"How much do you charge?" The man asked.
"What?" Erica was bewildered at the question.
"Look if it's a high price, I'll pay it as long as you don't have the clap or something" Erica then put two and two together. This man thought she was a prostitut...
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Word Count: 1,865
Small Heath was covered in a thick sheet of grey ash that hid the aurora colored sky. The polluted air blocked Erica's lungs causing her to cough continuously making her feel like a personified chimney. This would not stop her from getting on with the busy antics of today. The young women took long strides as she made her way past the working men and brushing of the few hollers that followed her way. She took out the long list of tasks that would have to be finished before four that afternoon.
It read. Collect Polly, Esme and Linda's dresses from the seamstress, the cake from Milton's bakery, purchase Lizzie some earrings and collect Michael's suit and cufflinks. Michael. The name sent a mass of butterflies to pool in her stomach. Erica had spent the whole night tossing and turning replaying back the scenario on the couch. Multiple unanswered questions passed her mind since he left. Was Michael going to kiss her?, would she have kissed him back? and what would have happened if she did?.
Erica never really had any experience when it came to as anything as complicated as men. Back in the countryside she had went to local dances with friends and often had men attempt to persuade her on dates that she rarely accepted. Erica agreed to one or two that ended up with her giving them a swift kick to the groin when the all too confident pigs only wanted sex in the end. Besides those horrific dates, Erics knew that she could not have time for a boyfriend while juggling work and taking care of her Mother. Now that the circumstances had changed and Erica had less of a wait on her shoulders she could possibly start dating if she liked.
Even if Erica had a substantial amount knowledge in this subject, it most likely wouldn't even help her in the slightest when it came to Michael. She didn't know if she was coming or going with the bipolar Michael Gray and those couple of hours spent last night only confused Erica more. His questionable actions the past few months made her hesitant to even think of him in that sort of way and made her come to the conclusion that it wasn't worth it. There was plenty of men in the city for her. Erica felt slightly guilty and even a little promiscuous to think of what Michael would think of her thoughts. However, She pushed back those thoughts and made her way through Small Heath with great confidence. Erica was a single and independent women who could do what she wanted without the approval of Michael Gray.
~~
It was about two in the afternoon when Erica had accomplished that bloody list and her feet were aching. She looked disheveled with her curly brown ringlets escaping her bun and a flushed face after an argument at the jewelry store when someone slagged her cousin Lizzie's life decisions. Erica had given the manager a good telling off which was kind considering the more favorable idea of the Blinders would have been burning the place down most likely. Her vision was completely blocked with the comedic scene of her stumbling through the street on her way to The Garrison.
