Short Stories

Redlight Cinderella

That was almost a year and a half ago. I enjoyed coming back to this little café every day when I had time. I remember that day along with the week that lead up to it and it made me smile. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I sat here at the same table and smirked thinking about that day. The hum of the espresso machine helped me relaxed. It continued to hum as I worked on my grading that I had to complete for my students. The little building seemed to echo every little sound in the little coffee shop. I sat still taking in all that my senses could handle and indulge in. The smell of the coffee, the taste of it along with the creamer that I put in. The clicking of key strokes, the tapping of pens, the flipping of pages as students anxiously busied themselves with last minute work and preparing for final exams. The sighs of students trying to stay alive under the bone and heart breaking pressure to succeed which was mercilessly crushing them. Most of them didn't work or do anything besides study. I often wondered what that was like. I never had that luxury. I wondered what it was like to study without worrying about making money, taking responsibility for my life, or handling issues. The freedom to have friends and hang out with them without having to handle appointments. Going on dates for coffee, dinner and a movie. It must have been wonderful to have that kind of freedom.

I wasn't ungrateful for the brothel. It had given me everything I could hope for. I had created so many friends, connections, contacts, and sisters. I had the world's largest family that was destructive, chaotic and wonderful. I wouldn't give them up for anything. The brothel had given me my family, my life and my career. I taught there just like I taught at the college. It was still a home for me and my art. I just had to be more careful when selecting clients and taking appointments. There was no one getting an easy A or a parent paying me for services and expecting their kids grade to change. The brothel was still a worthy place for me to create everything and help everyone. It had given me opportunities to sample everything from the world. I had sampled many luxuries and tasted almost every culture from around the world. I had been around the world but I was most happy here in this tiny café. I was safe and loved. I had everything that I needed in my life including my family and my career. My home was here. Here in the café of my college. Here was a place filled with knowledge and curiosity and knowledge. Research was encouraged especially doing it with students. Research based on sleepless nights, passion and desperation. I could finally relax here. I could still view the world and explore but through a world of lens. I could explore all my ideas, hopes and dreams through their connection to the world and reality of life. I could finally escape the box and get me life going. I could finally hang my fishnet stockings and glass slippers.