The Pole Dancer

Chapter 9

After three months... March 1988...

Jenice spends the morning with her daughter, watching Sarah's favorite cartoon series on TV. They are both sprawled on the sofa, still in their pyjamas. Sarah carries her teddy bear to her chest. The one Nikki gave her for Christmas.

During all these three months, Jenice and Nikki talked on the phone, both keen for him to get out of Rehab and start a new life together.

Jenice still can't believe it's true. That's what she and Nikki have is a compromising start to a relationship. She can't wait to meet him. All this time she longed for him. After his touch and after his sweet words. And she thinks that he can't wait to see her too.

Sarah laughs loudly at her favorite TV cartoon character, as it does something funny. Jenice smiles softly.

The phone rings. Jenice startles, curious who could call so early in the morning.

She raises up, capturing the receiver, reluctantly bringing it to her ear.

Jenice: "Hello?"

???: "Good morning, doll! Do you miss me?"

Jenice chuckles right away, as she can recognize Nikki's voice.

Jenice: "Good morning! What are you doing?"

Nikki: "I'm over the moon, honey. Today I leave the rehab. Everything ended well. I am clean now."

Jenice: "Oh, babe," the brunette is beaming with happiness, hearing such wonderful news. "I'm glad to hear! I knew you could do it."

Nikki: "I know it's so spontaneous... But I can't wait to see you anymore. I would like to come to you today. What do you say?"

Jenice: "Well..." The young woman longs for him and wants him next to her right now. But there is something...

Nikki: "Or maybe it's too early?" Nikki asks uncertainly.

Jenice: "It's not about that. But you see... I have a day off today. Sarah is at home with me."

Nikki: "Okay. I see..."

Jenice: "But if you want... You could come to our house."

Nikki: "Do you think that's a good idea? Do you think Sarah would approve of me? It would be the first time she would see me."

Jenice is just as insecure as he is. She takes a quick look at her daughter, who is still centred on the TV, with the teddy bear in her arms.

There is a restlessness in Jenice's soul.

She never introduced her daughter any man she was dating. The biggest reason being that after her and Paul's breakup, Jenice hasn't been with anyone else for nearly three years.

So the brunette is reluctant and calculates every move. How would her daughter react? And would Nikki get used to the idea of ​​dating a woman with a child from a previous relationship? He confessed to her that this would not be an impediment. But in the end he and Sarah hasn't met yet.

Jenice: "Okay. You can come. I just don't know how Sarah will react. Let's hope everything will turn out just fine," she giggles nervously.

Nikki: "Got it, honey. So... I guess we'll see each other soon?"

Jenice: "Of course."

Nikki: "See you soon! I love you!"

Jenice: "I love you too!"

And the call ends. Jenice looks uncertainly at her daughter, making plans and ideas in her head.

Sarah doesn't even remember her father, she was quite young. She had barely turned two years old when Jenice shoved her into the car and gone away. So the little girl did not grow up with a father figure.