Emotional Outlets | ✓

55

It's 3:21 when Jake pulls the chair in front of her. She just stares at him, she was certain he was a no-show.

"So, why are you a whore?"

Her eyes widen and she looks around, no one listened. She releases a breath she did not know she was holding. Stalling for time, she drinks her now-cold coffee.

"It pays the bills of Med School and Community College."

"Right, and that's bullshit."

She just stares at him.

"Med students pay off their debt during residency."

She remembers his brother is a doctor.

"I'm not accusing you of lying, fair enough to have a job now to help with the bills, but I refuse to believe that is why you got into prostitution."

Her eyes harden. "So you are one of those people who feel good by knowing they support the right causes and are against prostitution? It's just a job Jake – an enjoyable one at that."

"I'm one of those people who campaign to make the world a better place for everyone, where no one has to sell their body for money. I'm one of those people who thinks that sex is enjoyable and should never have to be what someone does for a living – it's a pleasure, not a burden. And I'm a smart guy who refuses to believe a smart woman like yourself could only resort to prostitution for money if it is truly the culprit behind the job." He pauses and looks at her.

Theresa stares at him for what feels like the longest minute in the world. He doesn't draw his eyes away from her once. She finally looks down and answers him. "I was lonely ok? *OK?* Is that what you want to hear? Does that reason make it okay for me to be a whore in your standards? Or did I fail the acceptance test again? Huh?"

"Lonely? You expect me to  that?"

"I don't expect anything from you, Jake. Really –"

"You're a liar."

"No, I'm not. I never lie, you not knowing the truth was never a lie from my part."

"Omission is legally liable," his stare is hard enough to kill.

Fuck him.

"I was lonely, and prostitution offered me warm embraces and bliss with a ribbon of cash on top," she gives him a sarcastic smile. "I don't know what else you want me to say, I'm payed to feel happy, Jake! It's the best job in the world."

"Must be," his answering nod is nothing short of ironic. "Why are you in med school then? I'm pretty sure you make more now than the intern you'll be in couple of years time."

She can't help but flinch.

"Aw, come on. You must know this! It really makes no sense in my end at least!" He continues to probe her. "Med school student by day, hooker by night. Ooooh, makes for a lovely Hollywood movie doesn't it?"

"Shut up."

"All the bliss you get has got to be better than dead corpses, no? Come on!" He's nearly shouting by now, it's a wonder no one is looking their way.

"I was lonely. Ok! OK?!" Her eyes flash at him.

"OK!"

"You think you're funny, standing there mocking me don't you?"

"No, I don't. I don't think I'm funny," she wished she wasn't able to tell how sincere he really is in saying that. It would certainly help soften the blow that comes next. "I think you're a coward."