Cricket: Ember's Story

Making Money

It's November now and I'm only six months from getting Cricket back and no closer to finding a solution with Jesse. Discouraging him not to use just makes him pissed off, and I think he's been shooting even more dope just to spite me. The cold is miserable and drugs are a comfort.

I'm trying to think of ways to make myself money so I can get a place, one of the requirements for getting Cricket back, but I don't know what to do. I need a lot of money for a deposit and first and last month's rent. Time is running out and I'm starting to panic. And the only option I can think of is whoring. Hex talks about how much she makes all the time, and if I can get paid like that, I'll only have to do it a few times to get the money I need for all my plans.

The only guy I've ever had sex with is Jesse. I lost my virginity to him when we were fifteen. There is absolutely no way I can tell him what I'm doing, and I swear Hex to secrecy on our first night.

"Relax. You know I won't say anything," she promises.

We've left Adam and Gus at the bridge while Jesse left to score dope, and Hex and I are looking through this store called Sweethearts for something for me to wear. It's all stripper clothes. Unfortunately, that means I'll be freezing my bony ass off.

Hex is already wearing a blue polyester mini-dress with cut-outs on the sides. I'm trying on a purple, sparkly, strapless number that barely covers my ass. When I come out of the dressing room, Hex nods.

"Purple's your color. Now let's get you some shoes."

I bite my lip, holding back tears. Hex looks at me with concern.

"What's wrong?" she asks gently.

I shake my head. "I'm scared. I've only ever been with Jesse, and I love him."

"Honey, that's why I'm going with you. I'll look out for you. Besides, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. I've told you that for weeks now."

"You said it's the best way to make tons of money fast," I reply.

Hex shrugs and hands me a pair of chunky glittery heels. "If you can't sell drugs, then yeah it is. But there's nothing to be scared of. Most of the johns are nice enough, and most of them just want blow-jobs. It's not that bad."

"How many times do you have to... you know?" I ask softly as we take our purchases to the counter.

"Fuck?"

"Yeah."

"Depends on the night. It varies. The most I've had to fuck in one night was ten, but that is really rare."

"Doesn't that hurt after awhile?" I ask, feeling sick.

"Oh yeah. Hurts like a bitch. But you smile and you act. That's how you get the cash. Don't ever expect to enjoy this. It's not about getting off or even getting turned on 'cause you won't, trust me. That's why you've got plenty of lube 'cause you'll need it. You get off with your real man. But this is just a job. That's all."

"I'm not a very good actor," I say.

"Well it's a good thing you're gorgeous then," Hex says, smiling.

"I wonder if it's different for the guys," I say thoughtfully as we leave the store and start making our way down the cold dark street. I've got my huge coat on, but my exposed legs already have goosebumps.

"It's the same. Except they get much creepier, pervy clientele than we do. That's our one advantage, because everyone pays way more for boys."

"Why?"

Hex shrugs. "'Boys only appeal to certain clientele. And Mouse looks so young so the pedos always go for him, and they'll pay tons for a willing victim who'll never go to the cops."