous tremors down my spine. You won’t be his girl much longer. It reminds me of my racing heart.
“As good as ever,” I respond quickly, too quickly; Micheal shoots me a questioning glance, his gaze lingering this time, searching my eyes for…something.
“Good business?” He offers.
“Yup, business is booming,” I responded, my leg bouncing under the table rapidly. Micheal nods slowly and his gaze returns to his phone. My heart thumps loudly in my chest, You can do this Jewel, just get him to confess and you’ll have your freedom. Of course that’s easier said than done. Micheal has very little patience for anything he deemed unnecessary.
“Someone wants to see you tonight. Hudson Hotel, the penthouse suite. Be there at eight o’clock sharp,” Micheal demands. My heart quickens. Not enough.
“What does he want?” My voice trembles through the nerves. Another suspicious glance, his eyes filling with annoyance.
“The usual? What the hell kind of question is that?” Shit, shit shit. He needs to say the words. I take a deep breath and try my best to look naive and dumb.
“He doesn’t want something special?” I will try again.
“No, Jewel, he just wants the usual,” Micheal’s voice is laced with anger. The last of his patience is dripping down the drain. I shouldn’t push him more, but I need to.
“What exactly does the usual mean bec-” A crisp and hard slap sends me sprawling out of my seat and onto the floor.
“Damn it Jewel! He wants to fuck you! That’s it. He paid me a pretty little price for that pussy of yours!” Micheal is fuming and my cheek burns. But it doesn’t matter, he said the words. I stay crumpled on the ground, my hands over my head. “Good god you are such a stupid bitch!”
The doors burst down and police and federal agents storm into the restaurant. My boss is swarmed in seconds by all sorts of agents barking orders. Micheal obliges the officers commands like his brain hasn’t processed what’s happened. Until his eyes find mine; shock turns to anger and the realization dawns on him, “You!” He spits. “You did this to me? Ungrateful bitch, ever since I bought you you’ve been pampered like a queen I did every-”
“You have the right to remain silent!” Micheal is cut off by the officer beginning to loudly read his Miranda rights. Another officer helps me stand up and take off the wire I was wearing. He quickly pressed an ice pack on my reddened cheek. I watch the scene unfold before me in disbelief. Micheal was marched out in cuffs and I finally let out a breath of relief.
I was sold into this life at twelve years old, I don’t remember my life before. After being pimped out by Micheal and taking the bashes and substances the customers forced on me, my mind broke and feelings left me. I folded into myself, followed orders to stay alive. I left feelings on the nightstand after my first job. But now the feelings start to return. The feelings found me again, tracked me down and rotted themselves deep within my core and began to grow. I can feel the warm bud of hope unfurl and someday it will bloom.
Featured Image: Betty Cavicchia’28
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