You're Always You

Chapter Fourteen

Lydia Petrov

Unbelievable.

David took Monica. Of course, Monica had every right to leave if she wanted to. But being forced out by some family member?

Unbelievable.

It was as though the man had no respect. Some people, like herself, made a living off of something like this. This was how Lydia survived, with Richie's support as well. There wasn't anything else for Lydia to do.

And, unlike Monica, she didn't have some 'big brother' to come and rescue her from this. In Lydia's opinion, she didn't need rescuing. Stating that she needed rescuing implied that what she was doing was wrong. It was completely legal and Lydia didn't need to feel guilty about how she survived.

This was her life.

The only frustrating factor was explaining to Richie that night that he may, or may not, be down a stripper. It pissed him off - a lot. Lydia, amongst other girls, had to take time out to teach new girls how to at least be halfway decent. Richie had to pay for that kind of training.

And, well, it was safe to say that by the end of the night Lydia was the one apologizing for not handling the situation faster. That she should've done better on watching and taking care of Monica.

In a way, Lydia knew that Richie wasn't directly mad at her. Rather, mad at the the situation and Monica, in a way. Still, Lydia was the one that was taking the brunt of his wrath.

By the end of the night, Lydia ended up sleeping on the couch.

When morning came, Lydia wasn't too surprised to find herself up before Richie. Lydia enjoyed sleeping in, but it was nothing compared to her boyfriend. The woman remained in her makeshift bed on the couch, staring at the ceiling for a few moments. She shut her eyes, frowning before pulling out her phone. Lydia wasn't able to charge her phone last night, given Richard took the bedroom, but it was still more than enough.

With how big of a heart Lydia had for the friends she made, in this case her fellow strippers, Lydia searched for Monica's number in her phone. Lydia wasn't able to talk to the girl last night and she was worried. It was early, yes, but Lydia still wanted to call and check on Monica.

Pressing the phone against her ear, Lydia shut her eyes and listened to the ringing.

"Hello?"

Lydia let out a breath in relief at Monica's voice. "Hey," She murmured to the woman. "Are you okay? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why... wouldn't it be?"

"I just wanted to check on you." Lydia said, adjusting the phone against her ear with a soft smile. "If something was wrong, you know I'd get your back." Lydia said confidently. "I'd even clear off the couch for you at my home, as long as I'm not using it." She said, rolling her eyes somewhat in frustration.

The girl chuckled softly. "I know. I appreciate that. But... I don't think my brother would like me in the same place as Richard very much."

Lydia rolled her eyes up, towards their shut bedroom door, and gave a sigh in agreement. "Can't blame him," She said with a soft laugh. "Richard, he... he can be insufferable at times. He has his soft sides, too, I suppose. Last night was not one of them. He was pissed about the whole situation. I ended up sleeping on the couch." Lydia clarified, shaking her head. "Don't worry about it, though. Not your problem. But... just checking... are you coming back or not...?" Lydia said, adding, "So I can tell Richard."

The woman hoped that Monica would say yes, solely so Lydia didn't have to deal with Richard's wrath at the confirmation of losing a stripper.

Silence followed, then an awkward, apologetic noise. "...I don't think so..." Monica replied meekly. "I'm sorry! I know he won't be happy about that. But... I dunno. I kinda agree with Davie. No offense at all, I just... personally... never really liked... being looked at that way..."

"It's okay, Monica." Lydia said, biting her lip with a soft nod. "Don't worry about it. I get it, it's not for everyone." Smiling, Lydia added, "You're lucky that you have a family that cares about you, yeah? But not all people are that lucky, I suppose." Lydia hummed, shaking her head. "You do what you have to do."

"I'm really sorry. Y'know... my couch is open too. Just... if you ever need it. I know Richard's not the nicest all the time. He was pretty mean in high school, according to Dave."

Lydia frowned somewhat at the offer for taking the couch. She rubbed her elbow softly and shook her head, speaking. "David had his own issues." Lydia stated simply, not wanting to rag on Monica's brother. "But... it's fine. Richard is just... very emotional. He has his good sides and bad sides, like everyone else. He's just... extreme on both sides." Lydia said softly, adding, "...But thanks for the offer. I'm not sure I want to be yelled at by Richard if I end up sleeping elsewhere. You know what he would be like."

"...Yeah..."

"You remember that one time a couple of the girls ended up sleeping at the beds in the back of the stripclub after hours?" Lydia commented, laughing softly so that it wouldn't wake Richard. "God Richie was so pissed at me. He thought I was sleeping with someone else. Instead he learned I was sleeping with five other strippers." Lydia said, pausing to clarify. "I mean like... next to. Not...- well, you know what I mean."

Monica gave a pity chuckle. "I know what you mean."

Hearing the bedroom door open, Lydia stiffened slightly. She cleared her throat and sat up. "Hey, I gotta go. Richie's awake." Lydia spoke into the phone to Monica. "I'll... check in with you later? Maybe?"

"Okay, sounds good."

Hanging up on the phone with Monica, Lydia looked over at Richie who was approaching with a slight frown, a bit with confusion. "Who was that?"

"Monica." Lydia said slowly, knowing that Richie wouldn't be very happy that she was the one on the phone. Therefore, Lydia tried to make her call seem more like a business one. "I was checking with her on if she planned on returning. She... doesn't."

...

"Damnit!" Richie shouted in frustration, running his fingers up to his hairline on his head. He tugged on his hair slightly in anger, shaking his head. The man proceeded to give a string of slurs in his anger.

...

"It'll be okay, babe." Lydia decided to say. She stood up and stepped over to her boyfriend, rubbing his arm soothingly. "I can... take Monica's shifts if you need me to." She offered with a tight smile. Lydia already didn't love her job all that much and taking more didn't sound appealing... but if it helped Richie, she would. "I can ask the other girls if they want extra shifts, too."

Richie's face was a bit red, as it always was whenever he was angry. Though, he took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. It was something he learned when Lydia had calmly suggested anger management. It helped... sometimes.

"...Alright," Richie said after a breath with a frown. "You can take her shifts. It will bring us more money, anyway."

Great.

"Sounds perfect," Lydia said with a soft, fake smile. "How about I go make us some breakfast, okay?"

"Fine."