A Void Dance

Chapter 5 CJ

I walk into the shop. Jose doesn't spare me a glance as he talks on his cell phone animatedly about who knows what. He chose not to wear a wig today. But his usually loud outfit is on display. Today, he wears a black mini-skirt covered in glitter and a neon green halter top. His long fake nails are the same color as the halter top, giving me the impression the fashion choice was on purpose. His eyeshadow is the same neon green with black framing to create a perfect smokey eye look. Long fake lashes complete the smokey eye. I swear he looks prettier than most women do with makeup on. He wears stiletto heels and sits crosslegged on the stool at the shop's front counter.

He places his hand over the phone and whispers, "Hi, Papi" to me. I nod, smiling. Jose is 19. Avery and I met him a year ago when he came to us for help. His brother had beat him up pretty severely after being caught sucking off the neighbor on his mother's couch. His brother followed him to the shop with a baseball bat, screaming the f slur at him and threatening to kill him. Avery chased his brother off with a shotgun, and we then got ahold of Dani. After he got out of the hospital and settled into Avery's spare room, we offered him a job. He doesn't look like he can do much, but he keeps our schedules and billing so organized that we would sink without him.

I walk into the back to drop off my backpack. "CJ, that you?" Avery calls from the office. "Yeah," I call back. Avery comes out and hugs me. "How is everything going today?" I ask. "It's great. It looks like there are no appointments scheduled until the afternoon. You know what that means?" Avery's grin is sly. "They have been asking for me, huh?" I ask. "You know it," he says. I walk out the back door to hoots and hollers from the kids. Today is competition day.

"CJ!" a petite blonde girl about 15 runs up to me wearing a helmet, knee, and elbow pads. "Are you skating?" she asks. "Of course!" I say with excitement. The kids assembled a skateboarding competition a few months ago and asked me to join. So, once a month, I make my appointments for later in the day so that I can join in. Avery has already started the BBQ, and Jose has made his way outside with a bullhorn. "Alright, bitches let's get this party started!" He bellows. "First on the ramp will be Daddy CJ," Jose says, and the kids cheer. I step on the ramp and hoist myself to the top of one side. I step down on the board and go flying down one side and up the other. I slide the rail at the top and do a couple of hops. The kids all cheer for me. As I leave the ramp, Avery hands me a plate with a burger and a bag of chips.

The kids all take turns doing their best tricks, which are much better than anything I did. But I don't participate to win; I just enjoy bonding with the kids. Burgers and hot dogs get passed around as the kids compete. An hour later, Jose announces the winner, and Avery brings out a giant ice cream cake with a candy trophy. The competition is always my favorite day of the month.

These kids are the ones outcasted at school by their parents or both. Here, we are a family; they enjoy being kids and surrounded by people who care about them. For the ones who don't get enough to eat at home, they eat. For the ones who don't get enough hugs, they do here.

"Jessica?" a voice calls from the side of the shop. The 15-year-old girl I spoke with when I came out cringes. "Jessica!" the voice screams again, more angry. A thin lady dressed in ripped jeans and a barely-there tank top with no bra comes around the corner. Her brown hair is messy on the top of her head, sticking out in all directions. Her lipstick is red and smeared on one side of her lips. She is swaying as if she is drunk. Jessica runs up to her mom. "How did you find me?" Jessica sounds dismayed. "Charlie told me where you would be," the woman says, slurring her words. The woman grabs Jessica's arm and starts to drag her while Jessica struggles to get out of her grip. "Is there a problem here?" I ask. Jessica looks terrified. "And just who the hell are you?" The woman slurs at me. "I'm CJ. I own this lot," I say dryly. "I am Jessica's mother, and I own her," the woman sways. "It looks like she doesn't want to go with you," I say sternly. "Chester wants her tonight, and I need money, so what she wants is not my problem," the woman says. I looked at Jessica if I thought she was scared before I was wrong. Jessica's face has gone pale white, and her brown eyes are as big as saucers and brimming with tears. Whoever Chester is, Jessica is terrified of him, and based on what her mother said, Jessica is in danger. " I am afraid I can't let you take her, ma'am," I say, maintaining as much calm as possible. Jose and Avery are flanking me now. Jose has his cell phone up, no doubt recording, and Avery has grabbed the shotgun. "I am going to have to ask you to get off my property," Avery says. The woman sneers and puts two fingers in her mouth, letting out a shrill whistle. Two large men step up from around the building. Both have large bellies protruding from their frames. One has a mohawk shaved into his head dyed green, and the other has his head shaved. Both are missing teeth, made visible by the way they are sneering. "My sons," The lady says, smirking. Jessica's face has fear and desperation written all over it. Avery cocks the shotgun with one hand, making an audible click-click noise. "Y'all are trespassing. It's time to go," Avery announces loudly. The drunk woman pulls harder on Jessica's arm. "No!" She cries. Behind the woman and her two sons, we hear, "Hands up, no, body move. Sir, put the gun down." Avery places the shotgun on the ground. The lady places her hands on her head and releases Jessica's arm. She runs back to the group of kids, several gathering her up and giving her a group hug. Jose, Avery, and I all have our hands on our heads. "Who is Avery McGrath?" the office asks. "That's me, sir," Avery says. "You called in a disturbance?" "Yes, sir," Avery answers the officer. "I would like to make a complaint, officer," the swaying lady says. "These queers are kidnapping my daughter from me for sexual favors" My eyes go wide, and I almost can't hold back the scoff. "No, Mom, that's what you're doing," Jessica says, stepping up from behind me. "Young lady, please explain," the officer says, getting down to Jessica's level so that she feels more comfortable. "Chester is my mom's pimp. She offered me to him because he couldn't make as much money from her. No one in my house has a job. So, she has been forcing me to..." Jessica breaks off as tears roll down her face. Hearing this fills me with a violent rage, and I growl. The officer shoots me a glare. "Jessica, can you tell me who these people are?" The office asks, pointing to Avery, Jose, and me. "They're my new family," she says. The officer nods. He looks at me, indicating I can speak. "I am CJ, and I run this shop with my business partner. We also offer kids a safe place to hang out; if they are in danger, we can get them help. My friend is the director of Open Hearts." The officer nods. "I have heard about you guys. You do good work," the officer says. I nod and smile. The officer looks at Jessica. "You won't be going back home, Jessica. Do you understand what that means?" She nods, putting on a brave face I am sure she doesn't feel. Her mother and two brothers are handcuffed and put in the back of squad cars. Jessica walks up to me and hugs me. "Thank you," she whispers. She walks away with the police officer, and I can only hope she is safe now.