by Sarah Thorn
''Tonya, are you okay? You look dreadful,'' he said when he saw her smeared mascara and blotchy skin. She tried to put a brave face on it, but another wave of emotion enveloped her, and she burst into tears again. He put his arm around her. He smelled lovely and on any other occasion it would have turned her on. ''Tell me, what's the matter?''
''It's my mom. She's got cancer again.''
''Has the breast cancer come back?''
''Yes.''
''Well don't despair, Dr. Andersen is a good doctor. Your mom's in the best hands. She's been having regular checks, so I assume they've caught this in time.''
''I suppose. But it's not only that,'' she said. She looked across the parking lot and saw Jonnie. A fat lot of good his prediction had been. ''It's money. She's already got medical expenses of sixty thousand dollars. She can't work, and all my money goes on household expenses. We can't afford it.''
''Come and talk to me tomorrow,'' he said. ''We'll see what we can do.''
Tonya wondered what he meant. Perhaps he was going to offer her a raise, but it would have to be significant to pay off the mounting debt.
*****
Tonya found her mom in the backyard. They lived together in a quiet residential street just outside the center of town. Her mom enjoyed gardening, and they had the best-maintained borders in the street. The house was comfortable without being luxurious, but they still had a mortgage, and it was draining Tonya's finances. The last thing she wanted to do was sell the house she'd been born in.
''Mom. You shouldn't be lifting such heavy things,'' she said when she saw her carrying a large bag of compost.
''It's okay. I'm fine.''
''I wish dad were here,'' Tonya said as they walked back to the house. ''I miss him every day.''
''You and me both honey. I really miss him.''
Tonya's father had died in a car accident three years earlier. He'd been driving alone, minding his own business when a man swerved across the road and collided with him. The man had been drinking and taking drugs, and of course, he was uninsured which meant Tonya's mom got no compensation at all. Her dad wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box when it came to financing, and he'd failed to take out any life insurance. Tonya was still cross with him for neglecting his financial duty to his wife and daughter. But it was too late things were what they were.
''How was work love?'' her mom asked.
''Okay until you called and told me your news.'' Tonya ran the tap and filled the kettle. ''I had to go out and cry.''
''Oh, honey. Maybe I shouldn't have rung you.''
Tonya looked at her mom. She looked tired and drained. In her youth, she'd been Miss Sandpoint and a regular in local fashion shows. She had the same golden hair as Tonya, but she'd put on a bit of weight and no longer looked her best. Tonya blamed the steroids she'd had to take the first time she had cancer.
''Dr. Crosby saw me and asked me what the matter was.''
''Oh, I like him.''
''You and all the other women in the town. But he's a womanizer, and he's a very demanding man.''
''I wouldn't mind being demanded by him.''
''Mom. Jeez. What a thought for your daughter to have. Her mom with her boss.''
''What did he say to you?''
Tonya put two cups down on the kitchen table and opened the fridge. ''He told me to go and she him tomorrow.''
''What for?''
''I told him about our financial situation.''
''You what? You did what? Tonya, I asked you never to tell anybody about our finances. Its' nobody's business but ours.''
Tonya cringed. She knew how her mother hated what she'd done. But she'd wanted to get it off her chest. ''Sorry mom. But I sometimes need someone to talk to.''
''You can talk to me. What do you think he wants?''
''I have no idea. I'll see tomorrow.''
The next morning Tonya wasn't late, she was ten minutes early. She was anxious to speak to Dr. Crosby. She hung her jacket over her chair and went through the waiting room to a corridor off which the doctors each had their own consulting room. She knocked on Dr. Crosby's door.
''Come in,'' he shouted. When she entered the room, there was an aroma of freshly showered male. He was, as always, impeccably dressed in a suit, white shirt, and red tie.
''Dr. Crosby, you asked me to come and see you today.''
''Ah, yes. Tonya. Please sit down.''
He loved the way Tonya dressed. She always wore a modest skirt and a blouse. He liked it most when she wore a white blouse because he could, more often than not, see her bra.
''You have some financial concerns, and I'd like to help you,'' he said as he was filling out a form on his desk.
''Any help would be much appreciated.''
He stopped writing and looked in her eyes. Mediterranean blue and as honest as any eyes he'd ever seen. ''I will pay off all your debts.''
Tonya spluttered. ''What? Did you say......''
He nodded. ''You heard me correctly.''
''Wow. I don't know what to say. It will take me a lifetime to pay you back, though.''
''No it won't because it's a gift, but I want something in return.'' She looked at his face as it took on a stern appearance. ''I want you to be my girlfriend.''
Tonya began to wonder whether there was really something wrong with her hearing. What the hell was he playing at? His girlfriend?
''Er.....how exactly do imagine it working?''
''|Simple, I pay your debts off in full, and you date me. I like you, and I think you're very beautiful indeed.''
''But wouldn't that make me your whore?''
He laughed. ''How?''
''You're paying me to be your girlfriend, and I assume that includes having sex with you,'' Tonya said frankly.
''I can't imagine anything better than having sex with you. Look at you, you are so beautiful.''
''I.......I don't know what to say. How do I know you would be faithful to me? I mean you have a bit of a reputation with the ladies.''
''You would have my word.''
Tonya smoothed her skirt and stood you. ''Let me think. It's all a bit surreal not to say a bit weird.''
*****
The same evening, Tonya paid a visit to Lucy, her best and only friend. Lucy lived in a large house with her new husband Steve who owned a trucking company.
''It's so nice here,'' Tonya said as they sat down on the terrace with a glass of wine.''
''I'm so lucky. Steve is great, and his business is doing really well,'' Lucy said running her hand over her brunette hair.
''You two were lovers at sixteen weren't you?''
Lucy grinned. ''I'd never seen a penis before I was sixteen. I hadn't got a clue what to do, but Steve had seen enough of his elder brother's pornos to guide me. It was a great time.''
Tonya had a rush of jealousy. She hadn't had a boyfriend for ages, only attention from men she didn't find attractive.
'' I've got something incredible to tell you. You won't believe it,'' Tonya said.
Lucy sipped her wine and looked at her friend with curiosity. ''I'm all ears.''
''You know Dr. Crosby?''
''Oh my God. He's so hot. If I weren't married, I'd.......''
''Not you as well. My mom told me the same thing. Well, anyway, he wants me to be his girlfriend.''
Lucy spat her wine back into her glass. ''You what? You lucky bitch.'' Her eyes widened, and now she was the jealous one.
''It's not as simple as you may think. You know mom and I are finding it hard to make ends meet?'' Lucy nodded. ''Well I was upset the other day about mom, and he noticed and asked me what was wrong. I told him about our financial troubles.'' Lucy was now sitting on the edge of the seat, hanging onto every word. ''He asked me to go and see him the next day. So I did. And guess what he told me?'' Lucy was stunned and incapable of guessing. Her mouth fell open, and she slowly wiggled her head from side to side. ''He told me if I were to consent to be his girlfriend, he would pay off all our debts.
''
''Jesus Christ,'' Lucy said after a while. ''Snap his hand off. You won't get another offer like that again. Especially from a man like him.''
''I asked him if being his girlfriend included having sex.''
A look of dismay came over Lucy's face. ''Of course, it means having sex. That's the whole point of having a boyfriend. Really, when were you born, in the eighteen hundreds?''
''I know. It was a stupid question. He said he wanted sex.''
''Great. You'll have to tell me what's he's like in bed. Doctors know all about female anatomy. I bet he makes you come so often you'll beg him to stop.''
A bird flew overhead, and Tonya wished she could climb on in and be carried away to a far off land. ''But in my opinion, that's the same as prostitution. He pays me, and I have sex.''
''My dear friend. What's the difference between that and what Steve does for me. It's his house, his money and I give him sex?''
''You're married. What Dr. Crosby wants is the same as in that film. What was it called? You know with Robert Redford.''
''Indecent Proposal.''
''Yes. That's it. He's made me an indecent proposal.''
Lucy finished her wine in one and poured another. She was enjoying this conversation very much. ''I'll admit it's a bit unusual. But if were you I would take it. Just imagine all your money worries, gone. And what's a bit of sex? If he turns out to be a lousy lover, which I'm sure he's not, just lay on your back and let him do it.''
''Very helpful thanks,'' Tonya said sarcastically.
*****
Gretta was talking to Mrs. Bain when Tonya arrived at the surgery.
''Tonya, thank heavens you're here. I can't make head or tail of this young lady. I need my prescription. Where is it?''
''Mrs. Bain, don't you remember? You get your prescription at the dispensary in town, not from here. Gretta, take Mrs. Bain to the dispensary and make sure she gets her prescription please.''
Gretta flashed Tonya a dirty look as if to say she'd had enough of the old lady already, but Tonya didn't take any notice, she had other things on her mind. She walked through the empty waiting room and knocked on Dr. Crosby's door.
The room smelled just as nice as the day before. Whatever shower gel he used, she liked it. ''Dr. Crosby.......,'' she began.
''Call me Marcus please,' he interrupted.
''Er... Marcus,'' it seemed strange calling him Marcus. ''I want to reply to our conversation of yesterday.'' He didn't say anything. ''I think what you have offered is inappropriate. You have done nothing more than proposition me. Use me, in fact. You have used you superior wealth to try to get me to do something I don't want to do. And to be frank, I think you should be ashamed of yourself.''
''Did I hear you correctly? That I should be ashamed of myself? Shall we look at the situation?'' He looked her straight in the eyes with a glare that made her very uneasy. ''You are the one in need, not me, so perhaps you should be a bit more civil to me. In addition, this surgery belongs to me, and you work for me. Think about that next time you insult me. I'm sure there are plenty of other jobs out there.''
''Are you threatening me?'' Tonya asked, her blood beginning to boil.
''Not at all. I'm simply pointing out that I made you a reasonable offer, and you are being ungrateful.''
She stood up and put her hands on her hips. ''Never. I will never take you up on your ridiculous offer. How could you? I'm not a piece of trash you can take to bed for money.''
Marcus cringed as she slammed the door and the pictures of his yacht almost fell from the wall.
*****
Tonya sat in her bedroom and looked out of the window as the postman worked his way along the street.
It was Saturday, and the surgery was closed. She thought about what had happened during the week with Marcus. Why had he made her such an offer? He was a rich man, and she was sure he could have any woman he wanted. Did it turn him on to treat her like that or did he really like her and want to help? No, if he just wanted to help, he would have lent her the money, no strings attached. The postman reached their house and put a letter and what looked like a newspaper in the postbox. She would look for another job, and leave him to molest his next receptionist, she concluded.
When Tonya had washed and dressed, she went downstairs to find her mother holding the letter the postman had just delivered. She handed it to Tonya.
''More? How can it be so expensive,'' Tonya cried. ''Sorry mom, that was insensitive. Your treatment comes first. We'll find the money.'' Her mother smiled, but it was a worried smile.
After breakfast, Tonya sat out on the veranda and wondered why in such a civilized country medical bills were so expensive. She'd read that in some European countries medical treatment was practically free. They wanted to add another twenty thousand to her mom's bill. Who knows where it will end Tonya thought as she imagined an auctioneer standing on a podium in front of their home, with a crowd of bloodthirsty bidders in front of him.
Her cell phone rang, it was Lucy. ''Hi, do you want to come for a barbecue this afternoon? It's a lovely day, and we've decided to invite a few friends around. Please say yes.''
''Okay, that sounds great. I'll bring some wine.''
''No need, Steve's got it covered. Just bring yourself and a smile.''
Did she mean that I'm miserable? Tonya thought.
At three pm Tonya put on in a floral summer dress and hopped on her bicycle. It was a short ride to Lucy's, and she enjoyed the fresh air. She also enjoyed all the guys who turned their heads to watch her long brown legs rotating seductively as she peddled.
Lucy greeted her like a long-lost friend and introduced her to four guys who drive trucks for Steve, and a couple of young women who worked in the office. There were also a few of Lucy's family there, including her cousin Jeff.
''Jeff,'' Tonya said as she opened a beer. ''How are you?''
''All the better for seeing you. You look gorgeous.''
''Thanks. How's college?''
He swept a hand over his black hair and fixed his green eyes on her cleavage. ''Okay. But it seems like a never ending road. Eight years of grind.''
''But just think how great it will be to call yourself doctor at the end of it all.''
''I suppose so. It would be even better if you were by my side, Tonya. Imagine what a team we would be.''
Tonya took a mouthful of beer and thought what she should say to him. They'd been through all this, weeks ago. He obviously hadn't listened. ''Jeff, I told you before, I really like you, but for me, there's no spark. It's not your fault, we're just on different wavelengths'' He looked at his feet and shuffled from one foot to the other. ''I'm sorry. You'll find Mrs. Right one day, I know.'' She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
''But you're so.......I can't describe it. You're just perfect.''
Someone burped and a few people laughed hysterically. ''Thanks, Jeff, you're so sweet, and I wish I felt different, but I don't want to lie to you.''
Tonya moved away and stood next to Steve, who was cooking chicken and making a poor job of it. ''You'll burn it, move it to the side,'' she said. Steve put his arm around her.
''Tonya. It's great to see you. You always call to see Lucy when I'm at work. Afraid you'll not be able to keep your hands off me?''
Steve had a great sense of humor. He was a big guy and strong. With his arm around her, she chastised herself for beginning to feel secure in the arms of another woman's husband. ''You've got it in one Steve. How could any woman resist?''
He kissed her on the cheek and offered her a chicken wing. ''Later,'' she said.
''Go and sit with the guys. A couple of them are single, who knows?'' he suggested.
Truckers weren't number one on Tonya's list, but she saw a free chair and sat down between two big guys who already had several empty beer bottles under their chairs. One of them leaned over to her and introduced himself as Ivan. It turned out he was from Romania and had come to the US to drive trucks. He spoke English with
a strong accent, and Tonya found herself saying, 'pardon,' quite a lot. When he started to stare at her breasts and put his hand on her knee, she excused herself and went to talk to Lucy.
''And? What happened?'' Lucy asked.
''He's a bit rude.''
''No I mean with Dr. Crosby, not Ivan.''
''Oh. Nothing, I told him to sod off.''
Lucy put the chicken bone on her plate. ''Why? Jesus. All you had to do was go to bed with him a few times and he would have made your life so much easier. I don't understand you. Think of your mom.''
It was something Lucy hadn't stopped thinking about. She dared not tell her mom because she knew what she'd say. But by refusing Marcus she did feel guilty. ''But what sort of man does that to a younger woman?'' she asked.
''An interesting man. A man who likes to play games, who demands things. A man who makes you feel things. Has he made you feel anything?''
''Yes. He's made me feel cheap and worthless.''
Lucy sighed at Tonya's lack of enthusiasm for a game she would love to play herself. '' He's playing a game with you. Do you think he really believes you are cheap and worthless? Of course, he doesn't.''
Tonya finished her beer and twirled the bottle around in her hand.
''Why don't you do it, Tonya. He's rich; he's handsome, and he's a doctor. Just swallow your pride and do it.''
Ivan burped again, and some of the others laughed. Tonya looked at the men at the barbecue. There were six in total. Steve was the best looking but married. Jeff was moderately good looking but neurotic and needy. The other six were all overweight and seemed to have an unhealthy interest in beer. Was this the future Tonya thought? Saturday afternoons at Lucy and Steve's being ogled by Romanian truck drivers?
She walked across the lawn to a quiet place and took out her cellphone.
''Half the money for being your girlfriend without sex,'' she said when Marcus picked up.
''Four thousand a month until half is paid. If I give you half in one go, you'll leave me after a week.''