Ashley and I were fine after that. She opened up—slowly, and I learned how to you know, stop mentioning the fact that we’re hookers—slowly. And we had our moments late at night in my room where the talking was everything. All that mattered was listening to how she felt and where she’d been and what was she thinking. I could listen for hours, and most times I did. Things were slow with us. Over-compensation, maybe. I guess we both wanted to make sure that this wasn’t just a sex thing. Work was just a sex thing, and she and I were better than that. We were a good thing.

My relationship with Kyla became strained. I think she was mostly jealous that there was someone besides herself that Ashley was willing to let in. So she stopped talking to me unless it was absolutely necessary. I’d like to say that I was bothered by it, but I had a favorite sister and it wasn’t her. I was used to women ignoring me—especially if their husbands were paying customers.

On this day in particular, though, I had a lot of work to do. I had an appointment with a new guy. Some accountant/lawyer/doctor/broker/money clown. They’re all the same and they all want the same things. People’s fetishes that they hide for so long, that they think are so unique and dangerous are pathetic. The idea of thinking that you’ve invented your own sort of sexual idea or fantasy is just that. A fantasy. A fantasy inside of a fantasy that we all require to have orgasms. Maybe some of us don’t. How would I know?

I met the guy at a coffee shop a few blocks away. I knew who he was as soon as I walked in. I recognized the hair and that old grey suit and I stopped short at the door. I didn’t know whether I should confront him or leave. But before I could reach a decision of my own, he turned around and I was left without a choice.

“Dad!” I said, forcing my legs to walk towards his table.

“Spence? Wow, I almost didn’t recognize you!”

“Yeah, well…” I mumbled, praying that this wasn’t what I thought it was. Our signal was supposed to be a red rose somewhere on the table, and as my dad stood up to hug me I saw it.